Lin Ming's Plans

"Clan Leader Tengshan, the fist technique Lin Ming used, along with the movement technique that let him effortlessly evade attacks, must both be Profound Tier Dou Techniques. At such a young age, he has not only reached Dou Qi Stage Seven, but also mastered two Profound Tier Dou Techniques to such a degree! He is truly heaven-blessed," Prince Bo Ren said as he rose to address Mittel Tengshan.

Mittel Tengshan smiled broadly. "My unruly son merely has a little talent. He does not deserve such praise from Prince Bole."

As the eldest prince, Prince Bole had come to attend the Mite'er Family Annual Meeting on behalf of the Royal Family. Naturally, he was no simple figure. How could he not realize that Mittel Tengshan was merely being modest?

Anyone could see that, barring an accident, it was only a matter of time before Lin Ming surpassed the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong. He might even reach the level of Yun Potian, the strongest figure in the Misty Cloud Sect's history. Under Yun Potian's leadership, the Misty Cloud Sect had been a true colossus, intimidating every surrounding empire. It had been a top-tier force even on the Northwest Continent, and few sects from the prosperous Middle Continent had dared provoke it.

One had to know that Lin Ming was not a Rogue Cultivator without a background, someone who could be recruited or eliminated at will. He was a member of the Mite'er Family, one of the Jia Ma Empire's three Top Factions. With his family's protection and resources, it was highly unlikely that he would perish midway. Since they could not destroy him, they had to build a good relationship with him. A marriage alliance was an excellent choice, one that could turn Lin Ming into half a member of their own family.

Prince Bo Ren immediately said, "Clan Leader Tengshan is too modest. With Lin Ming's current accomplishments, in another twenty or thirty years, he will surely become a star of the empire and deter foreign nations on its behalf. After I return to the palace, I will propose to Father Emperor and the Old Ancestor that Lin Ming be granted the Earl Tianxing Title." Then Prince Bo Ren added, "I have an Imperial Sister named Yao Ye. She is gentle, intelligent, and eight years old, close to Lin Ming's age. I presume Lin Ming has not yet been betrothed. When the time comes, I am willing to mention it together with Father Emperor and the Old Ancestor, so they may bestow a marriage between Lin Ming and my Imperial Sister."

Damn it, shameless. First a title, then a wife. Why not just give him your throne outright? The others cursed inwardly. They, too, wanted to use a marriage alliance to win Lin Ming over. First, Prince Bole had beaten them to it. Second, their families truly had no outstanding candidates of the right age. Third, the Misty Cloud Sect, one of the Jia Ma Empire's three Top Factions, had yet to speak. None of them found it appropriate to bring it up.

The Misty Cloud Sect's representative was suffering inwardly as well. He was merely a minor Deacon. He could make decisions on small matters, but could he possibly decide something as major as this? Furthermore, the Misty Cloud Sect did not currently have any junior worthy of mention! Could they use the Young Sect Master, who was currently in Secluded Cultivation attempting to break through to Dou Wang, for a marriage alliance? That was not something he could decide. Yet if he returned to the Misty Cloud Sect without saying anything and was blamed for failing to recruit Lin Ming, he would not be able to bear the consequences either. Sigh, being a subordinate is not easy!

The Misty Cloud Sect Deacon rose and said, "Clan Leader Tengshan, although the Misty Cloud Sect has no one of a suitable age for a marriage alliance, our collection is quite abundant. If Lin Ming is willing to join the Misty Cloud Sect, I can decide that he will immediately become a Sect Core Disciple. I will also recommend that Sect Master Yun Shan accept him as a disciple. At that time, all of the Misty Cloud Sect's inheritances will be open to him."

Hearing the two sides speak, the other families became even less daring to say anything. Unless they were willing to give Lin Ming the position of Clan Leader, what conditions could they possibly offer that were better than those of these two? Thus, all those families decided to send generous gifts after returning home and try to build a relationship with him.

After hearing both sides out, Mittel Tengshan took a sip of tea and said, "Although I am the Clan Leader, this child lost all his family in an accident, so he has always made his own decisions. The family owes him greatly. I am not afraid of being laughed at by all of you, but I only spoke with Lin Ming for the first time today. Therefore, I cannot make decisions on his behalf. Besides, he is still young, and I do not wish for other matters to distract him. I also ask everyone not to disturb the child." As Mittel Tengshan finished speaking, he released the pressure of a Dou Wang, causing everyone present to sink slightly. The pressure came swiftly and vanished just as quickly, dispersing before the crowd could react.

"Everyone, please continue watching the matches," Mittel Tengshan said with a smile. No one could tell that he was the same Dou Wang Expert who had just intimidated them all.

Lin Ming looked at the people around the edge of the arena. Seeing that no one dared come challenge him to a "spar," he headed toward the outskirts. Since he had already established prestige, there was no need to remain here and be watched like a monkey. He would leave the stage to the others.

When Lin Ming reached the edge, the people nearby automatically made way for him. Even the closest stood more than ten feet away. Seeing this, Lin Ming thought, Did I scare them too badly? He then ignored them and sat down to meditate.

Only after Lin Ming began meditating did people start speaking in low voices. Gradually, others resumed their matches.

The sun in the sky was nearly level with the ground, and this year's Family Annual Meeting was drawing to a close.

Before long, after all the guests had departed, Grandpa Liu came to find Lin Ming. He said the Clan Leader wished to see him, so Lin Ming followed Grandpa Liu to meet him.

