The Chao family was situated within a maple forest spanning hundreds of li in radius.
This maple forest was somewhat peculiar. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth here was denser than outside.
Within the Chao family grounds, there was a teleportation array, which had always been under the Chao family’s control.
At this moment, in a room within the Chao family estate, a middle-aged man and an elderly man sat together. Both wore expressions of furrowed brows and deep concern.
“Look at what you’ve done with the daughter you brought into this world!”
The elder pointed accusingly at the middle-aged man and scolded, “Yin Tianlei will pass through our Chao family soon on his way to the Qiulu Mountains. Even if Yin Tianlei takes no interest in her, the other spirit controllers are no slouches either. Yet she went off on an adventure with that boy Li Hao instead!”
The elder grew more agitated as he spoke and directly cursed, “What does that Li Hao boy have going for him? The Li family’s background isn’t even fit to polish our Chao family’s shoes!”
“If Li Hao had exceptional talent himself, that might be one thing, but he’s in his thirties and hasn’t even reached the half-step Martial Emperor realm. If those two end up together, where does that leave our Chao family’s reputation!” The elder berated the middle-aged man in full fury.
“Father, Rong’er turning out like this is all because of how you spoiled her,” the middle-aged man said, brimming with frustration.
“My spoiling? Say that again, who exactly spoiled her?” the elder roared.
The middle-aged man quickly shut his mouth, sensing the futility of arguing.
Seeing that the middle-aged man was no longer retorting, the elder paused for a moment. His anger subsided somewhat, and then he said, “So, tell me, how do we resolve this now?”
“I’ve already sent people out to find her,” the middle-aged man replied.
“I’m talking about the matter with Li Hao,” the elder said gravely.
“That Li Hao has limited talent and won’t amount to much. If Rong’er stays with him, she’ll ruin her own future. Naturally, I won’t allow those two to be together,” the middle-aged man stated firmly.
“And then?” the elder pressed.
“So, when I sent people out to look for Rong’er, I’ve already made arrangements. They’ll find an opportunity to kill Li Hao,” the middle-aged man said, a resolute expression crossing his face.
“You’d better think this through carefully. If Rong’er finds out, she’ll hate you for the rest of her life,” the elder warned, his tone drawing out slowly.
The middle-aged man shook his head, a mix of reluctance and unyielding determination in his voice as he said, “To give her a better future, as her father, I must do this. Even if it means she hates me forever, I have no choice.”
A look of melancholy appeared on the elder’s face. He let out a long sigh, waved his hand, and said, “Go on, leave.”
The middle-aged man nodded and was just rising to his feet when a voice called from outside, “Report!”
“Come in!” the elder called sharply. The door opened, and a guard entered, reporting, “A young man has emerged from the teleportation array and is preparing to leave. Should the family head go to meet him?”
“Is it Yin Tianlei?” the elder asked immediately.
The guard shook his head, “An unfamiliar face, not from Spirit Phoenix Valley.”
“Oh?” The elder was momentarily taken aback, a touch of disappointment flickering across his features. But then he added, “Anyone who can use the teleportation array must either possess remarkable strength themselves or have considerable backing. Go and meet him.”
With that, the elder and the middle-aged man hurriedly followed the guard out of the room.
At the Chao family array altar.
The person who appeared on the Chao family array altar was none other than Lin Xiao.
To Lin Xiao’s surprise, this place was neither within a city nor controlled by a city lord’s mansion, but rather inside a family clan.
This clan was the Chao family, one of the larger Martial Emperor-level family powers in the region.
When the nearby guard mentioned inviting Lin Xiao to the guest quarters, Lin Xiao refused outright at first.
After all, he had learned his lesson from before.
He was unsure whether the people here had received the wanted notice from Spirit Phoenix Valley.
However, the other party insisted on the invitation and even went to inform the family head. After inquiring about the Chao family head’s strength, Lin Xiao decided to stay put for the time being.
The Chao family head was a seventh-rank Martial Emperor powerhouse. If it came to blows, Lin Xiao knew he would be outmatched.
But with the Purple Corpse Puppet, the explosive pills in his storage ring, Shangguan Xiong’s energy weapon, and the Void Heaven Phoenix Wings, while he might not defeat the Chao family head, escaping was still feasible.
Moreover, those who controlled such teleportation arrays were generally shrewd. As long as he displayed some strength and intimidated them with a fabricated background, they usually wouldn’t act rashly.
Thus, Lin Xiao wasn’t overly worried.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a group of people hurried towards Lin Xiao.
Leading them was an plainly dressed elder with a kindly face and a smile as warm as a spring breeze.
It was clear without asking that this must be the Chao family head.
“Hahaha, I didn’t know you were coming, young brother. Please forgive my poor hospitality!” The Chao family head chuckled amiably at Lin Xiao.
“Family Head Chao is too polite!” Lin Xiao returned the courtesy. Unsure of the Chao family head’s intentions, he circulated his vital energy internally and grew vigilant.
“Hehe, so young, yet already beyond our scrutiny. You truly are exceptional, young brother. Might I ask which family’s disciple you are?” the Chao family head asked with a smile.
“I am Lin Xiao, merely a lone cultivator,” Lin Xiao stated directly, revealing his name. If the other knew of him, they would recognize it without him saying, so he might as well state it plainly.
Upon hearing Lin Xiao’s name, the Chao family head paused, unable to recall any prominent Lin family in the vicinity. He half-believed, half-doubted Lin Xiao’s identity, then laughed, “Hehe, even as a lone cultivator, young brother Lin Xiao must be a dragon among men. If you don’t mind, please come to our Chao family drawing room. Allow us to play the proper hosts, entertain you well, and perhaps forge a good connection between our Chao family and you, young brother.”
At these words, Lin Xiao felt a twinge of uncertainty. Had the Chao family truly not received word? It seemed as if the other party genuinely had no idea.
After all, with the man’s seventh-rank Martial Emperor strength, if he knew, he should have made a move by now.
But human hearts were unpredictable, so Lin Xiao had to remain cautious.
Accepting the Chao family’s hospitality was out of the question. What if they poisoned him? He would be done for.
“Thank you for your kind intentions, Family Head Chao, but this junior has urgent matters and cannot stay long. Please forgive me,” Lin Xiao declined.
“Oh? That’s a pity then. In such a hurry, young brother, are you perhaps heading to the Qiulu Mountains for training?” the Chao family head asked further.
“Qiulu Mountains?” Lin Xiao was caught off guard. Why had the other suddenly mentioned the Qiulu Mountains? Could it be that the man truly knew nothing of him?
“I wonder, what is the Qiulu Mountains? Lately, many people have been going there?” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but ask.
He had heard of the Qiulu Mountains from Yin Tianlei’s mouth before.
And now, upon learning of his intent to leave, the first guess from this Chao family head was the Qiulu Mountains. This piqued his curiosity immensely.
