18: Subordinate function! Heavenly Soul Realm!

After the Young City Lord of Liuyun City left in dismay, the anticipated more intense retaliation from the Cloud Sky Heavenly Sect did not arrive as expected.

The world was calm, as if the crushed warship and the fallen Life Soul Realm expert had never existed.

Lin Dao, after a brief deduction in his Quiet Room, understood a few things.

Either something had changed within the Cloud Sky Heavenly Sect, leaving them preoccupied;

Or the methods he displayed that day, far exceeding the Life Soul Realm, made the opponent wary, not daring to act rashly before understanding his true strength.

Regardless of the reason, this gave the Lin Family valuable time to recuperate and develop.

After all, Lin Dao had not yet reached the Heavenly Soul Realm!

"Since that's the case, it's time to take the initiative."

Lin Dao's gaze narrowed slightly.

Tianhuang City was leaderless, presenting an excellent opportunity for annexation.

Although Heihe City had already submitted, its claim was not legitimate, and it also needed to be thoroughly integrated into the System.

He sent a mental message, directly ordering Shi Lie, who was far away in Heihe City:

"Gather your forces and march on Tianhuang City. Those who comply shall prosper, those who resist shall perish. If there is any resistance, kill without mercy."

"As you command, Master!"

Shi Lie excitedly accepted the order. He had long been eager for action, and now that he had received the command, he immediately led Heihe City's elites, marching mightily towards Tianhuang City.

Tianhuang City, having lost its Life Soul Realm City Lord and most of its high-end combat power, was almost unable to organize effective resistance against Shi Lie, a Peak Ninth Level Tongtian Realm Cultivator, and the wolf-like army of Heihe City.

A few loyalists were swiftly slain, while the others, seeing that the tide had turned, surrendered en masse.

In just a few days, Tianhuang City changed hands, and the Lin Family's banner was hoisted on its city walls.

At the same time, Lin Dao also officially announced through Lin Zhen that Heihe City had voluntarily pledged allegiance to the Lin Family, becoming a vassal of the Lin Family.

The territory of the two cities, their population, and resources far exceeded Qingfeng County by more than ten times! The Lin Family's influence instantly expanded!

Just as Tianhuang City officially submitted and the Heihe City allegiance ceremony was completed—

"Ding! Detected that the Host's Family has successfully subdued two large vassal cities (Heihe City, Tianhuang City), fulfilling the conditions. The 'Vassal Function' is now officially activated!"

"Vassal Function: Subordinate forces directly controlled by the Host's Family or over which they have absolute dominance will be recognized by the System. The overall strength increase, territorial expansion, and resource growth of vassal forces will be fed back to the Host and the main Family at a rate of 50%. The emergence of Genius Disciples or special talents within vassal forces can also generate a corresponding proportion of feedback."

"Current Vassals: Heihe City (County-level Overlord), Tianhuang City (Regional Central Major City)"

"Beginning calculation of vassal force feedback... Calculating..."

The System interface glowed brightly, a brand new functional module was activated, complex and precise.

The next moment, an unprecedented, unimaginably vast torrent of feedback, like a galaxy bursting its banks, surged into Lin Dao's body!

This was not mere energy, but a comprehensive feedback integrating the ley lines, Luck, Power Of Will of all living beings, and future potential of the two cities!

Although it was only 50% effective, the combined foundation and scale of Tianhuang City and Heihe City far exceeded the original Lin Family by a hundredfold!

Under the impact of this vast power, Lin Dao's Cultivation, which had already accumulated to the extreme of the Life Soul Realm and could no longer advance, finally underwent a qualitative transformation!

Rumble!

A colossal roar, as if the heavens and earth were being split open, erupted from within him!

In his Sea of Consciousness, the Life Soul, as brilliant as a great sun and incredibly condensed, trembled violently. At its core, a point of light, even purer, more Advanced, and seemingly containing the primordial spirituality of creation, suddenly appeared!

This point of light rapidly expanded, emitting an attractive force that drew the entire Life Soul into it, undergoing a profoundly mysterious reorganization and sublimation!

The Law power of heaven and earth was drawn in, converging frantically, forming a massive vortex that enveloped the entire Lin Family mansion!

At the center of the vortex, myriad rays of light shone, auspicious colors streamed, and Dao sounds rumbled!

A majestic aura, transcending the Life Soul, spread out like an ancient sleeping god Awakening!

Heavenly Soul Realm!

Condensing the Heavenly Soul, connecting with heaven and earth, the Divine Soul undergoes an essential leap, and the comprehension and application of the Laws of heaven and earth will rise to a completely new level!

And this was just the beginning!

The feedback power from the two cities was too immense, propelling his Cultivation to advance rapidly within the Heavenly Soul Realm!

First Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm! Second Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm! Third Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm!

Finally, this majestic power slowly subsided, stabilizing his Cultivation at the Peak of the Third Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm!

