This He Ming, is obviously an old acquaintance of his.

Otherwise, the two of them wouldn’t be chatting in such a familiar tone.

Having his identity revealed by Cheng Yu, the man in the white robe was unconcerned, smiling to himself.

"Join the Evil Dragon Hall? Why, Cheng Yu, it sounds like you think we in the Evil Dragon Hall are utterly abominable."

"We’ve known each other for tens of thousands of years, and now you, who uphold your principles, are still just an ordinary elder of General Mountain. Yet I, in the Evil Dragon Hall which you despise, have blocked countless foreign invasions for the Longyuan World."

"Cheng Yu, do you still want to hold on to your so-called principles now?"

Cheng Yu hesitated.

He Ming was a good brother he was familiar with in his youth, perhaps even having shared life-and-death experiences. However, differing philosophies eventually led them down separate paths.

Cheng Yu advocated that the enhancement of power must be within one’s control.

In contrast, He Ming believed that any power that could be used should be used directly, dismissing any notions of control or reason as nonsense.

Due to these differing ideologies, Elder Cheng Yu spent most of his life working in General Mountain and hadn’t contacted his good brother He Ming for a long time.

Unexpectedly, after tens of thousands of years without meeting, He Ming had become a Palace Master of the Evil Dragon Hall.

Moreover, judging by the badge on his chest, He Ming was actually a Level 3 Palace Master.

The Palace Masters of the Evil Dragon Hall are at least Holy Master Level strong persons who have obtained and refined at least one golden key.

A Level 3 Palace Master means He Ming has refined three golden keys.

His strength can rival that of Level 3 gang members.

Such power is considered terrifying in Longyuan World; besides the top masters within the Evil Dragon Hall and forces like Imprisoned Immortal Mountain and Three Sages Temple that plunder golden keys everywhere, no one among the Eight Holy Grounds is a match for He Ming.

Cheng Yu pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "He Ming, it’s better not to dwell on the past. Why have you stopped my Flying Boat today?"

"Simple."

He Ming snapped his fingers with an aura of mastery, his silky long hair brushing past his handsome face, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Our Evil Dragon Hall has never had ill intentions toward General Mountain. This time we’ve stopped your Flying Boat for no other reason than to have a chat with young brother Lu Lin."

Hmm?

Lu Lin, who had been watching the drama unfold, jolted at these words.

Earlier, Elder Cheng Yu had already informed him that of the eight surrounding the Flying Boat, the most formidable was He Ming with Level 3 gang member cultivation, accompanied by two Level 2s and five First Level ones.

With such strength, there was no way they could escape, so Cheng Yu advised Lu Lin to seize an opportunity when it arose.

But unexpectedly, these eight top-level experts had mobilized collectively to find Lu Lin.

The two exchanged a glance, Lu Lin shook his head, appearing utterly confused; he didn’t know, nor was likely to know, these experts from the Evil Dragon Hall.

Regardless of righteousness or evil, the weakest among these individuals were of the same rank as Lv Potian; even if Lu Lin wanted to know them, it would be impossible.

Cheng Yu secretly resented that these eight had blocked his channel to send out a message, anxiety brewing within.

Although Lu Lin had joined General Mountain for less than a hundred years, his potential and future were evident to the seven elders.

Even the five elders who hadn’t personally instructed Lu Lin had heard of his strength and attitude toward cultivation and praised him endlessly.

In the future, Lu Lin has a substantial chance of succeeding the Saint Lord position of General Mountain; handing him over was utterly unthinkable.

"Hehe, He Ming, you’ve lived for countless years yet have come specifically for a young one. What is it about Lu Lin that attracts you, or rather, your Evil Dragon Hall, to be worth mobilizing eight Palace Masters?"

"Cheng Yu."

He Ming sneered, "Don’t waste your efforts. There are reasons why we seek Lu Lin; all you need to do is hand him over obediently."

"Of course, rest assured, we have no intention of harming him and even have a grand opportunity to offer him."

Lu Lin didn’t believe these words, nor would Elder Cheng Yu.

With Lu Lin’s current strength, being taken by these people would render him a bird in a cage even if his life wasn’t threatened. Freedom, cultivation, and the future would naturally be no more.

However, with eight Palace Masters besieging them, even if Elder Cheng Yu unleashed all his potential, he could at best barely hold back one.

As for Lu Lin, though he has shown enough strength and talent, he pales in comparison to these Palace Masters.

Once more, the thought of his own strength being too inadequate arose in Lu Lin’s mind.

Since leaving the federation, Lu Lin had progressed smoothly, whether in his cultivation, expanding his connections, participating in the Heavenly Talent War, becoming a disciple of the seven elders, training with Elder Long to achieve Harmony of Hardness and Softness, participating in the Refining Star Treasure Appreciation Conference, learning refining under Mi Yue, or going on adventures with Elder Cheng Yu...

And so on.

All of these went smoothly, encountering some obstacles but nothing that caused Lu Lin significant trouble.

Yet the current situation made Lu Lin feel powerless once more.

Eight experts rivaling or surpassing Lv Potian intending to capture him—such overwhelming pressure and strength left Lu Lin utterly helpless.

Pale.

Powerless.

Lu Lin gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly.

Should there be another suitable opportunity in the future, he would never pass up any chance to enhance his strength.

Soul Power.

Flesh.

Cultivation.

Star Skill.

Star Martial.

Anything that could enhance his combat capabilities, Lu Lin would do his utmost to improve.

But no matter how resolved he was, it wouldn’t change the current predicament.

Elder Cheng Yu was still contemplating, hoping to discuss further with He Ming and test his limits, but at that moment Lu Lin stepped beside him.

"Master, enough, I’ll go with them."

"Lu Lin, you..."

Elder Cheng Yu was taken aback, looking at Lu Lin, not understanding why he made such a choice.

"Master, there is no chance of escape now. With eight Palace Master-level experts against us, it’s clear that leaving is impossible."

"Even if the Saint Lord himself arrived, it might be futile."

"Since that’s the case, I might as well go with them straightforwardly; at least they’ve promised not to harm my life."

Lu Lin spoke through Soul Power.

Elder Cheng Yu listened to his explanation, his expression ever-changing.

Initially, he almost suspected Lu Lin’s origins, but hearing his reasoning filled him with guilt.

Lu Lin was right; surrounded by these eight Palace Master-level experts, escape was impossible.

No language, tricks, or even the sudden appearance of Lv Potian could allow them to evade capture by those eight.

Lu Lin stepping forward to leave with them is the best and optimal choice for now; what happens afterward is a matter for the future and offers no help with the current situation.

"Lu Lin, I..." Elder Cheng Yu knew well the current predicament left them with no alternative; merely handing Lu Lin over to their opponent, he had no idea how to explain to Lv Potian back at General Mountain.

"Rest assured, Master, I will return."

Lu Lin gave Elder Cheng Yu a reassuring look, then appeared outside the Flying Boat, facing He Ming, saying, "Elder He Ming, junior Lu Lin here is honored by your graciousness and willing to follow you."

He Ming, seeing Lu Lin’s respectful demeanor and thinking of Elder Cheng Yu’s expression within the Flying Boat at that moment, found it immensely amusing.

Back then, whenever he argued with Cheng Yu, he often lost out and left in frustration.

Unexpectedly, the tables had turned now.

Indeed, being articulate, reasonable, and principled seemed impressive, but when one’s strength eclipsed the other, what could the latter say?

They still had to comply obediently.

This world, no, the entire universe, is founded on strength being king.