Faced with the combined assault of the Five Great Forces, the Li Family was ultimately annihilated. However, there was one thing that all the Martial Artists in the Eastern Heart Domain surely remembered vividly: the power of Array Masters.

When the Five Great Forces joined hands, they could have destroyed even a power like Celestial Eagle Valley, let alone a mere small family. Yet, in the face of their combined siege, the Li Family’s Array Masters displayed immense combat power.

The price the Five Great Forces paid to annihilate the Li Family was a heavy one. While it wasn’t a crippling blow, it was still arguably the most painful price they had paid in thousands of years.

The fearsome power of Array Masters was self-evident. After that siege, all Array Masters in the entire Eastern Heart Domain—and even the entire Eastern Domain—vanished without a trace. Even if some survived, they would never dare reveal their identities, as the Five Great Forces were incredibly wary of them.

"I never thought... someone from the Li Family actually survived," Patriarch He said, looking at Li Tian after recovering from his shock. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll spread the word now that you’ve told me your identity?"

In response, Li Tian put away his Array Spirit Pen and smiled faintly. "You won’t, Patriarch He. Because from now on, we are friends. We will serve Young Master Lin together."

Hearing Li Tian’s words, Patriarch He looked at Lin Yun and mused, as if to himself, "It is said that every Array Master has studied the world’s Ancient Texts, possesses superior wisdom, and is a master strategist. As the only family of Array Masters in the Eastern Heart Domain, this was even more true for the Li Family. Back when the Five Great Forces besieged them, the wisdom of the Li Family’s Array Masters thoroughly impressed the Martial Artists of the Eastern Heart Domain."

"For Young Master Lin to have the help of a Li Family heir is truly like giving a tiger wings."

Lin Yun felt no pride as he listened to Patriarch He. He was well aware of Li Tian’s capabilities and knew just how fearsome he could be. Honestly, Lin Yun had always considered himself lucky to have Li Tian by his side.

"You’re too kind, Patriarch He," Lin Yun said confidently. "What I must accomplish is incredibly difficult, which is why I need brothers and friends to lend me their strength. Of course, that has nothing to do with you. All I require is the He Family’s help during my time at Flawless Palace. In return, the He Family will become a renowned power throughout the entire Eastern Heart Domain."

Patriarch He now knew that Lin Yun harbored great ambitions. Though Lin Yun had never revealed his specific goal, the Patriarch could guess it was something incredibly difficult—at least a hundred times harder than making the He Family the strongest vassal family of Flawless Palace.

Patriarch He’s thoughts were correct, but he had still underestimated what Lin Yun planned to do. Lin Yun’s goal was to slay the Divine Emperor and trample the Divine Realm underfoot. This wasn’t something a mere hundred times harder; it was an ambition that even a Saint would likely not dare to entertain.

From the initial confrontation to his later suspicion, and now to his current calm, Patriarch He hadn’t even realized that he was slowly starting to accept Lin Yun’s demand for the He Family’s submission.

Perhaps this was what people called charisma—the charisma of the strong. It made one instinctively want to follow him, to become his right-hand man, to be by his side when he reached the summit and was revered by all.

After a moment of silence, Patriarch He asked a question that he himself found strange. "Young Master Lin, can you truly deliver on your promise?"

Looking at Patriarch He, Lin Yun didn’t answer. Instead, he raised his teacup and said, "This tea is quite good. Patriarch He, you should take a moment to savor it."

With those words, it was settled. The He Family had submitted to Lin Yun. Under Li Tian’s orchestration, Lin Yun had finally taken the first step: he now had his own power base within Flawless Palace and the support of the He Family.

One should not underestimate these vassal families of Flawless Palace. Outside, they were all prominent powers in their own right, and they also had their own disciples within the Palace. By gaining the He Family’s backing, Lin Yun had, in effect, also gained the support of He Yuntian.

’To think that at my age, I would become the subordinate of a young man in his twenties,’ Patriarch He thought, overcome with emotion.

He sighed to himself. ’Alas, some people are just born to inspire such conviction that you can’t help but want to follow them.’

"Raising his teacup, Patriarch He said to Lin Yun, ’Young Master Lin, the He Family is willing to lend you our strength. From now on, you need only give the word.’"

His expression was sincere; it was clear Patriarch He had chosen to follow Lin Yun wholeheartedly.

The two shared a drink. Afterward, Lin Yun told Patriarch He that he had already killed the Deadpools the Patriarch had sent. Hearing this, Patriarch He, who should have been furious, remained perfectly calm. He showed no anger, nor did he feel that Lin Yun had made a fool of him.

With matters settled, Patriarch He and his companion did not stay much longer and left the courtyard. As they departed, Lin Yun informed them that he would be leaving Wind City the next day. Li Tian would then go to the He Family estate. As for future actions, Lin Yun told Patriarch He to follow Li Tian’s instructions completely.

After Patriarch He left, Lin Yun and Li Tian sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. Lin Yun chuckled. "How did you know the He Family would submit to me?"

"Haha, surely you already know the answer, Young Master Lin," Li Tian replied with a smile. "I know you pursue absolute strength and have no interest in such schemes. My own abilities are limited, so from now on, please leave these machinations to me."

Hearing this, the two of them shared a smile. Lin Yun truly didn’t have time to waste on such intrigue; what he needed was absolute power.

"Focus on your own goals without worry, Young Master Lin. Leave the rest to me."

Lin Yun clapped Li Tian on the shoulder, then turned and walked toward his room without a word. He would be leaving tomorrow. With Li Tian here, Lin Yun could now dedicate himself to his training without any distractions, using every moment to increase his strength.

Having successfully won over the He Family, Lin Yun was no longer alone in Flawless Palace. He now had his own faction and his own supporters.

When confronting the other Core Disciples in the future, Lin Yun would now have much more confidence and backing. It was all thanks to Li Tian’s arrival.

After leaving the Bai Family residence, Patriarch He sat in his carriage and looked at the old butler beside him. "Fate certainly works in mysterious ways. To think I would end up submitting to a young man in his twenties," he said with a dry chuckle.

"You have made your decision, Patriarch," the old butler replied. "Some people are destined to become Emperors. Perhaps one day, when he stands at the pinnacle of the Celestial Spirit Continent, our He Family will have the honor of being by his side. That would be a fine outcome indeed."

"Yes... to be by his side, to look down upon the entire Celestial Spirit Continent... what an alluring vision that is," Patriarch He said, his eyes filled with longing.

Lin Yun had the bearing of a destined Emperor, the very image of a Divine Dragon. Patriarch He could only hope that Lin Yun would not disappoint him—or the He Family. After all, the entire family’s fate was now tied to his.

(Please add to your collection, recommend this story, vote with your Monthly Passes, and leave a tip!)