Chapter 8: The Sword Falling from the Sky

"Hehe, not at all, not at all. I’m just an ordinary deacon of the Spirit Martial Sect, nothing more."

Yang Chen waved his hands with a chuckle, as if he truly believed Gong Ling was complimenting him.

Gong Ling didn't expose him, merely smiling with a more meaningful expression.

"President Gong, may I ask if you are married?"

Suddenly, Ba Tong leaned over and grinned, showing no regard for the influence behind Gong Ling.

As soon as Ba Tong asked this, the members of the surrounding families were stunned.

Ba Tong’s intentions were clearly off.

Gong Ling maintained her calm and composed expression, but she did not respond to Ba Tong.

Seeing that Gong Ling didn't reply, Ba Tong didn't press the issue, though the burning heat in his eyes remained completely undisguised.

"Huh? The Lin family hasn't arrived yet?"

"What’s going on with the Lin family? Could it be they’ve developed cold feet?"

"Hahaha, most likely. The head of the Lin family is probably scared witless."

"Hahaha, the Lin family of Cloud Mist City is truly pathetic. No backbone!"

"What a disgrace to Cloud Mist City!"

The crowd began to whisper, the noisy chatter echoing around the Cloud Mist battlefield, naturally reaching the ears of the major families seated on the Cloud Mist viewing platform.

"Hmph! This Lin family is truly a disgrace to our Cloud Mist City!" Seeing such an opportunity to strike at the Lin family's reputation, Wu Yifan naturally didn't hold back.

"Indeed, indeed. There’s less than an incense stick of time left until noon, and the Lin family still hasn't arrived. They clearly don't hold the rest of our great families in any regard!" Jia Ling immediately chimed in.

"Could they have run away?!"

"Hahaha!"

Ba Tong leaned back in his chair, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Where could he run to? If he dares to run, I’ll go and slaughter his Lin family members!"

The remark made the crowd even more gleeful at their misfortune.

It was truly a case of "when the wall falls, everyone pushes."

"The Lin family of Cloud Mist City has arrived!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and over a dozen people from the Lin family appeared.

Leading the group was the Second Elder of the Lin family, Lin Wu, followed by the second generation: Lin Shan, Lin Hai, Lin Zhongxiu, and Lin Fan; and the third generation: Lin Ao, Lin Lin, Lin Long... along with some members of the collateral branches.

"The Lin family is here."

Everyone looked toward the Lin family, many of them frowning slightly.

Because the Lin family's lineup was truly too weak.

The leader, the Second Elder, was only at the late stage of the Small Yuan Dan Realm, and those behind him were basically at the Kaiyuan Realm. This was a far cry from the other major families.

They were not even as strong as some mid-tier families.

Seeing Lin Fan arrive, Xiao Ya'er beamed with joy. Just as she was about to go down, Xiao Lingyun grabbed her.

"Little Ya'er, you can't go down yet. Wait a little longer."

"Why?" Xiao Ya'er pouted.

"Listen to your father. I’ll let you play together when the time comes."

Xiao Lingyun patted Xiao Ya'er’s head and said with a smile.

"Alright then." Xiao Ya'er nodded helplessly.

"Hmph! What a load of crap, the Lin family. The leader is just a late-stage Small Yuan Dan Realm cultivator who’s about to step into his coffin. Can this really be called one of the five great families of Cloud Mist City? It’s hilarious!"

Just as the Lin family members were about to take their seats, an uninvited guest arrived!

The crowd looked over at the sound. A dozen people walked over, led by a man at the peak of the Small Yuan Dan Realm, followed by two others at the Small Yuan Dan Realm and ten at the Kaiyuan Realm.

"It’s Qian Yao, the head of the Qian family!"

The crowd exclaimed.

The Qian family was the only family in Cloud Mist City second only to the five great families. They had four Small Yuan Dan Realm cultivators, and the family head, Qian Yao, possessed the strength of the peak Small Yuan Dan Realm, not far from the Great Yuan Dan Realm.

"What is Qian Yao doing? Provoking the Lin family?" Some were confused.

"Hehe, when the wall falls, everyone pushes. The fact that the Qian family dares to provoke the Lin family suggests they are likely in league with the Wu family and the others," said those who saw through the situation.

"Exactly. The head of the Qian family is not far from the Great Yuan Dan Realm. Once the Lin family is destroyed, the Qian family can naturally take their place!"

"So that's it. The struggles of cultivators are truly ruthless."

"Hehe, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our Cloud Mist City is still too small."

The crowd discussed it heatedly.

Meanwhile, the Lin family members stood with stiff necks and flushed faces.

"What did you say!?"

Lin Shan was furious, pointing at Qian Yao and shouting.

"Noisy!"

Qian Yao dismissed him with disdain.

"Who do you think you are, daring to shout at this family head? Slap yourself!"

Qian Yao was exceptionally aggressive, charging directly toward the platform, his body wreathed in Yuan energy, coming on fiercely!

Although Lin Shan had taken a Kaiyuan Pill and possessed the strength of the eighth level of the Kaiyuan Realm, he was in a completely different league compared to Qian Yao!

Lin Wu, having taken a Small Po Yuan Pill, was now at the late stage of the Small Yuan Dan Realm and immediately blocked Lin Shan.

"Boom!"

Lin Wu and Qian Yao exchanged a palm strike.

Qian Yao retreated gracefully, while Lin Wu stumbled back seven steps before regaining his footing.

In this clash, the difference in their strength was immediately apparent.

"Second Grandfather!"

"Second Elder!"

"Second Uncle!"

"Father!"

The Lin family members all rushed to surround Lin Wu.

