Chapter 9

As the situation became critical, Lin Ruyun instead calmed down. She took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and said, "Elder Duan, Elder Wei! Is this how you repay the Lin family? Don’t forget who gave you what you have today. If it weren’t for Master’s protection back then, you would have long been dead. How could you have the status you have today? Now that Lin Xiong has passed away, Lin Xi is the only bloodline of Master left in this world. Are you going to kick him when he’s down and push him into the fire? Is this how you repay the old Master?"

After Lin Ruyun finished speaking, all the elders were shaken, their eyes revealing complex expressions.

The Master Lin Ruyun referred to was none other than the first-generation patriarch of the Five Thunder Sect, and the master of the six of them, Fenglei Palm Lin Boyuan!

Lin Boyuan, the first-generation ancestor of the Five Thunder Sect, single-handedly founded the sect. He took in six disciples, who became the six elders. After Lin Boyuan’s death, his son Lin Xiong inherited the position of patriarch. After Lin Xiong’s death, it should have been Lin Xi. Unless the Lin family’s bloodline was completely wiped out, it would not be anyone else’s turn.

This was also the reason why Meng Jun insisted on deposing Lin Xi. As long as Lin Xi was not deposed, he could not lay his hands on the position of the Five Thunder Sect’s patriarch.

This was a well-known rule and tradition of the Five Thunder Sect. Everyone knew it but tried to avoid discussing it. Lin Ruyun had clearly put the elders in an awkward position.

"Lin Ruyun, you can’t say things like that. The Five Thunder Sect belongs to everyone, not just the Lin family. If anyone says otherwise, I, Meng Jun, will be the first to disagree. — Elder Six, what do you think?"

Meng Jun sneered, his gaze shifting to the sixth elder, Han Shizhong, who was sitting at the end.

Elder Six, Han Shizhong, stroked his black mustache and said calmly, "Elder Meng’s words are very reasonable. Han Shizhong has no objections."

This statement, though mild, dealt a fatal blow to Lin Ruyun.

*Swish!*

Upon hearing these words, Lin Ruyun was as if struck by a heavy blow. Her face turned pale, and her body swayed. She heavily sat back into the wide chair, as if turned to stone.

Among the six elders, four had agreed to depose Lin Xi as the young patriarch. At this moment, even if she were slow to react, she knew the tide had turned, and she could no longer prevent the council from deposing Lin Xi.

"Ha ha ha!"

Lin Xi, assessing the situation, suddenly burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing about?!"

Meng Jun shouted angrily.

Lin Xi sneered, walked to the center of the hall, and pointed at Meng Jun, "Meng Jun! I advise you not to be too presumptuous. Do you think you can depose me just by holding an elder council? Humph! You are too wishful. Whether I am the young patriarch or not is not up to you to decide!"

Lin Xi had been observing the situation coldly. Seeing Meng Jun incite three elders to depose him, he immediately knew it was time to act and decisively stepped forward.

"Lin Xi?! How dare you speak to me like this?! In front of so many elders, how can you be so insolent! Step back!"

Meng Jun was furious. Wei Buping and others also looked displeased.

"Meng Jun, you old scoundrel, don’t be too arrogant! The Five Thunder Mountain hasn’t fallen into your hands yet, and it’s not your time to rule!"

Lin Xi changed his tone, as the two had already torn their masks off. He clapped his hands and shouted, "Come in!"

*Creak!*

The next moment, the door opened, and a graceful young girl walked in reluctantly. A golden flame on her chest was particularly noticeable.

"Sunlight Sect!"

Seeing this girl, everyone in the hall was surprised, their eyes wide with shock. A single girl was not enough to cause such a reaction, but the identity she represented was the reason for their shock!

The reason why a member of the Sunlight Sect suddenly appeared at the elder council was what everyone was concerned about.

"Lu Yun!"

Meng Jun was startled. He recognized the girl as a personal attendant of the Sunlight Saintess.

The girl sneered and walked in as if no one else was there. She glared at Lin Xi fiercely and then faced everyone, saying coldly, "I apologize for interrupting the elders. Miss has sent me to thank you for your hospitality during this time. She is very satisfied. As for her, due to an urgent summons from the Sect Master, she has already returned to Sunlight Mountain. Miss has also sent me to clarify one point—Lin Xi’s alleged peeping on the Saintess is completely false and fabricated!"

*Boom!*

Upon hearing this, the entire hall was stunned. The elders were speechless with shock.

Especially Second Elder Meng Jun, who was struck like a bolt from the blue. He staggered back several steps, his face filled with disbelief.

"How can this be!—"

Meng Jun gasped, his face showing horror.

The process of deposing Lin Xi was almost complete, just one step away from finalization. Now, the Sunlight Saintess had sent a servant to make such a statement, effectively undermining his efforts and causing all his hard work to come to naught.

What Meng Jun found particularly incomprehensible was that this matter had been agreed upon by both of them. Deposing Lin Xi would also benefit the Sunlight Saintess. Moreover, the smooth progress of the plan was largely due to her cooperation.

