As sounds from outside filtered in, several men soon appeared outside the great hall.
Leading them was Yong Buwan, the sect master of the Nine Poisons Sect, accompanied by three other men.
Lin Song, whose expression had been calm, turned ashen.
He recognized the other three; they were sect masters of other sects, all at the Earthly Immortal realm.
It was clear they had come prepared. The proposal of marriage was merely an excuse; their true intention was to seize the sect, having set their sights on the forbidden area behind the Immortal Fate Sect's mountain.
"Sect Master."
"Father."
Luo Dongdong and Yong Ligán walked over simultaneously, calling out to them.
They then greeted the other three.
Yong Buwan strode into the great hall with arrogance, looking at Lin Song and smiling, "Lin Song, we are taking over the Immortal Fate Sect's territory."
His tone was no longer one of negotiation, but of certainty.
Initially, the pretext of marriage was merely a way to open negotiations, to avoid appearing too greedy and to prevent gossip within the martial world.
Now that Lin Song's stance was so firm, they would cast aside all pretense and resort to force.
"Possession is nine-tenths of the law."
"You, an Immortal Fate Sect, guard an immortal's遗迹 (yíjì - ruins/relics) but cannot utilize it. Therefore, let those who can use it do so."
"Haha... Liu Qi, Tong Dongwei, you two, as sect masters of righteous sects, will you also engage in such ignominious deeds with the Nine Poisons Sect and the Yin Fiend Sect?"
Lin Song suddenly burst into laughter.
The atmosphere in the great hall had been extremely oppressive, with the disciples of the Immortal Fate Sect trembling in fear. Lin Song's outburst made everyone realize that the other three were also formidable figures, intensifying their panic.
The entire Immortal Fate Sect was plunged into despair and gloom.
Liu Qi and Tong Dongwei, who had been singled out by Lin Song, looked somewhat embarrassed. Liu Qi spoke up, "Sect Master Lin, if you agree to our demands, I am willing to help you find a new location."
"Haha... Dreaming. A person is as steadfast as their mountain," Lin Song's laughter held a hint of sorrow.
He could never have imagined that these sects had secretly colluded to seize his mountain gate.
"Lin Song, still stubborn even when death is at your doorstep. The Immortal Fate Sect will perish due to your obstinacy," Yong Buwan sneered.
It was clear that Lin Song's persistence had prompted them to prepare for direct action.
If they had merely wanted to investigate the forbidden area behind the mountain, Lin Song might have agreed.
After all, knowing when to yield is a mark of wisdom; Lin Song was not an inflexible old fool. However, to force the Immortal Fate Sect to wander aimlessly and hand over their centuries-old heritage, Lin Song could not comply.
Although the disciples of the Immortal Fate Sect were terrified, none of them retreated at this moment. They all faced death with grim determination, vowing to perish with their sect.
"Form the formation!" Lin Song roared.
Given that the other party clearly had no intention of letting the Immortal Fate Sect off, Lin Song saw no point in further negotiation.
The roars of the weak, fueled by their powerlessness, only deepened everyone's fear. Only by fighting to the death could they ensure the Immortal Fate Sect had no regrets.
At Lin Song's command, the disciples of the Immortal Fate Sect began to form their battle array.
"A swarm of ants dares to compete with the bright moon." Yong Buwan launched his offensive towards Lin Song.
The others were not idle and immediately attacked.
Yong Buwan and Luo Dongdong attacked Lin Song together. The other three were all experts at the Earthly Immortal realm. The formation set up by the Immortal Fate Sect was nothing more than child's play to them, and it was quickly dispersed.
In an instant, the disciples of the Immortal Fate Sect suffered heavy casualties. This was not a battle on equal footing.
Lin Song exerted all his strength but could not withstand the simultaneous assault of two Earthly Immortals. He was on the verge of collapse, covered in wounds.
Everyone knew that the Immortal Fate Sect was finished today.
Lin Yuwei watched Lin Song, who was fighting desperately, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
If her father met with any misfortune, the Immortal Fate Sect would also be finished, and she would not wish to live alone.
Yong Ligán had been keeping a close eye on Lin Yuwei. If she were in danger, he was prepared to step forward and rescue the beauty from her suffering.
In any case, the Immortal Fate Sect was doomed, and he intended to have Lin Yuwei as well.
It would be a terrible shame for such a woman to perish here.
At this moment, Lin Yuwei saw Lin Song heavily thrown out of the great hall. She cried out anxiously and prepared to rush out.
Yong Ligán directly blocked her path and smiled, "Lin Yuwei, if you yield to me, I will plead with them to spare your father's life."
"Scram! I'd rather die than fall into your hands," Lin Yuwei said, her eyes vacant and hollow as she stared at Yong Ligán.
"Haha... I'll tell you the truth, even if you die, I can still have my fun for three days," Yong Ligán chuckled, revealing a lewd expression that evoked deep disgust.
"Die?"
"Can you escape death just by dying?"
"At worst, it's solitary pleasure, but that will suffice."
Lin Yuwei was shocked by Yong Ligán's venomous words, her body trembling with anger.
The moment Lin Song was sent flying, Yong Buwan and the others ceased their attack and walked towards the hall entrance.
"Lin Song, do you have any last words?" Yong Buwan asked, looking down at Lin Song, who was sprawled on the ground.
Now, more than half of the Immortal Fate Sect disciples were dead or wounded, and the remaining ones were like lambs waiting to be slaughtered, easily dealt with.
Even the strongest, Lin Song, was now like a dead dog on the ground, and the Immortal Fate Sect was beyond saving.
Lin Song tried to struggle to his feet, but he was too weak.
"If you have no last words, then I shall send you on your final journey." Yong Buwan raised his hand, preparing to end Lin Song's life.
"Father, wait."
At this critical moment, Yong Ligán jumped out, intending to plead for Lin Song.
Yong Buwan glanced at Yong Ligán. Yong Ligán immediately pointed at Lin Yuwei and said, "If you agree to be mine, your father can be spared death now."
Upon hearing this, Lin Song, who had been lying on the ground, struggled to get up and shook his head vigorously at Lin Yuwei, managing to gasp out two words: "Yuwei."
How could Lin Yuwei not understand Lin Song's meaning? Besides, she would never surrender.
"Go to hell!" Lin Yuwei declared, lunging at Yong Ligán.
Luo Dongdong, standing beside them, casually restrained Lin Yuwei and looked at Yong Ligán, saying, "Young Sect Master, why bother pleading for a dead man? She is yours now anyway."
Seeing Lin Yuwei restrained, Lin Song, who had just managed to summon some strength, wilted again.
Lin Song felt immense guilt for failing to protect his daughter, but this was also her fate. Born into the cultivation world, it was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, and everything was destined.
"What is there to fear in death? What is to be feared is losing one's integrity."
"Thank you, Elder." Yong Ligán looked at Lin Yuwei with a lewd gaze and licked his lips.
Yong Buwan glanced at his son and paid it no mind. This was not a big issue.
Young people are bound to be lustful.
"Lin Song, out of respect for your Earthly Immortal status, I shall grant you a complete corpse." Yong Buwan then attacked.
Although the matter was as good as settled, it was better to finish it quickly.
Just as Yong Buwan launched his attack, a voice rang out:
"Sect Master Lin, why did you forget to send me my breakfast today?"
Yong Buwan subconsciously stopped his hand and looked towards the two figures approaching.