C88 Prepare to Set off

"Brother, you're finally out. Any later and we would've had to postpone our departure."

Han Feng had barely stepped through the doorway when Sun Binn, who had been anxiously waiting outside, let out a sigh of relief and started to grumble.

Caught off guard, Han Feng raised his hand in a gesture of apology. "Sorry about that."

He realized at once that the Sun family's decision to wait for them must have irked the other two major families.

Anyone aware of a Spirit Creature like the Flame Vermilion Fruit wouldn't be able to stay calm. If not for Sun Binn being the sole person who knew the location of the Fiery Vermilion Fruit Tree, the other families might have already set off without them.

Sun Binn gave a wry smile. "It's really no big deal. Besides, with Lord Lin being an Eleven-star Human Rank expert, the other families are naturally wary."

Just then, the door of the neighboring house swung open, and Lin Qingshan emerged, her True Qi visibly pulsing.

Han Feng's face lit up. "Sister Lin, have you made a breakthrough?"

With a nod and a smile, Lin Qingshan confirmed, "Yes, I've been fortunate enough to advance."

Before, Lin Qingshan had been in the mid-stage of the Eleven-star Human Rank. Now, with her breakthrough, she had reached the late stage.

Sun Binn was equally thrilled. The stronger Lin Qingshan became, the greater the advantage for the Sun family in any conflict.

Among the three great families, Eleven-star Human Rank warriors were scarce, numbering no more than five.

While they needed to dispatch Eleven-star Human Rank experts to secure the Flame Vermilion Fruit, they also had to ensure the safety of their family by leaving one or two behind as guardians. This meant that the number of available Eleven-star Human Rank experts for the expedition was even more limited, making it a stretch to send out two or three.

"Lord Lin, my father has been eagerly awaiting your arrival in the main hall," Sun Binn said, stepping aside to invite Lin Qingshan to proceed ahead of him.

Lin Qingshan acknowledged with a smile, "Thank you for the consideration."

However, she made no move to go ahead. After all, this was the Sun family's territory, and Sun Binn was its young master. Treating him as anything less, even inadvertently, would not sit well with either the Family Head or Sun Binn himself.

Upon seeing this, Sun Binn offered a slight smile and positioned himself beside Han Feng, guiding Lin Qingshan and Han Feng toward the grand hall.

Yet, a discerning eye might notice that Sun Binn was subtly a step behind Lin Qingshan.

Lin Qingshan hesitated briefly, understanding that the Sun family's intentions extended beyond mere alliance; they were angling for her and her companions to become part of their fold. To her, this was nothing out of the ordinary; families often sought the backing of formidable martial cultivators.

Han Feng, astute as he was, recognized that the deference shown by the Sun Family Head and Sun Binn was solely due to Sister Lin. With his own cultivation at a mere Three-star Human Rank, he was inconsequential in the presence of the Sun family.

Moreover, they were unaware of his recent advancement to the same rank.

Under normal circumstances, Han Feng could walk shoulder to shoulder with Sister Lin without issue. But given the current dynamics, he too found it prudent to trail just a step behind her.

In the Sun family's main hall, the Family Head occupied the foremost seat, with the heads of the Zhou and Wu families seated below him.

Upon receiving word that Lin Qingshan and her party were nearing, the Sun Family Head rose to his feet, his face breaking into a welcoming grin.

The heads of the other two families exchanged glances. Despite their discontent, they recognized Lin Qingshan's status as an Eleven-star Human Rank expert, just a star shy of their own rank. She commanded their respect, unaffiliated as she was with any group, and her support would be a coveted asset.

"Miss Lin, it's a pleasure to see you've arrived. I trust your recent seclusion has borne fruit?" the Sun Family Head greeted her with a robust laugh.

Lin Qingshan returned the smile, replying, "Thanks to your good wishes, Family Head Sun, I've managed to make some progress in my cultivation."

The Sun Family Head had intended his remark as a mere pleasantry and was taken aback to learn of her actual breakthrough. He couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise; progress at the Eleven-star level was something he himself had struggled to achieve over months.

How long had it been since Lin Qingshan's breakthrough? Could she have been on the cusp of it all along?

The Sun Family Head could only speculate, yet he was undeniably elated.

The Zhou and Wu Family Heads, however, looked visibly concerned. An advancement to Eleven-star was significant. Even if she wasn't a Twelve-star expert, Lin Qingshan was clearly a cut above the rest at Eleven-star.

Her expertise was a boon for the Sun family but posed a clear threat to their interests.

Still, their immediate goal was the Flame Vermilion Fruit, which meant dealing with the Star Flame Beast first. The two family heads had no choice but to set aside their apprehensions.

"Hehe, so it's you, Miss Lin. Your reputation precedes you."

"Miss Lin, we're counting on your assistance with the Star Flame Beast."

The Zhou and Wu Family Heads approached with their requests.

Lin Qingshan exchanged pleasantries, responding modestly, "I've been well aware of your esteemed names for some time."

"As for taking on the Star Flame Beast, I'm merely here to support the three Family Heads. I'm hardly its equal."

Their mutual flattery was exchanged with beaming smiles.

Han Feng couldn't help but roll his eyes internally.

"With Sister Lin's unique cultivation method, her top-tier Human Rank martial skills, and the Purple Thunder Whip, none of these Family Heads could truly stand up to her alone."

"I'm eager to see the looks on their faces when they witness Sister Lin's prowess in the fight against the Star Flame Beast."

After some more pleasantries, the Sun Family Head suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead. "In my excitement, I nearly forgot our pressing business. Miss Lin, Brother Zhou, Brother Wu, let's continue this discussion inside the hall."

Once inside, they delved into strategizing their approach to the Star Flame Beast.

The Zhou Family Head spoke with a casual air, "The Star Flame Beast is a ninth-level Devil Beast. Sun Binn tells us it's in the early stages of that level, roughly on par with a Mystic Rank one-star Martial Cultivator."

"It may be the weakest at the Mystic Rank, but to us at the Human Rank, it's a formidable adversary."

"My suggestion is for us to lead the attack, with the Ten-star and Eleven-star Human Rank experts providing support."

"For those below a Nine-star Human Rank, they should provide support from a distance."

"The younger members of our three great families, those below a Six-star Human Rank, can be there to learn. However, we don't require their participation in the attack."

After some thought, both the Sun Family Head and the Wu Family Head gave a slight nod of agreement.

Indeed, warriors below a Six-star Human Rank would only be a liability in a battle against a level nine Devil Beast.

The Wu Family Head added, "While those below Six-star Human Rank may not be useful in combat, they can serve other purposes. We can't afford to lose our direct descendants, but the collateral family members or guards are expendable. If they survive, we'll reward them handsomely; if they fall, they'll have made a noble sacrifice for the family, and we'll compensate their kin accordingly."

Finally, the Sun Family Head concluded, "Both points are valid. Let's proceed with this plan. Miss Lin, do you have anything to add?"

Lin Qingshan shook her head. "No, just that my brother stays with me."

The Sun Family Head furrowed his brow. "Brother Han? Miss Lin, please consider this carefully. Brother Han's cultivation is only at a Two-star Human Rank. A single surge of Vital Spirit from the Star Flame Beast could be fatal for him."