NOVPUBChapter 802: Chapter 432 The Shocked Xu Zhi_2 Chapter 802: Chapter 432 The Shocked Xu Zhi_2 The more it was so, the more it demonstrated the Lin Family’s value.
Therefore, rather than being frightened by Lin Shikang and his companion, Xu Zhi was now even more interested in the Lin Family!
And at this point, Xu Zhi had secretly made up his mind to annihilate the Lin Family, so there was no need to be courteous when facing Lin Shikang.
In this vein, Xu Zhi, having refocused, said with an indifferent smile, “This old man’s reputation is no longer important. If you two have any sense, hand over your family’s treasure swiftly!
“If the item you present satisfies this old man, perhaps I might even spare your Lin Family!”
“Otherwise, prepare to leave your lives behind!”
As he spoke, Xu Zhi’s demeanor was cold, as if Lin Shikang and the other man, along with the entire Lin Family, were of no significance in his eyes, as though he could annihilate them with a snap of his fingers.
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Upon hearing Xu Zhi’s words, Lin Shikang, who initially thought to maneuver a bit to unravel the misunderstanding to prevent any unnecessary battle,
realized the massive gap that stood between him and Ye Pinghai, who were newly advanced Golden Core Cultivators, and Xu Zhi, who was a Mid Stage Golden Core Cultivator, was glaringly obvious.
Moreover, without magical treasures to counter the enemy, the likelihood of two Early Stage Golden Core Cultivators teaming up to fight against a Mid Stage Golden Core Cultivator, with the aid of over two hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators, was slim.
To put it bluntly, they stood no chance at all!
Under such circumstances, Lin Shikang naturally wanted to avoid battle if possible, to not waste treasures and resources in vain, and more importantly, to prevent the needless sacrifice of his clansmen.
But it seemed that the oppressively forceful stance of the opponent left no opportunity for the Lin Family.
It looked as though the opponent, wielding overwhelming power, was determined to bring about the Lin Family’s downfall.
At that moment, despite his anger, Lin Shikang still attempted to suppress the rage within him.
“This fellow Daoist, could it be that there is some misunderstanding?”
“After all, our Lin Family is known for its hospitality. Since you have come all this way to Luoyun Mountain, our Lin Family would like to offer you 100,000 spirit stones and five stems of Third Order Spiritual Medicine as a gesture of goodwill.”
“In doing so, we simply ask that you leave and will not hinder your departure, nor will we involve ourselves with any of your subsequent actions!”
“Fellow Daoist, what do you think of my proposal?”
Lin Shikang was actively showing weakness, still trying to figure out how to avoid a needless clash without engaging in combat.
Xu Zhi, upon hearing Lin Shikang’s proposal, burst into hearty laughter, his reaction ambiguous to his true thoughts.
In reality, his heart was not at all moved by Lin Shikang’s terms.
After a momentary silence, Xu Zhi then sneered coldly.
“The two of you merely have the cultivation of Early Stage Golden Core. While your Protective Clan Formation is not bad among Second Order Formations, it’s still insignificant in front of this old man!”
“Once I annihilate you, I can obtain much more. You simply do not have the standing to negotiate terms!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Shikang also realized that it was impossible to end this amicably.
Since that was the case, he also needed to consider his response, because Xu Zhi was right—while the Lin Family’s Protective Clan Formation was indeed one of the top among Second Order Formations, it would probably not last more than a few days against the attack of a Mid Stage Golden Core Cultivator, aided by over two hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
If the formation were broken, the Lin Family would lose the capacity to stall, inevitably leading to a bitter fight.
By then, the Lin Family would find itself in a dire situation, caught in a predicament where defeat was certain and escape impossible.
After all, there were at least seven or eight hundred people within the Lin Family’s clan grounds, with ninety percent being Qi Refining Cultivators.
To escape under such conditions, with an uneven distribution of cultivation levels and limited top-tier fighters, was virtually impossible against such an opponent.
Even if he and Ye Pinghai broke through to the Ninth Golden Core Stage, they would hardly stand much chance against a seasoned Mid Stage Golden Core Cultivator.
Fully aware of this, Lin Shikang’s face turned somewhat pale as he inwardly regretted the situation.
