I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

At the same time, throughout Chuyang City.

Whether it's cultivators trading in the market, ascetic practitioners in seclusion in their caves, clan elders teaching younger generations in their courtyards, or ordinary people working in the fields...

All living beings sensed something and simultaneously stopped what they were doing, turning their gazes toward the direction of the Silent Forest.

That announcement brought them unparalleled shock.

"Master Chen Dai? Is that the patriarch of the Chen family who has been in seclusion for over ten years?!"

"Silent until the moment of truth, then a resounding success! The Chen family has actually quietly cultivated a Golden Core cultivator?!"

"My God... the landscape of Chuyang City is about to change drastically from this day forward! From now on, the Chen family will likely dominate this area!"

After a brief silence, there was a volcanic eruption of heated discussion and incredulous exclamations.

For the vast majority of low-level cultivators and mortals, a Golden Core True Person is already a legendary existence, a towering figure capable of establishing a sect and intimidating a region!

Originally, the territory of Chuyang City, although nominally under the jurisdiction of the City Lord's Mansion, was actually a delicate balance maintained by several Foundation Establishment families competing with each other.

Now, the foundation of the balance has been completely shattered, one side has gained an absolute advantage in power, and the future course of the situation is already clearly visible.

Panic, awe, worry, scheming... a variety of complex emotions surged in the hearts of countless people.

Some patriarchs of small families and leaders of independent cultivators with keen senses have already begun to secretly consider how to deal with this newly emerging Golden Core family in the future.

They even considered whether to seek refuge with the enemy in advance.

Those forces or individuals who had clashed with the Chen family felt a chill run down their spines and began preparing to flee.

……

Beneath Moonlight Rock, in the shadows.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Che, who had been lying in wait, and the Shadow Moon Wolf King, who had been growing up with his eyes closed, both trembled slightly and suddenly opened their eyes!

Both clearly sensed the terrifying pressure that descended from the sky, which, though fleeting, was as vast as an abyss!

Even through the layers of soil and giant rocks of their nest, the oppressive feeling emanating from a higher level of life still stimulated their nerves.

For the first time, a clear sense of unease and anxiety was revealed in the Shadowmoon Wolf King's pair of dark green vertical pupils.

It let out a suppressed growl from its throat.

The pale yellow demonic power surging around him suddenly intensified, pouring into the silver-white fruit before him with even greater ferocity, like a burning flame.

Clearly, the aura of that newly emerged, unparalleled powerhouse from the outside world has put immense pressure on it, forcing it to accelerate the maturation process at any cost.

Lin Che also took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil that had suddenly surged in his heart.

"As expected... it's the worst-case scenario I anticipated."

Chen Dai, the patriarch of the Chen family, truly succeeded.

Moreover, judging from his "silent until he makes a stunning debut" approach, his breakthrough was definitely not a fluke today.

They have probably already stabilized their realm, but have kept it a secret and endured until now.

What is the purpose of this?

Combining today's meticulously designed trap, the Zhao family's vassals, and the luring and control of several other core combat forces...

During his wait, Lin Che had roughly pieced together the Chen family's entire plan:

The Chen family's intentions were not merely to demonstrate their military strength or simply to seize a Moon Essence Crystal Fruit.

Their real goal is to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take control of all the Foundation Establishment families with considerable strength within the territory of Chuyang City!

By incorporating all these potential competitors or destabilizing factors into their own vassal forces, they can build a stable Golden Core-level power structure with the Chen family at its absolute core!

If one were to reveal their Golden Core cultivation level prematurely, it would inevitably arouse suspicion from all sides.

They would have either joined forces to fight back, sought external assistance, or simply retreated to protect themselves. They would never have done what they did today, sending their core fighting force almost unsuspectingly to the Chen family's doorstep.

If the Chen family were to directly attack and seize the territory, it would be an ugly move, extremely costly, and could also attract intervention from the City Lord's Mansion or other regional forces.

But things are different today.

The elite forces of each clan gathered here, far away from their own established strongholds and clan-protecting formations.

Caught off guard, facing a Golden Core cultivator who suddenly appeared and intimidated everyone with absolute power, there was almost no other way but to submit.

This is simply a godsend, a perfect opportunity to subdue all factions without shedding a drop of blood!

"Such deep scheming, such a huge appetite!"

Lin Che's opinion of the Chen family rose even higher, and at the same time, a strong sense of urgency arose within him.

Once the Chen family has consolidated most of the power in Chuyang City, who will be their next target?

It is undoubtedly the Lin family, which has developed rapidly in recent years!

Even though the Lin family may not seem strong at the moment, given the temperament of the Chen family's patriarch, he would never allow a force that is not fully under his control and has potential to exist on his territory.

We must obtain the Moon Essence Crystal Fruit as soon as possible, and we must form our core as soon as possible!

It was at this moment that...

A faint, yet exceptionally pure and refreshing fragrance, seemingly capable of penetrating the very soul, spread quietly like a trickle breaking through ice within the enclosed space beneath the Moonlight Rock…

……

A quiet forest, in a clearing in the heart of the woods.

Zhou Wanfu, the Li family patriarch, and the Sun family patriarch looked at each other, their faces ashen.

The oppressive aura of the Golden Core cultivator was like a sword hanging overhead, instantly extinguishing all their previous anger, questioning, and wishful thinking.

The situation is better than people.

After a brief silence, the three of them almost gritted their teeth and forced out words they didn't mean:

"Congratulations... Congratulations to Master Chen on achieving the Golden Elixir Path!"

Chen Dai, suspended in mid-air, didn't even lift his eyelids once more.

He merely gave a very slight nod to his son, Chen Mingfei, the current head of the Chen family, below.

Immediately, the gray-robed figure swayed slightly and vanished silently from the spot.

It was as if it had never existed.

Only the lingering, chilling aura of oppression remained.

Chen Mingfei took a deep breath, straightened his back, and wore a smug and confident smile.

With steady steps, he walked up to the three clan leaders, whose faces were ashen.

"How was it?" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the composure and pressure unique to a victor.

"Now, do you all understand?"

Zhou Wanfu's round face, which usually carried a friendly and cheerful smile, was now so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

He stared intently at Chen Mingfei and asked, word by word:

"Patriarch Chen, things have come to this. What do you intend to do? Draw up the terms!"

"hehe."

Chen Mingfei chuckled lightly, as if he had expected the question, and said leisurely:

"It's very simple. My Chen family is not a bloodthirsty family, nor does it intend to sever the lineage of your families."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three families' sons behind him, who were being held captive and looked terrified.

"I can safely release your people, including all of you."

The Li family patriarch and the Sun family patriarch exchanged glances, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.