7: vassal!

Shi Lie's body stiffened in mid-air; the boundless pressure and killing intent had long since dissipated, replaced by a bone-chilling cold and uncontrollable trembling.

Looking into Lin Dao's eyes, which were as indifferent as the stars and devoid of any emotion, he felt as if he were seeing a reflection of his own insignificance, like dust.

Life Soul Realm! It was definitely the Life Soul Realm!

This thought gnawed frantically at his mind like a curse.

Whatever grand ambitions, whatever dignity of a City Lord—before such an absolute disparity in strength, they all became laughable jokes.

His only thought now was to survive!

"S-Senior!"

Shi Lie's voice was as dry as sandpaper rubbing together, filled with unprecedented panic and servility.

"It… it is Shi Lie who was blind! I have offended your divine might, Senior! I beg you, Senior, spare my life! Spare me!"

No longer caring about his dignity, he bowed deeply in mid-air, lowering his posture to the extreme, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

The black-armored personal guards below were already scared witless, silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even draw a full breath.

Lin Dao looked at him calmly, not responding immediately.

For Shi Lie, this brief silence felt as long as a century; every second was an ordeal.

"Spare you?"

Lin Dao finally spoke, his voice still flat but carrying an indifference that decided life and death: "Give this seat a reason."

Shi Lie's heart raced, his mind spinning rapidly, and he hurriedly said:

"This Junior is willing to offer up Black Rock City! From now on, Black Rock City will follow your every lead, Senior! All resources are yours to take! I only ask that you give this Junior a chance to serve you like a dog or horse!"

He did not doubt for a second that if the other party merely flicked a finger, he and everyone he brought would be instantly reduced to ashes.

Submission was the only path to survival.

Hearing this, Lin Dao's eyes shifted slightly. Killing Shi Lie directly would certainly be simple, but Black Rock City governed over a dozen counties, its forces deeply intertwined. Forcibly taking control would inevitably lead to trouble and waste energy.

If he could control it indirectly through Shi Lie, it would indeed be much less troublesome.

After a moment of contemplation, he said indifferently: "Open your Divine Soul defenses."

Shi Lie's body trembled, his face instantly turning deathly pale.

Opening his Divine Soul defenses meant the other party could plant a Restriction deep within his Soul, leaving his life and death at the mercy of a single thought from the other party, with no freedom left to speak of!

But he only hesitated for an instant before gritting his teeth and saying: "Yes! This Junior obeys!"

Compared to total annihilation of body and Soul, becoming a servant was the best outcome.

He completely opened his mind, not daring to offer the slightest resistance.

Lin Dao flicked his finger, and a wisp of extremely subtle yet supreme Soul Power instantly sank into the center of Shi Lie's brow.

Shi Lie's whole body shook violently, feeling as if an eternal mark had been branded deep within his Soul, and a sense of absolute, irresistible obedience welled up within him.

The look in his eyes when he gazed at Lin Dao had completely transformed into reverence and submission.

"Shi Lie pays respects to Master!" He knelt respectfully in mid-air.

"Rise."

Lin Dao said indifferently, "Everything in Black Rock City remains as it was; you are still the City Lord. But there are two things: First, all resources required by the Lin Family must be supplied with priority, without fail. Second, closely monitor the movements in Qingzhou, especially news regarding the 'Life Soul Realm' and higher levels, and report it at any time."

"Yes! Master! Shi Lie will certainly handle it!" Shi Lie hurriedly replied, feeling slightly more at ease.

Lin Dao's gaze swept over the trembling black-armored personal guards below and the terrified Lin Family members, finally saying to Lin Zhen: "This matter is settled; you will be responsible for the subsequent handover with Black Rock City."

"Yes! Old Ancestor!" Lin Zhen was extremely excited and hurriedly bowed. The Old Ancestor had actually subdued the powerful Black Rock City Lord without a drop of blood shed! What heaven-defying methods these were!

Lin Dao said no more; his figure flashed, and he had already returned to the Quiet Room.

The stone door closed, and all the disturbances of the outside world seemed to be cut off.

[Ding! Subdued a regional power leader; Family latent power and influence have greatly increased. Received cultivation feedback.]

