Chapter 38: The Cui Family's Further Harassment; Bai Rong's Attitude (Requesting a...)

Lin Xuan calculated the days and realized that today seemed to be the day of the Huaqing Prefecture family gathering. Not daring to waste any time, he flew directly toward the direction of Huaqing Prefecture.

Why was it said that the Three-Tong Divine Realm and the Yuan Dan Realm were as different as heaven and earth?

In the Tongxing Realm, one not only possessed a Primordial Soul but could also take to the skies and occupy the high ground!

Back then, Cui Yongdi had been a complete fool—or rather, Cui Yongdi had never truly looked down on Lin Xuan, a mere Great Yuan Dan Realm cultivator, from the bottom of his heart. Otherwise, if Cui Yongdi had truly intended to flee, Lin Xuan might not have been able to keep him.

Not wanting to waste a moment, Lin Xuan activated his Drifting Dragon Steps at full power.

...

Huaqing Prefecture

Generally speaking, the family gatherings of Huaqing Prefecture were hosted alternately by the three major powers: the Huaqing Prefecture's three great families, the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, the Dragon-Tiger Gang, and the Lord of Huaqing Prefecture.

Other forces were not strictly forbidden from participating, but they simply lacked the qualification.

This was because the host of a family gathering had to be at least a two-star family; those below the two-star level could only watch from the sidelines.

And this time, the host of the family gathering was actually the Cui family.

The members of the Lin family were filled with helplessness upon hearing this news.

Although Lin Xuan had killed Cui Yongdi and destroyed the evidence, the Cui family's intelligence unit was no group of useless people; they had likely already discovered clues.

The location for this family gathering was the Cui family estate.

The Cui estate covered a vast area; the main courtyard alone could easily accommodate ten thousand people without feeling crowded at all.

The various families entered the Cui estate one after another, and to everyone's surprise, the people greeting guests at the entrance were all Great Yuan Dan Realm experts!

This caused many smaller families to feel even more awe and dread toward the Cui family.

"Haha, every guest is a welcome guest. Please, come inside."

The Cui family members spoke quite politely, but the moment it was the Lin family's turn, their expressions shifted instantly.

Despite it being a grand gathering, the elders of the Cui family still refused to show any respect.

"The Lin family of Cloud Mist City? What is going on? Why have only a few small fry arrived? Do you look down on our Cui family?"

The words from the Cui family members were dripping with sarcasm!

"What did you say!"

Lin Yang pointed at the Cui elder, his face flushed with rage.

"Ungrateful brat! Slap his mouth!"

The Cui elder was not polite in the slightest. He lunged forward and struck Lin Yang with a palm. Although Lin Yang was already in the mid-stage of the Small Yuan Dan Realm, he was naturally no match for the Cui elder; he was sent flying over ten meters before he could barely steady himself.

"Pfft!" Lin Yang spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Brother Yang!"

"Yang'er!"

"Uncle Yang!"

The Lin family members were both shocked and furious.

"A death-seeking creature, actually daring to show public disrespect to this Elder!"

The Cui elder sneered arrogantly.

This strike had attracted the attention of almost everyone present.

"Elder Cui Sheng, what is the meaning of this?"

Members of other families inquired.

"Haha, this Lin family does not respect our Cui family and actually insulted this Elder. Naturally, I had to teach them a lesson. I apologize for making you all witness such a joke; please forgive me."

Cui Sheng said with a chuckle, even cupping his hands toward the other families in a polite gesture. He was truly a two-faced man.

Some of the other families had not yet grasped the situation, while others, fearing the prestige of the Cui family, sided with them and sternly criticized the Lin family.

"The Lin family again! A bunch of small-time nobodies. Being able to attend this family gathering is a great honor for you. Hurry up and apologize to Elder Cui!"

"Lin family members, why haven't you knelt to apologize to Elder Cui!?"

"Hmph, what a load of crap, the Lin family. If you ask me, a trash family like this should be kicked out directly!"

"I support Brother An's words!"

"..."

The crowd stood on the side of the Cui family, hurling accusations at the Lin family regardless of who was actually at fault.

In any case, the Cui family was stronger than the Lin family, and by a massive margin.

"The Bai family of Huaqing Prefecture has arrived!"

"The Shangguan family of Huaqing Prefecture has arrived!"

At this moment, the other two great families of Huaqing Prefecture arrived.

The leader of the Bai family was the current head, Bai Lao, an elderly man with grizzled hair and a beard. He was a Tongxing Realm expert, the father of Bai Rong, and the grandfather of Bai Yuran.

Following behind Bai Lao were several Great Yuan Dan Realm elders of the Bai family. Among them was one who bore a strong resemblance to Bai Lao—the sixth elder, Bai Rong, the father of Bai Yuran and Lin Xuan's sworn younger brother.

However, after seeing the Lin family being insulted, Bai Rong showed no intention of stepping forward to seek justice for them.

"Haha, Elder Bai, Brother Shangguan, you have arrived."

Seeing the arrival of the Bai and Shangguan families, Elder Cui immediately changed his demeanor, cupping his hands with a smile.

The leader of the Shangguan family was the patriarch, Shangguan Jian. Though only fifty years old, his strength was comparable to Bai Lao's. He had once been on the verge of making it onto the Dragon-Phoenix Prodigy List, but fell just short. Nevertheless, he was a super genius in Huaqing Prefecture—though that title had now been usurped by the Bai family's eldest young lady, Bai Yuran.

"Are these the people from the Lin family of Cloud Mist City?"

Shangguan Jian cast a faint glance at the dozen or so people from the Lin family, his tone unreadable.

"Haha, just a rabble," Elder Cui said with a nonchalant smile.

The Lin family members were beyond furious. In particular, the leaders, Lin Wen and Lin Wu, were red in the face; they were enraged but lacked the strength to fight back.

The younger generation of the Lin family behind them clenched their fists in anger. At this moment, they truly wished they were experts of the Three-Tong Divine Realm so they could fight this group of bastards.

The Lin family's impotent rage and silent fury only drew more mockery from the other families. Waves of disdain, sarcasm, and contempt fell upon them, making the Lin family feel as if thorns were pricking their backs.

"I recall that the sixth elder of the Bai family and the Lin family share quite a significant connection, do they not?"

Suddenly, Elder Cui looked toward Bai Rong with a smile.

Bai Lao also looked at Bai Rong.

The Lin family members also turned their eyes toward Bai Rong.

Lin Wen and Lin Wu had met Bai Rong twice. They remembered that during the two times Lin Xuan hosted Bai Rong, the two had been as close as brothers, walking shoulder to shoulder.

Bai Rong had addressed Lin Xuan as "Big Brother" with every breath, and Lin Xuan had responded with a smile, calling him "Second Brother."

Not only that, but Bai Rong had also shown great respect to Lin Wen and Lin Wu; back then, he had been truly polite and approachable.

But now, the look in Bai Rong's eyes as he looked at the Lin family had completely changed.

"Haha, the marriage contract between our Bai family and the Lin family has already become such a joke. What friendship could there possibly be left? They are nothing to us!"

Bai Rong said with a chuckle, waving his hand dismissively.

Upon hearing this, Bai Lao nodded with a satisfied smile.

Elder Cui's eyes grew even more mocking.

Shangguan Jian remained indifferent, though a hint of disdain appeared in his eyes, though it was unclear who he was disdaining.

As for the Lin family, they felt a stinging, burning sensation of humiliation on their faces.

The surrounding families looked at the Lin family with even more amused interest.

The Lin family's reputation was being torn to shreds today!