Chapter 54: I Told You, You've Got the Wrong Person!
At the gates of Yan City, Xuan Su, Chief Steward of the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber, stood quietly by the side, seemingly waiting for someone.
Beside her stood a cold-faced young woman—none other than Xia Zhilan, the eldest daughter of the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber, who had once crossed paths with Lin Fan.
On Xia Zhilan's other side was a blue-robed young man with a somewhat delicate and sinister demeanor.
Behind the trio stood several attendants dressed in green.
The blue-robed youth turned to Xia Zhilan and said, "Zhilan, I know you have some misunderstandings and prejudices against me, but the Immortal Pool Contest is no trivial matter for the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber. We can't let emotions get in the way."
"I, Song Qing, may not be the strongest among the younger generation in Yan City, but I'm certainly better than some random country bumpkin you picked. I hope you won't jeopardize the Chamber's interests out of spite."
Xia Zhilan replied coldly, "Since you know you're not the strongest, then maybe you should go back and train instead of pestering me here."
"Who represents the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber in the contest is not for you to decide."
Song Qing's expression darkened, but he quickly forced a smile and suppressed his rising anger.
"Zhilan, I'm only thinking of you and the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber. How about this—when that kid shows up, I'll challenge him. If I win, I'll take his spot in the contest. Fair?"
Xuan Su paid no mind to their bickering. Her eyes remained fixed on the road from Qingyang Town, just outside the city.
"They're here!"
Her eyes lit up as she murmured to herself, then took a few steps forward.
Xia Zhilan, clearly uninterested in continuing the argument, quickly followed her. The attendants naturally trailed after them.
Song Qing's face was now like a pool of cold water, his gaze sharpening as he looked toward the distant road.
A convoy of nearly a hundred people was approaching slowly.
After a slight pause, Song Qing composed himself and followed the others forward.
"Master Lin, Brother Lin Fan—was your journey smooth?"
Xuan Su greeted them with a warm smile as she approached the convoy.
Lin Zhentian waved his hand, signaling the convoy to stop. Then he dismounted and returned the greeting with a respectful cupped fist. "Chief Steward Su, what brings you here?"
Lin Fan, Lin Xiao, and the others also greeted her politely.
Xuan Su responded with equal courtesy, her smile poised and warm.
After the greetings, she said, "I know Yan City well, and I had nothing pressing today, so I thought I'd serve as your guide. Since we'll all be living in the city now, we should keep in close contact."
Xuan Su had her eyes set squarely on Lin Fan.
A Third Seal Symbol Master, equivalent to a near-perfect Yuan Dan cultivator—and only eighteen years old!
A monstrous talent like that had to be recruited now, while there was still a chance. Wait until he fully matured, and the opportunity would be gone.
And Lin Fan wasn't the only gem—there was also Lin Dong, a sixteen-year-old Second Seal Symbol Master with limitless potential.
For the simple effort of making the trip, she could win over two peerless prodigies.
It was a deal too good to pass up.
Lin Zhentian cupped his fists. "Many thanks, Chief Steward Su. The Lin family would be honored to stay in touch with the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber."
"The former headquarters of the Blood-Clothed Gate is a spacious estate. We've negotiated with the Blood Wolf Gang, and it now belongs to your Lin family," Xuan Su continued with a smile.
"I've already arranged for some staff to clean it up a bit. Let's head there now."
"Thank you for your trouble," Lin Zhentian said with another grateful bow.
"Wait!"
Just as the Lin family was about to follow Xuan Su to their new home, Song Qing suddenly stepped forward and interrupted.
Xuan Su frowned. "Song Qing, what are you doing? We've been over this—your help isn't needed. I've already spoken to your father. If you keep this up, it won't benefit anyone."
Song Qing replied, "Chief Steward, I only wish to spar with your chosen representative. That's not such a big deal, is it?"
Without waiting for a response, he turned his gaze to Lin Fan and said coldly:
"I heard this friend here plans to represent the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber in the Immortal Pool Contest. He must be quite powerful, then."
"I am Song Qing of the Song family in Yan City. I challenge you. If you lose, you must give up your place in the contest!"
Lin Fan couldn't help but chuckle. "You've got the wrong person. I never said I was representing the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber. And besides… you're not my opponent."
"Arrogant!"
Song Qing roared in fury, his face darkening completely. His pent-up rage finally exploded.
A powerful surge of Yuan Power burst from within him in an instant.
He shot forward like lightning, his fist aimed viciously at Lin Fan's chest.
"Song Qing, stop!"
Xuan Su's face turned cold as she shouted sharply—but it was already too late.
Xia Zhilan, meanwhile, looked on with interest. She was curious to see Lin Fan's strength for herself.
Although she had heard rumors about his prowess—even that he had killed Wei Tong of the Blood-Clothed Gate—she had never actually seen him in action.
"I told you, you've got the wrong person," Lin Fan said calmly as he shook his head.
Then he stepped forward and met Song Qing's punch head-on with his own, no flair, no tricks.
In that instant, a sharp white energy flared around Lin Fan's fist.
"Pure Yuan Gang Qi!"
Song Qing's pupils shrank in horror as he cried out in shock.
Even Xia Zhilan couldn't help but look more serious.
Back when she first met Lin Fan, he had claimed he would reach the Small Yuan Dan stage before the Immortal Pool Contest. At the time, she thought he was boasting.
Now, it seemed she had underestimated him.
Boom!
A deep impact rang out as their fists collided.
The next moment, Song Qing felt a terrifying force of Pure Yuan Gang Qi surge from Lin Fan's fist into his arm—and then into his entire body.
"Ahhh!"
As the force rampaged through him, Song Qing screamed in agony.
Then, like a kite with a broken string, he was flung backward, crashing hard into the ground and coughing up blood violently.
Xuan Su looked at his sorry state and cursed him inwardly for bringing it on himself—but still stepped forward and pleaded with Lin Fan.
"Brother Lin Fan, for my sake, could you spare Song Qing's life?"
After all, he had come with her. She couldn't just stand by and let him die in front of her.
Song Qing, hearing her words, went cold with fear. The terror overwhelmed even the pain.
This Lin guy—could he really be planning to kill him?
Lin Fan smiled faintly. "Since Sister Su has spoken, of course I'll give her face."
In truth, he didn't care whether Song Qing lived or died.
If Song Qing knew when to back down, that would be the end of it.
But if he ever dared seek revenge—Lin Fan wouldn't hesitate to wipe him out, even the entire Song family.
"Then I'll thank you on his behalf."
Xuan Su offered her thanks and quickly ordered the attendants to carry Song Qing back to the Song family, along with a message that she would visit to explain everything soon.
Once that was settled, she and Xia Zhilan personally led the way as the Lin family headed to their new residence.
And just like that, the Lin family officially settled in Yan City!
After moving in, Lin Fan and Lin Dong quickly returned to their cultivation.
Their diligence influenced the rest of the Lin family, sparking a wave of training enthusiasm.
Before long, the day of the Immortal Pool Contest arrived.
That morning, after breakfast, Lin Fan, Qingtan, and Lin Dong set out for the Ten Thousand Gold Chamber…
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Frank10