Lin Wu was not seriously injured; he waved his hand slightly.

"This Qian Yao is likely already at the half-step Great Yuan Dan Realm."

Lin Wu’s words made everyone present cast sidelong glances.

It seemed Qian Yao really intended to replace the Lin family today.

"Hehe, the Lin family is just as the rumors say. Aside from their family head, the rest are nothing to fear!"

"Indeed, indeed. Without that guy Lin Xuan, the Lin family is just a second-rate family in Cloud Mist City."

"The Lin family is likely finished after today."

"..."

Amidst the various opinions, the people on the platform were not idle either.

"Hehe, what is this Lin Xuan doing? Why hasn't he arrived yet!?"

"Hahaha, Lin Xuan can't escape. If he runs, his whole family will likely have to pay the price for him!"

Wu Yifan and Fang Xuan were extremely arrogant, and Ba Tong grinned broadly.

Xiao Lingyun’s face remained expressionless, but Xiao Ya'er’s face revealed worry.

As for Gong Ling, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she looked toward the Lin family, muttering to herself: "Lin Xuan, you are not a cowardly person. Don't disappoint me."

"If the head of the Lin family has not arrived, then the Lin family is considered to have forfeited, which means the head of the Lin family is willing to die!"

At this moment, before anyone else could speak, the already restless head of the Wu family, Wu Yifan, stood up. His voice, infused with Yuan energy, carried the words across several miles.

"Hmph, why is Family Head Wu in such a hurry? Although my father has not arrived yet, there is still half an incense stick of time left before the duel. It won't be too late for you to say that when the time is up."

It wasn't Lin Wu who spoke, but Lin Fan who stepped forward.

The Lin family members were shocked to see Lin Fan step out.

Lin Fan was dressed in black today. Although he was only a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth, he was already nearly eight feet tall and possessed a magnificent appearance. This good looks, combined with his demeanor, stunned quite a few people.

But when they heard that this was the infamous "trash" young master of the Lin family, their expressions changed immediately.

Those faces were filled with mockery and contempt.

So this was the Lin family's trash young master who had his engagement broken by a direct disciple of the Spirit Martial Sect at his father's sixtieth birthday!

"Father...?" Gong Ling looked at the youth below the stage, who looked seven parts similar to Lin Xuan, and was also stunned, as if lost in some memory.

"He really looks like that heartless man. Just as handsome, and just as bold!"

"Sigh, it's just a pity. His talent is as poor as his father's. If these two father and son had better talent, they would definitely be dragons among men!"

Gong Ling said this very quietly, and those nearby did not hear her.

"Hmph! Lin Fan, this is no place for you to speak! What qualifications do you have to talk to this family head!"

Wu Yifan looked at Lin Fan with extreme disdain; he was nothing but a piece of trash whose engagement had been broken!

The others continued to look at Lin Fan with contempt.

Xiao Ya'er was immediately displeased. How dare they bully her Brother Fan!!

Ignoring Xiao Lingyun’s words, Xiao Ya'er jumped off the platform and stood in front of Lin Fan. Her stubborn face and slender figure made Lin Fan freeze.

"Little Ya'er, what are you doing?"

"Hmph, you are not allowed to bully my Brother Fan!"

When these words were spoken, everyone was confused.

What was going on now!?

The people from the three great families all looked at Xiao Lingyun.

Xiao Lingyun was extremely helpless. "Little Ya'er, listen to your father and come back."

"No!" Her tone was firm.

"Hehe." Gong Ling covered her mouth and smiled. "As expected of his own daughter, just like her father, another one who attracts trouble!"

"Is the Xiao family head planning to stand with the Lin family today?" Yang Chen asked, displeased.

"Hehe, it's a misunderstanding." Xiao Lingyun smiled slightly at Yang Chen.

At this moment, the Black Guards were also coming to forcibly take Xiao Ya'er away.

Xiao Ya'er wouldn't leave, but after Lin Fan smiled and comforted her with a few words, she was led away, looking back every three steps.

The onlookers below all felt heartbroken. Why did this trash have such a beauty infatuated with him!?

"Damn it! It would be a travesty if the Lin family isn't destroyed!"

"My goddess, why!!!"

"What virtue or ability does this trash Lin Fan have!"

"..."

"Hmph, brat, daring to talk back to this family head today, you deserve a slap!"

Ignoring the difference in status, Wu Yifan actually swung a palm at Lin Fan.

The palm was extremely fast. Although its power wasn't great, it was enough to make Lin Fan suffer!

Lin Fan stood where he was, his expression calm, revealing no inner thoughts.

"Boom!"

Gong Ling actually made a move.

"Hehe, Family Head Wu, today shouldn't be about these juniors, should it?"

The crowd was confused. Why did Gong Ling intervene?

Even Lin Fan was slightly puzzled.

"Then the Lin family must hand over their seats to my Qian family today!"

Qian Yao, having received a hint from Wu Yifan, immediately charged at Lin Wu, his Yuan energy surging, extremely fierce!

"Qian Yao!"

Lin Wu was furious and, showing no fear, prepared to meet Qian Yao.

Suddenly!

"Family Head Qian! Are you testing my bottom line today!?"

"Boom!"

A long sword descended from the sky, heading straight for Qian Yao’s crown.

Qian Yao was terrified and hurriedly used his energy to block the sword.

"BOOM!!!"

A loud explosion occurred, and smoke filled the air.

Qian Yao was sent flying dozens of meters, collapsing to the ground, disheveled and coughing up blood.

On the other side, a figure in a white robe stood before the Lin family, looking incomparably majestic.