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They were the West Creek Lin Clan Head, Lin Tianlong, the Cloud Weight Lin Clan Head, Lin Nianshan, and the Flying Peak Lin Clan Head, Lin Pingdu.

All three were formidable experts within the Heaven Ascension stage and each ruled over one of the Lin branch clans. They were individuals with great power, authority, and influence.

Today was one of the rare times when they were gathered together.

They had just heard about the events that had transpired on Mind Cleansing Peak from Xiao Fengru and never imagined that the hairless brat would reject their proposal!

The most infuriating part was that he had crippled the Guest Stewards they sent. Such arrogant behavior was basically a challenge to their dignity!

In the end, West Creek Lin Clan Head Lin Tianlong’s voice thundered in the spacious hall, “A bunch of trash. Scram!”

The trio’s expressions immediately turned sorrowful and pained. They listlessly climbed to their feet and dejectedly took their leave.

Sure enough, they no longer had any value after losing their cultivation and becoming cripples!

After leaving the discussion hall, all of the status and privileges they once enjoyed would be washed away by the merciless rain.

This was Lin Xun’s revenge. Although he had not killed them, he had given them a fate crueler than death!

Lin Tianlong took a deep breath and said, “It seems he’s intent on opposing us.”

His expression was stormy and iciness flowed in his eyes, creating an intimidating sight.

“Hmph, a mere young man foolishly trying to go against us. The ignorant are truly fearless.”

Cloud Weight Lin Clan Head Lin Nianshan icily snorted.

“Do the two of you have any plans?”

Flying Peak Lin Clan Head Lin Pingdu was the only one who appeared composed. “He wields the Mind Cleansing Jade Seal and controls Mind Cleansing Peak. There’s not much we can do if he’d rather die than hand over the clan authority.”

Lin Tianlong’s and Lin Nianshan’s expressions darkened at these words.

It was indeed a troublesome problem. If they killed Lin Xun, Mind Cleansing Peak would be taken back by the royal family and become forever lost to the Lin Clan.

But if they did not kill him, it would be a tall task for branch clan members like them to return to Mind Cleansing Peak, and they would never be properly recognized as the true authority of the Lin Clan!

Take now for example. Although they ruled over the branch clans, they would ultimately only be Branch Clan Heads and never the Clan Leader!

It was an important difference.

“Tianlong, you’ve always been resourceful. What’s your opinion on this?”

Lin Pingdu looked toward Lin Tianlong.

“Things would be easy if it was only the kid. However, the Heaven Ascension expert that appeared at his side makes things rather problematic.”

Lin Tianlong frowned. “We could seek help from one of our ancestors to deal with the expert, but the most troublesome part will still be the kid. If he refuses to give in, there is little we can do.”

The other two fell silent.

Their biggest headache was obtaining ownership of Mind Cleansing Peak, and Lin Xun was the only one in the world with the rights to it as its true successor.

No matter how much they wanted to deal with Lin Xun, they could not help but practice great restraint.

“However, if the direct method doesn’t work, there are always other less open options.”

A ruthless look suddenly flashed in Lin Tianlong’s eyes. “I don’t believe he’ll hide forever in Mind Cleansing Peak. Once he dares to leave, we will have thousands of ways to control him!”

Lin Nianshan’s eyes brightened. “Could you elaborate?”

Lin Pingdu seemed to understand and grinned. “Good idea. It doesn’t matter what methods we use as long as he doesn’t die. We only need to make him our puppet.”

By this time, Lin Nianshan also understood. He thoughtfully said, “There are indeed more than a few methods to achieve this. We can use poison, kidnapping, ambushing, etc. Once we have our hands on him, we can use some cruel secret arts to control his body and soul. He will become a mindless puppet that will follow our every command.”

Before he finished, Lin Tianlong and Lin Pingdu were already laughing gleefully.

Soon after, Lin Tianlong’s expression turned serious as he said, “It will be best if this stays between the three of us. Do not let anyone else know about it.”

Lin Nianshan and Lin Pingdu nodded. “Naturally.”

Each of them was the head of a powerful faction. How could people like them not understand that if this information were to spread, their reputation would take a huge hit even if they ultimately managed to obtain Mind Cleansing Peak?

After all, they were still Lin Xun’s elders and relatives from the same clan. Plotting against someone from the younger generation was not something to be proud of.

“Then we are in agreement on this matter.”

Lin Tianlong said, “Next, I hope that the two of you will dispatch your elite forces to cooperate with me and finish this mission as soon as possible. Once we succeed, it will finally be time for us to return to Mind Cleansing Peak!”

Lin Nianshan and Lin Pingdu agreed.

Lin Pingdu suddenly asked, “Right, about the North Light Lin Clan…”

“Leave them be!”

Lin Tianlong displayed a frosty expression. “Things have already reached this juncture and yet they’re still hesitating and refuse to declare their stance. When we return to Mind Cleansing Peak, they’d better not think about trying to weasel their way in!”