"Clan Leader." Lin Ming gave a salute.

"Haha, Xiao Ming, the surprise you gave me was so great it nearly became a fright. I heard from your Grandpa Liu that you have also mastered a Profound Tier Mid-grade Blade Skill," Mittel Tengshan said with a smile.

"Hehe, Clan Leader." Lin Ming scratched his head.

"I heard from your Grandpa Liu that you want to study medicinal theory at the Medicine Refinement Hall. What, do you want to become an Alchemist?" Mittel Tengshan asked.

"Yes, Clan Leader." Lin Ming hurriedly replied, repeating most of what he had told Grandpa Liu that day. He also promised that it would not affect his cultivation.

"Very well. Since you already have plans, I will not interfere. I will speak to the Medicine Refinement Hall. You can go after the new year," Mittel Tengshan said.

"Thank you, Clan Leader! Rest assured, I will not neglect my cultivation." Upon hearing Mittel Tengshan's words, Lin Ming knew the matter was settled and hastily replied, again promising not to fall behind in cultivation.

Mittel Tengshan nodded in satisfaction. Then he said, "Xiao Ming, do you have any plans for the future?" He then told Lin Ming about the Royal Family's intention to grant him the Earl Tianxing Title and arrange a marriage between Yao Ye and him, as well as the Misty Cloud Sect's desire to accept him as a disciple.

Lin Ming felt awkward when he heard about the marriage alliance. Having a wife at such a young age? After hearing Mittel Tengshan out, Lin Ming did not answer his question about his plans. Instead, he asked, "Clan Leader, do you know how vast the Dou Qi Continent is?"

Mittel Tengshan was startled by Lin Ming's question. I'm asking you. Why are you asking me instead? The key was that he truly did not know how vast the Dou Qi Continent was. Mittel Tengshan had not even left the Northwest Continent, so how could he possibly know the size of this world?

However, being asked by a junior, directly admitting that he did not know would damage the dignity of a Dou Wang Expert. So Mittel Tengshan fell silent for a moment before answering, "Let me put it this way. In the Jia Ma Empire alone, even a Dou Wang Expert like me would need at least a month of nonstop flight to travel from one border to another. And the Northwest Continent alone has dozens, perhaps hundreds, of empires as large as ours. I have also heard of places even larger than the Northwest Continent, such as the Middle Continent, the Beast Domain, and the Endless Sea. So even if I spent my entire life flying without rest, I still could not travel across this world. Do you understand now?"

Of course Lin Ming knew that this world was vast. That was why he wanted to personally travel it in the future and witness the countless wonders of the Dou Qi Continent.

"Yes, such a vast world must be seen. What does the Jia Ma Empire amount to before this world? And what do the forces cowering within the Jia Ma Empire amount to? One day, I will make everyone in this world know the Mite'er Family! Wherever there are living beings, there will be a Mittel Auction House!" Lin Ming declared boldly.

It was then that Lin Ming saw Two People staring at him, their mouths hanging wide open. Who else could they be but Mittel Tengshan and Grandpa Liu?

Then a burst of laughter rang out.

Only after quite some time did voices sound again. Mittel Tengshan looked at Grandpa Liu and said, "Old Liu, we are old. The future belongs to the young. With such a descendant in the family, even if I died now, I could face all our Ancestors without shame."

"Yes, we are old. I truly hope to see Xiao Ming bring the family to the heights he spoke of!" Grandpa Liu said.

"Grandpa Liu, rest assured! Xiao Ming will definitely bring the family to those heights, and you will definitely live to see it." Lin Ming thought, Grandpa Liu has at least Twenty Years of life left. Once my alchemy improves, I can refine pills to help him break through his cultivation and increase his Lifespan. He may even be able to break through to Dou Zong or perhaps Dou Venerate.

"Good! Then Grandpa Liu will wait and see!" Grandpa Liu said with emotion.

Lin Ming added, "Clan Leader, you may decide as you see fit regarding the Royal Family's title, but forget about the marriage alliance and cultivation at the Misty Cloud Sect. After breaking through to Dou Zhe and cultivating for another year or two, I plan to study at Jia Nan Academy. I hear it has geniuses from all regions, as well as methods to accelerate cultivation. It is the best place to temper oneself and make connections with talented people. Our Mite'er Family is a merchant family. Getting to know more geniuses will better aid the family's development."

"Haha! Good! Since you already have your own plans, I will refuse both the Royal Family and the Misty Cloud Sect for you. It is better to reject both sides so that neither will overthink it," Mittel Tengshan said. Then he added, "Xiao Ming, go rest. You are tired after today. If you need anything in the future, you may find your Grandpa Liu or me."

"Then, Clan Leader, Grandpa Liu, Xiao Ming will take his leave first." Lin Ming finished speaking, gave a salute, and walked out.

After Lin Ming left, Mittel Tengshan said to Grandpa Liu, "Old Liu, you must put more effort into Lin Ming's safety from now on. This child has great talent, works hard, and has grand plans of his own. The family will depend on him in the future. Any request he makes, if the family has it, fulfill it completely. Even if the family does not have it, obtain it by any means necessary to satisfy him. He can bring the family to heights we would not even dare imagine."

Grandpa Liu nodded, thinking, Old Lin, you may rest in peace. Lin Ming will become a Giant Dragon soaring through the nine heavens.