I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Two figures faced each other from a distance of a hundred feet.

Lin Che stood calmly in the void.

A strong wind swept by, making his clothes flutter, but it couldn't stir the deep contemplation in the depths of his eyes.

He did not immediately eliminate the man.

It's all because of that formation.

Although he had not personally visited the area where the formation was located, Lin Che had already obtained detailed information about the formation from the formation flag in Zhao Changkong's hand through the system.

Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array, Tier 3, High Grade.

This evil formation is made primarily from the complete divine souls of three Golden Core cultivators, supplemented by the resentment of countless wronged spirits, and refined using secret methods.

This formation is far more vicious than ordinary formations. Those trapped within will suffer the torment of being devoured by countless ants, and even after death, their souls will not be freed, but will be refined into blood souls within the formation, never to be reborn.

The resources and methods required to create this array are far beyond what a Golden Core ancestor from a small border tribe could possess.

Lin Che was even less convinced that Zhao Changkong had created the formation himself.

Therefore, there is only one answer.

The Zhao family has powerful backers!

Who?

Thinking of the connection between the Zhao family and the Blood Shadow Hall, Lin Che was reminded of the old boss behind the Blood Shadow Hall that he knew all too well...

The Demon Palace of Rebellion.

A ripple appeared deep in Lin Che's eyes.

If Zhao Changkong is killed and the Zhao family is wiped out, will it implicate the forces behind him?

Given the modus operandi of the Demon Palace of Rebellion, even without evidence, they would never let the matter rest once they suspected the Lin family.

That's a force with a Nascent Soul Ancestor in charge.

The Lin family is now a force to be reckoned with.

Lin Che's face remained calm, but his mind was churning with weighing options and calculations.

Just then, Zhao Changkong on the other side seemed to have figured something out.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the fear and humiliation in his heart, and suddenly raised his head to look directly at Lin Che, his voice hoarse but clear:

"Lin Che! You can't kill me!"

Lin Che's eyes flickered slightly, but he remained silent.

"I come from the Demon Palace of Rebellion!" Zhao Changkong said, uttering his last bargaining chip.

"If you kill me, my master will never let you go! He will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, wipe out your entire family, and refine the souls of everyone in your Lin family into blood souls, condemning them to eternal damnation!"

His voice drifted away in the gale.

Lin Che narrowed his eyes slightly.

Sure enough.

All the guesses were confirmed at this moment.

Seeing that Lin Che remained silent and his calm expression made Zhao Changkong increasingly uneasy.

When intimidation failed, he gritted his teeth, finally made up his mind, raised his hand to form a hand seal, and a telepathic message, audible only to the two of them, quietly drifted into Lin Che's ear:

"Master Lin, my purpose in coming to Chuyang City is not solely for the development of my family."

"I am acting on my master's orders to pave the way for the Demon Palace's grand plan! If you kill me, the Demon Palace's arrangements will be disrupted. You should consider the consequences yourself!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Che's calm expression finally changed.

His brows furrowed slightly, and a genuine sense of seriousness flashed in his eyes.

If Zhao Changkong were just an ordinary disciple like Chen Dai, who left the sect and started his own business, then killing him would be fine.

Most major sects turn a blind eye to these kinds of disciples.

After all, those who can leave are mostly those with mediocre talent, diminished strength, or old and accomplished individuals, and it's not worth making a big fuss over their lives.

But if this person came with a plan from the Demon Palace...

That would be completely different.

Lin Che recalled his observations over the years.

Members of the Shadow Hall under the Rebellious Demon Palace had already infiltrated the territory of Chuyang City through various channels, quietly establishing a systematic network of spies.

They hid in the city, mingled with independent cultivators, and some even joined various families as guest elders.

For more than a decade, they have remained inactive and made no move.

They are obviously waiting.

When the time is right for a certain plan.

If the Zhao family is part of that plan...

Lin Che stared at the aged yet determined face opposite him, and countless thoughts raced through his mind.

If the Zhao family were to disappear silently into the Fulong Mountains, even without evidence, the Rebellious Demon Palace would definitely hold the Lin family accountable.

At that time, if an elder at the late Golden Core stage personally takes action, it might even attract an even more terrifying being, and the destruction of the Lin family will be just a snap of the fingers.

That being the case...

A deep, dark light flashed in Lin Che's eyes.

He slowly raised his eyelids and looked at Zhao Changkong.

A bold idea came to mind.

Lin Che's gaze remained calm, yet it sent a chill down Zhao Changkong's spine.

Because he suddenly realized that beneath that calm was no longer hesitation about not knowing how to choose, but a certain certainty that a decision had already been made.

Lin Che slightly turned his head and gave a very faint look to someone behind him.

The Yaren Dragon Beast moved silently.

They quickly moved to surround Zhao Changkong from behind.

On the front, Lin Che suddenly moved!

He swayed, his spear instantly rose, and he transformed into a streak of azure light, shooting towards Zhao Changkong!

The spear tip, gleaming with a sharp edge, was aimed directly at Zhao Changkong's throat!

Zhao Changkong's pupils shrank sharply, and he instinctively retreated, simultaneously blocking with his long sword!

"bite--!"

Swords and spears clashed, sparks flew!

Zhao Changkong was so shocked by the blow that his hands went numb and he staggered backward.

However, the moment he stepped back, a chill ran down his spine!

He turned around abruptly!

The enormous figure of the Yaren Dragon Beast had appeared three zhang behind him without him even noticing!

Those molten gold vertical pupils were staring coldly at him, the dragon blade in her hand poised to strike!

A pincer attack from both sides!

Zhao Changkong felt utterly hopeless.

However, just when he thought he was about to die...

He suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Lin Che's offensive was fierce, but lacked killing intent.

The spear thrust, seemingly aimed straight for his vitals, deflected slightly at the last moment, grazing his shoulder and leaving only a shallow bloodstain.

The same applies to the Yaren Dragon Beast.

It could have delivered a fatal blow from behind, but it merely stood by, each attack perfectly sealing off his escape route, yet never truly killing him.

The shrewd and calculating Zhao Changkong understood instantly.

He still has a chance to live!

Although they didn't know what Lin Che was planning or what conditions the other party would offer, they were willing to agree to any price as long as they could survive!

He suddenly swung his sword, forcing back Lin Che's next attack, and used the recoil to drift backward several feet, shouting loudly:

"Master Lin! Please spare my life!"

He was breathing heavily, his voice filled with urgency and pleading:

"My Zhao family is willing to become a vassal of the Lin family! From this day forward, we will follow the Lin family's lead, pay tribute annually, and obey their every command! We only beg the Immortal to spare our lives!"

As soon as he said those words, it felt as if a sharp blade had stabbed him in the heart.

The bodies of his relatives still lay scattered in the dense forest below; those who had died were all his blood relatives.

But now, he can only grovel before these dead souls and their enemies in order to survive.

humiliation.

An unprecedented humiliation.

but--

Only by surviving can there be a possibility of revenge.

He kept his head down, not daring to let Lin Che see the fleeting resentment deep in his eyes.