Xianxia: Establishing an Immortal Clan Through Simulation (Patreon)

Chapter 24: Only a Fool Would Try 

It wasn't just the Feng family; the Qingmu Sect and even the City Lord's Mansion had come to a similar conclusion.

That was, the Lin family's recent changes weren't due to some fortuitous opportunity but rather the support of their main family.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain the Lin family's sudden transformation.

Conveniently, the Lin family in Qingzhou City had the capability to effect such a change in the Lin family here.

Thus, the misunderstanding took root.

The Lin family, of course, had no intention of clearing it up.

What they needed most right now was time. As long as they had enough time to grow and Lin Zichen matured, it was entirely possible for the Lin family to become a first-rate or even super-first-rate power.

"Thank goodness those kids’ sudden breakthroughs led everyone to suspect the Qingzhou City Lin Family. Otherwise, we'd be in trouble," remarked the Lin family's First Elder, Lin Shouchang, as he and several senior members read the latest intelligence report in the great hall. They collectively let out a sigh of relief.

While the Lin family’s overall strength had drastically improved — now boasting two Master Realm experts and a 30% increase in Prenatal martial artists — they were still far from being able to fend off the covetous eyes of the major powers in Qingfeng City.

At the very least, they needed to surpass the City Lord’s Mansion in strength to stand a chance.

"This time, we’ll let it slide. But we can’t let them run amok like this again. By the way, what are Lin Zitao and his gang up to now? Hiding somewhere to cry?"

"Hahaha! Youngsters these days really don’t know their limits. The moment they broke through to the first level of the Postnatal Realm, they started floating on air. Still, Young Master Zichen remains steady and unaffected, without a trace of arrogance."

"Exactly! If they knew Young Master Zichen had already reached the eighth stage of the Postnatal Realm, they’d probably want to crawl into a hole and disappear!"

The Lin family’s senior members couldn’t help but laugh when they recalled the scene. 

Lin Zitao and the others, fresh from their breakthroughs and full of confidence, had challenged Lin Zichen the moment they returned to the Lin estate. 

Yet before they could react, they were sent flying one after another, left sprawled on the ground with dazed expressions.

The sheer disbelief on their faces was still amusing to think about.

Had Lin Zitao and the others known they were being ridiculed in the family’s council hall, they’d undoubtedly have felt deeply resentful.

If only the true extent of Lin Zichen's strength hadn't been kept so mysterious, they wouldn’t have been so foolish as to provoke him.

As a result, they didn’t even make it to the arena this time.

They were crushed outright, unable to muster the slightest resistance.

"So brutal. It’s just brutal. I never thought that after reaching the Postnatal Realm, the gap between us and the Young Master would actually grow wider. I suspect his cultivation is at least three stages higher than ours."

"Right? When I told my father I was going to challenge the Young Master, he laughed at me for overestimating myself. I didn’t believe him then, but now… sigh."

"Turns out, there’s a reason the family’s elders broke protocol and directly appointed Lin Zichen as the Young Master."

"Unfathomable. Anyway, unless my strength improves dramatically, I’ll never foolishly challenge the Young Master again."

"Agreed. Only a fool would try."

In a courtyard, Lin Zitao and his companions gathered, lamenting their plight. The arrogance of "genius" that had once marked them was nowhere to be seen.

They had learned the hard way: there’s always someone stronger, and mountains beyond mountains.

Their level of skill was probably laughably childish in the eyes of the Young Master, Lin Zichen.

No wonder he rarely played with them when they were kids.

If it were the other way around, they wouldn’t have been able to find common ground either.

It was like how a teacher finds it hard to blend into a student’s social circle—because their thoughts, perspectives, and levels are worlds apart.

As for the events unfolding outside, Lin Zichen remained oblivious.

After escorting Lian’er to his mother’s side, he returned to his secluded courtyard.

What had happened today was somewhat unexpected, yet also within reason.

Still, with over 500 lower-grade spirit stones now in his possession, he felt not the slightest worry.

The family simulation required 100 energy points per use. This meant he could simulate five times—essentially five chances to avoid danger or even turn a desperate situation into triumph.

After all, Qingfeng City was just an ordinary city. The strongest within it were only at the mid-Master Realm, far from being a threat to him.

"Just in case, I should use the Immortal Clan Simulator once. If there are any potential threats, I can prepare early or even nip them in the bud," Lin Zichen thought.

With that, he stopped hesitating.

Focusing his mind, he issued a new command to the Immortal Clan Simulator in his consciousness.

"Activate the family simulation."

As soon as the thought formed, 100 lower-grade spirit stones vanished from his collection.

At the same time, a translucent screen visible only to him appeared before his eyes.

Rows of text began to scroll across the screen, immediately capturing his attention.

[Lin Family Year 212, September 29th: The outburst of talent among the Lin family’s younger generation shocked the major powers of Qingfeng City. However, the city’s three top factions overestimated their intelligence capabilities and analysis, concluding that the Lin family’s transformation was due to support from the Qingzhou City Lin family. Thus, they refrained from any excessive actions. The Wang family clan leader, however, flew into a rage that day, reportedly breaking several pieces of furniture.]

[Lin Family Year 213, July 4th: Young Master Lin Zichen broke through to the fourth stage of the Prenatal Realm. That same month, the Lin family gained six new Prenatal martial artists, while the younger generation saw significant improvements, advancing two or three levels on average. The Lin family's overall strength rose sharply.]

[Lin Family Year 214, July 20th: Lin Zichen reached the seventh stage of the Prenatal Realm. Half a month later, the family held a coming-of-age ceremony, inviting allied factions from Qingfeng City and nearby areas. Lin Zichen triumphed without fighting, securing victory. Notably, this time, Wang Jinglun, the Wang family’s young master, did not issue a challenge.]

[Lin Family Year 215, February 1st: Lin Zichen broke through to the ninth stage of the Prenatal Realm. The following month, the Lin Zichen Great-Grandfather advanced to the mid-Master Realm, while his second Great-Grandfather reached the peak of the early Master Realm.]

At this point, the threefold cultivation speed enhancement for all members, except Lin Zichen, ceased to have an effect.

[Lin Family Year 215, March 12th: The Wang family suddenly allied with the Zhao and Huang families to launch a hostile competition, targeting the Lin family’s spiritual herb business. This caused the Lin family’s income to plummet, but thanks to their mid-grade spiritual field, they managed to hold their ground.]

"Hm?"

The future had shifted again.

A three-family alliance suppressing them? Could it have been under the directive of the Wang family in Wutong County?

"So, the Mu family made their move against me this quickly," Lin Zichen muttered, the corner of his mouth curving into a cold smile.

He had already learned from his father why the Mu family was targeting him.