Zhou Kuangtian's personal strength was already close to the Mystic Sect, and he even invoked the Power of Heaven and Earth, yet he still could not defeat Lin Beichen?
Everyone stared blankly at Lin Beichen, unable to recover from their shock for a long time.
Based on their knowledge of Zhou Kuangtian, his vast array of techniques should have been sufficient to handle any situation. It seemed impossible for anything to have gone wrong.
Yet, despite their long wait at the foot of the mountain, they never saw any trace of Zhou Kuangtian.
At this point, no matter how much they refused to believe it, they could only accept the reality.
Zhou Kuangtian was indeed dead.
However, they didn't know that although Zhou Kuangtian was killed by Lin Beichen, it was a fate of his own making.
Zhou Kuangtian only knew how to draw upon the Earth Veins of mountains and rivers to strengthen himself, using it as capital to confront strong enemies. But he didn't realize that every cultivation technique has both its advantages and disadvantages.
In invoking the Earth Veins of mountains and rivers, one not only had to endure the vast Spiritual Qi but also the malevolent Qi beneath it.
In a way, Zhou Kuangtian did not die at Lin Beichen's hands. His fate was sealed the moment he shattered the stone dragon sculpture at Jiulong Pool.
Lin Beichen silently watched the speechless crowd, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
He thought these people would be able to figure it out, but among the hundreds of cultivators present, not one could see the truth.
The cultivators on Xiang Island seemed to have broadened their horizons through international exchanges, yet reflecting on it, they were merely domineering in their own territory.
Like the unique individuals, Master Wang and Mr. Gao, who continually absorbed knowledge through exchanges with the mainland, waiting for a chance to transform.
They were on the right path, but due to the pressure from various families, there was little room for growth.
With Zhou Kuangtian's death, space would inevitably open, but the powerful families wouldn't leave it all to Mr. Gao.
Even if they knew that after Zhou Kuangtian's death, a super powerful figure must emerge to intimidate the entire island, capital is profit-driven. Even if Mr. Gao eventually reached this position, he would not have Zhou Kuangtian's superior status.
Without someone to lend a hand, not only would Mr. Gao be in a difficult position, but the powerful families on Xiang Island would also gradually become second-rate forces.
Relying on internal corrections is unrealistic!
It seems I have to be the villain!
Lin Beichen's eyes slightly flickered as he scanned the cultivators, finally resting on Old Master Zheng.
"Old Master Zheng, shall we settle our accounts?"
Old Master Zheng's face turned ashen long ago. Upon hearing this, a look of despair appeared on Old Horse's face.
"Mr. Lin, please feel free to let me know your requirements. As long as the Zheng Clan can do it, we dare not refuse."
Old Master Zheng shakily managed to say this one sentence before nearly fainting.
Old Master Zheng trembled, seemingly trying with all his strength to stand up and salute Lin Beichen.
The people around him showed a look of pity and tried to persuade him.
Yet Lin Beichen's expression remained indifferent, watching Old Master Zheng with a hint of mockery.
Even if one were dying, with his Spirit Pills, they could live an extra three years.
For whom was Old Master Zheng putting on this pathetic act?
Seeing Lin Beichen unmoved, Old Master Zheng was suddenly alarmed.
Lin Beichen was entirely unfazed.
He thought dealing with someone so young was just a matter of playing on emotions and satisfying their vanity, but now he realized he had underestimated Lin Beichen.
Old Master Zheng gestured, retrieving a document from his subordinate's briefcase.
"Mr. Lin, this is 40% of my Zheng Clan's assets. If you sign this document and agree to spare us, these assets worth billions will be yours."
Old Master Zheng said with some pain.
For today's event, he had prepared two plans.
With Zhou Kuangtian dead, only the one plan remained.
Though much money had been spent, there was no other choice.
The situation was dire.
Compared to the family being annihilated, spending a large sum at least bought a chance for survival.
Giving Lin Beichen 40% equity was a harsh blow, but at least they retained a retreat.
With the connections and influence the Zheng Clan had built, it wasn't impossible to rise to the top again in decades.
Lin Beichen looked at Old Master Zheng with amusement in his eyes, full of ridicule.
If Zhou Kuangtian knew Old Master Zheng had such a fallback prepared, would he still have fought to the death?
They say the smarter the businessman, the less scrupulous. Whether or not this is true, it certainly applied to Old Master Zheng.
The members of the Zheng Clan had incredibly dark expressions, and none looked kindly at Lin Beichen, yet no one dared utter a word.
As long as Old Master Zheng lived, the Zheng Clan belonged to him. Even if the clan members had opinions, they could only suppress them.
"It's too little."
But just as the people were feeling heartache, they saw Lin Beichen wave his hand.
A flame suddenly appeared in the air, reducing the document in Old Master Zheng's hand to ashes.
Old Master Zheng's face changed again, looking even more dreadful as he gritted his teeth and said:
"Mr. Lin, there is an old proverb on the mainland: it's better to forgive where possible. This amount of money is already considerable.
Leaving our Zheng Clan alive creates goodwill with you. No matter how you look at it, you stand to gain without loss."