Someone sighed, "If only I were a direct Huang Family disciple, I wouldn't have to deal with these tasks and could safely stay behind the beast tide."
"Shh!" Someone's expression changed, and he whispered sharply, "Watch your words. A direct Huang Family descendant is right there—the First Elder's granddaughter. She even came to take missions."
Hearing this, the man sobered slightly, but the recent death still weighed on him. His tone remained resentful as he lowered his voice, "Young Miss is naturally different… but there's someone who's been avoiding Family duties entirely. And he's supposed to be the number one of the new generation."
As soon as those words were spoken, nearby Gu Masters immediately echoed in agreement. Since the person wasn't present, their complaints grew bolder.
"That Lin Yan—I've invited him to join my team several times, and he refused every time."
"Exactly. He's too arrogant."
Someone sneered, "It's not arrogance. He just doesn't care about these missions. First, he got rewards from the newcomer competition, then stumbled upon a inheritance. I heard the Human Elixir Gu alone sold for a million primeval stones. Of course he doesn't care."
The more they talked, the more restless they became. Jealousy, envy, and frustration mixed together, pushing the atmosphere toward agitation.
"Bang!"
One of them slammed the table. "No! He's been avoiding this for half a year. That's not acceptable. Taking missions is every Family Gu Master's duty. I'm going to report this."
The others immediately stood up, voices overlapping, "Let's go together."
At this moment, the dissatisfaction that had built up from Lin Yan's repeated refusals, mixed with the jealousy over his sudden wealth, finally erupted after half a year of brewing.
Lin Qingyao noticed something was off, but she couldn't be bothered to intervene. Even she felt a trace of envy—Lin Yan had truly struck it rich.
A large group of Gu Masters gathered at one side of the mission hall. Soon, the Family Elder in charge, a dignified middle-aged man, stepped out.
His gaze swept over the crowd. A faint smirk flickered in his eyes, but his tone was stern. "What are all of you doing, gathering here like this?"
The burly man at the front had already cooled down somewhat during the walk and felt a hint of regret, but there was no turning back now. He clenched his teeth and said, "Lord Huang Mo, I wish to report Lin Yan for refusing to fulfill his Family duties."
After hearing the situation, Huang Mo frowned and spoke in a grave voice, "This is indeed a problem. It harms the Family's discipline and sets a bad example. I will personally go to his residence and make him join a mission team. You may all come along as witnesses."
The Gu Masters present felt their pressure dissipate and were overjoyed, eager to see Lin Yan suffer. "With Elder Huang Mo taking action, even if Lin Yan is a genius, he can only yield. After all, these are the rules."
A large crowd rushed to Lin Yan's residence, surrounding it completely.
"Everyone, please wait a moment. The Young Master is in secluded cultivation and cannot be disturbed. He will give everyone an explanation after he comes out."
Aunt Liu stood at the door, sweating profusely as she struggled to deal with the many Gu Masters. She could only complain inwardly; the Young Master had provoked increasingly powerful figures, and everyone present was a Gu Master—how could she, a mere mortal, hold them back?
"Hmph." Huang Mo's eyes flashed with cold light as he waved his sleeve. "Lin Yan must come out today. Evading his duties while enjoying the fruits of others' labor is unfair to everyone here. The Family rules will not spare him."
Many Gu Masters echoed loudly, "That's right! Lin Yan has delayed this for half a year, making excuses again and again. He must give an explanation today!"
The pressure rose step by step. Aunt Liu could no longer hold on and sighed, preparing to send someone inside to call Lin Yan out.
Huang Mo saw the situation tipping in his favor and felt a trace of satisfaction. He had close ties with Shen Kuang. Since Shen Kuang had suffered a loss, as his disciple, he naturally wanted to vent that grievance. This entire situation had been deliberately stirred up by him, using the crowd's momentum to pressure Lin Yan.
But that wasn't all. He also had his own motives. Lin Yan's five hundred thousand primeval stones were too tempting. Under the pretext of "contribution," he planned to extort a portion, offering in return the convenience of overlooking mission duties, making it a profitable exchange.
At the same time, deep within the quiet room in the backyard, Lin Yan had reached a critical moment. The vast dark red primeval sea surged violently, crashing again and again against the crystal wall riddled with cracks.
With a dull, resounding break, the Rank 3 barrier finally shattered. Countless fragments of light scattered into the sea as the aperture expanded, forming a brand-new Rank 3 light membrane at its boundary. At the bottom of the primeval sea, strands of faint silver true essence slowly emerged, smooth as flowing water, carrying a subtle silver radiance.
Rank 3 Initial Stage!