Chapter 302

Chapter 302: Counterattack

On the tenth day of Lin Xi becoming the family head, she convened the Elder Council for the first time.

Seven Elders attended this meeting.

The years of war had cost the Lin Family many powerful members, including Elder Si, Lin Tianfang, formerly responsible for the new spiritual mine, and the newly ascended Seventh Elder.

Both Elders were allies of Lin Tian Xiong’s faction.

This left only three Elders on his side present in the council.

However, since Lin Tian Xiong entered Closed-Door Training, his faction had essentially existed in name only.

Unless he someday succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

Yet such a chance was vanishingly small.

Succeeding in Foundation Establishment was inherently rare—one in ten thousand. Moreover, his advanced age and insufficient life force made failure in Foundation Establishment highly probable.

Therefore, during the meeting, these three Elders kept their heads lowered, silent.

Especially Lin Ze.

Watching his own daughter rise as the family head filled him with complex emotions as her father.

Zhou Luo occupied the seat of the Great Elder. Though nominally still the Lin Family’s Sixth Elder, everyone knew this Sixth Elder would likely control all major affairs henceforth.

He calmly surveyed the assembled Elders.

Though he emitted no pressure, the weight of his presence made no one dare lower their guard.

Lin Xuanfeng, who’d always remained wary of Zhou Luo, kept his head down in complete silence.

"Now that the family has stabilized," Lin Xi declared solemnly from the head seat, "we must discuss counterattack plans."

Though nearly every Elder present was her senior, she displayed no fear. Instead, she sat dignified and graceful, radiating an unmistakable aura of authority.

This aura had been forged over twenty years as the household’s matriarch.

Now her title had changed, but her duties remained largely unaltered.

Merely expanding her dominion from one household to the entire family.

Besides, her greatest source of confidence sat directly to her left.

The counterattack against the Lin Family was Zhou Luo’s directive.

Earlier, Zhou Chang Le had brought Zhou Luo intelligence: The Qinyuan Sect had tacitly permitted The Great Battle because the Lu Family—through a powerful figure—promised the Immortal Sect greater annual cultivation resource contributions after seizing the Lin Family.

Hence the sect chose neutrality.

According to Zhou Chang Le, he’d informed his master, who stated Qinyuan Sect would remain indifferent to any long-life family’s fall as long as annual contributions matched the Lu Family’s.

This revelation made Zhou Luo realize the sect cared nothing for preserving the Five Great Long-Life Families—only the guaranteed flow of cultivation resources.

To put it bluntly: These long-life families were merely dogs of Qinyuan Sect.

When a dog dies, its master might be inconvenienced… but never angered.

At worst, they could find a more obedient and promising person to replace him.

In short, the Qinyuan Sect didn’t care about it.

This actually allowed Zhou Luo to act recklessly.

Upon hearing these words, several elders exchanged perplexed glances.

Lin Xuanfeng said, "Family head, with our current combat strength, I doubt it’s sufficient."

In this war, the Lin Family suffered significant losses, and even if they won, they might not be able to fully devour the entire Lu Family afterward.

Moreover, someone from the Li Family had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, and other long-life families would surely want a share of the spoils.

With the slightest misstep, someone else might seize the opportunity.

Lin Xi turned her gaze to Zhou Luo.

Zhou Luo replied calmly, "This matter certainly won’t involve just us; I’ve already sent people to contact the Wang Family and the Li Family, and they’ve agreed."

After Lin Xi’s appointment as family head was confirmed, Zhou Luo replied to the two families.

The gist was clear: he proposed collaborating to target the Lu Family.

With interests at stake.

The Wang Family had replied, expressing strong support.

The Li Family’s response was somewhat ambiguous; they hadn’t agreed outright but hinted at wanting a share.

This fit with the Li Family’s typical behavior.

While the outcome remained uncertain, they wouldn’t take risks with two Foundation Establishment cultivators among them.

After all, no one knew what might happen in the end.

For example, this time, the Lin Family nearly perished, but Zhou Luo intervened fiercely, turning the tide single-handedly.

Who could guarantee that the Lu Family had no hidden trump card?

The Li Family didn’t want to gamble, but they stated they’d send a group of family cultivators, ostensibly for training, but actually as indirect support.

After these words, the expressions of the elders in the room changed visibly.

Especially Lin Xuanfeng, whose gloomy face was filled with complex emotion.

The opponent’s scheme was indeed thorough; with the help of two other families, the counter-attack seemed assured.

Still, he thought of one issue: "What about the Zhang Family?"

The Zhang Family had always maintained close ties with the Lu Family, and if they counter-attacked the Lu Family, the Zhang Family wouldn’t sit idly by.

Zhou Luo maintained a calm expression. "The Zhang Family won’t act, and we won’t target them."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Lin Xuanfeng’s eyes.

While the Wang and Li families’ assistance only caused mild surprise, the Zhang Family’s change in stance truly shocked him.

He dared not look at Zhou Luo but felt an intense curiosity about what method the man had used to make the Zhang Family choose inaction at such a time.

The Zhang Family couldn’t be unknown to the principle that when disaster strikes, none are spared, yet Zhou Luo’s firm words clearly indicated their submission.

Had he offered them some promise?

All of a sudden, Lin Xuanfeng’s view of him shifted again.

He abruptly felt that having such a capable figure leading the Lin Family might not be a bad thing after all.

This matter was actually a secret agreement Zhou Luo had brokered internally with the Zhang Family.

After the Lu Family fell later, they would become allies of the Lin Family.

Since Zhou Luo said so, the others naturally held no objections, and they dispersed to prepare, intent on avenging their shame.

…

After lying quiet for a month and a half, the Lin Family finally stirred into action.

Thus, in the cultivation world, fortunes favored a different side at each passing moment.

Shortly before, the Lin Family’s situation had been dire, seeming to be slowly consumed by the Lu Family.

Now, within barely a month, the Lu Family faced an extinction crisis.

Outside Maple Leaf City, all capable fighters of the Lin Family had been gathered.

On the city walls, Zhou Luo stood with hands clasped behind his back, while Lin Xi beside him began an impassioned pre-battle speech.

Though a woman, as family head she displayed no less vigor than her predecessor, and her cultivation had now reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Her status and strength earned unquestioning loyalty from the young disciples.

The young disciples were deeply inspired, their hearts surging, each eager for the fight.

Such high morale naturally stemmed from Zhou Luo, the Foundation Establishment strong person.

Already, they dreamed of the day when, after capturing the Lu Family, the entire Lin Family would lead all long-life families.

Half a day later, the Lin Family mustered all clansmen fit for battle.

They included various factions that had defected, along with reinforcements sent by the Wang Family and a small strike team under the Li Family…

Over three thousand strong, they advanced toward the Qingtian City of the Lu Family.