Chapter 14: The Gathering Storm

Lin Xuan sat in the main seat, casting a glance around the room.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu both appeared to be in much better spirits than they had been in the past.

"Calculating the time, Yang Chen should have already returned to the Lingwu Sect by now."

Lin Xuan’s words caused everyone to choke. The Lingwu Sect was a towering mountain that no cultivator in the Eastern Province could hope to overcome.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, Lin Xuan continued: "I killed the son of the Lingwu Sect elder, Ba Li. That man will absolutely not let this matter rest. Perhaps he already has schemes waiting for us."

"We aren't afraid, Patriarch! At worst, we’ll just drag them down with us!"

The speaker was Lin Gu, a second-generation member of the Lin family’s collateral branch. He was at the sixth level of the Kaiyuan Realm; his talent wasn't bad, and he had a backbone of steel.

"That’s right! We’ll fight them to the death!"

The others immediately chimed in.

There were no cowards in the Lin family!

Lin Xuan was very satisfied with the current atmosphere in the family. Lin Wen and Lin Wu also nodded slightly with smiles on their faces.

"Heh, it hasn't reached the point where we need to drag them down with us yet."

Lin Xuan smiled and raised a hand, cutting off the crowd’s boiling blood.

The room fell silent.

"On the contrary, this time, I intend to wipe out the Wu, Jia, and Fang families and unify Cloud Mist City in one fell swoop!"

"What!?" The crowd’s expressions changed in shock.

Even Lin Wen and Lin Wu looked at Lin Xuan in disbelief.

Everyone felt that their Patriarch had gone mad!

The three great families were not just some ordinary small clans.

"We can no longer coexist with the three families. The Wu family still owes us eighty thousand origin stones. Furthermore, Ba Tong is dead, and it is highly likely that Ba Li will contact the three families. Between us and them, only one can survive!"

Lin Xuan’s words caused the others to nod slightly; there was no lack of clever people among the second generation of the Lin family.

Lin Yang looked at Lin Xuan and asked

"Patriarch, does that mean we need allies?"

"Correct. The City Lord’s Xiao family will be our ally."

"The Xiao family? Will the old master of the Xiao family really ally with us to deal with the three great families?"

Lin Yang frowned slightly.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu also frowned and shook their heads.

"Haha, that is why we have Fan'er. Fan'er and Xiao Ya have such a good relationship. If I promise them a heavy reward, I’m not worried that the Xiao family won't be tempted."

Lin Xuan laughed heartily.

Everyone shared a knowing smile.

Everyone knew that while their young master might not be exceptional at cultivation, he had a good face, and girls liked him.

The Xiao family’s little princess, Xiao Ya, didn't look at anyone else, only chasing after Lin Fan’s heels every day, calling him "Brother Fan" at every turn.

"Is this really appropriate?"

Lin Hai scratched the back of his head, looking honest and simple.

"You brat, what’s inappropriate about it!?"

Lin Wen scolded him, feeling that he wasn't living up to expectations. Lin Hai shrank his neck, not daring to say another word.

"This time, I will grant rewards based on your contributions. Collateral disciples will be treated the same as the main branch. Those who contribute will be heavily rewarded!"

This last statement from Lin Xuan was what they cared about most.

Especially the collateral disciples; they were constantly thinking about the rewards from the Patriarch.

"This disciple will serve the Lin family even unto death without regret!"

...

After the meeting, everyone went about their respective duties.

Lin Xuan arrived at the back mountain and saw Lin Fan meditating.

Lin Xuan vaguely saw a golden dragon shadow coiling around his son, breathing in the essence of heaven and earth!

"This fortune... it’s a bit terrifying."

Lin Xuan muttered to himself.

His son was truly no ordinary person.

Lin Fan, Lin Fan—this name had been chosen by the child’s mother.

"Meng'er, our child is not a cripple; he is a genius!"

Lin Xuan whispered to himself.

"Father."

Lin Fan sensed someone approaching and immediately exited his meditative state. Seeing it was Lin Xuan, he walked over with a smile.

"You brat, it seems you’ve been hiding deeper than anyone!"

Lin Xuan placed a hand on Lin Fan’s shoulder and discovered that his son’s aura had already reached the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm, just one step away from the Kaiyuan Realm.

"Hehe, otherwise how would I have made that bet with Bai Yuran?"

Lin Fan gave a cunning smile.

Lin Xuan chuckled. This rascal really had inherited his father’s good habits!

"Fine, you continue your cultivation. When the time comes, just have Xiao Ya give this note to the head of the Xiao family."

