Ironwood Manor!

A long while later, Lin Chen opened his eyes and sighed.

"Looks like forming a Yin Core at the Earthly Yuan Stage is a little difficult..."

Even though Lin Chen had tried using that Crystal Yin Bead to condense the Innate Yin Sha Qi and Yuan Power in his body into the so-called Yin Core.

But reaching that step was extremely, extremely hard.

Lin Chen withdrew his inward-focused mind and calmed himself.

Judging by the progress of the Crystal Yin Bead fusing with the Innate Yin Sha Qi and Yuan Power, forming a Yin Core in a short time would be somewhat difficult.

However, he had at least made a good start now, and it gave Lin Chen confidence: this path was feasible. He could form a Yin Core at the Earthly Yuan Stage and obtain the powerful strength of a half-step Core Formation Stage expert.

Once he condensed the Yin Core, no one at the Earthly Yuan Stage would have a more solid foundation than him!

Lin Chen stretched his muscles and bones, sensed the powerful strength within his body, and a smile surfaced on his face.

At the very least, now that he had reached the peak of the Earthly Yuan Stage, he might even be able to contend against experts at the mid Heavenly Yuan Stage, or even the late Heavenly Yuan Stage!

Taking the risk to absorb all the Innate Yin Sha Qi, as well as that Crystal Yin Bead, had allowed him to break through the limits of the Earthly Yuan Stage and gain immense strength far beyond this realm.

In that case, here in Qingyang Town, he no longer needed to be so overly cautious!

The Yang Yuan Stone Mine in Ironwood Manor—he was coming!

The rear courtyard hall of the Lin Family.

"This Lei Family is truly hateful!"

Lin Zhentian slapped his palm angrily onto the table and said coldly, "They were supposed to hand Ironwood Manor over to our Lin Family within half a month. Now they still want to drag it out. Do they really think my Lin Family is so easy to bully?!"

He turned his head to look at Lin Xiao and immediately ordered, "Gather the Lin Family's men. Lin Xiao will lead them to Ironwood Manor. If the Lei Family still refuses to hand it over, then break through Ironwood Manor for me and take the estate back!"

"Yes!"

Lin Xiao had long been waiting for this day and immediately accepted the order.

Lin Ken, standing beside Lin Zhentian, hesitated a little and asked, "Father, if we launch an attack directly, will the Lei Family come out in full force against us? If that happens, I'm afraid it may be troublesome if only Third Brother goes."

"The handover within half a month is a rule of Qingyang Town. The Lei Family broke the rules on their own, so I'd like to see whether the other factions dare to say anything. Besides, Ironwood Manor has long since become our Lin Family's property. If they refuse to hand it over and hide inside like turtles with their heads tucked in, then they had better be ready to take a beating!"

When Lin Zhentian reached this point, he also knew in his heart how shameless the Lei Family could be. To guard against any mishaps, he immediately said, "If the Lei Family really dares to make a move, then you stay behind to guard the clan, and I'll personally take action!"

With a late Heavenly Yuan Stage cultivation base, only one step away from the Core Formation Stage, Lin Zhentian had the confidence to say this.

Even if Lei Bao stood right in front of him, he would not be the slightest bit afraid.

What irritated Lin Zhentian the most was that, previously, when Lin Mang and his son had defected and fled, they had been blocked by Heavenly Yuan Stage experts from the other factions in Qingyang Town.

Once there was a chance, he would definitely demand justice!

Did they really think he did not know who had acted?

"Yes, Father."

Lin Ken immediately accepted the order and began arranging the Lin Family's defenses.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao went to organize the Lin Family's men, preparing to move toward Ironwood Manor.

"Grandfather, I want to go to Ironwood Manor with Third Uncle and broaden my horizons."

Seeing that Lin Zhentian had no intention of letting him go along, Lin Chen simply seized the chance and said this to him.

"Ah Chen..."

Hearing this, Lin Zhentian frowned. He very much wanted to say that this trip to Ironwood Manor would definitely be dangerous, and as the Lin Family's hope, it would be best if nothing happened to him.

But after thinking it over, with Lin Chen's Earthly Yuan Stage strength, and with Lin Xiao, a Heavenly Yuan Stage expert, present, even if the Lei Family made a move, they could at least hold on until his reinforcements arrived.

"Very well. Go with your Third Uncle, then. It's just right for you to broaden your horizons."

Lin Zhentian nodded in agreement, showing approval of Lin Chen's idea.

With the other party's potential, it would not be long before he reached the Heavenly Yuan Stage, and it was about time he began taking part in the Lin Family's concrete affairs.

However, if he knew that Lin Chen's current combat strength had already reached the middle to late Heavenly Yuan Stage level, who knew how shocked he would be?

Lin Dong, who sat beside Lin Chen, did not say anything.

