After refining the White Dragon Sword, Lin Chen withdrew his divine soul from the Nine Dragon Ring.
Three days had passed outside, and the duel with the He family was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
He took out his phone and found several new messages, all from Long Yuling.
They detailed the information of the five Core Formation stage cultivators of the He family, even including their personalities and weaknesses.
"He Biao, He family's Great Elder, late Core Formation stage cultivation, cultivates the Benlei Jue. Lightning surrounds him when he unleashes his techniques; his attacks are fast, accurate, and infinitely varied."
"He Long, He family patriarch, mid Core Formation stage cultivation, cultivates the Benlei Jue. He is steady and cunning, prone to sneak attacks, be extremely careful."
"He Hu, He family's Second Elder, early Core Formation stage cultivator..."
The string of messages touched Lin Chen.
Regardless of others in the Long family, Long Yuling at least treated him well.
That evening, Lin Chen immersed himself in the Nine Dragon Ring again, refining some pills and distributing them to his master and senior sister.
Zhang Ying, being only at the Foundation Establishment stage, wouldn't be of any help at the He family, so Lin Chen had her stay at the hotel.
Once Lin Chen and Zhang Long were ready, they drove to the He family compound in the suburbs of Dongshan District, Zhejiang Province.
The He family compound was undeniably vast, resembling its own self-contained community.
The architecture was ancient and elegant, with decorations indicating considerable wealth.
However, countless luxury cars were already parked at the entrance of the He family, and armed guards patrolled at the foot of the mountain.
Lin Chen knew this was the Long family's doing, designed to prevent ordinary people from entering and witnessing the conflict between cultivators.
The patrolling guards were mostly from aristocratic families. After verifying Lin Chen and Zhang Long's cultivator identities, they drove their car to the He family's main gate.
Long Yuling was already waiting there.
"Lin Chen, how is it? Did you read the messages I sent you carefully?"
Long Yuling asked with concern.
"Don't worry, I read them all carefully," Lin Chen replied, nodding with confidence.
"Oh, right, Miss Long, let me introduce you. This is my master, you can call him, uh..."
Lin Chen paused, unsure how to introduce his master.
"Heh, are you the eldest daughter of the Long family? Long Yixian's daughter?"
To Lin Chen's surprise, his master directly revealed Long Yuling's true identity and even mentioned her father's name.
"Oh? Senior, do you know my father?"
Long Yuling was greatly astonished.
Her father was very low-key within the Long family; even some of the Long family's retainers didn't know his name. How did this person know he was Long Yixian?
"Hahaha, tell your father when you return not to forget the Dingjun Mountain agreement!"
"Let's go."
With that, Zhang Long led Lin Chen towards the nearby training ground.
"Uh, the Dingjun Mountain agreement?"
Long Yuling stood there, bewildered.
Wasn't her father just an ordinary Body Tempering stage cultivator? Who knew nothing but artifact refining? How was he connected to Lin Chen's master? She would definitely need to have a good talk with her father when she got back.
As Lin Chen and Zhang Long entered the training ground, the entire place erupted.
"Holy crap, this Lin Chen actually dared to come!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, he killed He Honghui, could the He family just let him get away with it?"
"What a pity, a Core Formation cultivator in his twenties, with boundless potential, is going to be ruined here today!"
As Lin Chen and Zhang Long entered, the onlookers' eyes were filled with regret.
A Core Formation cultivator in his twenties was considered a genius in any sect. Now, he was forcing a confrontation with the He family, facing five Core Formation stage experts. Wasn't this courting death?
"Hmph, Lin Chen, our He family knows you are an alchemist and is willing to give you one last chance."
"If you are willing to kneel down, kowtow in apology, and swear a Heavenly Oath to become a permanent retainer of our He family, we can let bygones be bygones."
He Biao, his face grim, stepped forward and spoke to Lin Chen.
During the past three days, he had thoroughly investigated Lin Chen's background. He was shocked to discover that the young man was also an alchemist! The He family had struggled to catch up to families like the Liu or Long family precisely because they lacked an alchemist. If Lin Chen were willing to join the He family as a retainer, the death of one He Honghui would be insignificant.
"Tsk tsk tsk, and what if I don't?"
Lin Chen sneered at He Biao's offer.
"Hmph, if you refuse, we will skin you alive and draw out your tendons to quench our hatred!"
A mid Core Formation stage cultivator next to He Biao stepped forward and threatened Lin Chen. Judging by his cultivation, it was undoubtedly He Hu, the Second Elder.
"If that's the case, then there's nothing more to say. Tell me, how do you wish to compete?"
Lin Chen cut to the chase.
"Lin Chen, I know you can kill mid Core Formation cultivators, and I admit you are a genius."
"As for a genius, there is no room for underestimation."
"This time, I will personally fight you. If you win, you will be the master of the He family from now on."
"If you lose, you will become a slave to the He family forever, never to rise again. What do you say?"
"Although I am a late Core Formation cultivator, you are a true genius. Surely you are not afraid to compete with me?"
He Biao said this with a straight face, causing the onlookers to roll their eyes. Here was a late Core Formation cultivator personally taking on a young early Core Formation cultivator, and he claimed it wasn't bullying? It was utterly shameless.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this He family Great Elder is too shameless."
"It can't be helped. Lin Chen is an alchemist, and any family looking to develop needs alchemists."
"Indeed, if it were me, I would make the same choice."
The aristocratic youths exchanged comments. Although they disdained He Biao's actions, they understood that faced with someone like Lin Chen, anyone would make a similar choice.