Arrival at the Lin Family's High-Level Clan Meeting

"Second Brother, Godfather, I'm here! This must be Godmother, right? Xiao Yan pays his respects to Godmother!"

"Oh, right. This is my father, Xiao Family Clan Leader Xiao Zhan. As for his strength... hmm, Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm."

Xiao Yan grinned and stepped forward to greet Lin Dong's family of three, not forgetting to introduce his father at the same time.

He and Lin Dong were sworn brothers, so there was nothing wrong with addressing them this way.

"Dong'er pays his respects to Godfather!"

Hearing this, Lin Dong hurried forward and bowed.

"Brother Xiao, over this past year, I must thank the Xiao Family for the Healing Pills, medicinal herbs, and Magic Cores. Otherwise, my son and I would never have attained our current strength."

Lin Xiao's expression turned solemn as he cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan.

Judging by his age, Brother Xiao should be about the same age as me, yet he had already reached Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm. With such strength, he would likely rank among the top five even in Yan City, wouldn't he?

What a pity. If not for the injuries that had plagued me these past years, I would have long since advanced to Core Formation Realm.

"Hey, we're family. With the relationship between Yan'er and Dong'er, what's the point of saying such things?"

"If anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me thanking you, Brother Lin."

Xiao Zhan quickly waved his hand and spoke heartily.

Only after speaking with Xiao Yan last night had he learned that half the credit for the Xiao Family's tremendous growth over the past year belonged to the Lin father and son.

Otherwise, even if Xiao Yan could travel between two worlds, how could he, with only Dou Qi at the beginning, have obtained Pure Yuan Pills that were of great use even to Da Dou Shi?

To put it seriously, Pure Yuan Pills corresponded to Core Formation Realm. For Lin Xiao, a Heavenly Origin Realm cultivator, to deal in resources of this level was undoubtedly an enormous risk.

Compared to that, the Xiao Family's contribution of Healing Pills that reached no higher than third grade was, at most, icing on the cake.

"Father, Godfather, our time for this trip is limited. Let's handle the important business first."

"That's right, Eldest Brother is right. Let's stop being so polite. As Eldest Brother puts it, this is a win-win situation!"

Seeing the two elders still exchanging courtesies, Xiao Yan and Lin Dong each grabbed one and dragged them toward the Cave entrance.

They did not let go until they had left the Cave and started heading toward the Lin Family.

"Second Brother, where's Little Sable? Why didn't he come out?"

Xiao Yan moved close to Lin Dong, slung an arm around him, and asked in a low voice.

"Ah, you know his temperament. He doesn't want to be the Third Brother—he wants to be the Eldest Brother. He said he's lived longer than both our families combined."

Scratching the back of his head, Lin Dong spoke with a bitter smile.

"Tsk, I believe he's older than us, but saying he's older than my family members? That's not necessarily true."

Xiao Yan curled his lip.

There was Ancestor Xiao Xuan in the Ancient Clan's Heavenly Tomb, and Ancestor Xiao Chen in the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame's space. The former had fought Hun Tiandi in the Peak Tournament a Thousand Years Ago, while the latter had been trapped in Demon Flame Space for who knew how many years...

Wait!

Thinking of Ancestor Xiao Chen in Demon Flame Space, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up as a bold idea suddenly arose in his heart.

The Flame Ancestral Symbol controlled all the flames under heaven, and the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame was fire too, right? That way, there would be no need to wait for the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame to emerge. As long as Second Brother got close to the Flame Ancestral Symbol's holder, they could directly free Ancestor Xiao Chen.

Wouldn't that mean I'd have a Dou Saint backing me up?

Even if he could not easily show himself on the Dou Qi Continent because of the Soul Clan, wouldn't bringing him along whenever I traveled to the Profound Sky Continent give me a Reincarnation Stage bodyguard?

With a Reincarnation Stage bodyguard, wouldn't the efficiency of gathering all sorts of resources soar straight through the roof?

"Huh? Is Third Brother really that old? Is what he said about being a Sky Demon Sable true too?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's confirmation, Lin Dong's eyes widened.

Good heavens, there's a genuine ancient relic hidden inside the Stone Talisman in my palm?

"We'll talk about Third Brother later. You know that although I've broken through to Dou Zhe, my stay has only gone from one day to two. Time is tight and the task is heavy. We have to use these two days to completely open things up for your Lin Family."

"There's no need to worry about strength. As long as the Yan City Lord does not intervene, my father is invincible in this region."

Xiao Yan spoke softly.

One-Star Great Dou Shi to Three-Star Great Dou Shi corresponded to Lesser Core Formation Realm,

Four-Star Great Dou Shi to Six-Star Great Dou Shi corresponded to Minor Perfection of Core Formation Realm,

Seven Star Great Dou Master to Nine-Star Great Dou Shi corresponded to Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm.

Xiao Zhan was at Peak Great Dou Shi, only one step away from Dou Ling. In a one-on-one fight, none of Yan City's Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm experts would be his match.

Over the past year, the resources Lin Xiao obtained by dealing in supplies had still been far too scarce.

If there were enough Yang Yuan Pills, the Xiao Family would definitely have far more than just fifty-odd Dou Masters. It would not be a dream for every clan member to reach that realm upon adulthood.

The same went for Spiritual Medicine Pills.

Neither the Jia Ma Empire nor the entire Northwest Continent possessed treasures capable of assisting cultivation at the Dou Qi stage. This realm was the foundation of everything, and only the spiritual medicines of the Xuantian Continent became mild in medicinal potency after being refined by the Stone Talisman.

Spiritual Medicine Pills had already become a specialty product that the Xiao Family exported to the Mite'er Family, as well as the crucial link connecting the two!

