Chapter 283: Zexi Liu Family

In front of the stone tablet!

At this moment, figures appeared one by one, and the four great families' clan members waiting here also became excited.

The interest division of the four clans in Lin Hai County for the next ten years was finally about to have a result.

Everyone's gaze looked toward the stone tablet for the first time.

When those who went in were about to be teleported out, the stone tablet would count the points on all tokens and then display them on the stone tablet, making the high and low points of the four great families clear at a glance.

【Xiang Family: 52】

"We actually obtained 52 points this time!"

After seeing the score displayed on the stone tablet, the young clan members of the Xiang family cheered immediately; this score could have vied for first place in previous years.

Even if they couldn't vie for first place this time, they would absolutely be able to rank second.

For this ranking, the Xiang family members were already very satisfied.

【Zhou Family: 58】

The Zhou family members on the side, after seeing this score, had their expressions become serious. In previous years, it was always their Zhou family and the Xiang family taking turns at the bottom, and this time the Xiang family obtained a high score of 52 points; didn't that mean this session would again be their Zhou family at the bottom?

"Haha, actually surpassed the Xiang family!"

"This time we are either first or second."

The moment the score appeared, the Zhou family members shouted loudly; the Zhuang family, who was first in the previous session, only had 56 points.

Looking at the smiles on the faces of the Xiang family and Zhou family members, the Dan family and Zhuang family had completely opposite expressions at this moment.

"Even the Xiang family and Zhou family could have this score this time; our Zhuang family will only be better."

"Perhaps there were many demon beasts alone this time, which led to the rise in points; I don't know what these two families are happy about."

"Correct, if it were one family's points being high, it could be said that this session rose up, but with two families, it must be that a change occurred in the ruins, leading to demon beasts becoming easy to kill."

If the Zhuang family could still maintain confidence relying on the battles of previous years, the expressions of the Dan family members at this moment were very ugly.

The points of the Xiang family and Zhou family were so high, and the remaining were their Dan family and the Zhuang family.

The Zhuang family's worst in recent sessions was second; even with more confidence, the Dan family didn't think their own points would be higher than the Zhuang family's.

Not to mention that the Zhuang family also had a Gao Gao Yongsi ranked eighth on the Earth Ranking this time.

Their Dan family was afraid they were going to be at the bottom this time.

"The score is out!"

A Dan family member suddenly opened his mouth, and everyone's gaze looked toward the stone tablet.

On the stone tablet, the two characters "Dan Family" slowly appeared.

"Better exceed 52 points."

"Don't be at the bottom."

"Damn!"

"This...... Heaven bless my Dan family!"

The tone of the Dan family young people went from the prayer at the beginning, and the moment the number appeared, they erupted into earth-

【Dan Family: 108】

At the scene, the other three families stared fixedly at this number.

One hundred and eight points, the score breaking one hundred... such a score had not appeared in the previous ten competitions.

"This is impossible. By what right does the Dan family have such a high score?"

Even as confident as the Zhuang family was, they were not calm at this moment.

As for the young people from the Zhou family and the Xiang family, their mouths were slightly agape, their faces filled with astonishment.

They had originally thought their own family's score was already very high, but they hadn't expected the Dan family to break one hundred. How was this done?

The several elders of the Dan family standing at the very front looked at each other, and at this moment, smiles also appeared on their faces.

In this four-family competition, the clan had not expected to take first place; their goal was to secure third and contend for second. The younger generation in the clan this time was not considered outstanding in terms of strength among the four clans, and the geniuses they had invited were not exactly famous figures either.

"It seems there must have been many lone demonic beasts in the ruins this time. The scores of both the Zhou and Xiang families are far higher than in previous years, and the Dan family has even broken one hundred. Then our Zhuang family's score will only be higher."

The several elders of the Zhuang family also had shock in their eyes, but immediately, smiles appeared on their faces.

What determines the height of the score is strength.

No matter what situation appeared in the ruins, the scores of the other three families had risen compared to previous years, and their Zhuang family was the same.

Just wait patiently.

After one breath, a new line began to appear on the stone tablet.

The several elders of the Zhuang family watched the stone tablet with composure, waiting for a higher number to appear.

【Zhuang Family: 44】

Wow!

The moment this number appeared, the scene was in an uproar.

The smiles of the Zhuang family elders, previously so confident, vanished, and the other clansmen of the Zhuang family had expressions of disbelief in their eyes.

Their Zhuang family's score this time was actually so low.

Bottom of the list, fourth place!

This was the worst ranking the Zhuang family had ever had in a hundred years.

