For a time—
everything felt peaceful.
The luxurious restaurant remained brightly illuminated beneath the night sky.
Warm lantern light reflected upon polished wooden tables.
The sounds of laughter, conversation, and clinking cups filled the air.
After the exhausting auction—
everyone finally relaxed.
Even Lin Shuan felt some of the tension leave his body.
Various dishes continuously arrived.
Spirit beast meat.
Roasted mountain deer.
Spiritual vegetable soups.
Rare river fish.
Dozens of expensive delicacies soon covered the table.
The moment the food arrived—
Yan Feng Luo transformed into a completely different person.
"Mine!"
He grabbed a roasted spirit beast leg before anyone could react.
Han Xue Long stared.
"Brother Yan..."
"Did you starve for three months before coming here?"
Yan Feng Luo immediately replied while chewing.
"Three months?"
"You underestimate me."
"I've been starving for three years."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Han Qing Li couldn't suppress a faint smile.
Meanwhile—
Tai Gu Chen slowly lifted a cup of wine.
The old man's eyes carried countless years of experience.
"Youngsters."
"Tonight deserves a toast."
Lei Zhan Yu nodded.
"That's right."
"Such opportunities don't come often."
Han Lei Jun immediately looked toward Lin Shuan.
"Young Master Shuan Hao."
"Have you ever tasted wine?"
Lin Shuan froze.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Silence.
Everyone stared.
Yan Feng Luo nearly dropped his food.
"You've never had wine?"
Lin Shuan nodded honestly.
"I spent most of my time cultivating."
Tai Gu Chen suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"A cultivator who has never tasted wine."
"Interesting."
Lei Hao Tian immediately pushed a cup toward him.
"Then tonight must be your first."
Lin Shuan hesitated.
Han Qing Li glanced at him but said nothing.
Meanwhile—
Yan Feng Luo grinned.
"Brother Shuan."
"You've already defeated countless geniuses."
"Don't tell me you're afraid of wine."
Lin Shuan looked at him.
Then calmly replied.
"I'm not afraid."
"Good."
"Drink."
Everyone immediately joined the pressure campaign.
Even Han Lei Jun smiled.
Eventually—
Lin Shuan picked up the cup.
The wine carried a rich fragrance.
He took a small sip.
Instantly—
warmth spread through his body.
The taste was strange.
Yet not unpleasant.
Tai Gu Chen nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Then—
the old man slowly looked toward the night sky outside the window.
His voice became softer.
"I have traveled for thousands of years."
The table gradually became quiet.
Everyone listened.
Tai Gu Chen continued.
"I once believed talent was everything."
"I believed powerful cultivation solved all problems."
He smiled bitterly.
"I was wrong."
The youngsters remained silent.
"The strongest people I've met weren't necessarily the most talented."
"They were the ones who survived."
"The ones who learned patience."
"The ones who understood when to advance."
"And when to retreat."
His gaze slowly landed upon Lin Shuan.
"Remember this."
"A dead genius is only a corpse."
"But a living cultivator can change destiny."
Lin Shuan quietly nodded.
"I understand."
Tai Gu Chen smiled.
"Good."
The old man lifted his cup.
Everyone followed.
For a while—
they simply enjoyed the meal.
Han Qing Li.
Xue Han Yue.
Xue Mei Yun.
Lei Yun Hua.
The four girls quietly ate while listening to the conversation.
Meanwhile—
Yan Feng Luo continued consuming food at a terrifying speed.
By the time everyone finished half their meals—
he had already emptied three plates.
Han Xue Long stared in disbelief.
"Brother Yan."
"Are you secretly cultivating a Devouring Technique?"
Yan Feng Luo looked offended.
"I'm helping the restaurant."
Everyone laughed again.
The atmosphere became increasingly relaxed.
Eventually—
Lin Shuan suddenly retrieved a jade box.
Han Qing Li looked toward him.
"So?"
Lin Shuan calmly placed the box before her.
Inside—
rested the Frost Heart Blossom.