[Ding! The Family has gained a stable supply channel for Advanced resources; development potential has been greatly enhanced. Received cultivation feedback.]

Two streams of energy, more pure and vast than before, surged into his body, pushing his cultivation to advance steadily a bit further along the path of the Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm.

That barrier leading to the Life Soul Realm seemed to become a little clearer.

(The bonuses from subduing forces are very small, not as good as Family feedback.)

Calming his mind, Lin Dao's focus sank back into the System.

Now that the resource supply was temporarily worry-free, it was time to consider deeper levels of improvement.

His current cultivation had already reached the Peak of the Tongtian Realm; wanting to Breakthrough to the Life Soul Realm could not be achieved merely by accumulating spiritual power.

"System, retrieve all data regarding breaking through to the Life Soul Realm, as well as the required resources."

[Ding! Permission confirmed. Retrieving...]

[Life Soul Realm requires condensing one's own Life Soul, connecting the heaven and earth Soul bridge, and initially touching the Soul Origin and the Laws of heaven and earth. Breakthrough requirements: 1. Great Perfection of the Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm; 2. Soul power must be sufficiently strong and resilient; 3. Initial enlightenment of one's own Dao path; 4. Requires Soul-guiding Heaven And Earth Treasure or special environment assistance; must withstand the baptism of the Soul Tribulation when condensing the Life Soul.]

[Recommended auxiliary resources:] [Soul-Pacifying Divine Wood (Heaven And Earth Treasure) - Stabilizes the Divine Soul, resists Heart Demons, and increases the success rate of condensing the Life Soul. Requires 10,000 permission points.]

[Seven-Colored Soul-Nurturing Flower (Heaven And Earth Treasure) - Nourishes and strengthens the Divine Soul, enhances the essence of the Soul. Requires 15,000 permission points.]

[Dao Enlightenment Stone (Fragment) (Curiosity) - Has a certain chance to help one comprehend the Laws of heaven and earth and clearly see one's own self. Requires 20,000 permission points.]

[Nine Revolutions Soul-Condensing Pill (Heaven Rank Low Grade) - For consumption below the Soul Condensing Realm, can significantly increase the success rate of condensing the Life Soul, and can weaken a portion of the Soul Tribulation's power. Requires 50,000 permission points. (Insufficient permission, cannot exchange)]

Looking at the items on the list, whose names alone revealed their extraordinariness, and the long string of staggering permission points behind them, Lin Dao frowned slightly.

Even the cheapest Soul-Pacifying Divine Wood required 10,000 points.

And the permission points he had previously obtained through Family development, member Breakthroughs, subduing forces, etc., totaled no more than eight thousand.

"Permission points…"

Lin Dao was lost in thought. It seemed that to Breakthrough quickly, he still had to rely on the word "Family."

Only when the Family kept growing stronger could he obtain more feedback and points.

Furthermore, as long as the Family was strong enough, he could immediately Breakthrough to the Life Soul Realm!

With a thought, he switched the System list to the Family panel.

[Family: Lin Family of Qingfeng County (Actual influence covers the jurisdiction of Black Rock City)]

[Family Rank: County-level Overlord (Qingzhou bottom-tier) → Regional Power (Qingzhou fringe)]

[Family Members: 189 (New: 2)]

[Family Luck: Light cyan (Steady growth)]

[Family Resources: Abundant (Black Rock City stable supply + existing reserves)]

[Family Cultivation Technique: "Innate Guidance Art" (Earth Rank Low Grade), "Qingyuan Sword Art" (Earth Rank Low Grade), "Flowing Cloud Steps" (Earth Rank Low Grade), "Wind Control Art" (Profound Rank High Grade), "Hundred Herbs Spirit Mirror" (Profound Rank Medium Grade), "Basic Artifact Refining Techniques" (Profound Rank Low Grade)...]

[Family Industry: All of Qingfeng County, partial resource points in Black Rock City (in process of takeover)]

[Family Allies: None (Vassal: Black Rock City)]

[Family Hostiles: None (Cleared)]

The Family's overall strength and sphere of influence had indeed increased significantly, but it seemed to still lack what was needed to provide a large amount of permission points.

