“What! You plan on…attending the West Creek Lin Clan’s banquet tonight?”

Lin Huaiyuan’s heart trembled as he hurriedly tried to dissuade Lin Xun, “Clan Leader, you must not. Tonight, the higher-ups of all three branch clans will be gathered at the West Creek Lin Clan, making it a den of tigers. You just got back to the Forbidden City and are still unclear about the current situation. How can you personally take the risk of going there?”

Lin Zhong also said, “Young Master, this matter should be properly discussed first.”

However, Lin Xun merely chuckled and indifferently said, “Won’t the higher-ups of all three clans be gathered in one spot? That’s perfect, it’ll save me the trouble of having to find them one by one!”

His voice was filled with chilling killing intent.

In the year he first entered the Forbidden City, he promised to give the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans three years to deliberate their position. For three years, he would not take any action against them.

Lin Xun had originally believed that he had already compromised enough and that his terms were attractive. However, after three years, the other party had begun to scheme to take over Mind Cleansing Peak. This undoubtedly showed the choice they had made.

Since that was the case, why would Lin Xun continue to tolerate them?

Lin Huaiyuan hesitantly said, “Clan Leader, I’m not trying to nag but you should also know that the three branch clans are backed by…two high clans, the Zuo Clan, and the Qin Clan…”

Before he could finish, Lin Xun laughed and said, “High clans my ass, they can only call and act like lords in a tiny place like the Forbidden City.”

“You guys do not need to worry about me. When I step through the West Creek Lin Clan’s gates, let’s see what they can do to me! If they do not give me a satisfactory answer, don’t blame me for placing justice before family!”

Lin Xun’s voice was cold. Although his tone was normal, Lin Huaiyuan, Lin Zhong, and Xiaoke could hear a certain boldness in his words.

It was astonishing to think that even two of the empire’s seven high clans, the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan, were held with contempt by Lin Xun.

This wasn’t arrogance, but how he genuinely felt. Any random clan from the Spirit Burial Sea could easily crush any of the high clans. Despite this, Lin Xun had killed the elites of the various clans until they wet themselves, and even the Life Death Stage Kings could not deal with him.

No matter how strong the Zuo Clan and Qin Clan were, were they stronger than those factions?

It could be said that his experiences in the Spirit Burial Sea had completely changed him.

In the past, he had been far too weak and had no choice but to employ various tactics to protect himself. Moreover, he often had no choice but to tolerate being humiliated and targeted by acts of revenge.

Back then, he would always wear a bright smile to conceal his feelings whether he was sad, frustrated, or disappointed in order to avoid making things more difficult for himself.

The present-day Lin Xun had experienced numerous dangers and trials. His mindset and views had become completely different after stepping onto the strongest supreme path!

In the past, the high clans had seemed like behemoths, and he had not dared to face or clash with them directly.

Now, however, he no longer held such fears.

“The Young Master has changed and now seems like a true big shot. He has a natural arrogance and a magnanimous heart, and is akin to a treasured sword that has finally been unsheathed to reveal its sharpness!”

Lin Zhong felt dazed as he remembered that it had been almost three years since Lin Xun first stepped into the Forbidden City.

Over these three years, Lin Zhong had seen each step of Lin Xun’s rise and how he had grown stronger.

Although Lin Xun was merely a seventeen-year-old youth, his experiences and the power he wielded were already enough for him to stand proud and call himself a great cultivator! He was a true generational heaven pride who could look down upon those of the same cultivation level!

In the Forbidden City, at least, Lin Xun had already surpassed his peers and even the so-called bigwigs were likely unable to compete with him.

“Master is right. We cultivators should have hearts and minds as tough as steel. Influence and wealth are ultimately meaningless and only one’s own strength can become the true foundation of eternal power!”

The Scarlet Eagle King sighed in amazement. “What’s more, Master fought alone in Spirit Burial Sea for nearly half a year, killing the great elites of the various clans until they feared him, and even a group of Life Death Stage Kings failed to take his life. How can such power be belittled by mere worldly factions?”

At this point, the peak great monster-beast cultivator turned even more emotional as it said in a powerful voice, “In the ancient era, a true powerhouse could destroy an entire world with a flip of the hand and bring down the sun and moon with a snap of the finger. These almighty cultivators relied only on their own strength! The so-called factions, wealth, and status, were nothing more than smoke to us cultivators.”

Lin Xun was surprised by the beast’s passionate speech. As an individual with peak advanced Heaven Ascension cultivation, the Scarlet Eagle King was indeed no ordinary individual and possessed knowledge that far surpassed the norm.

Lin Huaiyuan, Lin Zhong, and the others went silent. They realized that after disappearing for half a year, Lin Xun had become completely different from before.

“Clan Leader, since that is the case, I will accompany you tonight!”

Lin Huaiyuan took a deep breath and volunteered himself.

“Young Master, bring me along as well.”

Lin Zhong also looked toward Lin Xun.

