18: Chapter 18 The Grand Competition

Ye Chen followed the Scar-faced Guard, stepping into the Lin Mansion once again.

This time, the way the Lin Family guards and servants looked at him was clearly different from before.

There was less scrutiny and indifference, replaced by more curiosity and even a faint, hard-to-detect trace of awe.

The news of Ye Chen defeating Wang Teng and escaping an assassination attempt unscathed had clearly spread within the Lin Mansion.

Now that his aura was restrained yet held the imposing presence of a deep pool and a towering mountain, people dared not underestimate him.

Scarface did not lead him toward the quiet room in the bamboo grove, but instead guided him through several courtyards to a more secluded study.

Standing outside the study were two Elders with steady auras and sharp eyes; they were actually experts of the Wheel Sea Realm, clearly the core guards of the Lin Family.

“The Young Miss is waiting inside. Please, Young Master Ye.”

Scarface stopped at the door and bowed to signal him in.

Ye Chen nodded and pushed the door open.

The study was furnished in a simple and ancient style, filled with the scent of books. By the window was a large red sandalwood desk, neatly arranged with the four treasures of the study and some scrolls.

Lin Qingxue was not sitting in the main seat; instead, she stood before a row of bookshelves, reaching out to take down a thick classic volume.

Today, she wore moon-white casual clothes, her black hair simply held up by a jade hairpin. She lacked some of her usual cold detachment and had a bit more of a quiet, domestic grace.

Hearing the door open, she turned around. Her gaze fell upon Ye Chen, and a flash of surprise crossed her clear eyes before she regained her composure.

“You’ve had a Breakthrough?”

She put down the book in her hand. Though her tone was a question, it carried a sense of certainty.

“By a stroke of luck, I’ve just entered the Fifth Level.”

Ye Chen did not hide it. Before a Wheel Sea Realm expert like Lin Qingxue, the transformation of one's aura was difficult to completely conceal.

“Fifth Level of Meridian Opening, 'Connecting the Four Extremities'...”

Lin Qingxue stepped closer, carefully sensing the faint aura around Ye Chen that subtly resonated with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and she nodded slightly.

“And your Foundation is stable, not forced. It seems the Cold Water Arts indeed has a miraculous effect on you.”

She gestured for Ye Chen to sit in a nearby sandalwood chair while she sat opposite him, personally pouring two cups of hot tea and pushing one toward him.

“I asked you here for two matters.” Lin Qingxue skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, her expression slightly grave.

“The first is regarding the people who tried to assassinate you last night.”

Ye Chen picked up the teacup, his fingertips feeling the warmth of the porcelain: “Any leads?”

“Yes.” Lin Qingxue nodded.

“Scarface took men to secretly examine those corpses. Although there were no identifying marks on them, the saber techniques used by two of them, along with a residual cold internal force in their bodies, point to an organization—the 'Shadow Fiend'.”

“Shadow Fiend?”

Ye Chen frowned; he had never heard of this name.

“An assassin organization more secretive and dangerous than the Black Fiend Gang,” Lin Qingxue explained.

“They are active in several surrounding towns, doing work for money with ruthless methods and mysterious movements. The price to hire them is extremely high, and it is said that the Shadow Fiend has a rule when taking a job—never stop until the target is dead.”

“Never stop until death?” Ye Chen’s eyes turned cold.

“It means if they fail once, they will send stronger assassins until the target dies or the employer withdraws the commission.”

Lin Qingxue looked at him.

“To be able to hire the ‘Shadow Fiend’ and pay the price for them to adhere to the ‘never stop until death’ rule, the person behind the scenes has no small ambitions.”

Ye Chen was silent for a moment before putting down his teacup: “Is it the Wang Family, or the Ye Family's Grand Elder?”

“Both are possible, or perhaps both together.”

Lin Qingxue’s fingertips lightly tapped the tabletop.

“Wang Teng was defeated by you, causing the Wang Family to lose face; they have every reason to want you gone. Ye Rushan views you as a threat and wishes to clear the path for Ye Hu; that is also possible. It’s even possible that other forces want to kill you to test my Lin Family's reaction.”

The study fell into a temporary silence.

An invisible pressure permeated the air. A top-tier assassin organization that never stops until death.

Like a poisonous snake hidden in the shadows, one never knew when it would strike its next fatal blow.

“Soldiers will be blocked by generals, and water by earth.” Ye Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the chill in his heart, his gaze sharp.

“If they want my life, it won't be that easy.”

Sensing the confidence and tenacity in Ye Chen's tone, a flash of admiration crossed Lin Qingxue's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by worry.

“Open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against. You must be more careful in your future actions. For the time being, unless necessary, try to stay near the Lin Mansion, or... I can arrange for manpower to ensure your safety.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss Lin.” Ye Chen shook his head.

“But I cannot keep hiding forever. Besides, I am not a soft persimmon that anyone can just squeeze.”

He paused and looked at Lin Qingxue, “What is the second matter?”

