199: Facing family pressure, a beautiful woman stands united.

Qinglan Sect, Tingzhu Courtyard.

Lin Xuan's Spiritual Qi was restrained within his body, his primal nascent soul steady and floating within his Dantian. His cultivation base, having just entered the Nascent Soul stage, was now thoroughly consolidated, his Aura as deep as the sea. Having experienced life and death at the Star Remains Ancient Palace and a series of fortuitous encounters, his Foundation far exceeded those of the same rank. Although his Nascent Soul had just formed, it already contained a trace of the supreme Dao Rhyme derived from Chaos.

Beside him, two peerless beauties were also in quiet meditation. Su Wanqing, in white, was as cold and clear as the moon; her Taiyin Spiritual Qi resonated with the frost silence sword on her lap, and she was surrounded by pure moonlight. She had long reached the limit of the Golden Core stage and was only missing the opportunity to trigger the Heavenly Tribulation before she could attempt to condense the Taiyin Nascent Soul. On the other side, Qu Feiyan, with her red dress like fire and natural charm, had completely restrained the blood-red baleful Qi that usually manifested outwardly, turning it into a deep, dark light in the depths of her eyes. Her Blood Lotus Demonic Art had also been settling at the Golden Core Peak for a long time, and she was only a step away from breaking the core and forming the soul.

As for Gongsun Yu, she was currently practicing lightning techniques in the open space of the courtyard; violet lightning surged with extraordinary momentum. Under the nourishment of Lin Xuan's primal nascent soul power and her own efforts, her cultivation had advanced rapidly. She now stood firmly on the threshold of the Mid-stage Golden Core, and it was only a matter of time before she reached the Late Stage Bottleneck.

Fighting side by side in the Star Remains Ancient Palace, along with everything that followed, had long since broken down all barriers between Lin Xuan and the three women. Their hearts and bodies were intertwined, and their affection ran deep. Su Wanqing's Ice Heart was tender for only one person, Qu Feiyan's allure was entirely tied to one man, and Gongsun Yu's innocence was entrusted with complete trust. Between the three women, a subtle balance and profound friendship had formed; they all took Lin Xuan as their core and supported one another.

This tranquility was suddenly broken by an angry shout from outside the courtyard:

"Gongsun Yu! The clan order has arrived. Follow us back immediately; no delays allowed!"

The voice was like muffled thunder, causing the bamboo forest outside the courtyard to rustle.

Gongsun Yu's delicate body trembled violently, the lightning in her hands dissipated, and the color drained from her pretty face in an instant. Huge fear welled up in her eyes, and she almost instinctively flashed behind Lin Xuan, clutching his sleeve tightly.

Lin Xuan opened his eyes, a light of Chaos flickering within them, and his Divine Sense had already spread out like flowing mercury. Outside the courtyard gate, three Cultivators wearing the distinctive thunder-patterned brocade robes of the Gongsun Family stood arrogantly. The leader had a sinister expression and an Aura that was clearly Late Golden Core Stage, while the two behind him were also Mid-stage Golden Core. They had come with aggressive intent.

"System, scan." Lin Xuan thought to himself.

[Scanning... Target: Gongsun Family Punishment Hall Deacon Gongsun Li (Late Golden Core Stage Peak), Deacon A and B (Mid-stage Golden Core). Detected abnormal mental fluctuations in the target, bearing traces of secret suggestions from the Guixu Cult. Carrying the high-level restrictive Magic Treasure 'Spirit Locking Ring'. Purpose: Forcibly bring back the target, Gongsun Yu.]

As expected! The Guixu Cult's infiltration of the Gongsun Family was deep, to the point where they could directly drive the Punishment Hall deacons to come and seize someone!

"Big Brother Lin... They have come after all..." Gongsun Yu's voice trembled, tearful. "I cannot go back... Going back means certain death... They want to use the blood of the clansmen..."

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan had already teleported to Lin Xuan's side. Su Wanqing's icy eyes were filled with malice, the chill around her suddenly rising, and the frost silence sword hummed silently; Qu Feiyan's beautiful face turned cold, and a wisp of blood-red lotus flame, condensed to the extreme, appeared quietly at her fingertips, hiding murderous intent.

