Chapter 544 - 542: I Am the Young Master

Lin Xuan knew the general location of the hideout from the soul he possessed; they had discussed it before. But he couldn’t guarantee what the current situation was.

Still, he planned to use this information as a lead and investigate the current state of affairs. If they weren’t there, so be it. At least he would find out what was going on.

If he was right, it would be even better. Things would be much simpler—he could find the Lin Family and see his parents right away!

"Brother Lin, have you figured anything out? Or do you know something?" Bu Qianfan asked.

He was quite perceptive about such things. Finding the Lin Family would be a momentous occasion. The Yan and Su Families may have toppled the Lin Family’s main estate, but many of their powerhouses had survived.

Such was the strength of the Lin Family. As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—a truth everyone understood.

Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "I know a little something, but I hope Brother Bu will allow me to search on my own." He was being direct. He wanted to find the Lin Family’s hideout alone. Bringing people from the Bu Family would make negotiations difficult, so he couldn’t take anyone with him.

Bu Qianfan’s eyes lit up. He showed no sign of displeasure, smiling as he said, "That’s no problem at all. Just pick a place so it’s easier for us to meet up later. Be careful with everything, and don’t let the Yan Family catch you!"

Lin Xuan said gratefully, "Thank you for your understanding, Brother Bu. Of course, this is just a guess. I’m not completely sure if it’s the real location. But I can promise that regardless of the outcome, I will definitely pay a visit to the Bu Family to report back on the situation!"

Since the Bu Family was treating him so well, Lin Xuan would naturally return the courtesy. He had a very good impression of Bu Qianfan, who was humble and completely unlike the typical arrogant young masters. Regardless of the outcome, Lin Xuan would inform them, and more importantly, he now considered Bu Qianfan a friend.

"As for a meeting point, let’s just use here. I can’t make any promises about the timing. Alternatively, I’ll just head to the Bu Family estate when I’m done. You don’t need to worry about my safety. I’m pretty good at getting away." Lin Xuan smiled. With his Phoenix statue, he could easily shake off anyone who wasn’t a Void Spirit Stage-level expert.

The Elemental Power Wings of a Core Formation Stage-level cultivator were completely useless against him. And since he was hiding his true strength, ’the Yan Family won’t waste an Elder-level expert to tail me. To them, that would be a gross misallocation of resources.’

Lin Xuan then glanced around, chose a direction, and darted off, quickly vanishing from sight.

At that moment, one of the guards leaned in and whispered to Bu Qianfan, "Young Master, should we follow him?"

Bu Qianfan shook his head. "No need. If he were to find out, it would only breed resentment. We’ll head back for now. You stay here and keep watch."

After speaking, he glanced at Lin Xuan’s retreating figure and murmured, "Lin Xuan, ah, Lin Xuan... I hope you bring us good news. Our ability to stabilize the current situation depends entirely on it."

This was a chaotic era. Nascent geniuses who hadn’t yet fully come into their own weren’t of much use. Therefore, they were pinning their hopes on the power behind Lin Xuan: the various Elder-level experts and, more importantly, the former strongest Overlord—the Patriarch of the Lin Family!

With these powerhouses, they might not be able to crush the Su and Yan Families, but they could at least form a three-way balance of power. Under those conditions, the new generation of talent could grow steadily, waiting for the right moment to strike back. That was the path to a true comeback.

After leaving, Lin Xuan had the Martial God’s soul possess him, heightening all his senses to their peak. This was to get the most accurate read on his surroundings and ensure no one was following him.

The Bu Family had helped him a great deal, but that didn’t mean he trusted them completely. He wouldn’t fully trust anyone but himself! Thus, he had to proceed with caution, guarding against any potential issues.

’I can’t believe the Lin Family’s secret hideout would be there of all places...’

Lin Xuan concealed his aura and didn’t summon his Phoenix to fly. It wasn’t that he was afraid of being seen, but because the Lin Family’s hideout wasn’t far from his current location! In fact, to say it wasn’t far was an understatement—it was right beneath this very ground!

That’s right. Their true hideout was directly beneath the ruins of the Lin Family estate. It was a similar concept to the Demon Fox Ruins, but this location was deeper and more offset. You could dig three feet down and never find it; you would have to excavate the entire area completely.

’It should be roughly in this direction!’

Lin Xuan arrived in a patch of forest. Here, there was a Teleportation Array leading to the Lin Family’s hidden underground palace. The moment he arrived, Lin Xuan immediately sensed hidden presences! With the Martial God’s extraordinary perception, he could instantly pinpoint anyone lurking nearby. Unless their Cultivation was Heaven-Defyingly powerful, they could not escape his detection.

Of course, to be that Heaven-Defying, one would need to be at least at the Spirit King Stage. Anyone with a Cultivation below the Spirit King Stage had nowhere to hide from his terrifying perception!

His every move was being watched intently. But little did they know, Lin Xuan was watching them right back.

’Two Core Formation Stage experts? I wonder if they’re from the Lin Family...’ Lin Xuan wasn’t sure if they were his family’s people; after all, they could just as easily be from the Su or Yan Families.

Still, the probability was high that they were from the Lin Family. After all, if the Yan and Su Families knew there was a Teleportation Array here, they would have already done everything in their power to investigate it.

"I am a disciple of the Lin Family who has been wandering abroad! I hope the Seniors here will grant me an audience!" Lin Xuan didn’t identify himself as the Young Master, only as a wayward disciple.

His words were met with silence. The hidden figures continued to watch him but made no move.

Joy sparked in Lin Xuan’s heart. He knew instantly that they couldn’t be from the Yan or Su Families; they had to be from the Lin Family. Anyone else would have already rushed down to capture him.

"It seems the Seniors don’t believe I am a disciple of the Lin Family. In that case, I wonder if this can prove my identity?" Lin Xuan retrieved the Chi Dragon Heavens Rod from his Storage Ring and slammed it into the ground. The battle-scarred staff stood embedded in the earth.

"A Lin Family disciple?"

Suddenly, two figures materialized, one in front of Lin Xuan and one behind, completely cutting off his escape routes. Killing Intent locked onto him instantly. Any sudden move and he would be struck down!

Lin Xuan knew he couldn’t defeat Core Formation Stage experts, so he didn’t make a rash move toward the Teleportation Array. If he stepped onto it recklessly, he would likely be killed on the spot. His only option was to talk his way through; otherwise, they clearly weren’t going to entertain his claims.

"Yes, I am a disciple of the Lin Family," Lin Xuan said respectfully to the old man in front of him.

"Nonsense!" the old man said coldly. "We’ve never seen you before. How could you possibly be a Lin Family disciple from the outside? Speak! How exactly did you find this place?"

They remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings, but found that no one else had followed him. If there had been anyone, they certainly wouldn’t have revealed themselves, unless he tried to activate the Teleportation Array.

"I am the Young Master of the Lin Family, who has been wandering abroad!" As Lin Xuan spoke, he immediately activated the Cloud Return Technique, and his Bloodline Power surged in an instant.

The familiar aura made their expressions change drastically. "Young Master!?" they exclaimed in astonishment.