"I'd long heard that the Hengyue Sect's prodigy disciple suddenly perished in the Outer Battlefield a hundred years ago. I didn't expect him to still be alive. Now it seems the rumors were unreliable."
The first to speak was an old man in luxurious robes, with snow-white hair meticulously combed, and a delicate crown on his head, adding to his majesty.
This person was none other than the Teng Family Ancestor Teng Huayuan of Zhao Country, who possessed the Nascent Soul Stage.
The other elders were also Nascent Soul Stage cultivators from Zhao Country, but their ages were already several millennia, far older than Lin Che before them.
Xuan Dao Sect Pu Nanzi shrugged, his gaze fixed on Lin Che, who was sitting in a chair, savoring his tea. Originally, he had planned to absorb the Hengyue Sect, but he never expected Lin Che, who had disappeared a hundred years ago, to return.
This clearly exceeded his expectations.
Lin Che held the teacup in one hand, leaned back against the chair, and lightly tapped the table with one finger, his movements gentle and silent.
Regarding Lin Che's attitude, the Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses present all frowned slightly. They were all Nascent Soul Stage Ancestors of major forces, and now they didn't even have their own seats. Wasn't this a bit too much?
The main hall of the Hengyue Sect was already occupied by True Man Huang Long, so there were naturally no seats for these old fellows. Thus, the expressions of these Nascent Soul cultivators became somewhat unpleasant.
Lin Che saw the gazes of everyone, but showed no reaction. Instead, he increased the pressure of his finger, tapping the table repeatedly, from slow to fast.
In an instant, the Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall suddenly felt their hearts tremble, inexplicably finding it difficult to breathe, their faces flushed red, and bloodshot eyes.
All the Nascent Soul Stage experts in Zhao Country, including Pu Nanzi and the other two, felt their hearts pound with fright the moment Lin Che's finger tapped, and their Nascent Souls nearly collapsed.
They had no doubt that if the other party were to tap the table with more force for a moment longer, their Nascent Souls would surely be unable to withstand the immense pressure and self-destruct.
"What terrifying spiritual power! This guy has already reached the Infant Transformation Realm... How is this possible? He's only a hundred years old, yet possesses such a realm!"
Teng Huayuan was inwardly horrified, unable to believe that Lin Che before him possessed the Infant Transformation Realm cultivation. Was this the prodigy who had shaken the entire Suzaku Star a hundred years ago?!
Corpse Yin Sect Ye Zizai was equally terrified: "Is this the prodigy Lin Che who shook the Suzaku Star a hundred years ago? With this strength, it's likely the entire Zhao Country is as fragile as an ant before him."
Seeing this, Lin Che gradually slowed the speed of his finger tapping, and the complexions of the Nascent Soul Stage powerhouses in the hall improved, though their internal Nascent Souls still felt as if they could rupture at any moment.
"We pay our respects, Senior!"
The cultivators, led by Pu Nanzi, immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed. After all, in their hearts, Spirit Transformation Stage cultivators were already considered invincible, and as for Infant Transformation Realm cultivators, who were above Spirit Transformation, they could even destroy the entire Zhao Country.
Lin Che calmly took a sip of tea, then slowly spoke: "Did you all come here just to know my realm?"
Pu Nanzi, drenched in sweat, replied: "Reporting to Senior, we are all cultivators from Zhao Country. Senior's reputation was already widely known a long time ago. Upon hearing the news of your return, we personally came to the Hengyue Sect to celebrate for Senior, with no ulterior motives."
The other cultivators also replied similarly, fearing that Lin Che would mercilessly slap them to death on the spot.
The cultivation world had always been one of deceit and the law of the jungle. Only those with hard enough fists could survive. As for the weak, to survive in the cultivation world, they could only please the strong to eke out a precarious existence.
At this moment, Li Muwan personally poured Lin Che a cup of tea, quietly observing what was happening before her. She used to think that Senior Brother Lin Che was merely at the Core Formation Realm.
But she never expected him to have already reached the Infant Transformation Realm, enough to shake the entire Suzaku Star. Was this Senior Brother's true talent and strength?
Lin Che sipped his tea, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, and slowly said: "From this day forward, the Hengyue Sect will no longer offer anything to Fourth Grade Cultivation Country. Other sects also need to hand over thirty percent of the resources they collect to the Hengyue Sect."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the Nascent Soul Stage Ancestors present froze.
Thirty percent of resources...
This was an unimaginable expenditure for sects and families, and they also needed to offer magical treasures and pills to Fourth Grade Cultivation Country for protection. If they then had to provide resources to the Hengyue Sect, how would their sects develop in the future?
Seeing these cultivators sweating and hesitating, Lin Che also lost his patience. If they were in the Ancient God Land, these fellows would probably have already been annihilated.
"Since you all are unwilling, then the only sect left within Zhao Country will be the Hengyue Sect."
His words were not a discussion with them, but a warning. After all, the cultivation world had always revered strength. Whoever dared to disobey, their sect's destruction was but a thought away.
Just like the Hengyue Sect in the original work, without the help of a Nascent Soul Stage Ancestor, its ultimate fate was to crumble.
At this moment, Teng Family Ancestor Teng Huayuan's eyes immediately darted around. He quickly stood up and cupped his hands in a salute towards Lin Che: "Senior, please calm your anger."
Teng Huayuan's gaze lingered on the other cultivators again, and he said indifferently: "I advise you all to think twice. These thirty percent of resources are not going to destroy our families and sects. Moreover, Senior Lin Che is an Infant Transformation Realm powerhouse. If he only sits here for a hundred years, our Zhao Country will be able to advance to a Fifth Grade Cultivation Country."
"If our Zhao Country can advance to a Fifth Grade Cultivation Country, our cultivation resources will surely undergo a qualitative leap. By then, the things we give out will naturally feed back into the various sects. Why would we worry about the scarcity of cultivation resources for our Zhao Country sect disciples?"
Upon hearing Teng Huayuan's words, the cultivators in the hall all fell into deep thought, and even Lin Che couldn't help but look towards Teng Huayuan's position.
Although Teng Huayuan was ruthless, this guy knew the situation and considered the overall picture, knowing what was important and what was not.
Teng Huayuan turned around again, respectfully bowing to Lin Che once more, "Senior Lin Che, my Teng Family, as the number one cultivation family in Zhao Country, possesses countless resources. This junior is willing to offer fifty percent of our resources to the Hengyue Sect."
"Hehehe, Patriarch Teng is indeed sensible," Lin Che said with a slight nod and smile. "Since that is the case, I shall bestow upon you an opportunity. If you can break through to the late Nascent Soul Stage in the future, I will personally guide you to Spirit Transformation."
As soon as these words came out, all the Nascent Soul Ancestors of the other sects immediately turned ashen, even regretting not having directly expressed their loyalty. Now, all the opportunities had fallen to that old dog Teng Huayuan.
Teng Huayuan was even more excited, kneeling on the ground and cupping his hands in a bow: "Thank you, Senior Lin Che. My Teng Family will certainly not fail in its mission and will forever be loyal to Senior!"