Chapter 3

In the early morning, the Lin family residence was unusually bustling, as a clan meeting was about to be held, and all members of the Lin family were heading towards the central training ground of the Lin estate.

"Have you heard? This time, not only have the First Patriarch and the Third Patriarch returned, but the Great Elder has also come. It seems they are targeting the head of the family."

"Hehe, although the clan leader is powerful, his good-for-nothing son might already be dead, and was even personally returned by the Yunhai Sect, disgracing our Lin family. The First Patriarch has always been dissatisfied with the clan leader, so he will surely take action this time. Perhaps our Lin family will have a new leader."

On the way, some members of the Lin family whispered to each other, and the crowd seemed to know that today's clan meeting was extraordinary.

Lin Feng and Lin Hai were also on their way to the central training ground. Seeing Lin Feng unharmed, many people's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, and some even thought, "How did this good-for-nothing not die?" However, intimidated by Lin Hai's authority, most people did not dare to voice their thoughts.

"This good-for-nothing really has a big life, he's still not dead." Suddenly, a harsh voice rang out, causing many people to pause and look up to see a group of people with impressive aura walking towards them.

The one who spoke was a young man, Lin Yun, the son of the third son of the Lin family, Lin Haoran. Lin Yun was the same age as Lin Feng, fifteen, but he was a Sixth Rank Qi Warrior.

"Ah, it's Lin Yun, no wonder you dare to say such things." The crowd felt a chill when they saw the First Patriarch, Lin Badao, and the Third Patriarch, Lin Haoran, walking together. The newcomers were not friendly.

"Say that again." Lin Hai's eyes flashed with cold light, and he stared directly at Lin Yun, making Lin Yun flinch and unable to meet Lin Hai's gaze.

"Second Brother, your position as clan leader is becoming more and more inappropriate, even bullying your juniors." Lin Badao sneered, his tone cold.

"Hmph, I, Lin Hai, am still the head of the family. Lin Yun is so ill-mannered, what kind of decorum is this?" Lin Hai responded coldly.

"Second Brother, you are indeed impressive, but I want to see how long you can maintain your authority." Lin Haoran's tone was harsh: "Your good-for-nothing son was carried back by the Yunhai Sect, disgracing our Lin family. How can you stop people from talking about it?"

"How long can I maintain my authority? Lin Haoran, do you mean to say that I won't be the head of the family for much longer? Do you want to be the head of the family? Do you think you are qualified?" Lin Hai took a step forward, his body radiating a cold aura. Lin Yun, who was standing next to Lin Haoran, felt a chill and retreated behind Lin Haoran.

"Whether you are qualified or not is decided by the elders, not by you, Lin Hai." Lin Haoran's face darkened, surprised by Lin Hai's unusually aggressive behavior today.

"Since you admit it, then so be it. I, Lin Hai, am still the head of the family. Your son cursed my son to death in front of me. What punishment should he receive?"

Lin Hai did not back down, his cold aura growing stronger, and the temperature in the area dropped significantly, with a faint layer of white frost appearing.

"The head of the family is indeed impressive, with his inherent authority, he is the first to challenge the Third Patriarch." The crowd looked at him with a hint of admiration, thinking that Lin Hai would be passive in the face of the First Patriarch and the Third Patriarch's challenges.

"Lin Hai, do you think I am afraid of you?" Lin Haoran, who was prepared today, released a powerful wave of heat to counter Lin Hai's cold aura.

"Father has the Ice Core Martial Soul, so he specializes in ice techniques. Lin Haoran has the Flame Core Martial Soul and practices fire techniques. Water overcomes fire, so even if their cultivation levels are the same, Lin Haoran would not be a match for Father. Clearly, he is not the main character this time."

Lin Feng glanced at Lin Badao, who had a sinister smile on his face and said, "Second Brother, the clan meeting is about to start. Do you, as the head of the family, not respect the elders?"

In the Lin family, the council of elders was above all, to check the power of the head of the family. Therefore, Lin Badao used the council of elders to pressure Lin Hai, putting a cap on him.

"Hmph." Lin Hai glanced at Lin Haoran with disdain, then retracted his aura and left with Lin Feng.

Lin Haoran naturally sensed Lin Hai's disdain, his eyes flashing with cold light. This time, your good-for-nothing son was lucky to survive, but next time, it won't be so easy.

Lin Haoran's eldest son, Lin Heng, was an outstanding disciple of the Yunhai Sect's outer sect, and would eventually become an inner sect disciple, or even a core disciple. With his son's status, Lin Haoran's own status would rise, surpassing that of the head of the Lin family.

Lin Badao's daughter, Lin Qian, was also exceptionally talented and was already an inner sect disciple of the Haoyue Sect, with limitless potential. Among the three brothers, only Lin Hai's son had extremely poor talent and was called a good-for-nothing, which was the basis for Lin Badao and Lin Haoran's actions. Now, with the support of the council of elders, the tide was in their favor, and Lin Hai was going against the current.

The large training ground was filled with four to five hundred members of the Lin family. In the center of the training ground was a green stone platform, where the current leaders of the Lin family were seated.