Lin Qingxue seemed to have expected his refusal and did not persist, turning instead to say,

“The second matter is related to next month’s ‘Three Clans Grand Competition’.”

“Has there been a change in the rules?”

“The rules are largely the same, but the rewards for this competition, and the meaning behind them, far exceed those of the past.”

Lin Qingxue’s tone became serious.

“The City Lord's Mansion released news yesterday that the top three of this competition will not only receive generous rewards of Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones but will also gain the qualification to explore the ‘Black Iron Mining Area’ on the outskirts of the ‘Cloud Mist Mountain Range’!”

“Black Iron Mining Area?”

Ye Chen’s heart stirred.

Black iron was a basic material for refining Magical Artifacts; a black iron mine meant immense wealth and strategic resources.

There had long been rumors of a black iron mine discovered near Qingyun City; he hadn't expected it to be true, nor that the City Lord's Mansion intended to use it as a prize for the competition.

“Correct.” Lin Qingxue nodded.

“More importantly, the City Lord's Mansion hinted that the performance in this mining area exploration will directly affect the future distribution of mining rights! This means that this clash between the younger generation of the three great families will likely determine the power structure of each Family in Qingyun City for decades to come!”

Ye Chen instantly understood the stakes involved.

This was no longer just a contest between young disciples, but a rehearsal for the future destiny of the three great families!

No wonder the Wang Family was so desperate to eliminate him, a variable, and no wonder Ye Rushan did not hesitate to collude with outsiders against his own kin!

“Wang Teng of the Wang Family and Ye Hu of the Ye Family will certainly participate. Both were already at the Peak of the Meridian Opening Fourth Level; with the incentive of the mining area qualification, their families will surely pour all their resources into training them. By then, they will likely both have broken through to the Fifth Level, or even higher.”

Lin Qingxue looked at Ye Chen.

“Though you have also broken through to the Fifth Level, it has been a short time, and... you have no Family resources to support you.”

Ye Chen remained silent.

It was true; he was alone, and all his cultivation resources came from his 'trades' with Lin Qingxue and his own life-and-death struggles.

Compared to those direct descendants backed by their families, his Innate disadvantage was immense.

“So, I asked you here to ask you,”

Lin Qingxue leaned forward slightly, her eyes burning as she looked at him.

“Ye Chen, are you willing to truly represent the Lin Family and fight in this grand competition?”

Ye Chen raised his head and met her gaze: “What do you mean, Miss Lin?”

“If you fight as a Guest Elder of the Lin Family, my Lin Family can rightfully provide you with preferential resources.”

Lin Qingxue said slowly.

“Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, even guidance from Wheel Sea Realm Elders—as long as you need it, the Lin Family will do its best to satisfy you. We will help you increase your strength in the shortest time possible to a level where you can contend with Wang Teng and Ye Hu, or even... surpass them!”

The offer was incredibly tempting.

It meant he would obtain the cultivation resources he dreamed of and rapidly increase his strength.

But the price was that he would be completely labeled as a member of the Lin Family, sharing in their glory and their downfall.

The study fell silent again, save for the occasional faint crackle of the lamp wick.

Ye Chen did not answer immediately.

He picked up the tea, which had grown slightly cool, took a sip, and cast his gaze toward the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window.

He needed power and resources, but he did not want to become a complete dependent of any Family.

Ye Chen had his own path to walk, a sister to protect, and more importantly, that mysterious Beauty Record he needed to explore.

After a long while, Ye Chen put down the teacup and looked at Lin Qingxue, who had been quietly waiting for his answer, and spoke.

“Miss Lin, I appreciate your kindness. But I, Ye Chen, am used to being alone.”

A flash of hard-to-detect disappointment crossed Lin Qingxue’s eyes, but she did not interrupt him.

“However,” Ye Chen’s tone shifted, becoming firm.

“I will participate in the competition. I will also fight for the qualification for the Black Iron Mining Area. Not just for myself, but also to repay Miss Lin for your many favors. If I can ultimately win benefits for the Lin Family, that would be for the best. If not, I, Ye Chen, will certainly give my all and will not let the Lin Family's reputation suffer.”

He did not choose complete dependence, but instead expressed an attitude of cooperation.

I will fight for you, but I will do it in my own way.

Lin Qingxue looked at him quietly for a while, the disappointment in her eyes gradually fading.

It was replaced by a more complex look, one of appreciation and understanding.

And perhaps a hint of relief.

Lin Qingxue let out a soft breath, the corners of her mouth curling up ever so slightly.

“Fine. Since this is your choice, I respect it. The status of Lin Family Guest Elder remains valid, and as for cultivation resources, I will provide them to you in my personal name. It won't be considered Family favoritism, so as not to give others a handle against us.”

This was undoubtedly the best outcome. He received practical support while maintaining relative independence.

“Thank you, Miss Lin,” Ye Chen thanked her sincerely.

“No need to thank me.”

Lin Qingxue stood up, walked to the desk, picked up a brocade pouch that had been prepared long ago, and handed it to Ye Chen.