Just as Xiaoke was about to speak, Lin Xun quickly interjected, “No need. The Scarlet Eagle King will be enough. Having too many people there will only make them think lightly of me!”

To be frank, Lin Xun had made the decision because he was worried that Lin Huaiyuan and Lin Zhong would be unable to bear the cruel bloodshed and try to dissuade him.

After all, for elders like them, the blood of the Lin Clan also flowed in the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans. Hence, they naturally would not be able to bear the horrible act of kinsmen killing each other.

However, Lin Xun needed to do so!

This problem was like a tumor that would bring all kinds of unpredictable disasters in the future if not properly dealt with.

Next, Lin Xun asked about his Fifth Grandfather, Lin Beiguang, who was also Lin Huaiyuan’s father.

It was then that he found out that Lin Beiguang had left to travel, and they had not heard from him for a long time.

……

Darkness descended, marking the arrival of the night.

In the West Creek Lin Clan, the clan hall was brightly lit and filled with higher-ups from the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans. Everyone was happily feasting and drinking amidst the festive and relaxed atmosphere.

“Everyone, we lived in panic and anxiety half a year ago after being forced into a desperate situation by that dog Lin Xun. Now, we’ve risen up again and can lift our heads high. We’re about to seize Mind Cleansing Peak while that dog Lin Xun has long died in some unknown location in the Spirit Burial Sea. How enjoyable! Come come come, let us all raise our glasses together to our great future!”

Flying Peak Lin Clan Head Lin Pingdu raised his wine cup and chuckled heartily.

Everyone loudly agreed, raised their cups, and happily drank.

“Pingdu is right. However, there’s still one final step to complete, and we shouldn’t be too careless. We can properly toast when Lin Huaitang arrives.”

As the Head of the West Creek Lin Clan, Lin Tianlong made sure to remain clear-headed. Despite saying this, there was an unconcealable look of delight deep in his eyes.

Mind Cleansing Peak was currently in a precarious situation like a building that was on the verge of collapsing, and it was all his handiwork!

Moreover, the Zuo Clan and the Qin Clan were backing them. Under such circumstances, seizing control of Mind Cleansing Peak would be easier than taking candy from a baby.

Hence why Lin Tianlong could not help but feel very pleased with himself.

While Lin Xun was in the Forbidden City, he pressured the three branch clans into a corner, but things were different now. The star of calamity, Lin Xun, was finally dead, while the three branch clans were about to make their comeback!

“Big Brother Tianlong, on the way to the banquet, I heard one of the imperial gate guards mention that someone had seen Lin Xun.”

The Head of the Cloud Weight Lin Clan, Lin Nianshan suddenly said this, causing numerous people’s eyebrows to raise in alarm. The originally harmonious atmosphere also froze for a moment.

“Impossible. Nianshan, you’ve had too much to drink. Don’t listen to the gossip of those guards. Most of the rumors in the empire were spread by them, how can they possibly be trusted?”

Lin Tianlong displayed a carefree smile. “What’s more, news of that dog Lin Xun’s death was acknowledged by the imperial family! If a jinx like him can survive being chased by a group of Life Death Stage Kings, I will clean my neck and commit suicide!”

Everyone roared with laughter.

Indeed, Lin Xun had disappeared for half a year already and had been acknowledged by many to have died in the Spirit Burial Sea. How could he possibly have survived and returned?

At this moment, however, an indifferent voice sounded from the entrance of the hall.

“Oh, since that’s the case, go ahead and commit suicide!”

The atmosphere immediately became somewhat heavy as the higher-ups frowned in bewilderment.

The higher-ups from the West Creek, Cloud Weight, and Flying Peak branch clans were all gathered in this hall today. Who would dare to provoke them at such a time?

Under the crowd’s gaze, Lin Xun appeared at the entrance, dressed in his signature moon-white clothes and standing with his hands behind his back.

A proud and noble scarlet eagle was perched on his shoulder.

Lin Tianlong, Lin Nianshan, Lin Feifeng, and the others immediately stiffened and were dumbstruck as if they had been struck by lightning.

Lin Xun?

He…he’s still alive?

It was too sudden and felt like a huge joke. It was like being viciously beaten by a bat without any warning, which left all of them stupefied.

The expressions of those who did not recognize Lin Xun darkened. A mere youngster dared to provoke them at such a time? He was courting death!

One of the West Creek Lin Clan elders slapped the table with both hands and loudly shouted, “Where are the guards? Have you guys gone blind? How can you randomly let an outsider in? What a bunch of useless loafers!”

However, not a single guard responded, and there was nothing but silence.

This made him grow increasingly furious, so he decided to personally take action. He frostily glared at Lin Xun and said, “Kid, do you know where this is? Do you think it’s a place where you can do whatever you want? Hurry up and scram, or else…”

Scree!

Before he could finish, the scarlet eagle on the youth’s shoulder suddenly moved, turning into a scarlet flash as it rushed at the elder under everyone’s stunned gazes.