Chapter 22: Rewards Based on Merit

The Lin Estate

After Lin Xuan and the others finished clearing the spoils of war, they gathered all the second-generation members of the Lin family, as well as the third-generation disciples who had reached the Kaiyuan Realm.

The discussion hall of the Wu family residence was indeed larger and more luxurious than that of the Lin family.

Lin Xuan sat in the highest position. Below him sat Lin Wen and Lin Wu, while the rest of the first, second, and third generations were arranged in order of strength and seniority.

Lin Yang led the second generation, and Lin Ao led the third generation.

Of course, Lin Fan also participated in today's meeting. After all, Lin Fan was Lin Xuan's only son and the Young Clan Leader of the Lin family; as long as Lin Xuan stood, Lin Fan would forever remain the Young Clan Leader.

Lin Fan and Lin Xue'er were seated in relatively low positions—below the second generation but above the third—which was a specific arrangement made by Lin Xuan.

"From this day forward, the Wu, Fang, and Jia families shall no longer exist in Cloud Mist City. Our Lin family and the Xiao family will co-govern Cloud Mist City," Lin Xuan spoke calmly.

As soon as Lin Xuan uttered these words, everyone broke into smiles. Many members of the Lin family could not help but stand up, dancing with joy.

The Lin family had been suppressed by the three great families for so long, and now they could finally hold their heads high.

It wasn't just about pride; they had directly counter-killed the three great families, and all of this was thanks to their Clan Leader. At this thought, the eyes of the crowd filled with even more reverence as they looked at Lin Xuan.

"Before the battle, I said that the greater the merit, the greater the reward. Now is the time for me to fulfill my promise."

Lin Xuan sat in the main seat with his legs crossed, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Everyone was overjoyed, but no one made a scene, especially the second and third generations of the collateral branches, who were extremely excited.

In other families, collateral branches were always just collateral branches unless they possessed the strength to threaten the main lineage, which they clearly did not. However, the Clan Leader treated them with absolute equality, which moved them deeply.

"Second generation, Lin Yang. You did well. Your reward is one thousand essence stones, one Grade 9 martial arts manual, and one Grade 9 Mortal-rank weapon. Go to the Martial Arts Pavilion and the Weapon Pavilion to collect your rewards yourself." Lin Xuan's first reward went to Lin Yang because Lin Yang had indeed contributed significantly, and he was currently the representative figure of the Lin family's second generation.

"Lin Yang thanks the Clan Leader!"

Lin Yang was ecstatic. A Grade 9 martial arts manual and a Grade 9 Mortal-rank weapon—if he equipped himself with these, his strength would surely skyrocket!

Others watched this scene with intense envy, but who could blame them? Lin Yang had the merit to back it up!

Lin Wu, Lin Yang's father, watched this scene and nodded secretly, feeling immensely gratified.

"Next, Lin Shan. Your combat merit this time was also quite good. Your reward is three hundred essence stones, one Grade 7 martial arts manual, and one Grade 7 Mortal-rank weapon."

"Lin Shan thanks the Clan Leader."

"Next, Lin Hai..."

Lin Xuan called them out one by one, but these were all members of the Lin main lineage.

Finally, it was time for the collateral branches.

"Lin Feng."

Lin Xuan looked toward a second-generation member of the collateral branch whom he had been paying close attention to. At just over thirty years old, Lin Feng had reached the seventh level of the Kaiyuan Realm, which was quite impressive.

"Lin Feng is present." Hearing the Clan Leader call his name, Lin Feng stood up steadily.

"Mhm, Lin Feng. I watched your performance throughout this entire battle, and you did very well," Lin Xuan praised with a smile.

Even though Lin Feng was a man of stable temperament, being praised so highly by his Clan Leader caused him to blush uncontrollably, feeling a sense of achievement unlike any he had ever known.

The other collateral disciples were also extremely excited. Although they weren't the ones being praised, seeing a member of their branch receive the Clan Leader's recognition felt entirely different.

"Lin Feng, age thirty-two, eighth level of the Kaiyuan Realm, Grade 5 martial arts, Grade 5 weapon... not quite good enough."

Lin Xuan frowned slightly as he looked at the records.

"Let's do this: a reward of one Kaiyuan Pill, one Grade 8 martial arts manual, one Grade 8 Mortal-rank weapon, and five hundred essence stones!"

"What!?"

Everyone from both the main lineage and the collateral branches was shocked. It wasn't that the reward was too small, but that it far exceeded their expectations.

"This!?" Lin Feng stood frozen on the spot, his lips trembling.

"What? Are you dissatisfied with the reward I've given?"

Lin Xuan looked at Lin Feng with a chuckle.

"Lin Feng thanks the Clan Leader! For the sake of the Lin family, Lin Feng is willing to give his life!"

Lin Feng knelt on both knees in excitement and kowtowed three times to Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan stood up and quickly helped Lin Feng to his feet.

"Your grandfather and my father were biological brothers. I am also your elder; we are all one family."

"Yes, Clan Leader," Lin Feng nodded.

The collateral branches' respect and worship for Lin Xuan as Clan Leader grew even deeper.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan looked at his father, his eyes filled with reverence.

"Haha, alright, Lin Feng. Here is the Kaiyuan Pill. As for the other rewards, they have been issued; go collect them yourself when they arrive."

As Lin Xuan spoke, he took a Kaiyuan Pill from his storage bag and tossed it to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng held the pill with both hands and bowed in thanks once more.

"Next..."

All the second-generation collateral disciples received rewards; the greater the merit, the richer the reward. Everyone was completely won over by Lin Xuan's methods.

"Now, for the third generation."

Lin Xuan scanned over Lin Ao, Lin Long, Lin Lin, and the others.

Feeling Lin Xuan's gaze, Lin Ao and the others immediately sat up straight and composed.

The third generation originally had no right to enter the discussion hall, but being here now gave them a different feeling—as if they had finally grown up and could stand with their elders to resist external enemies!

"Lin Ao, twenty years old, fourth level of the Kaiyuan Realm. Very good. You are no weaker than I was back then," Lin Xuan said, looking at Lin Ao with a smile.

Hearing praise from his most respected Third Granduncle, the usually cold and aloof Lin Ao could not help but reveal an uncharacteristic smile.

"Haha, one Kaiyuan Pill, one Grade 7 weapon, one Grade 7 martial arts manual, plus three hundred essence stones."

Lin Xuan waved his hand; the rewards were bountiful.

Many people gasped. Lin Ao's reward was better than that of most of the second generation!

Overjoyed, Lin Ao immediately stood up and cupped his hands

"Lin Ao thanks Third Granduncle!"

"Mhm, good, very good."

Lin Xuan smiled and waved him down to sit.

Lin Shan was grinning from ear to ear. Although he, as a father, wasn't much, his eldest son was truly making him proud!

"Lin Chang'an."

This was a third-generation member of the collateral branch and the leader among them. He was an excellent individual—eighteen years old, second level of the Kaiyuan Realm, even slightly surpassing Lin Ao!

"Lin Chang'an is present."

Lin Chang'an immediately stepped forward.

"As a third-generation collateral disciple, I have been paying special attention to you. Very well done. One Kaiyuan Pill, three hundred essence stones, a Grade 7 weapon, and a Grade 7 martial arts manual—the same as Lin Ao!"

"Lin Chang'an will strive to be more like the Clan Leader!"

Overwhelmed with joy, Lin Chang'an knelt and bowed in thanks.

"The Lin family does not practice the kneeling ritual. In the future, a simple cupping of hands will suffice."

"Yes."

"All other third-generation members shall also receive rewards."