rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， ěr zhōng què tīng jiàn yī shēng qīng hē ：
然而就在这时，耳中却听见一声轻喝：
However, just then, a sharp voice echoed in his ears:
huà yīn wèi luò ， yǎn jiǎo de yú guāng ， jiù kàn jiàn yī liàng jīng jīng ， míng huǎng huǎng de shì wù ， qīng qīng yī shǎn ， xū kōng zhī zhōng tū rán liàng qǐ wú shù dào yào mù de guāng xiàn 。
话音未落，眼角的余光，就看见一亮晶晶，明晃晃的事物，轻轻一闪，虚空之中突然亮起无数道耀目的光线。
Before the words were fully spoken, Lin Xuan caught a glimpse of a bright object flashing through the air from the corner of his eye. Instantly, countless dazzling rays of light erupted into the void.
rú huà pò cāng qióng de shǎn diàn ， xià yī kè ， màn tiān xuè yǔ ， yín fā lǎo zhě yǐ bèi dà xiè le bā kuài qù 。
如划破苍穹的闪电，下一刻，漫天血雨，银发老者已被大卸了八块去。
Like lightning slicing through the sky, the next moment saw a silver-haired old man dismembered in a shower of blood.
néng yǒu zhè yàng de shí lì ， yú qǐng kè jiān ， lì wǎn kuáng lán ， bù yòng jiù ， wéi yǒu lín xuān 。
能有这样的实力，于顷刻间，力挽狂澜，不用就，唯有林轩。
Only Lin Xuan could have such power to turn the tide in an instant. Without hesitation, it was him who acted.
bù cuò ， shì tā chū shǒu le 。
不错，是他出手了。
Indeed, he had intended to swallow Lingyun Sect with his own strength, and now that this robe-clad cultivator offered himself up, Lin Xuan was overjoyed at the opportunity. There was no reason to let it slip away.
yuán běn ， lín xuān jiù yǒu xīn jiāng líng guǐ zōng tūn mò ， rú jīn yóu nà zào páo xiū shì zhǔ dòng tí chū ， lín xuān zì shì xīn zhōng dà xǐ ， zhè yàng de hǎo jī huì méi yǒu lǐ yóu fàng qì 。
原本，林轩就有心将灵鬼宗吞没，如今由那皂袍修士主动提出，林轩自是心中大喜，这样的好机会没有理由放弃。
Though he disapproved of the man's character, in such a situation, the choice made by the robe-clad cultivator greatly benefited him. Therefore, Lin Xuan could not watch as this man perished and had to save him.
suī rán nèi xīn lǐ ， tā yě bù chǐ zhè jiā huo de wéi rén ， dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， zào páo xiū shì zuò chū de xuǎn zé ， duì zì jǐ dà wèi yǒu lì ， zhè yàng de qíng kuàng xià ， lín xuān zì rán bù kě néng kàn zhe tā yǔn luò ， suǒ yǐ chū shǒu jiāng qí jiù xià le 。
虽然内心里，他也不齿这家伙的为人，但不管如何，皂袍修士做出的选择，对自己大为有利，这样的情况下，林轩自然不可能看着他陨落，所以出手将其救下了。
A great leader must not act based on personal preferences but should seize every favorable option available.
zuò dà shì zhě ， yù shì qíng bù néng píng yī jǐ hào wù ， ér dāng jǐn liàng jué qǔ duì zì jǐ yǒu lì de xuǎn zé 。
做大事者，遇事情不能凭一己好恶，而当尽量攫取对自己有利的选择。
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Xuan acted without any hesitation or uncertainty.
zhè dào lǐ ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， chū shǒu zì rán yě bù dài fēn háo de yóu yù hán hú 。
这道理，林轩心中有数，出手自然也不带分毫的犹豫含糊。
The silver-haired old man died with his eyes wide open. For him, there was no mercy from Lin Xuan; both his body and his essence were torn apart.
yín fā lǎo zhě sǐ bù míng mù ， duì yú tā ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì yǒu shǒu xià liú qíng yī jiù ， bù jǐn ròu mǎo shēn bèi pī kǎn le yí gè qī líng bā luò ， yuán yīng tóng yàng méi yǒu jī huì táo tuō 。
银发老者死不瞑目，对于他，林轩自然不会有手下留情一就，不仅肉冇身被劈砍了一个七零八落，元婴同样没有机会逃脱。
"Thank you, Senior for saving my life."
