The Prodigies War

Clan Leader is back!

Mind Cleansing Peak was abuzz with excitement. Summons were swiftly sent out to all of the clan higher-ups to gather in Mind Cleansing Hall.

In fact, even senior members like Lin Xixi, Lin Yunheng, and Lin Beiguang made their way to the hall.

Outside the hall, the branch clan disciples were spread out like a sea. They solemnly stood on the spot as they silently waited.

Numerous servants and attendants were stationed further down, also patiently waiting.

Upon knowing Lin Xun had returned, everyone on Mind Cleansing Peak had dropped what they were doing and set off to see him!

This undoubtedly proved that Lin Xun’s status in the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan was different from before.

In fact, he was now properly respected as the Clan Leader!

The atmosphere was equally solemn inside Mind Cleansing Hall. Spirit Vulture, Xiaoke, Lin Zhong, Lin Huaiyuan, Third Old Zhu, and the other core members were all present.

The key branch clan members were also seated in the hall. None of them dared to be negligent even in the slightest.

Lin Xun was seated above everyone in the center. He looked at the familiar faces in the hall, the disciples outside, the well-trained servants and attendants, and suddenly felt an unprecedented feeling of calmness and fulfillment.

Wasn’t this why he had struggled so hard ever since he entered the Forbidden City?

The Lin Clan had finally reestablished itself in the Forbidden City and was still growing with unstoppable momentum!

Various emotions churned within Lin Xun while everyone in the hall observed him.

“There’s a certain ruthlessness and bloodiness mixed in his aura, and his demeanor is more composed than before. It’s like he’s become a completely different person…”

Spirit Vulture sighed emotionally. He had practically watched each step of Lin Xun’s rise in the Forbidden City.

“He’s become increasingly unfathomable.”

A trace of surprise flitted across Xiaoke’s clear eyes. Back when they were in Blood Kill Camp, Lin Xun had been a mere thin, young teenager.

Now, he was a famous and outstanding individual. Even some of the powerful and influential figures in the Forbidden City were unable to match his demeanor!

“I can’t gauge him at all…”

Despite Third Old Zhu’s stoic appearance, he was rather shaken inside. Back then, Lin Xun had been someone that needed his protection.

Now, however, he could not even measure Lin Xun’s strength. It was very likely that Lin Xun’s current power had already surpassed his own!

Lin Huaiyuan was feeling very nervous and tense.

The feeling of facing Lin Xun had not been so intense half a year ago, but now, him merely sitting there made Lin Huaiyuan feel an indescribable pressure akin to a subject facing a superior being that ruled over the world!

It wasn’t just Lin Huaiyuan, even the older generation Cyclic Derivation experts like Li Xixi, Lin Yunheng, and Lin Beiguang were very quiet at this moment.

They could sense an extremely terrifying and bloody aura from Lin Xun that made their hearts jump in alarm.

It both shocked and stunned them.

In only half a year, his strength had become even more fearsome!

He was only at the Heaven Ascension stage, but he was making elders like them feel uncomfortable and fearful. It was completely irrational.

Lin Xun wasn’t intentionally displaying his pressure. It was instead a presence that had been honed as a result of all the killing and fighting he had experienced in the Blood Kill Battlefield.

He was dressed in moon-white clothes with his long black hair hanging over his shoulders, and his eyes appeared as deep as the abyss. He wore a calm expression. Although he was merely sitting there, he gave off the sensation of a transcendental being.

At closer inspection, it wasn’t difficult to discover that his aura had reached a certain level of completeness and perfection. There was also an aura of bloody ruthlessness within it that made him give off an intimidating and oppressive pressure.

Amidst the solemn atmosphere, Lin Xun said, “Although I’ve returned, I plan to head to the Ancient Wasteland Domain soon to avenge our murdered kinsmen and seek my own dao path.”

His clear and calm voice echoed across the hall.

Everyone’s hearts shook at the unexpected decision.

“Before I leave, I hope to select someone with strong values, integrity, and talent to take charge of the Lin Clan in my absence. This matter shall be handled by Mister Spirit Vulture and Uncle Zhong. If anyone here has any objections, go ahead and voice them.”

Lin Xun’s gaze swept across everyone in the hall.

The hall remained silent. No one displayed even the slightest indication of objecting.

Upon seeing this Lin Xun said, “Then it is decided.”

……

“The Lin Clan’s influence is already able to match mid-tier noble clans?”

After the clan meeting, Lin Xun could not help but feel somewhat surprised when he inquired about the Lin Clan’s situation over the past half a year.

According to Lin Zhong, the Lin Clan’s rise had been smooth and steady over the past half a year.

