Over the past hundred years, Lin Che had witnessed countless life-and-death struggles. He deeply understood that the world of cultivation was filled with schemes and deceptions—where the strong devoured the weak. As long as there was a threat, Lin Che would never show mercy.
It was this mindset that allowed him to survive in the treacherous Land of the Ancient God and advance to the Soul Transformation Realm. Otherwise, he would have already become Tuo Sen's puppet.
Looking at Li Muwan in front of him, Lin Che asked, "You've reached the Foundation Establishment stage. It seems the elixir I gave you back then had an effect."
Li Muwan nodded, her slender jade hand gently brushing a lock of black hair behind her ear. She smiled and replied, "If it weren't for your help, Senior Brother, I might have died at the hands of the Shuang Xiu Sect."
After a moment of silence, she pursed her lips and asked softly, "Senior Brother, are you staying this time?"
"Yes," Lin Che said with a nod. "I've been away from Heng Yue Sect for a hundred years. During that time, all the old ancestors perished. If I leave again, the sect might truly fall."
According to the records in the original novel, after all of Heng Yue Sect's ancestors died in the battle beyond the domain, Punnan Zi of the Xuan Dao Sect took advantage of the situation to seize the territory, which eventually led to Heng Yue Sect's destruction.
Now that he had returned, Lin Che wouldn't allow the Xuan Dao Sect to swallow Heng Yue Sect.
Turning to Master Huang Long, Lin Che said, "Master, I'm a bit tired. I'll go rest first. Let's talk tomorrow."
Master Huang Long nodded and quickly arranged accommodations and food for Lin Che.
The other elders were equally excited. With Lin Che now in the Soul Transformation Realm, Heng Yue Sect would surely gain access to a vast number of cultivation resources across the entire Planet Suzaku.
---
Returning to his former quarters, Lin Che entered the familiar room. With a single thought, a blue character panel quietly appeared before him:
[System Name: God of Killing]
[Host Name: Lin Che]
[Age: 134]
[Realm: Early Soul Transformation]
[Magical Weapons: Kongming Sword, Human Emperor Banner]
[Total Kills: 198,869 Humans]
[Total Kills: 54,288 Monsters]
Lin Che's expression remained calm as he reviewed the list. He was not bloodthirsty—only those who threatened his life met their end.
There are countless wandering souls into the Land of the Ancient God to guard it, and they would attack any intruders on sight. To survive, Lin Che had to kill his way forward. That's how he reached this level within a hundred years.
---
In another room, Li Qiqing looked at his sister and sighed, "Wan'er, are you really going to stay here forever? If Master finds out, he'll be sad."
Li Muwan bit her lip and responded firmly, "Senior Brother Lin Che once saved my life. His skill in alchemy is unmatched. If I stay, I might be able to improve my own skills."
Li Qiqing was at a loss for words. Ever since Lin Che saved her years ago, his sister had admired him deeply—so much that she followed him all the way to the Country of Zhao..
Girls really can't be kept once they grow up…
Placing one hand behind his back, he gazed at the glittering starry sky and said slowly, "Since you've made your decision, so be it. I must return to Huo Fen Country as a Luohe Sect elite. If you ever miss home, you can always come back."
Li Muwan knew her brother well. The Luohe Sect raised them; they couldn't abandon their roots so easily.
"Tell Master that I'll visit them in Huo Fen Country when I get the chance," she said.
Li Qiqing nodded meaningfully, gave her one last look, then turned and soared into the sky, leaving Heng Yue Sect.
If his sister truly ended up with Lin Che, it would bring honor to the Li family. After all, an Infant Transformation cultivator was considered a true powerhouse on the Planet Suzaku.
---
The next morning, as the golden rooster crowed, Lin Che finished his cultivation and walked to the sect's main hall.
At that moment, numerous Nascent Soul cultivators had already gathered at Heng Yue Sect.
They were the ancestors and elites of Zhao Country, drawn here upon hearing that Lin Che—the genius of a century ago—had returned. Everyone wanted to see just how far he'd come.
Master Huang Long was sipping tea. Upon seeing Lin Che, he rose with a smile. "Che'er, you're here."
As Lin Che stepped into the hall, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to him.
Cultivators could sense the blood-red aura clinging to him—the mark of a man who had taken countless lives.
The temperature in the hall dropped with each step he took. One cultivator near him had to release his spiritual energy just to resist the biting cold of Lin Che's evil aura.
A thin layer of frost trailed behind his footsteps. Anyone who touched it felt their spiritual power being forcefully drawn from their bodies.
"Punnan Zi of Xuan Dao Sect greets Fellow Daoist Lin Che," came a voice.
Punnan Zi, the leader of Xuan Dao Sect, had been the first to hear of Lin Che's return and spread the news.
Since they still didn't know Lin Che's exact cultivation level, they addressed him merely as "Fellow Daoist" instead of "Senior."
A man with a handsome yet sinister face stepped forward and said respectfully, "Chen Huan of Hehuan Sect greets Fellow Daoist Lin Che."
A seductive young woman followed, bowing slightly. "Chen Yan of Hehuan Sect greets Fellow Daoist."
Soon after, more Nascent Soul cultivators arrived—each one a renowned expert in Zhao Country.
Originally, none of them cared for the declining Heng Yue Sect, which no longer had a Nascent Soul ancestor.
But Lin Che's sudden return changed everything. The prodigy who'd reached the Core Formation Realm at 13, a century ago had reappeared.
Such talent could not be ignored.