"Esteemed elders, a few days ago, the Yunhai Sect came to our Lin family, which should have been an honor, but they brought back a half-dead good-for-nothing, disgracing our Lin family. Therefore, I suggest that Lin Feng be expelled from the family. He does not deserve to be a member of our Lin family."

Lin Haoran stood up, bowing to the elders, and directly challenged the head of the family.

"You are quite straightforward, but as the head of the family, I have not spoken yet. When did it become your turn to give orders, Third Patriarch? Go back to your seat." Lin Hai, aware of Lin Haoran's intentions, was extremely assertive. He wanted to see how they would expel his son and take his position.

"Second Brother, you are wrong. Although you are the head of the family, the Third Patriarch is also one of the leaders of the family, and he is thinking of the best interests of the Lin family. Your good-for-nothing son has disgraced our Lin family and should be expelled." Lin Badao's sinister voice joined in, attacking Lin Hai.

"I will handle my son myself. What does it have to do with the family, and why should you interfere, Lin Badao? I know you have always coveted my position. Let's fight today. If you win, I will leave the Lin family with my son. If you lose... don't talk nonsense."

Lin Hai stood up, stepped forward, and came to the center of the platform, his powerful aura radiating, pointing at Lin Badao. Whether you fight or not, you will have to fight.

Lin Feng watched his father, who was unusually aggressive, and understood that in a world where martial arts were supreme, only those with great strength had a voice. His father wanted to use his strength to silence the opposition.

"I am not afraid of you." Lin Badao, hearing Lin Hai's insult, was enraged, stood up, and faced Lin Hai.

The elders remained silent, enjoying the spectacle. If Lin Hai could not defeat Lin Badao and had a good-for-nothing son, the position of head of the Lin family would naturally change.

"I want to see what makes you so arrogant." Lin Badao sneered, but Lin Hai did not waste any words, his cold aura enveloping the platform. The hundreds of Lin family members felt a bone-chilling cold in the same instant.

This was the power of the martial soul. Lin Hai's martial soul was the Ice Core Martial Soul, and once released, it turned the surroundings into a frozen wasteland.

"Ice Seal for a Thousand Miles." Lin Badao was about to release his martial soul when Lin Hai shouted. A cracking sound followed, and from Lin Hai's position, ice covered the platform, spreading outwards. The entire platform was covered in white ice, and Lin Badao was instantly turned into an ice statue, frozen in the ice.

"Boom!" A loud explosion, and the ice shattered. Lin Badao's body flew out, spitting a mouthful of blood, and then fell heavily to the ground.

The elders stood up, shocked by the scene. Lin Badao had been defeated in one strike.

"Ice Seal for a Thousand Miles. Lin Hai's Ice Seal Technique has reached the Eighth Rank. No wonder he is so assertive." The Great Elder's eyes flickered. Lin Hai, with his Ice Core Martial Soul and powerful Ice Seal Technique, had instantly frozen Lin Badao and delivered a fatal blow, all in one fluid motion. Lin Badao had no time to react. If Lin Hai had been a bit slower, it would not have been so easy.

The Lin family members looked at Lin Hai with a dazed expression, seeing him more assertive than even the First Patriarch, Lin Badao.

Lin Badao spat out another mouthful of blood, looking at Lin Hai with a fierce gaze, but Lin Hai was unconcerned. He could guess that Lin Feng's injury was related to his two brothers. Since they wanted to kill his son, he, Lin Hai, did not need to consider brotherly feelings.

"Esteemed elders, let's continue the clan meeting." Lin Hai waved his sleeve and returned to his seat, as if nothing had happened.

"Hehe, Lin Hai, as the head of the family, your cultivation has advanced, setting a good example. I believe our Lin family disciples will strive to improve. The purpose of the clan meeting has been achieved. Everyone can leave now." The Great Elder smiled faintly, and continuing the meeting was now meaningless.

"Great Elder, since that's the case, I will take my leave." Lin Feng bowed to the Great Elder and stood up.

"Lin Hai, I want to see how long you can protect this good-for-nothing." Lin Haoran, seeing his goal unmet, said coldly.

"Exactly, good-for-nothing, the disgrace of our Lin family." Lin Yun echoed, but quickly closed his mouth when he saw Lin Hai's gaze.

"Xiao Feng, let's go." Lin Hai did not want to deal with them anymore, but Lin Feng did not move. Instead, he turned around, took a step, and walked towards Lin Yun. The crowd's expressions tightened, unsure of what Lin Feng intended to do.

Lin Hai also looked at his son in surprise. Lin Feng walked to Lin Yun and said, "Lin Yun, you keep calling me a good-for-nothing. I want to ask you, what if one day you find out that you are even worse than me? How will you face it?"

"Are you dreaming? You, a good-for-nothing, can't compare to me." Lin Yun, surprised that Lin Feng, a good-for-nothing, would speak to him like this, sneered.

Lin Feng's eyes flickered, and he smiled lightly, saying, "Lin Yun, I, Lin Feng, challenge you."