425: Chapter 425 The Liu Clan's Hegemony

As the various factions gradually arrived, the atmosphere in the square grew lively.

Sounds of whispering rose and fell. Some people walked around holding teacups, trying to ingratiate themselves with others. Some gathered in small groups to discuss things in low voices. Others sat alone, their expressions gloomy, not uttering a word.

"I heard the Liu Clan has a major announcement to make this time?" A Cultivator who looked middle-aged leaned toward the person next to him and asked in a low voice.

"A major announcement?" The person next to him sneered, "What else could it be? It's already spread everywhere—they're annexing the Ziyang Star."

"Tsk..." The middle-aged Cultivator clicked his tongue, unsure what to say.

An old man with a goatee next to him interjected, "Actually, this matter has its pros and cons. It depends on the Liu Clan's arrangement. If it can be mutually beneficial, it might not be a bad idea..."

"Good my foot!"

A rough voice suddenly exploded.

Everyone turned toward the sound, only to see a burly, broad-shouldered man standing up. His face was full of flesh, and the veins on his neck bulged:

"I have cultivated for a thousand years and finally managed to accumulate this small foundation. Why should I hand it over? And still have to support their Liu Clan? Dream on!"

Someone quietly advised him, "Sect Leader Zhang, keep your voice down..."

"Why keep my voice down? I stand upright and walk with integrity. I will never be a slave!"

His voice was loud, and these words carried far, causing many people to look over.

But there were also voices of agreement: "That's right, why should we?"

"When did matters concerning our Ziyang Star become a place for outsiders to dictate?"

"No matter how strong the Liu Clan is, they can't be completely unreasonable, right?"

You sat in the private box, slowly sipping your tea, and remained silent.

Duan De and Luo Jing exchanged a glance and dared not speak either.

Just then—

A wave of pressure descended without warning.

It didn't press down slowly; instead, it was like a mountain suddenly crashing down upon their heads.

Everyone froze simultaneously.

Those who had been shouting loudly moments before had their voices stuck in their throats, their faces turning red, yet they couldn't utter a single word.

Some people's legs even trembled slightly, relying entirely on bracing themselves against their chairs to avoid kneeling.

On the main seat, a figure slowly materialized.

Liu Qingtian.

The pressure of the Body Integration Stage was vast and deep, covering the sky and earth.

Originally, without the presence of this Body Integration mighty figure, the Liu Clan side and the Ziyang Star side might have been evenly matched.

But Liu Qingtian's appearance caused the scales to tip completely toward the Liu Clan.

The hand holding your teacup paused slightly.

Your heart skipped half a beat.

This Body Integration realm pressure was indeed extraordinary, containing hundreds of strands of the Law Power. This Liu Clan Chief was probably not simple.

But you showed no flaw on your face. You merely lowered your head slightly along with the crowd, adopting a respectful posture.

"Thank you all for gracing me with your presence."

Liu Qingtian's voice was deep and resonant. It wasn't loud, but it reached every person's ears clearly.

The pressure then slowly dissipated.

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, many with their backs already soaked in sweat.

Liu Qingtian's gaze swept across the venue, profound and majestic. Wherever his eyes passed, no one dared to meet his gaze.

"Clan Chief Liu," the Myriad Spirit Immortal Elder spoke first, his voice hoarse, "May we know why you have summoned us here today?"

Liu Qingtian did not answer directly, merely turning his head to glance at Liu Xuanyin beside him.

Liu Xuanyin immediately stood up.

He raised his hand, and a scroll shot into the sky, slowly unfurling above the firmament.

It was a massive imperial decree. It was densely covered with clauses, and every character emitted a faint golden light. As the light spilled down, it bathed the entire square in a rosy glow.

Liu Xuanyin's voice resonated throughout the venue:

"By the decree of the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace, the Ziyang Star is officially incorporated under the jurisdiction of our Liu Clan Immortal Family, effective immediately."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below:

"First, all Spiritual Veins, mineral veins, earth veins, and spiritual fields on the Ziyang Star—everything produced by heaven and earth—shall belong to our Liu Clan."

"Second, the decree of our Liu Clan Immortal Family shall be the supreme law of the Ziyang Star. Any person or faction must comply with it."

"Third, the rights to all trade exchanges and the establishment of sects or clans require the approval of our Liu Clan before they can be implemented."

"Fourth, for those permitted to mine veins or manage spiritual fields, seventy percent of the profits earned must be turned over to the Liu Clan."

With every point he spoke, the expressions of the crowd below grew uglier.

When he finished speaking, the entire square was dead silent.

Seventy percent.

Everyone was calculating the arithmetic in their minds.

Seventy percent turned over; the remaining thirty percent had to sustain the Disciples in the sect, maintain the mountain gate's operation, and cover various expenses...

By calculation, forget about development; merely surviving would be difficult.

Where was this "cooperation"?

This was clearly enslavement.

From then on, all factions would become tenant farmers of the Liu Clan.

The grain they harvested, the Spirit Stones they dug up, the Medicinal Pills they refined—seventy percent of the yield went to the Liu Clan, and thirty percent remained for themselves.

And what about the people of the Liu Clan?

They didn't have to do anything, just sit there and enjoy all of this.

Those who originally intended to cling to the Liu Clan to gain some benefit now had changed expressions.

You sat in the private box, observing the reactions around you, secretly amused.

These people only understood now?

When the Liu Clan was in their original territory, there wasn't even a single decent Soul Transformation Family nearby.

Why?

Because any faction showing the slightest potential either became a secret guard, was swallowed whole, or fled elsewhere.

The remaining factions, combined, weren't as strong as the Black Armored Guards under the command of the Second Elder, Liu Jinfeng.

The so-called "Geniuses" selected into the Black Armored Guards or secret guards, thinking they had achieved great success, were ultimately just dogs raised by the Liu Clan.

As the Liu Clan grew stronger, they would forever be trampled underfoot.

This was the path of the Liu Clan.

You set down your teacup, the corner of your mouth curving slightly before quickly concealing it.

For a moment, the entire square seemed to explode.

"Your Liu Clan is going too far!"

A burly man with a thick, full beard suddenly stood up, his face flushed red, the veins on his neck bulging: "Seventy percent? You are driving us to our deaths! Why should the foundation I worked hard to build be used to serve you like cattle and horses?!"

"That's right!" An old man next to him slammed the table, his beard trembling, "I have cultivated on the Ziyang Star for a thousand years and have never seen such an overbearing matter! Is there no law in this Immortal Realm?"

"We refuse to submit!"

"Let's sign a petition! Petition to impeach the Liu Clan! Let's report them to the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace!"

"Yes! Report them to Emperor Yan!"

"Are you blind? The Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace has already issued a decree. Why report them to the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace?"

That's right, it was just a rumor before.

Now, the decree from the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace was out.

In an instant, the crowd was incensed.

Some slammed tables, some threw teacups, some stood up waving their fists, and a few with more violent tempers directly summoned their Magic Treasures, their spiritual light flashing, looking ready to fight to the death.

Although these people presented a defiant stance, no one truly dared to make a move.

To fight the Liu Clan?

That was a joke!

It was also courting death.