Lin Family Hall.
Outside the grand council hall, a tide of people surged.
The Su Family had come prepared this time, with hundreds of experts from the City Lord Mansion emerging to completely surround the Lin Family's council hall.
"Lin Zhe, Family Head, Lin Yi is your Lin Family's offspring, yet he has committed such a beastly act against my daughter. For this matter, your Lin Family must give me, the City Lord, an explanation."
Among the Su Family crowd, a square-faced middle-aged man stepped forward.
This person was none other than the father of Su Qingxue, Qing City Lord Su Wushi.
At the main seat, Lin Family's Family Head, Lin Zhe, frowned deeply, "The beastly conduct of Lin Yi is his own doing, unrelated to our clan."
"I have already sent the Great Elder to bring Lin Yi here, and later he will be handed over to the City Lord for the Su Family to deal with as you see fit."
"Is that all? I'm afraid that might not be sufficient," Su Wushi said with a cold smile.
"What more does the Su Family wish for?"
Facing such aggressive pressure from Su Wushi, Lin Zhe felt a flash of anger in his heart.
"Though Lin Yi, this little beast, has brought this upon himself, your Lin Family has also failed in your guidance, raising such a wolf in sheep's clothing, and you bear inescapable responsibility!"
"The Lin Family must compensate my daughter!"
A glint of cold light flashed in Su Wushi's eyes, "I've already calculated the costs for damages to reputation, emotional distress... all types of compensation added up amount to one hundred thousand gold coins."
"Your Lin Family will also compensate our Su Family with one hundred thousand gold coins, and with that, we can let today's matter rest."
Whoosh!
The moment Su Wushi's words fell.
The entire council hall was immediately uproarious.
"One hundred thousand gold coins? Why doesn't the Su Family just rob us?"
"There's no way our Lin Family can come up with such a large amount of money... even if we sold all of our assets in Qing City, it would likely be impossible to raise such a huge sum."
"Damn it, the Su Family is clearly looking to use this opportunity to swallow up our Lin Family's properties in Qing City."
"..."
All the Lin Family Elders had extremely unpleasant looks on their faces.
Lin Zhe shook his head, "Impossible."
At this moment, Su Qingxue, with a sneer that did not reach her eyes, spoke out, "Family Head Lin had better think it through. With your Lin Family's current strength, trying to directly confront the Su Family, I'm afraid you wouldn't last even one night."
Upon hearing these words, Lin Zhe's brows instantly furrowed deeply.
During the Lin Family's glory days, they were once the number one great clan in Qing City!
The number one expert in the clan, Lin Yaodong, claimed to be Shi Country's top Sword Cultivator, with peerless swordsmanship and undefeated across Shi Country.
But ever since Lin Yaodong, the Lin Family's strongest fighter, mysteriously disappeared eighteen years ago, the Lin Family began to decline.
Now, the Lin Family's influence is less than a tenth of what it was at its peak!
If a fight were to truly break out, the Lin Family would likely have no chance of winning.
This is also why the Su Family dared to be so arrogant, barging directly into the Lin Family Mansion without any fear!
After a fierce struggle in his gaze.
Lin Zhe finally decided to compromise.
One hundred thousand gold coins, though an astronomical sum, was better than having the clan wiped out, right?
"To think my Lin Family was once Qing City's preeminent clan, and now we are being defecated and urinated on by others, without even the courage to let out a fart. How lamentable!"
Just as Lin Zhe was about to compromise, a disdainful voice suddenly came from outside the council hall.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound.
They saw Lin Yi striding into the council hall.
Following him were the Great Elder, Lin Shan, and others.
"You little beast, you still have the face to speak?"
"If it weren't for your beastly actions towards Lady Su, how would our Lin Family have fallen to such a state?"
Lin Shan's cold gaze swept over Lin Yi, then he clasped his hands towards Su Wushi, "City Lord Su, Lady Su, this is Lin Yi, the culprit you've been seeking! Our Lin Family has nothing to do with him now!"
"Whether to kill or to flay him, the City Lord and Lady Su can deal with him as they please!"
A glimmer of cold light flashed in Lin Shan's eyes.
"Indeed, let the punishment fit the crime, as long as it appeases the Su Family, we have no objections to however you wish to deal with him," a chorus of Lin Family Elders agreed within the hall.
