27: Various forces came to offer their congratulations!

The news that Lin Family Ancestor Lin Dao successfully Underwent Tribulation and stepped into the Spirit Tribulation Realm was like a nuclear bomb dropped into a calm lake. The resulting turmoil far surpassed the previous Heaven's Dome Grand Event, sweeping across the entire Qingzhou at an unimaginable speed and rapidly spreading to the surrounding regions!

The Spirit Tribulation Realm!

In Qingzhou, this was a true Hegemon Overlord!

Enough to establish a Sect and found a thousand-year immortal Foundation!

The birth of every Spirit Tribulation Realm Mighty Figure meant a reshuffling of the power structure within the state!

For a time, Qingfeng County, this originally remote little place, became the focus of attention for the entire Qingzhou.

The first to react were the cities and Sects surrounding Qingfeng County, who had either already been intimidated by the Lin Family's strength or were previously observing the situation.

That very day, seven or eight City Lords and Sect Masters personally rushed to the Lin Family manor gates with generous gifts, respectfully requesting an audience. They spoke sincerely, all expressing their willingness to submit their cities (or Sects) and become Lin Family vassals, offering annual tribute and following the Lin Family's lead.

Following this, on the second day, more distant forces also couldn't sit still.

Even some "Regional Overlords" who had Life Soul Realm or even weak Heavenly Soul Realm experts guarding them, abandoned their former pride, sending envoys with even more generous resource lists and City Deeds and Land Titles to express their submission.

"Blackwater City is willing to honor the Lin Family as its sovereign!"

"The Crimson Sky Sect earnestly requests to submit to the Lin Family!"

"We, the Three Mountains and Eighteen Strongholds, are willing to serve as the Lin Family's vanguard!"

Every day, the area outside the Lin Family manor gates was bustling with traffic, as representatives from various forces arrived continuously, their attitudes extremely humble.

Lin Zhen and several Elders were constantly busy—receiving guests, negotiating, accepting resources, and arranging personnel for takeover—suffering yet happy.

The Lin Family's original sphere of influence rapidly expanded like an inflating balloon!

The number of cities under their jurisdiction quickly broke into double digits and was still increasing! Resources flooded the treasury like a tide.

Just as this wave of submission reached its Peak, an even more majestic and grand aura descended upon Qingfeng County.

A magnificent Heavenly Boat, pulled by nine Flood Dragons and engraved with the emblem of the Qingzhou Imperial Dynasty, slowly sailed over.

Stepping off the boat was an old man wearing a Qilin Official Robe, with a pale face and no beard, whose aura was profound. His cultivation base had clearly reached Heavenly Soul Realm Perfection! Behind him followed a squad of elite Imperial Dynasty Guards.

"Wei Xian, Special Envoy of the Qingzhou Imperial Dynasty, has been ordered by the Emperor to specially congratulate Fellow Daoist Lin on ascending to the Great Dao of Spirit Tribulation!"

The old man's voice was gentle yet carried undeniable authority, spreading in all directions.

The Qingzhou Imperial Dynasty! This was the colossal entity that nominally ruled the entire Qingzhou!

Although its actual control over various regions was limited due to the existence of large Sects, no one dared to underestimate its legitimate status and profound Heritage.

The personal visit of the Imperial Dynasty's Special Envoy to offer congratulations was significant!

This was undoubtedly an official recognition and endorsement of the Lin Family's status!

Lin Dao received the Special Envoy in the Great Hall.

"Fellow Daoist Lin's heaven-defying talent, successfully Undergoing Tribulation in one go, is truly a fortunate event for our Qingzhou."

Special Envoy Wei Xian smiled warmly and presented an extremely generous Congratulatory Gift, which included several Heaven And Earth Treasures highly beneficial even to Spirit Tribulation Realm Cultivators.

"The Emperor said that if the Lin Family has any needs, the Imperial Dynasty is willing to provide full support. We only hope that the Lin Family can become a pillar of Qingzhou, jointly maintaining peace in the region."

His words were filled with intentions of courtship and alliance.

Lin Dao responded calmly, accepting the Congratulatory Gift, neither humble nor arrogant:

"I will keep the Emperor's kindness in mind. The Lin Family will naturally adhere to its duties and protect this region."

After sending off the Imperial Dynasty's Special Envoy, the Lin Family's Prestige and status reached an unprecedented height! If even the Imperial Dynasty showed such courtesy, who would dare to question them?

For a time, the Lin Family's momentum was unmatched, completely establishing them as the hottest, newly promoted top Noble Family in Qingzhou that no one dared to easily provoke!

[Ding! A large number of regional forces have voluntarily submitted, and the Family's sphere of influence has expanded tremendously!]

[Ding! Massive vassal resources received, Family Heritage is rapidly increasing!]

[Ding! Official recognition obtained from the Qingzhou Imperial Dynasty, Family Prestige has reached its Peak!]

[Ding! Family Luck has significantly increased, completely advancing from 'light purple' to 'deep purple'! All Family members receive enormous bonuses to Cultivation speed, Comprehension Ability, and Breakthrough probability!]

[Ding! Received an unprecedented massive feedback! Infinite Critical Strike triggered!]

Inside the Quiet Room, Lin Dao sat cross-legged.

The feedback power brought by the outside world's mountain-shaking wave of submission, resource influx, and surging Luck now rushed into his body like a torrent of stars weighing billions of tons!

This feedback was not mere energy; it was a vast accumulation of Destiny fused with Territory, resources, Luck, Power Of Will from all beings, and Imperial Dynasty recognition!

Under the impact of this boundless, mighty force, his cultivation base, which had just stabilized at Spirit Tribulation Realm First Layer Peak, began to soar wildly once again!