"Hilarious. I saw the Zhuang family speaking so confidently earlier, saying their score would only be higher."

"Forty-four points, that would be considered decent in previous years, but unfortunately, it can only be at the bottom this time."

Once the Zhuang family's score was out, the clansmen of the other three families all had expressions of schadenfreude. The Zhuang family had taken first place for several consecutive competitions, and the other three families had all been holding back a breath of frustration.

Unfortunately, the competition relies on strength to speak. Even if they were unconvinced in their hearts, there was indeed a gap in strength compared to the Zhuang family, and in every competition, they could only endure the smugness and mockery of the Zhuang family members.

Now that the situation had reversed and the Zhuang family was at the bottom, it was finally their turn to mock the Zhuang family once.

"There must have been a huge change in the ruins, otherwise it's impossible for the score to be like this."

"That's right, once Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and the others come out, we'll know what happened."

The Zhuang family patriarch looked toward the other three families at this moment, his eyes filled with a sinister look: "If anyone colluded to target my Zhuang family, my Zhuang family will absolutely not let it go."

"Old man Zhuang, what you're saying is truly laughable. What do you mean by targeting your Zhuang family? Does it mean only your Zhuang family can be first?"

The Zhou family patriarch snorted coldly: "In the past, when my Zhou family was at the bottom, I never said we were targeted by you all colluding. How is it that when it's your Zhuang family at the bottom, it becomes being targeted by collusion?"

The Dan family patriarch and the Xiang family patriarch on the side showed smiles on their old faces. The Zhou family being at the bottom was because the Zhou family's strength was just like that.

This time, the Zhuang family's score dropping significantly was indeed beyond their expectations.

But just as the Zhou family patriarch said, the competition results were already out; even if the Zhuang family didn't want to accept it, they had no choice.

"The competition has been held for dozens of sessions, and never has a clan had any objection to the score ranking. If any clan does not accept it, the other three clans can join forces to attack them; this was the agreement jointly promised by our ancestors and predecessors."

The Dan family patriarch spoke slowly. Although the Xiang family patriarch on the side did not speak, his silence represented agreement.

"Hmph!"

Facing the joint pressure from the three patriarchs, the Zhuang family patriarch snorted lightly. Just as he was about to continue speaking, figures began to appear in front of the stone tablet.

Dozens of figures appeared at the scene collectively.

Instantly, the entire scene became noisy.

The young people of each clan returned to their respective families.

Only the Zhuang family members, the moment they were teleported out, immediately shouted loudly.

"Patriarch, Big Brother Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Second Brother Zhuang Lei are dead!"

Once these words were spoken, the previously noisy scene instantly fell silent.

Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Lei were both grandsons of the Zhuang family patriarch, and also the two strongest and most talented individuals of the Zhuang family's younger generation. The death of these two in the ruins would be a huge blow to the Zhuang family.

Even the three patriarchs who had previously used words to pressure the Zhuang family had their expressions become solemn at this moment.

It was not that people hadn't died in the ruins before, but usually, it was the invited geniuses who died inside, or those who died were non-direct disciples of each clan. Each clan had unspoken rules; even if conflicts and fights broke out, the fighting between direct disciples was always stopped at a certain point.

"Everyone, stop right there!"

Hearing the words of his clansmen, the Zhuang family patriarch's face was instantly filled with anger, and he let out an angry shout.

At this moment, Lin Chen and Liu Yue, who had also just appeared, looked at each other. Liu Yue nodded toward Lin Chen, signaling that she had a backup plan.

"I have no objection to the ranking of the four clans this time, but I must know who killed my two grandsons."

Zhuang Hai said these words for the other three patriarchs to hear, and although the other three patriarchs had originally intended to take action, they held back for the time being upon hearing this.

No one thought it could be their own clansmen who killed the two brothers Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Lei; the disciples in their clans did not have this strength.

"No need to ask, I killed Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Lei."

Liu Yue admitted it directly, and instantly, everyone's eyes at the scene fell upon her.

Hearing Liu Yue's words, the Zhou family patriarch had a complex look in his eyes. Facing the gaze that instantly swept over from the Zhuang family patriarch, he said directly: "My Zhou family will not interfere in Miss Liu's affairs." The Zhou family patriarch's words once again caused an uproar at the scene. Was the Zhou family not planning to fall out with the Zhuang family because of Liu Yue?

"Good!"

After understanding the Zhou family's attitude, the last trace of hesitation in the Zhuang family patriarch's heart vanished.

"No matter what your background is, if you dare to kill my Zhuang family members, you must pay the price."

