Chapter 3: Wild and Overbearing
The Lin Clan was exceptionally lively in the early morning. Because a clan meeting was to be held, all members of the Lin Clan were heading toward the martial arts arena located in the center of the Lin Mansion.
"Did you hear? Not only has the First Master and Third Master returned for this clan meeting, but the Grand Elder has also come. It seems they're targeting the Clan Leader."
"Heh, although the Clan Leader is powerful, that useless son of his might already be dead. And being personally sent back by the Cloud Sea Sect has brought utter shame upon our Lin Clan. The First Master has always been dissatisfied with the Clan Leader. How could he not make a move this time? Perhaps our Lin Clan is about to change hands."
Along the way, members of the Lin Clan whispered among themselves. The crowd seemed to know that today's clan meeting was no ordinary affair.
Lin Feng and Lin Hai were also on their way to the central martial arts arena. Seeing Lin Feng safe and sound, many people's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. Some even thought to themselves, 'Why isn't this waste dead?' However, intimidated by Lin Hai's authority, most dared not voice their thoughts.
"This waste really has a tough life. He's still not dead." Suddenly, a harsh voice rang out, causing many people to pause and look up. They saw a group of people walking over with an imposing air.
The speaker was a young man, Lin Yun, the son of Lin Haoran, the third of the Lin brothers. He was the same age as Lin Feng, fifteen, but he was a Sixth Layer Qi Martial Realm cultivator.
"So it's Lin Yun. No wonder he dares to speak like that." The crowd saw the Third Master, Lin Haoran, and the First Master, Lin Ba Dao, walking together, and their hearts tightened. This was no friendly visit.
"Say that again." A cold light flashed in Lin Hai's eyes as he stared directly at Lin Yun, causing Lin Yun's eyes to sting, and he dared not meet Lin Hai's gaze.
"Second Brother, as the Clan Leader, you're becoming more and more disgraceful, even bullying the younger generation." Lin Ba Dao sneered, his tone cold.
"Hmph, I am still the head of this family. For Lin Yun to be so ill-mannered, what kind of example is that?" Lin Hai replied coldly.
"Second Brother really puts on quite a show. But I'd like to see how long you can keep up this act as Clan Leader." Lin Haoran's tone was harsh. "That useless son of yours was carried back to the Lin Clan by the Cloud Sea Sect, disgracing our family's face. Are you saying we can't even talk about it?"
"How long can I keep up the act? Lin Haoran, you mean I won't be Clan Leader for much longer? Do you want the position? Do you think you're qualified?" Lin Hai took a step forward, releasing a chilling aura. Lin Yun, who was beside Lin Haoran, felt a bone-deep cold and quickly hid behind his father.
"Whether I'm qualified or not is for the Elders to decide, not you, Lin Hai." Lin Haoran's face darkened. He hadn't expected Lin Hai to be so uncharacteristically overbearing today.
"So you admit it. Fine. I am still the Clan Leader. Your son dares to curse my son, the Clan Leader's son, to death right in front of me. What punishment does he deserve?"
Lin Hai showed no sign of backing down. His cold aura grew stronger, lowering the temperature in the area. Faint white frost even began to appear.
"The Clan Leader truly lives up to his title, carrying his own authority. He's even launching the first attack against the Third Master." The crowd's gazes turned toward them, a hint of admiration in their hearts. They had expected Lin Hai to be on the defensive against the First and Third Masters' accusations.
"Lin Hai, don't think I'm afraid of you." Lin Haoran had come prepared today. As his words fell, a powerful wave of heat surged out, clashing with the cold.
"Father possesses an Ice Soul Martial Soul, so he mainly cultivates ice techniques. Lin Haoran has a Flame Martial Soul and cultivates flame techniques. Water overcomes fire. Even if their cultivation levels were equal, Lin Haoran wouldn't be Father's match. He's clearly not the main player today."
Lin Feng's gaze shifted to Lin Ba Dao beside him. He saw Lin Ba Dao's lips curl into a sinister smile as he said, "Second Brother, the clan meeting is about to begin. As the Clan Leader, do you even hold the Council of Elders in any regard?"
In the Lin Clan, the Council of Elders was above all else, existing to check the Clan Leader's power. Thus, Lin Ba Dao used the Council to pressure Lin Hai, pinning a big hat on him.
"Hmph." Lin Hai glanced disdainfully at Lin Haoran, then withdrew his aura and left with Lin Feng.
Lin Haoran naturally noticed Lin Hai's contempt. Cold light shot from his eyes. 'This time, your useless son was lucky to survive. Next time, it won't be so easy.'
Lin Haoran's eldest son, Lin Heng, was an outstanding outer disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect, soon to become an inner disciple, or even a core disciple. A father's status rose with his son's. At that time, his own status would naturally soar, far surpassing that of a mere Lin Clan Leader.
As for Lin Ba Dao's daughter, Lin Qian, she was exceptionally gifted and was already an inner disciple of the Hao Yue Sect, with limitless future potential. Among the three brothers, only Lin Hai's son had extremely poor talent and was called a waste. This was the leverage Lin Ba Dao and Lin Haoran held. Now, with the Council of Elders also leaning toward them, this was the tide of the times. And Lin Hai was going against that tide.
In the vast martial arts arena, four to five hundred members of the Lin Clan had all gathered. In the center of the arena stood a high platform of bluestone, where the clan's power-holders were now seated.
