Lin Zhong’s words were filled with emotion and were said with a questioning tone.

Several North Light Lin Clan high-ups’ expressions turned uncomfortable. They had to admit that when Lin Xun was around, they had indeed received many benefits from Mind Cleansing Peak.

Even in the Forbidden City, just mentioning that they were from the Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan would make others show respect toward them.

However, Lin Xun was dead!

Everything had changed as a result. The Mind Cleansing Peak Lin Clan was in a precarious situation and was nearly on the brink of collapsing due to being targeted by numerous factions.

How could these North Light Lin Clan higher-ups possibly remain calm?

Someone disdainfully said, “What a joke! Without the support of my North Light Lin Clan, how could Lin Xun alone possibly support the entire Mind Cleansing Peak? Remember, we do not owe him anything!”

Someone else aggressively pressured, “Cut the crap. We need to choose a new leader for Mind Cleansing Peak. Regardless of whether you’re willing or not, you will give us a clear answer today, Lin Zhong!”

Someone else tried to persuade him, “Lin Zhong, you’re a senior member of the Lin Clan and have always been very loyal. We admire you for that, but the truth is that Lin Xun is dead while our Lin Clan is facing great difficulty. If we do not make any changes at this crucial juncture, Mind Cleansing Peak will be lost by us. I beg you to please reconsider.”

“I said that the Young Master is still alive and there is no need to discuss this matter any further!”

Lin Zhong remained firm and unwavering.

This exasperated someone and he could not help but scold, “You old thing, you’re so pig-headed. Are you still hoping that brat will return? How long has it been already? He was chased by a group of Life Death Stage Kings and has definitely died in Spirit Burial Sea. If a mere Spirit Sea cultivator can survive that, I’ll happily kill myself!”

“You…” Lin Zhong trembled in anger. He had always been a good-tempered person, but he had been genuinely infuriated this time, causing his expression to turn incomparably ugly.

Xiaoke, who had been seated at one side of the hall since the beginning, raised her brows. She could no longer keep silent and coldly said, “You guys have gone too far!”

One of the North Light Elders rebuked, “You’re just an outsider. What right do you have to interfere in my Lin Clan's internal affairs? Please show some self-respect and obediently shut your mouth!”

He was called Lin Huaitang and was Lin Huaiyuan younger brother.

“Exactly, the likes of you have no right to interfere in my Lin Clan’s internal affairs!”

The other North Light Lin Clan higher-ups also spoke up one after another to scold Xiaoke.

Xiaoke’s eyes turned frosty. She had been invited by Lin Xun to help Mind Cleansing Peak and wasn’t their servant. Hence, being scolded and blamed by them infuriated her.

Spirit Vulture persuaded Xiaoke to stop, sighed, and said, “Before Lin Xun left, he left Mind Cleansing Peak’s authority in my hands. That’s why I have to live up to his expectations. Hence, there’s a piece of advice I wish to give everyone here. Always leave a little room for negotiation, and never force things too far…”

Before he could finish, someone angrily interjected, “You old cultivation cripple, how shameless are you to dare and try to teach us how we should act? Do you actually think you’re the master of Mind Cleansing Peak? Remember, this is my Lin Clan’s territory and not a place where an outsider like you can do whatever you want!”

These words weren’t just rude, but filled with unconcealed intent to humiliate.

While Lin Xun was around, they might have shown some respect toward Spirit Vulture, but who would care about a cripple at this juncture?

Shiing!

Xiaoke was furious. She immediately drew her blade as killing intent swirled in her clear eyes.

“Oh? The little girl wants to try something on our Lin Clan territory?” The North Light Lin Clan members sneered fearlessly.

They had long wanted to remove these outsiders. The reason was simple: before Lin Xun left, he had left the authority of Mind Cleansing Peak to Spirit Vulture, Xiaoke, and the others, which naturally made them unhappy.

Since they were now certain that Lin Xun was dead, they naturally would not allow this situation to continue.

“Xiaoke, keep the blade.”

Spirit Vulture waved his hand. His expression was still calm, but his tone gave off a sensation of unquestionable authority.

Spirit Vulture looked at Lin Huaiyuan, who had not said a single word since the beginning. “Old chap, it seems that everything that happened today has already received your approval?”

Lin Huaiyuan’s gaze flickered. After a long time, he sighed and said, “I have no choice either. The West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans have been acting abnormally recently and have even issued an ultimatum that they will use force to occupy Mind Cleansing Peak and seize power. I am only doing this as a last resort.”

Spirit Vulture asked, “In other words, you believe the only way to resolve this problem is for the North Light Lin Clan to take power?”

Lin Huaiyuan was silent for a moment before he replied with a question of his own, “Then how does Mister Spirit Vulture believe we can solve this predicament?”

“Wait.” Spirit Vulture’s reply was a single simple word.

However, the answer clearly did not satisfy the North Light Lin Clan members.

Suddenly, Lin Huaiyuan’s younger brother, Lin Huaitang coldly said, “Hmph! From what I can see we only have one path left to choose.”

“What path?”