Spirit Tribulation Realm Second Layer! Spirit Tribulation Realm Third Layer! Spirit Tribulation Realm Fourth Layer! Spirit Tribulation Realm Fifth Layer! Spirit Tribulation Realm Sixth Layer!!!

Breaking through five minor Realms consecutively!

Finally, this majestic feedback torrent slowly subsided, forcefully pushing his cultivation base to the terrifying level of Spirit Tribulation Realm Sixth Layer Peak!

He was only one step away from the Spirit Tribulation Realm Late Stage!

All these advancements proceeded under the System's perfect concealment.

To outsiders, he remained the Lin Family Ancestor who had just broken through to the Spirit Tribulation Realm First Layer, with an unfathomably profound aura. No one could detect the terrifying power within him, which was already capable of overturning rivers and seas and shaking continents!

Lin Dao slowly opened his eyes. Within his pupils, countless worlds seemed to be undergoing creation, destruction, and Reincarnation, with Law runes flowing like waterfalls.

He gently clenched his fist, feeling the vast, Mighty Power within his body—enough to determine the life and death of millions with a single thought—yet his state of mind was as calm as an ancient well.

Spirit Tribulation Realm Sixth Layer Peak... Within Qingzhou, aside from a few reclusive Old Monsters, it would likely be difficult to find a match.

With a slight shift in his mind, his Divine Thought spread out like mercury pouring onto the ground, instantly covering the Lin Family's now immensely vast Territory.

Mountains and rivers, cities and villages, Mineral Veins and Spirit Fields... everything was under his control.

He could even vaguely perceive the flow of every Earth Vein, and how the deep purple Family Luck nourished every clansman on this land.

Although the feedback effect from vassal forces was halved, their sheer numbers made up for it!

The Lin Family's overall strength now was more than a hundred times greater than it was during the Heaven's Dome Grand Event!

"System, retrieve the current Family detailed panel."

[The Strongest Family System of All Ages]

[Host: Lin Dao]

[Realm: Spirit Tribulation Realm Sixth Layer Peak (External Display: Spirit Tribulation Realm First Layer)]

[Family: Lin Family of Qingzhou (Influence covers nearly ten percent of Qingzhou's Territory)]

[Family Rank: State-Level Overlord (Qingzhou Peak)]

[Family Members: 389 Core Disciples (Details), Vassal forces population exceeds ten million]

[Family Luck: Deep Purple (Flourishing)]

[Family Resources: Massive (Inestimable)]

[Vassal Forces: 27 Cities, 15 Sects, and various other forces]

[Family Cultivation Techniques: ... (A large number of Earth Rank, small number of Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques added)]

[Special Buildings: Family Dao Stele (Main), Star Guiding Platform (Under Construction), Heart Refining Road, Medicine Garden, Artifact Workshop...]

[Available Functions: ... (All greatly enhanced)]

Looking at the series of astonishing data on the panel, Lin Dao nodded slightly.

The rapid expansion of influence brought about visibly insane feedback.

However, this power also required time to be properly digested and settled.

His gaze swept over the list of Family members.

Under the blessing of the deep purple Luck and the massive influx of resources, the cultivation bases of Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun also advanced rapidly.

Lin Hao had reached Spirit Sea Realm Ninth Layer, his Sword Intent becoming increasingly refined, starting to touch the threshold of the Tongtian Realm.

Ye Chen was at Spirit Sea Realm Eighth Level Peak, the power of his Ancient Desolate Sacred Body further developed, making his Physical Body ridiculously formidable.

Lin Yun had also reached the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer, utilizing the Starry Sky Annihilation Pupil with increasing proficiency and strangeness.

Lin Xuan and Lin Tian, who had returned from Yunzhou, benefited even more, with their cultivation bases advancing to varying degrees, and their sense of belonging to the Family reaching its Peak.

The entire Lin Family displayed a thriving, flourishing Atmosphere of Prosperity!

"The Foundation is stable; it is time to consider the future."

Lin Dao pondered for a moment, then transmitted a message summoning Lin Zhen, Lin Xuan, Lin Tian, and Lin Hao, along with other Core Members.

Inside the Great Hall, everyone stood respectfully, looking at the Old Ancestor above, whose aura was becoming increasingly unfathomable. Their eyes were filled with fanaticism and awe.

"Family expansion will be temporarily suspended, focusing primarily on digestion and absorption."

Lin Dao issued the command, "Resources are to be prioritized for promising disciples, especially Hao'er, Chen'er, and Yun'er. They must break through to the Tongtian Realm as quickly as possible."

"Yes!" Lin Zhen and the others respectfully complied.

"Lin Xuan, Lin Tian."

"Junior is here!" The two immediately stepped forward.

"You two are familiar with the situation in Yunzhou. The preliminary investigation and planning for the Family's future expansion into Yunzhou will be your responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuan and Lin Tian were greatly excited: "We respectfully obey the Old Ancestor's Decree!" This was immense trust and heavy reliance!

"Hao'er."

"This grandson is here!" Lin Hao stepped forward.

"Your Sword Intent has reached a Bottleneck, and secluded hard Cultivation is useless. You may travel abroad, temper your Sword Heart in the vast Mortal World, and seek an opportunity for Breakthrough. Beyond Qingzhou, the great Nine States are all open to you."

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Hao's eyes, and he bowed solemnly: "This grandson understands! I will certainly not disappoint the Old Ancestor's expectations!"

After arranging all the matters, everyone withdrew.

Lin Dao sat alone in the hall, his gaze seeming to penetrate layers of the Void Realm, seeing a more distant future.

Qingzhou was no longer a concern.

The next target was the other few states!