“ duō xiè qián bèi jiù mìng dà dé 。”
“多谢前辈救命大德。”
The robe-clad cultivator, having narrowly escaped death, was drenched in cold sweat, overwhelmed by the danger he had just faced. He also felt relieved that his choice had been correct. Thus, this shameless fellow prostrated himself before Lin Xuan as a sign of gratitude.
nà zào páo xiū shì sǐ lǐ táo shēng ， hún shēn lěng hàn lín lí ， xiǎng xiàng gāng gāng de jīng xiǎn ， xīn zhōng gèng shì hòu pà bù yǐ ， tóng shí yě qìng xìng zì jǐ de xuǎn zé ， méi yǒu cuò ， yú shì zhè hòu yán wú chǐ de jiā huo ， jū rán duì lín xuān dà lǐ cān bài qǐ lái le 。
那皂袍修士死里逃生，浑身冷汗淋漓，想象刚刚的惊险，心中更是后怕不已，同时也庆幸自己的选择，没有错，于是这hòu颜无耻的家伙，居然对林轩大礼参拜起来了。
Though his character might be questionable, his judgment was sharp. At this point, he had no other choices but to cling to Lin Xuan's leg if he wanted any chance at a better future.
rén pǐn zàn qiě bù tí ， zhè jiā huo de yǎn guāng hái shì hěn zhǔn dì ， shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， tā yǐ jīng méi yǒu qí tā xuǎn zé ， wéi yǒu bào jǐn lín xuān de dà mǎo tuǐ ， cái yǒu kě néng huò dé gèng hǎo de qián tú 。
人品暂且不提，这家伙的眼光还是很准地，事情到了这一步，他已经没有其他选择，唯有抱紧林轩的大冇腿，才有可能获得更好的前途。
Seeing the silver-haired old man's gruesome death and the robe-clad cultivator's flattery, the other cultivators of Lingyun Sect finally made their choice.
ér mù dǔ yín fā lǎo zhě cǎn sǐ ， yòu jiàn zào páo xiū shì duì lín xuān dà pāi mǎ pì ， líng guǐ zōng qí tā de xiū xiān zhě ， yě zhōng yú zuò chū le zì jǐ de xuǎn zé 。
而目睹银发老者惨死，又见皂袍修士对林轩大拍马屁，灵鬼宗其他的修仙者，也终于做出了自己的选择。
They exchanged glances before bowing down to Lin Xuan.
duì shì yī yǎn hòu ， fēn fēn xiàng lín xuān qū xī xíng lǐ 。
对视一眼后，纷纷像林轩屈膝行礼。
"Senior, your power is unmatched. Your might shakes the spirit realm."
“ qián bèi shén tōng wú dí ， wēi zhèn líng jiè 。”
“前辈神通无敌，威震灵界。”
"We sincerely submit ourselves to you, Senior. We will follow your every command, no matter how perilous it may be."
“ wǒ děng chéng xīn guī fù ， fèng qián bèi wéi zhǔ ， yǐ hòu lín qián bèi dàn yǒu fēn fù ， dāo shān huǒ hǎi yě jué bù hán hù 。”
“我等诚心归附，奉前辈为主，以后林前辈但有吩咐，刀山火海也绝不含糊。”
Flattery poured in as a long-lived cultivator like Lin Xuan did not mind putting on a show of humility. After this battle, their future was entirely in his hands. They had to do everything possible to please him.
yī shí jiān ， yú cí cháo sòng ， zuò wèi huó le shù wàn nián de xiū xiān zhě ， liǎn pí hòu diǎn yě bù suàn shén me ， hé kuàng jīng cǐ yī yì ， tā men yǐ hòu mìng yùn rú hé ， kě yǐ guī ， dōu zhǎng wò zài lín xuān yī niàn zhī zhōng ， duì yú zhè wèi shén tōng guǎng dà de xiū xiān zhě ， dāng rán yào bù yí yú lì de tǎo hǎo yī fān le 。
一时间，谀词潮诵，做为活了数万年的修仙者，脸皮hòu点也不算什么，何况经此一役，他们以后命运如何，可以规，都掌握在林轩一念之中，对于这位神通广大的修仙者，当然要不遗余力的讨好一番了。
Lin Xuan never expected such an outcome. He had planned to decimate Lingyun Sect with his own strength and then let the dragon-named youth and his hundred elite disciples handle the aftermath when morale was low. If things went smoothly, he might have subdued the sect.
