By the next day, the details of the Lei and Xie families' destruction had spread completely.
Aside from Lin Zhentian, who had successfully broken through to the Lesser Yuan Dan Stage, Lin Yi's name had also become widely renowned throughout Qingyang Town.
Every member of Qingyang Town's younger generation had begun treating Lin Yi as an idol.
Lin Yi had already killed five Heaven Origin Realm experts, including Xie Qian, the Xie Family Patriarch, who had been at the late stage of the Heaven Origin Realm!
Other than the Lin Family, how many Heaven Origin Realm experts did all the various forces in Qingyang Town have combined?
With such fearsome might, even Luo Cheng, the master of Mad Saber Martial Hall, no longer dared to treat Lin Yi as a junior.
Early that morning, the leaders of the various forces, including Luo Cheng, all brought gifts and personally hurried to Ironwood Manor to congratulate Lin Zhentian on breaking through to the Yuan Dan Stage.
At the same time, they also wanted to test the Lin Family's attitude.
The Lin Family had wiped out the Lei Family and Xie Family overnight. Would they go on a killing spree and wipe out all their forces as well?
In particular, some of the forces that had previously been friendly with the Lei and Xie families were trembling with fear.
Inside a spacious hall at Ironwood Manor.
Lin Zhentian sat at the head of the hall. As he looked at the leaders of all the various forces in Qingyang Town gathered together, his spirits soared.
After everyone had finished offering their congratulations, Lin Zhentian cupped his hands and laughed heartily. "Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to break through to the Lesser Yuan Dan Stage. It was merely a small achievement, yet I've troubled all of you by personally coming to congratulate me."
"Taking this opportunity, I'll also explain to everyone why I took action against the Lei and Xie families..."
After explaining the reason for destroying the Lei and Xie families, Lin Zhentian continued, "If the Lei and Xie families hadn't been completely devoid of principles, this old man and the Lin Family would never have used such bloody methods!"
"Everyone, rest assured. My Lin Family has always treated others kindly and is willing to coexist peacefully with everyone. As long as you don't take the initiative to make an enemy of my Lin Family, we absolutely won't take action against any of you!"
Hearing Lin Zhentian's words, everyone present immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Soon, the hall rang with a flurry of flattering voices.
"Patriarch Lin is a man of great righteousness. I'm deeply impressed!"
"The Lei and Xie families actually dared to assassinate Young Master Lin Yi and intercept the Lin Family's women and children. They truly deserved to die!"
"Exactly. The Lei and Xie families ran rampant through Qingyang Town. This old man had long since been unable to stand them!"
"The Lin Family's destruction of the Lei and Xie families has rid Qingyang Town of two great scourges. We're all immensely grateful!"
"..."
Since the Lei and Xie families were already gone, they naturally had no qualms about kicking them while they were down to curry favor with the Lin Family.
Afterward, Lin Zhentian exchanged more pleasantries with everyone. He also took out some unimportant industries belonging to the Lei and Xie families and distributed them among the forces that had previously been on good terms with the Lin Family, earning another round of praise and flattery.
After seeing off the people from the various forces, everyone in the Lin Family became busy. Even Lin Yi was unable to slack off.
The Lin Family's strength had originally been inferior even to the Xie Family's, yet now it had to take over the industries of both the Lei and Xie families at once. It felt rather like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.
Thus, the Lin Family was extremely short-handed.
Lin Zhentian had given away some less important industries not only to win people over, but also because the shortage of manpower was an important reason.
In addition to mobilizing the Lin Family's three generations, Lin Zhentian also offered generous terms to recruit more people.
The Lin Family now stood unrivaled in Qingyang Town, and the terms it offered were highly favorable. It did not take long for them to recruit quite a few capable hands.
Of course, for important positions, the Lin Family's longtime members were still given priority.
Even so, Lin Yi, Lin Xiao, and the others were all so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.
After working nonstop for half a month, the Lin Family finally managed to absorb the industries of the Lei and Xie families, and everything had entered the right track.
That day, Lin Zhentian once again summoned the three Lin brothers, along with Lin Yi, to the Council Hall.
