Chapter 448: Chapter 14: The Death of True Man Linglong

As Lin Chen spoke, the imposing aura of a Late Period Nascent Soul cultivator was fully displayed.

Cold sweat dripped from the foreheads of the two Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators.

Even though they had the advantage in numbers, and even though they had the backing of the Nether Realm.

These two Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators did not dare to confront Lin Chen directly.

As Nascent Soul cultivators, they understood the vast difference between the early and late stages of Nascent Soul.

If Lin Chen wanted to kill them, the hundreds of Demon Cultivators around would be of no use at all, and they wouldn’t last until the Nether Realm sent reinforcements.

"Se-Senior... it’s a misunderstanding!"

At this moment, one of the Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators had a spark in his mind and cleverly said:

"Senior, we are acting under the orders of the Lord of the Nether Realm to protect Fufeng City, to protect your property!"

"You may not know, but at present, the entire Qing State is engulfed in war, and Fufeng City has no Nascent Soul cultivators stationed... without our protection, it would have been looted long ago!"

"However, now that you have returned, it’s naturally time for us to leave."

The other Demon Cultivators around also nodded in agreement.

"Right, he’s right!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen showed an amused smile and then slowly said:

"Oh? If that’s the case... then I’ve wronged you!"

With that, Lin Chen waved his sleeve and said:

"In that case, lead us into the city for a look... Fufeng City hasn’t suffered much damage, has it?"

Lin Chen led a group of cultivators from the Fufeng into Fufeng City.

And those hundreds of Demon Cultivators seemed as if they had been coerced.

Moments later...

Lin Chen returned to temporarily reside at the Fufeng Prefecture.

Surprisingly, Fufeng City seemed to have suffered no damage at all.

There were no instances of burning, killing, or plundering, and no blood sacrifices by Demon Cultivators.

"Hmm, after all, the Fufeng Clan is not a local power of Qing State... it belongs to the forces of Ying State, backed by the Wanxian Alliance..."

"Perhaps the Nether Realm was just getting involved in the coastal areas of Qing State, and had some apprehensions?"

Lin Chen speculated.

After staying in the Fufeng Prefecture for half a day, until evening, the previous two Demon Cultivators came again. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Senior Fufeng... this time, our General of the Eastern Expedition of the Nether Realm wishes to meet you... what do you think?"

The attitudes of the two Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators had noticeably improved.

After hearing this, Lin Chen thought about it. Currently, he was representing the Fufeng Clan and it wasn’t the time to have a fallout with the Demon Sect yet.

Otherwise, his identity would be easily exposed.

With strength to confront obstacles, Lin Chen felt there was not much to worry about.

So he nodded and said:

"Alright, then invite your General of the Eastern Expedition to come for a talk!"

...

Moments later, at the Fufeng Prefecture.

Looking at the General of the Eastern Expedition in front of him, Lin Chen felt a sense of familiarity.

After observing closely, Lin Chen recalled.

"Isn’t this guy True Man Linglong? How did he advance to the Late Period of Nascent Soul... and become the General of the Eastern Expedition?"

"Tsk tsk, it seems this Demon Skill has indeed progressed impressively. In just over ten years... True Man Linglong broke through from the mid to late stages of Nascent Soul!"

Lin Chen pondered inwardly.

On the surface, pretending not to recognize, he asked:

"Taoist Friend is?"

"Hehe... I am True Man Linglong, I’ve long heard of Taoist Friend Fufeng’s great name!"

True Man Linglong’s attitude was still relatively courteous.

After a brief exchange, Lin Chen went straight to the point:

"Taoist Friend Linglong, for what matter have you come this time?"

True Man Linglong did not conceal it and directly said:

"Taoist Friend Fufeng, our Nether Realm has always admired the Fufeng Clan... I wonder if you would be willing to join our Nether Realm?"

"Currently in the entire Qing State, our Nether Realm is undoubtedly the overlord. If you join now, you can achieve great merits from following the Dragon!"

"At that time, I will suggest to His Majesty to appoint you as the General of the Eastern Garrison of the Nether Realm!"

As he spoke, True Man Linglong looked at Lin Chen expectantly.

Indeed, knowing the strength of Lin Chen and the Fufeng Clan, True Man Linglong was here to recruit.

Lin Chen had already anticipated True Man Linglong’s purpose and had prepared a response.

So he sighed and said:

"Alas, Taoist Friend Linglong... it’s not that I am unwilling, but that my Fufeng Race belongs to the Wanxian Alliance, one of the Seventy-Two Clans..."

"To betray the alliance would mean the annihilation of our entire clan! The elders and young of the Fufeng Clan are all on Fufeng Island..."

These words were true.

Though the Wanxian Alliance was loosely structured, unlike the forces in Qing State.

They were most intolerant of betrayal, even allowing for internal clan struggles within the alliance.

But betrayal of the Wanxian Alliance meant being collectively hunted by all forces within the alliance.

Upon hearing the Wanxian Alliance’s name, True Man Linglong hesitated noticeably.

He nodded and sighed, saying:

"Alas, indeed... the Wanxian Alliance is also the overlord of Ying State, and it seems the Fufeng Clan is not willing to leave either..."

Having failed to recruit, True Man Linglong did not continue to push the issue and dropped the topic.

He had come, following Zheng Tianhe’s orders, to both test and recruit.

However, it couldn’t be forced.

After all, the Nether Realm’s main focus now was to deal with the other forces in Qing State, and it wasn’t prudent to make an enemy of the Wanxian Alliance, as it would be detrimental.

After some idle chat, True Man Linglong revealed another purpose:

"Taoist Friend Fufeng, I heard you’re here to trade with the forces of Qing State this time?"

"Could you sell some magical artifacts and pills to our Nether Realm? Rest assured... we’ll purchase them at market price!"

This was the real purpose of True Man Linglong’s visit.

Though his words seemed like a request, his tone left no room for refusal.

Lin Chen frowned slightly, considering it:

"Taoist Friend Linglong, it’s not that I am unwilling. But most of the goods my Fufeng Clan brought this time have already been reserved by other forces."

"If I don’t sell them, it would mean breaking the contract, and a millennium’s worth of reputation cannot be destroyed!"

"However... half of the goods are to be traded slowly in Qing State... if you are willing, I can sell the other half at ninety percent of the market price to you."