C17 Lin Lang Had Returned!

Upon hearing the steward's words, Lin Xuan was momentarily taken aback, but a laugh quickly bubbled up inside him.

"I figured earning 500 Contribution Points would be enough, but who knew people would be clamoring to hand them over to me..."

Lin Xuan's silence, however, appeared to the steward as a sign of his anxiety. With a sly chuckle, the steward taunted, "Heh, what's the matter? Too scared to take the bet? If you're chickening out, let's pretend I never mentioned it!"

"Bet? Of course, I'll take the bet. Why wouldn't I?"

"Then let's have the steward and everyone here bear witness. Should anyone break their word, may they be struck down by the heavens!"

Lin Xuan couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Contribution Points being served up on a silver platter. How could he possibly refuse?

"Ha! That's the spirit, Lin Xuan! I like your style. I'll be right here waiting for the good news!"

The steward, Lin Shan by name, was an uncle from the main branch of the Lin family. He was now laughing mockingly at Lin Xuan, handing over three mission cards with the clear intention of watching him embarrass himself.

The young man in the Daoist robe, Lin Xuan's opponent in the wager, burst into hearty laughter as well, confidently passing 500 Contribution Points to Lin Shan. He was certain of his victory.

A familiar disciple at the young man's side offered his early congratulations, "I must congratulate Senior Brother Lin Feng in advance. I hesitated just a moment and missed out on this easy chance to pick up Contribution Points. Ah, Senior Brother Lin Feng's decisiveness is unmatched. Poor Lin Xuan, I fear he's headed for his downfall in the Abyssal Forest!"

"Heh, as I see it, one should know their own limitations. How can a mere snake hope to swallow an elephant without bursting its belly?"

"Just a deluded fool, that's all he is. Otherwise, why would Senior Brother Lin Feng bother betting with him?" A family disciple, merely a Seventh Level Spiritual Cultivator, sneered openly at Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's expression turned icy at the words. It was one thing for them to badmouth him behind his back, but outright disrespect to his face was another. Had he not just been disciplined by Patriarch Lin Yue, he would have been sorely tempted to give the insolent speaker a sound thrashing.

"What did you say?"

In an instant, Lin Xuan vanished from his spot, only to reappear before the family disciple, seizing his collar and locking eyes with him like a venomous serpent.

"What are you... What are you doing... Have you no sense of decorum? To think you'd dare create a disturbance in the Replacement Hall..."

"Hmph, you're aware this is the Replacement Hall, yet outside these walls, I would have thrashed you so badly even your mother wouldn't recognize you!"

"Remember this—watch your words, or they may bring disaster upon you!"

Lin Xuan unleashed his full aura, and the spiritual energy within him stirred wildly, surging like a tumultuous abyss.

His gaze was intimidating, and the family disciple he had gripped was shaking with fear!

The disciple's terror stemmed from witnessing Lin Xuan's pursuit of Lin Tianyi. It was common knowledge that Lin Xuan, then only a Sixth Level Spiritual Cultivator, had given chase to a Ninth Level Spiritual Cultivator and dominated him!

Now, with an aura even more formidable than before and having ascended to the Seventh Level, dealing with an ordinary disciple was child's play for Lin Xuan!

Yet, Lin Xuan refrained from striking, mindful of the rules. But the incident had made its mark; no longer would anyone dare to underestimate him, at least not outwardly.

He collected his mission card and exited the hall, ignoring the onlookers.

Behind him, many exhaled in relief, murmuring in awe, "His presence is overwhelming, akin to the dread one feels in the presence of a wild beast!"

"He is, after all, a prodigy selected by a branch family; his prowess is undeniable!" Lin Feng said with a chuckle, unfazed due to his Ninth Level Spiritual Cultivator status.

"Still, completing the mission will take more than just intimidation!"

Just then, outside the Replacement Hall, a disturbance broke out. A formidable group strode in, led by a man in green, his expression stormy, signaling an impending tempest.

And there, at his side, stood the unmistakable figure of Lin Tianyi!

After scanning the room, Lin Tianyi muttered to himself with a hint of confusion, "Something's off. Lin Xuan definitely came to the Replacement Hall!"

"Oh, you're looking for Lin Xuan? He just stepped out of the Replacement Hall!"

Someone recognized the newcomer and offered a timely reminder.

"Hmph, he's taken on a mission. He's probably back at the courtyard getting ready. Let's go grab him now!" Lin Tianyi snorted, addressing the lead man in green.

With that, the group promptly departed from the Replacement Hall.

"Look, it's Lin Lang... He's returned, and he's actually seeking out Lin Xuan... Could there be some bad blood between them?"

Inside the hall, the commotion hadn't gone unnoticed. Lin Feng watched Lin Lang, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Hehe, Brother Lin Feng, I've got the scoop. Didn't Brother Lin Lang have a younger brother? I heard Lin Xuan beat him up so badly he nearly died..."

"What? That fool dared to cross Lin Lang? He's practically begging for a death wish!" Lin Feng exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.

"Exactly. Just look at that kid's gloomy face; he's got the look of someone doomed to an early grave!"

"Hehe, and Brother Lin Lang? The guy's a loose cannon. Cross him and you're lucky if you escape with your life, let alone without a disability..."

As the chatter continued, Lin Feng's concern deepened. "Manager Lin, if Lin Xuan gets killed by Lin Lang, what happens to our bet?"

"What do we do? Hehe, dead or alive, if he fails the mission, we win!" Manager Lin Shan, unfazed by the turn of events and showing his age and experience, simply chuckled in response.

"Heh, that puts my mind at ease!"

"This is shaping up to be quite the spectacle. Brother Lin Feng, we should head over too!"

"Count me in!"

...

"Qing Tan, while I'm away these next few days, try not to go out. I don't want you getting pushed around."

As Lin Xuan was cautioning Qing Tan, a familiar voice suddenly echoed from outside the door.

"Lin Xuan, you need to get out of here now. Lin Lang is on his way with a group to find you!"

As Lin Xuan emerged from the door, he was greeted by Lin Yumo's visibly distressed face.

"Lin Lang? Ha, let him come. I'm not about to run off in a panic!"

Lin Xuan could tell Lin Yumo wasn't pretending, so he took her warning seriously.

He had only returned to the courtyard to inform Qing Tan that he'd be away for a few days and to take care of herself. Little did he know, Lin Lang would choose this exact moment to show up!

"I'm trying to help you here, and you're being so stubborn. This isn't the time to play the hero. You may have advanced, but you're no match for Lin Lang. He's on the verge of becoming a Spirit Warrior..."

Lin Yumo reiterated her concerns to Lin Xuan with urgency.

"Ha, relax, there's no need to worry. Our Lin family has strict rules, right? Family members aren't allowed to engage in senseless brawls. Does he really want to end up doing menial work as a punishment?"

Lin Xuan knew that claiming he wasn't scared of Lin Lang would make Lin Yumo think he was just boasting, so he chose his words carefully.

But just then, a booming voice cut through the quiet of the courtyard from outside.

"Lin Xuan, come out and face me, now!"