Chapter 36

Chu Family

“What on earth is that group of old fools in the Lin family up to? Not a single move from them.” The Chu family patriarch, Chu Xiong, wore a grim expression.

Leaning on the backing of the young prince, Chu Xiong had managed to acquire some alchemical recipes from the Alchemy Guild, boosting the Chu family’s strength to new heights. He had expected to completely suppress the Lin family and other factions in Taian City this time, but the Lin family had remained eerily silent.

After all, his main target this time was the Lin family!

“Perhaps the Lin family is just bluffing, panicking in secret. What can they possibly compete with us for? They only have two types of pills!” said Chu Yang confidently.

“What the Lin family has, we also have. And what they lack, we possess!”

Chu Yang’s face brimmed with confidence, dismissing the Lin family’s capabilities. Without sufficient pills or techniques, how could they possibly compete with the Chu family?

“Junior brother is right. The Lin family is bluffing. For a clan of their size, acquiring even two Grade-One alchemy recipes would already be their limit.”

“If things go smoothly, I wouldn’t mind rewarding the Chu family with a Grade-Two alchemy recipe,” said Chu Changfeng casually, lifting a teacup to his lips as if tossing a bone to a dog—indifferent and uninterested.

But that bone was like a mountain of gold to the Chu family. A Grade-Two recipe would elevate the Chu family’s status beyond just being a regional power in Taian City.

Chu Xiong smiled obsequiously. “It’s an honor for my Chu family to serve the young prince.”

“Whatever you need, just say the word. As long as it’s within our power, we will do everything in our capacity.”

A sinister smile appeared on Chu Changfeng’s pale, delicate face. “All I want is for that girl, Lin Yanran, to kneel willingly at my feet as my slave. The benefits for your family will be substantial.”

As the only son of the Spirit King of Chu, Chu Changfeng could have whatever he desired. However, his mind was disturbingly twisted—he delighted in breaking the spirits of women, forcing them into submission, and watching them crawl like dogs, begging for his mercy. The more they suffered, the more he enjoyed it.

This was the source of Chu Changfeng’s infamy—a name that made people tremble with fear.

Moreover, with the Spirit King of Chu commanding immense military power and standing as one of the most powerful cultivators in the empire, even the royal family tread carefully around him. This gave Chu Changfeng the freedom to indulge in his sick pleasures without consequence.

“But, young prince,” Chu Xiong hesitated, his face troubled, “that boy from the Lin family, Lin Xuan, will be difficult to deal with.”

While the Lin family could be handled, Lin Xuan was not so easily defeated. His talents had earned admiration even from powerful figures within the Great Yan Academy.

“A mere brute with some talent—so what?” Chu Changfeng sneered. “Spirit Snake, you’ll accompany the Chu patriarch to the Lin family. Cripple that boy’s cultivation. I want him to see, with his own eyes, how his beloved woman pleases me beneath my feet.”

A sick grin spread across Chu Changfeng’s face, savoring the thought.

Crushing a genius’s pride and witnessing their slow descent into despair was one of his greatest pleasures. His own talent, while decent, paled compared to Lin Xuan’s. Even at the age of 26, despite all the resources the Spirit King’s estate provided, he had only reached the second level of the True Essence realm.

“Thank you, young prince! I will personally deliver Lin Yanran and Lin Xuan to you!” Chu Xiong’s eyes gleamed with excitement but quickly masked it.

With Spirit Snake, an expert at the peak of the Sea of Qi realm, assisting them, wiping out the Lin family would be no problem. Originally, Chu Xiong had planned to cooperate with the Black Tiger Gang, but they had mysteriously been wiped out by a powerful figure. Now, with Spirit Snake on their side, even Taian City’s lord wouldn’t be able to save the Lin family.

—

Lin Family

The Lin family’s annual coming-of-age ceremony was in full swing, with the estate bustling with excitement. The family’s main plaza was packed with people, and dignitaries from various factions in Taian City—each dressed in fine attire—sat in the grandstands, observing the ceremony. These figures were prominent leaders in the city, and their presence signaled the importance of the event.

The ceremony was highly ceremonial, leaving even Lin Xuan somewhat overwhelmed by the complexity of the rituals.

“Brother Lin Xuan, what are your dreams for the future?”

Lin Yanran, dressed in a flowing blue gown, approached him with a bright smile. The dress, with long, billowing sleeves and delicate pearl flowers stitched across it, gracefully hugged her slender figure. It was none other than the *Floating Immortal Dress* Lin Xuan had won for her at the auction.

Beneath the sunlight, her skin glowed like snow, radiating a soft, ethereal beauty. A hint of melancholy lingered in her bright eyes, making her seem even more enchanting.

For a moment, Lin Xuan was mesmerized.

“Brother Lin Xuan, it seems you like this dress on me,” Yanran teased, noticing his gaze.

Seeing her joy and sensing her closeness, Lin Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. Just as he began to lose himself in her presence, she leaned in, her long eyelashes fluttering. “What is Brother Lin Xuan thinking about?” she asked playfully, her sweet breath brushing against him.

It was a teasing question—one she already knew the answer to.

Caught off guard, Lin Xuan smiled wryly.

“You’re now at the fifth level of Qi Condensation?” he asked, sensing her cultivation.

“As expected, nothing escapes Brother Lin Xuan’s notice!”

She beamed, pleased that he had noticed. Then she pouted slightly. “But don’t change the subject, Brother Lin Xuan!”

“…”

Lin Xuan felt a flicker of alarm. This girl was getting more and more clever.

Just as Lin Xuan was on the verge of being ‘cornered,’ a loud commotion erupted from the plaza.

“Lin Yan, you worthless fool! How dare you show up at the coming-of-age ceremony? Are you here to disgrace the family?”

Lin Feng’s sneering voice rang out.

“And what does my presence have to do with you, Lin Feng? You should worry more about yourself,” Lin Yan retorted calmly.

“Hah! No matter what happens, I’m still better off than you. A loser stuck at the second level of Body Tempering—how shameful! Even the city lord is here today. If word gets out that the future head of the Lin family is such a failure, where will our family’s reputation go?”

“Lin Feng, remember this—people change. Don’t look down on me. If I’m trash, what does that make you?”