Lin Xuan handed Lin Fan a note. Lin Fan accepted it readily without asking for the reason.

"Father, I’m out of resources." After putting the note away, Lin Fan looked at Lin Xuan with expectant eyes.

Lin Xuan rolled his eyes, tossed five hundred origin stones to Lin Fan, and headed down the mountain.

Logically, one didn't need origin stones before reaching the Kaiyuan Realm, but Lin Xuan wouldn't pry into why his son needed them.

Watching Lin Xuan’s departing back, Lin Fan felt the origin stones in his hand weighed a thousand pounds. His father loved him unconditionally and trusted him completely.

[Kid, believe it or not, I feel like this father of yours is extremely extraordinary.]

"What do you mean?"

[Hahaha, nothing much. I can't quite see through your father, but fortunately, he isn't your enemy—he’s your father!]

...

Tongtian Chamber of Commerce

Gong Ling held the information in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed. The Cui family had been restless these past few days, even receiving guests from the Lingwu Sect, and the fourth elder of the Cui family was heading to Mine No. 6.

Gong Ling smelled danger.

"Is this news accurate?"

"Reporting to the President, it is absolutely true."

Gong Ling put down the report and thought for a moment. "Very well, send this information to the Lin family. Also, give this card to him as well."

"Ah? This is our Chamber’s Gold Card. Isn't that only for those at the Tongling Realm?" Manager He was shocked as he took the card. He had only heard of it in his life, never seen it; in all his years, he had only ever seen copper cards.

"Heh, a Gold Card. If it weren't for the fact that this is all I can give right now, I’d give him a Purple Gold Card. Just do as I say and give it to him."

Gong Ling narrowed her eyes. Every time she thought about how her sister was losing sleep and worrying day and night over that scoundrel, she felt a surge of irritation!

"Yes, President. I will personally deliver the card to the Lin family."

Manager He felt his worldview collapsing. What kind of background did this Lin Xuan have!?

A Gold Card—that was a rare treasure that granted a thirty percent discount at the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce!

The three great families were going to be finished this time!

...

Ten days later

Lin Family Residence

"I am deeply honored that the head of the Xiao family could come today."

Lin Xuan looked at Xiao Lingyun and cupped his hands with a smile.

"Hehe, you are too kind. Now, Patriarch Lin is rumored to be the number one expert in Cloud Mist City."

Xiao Lingyun didn't put on any airs as a City Lord and replied with a smile.

Lin Xuan sipped his tea, looking at Xiao Ya, who was beside Xiao Lingyun.

"Xiao Ya, that brat Lin Fan is in the back mountain. You can go find him directly."

"Ah! Really? Thank you, Uncle Lin! You’re the best."

Xiao Ya had already been distracted; upon hearing this, she vanished in a flash. Xiao Lingyun could only sigh helplessly.

"Brother Lin, you’ve raised a good son. My girl here is truly fond of Lin Fan." Xiao Lingyun said with a bitter smile.

Hearing this, Lin Xuan laughed heartily. He was a handsome man himself, and with Lin Fan’s mother being a peerless beauty, Lin Fan naturally wouldn't be lacking in looks.

"Alright, Brother Xiao, there have been some changes regarding the matter from a few days ago."

Lin Xuan suddenly put away his smile and became serious.

Xiao Lingyun also instinctively stopped smiling. "Changes?"

"Yes. My original plan was to take the initiative and attack the three families, but now, I think we can wait for them to come to us."

Lin Xuan said with a smile.

He trusted Gong Ling’s information implicitly.

After all, if Gong Ling really wanted to harm him, she could just come over and finish him off; there was no need for such roundabout methods.

"Why is that?"

Xiao Lingyun was puzzled.

"Hehe, the three families will likely attack our Lin family in five days. We just need to wait for them here."

Lin Xuan remained full of smiles, taking a sip of his high-quality Biluochun tea.

"Hehe, it seems Patriarch Lin’s intelligence network is more efficient than anyone’s."

Xiao Lingyun knew he had bet correctly!

The Lin family’s intelligence network couldn't possibly be stronger than the Xiao family’s, yet the Xiao family knew nothing of this.

That meant Lin Xuan had someone behind him providing the information.

In Cloud Mist City, besides the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, Xiao Lingyun couldn't think of anyone more powerful than the Xiao family.

"Hahaha, Patriarch Xiao, when it comes time to split the spoils, we agreed on a seventy-thirty split—seventy for me, thirty for you."

Lin Xuan had already determined the outcome of the battle.

"No problem. Thirty percent is more than enough for our Xiao family!"

Xiao Lingyun agreed with a smile.