617: The subconscious mind begins to exert its influence.

"What?"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Lin Jing look surprised, but even Jiang Lu, who had been silent by her side, couldn't help but look up, her eyes filled with shock.

As expected of a faction named after an ancient Empire; as soon as they appeared, they dared to target Demon Suppressing City.

Lin Jing thought to herself, but her expression quickly returned to calm.

Demon Suppressing City was not within the territory of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect, and that desolate land was worthless to them. For He Dong and his people to take the city was not only harmless to the Lingxiao Immortal Sect, but it also provided an opportunity to glimpse the true foundation of this ancient faction.

She nodded slightly, her tone distant.

"Since it is Sect Master He's decision, then please suit yourself. The matters of Demon Suppressing City have nothing to do with my Lingxiao Immortal Sect. However... in that case, if Sect Master He has any needs in the future, my Lingxiao Immortal Sect is also willing to offer what little help we can."

"Haha, there's no need to trouble your noble Sect."

He Dong laughed heartily, and changing the subject, a shimmering blue potion appeared in his palm.

"By the way, Elder Lin Jing, as this is our first meeting, let this be a meeting gift between us."

He handed over the potion; the glass bottle glimmered with a clear light under the lamps.

Lin Jing took the potion, her fingertips feeling the cool glass. Her eyes fell on the clear liquid, and she couldn't help but ask.

"Is this the same kind of potion that can improve one's Physique from before?"

"No."

He Dong shook his head, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes.

"This is several times more effective than the previous potion."

"What?"

Hearing this, Lin Jing's pupils constricted instantly, her face filled with surprise.

The previous potion was already a Heaven-Defying existence, yet there was an even more powerful version... This ancient faction truly lived up to its reputation.

Somehow, a thought flashed through her mind without warning.

What a stroke of luck it would be to join such a faction.

"No!"

Lin Jing's heart jolted, and she quickly shook her head to dispel this absurd thought.

"I am an Inner Sect Elder of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect; how could I have such thoughts?"

She composed herself and cupped her hands to He Dong.

"Then I thank Sect Master He for his generous gift."

"It's nothing."

He Dong waved his hand, his tone casual but carrying an unmistakable undertone.

"The Empire has never been stingy toward friends and its own people. Elder Lin Jing, I still have some important matters to attend to, so I will have my subordinates show you both around this place."

"Then we won't disturb Sect Master He any further."

Lin Jing and Jiang Lu exchanged a look and bowed in departure.

Watching their figures disappear outside the office door, a smile slowly curled on He Dong's lips, but a cold glint flickered in his eyes.

What he had given Lin Jing was indeed an Enhanced Gene-Strengthening Potion, but it had already been secretly mixed with something called "Thought-Guiding Sustained-Release Agent" from the supplies Li Yang had sent.

And in a top-secret room deep within the base, that Subconscious Alteration Model I Experimental Device had already been quietly activated the moment the people from the Lingxiao Immortal Sect stepped into this area.

With the dual effects of the potion and the subconscious device, He Dong leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk, the curve of his lips becoming more pronounced.

He was completely confident that before long, Lin Jing would completely become one of their Empire's people... Led by the Imperial Military Officer, the people of the Lingxiao Immortal Sect also witnessed much of the Empire's might.

Metal supports were driven deep into the ground, and a pitch-black heavy artillery weapon stood on the wilderness, its muzzle flashing with a cold metallic luster.

"What kind of weapon is this? It clearly has no Spiritual Qi fluctuations, yet its power is comparable to a strike from the Golden Core Stage."

A Disciple cried out in shock, his pupils shrinking as he watched the distant hill leveled by the artillery fire.

That earth-shattering strike just now hadn't leaked even a hint of Spiritual Qi, yet it had forcibly torn through space and blown a hundred-foot-high mountain peak into powder. Such power far exceeded the full-strength blow of a Cultivator of the same level.

"They don't look like Cultivators at all. Is this an ancient faction? They are completely different from us now."

The hand of the Disciple next to him trembled slightly, his eyes fixed on the Imperial Soldiers who were still demonstrating various weapons for them.

Dressed in uniform battle armor, their steps were in perfect unison. No Spiritual Qi flowed during their movements, yet they exuded a heart-palpitating aura of slaughter, as if they were precision-tuned war machines—completely different from these Cultivators who relied on breathing in Spiritual Qi to Cultivate.

Everyone was shocked by the might displayed by the Empire.

The original arrogance on their faces had long since vanished, replaced by deep awe and shock. Many instinctively held their breath, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Combined with the factor of the subconscious device, in just one day, the same thoughts as Lin Jing's surfaced in many people's minds.

"How wonderful it would be if I could join this faction..."

Once this thought took root, it grew wildly like weeds, impossible to shake off.

Looking at the battle armor on the Imperial Soldiers, the black uniforms on the officers, and those infinitely powerful weapons, their eyes were full of envy. They felt that if they could become a member of this faction, they would be willing even if it meant giving up their status as Sect Disciples.

To this end, He Dong also went to great lengths, giving everyone from the Lingxiao Immortal Sect a bottle of special potion. Although the effect was slightly worse than the one given to Lin Jing, it was also mixed with various subconscious-influencing agents.

The pale blue potion sloshed slowly in the bottles. When everyone drank it, they only felt a warm current spreading through their Meridians and across their bodies, an indescribable comfort. Yet no one knew that hidden within that power was a force capable of subtly changing the human heart.

Of course, the supplies Li Yang sent definitely weren't enough, so He Dong directly ordered the Research Department to analyze these potions and recreate them.

In the Research Department's laboratory, various instruments hummed. Researchers in white protective suits placed the potion samples sent by Li Yang into analyzers. Complex molecular formulas constantly flickered on the screens, and the potion's components were soon thoroughly dissected.

Anyway, with the Conversion Device, whatever raw Materials were needed could be produced as long as there was enough energy.

As long as enough energy was input, any substance could be converted into the necessary raw Materials, providing a steady supply for potion production. He Dong looked at the data on the screen, a meaningful curve hooking the corner of his mouth... Three days passed, and Lin Jing and the others had not yet emerged from the Forbidden Ground. This made Xu Yuan somewhat worried, but the Life Plaque Lin Jing left in the Sect had not shattered, indicating she was not in mortal danger.

The Life Plaque floated quietly above the jade altar enshrined in the Elders' Hall, its lustrous white halo flowing steadily without any sign of dimming. Xu Yuan's hanging heart settled slightly.

The inside and outside of the Forbidden Ground were isolated, with no news getting through. No one knew what was happening inside. He looked at the mist-shrouded mountains outside the hall and pondered.

"Perhaps Elder Lin and the others stayed so long to gather more information."

"After all, that so-called Forbidden Land Faction exuded strangeness and power everywhere. Every bit more they understood was another layer of security for the Sect."