The Ice Saint's Promise

"Damn it, how dare they do this?"

At this moment, Bing Linyan, the patriarch of the Lin Branch, showed none of the composure and demeanor expected of a lineage leader. His cursing and swearing made him seem more like a thug.

His eyes were bloodshot and his breathing was disordered as he stared intently at the Elder in charge of announcing the rules from the stands.

Not only Bing Linyan, but the other members of the clan, including Lin Branch, also had cold expressions and ferocious faces, with veins bulging on their foreheads. If they had not retained a shred of reason, they would probably have attacked him as a group, directly targeting the arrogant and aloof presiding Elder.

"That Lin Branch is really unlucky!"

"Who can argue with that? Just because of one traitor, this entire lineage is doomed."

"Stop talking, stop talking! Can't you see everyone from Lin Branch is looking this way? You really want to fight these powder kegs one-on-one?"

"..."

The mocking and gloating comments from onlookers were like knives, constantly stabbing into the hearts of the Lin Branch members. Their inner anger burned rapidly, as if fueled by an accelerant, wanting to completely incinerate these opportunistic and treacherous people.

"We're enemies of the whole world!"

Hearing the unkind comments around him, Xiao Han remained calm, his voice unchanged, as he murmured softly.

"Sir Xiao Han, we, the Lin Branch, have wronged you this time."

Bing Linyan to Xiao Han with a deep sense of apology:

"Why don't you just withdraw from this Ice God Ceremony? We can't let you lose your life for nothing because of us."

He now completely understood that these bastards showed no mercy whatsoever and truly wanted their entire lineage to die!

Even the one-on-one duel rules of the Ice God Ceremony, which had remained unchanged for thousands of years, could be changed into a free-for-all. What else wouldn't these guys dare to do?

A free-for-all? What is a free-for-all?

It was merely a cover-up for their nearly two hundred people ganging up on Xiao Han; afterwards, they would simply say it was bad luck, and now the Lin Branch have absolutely no chance of appealing.

"Are you really prepared to end it like this?" Xiao Han's sudden question moved Bing Linyan deeply. He was ready to give up, but the foreign aid was actually planning to help them out.

I just can't let someone die for me!

"Sir Xiao Han, let's just leave it at that." Bing Linyan waved his hand dejectedly, his face ashen.

"It's just that our Lin Branch is disbanding; the other clansmen won't do anything. This is a good opportunity for this old man to take a good rest."

"Really?"

Xiao Han's tone was playful, and his gaze toward Bing Linyan was somewhat meaningful.

Although the Lin Branch clan has hundreds of millions of descendants, as members of the same clan, after the Lin Branch disbanded, being incorporated into other branches or the main branch would indeed save their lives.

However, the mark belonging to the Lin Branch may require several or even dozens of generations of reproduction to completely remove, and during this period, this mark brings only endless suffering to those clansmen who have lost the protection of the Lin Branch.

Whether it's the pain of losing one's clan or discrimination from other branches, these are all predictable outcomes.

As for Bing Linyan and others, who were originally high-ranking members of the Lin Branch, Xiao Han believed that their chances of survival were extremely slim.

No one would accept them after losing everything, and their opponents' pride would not allow them to bow down to their former rivals. Thus, self-destruction became the only outcome.

This is the cruelty of power transitions!

"Uh..." Bing Linyan opened her mouth, her throat moved a few times, but in the end she couldn't bring herself to say a completely false lie like it had no effect.

"In short, Sir Xiao Han, you should withdraw on your own. We, the Lin Branch, will not let them get away with this." As she said this, Bing Linyan's eyes revealed a resolute look.

Their efforts may not change the outcome, but they should tell everyone that they are not dough to be kneaded.

"Bang!"

A hand slapped him hard on the shoulder, and his resolute gaze vanished instantly. He looked to his side, his eyes filled with intense confusion.

"Your Mightiness..."

Before Bing Linyan could finish speaking, Xiao Han gave him a reassuring look, his smile almost overflowing.

"Since you're planning to end this, shouldn't you prepare a grand exit?"

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

Bing Linyan still didn't understand Xiao Han's meaning. Facing nearly two hundred Earthly Supreme, including five Great Perfection Earthly Supreme and dozens of Upper Earthly Supreme, even the legendary Heavenly Supreme could barely hold out for a while. What could Xiao Han possibly do?

"There shouldn't be any restrictions on methods during a chaotic battle, right?" Xiao Han asked with a smile.

"Each person should rely on their own abilities and do their best."

"Very good." Xiao Han nodded with a hint of satisfaction. "I can't guarantee that I'll make it into the so-called top twenty and qualify for the Heavenly Frost Ice Spring."

This was understandable, Bing Linyan subconsciously listened, only to be rendered speechless by Xiao Han's shock.

"One hundred and seventy-three people, and when I leave, there will be less than fifty of them left."

"This is my promise, the Ice Saint!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Han's figure suddenly disappeared from the area of Lin Branch. When Bing Linyan recovered from the shock just now, she could only stare blankly at Xiao Han's back as he walked towards the arena preparation area.

"Clan leader, Sir Xiao Han here...?"

When the other members of the Lin Branch saw Xiao Han's departing figure, and since he made no attempt to conceal his direction, they knew clearly that it was the final arena, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

A sense of anticipation arose in their hearts: Could it be that the other party really has this ability?

"Bing Yi, pass on the order!"

Bing Linyan's eyes were deep and thoughtful. The seeds of gratitude quickly sprouted and took root in the warm bed of her heart. Nourished by the warmth flowing through her body, they grew into a towering tree at a visible speed, with a broad canopy and lush foliage, its branches swaying gently.

"Regardless of the outcome of this battle, Sir Xiao Han will always be our most Lin Branch guest."

"Regardless of whether the Lin Branch existed at that time."

"This is my last request as the clan chief."

"Yes." Bing Yi bowed slightly in agreement, glancing once more at the figure walking towards the arena before turning away, a satisfied smile appearing on her face.

"Looks like Bing Yu has found a good teacher!"

In public, Xiao Han's actions naturally did not escape the notice of the others who were constantly watching the Lin Branch side.

"What? That Xiao Han actually wants to participate?"

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Bing Lingkun, who had been drinking heartily in the lounge, froze, and the oversized Kun-version wine bottle made of Heavenly Cold Jade fell limply to the ground.

"That's right."

"You can go now." Waving his subordinate away, Bing Lingkun casually picked up the wine bottle from the floor, not bothering to clean it, and continued pouring wine, glancing towards a hidden corner of the room as he did so.

"Ling Ye, can you guess Xiao Han's intentions?"

The huge difference in combat power is something even a brute like Bing Lingkun, who isn't very bright, can easily discern. Why bother making efforts when you know they're futile?

However, even someone as intelligent as Bing Lingye couldn't see through the fog surrounding Xiao Han's choice this time. After racking his brains to no avail, he could only shake his head in frustration.

"In short, please be careful in everything you do, Young Master, and try not to take action yourself. Remember, your only opponents are those two."

This is a necessary reminder; otherwise, the other side might really lose their temper and turn this melee into a true "melee."

"Okay, okay," Bing Lingkun waved his hand impatiently and continued drinking.

"Sigh." Bing Lingye sighed helplessly in his heart, then fell silent and continued to hide in the darkness. The only sound in the quiet room was the sound of Bing Lingkun drinking.