Chapter 15: Battle of the Clan

Five days later.

Wu Family.

The Wu family estate is located in the prime section of Cloud Mist City. Because of the Wu family’s formidable strength, the estate is built quite lavishly; the front courtyard alone spans over ten acres, easily capable of accommodating thousands of people.

At this moment, the leaders of the Jia family, the Fang family, and several other smaller clans had all arrived in the front courtyard.

"Hehe, Brother Fang, Brother Jia, Brother Qian, Brother Zhao, I trust you have all been well?"

Wu Yifan walked slowly out of the house, looking radiant.

"Patriarch Wu, this time, we have truly mobilized our entire strength. We must take down the entire Lin family! We must wipe them out completely; not a single one can be left alive!"

Jia Ling, the head of the Jia family, said with a cruel glint in his eyes.

The Jia family held a grudge against the Lin family because Lin Ao, of the Lin family’s third generation, had once accidentally broken the leg of Jia Ling’s youngest son, which had infuriated him.

Was it not just his youngest son forcibly taking the daughters of a few lowly commoners?

That Lin Ao truly deserved to die!

The heads of the other families all looked toward Wu Yifan, echoing Jia Ling’s words.

"Rest assured, everyone. Today, the Lin family will surely perish, because Elder Cui has already arrived!"

As he spoke, Wu Yifan vacated the main seat.

At this moment, an elderly man with a hunched back, dressed in grey robes, walked out. Behind him followed two middle-aged men, one of whom was Cui Jian, the man who had originally contacted the Wu family.

"I am Cui Yongdi. The higher-ups have spoken: Lin Xuan can be crippled, but he cannot be killed. Someone above wants him," Cui Yongdi said indifferently.

Cui Yongdi’s words carried immense deterrent power; it was not a discussion, but a notification.

Everyone present accepted Cui Yongdi’s words, for he had the qualifications to say them.

This was a powerhouse of the Tongxing Realm!

He was an existence they could not afford to offend.

"Everything shall be as Elder Cui dictates."

Wu Yifan smiled and cupped his hands in a bow toward Cui Yongdi, his etiquette impeccable.

Wu Yifan had already established a connection with the Cui family; from now on, he would have a backer to protect him.

"Hmm. My time here is limited. Tomorrow, I must head to the No. 6 mine, so there can be no delays today. Once midnight arrives, we will charge directly into the Lin family. Leave no survivors among the Lin family; only keep Lin Xuan alive for the higher-ups."

Cui Yongdi’s tone was extremely flat and relaxed, as if killing the Lin family was no different than crushing an ant.

"Understood."

Fang Xuan and Jia Ling both agreed immediately.

Wu Yifan was feeling incredibly smug this time; the Lin family had no wings to escape!

The scene had gathered a total of eight Great Yuandan Realm experts and one Tongxing Realm powerhouse. As for Small Yuandan Realm experts, there were more than twenty. If the Lin family didn't fall, it would be an affront to heaven!

"Then we depart for the Lin family at the hour of the Rat!"

……

Tongtian Chamber of Commerce.

"President, that Cui Yongdi of the Cui family has indeed arrived in Cloud Mist City and has gone straight to the Wu family."

Manager He reported respectfully.

"Hehe, it seems that is indeed the case. I suspect this is being directed by that Elder of the Lingwu Sect."

Gong Ling rested her head on one hand, her eyes slightly narrowed, appearing completely indifferent.

"President, the three major families—the Wu, Jia, and Fang—have joined forces, and with the two Great Yuandan Realm experts brought by Cui Yongdi, there are nearly ten Great Yuandan Realm powerhouses in total. I fear the Lin family will struggle to hold them off," Manager He said cautiously.

Manager He could see that his President held special feelings for the head of the Lin family, which was why he offered the reminder.

"Hmm, I will send people to watch, but it should be fine. You may go."

Gong Ling remained unconcerned, waving her hand dismissively.

"Yes."

Manager He immediately withdrew.

"Xiao Wu, take the Heavenly Guards and go take a look. Remember, unless it is a life-or-death crisis, the Heavenly Guards are not to intervene."

Gong Ling spoke to the empty air.

"Yes."

A voice came from the void, then vanished, as if it were an illusion.

Gong Ling walked to the window, watching the night fall, and smiled faintly.