Lin Dao slowly opened his eyes, scenes of the primordial creation of heaven and earth seemed to flow within them. With a slight thought, the surrounding space rippled subtly.

He felt his Divine Soul was incredibly light and powerful, as if, should he wish it, his Divine Thought could instantly cover tens of thousands of miles, perceiving every minute detail!

His control over power also reached a meticulous Realm.

"Third Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm... the Vassal Function is indeed powerful."

He sensed the earth-shattering changes within his body, understanding. Annexing forces was far more rapid than cultivating in seclusion.

"Ding! Vassal feedback calculation complete! Host's Cultivation has increased to the Peak of the Third Level of the Heavenly Soul Realm!"

"Ding! The main Family has received a Luck boost from its vassals, Family Luck has increased (light purple deepened, edges radiating deep purple glow)! All Family members' Cultivation speed is additionally increased by 20%!"

"Ding! Vassal force resources integrated, Infinite Treasure Vault authority points greatly increased!"

"Ding! System upgrade conditions met, commencing upgrade..."

The System interface was once again enveloped in dazzling white light, runes rapidly flowing and reorganizing.

A moment later, the light dissipated, and the interface became more ancient and profound, with richer functions.

"Strongest Family of All Ages System upgrade complete!"

"Infinite Treasure Vault authority increased to: Advanced! Partial Heaven Rank Medium Grade resources are now available for exchange! New additions: Special Bloodline Awakening Potion (Elementary), Talent Enhancement Elixir, Sect Construction Blueprint (Elementary), etc."

"New Function: Territory Luck Map—Allows direct viewing of the Luck distribution, resource points, and talent gathering places within the Host's Family and its vassal forces' territories."

"New Function: Remote Preaching—Allows synchronous transmission of Cultivation Technique insights to core members of all vassal forces via the Family Dao Stele (requires authority points)."

"All existing function effects greatly enhanced!"

With a thought, a massive, three-dimensional light screen map unfolded in Lin Dao's consciousness.

Qingfeng County, Heihe City, Tianhuang City, and their vast administered territories were clearly visible.

Above it, light green Luck flowed like clouds and mist, particularly dense in certain mountain ranges, mineral veins, and densely populated areas.

One could even vaguely see points of light representing potential talents scattered within.

"Excellent."

Lin Dao praised. With this map in hand, his control and development of his subordinate forces would become even more effortless.

Without hesitation, he immediately used the "Remote Preaching" function to synchronously imprint his improved insights into basic Cultivation Techniques such as the "Basic Qi Refining Art," "Qingyuan Sword Art," and "Condensing Yuan Technique" onto the Sub-Dao Steles (automatically generated by the System) newly established in Heihe City and Tianhuang City.

At once, the core Cultivators of the two cities felt a similar Dao Rhyme blessing to that of the Lin Family's main branch. Their Cultivation difficulties were resolved, and they all fell into ecstasy and shock, their sense of belonging and reverence for the Lin Family instantly reaching its Peak!

Having completed all this, Lin Dao then turned his attention back to himself.

The Heavenly Soul Realm was established; the next step was a new Realm beyond condensing the Heavenly Soul.

System information showed that after the Heavenly Soul Realm, came the "Spirit Tribulation Realm."

One needed to overcome three Spirit Tribulations to truly transcend the mundane and touch the Origin of heaven and earth.

"Spirit Tribulation..." Lin Dao's gaze was profound. This Realm could no longer be achieved by simply accumulating resources; it focused more on mental state comprehension and the trials of heaven and earth.

His figure flickered, appearing in the courtyard.

It happened that Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun had just finished sparring and were recuperating.

Sensing Lin Dao's emergence from seclusion, and his unfathomable aura that seemed to merge with heaven and earth, the three immediately stepped forward and respectfully saluted.

"Old Ancestor!"

Lin Dao's gaze swept over the three. Thanks to the increased Family Luck brought by the vassal feedback, the Cultivation of the three had improved again. Lin Hao, Sixth Level of the Spirit Sea Realm, his Sword Intent becoming even more condensed.

Ye Chen, Peak Fifth Level of the Spirit Sea Realm, his blood Qi like a Dragon, his Sacred Blood roaring within him.

Lin Yun had quietly broken through to the First Level of the Spirit Sea Realm. As his eyes opened and closed, stars appeared and vanished, and his aura was ethereal.

"How are the preparations?" Lin Dao asked lightly.

The three exchanged glances, seeing confidence and Battle Intent in each other's eyes.

"Ready to fight anytime!"

Lin Hao said in a deep voice.

"Just waiting for the grand event to begin!" Ye Chen grinned, his fists clenched. Lin Yun nodded gently, starlight flowing in his eyes:

"We won't disgrace the Family."

"Good." Lin Dao nodded. "In three days, we depart for the Myriad Manifestations Academy."

He looked up, gazing in the direction of the Myriad Manifestations Academy, his eyes seemingly piercing through endless space.