In any case, the one leading the team was his father, Lin Xiao. He just had to follow along.

The next day.

A large group of people had already set out from the Lin Family, marching in grand formation toward Ironwood Manor.

Ironwood Manor had gained its name because it was rich in ironwood.

This ironwood was like refined iron, impervious to water and fire. Its material was dense and heavy, making it extremely suitable for crafting weapons and all kinds of buildings.

Within a radius of several hundred li, only Ironwood Manor possessed this kind of ironwood, enough to bring its owner tremendous profit.

After traveling for the entire morning, Lin Chen and the others rode their tall steeds onto an extremely broad main road.

"Report!"

A Lin Family member who had gone ahead to scout the situation rode back on horseback.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and looked toward the enormous manor at the end of the road, then said in a deep voice:

"Speak!"

The man hurriedly said, "Reporting to Third Master, Ironwood Manor's gates are tightly shut right now. There is likely a Heavenly Yuan Stage expert from the Lei Family stationed inside, and it is heavily guarded!"

"The Lei Family really thinks my Lin Family is easy to bully."

Lin Xiao's expression turned colder as he barked, "Qin Ying, take two men and guard Ah Chen and Dong'er. Everyone else, follow me!"

"Yes!"

With ringing metallic sounds, the Lin Family men all drew their blades and swords, following Lin Xiao's steps as they pressed toward Ironwood Manor.

Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter.

The sound of galloping horses continued without end, carrying boundless yellow sand forward with them.

Behind the towering walls of the manor, the hard ironwood could still be seen standing tall.

"Halt, all who come! This is the Lei Family's Ironwood Manor. Irrelevant persons are forbidden from entering—trespassers will be killed without mercy!"

Atop the city tower, countless iron crossbow bolts gleamed. If Lin Xiao and the others refused to heed the warning, then a storm of thousands of arrows would descend next, riddling them like hornets' nests!

"I am Lin Xiao, here on behalf of the Lin Family to take possession of Ironwood Manor. Have your person in charge come out at once, or my Lin Family will attack the walls immediately!"

Lin Xiao showed not the slightest fear. His expression was stern as he shouted coldly.

That booming voice was enough for everyone inside Ironwood Manor to hear.

"Heh heh, I never expected your Lin Family to be this impatient, actually coming straight to my Ironwood Manor?"

Two figures appeared atop the city tower.

Lei Nuo and Lei Ying glanced at the Lin Family men and horses outside Ironwood Manor, and their expressions grew much darker.

They had only arrived a few days ago themselves, thinking that the Lin Family would not be able to sit still only after waiting another half month.

During this period, they needed to cut down all the ironwood inside Ironwood Manor as quickly as possible.

They would rather destroy it than hand it over to the Lin Family so easily.

For the previous half month, the Lei Family had been searching for large quantities of medicinal liquid, specifically meant to ruin the ironwood and the unique black soil where ironwood grew, all so that the Lin Family would end up with an ordinary manor of no use whatsoever.

But now, they had only barely found a little of that medicinal liquid. It was nowhere near enough to destroy Ironwood Manor's ironwood and special black soil, and there was still a large amount of ironwood inside Ironwood Manor that they had not had time to cut down.

If Lin Xiao and the other Lin Family members broke through Ironwood Manor, then the loss would be enormous!

Lei Nuo and Lei Ying sensed how serious the matter was, and continued in deep voices:

"If you want Ironwood Manor, then go to the Lei Family and handle the handover procedures. Once that is done, come back to Ironwood Manor!"

Whether it was cutting and transporting the ironwood away or gathering the medicinal liquid to destroy Ironwood Manor, all of it required ample time.

To keep the Lin Family from gaining any advantage, they had to think of a way to stall for time.

"Half a month is the longest deadline for handing over property in Qingyang Town. Could it be that your Lei Family wants to break the rules?"

Lin Xiao snorted coldly, then continued threatening:

"I imagine that the many forces in Qingyang Town would be very eager to see your Lei Family break the rules. When the time comes and your properties are seized, you can hardly blame others for starting down that rotten path!"

After hearing this, Lei Nuo and Lei Ying, the Lei Family's two early Heavenly Yuan Stage experts, both had drastic changes of expression.

Clearly, this kind of consequence was not something their Lei Family could afford.

After all, in Qingyang Town, the Lei Family had many properties. Even a place like Ironwood Manor was only relatively important, unlike the Huoyan Manor that was especially important to the Lin Family.

"Brother Lin Xiao, we brothers have been apart for so long and have not met in ages. Why not bring your men and wait outside Ironwood Manor for a moment? We will arrange a banquet at once and entertain everyone. How about it?"

Cold light flickered in Lei Nuo and Lei Ying's eyes. Taking advantage of this Hongmen Banquet, they were going to make their killing move...