NOVPUBLuoyun Pavilion, third floor.
At this moment, Lin Xingyan was sitting on the stone platform by the window, looking at the grand Market Hall not far away, his face full of worry.
Since the news of the demonic beasts’ attacks reached Qianchuan Market, it had been several months since Lin Xingmin left with the members of the clan.
During this time, the three relatives remaining at the market had been extremely careful and cautious, ensuring the normal operation of Luoyun Pavilion while also gathering information about the beast tide attacks, paying particular attention to the situation at the Luoyun Mountain Range.
Because the Luoyun Mountain Range was rather remote with few cultivators of higher cultivation, the strength of the cultivators there was relatively low. Moreover, during such a critical time, it wasn’t conducive to large-scale movements of cultivators, leaving them almost completely in the dark about their family’s circumstances.
However, the Recruitment Order had been the talk of the town these days. Many family cultivators and loose cultivators responded to the call and gathered at Qianchuan Market, reaching its peak number of people.
They were able to gather some information from some Qi Refining Cultivators who had arrived earlier, but those they were in contact with were all of the Qi Refinement stage, and all of them had arrived shortly after the outbreak of the demonic beast attacks.
Under such circumstances, the information they had was limited. They only knew that Luoyun Market had offered quite a few rewards and retained some cultivators -- but as for the situation of the battle that broke out afterward, they had no idea.
"Alas... I wonder how the clan is doing? Did the Zhenyang Sect include our Lin Family in their Recruitment Order?"
"I hope not!" Lin Xingyan muttered to himself.
Just then, a familiar voice resonated from the secret chamber, pulling the deeply preoccupied Lin Xingyan back to reality.
"Uncle! "
Lin Xingyan looked up to see Lin Tianming approaching with another person, his expression filled with excitement. However, it only lasted a moment before his face turned pale again.
He wasn’t sure why Lin Tianming had come. Was he appointed by the family to guard Luoyun Pavilion, or was he responding to the Zhenyang Sect’s Recruitment Order?
It was difficult for him to determine for the moment.
If it was the former, he would naturally be excited, as it would indicate that the family was faring well and still had the resources to dispatch someone as capable as he to Luoyun Pavilion.
If it was the latter, however, the situation was entirely different.
Responding to the call and going to the front lines implied obvious dangers. With Lin Tianming being a core member of the family, any mishap could indefinitely postpone the family’s rise to power.
At that moment, with mixed feelings, Lin Xingyan silently prayed that Lin Tianming’s purpose was the former.
"Uncle... Uncle?"
Seeing Lin Xingyan’s expression, Lin Tianming called out twice, and Lin Xingyan finally snapped back to the present.
Right now, Lin Xingyan couldn’t care less about proprieties or ask who the person with Lin Tianming was. He urgently wanted to know Lin Tianming’s intentions.
He sighed, then asked, "Tianming... why have you come to Qianchuan Market at this critical time? How is the family?"
Lin Tianming, seeing his condition, knew what he was thinking. But now that he was here, even the worst outcome couldn’t be changed.
He took a seat across from Lin Xingyan, with Qin Xi following suit, sitting silently beside them.
Then, Lin Tianming started to explain the reasons behind the Zhenyang Sect’s Recruitment Order and his own purpose for coming to the market.
His suspicions confirmed, Lin Xingyan’s face grew pale once more, and he looked deeply concerned.
"It is what it is..."
"The matter is settled. Our family isn’t in a position to provoke the Zhenyang Sect, so we might as well accept reality!" Lin Xingyan exclaimed.
Eventually calming down, he continued to inquire, "What about the clan? Have we been attacked by demonic beasts?"
Lin Tianming responded immediately, outlining the overall situation of the family.
"Uncle, rest assured... the family made quite a few preparations before the beast tide erupted. When the beast tide assault occurred, all three key clan territories were attacked by the demonic beasts, but fortunately, there were no disasters, and all three territories repelled the Demon Beast Tribe." 𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
"However, in these battles, the Green Bamboo Mountain Clan Territory and Luoyun Market both suffered some losses. Dozens of our clan members fell in defending against the beast tide, a truly regrettable loss!"
Hearing this, Lin Xingyan’s expression turned mournful, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
"Alas... life and death are ruled by fate. Given such a massive beast tide assault, they died for the clan and deserve to be remembered by all!"
"Yes... our family’s situation is somewhat better. Other mountain clans suffered even greater losses, with some Foundation Establishing Families nearly ceasing to exist," Lin Tianming replied.
Lin Xingyan nodded. Overall, the Lin Family’s losses were not significant; their top combatants of the Foundation Establishment Stage were unharmed, and the loss of a few cultivators of the sixth or seventh Qi Refinement levels had a negligible impact on the current overall strength of the Lin Family.
Regaining his composure, Lin Xingyan glanced at the silent Qin Xi beside Lin Tianming, wearing a thoughtful expression.
He had had quite a few interactions with Lin Tianming but had never seen him bring a female cultivator before the clan, discussing internal affairs of the Lin Family in front of them.
Typically, the clan members were cautious, but Lin Tianming was so casual, which took him by surprise.
"Clearly, this woman is no ordinary individual," Lin Xingyan thought to himself.
Qin Xi, under his scrutiny and seeing the change in Lin Xingyan’s demeanor, felt her cheeks flush slightly, somewhat embarrassed.
