Lao Zhangâs brow furrowed in confusion. "Your due?" he echoed, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Iâm afraid I donât understand."
The cultivatorâs sneer widened, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "You dare to feign ignorance, old man?" he snarled. "Your village has been enjoying the protection of our sect for generations. It is time for you to repay your debt."
Lao Zhangâs heart sank as he realized the cultivatorâs intentions. These cultivators from the Profound Mystery Sect were known for their ruthlessness, their greed, and their exploitation of the weak. He hadnât expected them to appear here out of nowhere.
"Honored cultivators," Lao Zhang said, his voice trembling slightly, "we are but a humble village, with little to offer. We have always paid our respects to your sect, offering tribute and fulfilling our obligations."
The cultivator scoffed, his eyes filled with contempt. "Your meager offerings are not enough, old man. We require manpower. Your village will provide us with young men to work in our spirit stone mines."
A wave of fear and despair washed over the villagers. The spirit stone mines were notorious for their harsh conditions and high mortality rates. Those who were sent to work in the mines rarely returned, their bodies broken, their spirits crushed.
Lao Zhangâs eyes hardened with determination. He would not allow his people to be sacrificed to these ruthless cultivators. "Honored cultivators," he said, his voice firm and resolute, "I cannot comply with your demands. Our young men are the future of our village. We cannot afford to lose them."
The cultivatorâs face contorted in anger, his eyes blazing with fury. "You dare to defy us, old man?" he roared, his voice echoing through the village. "You court death!"
He raised his hand, his fingers crackling with energy, and unleashed a blast of power towards Lao Zhang.
Buzzâ
Just as the attack was about to hit Lao Zhang, a gust of wind suddenly swept over and blasted it away.
Lao Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Yun Lintian would intervene. Although it was despicable to take advantage of Yun Lintianâs kindness, he had no choice if he wanted to protect the village.
Yun Lintian, who had been observing the situation from a distance, stepped forward while looking at the invaders indifferently. With a glance, he could see that they were at the Divine Origin Realm. In fact, they could simply slaughter the entire village with a wave of their hand, but it seemed they needed manpower more than anything.
"Who are you?" the leader asked, squinting his eyes at Yun Lintian, his expression turning solemn as he couldnât see through Yun Lintianâs cultivation at all.
Yun Lintianâs gaze swept over the group of cultivators, his expression unreadable. "Are you from the Profound Mystery Sect?"
The leader of the cultivators puffed up his chest and said proudly, "Indeed. We are disciples of the Profound Mystery Sect. It is unwise for you to interfere in our affairs."
He could sense that Yun Lintian was a cultivator, but he couldnât determine his cultivation level. This made him wary, but the arrogance of being a disciple of the Profound Mystery Sect prevented him from backing down.
Yun Lintianâs lips curled into a faint smile. "I see."
He raised his hand, his fingers twitching slightly.
Buzzâ
The cultivators, sensing a hint of danger, instinctively tensed up, their hands hovering over their weapons. However, before they could react, a surge of invisible energy erupted from Yun Lintianâs palm, sweeping towards them like a tidal wave.
The cultivatorsâ eyes widened in horror as they realized the sheer power of Yun Lintianâs attack. They tried to defend themselves, to activate their protective barriers, but it was too late.
The invisible energy engulfed them, their bodies dissolving into nothingness, their screams echoing through the village before abruptly ceasing.
In the blink of an eye, the cultivators were gone, completely eradicated, leaving no trace of their existence.
The villagers, who had been watching the scene unfold with bated breath, gasped in awe and disbelief. They had never witnessed such power, such effortless destruction.
"Young Master Yun..." he began, his voice trembling with emotion.
"No need to say anything, Village Head. You have welcomed us warmly. How could I stand by and do nothing?" Yun Lintian said gently. Even though he knew that Lao Zhang had taken advantage of him, he wasnât angry at all.
Yun Lintian looked at the villagers, his gaze sweeping across their faces, his voice resonating with a quiet strength that calmed their fears. "In this world, we speak with strength. Itâs better for everyone to cultivate."
He then took out a stack of books from his spatial ring. They were cultivation techniques suitable for everyone there. He handed them to the village head and said, "Please distribute these to the villagers. I will also lay a protective formation for the village. As long as you stay inside the formation, no one in this world can harm you."
He paused for a moment, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth. "This is the only thing I can do for you now. The rest is up to you."
The villagers were overjoyed, their faces beaming with gratitude and excitement. They had never dared to dream of becoming cultivators, but now, thanks to Yun Lintianâs generosity, they had been given a chance to unlock their potential, to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The village head, Lao Zhang, bowed deeply towards Yun Lintian, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude. "Young Master Yun," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "your kindness is beyond words. You have given us hope, a future that we never dared to imagine."
Originally, he hadnât wanted to accept Yun Lintianâs kindness because he was afraid of implicating the village, but now he finally understood that it was better for them to have the ability to protect themselves.
Yun Lintian smiled and said nothing.
He spent the next few days setting up a powerful protective formation around the village, ensuring that no harm could befall its inhabitants. He also taught the villagers the basics of cultivation, guiding them in their first steps towards unlocking their potential.
After everything was settled, Yun Lintian bade farewell to the villagers.
"Thank you for your hospitality, everyone. I shall take my leave now." Yun Lintian cupped his fists toward everyone.
"Thank you, Young Master Yun. Please come back to visit us when you have time," Lao Zhang said sincerely.
"I will." Yun Lintian smiled and took a step forward, disappearing from everyoneâs sight.
He was heading to the Profound Mystery Sect!