Hearing the aged voice behind him, Lin Chen slowly turned around.
The newcomer was dressed in a white robe, one of the Lin Family's alchemists.
He was also the Elixir Pavilion Elder in charge of guarding the Pavilion today.
Within the Lin Family, anyone who could become an elder had strength beyond the Body Tempering Realm.
At this moment, as Lin Chen gazed at him, there was not a hint of fear in his eyes, still sharp and piercing.
"Today, when my maid came to collect medicine, she was injured by this lowlife. Did the elder speak up then, telling her not to commit violence?"
"Did the elder see for himself just now that it was this lowlife who struck the first blow and I was merely counterattacking?"
"When this lowlife made the first move, why did you turn a blind eye?"
"As a Guardian Elder, you can't discern the truth and can't maintain order in the Elixir Pavilion. Two fights have occurred within a day under your watch. What use is there for an elder like you?"
Lin Chen stared at the white-robed Guardian Elder, his fierce gaze not retreating in the slightest, his tone as strong as if he were accusing a criminal.
The Elixir Pavilion was established by Lin Chen's father, Lin Batian, and housed a total of seven Grand Alchemy Elders. Although their status was not as high as the three direct line elders of the clan, they still held a significant position within the Lin Family.
Among the seven Grand Alchemy Elders, five were members of Lin Chen's father's faction.
It could be said that in this Elixir Pavilion, he was the true sovereign.
Moreover, what he was saying at the moment was all true.
The White-robed Elixir Pavilion Elder was at fault initially, and Lin Chen's words, even if taken up with the Great Elders, had a justifiable basis.
In such a case, the white-robed elder's position in the clan was at risk.
Hearing Lin Chen's words, the White-robed Elixir Pavilion Elder immediately felt a chill down his back, and sweat droplets couldn't help but appear on his forehead.
Bai Jujin was ranked last among the seven Grand Alchemy Elders.
To establish a foothold in the clan, clinging to a line was indeed an option, but Bai Jujin had always disliked these troubles.
Therefore, he maintained neutrality among the three powers of the clan. Although he could not become extremely wealthy, he also avoided trouble.
As the news of Lin Chen returning from the Myriad Demon Cavern yesterday with his meridians severed spread, Bai Jujin followed the tide on the matter of Xiao Yunyun targeting Lin Chen's maid, turning a blind eye. Who would have thought that Lin Chen would be so forthright and come to take revenge for his maid so directly?
The key question was, who said Lin Chen's meridians were completely severed and that he had no cultivation left?
A slap that sent a fifth layer of Body Tempering Realm flying, and they say he has no cultivation?
"Young Master, please calm down. You're here to collect this month's cultivation elixir, and I had it prepared early, knowing you would come," Bai Jujin said, smiling widely, then took out a jade vial and handed it to Lin Chen.
Lin Chen looked at this old opportunist and said nothing further.
He took the jade vial and examined the elixir inside.
There were only ten Body Tempering Pills, half the usual amount.
Looking at Bai Jujin, Lin Chen was about to say something when the other party preemptively began to smile apologetically.
"Young Master, please don't be angry. This isn't something I can decide. This was decided by the Great Elders after discussing it yesterday, and they've reduced your cultivation resources," he explained.
It's said that you shouldn't strike someone who's smiling at you. Lin Chen put away the elixir without another word and left.
Trying to deceive him about cultivation resources was something Bai Jujin would not dare do.
This decision must have been made by those old men in the clan after they saw his severed meridians yesterday, another challenge thrown at him by his uncles.
The distribution of elixirs for each person in the clan was decided based on individual cultivation.
Three years ago, Lin Chen was in the Spirit Gathering Realm, and the elixir he received every month was not the Body Tempering Pill but the Second-grade Qi Gathering Pill.
Afterward, when his cultivation dropped to the Body Tempering Realm, he began to receive a vial of first-grade Body Tempering Pills each month.
With his meridians severed and unable to exert the strength of the Third Layer of Body Tempering Realm, having his cultivation resources halved, even the Great Elder probably couldn't advocate for him.
If he wanted resources, everything had to rely on his own strength.
As Lin Chen left the Elixir Pavilion, he glanced at Xiao Yunyun, who was staring intently at him.
"This was only a warning, if Xiaoyu suffers even a hair's harm next time, I will kill you,"
Lin Chen's icy gaze fell on Xiao Yunyun, and a killing intent also emanated from him.
Xiao Yunyun was terrified, shuddering all over.
Having said that, Lin Chen left.
The surrounding Lin Family disciples all stepped back.
It was as if Lin Chen had reverted to the genius youth of the clan from before.
Lin Chen disregarded the gazes of everyone and returned to his own residence.
"Young Master, you've returned."
Xiaoyu greeted Lin Chen with joy upon his return.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Lin Chen smelled a fragrant aroma; that girl Xiaoyu was making something delicious for him again.
"Young Master, your body has just recovered, eat more to nourish yourself,"
Xiaoyu brought out the stewed beast meat, and Lin Chen feasted heartily.
"By the way, Young Master, I just heard that Young Master Lin Liang has proposed to the family that he wants to challenge you at the clan's competition in half a month for the position of the Princely Heir!"
Xiaoyu's face was wrinkled with worry.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chen was startled, let out a cold laugh, and then continued to feast heartily.
In the past three years, Lin Chen had never attended the annual family competition.
Back then, Lin Chen's father was still in the clan, and people from the branches of his first and second uncles did not dare to make any overt moves.
This year, Lin Chen feared he could not avoid the family competition.
If he couldn't avoid it, then he must face it head-on.
Previously, Lin Lang's intrusion had revealed that his strength was merely at the Third Layer of Body Tempering Realm.
Although he had defeated Lin Lang and Xiao Yunyun today, Lin Chen's strength was, after all, only at the Third Layer of Body Tempering Realm.
The strength of Lin Liang and Lin Xue was not something Lin Lang and Xiao Yunyun could compare with.
Facing the two of them, Lin Chen was under considerable pressure.
"I must improve my strength as quickly as possible, there's not much time left in half a month,"
Lin Chen thought deeply, clearly understanding the importance of this battle in the family competition.
If he were defeated, even the Great Elder might not be able to protect him.
"Young Master, what should we do? The Clan Head has been away for a month, and they dare to make such a move; do they really want to rebel?"
"Young Master, shall we leave the Lin Family for now and return when the Clan Head comes back?"
Xiaoyu, fearful that Lin Chen might be harmed, suggested.
Hearing this, Lin Chen gave a faint smile; Xiaoyu was too simplistic in her thinking.
Leaving the Lin Family meant voluntarily forfeiting the status of Young Master Lin unless he actively abandoned his position as the Lin Family's Princely Heir. Otherwise, would his first and second uncles let the matter rest?
"Don't worry, Xiaoyu, the Young Master will not fail at the family competition,"
"Clean this up; the Young Master is going to start cultivating,"
Lin Chen, having eaten and drunk his fill, sat on the bed and began to meditate.
Xiaoyu obediently nodded and carefully cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks before leaving the room, cautious not to disturb Lin Chen's cultivation.
Lin Chen had already experienced the profundities of the Primordial Transformation Art.
And the wonders of the Primordial Myriad Transformation Cauldron were far from limited to just that.
With a thought, Lin Chen's Divine Soul once again appeared in the unique space within the Primordial Myriad Transformation Cauldron.