The Lin's Patriarch is weird.

Chapter 16: 16. Suspicious behaviour, young master troupe?

Lin Zhaoyue obediently cupped her fists and bowed.

"This daughter will take her leave."

With that, she turned and left the hall and the large doors slowly closed behind her.

Lin Xuan watched her departing figure and couldn’t help pressing his lips together.

He wanted to keep her swift breakthrough a secret, if he revealed it now, sure she would be showered with praise and whatnot.

But it was also bound to attract disaster. Jealously was a dangerous weapon.

For a brief moment, he wondered whether he had been too harsh.

After all, she had only been excited to share something with him. freewёbnoνel.com

The thought lingered for a few seconds before he forced himself to set it aside.

Rules were rules.

If he made exceptions for his own daughter, he would have no right to enforce them upon anyone else.

Besides, it wasn’t as though fifty contribution points truly meant much.

He still had over four thousand contribution points stored away.

If Lin Zhaoyue wanted anything from the clan treasury, he could simply exchange it on her behalf.

With that thought, his mood improved considerably.

Lin Xuan shifted his attention back to the hall.

"Now that the disturbance has been addressed, let’s continue."

The younger disciples immediately straightened and the elders also returned their attention to the meeting.

Lin Xuan swept his gaze across the room.

Seeing no objections, he continued.

"The Mystic Sky Sect elder is expected to arrive this afternoon."

His voice carried clearly throughout the hall.

"Regardless of his purpose for visiting Azure Willow City, we must ensure that the Lin Clan conducts itself appropriately."

No one disagreed.

A Mystic Sky Sect elder was an existence none of them could afford to offend.

Lin Xuan folded his hands before him.

"Do not attempt to flatter him excessively, do not compete for attention and most importantly, do not act as though the clan’s future depends entirely upon his favor."

A few elders looked surprised.

Those were not the instructions they had expected.

Lin Xuan calmly explained.

"If the elder appreciates talent, then talent will speak for itself. If he values character, excessive flattery will only create a poor impression."

His gaze swept across the younger generation.

"Conduct yourselves with dignity. Whether an opportunity appears or not, remember that you represent the Lin Clan."

The disciples immediately nodded.

Lin Xuan leaned back slightly.

"Good. Then let’s make sure we don’t give the elder any reason to look down on us."

A solemn atmosphere settled over the hall as everyone began making their final preparations for the elder’s arrival.

—————

By the time the sun reached its highest point, the entire Lin Clan had gathered near the main square.

Excitement filled the air.

Even elders who normally remained in seclusion had emerged to witness the arrival of the Mystic Sky Sect’s representative.

After all, opportunities to encounter a sect elder were exceedingly rare for a clan like theirs.

A streak of light suddenly appeared on the horizon.

Several younger disciples gasped.

The light grew larger and larger before descending from the sky at an astonishing speed.

Moments later, a flying artifact came to a halt above the square.

Powerful spiritual fluctuations swept across the area.

The younger generation immediately stared with admiration.

Only the elders maintained their composure.

A figure slowly stepped forward from atop the artifact.

The newcomer wore azure robes embroidered with silver clouds. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his chin was slightly raised as he surveyed the crowd below.

An air of superiority surrounded him.

Many disciples instinctively lowered their gazes.

Lin Xuan, however, frowned slightly.

Fourth Layer of Golden Core.

The realization surprised him.

Since when were elders of the Mystic Sky Sect only at the Golden Core Realm?

Based on the sect’s reputation, he had expected at least a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Perhaps an honorary elder?

Or some elder responsible for external affairs?

Whatever the case, his cultivation was considerably lower than expected.

Naturally, none of this showed on Lin Xuan’s face.

As Patriarch, he stepped forward.

"Lin Xuan, Patriarch of the Lin Clan, greets Elder."

The other elders quickly followed suit but the man merely glanced at him.

"Mm."

That was all, not even a proper acknowledgment.

Several elders immediately frowned.

The response was undeniably rude.

Lin Xuan himself wasn’t particularly bothered.

The cultivation world had never lacked arrogant people.

What interested him more was the man’s attitude.

The elder’s gaze swept across the crowd almost dismissively, as though examining a group of beggars rather than fellow cultivators.

His eyes lingered on the younger generation for only a brief moment before moving on.

There wasn’t the slightest trace of interest.

Then something unexpected happened.

The elder’s expression softened noticeably when his gaze landed upon Lin Zhenghai.

"Oh?"

A smile appeared on his face.

"You must be Supreme Elder Lin Zhenghai."

The old man’s eyes immediately brightened, he stepped forward and cupped his fists.

"This junior greets Elder."

The man’s attitude was entirely different from before.

"Excellent."

He nodded approvingly.

"I have heard of you."

The surrounding elders exchanged puzzled looks.

He had heard of Lin Zhenghai?

How?

The Supreme Elder himself appeared pleasantly surprised.

"Elder is too kind."

The man laughed.

"No, no. A clan elder willing to devote himself entirely to the future of his descendants is worthy of respect."

Lin Xuan quietly observed the exchange.

Something felt strange, very strange.

This elder had barely spoken to him despite him being the Patriarch.

Yet he was treating Lin Zhenghai with unusual familiarity.

Almost as though he had arrived with a preconceived favorable impression.

Lin Zhenghai naturally noticed the difference as well.

The smile on his face grew increasingly pleased.

Meanwhile, several of his supporters were already looking at one another with excitement.

If the Supreme Elder had somehow established a connection with the Mystic Sky Sect beforehand, his prestige within the clan would undoubtedly rise once again.

The elder continued speaking.

"Your grandson is Lin Zhaowen, correct?"

The old man’s smile widened.

"Indeed."

"Bring him forward."

The words immediately attracted countless gazes.

Lin Zhaowen, who had been standing among the younger generation, quickly stepped out and respectfully cupped his fists.

"This junior greets Elder."

The man’s eyes swept across him and a moment later, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad."

The simple praise instantly caused excitement to spread throughout the crowd. free𝑤ebnovel.com

A Mystic Sky Sect elder’s approval carried considerable weight.

Lin Zhenghai’s smile nearly reached his ears.

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan remained silent.

His gaze lingered on the elder for a moment before narrowing ever so slightly.

Perhaps he was overthinking things.

But something about this man bothered him.

The way he seemed completely uninterested in anyone outside Lin Zhenghai’s circle.

None of it matched the behavior Lin Xuan expected from an elder of a great sect.