rú cǐ jié guǒ ， què shì lín xuān shì xiān zěn me yě bù céng liào xiǎng dào de 。
如此结果，却是林轩事先怎么也不曾料想到的。
However, the sect would suffer heavy losses, and even if it became a subordinate force of his own sect, its contributions would be greatly diminished.
yuán běn tā shì xiǎng píng yī rén zhī lì ， jiāng líng guǐ zōng shā gè qī líng bā luò ， dài qí shì qì jǐn sàng zhī yú ， zài ràng lóng xìng shào nián yǐ jí běn pài nà bǎi yú míng jīng ruì dì zǐ lái shōu shí cán jú 。
原本他是想凭一人之力，将灵鬼宗杀个七零八落，待其士气尽丧之余，再让龙姓少年以及本派那百余名精锐弟子来收拾残局。
Now, with Lingyun Sect mostly intact except for some casualties in Tianyan Mountain, their submission would be a great boon to both Lin Xuan and the Drifting Cloud Valley Sect.
rú guǒ shùn lì ， yě xǔ néng jiāng líng guǐ zōng yā fú 。
如果顺利，也许能将灵鬼宗压服。
With this in mind, how could he not be delighted?
dàn gāi pài yě bì yuán qì dà sǔn xǔ duō ， jí biàn chéng wéi běn mén de fù shǔ shì lì ， suǒ néng tí gōng de zhù lì ， yě yí dìng huì dà dǎ zhé kòu le 。
但该派也必元气大损许多，即便成为本门的附属势力，所能提供的助力，也一定会大打折扣了。
Yet, his face showed signs of contemplation, causing the hundred cultivators before him to feel uneasy. Their flattery diminished.
rán ér xiàn zài bù tóng ， líng guǐ zōng chú le yǔn luò le jǐ míng fèn shén qī xiū xiān zhě ， yǐ jí zài tiān yǎn shān zhōng ， zhé sǔn le yī xiē dì zǐ ， shí lì bǎo cún ， jī hū shì wán hǎo de ， yí dàn guī fù ， duì zì jǐ ， duì yún yǐn zōng ， dōu jiāng shì jí dà bì zhù 。
然而现在不同，灵鬼宗除了陨落了几名分神期修仙者，以及在天衍山中，折损了一些弟子，实力保存，几乎是完好的，一旦归附，对自己，对云隐宗，都将是极大臂助。
After a moment:
duì zhè yī qiè ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， yú shì ， tā zěn néng bù gāo xìng ne ？
对这一切，林轩心中有数，于是，他怎能不高兴呢？
"Are you seeking submission so I can forgive your sins?"
piān piān liǎn shàng què lù chū yī fù chén yín zhī sè ， ràng nà pú fú zài shēn qián de bǎi yú míng xiū shì xīn mǎo zhōng tǎn tè ， lián pāi mǎ pì de shēng yīn yě jiàn jiàn xiǎo le 。
偏偏脸上却露出一副沉吟之色，让那匍匐在身前的百余名修士心冇中忐忑，连拍马屁的声音也渐渐小了。
"Yes, Senior. Please have mercy and let us make amends."
guò le piàn kè 。
过了片刻。
The voice of the robe-clad cultivator was cautious.
“ nǐ men xiǎng guī fù ， yǐ biàn ràng wǒ ráo shù nǐ men de zuì guò ？”
“你们想归附，以便让我饶恕你们的罪过？”
"A make-up is acceptable, but how do I know you are sincere and not just going to turn on me again?" Lin Xuan's expression remained indifferent.
“ shì de ， hái qǐng qián bèi dà dù ， ràng wǒ děng jiāng gōng bǔ guò 。”
“是的，还请前辈大度，让我等将功补过。”
The more he seemed unconcerned, the more anxious the cultivators became. They had no choice at this point; resistance was futile. Once they showed their submission, their fellow sect members' morale would plummet, making any further rebellion pointless and suicidal.
nà zào páo xiū shì xiǎo xīn yì yì de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
那皂袍修士小心翼翼的声音传入耳朵。
Running away was also impossible. They had witnessed Lin Xuan's formidable power firsthand. Attempting to escape in front of him would be like an old man hanging himself out of spite—silly and dangerous.