No matter how many such treasures they acquired, it would never be enough!

Pure Yuan Pills were even more so. The little Lin Xiao had obtained was not even enough for the Third Elder of the Xiao Family to divide among themselves!

This time, Xiao Yan had brought Xiao Zhan here to elevate the entire Lin Family, using the strength of one family to replace the Blood Wolf Gang and borrow its channels to gather resources!

"Don't worry. My father timed it well and informed Grandfather beforehand. The high-level clan meeting should have already begun by now, and they're just waiting for us."

"Clearing away every threat in Yan City would be a great thing for our Lin Family. Grandfather and Eldest Uncle definitely won't object. As for that guy Lin Mang, if he refuses to accept it, I'll have my father beat him into submission!"

Lin Dong pointed at Lin Xiao walking ahead, then clenched his fist and spoke viciously.

Clearly, he did not have the slightest good impression of Lin Mang, his so-called Second Uncle.

That was only natural. Ever since Lin Xiao became a fallen genius, the family of three had endured far more than two or three years of cold stares, and Lin Mang's family had been especially excessive.

In the Lin Family's rear courtyard, this was generally considered one of the more important places in the family, so ordinary people were not permitted to enter.

Inside a hall in the rear courtyard sat several figures. At the highest seat was a white-haired old man dressed in brocade robes, giving off an exceptionally sturdy impression. His eyes swept over the room with considerable authority.

This man was the current head of the Lin Family, Lin Xiao's father and Lin Dong's grandfather, Lin Zhentian.

"Father, is there something going on that prompted this high-level clan meeting? Could it be that the Lei and Xie families have made another move?"

Once everyone who was supposed to be there had arrived, Lin Dong's Eldest Uncle, Lin Ken, finally spoke.

Ever since Lin Xiao had lost heart, Lin Dong's family of three had basically lived their own quiet lives, and Lin Xiao had never participated in any so-called clan meetings.

As Lin Zhentian's eldest son, Lin Ken had gradually taken on the burden of the family from him.

"Hahahaha..."

"It's good news. This clan meeting was proposed by Xiao'er."

The moment Lin Zhentian thought of Lin Xiao coming to him last night and revealing that he had recovered his peak strength, he could not help bursting into laughter.

"What?! Lin Xiao? Does this guy still think he's the genius from back then? He's nothing but a cripple. What right does he have to convene a clan meeting!"

As soon as the words fell, the lean Lin Mang could not help mocking him.

He and Lin Xiao had different mothers and the same father, and their relationship had never been good. From childhood to adulthood, he had always competed with Lin Xiao, only to be thoroughly suppressed by him every time.

It was not until the genius fell that he finally saw a turning point.

"Insolence! This Old Man hasn't finished speaking, and I'm not dead yet. Do you, you unfilial son, need to approve the holding of a clan meeting?!"

Lin Zhentian's gaze swept across Lin Mang's face. Then he raised his hand and slammed it hard against the table, shouting sternly.

"Father, Second Brother was indeed somewhat impulsive. You needn't be too angry."

Lin Ken sighed. As the Eldest Brother, he had no choice but to speak.

"Father, I know I was wrong."

Lin Mang came to his senses as well and hurriedly admitted his mistake.

Within the Lin Family, Lin Zhentian possessed the highest prestige. Even though Lin Mang had broken through two years ago and become the Lin Family's third publicly known Heavenly Origin Realm expert, he still did not dare offend him.

"Hmph!"

"Lin Mang, I know you two have never gotten along since childhood."

"However, the most important thing for a family is unity. You are both core members of the family. If the Lin Family is to become truly powerful, you cannot let private grievances interfere with public matters. Otherwise, the Lin Family will decline sooner or later!"

After snorting coldly, Lin Zhentian saw that Lin Mang had admitted his fault and finally nodded slightly. The next instant, his expression turned from cloudy to clear, and he smiled.

"There is one more matter. Dong'er received a fortunate opportunity and acknowledged a powerful expert as his Godfather. As a result, Xiao'er's injuries have recovered as well, and his current strength even surpasses this Old Man's."

"Today's clan meeting is not only because Xiao'er has recovered his strength, but also because Dong'er's Godfather has arrived."

"Xiao'er is right. In such a small place as Qingyang Town, several families are entrenched here. It is time to change this situation."

As Lin Zhentian's words fell, the entire hall instantly sank into silence.

"Is... is that true?"

Lin Mang's eyes widened as he stared blankly at the smiling Lin Zhentian. In the end, he slumped against the back of his chair.

It was over. The genius of the past had returned.

The suppression I've inflicted on their family these past years...

"Good, good, good! This is wonderful news!"

Unlike Lin Mang's dejection, Lin Ken repeatedly cried out in delight, his face filled with excitement.

Lin Xiao had recovered his strength. This meant their Lin Family now had two Late Heavenly Origin Realm experts.

One had to know that the Lei Family and Xie Family each only had one Late Heavenly Origin Realm expert. Not to mention, how could Lin Dong's Godfather, who had so easily healed Lin Xiao's injuries, be an ordinary person?

Even Lin Zhentian called him a powerful expert. Did that not mean that man was very likely a Core Formation Realm expert?

That was Core Formation Realm! Across all of Qingyang Town, not one of the four major forces combined had a Core Formation Realm expert!

Even if he were only at Lesser Core Formation Realm, he could easily defeat three to five Late Heavenly Origin Realm experts working together!

"Eldest Brother is smiling so happily. Did something good happen?"

At that moment, a voice came from outside the hall.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw two imposing middle-aged men walking in side by side, followed by a beautiful woman and two youths.