The elders wore expressions of confusion, but Lin Lin remained calm and began to speak slowly.
"The situation in the Qingyang Realm is not as simple as it appears on the surface. The tranquility of the past thirty years has underlying reasons that should be clear to you all."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed dramatically.
Xiao Li seemed to understand something, and his face tightened abruptly: "Sect Master, are you referring to the 'Wu Xian Realm'?"
The mention of "Wu Xian Realm" caused all the elders to turn pale.
As elders of the Shangyang Sect, they had all reached the fourth rank of the Nascent Soul stage, having cultivated for over a hundred years. They had personally experienced the great war thirty years ago and remembered it vividly.
They deeply understood the immense power behind the name "Wu Xian Realm."
The Wu Xian Realm is a foreign realm, its vastness unknown. However, the battle thirty years ago saw the emergence of a sixth-rank perfected expert and many fifth-rank powerhouses, proving its deep and unfathomable foundation.
That battle was the greatest defeat humanity had suffered since the appearance of the Heavenly Court. The casualties were more severe than the three great monster tides.
Especially among the fourth-rank and above experts, countless were lost, not to mention those with lower cultivation.
Lin Lin continued.
"Thirty years ago, the foreign passage opened, and the Wu Xian Realm army invaded, intending to devour the Qingyang Realm."
"Fortunately, the Monarch personally intervened, causing the enemy to retreat with many powerful beings dying in defeat."
"However, the foreign passage remains open, meaning the two realms will eventually clash again. The outcome will either be our victory over the Wu Xian Realm or our realm's invasion. There is no third possibility."
As he spoke, Lin Lin's tone became more solemn, and the atmosphere grew increasingly grave.
"Thirty years of peace have made many forget the threat of the foreign realm. But as long as the passage remains, the danger is ever-present, waiting to erupt."
"Now, the Qingyang Immortal Kingdom is hosting the Immortal Duel, indicating imminent turmoil. It could signify another invasion by the Wu Xian Realm or the start of our counterattack…"
Hearing this, the elders fell into deep thought. As fourth-rank grand cultivators, they understood the potential of Lin Lin's words.
Xiao Li sighed deeply: "If war breaks out again, it will mean immense suffering!"
Lin Lin shook his head and said, "In any clash between two nations, casualties are inevitable. A war between two realms will be even more brutal."
"We have no choice but to defeat the Wu Xian Realm; otherwise, we must accept being enslaved."
"If they lose all sanity, the Qingyang Realm might face total annihilation."
Sweeping his gaze over everyone, Lin Lin's voice was firm.
"The Immortal Duel, a year from now, is our opportunity to advance."
"If we can seize this chance and break through to the fifth rank, we might alter our fate."
"Currently, in the Immortal Kingdom, Gu Fang of the War God Valley commands great respect. Fifteen years ago, he reached the late fourth rank with extraordinary combat power."
"For this reason, our sect has decided to undergo secluded cultivation. Unless it concerns the life and death of the sect, no one is to disturb us."
At the mention of Gu Fang, an elder furrowed his brow.
"Gu Fang possesses the Overlord Immortal Physique. Fifteen years ago, he was already at the late fourth rank. By now, he might have reached perfection. Sect Master, competing with him will be no easy task."
As his words fell, a powerful aura suddenly surged around Lin Lin, sweeping through the entire sect hall and pressing down on all the elders like a mountain.
"I reached the late fourth rank five years ago!"
Lin Lin smiled proudly, his eyes flashing with confidence.
Although Gu Fang had broken through ten years earlier, advancement in the fourth rank depended not just on time but also on the comprehension of the laws of heaven and earth and moments of enlightenment.
Even decades could fail to break through a minor bottleneck.
Crucially, Lin Lin possessed the "Great Dao Immortal Physique," which granted extraordinary comprehension.
Those with this physique could trigger moments of enlightenment more easily, rapidly advancing their cultivation.
Though Gu Fang had taken the lead early on and excelled in the war thirty years ago, receiving generous rewards, Lin Lin had caught up within ten years, reaching the same level, the late fourth rank.
Lin Lin believed that with the aid of his "Great Dao Immortal Physique," his cultivation speed was unmatched in the present era.
So far, he had not met anyone who could rival him in cultivation speed.
Thus, Lin Lin was confident that within a year, he could aim for the fifth rank of a True Immortal.
By then, his strength would not be inferior to Gu Fang's, and he might even contend for the top spot on the fifth-rank Immortal List.
However, the "Great Dao Immortal Physique" was a secret Lin Lin would not easily reveal.
Some displayed their divine physique openly, while others kept it hidden.
Lin Lin was the latter.
The other elders, unaware of the details, were elated upon learning Lin Lin had already reached the late fourth rank.
"It turns out the Sect Master has broken through years ago, no wonder he is so composed."
"In that case, our Shangyang Sect will surely make a grand impression at the Immortal Duel in a year, aiming for the top sect in the Immortal Kingdom."
An elder was excited.
In the Immortal Kingdom, the only publicly acknowledged late fourth-rank powerhouse was Gu Fang.
With Lin Lin's strength now revealed, it undoubtedly injected tremendous confidence into the Shangyang Sect, filling them with great anticipation for the upcoming Immortal Duel.
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