……

Night arrived, marking the start of the liveliest period in the Forbidden City.

The stars in the sky and lanterns on the ground created a flowing brightness that lit up the capital.

This was the Forbidden City. When night descended, lanterns would burn in the city like fire dragons coiling in its alleys and streets. The resplendence and beauty were akin to something out of a dream.

The night was also the best time for pleasure-seeking and merry-making. It was a time for all kinds of people: gifted scholars and beautiful ladies, young masters and young maidens, poets and musicians, bigwigs looking for a thrill…

Various people opted for various types of transport such as luxurious carriages and beast-drawn vehicles. Some even leisurely walked with their own two feet as they moved through the busy streets.

In the city’s central zone next to the Stone Cauldron Alms was a tall, jade-white building that seemed to reach into the clouds. It projected a screen onto the night sky.

On the screen, a dignified, graceful, and beautiful lady was reporting various news and events in the Forbidden City.

“There will be three thousand and seven hundred famous top younger generation experts participating in the upcoming national exam. The royal family will send Forever Mound King Zhao Zhuan to oversee the exam.”

“This afternoon, Monk Yinian of Fullmoon Kingdom went to Qinglu Academy for a dao discussion session. He single-handedly defeated thirteen outstanding Qinglu Academy students in a row, causing quite a sensation. Little Sword Lord Xie Yutang has already personally stepped forward and issued a challenge letter to Yinian. As for how things will develop, we can only continue to keep an eye out for further news.”

“Latest news from the frontlines. The Brute Water Tribe has suddenly sent out a delegation that should reach the Forbidden City in three months. Their goals are unclear, but it’s rumored that the royal family has already approved.”

……

Similar to the news screens in the other provinces, the Forbidden City news screen also broadcasted the latest and hottest news.

Numerous cultivators were gathered nearby to listen, analyze, and discuss, making the vicinity appear rather happening.

Amidst the crowd, Spirit Vulture was slowly pushed along on his wheelchair by Xiaoke.

Spirit Vulture smiled and said, “We’ve more or less completed our task. There’s still quite a hefty sum left from the sixty thousand gold coins the kid gave me. Do you want to take the chance to go do a little shopping? You should know that there’s not going to be many opportunities to have such leisure time in the future after we return to Mind Cleansing Peak.”

Xiaoke casually replied, “He’s currently a penniless kid, I can’t bear to spend his money.”

“Haha, penniless? I might have to disagree.”

Spirit Vulture smiled and chuckled.

A certain news report from the screen behind them suddenly drew their attention.

“I’d like to introduce a young hero today who is this year’s talented champion of the southwest provincial exam.”

“Our talented young hero is named Lin Xun and an especially exciting fact about him is that he took first place in the southwest provincial exam at the Human Dipper stage!”

“It’s hard to imagine how he managed to do it. Just think about it, how many people in this world can achieve such an amazing feat?”

Countless people gasped in astonishment even before the beauty on the screen finished, seemingly unable to believe it was true.

“Damn! Is this Lin Xun for real?”

“Fourteen-years-old, Human Dipper stage, champion of the southwest provincial exam? I didn’t mishear, right?”

“There are obviously only two possibilities. Either Lin Xun is an actual monster or the other participants of the southwest provincial exam are trash. How else could a young teenager take first place?”

“I’ve heard of Lin Xun’s name before and it should be true. After all, who would dare to lie about the provincial exam?”

“In other words, Lin Xun is highly likely to participate in the upcoming national exam?”

“Definitely. He’s the champion of the provincial exam, how can he possibly miss this opportunity?”

Spirit Vulture and Xiaoke were stunned and stopped to listen.

The crowd was soon shocked again by another piece of news from the broadcast.

“We’ve subsequently verified that Lin Xun is the direct successor of the Forbidden City Lin Clan and has inherited Mind Cleansing Peak, which is one of the seventy-two noble clan peaks.”

“Regretfully, due to his many responsibilities, Lin Xun has declared that he will not participate in the upcoming national exam. It is a huge pity that we will not get to see the southwest provincial exam champion in action during the national exam.”

The crowd exploded into an uproar when they heard this.

“Lin Clan? I only recall four Lin Clans in the Forbidden City but none of them have the qualifications to stay in Mind Cleansing Peak!”

“You might not be aware of this but Mind Cleansing Peak can only be succeeded by a direct descendent of the Lin Clan’s Duke Daochen. You should know who Duke Daochen is, right? He’s a Life Death stage King that saved our empire five hundred years ago!”

“Tsk tsk, I did not expect the southwest provincial exam champion to be Duke Daochen’s direct descendent. No wonder he achieved such dazzling accomplishments at this young age.”

“Heh, Mind Cleansing Peak has been empty for more than ten years after that bloody incident and now Lin Xun has suddenly returned to the Forbidden City as the Lin Clan’s only direct successor to inherit Mind Cleansing Peak. It’s like jumping into a hurricane: a single misstep and he will be torn to shreds!”