In Martial Universe, Signed in at the Start with Yao Lao's Ring

On the other side, the members of the Lin family were completely unaware that the Lei family had already set their sights on them.

They continued to vigorously mine the Yang Yuan Stones, and with hundreds of them now stocked in their warehouse, they planned to transport a new batch to Yan City for sale the next day.

"Lin Dong, tomorrow, stay with me at Steelwood Manor. There's no need to go to Yan City this time."

Lin Dong had originally planned to invite Lin Yan to go sightseeing in Yan City again, but not only did Lin Yan refuse his invitation, he even insisted that Lin Dong remain with him at Steelwood Manor.

Lin Dong immediately sensed something was off. After all, Lin Yan rarely made specific requests of him. Every time he did, it always carried a particular significance.

Thus, Lin Dong looked at Lin Yan with some curiosity and asked, "Brother Lin Yan, is there a special reason why you're asking me to stay at Steelwood Manor with you?"

Lin Yan nodded. "Do you think that, with all the commotion we've been making lately, the Lei family wouldn't have caught wind of it?"

Lin Dong raised an eyebrow at this and asked, "Lin Yan, are you saying…"

Lin Yan continued, "According to my sources, the Lei family has already learned about our Yang Yuan Stone mine at Steelwood Manor, and they've set their sights on us."

"However, they can't just attack us outright. On one hand, if they were to openly declare war on our Lin family, it would be too much for them to handle.

On the other hand, they lack a valid excuse—no matter how powerful they are, if they attack without just cause, it will provoke dissatisfaction among the various factions in Qingyang Town, and they wouldn't dare to take such a risk right now."

"So then, Lin Dong, what do you think they'll do instead?"

After a moment of thought, Lin Dong's eyes lit up as he said, "They'll send the Black Dragon Stockade to do their dirty work, and they'll wait until father and grandfather have left to escort the Yang Yuan Stones—when Steelwood Manor is at its weakest—to launch their attack…"

Lin Yan nodded. "Exactly."

Lin Dong immediately grew anxious. "Then, Lin Yan, why don't we inform grandfather?"

Lin Yan shook his head.

"This situation is a threat, but it's also an opportunity. The Lei family's strength comes from two factors—first, their own power, and second, their alliances with the Xie Family and the Black Dragon Stockade."

"This time, they want to send the Black Dragon Stockade to deal with us. But at the same time, this is our chance to eliminate them.

If we prepare well, we can turn this ambush against them—making sure they never return. And once we wipe out the Black Dragon Stockade, our Lin family can seize the opportunity to absorb them, expanding our own influence in the process."

Lin Dong immediately understood Lin Yan's plan.

What Lin Yan intended was to use this opportunity to eliminate one of the Lei family's key allies while simultaneously annexing the Black Dragon Stockade, strengthening the Lin family's position.

Thinking about this, Lin Dong looked at Lin Yan with admiration in his eyes.

But he still had one last concern. After a moment of silence, Lin Dong looked at Lin Yan and asked,

"But Lin Yan, if Father and Grandfather aren't here, can we really handle those Black Dragon Stockade people?"

Hearing this, Lin Yan let out a light chuckle. Then, without any reservations, he directly displayed his mid-stage Heaven Yuan Realm strength.

"What?! Lin Yan, when did you break through?"

"And you're already at mid-stage Heaven Yuan Realm?"

Lin Dong was immediately stunned upon witnessing this, his eyes filled with utter shock as he looked at Lin Yan.

Lin Yan smiled and replied, "The Spirit Convergence Array wasn't used for nothing, you know."

"So, don't worry. When the time comes, just leave those people to me."

Seeing this, Lin Dong felt much more reassured.

After all, he was well aware of Lin Yan's strength. Even when Lin Yan was only at the late-stage Earth Yuan Realm, he was already capable of fighting across realms.

Now that Lin Yan had reached the mid-stage Heaven Yuan Realm, it was safe to say that within the Heaven Yuan Realm, he would have no real opponents.

So, the mere Black Dragon Stockade was naturally not a problem.

"Come with me, Lin Dong," Lin Yan said, motioning for him to follow with a smile.

Lin Dong, still full of questions, followed him. Soon, they arrived at various key locations of Steelwood Manor, where he saw the red-colored Spiritual Arrays that Lin Yan had arranged.

Lin Dong recognized these Spiritual Arrays—they were the same Flame Spirit Arrays that had given him trouble before!

Though the Flame Spirit Array was only effective against mid-stage Earth Yuan Realm and below, how many people in the Black Dragon Stockade could even surpass that level?

With these Spirit Arrays alone, all those small fry would be completely wiped out.

As for the so-called experts left behind, Lin Yan and Lin Dong would deal with them personally.

"So, Lin Dong, do you feel assured now?"

Lin Yan grinned as he looked at Lin Dong.

Lin Dong, hearing Lin Yan's words, couldn't help but twitch his lips, feeling genuine pity for the people of the Black Dragon Stockade.

"Brother Lin Yan, those people really have bad luck crossing paths with you."

Lin Dong spoke with utmost seriousness, expressing his heartfelt sympathy.

Lin Yan shrugged and said with a chuckle, "Well, they chose to work for the Lei Family, so they have no one to blame but themselves."

The two exchanged knowing smiles before moving on to finalize the rest of their plans.

---------

The next morning, Lin Xiao, Lin Zhentian, and the others set off as usual, transporting the Yang Yuan Stones to Yan City.

Meanwhile, the forces of Black Dragon Stockade had been lying in wait outside Steel Wood Manor. The moment Lin Xiao and the others departed, they immediately launched their attack!

"Move in! Today, we will annihilate the Lin family!"

With a wave of his hand, Black Dragon Stockade's leader, Yan Kuo, led a large force to storm Steel Wood Manor.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

However, as soon as the vanguard reached a checkpoint, they triggered the arrays that Lin Yan had previously set up. In an instant, they were engulfed in a sea of flames, their bodies igniting as the raging fire devoured them.

Painful wails erupted from the Black Dragon Stockade members caught in the inferno. Meanwhile, Yan Kuo, having never witnessed such a phenomenon before, was utterly shocked and unable to comprehend what was happening.

"What... what the hell is this? Where did these flames come from?"

Yan Kuo was visibly shaken as he voiced his disbelief.

At the same time, hiding in the shadows, Lin Yan and Lin Dong observed the scene unfold. Just as they were about to make a move—

"Wait, Lin Yan, I think I'm about to break through!"

"Damn it! Why now, of all times...?"

Lin Dong suddenly felt his Yuan Power surging uncontrollably within him, his aura rapidly rising beyond his ability to suppress.

"So it was you two causing trouble!"

"You're dead!"

The second-in-command of Black Dragon Stockade, Wu Sha, quickly spotted Lin Yan and Lin Dong. Enraged, he charged straight at them.

"Focus on your breakthrough. I'll handle them."

Lin Yan turned to Lin Dong with a calm assurance.

Without waiting for Lin Dong's response, Lin Yan stepped forward and, with a single punch, sent Wu Sha flying backward.

"I think it's you who should be worried about dying!"