"What are you looking at?" Li Wushuang asked Li Lin with curiosity.
"Nothing." Li Lin said, "Wushuang sister, what's the competition in the clan today like?"
"Have you changed your mind?" Li Wushuang smiled slightly, then explained, "Today, the family will first conduct a test. Those who have reached the warrior level and above can participate in the competition. The final two will represent the Li family in competing against the major families in Qingyun Town, while some of the other younger generations with better talents will remain in the clan for training."
"Oh." Li Lin responded lightly. By now, the two had arrived at a spacious courtyard. Along the way, servants who saw Li Lin all nodded their heads, their gaze and demeanor completely different from before.
"We're here," Li Wushuang said to Li Lin.
"The Li Family Ancestral Hall." Li Lin observed the four green characters outside the courtyard, the script strong and vigorous, not like something an ordinary person would write, arousing his curiosity.
"Miss Wushuang," two servants outside the courtyard respectfully greeted, then looked curiously at Li Lin.
"Lin'er, let's go in," Li Wushuang said to Li Lin.
Following Li Wushuang, Li Lin entered the ancestral hall, which was preceded by a wide courtyard. Already, there were over a hundred people gathered in the courtyard, all of whom Li Lin could recognize at a glance as direct and collateral descendants of the Li family, all from the younger generation.
Li Lin also immediately noticed Li Shaohu, Zhou Haiming, and others, surrounded by a crowd, but he paid them no heed.
Seeing Li Wushuang and Li Lin, almost everyone's expression changed. The Li family disciples present were very familiar with Li Lin, whose identity had always been a joke within the Li family.
"Why is he here?"
"Isn't he not part of the Li family? Wasn't he not allowed to enter the ancestral hall?"
"I heard Li Lin has become a martial artist and even has the strength of a warrior level. Probably that's why he can enter the ancestral hall now. The family head might want to acknowledge his ancestry."
"Warrior strength, not bad talent. Back then, Miss Wushuang, at the age of sixteen, was only at warrior strength, and now she's a disciple of Yunyang Sect."
"What do you know? This time, Li Shaohu and Zhou Haiming are said to be at the warrior level, and Li Mei and Li Shaoxiong are almost at the warrior level."
"Being a direct descendant is better, we collateral members are at a disadvantage from the start."
Some people had already started whispering among themselves, almost everyone in the Li family knew about Li Lin recently becoming a martial artist.
"This ancestral hall is not for those who are not from the Li family. Should any cat or dog be allowed to enter?" A mocking voice came, spoken by Li Shaohu.
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Li Lin's expression darkened slightly, knowing that Li Shaohu was referring to him. Like mother, like son, Li Lin thought, remembering how Li Shaohu used to bully the original Li Lin.
"Li Lin, I'm talking about you. What are you doing in the ancestral hall?" Zhou Haiming mocked. Last time in the back garden, Li Lin had stolen his thunder, and he had been holding a grudge ever since.
"What are you doing here, then? When did the Zhou family become the Li family?" Li Lin replied lightly. If not for his mother asking him to come, he really wouldn't have wanted to come to the Li family ancestral hall. As for Zhou Haiming, Li Lin knew from his memories that he wasn't much better. There was no need to show any courtesy to him, not to his second aunt and uncle either.
"You…" Zhou Haiming was immediately angered, then coldly said, "I can't be bothered to stoop to your level, you little bastard."
"Zhou Haiming, that's enough. Lin'er is here because my father allowed it. What right do you have to criticize?" Li Wushuang scolded sharply.
Zhou Haiming, furious, dared not say much in front of Li Wushuang and gave Li Lin a harsh look.
"Wushuang sister, even Uncle doesn't have the right to let him come, right? He's not a member of the Li family," Li Shaohu said, glancing at Li Lin.
"Li Shaohu, this is grandfather's wish. If you have an issue, take it up with grandfather," Li Wushuang said.
Hearing Li Wushuang's words, Li Shaohu's expression changed slightly, and he said no more. The elder patriarch of the Li family was not someone anyone dared to challenge, being the highest authority in the family.
"Wushuang sister, why did you only come now?" Li Mei, dressed in fine clothes, approached Li Wushuang. Despite her young age, she already possessed a charming aura, her graceful figure drawing enticing curves, her budding chest emitting a pure and tender vibe.
Li Mei's gaze also fell on Li Lin, her usual disdainful look replaced with a hint of something else.
Li Lin glanced at Li Mei, discerning her to be a woman with considerable schemes. At such a young age, she was already so calculating; it was best to keep his distance.
"Yes, arriving now is not too late," Li Wushuang replied.
"Look, the eldest uncle and the fourth uncle have arrived," someone in the crowd whispered.
A gentle commotion spread through the crowd as several figures entered the courtyard. Leading them was Li Dong, the eldest of the Li family, wearing a long robe, radiating an imposing aura that Li Lin recognized.
Beside Li Dong was a woman in plain clothes, his wife, Mrs. Huang, also Li Wushuang's foster mother, her demeanor elegant and dignified.
To Li Dong's left stood a middle-aged man in blue attire, bearing a resemblance to Li Dong with a robust physique and sharp gaze. Li Lin was familiar with him as well; this was his fourth uncle, Li Xi, with his aunt, Mrs. Chen, beside him.
The last in the group, a middle-aged woman in a brocade robe exuding affluence, her hair done up and face painted with makeup, was Li Lin's second aunt, Li Nan, Li Dong's sister.
Including an adopted son, the Li family consisted of five main members: Li Dong, Li Nan, Li Zhong, Li Xi, and Li Bei. Li Lin's father was the third brother, Li Zhong.
Next to Li Nan was her husband, Zhou Lixing, looking over the gathered individuals. Li Lin noticed a change in his expression upon seeing Zhao Hui among them, dressed lavishly, her demeanor arrogant, also glaring at Li Lin.
Li Lin pondered that Zhao Hui probably wouldn't have allowed him into the ancestral hall, but she didn't say anything now, likely because his uncle or so-called grandfather had spoken, leaving no room for her objection.
Li Lin did not see his so-called father or his fourth uncle and Li Mei's father, Li Bei, among them. Besides these individuals, Li Lin recognized several other elders, who held significant positions within the Li family and were involved in making major decisions.
Upon Li Dong and the others' arrival, everyone else kept quiet, standing in place respectfully.
"Let's all go in," Li Dong glanced over those present, his gaze pausing on Li Lin, before addressing everyone.
The crowd followed Li Dong and others into the ancestral hall, with Li Lin entering last.
The ancestral hall was even larger than Li Lin had imagined, spacious enough to accommodate everyone. In the center of the hall were rows of spirit tablets bearing the names of the Li family's ancestors.
Li Lin briefly surveyed the hall, finding little interest. Inside, there were hundreds of cushions, with direct descendants positioned at the front and collateral members at the back.