Xu Rong steadied his spirit, and a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Brother Lin Chen, that was all a misunderstanding. I wonder if you're interested in joining our Xu family. Once you enter our ranks, you'll enjoy endless glory and wealth. You could even receive the protection of the Xu family. As for the Tianyan, you needn't hand it over if you don't wish. As long as you're willing to serve the Xu family, I can assure you, no one will dare to touch you."

Xu Rong's eyes fixed on Lin Chen with fervent intensity. So young and already at Tianyuan realm; if such a talent were to be recruited into the Xu family, his future achievements would surely be immeasurable.

As for the Tianyan, once Lin Chen was in the Xu household, he'd have no choice but to surrender it.

Not only would they gain the Tianyan, but they would also recruit such a fierce individual; surely, Xu Rong would be handsomely rewarded by the Family Head upon his return to the Xu family.

Hearing Xu Rong's words, the martial artists following him all showed their burning desire on their faces.

Being able to enter the Xu family and become a retainer would certainly promise limitless achievements, not to mention endless money and readily available power and status.

Xu Rong stared at Lin Chen arrogantly, convinced that Lin Chen had no reason to decline such an offer.

Thinking of having a ruthless person like Lin Chen by his side in the future, Xu Rong felt especially excited.

Now, several Xu family descendants were eyeing the Family Head position, but with Tianyan and Lin Chen on his side, that highest status would surely be in the bag.

"My god, to have the chance to enter the Xu family, Lin Chen is too powerful."

"Indeed. Becoming a retainer for the Lin family, Lin Chen is sure to become a monstrous figure in the future."

Envy, jealousy, and hatred were written all across the faces of those martial artists, wishing they could be Lin Chen, the recipient of such wealth and honor from the Xu family.

Amidst the envious gazes, Lin Chen suddenly laughed.

"Wealth and honor? The Xu family's protection? I'm sorry, but I don't need it. And what is the Xu family to me? Why would I want to be a servant to your Xu family?"

What did you just say?

Lin Chen's words, like a thunderclap, left Xu Rong and the surrounding martial artists stunned, followed by an uproar.

No one had expected Lin Chen to not only reject Xu Rong's invitation but also belittle the Xu family to nothingness.

This guy is too arrogant, too domineering, simply a madman.

"Lin Chen, do you really no longer wish to live? Even if you're at Tianyuan realm, if our Xu family wants to kill you, it would be as easy as turning over a hand. In the face of the Xu family, you're nothing but an ant, and the Xu family is not something you can provoke."

Xu Rong had never imagined that Lin Chen would refuse his olive branch and even dare to insult the Xu family. In his rage, he threatened Lin Chen.

However, Lin Chen's gaze slightly narrowed as he walked toward him.

Instantly, Xu Rong was enveloped by a strong killing intent, as if his very blood had frozen.

"Lin Chen, what... what are you doing? I am a son of the Xu family. If you dare to hurt me, the Xu family will not let you off," Xu Rong said, stepping back in fear and threatening as he saw the glint of murderous intent in Lin Chen's eyes.

Yet, amid the astonished gazes of the crowd, Lin Chen slowly raised the Thunder Sword in his hand.

What does this guy want to do? To kill a son of the Xu family, is he not afraid of the Xu family's revenge?

Lin Chen's mouth curled with a coldness, as he spoke coldly, "You eight great forces want my Tianyan, don't you? Then be prepared to pay the price for it. Whether it's the Xu family or whatever other worthless forces, if you provoke me, Lin Chen, it will be a fight to the death."

Boom!

Lin Chen's words sent a chill down everyone's spine, not only addressing Xu Rong but every family scion present.

This guy was actually boldly challenging the eight major forces.

He was nothing short of a madman.

The eight major forces were the pinnacle of martial power in Huaxia, yet Lin Chen dared to threaten them; just how audacious was he?

While everyone was in shock, an even more shocking scene unfolded.

