A few days passed peacefully at Dragon Yuan Mountain, although the calm that surrounded the Lin Family was very different from the peace they had enjoyed before.
Ever since Lin Family Head Elder had sent the communication talisman to the Dao Reaching Sect, the entire family had been waiting for a response. Nobody believed that an alliance between two Golden Core forces could be settled through a single message, especially when the situation in Dragon Yuan Province had already become so complicated.
The Seven Star Palace had begun moving openly, powerful families were being pressured, talented younger cultivators were disappearing one after another, and even some of the more cautious rogue cultivators had started leaving the province altogether.
Under such circumstances, an alliance was no longer a matter of prestige.
It was survival.
On this particular morning, the protective formation surrounding Dragon Yuan Mountain suddenly rippled.
A powerful aura approached from the distance, restrained but unmistakably belonging to a Golden Core cultivator.
The Lin Family's guards immediately became alert, but before anyone could react further, a communication talisman flew through the formation and hovered before the mountain gate.
The talisman carried the seal of the Dao Reaching Sect.
After confirming its authenticity, the Lin Family opened the formation and allowed the visitor to enter.
A middle-aged man wearing a dark-blue Daoist robe descended from the clouds, his long hair tied neatly behind his head, a faint Daoist aura surrounding his body. He did not release the pressure of his Golden Core cultivation deliberately, but the natural majesty belonging to a Golden Core cultivator was impossible to conceal completely.
Behind him were two Foundation Establishment disciples who carried several storage bags, their expressions solemn as they followed their elder.
The representative glanced at Dragon Yuan Mountain as he descended, his eyes briefly passing over the protective formation surrounding the Lin Family before he turned towards the person waiting for him.
The Lin Family had already sent someone to receive him.
"Senior, the Head Elder is waiting in the council hall."
The Dao Reaching Sect elder nodded.
"Lead the way."
The group passed through the mountain gates and soon arrived at the Lin Family's council hall.
The Head Elder was already waiting.
She stood from her seat when the Dao Reaching Sect elder entered, her expression calm, although a trace of solemnity could be seen within her eyes.
She was also a Golden Core cultivator.
Therefore, having another Golden Core elder personally come to negotiate the alliance was not surprising, but it still carried considerable significance.
Neither side had sent an ordinary disciple.
Neither side had treated the matter casually.
The Dao Reaching Sect had sent someone of equal cultivation to personally negotiate with the Lin Family, which meant they were acknowledging the Lin Family's value and were willing to place their own reputation behind the agreement.
The Head Elder gestured towards the seats.
"Please."
The Dao Reaching Sect elder sat down.
"I am Elder Zhao Mingyuan of the Dao Reaching Sect."
The Head Elder nodded.
"Lin Family Head Elder, Lin Yuerong."
The two Golden Core cultivators looked at each other for a moment before the atmosphere in the hall gradually became more relaxed.
There was no need for unnecessary pleasantries.
Both sides already understood why they were here.
The alliance.
For several hours, the two parties discussed the details of their cooperation, the Lin Family's position within Dragon Yuan Province, the protection that the Dao Reaching Sect could provide, the conditions under which the Lin Family could request assistance, and the responsibilities that came with becoming an ally of a Nascent Soul-level power.
Naturally, neither side would completely expose all their cards.
The Dao Reaching Sect did not explain every detail of its current conflict with the Seven Star Palace, while the Lin Family likewise did not reveal every secret concerning its younger generation.
An alliance did not mean surrendering one's secrets.
It meant making certain that when an enemy stretched out his hand, he would have to consider whether another powerful hand would strike back.
Eventually, the two sides reached an agreement.
Elder Zhao Mingyuan stood and cupped his fists.
"From today onwards, the Lin Family is an ally of the Dao Reaching Sect."
The Head Elder returned the gesture.
"And the Dao Reaching Sect will be a friend of the Lin Family."
Their gazes met again, this time carrying a deeper understanding.
The agreement was simple.
Its implications were not.
Several hours later, Elder Zhao Mingyuan left Dragon Yuan Mountain with the two disciples who had accompanied him.