“ jiāng gōng bǔ guò ， yě wú bù kě ， dàn lín mǒu zěn me zhī dào nǐ men shì chéng xīn guī fù ， ér fēi chū ěr fǎn ěr ne ？” lín xuān de biǎo qíng yī jiù dàn dàn de 。
“将功补过，也无不可，但林某怎么知道你们是诚心归附，而非出尔反尔呢？”林轩的表情依旧淡淡的。
In other words, submitting to Lin Xuan was their only option.
rán ér tā yuè shì xiǎn de bù zài yì ， nà xiē xiū shì yuè shì zháo jí ， bì jìng shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， tā men yǐ méi yǒu huí tóu lù ， fǎn kàng shì bù kě néng de ， yí dàn yǒu le gāng cái tóu chéng de dòng zuò ， mén zhōng dì zǐ dī shì qì kěn dìng shì dīng diǎn yě wú ， zhè shí hòu zài fǎn kàng jiù yǔ zhǔ dòng zhǎo sǐ chà bu duō 。
然而他越是显得不在意，那些修士越是着急，毕竟事情到了这一步，他们已没有回头路，反抗是不可能的，一旦有了刚才投诚的动作，门中弟子的士气肯定是丁点也无，这时候再反抗就与主动找死差不多。
Seeing his doubt, each cultivator showed signs of worry and urgency on their faces.
táo pǎo tóng yàng jī huì quán wú ， lín xuān de * qǐ háng ·-=· yō dìng ·0-= tí gōng * shén tōng tā men dōu qīn yǎn mù dǔ ， zài tā miàn qián táo nà bú shì lǎo shòu xīng shàng diào ， xián mìng zhǎng me ？
逃跑同样机会全无，林轩的*启航·-=·哟啶·0-=提供*神通他们都亲眼目睹，在他面前逃那不是老寿星上吊，嫌命长么？
"Senior, you are overthinking this. We are sincere in our submission."
shǎ guā cái huì zhè me zuò 。
傻瓜才会这么做。
"Yes, Senior. Your power is unmatched. Even if we had the胆子, we would never dare deceive you."
huàn jù huà shuō ， guī shùn lín xuān yǐ shì tā men wéi yī de xuǎn zé 。
换句话说，归顺林轩已是他们唯一的选择。
Various voices echoed, but Lin Xuan remained unmoved. Only when the noise subsided did he state his position:
cǐ shí ， jiàn lín xuān huái yí ， yí gè gè liǎn shàng jiē lù chū dān yōu huáng jí shén sè 。
此时，见林轩怀疑，一个个脸上皆露出担忧惶急神色。
"Words alone are not enough to convince me of your sincerity."
“ qián bèi duō lǜ le ， wǒ děng shì chéng xīn guī fù ， jué wú èr yì de 。”
“前辈多虑了，我等是诚心归附，绝无二意的。”
"What do you want us to do?"
“ shì a ， qián bèi shén tōng wú dí ， jiè wǒ men yí gè dǎn zi ， yě jué bù gǎn piàn nǐ 。”
“是啊，前辈神通无敌，借我们一个胆子，也绝不敢骗你。”
The voice of the robe-clad cultivator was hesitant, and the other cultivators looked equally alarmed.
fēn fán de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lín xuān què bù wèi suǒ dòng ， dài shēng yīn jiàn jiàn xiǎo le ， cái biǎo míng zì jǐ de tài dù ：“ kǒu jiù wú píng ， nǐ men yǐ wéi jǐ jù bǎo zhèng de yán yǔ ， lín mǒu jiù huì xiāng xìn ？”
纷繁的声音传入耳朵，林轩却不为所动，待声音渐渐小了，才表明自己的态度：“口就无凭，你们以为几句保证的言语，林某就会相信？”
"It's simple."
“ nà qián bèi xiǎng yào wǒ men rú hé ？”
“那前辈想要我们如何？”
Lin Xuan smiled coldly. He had long made up his mind on this matter.
zào páo xiū shì niè rú de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， qí tā xiū shì ， yě shì yī liǎn jīng huāng zhī sè 。
皂袍修士嗫嚅的声音传入耳朵，其他修士，也是一脸惊慌之色。
"Words alone are not enough; I need action to believe in your sincerity."