The beautiful blue flower released faint frost mist.
Han Qing Li froze.
For a moment—
she simply stared.
Lin Shuan smiled.
"It's yours."
Silence.
Her heart trembled slightly.
Although she already knew he bought it for her—
seeing it now felt completely different.
She slowly accepted it.
"Thank you."
Lin Shuan nodded.
"No need."
Yan Feng Luo immediately covered his eyes dramatically.
"I can't watch this."
Han Xue Long kicked him under the table.
"Eat."
The atmosphere once again filled with laughter.
Not long afterward—
Xue Mei Yun suddenly remembered something.
"Brother Shuan Hao."
"The Silver Moon Mushrooms."
Han Xue Long's eyes immediately brightened.
"That's right."
"You promised us."
Xue Han Yue also looked interested.
Even Han Lei Jun became attentive.
Lin Shuan smiled.
"Of course."
Without hesitation—
he waved his hand.
Several jade boxes appeared.
The moment they opened—
everyone inhaled sharply.
Ancient medicinal fragrances filled the room.
Some herbs were three thousand years old.
Some five thousand.
Some even older.
Mysterious frost energy continuously flowed from them.
Xue Mei Yun became stunned.
Xue Han Yue was speechless.
Han Xue Long's eyes nearly popped out.
"These..."
Lin Shuan calmly explained.
"Your constitutions are different."
"So your herbs are different."
He distributed them one by one.
Each herb perfectly matched its owner's cultivation.
The frost cultivators received frost treasures.
Ancient herbs.
Rare spirit roots.
Mysterious flowers.
Everyone became overwhelmed.
Then—
Lin Shuan turned toward Lei Hao Tian.
Lei Zhan Yu.
Tai Gu Chen.
The three lightning and martial cultivators.
He produced several ancient fruits.
Golden lightning fruits.
Thunder marrow fruits.
Ancient body-strengthening spirit fruits.
The three immediately became stunned.
Tai Gu Chen stared.
"Young man..."
"Do you own a treasure vault?"
Lin Shuan smiled.
"Something like that."
The old man could only shake his head helplessly.
Meanwhile—
Yan Feng Luo looked around.
Then looked at himself.
"Wait."
"What about me?"
Lin Shuan glanced toward him.
"You already received Heaven Burning Solar Art."
Yan Feng Luo immediately nodded seriously.
"You're absolutely correct."
Everyone laughed once more.
Soon—
discussion naturally shifted toward the auction.
The Heaven Grade Halberd.
The Golden Spirit Fruits.
The mysterious merchant.
The Heaven Rank techniques.
The conversation became increasingly lively.
However—
while everyone relaxed—
Lin Shuan's expression gradually became serious.
Because—
he could feel it.
Several divine senses continuously swept across the restaurant.
Watching.
Observing.
Waiting.
Inside the Dragon Pendant—
Tian Wuchen spoke coldly.
"They're still here."
Lin Shuan narrowed his eyes.
"I know."
Tian Wuchen snorted.
"They won't attack now."
"They're looking for an opportunity."
Lin Shuan calmly continued drinking.
But inwardly—
his vigilance reached its peak.
Time passed.
Eventually—
the group left the restaurant.
The city had become much quieter.
Night deepened.
Moonlight covered the streets.
The group slowly walked through the city.
However—
Lin Shuan subtly altered their route.
No one noticed.
Only he understood.
Someone was following them.
Soon—
they entered a quieter district.
Several empty streets stretched ahead.
The moment they reached a narrow alley—
Lin Shuan suddenly stopped.
The others looked confused.
Then—
a voice appeared.
"Young Master..."
Everyone froze.
Several figures emerged from the shadows.
At their front—
stood the white-haired elder from LinJian Sect.
The moment he appeared—
Lin Shuan's body trembled.
Slowly—
the elder removed his mask.
An aged face appeared.
The moment Lin Shuan saw it—
his eyes immediately became red.
Because he recognized him.
Elder Lin Mo.
