15: Oral administration does not affect the heart

Silence.

Deathly silence.

When Lin Chen injured the Half-step Golden Core White-Haired Grand Elder with a single punch, the entire Deliberation Hall fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

A mix of awe, fear, and disbelief... all these emotions were intertwined on everyone's faces.

In the main seat, the White-Haired Grand Elder clutched her chest, her breathing ragged. She looked at Lin Chen, her cloudy old eyes filled with shock and apprehension.

She knew she had misjudged him, and terribly so.

The youth before her was a True Dragon that she, and perhaps the entire Lin Family, could not control!

...We, the undersigned, have no objection.

Finally, she painfully squeezed those words out from between her teeth.

This was not genuine submission, but a temporary compromise forced by sheer military might.

The other two Grand Elders also exchanged uncertain glances and chose silence.

They were all old foxes who had lived for over a hundred years, and they clearly understood that any show of defiance in this situation would be foolish.

First, stabilize him, then plan for the future!

Lin Chen took in their expressions completely and sneered inwardly.

He knew that these old things were only convinced in word, not in heart. The old order of "Men Inferior, Women Superior" was deeply rooted in their minds and would never completely collapse because of a single defeat.

But, it didn't matter.

In the face of absolute strength, all schemes and tricks were futile.

"Very good." Lin Chen nodded, his gaze slowly sweeping over Lin Cangyuan, who was sprawled on the ground.

"As for how to deal with a traitor like this, I shouldn't need to elaborate, right?"

This time, before anyone else could speak, the injured White-Haired Grand Elder, in an effort to demonstrate her "fairness," immediately said coldly: "Lin Cangyuan, your crime is unforgivable! Guards! Abolish his cultivation, throw him into the Water Prison, and he shall never be released!"

After dealing with Lin Cangyuan, the atmosphere in the Deliberation Hall remained heavy.

Everyone watched Lin Chen, waiting for his next move.

They all understood that after today, the power structure of the Lin Family would be completely rewritten.

Lin Chen looked at his father, Lin Zhan, and was about to speak.

The Blue-Robed Grand Elder, who had remained silent until now, spoke first. Her voice carried an undeniable authority: "Lin Chen, your talent is exceptional and your strength is outstanding; you are the future hope of our Lin Family. However, you are young, and your actions are prone to impulsiveness. Starting today, you shall be the 'Saint' of our Lin Family. Your status will be equal to the Clan Chief's, and you may allocate family resources as you see fit."

"However," she shifted her tone, her voice becoming firm, "the family's daily affairs and external decisions will still be decided jointly by our Council of Elders and the Clan Chief! You only need to focus on your cultivation and not be distracted by mundane matters!"

These words were perfectly watertight!

On the surface, they were elevating Lin Chen to a supreme position—the "Saint."

But in reality, they were pulling the rug out from under him, stripping him of any actual control over family affairs!

They acknowledged his "martial strength," but absolutely refused to recognize his "right to rule"!

This was the most stubborn counterattack from the old order!

They would rather let a man become a "Nuclear Weapon" to be enshrined than allow a man to truly ride roughshod over them, these female powerhouses, and issue commands!

Lin Zhan's expression instantly changed upon hearing this, and he anxiously said, "Old Ancestor, this is not according to the rules..."

"Silence!" the Red-Robed Grand Elder snapped sternly. "This is the unanimous decision of our Council of Elders! Lin Chen, do you have any objection?"

The three Half-step Golden Core female powerhouses locked their gazes onto Lin Chen simultaneously, subtly forming a surrounding encirclement.

Their attitude was clear:

You can be strong, but you must obey us!

The atmosphere inside the hall became tense again!

Everyone held their breath, watching Lin Chen, wanting to see how he would respond to this overt scheme designed to elevate and then destroy him.

Would he accept the empty title and temporarily compromise? Or... would he completely tear off the mask and become an enemy of the entire family's old order?

However, Lin Chen's reaction once again exceeded everyone's expectations.

He smiled.

"Saint? Sounds good."

He actually... agreed?

The three Grand Elders were stunned, and then a flicker of undetectable scorn and relief flashed in their eyes.

It seemed this boy was young after all, his head swayed by the empty title of "Saint." As long as he lacked real power, he would forever be a caged tiger, nothing to fear.

However, Lin Chen's next sentence instantly froze the smiles on their faces.

"However, the first thing I, as the Saint, want to do is address this Deliberation Hall... I find it too old and too small; it doesn't match the future development of my Lin Family."

As he spoke, he slowly lifted his right foot under the horrified gazes of everyone present.

Beneath his foot, the strength of one hundred Dragon-Elephants violently condensed!

He gently stomped down onto the ground paved with incredibly hard Obsidian.

"BOOM—RUMBLE—!!!"

An indescribable, terrifying force, centered on Lin Chen, spread wildly in all directions like an earthquake wave!

The entire Deliberation Hall, along with the mountain peak it stood upon, began to tremble violently under the force of that single stomp!

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Countless grotesque cracks, like spiderwebs, instantly spread from beneath Lin Chen's foot to every corner of the hall! Walls, pillars, the dome... under the horrified gazes of the three Grand Elders, this Deliberation Hall, which symbolized the Lin Family's highest authority and had stood for hundreds of years, simply... collapsed with a thunderous roar!

Smoke and dust shot skyward, and shattered stones flew everywhere!

Meanwhile, Lin Chen had already leisurely walked out of the ruins, bringing Lin Zhan, Lin Ziyan, and Lin Xiaoya with him.

He stood outside the ruins, watching the three old women who rushed out of the smoke in disarray. He brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes and flashed a brilliant smile.

"Now, I feel much quieter."

"Three Old Ancestors, am I performing my duties as the Saint adequately?"

Overbearing!

Arrogant!

Unreasonable!

He used the most direct and brutal method to tell everyone—

I am the rule!

Where I stand is the center of power!