Chapter 49: The Lin Family Patriarch

“Something terrible has happened! Disaster has struck!” The Lin Family estate in Skywind City was suddenly rocked by a frantic cry, shattering the tranquil silence that had settled over the household. A figure tumbled and scrambled toward the main courtyard, drawing curious and bewildered gazes from all those he passed.

At the same moment, an earth-shattering aura erupted from within the Lin estate, accompanied by a furious roar. A silhouette shot skyward, racing off into the distance. Under the weight of this overwhelming presence, the entire Lin Family, indeed all of Skywind City, was left shaken and trembling, eyes wide with fear as they stared toward the source of the outburst.

That place was the Lin Family’s forbidden ground, the secluded chamber where the family’s elder ancestor had been in seclusion. It was rumored that this patriarch’s mastery rivaled the very workings of creation itself; throughout the entire Clearwater Kingdom, he was a figure of the highest order. Normally, he remained deep in cultivation, but today he had emerged.

At this moment, everyone in the Lin Family understood—something truly dire had transpired. The panicked figure burst into the main courtyard, arriving just as the Lin Family patriarch appeared, his face grave. The man threw himself to the ground before the patriarch, tears streaming down his face.

“Master, the young lord… he’s dead!”

“What?!” The words struck like a bolt of lightning, draining all color from the patriarch’s face and causing him to stagger. The Lin Family had only one young master—Lin Tian, his only son, the most outstanding scion in the family’s history. And now he was dead.

How could the patriarch accept this? How could he bear it? That was his only son.

Recalling the patriarch’s earlier rage and abrupt departure, the family head’s eyes blazed with murderous fury. In a flash, he sped off in pursuit, following the direction their ancestor had gone.

A hundred miles from the Profound Dao Sect, deep within the forest, Yin Tianfang advanced with a cold, indifferent expression, clutching a black longsword and slowly approaching a middle-aged man. Wisps of black mist seeped from his body, his eyes burning crimson, pupils black as night, exuding a palpable evil.

The middle-aged man was seized by terror. Facing Yin Tianfang now, a deep fear surged within him. Who could have imagined that the youth who had once seemed no more threatening than a child was now so powerful? Though only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, his true strength was several times greater, his control over power exquisite to the extreme.

“Run!” The thought consumed the man—he had to escape, to flee as far from Yin Tianfang and the Lin Family as possible, if only he wished to survive. But would Yin Tianfang grant him this chance? Clearly, he would not.

Just as the man prepared to flee again, Yin Tianfang suddenly appeared before him, blocking his way. The black sword flashed, cutting a dark arc through the air. Blood spattered as the man was hurled backward, unable to suppress the mouthful of blood that burst forth. A hideous wound gaped across his chest, blood streaming down.

“Please—don’t kill me…” the man pleaded. But Yin Tianfang seemed not to hear. Unhurried, he strode over, gazing coldly down at the man collapsed upon the ground, his sword raised high.

“How dare a demon cultivator kill a member of my Lin Family? Courting death!” An enraged, murderous voice exploded in the air. A streak of light shot across the sky, a terrifying aura swirling and distorting the heavens. A chilling, tangible murderous intent settled over the land.

An elder stood in midair, eyes icy. He stretched out a massive hand, and with a sudden thrust, struck at Yin Tianfang. Spiritual energy surged, surging like mountains and seas as it crashed toward him.

Yin Tianfang whirled around, seizing the middle-aged man and flinging him forward. Despair flickered in the man’s eyes; under that terrifying attack, he didn’t even have time to scream before he was reduced to a mist of blood.

A sixth-level Qi Condensation cultivator, yet before this elder’s assault, he was as fragile as paper. The elder’s gaze grew even colder. His palm pressed out, and from the boiling spiritual energy, a giant hand formed, clawing down at Yin Tianfang.

With a single palm, the very air seemed to freeze. Yin Tianfang was trapped, mired as if in a swamp, unable to move. The immense pressure bore down from all sides, his bones creaking under the strain.

He spat blood, face ashen, yet beneath the pallor a wild, frenzied light flared in his eyes. More black mist erupted from within him, swirling about the dark blade, while behind him a vast, shadowy demon shape began to emerge.

His body shuddered violently; another mouthful of blood gushed forth, but he managed to retreat a bit faster. The elder narrowed his eyes, watching the enormous shadow flicker behind Yin Tianfang, his gaze flickering as he pressed harder.

Yin Tianfang’s retreat was abruptly halted. It was as if an invisible giant hand gripped him; as the elder’s hand lifted, Yin Tianfang’s feet left the ground, and he was left suspended in midair.

Veins bulged at his brow as Yin Tianfang let out a blood-curdling roar, like a demon shrieking. His hair whipped wildly, and a dreadful demonic aura exploded from him. Under the crushing pressure, blood oozed from his pores, and in a heartbeat, he was drenched in red.

Exhausted to the extreme, Nuo Lan struggled to sit up from the ground, her face deathly pale. A white jade flute appeared in her hand. A soft, ethereal melody drifted out, clear and enchanting.

In the sky, the elder snorted coldly. Nuo Lan trembled, coughing up blood as her injuries worsened.

“Little girl, try anything else, and don’t blame this old man for being merciless!” the elder barked, his eyes flashing as he glanced at her.

“Senior, Lin Tian was at fault first. Are you not afraid your actions today will bring calamity upon the Lin Family?” Nuo Lan bit her lip, silver teeth clenched. She knew she was no match for the Lin Family’s patriarch, yet she stood her ground without hesitation.

“If you kill him today, the Lin Family will be annihilated in the future!”

“Good, very good. Let me see who dares to destroy the Lin Family! Today, I will kill this boy!” With that, a fierce killing intent exploded in the patriarch’s eyes. Yin Tianfang was on the brink of death—when suddenly a gentle breeze swept in, dispersing all of the patriarch’s attacks. Alarmed, the patriarch glanced over to find an old man had appeared at Yin Tianfang’s side.

“Who are you?” the Lin Family patriarch demanded, face darkening as a sense of foreboding filled his heart.

“Elder Xuan Yin of the Profound Dao Sect.”

“Son!” The Lin Family head finally arrived. Seeing Lin Tian’s lifeless body, his eyes filled with rage and despair. “Patriarch, you must avenge my son!” he cried, clutching Lin Tian’s corpse and calling up to the elder in the sky.

“Fellow cultivator, this boy is already lost to madness. He has slain my family’s kin. By all rights, he should be handed over to us for punishment,” the patriarch declared.

“And what if I refuse?” Elder Xuan Yin replied coolly. At these words, the patriarch’s face grew even darker.