Free Web NovelChapter 10: 10. The prey wants to fight back but is too dumb.
The moment those words fell, the elders exchanged startled looks.
Several frowned as they processed the implication behind Lin Xuan’s question.
The Lin Clan possessed thousands of members, including numerous branch families.
Body Tempering Pills were the most fundamental cultivation resource for every disciple below the Qi Gathering Realm.
Demand for them had always been high, which was precisely why more than half of the clan’s alchemists spent their days refining little else.
A shortage of Body Tempering Pills should have been impossible.
Before anyone could respond, Lin Xuan continued.
"The younger generation requires Body Tempering Pills to cultivate. Yet for the past two days, many disciples have yet to receive their monthly allotment."
His gaze settled calmly upon Lin Zhenghai.
"Tell me, Supreme Elder. Has the clan grown stronger?"
Lin Zhenghai’s expression stiffened, but he offered no response.
Lin Xuan took another step forward.
"Have the younger disciples become stronger?"
The question echoed through the hall. Several elders exchanged uneasy glances, yet none could provide an answer.
"And has the overall strength of the Lin Clan increased?"
The words lingered in the air unanswered as the atmosphere gradually grew heavier.
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xuan’s face.
"Or did we simply gather resources from hundreds of disciples and pour them into a single person?"
The words struck like a hammer.
Many elders instinctively began weighing the gains and losses. A Grade Six talent was undoubtedly precious.
No one denied that.
Yet a clan’s foundation had never rested upon a single genius.
The future of the Lin Family depended upon generations of descendants and dozens of promising cultivators, not merely one.
Lin Xuan’s voice remained calm, yet every word struck directly at the heart of the matter.
"Perhaps your decision will produce a powerful cultivator ten years from now.
Perhaps it will even prove to be the correct choice. But how many opportunities were lost in exchange?
How many disciples had their cultivation delayed? How many foundations weakened?
How many chances were sacrificed so that one person’s path could become smoother?"
A number of elders unconsciously frowned.
Even some who had initially supported Lin Zhenghai were beginning to feel uncomfortable.
The Supreme Elder’s face darkened visibly.
"You are twisting the issue."
"No."
Lin Xuan shook his head.
"I’m simplifying it."
His expression remained calm, but his voice became noticeably firmer. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"The problem isn’t whether Lin Zhaowen deserves resources. The problem is that you decided that yourself."
Understanding immediately dawned upon many of the elders.
This was no longer a debate about Body Tempering Pills.
Nor was it a debate about talent.
It was a debate about authority.
Who truly controlled the Lin Family?
The Patriarch or the Supreme Elder?
For the first time since the meeting began, many elders found themselves reconsidering their position.
The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly tense.
Lin Zhenghai could feel the discussion slipping beyond his control.
What had begun as a condemnation of Lin Xuan’s behavior during the awakening ceremony had somehow transformed into an examination of his own actions.
More importantly, the younger man had dragged the entire conversation onto dangerous ground.
Authority.
No matter how righteous his intentions might have been, the moment authority became the central issue, his position weakened considerably.
After all, regardless of rank, no elder was supposed to bypass the Patriarch.
Lin Zhenghai slowly took a deep breath and forced himself to remain calm.
"Fine," he said coldly. "If authority is what concerns you, then let’s discuss authority."
He looked directly at Lin Xuan.
"As Patriarch, your duty is to strengthen the clan."
"I agree."
Lin Xuan nodded without hesitation.
"Then tell me this."
Lin Zhenghai raised a finger and pointed toward him.
"Was abandoning the awakening ceremony strengthening the clan?"
Several elders immediately straightened in their seats.
The old fox had finally found stable footing.
"You left the ceremony because your daughter awakened a First-Grade Mortal Rank Martial Spirit. You publicly favored her over the clan’s future. You humiliated the elders and disappointed the younger generation."
His voice grew louder with each accusation.
"How many clan members do you think questioned your judgment after witnessing that?"
A few elders nodded in agreement.
This was undoubtedly the strongest argument Lin Zhenghai had presented throughout the meeting.
Even some neutral elders frowned slightly.
Lin Xuan, however, remained completely calm.
"Are you finished?"
Lin Zhenghai sneered.
"Do you have an explanation?"
"I do."
Lin Xuan nodded before turning his gaze toward the surrounding elders.
"Tell me, everyone. What exactly did I do?"
The sudden question caught several elders off guard.
One of them hesitated before answering.
"You left the ceremony."
"Correct."
Lin Xuan nodded.
"And before leaving?"
The elder frowned as he searched his memory.
"You... spoke to the Supreme Elder."
"Anything else?"
The elder thought for several moments before finally shaking his head.
"No."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
He turned back toward Lin Zhenghai.
"I neither announced any rewards nor punishments. I did not alter any clan policies. I did not stop the ceremony. I did not interfere with the awakening process."
His gaze remained steady.
"I simply left."
Lin Zhenghai narrowed his eyes.
"And that makes it acceptable?"
"No."
Lin Xuan shook his head.
"It makes your reaction excessive."
The Supreme Elder’s expression stiffened.
Lin Xuan continued before the old man could interrupt.
"I left because my ten-year-old daughter had just become the target of ridicule from her peers."
His gaze slowly swept across the hall.
"Tell me honestly. If it had been your child standing there, would you have remained seated?"
No one answered immediately, several elders unconsciously looked away.
Most of them had children, some even had grandchildren.
The answer to that question was obvious.
Lin Zhenghai immediately interjected.
"The clan comes before family."
"Does it?"
Lin Xuan asked.
The simple question caused the old man to pause.
Lin Xuan folded his arms and calmly looked around the hall once more.
"Then why does the Lin Family exist?"