If not for Lin Yi, why would the Su Family press their Lin Family so relentlessly?
This sin that brought great disaster upon the clan deserved a thousand cuts!
"My esteemed Elders, do you really think that today's Su Family incident was brought upon us by me?" Lin Yi looked at the Lin Family Elders in the hall with a smile that was not quite a smile.
"What else could it be? If not you, then us?" Lin Shan still sneered.
"Lin Shan, to think you're the Lin Family Great Elder."
Lin Yi wore an expression as if looking at a fool, gazing at Lin Shan and scoffingly said, "In my view, you're just a stupid dog. After so many years, you've really gone to the dogs!"
"You little beast, are you looking for death?!"
Lin Shan, furious, declared, "I'll grant you your wish right now!"
"Afraid of an old dog like you? Not likely," Lin Yi retorted coldly, drawing his sword!
The moment the longsword was unsheathed, a sharp sword light swept through the hall!
The sword's edge was unparalleled in ferocity, and the sword forged from meteoric iron was covered in ancient star patterns, showcasing the extraordinary nature of this sword.
"Is that... the Meteor Sword?!"
Seeing the sword in Lin Yi's hand, Su Wushi's eyes suddenly shone brightly.
"What, is this the renowned Meteor Sword, the personal longsword of Shi Country's number one Sword Cultivator, Lin Yaodong?"
The Meteor Sword was a Supreme Grade Spiritual Artifact!
It was considered a rare treasure throughout the whole Shi Country!
Family Head Lin Zhe and Lin Shan, among others, also widened their eyes.
They thought that the Meteor Sword had disappeared along with Lin Yaodong.
But they had never imagined that this Meteor Sword would be in the hands of Lin Yi!
However, on second thought.
Lin Yi was Lin Yaodong's only son.
If Lin Yaodong had already perished,
the Meteor Sword would naturally be passed down to his son, Lin Yi!
But over the years, none of them from the Lin Family had ever noticed this. Lin Yi, this kid, had hidden it quite deep!
"Lin Yi, hand over the Meteor Sword you hold and I might spare your life."
Gazing at the Meteor Sword in Lin Yi's hand, a hint of greed flickered in Su Qingxue's beautiful eyes.
Yet, Lin Yi merely sneered, looking at Su Qingxue, "Su Qingxue, someone as despicable and lowly as you also thinks you are worthy of becoming the master of the Meteor Sword?"
"Lin Yi, don't act tough if you can't even hold your drink!"
Her gaze suddenly turned cold, "Don't you believe that I can kill you right here and now?"
In her eyes, the people of the Lin Family were nothing but pushovers; even if she were to kill Lin Yi and take the sword in public, she was sure no one would dare to stop her.
"Come on then! Kill me quickly!"
Unexpectedly, Lin Yi was unfazed and even gestured provocatively towards Su Qingxue, "The Meteor Sword has already been refined by me and has become my Lifebound Spirit Sword. With just a thought from me, it can self-destruct!"
"You all should be aware that the Meteor Sword is a Supreme Spiritual Artifact! Once detonated, everything within a hundred meters will be reduced to ruins!"
"Su Qingxue, and you, Su Wushi! All of you from the Su Family, think this through clearly, can you afford to bear the consequences?!"
Upon these words, everyone in the hall instantly turned pale!
Hearing Lin Yi's threat of self-detonation, the Great Elder Lin Shan's face was filled with horror, retreating more than a dozen steps.
He, being the closest, would likely be the first to die in the explosion.
"Lin Yi, don't be rash! Let's talk things through, everything can be discussed!"
Even City Lord Su Wushi, who had been confident and lofty until then, showed immediate signs of cowardice.
He lost all the imposing momentum he had earlier.
Su Qingxue was also caught off guard.
She hadn't expected Lin Yi, who she regarded as nothing, to have such an ace up his sleeve!
"Come on! Why don't you dare to act now? Weren't you shouting to kill me just a moment ago?"
"Today, I, Lin Yi, will exchange my worthless life for the lives of dozens from the Su Family, worth it!"
Lin Yi's face revealed a crazed expression, appearing willing to go down together with his enemies in mutual destruction.
