150: The King Returns, Shocking Changes in the Lin Family

A thousand miles away from the Lin Family Ancestral Land, a pitch-black flying boat shaped like a giant shuttle was soaring through the sky at an astonishing speed.

The surface of the flying boat was inscribed with profound runes; wherever it passed, the clouds automatically parted, and the fierce winds diverted their course.

This was the Lin Family's "Cloud Piercer Shuttle," a High Grade Earth Rank flying Magic Treasure, capable of traveling a million miles in a single day when fully propelled.

Inside the shuttle cabin, Lin Fan sat cross-legged, recuperating.

The medicinal effects of the Life-Creating Fortune Pill were excellent; in just half a day, his spiritual power had recovered by seventy to eighty percent.

More importantly, the battle against Huangfu Xiong had allowed him to master the application of the Indestructible Power of Annihilation even further.

Xia Qingyue sat opposite him, eyes closed, conserving her energy.

She had agreed to accompany Lin Fan back to the Lin Family partly to fulfill their previous agreement to travel together, and partly because she wanted to see firsthand what kind of standing this young man, whose rise was terrifyingly fast, held within his own Family.

Nangong Yu, Tieshan, and Liu Qingqing sat on the other side, conversing in low voices.

They represented the Great Xia Evil Suppression Division; their trip to the Lin Family was motivated by both personal friendship and official business—the Dark Moon Divine Cult's activities in Great Xia were becoming increasingly rampant, necessitating cooperation with top-tier powers like the Lin Family.

The Earth Dragon Beast had shrunk its size and was dozing in a corner.

It could have left, but Lin Fan had promised to help it completely purify its Bloodline later, which was why it chose to follow.

"Young Clan Leader, the Family's warning perimeter is three thousand miles ahead," Lin Hai entered the shuttle cabin and reported respectfully.

He was the steward sent by Clan Leader Lin Zhantian to welcome Lin Fan, having waited outside the Dragon Burial Valley long ago.

When he witnessed Lin Fan slay Huangfu Xiong with a single sword strike, he was utterly stunned, and his reverence for the Young Clan Leader reached its zenith.

"Mm," Lin Fan opened his eyes. "How has the Family been recently?"

Lin Hai hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice, "Not very well."

Lin Fan's gaze sharpened: "Speak."

"Since you left, quite a few rumors have appeared within the Family," Lin Hai said, steeling himself.

"Some say you abandoned the Ancestral Land without regard for the Family's safety; others say you provoked the Dark Moon Divine Cult and the Huangfu Family, which will bring a devastating disaster upon the Family; and some even say... that you obtained the Annihilation Inheritance but are unwilling to share it with the Family, being selfish."

"Who is spreading this?" Lin Fan's voice was calm but carried a chill.

"Mainly... the Fourth Elder's faction, and the Sixth Elder," Lin Hai said cautiously. "They were originally close to the Grand Elder, and they have been resentful ever since the Grand Elder fell from power.

This time, taking advantage of your absence, they have secretly colluded with quite a few clansmen."

The Fourth Elder Lin Yue, the Sixth Elder Lin Feng.

Lin Fan remembered these two.

When the Grand Elder attempted a coup back then, although they didn't openly take a side, their attitude was ambiguous.

Now it seemed their wicked intentions had not died.

"What about Father?" Lin Fan asked.

"The Clan Chief is in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Late-stage World Lord," Lin Hai replied.

"Before entering seclusion, he temporarily entrusted the Family affairs to the Second Elder and the Third Elder for handling.

However, the Second Elder has a gentle nature and is not skilled in conflict; the Third Elder is often away and rarely gets involved in internal Family matters. Thus..."

Thus, the Fourth Elder and the Sixth Elder dared to jump out.

Lin Fan understood.

With his father in seclusion, a vacuum of power appeared in the Family, and some people couldn't restrain themselves.

"Besides internal matters, what about external ones?" Xia Qingyue suddenly spoke up.

