Chapter Sixteen: Slaying a Qi Vein Realm

“Who goes there—?”

In that instant, all the patrolling guards rushed toward the wall.

“Heh, utter fools!”

The shadow sneered, then dashed straight for the entrance of the manor, heading directly toward the four guards stationed at the gate.

To him, the squads of guards amounted to no more than a mild distraction; the real threat lay with these four gatekeepers, cultivators at the Qi Channel stage.

He had thrown that stone earlier precisely to avoid being delayed by the guards when escaping after his intrusion. Though he could dispatch each guard with a single blow, such delays might cost him dearly if Lin Xiong arrived—then escape would be impossible.

Now, all he needed was to force his way past these four Qi Channel guards, investigate Lin Batian’s condition, and withdraw before Lin Xiong could arrive.

In a flash, he was upon the four guards. They instantly opened their eyes, drew their long knives without hesitation or time for a shout, and attacked him.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Four muffled thuds echoed—the blades struck as if hitting the hide of an old ox, but they failed to harm the shadow at all.

He was enveloped in surging vital energy, which deflected the blades with ease.

But he did not attack the guards; instead, seizing the opportunity, he slipped into the courtyard with a swift motion.

“Not good! He’s a Qi Channel expert—summon the master, quick!”

One guard’s face changed dramatically as he shouted, then he and the other three rushed into the courtyard, intent on pursuing the shadow.

“Heh, it’s already too late!”

Another mocking laugh escaped the shadow’s lips. He had reached the door to the room; with a single blow, he could shatter it and uncover Lin Batian’s true injuries. By the time Lin Xiong arrived, he would have long since fled.

He raised his hand, ready to strike the door, a triumphant smile on his face.

Yet, just at that moment—

Boom—crack!

A thunderous explosion erupted as the door burst open from within, and a fierce sword light shot toward him.

“Damn, it’s a trap!”

His expression changed drastically, terror surging forth. He could sense the power of the sword light—it belonged to someone stronger than himself.

But he had no time to dodge; instinctively, he raised his arms to shield his chest.

Crunch!

A chilling snap of bone sounded, drawing a scream from the shadow. He spun away and fled toward the distance.

Just then, a black streak, swift as lightning, overtook him and pierced him through.

With a bang, his chest exploded, flesh and blood flying everywhere. He crashed to the ground, voiceless, dead before a cry could escape.

“Negative emotion from Bai Xuezheng: +2000!”

“Damn, this thing is powerful!”

Lin Fan emerged from the darkness, holding the Godbreaker Crossbow, mouth agape in astonishment at its might.

To think it could fell a Qi Channel cultivator in one shot—even with a sneak attack, it was a staggering feat.

At that moment, the figure who unleashed the sword light approached—it was his father, Lin Xiong, who had witnessed the scene. He stared at Lin Fan, speechless, overwhelmed by his son’s secrets.

First a mysterious expert, then a mysterious fruit, now this formidable crossbow capable of slaying a Qi Channel cultivator.

But there was no time for questions. Lin Xiong strode to the corpse, tore away the veil, revealing the true face beneath.

“Bai Xuezheng?”

Lin Xiong sneered, “Just as I expected. The Bai family wouldn’t give up so easily. Looks like we’ve hooked a big fish. This will hurt them—one of their four Qi Channel experts has fallen to my Lin family!”

“Dispose of the body!” he ordered the arriving guards, then smiled at Lin Fan, “Fan, come with me!”

With that, Lin Xiong walked away, Lin Fan following behind. On the way, Lin Xiong casually asked, “Where did you get such a powerful crossbow? It can kill a Qi Channel expert in one shot!”

Lin Fan replied offhandedly, “Ah, a mysterious expert barged into my room this evening and shoved it into my hands.”

“A mysterious expert, shameless and idle, ha!” Hearing Lin Fan’s perfunctory answer, Lin Xiong suppressed his urge to thrash him and laughed dryly.

Lin Fan nodded, “Yeah, pretty idle.”

Hearing this, Lin Xiong clenched his fists, thinking darkly: Damn it, if you weren’t my son, I’d beat you so hard your own mother wouldn’t recognize you!

“Negative emotion from Lin Xiong: +423!”

As his father led him toward the council hall, Lin Fan frowned and asked, “Father, where are we going?”

“To see your grandfather.”

Soon, Lin Xiong brought Lin Fan into the council hall. After turning a certain vase, a hidden passage appeared behind the main seat.

Seeing this, Lin Fan’s eyes lit up. “Is Grandpa secluded here? What about the rear courtyard?”

“That’s just a decoy. Who would seclude themselves in a place visible to all? Only a fool would do that. Thirty years ago, before the Lin family was founded, your grandfather and I were running for our lives. If we’d made such a foolish move, we’d have died long ago.”

Lin Xiong scoffed, leading Lin Fan into the tunnel.

The passage wasn’t long or dark. Night pearls adorned the walls, bright as daylight. Soon, they reached the end, arriving before a stone chamber.

Lin Xiong spoke softly, “Father, I’m here.”

“Come in,” an aged voice replied from within—though old, it was full of vigor, exuding an indescribable aura of dominance.

Lin Xiong opened the door and entered with Lin Fan. A tall elder sat cross-legged on a meditation mat. Lin Xiong quickly pulled Lin Fan along, bowing together.

“Greetings, Father. Greetings, Grandfather!”

“So this is Fan, eh? When I entered seclusion, you were only five or six. How quickly you’ve grown!” The elder raised his hand gently, signaling them to rise, then smiled at Lin Fan.

Lin Fan smiled, recalling the old man’s affection before his seclusion. Stepping forward, he said, “Grandfather, it’s me. You’ve been shut away so long—even your grandson’s been bullied!”

“Who dares bully my grandson? I’ll cut them down!”

The elder’s eyes widened, radiating murderous intent like galloping horses.

Lin Xiong glared at Lin Fan, then said to his father, “Don’t listen to Fan’s nonsense.”

He paused, then continued, “Today the Bai family sent a Qi Channel expert to investigate—seems they can’t hold back anymore. But he didn’t escape; Fan killed him. Judging by the major families, they won’t act rashly for a few years, but…”

“There’s also the chance they’ll band together to destroy the Lin family early.”

Lin Xiong hadn’t finished before Lin Batian took over, his eyes gleaming coldly. “Had it not been for that incident years ago, with my grievous injuries, I would have long since pacified Xiaobei City. You too, wounded in your meridians, haven’t recovered, giving the three families their arrogance.”

Hearing this, Lin Fan glanced at his father, surprised to learn that both grandfather and father had been wounded, explaining why his father was stalled at his current stage.

“But Fan, you’re impressive—slaying a Qi Channel expert. Outstanding!”

Lin Batian turned to Lin Fan, giving a thumbs up, laughing heartily with pride in his gaze.

In all the Lin family, no one treated Lin Fan better than the old man. As Lin Fan had said, had his grandfather not secluded himself, even Liang Yuyan wouldn’t dare treat him so.

So, hearing his grandfather’s words, Lin Fan scratched his head and smiled, “It wasn’t me, really—it’s this powerful crossbow. The Godbreaker Crossbow packs the punch of a Meridian expert in every shot; a Qi Channel cultivator stands no chance!”

Earlier, when he slew Bai Xuezheng, Lin Fan had realized the crossbow’s power—each bolt was equivalent to a strike from a Meridian expert, filling him with excitement. Yet, faced with his grandfather’s praise, he remained humble.

Then, Lin Fan turned to Lin Xiong and asked, “Father, what should we do now?”