Lin Che was standing at the door at this moment, quietly observing the energy fluctuations coming from the room. If he sensed anything unusual, he was prepared to personally intervene and stop Li Muwan from continuing the absorption process.
Inside, Li Muwan had already closed her eyes, allowing the energy to flow freely through her body. Her delicate skin glowed softly beneath the warm water, as if every inch of it was absorbing the rich energy, breathing it in.
A faint flush colored her cheeks, and fine beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She was completely immersed in the process, unaware of her surroundings, solely focused on guiding the spiritual energy coursing through her veins.
As more of the energy from the bucket entered her body, Li Muwan's brows furrowed slightly. Her spiritual power was nearing saturation, and she could feel a surging force within her, ready to shatter the bottleneck of her current cultivation realm at any moment.
Her breathing grew rapid, and the spiritual power inside her surged like waves crashing on a shore, violently impacting her meridians. The intense flow brought with it a tingling pain, but she endured it silently.
"Seems like there's no problem," Lin Che murmured, sensing the overall harmony in the room. He nodded in satisfaction. From the current state of her cultivation, it was clear that Li Muwan's talent was far from ordinary.
If Wang Lin hadn't interfered in the original plot, her future would have been limitless. With her current potential, it was entirely possible for her to break through the Nascent Soul stage and even touch upon the mysteries of the Deity Transformation realm.
For the following days, Lin Che remained at Heng Yue Sect, quietly waiting for Li Muwan's breakthrough. Based on her current pace, it would take at least two more months for her to reach the late Foundation Establishment stage.
In the peaceful bamboo forest behind the sect, Lin Che sat calmly in a wooden chair, sipping tea while reading a thick book that detailed the structure of this world.
Planet Suzaku held a total of eighteen fifth-level cultivation countries. Each of these countries must have at least one Soul Transformation cultivator to qualify for such a rank.
Various sects thrived within these nations, and many boasted formidable experts. However, among all the powerhouses, only the Giant Demon Clan controlled an entire country.
Unlike the native cultivators of Planet Suzaku, the Giant Demon Clan had migrated from an extraterritorial domain countless years ago. An ancient agreement between the clan and Suzaku's guardian of that era had allowed them to settle and flourish on the land they now claimed.
The Giant Demon Clan's legacy was preserved within twelve grand structures known as the Giant Demon Heavens. These were colossal palaces, each housing the clan's core heritage, vast cultivation resources, and powerful guardians who remained stationed year-round to protect their lineage.
"This Giant Demon Clan... perhaps they can be of use to me one day," Lin Che muttered, closing the book. He rose, preparing to return to his cultivation chamber when a sudden, powerful aura surged toward the sect.
A cold glint flashed in Lin Che's eyes. "Interesting... they arrived faster than expected. Looks like the offering incident has already reached their ears."
He dusted off his robe and slowly walked toward the source of the disturbance. His gaze lifted to the heavens where thunderclouds gathered ominously.
---
Above the skies of Heng Yue Sect, a host of cultivators in ornate robes hovered, their immortal swords glowing faintly. Their expressions were fierce, eyes locked on the mountain gate of the sect below.
At the front of the group stood an old man clad in a green robe, his frame slightly hunched, yet exuding immense pressure. With a sneer on his face, he reached out a single finger and lightly tapped the defensive formation shielding the sect.
In a flash, spiritual energy erupted like a tidal wave. The once indestructible protective formation shattered into countless fragments, vanishing as if it had never existed.
The moment the formation broke, every Core Formation stage cultivator in Heng Yue Sect felt the tremor and immediately rushed out, flying through the air on their swords. Their eyes were wide with shock and anger as they surrounded the intruders.
"Fellow Daoist, why did you destroy our Heng Yue Sect's mountain protection formation?" demanded Liu Wenju, the sect's great elder, his face dark with fury. From the old man's aura, he could instantly tell—this was no ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, but a senior of the Deity Transformation realm.
The old man chuckled arrogantly. "I am an elder of Qinglong Country. Not long ago, I heard that the sects of Zhao Country, your pitiful third-level nation, have ceased their offerings to Qinglong Country. Bold, aren't you?"
Liu Wenju frowned, realizing the truth. Qinglong Country had found out faster than expected. It had only been a few years since the Zhao Country sects secretly reallocated their tributes.
On Planet Suzaku, lower-level cultivation countries were required to send offerings to the higher-level nations in exchange for protection and cultivation peace. Failing to do so meant inviting destruction.
The system ensured that weaker nations remained poor and under control, forced to give away their resources for temporary safety.
The green-robed elder now held a dragon-headed staff. The mere sight of him was blinding—he radiated an overwhelming presence, as though his gaze alone could incinerate weaker cultivators.
He sneered, "I'll be merciful. Hand over all your accumulated treasures and elixirs. If you do, perhaps I'll let you live. If not, then today shall mark the end of Heng Yue Sect."
Liu Wenju turned to Sect Master Huang Long and asked in a low voice, "Is Lin Che in the sect?"
"He's cultivating in the bamboo forest. I'm sure he's already sensed the disturbance and will be here shortly," Huang Long replied calmly.
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenju's expression eased. The Deity Transformation cultivator before them was formidable—but they had someone even stronger. Lin Che, who had reached the Soul Transformation stage, was their trump card.
With a single breath, he could crush these intruders like ants.
Liu Wenju bowed slightly. "Senior, five hundred years ago, Qinglong Country forcibly conscripted every Nascent Soul ancestor from Zhao Country to fight in the extraterritorial battlefield. None returned, and Heng Yue Sect has been left crippled ever since. Shouldn't your Qinglong Nation provide an explanation?"
The elder burst into mocking laughter. "Explanation? You weaklings want justice? You should be grateful I'm not slaughtering your sect this instant."
Then his tone turned chilling. "One last chance. Meet my demands, or I'll wipe out every last disciple of Heng Yue Sect!"
Just as he raised his staff to act, a voice like icy steel echoed through the sky.
"Anyone who remains here after three breaths… dies."