Chapter 574: Secrets of the Hua Clan

"You bullied Lin Chen for his weak background—now I’m bullying you for your weak strength!"

These words echoed repeatedly in the ears of the warriors present.

This Supreme Elder of Canglan Sect meant every word—he was this ruthless.

So what if you’re an imperial prince?

So what if you're a noble young master from a mysterious family?

If you bully my sect’s disciples, no matter your background or origin, I’ll still strike you down.

The imperial court’s Third Prince, needless to say, lost all face.

That mysterious Eastern young master lost a sixth-stage Primordial expert, his robes torn, his chest pierced… even worse off than Lin Chen.

…

…

"Brother Yin, since matters are settled, why not come to our sect for a visit?"

Shan Hong spoke up at the right moment, but Yin Wushuang shook his head: "This is Canglan Sect’s matter—I won’t burden your sect with it."

Yin Wushuang’s words weren’t sarcasm toward Shan Hong—he was considering Wan Huozong’s interests.

Shan Hong understood: he hadn’t appeared earlier precisely to keep Wan Huozong from being dragged into future upheavals.

"Let’s go."

Yin Wushuang stepped forward to Lin Chen, who had already risen to his feet—his wounds had scabbed over, his body’s healing ability astonishingly swift.

"Your Highness, we take our leave."

Zhuang Qiang bowed to Yin Wushuang first, then bid farewell to Lin Chen—she needed to return quickly and report all that had happened to the Young Princess and the Elders.

"Young one of the Hua Clan, when you return, tell Old Mei this: my sect’s Lin Chen has become your clan’s imperial son-in-law—you Hua Clan got the better end of the deal."

Hearing Yin Wushuang’s words, Zhuang Qiang’s expression turned peculiar—the “Old Mei” this Elder referred to must be the Grand Elder.

"I will deliver your message."

The Zhuang Qiang and Zhuang Wei sisters departed; Yin Wushuang nodded to Yin Yue—though Yin Yue was younger, as Empress of the Yuepo Clan, her status equaled that of Canglan Sect’s Supreme Elder.

"Thank you, Empress, for protecting my sect’s disciple."

"Elder, you’re too kind—Lin Chen has helped me greatly."

Because other warriors were still present, Yin Yue didn’t elaborate.

Yin Wushuang took Lin Chen and left; Yin Yue followed suit; all other warriors around the lake also departed, bidding each other farewell.

They were eager to return to their sects, hoping the Elders could clarify the mystery.

The imperial court, that mysterious Eastern young master, and the cryptic remarks of the Canglan Sect’s Supreme Elder…

And this battle itself—needed immediate reporting to their sects. Everyone sensed the Yan Imperial Court would no longer remain so peaceful.

…

…

Outside Wan Huozong, a pavilion.

"After I return, I’ll enter seclusion to fully absorb the energy of my clan’s treasured artifact and truly enter the Ten Thousand Forms realm."

Yin Yue spoke to Lin Chen—after quelling the clan’s rebellion, the Elders urged her to enter seclusion and reach the Ten Thousand Forms realm as soon as possible; only with her own strength at that level could the clan truly stabilize.

But she had delayed it, worried about Lin Chen in the Thousand Fold Secret Realm; now that she’d come out, she’d promised the Elders she’d begin seclusion upon returning.

"Will it take long?"

Hearing this, Lin Chen asked curiously.

"At least three to five years, possibly over a decade—normally, a warrior takes at least decades to advance from nothing to Primordial, so for me to do it in just a few years is already remarkably fast."

Yin Yue spoke softly—thanks to her imperial bloodline and the energy of her clan’s treasured artifact, she could surpass others’ decades of cultivation in just a few years.

"Then you’ll surpass me."

Lin Chen was genuinely stunned—Yin Yue hadn’t even entered Primordial yet, yet she’d reach Ten Thousand Forms in just a few years, maybe a dozen—word of this would make every warrior in the Yan Imperial Court green with envy.

"If it were anyone else, I’d have that confidence—but you…" Yin Yue sighed helplessly: "It’s impossible to say."

She recalled how, in just a few short years, Lin Chen had leapt from Primordial First Stage directly to Primordial Fourth Stage—and she knew his ascent to Fifth and Sixth Stages wouldn’t be hard, since his spiritual sense had already reached Primordial Sixth Stage.

Lin Chen and Yin Yue exchanged glances and both smiled—both their cultivation speeds were enough to make every other warrior in the Yan Imperial Court jealous.

"The stone you gave me—I brought it back to the clan, and it absorbed our moonlight energy, so I left it there."

"Oscar?"

Thinking of Oscar, Lin Chen was speechless—the fellow had fallen into a deep sleep ever since he’d turned himself into a stone, and still hadn’t woken up.

"Oscar?"

"That’s the name I gave him—leave him with your clan for now."

"Alright." Yin Yue nodded, then added a final warning: "Eastern Canglang isn’t a man of broad mind—you’ve offended him, so be careful. As for why the imperial Third Prince targets you, I don’t know—but stay within Canglan Sect as much as possible, don’t travel outside."

Dongfang Canglang is not a man of broad mind; you’ve offended him, so be careful from now on. As for why the imperial third prince is also targeting you, I don’t know—just stay inside Canglan Sect and avoid going out.