Lin Hai glanced at her, recognizing her as the Divine Maiden of Great Xia, and dared not be disrespectful: "External pressure is even greater.

The Huangfu Family has already formally sent a letter of indictment, demanding that we hand over the Young Clan Leader, or they will not hesitate to wage war.

The Dark Moon Divine Cult is also frequently active on the border; it is said that one of their Vice Cult Masters has already infiltrated Great Xia, targeting the Young Clan Leader."

"Furthermore," Lin Hai paused, his voice dropping lower, "the Golden Sun Sect, the Netherworld Hall, and several other powers are secretly watching us.

The temptation of the Annihilation Inheritance is too great."

Internal worries and external threats.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Lin Fan's mouth.

Perfect.

He was just worried about not having enough targets to establish his authority.

"Speed up, go directly to the Ancestral Hall," Lin Fan commanded.

"Yes!"

The Cloud Piercer Shuttle increased its speed again, transforming into a streak of black light.

Half an hour later, above the Lin Family Ancestral Land.

The appearance of the Cloud Piercer Shuttle immediately drew the attention of the clansmen.

"It's the Young Clan Leader returning!"

"Hurry and report to the Elders!"

"Wait, what is that following behind the flying boat?"

Everyone looked up, only to see a luxurious golden flying boat following behind the Cloud Piercer Shuttle, its hull engraved with the Huangfu Family's emblem.

Further behind, there were several other flying boats of varying designs: a black bone boat belonging to the Dark Moon Divine Cult, a sun-wheel flying boat from the Golden Sun Sect, and even a ghost-mist spirit boat from the Netherworld Hall.

They had followed them all the way here!

"What do they want to do?" some clansmen exclaimed in shock.

"What else? Force them to submit!" An older clansman's face turned ashen. "The Young Clan Leader obtained the Annihilation Inheritance, and these people are jealous!"

The Cloud Piercer Shuttle landed in the central Martial Arts Square of the Ancestral Land.

Lin Fan stepped out of the shuttle cabin, followed by Xia Qingyue and the others.

Almost simultaneously, the other flying boats also landed.

From the Huangfu Family's golden flying boat stepped out a purple-robed old man, whose face bore about seventy percent resemblance to Huangfu Xiong, but whose aura was much deeper—Late-stage World Lord!

Behind him followed eight Elders, the lowest among them being Early Stage World Lords, with the highest being Mid-Stage World Lords.

In addition, there were nearly a hundred elite Disciples, all above the Divine Power Realm.

This was nearly half of the Huangfu Family's high-end combat strength!

"That is the Huangfu Family's Grand Elder, Huangfu Tian!" Some clansmen recognized the purple-robed old man, their voices trembling.

Huangfu Tian, a Late-stage World Lord, was an established expert who had been famous for several hundred years; he had once killed a Demon King of the same rank with a single saber strike, his ferocity notorious.

From the Dark Moon Divine Cult's black bone boat stepped out a figure completely shrouded in black robes.

He lifted his hood, revealing a middle-aged face as pale as paper, with eyes that were one black and one white, incredibly bizarre.

"The Dark Moon Divine Cult's Vice Cult Master, Yin-Yang Dharma King!" Someone gasped in cold air.

This was also a Late-stage World Lord, moreover, a giant of the Evil Path, whose methods were cruel; he had once single-handedly annihilated three medium-sized Sects.

From the Golden Sun Sect's sun-wheel flying boat came a red-haired old man, surrounded by burning golden flames, resembling a blazing sun.

He was the Golden Sun Sect's Grand Elder, Golden Flame Old Ancestor, a Late-stage World Lord.

From the Netherworld Hall's ghost-mist spirit boat, a mass of black mist drifted out, within which a stooped figure could vaguely be seen.

The Netherworld Hall's Third Hall Master, Ghost Granny, was at the Peak of the Mid-Stage World Lord realm, specializing in curses and soul arts.

Four major powers, four Late-stage World Lords, two Mid-Stage World Lords, plus dozens of Early Stage World Lords, Half-step World Masters, and hundreds of Divine Power Realm elites.

