142: Liu Dehua

The phrase "outsider" was like an ice-dipped steel needle, piercing ruthlessly into Ling Xiao's heart.

He looked at Lin Chengzong's face, filled with greed and selfishness, and at the undisguised malice in Lin Qingyao's eyes.

Then he looked at that waste Lin Minghao in Xia Ling's arms, who could only cry out for a "Heaven Rank Magical Artifact"... A bone-chilling coldness instantly extinguished the last trace of hesitation in his heart caused by Lin Qingyao.

The path of immortality is long; Dao Companions should support each other and seek the Great Dao together.

But in these five years, he, Ling Xiao, had given his heart and the vast resources of the Marquis's Estate.

In return, he received only the endless blood-sucking of the Lin family, Lin Qingyao's sense of entitlement, and this cold "outsider" at this moment!

He understood. There was no reasoning with this family, and no sentiment to speak of.

Continuing to entangle with them would only increase his disgust and delay the precious time needed to save his father!

Fortunately... the Lin family still had someone as sensible and responsible as Senior Sister Lin Qingxue.

Had she not acted out of justice, today's matter would likely have only one path: meeting with weapons and blood spilled on the spot.

That would not only completely tear their relationship apart but also delay his father's treatment.

Having thought this through, Ling Xiao no longer felt the slightest attachment.

He took a deep breath and tightly gripped the Storage Pouch Lin Qingxue had handed him, as if holding onto a lifeline for his father.

He bowed deeply to Senior Sister Lin once more, his tone incredibly solemn:

"Senior Sister Lin, I cannot thank you enough for this great kindness! Ling Xiao... bids you farewell!"

With that, he turned abruptly, his black cloak cutting a decisive arc in the air.

He didn't even look at Lin Chengzong's family, nor did he heed Lin Qingyao's eyes, which had instantly become stunned and venomous.

He strode toward the hall exit. His back was as straight as a spear, carrying a chilling Aura that cut off the past.

"Ling Xiao! Stop right there! You..."

Lin Qingyao still wanted to shout, but a cold look from Lin Qingxue swept over her, and she was instantly silenced as if her throat had been seized.

Ling Xiao's figure soon disappeared into the messy courtyard.

Immediately after, the orderly sound of the Marquis's Estate's Personal Guards retreating came from outside.

The murderous Aura looming over the Lin Family Residence finally dissipated slowly,

leaving behind only a mess on the ground and a room full of people with different thoughts.

Lin Chengzong's family collapsed as if exhausted. Xia Ling held the still-sobbing Lin Minghao.

Lin Chengzong's face was ashen, his eyes flickering as he pondered something.

Lin Qingyao bit her lip hard, her eyes filled with resentment and malice.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between her sister Lin Qingxue and the direction in which Ling Xiao had left.

Lin Qingxue, however, had no time to deal with them. Her brow furrowed slightly, her heart heavy.

Although Ling Xiao had temporarily retreated, the remaining six thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones hung over their heads like a sword.

Sell the superficial Magic Treasures in the residence? Would her father be willing?

How much were the remaining items in the storehouse worth? She had to find a way quickly... Just as her thoughts raced and she considered a strategy, another commotion came from the direction of the main gate!

"Stop! Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Lin Residence!"

The terrified shouts of the servants rang out, followed by several muffled groans and the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground.

Lin Qingxue's heart tightened. Had the people from the Marquis's Estate returned?

She immediately stood up and walked quickly out of the hall with caution. Lin Chengzong and the others also followed out in suspicion and uncertainty.

In the corridor leading from the front yard to the inner hall, a young man wearing the Yin Yang Sect's signature black robe with gilded cloud patterns stood with his hands behind his back.

He stood tall like a green pine, his face exceptionally handsome, with sword-like eyebrows slanting into his temples.

His eyes were as deep as a cold pool, and his sharp features seemed to be gilded with a layer of gold in the sunlight.

A Pure Yang Aura, supreme and vast, spread out from him like an invisible tide.

It pressured the servants who tried to stop him until their faces turned pale, and they collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

The young man had an extraordinary temperament and a heroic spirit, like a Nine Heavens sun descending to the mortal world, so dazzling that people dared not look directly at him.

Lin Qingxue's footsteps paused, a hint of doubt flashing in her cold eyes.

This person... was so unfamiliar! Why was he wearing the attire of an Inner Sect Core Disciple of the Yin Yang Sect?

Moreover, this Pure Yang Aura was pure and vast, definitely not something an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator could possess!

Although she couldn't say she knew every one of the hundreds of Inner Sect Core Disciples in the Sect,

she could not possibly have no impression of such an outstanding figure!

"This Junior Brother,"

Lin Qingxue suppressed the doubt in her heart, her voice as cold as ever, carrying a trace of imperceptible caution,

"looking at your attire, you must be a newly promoted Inner Sect Core Disciple of our Yin Yang Sect?

Might I ask your name and what brings you to my Lin family residence?"

She quickly searched her mind and confirmed there was no information about this person, and a warning bell rang in her heart.

This person's cultivation was definitely not as simple as it appeared. Appearing suddenly in this chaotic Lin family—was he friend or foe?

Yao Delong looked at his Junior Sister, who was as beautiful as ever but had an increasingly cold and ethereal temperament, and the heavy stone in his heart finally fell.

Fortunately, she was safe and sound. But... seeing the obvious strangeness and caution in his Junior Sister's eyes, he couldn't help but be amused.

His huge change in appearance after reaching the Golden Core stage was indeed quite significant.

He was pondering how to tease this Junior Sister he hadn't seen in a long time,

when a delicate, affected voice filled with surprise rang out from the side.

"This Senior Brother~!"

Lin Qingyao had squeezed to the front at some point, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural blush.

Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Yao Delong, as if she had discovered a rare treasure.

She curtsied slightly, deliberately showing her most graceful posture, her voice sickeningly sweet:

"Is Senior Brother looking for someone? I am Lin Qingyao, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Moyang Sect, and my elder sister is Senior Sister Lin Qingxue of your noble Sect."

She deliberately emphasized the word "maiden," as if she were still an unmarried young lady,

completely forgetting that she was already Ling Xiao's Dao Companion.

Lin Qingxue's brow furrowed imperceptibly, feeling ashamed of her sister's frivolous behavior.

After just causing such a big scandal, she turned around and flirted with a strange man—it was simply nonsensical.

She didn't bother to point it out, her gaze still fixed on Yao Delong.

Yao Delong's gaze swept over Lin Qingyao, seeing her expression which was somewhat similar to his Junior Sister Lin Qingxue's but with a completely different temperament.

He understood instantly—this was the sister who had caused all the trouble.

Seeing that her junior sister really didn't recognize her， Yao Delong's playful mood was aroused， I decided to tease her again..

A perfectly timed, slightly restrained, and gentle smile of a new Disciple appeared on his face as he cupped his fists toward Senior Sister Lin:

"Greetings, Senior Sister Lin. I am... Liu Dehua. I performed reasonably well in this Inner Sect Assessment,

and was fortunate enough to be favored by the Sect Head and exceptionally promoted to become an Inner Sect Core Disciple.

Just now, while dining at the 'Drunken Immortal Residence' in the city, I happened to hear that Senior Sister's family seemed to be in some trouble.

Out of fellow Disciple camaraderie, I dared not delay and came specifically to visit. If I have been intrusive, I hope Senior Sister will forgive me."

He made up a name on the spot, his tone sincere and his eyes "clear," acting his part perfectly.