“ hěn jiǎn dān 。”
“很简单。”
Before the words were fully spoken, he waved his sleeve, and a black wooden token flew out: "This item is familiar to all of you. Hand over one soul and one essence, and I will no longer doubt your sincerity."
lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo shàng qiào ， gōu lè chū yī mǒ lěng liè de xiào róng ， yú zhè ge wèn tí ， xiǎn rán xīn zhōng zǎo jiù yǒu le dìng jì 。
林轩嘴角上翘，勾勒出一抹冷冽的笑容，于这个问题，显然心中早就有了定计。
"Seal Soul Technique!"
“ kǒu jiù wú píng ， zǒng yào yǒu suǒ xíng dòng ， lín mǒu cái huì xiāng xìn 。”
“口就无凭，总要有所行动，林某才会相信。”
A voice cried out from the crowd as a bright light surged behind someone in white robes. Lin Xuan looked on as this man was Lingyun Sect's senior elder.
huà yīn wèi luò ， zhǐ jiàn tā xiù páo yī fú ， yī kuài qī hēi de mù pái fēi lüè ér chū ：“ cǐ wù xiǎng bì zhū wèi dào yǒu dōu rèn de ， zhǐ yào jiāo chū yī hún yī pò ， lín mǒu zì rán bú huì zài huái yí ěr děng de chéng yì le 。”
话音未落，只见他袖袍一拂，一块漆黑的木牌飞掠而出：“此物想必诸位道友都认得，只要交出一魂一魄，林某自然不会再怀疑尔等的诚意了。”
Seeing that things were hopeless, he lacked the courage to meet his end like the silver-haired old man. However, submitting to Lin Xuan was also not something he wanted to do. He had merely gone along with the others out of pretense. He had planned to escape once this crisis passed. As the saying goes: if you can't avoid it, you can hide from it. He would find a remote mountain and disappear. The spirit realm is vast; Lin Xuan's abilities could not reach everywhere.
“ jìn hún shù ！”
“禁魂术！”
However, his plan was doomed to fail. Since he embarked on the path of cultivation, countless experiences had taught him that such tricks were easily seen through.
rén qún zhōng chuán lái yī shēng jīng hū ， suí hòu zhǐ jiàn guāng máng zhòu qǐ ， yī dào liàng lì de jīng hóng xiàng hòu miàn fēi qù 。
人群中传来一声惊呼，随后只见光芒骤起，一道亮丽的惊虹像后面飞去。
He ignored the天花乱坠 (flowery talk) and demanded their souls and essences. How could they just hand over their souls? Once ensnared by the Seal Soul Technique, they would be forever bound, with no way to resist or escape.
lín xuān mù guāng wàng qù ， zhǐ jiàn shì yī míng shēn chuān bái páo de xiū xiān zhě ， cǐ rén yě shì líng guǐ zōng tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zhī yī ， yǎn kàn shì bù kě wèi ， tā méi yǒu xiàng yín fā lǎo zhě yī yàng yù shí jù fén de yǒng qì 。
林轩目光望去，只见是一名身穿白袍的修仙者，此人也是灵鬼宗太上长老之一，眼看事不可为，他没有像银发老者一样玉石俱焚的勇气。
After so many years of struggle, he had finally reached the realm of Spirit Formation. Even if his path was fraught with challenges, he still had tens of thousands of years left and could live freely anywhere. He did not want to be driven by Lin Xuan. Seeing that further deception was impossible, this fellow made a decisive move, trying to escape!
However, just then, a sharp voice echoed in his ears:
"Take it!"
Before the words were fully spoken, Lin Xuan caught a glimpse of a bright object flashing through the air from the corner of his eye. Instantly, countless dazzling rays of light erupted into the void.
Like lightning slicing through the sky, the next moment saw a silver-haired old man dismembered in a shower of blood.
Only Lin Xuan could have such power to turn the tide in an instant. Without hesitation, it was him who acted.
Indeed, he had intended to swallow Lingyun Sect with his own strength, and now that this robe-clad cultivator offered himself up, Lin Xuan was overjoyed at the opportunity. There was no reason to let it slip away.
Though he disapproved of the man's character, in such a situation, the choice made by the robe-clad cultivator greatly benefited him. Therefore, Lin Xuan could not watch as this man perished and had to save him.
A great leader must not act based on personal preferences but should seize every favorable option available.
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Xuan acted without any hesitation or uncertainty.
The silver-haired old man died with his eyes wide open. For him, there was no mercy from Lin Xuan; both his body and his essence were torn apart.
