In this solemn atmosphere, the Lin Clan's team was slowly advancing through the mountains and forests.
Before long, the dense forest suddenly opened up, revealing a large open space, a rare sight.
In that open space, there was a team formed by what looked like two groups of people merged together, resting and reorganizing, as if waiting for someone.
When the Lin Clan's team appeared, the nearly hundred people resting in the open space stared unkindly at Lin Ke'er, Lin Dong, Lin Chen, and the others, tightening their grips on the swords and sabers at their sides.
Lin Xuan, who was walking at the front of the team, dressed in a plain cloth robe and appearing very ordinary, was completely ignored by these people
Almost in an instant, the atmosphere in the arena became tense.
Lin Ke'er, Lin Chen, and the others also took out their weapons. To Lin Dong's surprise, the weapons held by Lin Ke'er and a woman named Lin Xue exuded remarkable auras.
"Hiss! It's actually a Spiritual Treasure!"
At that moment, a greedy voice dispelled the doubts in Lin Dong's mind, but immediately afterward, more doubts arose in Lin Dong's heart.
"Little Marten, what is a Spiritual Treasure?"
"You really are from the sticks," Little Marten sighed with theatrical exasperation. "But fine, I'll educate you. Spiritual Treasures are weapons forged by Spirit Symbol Masters. Powerful stuff. Of course, your Lin Clan freak... eh, I mean young prodigy is an exception. Honestly, if I didn't know better, I'd suspect he's a Reincarnator."
"A what now?"
"Never mind that. Focus on the weapons." Little Marten waved a paw nonchalantly. "They're rare, strong, and hard to come by unless you have both status and power. Your clan's women wielding those? Not surprising. That guy, Lin Xuan? His sword's probably more powerful than even your Stone Talisman. It's soul-bound. No one can steal it, can't even use it if they try."
Lin Dong felt a stab of envy. The sword, soul-bound and peerless, was a prize no thief could claim. A weapon one could wield without fear of losing it. Who wouldn't envy such a treasure?
"Tch, what's there to envy? It's just a low-level Spiritual Treasure, you're so ignorant!"
Little Marten curled his lips in disdain, his expression almost saying that knowing Lin Dong was a disgrace.
"If you really want to envy someone, you should envy that freak in your Lin Clan. The sword in his hand is probably no worse than your mysterious Stone Talisman, and it's connected to his aura, so even people with stronger strength can't take it away."
Who wouldn't envy such an opportunity? Not only is the treasure of extremely high level, but it's also directly bound to oneself, unable to be snatched away.
In other words, Lin Xuan can use it without any scruples, because anyone with a bit of strength will know that even if they snatch that sword, they won't be able to use it, so naturally they won't lower their face to attack a junior and snatch their things.
"However, you don't need to be envious either, your mysterious Stone Talisman is also an extremely powerful treasure."
Lin Dong nodded slightly upon hearing this. Indeed, this mysterious Stone Talisman, apart from not being able to increase combat power and being used for battle, is simply a divine object in other aspects.
Meanwhile, the opposing group began to move. Slowly, they surrounded the Lin Clan's party. Eyes lingered hungrily on the weapons of Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue. Others looked toward Little Flame, the beast beside Lin Dong. And still others noted that, aside from a dozen Core Formation Realm protectors, the Lin Clan's group consisted mostly of young cultivators.
Wu Tao and the others also stopped. Then, Wu Tao and the other three stewards who were standing shoulder to shoulder with him released their auras, and the four auras of the Great Perfection of Core Formation Realm made the faces of the other group reveal a bit of solemnity.
Two men with similar, cruel features exchanged a glance, and then turned to a scarred, burly middle-aged man standing beside them. Without words, their intentions aligned.
The fierce middle-aged man didn't speak, only slightly raised his hand. The next moment, a fierce and eccentric middle-aged man approached, directly blocking Lin Dong's path with one hand, his gaze fixed on Little Flame, who was staring at him quietly.
"Nice mount you've got, boy," the man sneered. "Ten thousand Yang Yuan Stones. Sell it to me."
As he spoke, the fierce and eccentric middle-aged man revealed a hideous smile to Lin Dong.
However, the man didn't notice that Little Flame's eyes narrowed slightly, and the aura around his body gradually converged. If someone understood the hunting habits of the tigers, they would understand that this was often a habitual movement when the tigers hunted.
Elsewhere, two ugly, scarred men moved in front of Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue. Their eyes gleamed with malice.
"Tsk tsk, such icy beauties," one drawled, voice lewd. "I wonder... will they still act so proud when they're—"
"Clang!"
Before the two men could finish speaking, two Spiritual Treasure longswords instantly flew out, directly forcing the two to shut their mouths.
Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue were usually proud people. They were born into excellent families, and their talents were above average even within the Lin Clan. They could be considered pampered individuals. When had they ever been insulted like this?
At that moment, both Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue stared at the two desperate men, who were at the Small Perfection of Core Formation Realm, with murderous intent in their beautiful eyes.
After coldly glancing at the two men in front of them, Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue also turned their heads, subconsciously looking at Lin Xuan, who had been standing at the front of the group without saying a word.
However, under the gaze of Lin Ke'er, Lin Xue, and even Lin Dong, Lin Xuan still didn't show any expression, only holding his sword with both hands, but without any intention of moving.
Lin Dong frowned. He could feel Little Flame's killing aura stirring, but he didn't want to provoke anything that would trouble Lin Xuan. The man wasn't Lin Langtian, he had treated Lin Dong with kindness, and even if that kindness was self-serving, Lin Dong had benefited.
He couldn't read Lin Xuan's silence. But Lin Ke'er and Lin Xue? They understood. And in the next moment, their auras surged like storm winds, erupting with fury.