The Chen family, now resolved to act against the Lin family, decided to start with Spirit Apricot Mountain. Taking control of this spiritual vein would inflict a significant blow to the Lin family's resources.
Wasting no time, the elder patriarch and Elian set off for Spirit Apricot Mountain the same day.
The mountain was only about ten thousand miles from Pingyang City. Traveling day and night on their flying swords, they reached its outskirts in less than two days.
"This is Spirit Apricot Mountain," Elian said, narrowing his eyes with a serious expression.
"The mountain is protected by a second-tier formation. We need to proceed with caution."
The elder patriarch nodded.
"It's the Greenwood Formation, a second-tier mid-grade defensive array. Even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to break through."
"Additionally, Lin Bai Min, a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, is stationed here. We must remain vigilant."
Lin Bai Min, with his cultivation level, could control the formation effectively. A typical late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator attempting to breach the formation would likely meet their end.
Fortunately, the elder patriarch possessed the Blazing Fire Divine Flags, making his combat strength equivalent to that of two or three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. Elian himself was strong enough to contend with such a cultivator as well. Together, they had a fair chance of breaking through the Greenwood Formation.
"Let's begin," the elder patriarch commanded, summoning the Blazing Fire Divine Flags, which engulfed the mountain in a wave of fiery energy.
On the mountain, Lin Bai Min's face turned pale as he hurried to activate the protective formation to block the blazing flames.
Once the fire was temporarily halted, Lin Bai Min saw that it was the elder patriarch leading the assault. Shocked, he cried out, "Patriarch Chen, our Lin family bears no grudge against the Chen clan. Why attack Spirit Apricot Mountain?"
"No grudge?" the elder patriarch sneered, intensifying the flames around the formation.
"At the trading conference in Fengyang Market, Lin Baixi and Lin Moqin conspired with Zhang Yiran to ambush my nephew."
"That level of enmity is irreconcilable!"
"This must be a misunderstanding!" Lin Bai Min pleaded, his face pale.
"Please, stop before things escalate further."
He was clearly stalling, hoping for reinforcements from the Lin family. However, the elder patriarch had no intention of giving him the opportunity. While maintaining the fiery onslaught, he summoned the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade to relentlessly assault the formation.
Elian joined in, attacking the barrier with his Fiery Void Sword. The combined assault caused the mountain's protective array to tremble violently, its glow dimming visibly with each passing moment.
At this rate, the formation would likely collapse within a day.
Meanwhile, on Ink Green Mountain, the Lin family's spiritual vein, four of their Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered.
Following Lin Baixi's death, all the Lin family's available Foundation Establishment cultivators, apart from those stationed at Fengyang Market and Spirit Apricot Mountain, had convened here.
Seated at the head of the group, Lin Mocheng and Lin Moqin wore grim expressions. The mood was so heavy that the two Foundation Establishment cultivators who had just emerged from seclusion were left bewildered.
A woman in a purple robe, sensing the tension, couldn't help but ask, "What happened for you to summon us in such haste?"
"It's a calamity," Lin Moqin said bitterly, recounting the entire incident. "The fault is mine. I failed to stop him."
The purple-robed woman's face turned pale upon hearing the story. Shaking her head with a wry smile, she remarked, "I always saw that Baixi was stubborn and narrow-minded. This is not your fault."
"Now that Baixi has been slain, the hatred between our families is sealed. We cannot ignore this."
From her perspective, Lin Baixi's actions had been reckless and wrong, but as a family member, the Lin clan had no choice but to respond. Ignoring such an affront would scatter the family's morale. If Lin Baixi's death were left unavenged, it would raise doubts about whether the family would act if another member were killed in the future.
Lin Mocheng, seated at the head, wore a cold expression, his killing intent palpable.
"I've called you here to avenge Baixi."
"But…" Lin Moqin interjected, his voice tinged with fear.
"The Chen family is no longer what it once was. Both Chen Changxuan and Elian are far stronger than ordinary cultivators. I fear we may not be their match."
"You've been frightened out of your wits," another Foundation Establishment cultivator snapped.
"Don't lose your nerve and demoralize us."
"Enough!" Lin Mocheng interrupted, his tone firm.
"It's true that Chen Changxuan's strength is extraordinary, far beyond ours."
"However, we will bring the Wind Severing Soul Sword Talisman and face them head-on."
At this, the others' expressions shifted. The Wind Severing Soul Sword Talisman was a third-tier low-grade talisman and one of the Lin family's most prized treasures, left by Lin Mohe, their Purple Mansion ancestor.
After breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage, Lin Mohe had created the talisman using his divine ability, Wind Severing Soul Sword, at great personal expense. He had left it along with three Foundation Establishment Pills as part of the family's legacy.
Once activated, the talisman unleashed power akin to Lin Mohe personally using his divine ability. Its terrifying might was said to be capable of seriously injuring even a Purple Mansion cultivator if used strategically.
Lin Moqin's face turned pale.
"That talisman is our most valuable asset. It shouldn't be used unless the family faces annihilation."
"Now is the time," Lin Mocheng replied coldly.
"If we don't use it, how can we maintain our foothold in Yu County?"
As they discussed their plans, a disciple rushed into the hall, panic written across his face.
"Bad news! The message from the tracking talisman says Spirit Apricot Mountain is under attack!"
"Chen family moves swiftly," Lin Mocheng said, rising abruptly.
"We must face the Chen family and make them pay."
Elsewhere, Chen Qinghao had gone to Fengyang Market to relay the situation to the other Yu County families using the market's messaging talismans. Afterward, he made his way to Spirit Apricot Mountain.
Meanwhile, on the mountain, Elian and the elder patriarch continued their relentless assault on the protective array.
The Greenwood Formation was indeed formidable. Under normal circumstances, even two or three Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't be able to breach it quickly.
However, the Blazing Fire Divine Flags proved far stronger. If powered by a second-tier high-grade spiritual vein, it could even withstand a Purple Mansion cultivator's assault for a time. While the elder patriarch couldn't unleash its full potential, his control was sufficient to rival the Greenwood Formation.
With the addition of their second-tier high-grade artifacts, the formation's glow grew dimmer by the moment.
"This won't hold much longer," Lin Baimin muttered, his expression grim.
Taking a deep breath, he prepared to activate the array's counterattack, hoping to repel his assailants.
...
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