The moment his flying boat disappeared beyond the clouds, the news began spreading throughout the Lin Family.
The Lin Family had allied itself with the Dao Reaching Sect.
At first, only the upper echelons knew.
Then the elders learned.
Then the younger generation.
Before long, the entire Dragon Yuan Mountain knew.
The reaction was surprisingly positive.
The Lin Family had been growing increasingly tense during the past few months, especially after Seven Star Palace cultivators had begun appearing more frequently around Dragon Yuan Province.
Nobody needed to be told what that meant.
The Seven Star Palace was testing the waters.
The assassination attempts against talented members of the Lin Family had already made that obvious.
Fortunately, Dragon Yuan Mountain was located within the sphere of influence of the Dao Reaching Sect.
That single fact changed the situation considerably.
If the Seven Star Palace wanted to openly attack the Lin Family now, it would no longer be a matter between the Seven Star Palace and a Golden Core family.
It would be an act of provocation against the Dao Reaching Sect.
That difference was enough to make many people breathe easier.
The Lin Family's alliance with the Dao Reaching Sect did not make the Seven Star Palace disappear, nor did it mean that nobody would dare assassinate Lin Family disciples anymore, but it meant that the enemy could no longer move without considering the consequences.
And for many families throughout Dragon Yuan Province, that alone was reassuring.
The news naturally spread beyond the Lin Family.
Different factions within the province received the information through their own channels, some from communication talismans, some from family elders, some from cultivators who had connections with the Dao Reaching Sect.
Their reactions were surprisingly similar.
Relief.
Many of these forces had already experienced attacks from mysterious assassins.
Some had lost elders.
Some had lost talented disciples.
Some had watched promising descendants disappear after leaving their sect or family territory, only to later discover that the person had never returned.
The identity of the attackers was rarely confirmed, but everyone had their suspicions.
The Seven Star Palace had become increasingly aggressive.
Now, with the Lin Family joining hands with the Dao Reaching Sect, the balance within Dragon Yuan Province had shifted slightly.
It was not enough to make the smaller factions believe they were completely safe, but it was enough to give them confidence that the situation would not continue deteriorating without resistance.
After all, if a Golden Core family could find protection from a Nascent Soul power, perhaps the province still had a chance of resisting the Seven Star Palace's expansion.
Unfortunately, not everyone welcomed the news.
Far away from Dragon Yuan Mountain, somewhere within an unknown mountain range, an enormous underground palace stood beneath layers of stone.
There were no ordinary torches inside.
Only dim blue flames floated along the walls, their ghostly light illuminating the enormous chamber.
Several figures sat around a circular stone table.
Their faces were hidden beneath black robes and masks, their bodies completely obscured by shadows.
None of them spoke for a long time.
The news regarding the Lin Family's alliance with the Dao Reaching Sect had already reached them.
The atmosphere was heavy.
The Seven Star Palace had been moving according to a carefully prepared plan.
Dragon Yuan Province was an important piece of that plan.
It was not simply because of the resources contained within the province.
The geographical position of Dragon Yuan Province, its connection to several cultivation regions, the number of Golden Core families residing there, and the influence of the Dao Reaching Sect made it strategically important.
If the Seven Star Palace could gradually control the province, they could use it as a bridgehead for further expansion.
But now the Lin Family had suddenly allied itself with the Dao Reaching Sect.
One of the shadowy figures finally spoke.
"The Lin Family has made its decision."
His voice was cold.
Another figure slowly tapped his finger against the stone table.
"Their alliance with the Dao Reaching Sect means attacking them openly will be troublesome."
"Troublesome?"
A low laugh came from the darkness.
"It is precisely because they have found support that we should strike."
The others remained silent.
The figure continued.
"We have been too cautious."
A faint killing intent spread through the hall.
"The Seven Star Palace has already spent years operating from the shadows, testing families one by one, eliminating those who showed potential and taking those whose talents caught our attention. But the situation has changed."
"Golden runes have appeared."
"The world is changing."