This lineup was enough to sweep through any top-tier power in Great Xia!

In the Martial Arts Square, the Lin Family clansmen gathered, but facing this terrifying lineup, many looked pale and their legs felt weak.

"Lin Fan," Huangfu Tian spoke first, his voice like a great bell, making everyone's eardrums ache. "You killed my Huangfu Family's Third Elder; if you don't give me an explanation today, the Huangfu Family and your Lin Family will be irreconcilable until death."

The Yin-Yang Dharma King grinned sinisterly: "Lin Fan, hand over the Annihilation Inheritance and join my Dark Moon Divine Cult, and I can ensure your Lin Family remains unharmed."

The Golden Flame Old Ancestor stroked his beard: "Young friend, my Golden Sun Sect is willing to treat you as a Guest Elder; you can keep one portion of the Annihilation Inheritance, just copy a duplicate for the Sect.

This is the most dignified choice."

Ghost Granny's voice was hoarse: "The Netherworld Hall can protect your clansmen, but you must return with me to the Ghost Realm to serve the Hall Master for a hundred years."

The four spoke, seemingly offering 'choices,' but in reality, they were all threats.

Either hand over the Inheritance, or die.

All eyes focused on Lin Fan.

The Lin Family clansmen were extremely nervous.

Although the Young Clan Leader possessed extraordinary talent, could he truly withstand so many World Lord powerhouses?

Some members of the Fourth Elder's faction even showed glimmers of schadenfreude in their eyes.

They wished Lin Fan would yield, giving them a reason to cause trouble and force him to relinquish the position of Young Clan Leader.

Under countless gazes, Lin Fan smiled.

He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the experts from the four major powers, his voice calm yet carrying throughout the entire area:

"An explanation?"

"Huangfu Xiong tried to kill me to steal my treasure, so I killed him. This is the explanation."

"The Annihilation Inheritance was obtained by my own ability; why should I give it to you?"

"As for serving for a hundred years or joining your Sects—do you even deserve that?"

As his words fell, the entire scene fell into a dead silence.

He was insane!

Everyone thought Lin Fan had gone mad!

How dared he speak to four Late-stage World Lords like that?!

Huangfu Tian laughed in extreme anger: "Good, good, good! Lin Zhantian certainly gave birth to a son with backbone! It's a pity backbone cannot be eaten as food!"

He took a step forward, and the terrifying pressure of a Late-stage World Lord surged towards Lin Fan like a tsunami: "Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame this old man for bullying the young!"

The pressure descended, and the ground around Lin Fan cracked inch by inch, but Lin Fan himself remained utterly still.

He didn't even look at Huangfu Tian, instead turning to look deep within the Lin Family Ancestral Land and calling out loudly:

"Second Elder, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, Sixth Elder, and all the Clan Elders."

"The enemy has already attacked our doorstep, seeking to seize the Lin Family Inheritance and kill the Lin Family's Young Clan Leader."

"How long are you all going to watch the show?"

His voice echoed.

A moment later, deep within the Ancestral Land, several figures shot up into the sky.

Leading them were two old men, one in a green robe and one in a blue robe—they were the Lin Family's Second Elder Lin Qingsong and Third Elder Lin Canghai.

Both were Mid-Stage World Lords.

Following them were the Fourth Elder Lin Yue and the Sixth Elder Lin Feng, both Early Stage World Lords.

Behind them were over a dozen Clan Elders, with cultivation levels ranging from Half-step World Master to Early Stage World Lord.

This was the highest combat power the Lin Family could mobilize currently.

"Huangfu Tian, Yin-Yang Dharma King, Golden Flame, Ghost Granny," the Second Elder Lin Qingsong said sternly. "This is the Lin Family Ancestral Land, not a place for you to run wild."

"Lin Qingsong, less nonsense," Huangfu Tian sneered. "Today, either hand over Lin Fan and the Annihilation Inheritance, or the Lin Family will be wiped from existence."