Not only had their businesses expanded, but Stone Cauldron Alms, the Ning Clan, the Gong Clan, and the Ye Clan had also begun to cooperate with them more closely.

In addition, the Rune Master Association, Qinlu Academy Rune Department, and the Imperial Divine Workshop had also forged closer ties with the Lin Clan and started collaborations on several fronts.

Most importantly, almost everyone in the Forbidden City was aware that the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan was favored by the emperor, and he had even personally written a blessing scroll and gifted it to Lin Xun.

It was an incredibly rare honor!

Under these circumstances, not prospering would be almost impossible for the Lin Clan.

“Heh heh, although our foundations are a little weaker than the mid-tier noble clans, no mid-tier noble clan in the Forbidden City can match our influence!”

Lin Zhong’s face was filled with pride.

Lin Xun relaxed upon seeing this, inwardly impressed by the old fox Zhao Tailai’s ability. He had fulfilled all the promises he made to Lin Xun, making him feel that his trip to the Blood Kill Battlefield was extremely worth it.

Amidst their conversation, Lin Zhong suddenly mentioned a certain matter, “Right, a few days ago, a young man called Gu Liang came to visit and claimed he was the Young Master’s good friend.”

Gu Liang?

Lin Xun immediately recalled the only friend he had made in Donglin City.

Gu Liang’s father was called Gu Yanping and was the owner of Golden Jade Hall. He was a capable and intelligent individual who had taken care of Lin Xun back then.

Gu Liang was a pretty good person as well and was his father’s successor. He was sharp-witted and didn’t panic easily. He was truly a friend who was able to converse about anything with Lin Xun.

Lin Zhong continued to report, “Young Master, from my inquiries, I’ve found out that Gu Liang is the successor of Golden Jade Hall. Golden Jade Hall is a merchant group originating from the southwest province that has recently expanded to the Forbidden City…”

Lin Xun asked, “Uncle Zhong, where is Gu Liang now?”

“Golden Jade Hall has recently opened a shop in the city’s eastern district. I believe Young Master Gu Liang should be there.”

Lin Zhong could instantly tell that Gu Liang had not lied when he said he was the Young Master’s friend.

“From what I know of him, he would first ascertain whether I’m around before coming to Mind Cleansing Peak and yet he paid you guys a visit a few days ago. If my guess is correct, he must have encountered some kind of problem…”

Lin Xun rose to his feet and said, “Uncle Zhong, make the arrangements. I wish to see Gu Liang.”

……

The Forbidden City eastern district.

It was an extremely prosperous district with many merchant groups and attracted cultivators from all over the empire every day.

A dozen days ago, a new shop called Golden Jade Hall had opened here.

However, trouble occurred the moment Golden Jade Hall was opened. A group of cultivators would block the entrance every day and forbid any customers from entering.

Anyone could tell that they were trying to ruin Golden Jade Hall’s business!

Today was naturally no exception.

It was noon, the busiest time of the day. Swathes of people streamed through the district, creating heavy traffic as sweat fell like rain due to the heat.

Golden Jade Hall was blocked by a ‘human wall.’ A group of capable cultivators had sealed off the entrance, preventing anyone from approaching.

Inside the shop, a gong-like voice loudly squawked, “Little shit, how many days has it been already? How come I don’t see anyone from the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan appearing to help you? You were obviously trying to use them to scare us off!”

The voice originated from a middle-aged man with a Fu-Manchu-style mustache in embroidered robes. Spittle flew from his mouth as he jabbed his finger right in Gu Liang’s face, appearing extremely arrogant.

“Tch, you’re just like your father, refusing to learn any useful skills and saying nothing but lies. How dare you open this dogshit Golden Jade Hall in the Forbidden City, you delusional idiot?!”

The middle-aged man’s face was filled with disgust and disdain. “Even if you do know the Lin Clan Leader, it won’t change your current circumstances! Remember this, you and your father are the shame of the Gu Clan who were banished from the Forbidden City. As long as the Gu Clan is in the Forbidden City, don’t even think about returning!”

Opposite him, Gu Liang had an ugly expression as his fingers dug into his palm. He felt as if his chest was nearly about to explode from anger and hatred.

The middle-aged man opposite him was called Gu Yong and was Gu Liang’s third-uncle. However, Gu Liang knew that his ‘third-uncle’ did not view them as family and even intended to destroy him when he returned to the Forbidden City!

Gu Liang held back his anger and asked, “What exactly do you want?”

“What do I want? What a childish question.”

Gu Yong laughed. “However, since you wish to know, I’ll tell you right now.”

With a wave of his hand, he grandly declared, “Men, smash this crappy Golden Jade Hall! Kill anyone who dares to obstruct you!”

The nearby waiting Gu clansmen immediately began to move.

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