97: The ancient imperial clans are about to return.

Upon returning to the Lin Clan Small World, Lin Dao immediately summoned the Acting Clan Head, the Seven Saint Sons, and the core Old Ancestors.

He briefly and clearly explained the discoveries made deep within the Heavenly Abyss.

At the same time, he revealed part of the truth regarding the Primeval Nine Provinces that he had learned from the Saint's skeleton—that the present so-called Emperor-level Factions were merely the last remnants of glorious ancient Dao Lineages.

This news exploded like a clap of thunder in everyone's hearts.

The expressions of the Acting Clan Head and the others turned solemn; they finally understood why the Old Ancestor was so eager to boost the Family's strength.

In one year, they would be facing true formidable enemies from the core regions of the Myriad Heavens and Myriad Realms, and among them might be beings in the Saint Realm!

“One year...” Lin Hao's eyes were sharp, and the Sword Intent around him circulated involuntarily, “We must become stronger.”

Ye Chen clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking loudly, “I don't care what Ancient Emperor Clan they are, if they come, we'll fight them!”

The rivers of stars in Lin Yun's double pupils accelerated their flow, seemingly deducing something.

Phoenix Spirit, Lin Feng, Yang Yan, and Moon Radiance all felt immense pressure as well.

“There is no need to panic.”

Lin Dao's voice was calm, yet it carried the power to steady their hearts, “One year is enough time for us to make many preparations.

Starting today, open all Advanced resources in the clan treasury, activate the time acceleration Secret Realm, and fully focus on improving our strength.

Acting Clan Head, coordinate the overall situation and ensure the optimal distribution of resources.”

“Yes, Old Ancestor!”

The Acting Clan Head bowed to receive the order, his expression solemn.

Lin Dao then looked at the Seven Saint Sons: “The seven of you are the future pillars of my Lin Clan.

This year, I will personally guide your Cultivation. You must, at the very least, step into the Samsara Realm before the gate opens!”

The Seven Saint Sons responded in unison, “We will not fail the Old Ancestor's expectations!”

Just as the Lin Clan began preparations in earnest, the news Lin Dao brought back from the Heavenly Abyss, through unknown channels, quietly spread like wildfire among the high-level Factions across the Myriad Heavens and Myriad Realms.

Initially, it was just vague hearsay, but soon, some Emperor-level Factions that possessed ancient Legacies and knew parts of the inside story verified the authenticity of the news using their own methods!

“The Ancient Road is opening! The Ancient Ancestral Land will reappear!”

“The true glory of the Emperor Clan is about to return!”

“The Nine Provinces... that abandoned land, is finally going to reconnect with the core of the Myriad Realms!”

Instantly, the Myriad Heavens were shaken, and the undercurrents completely transformed into surging waves!

The long-established Emperor-level Factions, such as Zixiao Heaven, Nine Nether Mansion, and Azure Emperor Palace, who had already felt immense pressure due to the rise of the Lin Clan, underwent subtle and rapid changes in attitude after confirming the news.

In Zixiao Heaven, Thunder Punishment once again summoned the high-level personnel.

“The Ancient Road is opening, and the glory of our ancient ancestors will surely reappear!”

His voice carried suppressed excitement. “My Zixiao Heaven lineage, according to ancient records, is a collateral branch of the ancient Thunder Emperor Palace!

Once the powerhouses from the Ancestral Land descend, our status will inevitably rise!

That Lin Clan... hmph, they are just upstarts with slightly better Luck. We'll see how arrogant they can be then!

Issue the order: contract our influence, accumulate strength, and await the arrival of the Ancestral Land's envoy!”

In Nine Nether Mansion, Demon Venerable Gu You let out a strange, cackling laugh.

“Heaven helps me! My Nine Nether Mansion inherited its Legacy from the ancient Netherworld Hells; we are the orthodox line!

Lin Dao, that brat, killed my fellow disciples in the Heavenly Abyss. This debt must be repaid!