"You dare!" The Third Elder Lin Canghai, known for his fiery temper, roared. "Do you take our Lin Family for clay to be molded at will?"

"Whether we are clay or not, we'll know after a fight," the Yin-Yang Dharma King sneered. "However, are these few of you enough?"

Indeed, it was not enough.

On the Lin Family's side, there were at most two Mid-Stage World Lords, four Early Stage World Lords, and over a dozen Half-step World Masters.

On the opposing side, there were four Late-stage World Lords, two Mid-Stage World Lords, and even more Early Stage World Lords.

The disparity in strength was immense.

The Fourth Elder Lin Yue suddenly spoke: "Second Brother, Third Brother, in my opinion, this matter is not without room for maneuver."

Everyone looked at him.

Lin Yue cleared his throat: "The Young Clan Leader is young and impetuous, having offended numerous powers; this is his personal behavior.

It would be better to first let him hand over the Annihilation Inheritance to quell the public anger.

As for what happens next, we can decide after the Clan Chief comes out of seclusion."

This statement seemed to be considering the Family's overall situation, but in reality, it was forcing Lin Fan to surrender power.

The Sixth Elder Lin Feng also concurred: "Fourth Brother is right.

The trouble caused by the Young Clan Leader should not implicate the entire Family."

Upon hearing this, many clansmen also showed hesitation.

Was it truly worth putting the entire Family in peril for the sake of one Lin Fan?

"Nonsense!" A furious roar sounded.

A burly figure strode out from the crowd; it was Lin Hu, the tower-like man who had been saved by Lin Fan earlier.

He pointed at Lin Yue and Lin Feng and cursed angrily: "The Young Clan Leader is the future of our Lin Family, and the Inheritance he obtained is the Lin Family's Inheritance!

Not only do you not protect the Young Clan Leader, but you want to hand him over?

Are you even worthy of being Lin Family Elders?!"

"Exactly!" Another person stepped forward. "When the Young Clan Leader was here, he won the Family Competition and shook the Human Realm!

Now that he is in trouble, we sell him out?

Who will dare to fight desperately for the Family in the future?"

Clansmen supporting Lin Fan and clansmen supporting the Elders began to argue.

The scene descended into Chaos.

Huangfu Tian and the others watched coldly, pleased to see it.

The Lin Family's internal strife was even more advantageous for them.

Just as the argument intensified, "Enough," a calm voice suppressed all the noise.

Lin Fan walked out from the crowd and looked at Lin Yue and Lin Feng: "Fourth Elder, Sixth Elder, do you really think that just because my father is in seclusion, you can do whatever you want?"

Lin Yue's face darkened: "Young Clan Leader, we are considering the overall situation of the Family."

"Overall situation?" Lin Fan smiled. "Fine, then today I will let you see what the true overall situation is."

He turned around and faced the experts from the four major powers, including Huangfu Tian.

"You all want the Annihilation Inheritance, right?"

"You can have it."

"Provided you can withstand one sword strike from me."

"The Inheritance will be offered with both hands."

The entire assembly erupted in an uproar.

One sword strike?

He intended to use a single sword strike to confront the top experts of the four major powers?!

Huangfu Tian was first stunned, then burst into laughter: "Arrogant brat, you are arrogant to this extent! Fine, this old man will take your one sword strike and see what abilities you possess!"

The Yin-Yang Dharma King and the others also showed looks of disdain.

They did not believe that a junior in the Divine Power Realm could stir up any significant waves.

Lin Fan stopped speaking.

He closed his eyes and slowly drew out the nirvana sword.

Inside his body, the Eternal Indestructible Body and the Nirvana True Intent operated simultaneously, and the Chaos Qi and the gray power began to merge.

His left eye was Chaos, his right eye was Nirvana.

When he opened his eyes again, the temperature of the entire Martial Arts Square plummeted instantly.

"This sword strike is named..."

"Return to the Void."

The sword struck out.