"Ninth Senior Brother, I am very curious to see how far you have come."

……

Cloud Mist Inn.

The Cloud Mist Inn was built by the Xiao family, the masters of Cloud Mist City, and was the most high-end inn in the city.

Today, a distinguished guest had arrived in the number one Heaven-grade room!

"Young Master, I have inquired clearly. That Cui Yongdi of the Cui family has arrived in Cloud Mist City and went straight to the Wu family. It appears they are targeting the Lin family."

A burly middle-aged man walked in with heavy steps.

The noble young master was the one who had followed from Huaqing Prefecture.

The young master flicked his folding fan open and shook it a few times.

"The Lingwu Sect again. It is always this Lingwu Sect. Now, even a small silver-robed elder of the Lingwu Sect has such great influence."

The young master had little affection for the Lingwu Sect, and his tone when mentioning them was slightly displeased.

"Young Master, what should we do now? Should we help the Lin family?"

"Help? Why help? Let us see if the Lin family has the ability to catch this young master's eye."

The noble young master said with a chuckle.

The burly man nodded slightly and said no more.

"Sigh, this Cloud Mist City is truly a tiny place. The vital energy is thin, and everyone is weak. How boring."

The young master sighed as he looked out the window. Suddenly, his eyes focused.

"What power owns that large building ahead?"

"The Tongtian Chamber of Commerce," the burly man reported truthfully.

"The Tongtian Chamber of Commerce!?" The young master was slightly stunned. In such a tiny place, there was actually a branch of the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce?

"Interesting. This place is actually more interesting than I imagined. Even the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce is willing to establish a branch in such a backwater; it must have its own merits."

The noble young master closed his fan. "Da Biao, let us go to the Lin family and take a look. Let us see the potential of the Lin family. If their potential is good, taking them under my command could become a hidden force for me."

"Yes."

The burly man nodded heavily.

……

Lin Family.

Night had fallen, and a storm was brewing. A dark, windy night—truly a perfect time for murder and arson!

Inside the Lin family estate, the Lin family’s experts had all gathered. It wasn't just the Lin family; many from the Xiao family had also arrived.

The Xiao family had put in a great deal of effort this time.

Xiao Lingyun, the City Lord himself, led the team, accompanied by two Great Yuandan Realm experts and twelve Small Yuandan Realm experts from the Xiao family. In terms of pure power, the Xiao family’s side easily dwarfed the Lin family’s.

However, Lin Xuan still sat in the main seat, while the City Lord sat in the secondary seat.

It was evident that Xiao Lingyun was nervous; his arms were trembling uncontrollably.

"Relax, City Lord Xiao. This time, we will surely win," Lin Xuan said with a smile.

"I hope so."

Xiao Lingyun could only respond with a forced smile.

Lin Xuan laughed silently. He knew Xiao Lingyun was indeed nervous because their side’s strength was lacking.

However, Lin Xuan was quite confident in his own strength.

He was at the peak of the Great Yuandan Realm and had cultivated the Profound Desolation Battle Body and the Heavenly Shadow Sword Technique. Due to the massive improvement in his physique, both Spirit-grade martial arts had been cultivated to perfection by Lin Xuan. Coupled with the blessing of the Lin family’s fortune, it would be too difficult to lose.

Unless the opponent had a powerhouse at the peak of the Tongxing Realm!

But Lin Xuan had received news that the Fourth Master of the Cui family, sent by the Cui family, was actually just a minor expert who had entered the Tongxing Realm less than three years ago—the weakest tier of the Tongxing Realm.

"Patriarch, they are here!!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came from outside the gate, and Lin Xuan and the others threw the gates wide open.

Outside the gate, a vast, dark sea of people was heading toward the Lin family.

Leading them was a white-haired old man with a sinister look, bringing hundreds of experts straight toward the Lin family.

"Fire!"

A volley of arrows flew—the first line of defense!

It only managed to eliminate some low-level enemies.

"Throw!"

This time, it was a special type of Yuan-breaking spear from the Tongtian Chamber of Commerce, a weapon crafted specifically to target vital energy, capable of shattering it.

This caught Wu Yifan and the others off guard. Many Yuandan Realm experts were struck, falling to the ground, severely wounded and vomiting blood.

"Impressive!"

Even Xiao Lingyun was stunned; he hadn't expected Lin Xuan to possess such weapons!