"Lin Yi, stop your insane behavior at once!"
Lin Shan was already sweating profusely, "The Lin Family Head and many elders are here in this hall. If you detonate yourself, our Lin Family will be finished too!"
"Then let's die together as martyrs!"
Lin Yi grinned, his smile revealing a chilling madness that made everyone present shiver with fear!
"Lin Yi! It's our Su Family's fault, we will leave the Lin Family now!"
"Let's let bygones be bygones regarding today's matter!"
In order to stop Lin Yi, City Lord Su Wushi was even willing to show submission.
However, his heart was surging with murderous intent.
If they could leave safely today, there would be plenty of ways to make this youngster die without a burial place in the future!
"Heh,"
Lin Yi let out a cold laugh, "The account between the Su Family and me has not yet been settled. You think it's over just like that?"
"Then what do you want?"
Su Qingxue stared directly at Lin Yi, her pretty face showing a trace of ferocity.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhe and the Lin Family Elders had mixed feelings.
Who would have thought that Lin Yi, the reject scorned by all in the Lin Family, held the Su Family in his grasp now?
Facing Su Qingxue, Lin Yi spoke indifferently, "I want your life."
"Just with you?"
Su Qingxue looked at Lin Yi with mockery, "Even if I give you a chance, do you dare to fight me?"
She didn't understand where Lin Yi got the confidence to challenge her.
A trash that doesn't even have a Dantian, how could he dare?
"Why wouldn't I?"
Unexpectedly, Lin Yi's response shocked everyone.
"Su Qingxue, I challenge you right now!"
"Do you dare accept?"
As his words fell,
An uproar ensued in the hall.
Lin Yi had actually taken the initiative to challenge Su Qingxue?
Where did this youngster get his courage?
As the "Heavenly Pride of Qing City," Su Qingxue was a genuine Spirit Transformation Realm martial artist, whereas Lin Yi was recognized as a complete good-for-nothing in Qing City. What did he have to compete with Su Qingxue?
Wasn't this courting death?
Even Su Qingxue herself hadn't anticipated that Lin Yi would issue her a challenge out of the blue.
Had the boy suffered such a heavy blow that his mind was also affected?
"Lin Yi, out of the many years of our acquaintance, I originally intended to spare your life. But since you're courting death, you can't blame me!"
Su Qingxue's eyes were full of scorn, "In seven days, let's fight in the Life and Death Platform of Qing City!"
"The entire city will witness the event, and each will be responsible for their own life or death!"
"What do you say?"
"Agreed!"
Lin Yi didn't even think before he accepted, then looked at Su Qingxue with a detached gaze, "In seven days, on the Life and Death Platform, I will make you regret!"
Upon hearing this, Su Qingxue couldn't help but let out a sardonic laugh.
Make her regret?
Lin Yi, oh Lin Yi, you're still as naively ridiculous as ever.
With a glance like looking at a dead man, Su Qingxue and Su Wushi, along with the Su Family, finally left the hall.
"Qingxue, why not fight this kid now? Why wait for seven days?"
Once they stepped out of the Lin Family Hall, Su Wushi looked puzzledly at Su Qingxue.
In his view, the agreement for seven days only added uncertainties.
It would be better to cut the grass and remove the roots today, to end Lin Yi completely and avoid prolonged trouble.
Su Qingxue shook her head, "Lin Yi's Nine Acupoint Dantian was just transplanted into my body yesterday, I haven't fully integrated it yet. If I strain my True Qi now, I will certainly be backfired."
"I should not act rashly at this moment. In seven days, once my Nine Acupoint Dantian is fully integrated, I can strike without fail."
"I see."
Now Su Wushi showed a look of sudden realization, "You've thought this through, Qingxue."
"Let Lin Yi live a few more days; after all, he's now a waste without a Dantian!"
"Father, rest assured, in seven days, I will personally slay Lin Yi on the Life and Death Platform and take the Meteor Sword from his hands!"
A sharp glint suddenly flashed across Su Qingxue's eyes.
Just wait for a few days, until the integrated Nine Acupoint Dantian allowed her to confirm that she could break through to the Third Level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.
The gap between Lin Yi and her would only grow wider!
Win?
What did Lin Yi have to win with?