When the Ancient Road opens, this Venerable One will certainly invite the powerhouses from the Ancestral Land to flatten his Lin Clan Small World!”

Azure Emperor Palace was relatively restrained, but Immortal Venerable Qing Lin also issued an order: “Closely monitor the movements in the Nine Provinces, especially the Lin Clan.

At the same time, prepare the highest-level welcoming ceremony, awaiting the potential return of the Ancestral Lineage.”

Not only the Factions that had previously interacted with the Lin Clan, but also other Emperor-level Factions that were originally reclusive or located in distant Star Domains became active.

Many among them boasted themselves as inheritors of some ancient Great Emperor's Dao Lineage. At this moment, they seemed to have found their backbone, and their arrogance immediately swelled.

Some Saint-Grade and Heaven-Grade Factions affiliated with these Emperor-level Factions also keenly sensed the shift in the wind, starting to distance themselves from commercial dealings with the Lin Clan and even secretly resisting the expansion of Lin Clan industries.

“Did you hear? The Ancient Emperor Clan is returning! Those big shots are the orthodox line!”

“The Lin Clan? They are just lucky fellows who rose up while our Ancestral Lines were absent. It won't last long.”

“Quickly draw a clear line between us and the Lin Clan, lest we be implicated.”

Factions that had previously been respectful toward the Lin Clan adopted ambiguous or even arrogant attitudes.

The number of flying ships heading to the Lin Clan Small World for trade or exchange noticeably decreased.

The Lin Clan naturally felt this change internally.

“Old Ancestor, Zixiao Heaven unilaterally terminated the long-term supply contract with us regarding the Lightning Strike Wood.”

“Several important black markets controlled by Nine Nether Mansion have begun refusing the influx of our Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts.”

“Several previously agreed-upon subordinate Families suddenly stated they needed more time to consider...”

The Acting Clan Head reported the external changes to Lin Dao, his brows tightly furrowed.

Although the Lin Clan now formed its own domain and was not short on resources in the short term, long-term isolation was definitely not a good thing.

Lin Dao listened, his expression completely unchanged.

“Clowns, why pay them any mind.”

He said indifferently, “They think they've latched onto the Ancient Emperor Clan's thigh, but they don't know that in the eyes of true powerhouses, they are no different from ants.”

“Then should we...”

“Proceed according to the original plan.” Lin Dao interrupted, “Seal the Small World and activate the highest level of protection.

All clansmen, focus on Cultivation. Ignore the external disturbances. After one year, the results will be clear.”

“Yes!”

Seeing the Old Ancestor so composed, the Acting Clan Head felt slightly relieved and left to carry out the order.

Lin Dao looked outside the Small World, his gaze seemingly piercing the endless Void Realm, seeing the Factions who were celebrating and believing they had found a powerful backer.

“I hope you can still smile when that time comes.”

He stopped paying attention to the external turmoil and turned to step into the depths of the Secret Realm.

The immediate priority was to enhance his own absolute strength and that of the Lin Clan.

In the imminent upheaval, only power was the eternal truth.

The Lin Clan Small World was completely sealed off. The purple-gold Luck light barrier circulated, and the Great Zhou Heavenly Stars Array remained dormant, like a slumbering Primeval Vicious Beast, silently accumulating power, awaiting the moment that would shake the heavens.

Over half a month, under Lin Dao's personal guidance and the massive influx of resources, the interior of the Lin Clan Small World Advanced rapidly.

The Seven Saint Sons' understanding of their respective Legacies deepened, and their cultivation base steadily Advanced toward the Samsara Realm.

New Prodigies like Lin Zhan and Lin Yao also progressed swiftly.

On this day, Lin Dao was in the Secret Realm explaining the way of Law application to several young disciples possessing Saint Body and Divine Body Aptitude. His voice was calm yet pointed directly to the Origin, mesmerizing the young men and women.

Suddenly, his speech paused slightly, and he raised his gaze, seemingly piercing through the Secret Realm's barrier and looking toward the Central Province.