After all, he was well aware of the sacrifices the Lin Family had made to reach this stage, and having just returned as a Golden Core Family, its future seemed promising.
Just as they were about to rise, this incident occurred—truly, fate was not on their side.
However, there was a stroke of luck—Hidden Dragon Lin Tianming, the family’s most relied-upon, happened to be away from the clan grounds at the moment.
Additionally, many clan members were out on missions, among them those of the Tian generation, who were some of the Lin Family’s most talented individuals.
With Lin Tianming here, along with those clan members out on missions, the Lin Family still had some embers remaining, not to the point of being annihilated all at once.
Otherwise, had all the clan members been at the family grounds, facing such a desperate situation, that truly would have been terrifying.
Thinking of this, Lin Shikang’s hope reignited.
Coming back to his senses, Lin Shikang revitalized his spirit and began considering countermeasures.
What he could do now was naturally to think about how to delay time and then preserve as many of the family’s embers as possible.
Especially Lin Tianyun, as well as a group of young clansmen with exceptional talents.
After all, Lin Tianyun had a Wind Attribute Spirit Root, a talent that was said to be much stronger than Lin Tianming’s.
As long as he and Lin Tianming were alive, perhaps in less than a century, the Lin Family could return to today’s glory.
By that time, Lin Tianming and Lin Tianyun would surely have reached higher realms and would have the strength to take revenge for the Lin Family.
Understanding this, Lin Shikang had a plan in mind.
Then, he looked at Lin Tianxing beside him and began to give orders.
“Tianxing, you all retreat. Leave this place to us!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Tianxing and the others didn’t move, their minds already churning with tumultuous waves, still immersed in what Xu Zhi had said, completely shocked.
These were Golden Core Cultivators! Not one, but two at the Golden Core Stage!
It wasn’t until just now that they learned of Lin Shikang and the other’s cultivation at the Golden Core Stage.
They couldn’t be blamed for their reaction; the news was simply too explosive!
No wonder Lin Shikang had scarcely appeared in public places over the past decade, secretly working on impacting the Golden Core Stage.
Thinking back over the years, the times when they, as clan members, were inexplicably asked to leave the family grounds for a few Shi Chens, it seemed that was likely when Lin Shikang and the others were dealing with the Heavenly Tribulation.
Putting together all these clues, Lin Tianxing and the others finally believed that the Lin Family had Golden Core Stage clansmen.
“Tianxing?”
Seeing that they still hadn’t moved, Lin Shikang prompted them again.
Only when Lin Tianming called out his name did Lin Tianxing come back to his senses. His expression was complex, a mix of excitement and concern.
Clearly, Lin Tianxing and the others were just as thrilled as Lin Shikang; excited about the Lin Family reaching an unprecedented height.
And their worry, naturally, came from the likes of Xu Zhi and others outside.
Lin Tianxing also understood that the current situation was not something he could control. Hearing Lin Shikang’s command, he did not dare delay, bowed to Lin Shikang and the other, and then quickly led several clan members away from there.
As Lin Tianxing and the others left, not long after, noticing the attack on the clan lands, Lin Shihua and Lin Shigong also rushed over.
From afar, Lin Shihua’s expression was grave, his anxiety written all over his face.
“Third brother, what on earth happened?”
“Yes, third brother, what’s all this commotion about? Could it be that the Golden Sword Sect has made a move?”
Both Lin Shihua and Lin Shigong looked distressed. As soon as they saw Lin Shikang, they hurriedly asked about the cause of the recent loud noises.
Hearing these questions, Lin Shikang’s expression also darkened, and he sighed helplessly, then recounted what had just transpired.
Soon, after learning the specific reason, the expressions of Lin Shihua and the other paled, and they were visibly shocked.
Their reactions were anticipated by Lin Shikang.
After all, the opposing forces were indeed strong, and their intent was clear. They had already tried to reason with them and appeal to their sense of decency but couldn’t persuade them to leave.
In such a situation, the outcome Lin Shikang had in mind was something that Lin Shihua and the other, having lived over a hundred years and experienced many things, could certainly predict.
Thus, Lin Shihua and the other realized just how difficult the Lin Family’s predicament was.
