Master of Heavenly Evolution, won’t you show yourself

Holding the Taihuang Sword, Zhao Lin swept his gaze over the nine Soul Formation experts, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

Just this, and they dared to covet the empire of his Zhao family?

Had he not been in secluded meditation seeking a breakthrough all these years, these jumping clowns wouldn't have had the chance to act up.

The nine Soul Formation experts had ashen faces.

In the end, they had still underestimated the foundations of the royal family.

To be honest, even if the royal family's Emperor ancestor had passed away in meditation, they probably still wouldn't have stood much of a chance.

Just then, the Han family's ancestor, Han Pojun, suddenly spoke up.

"Tianyan Sect Master, are you still not going to show yourself?"

As soon as these words came out, the others also reacted.

That's right, why hadn't the Tianyan Sect Master come out yet?

Wasn't it said that the Tianyan Sect Master was also a Soul Formation Venerable?

He had won against the Han family in the Three Realms Martial Discussion, forced back a heavenly tribulation with a single voice, and even the royal court had sent the Jinwu Guards to confer a title upon him. How come with such a massive commotion today, the main character was nowhere to be seen?

After a brief silence, the nine Soul Formation experts exchanged a tacit glance.

No, we can't be the only ones losing face; if we're going to be humiliated, we should all be humiliated together.

"Brother Han is right!"

Shen Cangming was the first to chime in. Half of his body had been torn apart by sword qi, and his voice trembled as he spoke, but his tone carried a heavy instigation.

"Sect Master Lin! This is your Qingyun Mountain! Now that someone is burning, killing, and pillaging at your doorstep, trying to steal your things, are you just going to hide on the mountain like a cowardly turtle?"

"Sect Master Lin!" Jiang Xuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, assuming a righteous and awe-inspiring posture.

"Although the ruins of Emperor Cangwu are on Qingyun Mountain, they belong to the world! As the host, you ought to step forward and uphold justice! How can you sit back and watch Zhao Lin swallow the inheritance all by himself, oppressing the heroes of the realm?"

"Forget about upholding justice,"

Yang Xuanji waved his torn horsetail whisk and said sarcastically, "At least come out and show your face! You can't let us outsiders take a beating for you on your own turf, can you? If word gets out, people will think the Tianyan Sect has no one left!"

"Exactly!"

"We traveled from afar to reach your sect's territory, yet the host refuses to show his face. This is no way to treat guests."

"I have lived for nearly a thousand years. I've seen many geniuses, and I've also seen my fair share of cowards."

These words came one after another, whether to goad, reason, show goodwill, or mock.

The surrounding rogue cultivators and minor factions also caught on, whispering and murmuring among themselves:

"Yeah! Where is the Tianyan Sect Master? Why haven't we seen him at all?"

"This is his territory! They've fought right up to his doorstep, why isn't he coming out?"

"Could he really be scared? Even the nine Soul Formation experts were defeated with a single sword strike. A newly emerged Sect Master like him probably doesn't dare to come out either."

"Bullshit! The Sect Master forced back a heavenly tribulation with a single word, would he be afraid of him?"

"Then why isn't he coming out?"

"Exactly, I've already offered incense to Lord Ant Immortal three times, and I woke up especially early today just to catch a glimpse of the Sect Master's glory, but I haven't even seen a shadow..."

"Alas, I thought the Tianyan Sect was the backer for us rogue cultivators in Cangwu Prefecture. I didn't expect that when faced with a tough opponent, they'd cower faster than anyone else."

"To think I lined up for three days and three nights wanting to try my luck at the Heart-Questioning Pavilion. Looking at it now, I was really blind."

"If they can't even protect their own territory, why even run a sect? They might as well disband early."

Disappointment spread through the crowd like a plague.

Those local factions of Cangwu Prefecture who had once held the Tianyan Sect in the highest esteem now all wore strange expressions and silently lowered their heads.

They weren't afraid of the Tianyan Sect losing. Even if Lin Yan came out and got beaten by Zhao Lin, at least it would show he had guts.

But to not even dare to show his face, that was truly chilling.

"Hahaha!"

Watching this scene, Zhao Lin couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.

