Chapter 300

Chapter 300: Step Down, If You Would

The Ancestor of the Lin Family’s expression stiffened at Zhou Luo’s words. He stared at the other man and asked, “What do you mean, Friend Zhou?”

Could there be dissatisfaction with a decision made by an Ancestor?

Are you kidding?

However, Zhou Luo made a startling statement: “Second Elder of the Lin Family came to me recently. He said it is time to change the family head.”

Achoo!

Far away, while busily overseeing the spiritual mine, Lin Guangxuan suddenly sneezed.

He looked puzzled, rubbed his nose, and muttered to himself,

“What’s this? Can the body start failing just from getting old?”

Meanwhile, upon hearing these words, the eyes of the Lin Family Ancestor shone sharply. His voice deepened.

“Does Friend Zhou feel this old man’s punishment was too lenient?”

Though he valued Zhou Luo, the man was merely a youngster who had just broken through to Foundation Establishment. While he had killed a Foundation Establishment strong person right before him, the Ancestor did not place the other on his own level.

Were this man not useful to the family, he might not have received such formal treatment.

Facing that scrutinizing gaze, Zhou Luo smiled faintly. “I am merely expressing everyone’s thoughts.”

He wanted to see how this Lin Family Ancestor really thought.

If the man insisted on protecting Lin Tian Xiong, Zhou Luo wouldn’t argue further. However, he would seize Jiang City without hesitation.

When that happened, the other would eventually relent.

Because if Zhou Luo split away from the core family, the Lin Family would completely lose the ability to oppose the Lu family.

When the Lu family inevitably returned, they would face destruction.

If the Ancestor yielded now, it would save Zhou Luo quite some trouble.

The Lin Family Ancestor frowned slightly.

Though calling it everyone’s thoughts, was it not your idea, Zhou Luo?

Moreover, there was another layer to these words.

He was now speaking with him as a representative of another faction within the family.

If he chose to ignore him, the family might lose the strength of this faction.

Previously, from Lin Tian Xiong, the Ancestor learned that those who once followed the Great Elder now obeyed Zhou Luo’s every command. Over all these years, they had demonstrated utter loyalty.

He couldn’t understand why they’d be so loyal to an outsider, but he clearly understood that Zhou Luo commanded a force he could not ignore.

“Then, Friend Zhou, who do you deem suitable to become family head?” The Lin Family Ancestor studied him intently.

He needed to understand the true purpose of this man’s visit.

Zhou Luo deftly shifted the topic back to rewards. “Actually, the family has treated me well these past years. I could take or leave this reward. However, my wife has now achieved some success in her cultivation. Naturally, I must seek something on her behalf.”

This abrupt turn conveyed a different implication to the Lin Family Ancestor.

Was this man hoping to put his wife forward as the new family head?

Clearly, Zhou Luo’s words carried deeper meaning—starting from the rewards to the position of family head, each segment interconnected like links in a chain.

In an instant, the Lin Family Ancestor’s expression turned serious, his perception of the man before him shifting once more.

This person was far more cunning and scheming than anticipated.

"Unknown what Friend Zhou seeks for your wife?" the Lin Family Ancestor asked bluntly.

Zhou Luo smiled faintly: "Hasn’t Friend Lin already guessed?"

What he desired was precisely the position of family head.

He didn’t need to hold it himself, but it must be entrusted to someone closest to him—ensuring tighter control.

And Lin Xi, the family’s Fifth Miss, was unmistakably the optimal choice.

The Lin Family Ancestor narrowed his eyes expressionlessly, staring at the other in prolonged silence.

Zhou Luo likewise smiled wordlessly.

After a tense standoff, the Lin Family Ancestor finally spoke: "I will consider it."

These words left room—for he remained uncertain what granted Zhou Luo such unwavering confidence.

"I trust the family will make the correct choice," Zhou Luo rose with a smile, clasped his hands in farewell, and departed.

Watching the receding figure, the Lin Family Ancestor’s eyes filled with profound dread.

He sighed heavily: "Alas… time grows short."

…

Leaving the core district, Zhou Luo already discerned the other’s thoughts. He was determined to secure the position of family head.

Since outright refusal hadn’t come, compromise was inevitable.

The purported consideration was merely a pretext to probe the foundations of his confidence—

A matter in which Zhou Luo remained utterly assured.

Whether Jiang City or Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan, each bolstered his leverage.

Once the Lin Family Ancestor investigated thoroughly, he’d likely discover, to his dismay, that rejecting the offer might still doom the entire Lin Family to ruin.

Returning to Zhou Garden, Zhou Luo penned another letter to Second Elder Lin Guang Xuan.

Its essence: deploy every loyal subordinate to swiftly seize the spiritual mines.

Currently, those spiritual mines stood ownerless.

He must install his own people across every site before the main family could act—simultaneously pressuring that Lin Family Ancestor into recognizing his ability.

Five days later, the Lin Family Ancestor summoned Lin Tian Xiong.

From him poured accounts of recent upheavals:

First, the spiritual mines. Under Zhou Luo’s directives, Lin Guang Xuan’s faction had commandeered three mines.

When Lin Tian Xiong, as family head, demanded surrender of control—

The curt reply came: "Does the family head still command respect?"

This open defiance, tantamount to rebellion per family law, warranted severe punishment.

Yet Lin Tian Xiong stood powerless.

The Lin Family’s near-destruction stemmed solely from his warmongering leadership. Now immersed in pacifying the clan, punishing dissent risked inciting greater unrest.

Crucially, Zhou Luo—a Foundation Establishment strong person—shielded the rebels.

Thus, Lin Tian Xiong could only watch those three spiritual mines slip from his grasp.

Merely the first catastrophe.

The second blow: Jiang City.

With foes withdrawn, Maple Leaf City reestablished communication.

Reports from Lin Family agents in Jiang City exposed a silent shift: while Lin Xin held nominal authority, true control now rested with—

Lin Jin Xuan.

Lin Tian Xiong knew her well.

Granddaughter of the Great Elder, her ascendance confirmed Jiang City’s fall into Zhou Luo’s faction.

These dual calamities aged Lin Tian Xiong years within days.

As the Lin Family Ancestor absorbed the report, inner turmoil belied his calm facade. Dread coiled tight.

Zhou Luo’s moves proved frighteningly swift—particularly the Jiang City gambit, evidence of meticulous, long-laid designs.

"He plans even exit strategies," the Ancestor muttered coldly.

He could all too vividly envision it: rejection of Zhou Luo’s terms triggering an exodus to Jiang City—core Lin Family loyalists in tow.

Kneeling, head bowed, Lin Tian Xiong dared not speak.

These days, shockwaves had battered him deepest. Realizing Zhou Luo’s intricate machinations, a bone-deep terror settled in.

Now utterly helpless, he sought ancestral intervention—

Yet the Lin Family Ancestor’s next words plunged him into icy despair:

"Step down."