Chapter 13: Movements on All Sides

Xiao Family

“This Lin Xuan is no simple character. He defeated Yang Chen and Ba Tong with ease, and even killed Ba Tong outright. He is not simple at all.”

Sitting in the main seat, the old patriarch of the Xiao family was so startled by Xiao Lingyun’s report that he dropped his cane.

After steadying his nerves, Xiao Shanhe couldn't stop singing Lin Xuan’s praises, the words “not simple” tumbling out of his mouth repeatedly.

This level of strength had already far surpassed his own.

“Father, what should our next step be?”

“You are the legitimate head of the Xiao family now; you must learn to make your own decisions.”

Xiao Shanhe said with a huff.

Xiao Lingyun pondered for a moment, then said with a hint of firmness

“Father, I believe we should befriend Lin Xuan. I cannot see through this man. More importantly, when I was at the venue, I sensed that Lin Xuan shares a mysterious relationship with President Gong Ling of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce.”

“Oh?” Xiao Shanhe’s interest was piqued at the mention of this.

“President Gong of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce has an unusual relationship with that Lin Xuan?”

“Yes, Father. I could tell that President Gong seems to care quite a bit about him,” Xiao Lingyun said with certainty.

“Hmm, that makes it even better. Then we shall stand on the side of the Lin family. The Lin family will surely make a move against the three great families within this half-month. When that time comes, we can lend him a helping hand!”

Xiao Shanhe thought it over and chose to bet his chips on Lin Xuan.

“Very well, I will go make the arrangements.”

Just as Xiao Lingyun was about to walk out, Xiao Shanhe added, “Oh, right. There has been news from the Xiao clan headquarters these past few days. The clan grand competition is in three years. During these three years, you must ensure Xiao Ya’er is fully prepared. Whether our Xiao family can return to the clan depends on her.”

“As for the Lin family’s affairs, just treat it as an investment.”

“Understood, Father.”

Hearing the news that they might return to the clan, Xiao Lingyun was extremely excited; his voice involuntarily rose a notch.

……

Wu Family

Inside the Wu family courtyard, five people were gathered!

Two Great Yuan Dan realm experts of the Wu family: the family head, Wu Yifan, and the Great Elder, Wu Feng.

Jia Ling of the Jia family, Fang Xuan of the Fang family, and a mysterious man in a black robe.

“I dare say, within a month, that old dog of the Lin family will likely make a move against our three great families!”

Wu Yifan said with ironclad certainty.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone except the black-robed man looked at each other in dismay.

“That’s unlikely, isn't it? The Lin family only has Lin Xuan as a Great Yuan Dan realm expert. How could they possibly invade our three great families!?”

The one who spoke was the head of the Jia family, Jia Ling.

Although Fang Xuan of the Fang family didn't speak, his eyes revealed his disbelief.

Fang Xuan admitted that Lin Xuan’s strength was formidable, but he didn't believe Lin Xuan would dare to confront their three families alone.

One had to know that apart from Lin Xuan, the rest of the Lin family were nothing but a bunch of small fry.

“Heh…”

Seeing Jia Ling and Fang Xuan so confident, a flash of disdain crossed Wu Yifan’s eyes. These two idiots were truly hopelessly stupid.

“That Lin Xuan was able to kill Ba Tong single-handedly. You must know that Yang Chen was at the peak of the Great Yuan Dan realm, yet he was still forcefully defeated by Lin Xuan. This shows that Lin Xuan’s strength is something that even all of us combined might not be able to withstand.”

“The Lin family doesn't have many people, nor do they have any other powerhouses. Among our families, we have quite a few Small Yuan Dan realm experts, not to mention the many vassal families we have,” Jia Ling retorted, still unconvinced.

“And what if the City Lord’s Mansion, the Xiao family, also gets involved!?”

Suddenly, the black-robed man at the side spoke up.

Seeing the black-robed man speak, Jia Ling and Fang Xuan looked at Wu Yifan in confusion.

“Heh, let me introduce you two. This is an expert I invited from Huaqing Prefecture!”

“Huaqing Prefecture!?”

Fang Xuan and Jia Ling were shocked, and the way they looked at the black-robed man became a bit more solemn.

“Heh heh heh…”

The black-robed man laughed as he watched their expressions change.

“I am Elder Cui Jian of the Cui family in Huaqing Prefecture. Our Cui family will help you wipe out those Lin family scumbags!”

The black-robed man’s words shocked the group once again.

The Cui family of Huaqing Prefecture was one of the three great families of the prefecture!

