Regarding the Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein, Lin Zhentian chose to keep the news under the strictest secrecy. Only the few people present that day knew about it.
This matter was of utmost importance to the Lin Family. If they could fully exploit the mine vein, the Lin Family's strength would inevitably soar. By then, even if the Lei and Xie Families joined forces, they would have nothing to fear.
Early the next morning, Lin Zhentian gathered nearly sixty percent of the Lin Family's forces here, sealing the area so tightly that not even water could pass through. The entire Ironwood Manor was like an iron barrel.
Lin Changqiang had wanted to point out that this was a bit too conspicuous, like trying to hide something in plain sight. But then he remembered that the Lei Family had not caught on in the original story anyway, so he said no more.
In addition, Lin Zhentian transferred several hundred workers from the Lin Family's other estates. Most of them would be sent to fell ironwood trees as a cover. Only a small number of the Lin Family's most loyal men would secretly be dispatched to the Back Mountain to mine the Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein.
Of course, before mining the vein, they had to deal with the Black Iron Demonic Leopards at the bottom of the valley. For this, even old Master Lin Zhentian, who had not fought in a long time, intended to act personally.
At the valley entrance, Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong looked down from above. At the same time, three figures leaped down, their toes tapping against the cliff face as they quickly landed safely at the valley floor.
"Roar!"
The moment the three entered the valley, the two Black Iron Demonic Leopards noticed them. Low growls immediately echoed through the ravine.
"I'll handle the one on the right. The two of you join forces against the other one. End this quickly and leave no future trouble!" Lin Zhentian stared sharply at the two leopards, then charged toward them.
Brilliant Yuan Power erupted from his body. Within that surging, powerful Yuan Power, Yin-Yang Qi flowed.
"Grandfather is probably just one step away from completing Yin-Yang Union and forming a Yuan Dan!" Seeing Lin Zhentian's majestic aura, Lin Dong nodded slightly. Once one stepped into the Yuan Dan Stage, one could be considered an expert even across the entire Great Yan Dynasty.
In Qingyang Town, Heavenly Origin Stage experts were rare, but not unheard of. Among the four leading factions, the Lin Family, Xie Family, and Mad Saber Martial Hall each had four Heavenly Origin Stage experts, while the Lei Family had five.
Yet across all of Qingyang Town, not a single Yuan Dan Stage expert could be found. That alone showed how difficult it was to achieve Yin-Yang Union and condense a Yuan Dan.
"Indeed. A lone Yin cannot give birth, and a solitary Yang cannot grow; thus heaven and earth are paired with Yin and Yang." Lin Changqiang sighed regretfully. "It's just a pity that the old man never remarried. Otherwise, he would probably have broken through to the Yuan Dan Stage long ago."
"???"
While the two bantered, Yuan Power was already surging below, sending sand and stones flying. Before long, the two demonic leopards at the bottom of the valley had been beaten back step by step and were in grave danger. Two early Heavenly Origin Stage cultivators were clearly no match for two mid-stage cultivators and one late-stage cultivator.
"Bang!"
A muffled sound rang out as Lin Zhentian suddenly extended two fingers and struck the demonic leopard heavily on the head. Powerful Yuan Power burst forth from that single point. His fingers were like sharp blade tips, piercing straight through the black leopard's skull and killing it in one blow!
Not far away, Lin Xiao and Lin Ken also unleashed the Pure Yuan Finger in succession, attacking the other black leopard from the front and rear. Unable to attend to both ends, it only had time to let out a miserable cry before dying with resentment.
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, then hurried after him.
They saw Xiao Yan rush directly to the black leopard corpses, opening his tiger jaws and tearing into them. Before long, he ripped open the bodies and pulled out two pitch-black crystals. With a flick of his tongue, he swallowed them.
"Little fellow, you do know your stuff. You even know to consume Demonic Crystals." Lin Zhentian frowned slightly. He found that Xiao Yan's intelligence seemed far beyond that of ordinary demonic beasts. But on second thought, it was his own tiger, and being smart was a good thing, so he stopped dwelling on it.
"Father, the Black Iron Demonic Leopards have been eliminated! Shouldn't we get to work now?" Lin Ken's eyes were full of eagerness.
Lin Zhentian nodded with some excitement. "Tomorrow, have Lin Mang go to Flame City first and find some trading houses to open up sales channels. Once the Yang Yuan Stones are mined, we can immediately sell them off."
As his words fell, Lin Zhentian clasped his hands behind his back and let out a long breath. In a steady voice, he said, "Fortune turns in cycles. It's time for the Lei and Xie Families to repay their debts!"
Hearing this, killing intent surged in Lin Xiao and Lin Ken's eyes as well. Years of restraint had already pushed their frustration to the limit. Now, perhaps it would not be long before they could Raise Their Eyebrows and Exhale.
"That's right! As they say, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Not a single member of the Lei and Xie Families who oppressed the Lin Family back then can be spared." To heighten the mood, Lin Changqiang awkwardly joined the act. He raised his right hand and clenched it into a fist, declaring fervently, "Every grievance shall be repaid a hundredfold!"
At these words, Lin Zhentian and the other two looked at Lin Changqiang in surprise, unable to understand when he had developed such deep hatred for the Lei Family.
Lin Dong, meanwhile, was stirred by his words. At this moment, his spirits soared; at this moment, his fighting will blazed. "What does a descendant of the Lin Family have to fear in this world? Pacifying Qingyang is within reach!"
"..." Lin Xiao suddenly felt as though he no longer recognized his son.
At the same time, at the Lei Family residence in Qingyang Town.
In a rather luxurious hall, Lei Bao lounged comfortably on a cushioned chair. Beside him, two young and beautiful maids carefully massaged him.
"What has the Lin Family been up to lately?" Lei Bao asked lazily with his eyes closed.
"The Lin Family has stationed quite a few men at Ironwood Manor and surrounded the place so tightly that not even water can get through." Below Lei Bao stood a middle-aged man in brocade robes, his posture deeply respectful. This man was Lei Pi, Lei Li's father, and his status in the Lei Family was second only to Lei Bao's.
"Heh, just as expected from a bunch of lowlifes." Lei Bao curled his lips disdainfully. Most of Ironwood Manor's black soil had been ruined, and its value was far less than before. Yet the Lin Family still treated it like treasure.
"Father, although the current Ironwood Manor is hardly worth mentioning to our Lei Family, to a family like the Lin Family that was only established twenty or thirty years ago, it is still a prized morsel. They would never be willing to give it up."
"Hmph, no matter what, those Lin Family bastards caused us to lose Ironwood Manor for nothing. We can't just let this go!" Lei Bao suddenly opened his eyes. "Use our connections in Flame City. When they buy the Lin Family's ironwood, make sure they push the prices down as much as possible. Taking advantage of the Lei Family isn't so easy!"
"Yes, Father!" Lei Pi nodded, a vicious smile appearing on his face.
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