179: Preparations before leaving the Tianlong Empire, the choice of the clan land

“Lingyun Pavilion has been annihilated by the Lin Family!”

This news swept through the entire Heavenly Dragon Dynasty like a hurricane. In major inns, markets, and Sects, Cultivators whispered to each other, their faces filled with disbelief.

Innumerable Cultivators were shocked, and various forces dispatched their scouts to confirm the veracity of this astonishing rumor.

“Is the Lin Family that strong? That’s an old force with several Quasi-Emperors guarding it!”

“I heard that the Lin Family’s Old Ancestor has already undergone a Breakthrough to become a Great Emperor. It seems to be true.”

“Nonsense. Without a Great Emperor guarding it, how could Lingyun Pavilion be annihilated in a single day?”

“When I first heard it, I didn’t believe it, but now it seems the Lin Family… truly has a Great Emperor!”

…

Heavenly Dragon Imperial City, the most prosperous place in the Dynasty, bar none.

Imperial City Restaurant

“Are you sure the news is true?” A middle-aged man in luxurious purple robes trembled slightly, causing ripples in the Spiritual Tea in his cup.

The gray-robed Old Man opposite him lowered his voice: “Absolutely true! My nephew happened to be near Lingyun Pavilion that day and personally saw the Lin Family army surround Lingyun Pavilion!”

The purple-robed man gasped, and a crack appeared in his jade cup with a “crunch.”

“It seems the rumor that the Lin Family’s Old Ancestor has become a Great Emperor is true…”

For a time, the various major forces of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty were completely in an uproar. This was the first force in the Dynasty, apart from the Imperial Family, to have a Great Emperor!

All major forces adjusted their attitudes towards the Lin Family.

Sects and forces that had minor friction with the Lin Family sent lavish gifts overnight, fearing they would follow in the footsteps of Lingyun Pavilion.

Those forces that had been on good terms with the Lin Family, however, were ecstatic, visiting one after another, eager to attach themselves to this newly risen towering tree.

…

Meanwhile, deep within the Imperial Palace of the Dynasty.

At this moment, the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty was holding its customary morning court…

“Your Majesty, the Lin Family’s actions are simply disrespectful to our Heavenly Dragon Dynasty.” A minister, pretending to consider the Dynasty’s interests, was full of indignation.

“Your Majesty, Minister Shangshu is right. That Lin Family dared to disregard our Dynasty’s Law and arbitrarily annihilate a subordinate force of our Dynasty. This Lin Family surely harbors rebellious intentions!!! Your subject proposes to immediately dispatch a large army to capture the rebellious Lin Family, to uphold the Dynasty’s prestige! And to appease the people’s hearts!” As that minister spoke, another minister echoed him.

Then it became unstoppable…

A group of ministers, unaware of the dealings between the Dynasty and the Lin Family, clamored to send troops to the Lin Family.

“Agreed! How can the prestige of our Dynasty be casually offended by a mere Lin Family!”

“Annihilate the Lin Family, uphold Heavenly might!”

“Agreed!” “Agreed!”…

On the Dragon Throne, the Sky Dragon Emperor’s eyes were slightly closed, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the armrest.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, within which stars seemed to appear and vanish.

“Have you made enough noise?!”

“A bunch of good-for-nothings! Did our Dynasty raise such a group of wastes?”

Seeing the Sky Dragon Emperor enraged, many ministers lowered their heads, no longer speaking, fearing that they would anger the Emperor and be slapped to death by him.

After a while, the Sky Dragon Emperor finally spoke:

“Pass My decree, effective immediately, the Heavenly Dragon Guards are to withdraw from the Lin Family’s territory.”

The Sky Dragon Emperor’s voice was terrifyingly calm, “Whoever provokes the Lin Family will bear the consequences themselves; it has nothing to do with the Dynasty.”

The Sky Dragon Emperor was also helpless; this was the decision of several Emperor Ancestors of his Imperial Family, and he could only pretend not to see anything.

A golden-armored general trembled all over, his forehead touching the ground: “Your subject… obeys the decree.”

…

However, the Lin Family paid no mind to the outside commotions.

