C78 Is This the Sun Family's Trump Card?

"If you refuse to release Qing'er, you're not just crossing an alchemy titan—you'll be making enemies with a legion of cultivators!"

Elder Mo's eyebrows arched as he delivered his stoic response to Lin Chen.

"Lin Chen, please don't!"

"Qing'er has been a huge help to me within the Sun family."

"She's the kindest person to me, second only to my grandmother!"

Although Ann Lan was unclear on the details, she couldn't restrain herself from cautioning Lin Chen upon hearing Elder Mo's stark threat.

"Lanlan, I failed to come to your aid during Old Master Sun's birthday celebration."

"I apologize, sister."

"Don't trouble yourself over this situation with Lin Chen. It seems fate has its own plans for me."

Sun Qing'er gave Ann Lan a pained look as she shook her head.

With her sharp wit, she was well aware that if Lin Chen were to insist on protecting her, the fallout could be dire.

Not just for Lin Chen, but for Ann Lan and her child as well—their very lives could be at risk.

She feared death, but the thought of dragging innocents into her troubles was unbearable.

Having spoken, Sun Qing'er moved to approach Elder Mo.

But after only a couple of steps, Lin Chen firmly pulled her back.

"Sun Qing'er, remember you're currently my servant."

"That means no one but I have the right to your life!"

Lin Chen's face was etched with an air of indomitable authority.

Under normal circumstances, Sun Qing'er would be irate at his arrogance.

Always acting superior—did he truly believe he was some sort of grand figure?

Yet in that moment, her heart swelled with gratitude.

Lin Chen had already saved her once, and now, faced with Elder Mo, he didn't waver.

She feared she could never repay such a debt in her lifetime.

"Young man, are you truly intent on becoming my adversary?"

Elder Mo's face, lined with age, twitched as he regarded Lin Chen with a hint of annoyance.

"Lin, Elder Mo..."

Huang began, his voice laced with urgency as he tried to reason with Lin Chen.

But he was cut off mid-sentence.

"Huang, you've underestimated my strength."

"And you've underestimated my character!"

"If anyone dares to plot against my friends or family, they'll have only themselves to blame for their downfall!"

When Lin Chen made his declaration, Huang, Chung Yu, as well as Sun Qing'er and Ann Lan, couldn't suppress a shiver that ran through their hearts.

"Good, a true friend and family indeed!"

"Lin, from this moment forward, I, Huang, will gladly call you 'big brother'!"

A peculiar glint shone in Huang's murky eyes.

He had been concerned that Lin Chen's actions might bring Elder Mo's wrath upon them, leading to endless troubles.

Yet, it hadn't crossed his mind that Lin Chen would stand up for Sun Qing'er today. What would happen if they were in her shoes one day?

"Boss, this old guy is nothing special."

"Let me take him down."

"Once he's gone, our problems disappear with him."

Sincerity shone in Chung Yu's eyes.

The concerns that Huang had were not lost on Chung Yu.

With a leader like this, what was there to fear, even in the face of the greatest dangers?

In the worst-case scenario, they'd simply fight to the bitter end!

"Think it through carefully!"

"He's a titan among Alchemists; once you strike, there's no turning back!"

Lin Chen warned Chung Yu with a grave tone.

He sensed the shift in Chung Yu and Huang's thoughts, but he felt compelled to caution them nonetheless.

This was about an Alchemist, after all, and it was far from trivial.

"Boss, haven't you always said it?"

"To be bold and domineering, to live up to the Chung family's name?"

Chung Yu said with a light laugh, dismissing any concerns.

Without waiting for Lin Chen's response, he stepped forward and began to approach Elder Mo.

"A scion of the Chung family from the capital?"

"Excellent, I'll be sure to remember you!"

Elder Mo's anger turned to a mocking laugh.

In all his years in the Cultivation World, he had never encountered such blatant disrespect.

"A nobody dares to challenge me?"

Chung Yu spoke, and with surprising agility for his size, he closed the distance to Elder Mo in an instant.