Especially in terms of high-end combat power and special talent, apart from Lin Hao, whose Heavenly Mandate had not yet fully awakened, a few newly discovered good prospects, and the subdued Shi Lie, there was no one else capable of standing alone.

"The Foundation is still too shallow."

Lin Dao mused, "It needs time to settle, and it also needs… more stimulation."

His gaze swept across the member list, stopping on Lin Hao's name.

[Lin Hao: 16 years old, Innate Realm First Level (Stable). Status: Heavenly Mandate Protagonist Destiny (Awakening 8%), Cultivating ("Nine Revolutions Golden Core Art" fragmentary volume initiation). Potential: ???]

He cultivated a fragmentary volume of a Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique, and the Destiny Awakening level only increased by 3%? It seems this Son of Heaven's Mandate is not so easy to be.

"System, retrieve plans suitable for Lin Hao's rapid improvement that can further stimulate his Destiny Awakening."

[Analyzing... Recommended plans:]

[1. Practical combat experience: Stimulate potential through life-and-death battles (requires providing protection for the Dao). Recommended location: Deep in the Black Wind Mountain Range (Risk: High, Reward: High).]

[2. Special environment: Seek extreme environments that fit his Cultivation Technique or Destiny for Body Tempering (e.g., Earth Fire Flame Cave, Extreme Cold Ice Abyss, etc.).]

[3. Items of Luck: Seek treasures containing the Luck of heaven and earth, or make contact with those with great Luck.]

[4. Continuous investment of large amounts of resources (Huge consumption).]

Lin Dao's eyes flickered slightly.

Flowers in a greenhouse can never become great.

It is time to let these fledgling eagles go out and experience the wind and rain.

He mentally transmitted to Shi Lie: "Within the jurisdiction of Black Rock City, are there any Secret Realms or dangerous places suitable for Innate Realm and Spirit Sea Realm Cultivators to train, which also possess considerable risk?"

A moment later, Shi Lie's respectful voice echoed in his mind:

"Replying to Master, deep in the 'Black Wind Mountain Range' three thousand li west of the city, Yao Beasts run rampant, and there are even Peak Spirit Sea Realm great Yao Beasts entrenched there. It is rumored that there are mysterious ruins deep inside, but it is extremely dangerous and has always been a place for training and adventure. In addition, five thousand li to the north, there is an 'Earth Fire Flame Cave' where the fire Qi is exceptionally violent, suitable for fire-attribute Cultivators to temper their bodies and Souls, but it is also fraught with crises."

"Mhm." Lin Dao acknowledged, already having a plan in mind.

He again transmitted to Lin Zhen and Lin Hao: "Come to the Quiet Room to see me."

Soon, the two entered respectfully.

Lin Dao's gaze fell on Lin Hao, feeling the aura within him that was becoming increasingly refined and solid, yet hidden with vast potential, and said indifferently:

"On the path of Cultivation, working behind closed doors is ultimately a lesser path. Dare you venture into the Black Wind Mountain Range and the Earth Fire Flame Cave?"

Hearing this, Lin Hao's eyes suddenly lit up. Far from being afraid, a strong Battle Intent and desire surged forth: "This Disciple is willing to go!"

"Good."

Lin Dao nodded and said to Lin Zhen, "Select a group of promising, resilient-hearted Disciples, led by Lin Hao, to go to the Black Wind Mountain Range for training.

Inform Shi Lie to send a team of reliable experts to follow secretly; they must not intervene unless it is a life-or-death moment."

"Yes! Old Ancestor!" Although Lin Zhen was a bit worried, he had no objections to Lin Dao's orders.

"As for you," Lin Dao looked at Lin Hao and flicked his finger, sending a dragon-eye-sized, blood-red Medicinal Pill and a small jade talisman flying towards him,

"'Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill'—consume it when breaking through in a dangerous place; it may help you. This jade talisman contains one strike of this seat's power; use it cautiously."

Lin Hao took the Medicinal Pill and the jade talisman, feeling the terrifying energy and the intent of protection contained within. His blood boiled, and he cupped his hands heavily: "Many thanks, Old Ancestor! This Disciple will certainly not fail your command!"