A streak of golden light flashed by. Xu Rong didn't even have time to scream before he was cleaved into ashes by Lin Chen's sword.

This trip to the Spiritual Spring was originally seen by Xu Rong as a ladder to climb to the position of the Xu Family Head, but he never expected to perish here.

Dead? The great young master of the illustrious Xu Family, Xu Rong, just died like that?

Everyone looking at the empty space in front of Lin Chen felt a surreal sense of disbelief.

The Xu Family was the head of the four major families in Huaxia, and their young master would be treated with respect by any family in any province of Huaxia. The Xu Family even held the power of life and death over any Huaxia family, and Xu Rong, who had such a backing, was slashed into nothingness by Lin Chen's sword.

This was simply too unbelievable.

Thinking about the Xu Family's future revenge, everyone shuddered with fear.

The Xu Family had never had a precedent of their offspring being killed. A few years back, an adopted son of the Xu Family broke his leg in a dispute with a scion of a major Liaodong family, leading to the annihilation of that Liaodong family.

Overnight, men, women, the elderly, and even children, none were left alive.

This incident shook the whole of Huaxia and even alarmed the local Public Security Bureau, but it ended up as an unsolved case without any closure.

It was precisely because of this that the offspring of the Xu Family, no matter how domineering they behaved outside, no one dared to provoke them.

Everyone knew that the Xu Family could not be provoked; to do so meant death, not just for oneself but even one's family would be implicated.

Yet, this guy not only provoked them but directly killed a direct descendant of the Xu Family. He was simply a madman, a madman who feared nothing.

Lin Chen turned around, his icy gaze slowly sweeping over the other martial artists.

"I'm giving you a chance to surrender. Hand over your tokens, or die!"

This battle in the Spiritual Spring was for calculating points, and only the person with the most points would have a chance to enter the prophesied tower.

Lin Chen didn't plan on killing these people, but naturally, he couldn't just let the points go.

"We surrender, we surrender," the group of martial artists said one after another, their faces wrought with fear, hastily transferring their points to Lin Chen.

With their points reduced to zero, these people were automatically expelled from the Spiritual Spring.

Meanwhile, at the Martial Artists Alliance's hall outside the Spiritual Spring, it was a bustling scene. A middle-aged man with glasses was talking confidently while looking at the leader board.

"Didn't I tell you to bet on Xu Rong? Look at his points, leading far ahead!"

"Yes, yes, and thanks to listening to you, big brother. There were rumors that Lin Chen had Tianyan, and I thought he was quite impressive, so I bet on him. Lucky for me, you reminded me, and I withdrew my money to bet on Xu Rong instead."

"Tch, stick with me, and you'll always have meat to eat," the middle-aged man said proudly.

However, just as his words fell, a wave of commotion suddenly erupted in the Martial Artists Alliance.

"How is this possible, why did Xu Rong's name disappear, could it be that he's dead?"

"My god, what kind of monster is Lin Chen, how did he suddenly jump to first place?"

The young man, looking at the screen, went pale. He grabbed the middle-aged man's collar: "Didn't you say you had insider info? Didn't you say Lin Chen would definitely die in there? Didn't you say Xu Rong would be first? Give me my money back, all of it!"

Lin Chen, of course, was unaware that his sudden rise had caused many people to lose everything. His figure swiftly leaped towards the jungle, and he hadn't gone far when he overheard several people chatting while hurrying on their way.

"Guys, hurry up. I hear the Miao family and some other power have surrounded Lin Chen's woman in the western jungle, haha, let's go check out the excitement. Tch, those two chicks are said to be beauties!"

Hearing their conversation, Lin Chen's gaze hardened, and he turned into a shadow, rushing toward the western jungle at break-neck speed.

"Xiao Hua, Bao'er, hold on, I'll rescue you!" While dashing urgently through the jungle, Lin Chen prayed anxiously.