At this moment, within the Lin Family’s territory, in the Heavenly Saint Hall.

The high-ranking members of the Lin Family were gathered, discussing a major matter concerning the Family’s future.

Inside the Heavenly Saint Hall, eighteen coiling Dragon pillars supported the dome, the ground was paved with ten-thousand-year-old cold jade, and Spiritual Qi permeated the air, resembling a celestial realm.

In the center of the grand hall, a massive Central Province map floated, with mountains, rivers, Sects, and forces all clearly depicted.

Lin Tianhai, his gaze swept over the people in the hall, and he said in a deep voice:

“Everyone, since our Lin Family has decided to separate from the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, the first priority is to select a new Family territory.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Elders in the hall nodded in agreement.

The Lin Family now had a Great Emperor guarding it; if they continued to be dependent on the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, it would only make them feel constrained.

Moreover, the Dynasty’s Imperial Family had long been wary of the Lin Family’s rise; rather than being suspected in the future, it was better to establish their own independence!

“Do any of the Elders have good recommendations?” Lin Tianhai spoke again.

“Clan Chief, this Old Man believes that Tongtian River is the most suitable!”

The Third Elder was the first to speak, pointing his finger at the location of Tongtian River on the map.

“Tongtian River is rich in Spiritual Qi and resources. Furthermore, our Lin Family has just annihilated the Giant Rock Clan and the Thunder Shark Clan, taking control of that section of Tongtian River in the north. If our Lin Family establishes its roots here, it will surely reach a higher level in the future!”

“Improper.” The Second Elder shook his head, his white hair like snow, his voice cold: “Although Tongtian River is good, land is ultimately scarce, and its limitations are significant.”

“What about the Heavenly Condemnation Mountain Range to the east?” The Fourth Elder suggested, “The Heavenly Condemnation Mountain Range has treacherous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack, which can ensure the stability of our Lin Family’s Foundation!”

“The Heavenly Condemnation Mountain Range, moreover, lacks resources and has a poor environment, which is not conducive to the cultivation of our clansmen.” The Fifth Elder frowned and retorted.

For a time, the debate in the hall was endless.

Some suggested the Central Plains, believing it to be rich in minerals; some advocated choosing the central heartland, believing they should directly occupy the most fertile areas; some even suggested overseas immortal islands, far from disputes…

However, every suggestion was rejected, each having its pros and cons, making it difficult to choose.

Lin Tianhai frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally landing on Lin Xuan, who was standing to the side.

“Lin Xuan, what are your thoughts?”

Lin Xuan, dressed in white, had a handsome face, and his brows conveyed a calmness beyond his years.

Around him, the Law of the Saint Dao faintly circulated.

Lin Xuan, who was suddenly mentioned, showed no sign of shyness; he slowly stood up.

“Father, Elders, then I shall share my views.”

Lin Xuan smiled slightly, stepped into the center of the grand hall, his gaze falling upon the area on the map where yellow sand filled the sky—the Northern Barren Desert.

This was where Lin Changxiao and the Black-Robed Great Emperor had fought before.

“I think this place is good.”

“What?” The Fifth Elder, Lin Tianhuo, stood up directly, his red hair like fire, “Young Lord, are you perhaps joking? The Northern Barren Desert is extremely desolate, and now it has completely become aJedi (dead land) due to the battle between Great Ancestor and that Black-Robed Great Emperor. How can it serve as our Lin Family’s territory?”

“That’s right, Young Lord, the Northern Barren Desert, absolutely not.”

Everyone in the hall showed expressions of doubt.

The Northern Barren Desert was originally a barren land, with sparse Spiritual Qi and yellow sand covering the sky.

And some time ago, his Lin Family’s Great Ancestor Lin Changxiao Changxiao and a mysterious Black-Robed Great Emperor had a fierce battle there, ultimately killing the opponent, but that battle also completely shattered this heaven and earth!

Now, the Northern Barren Desert is filled with residual Emperor Dao Law, and spatial rifts are dense. Even if a Quasi-Emperor Cultivator steps into it, there is a risk of falling if they are not careful!

How could such a dead land serve as the Foundation of his Lin Family?