City Lord Su stood up, his face beaming with a genuine, hearty smile. He looked at Lin Feng with undisguised admiration.
"Concluded, indeed!" he boomed, his voice full of warmth. "What a spectacular display! Young Master Lin Feng, you are not only the pride of the Lin Clan, but you are also the pride of our entire Fortune City!"
He paused, letting his praise sink in, ensuring every clan leader understood his stance.
"To have such a talent emerge from our city puts my heart at ease," he continued, his tone becoming more serious. "In two years' time, the Profound Convention will be held. It is a gathering of the most outstanding talents from all the outer cities like ours, competing for the honor and the quota to enter the Great Han Capital City for further study and to represent our region."
A wave of murmurs spread through the elders of the major clans. The Profound Convention! It was a prestigious event that occurred once a decade. The selected representative would receive immense resources and the chance to learn from masters in the capital, bringing glory and benefits back to their home city.
City Lord Su's gaze was fixed on Lin Feng. "Young Master Feng, with your strength and talent, you are the ideal candidate. I can think of no one more suited to represent the glory of Fortune City on that stage. With you carrying our banner, I am filled with confidence."
The implication was crystal clear. By publicly naming Lin Feng as his chosen representative, City Lord Su was throwing his full, official support behind the Lin Clan. He was aligning the city's government with their rising star.
Lin Zhen and the other patriarchs, including the allied Hua and Bai clans, were slightly surprised, but pleasantly so. This was a significant political victory. Lin Canghai allowed a rare, proud smile to touch his lips.
Lin Feng, for his part, remained as composed as ever. He cupped his fists respectfully towards City Lord Su, his bleeding arm not diminishing his dignity in the slightest.
"This junior thanks City Lord Su for his high praise and trust," Lin Feng said, his voice steady. "I will strive to be worthy of the honor."
Old Patriarch Lin Zhen laughed heartily, the sound full of satisfaction and relief. "Hahaha! Well said! We of the Lin Clan thank City Lord Su for his support! We will ensure Feng'er is prepared to bring glory to our Fortune City!"
However, not everyone viewed this development with unalloyed joy. Rong Yanan, who had been observing the proceedings with her characteristic serenity, frowned slightly. Her sharp, intelligent eyes took a deep, measuring look at City Lord Su.
She understood the benefits, but she also saw the burden and the danger. Being named the representative painted a massive target on Lin Feng's back, not just from local rivals, but from all the other outer cities. It was both a shield and a cage.
On the side, completely lost, was Lin Yun. As the servants finished applying a healing salve and bandaging his shoulder, he watched the exchange with confusion. The original owner of this body had been so disinterested in cultivation and clan affairs that he had no memories of what a "Profound Convention" was.
He leaned slightly towards his second sister, Lin Wanrou, who was watching their brother with sparkling, proud eyes.
"Second Sister," he whispered, "what is this Profound Convention? Why does everyone seem to think it's such a big deal?"
Lin Wanrou turned to him, her expression a mixture of excitement and pity for his ignorance. "It's a very important competition, Little Brother. The Great Han Kingdom is vast. Outside the capital, there are dozens of outer cities like Fortune City. Every ten years, they hold a convention where each city sends their best young talent to compete."
Her eyes gleamed. "The winners, the top few, earn the right to go to the Great Han Capital City. They get to enter the royal academy or other major sects there! It's the dream of every young cultivator! For City Lord Su to name Big Brother as our representative so early… it's a tremendous honor. It means our Fortune City's resources will be poured into helping him prepare."
Lin Yun digested this information. So, it was like a national championship, with scholarships to the top universities as the prize. It made the political maneuvering even clearer. By backing Lin Feng, City Lord Su was investing in the city's future reputation and influence.
The banquet, which had nearly descended into a bloody clan war, was now steering towards a triumphant conclusion for the Lin Clan. The mood was shifting from tension to celebration.
Lin Zhen, sensing the change, raised his voice once more. "The competition has concluded, but the celebration of this old man's birthday has not! Let the feast continue! More wine! More food! Let us enjoy this day!"
Servants, who had been waiting nervously on the sidelines, sprang into action. They hurried to replace the shattered stage area with long tables laden with delicacies and fine spirit wine. The musicians, who had fallen silent during the battles, tentatively began to play a festive tune.
The Lin Clan members wore expressions of relief and soaring pride. The allied Hua and Bai clans offered their sincere congratulations. Even the Nangong, Wang, and Zhou clans began to offer stiff, polite toasts, their attitudes visibly softened, their previous hostility replaced by a wary, calculating respect.
The feast continued for another hour, filled with laughter, toasts, and the clinking of wine cups. The Lin Clan was the undisputed center of attention, their status as the leading power in Fortune City firmly re-established.
Soon, the banquet drew to a natural close. City Lord Su was the first to take his leave. Lin Zhen personally escorted him to the main gate, their conversation warm and filled with mutual respect.
"City Lord Su, thank you for gracing this old man's humble celebration," Lin Zhen said, cupping his fists.
"Patriarch Lin, the honor was mine," City Lord Su replied with a genuine smile. "To witness the rise of such talent in our city is a blessing. I look forward to our future cooperation."
With a final nod, he departed with his entourage, his support for the Lin Clan now a public fact.
The other clans began to leave one after another. The Nangong, Wang, and Zhou Clans offered their polite, if somewhat stiff, farewells. Their patriarchs' expressions were thoughtful, their minds already busy recalculating their strategies in this new political landscape.
The Bai Clan also took their leave, with Bai Chenfeng offering Lin Yun a final, respectful nod.
The last to leave were the Hua Clan, their alliance now stronger than ever. Patriarch Hua Peng lingered, holding Lin Zhen's hand in a firm grip.
"Brother Lin," Hua Peng said, his voice sincere, "truly, congratulations. To have such a grandson in Lin Feng is the greatest blessing a clan can ask for. The future of the Lin Clan is boundless."
Lin Zhen laughed heartily, his earlier solemnity completely gone. "Brother Hua, you flatter me. Your daughter, Yuxian, is a peerless beauty with remarkable talent. Our clans must stay close."
"Of course, of course!" Hua Peng agreed warmly. After a few more pleasantries, Lin Zhen personally saw the Hua Clan off at the gate, solidifying their friendly ties…