Lin Yu now had a foothold in the Northern Region, and the idea of establishing his own lineage began to surface in his mind.
The Divine Elephant's Prison Technique required ever-increasing resources. He could not maintain this bandit-like lifestyle forever; the resources needed for later cultivation were practically a bottomless pit, making his path even more difficult than Ye Fan's.
Although the Northern Region had abundant source, it was largely concentrated in the hands of the holy lands. A small sect like Mystic Moon Cave could not be squeezed for much profit, only enough to support his early cultivation.
During his training in the Northern Region these past few days, he had seen too many oases pillaged and massacred by bandits. A trace of compassion arose in his heart, and he wanted to make a change.
Yet these bandits seemed to respawn endlessly, wave after wave. Simply eliminating a few villainous sects and bandit groups would never solve the problem. Restoring order to this place was the only lasting solution.
Once he cultivated to higher realms in the future, such as the Wheel of Fate and the Divine Seal of the Heavens, he would need an even more advanced form of energy: the Power of Faith.
The Power of Faith sprang from the soul and came in many grades. It was one of the most mysterious and vast forces between heaven and earth.
Faith born from deception and fear contained vast amounts of dark thoughts. It would contaminate a cultivator's mind and lead them into corruption.
Only faith born from the heart—faith in light and hope—was a gentle pale gold. Like dawn sunlight driving away darkness and bringing hope, it possessed a translucent texture, lively and captivating. It existed in granular form, every particle plump as true gold, condensed from spirit and beautiful aspirations.
In some universes, it was also called "heavenly gold." Inferior grades were known as "heavenly silver" or "incense money."
This energy could cultivate divine abilities, refine magical treasures, and raise a cultivator's cultivation. It was truly an all-purpose resource.
In this universe, the Power of Faith was mainly used to create faith incarnations. Only Great Emperor Amitabha had created a longevity method through the Power of Faith. Unfortunately, he lost everything in a single day while attempting to break through onto the path of immortality.
The path of cultivation had always been fraught with hardship. One had to prepare for danger in times of peace; one could not wait until one's cultivation was high before establishing a great sect.
The next day, Mystic Moon Sect.
Morning light had just appeared as the sun slowly rose, casting golden radiance over more than a dozen rolling green mountains. It traced their edges in gold, making the lush forests appear even more vibrant. Mist drifted leisurely through the mountains like soft gauze, as though playing with the sunlight.
Amid this dreamlike interplay of light and shadow, Lin Yu stood with his hands behind his back atop a mist-shrouded peak. The stone gate of the cave dwelling behind him stood half-open, as if recounting the tranquility of the previous night.
Lin Yu wore a set of green robes, their hems fluttering lightly in the breeze. His posture was tall and elegant, like an immortal banished to the mortal world.
At the entrance to Mystic Moon Cave's main sect hall, the disciples who had survived yesterday's catastrophe had long since gathered, murmuring among themselves.
"Alas, our sect truly has been unfortunate! The elders and some disciples acted without restraint and committed far too many heinous deeds. Now they have finally met their retribution, and that lord has come to our door. Our sect is now nearly destroyed. Tell me, everyone, what are we supposed to do from now on?" an older-looking disciple said, his face full of worry.
"We never joined those people in their wrongdoing. We were already often suppressed within the sect, so what can we possibly do now?" another disciple sighed helplessly.
"Exactly. Mystic Moon Cave was able to occupy this oasis only because of those few Dao Palace Realm elders. With our meager cultivation, we probably could not even handle a slightly larger group of horse bandits!"
Another disciple echoed anxiously.
"Stop overthinking it. Our future now depends on what that lord intends," a more clear-headed disciple hurriedly reminded them.
"Junior Brother Wang Feng, after you led that lord there yesterday, what exactly happened afterward? Why did he tell us to wait at the entrance of the main hall this morning?" a disciple asked curiously.
"I don't know either. After that lord took the source stones from the treasury, he only told me to notify everyone that they must wait at the sect's main hall this morning."
"Senior Brother Zhou, please don't make things difficult for me. That lord suddenly charged in yesterday and slaughtered countless disciples within a few breaths. Even the Grand Elder could not hold out for long. With such terrifying might, how could I dare ask any questions?" Wang Feng explained helplessly.
Just then, a dazzling Divine Rainbow shot in like a meteor and landed directly upon the main seat in the hall. It was Lin Yu.
Seeing this, the disciples hurriedly stopped talking. They instinctively straightened their already neat clothes, then entered the hall in orderly fashion and formed several rows. With tense expressions, they bowed and said in unison:
"Greetings, my lord!"
"Rise." Lin Yu waved a hand, signaling for them to stand, then continued, "I know you have some doubts. But as I said yesterday, your hands have not been stained with the blood of innocents, so there is no need to worry."
"Thank you, my lord!" Everyone hurriedly rose, expressions of immense relief appearing on their faces.
"My name is Yang Xuan. I am also from the Northern Region. By chance, I obtained the inheritance of the past sages and came here to train. I saw your sects committing inhuman acts, so I carried out justice on heaven's behalf and delivered your retribution!" Lin Yu deliberately used an alias as he spoke sternly.
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces immediately turned deathly pale.
"Next, I will sweep away all nearby horse bandits and other sects, including Azure Mist and Blazing Fire. All bandits and those who shield them will be held accountable! Afterward, I will establish a new sect here and recruit disciples from the oases within its territory."
After saying this, Lin Yu saw the stunned expressions of the disciples below and continued, "This sect will be called the Holy King Sect, and you will be its first batch of disciples!"
"Greetings, Sect Master!" Delighted, everyone bowed one after another.
Lin Yu sat in the chair within the main hall and looked at the overjoyed crowd below. He continued making arrangements. "The Holy King Sect has just been established, and I am focused on cultivation, so we must set down some rules. Wang Feng, you will serve as the elder of the Internal Affairs Hall. Take ten people later and clear away the damaged buildings in the sect. Catalog the belongings left behind by the dead disciples and elders. Here are one hundred jin of source and a Spirit Armament. Take them and break through to the Dao Palace Realm as soon as possible."
"Thank you for your reward, Sect Master!" Wang Feng said, his face filled with delight.
"Zhou Zhining, you will serve as the elder of the External Affairs Hall. You will be responsible for contacting the oases within the sect's territory, helping them resolve their problems, and seeking out Immortal Seeds for the sect."
"Yang Xian, you will serve as the Transmission Elder. From now on, you will be responsible for teaching the sect's Immortal Seeds."
Likewise, Lin Yu rewarded each of them with one hundred jin of source and a Spirit Armament.
"When I am in seclusion, the three of you can discuss and handle minor matters yourselves. If you truly cannot make a decision, wait until I emerge from seclusion."
Lin Yu appointed the three with the highest realms as elders and assigned them their duties.
"Next, I will grant you another benefit. I will use a Supreme Divine Ability to reshape your souls and temper your origins!"
After speaking, Lin Yu rose to his feet. An aura that encompassed Within the Universe and suppressed the myriad worlds burst forth, shrouding the entire hall. Though the Divine Elephant King's power was still young, it remained soul-shaking!
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