married as substitute

After Lin Yun ran away, the letter he left only said he was traveling, but it didn't mention where he went. The Lin Family had been searching for him, but there was no news at all. They never imagined he would run off to North Continent.Lin Qingshuang, however, never gave up the idea of entering Suyexian Mountain. After the failure of her eighteenth birthday banquet, she still made a fuss at home for a while. Lin Chongtian had no choice but to find many connections and spend a lot of resources. After more than a year, he finally managed to get her in.At the same time, the Lin Family also officially announced Lin Qingshuang's status as the Young Miss. If nothing unexpected happened, she would be the next Family Head.Because of this matter, Lin Shushu, Ninth Elder, the Ninth Elder of the Lin Family, always felt that Lin Chongtian, as the Family Head, was not dedicated enough to Lin Yun and was too selfish.He only cared about Lin Qingshuang. Her child had been missing for a long time, and a Refiner Master was even more dangerous outside. One wrong step could lead to complete annihilation. If Lin Chongtian had shown even two-tenths of the care he showed Lin Qingshuang, Lin Yun would not still be missing now.Her talent was also high. In her youth, she had contended for the position of Family Head, but after failing and being ostracized, she was only ranked ninth among the Elders. In terms of actual ability, she was far more capable.After enduring for so many years, she no longer wanted to endure because of her child. She brought people to oppose Lin Chongtian at home, causing the Lin Family to be unstable for a while, with much commotion that hasn't subsided yet.But Lin Qingshuang didn't care about any of this. Whether Lin Yun lived or died had nothing to do with her. Since she was born, nothing had gone smoothly for her, except for that birthday banquet. But in the end, it was still as she wished, so she felt that there was nothing in this world she couldn't get.Sect Leader Chu of Suyexian Mountain had only accepted two Disciples. The first two had reached Heaven Rank early and, after completing their studies, left the mountain to return to their respective Noble Families, quickly securing their positions as Young Masters. Now, besides Lin Qingshuang, his own son, Chu Wei, was the only one left on the peak.Besides becoming a Disciple, Lin Qingshuang's marriage was also a bargaining chip. After dealing with that useless good-for-nothing from the Yin Family, according to Lin Chongtian's plan, it would be best to marry into the Chu Family of Suyexian Mountain.She and Chu Wei were similar in age and talent, making them a very suitable match. Moreover, once such a connection with Suyexian Mountain was established, the Lin Family would be the undisputed head of the Noble Families, and Lin Qingshuang's future path would be much smoother.Lin Chongtian's calculations were good, but Chu Wei's attitude was indifferent.It was said that Sect Leader Chu had thrown him into Fengmo Ravine for a year of secluded cultivation, and he had only recently emerged. That was the most brutal special cultivation ground in Suyexian Mountain, which even Heaven Rank experts dared not enter easily.When Lin Qingshuang saw him again on the day she became a Disciple, she felt that he had changed a lot.When he first arrived, his personality was somewhat willful and arrogant, or rather, a bit reckless and childish. But after returning from that place, not only did his spiritual power improve rapidly, but his entire temperament also changed, becoming calm and reserved.Lin Qingshuang approached him, softly calling out, "Senior Brother Chu," but he scrutinized her for a long time, as if it took him a while to recognize her."It's you," Chu Wei said, "Lin Qingshuang."Since Chu Wei came out of Fengmo Ravine, he had been covered in blood, silent for a long time, and showed no good expression to his father. This was the first time he had spoken so well, even with a hint of a smile.Lin Qingshuang had barely been happy for long when she heard him ask again in front of everyone: "Lin Qinghen... has he returned?"Lin Qingshuang's smile froze on her Face.Since he was married off, the Lin Family had never mentioned that name again, treating him as if he didn't exist.How could Chu Wei still remember!?"No," Lin Qingshuang gritted her teeth, "How many people who go to North Continent ever return?""No news at all?"...No!"If it weren't for the person in front of her, Lin Qingshuang's expression would have been even fouler.In fact, Chu Wei was thrown into Fengmo Ravine after he returned because he couldn't let go and insisted on going to North Continent to find someone.Now that he was out, he not only hadn't forgotten, but he couldn't let go even more.The more he thought about this person, the more he felt something was off, as if only he knew of Lin Qinghen's specialness, and others hadn't noticed. Yet, he had only spoken those few words, as if a good meal had only been tasted once before being taken away, making him regret it more and more.He shouldn't have given up so easily at that time; he should have just snatched the person back.Of course, it's not too late now.Sect Leader Chu knew what he was thinking just by looking at him. He was also curious; that Lin Qinghen was said to have no particular use, his background was acceptable, but he was not favored at home, and his talent was extremely poor, not even having a spiritual root.He was like heaven and earth compared to Lin Qingshuang, and he didn't know how he had attracted his son's attention."Why go to North Continent? Come back!" Sect Leader Chu snorted coldly, "You should Cultivate properly yourself. In a few months, the Yin Family will naturally come out."Chu Wei: "Really?""If they still want the reputation of a Noble Family," Sect Leader Chu said, "the Spirit Realm has always been one Alliance, one Mountain, and eight Noble Families. Although the Yin Family has declined, their position is vacant, neither up nor down, and it will be resolved sooner or later."This structure had existed for a long time. In recent years, it was called "Seven Noble Families," but in reality, there was always a vacancy.After such a long time, the reason it was brought up now was actually due to the changing of the guard in the Spirit Master Alliance.The old Alliance Leader of the Spirit Master Alliance was nearing his end. He had lived too long, and his health had always been poor. At most, it would be within the next six months.Under his instruction, his eldest Disciple had already been set to take over the position of Alliance Leader. The other two who failed to contend would probably not be able to remain on the Elder Council, and the other seats would