I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Lin Che had some doubts, so he used his divine sense to communicate with the communication stone and asked Liu Qingxue about the visitor's identity.

Upon learning that it was Wang Yanchi, the patriarch of the Wang family, one of the three Qi-refining families in the vicinity, who had come to visit, he pondered for a moment and decided to meet him to see what the other party wanted.

"Lead them to the reception room; I'll wait there." After giving the order, Lin Che moved swiftly and arrived at the western comprehensive area of ​​the territory on his sword.

Compared to before, this area has a completely new look.

The most obvious change is in the terrain.

The once undulating wilderness has now been transformed into an extremely flat and open area.

This massive project was naturally beyond Liu Yunzhou's capabilities alone; the armored crocodile turtles in the lake, who were also skilled in earth-attribute magic, also contributed greatly.

Today, the comprehensive area has taken initial shape: the roads are neatly paved, rows of guest rooms are arranged, and the prepared cave dwellings are in good order.

The foundations for core buildings such as the Weapon Refining Hall, Alchemy Hall, Cultivation Techniques Pavilion, and Mission Hall have all been laid, awaiting further construction.

From afar, one could see Liu Yunzhou holding blueprints, gesturing and exchanging ideas with the Ironclad Alligator Turtle Chieftain in front of a foundation.

During these three months, Liu Yunzhou was responsible for feeding the alligator snapping turtle population. In addition, he had successfully contracted and hatched the alligator snapping turtle, which served as a bond, making the relationship between the two sides harmonious. Under his direction, the turtles did not resist at all when building houses.

The reception room is also located here.

After greeting the man and the tortoise, Lin Che entered the hall and sat down comfortably in the main seat.

Before long, Liu Qingxue led the two to the outside of the hall, knocked lightly on the door, and only after receiving Lin Che's permission did she push the door open and enter.

Her posture was upright, and her clear, cool voice rang out in the hall: "Patriarch, Wang Yanchi, the head of the Wang family, and his daughter are outside requesting an audience."

Lin Che, who had changed into a more solemn dark blue Taoist robe, nodded slightly: "Please let them in."

"Yes."

A moment later, Wang Yanchi entered the hall with his daughter, Wang Lingsu.

Lin Che's gaze was calm as he scrutinized the newcomer.

The leader was nearly fifty years old, with a refined face but etched with the marks of time, his temples already gray, and his cultivation level at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

The girl behind him stood gracefully, with a classic oval face.

Unlike Liu Qingxue's snow-white complexion, her skin is a healthy honey color, radiating youthful vitality.

Perhaps for this formal visit, she applied a little makeup, but her technique was clearly clumsy. The powder appeared heavy and stagnant under the light and shadow, failing to adhere perfectly to her skin and instead obscuring her natural freshness and beauty.

However, what is most striking is her slender and shapely figure.

Even though she was wearing a dress that wasn't particularly form-fitting, her voluptuous and graceful curves were still hard to conceal, especially her proud breasts. When Lin Che's gaze swept over them, he couldn't help but pause for a moment before subtly looking away.

Standing to the side, Liu Qingxue keenly noticed Lin Che's subtle pause. She subconsciously lowered her head slightly, saw her toes, and when she looked at Wang Lingsu, a barely perceptible sharpness flashed across her cold eyes.

Lin Che, who was observing the two, noticed a detail: he smelled a lingering scent of spirit wine on them.

I had a guess in my mind about their professions.

Wang Yanchi bowed slightly and stepped into the hall with steady steps, yet with obvious caution.

He had clearly taken great care in his appearance today, wearing a new dark blue Taoist robe, his hair was neatly combed, and his attitude was extremely respectful.

"Wang Yanchi of the Wang family of Chuyang City, accompanied by his daughter Wang Lingsu, pays respects to Senior Lin." After standing still, he performed a very standard junior's salute, his posture extremely humble.

Wang Lingsu followed her father and awkwardly bowed.

This scene seems somewhat incongruous.

Lin Che was thirty-four years old, while Wang Yanchi looked to be over fifty, yet he treated the much younger Lin Che with the respect due to a junior.

However, in the cultivation world where strength is paramount, this is the most normal and commonplace thing.

"Clan Chief, there's no need for such formalities. Please, both of you, have a seat." Lin Che didn't presume to be arrogant and politely invited the two to sit down.

Wang Yanchi quickly gave his daughter a wink.

Wang Lingsu understood and immediately took out a sealed jar of spirit wine from her storage bag, respectfully offering it with both hands: "Senior Lin, please forgive me. My Wang family is a small and humble family with shallow resources. Only this homemade spirit wine is something we can offer. Please accept it as a small token of our respect."

We earnestly request your appraisal. If you could offer any guidance, it would be a great honor for the Wang family.

Lin Che did not refuse. With a slight movement of his divine sense, the jar of spirit wine floated lightly to the table beside him. "Clan Chief Wang is very thoughtful."

After the two men sat down, looking somewhat reserved, Lin Che got to the point: "May I ask what brings you two here today?"

Wang Yanchi's expression turned solemn, and he leaned forward slightly, his tone extremely earnest: "Senior Lin, I have come here on behalf of the Wang family to humbly request that we submit to the Lin family and seek their protection!"

This statement surprised Lin Che slightly.

He originally thought the other party wanted to make a deal or seek some help, but he did not expect that they would come directly to serve him.