Liu Yue ignored the Zhuang family patriarch and instead looked toward the sky not far away: "Auntie, did you hear that? Someone wants me to pay the price."

Hearing Liu Yue's words, everyone at the scene looked around for the first time. This Liu Yue also had an elder guarding her in secret.

"Whoever makes our Xiao Yue pay the price, I will exterminate their entire clan."

A cold voice came from not far away, and the next moment, everyone saw a woman appear beside Liu Yue.

The woman's appearance was somewhat similar to Liu Yue's, but she had a more mature charm. At this moment, she looked at the Zhuang family patriarch: "My Yue'er killed your two grandsons; is your Zhuang family unconvinced?"

"Who are you?"

Looking at the woman before him, the Zhuang family patriarch's angry expression restrained slightly. He was a Fifth-Rank martial artist, yet he could not see through this woman's background; the aura she emitted was not below his own.

"The Liu family of Zexi."

Upon hearing the four words "Liu family of Zexi," the Zhuang family patriarch's pupils shrank, and the eyes of the other three patriarchs also lit up.

Hearing "Liu family of Zexi" on the side, Lin Chen also quickly recalled in his mind. He was somewhat familiar with this name; it seemed he had seen it somewhere before.

After a long while, Lin Chen finally remembered. When his teacher talked to him about forging spirit weapons, he had mentioned the Liu family of Zexi.

There were many families in the Nine Kingdoms that forged spirit weapons, and the most famous among them was the Liu family of Zexi.

The overall martial arts strength of the Liu family of Zexi was not considered strong; there were no Upper-Rank martial artists in the clan. However, even forces with Upper-Rank martial artists sitting in command would not easily provoke the Liu family of Zexi.

The Liu family of Zexi had existed for hundreds of years, and many experts had sought them out to forge spirit weapons. Even if they paid the forging fee, they had also formed a favor with the Liu family.

This favor might not be able to help the Liu family grow, but if someone targeted the Liu family, these experts would not remain indifferent in order to repay the forging favor they owed the Liu family.

"No wonder Liu Yue is so fearless."

Seeing the Zhuang family patriarch's frustrated expression, Lin Chen understood that the Zhuang family was likely unable to do anything to Liu Yue.

The deaths of the two brothers Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Lei would just be in vain.

"Xiao Yue, let's go."

Seeing the silent Zhuang family patriarch, Liu Mei did not intend to waste more words. Even if the Zhuang family were given the courage, they would not dare to take action against the Liu family.

"Young Master Lin, shall we leave together?"

Liu Yue looked at Lin Chen and blinked. Lin Chen nodded and agreed: "Sure."

He knew Liu Yue's intention in calling him along. Although Liu Yue admitted to killing the two brothers Zhuang Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Lei, and the Zhuang family dared not touch Liu Yue, there was no guarantee they wouldn't vent their anger on him.

"Xiao Yue, who is he?"

Liu Mei looked at her niece. With her niece's high-mindedness, very few peers were held in her regard, let alone someone of the opposite sex.

"Auntie, I was able to complete the clan's requirements thanks to the help of this Young Master Lin."

Liu Yue did not mention the matter of the Sect-Leading Token. Although that Gao Gao Yongsi had once demanded she hand over the Sect-Leading Token in front of everyone, the people in the ruins did not know what the Sect-Leading Token was. However, if this matter were mentioned outside, it would inevitably reach the ears of those with ulterior motives, leading to unnecessary trouble.

"In that case, let's go together."

Liu Mei nodded, led Lin Chen and Liu Yue, and walked toward the outside. The Zhuang family members watched them with anger in their eyes, but without the patriarch's order, they could only express their fury with their gazes.

"Young Master Lin."

Seeing Lin Chen about to leave, Dan Dan Muqing still couldn't help but speak up.

Lin Chen paused his steps: "Does Miss Dan have something to say?"

"Thank you, Young Master Lin, for helping my Dan family win first place this time. If Young Master Lin has time in the future, you are welcome to visit my Dan family as a guest; my Dan family will certainly treat you with courtesy."

Lin Chen stared at Dan Dan Muqing for a long while. He understood the subtext in Dan Dan Muqing's words; this was a promise to him that she would take good care of the siblings Yu Qing and her brother.

"Good."

Hearing Lin Chen agree, Dan Dan Muqing finally felt relieved in her heart. Gu Fei did not have a completely bad impression of the Dan family, and there was still a chance for remedy.

