C1448
C1448
Even the two peak Emperor Level representatives of the Purple Cauldron Sect, Yang Mao and Tan Gaoyi, had made their choice. The disciples below were powerless to resist.
"Subordinate Yang Mao greets the Hall Master!"
"Subordinate Tan Gaoyi greets the Hall Master!"
"..."
Observing the situation, the senior members of the Purple Cauldron Sect quickly bowed in a show of respect.
As Tan Gaoyi approached, he was struck by the full measure of Lin Xuan's formidable presence. His entire body trembled involuntarily, feeling as insignificant as an ant before an elephant. He was utterly overpowered, resistance futile. This was a sensation he had not experienced since reaching the peak of the Emperor Level centuries ago. Now, he was convinced that the rumors of Lin Xuan's might, his annihilation of the Devil Cloud Sect, and his subjugation of the East Saint Sect, were indeed true.
Despite his sorrow, Tan Gaoyi had to accept that yielding to Lin Xuan was the best way to ensure the survival of their sect and the safety of their kin and disciples.
Lin Xuan acknowledged them with a slight nod.
With a wave of his hand, Lin Xuan released countless white lights that dispersed across the entire Purple Cauldron Sect. They landed with uncanny precision on the sect's protective grand array's vital points—the core, the array's eye, and other crucial nodes. Tan Gaoyi, Yang Mao, and the other leaders could only watch, rendered helpless.
Having pledged their allegiance and surrendered, it was only natural that they would lose control over the grand array. The white lights merged silently and seamlessly, like rivers flowing into the sea, without a sound or a hint of resistance. This silent takeover further confirmed Lin Xuan's exceptional power.
As the sect's protective grand array, it would be expected to respond to any invasion of foreign energies. Yet, in this moment, it seemed to do nothing. Tan Gaoyi and Yang Mao found this quite astonishing.
The two of them retrieved pale purple array tokens to inspect. To their surprise, they found that even as the white spirit light merged with it, the grand array's authority remained unaltered. The array tokens showed no changes either. The only noticeable difference was a positive one—the protective grand array's power had seemingly increased significantly.
The array's authority was intact, and its power had grown. How could such a stroke of luck be possible? Lin Xuan wasn't here to perform charitable acts. If he were, he wouldn't have coerced the various sects into submission with threats and bribes. It seemed that the authority of the protective grand array must have been claimed by Lin Xuan after the integration of the white spirit light. He simply hadn't revoked their control.
That the control formation showed no reaction whatsoever was a testament to Lin Xuan's profound strength and his exceptional mastery of spell formations. He was as formidable as the rumors suggested. Tan Gaoyi couldn't help but inwardly sigh.
"Let's go," Lin Xuan said, leading the group into the Purple Cauldron Sect's territory. They hadn't come all this way to leave empty-handed. Once everyone was inside, Lin Xuan gestured, and the hundred-meter breach in the sky's protective barrier seamlessly healed itself.
Witnessing this, Tan Gaoyi, Yang Mao, and the others realized their control formations were unresponsive. Clearly, Lin Xuan had now fully usurped the authority, or rather, his authority had surpassed theirs. They sighed silently to themselves.
"Yang Mao," Lin Xuan declared, "as I've said before, the pinnacle of Emperor Level is no longer the exclusive domain of any one hall. Both you and Tan Gaoyi are now ranked as elders and have been elevated to the Elder Hall. Additionally, appoint another hall master to oversee the Purple Tripod Hall."
"Yes, Hall Master!" Yang Mao and Tan Gaoyi responded in unison.
The East Saint Sect had previously enjoyed such privileges, and now that the Purple Cauldron Sect had pledged allegiance, they were afforded the same.
"Furthermore, since the Purple Cauldron Sect lacks a renegade like Sun Yan, surrendering fifty percent of the sect's reserves will suffice."
Lin Xuan continued to speak.
"Yes, Hall Master. Thank you, Hall Master. I will begin preparations immediately."
Yang Mao bowed his head in response.
Not even the East Saint Sect could avoid this fate, so the Purple Cauldron Sect had no choice but to comply.
Subsequently,
Lin Xuan's gaze shifted.
"Come with me."
His focus was no longer on the peak Emperor Level individuals.
Instead, it settled on a late-stage Emperor Level warrior from the Purple Cauldron Sect.
Clearly, this was someone who had recently made a breakthrough.
At once, all eyes turned to him.
He was a towering figure with a well-built frame, clearly adept in Body Refining.
His formidable presence was palpable.
Regrettably, with the Dongyuan Continent's elite gathered here, he didn't stand out.
Feeling Lin Xuan's penetrating gaze, he felt utterly exposed, as if all his secrets were laid bare.
"Yes, Hall Master!"
Sun Yang bowed in acknowledgment.
In the presence of such an inconceivably powerful being, he harbored no thoughts of resistance.
In an instant,
He experienced a dizzying shift in space and time.
When his vision cleared, he found himself in a desolate area, alone with Lin Xuan.
Indeed, he was powerless against Lin Xuan.
The realization struck Sun Yang with fear, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"You've practiced the Body Refining Divine Art, the Domineering Heavenly Body Technique, haven't you? Hand over everything related to the Domineering Heavenly Body Technique that you possess.
I am not without fairness. Rest assured, you will be duly compensated.
Feel free to make any requests."
Before he could utter a word,
Lin Xuan's cool voice reached him.
To Sun Yang, it was as if thunder had shattered the heavens.
He was utterly astounded.
He could never have imagined that his deepest secret would be so easily uncovered by Lin Xuan.
Truly, he was the fabled Half-level Emperor from the Central Essence Continent.
Sun Yang silently acknowledged this in his mind.
But it was precisely Lin Xuan's overwhelming and inscrutable power that left him in awe.
Even after Lin Xuan had uncovered his greatest secret, he had no choice but to comply without resistance.
"Yes, Hall Master. This Body Refining Divine Art was acquired during a perilous exploration of the Secret Realm. It includes the complete first three levels of the Domineering Heavenly Body Technique," Sun Yang said, as he retrieved a grey jade slip and handed it to Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan examined the jade slip, his expression turning solemn. This grey jade slip was no stranger to him. He had encountered it before during a joint exploration of the Blood Secret Realm by the Elemental Spirit Sect and other sects. He had noticed through his attribute panel that a disciple from the Purple Cauldron Sect, Sun Wu, was practicing the Domineering Heavenly Body Technique and had taken it from him. The jade slip Sun Wu produced at the time was identical to this one. It was likely that Sun Wu was Sun Yang's disciple. If there were no changes and Sun Yang had remained the same, then Lin Xuan's efforts would have been for naught.