Chapter 168: The Maid's Daughter, I Am Only Thirty

Hearing Qingfeng Zhandi's explanation, Lin Yang narrowed his eyes, a hint of disdain welling up in his heart.

As expected, this is yet another stale, age-old trope: a maid marrying an emperor, and their child, due to the mother's low status, is ostracized by the orthodox members of the Imperial Clan.

And that maid's daughter was remarkably spirited, not knocked down by fate; rather, with no one to help her pursue her lofty aspirations, she forged her own path through snow to the mountain summit.

Striving against those who scorn her, she fights against heaven itself for her life.

Such a clichéd plot is utterly boring.

He looked at Qingfeng Zhandi and slowly said, "You say her status is lowly, that she lacks the qualifications to oppose fate's injustice?"

Qingfeng Zhandi nodded without hesitation, his expression revealing unquestionable arrogance as he said, "Exactly. The Imperial Clan earns its name through unmatched strength, intricate connections, and an immensely powerful backing."

"She's merely a maid's daughter—what capital does she have to compete with true divine sons and daughters?"

"Even if she luckily passes the assessment and gets a chance to vie for the succession, with no one backing her, what good would it do?"

"Look at her siblings—who doesn't have a powerful backing?"

"Thus, letting her pass the assessment is actually pushing her into the abyss; it would be better to let her fail and spend her life muddling through this world."

"The mountain peak is indeed high, but also indeed cramped, unable to accommodate so many; sometimes, muddling along in a daze is actually a blessing."

Lin Yang fell silent for a moment, inwardly agreeing with Qingfeng Zhandi's words—after all, even a minor Qingyun Sect engages in open and covert struggles over status, sneaking about furtively.

What more of a deeply rooted, vast Imperial Clan?

The struggles within must be terrifying beyond imagination.

Had it been an ordinary person, he might have chosen to stay aloof, but since Yu Xian'er earned the System's acknowledgment, and the System even had him take her as a disciple, this means Yu Xian'er is no ordinary pond-dweller.

Such a person ought to rise against the current, breaking the shackles of fate.

Lin Yang asked, "Do you know what the next line of my poem is?"

Qingfeng Zhandi shook his head with a bewildered expression, a flicker of curiosity crossing his eyes.

Since the other party has already seen through the lie that verses can provoke the Azure Sword's resonance, why bring it up?

He couldn't help but ask, "What is the next line?"

Lin Yang's gaze firm, he looked toward the distance and then slowly said, "Heaven endowed me with talent for a purpose; though I squander a thousand gold, it will return."

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng Zhandi murmured softly, "Heaven endowed me with talent for a purpose; though I squander a thousand gold, it will return?"

His brows knit tight, his eyes revealing a hint of bewilderment as he struggled to grasp the depth of Lin Yang's words, yet could not catch it; he could only stare fixedly at Lin Yang, awaiting further explanation.

Lin Yang's expression calm, his voice resonant as he said, "Since Yu Xian'er was born into the Imperial Clan, she must possess inherent worth."

"Perhaps, precisely because she appears within the Imperial Clan, the clan will usher in a more glorious future, reaping immeasurable wealth."

Qingfeng Zhandi blinked slightly, unable to deny that Lin Yang's words were extremely persuasive.

Yet the harsh reality made him feel it all amounted to empty talk.

They exclaimed in unison, "Even if what you say is reasonable, indeed each person has their own purpose, but some things are not hers to contend for or seize."

"If she could accept the status quo and become an uncontentious Imperial Clan lady, she could still live a peaceful life."

"But she, arrogantly considering herself extraordinary, dares to vie for the Imperial Clan's succession—a mistake from the very start."

"Moreover, it will leave her without a place to bury her body; even after death, no one will tend to her remains."

Lin Yang replied candidly, "So-called mistake, at its root, isn't it just because her mother was a maid, leaving her without a powerful backing?"

"You're right," Qingfeng Zhandi nodded, a hint of helplessness in his expression, and said slowly, "This is her greatest predicament at present—no one can help her change this situation."

Lin Yang, however, firmly shook his head and said, "That girl shares a karmic bond with me; I intend to take her as my disciple."

As his words fell, a mighty, matchless aura suddenly surged forth from within Lin Yang.

His entire being exuded a chilling imperial might, his voice booming like thunder as he spoke.

"However great a backing Yu Xian'er needs, I will provide it; however strong a background she requires, I will forge it for her—if she wishes to contend for the Imperial Clan's succession, I will surely assist her with all my strength."

Such a scene left Qingfeng Zhandi and Jiang Yuehuo beside him stunned in an instant.

The terrifying aura and unwavering resolve displayed by Lin Yang left them astonished beyond measure.

Even, for a moment they could not utter a word.

Qingfeng Zhandi drew several deep breaths, striving to calm his inner turmoil, then spoke steadily, "That girl has indeed not yet taken a master."

"However, forgive my frankness—you are merely a person from the lower realms; even with some ability, how could you sway the Imperial Clan's situation?"

"You simply cannot give her a solid backing."

Lin Yang's gaze blazed like a torch as he fixedly stared at Qingfeng Zhandi and said, "Do you dislike my strength being too weak?"

Qingfeng Zhandi unabashedly nodded: "Weak, weak to an outrageous extreme."

In an instant.

Lin Yang's whole body blazed with light as his Sword Dao Sacred Body instantly activated.

The powerful sword light was blindingly dazzling, as if it would illuminate the entire private room.

Seeing this, Qingfeng Zhandi's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

"I indeed still underestimated you—you not only possess two Imperial Swords, but have also cultivated a Sword Dao Sacred Body; you truly have some skill."

Even Jiang Yuehuo beside him was somewhat shocked.

Who would have thought, the man she selected turns out to be this formidable.

However.

Faced with Qingfeng Zhandi's words, Lin Yang did not halt his steps in displaying his strength.

Only saw him swiftly form seals with both hands, whereupon his Shadow Sacred Body was released.

The entire private room was instantly shrouded in a layer of darkness, only Lin Yang's body emitting a faint, gloomy glow.

Lin Yang glanced at the astonished Qingfeng Zhandi, whose mouth hung open.

Immediately thereafter.

He paused not at all, as his Chaos Sacred Body erupted with a boom.

A strand of majestic chaotic qi, like a brilliant galaxy, slowly flowed behind Lin Yang.

It emitted an aura capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Three kinds of holy bodies appeared simultaneously.

The powerful aura instantly made the entire private room shake as if about to collapse.

Qingfeng War Emperor and Jiang Yuehuo were completely stunned.

Qingfeng War Emperor's face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"How... how is this possible?"

"How could this happen?"

"How can you possibly possess two imperial artifacts and three holy bodies at once?"

Although he came from a higher-level continent and had seen countless geniuses and powerhouses,

but the terrifying foundation and talent displayed by Lin Yang before him still gave him an unprecedented shock.

On their continent, such talent would absolutely be considered top-notch.

Even the well-informed Jiang Yuehuo was similarly dumbstruck.

She had originally thought Lin Yang was merely somewhat strong in strength, with a bit of domineering aura.

She never imagined he could be this powerful.

However, the stronger Lin Yang became, the happier she felt.

In the scene, facing Qingfeng War Emperor's exclamation.

Lin Yang merely smiled faintly, speaking in a calm and light tone: "Right, I forgot to tell you, I'm only thirty years old this year."

"At thirty, I have this strength; am I qualified to be a solid backing for Yu Xian'er?"