The strength of an Entering Dao practitioner primarily depends on their Spiritual Power.
The stronger the Spiritual Power, the more powerful the Secret Techniques they can employ.
The more heaven and earth power they can invoke.
As for the physical body? That's something martial artists of the Jianghu focus on.
In this world, even the most powerful physical body is still just that of common folk.
It cannot withstand poison, nor can it withstand a sharp blade.
A group of more than ten heavily armored soldiers surrounded them.
And they were directly chopped into minced meat.
Therefore, when Entering Dao practitioners engage in combat, they often first sense the opponent's mental will.
Then determine whether to fight or flee.
The golden-robed man nearby didn't feel Lin Yuan's Spiritual Power fluctuations.
So he was dismissive, not taking him seriously at all.
But the golden-robed man standing in the middle thought more deeply.
If Lin Yuan were really just a commoner,
why would he dare to intervene in matters between Entering Dao practitioners?
Whether it's the four of them, the Entering Dao mages,
or the hunchbacked old man not far away, they're all Entering Dao practitioners.
Although the latter is just a regular Entering Dao practitioner,
the fact that he attracted the personal pursuit of the four Entering Dao mages is proof of his strength.
So.
The golden-robed man in the middle realized something was off.
Instinctively, he activated a Secret Technique for investigation.
In this world, using Secret Techniques of the Entering Dao consumes Spiritual Power.
Unless necessary, no Entering Dao practitioner would casually activate Secret Techniques.
"Such restrained Spiritual Power," the golden-robed man in the middle thought, shocked.
He secretly activated the Golden Dragon Sect's detection Secret Technique and vaguely sensed that Lin Yuan did have Spiritual Power fluctuations.
But all the Spiritual Power was concentrated within his body.
Like an endless ocean.
On the surface, it seemed utterly calm and still.
But beneath, it was a surging undercurrent.
"Senior Brother?"
The nearby golden-robed man looked puzzled but stopped and looked at the golden-robed man in the middle.
"Are you the force behind him?"
The golden-robed man in the middle looked at Lin Yuan and said in a deep voice.
"Yes."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"In that case, the Golden Dragon Sect is at fault this time."
"You may leave."
The golden-robed man in the middle thought repeatedly and then said.
He wasn't confident about dealing with Lin Yuan; the impression Lin Yuan gave him was too unsettling.
Plus, since the Golden Dragon Sect was about to undergo a significant change, the golden-robed man in the middle did not plan to forcefully detain him.
The previous arrogance towards the hunchbacked old man's third uncle was because he thought he could surely deal with him.
The other golden-robed men heard their senior brother's decision, and although they didn't know the specific reason, they understood their senior brother must have discovered something.
The golden-robed man who had originally walked out returned instead.
"Leave?"
Lin Yuan looked at the four golden-robed men.
He wasn't here just to save his third uncle.
But aimed at the entire Golden Dragon Sect and the vast Man State.
The Entering Dao Master from the Golden Dragon Sect was about to pass away; at such a time, taking action and secretly controlling them posed no hidden threat.
This was also the result of Lin Yuan observing several future timelines.
And Man State.
Geographically advantageous.
Originally, Lin Yuan only planned to establish trade routes.
Then slowly influence it over decades, eventually taking it into his fold.
Unexpectedly, this time, a shortcut appeared.
If he could seize Man State in advance,
it would greatly benefit Lin Yuan's upcoming plans.
"I don't intend to leave," Lin Yuan said.
"Don't intend to leave?"
The expressions of the golden-robed men nearby turned grim.
Their senior brother had already given so much face, yet the other party was still being so ungrateful?
Still not planning to leave?
"Since you don't intend to leave, then…"
"Let's go."
The golden-robed man in the middle found it increasingly unsettling the more he thought about it.
While reviewing, he suddenly realized he couldn't figure out when exactly Lin Yuan appeared.
Entering Dao practitioners have strong Spiritual Power and are keenly aware of changes in their environment.
But determining when Lin Yuan appeared was impossible.
"Leave."
The golden-robed man in the middle said, then turned and left immediately.
The other three golden-robed men exchanged glances and didn't continue to argue with Lin Yuan's arrogant words.
Instead, they closely followed behind their senior brother.
They knew their senior brother well.
While he seemed indifferent, he was extremely assertive.
Given his reaction now, there was undoubtedly something wrong.
"Young Master." The hunchbacked old man's third uncle looked at Lin Yuan,
breathing a slight sigh of relief.
The Golden Dragon Sect was like the sky in Man State.
Outside the official Da Feng Dynasty, the Golden Dragon Sect was the strongest.
Even the Da Feng Dynasty was unwilling to clash with the Golden Dragon Sect in Man State.
Now that the four golden-robed men had voluntarily retreated,
it was evidently the best outcome.
"You won't be able to leave either."
Lin Yuan's expression remained calm.
In an instant, strands of Spiritual Power emerged from the surrounding void.