This place is, after all, outside the Great Wall, and there are many demonic beasts. They may face annihilation at any time, so most Qi Refining families choose to attach themselves to Foundation Establishment families.

In the hope that he would not become cannon fodder when encountering a beast tide, and that his family would not perish under the beast horde.

However, compared to the five Foundation Establishment forces that have been entrenched in this place for many years, the Lin family, who are newcomers, should not be the first choice, which made him have some doubts.

In addition, Lin Che was undecided for a while because it was the first time he had encountered a family member who wanted to serve him.

He knew very little about the backgrounds of the nearby alchemy families and was unsure whether the Wang family's actions were a genuine act of allegiance or had ulterior motives.

Out of caution, he chose not to respond for the time being, and simply watched Wang Yanchi quietly.

Seeing Lin Che remain silent in thought, Wang Yanchi's face flashed with urgency. He quickly took out three more jade slips of an ancient color and presented them with both hands: "Senior, you are wise! As long as you agree to protect my Wang family, these three are my family's ancestral unique wine recipes. I am willing to offer them all to the Lin family!"

Furthermore, from this day forward, the Wang family will dedicate 50% of the spirit stone profits from the annual sale of spirit wine to the Lin family on time, without any objection!

For a Qi-refining family, sacrificing its core heritage and handing over half of its annual income is a devastating blow, demonstrating its determination.

Lin Che glanced at the three jade slips, weighing his options in his mind.

The other party was very sincere, and their own family was indeed short of manpower. Having a subordinate family with a relatively clear background was easier to control than a rogue cultivator of unknown origin.

As for its background, we'll investigate it thoroughly later; if there are other motives, we'll discuss that later.

Having made up his mind, he slowly nodded: "Since the Wang family is so sincere, my Lin family cannot refuse them. I agree to this. From this day forward, the Wang family will be subordinate to my Lin family."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yanchi's tense expression immediately relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He immediately stood up and bowed deeply: "Thank you for accepting us, Your Excellency! My Wang family will do everything in our power to serve the Lin family!"

With the matter settled, Wang Yanchi could not linger and disturb them. After saying a few more words to express his loyalty, he tactfully took his leave with his daughter.

After Liu Qingxue saw the two off, she returned to the hall as instructed by Lin Che.

"Master, is there anything else you require?"

Lin Che tapped the armrest of the chair lightly with his fingertips and said thoughtfully, "Qingxue, go and investigate the background of this Wang family carefully."

See if they've encountered any trouble lately, or if they have any dealings with other forces.

I need to know the real reasons they pledged allegiance.

"Understood, Qingxue will take care of it right away." Liu Qingxue accepted the order, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She immediately turned around and left the reception room swiftly.

……

On the other side, after Wang Yanchi and his daughter Wang Lingsu had traveled about twenty miles from the Lin family's territory, he slowed down.

The cautiousness he once displayed had faded, and he had regained his usual refined demeanor.

He turned to look at his daughter, a gentle smile on his face, and asked, "Lingsu, what do you think of this Lin family head...?"

No longer needing to maintain the demeanor of a well-bred young lady, Wang Lingsu immediately took out a small wine pot from her storage bag, tilted her head back and took a swig, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at his father in confusion: "What do you mean, 'how?' Father, I'm only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. Even you can't see through the depths of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could I possibly understand anything?"

Wang Yanchi rolled his eyes at his daughter helplessly, his tone carrying a hint of guidance: "I'm not asking about cultivation level. I'm asking about appearance, demeanor, and the impression you get from him. What do you think of this person?"

Although Wang Lingsu still didn't understand her father's deeper meaning, she tilted her head and thought about it for a moment, then commented in her straightforward language: "Hmm... he is quite handsome, and he speaks very casually, without any airs."

As for strength, to command such respect from you, Father, you must be very strong.

Hearing his daughter's answer, Wang Yanchi couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling utterly helpless, like talking to a brick wall.

Back in his mortal days, he was a learned scholar who had read many books. Even after he embarked on the path of immortality, he never put down the classics. How could he have raised such a daughter who was illiterate and had a straightforward personality?

He sighed softly, his gaze becoming distant and profound as he looked towards the misty mountains in the distance, his tone heavy: "I'm thinking... perhaps I should betroth you to this Senior Lin."

"Huh?" Wang Lingsu didn't react for a moment.

Wang Yanchi continued, his voice low but clear: "Only through marriage, connecting the bloodlines of our two families, can the relationship between our Wang family and the Lin family truly be solid."

They will not be easily treated as dispensable appendages, nor abandoned in times of crisis.

He paused, a hint of barely perceptible worry in his voice, "In this land beyond the Great Wall, who knows how long this superficial peace can last?"

My Wang family is merely a Qi-refining family; a slightly larger beast tide could wipe us out completely from history.

Although Wang Lingsu had a carefree personality, she was not dull-witted.

She understood the weight and worry in her father's words, and realized that this might be the best choice for the family under the current circumstances.

A fleeting complex expression crossed her face, quickly replaced by a relieved smile. She tilted her head back, took a swig of wine, and said nonchalantly, "Alright! Father, I'll listen to you!"

As she finished speaking, Lin Che's handsome face and tall figure couldn't help but reappear in her mind.

She thought to herself: Besides, marrying him doesn't seem like I'm doing myself a disservice.

……