"Every additional year we spend moving cautiously gives our enemies another opportunity to grow."
The speaker's voice became colder.
"If the Lin Family believes that joining the Dao Reaching Sect will protect them completely, then we should teach them otherwise."
Another figure raised his head.
"Are you suggesting that we attack Dragon Yuan Mountain?"
"Not immediately."
The first figure shook his head.
"Dragon Yuan Mountain is protected by the Dao Reaching Sect. If we attack the Lin Family's main residence directly, we will invite unnecessary trouble."
He paused.
Then his voice became filled with killing intent.
"But we can strike where they are weakest."
A shadowy figure slowly leaned forward.
"The younger generation?"
"Exactly."
The hall became silent again.
"We should strike hard enough to make an example of the Lin Family, but this time, we should not waste our strength attacking their outer members."
"We will target their younger generation."
"If we kill or capture one of their most promising descendants, the Lin Family will understand that the Dao Reaching Sect cannot protect every person under its banner."
Several people exchanged glances.
The suggestion was ruthless.
But it was also practical.
A Golden Core family could tolerate the death of ordinary disciples.
They could even tolerate the loss of some elders if necessary.
But the younger generation was different.
Those were the people who represented the family's future.
Killing them was equivalent to cutting away the roots of a tree.
Just then, another shadowy figure spoke.
"There is something you should know."
The others turned towards him.
"Our people within the Lin Family have sent another message."
"What is it?"
"Lin Yan."
The figure paused briefly.
"She is preparing to break through to the Purple Palace Realm."
The entire chamber became quiet.
Even the people who had remained expressionless until now showed signs of surprise.
"Lin Yan?"
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
The messenger nodded.
"Our spy has confirmed it. The Lin Family has already prepared resources for her breakthrough, and from the signs we've gathered, she is likely to begin soon."
A strange silence descended upon the chamber.
Lin Yan.
The name was not unfamiliar to the Seven Star Palace.
She was one of the most outstanding members of the Lin Family's younger generation, but even among the geniuses of the Eastern Region, her cultivation speed was extraordinary.
She was not even fifty years old.
Yet she was already preparing to step into the Purple Palace Realm.
For a cultivator, reaching Golden Core before fifty would already be enough to earn the title of monstrous genius.
Reaching Purple Palace at such an age was something else entirely.
The difference between ordinary genius and a monster could not be measured simply by a few words.
A cultivator who reached Purple Palace before fifty had already demonstrated an astonishing cultivation aptitude, powerful comprehension, a stable foundation, and access to resources sufficient to support such rapid advancement.
One of the figures slowly leaned back.
"So the Lin Family has produced another monster."
"She is only a few decades old..."
"Her future is difficult to predict."
"If she successfully enters Purple Palace, her value will increase considerably."
The atmosphere that had previously been tense now changed.
A faint smile appeared beneath one of the masks.
"Then why are we still discussing whom to attack?"
The others looked towards him.
His smile widened.
"Lin Yan."
His voice carried an unmistakable killing intent.
"Attack her."
One of the elders frowned.
"The Dao Reaching Sect is watching the Lin Family now."
"Then we do not attack her with enough force to provoke the Dao Reaching Sect."
The masked man slowly raised one finger.
"We only need one opportunity."
Another figure's eyes narrowed.
"An assassination?"
"Perhaps."
The man lowered his hand.
"Perhaps an ambush during her breakthrough."
His voice became colder.
"Or perhaps we capture her instead of killing her."
The others fell silent.
Capturing a cultivator with Lin Yan's potential would be even more valuable than killing her.
A genius who had yet to reach Purple Palace could still be forced to submit.
And if she possessed some secret inheritance or extraordinary constitution, the Seven Star Palace would gain even more.
But after a moment, another elder shook his head.
"Do not underestimate the Lin Family."
"Their recent growth is strange."
"Their younger generation has shown much potential."
His voice lowered.
"There is more to this family than we initially believed."
The masked man smiled.
"That is precisely why we should strike now."
"If we wait until all of them mature, it will be too late."
No one answered.