He launched a punch, and the sheer force of it surged towards Elder Mo.

Elder Mo instinctively raised his arm to meet Chung Yu's fist.

*Boom!*

The sound of their collision echoed loudly.

A dull thud echoed as Elder Mo and Chung Yu each staggered several steps backward. Elder Mo's arm trembled slightly under the oppressive force of Chung Yu's strength, his eyes seething with intense murderous intent.

"You dare to steal my cauldron, to insult me? Even as a member of the capital's esteemed Chung family, you've earned a death sentence a thousand times over!" Elder Mo bellowed, reaching for a pill at his waist, ready to pop it into his mouth.

Chung Yu's face shifted at the sight. Ignorant of the pill's nature, he was certain of the danger it posed should Elder Mo consume it. With this in mind, he launched another powerful punch toward Elder Mo.

A scoff flickered in Elder Mo's eyes. Did Chung Yu really think he could prevent him from taking the pill? Such fanciful thinking! With a swift motion, he shoved the two scantily clad girls in front of him toward Chung Yu. If he could delay Chung Yu even briefly, the next to fall would be Chung Yu, Lin Chen, and their companions.

"You despicable coward!" Chung Yu exclaimed, seeing Elder Mo unhesitatingly use the girls as human shields. He hastily withdrew his punch. His intent was to eliminate Elder Mo, not to harm the innocent.

But as Chung Yu pulled back, a glint of malice shone in the girls' eyes. They drew short knives and lunged at Chung Yu's heart and throat. A single strike would be lethal.

Chung Yu's complexion drained of color. At such proximity, unguarded, he was utterly unprepared for the girls' assault.

"Chung, consider this your first lesson," Lin Chen called out from behind, his voice cool as he flicked two silver needles through the air. "Never show mercy to an enemy, or it'll be you lying dead."

The needles struck the girls' shoulders, causing a momentary pause in their attack. Nevertheless, Chung Yu sustained a slash across his neck and chest. The sting of his wounds, coupled with Lin Chen's warning, spurred Chung Yu into action. With a swift kick, he sent the two assailants sprawling.

"Kid, your strength of mind and technique are formidable indeed," Lin Chen observed, a note of respect in his tone.

"Kid, I have to admit, whether it's your mindset or your methods, you're incredibly strong."

"If we let you live, you're bound to become a major problem in the future!"

After Elder Mo ingested the pill, his gaze towards Lin Chen was dark and sinister.

A young man who was merciless with his enemies and possessed such fearsome power was a threat that even Elder Mo couldn't ignore.

"Thinking of killing my boss? You'll have to get through me first!"

Chung Yu's eyes blazed with fury.

Had it not been for Lin Chen, Elder Mo would have already taken his life.

Now, Chung Yu was itching to tear Elder Mo to shreds!

"Chung, you're not his match, come back."

As Chung Yu was gearing up for another attack, Lin Chen shook his head and calmly intervened.

"Boss, I..."

Chung Yu began to speak, ready to argue that he could take down Elder Mo with a bit more effort.

But Lin Chen sighed and interjected, "The pill he's taken is likely a low-grade Spirit Return Pill."

Spirit Return Pill?

At Lin Chen's words, Old Man Huang and Chung Yu both shuddered, a look of astonishment in their eyes.

The Spirit Return Pill was known for its ability to rapidly restore depleted spiritual energy, but its primary function was to forcibly boost one's strength.

Though the effect lasted a mere five minutes, an empowered Elder Mo was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with!

"Such a worthless pill doesn't even register in my eyes."

"In the future, just supply the ingredients, and I can concoct a whole batch for you!"

"And there won't be any adverse effects after consumption."

Lin Chen shrugged nonchalantly, addressing Old Man Huang, Chung Yu, and the others.

As they watched Lin Chen approach Elder Mo step by step, Old Man Huang, Chung Yu, and Sun Qing'er were filled with a sense of awe.

He could provide them with a large batch of pills just from the herbs they supplied?

Was Lin Chen implying that he was an Alchemist as well?