Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 426 - 237. Celestial Master Tang’s mana has already become overwhelming.

Observing the situation at Dragon Bone Ridge, it was clear they had suffered a sudden assault, one without any prior signs or warnings. This indicated that the assailants had headed straight for Dragon Bone Ridge and possessed considerable strength.

Back on Great Black Mountain, the few members of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan privy to the situation exchanged dismayed glances, their expressions momentarily complex. The first thought in everyone’s mind was the natural suspicion that information had been leaked.

Clan Chief Lin Che steadied himself. Though surprised, he showed no outward disturbance, maintaining his composure as he turned to the man beside him. "Fifth Brother, come with me to take a look."

Standing beside him was a tall, robust middle-aged man who resembled a Martial Artist more than a Confucian scholar. He gave a steady nod. "It would be my honor to accompany you, Third Brother."

This tall, middle-aged man was Lin Yuwei, a top expert from a collateral branch of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan that had risen to prominence in recent years. His cultivation had reached the Eightfold Heaven Realm. At his current level of strength, his status could hardly be defined merely by the distinction between main and collateral lineage. He was qualified to be a core member of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan and possessed enough power to establish his own Portal and form a separate branch.

However, for the past ten-odd years, the Jiangzhou Lin Clan had been plagued by internal unrest and complex, stirring undercurrents, which was why Lin Yuwei had remained in Jiangzhou. Consequently, many distant relatives from other branches of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan had gathered around Lin Yuwei. With additional support from powerful allies outside Jiangzhou, they gradually became an undeniable force within the region, further complicating the Lin Clan’s internal dynamics.

The disappearance of Clan Chief Lin Che and the main family elder Lin Feng seven years ago had further exacerbated this situation. Furthermore, after Lin Yuwei killed Li Zhengxuan of the Celestial Master Mansion—nominally regaining face for Lin Zhen and for the defeat in the battle at Poyang Lake—his personal reputation soared even higher.

However, all this turmoil began to subside with Lin Che’s sudden return. In the two years since Lin Che’s return to Jiangzhou, he had treated Lin Yuwei and his faction quite generously, and Lin Yuwei, in turn, was no longer as high-profile as before.

Whether Lin Che bringing Lin Yuwei along on this secret trip to the Northern Border signified trust or distrust, only those involved truly knew. Lin Yuwei and the members of the collateral branches who accompanied him only knew they were to follow Lin Che and the others to make preparations on Great Black Mountain; they were unaware of the situation at Dragon Bone Ridge. Therefore, any investigation into a leak would naturally not point to them.

Precisely for this reason, the few who *were* privy to the Dragon Bone Ridge operation became even more puzzled, now even suspecting one another.

Clan Chief Lin Che, however, cut through the knot of suspicion with a swift decision. Besides ordering Lin Yuwei and his men to immediately set out and reinforce Dragon Bone Ridge, he turned to another elder and said, "The situation has changed. It may not proceed as smoothly as we anticipated. If any mishap occurs, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you, Likong, and your people."

The elder replied, "Chengming, there’s no need for such formality. This matter doesn’t just concern Jiangzhou. Since it’s happening in the Northern Border, we of Youzhou will not stand idly by."

He was also dressed as a Great Scholar, though his attire showed slight differences from that of Lin Che, Lin Yuwei, and other members of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan. This elder also bore the surname Lin; his name was Lin Likong, and he was not a member of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan. Rather, he was a true powerhouse of the Northern Border, a clan elder from the Youzhou Forest Clan.

As he himself had stated, the Youzhou Forest Clan would not turn a blind eye to events occurring within Youzhou or anywhere else in the Northern Border. When the Jiangzhou Lin Clan had ventured north this time, busying themselves around Great Black Mountain and Dragon Bone Ridge, they had informed the Youzhou Forest Clan beforehand. In response, the Youzhou Forest Clan had dispatched a clan elder, Lin Likong, to lead some of their own members and coordinate directly with Lin Che’s group. For one, they were more familiar with the local terrain and even the flow patterns of Earth Vein Spiritual Qi. For another, if necessary, they were prepared to provide direct assistance to Lin Che and his contingent.

The North and South Lin Clans were known to be at odds. Among the world’s top Noble Clans, their relationship ranked near the bottom, characterized by frequent disputes and mutual repudiation, with each commonly dismissing the other as a "secondary lineage." Yet, throughout their long history, there had also been times of cooperation between the two.

Previously, the Youzhou Forest Clan had supported the Jiangzhou Lin Clan, which led to the ancient sacrificial rite during the decisive battle at Poyang Lake, an event that had caught the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion completely off guard. Had any other cultivator at the Eightfold Heaven Realm faced it, they likely would have been suppressed on the spot. However, Xu Yuanzhen’s array of Divine Skills also took the Lin Clan by surprise. Consequently, the ritual failed to achieve its intended effect and even cost them Lin Feng, an Eighth Heavenly Layer elder of the Jiangzhou Lin Clan. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Clan Chief Lin Che himself had been lost in the Outer Realm Void for many years. He had suffered numerous injuries and only gradually recovered after returning to Jiangzhou and recuperating for over two years. During this period, the situation in the Great Tang had shifted repeatedly. A new Tang Emperor ascended the throne, seemingly in an impatient hurry to turn his blades against the major Noble Clans and Renowned Families. Although these prominent families often schemed against one another, under such circumstances, they were bound to temporarily set aside past grievances and unite.

The North and South Lin Clans were no exception. Although they backed different candidates for the succession of the Tang Emperor, that was a concern for the future. For now, they faced a common enemy: Empress Zhang Wantong. And, by extension, her supporters and enforcers—her wings and claws. That bunch of arrogant priests from the Celestial Master Mansion was one such group.

"The East Sea Guest is nearby," Lin Likong’s voice suddenly dropped, audible only to him and Lin Che.

Hearing this, Lin Che’s eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly. "My thanks for your efforts, Likong."

The so-called East Sea Guest, in the parlance of today’s Noble Clans and Renowned Families, actually referred to the heretical Buddhist group, the Great Void Temple. The Great Void Temple had retreated overseas in bygone years but had recently returned with a vengeance. Whether during their initial period of recuperation overseas or their current resurgence after returning to the mainland, the clandestine support of Noble Clans in terms of resources and intelligence had been indispensable. The Jiangzhou Lin Clan’s dealings with them were relatively minor; this sphere of activity was mainly handled by the three great coastal families—the Youzhou Lin, the Qingzhou Ye, and the Suzhou Chu.