Chapter 45: Still trying to make things difficult? I'm done pretending!

Sensing the immense, overwhelming essence radiating from Lin Xuan, the hundreds of clan members present were struck with terror; many were even left standing in a daze, paralyzed like wooden chickens!

Who could have imagined that the head of the Lin Family in Cloud Mist City had been hiding such profound strength!

Meanwhile, the Lin Family of Water Cloud City had grown numb to the affairs of the Great Yuan Pill region. They realized that the person they had provoked was actually a Three-Pass Divine Realm expert. If Lin Xuan decided to seek revenge, what would they do?

Cui Yongzhou stared fixedly at Lin Xuan. He was now certain: his own family's Fourth Elder, Cui Yongdi, had likely truly fallen at Lin Xuan's hands!

Ba Li watched Lin Xuan with a fierce, predatory gaze, his aged palms tightening and loosening slightly. This Lin Xuan—he must have deceived his son and Yang Chen back then, only to kill his son while possessing the Three-Pass Divine Realm. He truly deserved to die!

Hou Mingyu and Da Biao felt a profound sense of disbelief. They clearly remembered that not long ago, Lin Xuan was merely at the peak of the Great Yuan Pill Realm. To think that in such a short time, he had broken through to the Three-Pass Divine Realm—how terrifying!

The Three-Pass Divine Realm was not so easily attained; otherwise, why would there be so few such experts among the hundreds of billions of people in the Great Desolation Empire?

Looking at Huaqing Prefecture alone, the total number of visible Three-Pass Divine Realm experts combined was likely fewer than thirty...

Gong Ling of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce smiled faintly. Her intuition had not failed her; this fellow had indeed broken through to the Three-Pass Divine Realm. Although she didn't know how he had achieved it, a breakthrough was naturally a good thing.

The Bai family was also shocked. Beyond the shock, Bai Rong felt an even greater sense of regret. He felt a growing, inexplicable fear in his heart.

In contrast to the shock of the other clans, the members of the Lin family were cheering inwardly. If there hadn't been so many people present and the need to maintain the family's dignity, they would have truly jumped up and screamed with joy.

"Hehe, I assume our Lin Family is now qualified to sit up there, right?" Lin Xuan said with a chuckle, looking toward Xia Yi.

Xia Yi also emerged from her shock. Every year, dark horses appeared at the family gathering, but she hadn't expected it to be this headstrong patriarch this year. A family that had provoked both the Cui Family and the Spirit Martial Sect—they had hidden their strength well, but they likely wouldn't live long!

After all, neither the Cui Family nor Ba Li were pushovers. If the Lin Family were merely an ordinary family that had just ascended to One-Star status, they would be utterly unable to withstand the Cui Family and Ba Li!

"Hold on, Patriarch Lin. My apologies, but the seating in the First Area for every family gathering is limited. Therefore, there is still no place for your Lin Family this time. We will build a dedicated area for you at the next family gathering," Cui Yongzhou said with a "kind" reminder. In reality, he had already passed a death sentence on the Lin Family in his heart: *'There won't be a next time for your Lin Family!'*

Upon hearing this, some clans who were unaware of the situation actually believed there simply wasn't enough space.

However, clans with some insight could clearly see that the Cui Family was intentionally making things difficult for Lin Xuan!

It seemed the rumors of the good relationship between the Cui Family and Ba Li were true. With the Silver-Robed Elder of the Spirit Martial Sect joining forces with the Cui Family to target a small clan like the Lin Family, the Lin Family was truly caught in a storm!

Cui Yongzhou's words didn't sound like a mere excuse, as Star-level families were indeed officially recorded by the Great Desolation authorities. But Lin Xuan would not believe that there wasn't enough space.

Lin Xuan remembered that ten years ago, there were two more One-Star families than there were now. Since those two families had been wiped out, their spots should naturally be vacant.

This Cui Yongzhou actually thought he could bully him!

Lin Xuan gave a disdainful smile. Did he really think this old man was a pushover?

"Fine. If there isn't enough space, I accept your explanation, Patriarch Cui. However, I recall that seating can be determined through challenges!"

Lin Xuan's counter-question stunned Cui Yongzhou and the others. Such a rule actually existed.

This rule was established decades ago when there truly weren't enough seats in the First Area for all the Star-level families, so they established the principle that the seat belongs to the capable.

"Hehe, that rule does indeed exist. I can testify to that," Shangguan Jian unexpectedly responded with a smile, following up on Lin Xuan's words.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly toward Shangguan Jian with a smile. For those who showed him kindness, Lin Xuan would naturally return the courtesy.

The Bai and Cui families, as well as Ba Li, felt somewhat dissatisfied with the Shangguan family.

"Then it's settled. Can I now challenge any family I choose?" Lin Xuan asked with a faint smile.

"Yes. As long as you win, the seat of that family shall be yours," Gong Ling spoke up calmly.

The crowd was shocked once again. That mysterious branch president was actually helping Lin Xuan speak—it was simply unbelievable!

Shen Ao took a deep look at Lin Xuan, as if desperately trying to memorize his appearance.

"Very well. There is such a rule. Patriarch Lin, you may now select the family you wish to challenge from the stage. If you win, your Lin Family takes the seat; if you lose, you must withdraw," Xia Yi said, smiling as she returned the favor since Gong Ling had spoken up.

Lin Xuan nodded slightly and then scanned the dozen or so private boxes.

The three great families clearly did not fear his challenge. As for the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce and the Dragon-Tiger Gang, Lin Xuan saw no need to go head-to-head with them.

The Sun Family... Lin Xuan had investigated them. The head of the Sun Family, Sun Qianlong, was a late-stage Form-Conforming Realm expert and a top-tier combatant in the entire Huaqing Prefecture. Lin Xuan did not fear him, but there was no need to pick him.

Lin Xuan wanted to demonstrate his strength, but he had no intention of exposing his full power immediately; that would be foolish.

"You! The Zhao Family!" Lin Xuan said with a chuckle, looking toward the Zhao Family.

Lin Xuan had his reasons for choosing the Zhao Family.

The Zhao Family was a local One-Star power in Huaqing Prefecture. Their patriarch, Zhao Tai, was an early-stage Form-Conforming Realm expert. The entire clan operated under the leadership of the Cui Family and served as one of their important subordinates; for this reason, the two families were even linked by marriage.

"Do you really think my Zhao Family is a soft persimmon!?"

Seeing himself targeted, the Zhao patriarch, Zhao Tai, looked displeased. He flew down from his seat and landed in the center of the combat stage, his expression grim.

"Hehe, Patriarch Zhao, you misunderstand. I didn't choose you because I thought you were a soft persimmon," Lin Xuan said cheerfully.

"Then why!?" Zhao Tai retorted irritably.

"I simply think that stepping on your Zhao Family would be more fun," Lin Xuan responded softly.

The crowd froze. This headstrong patriarch was truly living up to his name!

Zhao Tai was stunned for a moment, then erupted in fury!

"Lin Xuan, you go too far!"

"Hammer of the Barbarian King!"

Zhao Tai pulled out a Ninth-Grade Mortal-rank heavy hammer and swung it directly at Lin Xuan, playing completely without martial ethics!

A Form-Conforming Realm expert was indeed formidable. This strike likely carried the force of dozens of tons. If someone in the Great Yuan Pill Realm tried to tank this hit, they would either die or be crippled!

Lin Xuan stepped with his Drifting Dragon Walk, moving as gracefully as a startled swan or a swimming dragon, dodging the blow with effortless elegance!

"Hehe, Patriarch Zhao, put a bit more strength into it. This old man can still handle it."