Chapter 25: The Huaqing Mansion Family Gathering

Lin Estate, East Side Courtyard

Carrying some supplements, Lin Xuan walked straight toward a small courtyard, where two figures—a man and a woman—sat facing each other in conversation.

The woman was none other than Lin Xue'er. As for the man, he sat in a wheelchair, sharing a fifty-percent resemblance to Lin Xuan in his handsome features.

"Third Uncle," Lin Xue'er said, bowing respectfully to Lin Xuan.

"Third Brother," the man also nodded to Lin Xuan, a smile appearing on his face.

"How are you feeling, Fourth Brother? Is your leg feeling any better now?"

Lin Xuan stepped forward and sat down in front of Lin Chunfeng.

The man before him was named Lin Chunfeng, Lin Xuan's biological fourth brother. He had once been a renowned genius in Huaqing Prefecture and even throughout the Eastern Province. Unfortunately, heaven envied his talent; Lin Chunfeng had been severely injured during an expedition and was barely clinging to life when he dragged his broken body back to the Lin family.

Lin Xuan had exhausted all his strength to save Lin Chunfeng's life, but unfortunately, he could not preserve his cultivation.

Lin Chunfeng's eight meridians were completely destroyed, making it nearly impossible for him to step into the path of martial arts again.

One must know that Lin Chunfeng was five years younger than Lin Xuan. Before reaching the age of thirty, he had already entered the Three-Tong Divine Realm, but by the time he was forty, he was crippled.

"Haha, Third Brother, you don't need to treat me anymore. I know the state of my own leg, and I know my own body."

Lin Chunfeng showed a smiling face, though a hint of loneliness lingered in the depths of his eyes.

Lin Xuan was speechless, and Lin Xue'er's eyes were filled with heartache for her father.

"Don't worry, Fourth Brother. I will find a precious medicine to treat your meridians."

Lin Xuan stood up and patted Lin Chunfeng on the shoulder with great determination.

Lin Xuan truly did not believe that with the support of his System, he wouldn't be able to treat his own younger brother.

"Haha, thank you, Third Brother."

Lin Chunfeng gave a carefree laugh, a very heartwarming smile.

"I remember you were injured while saving a woman, right?" Lin Xuan suddenly asked.

Lin Chunfeng fell silent.

"Sigh, to end up like this for the sake of a woman you love... was it worth it?" Lin Xuan asked with deep sympathy.

"Haha, Third Brother, actually, we are the same kind of people. I think it was worth it. Even though I don't even know her name now, I think it was worth it."

Lin Chunfeng waved his hand, appearing even more free-spirited.

"Her name was Ling'er, right? I will find this person for you later."

After saying this, Lin Xuan left the East Courtyard before Lin Chunfeng could respond.

Lin Chunfeng let out a soft sigh, and that clever, spirited figure appeared in his mind.

"Ling'er... I think her name was Ling'er."

...

Tongtian Chamber of Commerce

As Lin Xuan slowly walked into the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, Manager He immediately greeted him with a smile.

"Clan Leader Lin, our President has been waiting for you for a long time. Please, follow me upstairs."

Manager He might have once looked down on Lin Xuan, but as a manager of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, he knew somewhat about the fact that Lin Xuan had killed Cui Yongdi. That was no simple character.

"Haha, alright."

Lin Xuan nodded slightly and then headed toward the ninth floor of the chamber.

"Come in."

Gong Ling, sensing Lin Xuan's Yuan Qi, spoke indifferently from within the pavilion.

Lin Xuan did not stand on ceremony and pushed the door open directly.

The first thing that met his eyes was Gong Ling.

Gong Ling still maintained that cold, detached expression, as if she were devoid of human emotion.

Lin Xuan curled his lip; how had that innocent and cute little girl turned into this kind of person?

"Sit," Gong Ling said without looking up from the letter in her hand.

Lin Xuan said nothing and sat directly on the sofa.

"Huaqing Prefecture probably doesn't know yet that you killed their Fourth Elder, but once they find out, they will definitely move against your Lin family."

Gong Ling put the letter back into her storage ring and looked up, speaking calmly.

"Move against my Lin family? Do you mean the Cui family will send people to our Yunwu City?"

A sharp light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.

"Haha, even a powerful dragon is hard to suppress a local snake. The fact that you could kill Cui Yongdi proves that the Lin family is not something an ordinary Tongxing Realm expert can destroy. Therefore, they most likely won't act against you within Yunwu City."

The corners of Gong Ling's lips curled slightly.

"Hmm?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. If they weren't acting in Yunwu City, then it must be...

"The Huaqing Prefecture Family Gathering!"

Lin Xuan gritted his teeth as he spat out those words.

"Exactly. It seems you've already thought of it. It's the Family Gathering. That will be the time."

Gong Ling nodded slightly.

The Family Gathering was the grandest banquet in Huaqing Prefecture, held once every five years. It was a massive assembly for all the families from the eighteen cities under the jurisdiction of Huaqing Prefecture!

Any family with a member in the Yuandan Realm was required to attend this gathering in Huaqing Prefecture.

It was a time to demonstrate family strength and showcase a family's value and future!

Not only would the older generation compete, but the younger generation would also participate in various contests.

The substantial benefit was the distribution of resources. Furthermore, if a genius within a family was spotted by a major sect or a great power, it would be a meteoric rise to success.

Additionally, this served as a power assessment. Families within the Great Desolate Empire were divided into nine star levels.

A family with one Tongxing Realm expert could become a One-Star family. Three or more Tongxing Realm experts and fifteen or more Great Yuandan Realm experts could become a Two-Star family. A family with five or more Tongxing Realm experts, including at least one expert at the Great Perfection of the Tongxing Realm, could be rated as a Three-Star family.

The Cui family was currently a Two-Star family.

Calculating the time, the Huaqing Prefecture Family Gathering was only half a month away.

As one of the only two remaining major families in Yunwu City, the Lin family had to attend. If the Lin family failed to go, they would be suspected of showing contempt for the gathering and Huaqing Prefecture.

"It seems even the heavens want to make things difficult for me."

Lin Xuan shook his head with a smile. Although he said this, his face did not show much distress.

"If you feel it is too difficult, I can help you resolve this matter," Gong Ling said indifferently.

"I originally thought you came to hold me accountable, but I didn't expect you to help me time and time again," Lin Xuan said with a wry smile.

"Haha, don't get ahead of yourself. Once I help you, I will have no further contact with you. I am simply helping my former Ninth Senior Brother."

Gong Ling's cold words made Lin Xuan let out a bitter laugh.

It seemed that his sudden departure in the past was something some people still held a grudge over.

"Is Wu Yue doing well?"

After a long silence, Lin Xuan could not help but ask.

Gong Ling gave Lin Xuan a disdainful look and said coldly

"Haha, you finally know how to care about your sister."

Lin Xuan rubbed his head awkwardly.

"Hmph, Sister is now the teacher to the current Crown Prince of the Great Desolate Empire. Furthermore, the suitors around her are all experts in the Tongling or even the Tongshen Realms. With your current status and strength, you have no chance."

Gong Ling spoke with intentional sarcasm.

Lin Xuan's expression remained calm, showing no change.

"Good. That puts my mind at ease."

Lin Xuan's simple sentence made Gong Ling feel as if she were seeing her Ninth Senior Brother once again.

(End of Chapter)