"It is fine. I am here." Lin Xuan turned his hand to hold Gongsun Yu's cold, trembling little hand, channeling warm and firm primal nascent soul power into her, instantly smoothing out some of her terror. His gaze met with the two women, Su and Qu; no words were needed, as the determination to advance and retreat together was in everyone's eyes.

Lin Xuan waved his sleeve, and the Restriction on the courtyard gate opened. The four stood side by side, facing the visitors.

"Gongsun Li," Lin Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried the natural pressure of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, causing the three Golden Core Cultivators outside the gate to tense up, "Since when is it the Gongsun Family's turn to throw their weight around within the Qinglan Sect?"

Seeing Lin Xuan, Gongsun Li's pupils shrank. Feeling the Spiritual Pressure that far surpassed a Golden Core, he felt wary, but with a mission to fulfill, he had to bite the bullet and say: "True Monarch Lin! This is an internal affair of our Gongsun Family. Gongsun Yu is a direct descendant and must return to the clan! I ask that you do not interfere in our Family business!"

"Family business?" A cold, sharp arc curled at the corner of Lin Xuan's mouth. "If this Family business of yours involves colluding with the Guixu Cult and attempting to blood sacrifice your own clansmen to exchange for a so-called 'arrival'? Is this also your private Family matter?"

"You... You are spouting nonsense!" Gongsun Li's face changed drastically, and he shouted sternly, though his eyes could not help but flicker.

"Whether I am spouting nonsense or not, you know it in your hearts." Lin Xuan took a step forward. Although he did not deliberately release his pressure, the Nascent Soul Aura that merged with the heavens and the earth already pressed down on the hearts of Gongsun Li and the others like an invisible mountain. "Go back and tell Gongsun Hao that I, Lin Xuan, will protect Gongsun Yu! If you dare to come and pester again, or use any means to coerce..."

His tone turned abruptly cold, and a sliver of sharp murderous intent locked onto the three: "Then I will personally go to your Gongsun Family to see if your Formation is harder, or if my sword is sharper!"

With these words, he was imposing and resolute, striking home!

"Big Brother Lin!" Gongsun Yu looked at Lin Xuan's back, as straight as a mountain, and heard his vow to go to war with a great Family for her sake. Her eyes filled with tears, and her heart was filled with a huge sense of security and intense love.

Su Wanqing looked at the man beside her, a trace of imperceptible tenderness and pride rippling in the depths of her icy eyes.

Qu Feiyan curled her red lips, her eyes sparkling with strange brilliance; she loved this domineering and protective attitude of Lin Xuan's.

Gongsun Li was intimidated by Lin Xuan's Aura and murderous intent, cold sweat dripping down. He knew deeply that facing a Nascent Soul True Monarch with such a tough attitude, there was absolutely no possibility of taking Gongsun Yu away today, and forcing a move would be equivalent to throwing an egg against a rock.

"Fine! Fine! I will definitely pass on True Monarch Lin's words!" Gongsun Li gritted his teeth, leaving behind harsh words, and with a livid face, took the two deacons and fled in a sorry state.

The strong enemy retreated temporarily, and the courtyard returned to tranquility, but the atmosphere became increasingly heavy.

Gongsun Yu threw herself into Lin Xuan's arms and sobbed in a low voice, not just from fear, but more from being moved.

Lin Xuan gently stroked her hair, but his eyes looked towards Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan, saying in a deep voice: "It seems that the matter of the Gongsun Family cannot be delayed. The Guixu Cult has clearly accelerated its pace, and we cannot sit and wait."

Su Wanqing nodded, saying coldly: "It must be resolved as soon as possible to save Xiaoyu's mother and cut off an arm of the Guixu Cult."

A blood light flashed in Qu Feiyan's eyes, and she smiled charmingly: "Exactly, it has been a long time since I stretched my muscles. Those who dare to touch our people must pay the price."

Lin Xuan looked around at the three affectionate confidantes, a warm current surging in his heart, and heroic feelings suddenly arose. Although the road ahead was dangerous, with them by his side, what was there to fear?

"Good! We will make some preparations and then head to the Gongsun Family! This trip is not only to save people, but also to completely disrupt the Guixu Cult's plans!"

A new storm had already been stirred up by the Gongsun Family, and the main group's swords would soon be unsheathed.