Chapter 101. Rank 8 [1]
The moment Lin Xuan stepped onto the elevated platform, the lively conversations throughout the banquet hall gradually came to a stop.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes turned toward the young patriarch dressed in flowing white robes, while Lin Zhaoyue stood quietly at his side and the Lin Family’s elders lined up behind them.
Before addressing the assembled guests, Lin Xuan first turned toward the seat of honor where the royal envoy was seated.
Cupping his fists respectfully, he said, "This Lin Xuan greets the Royal Envoy. The Lin Family is deeply honored that His Majesty has dispatched an esteemed representative to witness today’s celebration."
The envoy returned the gesture with a faint smile.
"Patriarch Lin is too courteous. I merely carry out His Majesty’s will. On behalf of His Majesty, I congratulate the Lin Family on its promotion to a Rank Eight clan."
A round of applause immediately spread throughout the banquet hall.
Once the applause subsided, Lin Xuan turned toward the gathered guests and cupped his fists once more.
"Honored guests, on behalf of the Lin Family, I welcome all of you to Azure Willow City."
"Many of you have traveled hundreds, perhaps even thousands of li to attend today’s banquet, and the Lin Family is sincerely grateful for your presence."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Today’s gathering has two purposes. The first is to celebrate the Lin Family’s official promotion to a Rank Eight clan. The second is to commemorate the journey that brought us to this day."
His gaze slowly swept across the hall.
"The Lin Family was not always as prosperous as it is today. There was once a time when many believed our family would quietly disappear from the kingdom altogether."
Many of the older guests nodded in agreement, having personally witnessed those difficult years.
"Thirteen years ago, the Lin Family was nothing more than an unranked clan struggling to survive. Our businesses were few, our resources were scarce, and even maintaining our place in Azure Willow City was no easy task."
Lin Xuan smiled faintly.
"Yet the Lin Family never surrendered to hardship. Our elders stood firm, our disciples cultivated diligently, our merchants kept the clan alive through honest trade, and every clansman fulfilled their responsibilities without complaint."
He turned slightly and looked toward the elders standing behind him.
"The Rank Eight title we celebrate today was not won by any single individual. It is the result of thirteen years of perseverance and the collective efforts of every member of the Lin Family."
Warm applause once again echoed throughout the banquet hall.
Many of the guests nodded in approval.
Whether they had come out of curiosity, goodwill, or business interests, no one could deny that the Lin Family’s rise over the past thirteen years had been extraordinary.
Lin Xuan waited patiently until the applause subsided before continuing.
"Today is not merely a celebration of the Lin Family’s achievements."
He looked beyond the banquet hall toward the bustling streets of Azure Willow City.
"It also marks the beginning of a new Chapter. The Lin Family has no intention of stopping at Rank Eight."
His words immediately drew everyone’s attention.
"We intend to continue developing Azure Willow City. Our goal is to transform this once-overlooked coastal city into a place where cultivators, merchants, artisans, and alchemists can all find opportunities to prosper."
Several merchants exchanged glances.
Those words alone revealed the Lin Family’s ambitions.
Lin Xuan continued calmly.
"In the coming years, the Lin Family will expand its trade routes by both land and sea, strengthen cooperation with merchants from every region, and welcome talented individuals who wish to establish themselves in Azure Willow City. As long as our interests align, the Lin Family’s doors will remain open."
A faint murmur spread through the audience.
Many clan representatives had expected a simple celebration.
Instead, Lin Xuan was openly announcing the Lin Family’s future direction.
He smiled faintly.
"Of course, a banquet should not be filled with speeches alone."
A ripple of laughter spread through the hall.
"I imagine many of you are more interested in something else."
Almost every guest smiled knowingly.
Lin Xuan raised his hand, and an attendant stepped forward carrying a jade tray.
Resting upon it were three crystal bottles.
Within each bottle were pills so flawless that they seemed to glow beneath the sunlight.
A collective gasp swept through the hall.
Lin Xuan picked up one of the bottles and held it before the crowd.
"As many of you have already heard, the Lin Family has managed to get a hold of a few Pure Quality pills and at the conclusion of today’s banquet..."
He swept his gaze across the hall, allowing the anticipation to build.
"...these Pure Quality pills will be auctioned to the highest bidders."
The hall instantly erupted into discussion.
Even those who had managed to remain composed until now found it difficult to conceal the excitement in their eyes.
This...
This was the moment they had all been waiting for.
The commotion continued for several moments before Lin Xuan gently raised a hand.
The banquet hall gradually fell silent once more.
"Before the auction begins..."
Lin Xuan turned toward the seat of honor.
"There is one more matter."
He cupped his fists toward the royal envoy.
"The Lin Family would like to express its gratitude to His Majesty for recognizing our promotion and for honoring us by sending an esteemed envoy to witness today’s celebration. As a small token of our appreciation..."
He gestured toward a nearby attendant.
The attendant respectfully stepped forward, carrying a jade box with both hands.
Upon opening it, a crystal bottle containing ten flawless pills was revealed.
Even from a distance, many guests could sense the dense medicinal aura emanating from it.
Lin Xuan smiled.
"This bottle of Pure Quality Golden Core Pills has been specially prepared for the Royal Palace. It is a gift from the Lin Family."
The hall fell into complete silence.
Many guests looked toward the royal envoy with unconcealed envy.
Before the auction had even begun, the Royal Palace had already obtained a whole bottle.
The royal envoy was momentarily taken aback.
He had not expected such a valuable gift.
After a brief silence, a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Patriarch Lin is most thoughtful."
He accepted the jade box with both hands.
"I shall personally deliver your goodwill to His Majesty."
Lin Xuan nodded respectfully.
"I would be most grateful."
The envoy looked down at the crystal bottle before chuckling softly.
"It seems, I no longer have a reason to compete in today’s auction."
As soon as those words left his mouth, quite a few family heads secretly let out sighs of relief.
Had the royal envoy entered the bidding, very few present would have dared to compete against him.
Even those wealthy enough to do so would have hesitated out of respect for the Royal Palace.
Now that the envoy had withdrawn of his own accord, the upcoming auction would be a fair contest.
Lin Xuan’s smile remained unchanged.
That had been precisely his intention.
The value of a single bottle of pills was insignificant compared to the goodwill of the Royal Palace.
More importantly, with the royal envoy no longer participating, every major clan present could bid without reservation.
And the fiercer the competition became...
The higher the final price would climb.