His former guardian.
The person responsible for protecting him during childhood.
The elder who used to accompany him throughout Myriad Frost City.
The elder who disappeared before the destruction of the Lin Clan.
The old man immediately knelt.
Behind him—
several young cultivators also knelt.
"Young Master."
"After many years..."
"We finally found you."
Silence.
The world seemed to stop.
Lin Shuan stood motionless.
Countless memories surfaced.
The old streets.
His father.
The clan.
The days before destruction.
His voice became hoarse.
"Uncle Mo..."
The elder lowered his head deeply.
"We failed to protect the clan."
Lin Shuan immediately stepped forward.
"No."
He hurriedly raised the old man.
"You don't need to kneel."
However—
the elder and the youngsters instinctively retreated slightly.
Fear still remained within their hearts.
Fear of the seal upon Lin Shuan's forehead.
The terrifying seal that once claimed innocent lives.
Lin Shuan understood.
Yet he simply smiled.
Then asked,
"So..."
"You're the Sect Leader of LinJian Sect?"
The elder scratched his head awkwardly.
"A...ah..."
"Yes, Young Master."
Everyone laughed.
For a moment—
the heavy atmosphere eased.
The elder soon explained everything.
How Third Elder survived.
How survivors gathered.
How LinJian Sect was established.
How they secretly searched for remaining clan members.
When Lin Shuan heard Third Elder's name—
his eyes immediately brightened.
Then he remembered.
The Empire Warriors Tournament.
That mysterious voice in the crowd urging him to kill Hei Luo and Yan Lie.
It had been Third Elder.
A warm feeling spread through his heart.
Then—
a mischievous smile suddenly appeared.
"So Sect Leader."
"Can I join your sect?"
The old man froze.
Then burst into laughter.
The young cultivators laughed too.
For a brief moment—
it felt like old times again.
"Young Master."
"You're still the same."
The elder's eyes became slightly moist.
Then—
something unexpected happened.
All the young cultivators suddenly knelt.
Their voices rang out together.
"Young Master!"
"Please guide us!"
Lin Shuan became startled.
Before he could respond—
the elder also bowed.
"Young Master."
"The clan needs a Patriarch."
"Please lead us."
The words struck his heart like thunder.
Patriarch.
Clan Head.
Responsibility.
Burden.
Hope.
Everything suddenly fell upon his shoulders.
His expression became complicated.
Then—
a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Lin Shuan."
Everyone froze.
Yan Feng Luo and the others were surprised—
"Lin Shuan..?"
"Is Shuan Hao's real name Lin Shuan...?"
But Han Qing Li knew That it was normal for a person who had so many secrets hidden within himself to hide his name.
Lin Shuan's entire body trembled.
He immediately turned.
An old figure slowly emerged from darkness.
Third Elder.
For a moment—
tears appeared in Lin Shuan's eyes.
Because after his father—
Third Elder was one of the few elders who truly treated him kindly.
"T-Third Elder..."
The old man smiled gently.
Then—
he bowed.
"Lin Shuan."
"You once said you would fight Yu Long Sect."
"The time has come."
"Our clan needs you."
He lowered himself further.
"Please become the Patriarch of the Lin Clan."
Immediately—
everyone followed.
"Please become the Patriarch!"
The voices echoed throughout the alley.
Lin Shuan felt immense pressure.
Inside the pendant—
Tian Wuchen finally spoke.
"Lin Shuan."
"It's time."
"Build your alliance."
"Protect your people."
"Take revenge."
Lin Shuan slowly closed his eyes.
Several breaths passed.
Then—
he opened them.
"Alright."
Everyone became excited.
But then—
he shook his head.
"I can't."
Silence.
Everyone became stunned.
"Why?"
Lin Shuan answered quietly.
"I was chosen as the future Empire Protector."
"The rules state that an Empire Protector cannot belong to any clan or sect."
"I will take revenge."
"But I cannot become Patriarch."
The crowd fell silent.
However—
Third Elder suddenly smiled.
