Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Proposing Relocation

Lin Zhao’s voice turned cold. “No matter what they want, they came to our world from the Ancestral Dragon Continent and dragged my mother into this. The Lin Family will never reconcile with them.”

Lei Yuan looked at her, surprised by the sheer bluntness. “Do you understand the gap between the Heavenly Phoenix Continent and the Ancestral Dragon Continent? The Ancestral Dragon Continent can rival the Ancestral Phoenix Continent.”

Lin Zhao’s smile held no warmth. “So because they’re strong, we watch them take my mother and do nothing?”

Lei Yuan frowned. “Your mother should have been taken by Yao Chi Sacred Land. Why would people from the Ancestral Dragon Continent take your mother?”

Lin Zhao’s thoughts flashed.

In the end, she didn’t reveal her brother’s origins.

First—if the Lin Family had been targeted for years, then to grind them down from noble house to this, the Ancestral Dragon Continent’s influence had likely already seeped into upper ranks of the Heavenly Phoenix Continent. No one knew what Thunder Hall might have tangled with.

Second—if word spread that her brother was a fragment of an Ancestral Dragon soul, it would only paint a brighter target on his back.

She found the point that mattered and pinned it down. “I hope Mother truly is in Yao Chi Sacred Land. But whether she is or isn’t—Elder, if Yao Chi Sacred Land can join forces with people from the Ancestral Dragon Continent, is that really a coincidence?”

The pieces she’d ignored before lined up in her mind, and a chill crawled up her spine.

After the Lin Family’s fall, Yao Chi Sacred Land had been the first to extend an olive branch. And their Holy Son, Shen Yu Han, had insisted on marriage after knowing her for less than three months.

Each detail alone seemed harmless.

Together, they reeked.

Lei Yuan’s gaze sharpened. “I’ll report this to the hall master. I’ll also have the Yin Yang Palace and the South Sea Academy pay attention. If the Ancestral Dragon Continent truly harbors ill intent toward the Heavenly Phoenix Continent, then even if we’ve declined, we can still tear off a chunk of their flesh.”

In the early days of the Five Phoenix Planes, the Heavenly Phoenix Continent had once stood shoulder to shoulder with the Ancestral Phoenix Continent.

That legacy remained. Lei Yuan was wary, but not afraid enough to refuse an enemy.

If it involved the plane they lived on, every major force would move.

“Then thank you, Elder.” Lin Zhao saluted.

Lei Yuan helped her up. “The Lin Family raised our hall’s Young Lord with kindness. The hall master ordered this old man to protect you.”

Then, casually, he asked, “Where did young lady Zhao find our hall’s Young Lord?”

Lin Zhao didn’t think much of it. “In a Mortal Domain invaded by the Demon Clan. A few Foundation Establishment Demon Clan were slaughtering mortals. Little Bai was pinned beneath his family to protect him, and I managed to save him. But he forgot everything from before he was five.”

Lei Yuan lowered his eyes. “I see.”

When they left the barrier domain, Lei Yuan sent a voice transmission to Han Yan. Han Yan’s expression shifted. After a brief thought, she looked at Lin Mang and asked directly, “Will you accept relocation?”

Lin Mang blinked, caught off guard.

Lin Zhao frowned. “Instructor, what do you mean?”

“If Lei Yuan is right, and the Lin Family will be watched no matter where you go, then move to the South Sea,” Han Yan said flatly.

Lin Zhao’s eyes widened.

Lin Mang was stunned too—not because he didn’t want it, but because relocating to the South Sea was something the Lin Family could only dream of.

Why would Han Yan offer something that seemed to bring no benefit to the academy?

Then he understood.

Because of Lin Zhao.

To let Lin Zhao cultivate without worry, the South Sea Academy was severing her burdens at the root.

The weight of that gift struck the room.

It stunned Lin Mang, the Lin Family Old Ancestor, and every elder present.

Ever since the Lin Family’s Three Venerables at Spirit Transformation fell, they had been driven out of the lands of the noble houses. After relocating here, they had never found a true cultivation environment again.

The South Sea was rich with spirit qi, but almost entirely controlled by the South Sea Academy. The only people who could live there were mortals—or families tied to the academy.

The Lin Family had only Lin Zhao as a student.

How could they receive such attention?

“No need to be alarmed,” Han Yan said. “The Ancestral Dragon Continent matter is no small thing. Keeping the Lin Family within our sight prevents it from becoming part of their plan. Whatever they want—if it harms the Heavenly Phoenix Continent—we will never allow it.”

She added, tone unchanged, “Also, Lin Zhao is a student recognized by the Venerable Elders. Vice Dean Mo Ya has designated her as one of the Ace Student Candidates. Offering this help falls within my authority.”

Ace Student Candidate.

The Lin Family Old Ancestor looked at Lin Zhao, stood, and clasped his hands repeatedly. “Thank you, South Sea Academy. To be favored by the Venerable Elders is Zhao Zhao’s fortune.”

In that moment, he felt the best decision he had ever made was standing by this junior—this girl who had once seemed crushed into the dust—no matter what.

Lin Zhao stood too and saluted alongside him.

Han Yan lifted them both with spiritual power. “Prepare the relocation. Family Head Lin—tell me what you plan to do next.”

Lin Mang gathered himself. “Yao Chi Sacred Land has gone too far—stealing my wife and forcing my daughter. The Lin Family will not let this go. Today we were able to break free thanks to you all, and I thank you. Over the next few days, please help us hold the field. If Spirit Transformation experts from Yao Chi Sacred Land try to block us, we may need you to face them. The rest will be Lin Family business.”

Relying on others for everything was never Lin Mang’s style, but aside from the Old Ancestor, the Lin Family no longer had anyone who could stand at the top of the Heavenly Phoenix Continent.

Lin Zhao saw the exhaustion carved into her father’s face and patted his shoulder. “Dad. Bringing Mom back is what matters most.”

Lin Mang nodded. His gaze moved around the gathered experts, and the truth stung: aside from the Lin Family Old Ancestor, every person in this room had come because of his daughter.

After a long silence, he said quietly, “I made you face too much alone before. From now on—you won’t.”

Lin Zhao met the fire in his eyes—something she hadn’t seen in more than ten years—and froze.

Then she understood.

Yao Chi Sacred Land’s move had finally enraged a father who had been beaten down until he almost forgot how to fight.

“Tomorrow,” Lin Mang said, voice turning decisive, “we strike back.”

The elders agreed and filed out one by one.

Xiao Chang Qing lingered. “Yun Ding shouldn’t come again. Vice Dean Mo Ya arrived at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect; the sect master has ordered Yun Ding into confinement for a hundred years. The other two peak masters have rushed over as well.”

Lin Zhao nodded and thanked her.

Xiao Chang Qing shook her head, weary. “This time, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect may end up owing you thanks.”

If not for this, she would never have noticed how closely Yun Ding was tied to Yao Chi Sacred Land—or that he had been connected to a notorious demonic cultivator like Wan Le.

With unease still twisting in her gut, Xiao Chang Qing left the Lin Family. After a moment’s thought, she didn’t return to the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

She headed toward the Buddhist Sect instead.