Tension Mounts

Amid this solemn atmosphere, the Lin Clan's party slowly made its way through the mountain forest.

Before long, the once-dense woods suddenly opened up, revealing a rare expanse of open ground.

On that clearing rested a group that appeared to have been formed by the merger of two separate parties. They were resting and regrouping there, as though waiting for someone.

When the Lin Clan's party appeared, the nearly hundred people resting in the clearing fixed Lin Ke'er, Lin Dong, Lin Chen, and the others with unfriendly stares, their hands tightening around the blades at their sides.

Lin Xuan, who walked near the front of the party in a plain coarse-cloth robe and looked utterly ordinary, was directly ignored by them.

In almost an instant, the atmosphere became taut with tension.

Lin Ke'er, Lin Chen, and the others drew their weapons one after another. What surprised Lin Dong was that the weapons held by Lin Ke'er and a woman named Lin Xue both radiated an extraordinary aura.

"Gasp! They're actually spirit treasures!"

At that moment, a greedy voice answered Lin Dong's question, but it also gave rise to even more questions in his mind.

"Little Marten, what are spirit treasures?"

"You really are ridiculously ignorant, kid. Though I suppose that's understandable—what could people from a dump like this possibly know?"

Little Marten curled his lips disdainfully. Yet after speaking, he seemed to recall something and quickly changed his tone to patch things up.

"Of course, your Lin Clan's Young Clan Leader is an exception. In fact, if I hadn't never heard of any top expert who used a sword, I would've suspected that he was a legendary Reincarnator!"

"What's a Reincarnator?"

As unfamiliar terms emerged one after another, countless doubts flashed through Lin Dong's mind. Little Marten waved a paw and said casually, "You don't need to know that yet. As for the spirit treasures you mentioned, they're treasures that Spirit Symbol Masters can forge. That freak from your Lin Clan has reached a spiritual power realm where he can forge spirit treasures."

"Gasp, they even require a Spirit Symbol Master? As expected of a major clan!"

Lin Dong subconsciously glanced at the spirit treasures in Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue's hands, envy flickering through his eyes.

"Tch, what's there to envy? They're just low-grade spirit treasures. So ignorant!"

Little Marten curled his lips in disdain, his expression practically saying that knowing Lin Dong was embarrassing.

Yet after speaking, a hint of amazement flashed through Little Marten's eyes. He said with considerable envy, "If you really want to envy someone, envy that freak from your Lin Clan. The sword in his hand is probably no worse than your Mysterious Stone Talisman. And it's linked to his aura—no matter how strong someone is, they can't take it from him."

Who wouldn't envy such a fortuitous opportunity? Not only was the treasure of an extremely high grade, but it was directly bound to its owner and could not be stolen.

In other words, Lin Xuan could use it without restraint. Anyone with some strength would know that even if they stole that sword, they would be unable to use it. Naturally, they would not lower themselves to attack a junior just to snatch a junior's possession.

"But you don't need to envy him either. Your Mysterious Stone Talisman is also an extremely powerful treasure."

Lin Dong nodded slightly. That was true. Other than being unable to increase his combat strength for battle, the Mysterious Stone Talisman could practically be called a divine artifact in every other regard.

While Lin Dong conversed with Little Marten, that group gradually closed in. Quite a few of them stared eagerly at the spirit treasures in Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue's hands.

Of course, some had set their sights on Little Flame beside Lin Dong.

In particular, aside from the dozen or so Core Formation Realm experts sent to protect them, the rest of the Lin Clan's group consisted entirely of young men and women. This naturally stirred that group's greed even further.

Wu Tao and the others stopped. Then Wu Tao and the three other stewards standing alongside him released their auras one after another. The four Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm auras caused solemn expressions to appear on the faces of the opposing group.

After exchanging glances, two sinister-looking men with somewhat similar faces both saw the greed in each other's eyes. They then turned together toward the fierce middle-aged man standing beside them, whose arms were covered in knife scars.

After the three exchanged looks, they all confirmed the greed and desire in one another's hearts.

The fierce middle-aged man said nothing and merely raised a hand slightly. The next moment, a savage and unruly middle-aged man approached, thrusting one hand directly in front of Lin Dong. His gaze landed on Little Flame, who was quietly staring at him.

"Kid, your mount looks quite impressive. How about selling it to me? Ten thousand Yang Yuan Stones!"

As he spoke, the savage-looking middle-aged man gave Lin Dong a ferocious grin.

However, the man failed to notice that Little Flame's eyes had narrowed slightly and that its aura was gradually withdrawing. Anyone familiar with the hunting habits of the tiger race would have understood that this was often a habitual motion they made while hunting.

Just as that man blocked Lin Dong's path, two ugly, scar-faced men on the other side stepped forward and blocked Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue. They teased them, saying, "Tsk tsk, what stunning little beauties. Each one colder and prouder than the last. I just wonder... heh heh, whether you can be like this too..."

Clang!

Before the two could finish speaking, two spirit-treasure swords shot forth in an instant, forcing them to shut their mouths.

Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue were both proud women. They had been born into excellent circumstances, and even within the Lin Clan, their talents ranked above average. They had lived pampered lives—when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

At once, Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue glared murderously at the two desperadoes, who possessed Minor Perfection of Core Formation Realm strength, killing intent filling their beautiful eyes.

After coldly glancing at the two men before them, Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue both turned their heads and instinctively looked toward Lin Xuan, who stood at the front of the party and had remained silent all along.

Yet beneath the gazes of Lin Ke'er, Lin Xue, and even Lin Dong, Lin Xuan still showed no reaction. He merely held his sword in both arms, without any intention of moving.

This left Lin Dong somewhat puzzled. He could sense Little Flame's killing intent, but he did not want to cause trouble for Lin Xuan either. After all, Lin Xuan was not Lin Langtian. Not only had he shown Lin Dong kindness, but he had also taken considerable care of him. Though it was also for Lin Xuan's own sake, Lin Dong had benefited from it as well.

Lin Dong did not understand what he meant, but Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue beside him did. In the next moment, both of their auras surged dramatically!