Chapter 24: Lin Tianming!

Lin Chen did not know Aunt Lian, but from Xu Kun’s reaction, it was clear that she must be a formidable powerhouse from the Lihuo Sect.

A cultivation base at the Heavenly Spirit Realm was enough to suppress everything. The strongest existence in the entire Great Cang Kingdom was only at the Heavenly Spirit Realm. If such a person were to appear and engage in battle with Aunt Lian, the situation would be completely different. It would signify that the Great Cang Kingdom was officially declaring war on the Lihuo Sect—a price the kingdom could ill afford to pay.

The languid young girl swept her beautiful eyes over Lin Chen and said indifferently, "I didn't expect that after escaping from Fanyun City, you would actually dare to come to the Imperial City to participate in the tournament. Not bad, you have some guts."

Lin Chen frowned slightly. Who was this stunning girl? Judging by her tone, she seemed to know him, yet he had never crossed paths with her.

"Senior, this brat killed the Seventh Prince of our Imperial Clan. If we cannot capture him, where will the dignity of our Imperial Clan remain!" Lu Zhan was unwilling to let Lin Chen go so easily. This boy had once been incredibly formidable, bringing countless glories to the Great Cang Kingdom. Once he fell from grace, everyone had trampled on him. However, deep down, everyone feared his resurgence. Now, he had regained his phantom beast and recovered his cultivation... The key was that he had joined the Lihuo Sect. His future potential was beyond their imagination. Offending such a person was something the Great Cang Kingdom could not afford. If possible, they had to kill him today to prevent future trouble.

"Does your Great Cang Kingdom even have any dignity left?" Aunt Lian sneered, enunciating each word clearly. "Why dwell on something that doesn't even exist?"

This mockery left Lu Zhan’s face ashen. Not only him, but Zhao Wuji, the old eunuch, and the two vice-generals all clenched their fists. They were filled with hate. The Lihuo Sect was the premier sect of the five kingdoms! If Lin Chen were to cultivate there for a few years, given his talent, he might even attempt to break through to the Heavenly Spirit Realm. By then, the Great Cang Kingdom would have gained another formidable enemy.

"You little bastard, I should have had you beheaded in the streets the day you were put on trial!" Zhao Wuji trembled, his eyes seemingly filled with ferocious bloodshot veins. No one hated him more. If he hadn't been soft-hearted that day and let Lin Chen go, there wouldn't have been all these subsequent troubles. In other words, who could have predicted that this boy would suddenly make a heaven-defying comeback?

"Regardless of his previous status or what kind of nobody he was, since he has joined my Lihuo Sect, he is now a disciple of the Lihuo Sect. Anyone who dares to make a move against him is making an enemy of my Lihuo Sect." The languid girl seemed indifferent to everything, yet a faint glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. "I said this, and my attitude represents the attitude of the Lihuo Sect!"

Lin Chen was shocked. Who exactly was this girl? Such arrogant words were not something just anyone could speak. Even though the noblewoman was powerful, she appeared to be nothing more than a guardian for the girl.

Lu Zhan’s face turned from pale to blue. Being scolded to his face like this, he dared not offer a single word of rebuttal. He couldn't win in a fight, and he didn't dare to start a war. What else could he do?

"Let’s go." The languid girl waved her hand and sat back upon the patterned giant tiger.

"It seems this girl is no simple character." Lin Chen’s gaze turned uncharacteristically solemn. Even at his peak, when he was hailed as the greatest genius of the Great Cang Kingdom, he might not have compared to her.

"What, you’ve taken a liking to her? You lecher!" Tuntun curled its lips in disdain. "You can't even walk straight when you see a pretty girl. How did I end up with a master like you? You’re so young, and you’ve already learned these habits. What will you be like in the future?"

Lin Chen frowned, and annoyed, he grabbed Tuntun in his hand.

"Lin Chen, you... you’re just getting angry because I hit the nail on the head, aren't you? Wuwuwu, let me go!" Tuntun struggled desperately, causing quite a commotion that drew sideways glances from others.

"Lin Chen, come here," the girl said with a faint gaze. Her tone carried no fluctuations, making it impossible to discern any emotion.

Filled with suspicion, Lin Chen frowned slightly, but he still walked over.

"You have the memorial tablet of Lin Tianming on you, don't you?" The girl looked directly at Lin Chen. "Take it out and give it to me."

"My grandfather’s memorial tablet?" Upon hearing this, Lin Chen’s expression suddenly turned guarded. "What do you want it for?" A cold light flashed in his eyes. Even though the girl before him was powerful, he would never hand over the tablet. Since his grandfather passed away, this tablet had become the only symbol remaining in his heart.

"Hmph." Seeing Lin Chen so serious, the girl couldn't help but sneer. "Lin Tianming isn't dead at all. You people are quite filial, setting up a memorial tablet for him! I didn't come to the Great Cang Kingdom for his tablet, but to retrieve something he left on it!"

Lin Chen’s pupils constricted as if he had been dealt a heavy blow. His grandfather was still alive? Lin Chen and his sister, Lin Ning'er, were both orphans adopted by Lin Tianming. Since they could remember, they had grown up under his care. Later, during a fierce battle away from home, their grandfather had been severely wounded and died from his injuries. They hadn't even been able to bring his remains back! His grave contained only a tattered piece of clothing. Since then, Lin Chen and Lin Ning'er had relied on each other, and he had cultivated desperately, wanting to gradually become their pillar of support. And now, this girl was telling him that his grandfather wasn't dead?

The revelation left Lin Chen stunned.

"Hand it over," the girl said coldly. "After I take that item, I will naturally return the tablet to you. Of course, that is assuming you still think there is a need to keep it... It’s quite unlucky to set up a memorial tablet for a living person!"

"My grandfather... he’s still alive?" Lin Chen stepped forward, his eyes flashing with sudden excitement. He had so many wonderful memories of his grandfather. Now, suddenly learning he was still alive, Lin Chen felt as if he were in a dream.

"Nonsense, do you think I have any reason to lie to you?" The girl flicked her finger, and a leaping spirit rune appeared at her fingertip, emitting a faint icy-blue glow. As the rune appeared, Lin Chen felt the temperature around him plummet, as if he had been plunged into a world of ice and snow.

"You are actually a Spirit Rune Master?" Lin Chen couldn't help but gasp, his eyes filled with shock. Spirit Rune Masters were also a path of cultivation. Because this lineage was so profound and vast, very few practitioners ever reached the deeper levels, which gave every Spirit Rune Master an extraordinary status. Compared to Beast Tamers, Spirit Rune Masters were even more prestigious. They cultivated, controlled, and inscribed spirit runes. The path of spirit runes contained countless wonders; they could enhance oneself, augment spirit weapons, or be etched into formations. Powerful spirit weapons, strength-enhancing runes, and grand formations all originated from the hands of Spirit Rune Masters. The power of a Spirit Rune Master was evident.

"Is that so strange? Lin Tianming taught me everything." The girl said indifferently.