"Tomorrow, I plan to transport another batch of Yang Yuan Stones to Flame City for sale. We used to sell them once every three months, but this time, taking over the Lei and Xie families' industries caused us to delay by half a month."
Lin Zhentian sat in the seat of honor, his face glowing. "The Yang Yuan Stones are piling up at the manor and aren't being used. It's better to exchange them for Yang Yuan Pills as soon as possible. Which of you will make the trip this time?"
"Grandfather, I'll go." Lin Yi took the task upon himself. He planned to visit Flame City again and purchase another batch of Spirit Medicine.
"I'll go with Yi'er," Lin Xiao said.
Lin Zhentian smiled. "Good. Then the two of you will go. With two late-stage Heaven Origin Realm experts leading the team, it will absolutely be foolproof."
Looking at his children and grandchildren, Lin Zhentian felt extremely satisfied. Lin Yi in particular gave Lin Zhentian hope that they could return to the clan.
At this thought, Lin Zhentian suddenly turned solemn and looked at Lin Yi. He said seriously, "Yi'er, regarding the clan assembly of the Lin Clan, I wonder if your father has told you about it."
When Lin Zhentian mentioned the clan assembly, Lin Xiao's expression immediately froze. The scene from that year at the Lin Clan's assembly seemed to appear before his eyes once more.
Lin Yi said in a deep voice, "Father hasn't told me about it in detail, but I have a general understanding of the Lin Clan's clan assembly."
"There are about three years left until the Lin Clan's clan assembly. The Lin Family has now finally stabilized, so over the next three years, you must focus on cultivation." Lin Zhentian stared at Lin Yi, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"With your talent, you should be able to break through to the Yuan Dan Stage in three years. With Yuan Dan Stage strength, you'll definitely enter the top ten at the Lin Clan's assembly. By then, our family will be able to return to the Lin Clan..."
"Reach the Yuan Dan Stage in three years?"
"What a joke."
Lin Yi grumbled inwardly, but said aloud, "Grandfather, rest assured. Three years from now, I'll definitely help you fulfill your wish of returning to the inner clan."
As for getting revenge for Lin Xiao, Lin Yi did not mention it. Some things did not need to be said aloud, and he did not want to reopen Lin Xiao's wounds.
"Good child..." Lin Zhentian rose and walked to Lin Yi's side. He patted him on the shoulder and said nothing more.
Afterward, Lin Zhentian explained a few more matters concerning the newly acquired industries before dismissing everyone.
Early the next morning, after Lin Yi and Lin Xiao had eaten breakfast, they headed together toward the main gate of Ironwood Manor.
"Father, Brother Lin Yi, I want to go with you too!" Seeing this, Qing Tan hurried after them and called out sweetly.
Qing Tan's cultivation had long since reached the late stage of the Earth Yuan Stage, but due to the restrictions of her Sect Demon Body, she was temporarily unable to break through any further.
At Lin Yi's suggestion, Qing Tan had stopped cultivating. She was bored out of her mind every day, and now that she finally had a chance to visit Flame City, she naturally did not want to miss it.
"We're going to handle serious business, not play around," Lin Xiao said.
"Take me with you. I promise I won't cause any trouble." Qing Tan pleaded with Lin Xiao, then pulled on Lin Yi's arm and acted coyly. "Brother Lin Yi, help me say something too. The last time I went to Flame City, wasn't I very well-behaved and careful not to cause trouble?"
"Mm, our Qing Tan is the most obedient," Lin Yi said with a smile. He then looked at Lin Xiao. "Father, just bring Qing Tan along. I'll keep an eye on her."
Lin Yi knew that, if nothing unexpected happened, Qing Tan would head to the Dark Temple three years later. He cherished every moment he could spend with her now.
"Remember, don't cause trouble after you get to Flame City!" Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao no longer refused and reminded Qing Tan.
"Mm-hmm." Qing Tan was immediately delighted and blinked at Lin Yi.
By the time the three of them reached the main gate of Ironwood Manor, the group had already finished preparing for departure.
"Set off!"
Lin Xiao mounted his horse with Lin Yi and Qing Tan, then waved his hand and shouted.
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