3

Chapter 3:

After Lin Fan sat on the central chair, symbolizing the person with the highest status, the elders of the Xiao family finally followed and sat down in succession.

The meeting room was now filled with the top power of the Xiao family, which consisted of the Great Elder Xiao Zhan, who was at the second level of the Deep Sky Realm, the family head Xiao Ming, who was at the ninth level of the Golden Core Realm, and nine other family elders whose strength ranged from the second to the eighth level of the Golden Core Realm.

"Let me introduce myself first, my name is Lin Fan, and I am the newly established head of the Lin family. I am at the sixth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, but with my body, I can defeat even someone at the seventh level of the Deep Sky Realm!" Lin Fan declared, revealing his full strength to them.

Everyone in the room gasped in shock. Even if Lin Fan was boasting, his power would at least be comparable to someone at the sixth level of the Deep Sky Realm. What was even more surprising was that he wasn't from any major family—he had formed his own family recently.

"Since my family is newly established, I need powerful individuals as followers, so I want to offer you all the opportunity to join me and become part of my family. Anyone at the Deep Sky Realm is currently qualified to become an elder in my family," Lin Fan offered, smiling confidently.

However, none of the elders responded. Instead, they all turned their faces towards the Great Elder, as the final decision rested with him.

Great Elder Xiao Zhan hesitated greatly. It seemed he still hadn't made up his mind.

'Following Lin Fan could be a great decision. With his potential, he will undoubtedly become one of the strongest people in the empire. But if we follow him, we will make enemies of the Yu family, and our fate will depend on Lin Fan's ability to face them,' Xiao Zhan thought, torn between options.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," Lin Fan added with a smug smile, as if he had just remembered, "Anyone who joins me in the Golden Core Realm will receive a fourth-grade cultivation technique and a combat technique. As for those in the Deep Sky Realm, they will receive a fifth-grade cultivation technique and combat technique."

"W-What?! A fourth-grade technique and another of the fifth grade! The best techniques in our family are only third-grade!" Xiao Zhan whispered in complete shock. Only the seven major families and the imperial family had access to fifth-grade techniques. He had never even dreamed of acquiring one in his lifetime.

"A fourth-grade technique will allow us to reach the Deep Sky Realm. We must join the young master Lin Fan."

"Yes, with these techniques, we will reach heights we never thought possible. We must join the young master."

The elders began whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with greed after they comprehended the shocking news. Without waiting for the Great Elder's decision, they all advanced one by one, kneeling before Lin Fan with their foreheads touching the ground.

"Xiao Ning, at the eighth level of the Golden Core Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

"Xiao Hua, at the sixth level of the Golden Core Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

"Xiao Ding, at the fifth level of the Golden Core Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

"Xiao Feng, at the third level of the Golden Core Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

"Xiao..."

Xiao Zhan was surprised to see all the elders suddenly kneel and beg to join Lin Fan. But after a bit of thought, he realized it was natural. Anyone in their position would do the same, and he himself had already decided to follow Lin Fan after hearing about the benefits; it was just that they acted faster than him.

"Xiao Ming, at the ninth level of the Golden Core Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

Even his son hurried to kneel and request to join, leaving only him.

"Xiao Zhan, at the second level of the Deep Sky Realm, humbly requests to follow young master Lin Fan for life!"

A proud and expectant smile spread across Lin Fan's face as he saw all the top powers of the Xiao family kneeling before his feet. Their submission, like obedient dogs, with even happy expressions, only fed his arrogance and made him more pleased.

"Hahaha, very well, I accept all of you. It will be an honor for you to be members of the strongest family in the future!" Lin Fan laughed loudly and said.

"Now, take this as your first reward, a welcoming gift from me." Lin Fan tossed pills towards them, similar to the one he had given to Xiao Mi earlier.

"Thank you, young master!" everyone responded in unison with joy, swallowing the pills without hesitation.

"And now, you are all truly my followers." Lin Fan whispered darkly with a devilish grin, then snapped his fingers lightly.

"Ahhh, what is this, aaah!"

"Ahhh, it hurts so much, aah!"

The members of the Xiao family began to scream and writhe in pain, clutching their heads as Lin Fan caused them to experience unbearable torment.

After a minute of continuous suffering, Lin Fan finally stopped the pain.

"These pills are actually just a precaution to ensure your loyalty to me. From now on, you can never betray me, or I can kill you with just a thought!" Lin said calmly, with a mocking smile on his face.

"W-What?!" The Xiao family members were shocked by this revelation. From now on, their lives no longer belonged to them; they were entirely dependent on the whims of the young man standing before them.

"But don't despair. Here's your real reward." Lin Fan threw them the fourth-grade cultivation and combat technique books he had promised, then walked up to Xiao Zhan, who was still panting on his knees from the pain.

"Congratulations on becoming an elder of the Lin family. Here, take the techniques I promised you." Lin Fan handed Xiao Zhan the fifth-grade techniques and then commanded, "I want the entire Xiao family to be ready by tomorrow to leave. Head to Black Mist Mountain near Yan City; you will find me there at that time."

"Yes, young master!" Xiao Zhan responded with complete submission.

"Xiao Ming, lead me to the room where the fourth elder of the Yu family is being held," Lin Fan ordered calmly.

"Yes, young master."

'Now, it's time to deal with that cunning demon. This will be fun,' Lin Fan thought slyly.