Constantly weaving and colliding, rapidly spreading in all directions.
Buzz～
With Lin Yuan at the center, Spiritual Power circulated within a hundred-zhang radius; the four golden-robed men within that radius were like being trapped in a spider's web, unable to move.
The leading golden-robed man's expression drastically changed; his mind trembled as he looked around in disbelief, "Heavenly Prison? Such a large-scale Heavenly Prison?"
The other three golden-robed men also felt their legs weaken, filled with fear, "Entering Dao Master?"
Entering Dao practitioners communicate with heaven and earth through Spiritual Power, but ordinary ones have weak Spiritual Power, and it can't manifest externally.
Only upon reaching the realm of an Entering Dao mage can one barely manifest their Spiritual Power, but even then, it only extends a few feet around them.
However, for an Entering Dao Master, whose Spiritual Power is extremely powerful, it can purely form a prison with Spiritual Power to suppress the enemy.
That is the Heavenly Prison.
Forming a prison with pure Spiritual Power is a technique only used by Entering Dao Masters.
"That young man, is he an Entering Dao Master?"
A few men in golden robes looked terrified.
How many Entering Dao Masters are there in the entire world?
Apart from those cultivated by the Da Feng dynasty, other states, the most prosperous ones may have one or two, or two or three Entering Dao Masters.
More than half of the states don't even have an Entering Dao Master.
On average, across the ninety-nine states, excluding Central State, the other eighty-eight states together have only about forty or fifty Entering Dao Masters.
Forty or fifty Entering Dao Masters? Although that number seems considerable, it's the accumulation of the whole world.
Ninety-eight states, each with a population exceeding ten billion people, on average, one Entering Dao Master emerges from twenty billion people.
Plus, Entering Dao Masters can generally live past one hundred and twenty years, whereas normal people usually live to fifty or sixty, which is considered a good life; the true probability of an Entering Dao Master being born must be even smaller.
An Entering Dao Master, as long as they are willing, can completely dominate several states as a king, as long as they don't oppose the court; the court is happy to appease them.
"A hundred-yard range of the Heaven and Earth Prison…" Compared to the terror of the men in golden robes, the leading senior was even more frightened inwardly.
He held a high position in the Golden Dragon Sect, following the Heavenly Master within the sect, knowing that even as strong as the Heavenly Master, when deploying the Heaven and Earth Prison, it could only reach within twenty to thirty yards.
The Spiritual Power of an Entering Dao Master is not infinite.
But the Heaven and Earth Prison formed by Lin Yuan exceeds a hundred yards?
What kind of majestic Spiritual Power is needed to sustain it?
How could such a powerful Entering Dao Master have never been heard of before?
…
Having dealt with four disciples of the Golden Dragon Sect, Lin Yuan glanced at his third uncle and said, "Third Uncle, you go back first, leave Man State to me."
"Okay, okay."
Third Uncle responded hastily.
For twenty years, it was his first time witnessing his family's young master truly make a move.
Although he had long known the young master was strong, an Entering Dao Master?
Even at its most prosperous period, the Red Lotus Sect only had a few Entering Dao practitioners.
As for an Entering Dao Master?
They dare not even imagine.
If the Red Lotus Sect had an Entering Dao Master at the time.
They wouldn't have had to roam several neighboring states.
Although the Red Lotus Sect established several sub-sects.
But those sub-sects were basically street rats.
Couldn't appear openly.
If there was an Entering Dao Master.
The Red Lotus Sect could completely dominate a state for slow development.
…
Golden Dragon Sect back mountain.
Entering Dao Master 'Jin Yi' sat cross-legged.
His physical body is weakening, although his Spiritual Power is strong, it comes from the physical body.
Once the physical body dies of old age, no matter how strong the Spiritual Power is, it will quickly vanish.
"Golden Dragon Sect has yet to produce a new Heavenly Master."
Jin Yi opened his eyes, worry appearing on his face.
Golden Dragon Sect, entrenched in Man State, has a vast potential influence, paired with an excellent relationship with the Da Feng dynasty.
Even though there is no Entering Dao Master stationed temporarily, it doesn't cause too much trouble.
Not every state among the ninety-eight has an Entering Dao Master in residence.
But it is ultimately a hidden danger.
Without an Entering Dao Master, such as the Sea-Calming Divine Needle.
They ultimately lack confidence.
"Hopefully, before I sit in meditation, I can cultivate a new Heavenly Master."
"Even if not, at least a seedling of a Heavenly Master must appear."
Jin Yi thought quietly to himself.
Decades ago, the Golden Dragon Sect started concentrating resources, fully cultivating some disciple.
But an Entering Dao Master isn't something you can definitely cultivate just with resources.
Just then—
Jin Yi's expression changed, "Who is there."
"It's me."
Before Jin Yi could react.
A young man stood nearby with a smile, looking over.
"You are….."
