The Second Elder, Ling Mo, and the Fifth Elder, Ling Yan, had colluded with outsiders in an attempt to usurp Ling Cang's position as the head of the family.
Not only had their plot failed, but it had also allowed the Li family, one of the three major families, to take advantage of the situation and almost destroy the Ling family.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, Ling Mo knew how to make a choice. He knew how to protect the interests of the Ling family. He took the Spirit Burning Pill and raised his strength to the King Stage, blocking the Li family's army and giving the Ling family a chance to counterattack.
However, Ling Mo's cultivation had stagnated, and his lifespan had been reduced by ten years.
As for his younger brother, Ling Yan, he was an accomplice of the rebellion. Like him, he was punished to face the wall and reflect on his mistakes for ten years. He was also expelled from the Ling Family.
It could be said that Ling Mo, Ling Yan, and the others who had caused chaos in the past had been completely marginalized. As Ling Cang, Ling Yuan, Ling Zhan, and the others grew stronger, the Ling Family had gained more development, and they were almost forgotten.
Now that Ling Xiao had suddenly brought up this matter, Ling Cang was a little surprised. What was even more surprising was that from Ling Xiao's tone, it seemed that he wanted the Second Elder and the others to take over the Ling family.
"Xiao 'er, are you really going to do this?" Ling Cang asked Ling Xiao with a look of surprise.
The people behind him also looked at Ling Xiao in confusion.
Ling Xiao explained, "The Second Elder and the Fifth Elder are also members of the Ling Family. Although they have made mistakes, I'm sure they have repented and turned over a new leaf. Since we are leaving, why not let them take over the reins of the Ling Family? I'm sure the other elders won't object."
The reason why Ling Xiao had done this was not because he was too soft-hearted, but because he had taken the Spirit Burning Pill in order to preserve the Ling family's foundation. From this decision, it could be seen that he still had deep feelings for the Ling family.
Now that Ling Xiao was leaving with his family, and the other elders would definitely want to take over the position of the family head, there would definitely be internal strife. Thus, it was better for Ling Xiao to use Ling Mo to fulfill his dream of becoming the family head.
After all, Ling Mo still had some means to make the Ling family prosperous.
Ling Cang showed a gratified smile and said, "Xiao Er, it seems that you have matured. Some things are more thoughtful than us old men. Alright, let's go to the second elder's house. They have suffered enough these years!"
Back then, Ling Cang and Ling Mo were good brothers, but they became enemies because of the position of clan head.
Ling Cang had always been grateful to the previous Clan Leader for giving him the position of Clan Leader. However, as the son of the previous Clan Leader, Ling Mo did not become the Clan Leader. Ling Cang still felt a little guilty towards Ling Mo.
Now that Ling Xiao had taken the initiative to ask Ling Mo, Ling Yan, and the others to put them in an important position, Ling Cang wouldn't object. Instead, he felt that it was a good idea, and the guilt in his heart also disappeared with the wind.
…
In the northernmost part of Meteor City, there were several simple and crude thatched cottages.
This place was sparsely populated, and there was no sign of life to speak of.
In front of the thatched cottage, two old men who looked to be in their sixties or seventies were sitting there chatting.
The oldest of the two coughed from time to time, and his face was always pale and sickly. The other old man beside him frowned from time to time, and he looked indescribably lonely.
These two old men were the two brothers who had been abandoned by the Ling family, Ling Mo and Ling Yan.
Apart from them, their children and grandchildren had also been sent to live here, and they could no longer return to the inner courtyard of the Ling family.
Their children were all somewhat capable, and they didn't want to stay here with the two of them and be ridiculed for the rest of their lives. Thus, many of them left the two old men and left Meteor City to live in other places. Only a few of them still stayed by their side.
"Second brother, I heard from Ling Xing that the Highest Elder and Ling Xiao have returned," Ling Yan said to Ling Mo.
Ling Mo coughed twice, and his old eyes emitted a bit of sadness as he said, "Yes, the Ling family can be where it is today because of them. We … cough, cough, should be happy!"
Thinking back to everything he had done back then, a strong sense of regret surged in his heart.
If he hadn't done that back then, the Ling family today would also have a part of their glory.
However, there was no turning back now that they had missed it, and they could only let it go with the wind.
"Back then, father temporarily entrusted Big Brother Ling Cang to be the Clan Leader. We misunderstood father," Ling Yan said lightly, and his expression was indescribably complicated.
Ling Mo said, "Yes, if we missed it, then we missed it. Our sins can't be washed away. Just let us watch the Ling family grow stronger, and I will also feel very gratified. However … it's a pity for that child, Ling Xing."
Ling Xing was the only one of Ling Mo's grandsons who was willing to stay.
He, Tenbin, was not weak. Although he had left the Ling family's support over the years, he still relied on his own strength to break through to the Low Rank Spirit Master realm.
However, at this stage, without the nurturing of the family, without good opportunities, it would be quite difficult to advance in the future by relying on his own cultivation.
As Ling Xing's grandfather, Ling Mo naturally did not want Ling Xing to be buried like this. In his heart, he hoped that Ling Xing could return to the Ling family!