"Lin Shuan."
"I already spoke with Empire Protector."
The world seemed to freeze.
Lin Shuan stared.
Third Elder continued.
"She said you're free."
"You may do as you wish."
Shock appeared across Lin Shuan's face.
Protector Yi had already approved it?
Slowly—
he nodded.
Then looked toward everyone.
"Fine."
"I'll carry the burden of the clan."
Excitement immediately erupted.
However—
Lin Shuan quickly raised his hand.
"But."
"Our strength isn't enough."
The excitement gradually calmed.
Everyone understood.
Yu Long Sect was far too powerful.
Then Lin Shuan spoke again.
"And Yu Long Sect isn't our only enemy."
Confusion appeared.
Third Elder's eyes narrowed.
"If I'm not mistaken..."
"Yue Sha Empire?"
Lin Shuan nodded.
Everyone became shocked.
"Impossible."
"Yue Sha Empire was destroyed thousands of years ago."
Lin Shuan shook his head.
"No."
"They merely became weaker."
"They still exist."
"And they participated in our clan's destruction."
Silence.
Even Han Qing Li's group fell silent.
"The Yue Sha empire...!"
"Are they still around...?"
"They had to step in to destroy Au Lin Shun's clan..."
The revelation stunned everyone.
Then Third Elder asked,
"What should we do?"
A mysterious smile appeared on Lin Shuan's face.
"We build an alliance."
Everyone became speechless.
An alliance?
They never considered such a possibility.
Then—
Guardian Elder suddenly looked toward Yan Feng Luo and the others.
His eyes widened.
"Clan Head..."
"Are they...?"
Lin Shuan smiled.
Then nodded.
Immediately—
Yan Feng Luo stepped forward.
He puffed out his chest dramatically.
"Don't worry."
"We stand with Shuan Hao—"
He paused.
Then corrected himself.
"Clan Head Lin Shuan."
Everyone laughed.
But the third elder saw that the boy who was once said to be the next head of the Lin clan was now truly capable of it, he had grown up.
Yet deep within—
a new foundation had been laid.
The first stone of a future alliance.
An alliance that would one day shake the entire continent.
Meanwhile—
far away—
the mysterious merchant returned to his residence.
The moment the doors closed—
he finally removed his mask.
A middle-aged man appeared.
Sharp eyes.
Cold expression.
He wasn't from Yu Long Sect.
He belonged to Black Swamp Merchant Company.
And secretly—
to Yue Sha Empire.
He looked toward the Golden Spirit Fruits.
Then whispered,
"Lin Shuan."
"Your survival won't remain hidden much longer."
Soon—
he combined three pieces of information.
Lin Shuan.
Sky Dragon Smash.
Golden Spirit Fruits.
Then—
he sent a secret message.
Far away.
Toward Yu Long Sect.
Hours later—
Hei Wu received it.
After reading—
a crooked smile appeared.
"I told you."
"That boy is Lin Shuan."
"Leaving him alive is becoming a mistake."
Across from him—
Yu Long Wei remained thoughtful.
"Don't forget."
"He's no longer alone."
"The Wanling Empire Princess stands beside him."
"And she likely has hidden protectors."
Hei Wu narrowed his eyes.
"Then there's only one solution."
"Declare war."
Silence filled the room.
Yu Long Wei slowly closed his eyes.
"Hmmmm..."
That same night—
Lin Shuan and the others departed together.
Meanwhile—
Third Elder and the surviving Lin Clan members disappeared once more into darkness.
Hidden.
Waiting.
Preparing.
Inside a quiet cultivation chamber—
Han Qing Li finally consumed the Frost Heart Blossom.
Ancient frost energy exploded around her.
The room instantly became covered in ice.
Outside—
Lin Shuan stood guard silently.
His gaze remained fixed upon the door.
No one would disturb her.
No one would harm her.
As the night deepened—
Han Qing Li's cultivation began advancing at an astonishing speed.
And far away—
the first winds of a coming war had already begun to blow.