The Invincible Strongest Student

After the group marched mightily toward the house, hurried footsteps echoed over.

Lin Tian turned and saw Lady Thirteen approaching.

"What’s the matter, why so urgent?" Lin Tian asked.

"Mr. Lin, you must come and see. Elders and patriarchs from powerful families have arrived outside, all waiting to see you. Earlier, because you were still cultivating, I dared not disturb..." Lady Thirteen said anxiously.

Lin Tian was momentarily stunned, glancing toward the door, and then he smiled bitterly.

Who would have thought, even with the barrier, those old foxes still found out; I have truly underestimated them.

"How long have they been here?" Lin Tian asked.

Lady Thirteen replied, "Since you asked us to wait outside, they arrived within half an hour. According to your instruction, I told them you were occupied and couldn’t see guests, but they refused to leave and have been waiting until now."

Lin Tian looked up at the sky; it was already sunset with stars sparsely brightening the night. These fellows have stood there all afternoon.

"Did they ask about anything else?"

"Yes." Lady Thirteen nodded, "They asked what you were busy with and whether you needed help. I responded that I didn’t know."

"Mm, understood. Okay, you go make some tea first."

"Alright!"

...

Striding confidently toward the door, Lin Tian paused, listening intently but hearing nothing, then used his perspective eye to take a look, and wow, lady was right! Standing outside were indeed a large group of people, wearing respective family attires, aligned at the door; roughly estimated, there were twenty or thirty of them.

With hands clasped behind, standing straight with chests out, they appeared disciplined as if in military training. Though their expressions were serious, they carried an impressive air.

Lin Tian stepped forward and opened the door; as the door creaked, all eyes turned toward him. A variety of gazes fell upon him; a timid person might feel weak at the knees.

Lin Tian mimicked their posture, clasped his hands behind him, squinted, and smiled, "Everyone, visiting so late, what’s the matter?"

"Hehe, Mr. Lin probably has guessed?" The speaker, the third elder of the Alliance, who had some history with Lin Tian said smiling; but as people say, a smile can soften the hardest face.

Previously, everyone addressed him as ’Lin’, but times have changed; Lin Tian has now become an elder of the Alliance, and the title must be respected.

Lin Tian lightly shook his head, smiling, "I have no idea, might it be you’re here to share a drink?"

"Hehe, not quite. We know Mr. Lin is gravely injured; today’s commotion in the courtyard greatly concerned us. Thus, we came to see if assistance was needed," spoke Yue Yongnan, patriarch of the Yue Family, who once crossed paths with Lin Tian but has since reconciled.

Lin Tian cupped his hands in thanks and smiled, "Thank you all; while today’s commotion was significant, it posed no danger. Since everyone’s here, speaking at the door is inappropriate; why not come inside for some hot tea?"

"Then, we’d gladly accept the invitation."

...

Though Lin Tian’s place was spacious, there was nothing extravagant to offer; not to mention seating, for these twenty or so people, each one had a tall stool, squeezed around three round wooden tables. Before them was a ceramic bowl, holding unimpressive tea.

Such hospitality hardly seemed fit for esteemed leaders of ancient martial families.

Of course, they hadn’t come for comfort or tea; despite any displeasure within, none showed on their faces.

"Mr. Lin, the commotion in the courtyard today, it was presumably the Spirit Gathering Town, wasn’t it?"

The inquiry came from a friendly elder, clean-faced with a top knot, asked smiling.

Lin Tian knew this elder, Tan Songxian from the Tan Family, renowned in early years; his legendary Twelve Tan Legs had earned the nickname ’Twelve Divine Legs’.

"Why do you say so?" Lin Tian asked with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Hehe, despite the barrier within the courtyard, I stood outside all afternoon and sensed the flow of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi; upon entering the courtyard, I saw traces of an array. Combining this with your recent material collecting, it’s not hard to speculate," Tan Songxian smiled.

Lin Tian was noncommittal, merely glancing around, asking, "Is everyone here for this?"

Warily, even his tone was carefully measured. The Spirit Gathering Town was no issue, but worry lay in whether they sought cultivation methods for Spiritual Qi. Even with the tightly closed gates and array barrier, who could be sure these old foxes knew nothing?

No one answered; instead, their gazes focused on Tan Songxian, evidently appointing him as spokesperson.

"Hehe, somewhat." Tan Songxian nodded, "The Spirit Gathering Town array by Mr. Lin is indeed formidable; do you know that merely an afternoon caused significant impact on the environment?"

Lin Tian furrowed his brows and shook his head. Truly, he was unaware; were they perhaps here to cause troubles?

"Throughout Luoyan Dock, Spiritual Qi became exceedingly sparse, one-third of all cultivated medicines withered, Luoyan Lake’s water level dropped five centimeters, as for other changes, there’s no need to elaborate here."

Tan Songxian’s voice was gentle, yet as it reached Lin Tian’s ears, it felt like a bolt from the blue. Who would have expected such adverse effects?

Originally perceiving some expert ignored the barrier and spied here, it turned out the significant commotion attracted them.

Lin Tian pushed his chair aside, stood up, and addressed everyone cupping his hands, "Everyone, today’s matter is Lin Tian’s fault; here I offer my apologies. Furthermore, if any of you have requests, feel free to bring them up."

Initially thinking to probe these guests with some plans, conveniently assessing their attitude toward ’Wang Lin’s’ faction. But unexpectedly, they came seeking trouble instead.

"No need for this, Mr. Lin; what are those herbs worth? We merely wish for the array blueprint of the Spirit Gathering Town." Finally, someone couldn’t help but voice.

They knew Lin Tian’s considerable endeavor with resources and Spiritual Qi signified great work. They wanted insights but that wasn’t protocol; obtaining the array blueprint was satisfactory.

Despite the Spirit Gathering Town lasting merely an afternoon, its sheer magnitude and pure Spiritual Power made it exceptionally valuable for cultivating higher realms, crafting complex elixirs, and other vital occasions.

Precisely due to this, these dignitaries waited at the door all afternoon.