"Thank you, Senior for saving my life."
The robe-clad cultivator, having narrowly escaped death, was drenched in cold sweat, overwhelmed by the danger he had just faced. He also felt relieved that his choice had been correct. Thus, this shameless fellow prostrated himself before Lin Xuan as a sign of gratitude.
Though his character might be questionable, his judgment was sharp. At this point, he had no other choices but to cling to Lin Xuan's leg if he wanted any chance at a better future.
Seeing the silver-haired old man's gruesome death and the robe-clad cultivator's flattery, the other cultivators of Lingyun Sect finally made their choice.
They exchanged glances before bowing down to Lin Xuan.
"Senior, your power is unmatched. Your might shakes the spirit realm."
"We sincerely submit ourselves to you, Senior. We will follow your every command, no matter how perilous it may be."
Flattery poured in as a long-lived cultivator like Lin Xuan did not mind putting on a show of humility. After this battle, their future was entirely in his hands. They had to do everything possible to please him.
Lin Xuan never expected such an outcome. He had planned to decimate Lingyun Sect with his own strength and then let the dragon-named youth and his hundred elite disciples handle the aftermath when morale was low. If things went smoothly, he might have subdued the sect.
However, the sect would suffer heavy losses, and even if it became a subordinate force of his own sect, its contributions would be greatly diminished.
Now, with Lingyun Sect mostly intact except for some casualties in Tianyan Mountain, their submission would be a great boon to both Lin Xuan and the Drifting Cloud Valley Sect.
With this in mind, how could he not be delighted?
Yet, his face showed signs of contemplation, causing the hundred cultivators before him to feel uneasy. Their flattery diminished.
After a moment:
"Are you seeking submission so I can forgive your sins?"
"Yes, Senior. Please have mercy and let us make amends."
The voice of the robe-clad cultivator was cautious.
"A make-up is acceptable, but how do I know you are sincere and not just going to turn on me again?" Lin Xuan's expression remained indifferent.
The more he seemed unconcerned, the more anxious the cultivators became. They had no choice at this point; resistance was futile. Once they showed their submission, their fellow sect members' morale would plummet, making any further rebellion pointless and suicidal.
Running away was also impossible. They had witnessed Lin Xuan's formidable power firsthand. Attempting to escape in front of him would be like an old man hanging himself out of spite—silly and dangerous.
In other words, submitting to Lin Xuan was their only option.
Seeing his doubt, each cultivator showed signs of worry and urgency on their faces.
"Senior, you are overthinking this. We are sincere in our submission."
"Yes, Senior. Your power is unmatched. Even if we had the胆子, we would never dare deceive you."
Various voices echoed, but Lin Xuan remained unmoved. Only when the noise subsided did he state his position:
"Words alone are not enough to convince me of your sincerity."
"What do you want us to do?"
The voice of the robe-clad cultivator was hesitant, and the other cultivators looked equally alarmed.
"It's simple."
Lin Xuan smiled coldly. He had long made up his mind on this matter.
"Words alone are not enough; I need action to believe in your sincerity."
Before the words were fully spoken, he waved his sleeve, and a black wooden token flew out: "This item is familiar to all of you. Hand over one soul and one essence, and I will no longer doubt your sincerity."
"Seal Soul Technique!"
A voice cried out from the crowd as a bright light surged behind someone in white robes. Lin Xuan looked on as this man was Lingyun Sect's senior elder.
Seeing that things were hopeless, he lacked the courage to meet his end like the silver-haired old man. However, submitting to Lin Xuan was also not something he wanted to do. He had merely gone along with the others out of pretense. He had planned to escape once this crisis passed. As the saying goes: if you can't avoid it, you can hide from it. He would find a remote mountain and disappear. The spirit realm is vast; Lin Xuan's abilities could not reach everywhere.
However, his plan was doomed to fail. Since he embarked on the path of cultivation, countless experiences had taught him that such tricks were easily seen through.
He ignored the天花乱坠 (flowery talk) and demanded their souls and essences. How could they just hand over their souls? Once ensnared by the Seal Soul Technique, they would be forever bound, with no way to resist or escape.
After so many years of struggle, he had finally reached the realm of Spirit Formation. Even if his path was fraught with challenges, he still had tens of thousands of years left and could live freely anywhere. He did not want to be driven by Lin Xuan. Seeing that further deception was impossible, this fellow made a decisive move, trying to escape!