Chapter 367: The Struggle of the Great Families, the Refining Heaven Secret Realm

For a moment, Ye Lin did not know if Xie Hong had gone mad or if this world had gone mad.

The head of the Xie family, one of the dignified Five Great Families, riding a ghost-fire scooter? This scene was like seeing the Great Sage Equaling Heaven puffing on a cigarette.

He was now in urgent need of a word more severe than "the collapse of rites and music."

Seeing that Ye Lin did not show the surprise he had imagined, Xie Hong's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Oh no, he had wanted to cater to Ye Lin's preferences, but had he guessed wrong?

But he had clearly seen before that Ye Lin treasured that pink ghost-fire scooter!

"What's wrong? Do you not like the lighting effects?" Xie Hong asked cautiously.

"Father-in-law, I still prefer your original, unruly appearance."

Ye Lin could actually understand Xie Hong's transformation; it was nothing more than seeing his value and wanting to stop being enemies to ease their relationship.

But this transformation of Xie Hong's... was just too explosive.

"You like my unruly appearance? No problem!"

Clang!

With a crisp sound of a blade ringing, the demon blade Black Moon was already held against Ye Lin's neck.

Xie Hong was expressionless, his gaze cold and sharp.

"You promised that upon returning from the Supreme Academy, you would marry Xiaoxiao and hand over the Eternal Ancient Book. Get on the vehicle; don't make me say it a second time."

Ye Lin: "......"

Ye Lin considered himself to have worked very hard at being abstract, but in front of a natural-born talent like Xie Hong, his efforts were not worth mentioning.

After arriving at the Xie family, Ye Lin discovered that the Xie family had been submerged in an ocean of celebration; bright red lanterns hung high, and colorful silks danced in the wind.

The courtyard was filled with all kinds of flowers, presenting a joyous appearance.

"Wait, the wedding venue is already set up? In such a rush?" Ye Lin couldn't help but ask.

"Of course it's urgent."

Xie Hong nodded, then pulled Ye Lin into his study.

"Good son-in-law, it was you who cast that curse on me before, right?" Xie Hong gave Ye Lin a gloomy look.

"Hehe, you caught me."

Ye Lin scratched his head shyly, like a pure-hearted boy who had accidentally done something wrong.

"I knew it!" Xie Hong's face darkened; he had said it was impossible for him to be cursed for no reason! If he hadn't discovered it in time and found a curse master to break it, who knows what would have happened!

"My mistake, I won't do it again next time," Ye Lin quickly promised. "So this is why you are in such a hurry for me to marry Xiaoxiao?"

"Yes, and no."

Xie Hong shook his head and gave Ye Lin a meaningful look; he had thought this guy was an orphan, but he hadn't expected his background to be terrifyingly large.

"The real reason I'm in a hurry is because I need you to represent my Xie family in this upcoming Family Struggle!"

"Hm? What is the Family Struggle?" Ye Lin asked, completely confused.

"Seventy years ago, the previous head of my Xie family, Xie Zhinan, discovered a secret realm entrance named Refining Heaven."

"The Refining Heaven Secret Realm is extremely special; there are no monsters inside, only creatures called Spirit Prisoners. Every time you kill a Spirit Prisoner, you accumulate a layer of Spirit Momentum. All the accumulated Spirit Momentum will be converted into your experience points the moment you step out of the Refining Heaven Secret Realm."

"And every ten years, a Spirit Mother appears among the Spirit Prisoners in the Refining Heaven Secret Realm. At this time, the Five Great Families will send clan members under the age of thirty into the Refining Heaven Secret Realm. If one can seize the Spirit Mother, the Spirit Momentum on their body can instantly double!"

"More importantly, the family that seizes the Spirit Mother becomes the decision-maker for the Five Great Families for the next ten years. This is the once-in-a-decade Family Struggle."

"Ye Lin, do you support my Xie family becoming the decision-maker?"

Xie Hong looked at Ye Lin with burning eyes.

"So... your meaning is to have me marry Xiaoxiao as soon as possible, and then participate in this Family Struggle as the Xie family's son-in-law?" Ye Lin asked.

"Exactly!" Xie Hong nodded. "As a level 74 Forbidden Spellcaster, I have every reason to believe you will seize the Spirit Mother."

Speaking of this, Xie Hong couldn't help but reveal a playful smile.

The reason the Ye family was called the "Ye of the Hanging Heavens" was because they had seized the Spirit Mother in the Family Struggle for five consecutive sessions, serving as the decision-makers for fifty years in a row.

Don't look at the Ye family as if they live in seclusion and keep a low profile; in fact, the Ye family had always been the strongest of the Five Great Families and the leader of the Five Great Families.

Living in seclusion was just to avoid being too prominent and attracting the suspicion of the Son of Heaven.

Having someone with the surname Ye help their Xie family obtain the status of decision-maker—Xie Hong found the thought very interesting.

"Then what do I get out of it?" Ye Lin countered.

"Benefits must be fought for by yourself. If you operate correctly, it wouldn't be difficult to level up five or six times the moment you step out of the Refining Heaven Secret Realm. By the way, inside the Refining Heaven Secret Realm, besides killing Spirit Prisoners, you can also accumulate Spirit Momentum by killing people."

Xie Hong gave Ye Lin a look that was not quite a smile.

"So every time the Family Struggle begins, the Refining Heaven Secret Realm is opened to the outside world for free. As long as one's level does not exceed 90, they are allowed to enter the Refining Heaven Secret Realm."

Ye Lin took over Xie Hong's words and continued.

"And these people who enter the Refining Heaven Secret Realm out of greed become nutrients for the Five Great Families, helping the people of the Five Great Families grow strong. Tsk, you people of the Five Great Families are truly beasts."

Upon hearing this, Xie Hong was not angry; instead, he gave Ye Lin a playful look. This person was ruthless... he even cursed himself.

"Wealth is sought in danger, and also lost in danger; this is an eternal truth. Since those people dare to risk entering the Refining Heaven Secret Realm, they naturally have to pay the price for their greed. So, are you going?"

"I'm going!" Ye Lin nodded, his face full of righteous indignation. "I must go to stop you people of the Five Great Families from harming other class-changers!"

"Fine, then you rest well first. If there is anyone you want to invite, draft a list for me. Three days from now, you and Xiaoxiao will hold the wedding!" Xie Hong nodded and turned to get busy; marrying off a daughter of the Xie family was a big deal.

Ye Lin did not stay at the Xie family but set off to return to the Daxia Academy.

Just as he saw Duan Ling, the long-missed Duan Ling pounced and hugged Ye Lin tightly, clinging to him and inhaling deeply to soothe her longing from this period.

"Hubby, you smell so good!"

"Duan Ling, about that... I have something I want to tell you, prepare yourself mentally." Ye Lin touched his nose, feeling a bit awkward.

"What is it? Go ahead." Duan Ling remained immersed in the scent on Ye Lin.

"Your husband... might be getting married."

"Hm...... Hm?!"