likely also see a change of blood.Besides the Alliance Leader, the Alliance also had Vice-Alliance Leaders, who did not belong to any force. Their spiritual power might not be the highest, but they were highly respected individuals who maintained the Alliance's neutrality and were not influenced by any force.There were also twenty Elder Council seats. The Mountain occupied two, the Noble Families each occupied one, and the remaining nine seats were fluid. These included neutral Loose Cultivators who did not join any force, as well as several powerful individuals from the Mountain and Noble Families. The twenty Elders participated in Alliance decisions and held deep prestige in the Spirit Realm.When the Yin Family was powerful, they occupied a full five of the fluid seats. The Mountain and Noble Families dared not show any disrespect. After their decline, these five seats were all divided up, maintaining stability for many years.But now, with the Alliance's change of guard, some Elders were leaving the fluid seats, and some deeply experienced Elders were promoted to Vice-Alliance Leaders. Counting them up, at least three seats were vacant, and to whom they would be given was still undecided.The old Alliance Leader was not yet dead, but the Mountain and Noble Families had already begun to secretly contend for these seats. However, no one would yield to anyone else, and continuing to contend would yield no results, only internal friction. In the end, it was Sect Leader Chu Cang of Suyexian Mountain who took charge.Of these three seats, one would go to the Mountain, one to the Seven Noble Families, with internal methods for further distribution, and one seat should go to the "Eighth Noble Family," which had been vacant for a long time."Although the Yin Family has declined, many new Noble Families are rising in the Spirit Realm, and everyone should be given a chance," Chu Cang said, "Fair competition, whoever wins gets the position."Noble Family clans were recognized as first-rate forces in the Spirit Realm. If one managed to get in, it would be a position of great honor and instant success.This was the stated intention, appearing selfless on the surface, but in reality, he had selfish motives.He didn't truly want to see new Noble Families rise. Rather, in recent years, various major forces had continuously cultivated their own followers, and many second-rate forces had already formed under their banners.Especially Suyexian Mountain, if one of his subordinates won this Noble Family seat, the benefits in the future would be endless. If something went wrong, a single seat wouldn't cause much trouble, and they would still need to find support, eventually having to pledge allegiance to him.He could use this opportunity to pick out the most prominent and promising individuals in this realm, and also win them over, which was beneficial in every way.Moreover, how this eighth Noble Family would be chosen would, of course, still be up to them to set the rules.To save Face and for his unfortunate son who insisted on going to North Continent, it was appropriate to send a message to the Yin Family for this purpose.Although they had declined, it was not good to directly bypass them. At least give them superficial Face and allow others to participate."You tell him to wait here. I will say in the letter that I invite the Young Master of the Yin Family, Yin Jiuxiao, and his wife to come together," Chu Cang said, "At that time, besides the contention for the seven Noble Family seats, there will also be competitions between the Mountains and between the seven Noble Families for those two seats. The Alliance's change of guard will surely bring much excitement, and you will have plenty of opportunities to show your Face. Instead of going to North Continent, which is a barren land, you should seize the time to Cultivate properly. If Lin Qinghen suffers in North Continent, and then sees your abilities and position when he comes out, why would you need to travel thousands of miles to North Continent to snatch him? He would probably cry and beg to stay."In Chu Cang's eyes, Lin Qinghen was nothing more than a useless plaything who had, by chance, attracted his son's attention. If Chu Wei was interested, bringing him to serve by his side was no big deal."Just win, and don't disgrace me then, and anything is negotiable."Chu Wei pondered for a moment and felt that this was also acceptable.Chu Wei's focus was on Lin Qinghen, but Chu Cang and the others' focus was on the Yin Family.Who in the entire Spirit Realm hadn't once feared the Yin Family?Unexpectedly, the current Yin Family, nestled in North Continent, was getting worse and worse. Last time, they were trampled by the Lin Family and could only swallow their anger. Now, not coming would be disgraceful, and coming would be even more disgraceful. Seeing the former Supreme fall into the dust seemed to be a greatly satisfying thing for them.He was already impatient to see such excitement.Suyexian Mountain didn't need to send a special messenger to deliver the letter.Among the Noble Families, there were special communication tools, similar to tokens, but activating this thing was very troublesome. In the past, it was only used when announcing major events. For a situation like North Continent, only a few words could be transmitted at present.The Yin Family still kept this item, stored in their ancestral hall, and it hadn't been used for a very long time. When the letter from Suyexian Mountain arrived, the light and buzzing sound from the Yin Family's ancestral hall were heard by people nearby, and soon many gathered.Lin Qinghen was also nearby, listening to it all.He stood at the very front of the crowd, with members of the Yin Family behind him, and Fu Qingping, who had just arrived for a meeting, also came along.The letter from Suyexian Mountain was intermittent and brief, but the details were still very clear.However, he raised an eyebrow when he heard the invitation for the Yin Family's Young Master and his wife to come, seemingly a bit surprised. After listening to all the words, he curled his lips into a smile.Lin Qinghen quickly heard the main point.The Alliance's change of guard required many preparations, and to truly contend for this Noble Family seat, many forces would also need to make plans and preparations. Moreover, the old Alliance Leader was not yet dead, so there was no such rush in terms of time. It was estimated to be in six months.Six months, it was not long, nor was it short.Suyexian Mountain sent the letter, and they didn't expect the Yin Family to reply so quickly. Chu Cang listened nearby, thinking that they should show some emotion, either anxious, confused, or angry, but all he received were two words.— "Understood."