The Third Elder let out a sigh, his tone heavy, “That’s right. Now that Lin Xu is dead and the Patriarch is severely injured, we’ve effectively lost two Master Realm combat forces at once. The Lin Family is at its weakest, and the Zhao Family will definitely not miss this opportunity.”
At that moment, the Second Elder continued, his gaze sweeping over everyone as his eyes grew serious, “What’s even more worrying… according to reliable information, a steward from the Li Family of Leizhou will arrive in Luoyun City within a month and take residence in the Zhao Family.”
Silence fell over the hall.
The words “Li Family of Leizhou steward” pressed down like a massive stone on everyone’s chest, making it hard to breathe.
The Second Elder’s gaze casually swept past Lin Zhan before he sighed, as if speaking unintentionally, “If the Patriarch weren’t injured, with his peak Master Realm cultivation and the foundation of our Lin Family, we might have been able to deal with that steward. But now…”
He didn’t finish his sentence, yet the meaning was obvious.
With the Patriarch heavily injured and the Lin Family lacking its strongest force, they didn’t even have the qualification to contend with a Grandmaster.
The atmosphere in the Clan Hall grew even more oppressive.
Everyone subconsciously looked toward Lin Zhan, then toward Lin Chen.
Perhaps this heir who had returned like a king had a solution.
After the life-and-death duel and the internal conflict, Lin Chen had already become the unquestioned backbone of the Lin Family.
Seeing their expressions, Lin Chen’s gaze fell on the Second Elder. Instead of tension, a relaxed smile appeared on his face as he said, “Second Elder, the storm outside is even stronger this time. You’re not planning to find another safe spot to hide from the wind, are you?”
The moment he spoke, a few chuckles broke the suffocating silence.
The Second Elder’s face reddened slightly as he replied, “Heir, I was born a member of the Lin Family and will die as one. Within the family, I may weigh my options, but if anyone dares oppose the Lin Family, I’ll be the first to step forward!”
“Well said!”
Lin Chen laughed heartily, and the others followed, the tense atmosphere gradually easing.
Afterward, Lin Chen looked around and spoke, “Father, Elders, the Zhao Family alone cannot stir up much trouble. As for the Li Family steward from Leizhou, we still have about a month. It’s not impossible to deal with him. Moreover, Leizhou isn’t ruled solely by the Li Family.”
“Could it be that the heir truly has a plan?” The Second Elder’s eyes lit up as he asked immediately.
Lin Chen thought for a moment, already having made his decision. He looked at everyone and said, “Rest assured. I have a way to deal with the Li Family matter.”
In Leizhou, the Li Family was not all-powerful.
There were many prominent clans, as well as the three great academies, along with numerous major forces.
For example, the Alchemist Association was an existence even the Li Family dared not provoke.
At present, Lin Chen had three possible approaches.
First, obtain a fifth-grade Primordial Heart-Protecting Pill to heal his father and restore him to peak condition.
Second, since he possessed the Heavenly Realm alchemy manual [Danxin Record], if necessary, he could reveal a method from it and use it as leverage to seek protection from the Alchemist Association.
The first was the best option, strengthening the Lin Family itself.
The third approach lay in between.
Become an alchemist.
First, become an alchemist and obtain certification from the Alchemist Association.
Any alchemist certified by the association automatically became one of its members, yet without any binding restrictions.
That alone would provide an additional layer of protection.
Afterward, he could search within alchemist circles for news of the fifth-grade Primordial Heart-Protecting Pill.
If the Lin Family faced a crisis he couldn’t handle, he could then resort to the second plan.
Advance if possible, retreat if necessary.
“Heir, what exactly is this plan?” The Second Elder still seemed uneasy.
Lin Chen didn’t hide much. Smiling, he said, “Second Elder, do I look like someone with the potential to become an alchemist?”
“An alchemist?”
The Second Elder was stunned.
Everyone present widened their eyes.
Becoming an alchemist required not only talent but also vast amounts of time and resources.
Both were indispensable.
Until now, the Lin Family didn’t even have a single third-grade alchemist. It wasn’t for lack of resources, but because their foundation was too weak, especially in alchemy.
“If I become an alchemist, many possibilities will open up…”
Lin Chen explained his plan to everyone, only briefly touching on the parts that involved secrets.
His words carried weight, giving everyone present a sense of reassurance.
Lin Zhan looked at Lin Chen, who had now become the pillar of the Lin Family, and felt immense satisfaction. Smiling, he added, “Becoming an alchemist will also make it easier to enter one of the three great academies in Leizhou.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up.
Lin Chen’s brows lifted slightly.
The three great academies of Leizhou, Dragon Spring Academy, Haoyue Academy, and Qingyun Academy, had extremely strict admission requirements. Without his former top-grade spiritual root, it would have been nearly impossible for Lin Chen to enter any of them.
However, every year, these academies specifically recruited alchemist students.
If Lin Chen gained the identity of an alchemist, entering one of the three academies would become much easier.
After all, everyone in the Lin Family knew that Lin Chen’s stage would not be limited to Luoyun City. Even the vast Leizhou might not be his final destination. Get faster updates on g.com.
Whether for the Lin Family or for himself, the path of alchemy was an inevitable choice.
…
After the discussion in the Clan Hall ended, Lin Chen walked back toward his courtyard.
He was thinking far deeper than anyone else present.
Was the Li Family steward coming to Luoyun City truly just to support the Zhao Family?
Clearly not.
If the Li Family wished, every family in Luoyun City could be commanded with a single order. Why go through the trouble of backing the Zhao Family?
Lin Chen believed there were two reasons.
First, Zhao Wanling.
She had betrayed him, revealing the secret of his top-grade spiritual root to Li Qingyun and assisting him in stealing it. Entering Dragon Spring Academy and supporting the Zhao Family were likely part of the promises she received.
Second, himself.
Li Qingyun was meticulous and ruthless. He would never leave behind any potential threat.
Even though Lin Chen had survived by sheer luck and had once become a cripple, in Li Qingyun’s eyes, he was still a thorn that had to be removed.
This time, the Li Family steward’s arrival was very likely aimed at him.
To eliminate him completely.
“Zhao Wanling, Li Qingyun… you’d better pray I don’t survive. Otherwise, you will both die.”
“Even if the Li Family of Leizhou doesn’t interfere in the struggle between the three great families of Luoyun City, I will personally go to Leizhou and destroy the Li Family!”
“As for that so-called Li Family steward, if you dare make a move against the Lin Family, I’ll make sure you never return. Your cultivation and spiritual root will become nourishment for my power!”
Lin Chen’s gaze grew sharper, his eyes filled with icy killing intent.
Without hesitation, he returned to the Lin Family courtyard, connected with the Chaos Pearl in his mind, and entered the Chaos Space.
This was his secret sanctuary.
The space remained in chaos. Xia Qingyue was nowhere to be seen.
Lin Chen sat down cross-legged.
The first thing he did was examine his dantian internally.
After devouring Lin Hu’s third-grade spiritual root and 8th stage Spirit Realm cultivation, he didn’t yet know how his spiritual seed had changed.
The next moment, his eyes lit up.
Inside his dantian, the spiritual seed had undergone a shocking transformation.