"Esteemed Elders, a few days ago, members of the Cloud Sea Sect came to our Lin Clan. It should have been an honor, but instead, they sent back a half-dead waste, disgracing our Lin Clan's face. Therefore, I propose that Lin Feng be expelled from the clan. He is unworthy to be called a member of the Lin Clan."
Lin Haoran stood up, cupped his hands toward the Elders on the council seats, and launched his attack directly.
"You're quite direct, getting straight to the point. But I, the Clan Leader, haven't spoken yet. When did it become your turn, Third Brother, to meddle? Get back to your seat." Lin Hai naturally understood Lin Haoran's intentions. He was extremely forceful. He wanted to see how they planned to expel his son and then seize his position as Clan Leader.
"Second Brother, that's not right. Although you are the Clan Leader, Third Brother is also one of the clan's leaders, acting for the good of our Lin Clan. That useless son of yours has truly disgraced our family. He should be expelled." Lin Ba Dao's sinister voice rang out, joining the attack on Lin Hai.
"I will handle my own son. It has nothing to do with the clan, and even less to do with you. Lin Ba Dao, I know you've always coveted my position. Fine, today you and I will fight. If you defeat me, I will leave the Lin Clan with my son. If you lose... then shut your stinking mouth."
Lin Hai stood up, stepped forward, and walked directly to the center of the high platform. A powerful aura erupted as he pointed at Lin Ba Dao. 'Whether you want to fight or not, you will fight.'
Lin Feng watched his father, who had completely changed his usual demeanor, pressing the attack aggressively. His heart was clear. In this continent, martial arts reigned supreme. Only the strong had the right to speak. His father was using his own strength to shut them up.
"Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Hearing Lin Hai insult him by telling him to shut his stinking mouth, Lin Ba Dao's anger flared. He stood up, stepped forward, and stood opposite Lin Hai.
The Elders all remained silent. They were happy to see this situation. If Lin Hai couldn't even defeat Lin Ba Dao and had a useless son to boot, then the position of Lin Clan Leader would naturally need to be adjusted.
"Let's see what gives you the right to be so arrogant." Lin Ba Dao sneered. But Lin Hai didn't waste any words with him. An icy chill enveloped the high platform. In that same instant, the several hundred members of the Lin Clan felt a bone-piercing cold, a chill that seeped into their marrow.
This was the power of a martial soul. Lin Hai's martial soul was the Ice Soul Martial Soul. Once released, everything around was eroded by the ice.
"Ice Seals a Thousand Miles." Lin Ba Dao was just about to release his own martial soul when he heard Lin Hai shout loudly. Then, a cracking sound rang out. Centered on Lin Hai, ice covered the high platform and spread outward. The entire platform was coated in white ice. And in that moment, Lin Ba Dao became an ice statue, frozen within the ice.
"Boom!" A loud explosion. The ice shattered. Lin Ba Dao's body was sent flying directly, a mouthful of blood spraying from his mouth. Then, he fell heavily.
The Elders all stood up, staring in shock at the scene before them. Lin Ba Dao... had been utterly defeated in a single blow.
"Ice Seals a Thousand Miles. Lin Hai's Ice Seal Art has actually reached the Eighth Layer. No wonder he's so aggressive." The Grand Elder's eyes flickered. Lin Hai possessed the Ice Soul Martial Soul, combined with the powerful Ice Seal Art. He had instantly frozen Lin Ba Dao and then delivered a killing blow in one smooth motion. Lin Ba Dao hadn't even had time to react. If Lin Hai had been even half a beat slower, it probably wouldn't have been so easy.
The members of the Lin Clan looked stunned. This was the first time they had seen Lin Hai so overbearing, even more so than the First Master, Lin Ba Dao.
Lin Ba Dao spat out another mouthful of blood, his eyes glaring viciously at Lin Hai. But Lin Hai didn't care at all. He could naturally guess that Lin Feng's injuries were related to these two brothers of his. Since they both wanted to kill his son, why should he, Lin Hai, still care about brotherly affection?
"Esteemed Elders, let's continue the clan meeting." Lin Hai flicked his sleeve, returned to his seat, as if he had done nothing at all.
"Heh, Lin Hai, as the Clan Leader, you have made further progress in your cultivation and set a good example. I believe all the Lin Clan disciples will be inspired to train hard. The purpose of this clan meeting has been achieved. Everyone, disperse." The Grand Elder smiled faintly. There was no point in continuing the meeting now.
"Grand Elder, in that case, I will take my leave." Lin Feng cupped his hands toward the Grand Elder and stood up to leave with Lin Hai.
"Lin Hai, I'd like to see how long you can protect this waste." Lin Haoran, seeing his goal unachieved, said coldly.
"That's right, waste. The shame of our Lin Clan." Lin Yun echoed, but when he saw Lin Hai's gaze sweep over, he immediately shut his mouth.
"Xiao Feng, let's go." Lin Hai didn't want to bother with them anymore. But Lin Feng didn't leave. Instead, he turned around, lifted his foot, and walked toward Lin Yun. This scene made the crowd's expressions freeze, wondering what Lin Feng was trying to do.
Lin Hai also looked at his son in surprise. He saw Lin Feng stop not far from Lin Yun, then look at him and say, "Lin Yun, you keep calling me a waste. I want to ask you, if one day you find out that you are even more worthless than me, how will you be able to face yourself?"
"Are you dreaming? How can a waste like you compare to me?" Lin Yun never expected that even this waste, Lin Feng, would dare to speak to him like this. He couldn't help but sneer.
Lin Feng's eyes flickered. Then, he gave a light smile and said indifferently, "Lin Yun, I, Lin Feng, challenge you."