C1475 Not to be Discussed
C1475 Not to be Discussed
When Luo Tianlei and his team arrived at the Zhou family's estate, they found the entire region enveloped by a red protective light barrier—a clear sign that the family had been forewarned and was now on full defense. This development hardly surprised Luo Tianlei and his companions.
Hovering in the air, they surveyed the Zhou family's stronghold from above. Within the barrier, several Emperor Level Martial Cultivators of the Zhou family took to the skies, ready to face off against Luo Tianlei's group from behind the safety of the shield. Looming behind these cultivators were numerous towering, ferocious demonic beasts, each several hundred feet tall, with auras matching that of Emperor Level beings.
"As expected of the renowned Zhou family, their mastery over beast control is indeed formidable," Luo Tianlei remarked, though his face remained impassive. Despite the impressive display, neither the Zhou family's Emperor Level Martial Cultivators nor their demonic beasts had reached the late period of the Emperor Level. The highest any had achieved was the middle stage of the Emperor Level, and without a single one in the late period, the vast chasm between the two stages was not easily bridged, even with overwhelming numbers.
"What brings the ambassador to our Zhou family?" inquired Zhou Ran, the family patriarch, whose cultivation had reached the sixth level of the Martial Monarch Stage—nearing the threshold of tolerance for the five great forces. His voice was grave, reflecting the depth of his concern. The ominous feeling that had plagued him since the five great forces made their declaration had now materialized into the worst possible scenario.
The Zhou family, a prominent Emperor Level power among its peers, now faced a dire situation. The Purple Cauldron Sect had taken decisive action, stepping forward alongside the six great forces and the Million Treasure Pavilion to confront them in a bold and significant move.
Among the remaining forces, it was impossible for an Emperor Level late period expert to emerge.
This left no opportunity for resistance!
Zhou Ran was in a foul mood, filled with resentment, yet his face betrayed none of his inner turmoil.
The power structure of the Dongyuan Continent was dominated by six major forces, which governed the land and divided it into various known regions.
Within these regions, the six major forces were referred to as the upper sects by the other powers.
Their envoys were known as the upper envoys.
"It's a rhetorical question!"
Luo Tianlei huffed in disdain.
"However, time is short, so let me reiterate!"
"My Purple Cauldron Sect, along with the East Saint Sect, Elemental Spirit Sect, Canglan Sect, and Thunder Yang Pavilion, have all pledged allegiance to the Tianyuan Palace established by our Hall Master!
We are the five great halls of the Tianyuan Palace.
The Hall Master has decreed that, to celebrate the founding of the Tianyuan Palace, all Emperor Level forces must surrender half of their reserves as a tribute. No exceptions are permitted!"
"Had it not been for the Hall Master's formidable prowess, leading our five great halls to obliterate the power-hungry, overwhelmingly evil Devil Cloud Sect, you would have already been at their mercy!
It would be more than just your reserves at stake; your very lives would be in jeopardy, with the threat of your families facing annihilation!
Now, you are merely required to offer half of your reserves as a celebratory tribute. Do not delay in complying!"
With that, Luo Tianlei bellowed.
The overwhelming pressure of an Emperor Level late period martial cultivator burst forth like an avalanche, bearing down on the Zhou family's protective barrier.
The red barrier quivered but remained intact, not succumbing to the assault.
A hint of regret flashed in Luo Tianlei's eyes as he awaited the Zhou family's response.
Below, the faces of the Zhou family's countless warriors were a mix of panic, fear, and indignation, each displaying a different emotion.
They had braced themselves for this moment.
Yet, hearing it directly from Luo Tianlei, a high-ranking elder of the Purple Cauldron Sect, still left them profoundly shaken.
Only then did they fully grasp the reality that the Devil Cloud Sect, notorious for its demonic might, had been vanquished.
Furthermore, the once-dominant forces of the continent, such as the East Saint Sect and the Elemental Spirit Sect, had all sworn fealty to the Tianyuan Palace.
The founder of Tianyuan Palace must have been a figure of terrifying power.
His strength likely caused the earth to tremble.
With his own might, he brought about a monumental shift in the Dongyuan Continent, a transformation not seen in thousands of years.
Yet, he didn't stop at subjugating the five major powers; he reached further, targeting even the smaller factions.
Under the guise of founding a new sect, he demanded half of their accumulated wealth.
Had there been an actual grand founding ceremony, they would have willingly offered gifts to show their respect, even parting with their most prized treasures.
But to give up half of their savings? That was unthinkable.
Losing that much would cripple their operations, hinder the cultivation of their elites, and disrupt the rearing of their mystical beasts.
How could they possibly bear such a burden?
Understandably, they were indignant and resistant.
High above within the protective dome of light, the Zhou family's patriarch, Zhou Qi, appeared troubled and indecisive.
He was well aware of the implications when a single individual could reshape the continental landscape—an adversary the entire Beastmaster Zhou family could never hope to oppose.
Yet, the demand for the Zhou family's centuries of savings was more than he could stomach.
"Exalted Envoy, isn't asking for half of our savings a bit excessive? Could we negotiate a lesser amount? The Zhou family has other treasures we could offer instead," Zhou Qi tentatively inquired.
This approach had been standard practice for these forces when dealing with a superior sect.
But he failed to realize that times had changed.
Luo Tianlei's face turned icy.
"Silence! The Purple Cauldron Sect is not so dishonorable. Are you suggesting I, Luo, betray my principles?!"
"So, the Zhou family is reluctant to present their gifts?"
"If you are unwilling to offer even a token of goodwill, then there's no reason for the Zhou family to continue existing!"
"Attack!"
With those words, Luo Tianlei's presence intensified.
The other Emperor Level Martial Cultivators joined the assault.
In moments, a tempest raged, and the very sky seemed to revolt.
"Oh no!"
Zhou Qi's face turned pale with shock.
He had never anticipated that Luo Tianlei would abruptly end the conversation as if he had been provoked.
This was a complete departure from any previous encounters.
How could he have foreseen this?
As a senior member of the Purple Cauldron Sect, Luo Tianlei had witnessed Lin Xuan's formidable might firsthand.
Such power was beyond the scope of what an Emperor Level Martial Cultivator could imagine, let alone match.
Moreover, Lin Xuan was known for his ruthlessness and lack of mercy.
The East Saint Sect had merely sought to negotiate, but Lin Xuan responded by shattering their grand protective formation and wiping out the Sect Master's lineage.
The incident left the five major forces both terrified and alarmed.
This was Lin Xuan's first command after reclaiming the five sects, and he had mandated its completion within a mere three days.
How could Zhou Qi even contemplate playing any tricks under these circumstances?
If Lin Xuan took notice...
The Grand Elder would not only refuse to protect him but might even cast him out to face the consequences.
Why would he risk his own life for the survival of other forces?
Especially since they had been forewarned that the operation would be fraught with difficulties.
And to demand completion within such a tight timeframe of three days, it would certainly require some extraordinary measures.