The night was as dark as ink.
During this period, Lin Chen had been in seclusion cultivating, paying little attention to the affairs of the Lin Family. Last time, the Grand Elder Lin Xu had already sent Lin Song to probe his condition, even intending to sever his tendons and cripple him completely.
Now, with the life-and-death battle imminent, Lin Chen knew Lin Xu would not remain idle.
Thus, he looked at his father, Lin Zhan, and asked, “Father, have there been any movements from Lin Xu and his son these past few days?”
Lin Zhan suppressed the joy in his heart, yet a trace of worry still surfaced on his face. His voice was low as he said, “Chen’er, from what I know, Lin Hu has already broken through to the 8th stage Spirit Realm. Tomorrow, you must be extremely careful!”
“8th stage Spirit Realm…” Lin Chen nodded inwardly. This was within his expectations.
Even with a one-stage gap, he was confident he could defeat him, and even… kill him.
“And Lin Xu?” Lin Chen asked again.
Lin Zhan’s gaze turned heavy. “In recent days, Lin Xu has been making frequent moves. He has been placing his people into several key family businesses within the city. Two days ago, he met with the Second Elder. They have likely reached some kind of alliance.”
Each word fell like cold ice into the silent courtyard.
“He’s openly devouring power and seizing control.”
Lin Chen’s expression remained calm, yet killing intent churned within him.
He had already foreseen tomorrow’s outcome. The Grand Elder Lin Xu, together with the Second Elder, was simply waiting for him to lose the life-and-death battle.
Then, they would strike, claiming the Patriarch’s lineage had no successor and lacked the ability to lead the Lin Family, forcing his father to step down.
At that time, both father and son would be pushed to the brink.
Lin Chen immediately asked, “Father, what about the other elders?”
Cough!
Lin Zhan coughed heavily, his tone filled with weariness. “Chen’er, my heart meridians were injured by that mysterious person. Recovery is nearly impossible. Because of this, several elders in the clan have begun to waver.”
His father’s injuries had yet to heal. The Grand Elder was pressing aggressively.
And the Zhao Family was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey.
Internal strife and external threats were surging like a tidal wave.
An invisible, crushing pressure hung over the small courtyard.
Tomorrow was not just a life-and-death battle, it was a decisive clash that would determine the future of the Lin Family.
A deep helplessness appeared on Lin Zhan’s face as he shook his head. “It’s useless. That mysterious person’s strike was a Profound-tier spiritual technique, the Heart-Eroding Palm. It is extremely insidious and has already invaded the very foundation of my heart meridians. Without a Primordial Heart-Protecting Pill, recovery is impossible.”
The Primordial Heart-Protecting Pill was a 5th-grade pill, containing immense vitality, capable of nourishing the heart meridians and restoring life force.
But a 5th-grade pill was priceless.
In the entire Luoyun City, even 4th-grade pills were extremely rare, let alone a 5th-grade Primordial Heart-Protecting Pill.
The chances of Lin Zhan recovering were exceedingly slim.
Lin Chen silently engraved the name of the pill in his mind. Deep within his eyes, reflecting his father’s increasingly aged appearance, a flame slowly ignited, along with a growing sense of responsibility.
He looked at his father and said solemnly, “Father, go back and rest. Tomorrow’s battle, I will not let you down.”
“Be careful above all,” Lin Zhan nodded. Before leaving, he gave Lin Chen’s shoulder a firm pat, then turned and disappeared into the night.
…
The next day.
The rising sun cast light across the land, yet the air carried a chilling sense of killing intent.
It was the day of the life-and-death battle between Lin Chen and Lin Hu.
At the Lin Family Training Ground, the crowd was roaring with noise.
Nearly all members of the Lin Family, including disciples, stewards, and elders, had gathered, sitting on two clearly divided sides.
On the left, led by Patriarch Lin Zhan, the elders and clansmen supporting him wore solemn expressions.
On the right, centered around the Grand Elder Lin Xu, stood a large group of followers, all with undisguised arrogance and smug smiles on their faces.
Before the battle had even begun, they seemed to have already seen the outcome.
The Second Elder was not seated beside Patriarch Lin Zhan. Instead, his position leaned closer to the Grand Elder Lin Xu.
At the center of the field stood a towering arena about 3.3 meters high, like an altar.
Below the arena, Lin Hu stood in luxurious robes, his aura surging. The pressure of the 8th stage Spirit Realm was released without restraint, causing many young disciples to exclaim in shock.
“Lin Hu is already at the 8th stage Spirit Realm? So strong!”
“The Young Patriarch had already lost all his cultivation, and now Lin Hu has broken through to the 8th stage Spirit Realm… this battle… sigh…”
“Young Patriarch? That useless Lin Chen is still worthy of that title?”
“After this battle, there will be only one Young Patriarch, and that is Lin Hu!”
…
Listening to the discussions, a cruel grin appeared on Lin Hu’s face.
Although Lin Chen had lost his spiritual root and all his cultivation, becoming a cripple, Lin Hu had not relaxed in the slightest.
In the past half month, he had not only advanced to the 8th stage Spirit Realm, but had also mastered the high-grade Yellow-tier spiritual technique, Shattered Star Fist, to perfection.
He was fully confident in this battle.
The position of Young Patriarch was his for the taking.
At this moment, Lin Hu crossed his arms, raised his chin, and looked arrogantly toward the entrance as he sneered, “Where is that useless Lin Chen? Don’t tell me he’s afraid of death and ran away before the battle?”
He deliberately infused his voice with spiritual energy, letting it spread across the entire field.
Laughter erupted throughout the arena.
On the main seat, Lin Zhan’s face was as cold as still water. His fingers gripped the armrest tightly, turning slightly pale from the force.
The elders behind him were equally worried.
“Patriarch, the Young Patriarch, he now…” The Third Elder frowned, hesitating to continue.
Lin Zhan raised his hand and said firmly, “Chen’er will come.”
At that moment, a cold smile appeared on Lin Xu’s lips as he looked at Lin Zhan and said, “Patriarch, the time has come. If Lin Chen does not appear, it will be considered surrender out of fear. According to clan rules, surrendering in a life-and-death battle requires one to cripple their own cultivation to preserve their life.”
As soon as he finished speaking, one of his followers reminded him, “Lin Chen has already lost his cultivation. He is a cripple.”
Lin Xu slapped his forehead as if suddenly realizing, then said, “Ah, my memory fails me. Patriarch, since Lin Chen has no cultivation left, if he surrenders, let him sever both arms to spare his life. What do you think?”
At that moment…
“Who says I’m going to sever my arms?”
A calm voice rang out. It was not loud, yet it cut through all the noise with perfect clarity.
Instantly, everyone turned toward the entrance of the Training Ground.
A young man in black walked in slowly.
The crowd automatically parted, making way for him.
Lin Chen’s steps were steady, his expression calm. There was not the slightest hint of fear. Facing countless gazes filled with sympathy, contempt, or ridicule, he remained completely unmoved as he walked straight toward the arena.
“Useless trash, you’ve finally come to die!” Lin Hu sneered, his grin growing even more vicious as if he could already see Lin Chen crushed beneath his feet.
Lin Chen merely glanced at him, not even bothering to take him seriously, and said indifferently, “It’s not your turn to speak yet.”