Lin Xuan furrowed his brows; there were too many mysteries surrounding the Lin family's situation.

"Ran'er, what's the cultivation level of your grandfather and uncles?"

Lin Xuan suddenly asked.

"Grand Ancestor, my grandfather and uncles reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation twenty years ago, but they've been stuck there due to the lack of Second-Rank Foundation Establishment resources to break through," Lin Ran explained.

"Otherwise, our Lin family would have advanced to the Second-Rank powers long ago. Even so, my Lin family had eight cultivators at the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, not to mention hundreds of other Qi Condensation cultivators, making us one of the top powers in Renhuai County and even in Tianyuan Prefecture."

Lin Ran said this with a touch of pride.

Lin Xuan nodded, and his earlier doubts dissipated. The Lin family's power had evidently grown dangerously close to challenging the Zhang family, which ruled over Renhuai County. The subsequent events followed naturally.

Seeing her Grand Ancestor's expression, Lin Ran understood his thoughts instantly.

"If it's indeed the Zhang family behind this, our Lin family is in grave danger."

Lin Ran's face carried a hint of despair.

Lin Xuan didn't refute her; it was indeed the case. Without eliminating the root of the problem, it could regrow. Since the Zhang family had taken action, they undoubtedly intended to wipe out the Lin family. Their methods weren't particularly sophisticated, and anyone with discerning eyes could see what was happening.

"No wonder my father repeatedly instructed me that if I heard any commotion from the family in the rear mountains, I should immediately take you, Grand Ancestor, and head to the Demon Beast Mountain Range."

Lin Ran's expression changed, and it was clear that her father and the Lin family had already suspected who was behind their troubles and anticipated possible developments.

"Hiss!"

Suddenly, Lin Xuan emitted a low growl, and his enormous head rose upright. He gazed at the location of the Lin family down the mountain.

"Zhang family has arrived!" Lin Xuan's eyes turned icy. "I must go."

Seeing this, Lin Ran's expression grew anxious. "Grand Ancestor, I want to go too."

Lin Xuan's tail flicked, and he carried Lin Ran on his back. Then, he transformed into a streak of gray light, disappearing in an instant.…

The Lin family was located to the north of Qingfeng Town, spanning hundreds of acres. At this moment, sixteen figures silently appeared above the Lin family, completely sealing it off.

The leader was an unidentified figure emanating heavy pressure. Behind him were two cultivators at the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, and the rest were cultivators with at least the Fifth Layer of Qi Condensation.

"Steward Zhang, may I ask what brings you to my Lin family in the dead of night?"

Lin Xiuqi, along with many Lin family cultivators, walked out of the main hall. Lin Xiuqi looked at the elderly man with dark hair and an ominous aura in the sky as he inquired.

"Lin family cultivator Lin Tiesheng trespassed into Zhang's family compound and attempted to assault the Second Miss. He has been killed on the orders of the family head. According to the family head's command, the Lin family will be wiped out," the elderly man stated.

Lin Xiuqi's expression changed slightly. "My third uncle is over ninety years old; even if he's confused, he wouldn't commit such a grave offense. Please, Steward Zhang, spare us; there must be some misunderstanding. My Lin family is willing to offer two-thirds of our resources to resolve this matter."

Lin Xiuqi's tone was sincere. He understood that these were merely excuses from the Zhang family, but family heritage was paramount, and sometimes, you had to yield when necessary.

The elderly man with dark hair and an ominous aura looked at Lin Xiuqi coldly and waved his hand.

"Kill."

The Zhang family cultivators behind him immediately unleashed their spells and attacked the Lin family members.

"Hum!"

In an instant, an invisible barrier appeared over the Lin family, blocking all the attacks from the outside. Clearly, the Lin family had been prepared for trouble from the very beginning and had activated their protective formation.

Outside the barrier, the Zhang family cultivators didn't pause for a moment and launched spell after spell, creating ripples in the barrier. The colorful spells collided with the barrier, illuminating the entire Qingfeng Town with their brilliant explosions.

Over ten thousand ordinary residents of Qingfeng Town could only hide in their homes, peering through windows and door gaps with a mixture of fear and curiosity, gazing in the direction of the Lin family.

In the past, the Lin family was the sky over Qingfeng Town. They had never imagined that someone would dare to attack the Lin family. Yet now, the unimaginable had occurred.

Inside the Lin family, over a thousand Lin family members stared at the trembling barrier in the sky, their faces pale, and their eyes filled with despair.

They understood that, although the Lin family's barrier was strong, it was ultimately a First-Rank level. Under this relentless bombardment, it couldn't hold much longer.When the barrier broke, the Lin family cultivators would be the first to face the onslaught, and these direct family members, mere mortals, would inevitably be slaughtered.

Perhaps unwilling to delay any longer, Steward Zhang outside the barrier displayed impatience. His hands quickly formed seals, and golden streams of light converged. In the sky, hundreds of golden feathers appeared behind Steward Zhang. Each feather exuded a sharp and dangerous aura.

"Zhang Family's Secret Technique: Rain of a Thousand Feathers!"

Lin Xiuqi said with a solemn expression.

"All Qi Condensation cultivators, return to your positions and infuse your spiritual energy into the formation," Lin family cultivators naturally understood the urgency of the situation. In just an instant, they all took their positions and activated the formation, channeling their spiritual energy into it.

Twenty-four different-colored spiritual energy streams flowed continuously into the barrier.

Seeing this scene, Steward Zhang's eyes displayed a hint of disdain. He had once attempted to break through Foundation Establishment using Foundation Establishment Pill, and although he failed, his cultivation reached a theoretical half-step Foundation Establishment level.

His spiritual energy had fogged, and both his spiritual consciousness and spiritual energy were several times greater than an ordinary Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation cultivator.

Now, when he unleashed the Rain of a Thousand Feathers, it could rival the full-power strike of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. No matter how the Lin family struggled, it was all in vain.

"Hum!"

Various thoughts flashed, and Steward Zhang completed his seals. Hundreds of golden feathers shot toward the barrier.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

…

Amidst a continuous series of explosions, the Lin family's formation shattered. All the Lin family cultivators suffered backlash injuries from the formation, each vomiting blood to varying degrees.

But as they watched the now-unobstructed sky and the dense killing intent emanating from the Zhang family cultivators, the Lin family members fell into utter despair.

The Lin family was finished!

"Kill!"

Seeing the formation broken, Steward Zhang's eyes erupted with killing intent, and he no longer concealed his half-step Foundation Establishment aura, overwhelming the entire Qingfeng Town.

"Daring to attack the Lin family, did you ask for my permission?"

Suddenly, a divine message echoed in the sky above the Lin family, resounding in the minds of everyone.