CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 287 CENTRAL PROVINCE, LIN FAMILY

Jiang Yuan’s original plan was to let him stay home and properly study the new cultivation technique, while he himself would take Hu Zhile and Yun Mo.

After all, whether the Lin Family was impressive or not, today was merely a visit to recognize family ties, gifting an eldest son without seeking trouble with the other party, logically speaking, shouldn’t cause any conflict.

Even if we do encounter trouble, although the wooden staff has been upgraded and is not in hand, the equipment on one’s body is not just for show; surely it can calm the situation?

Unexpectedly, Xiao Bai was very resolved regarding this, willing to waste some time studying cultivation techniques just to personally show support for Xiao Chuanzi.

Since that is the case, he nodded and said, "First teleport to the approximate location, and after getting clear information, we’ll pay a visit to the door. By the way, we can also get an early understanding of the Lin Family’s reputation and have an idea in mind."

Saying this, Jiang Yuan opened the teleportation scroll and input Central Province, and the map showed a vast continent. They casually chose a location near the center, and the group instantly disappeared from the small courtyard, leaving Yun Shu to sit by the river fishing and mind the house.

From the map, Central Province is far from the deserted island, crossing mountains, rivers, and half a continent.

This is a fertile land, rich material foundation spawning a large population of humans.

Even with the threat of wilderness descendence causing fragile humans to become the lowest layer trampled by Demon Beasts and Demon Cultivators at will, for the Immortal Cultivation Clans with heritage, they can leap to become the main force resisting Demon Beasts and unite Demon Cultivators to protect some common people, having a large number of followers supported by the populace.

The Lin Family is a renowned immortal cultivation family that has risen to fame in Central Province in recent years.

The fundamental reason lies in a predecessor who traveled to other worlds and returned decades ago, gloriously returning to his homeland. He had cultivated up to the Nascent Soul Realm, undeniably a local leader.

The predecessor not only brought back a batch of Earth Treasures, Magical Artifacts, and treasures, but during a short month-long stay, he also taught and imparted many practical techniques. Because of this, the Lin Family, which originally had severed its legacy and was insufficient in strength, smoothly rose.

Coupled with a few years ago when the Young Patriarch, who is now the current Patriarch Lin Shuo, married Ouyang Ying, the daughter of the Vice Sect Leader of the Celestial Sword Sect, the first sect in Central Province.

Although, unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last three years, the cooperative relationship established between the two sides was not affected, and the Lin Family has even more powerful allies, thriving evermore.

The third day of the third lunar month, the beginning of the last month of spring, is the grand day when the predecessor returned and transmitted the teachings, also the most important day for the Lin clan, aside from sacrifices.

For this, the Lin Mansion is holding a grand three-day celebration to commemorate the predecessor’s benefactions, and invitations have been sent out half a month ahead, with doors open in these two days to welcome guests from afar; the family is also busy preparing for the celebration on the correct day tomorrow.

"Are all the gold and silver utensils needed for tomorrow prepared?" The current Patriarch Lin Shuo carried a typical family head’s authoritative aura, with his hands behind his back, checking around with a serious expression, "Are the birds trained for release ready?"

After receiving affirmative answers, he finally showed a hint of a satisfactory expression and nodded, "Not only is tomorrow the official day for the celebration of the predecessor’s benefaction, but also the grand occasion when Zoe is formally sealed as Young Patriarch. Not the slightest mistake can occur!"

The servants nodded in unison, saying yes, which made Lin Shuo very happy, as he slowly turned toward the front yard with his hands behind his back.

The most important guests arrived two days ago and are settled at the mansion, while those arriving today are merely families and sect guests with some acquaintance, who will only stay one night and depart after tomorrow’s main celebration.

Though he, as a high-ranking authority, doesn’t need to personally greet them, occasionally showing up in such events is still beneficial for the reputation. He was happy to upscale his personal image, busying himself since early morning up till noon.

Having made his presence noted sufficiently, Lin Shuo was about to return to rest when he suddenly sensed a strong oppressive force swiftly approaching from the horizon, immediately sending a chill down his neck with a sense of foreboding— the stranger’s aura was aggressive and unfamiliar, probably not a good sign!

"Protector, form the array!"

The moment Lin Shuo sensed the pressure, the protectors, and guests slightly higher in cultivation also felt it. He hurriedly directed the protector to initiate the Village Protection Array left by the predecessor.

Though opening the array each time consumes a great deal of Spirit Stones, it is worth spending to ensure the family’s safety in the face of crisis.

"Such a domineering aura, is it a Demon Cultivator predecessor!"

"It seems they’re coming directly for the Lin Mansion!"

"Oh no, oh no, could it be that the Lin Family offended some Demon Cultivator, and this is their ancestor visiting?"

"Oh, I have long said the Lin Family would act rashly relying on the predecessor having descended once, causing problems sooner or later; look, disaster might be looming!"

"Let’s first hide, the Lin Mansion’s array might not necessarily protect us completely..."

...

A few breaths later, Lin Shuo’s face turned ashen.

This tremendous aura felt no different from when the predecessor descended; thinking about it, the Lin Family never dared to make enemies with Demon Cultivators, let alone provoke such powerful foes. Could it be... the predecessor offended some remarkable Demon Cultivator, and now they resent the descendants and juniors?

"I apologize for failing to welcome such a distinguished presence from afar." Despite being inwardly terrified, Lin Shuo, as the Patriarch, could only brace himself, activate a Magical Treasure, fly into the air, and welcome with a smile: "Tomorrow is the family celebration, may I invite the predecessor to grace us and have a few drinks?"

As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face, although Demon Cultivators generally treat human cultivators with arrogance and rudeness, pleasantries are always exchanged.

Bai Yunqi observed from afar a middle-aged man who slightly resembled Xiao Chuanzi coming to greet, scanning his aura revealed he was only at the peak of Enlightenment Realm cultivation, so he halted and scrutinized before proudly asking: "Is this truly the Lin Family of Central Province’s Immortal Cultivation Clan?"

"Indeed, may I know what esteemed guidance the predecessor holds?" Lin Shuo, under the pressure, sneakily observed, finding a gentleman with a jade-like face, arrogant demeanor, and scarlet eyes was evidently not easy to deal with.

"Do you have someone named Lin Shuo here? Is he still alive?" Bai Yunqi inquired knowingly.

He was too familiar with such so-called families, as the saying goes, wealth first, respect humans later, rich hearts and two dignified eyes are most adept at patronizing based on appearances.

This is precisely the reason he volunteered to take the lead upon hearing about the reunion; the Venerable Family had a detached and low-key nature, and in such scenarios naturally wouldn’t deliberately impose oppressing or bragging to embarrass, yet this humility could easily be exploited by opportunists.

Rather than encountering difficulties and then intimidating the Lin Family members, it’s better to be high-handed from the start, setting sufficient momentum.

Delivering a slap before giving a sweet date makes the reunion naturally smooth and simple, and the Lin clan might even wish to ingratiate themselves to Zoe.

Sure enough, Lin Shuo felt a pang upon hearing this, instantly reflecting on all the unscrupulous deeds done over the years, even recalling the mischief of killing a whole litter of puppies at the age of eight; could it be he unwittingly offended some Demon Cultivator?

"Predecessor, I am... indeed Lin Shuo." Anxious and uneasy, not knowing why the other party named him directly, he could only withstand enormous pressure to respond, while simultaneously pondering if he could rely on the predecessor’s bestowed Magical Treasure to escape if the opponent were to attack?

Bai Yunqi finally looked at him directly, "Your wife is Ouyang Ying?"