Beauty and the Bodyguard Chapter 11498 - 11496: The Battle of the Three Kingdoms!

Lin Yi remained the sole unpredictable factor.

Despite numerous attempts at divination, the destruction of King Han’s mansion seemed inevitable in every scenario. Only when Lin Yi entered the equation did the variables begin to shift.

Where there was change, there was a glimmer of hope for a better outcome.

For the Han Imperial Residence, this was a final, desperate gamble.

This desperation was the catalyst for the current situation.

In truth, Han Niansan was uncertain of the heights Lin Yi could reach. However, if Lin Yi accepted the mantle of King Han—even as a mere temporary guardian—it would serve as a vital lifeline for their lineage.

...

Once the immediate peril subsided, they could eventually find a way to restore a true descendant to the throne.

Han Niansan gave a light chuckle. "There is no need for such suspicion. This arrangement benefits you immensely. Though you already wield significant influence, merging your strength with the authority of my Han Imperial Residence would be like adding wings to a tiger. Why do you hesitate?"

“Your logic is sound, Senior.”

“However, I lack any interest,” Lin Yi replied, causing the older man’s expression to twitch.

The onlookers exchanged stunned glances.

Today was truly a spectacle. The title of King Han was something people would normally kill for, yet here was one man desperately trying to give it away while the other stubbornly refused to accept it. Had the world gone mad?

Meanwhile, Han Jiechen’s complexion turned sickly pale.

As the reigning King Han, he found himself completely sidelined in this negotiation. He realized that he hadn't earned his crown through merit; it was essentially a gift from Lin Yi and his companions. Despite his usual arrogant posture, in this moment of crisis, he was nothing more than a figurehead.

The two sides continued their tug-of-war for some time.

Eventually, Han Niansan’s patience snapped. “I will make this clear. If you do not consent today, you shall not step a single foot out of this ancestral hall!”

With those words, he struck his palms together.

Suddenly, the memorial tablets of the Han lineage throughout the hall rose into the air. Hundreds of ancient auras intertwined, weaving a translucent barrier that severed the hall from the outside world.

Wei Baizhan and the others felt their hearts leap. They immediately attempted to bolt for the exit.

Despite their immense Cultivation, they were halted by a wall of invisible Qi. No matter what techniques they unleashed, the barrier remained utterly unshaken.

“The Ancestral Worship Formation?” Han Changshi gasped in recognition.

Han Niansan nodded with a smug grin. “Precisely. This is the Ancestral Worship Formation, fueled by the collective auras of our forefathers. Its power rivals that of a Quasi God. If you wish to depart, you must first complete the Ancestral Worship Ceremony!”

In essence, leaving was impossible without first paying homage to the ancestors as the new king.

“So, a Quasi God could break through this?” Lin Yi asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“If you possessed the strength of a Quasi God, this array would indeed fail to restrain you,” Han Niansan admitted. “But it is quite clear that you have not reached such a level.”

The term 'Quasi God' referred to those standing at the very threshold of divinity.

While both Quasi Gods and Demigods approached the Divine level, the former occupied a higher tier. A Demigod might possess half the power of a true God, but a Quasi God had already grasped eighty to ninety percent of that divine essence.

“I have not,” Lin Yi confessed with a nod.

“Naturally you haven't. Therefore, unless you comply, you will remain here indefinitely.”

Han Niansan rolled his eyes. Had Lin Yi actually been a Quasi God, the old man wouldn't have dared to use such forceful tactics; he would have been playing dead instead. He then shifted back to a more persuasive tone.

“Young man, look at the bigger picture. I am merely asking you to acknowledge a lineage. There is no harm in it. Why be so stubborn?”

“One kowtow is all it takes to become the new King Han.”

“Furthermore, you will gain a council of elders as your supporters. I can even grant you a peerless opportunity to clear the path for your Cultivation and help you transcend the limits of a mortal’s lifespan!”

“What limits are those?” Lin Yi asked, blinking.

Han Niansan was taken aback. “What? At your level, are you truly ignorant of the human god limit?”

Though they hadn't traded blows, Lin Yi’s aura suggested he was at least Sky class. How could he not know the boundaries of godhood?

He was unaware that Lin Yi’s actual realm hadn't even reached the late stages of Earth class, let alone Sky class. While his New World had undergone significant evolution over the past ten millennia, it was mostly internal refinement rather than a leap in rank.

Currently, Lin Yi was only at the Earth class middle phase. In terms of pure realm, he lagged far behind someone like Wei Baizhan.

However, one’s realm was not always an indicator of true power. When it came to actual combat, Lin Yi was a different story entirely. The prowess of an Ancient God cultivator defied conventional logic.

“Please, Senior, enlighten me. I am eager to learn,” Lin Yi said with a look of genuine interest.

Han Niansan was surprised by the request, but since he was intent on recruiting Lin Yi, he saw no harm in offering some knowledge as a favor.

“Vast chasms exist between every major realm, but the divide between the Supreme Realm and the God Realm is an insurmountable wall.”

“Under normal circumstances, the Supreme Realm is the absolute ceiling for us practitioners.”

“This is because the Heavenly Dao inherently rejects the presence of Divine level entities.”

“That is the reason Gods exist as they do.”

“Moving from the Supreme Realm to the Immortal Realm isn't just a matter of gaining more Qi. It is a fundamental metamorphosis—the peak of biological evolution!”

“What kind of evolution are we talking about?” Lin Yi pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Even Jiang Xiaoshang was in the dark regarding this specific topic.

Because this information pertained to Divine level beings and the core power structure of the divine territory, it was clearly classified. Even though Jiang Xiaoshang’s original body held a high position in the God Domain, as a clone, his access to such secrets was restricted.

“Do you truly wish to know?” Han Niansan smirked. “It’s simple. Perform the ancestral rites now, and not only will I explain it in detail, but I will also grant you access to the Han Imperial Residence’s unique path to godhood. What do you say?”

“There is no single way to shatter the limit,” he added, worried Lin Yi might misunderstand. “Every individual is unique, and every person must forge their own trail toward divinity.”

“However, while a path to godhood cannot be perfectly replicated, it serves as an invaluable blueprint.”

“Every Deity leaves behind a corresponding path.”

“This is a strategic resource of the highest order. Lesser sects can only dream of such things. Without the endorsement of a Divine level expert, even if you stumbled upon a path to godhood, you wouldn't be able to decipher any of its secrets.”

“The Han Imperial Residence was founded by a Deity ancestor. I have the authority to let you study the path to Godhood he left behind.”

By now, even Minister Han and the others grasped the gravity of the offer.

Since reaching the end of one's natural lifespan as a mortal was so difficult, trying to find the way to divinity alone was nearly impossible. No matter how brilliant a genius might be, the odds of success without guidance were practically zero.