Jin Yi's pupils contracted sharply, then he felt his own Spiritual Power was suppressed and sealed.
The young man walked easily to him, looking down at him.
"Who are you, Heavenly Master?"
Jin Yi had a hopeless expression.
From the brief contact just now.
Jin Yi was sure of one thing.
That he absolutely couldn't be a match for the young man.
The opponent silently appeared nearby.
And sealed his Spiritual Power without any warning.
No matter which point, it highlights that the opponent wanting to kill him.
Is not a difficult task.
Jin Yi, although about to sit in meditation.
His physical body decayed and rotted.
But the fight between Entering Dao Masters.
Depends not on the physical body.
But on Spiritual Power.
In this respect, Jin Yi, the Entering Dao Master, is defeated completely.
"You don't need to know who I am."
Lin Yuan smiled as he overlooked Jin Yi, "Now you have two choices."
"Two choices?"
Jin Yi's heart trembled.
"One, give up resisting, let me perform the Soul Search, and then assist me in taking over the Golden Dragon Sect."
"I will ensure the Golden Dragon Sect's inheritance remains unbroken."
Lin Yuan said.
After twenty years of cultivation.
Lin Yuan's power now surpasses that of ordinary Entering Dao Masters.
An old-school Heavenly Master like Jin Yi stands no chance against him.
But in essence, Lin Yuan is also an Entering Dao Master.
He is of the same level as Jin Yi.
The most is his application of Spiritual Power far exceeds that of the opponent.
But performing a Soul Search? If it means completely receiving all memories of the other party.
Cooperation is still needed.
At least not violently resist.
"Soul Search?"
Jin Yi's mouth twitched.
Entering Dao Masters study Spiritual Power.
They are capable of performing Soul Searches.
But performing a Soul Search on an Entering Dao Master?
An Entering Dao Master would never willingly have their soul searched.
All hidden secrets would be intricately exposed to the enemy.
"What is the second choice?"
Jin Yi's voice was hoarse.
"I forcibly perform a Soul Search, the Golden Dragon Sect is utterly destroyed, and the inheritance is permanently severed."
Lin Yuan said directly.
Forcibly performing a Soul Search can result in memory loss and other consequences.
"Two choices."
"You choose one."
Lin Yuan gazed down at Jin Yi.
"I….."
Jin Yi fell into silence.
He had no doubt about the second possibility Lin Yuan mentioned.
With the power Lin Yuan has currently displayed.
Destroying the Golden Dragon Sect would be all too simple.
"I choose the first one."
Jin Yi sighed inwardly.
Though he was unsure if Lin Yuan would keep his promise.
He had no other choice now.
In any case, he was surely going to die.
Even if soul searched, it would at most mean a more painful end.
"So, the Golden Dragon Sect can continue its inheritance."
Lin Yuan nodded.
In fact, he had already foreseen Jin Yi's final decision by observing the future timeline.
"Golden Dragon Sect?"
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
Completely receiving Jin Yi's memories, along with the assistance of this Entering Dao Master.
He could most securely absorb all influence and power of the Golden Dragon Sect.
As for forcibly purging, then inserting his own people?
That would be a most inferior approach.
Firstly, it's likely to show flaws.
Secondly, it's too wasteful.
The disciples of the Golden Dragon Sect exceed tens of thousands, with over two thousand Entering Dao practitioners.
To purge such a batch of high-quality subordinates?
…
Da Feng Dynasty, capital, within the imperial palace.
The young emperor sat upright on the throne, frowning in contemplation.
"For twenty years, I've also successfully become an Entering Dao Master."
The young emperor murmured to himself, "The greatest power of this dynasty is held in my hands."
"Within this capital, there are more than ten thousand Entering Dao spellcasters, over a hundred Entering Dao Masters, and several hundred thousand of the most elite Imperial Guards."
"With such colossal strength, if I wish, I could easily overtake the external ninety-eight states."
"Moreover, this palace is entirely crafted from special materials that restrain Spiritual Power, even an Entering Dao Master falls inside, they would be greatly suppressed, retaining but a fraction of their power."
"Thus, inside the palace, the patrols are from the most elite Imperial Guard, an Entering Dao Master daring to infiltrate could be easily torn apart by dozens of Guards, and there are hundred thousand Guards inside the palace."
The young emperor grew increasingly solemn in his thoughts: "Under such conditions, the demand of this calamity is merely for me to survive for a hundred and fifty years?"
"No, it should be a hundred and thirty years now."
"Just asking me to stay alive?"
The young emperor harbored no contempt, realizing that such a requirement implied the calamity he faced was certainly not something his current strength could easily counter."
If he could effortlessly prevail without any action.
Then it wouldn't be worthy of being regarded as the final trial he must confront."
"Enough."
The young emperor surveyed his surroundings, which he deemed the safest place beneath the heavens—the imperial palace."
He had already made up his mind."
"I can't stay in the palace any longer."