Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8560 537-benefits _1

Yu Qing examined the token before handing it back to the mysterious figure in black. He spoke with a somber tone, "I must express my gratitude for your intervention. By utilizing the overwhelming strength of the Ghost Shadow Group to eliminate the Tang family, you have relieved me of a great burden. From this day forward, I pledge my loyalty to the Ghost Shadow Group. Please, place your restriction upon me." Yu Qing understood the implication perfectly; the fact that this intruder entered his inner sanctum without raising a single alarm was a calculated display of dominance. It served as a clear warning that any rebellion would be met with swift retribution. If they could infiltrate his room undetected, they could surely extinguish his life with equal ease.

In truth, once he received word that the Tang clan had been eradicated, Yu Qing knew his fate was already sealed. Any force capable of dismantling such a formidable rival would find a solitary cultivator in the Dharma cultivation realm trivial to eradicate. Left with no viable alternatives, he chose to surrender to their terms willingly, inviting them to place a spiritual seal upon him to cement his obedience.

The figure in black retrieved a jade chest and tossed it toward Yu Qing. He caught it, observing the man with perplexed eyes. The chest was sizable, resembling typical containers used by rogue cultivators to store rare herbs, measuring about forty centimeters in each dimension. It felt uncommonly heavy, as if it contained something dense and substantial.

"As proof that the Tang clan has been wiped out, I have brought you the severed head of their patriarch, Tang Zhengchun. Observe for yourself," the black-clad man stated coldly. Yu Qing was stunned, but a wave of exultation followed. He lifted the lid, revealing the head within. The eyes were locked in a wide, glassy stare, the face pale and twisted in the agony of an unwilling death. Seeing this sight sent a surge of ecstatic triumph through Yu Qing. Grinding his teeth, he hissed, "You cursed villain! To think you would finally meet your end! Hahahaha! Ancestors of the Yu family, I have secured our vengeance at last!" Tears streamed down his face as he vented his long-held grief.

Though cultivators are expected to maintain strict emotional discipline, none would judge Yu Qing for this breakdown. Cultivators are, after all, fundamentally human. Having endured years of waiting for this single moment of retribution, his visceral reaction to the sight of his enemy's remains was only natural.

After a time, Yu Qing regained his composure. He stowed the jade chest and queried the man in black, "Might I take this chest to offer as a sacrifice to the spirits of my ancestors?" This was his deepest desire, though he understood that the remains were not his to keep.

The man shook his head firmly. "No. Tang Zhengchun held great power. His remains are far too valuable for our refinement purposes; we must ensure the body is kept intact. Your glimpse is sufficient." Yu Qing yielded immediately, recognizing the logic in the refusal. Tang Zhengchun was a master in the Dharma opening realm; his physical form, seasoned by cultivation, would make a potent combat corpse. It was entirely logical for them to reclaim such a prize.

The man in black reclaimed the box and looked at Yu Qing with piercing eyes. "Listen well: you are now part of our Ghost Shadow Group. Accept this communication formation. If we require your service, we will contact you. For now, continue your life as a disciple of the Dark Ghost Sect. Seven days hence, find a secluded spot, enter deep meditation, and trigger the array. A surprise awaits; one that will benefit you greatly."

Yu Qing acknowledged the instructions, then hesitated. "Do you not intend to place a restriction upon me?" He found this exclusion bizarre. Without a spiritual shackle, how would they maintain control over him?

The stranger watched him with a stoic gaze. "That is unnecessary. Once you have joined the Ghost Shadow Group, there is no returning. Defection is punishable only by death. You are an intelligent man, so you grasp the gravity of this situation. I leave the cage to your own conscience. Remember: seven days, seclusion, and the communication array." With that, he dissolved into the shadows, vanishing as fluidly as he had arrived.

Yu Qing finally let out a ragged breath. Despite the stranger's lack of outward hostility, the sheer pressure of his proximity had felt suffocating. With the threat gone, he felt the heavy tension lift.

His adopted uncle stepped forward, eyes wide. "Young Master, I never imagined the Ghost Shadow Group possessed such terrifying influence. Why did he insist on seven days? And what of this 'surprise' during your seclusion?" The uncle seemed broken by the encounter, knowing that any resistance would be nothing more than a fool's errand.

Yu Qing said grimly, "Since I am their asset now, I am useful to them. If they promise a reward, it will be substantial. We will see in seven days. Our primary enemy is gone, but we must stay vigilant. The more service we render to the Ghost Shadow Group, the more our safety is guaranteed. Perhaps we shall reap further rewards. While I am in seclusion, you are in charge of external affairs. Stop sending such frequent tribute to me. Instead, focus on recruiting talent—rogue cultivators or others of potential. We must build our own strength. The stronger we appear, the more the Ghost Shadow Group will value us, and the safer we shall remain."

The uncle bowed, saying, "Understood, Young Master. I will see to it. Here are the pills I gathered to assist your breakthrough to the Island Lord rank. I will take my leave now." Yu Qing accepted the jade bottle with a nod, and his uncle exited the room.

Alone, Yu Qing sighed. He was intimately aware of the Tang family's power, and seeing them obliterated so easily left a chilling mark on his mind. Against such a force, resistance was futile.

It was exactly because of this terrifying imbalance that he had advised his uncle to build their own influence. He could not fight them, so he would make himself indispensable. The greater the power, the hungrier they were for capable subordinates.

Days drifted by. With his vengeance fulfilled, Yu Qing remained in a tranquil state, though he hid this well. He maintained his guise as an unremarkable elder on Ghost Bone Island. The Sect rarely bothered with elders of his standing unless summoned. If one claimed to be in seclusion, the Sect would respect it, provided there was a chance of them attaining the coveted Island Lord rank. Such figures were assets, and in the refinement realm, it was common to spend years in deep practice.

Of course, this luxury was largely reserved for large sects. Small sects lacked the resources to permit such prolonged inactivity; their refinement rank elders were the backbone of their administration and were kept constantly busy. This was precisely why large sects produced far more powerful experts than their smaller counterparts.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. The time for the appointment had arrived. Yu Qing retreated to his inner sanctum, engaging the full weight of his defensive formations. He posted a sign announcing his closed-door cultivation to ensure no interruptions.

He sat in the silence, activating the communication array. At first, there was only empty static. Yu Qing did not panic; a cultivator's greatest virtue is patient endurance.

Time ticked away. Four hours later, he remained stationary, reading a travelogue while sipping tea as the array pulsed with faint, expectant light.

Suddenly, a flash of white light erupted from the device. Yu Qing set his book aside. A voice emanated from the array, but it was not a command—it was a lecture on the profound truths of cultivation.

As the wisdom flowed into his ears, Yu Qing closed his eyes. His aura shifted as he entered a state of deep clarity, his inner Qi flowing with renewed vigor and life. In that singular moment, he touched the very brink of the great Dao. The breakthrough to the Island Lord rank was finally within his grasp.