Huaqing Prefecture had six major powers: the City Lord’s Mansion, the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, the Dragon-Tiger Gang, the Shangguan family, the Bai family, and the Cui family.

The fact that the Cui family could be one of the three great families of Huaqing Prefecture meant that their family was truly teeming with experts.

At the very least, a Great Yuan Dan realm expert in the Cui family was likely only considered an ordinary minor elder.

The elders with real power were likely experts at the Three Divine Realms!

For such a family to wipe out their three families would be an effortless task!

“Fang Xuan (Jia Ling) pays respects to Elder Cui Jian.”

The two dared not be negligent and immediately stood up to bow.

“No need for formalities. Let me briefly explain my purpose. This time, Lin Xuan killed Ba Tong, the son of Elder Ba Li. Elder Ba Li cannot act due to his status, and since our Great Elder is an old friend of Ba Li, our Cui family will handle this matter for him!”

Cui Jian’s words made Jia Ling and Fang Xuan suddenly realize the truth, while Wu Yifan had already known.

Ba Li was the Silver-Robed Elder of the Lingwu Sect and Ba Tong’s father.

The Lingwu Sect’s rules were very strict, and since Ba Tong had signed a life-and-death contract himself, it was difficult for Ba Li to intervene, so he could only entrust the Cui family to help.

Although Ba Li was only a Silver-Robed Elder, his status was still significant, and given his formidable strength, the Cui family was naturally happy to do him a favor.

“With the Cui family involved, killing Lin Xuan will be an effortless task!”

Great Elder Wu Feng said with a smile.

“Indeed, indeed. With the Cui family involved, the Lin family can be wiped out with a wave of the hand,” Fang Xuan and Jia Ling chimed in with flattery.

“Wait!” Cui Jian raised his hand. “This time, our Cui family cannot exert too much effort because there are also conflicts within Huaqing Prefecture. Our Cui family is being closely watched by the Bai family and the Shangguan family. If we mobilize too many people, it will be easy for them to notice.”

“Especially since this Lin Xuan is the sworn brother of Bai Rong of the Bai family; our Cui family is also worried about the Bai family getting involved.”

“Then what should we do?”

Fang Xuan and Jia Ling were a bit confused. If the Cui family couldn't act, what was the point of them playing along?!

Did they expect them to work for the Cui family for free?!

“Rest assured, our Fourth Elder of the Cui family happens to be heading to the Cui family’s No. 6 mine. He will take a detour to Cloud Mist City to help you wipe out the Lin family!”

Cui Jian’s calm words felt like a spring breeze brushing against the hearts of Jia Ling and the others.

The Fourth Elder of the Cui family—a Three Divine Realms expert, a master of the Form-Manifestation Realm!

This was a realm they had never even touched!

With a master of the Form-Manifestation Realm involved, the Lin family could be wiped out with a flip of the hand!

“Hahaha, with the help of the Cui family’s Fourth Elder, I believe that even the Xiao family wouldn't dare to get involved. And even if they did, they could be killed all the same!”

Wu Yifan’s eyes burned with intensity. If the Xiao family were wiped out too, would his Wu family become the new masters of Cloud Mist City?

“The Xiao family cannot be touched. Their backing is extraordinary.”

To this, Cui Jian only said coldly.

This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over Wu Yifan’s head.

Wu Yifan was silenced, but he dared not contradict Cui Jian.

“Very well, Elder Cui, when shall we attack the Lin family!?”

“In half a month. Our Fourth Elder will set off in thirteen days, and he will come directly to Cloud Mist City to rendezvous with you.”

“Then let’s meet here when the time comes!” Wu Yifan stood up and said.

“Agreed!”

……

Lin Family

After returning from the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, Lin Xuan buried the past deep in his heart. Now was a new beginning; the past would only serve to bind him!

“Greetings, Family Head!”

“Greetings, Third Uncle!”

“Greetings, Third Grandfather!”

“……”

Upon entering the mansion, everyone he encountered greeted him respectfully.

Although the Lin family was not large, it was not small either. It consisted not only of Lin Xuan’s main branch but also several smaller branches, with relationships tracing back to Lin Xuan’s grandfather’s generation, all now part of one clan.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, have everyone from the second generation come to the meeting hall. I have something to say.”

Lin Xuan said calmly.

“Mm, alright.”

The two moved with lightning speed and quickly gathered everyone from the second generation.

There were ten people in total, led by Lin Yang, simply because Lin Yang was now in the Small Yuan Dan realm.

“Greetings, Family Head.” Everyone bowed.

“Sit.”

“Thank you, Family Head.”