Chapter 39

Crack! 

The floor beneath Lin Baye’s feet shattered as he spoke in a deep voice: 

“Chu Xiong, you must have lost your mind, daring to target Xuan’er and that girl! Do you really think you’ve already won against my Lin family?” 

A powerful aura surged from Lin Baye, causing his wide sleeves to billow. His aged face, now uncharacteristically resolute, exuded a fierce killing intent. He gripped a sword, and his white hair fluttered with the intensity of his aura. The energy he emanated was no weaker than Lin Zhan’s—it was the power of True Essence, Seventh Stage. 

Chu Xiong’s heart tightened with unease. He hadn’t expected the old man to be hiding such strength. The seventh stage of the True Essence Realm was already considered advanced, and Chu Xiong himself was only at that level. 

“Elder Lin, are you planning to disobey the orders of the Young Prince?” Chu Xiong sneered, his confidence unwavering. 

The Lin family’s tricks didn’t faze him. Even if Lin Baye reached the Qi Sea Realm, it wouldn’t matter—because backing Chu Xiong was the Young Prince, supported by a peak-level Qi Sea expert. 

The crowd, including Taian City’s lord, Wang Jun, realized that the Chu family had come prepared this time. 

“Family Head Lin, I must take my leave for now,” Wang Jun said with a polite yet firm tone. 

“Yes, yes…” echoed the voices of other factions, who began to quietly slip away. None dared intervene, and the Lin elders’ hearts sank into despair. 

Even Wang Jun hesitated for a moment before speaking with regret to Lin Zhan: 

“Brother Lin, I’m sorry, but I can’t get involved in today’s matter.” 

As much as Wang Jun admired Lin Xuan, a mere talent was nothing compared to the might of the Chu family and their prince. 

When the city lord and other factions left, the Lin elders felt their spirits plummet entirely. 

Suddenly, a voice filled with polite laughter broke the silence: 

“Family Head Lin, my teacher is Zhang Erhe. May I ask if you could show him some respect and turn hostility into peace?” 

A young man, dressed in the inner disciple robes of the Great Yan Academy, stepped forward with a warm smile. He was handsome, with a straight posture and refined demeanor. Standing behind him was Lin Qing’er. 

The young man’s gaze remained focused on Lin Qing’er, his love for her hidden deep in his eyes. Though he concealed it well, his affection was unmistakable. Lin Qing’er was a renowned beauty at the academy, and many young talents had fallen for her. This youth had traveled with her to Taian City, hoping to impress her and win her favor. 

Zhang Erhe, the teacher mentioned by the young man, was a renowned instructor at the academy and a Qi Sea, Seventh Stage expert. 

However, before the youth could finish, an ancient voice interrupted coldly: 

“Zhang Erhe? A nobody like him dares demand respect from the Chu royal house?” 

A palm-sized projection of overwhelming True Essence shot out like lightning. The youth could only let out a short gasp before a burst of golden light flickered, and his protective talisman shattered. He was sent flying like a rag doll, lying lifeless and unsure if he was dead or alive. 

An elderly man, leaning on a cane, slowly stepped into the room. With every step, the floor groaned and cracked beneath his feet, as if crushed by immense pressure. A suffocating aura blanketed the entire Lin household. 

“Qi… Qi Sea Realm!” 

Upon seeing the old man, Lin Zhan and the other Lin elders despaired. A Qi Sea Realm expert—how could they possibly resist him? 

“No… Even if we perish, we must ensure Lin Xuan survives! As long as Xuan’er lives, our Lin family will endure!” 

The Lin elders quickly reached a decision. Lin Xuan’s survival was their only hope for revenge in the future. 

— 

“Peak of the Qi Sea Realm… Little Yan, this is bad,” said an old voice in Lin Yan’s mind, tinged with helplessness. 

“Teacher, what should I do? Please, help my father and the Lin family!” Lin Yan’s young face was filled with despair. A peak Qi Sea expert was beyond anything they could handle. Even if his cousin Lin Xuan fought with all his might, he wouldn’t be able to stand against someone five stages above him. 

His teacher’s voice echoed again: 

“Little Yan, in a moment, I will borrow your body…” 

The old voice trailed off, hesitant to explain further. Even with his spiritual possession, he could only hope to escape, not fight. 

Survival is the most important thing. Live to fight another day.

The old man knew Lin Yan’s temperament. He wouldn’t abandon his family. But the old man had grown fond of the boy and couldn’t bear to see him throw his life away. 

Hate me if you must… 

— 

“Brother Xuan…” 

Lin Yanran bit her lip, holding onto Lin Xuan’s sleeve with a worried expression. 

Lin Xuan’s gaze was cold but gentle. He ruffled her hair and said softly, “Don’t worry, Yanran. Your brother Xuan will handle this.” 

Despite his calm words, the overwhelming killing intent radiating from him caused the ground to frost over. 

He hadn’t even sought out this Young Prince to settle the score, yet the prince dared come after him first. 

He’s already chosen the path to his own death. 

Lin Xuan reached into his storage space and pulled out a sword. A formless pressure emanated from him, forcing the younger Lin family members to instinctively step back. Without hesitation, Lin Xuan strode forward. 

Watching his back, Lin Yanran’s expression shifted. Her innocent gaze turned ice-cold as she clutched a transparent jade talisman in her hand. 

She whispered in a chilling voice, “Leng Fengyue, if Brother Xuan gets hurt, even if I have to return to the Upper Purity Sect, I’ll make sure you pay the price.”