Killing the Leopard

Regarding the news of the Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein, Lin Zhentian chose the tightest possible lockdown. Only those present that day knew about it.

This matter was of utmost importance to the Lin Family. If they could fully utilize this mine vein, the Lin Family's strength would skyrocket. At that point, even if the Lei and Xie Families joined forces, they would be nothing to fear.

The next morning, Lin Zhentian gathered nearly sixty percent of the Lin Family's forces here, sealing off the defenses so tightly that the entire Ironwood Manor was like an iron bucket.

Lin Changqiang wanted to mention that this was a bit like protesting too much, a classic case of "no silver buried here." But then he thought, since in the original story the Lei Family never caught on anyway, he kept his mouth shut.

Additionally, Lin Zhentian transferred several hundred workers from other Lin Family outposts. Most of them would be sent to chop ironwood as a cover. Only a small number of the Lin Family's most loyal followers would be secretly dispatched to the back mountain to mine the Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein.

Of course, before mining could begin, they first had to deal with the Black Iron Demonic Leopards at the bottom of the valley. For this, even Old Master Lin Zhentian, who hadn't made a move in a long time, planned to personally intervene.

At the valley entrance, Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong looked down from above. At the same time, three figures leaped down, their toes tapping lightly as they quickly and steadily landed at the valley floor.

"Roar!"

As the three landed, the two black leopards spotted them. Low growls echoed through the valley.

"I'll take the one on the right. You two handle the other together. Finish it quickly to avoid any trouble!" Lin Zhentian's gaze was sharp as he stared at the two leopards. With a low shout, he charged straight at his target.

Brilliant Yuan Power erupted from his body, and within that surging energy, Yin-Yang Qi flowed.

"Grandfather is probably just one step away from completing Yin-Yang Union and forming a Yuan Dan!" Watching Lin Zhentian's imposing aura, Lin Dong nodded slightly. Stepping into the Yuan Dan Stage would make one a true expert even across the entire Great Yan Dynasty.

In Qingyang Town, Heavenly Origin Stage experts, though rare, weren't unheard of. Among the four major powers, the Lin Family, Xie Family, and Mad Saber Martial Hall each had four Heavenly Origin Stage experts, while the Lei Family had five.

But search all of Qingyang Town, and you wouldn't find a single Yuan Dan Stage expert. That alone showed how difficult it was to achieve Yin-Yang Union and condense a Yuan Dan.

"Indeed. Solitary yin cannot give birth; solitary yang cannot grow. Thus, heaven and earth are matched with yin and yang." Lin Changqiang sighed regretfully. "It's a pity the old man never remarried. Otherwise, he'd probably have broken through to Yuan Dan Stage long ago."

"???"

While the two were joking around, Yuan Power was already surging below, kicking up sand and stones. Before long, the two demonic leopards at the valley floor were being pushed back step by step, their lives hanging by a thread. Two early Heavenly Origin Stage beasts were clearly no match for two mid-stage and one late-stage cultivator.

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out. Lin Zhentian's two fingers suddenly shot out, striking the leopard's head with force. Fierce Yuan Power exploded at a single point. His fingers, sharp as knife tips, pierced straight through the black leopard's skull, killing it in one blow!

Not far away, Lin Xiao and Lin Ken also unleashed Pure Yuan Finger, attacking the other leopard from front and back, leaving it unable to defend both sides. It only managed a single miserable cry before dying in hatred.

Just then, Xiao Yan beside Lin Dong suddenly let out an excited roar and leaped straight down the steep cliff wall. Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

Xiao Yan charged straight to the leopard's corpse, tearing into it with its tiger jaws. Soon, it ripped open the body and pulled out two pitch-black crystals, then flicked its tongue and swallowed them.

"Little one, you know your stuff. You even know to swallow Demonic Crystals." Lin Zhentian frowned slightly. He noticed Xiao Yan's intelligence seemed far beyond ordinary demonic beasts. But then he thought, it was their own tiger anyway—higher intelligence was a good thing—so he let it go.

"Father, the Black Iron Demonic Leopards are dealt with! Should we start work now?" Lin Ken's eyes burned with eagerness.

Lin Zhentian nodded, also visibly excited. "Tomorrow, have Lin Mang head to Flame City first and find some trade associations to open up sales channels. That way, once the Yang Yuan Stones are mined, we can sell them off immediately."

With that, Lin Zhentian clasped his hands behind his back, let out a long breath, and said in a steady voice, "The wheel of fortune turns. The Lei and Xie Families—it's time they paid their debts!"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao and Lin Ken's eyes also blazed with killing intent. Years of restraint had long pushed them to their limits. Now, perhaps soon, they would finally be able to raise their eyebrows and exhale.

"That's right! As they say, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. The Lei and Xie Families once oppressed our Lin Family. Not a single one will be spared." To build the atmosphere, Lin Changqiang put on an awkward performance. He raised his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and declared passionately, "For every wrong, we will repay it a hundredfold!"

At these words, Lin Zhentian and the other two all looked at Lin Changqiang in surprise, puzzled as to when he had developed such a deep grudge against the Lei Family.

Beside him, Lin Dong was stirred, his heart pounding. In that moment, he was full of spirit and high-spirited. "A Lin Family son fears nothing under heaven! Pacifying Qingyang is just around the corner!"

"..." Lin Xiao suddenly felt like he didn't even recognize his own son anymore.

Meanwhile, at the Lei Family estate in Qingyang Town.

In a rather luxurious hall, Lei Bao was lounging comfortably on a soft chair. Beside him, two young and beautiful maidservants were carefully massaging him.

"Any recent movements from the Lin Family?" Lei Bao asked lazily, eyes closed.

"The Lin Family has stationed quite a few men at Ironwood Manor, surrounding it so tightly not a drop could leak through." Below Lei Bao, a middle-aged man in fine clothes stood respectfully. This man was Lei Pi, Lei Li's father, second only to Lei Bao in the Lei Family's hierarchy.

"Heh, a bunch of country bumpkins who can't even get on the stage." Lei Bao curled his lips in disdain. Most of Ironwood Manor's Black Soil had been ruined, and its value was far from what it used to be. Yet the Lin Family still treated it like a treasure.

"Father, while Ironwood Manor is nothing to our Lei Family now, to a family like the Lin Family that's only been around for twenty or thirty years, it's still a tasty morsel. They'd never give it up~"

"Hmph. No matter what, those bastards in the Lin Family cost us Ironwood Manor for nothing. This can't just be let go!" Lei Bao's eyes snapped open. "Use our connections in Flame City. When they buy ironwood from the Lin Family, have them squeeze the price as low as possible. My Lei Family's goodwill isn't so easily taken advantage of!"

"Yes, Father!" Lei Pi nodded, a sinister smile spreading across his face.