"Ling Xing has a firm heart. He has his own ambitions. Big brother, you don't have to worry." Ling Yan comforted.
Just as Ling Mo wanted to say something, he coughed a few times. This time, he actually coughed up blood.
Ling Yan was shocked, "Big brother, I'd better help you back to your room to rest. Don't talk too much!"
"No … It's not a big deal. I've lived for almost all these years. The only thing I can't let go of is Ling Xing. I want … I want to make a trip back to the clan. Even if I have to beg Ling Cang, I have to let Ling Xing return to the Ling family!" Ling Mo wiped his mouth and waved his hand.
"Big brother, you … Why don't I go? Your body isn't good!" Ling Yan said.
Ling Yan knew that his big brother was originally a person who cared about his face. Although he had become like this, he had never asked the Ling family for anything all these years. Now that he was willing to give up his face for his grandson, it was truly difficult for him.
"No … There's no need to say more. Anyway, I'm also a person who's half in the coffin. My face is nothing!" Ling Mo seemed to have already accepted it.
At this time, a man in his thirties rushed over with large strides.
"Grandpas, you don't have to beg them. I think I'm very good now." This man with a calm expression was Ling Mo's grandson, Ling Xing. On his shoulder, he was carrying an advanced second stage wild boar.
The current Ling Xing was very different from the one from more than ten years ago. His arrogance was gone, and there was only a steady and resolute look.
He had gone from a high and mighty young master of the Ling family to an abandoned and destitute young master. At first, he couldn't accept the reality.
However, with the passage of time, his thinking had undergone a great change.
The ups and downs of life were often times when people saw their true nature.
It turned out that he hated Ling Cang and the current Ling family. However, every time he heard his two grandpas talk about that matter, he also understood that the Ling family did not mistreat them. Instead, they were in the wrong first.
If they were in the wrong, they would have to bear the responsibility and consequences.
Therefore, Ling Xing no longer hoped to return to the Ling family. Instead, he hoped that through cultivation, one day, he could change his current situation so that his two grandpas could enjoy their old age.
Ling Xing threw the wild boar down and walked in front of Ling Mo. He took out an early third stage spirit herb.
This was a Crow Ginseng King, which had the effect of prolonging one's life.
"Grandpa, your body isn't good. Take it first. You don't have to worry about my matters," Ling Xing said.
It could be seen that he was very filial now.
Both Ling Mo and Ling Yan showed satisfaction in their eyes. At the same time, there was a strong sense of pity.
"Child, it's grandpa's fault for dragging you down!" Ling Mo said with some sadness.
The better Ling Xing performed, the more uncomfortable he felt.
With Ling Xing's Tenbin, the clan would definitely focus on training him. In the future, it wouldn't be a problem for him to become a peak Spiritual Master. With the help of elixirs, he could even step into the King Stage and leap through the dragon's gate!
"Grandpa, don't say anything. I'm living quite well now," Ling Xing replied. In reality, there was some indescribable worry in his eyes.
At this time, someone came to their simple and crude place.
Ling Xing looked at the people who came. His eyes jumped and a wave of anger rose.
"Brothers Ling, Old Huang is here to see you." Before those people arrived, an old voice rang out first.
There were six people in total. The leader was an old man who was about the same age as Ling Mo, Ling Yan, and the others. His name was Huang Hansheng, and he was the old patriarch of an old family in Meteorite City. He had the strength of a high level Spiritual Master.
Behind him were two Spiritual Masters and three Mystic Realm martial artists.
There were five men and one woman in this group. The woman was the youngest and prettiest of them all. She stood behind Huang Hansheng and appeared a little timid. She looked at Ling Xing with affection in her eyes, but there was also an indescribable grievance in them.
"You … why are you here? Since you don't care about old bones like us, why are you here to show off? Do you think that old bones like us don't have the ability to eat people?" Ling Mo looked at Huang Hansheng angrily. He couldn't help but cough up a few mouthfuls of blood.
"Brother Mo, don't be angry. I came today to tell you two things." Huang Hansheng looked at Ling Mo and Ling Yan with disdain. He paused for a moment and said, "First, I hope that Ling Xing won't harass my family's Xiao Lian in the future. She's not worthy of you abandoned people. Second, we're already connected by marriage with the Qin Family. Please go and have a few drinks when you're free. However … I think that Brother Mo isn't feeling well, so you shouldn't go. Let Ling Xing go on your behalf."
Huang Hansheng and Ling Mo used to be friends. When Ling Mo held a high position in the Ling Family, Huang Hansheng often came to curry favor with Ling Mo and even planned to marry his granddaughter, Huang Lianyun, to Ling Xing.
However, after something happened to Ling Mo and the others, Huang Hansheng immediately drew a clear line between them.
However, Ling Xing and Huang Lian seemed to be fated to fall in love. They actually met in the desolate mountains and the sparks of love were ignited.
The two of them were in love with each other. After Ling Xing became a Spirit Master, he thought that with his strength, it was enough for him to propose to the Huang Clan. However, he attracted the humiliation of the Huang Clan's cultivators, and they stopped Huang Lian from interacting with him.