However, seeing Dan Dan Muqing call out to Lin Chen and seeing Liu Yue wanting to take Lin Chen away together, the crowd at the scene looked at Lin Chen with very strange gazes. What kind of background did this kid have to be able to make two beauties care so much?

Only those disciples who had come out of the ruins did not have too much surprise in their expressions.

They had witnessed Lin Chen's strength. A genius with such strength was an honored guest wherever they went; which family wouldn't want such a son-in-law?

……

……

Half an hour later.

The outline of Lin Hai Prefecture City could no longer be seen, and Lin Chen stopped.

"Miss Liu, Senior... let us part ways here." Lin Chen said his farewells.

He was returning to Daliang, and he was not going in the same direction as Liu Yue.

At this distance, even if the Zhuang family had any intentions, it would be too late for them to pursue and kill him.

"Where is Young Master Lin going?" Liu Yue asked curiously.

"To Sanshan Prefecture."

Sanshan Prefecture was a border area of the Zhao Kingdom; once past Sanshan Prefecture, it was the territory of Daliang.

Liu Yue's beautiful eyes turned: "Young Master Lin is not from the Zhao Kingdom?"

"Yes, I am not from the Zhao Kingdom."

Regarding his nationality, Lin Chen did not deny it.

Liu Yue was thoughtful and did not pursue the question further: "In that case, then I will see Young Master Lin off for another leg of the journey."

Facing Liu Yue's kind offer to escort him, Lin Chen did not refuse. This escort lasted for three days. During this period, Liu Mei's figure disappeared, but Lin Chen knew that this aunt of Liu Yue's was definitely watching from behind.

"Miss Liu, let's stop here. Even the longest journey must come to an end; there is no need to continue escorting me."

In the three-day journey, with the speed of their horses, they had already traveled through the range of several prefectures.

"Hmm, then this young lady wishes Young Master Lin a smooth journey."

Liu Yue did not insist, smiled brightly, and bid farewell to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen rode away on his horse, and when Lin Chen's figure disappeared on the horizon ahead, Liu Mei's figure appeared once again.

"What's wrong? Auntie sees that you wanted to send him all the way home; can't bear to part?"

Liu Mei spoke with a smile; this was the first time she had seen her niece care so much about a man.

"Auntie, you don't know Lin Fei's strength. I used our family's heirloom umbrella-sword spirit weapon to kill Gao Gao Yongsi, but if it were Lin Fei, he wouldn't even need to use a spirit weapon to do it."

"Is this true?"

Hearing this, Liu Mei raised her eyebrows with surprise.

Gao Gao Yongsi was eighth on the Earth Ranking, the Hidden Dragon Ranking published by the Martial Academy; those who could make the list were no fakes.

"In the ruins..."

Liu Yue briefly described the battle in the ruins.

"I have gone through the geniuses of the Zhao Kingdom in my mind, but there isn't one who matches Lin Fei. This is also the reason why I wasn't surprised when Lin Fei said he was from the Liang Kingdom. Only a place with vast territory like the Liang Kingdom could give birth to a genius like Lin Fei."

The Liang Kingdom and the Han Kingdom were the two countries recognized by the other nations as having the strongest martial arts.

"Moreover, he had no interest in the Sect-Leading Token at all, which is also something I cannot understand."

Liu Mei pondered for a long while: "Since you put it that way, it has piqued Auntie's interest. There is indeed a genius named Lin in the Liang Kingdom, but the stage doesn't match."

"Auntie, you are talking about Lin Chen, the first on the Hidden Dragon Ranking's Human Ranking, right? Just now when Lin Fei said he came from the Liang Kingdom, I also thought of Lin Chen. But that Lin Chen isn't even a Ranked practitioner, while Lin Fei has the strength to fight an Eighth-Rank martial artist; they are definitely not the same person."

"Have you ever thought that the name Lin Fei might be fake?"

"I have, and I don't think it's just possible; the name is definitely fake."

Hearing her niece's answer, Liu Mei was truly a bit puzzled this time: "Since you know the name is fake, why didn't you ask for his real name?"

"There's nothing to ask. If we are fated to meet again, I'll know it then."

Liu Yue smiled slyly. If she asked now, she would only know Lin Fei's real name. But if she didn't ask, the next time she met Lin Fei, she could use this as a reason to express her resentment, and Lin Fei would only be able to apologize to her.

"Xiao Yue, your smile is making Auntie a bit confused."

"Auntie, let's go home. Grandfather must be waiting anxiously."

"Fine, fine, fine. I won't ask. Our Xiao Yue has grown up and has her own secrets."

"Auntie~"

(End of chapter)