System: After the fortune telling, my cultivation level skyrocketed.

Chapter 1753

Lin Yuyao was stunned upon hearing this, her clear eyes filled with confusion: "But... but how could this be?"

Lin Yuqiong also frowned and looked at Chen Xuan, saying, "While my younger sister's talent and appearance are undoubtedly outstanding among the younger generation in the Holy City, there are countless talented young talents in a giant power like the Immortal Divine Dynasty. Why would they specifically target my younger sister?"

"Hmph, this must be related to the Sacred Qilin bloodline that Yao'er possesses." Chen Xuan's eyes sharpened, his tone resolute. "Besides that, I can't think of any other reason." He looked at Lin Yuqiong and pressed, "Brother Yuqiong, is this Sacred Qilin bloodline unique in the world? Or is it related to some earth-shattering opportunity?"

After Chen Xuan's prompting, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck Lin Yuqiong's mind, and a forgotten clue suddenly surfaced. "Slap!" He raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face, the resounding slap echoing in the hall, a clear red mark instantly appearing on his cheek. "How could I have forgotten about that!"

Seeing her brother so distraught, Lin Yuyao quickly grabbed his arm and asked, "Brother, what happened?"

When this matter was mentioned, Lin Yuqiong's voice suddenly became low and hoarse, and his eyes dimmed, carrying a hint of unspeakable sadness. He looked at his younger sister and slowly said, "The night my mother passed away, she secretly told me a secret about the origin of the Holy Qilin."

"What?" Lin Yuyao was shocked, tears welling up in her eyes instantly. "Is it about the bloodline in my body?"

Chen Xuan stood quietly to the side, listening calmly without interrupting.

“That’s right.” Lin Yuqiong took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions. “My mother said that the Holy Qilin Origin was the key to unlocking a great opportunity. Unfortunately, she was only a Celestial Immortal back then and was not qualified to know the specifics of that opportunity, let alone what kind of treasure the key was. Before she passed away, she repeatedly told me that I must do everything in my power to protect you.”

He shook his head, his voice full of sighs: "Even Father didn't know about this. I never expected... Mother had only been gone for a short time, and all sorts of forces had already come here, gathering in Qilin City for the sake of this Sacred Qilin Origin."

"Mother..." Lin Yuyao could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face as she choked out the title, her sorrowful cries echoing throughout the hall.

Seeing her crying so hard, Chen Xuan gently patted her back and said in a deep voice, "Now that we know their target is Yao'er, things will be easier." He turned to the Lin siblings, a sharp glint in his eyes, and quickly laid out the next plan.

Then, Chen Xuan waved his sleeve and took the still sobbing Lin Yuyao into his immortal mansion. "Since they're playing the 'winner takes all' card game, I'll see what they're really up to."

Not long after, heavy footsteps came from outside the hall. The First Elder and Second Elder of Qilin City, along with several core deacons, came to pay their respects in a grand procession.

Although Lin Yuqiong was indignant, the other party was, after all, a high-ranking official who supported the operation of Qilin City, so she could only suppress her anger and invite the person into the hall.

The Grand Elder was Lin Yuqiong's master. His hair and beard were all white, and his face was covered with deep wrinkles. He looked kind and approachable, but his eyes were cloudy with a hint of shrewdness that was hard to detect. He never put on airs as an elder.

The second elder, with his triangular eyes, stared intently at Chen Xuan, this "outsider," from the moment he stepped into the main hall. He repeatedly steered the conversation toward Chen Xuan with obvious hostility.

Having held the position of young master for decades, Lin Yuqiong had long since honed his skills in dealing with difficult situations. Faced with the Second Elder's provocations, he responded with sharp words, calmly deflecting all the questions directed at Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan always presented himself as a "friend of Lin Yuqiong," and used that identity as an "outsider" to establish himself. Although the First Elder and the Second Elder were constantly at odds, they could not find a suitable reason to use their power to expel him.

When asked about Lin Yuyao's whereabouts, Lin Yuqiong stated that she was cultivating in her own immortal abode.

Upon hearing this, the Second Elder's face immediately darkened, and he reprimanded her in the tone of an elder: "Nonsense! Qilin City is in a precarious situation right now. How can Xiao Yao be so willful? I spent a huge amount of money to invite three great helpers who have traveled hundreds of millions of miles to help me, and she won't even come out to pay her respects and express her gratitude?"

The First Elder stroked his beard, neither refuting nor agreeing, but simply shaking his head and sighing – clearly, the Second Elder had been secretly building his power in Qilin City over the years, and his influence had already permeated all sides, making it difficult even for him, the First Elder, to control him.

"boom!"

Lin Yuqiong could no longer contain his rage and slammed his palm on the long table in front of him. The hard mahogany table shattered instantly, sending wood chips flying. His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaving violently, and he glared angrily at the two elders opposite him, shouting sternly, "Second Elder! I respect you as elders, but how dare you elders, and even my father, condone such an idea of ​​using your daughter as a bargaining chip to save your own lives!"

"You... what did you say?" The First Elder's face paled instantly, his body trembling slightly, after Lin Yuqiong's words exposed his thoughts. The Second Elder, his face ashen, slammed his fist on the table and roared, "What do you, a junior, know!"

"I don't understand the political situation of the major holy cities!" Lin Yuqiong's voice grew louder and louder, filled with endless grief and indignation, her sharp gaze sweeping over the two like a knife. "But I do understand. If Qilin City can't even protect the successor who inherits the bloodline of the Holy Qilin, how will it have the face to rule the major nebulae in the future? How can the sects and forces of those nebulae pay taxes and submit to Qilin City!"

He stood tall, like a javelin, his eyes sharp as swords: "Are we so-called men going to sacrifice women, make them servants and playthings, to prolong the life of Qilin City?"

A descendant of the Qilin City bloodline, forced to become a maid, a plaything?

These words, when they reached the ears of the Qilin City leadership, were like a steel knife scraping their bones; they truly disregarded all sense of shame.

"You...you...you're utterly outrageous!" The Second Elder trembled with rage, pointing at Lin Yuqiong, unable to utter a word.

The First Elder sighed heavily, his eyes filled with pain and helplessness—the Holy Lord had already tacitly approved the matter, and the Second Elder had also made every effort to facilitate it; it seemed that Qilin City truly had no better choice.

"What is this sacrifice compared to survival?" The Second Elder, having recovered his senses, roared furiously, "The bloodline branches of Qilin City number in the billions! If Qilin City is dethroned from its holy city status, what will become of them? Do you know how many will die a violent death?"

"Hahaha!" Lin Yuqiong laughed in fury, his laughter filled with sorrow and resentment. His hands trembled violently with rage. "I would rather Qilin City be destroyed than see my people being cursed behind their backs—cursed as useless men who live on the humiliation of women!"

"presumptuous!"

"Stubborn!"

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing the sore spots of the two elders. The First Elder and the Second Elder roared in unison, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point, becoming tense and on the verge of conflict.

Just then, a clear and loud applause suddenly rang out.

"Clap clap clap..."

The sound was particularly jarring in the tense hall, accompanied by Chen Xuan's faint sneer, breaking the tense situation.

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One update per day, done out of love. Thank you everyone!