The Taihuang Sword in his hand turned slightly, and the golden sword light swept across everyone's faces, carrying deep mockery:

"What? Are you still expecting that whatever Tianyan Sect Master to save you?"

"A bunch of fools. If he dared to come out, he would have done so already."

"Hiding on the mountain, not daring to show his face... at least he knows his place."

He looked up towards the peak of Qingyun Mountain, his tone full of a charity-like arrogance:

"Tianyan Sect Master, since you know your place, this King will not mistreat you. The gates of the Tianyan Sect shall remain, and the title of the Suppressing Sect shall stand."

"Once this King has taken the ruins of the Emperor, I will carve out an even larger fiefdom for you in Cangwu Prefecture in the future."

"As long as you obediently listen, this King guarantees that no one within the borders of the Great Qian Dynasty will dare to provoke your Tianyan Sect."

Having said this, he ignored the crowd and turned to walk towards the entrance of the ruins of Emperor Cangwu.

The Taihuang Sword floated gently in front of him, golden dragon aura swirling around his body, awe-inspiring and domineering.

"Since no one else objects, then this King will gladly accept the ruins of Emperor Cangwu."

Everyone lowered their heads; no one dared to speak another word.

The nine Soul Formation experts looked ashen, and the rogue cultivators were filled with despair.

They knew it was all over.

From now on, the Great Qian Dynasty would be Zhao Lin's world alone.

Just as Zhao Lin's foot was about to step onto the stone stairs at the ruins' entrance.

A soft sigh suddenly echoed from the void.

"Sigh."

This sigh was very light, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

It sounded like a whisper by the ear, yet also as if it came from above the nine heavens.

Zhao Lin's footsteps abruptly halted.

He sharply turned his head, looking in the direction the sound came from.

In the void, a white figure slowly emerged.

White clothes purer than snow, completely untainted by dust.

In one hand, he held a half-eaten bunch of purple grapes, while his other hand was casually tucked into his pocket.

The sunlight spilled over him, plating him in a faint golden glow.

He just quietly floated in mid-air, lazy and casual, as if he had merely come out for a stroll.

But the moment this person appeared, the aura of the entire world seemed to freeze instantly.

The wind stopped, the clouds scattered, and even the domineering imperial pressure radiating from Zhao Lin subconsciously retracted a bit.

The entire scene fell dead silent.

Everyone's eyes widened as they stared blankly at that white figure.

Han Pojun opened his mouth wide, forgetting to cough.

The mockery on Shen Cangming's face instantly froze.

The golden abacus in Qian Tongshen's hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

Those rogue cultivators who were just cursing Lin Yan as a cowardly turtle now all shut their mouths, their faces written with disbelief.

Was this the legendary Tianyan Sect Master?

Compared to the other old Soul Formation fogeys, wasn't this Tianyan Sect Master a bit too handsome?

Especially that white attire, it was just like... just like...

The crowd couldn't find the right words to describe it for a moment, but in short, they couldn't help wanting to bow in worship.

It was like mortals looking up at heaven and earth, or children facing their parents.

No one could clearly explain what kind of feeling it was.

They only felt that upon looking at him, all the hostility, greed, and fear in their hearts vanished into thin air in an instant.

They only wanted to kneel down, submit to him, and await his orders.

A few rogue cultivators who had cursed the fiercest earlier now had faces flushed bright red, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into.

They had actually been cursing such a god-like figure just now?

Some female cultivators with peculiar inclinations fared even worse. With flushed cheeks and hazy eyes, their legs gave out as they sank to their knees, their breathing growing ragged.

Only a single thought occupied their minds: to be scolded by a Sect Master like him, even death would be worth it.

The expression of the Backing Mountain King, Zhao Lin, grew unprecedentedly grave.

This Tianyan Sect Master... is so young!

For experts like them, youth meant an abundant lifespan, which in turn meant extraordinary talent!

Moreover, he could clearly sense that there was not a single ripple of spiritual energy radiating from the other party. Yet, the more this was the case, the more terrifying the man became.

Zhao Lin cast aside his contempt. This person... was worthy of being taken seriously!

"Are you the Tianyan Sect Master?"