Chapter 44: I'm Not Keeping a Low Profile Anymore!

“No time to lose, let us begin now.”

Hou Mingyu clapped her hands with a smile.

“Very well. Since the Little Prince has spoken, our family gathering shall commence immediately. Everyone, please make your way to the Huaqing Battle Stage!”

The Huaqing Battle Stage was aptly named; it was the largest martial arts arena in the Huaqing Prefecture. Built with imperial funds, the actual control of the venue rested in the hands of the Prefect.

When the crowd arrived at the stage, those who had never been there before were struck with awe.

The Huaqing Battle Stage was immense, filled with a dizzying array of various competition apparatuses.

Members of the various great families began to file into the arena.

The platform featured tens of thousands of seats arranged in four distinct zones.

The first zone was the most prestigious, featuring private luxury boxes known as the Star-Level Family Zone. The name alone made it clear that one had to belong to a Star-Level family to occupy a seat there.

The second zone was the City Lord Zone, reserved for the rulers of the various cities.

The third was the Great Yuan Dan Realm Family Zone.

The fourth was the Small Yuan Dan Realm Family Zone.

Star-level powers such as the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, the Bai family, the Shangguan family, the Cui family, the Dragon-Tiger Gang, and the Sun family headed straight for the first zone.

As Cui Yongzhou passed by Lin Xuan, whether intentionally or not, he cast a contemptuous glance at him and whispered, “Do you know? In my eyes, your Lin family is nothing more than a group of clowns. You have provoked people you should never have crossed!”

Having said his piece, Cui Yongzhou walked away without looking back.

As the Bai family passed the Lin family, Bai Lao ignored Lin Xuan and looked directly at Lin Fan, saying mockingly, “Boy, I advise you to know your place. Do not provoke those you cannot afford to offend. My Yu-ran is not something a piece of trash like you is worthy of!”

Bai Lao had the strength to control his volume, but he spoke loudly on purpose, ensuring that many of the surrounding smaller families heard him.

At that moment, thousands of eyes, large and small, turned toward the Lin family, most of them landing on Lin Fan.

Lin Fan clenched his fists slightly but released them quickly; he did not want to cause trouble for his father.

In four years at most, he, Lin Fan, would make these people see what it truly meant to "not despise a youth for being poor!"

The rest of the Lin family members were filled with rage, yet they dared not speak out.

The Bai family's influence was too vast, and furthermore, Bai Yurán was currently a direct disciple of the Spirit Martial Sect. It was said she had already become the disciple of a great powerhouse within the sect—a true meteoric rise!

After Bai Lao walked away, Lin Xuan did not take the old man's words to heart. Instead, he stared intently at Bai Rong.

Once, the two had truly been as close as brothers, sharing a bond forged in life and death. Was it truly this fragile now?

Lin Xuan almost hoped that Bai Rong was being forced into this, but reality was often quite harsh.

“Lin Xuan, my daughter is indeed not someone your son is worthy of. As for that absurd four-year engagement, I can decide for my daughter that it never happened. However, your son must accept my daughter's cancellation of the engagement!”

Bai Rong’s words were like knives, cutting mercilessly into Lin Xuan's heart.

Lin Xuan gave a self-deprecating laugh. It seemed reality was indeed that harsh.

Seeing Lin Xuan remain silent, staring at him with eyes as calm as still water, Bai Rong felt an inexplicable palpitation. A sense of profound regret surged through him, but he immediately suppressed it!

Why should he feel regret?!

“You once saved my life, so I will not treat you poorly. After the cancellation, I can give you twenty thousand essence stones. After that, we shall be even!”

Having said this, Bai Rong brushed past Lin Xuan, utterly cold.

“Third Brother, sigh... try to let it go. You were never on the same path to begin with.”

Lin Wu patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder and sighed.

Lin Xuan merely shook his head slightly. Having lived for sixty years and experienced much within the Jixia Academy, he had seen all kinds of people. This matter alone could not truly break him; he simply found it somewhat ironic.

“Heh, Brother Lin, I believe in you!”

For some reason, Shangguan Jian also passed by the Lin family, leaving with a single soft sentence.

Lin Xuan was stunned. This Shangguan Jian really was...

A man of vision!

After the major families passed, the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce also passed by the Lin family.

Led by Gong Ling, the former president of the Huaqing Prefecture branch, Shen Ao, followed respectfully behind her.

“Do not disappoint me. Do not disappoint your sister, and certainly do not disappoint your master and junior sister. If you have the strength, do not be timid. You must believe that behind you stands your master and the Jixia Academy!”

Gong Ling spoke these words in a voice only the two of them could hear before departing.

Lin Xuan was momentarily dazed, then let out a long breath. Gong Ling's words were not wrong.

One by one, the families moved to their respective zones, leaving only the Lin family behind.

Since the head of the family, Lin Xuan, had not moved, the others naturally remained still.

Many families noticed the stationary Lin family and cast mocking glances their way, assuming the stubborn patriarch had been crushed by the Bai family head's words.

“Let us go. We shall find a seat as well!”

Lin Xuan gave a light laugh, his mood refreshed.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu nodded and were about to head toward the Great Yuan Dan Realm zone, but to their surprise, Lin Xuan led them toward the Star-Level Family Zone.

“...?” The members of the Lin family followed behind Lin Xuan in confusion, their steps slow.

“This!?”

The crowd was bewildered and shocked.

Had the Lin patriarch lost his mind?

Why was he heading toward the Star-Level Family Zone?

Many knew that the Lin patriarch appeared to be only a late-stage Great Yuan Dan Realm expert. Even if he had made breakthroughs recently, he should only be at the peak of the Great Yuan Dan Realm!

Not only were the small families staring blankly, but even the Xiao family and the Star-Level families like the Bai, Shangguan, and Cui families were somewhat puzzled.

“What is the meaning of this, Lin family?”

Cui Yongzhou narrowed his eyes, staring directly at Lin Xuan.

Cui Yongzhou was no fool, and he knew Lin Xuan was no fool either. Since Lin Xuan dared to walk up there, he must have something to rely on.

“Heh, Star-Level families? What a coincidence. Our Lin family is one now as well,” Lin Xuan said with a faint smile.

Once again, an uproar erupted.

Could the Lin patriarch have already broken through to the Three-Tong Divine Realm?!

The members of the Lin family looked at their patriarch in utter disbelief.

Had their patriarch truly broken through to the Three-Tong Divine Realm?

“Could it be that Patriarch Lin has already broken through to the Three-Tong Divine Realm? It couldn't be that fast, could it!?”

Cui Yongzhou squinted at Lin Xuan, his tone laced with skepticism.

As soon as Cui Yongzhou spoke, everyone looked at Lin Xuan with curiosity, including Hou Mingyu and Ba Li.

Lin Xuan gave a wry smile. It seemed no one believed he had broken through to the Three-Tong Divine Realm.

*BOOM!*

A surge of majestic energy erupted, soaring toward the heavens and permeating the entire battle stage.

(End of Chapter)