Spirit Vulture displayed a superficial smile as he already knew what Lin Huaitang was going to say.

“Lower our heads to the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans, and then join forces to rule over Mind Cleansing Peak!”

Lin Huaitang’s words boomed in the hall like thunder, causing the atmosphere to turn very silent.

“Never!”

Enraged, Lin Zhong decisively rejected.

Even Lin Huaiyuan seemed to be rather surprised and stunned. He frowned and said, “Huaitang, do you think lowering our heads to them will make them drop this matter altogether? They are backed by the Zuo Clan and Qin Clan. Under these circumstances, they will never let us off.”

“Elder Brother, you’re wrong.”

Lin Huaitang indifferently replied with a confident expression, “At the end of the day, we’re still one clan and there is no deep grudge between us. The only ones they won’t let off is Lin Xun’s bloodline!”

“Since Lin Xun has died, we only need to chase out these outsiders, open up Mind Cleansing Peak, and receive the other three branch clans. Then we will be able to easily resolve all of our problems.”

The atmosphere in the hall turned increasingly stifling as numerous people’s gazes flickered in thought.

These were damning words that implied they should completely cut ties with Lin Xun and lower their heads to the hostile factions in return for peace and wealth.

“You guys…are backstabbers!”

Lin Zhong was fuming. “Over a dozen years ago, a bloody incident occurred in the Lin Clan, leaving the Young Master as the only survivor in my Master’s bloodline. That was the greatest tragedy the Lin Clan has encountered. Back then, you guys betrayed us and worked with the enemy to split the Lin Clan’s assets among yourselves. Not once have you guys ever thought about avenging our dead clansmen!”

“Now that the Lin Clan has fallen into danger again, are you guys going to repeat what happened back then?”

“For the Lin Clan’s sake, the Young Master chose to overlook this grave sin and ultimately agreed to allow you guys into Mind Cleansing Peak. Moreover, he gave all of you many benefits. But what did you guys do in response? Is this how you repay the Young Master?”

“You guys…deserve to be punished!”

Lin Zhong’s eyes bulged from their sockets in anger, his face steely green as his voice thundered in the hall, causing numerous people’s expressions to change.

“We are also doing this for the Lin Clan’s sake. Do you wish to see Mind Cleansing Peak fall and be taken over by our enemies?”

Lin Huaitang expressionlessly stared back with ice-cold eyes.

“Never mind, do not bring up this matter again.”

Lin Huaiyuan let out a long sigh and said, “We made a mistake back then and cannot make the same mistake again.”

Lin Huaitang merely smiled faintly and did not say anything else.

However, he knew that his words had already done their work. If Mind Cleansing Peak was truly pushed to a desperate situation, many people would support his suggestion!

“Elder Brother, since you do not agree, then what do you think we should do now? Mind Cleansing Peak’s authority is still in these outsiders’ hands and we can’t help even if we wanted to.”

Lin Huaitang sighed. Although his voice wasn’t loud, his words were unrelenting and implied that they should still use this opportunity to seize authority over Mind Cleansing Peak.

“When the tree topples, the monkeys scatter. I told Lin Xun about this potential problem when I first entered Mind Cleansing Peak. I never expected that it would come true so soon.”

Spirit Vulture sighed softly. Having an outsider with authority inside a clan was ultimately taboo, and it was especially easy for internal conflicts to emerge when there was no clear leader.

He had once advised Lin Xun to make preparations for such a situation. Regretfully, it still happened despite their efforts.

“Hmph! Mister Spirit Vulture, are you trying to say we’re heartless people without any morals? What a joke. You guys are outsiders, but refuse to let go of your authority over the Lin Clan. What else can we do?”

The North Light Lin Clan higher-ups were clearly unhappy and felt that Spirit Vulture was scolding all of them.

Only Lin Huaiyuan was silent as he frowned deeply.

To be frank, he did not wish to see such a thing happen. However, news of Lin Xun’s death had already spread everywhere. With Mind Cleansing Peak in such a precarious situation and facing external pressure and internal worries, it was impossible for Lin Huaiyuan to not have a headache.

What should they do?

Even he felt helpless!

“Elder Brother, why are you still hesitating at this juncture? The longer Mind Cleansing Peak goes without a master the more danger we will face. It is only logical and right for Lin Clan descendants to have authority over the Lin Clan. We cannot continue to tolerate the interference of outsiders!”

Lin Huaitang fanned the flames from the side.

The other North Light Lin Clan members also voiced their agreement.

“This…”

Lin Huaiyuan’s expression fluctuated indeterminately.

Lin Zhong’s, Xiaoke’s, and the others’ hearts turned cold as their expressions became ugly. Only Spirit Vulture remained calm and unaffected. He had long anticipated this turn of events and was not very surprised.

He only had a single worry: if Lin Xun had no way to resolve this problem, it would not matter even if he returned!

Knock knock knock

Someone outside suddenly knocked on the tightly shut doors.

Eh?

Everyone immediately frowned. After all, they were currently having a very important meeting.

Which ignorant servant would dare to knock on the doors at such a time?