The Ethereal Dao Palace's legacy was the Path of Heartlessness.
This was known throughout the world; Ling Tianlin couldn't possibly be unaware.
Yet, he had still agreed to this marriage.
Although the motives of the Dao Palace Master weren't necessarily pure either.
But wasn't that the way of the immortal path? Mutual scheming, seizing opportunities?
In the end, success would depend on who had the sharper methods, skills.
"Xiao'er, the day after tomorrow is your engagement with Qingyun. The matter of taking control of the Ling Clan can be discussed afterwards?" Ling Tianlin suddenly said with a meaningful tone.
As the master of the Ling Clan, he naturally had a clear view of the entire situation.
The sword strike Ling Tian delivered today also contained the power of Dao Principle.
Originally, having both sons comprehend Dao Principle and earn the name of monsters should have made Ling Tianlin happy.
But...
How could he not know the hatred in Ling Tian's heart?
Now that the latter was no longer hiding his cultivation, he probably intended to make a move against Ling Xiao.
The competition for the heir position was a perfect opportunity.
But he truly didn't know how to broach this subject with Ling Xiao. He could only delay for a few days and make plans after Ling Xiao's engagement with Nian Qingyun.
"No need, Father. I will rest for a day. Tomorrow, summon all the clan elders to confirm my status as the heir." Ling Xiao grinned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He was fully aware of Ling Tianlin's concerns.
But a mere Sword Dao Principle... as if he didn't have one himself.
He might not be able to kill Ling Tian, but that didn't mean he couldn't beat him.
The Ling Clan had nine branch lineages. Currently, Ling Tianlin's branch was the direct line. The heir should be chosen from between Ling Xiao and Ling Tian.
But in recent years, Ling Xiao's reputation had been so poor that many clan elders held significant grievances against him.
Ling Tianlin was powerful, but the Ling Clan still had two Emperors and ten Kings on the surface.
If they united, even Ling Tianlin would have to take it seriously.
"I need to properly discipline, warn these old things."
"Xiao'er... those are secondary. You are not young anymore; it's time to stabilize your temperament. I've met Nian Qingyun once. Her talent and appearance are top-tier in the Holy State. You must treat her well." Ling Tianlin sighed. What was coming would eventually come.
He only hoped the two brothers wouldn't fight to the death.
"Good?" Ling Xiao was momentarily stunned, then let out a bitter laugh.
A woman who cultivated the Path of Heartlessness—how good could she possibly be?
In her eyes, he was probably just a tool for severing emotions, a stepping stone!
But why would she choose him?
Could it be because I'm handsome?
Hmm, most likely.
"Xiao'er, you need to understand that all Great Daos in this world are heartless. But who can truly be without emotion or desire? Nian Qingyun's talent is monstrous, and she was born with a divine beast accompanying her. She must be someone carrying great Fortuna. If you can win her over... the Ethereal Dao Palace will naturally follow." Ling Tianlin's voice was low. Unlike Xuan Yuan Yue's doting madness, every step he took was carefully considered.
The Heavenly Demon True Body was no small matter; it was a forbidden taboo decreed by the Holy Church.
Sooner or later, Ling Xiao would stand opposite the entire Holy State.
The people and orthodox traditions he could win over now would ultimately become his support!
"Father, I understand." Ling Xiao took a deep breath, a touch of emotion in his eyes as he looked at Ling Tianlin.
A father's love is as deep as a mountain.
Compared to Xuan Yuan Yue's directness, Ling Tianlin's love, though subtle, was equally profound.
This warmth deeply touched the orphan that Ling Xiao had once been.
Don't worry, Father.
Even if my demonic body is exposed one day, I will never implicate the Ling Clan.
"Good. Go and rest. I will notify the clan elders to prepare for the matter of the heir position." Ling Tianlin nodded, looking at Ling Xiao with gratified, pleased eyes.
From the moment they met, he had sensed that the aura around Ling Xiao showed signs of approaching a Paragon Breakthrough.
Moreover, compared to before, his once arrogant eldest son had clearly become much more steady and composed.
Although Ling Tianlin didn't know what had happened to Ling Xiao, with his cultivation level, a single glance was enough to confirm that the latter hadn't been possessed.
Children grow up; it's normal for them to have secrets.
What he needed to do was stand behind him, striving to clear all obstacles for his growth.
"By the way, Father... regarding the Si Family..." Ling Xiao hesitated but felt he should remind Ling Tianlin.
After all, his soul power far exceeded the norm. The resentment in Si Lin's eyes earlier hadn't escaped his notice.
"Recently, I noticed the Si Family seemed to be in contact with other supreme orthodox traditions, so I had someone investigate. We caught a powerful member of the Si Family responsible for communications. This is a good opportunity to... erase them." Ling Tianlin's face suddenly turned icy cold, the temperature in the entire hall plummeting to freezing point in an instant.
"Father, leave it to me." Ling Xiao turned and walked straight out of the hall.
Ling Tianlin merely frowned, and a black shadow materialized behind him.
"Follow the Young Master."
"Yes! Clan Master!"
The black shadow vanished silently, as if it had never appeared.
Decisive in killing, ruthless and merciless.
The world only knew Ling Xiao had an arrogant temperament, nature. But now, it seemed that being a bit arrogant wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
That way, no one would take him too seriously.
"Xiao'er, give this father five more years. No one in the entire Holy State will dare speak ill of you again. A Forbidden Constitution? Hmph. Holy Church... you'd better not go too far."
...
Meanwhile, in the Si Family Main Hall.
Si Lin looked gloomily at the corpse placed in the center of the hall, a trace of ferocity, ruthlessness in his eyes.
"Family Head, you must uphold justice for Cong'er! He had already had his arm severed by that Ling Tian! Why did that bastard Ling Xiao have to kill him? Family Head..." A young woman collapsed on the floor below, wailing in agony.
"That's right, Family Head! Our Si Family has been loyal for generations, yet in Ling Xiao's eyes, we are just dogs! It's utterly outrageous!"
"Family Head, given Ling Xiao's nature, even if he takes control of the Ling Clan in the future, our vassal families will surely suffer. Why don't we..."
"Family Head, stop hesitating! The ancient Qin Clan has repeatedly shown goodwill towards our Si Family. This time, Si Quan has gone. As long as the Qin Clan's offer is sincere, let's leave!"
"Family Head!! Nowadays, our Si Family is full of strong experts and talented youths. Although we can't compare to the Ling Clan, we are by no means weak! Why should we stay here to be ordered around by them?"
"Calculating the time, Si Quan should be back by now, right?"
"My, quite lively here?"
But just as the Si Family members were filled with righteous indignation, a light laugh suddenly came from outside the main hall.
Si Lin and the others were stunned. They looked up instantly to see Ling Xiao, dressed in black, swaggering in.
Behind him stood two Ling Clan servants, their auras powerful, clearly experts at the Divine Marquis realm.
"Young... Young Master Ling Xiao!!" The ferocity on Si Lin's face vanished instantly, replaced by an obsequious expression. However, a deep chill flashed in the depths of his eyes.
How did Ling Xiao get through the Si Family gates and directly into the main hall?
What were those door-keeping servants doing?!
Damn it! Did he hear what the Si Family members just said?
At this moment, a cold dread began to creep up from the soles of Si Lin's feet.