However, in just a few days, the Sunlight Saintess’s attitude had completely changed, even to the point of tearing up their agreement. This was completely incomprehensible to Meng Jun, like a bolt from the blue!

"This is a letter written by the Saintess herself, and it bears her seal. Take it!—I have no other business, so I will leave."

The Sunlight Saintess’s servant threw a piece of white paper and immediately left, unwilling to stay a moment longer.

"That’s the Sunlight Sect’s Saintess’s seal!"

Fourth Elder Duan Yimei caught the paper, read it, and frowned.

The Sunlight Sect’s seal could not be faked; anyone with a discerning eye could tell!

"Meng Jun, you fabricate lies and harbor evil intentions. You list a false charge and convene an elder council to frame me. What are your true intentions? Could it be that you have received benefits from the Sunlight Sect and are colluding with them to disrupt our Five Thunder Sect?"

Lin Xi was waiting for this statement. As soon as Duan Yimei finished speaking, Lin Xi immediately pointed at Meng Jun, accusing him of colluding with an external sect.

"Bullshit! How could I collude with an external sect!"

Meng Jun was in a panic, almost on the verge of spitting blood. He had not expected such a turn of events, and even more, he had not expected Lin Xi to turn the tables and accuse him of a major crime.

"Humph! If you didn’t, why are you so agitated? Clearly, you are guilty! Elders, although Lin Xi is young, he understands the principles. I have been tolerant of Elder Meng, but he has relentlessly pressured me, even resorting to conspiracy and framing. This is intolerable. Lin Xi is willing to risk his life to fight this out. I ask the Great Elder and all the elders to uphold justice for me!"

Lin Xi spoke with righteous indignation.

He had already seen that the other three elders were on the same side as Meng Jun. But at this moment, they could not admit it and would not admit it. They still had to stand up for Lin Xi.

"You!—"

Meng Jun’s eyes were wide with anger. His mind was in chaos. All his plans had been disrupted by Lin Xi’s sudden move.

"Xi!—"

Lin Ruyun was excited, her face full of surprise. She had not expected such a dramatic turn of events.

The other elders also looked shocked, seeing Lin Xi’s calm demeanor. Clearly, he had been well-prepared, but they could not figure out how he had managed it.

With the Sunlight Saintess’s capabilities, getting rid of Lin Xi would be as easy as squashing an ant. Moreover, she was proud and would never cooperate with Lin Xi.

"Humph! Lin Xi! You scoundrel, stop spouting lies and framing my father. What kind of person is my father? How could he lower himself to frame you? Speak! What kind of scheme did you use to make the Sunlight Saintess change her mind?"

At this moment, a voice interrupted. It was Meng Shi, who could not bear to see his father humiliated and stepped forward.

"You call me a scoundrel?!"

Lin Xi turned to Meng Shi, his eyes cold.

"Humph! I said you are a scoundrel. What are you going to do about it? With your meager skills, you can’t even beat me, and you want to be the young patriarch of the Five Thunder Sect. It’s a delusion! The elders should have deposed you long ago!"

Meng Shi’s face was full of arrogance. Even in the elder council, he was fearless and did not take Lin Xi seriously.

"Is that so? Then let’s see who is the real scoundrel! Let’s see what I can do to you!"

Lin Xi stared at Meng Shi, his voice cold.

"Xi, come back, you are no match for him."

Lin Ruyun was worried. She had not expected Lin Xi to suddenly become so impulsive and challenge Meng Shi.

"Don’t worry, Aunt, I have a plan."

Lin Xi said calmly.

"Elder Lin, let the young people spar. Don’t stop them. Lin Xi is the future patriarch; he shouldn’t lack the courage and ability, right?"

Beside him, Fifth Elder Wei Buping said in a sinister tone.

"Ha ha ha, did I hear that right? You want to challenge me?"

Meng Shi laughed wildly, his eyes full of contempt and disdain.

"This is your own doing. Don’t blame me. I am at the fourth level of the Iron Bone stage. One punch can break steel. Dealing with a scoundrel like you is like squashing an ant."

"Humph! Don’t talk too much. If I am a scoundrel, then you are even worse. To deal with someone like you, one hand is enough!"

Lin Xi said coldly.

"You!—"

Meng Shi was furious, his face showing a hint of malice. "Fists and feet have no eyes. This is your own doing. But before we start, I ask the elders to witness this. — Uncles, you have seen it. Lin Xi provoked me first. If he dies, it’s not my fault."

"Meng Shi, we have heard you. Fists and feet have no eyes, and injuries are inevitable. It’s not your fault."

Duan Yimei tapped the armrest, looking fair and impartial.

"Meng Shi, stop talking and show your skills."

Lin Xi said solemnly.

"Hehe, Lin Xi, if you want to die, I will grant your wish!"

Meng Shi smiled sinisterly, his eyes showing a dangerous glint.

Young people are often impulsive. Talented young people should be proud, not like others. Meng Shi was like this. Although he looked down on others, his confidence came from his martial arts skills.

With the resources provided by Second Elder Meng Jun, Meng Shi, despite his mediocre talent, was not far behind in martial arts.

"Junior Brother