Lin Family Gathering, the Astonished Lin Family Elders

Lin Family Gathering, the Astonished Lin Family Elders

After returning home, Lin Tianci first put away the various gifts he had bought, then headed to the Lin Family's rear courtyard with Lin Xia.

By the count of days, it was the end of the month, the Lin Family's unfailing time for a gathering.

At such gatherings, nearly every core member of the Lin Family would attend and report on all sorts of events from the past month.

Originally, Lin Tianci had not needed to attend. After all, his talent had been on display in the past; he had neither taken over any family business nor counted as an outstanding young cultivator.

Thus, the family had not demanded much of him.

However, ever since the Clan Competition ended, Lin Tianci had received considerable attention. Coupled with his takeover of Blazing Flame Manor, he now had a place at this gathering.

Although Lin Tianci could have skipped it by relying on Lin Zhentian's favor—

He had nothing better to do, so there was no harm in going.

Night fell, and a silver crescent moon cast its cold light across the earth.

Candles lit up throughout the Lin Family estate, lending it a hint of tranquility.

Yet that tranquility was shattered upon reaching the rear courtyard.

Dozens of people sat in the open air around a large round table, laughing and chatting boisterously.

After all, many of them had gone out to manage the Lin Family's businesses and might only see one another once a month, so naturally they were especially excited.

Sitting at the head of the table was, without question, Lin Zhentian.

Beside Lin Zhentian had originally been the seats of Lin Ken, Lin Mang, and the others, but now Lin Tianci sat at Lin Zhentian's right hand.

Lin Ken, Lin Mang, and the others sat to Lin Zhentian's left.

Some of the Lin Family's outstanding juniors sat at the far end.

From this alone, one could see just how much Lin Zhentian favored Lin Tianci.

Strength determined one's status after all, Lin Tianci sighed inwardly.

His strength was formidable, and his talent exceptional, so he had been placed directly at the very front.

Naturally, none of the dozens present objected to this seating arrangement. Only Lin Mang still carried a trace of venom in his eyes as he looked at Lin Tianci.

As usual, Lin Zhentian first asked the Lin Family members about the affairs of the past month.

When he heard Lin Ken say that Blazing Flame Manor had recently increased production, the smile in his eyes became impossible to suppress.

Once all matters had been reviewed, Lin Zhentian turned his smiling gaze toward Lin Tianci beside him.

"I heard these little ones put on quite a show at the Marketplace today. They clashed with the Xie Family, and in the end, even the Lei Family and Savage Blade Martial Hall got dragged in."

Lin Zhentian's words caused the atmosphere at the table to freeze, while some of the adults seemed to think of something and their expressions darkened slightly.

It was not the first time the Lin Family Juniors had clashed with the juniors of the Xie and Lei Families.

However, because of the gap in strength, and because the other two families each had a junior at the Body Tempering Ninth Layer to back them up, the Lin Family Juniors always returned battered and bruised.

As parents, they felt both helpless and frustrated about it.

Even if they went to reason with the Lei and Xie Families, those two families would most likely dismiss it as a quarrel between children. There was nothing they could do.

And the fact that the Lin Family Juniors lacked strength was undeniable.

They felt stifled and aggrieved, yet helpless. All they could do was make their own juniors cultivate more diligently.

"Dad, I will properly supervise and discipline the Lin Family Juniors this time, so they cause less trouble when they go out in the future." Lin Ken's good mood had also been ruined by this matter. He immediately said in a deep voice, "If your skills are lacking, don't imitate others and fight for glory. The one who suffers in the end will only be yourself."

Upon hearing this, many of the adults nodded.

"There is no need to rush over this matter." Lin Zhentian was in an excellent mood. He waved his hand, and the smile on his face did not fade in the slightest.

"This time, they did not disgrace our Lin Family. Tianci's strength has truly exceeded my expectations."

"This time, he directly crippled Xie Zhen and Xie Ting of the Xie Family, frightening the Xie Family Juniors so badly that none of them dared move. Even when Lei Li and Xie Tingting arrived in the end, they did not dare make a move."

As soon as Lin Zhentian said this, all the adults at the table were shaken. They stared at Lin Tianci in astonishment.

"Tianci, is this true?" Lin Ken's eyes widened, and he was greatly shocked as well.

"Mm, it was nothing much." Under the somewhat expectant gazes of the crowd, Lin Tianci nodded and said casually, "Xie Zhen and Xie Ting were mediocre in strength. I didn't expect them to be so unable to take a beating."

His seemingly casual words made all the adults' hearts skip a beat.

Xie Zhen and Xie Ting were both at the Body Tempering Seventh Layer. Even Lin Hong might not have been certain of victory against them. Moreover, Lin Tianci had intimidated Lei Li and Xie Yingying to the point where they did not dare act. That could not be explained away with merely "mediocre in strength."

At the lower end of the table, merely hearing Lin Zhentian's account sent Lin Dong's blood surging.

Before the eyes of everyone at the Marketplace, Lin Tianci had effortlessly defeated two Xie Family Juniors, then intimidated Lei Li and Xie Yingying so thoroughly that they dared not fight.

Such bearing truly, truly made one's heart race!

"Dong'er, you should learn more from Tianci. This time, Tianci has set an example for all of you juniors." Lin Xiao looked at Lin Dong and said seriously.

"Mm." Lin Dong nodded earnestly.

At this moment, unlike the cheerful atmosphere in the Lin Family, the atmosphere in the Xie and Lei Families had become somewhat tense.

"The Xie Family cannot swallow this humiliation." Xie Qian sat in the seat of honor, his face filled with gloom.

"During this hunt, I will definitely make Lin Tianci of the Lin Family die without a burial place!" Lei Li erupted with his full aura from below.

His strength had already reached the Body Tempering Ninth Layer Peak. He was only one step away from reaching the Yuan Realm!

"As long as you can kill that brat Lin Tianci, you may choose any resources from the Xie Family! It is even possible for Xie Ting and Yingying to marry you together!"

A fiery light appeared in Lei Li's eyes as he nodded repeatedly. "Then just watch, Elder."

Before long, the Lin Family Gathering came to an end.

Lin Tianci, Lin Ken, and the others naturally returned home.

"Dad, do you know? My ge and Qing Tan have something going on." Lin Xia spoke excitedly.

Then, before Lin Tianci could stop her, she spilled everything that had happened that afternoon. She had even noticed the secret detail of Lin Tianci giving Qing Tan a necklace.

Lin Tianci could not help but marvel at women's terrifying powers of observation in such matters.

Upon hearing this, a gratified smile appeared on Lin Ken's face.

"Qing Tan is a fine girl. Although she is not your Third Uncle's biological daughter, your Third Uncle treats her as his own. If you do not treat her well and your Third Uncle finds out, he will come after you desperately."

"Dad, I know." Lin Tianci looked helpless. He had originally promised to keep it secret, but his family had still found out.

He glared fiercely at Lin Xia. "No one will think you're mute if you don't speak!"