Below, the unrestrained laughter grew increasingly louder, without any scruples.

Dozens of pitch-black Source Fluctuations soared into the sky, instantly engulfing all the stars in this Border region and shrouding everything in darkness.

Yet, in the pitch-black darkness, the old man's cloudy eyes were as fierce as the Sun, emitting a tyrannical light that pierced through everything. His hoarse voice echoed in everyone's ears like an Iron Hammer driving nails, word by word, hammering his speech into their souls.

"Remember, the path you choose is your own, whether you are here or not, whether you bear the Lin surname or not. From the day you set foot on the path of the Candle Dragon, don't even think about being a bystander who evades trouble.

"Go and fight, snatch, and seize! Make enemies! Get beaten down like a dog and crawl back. Then, after you've recovered, seek your revenge!

"Whether you choose to be a Witch gathering the residues of the Abyss, or a Curse Master boldly plundering in the hordes of Hell, that is the path you've chosen, a path of ten deaths and no life!

"Those who are afraid can go to the back mountain and use the Thunder Tribulation Secret Ritual to wash away their Stigma. Then, they can take their money and live as rich heirs in Current Circumstances. Don't claim to be a person of the Lin family afterwards—for them, being related to such a family would be the worst luck.

"But what about for you? What does the Lin family mean to you?"

The elder's pupils burst forth with light like that of the Sun, his voice shaking the entire Border, "I'll tell you, the Lin family is your life-saving talisman!

"With this life-saving talisman, you can provoke trouble outside as you please, without any taboos. As long as you can survive and flee back home, the elders will make sure you keep breathing!

"Those who can still stand up, lick your wounds clean and then go out and do whatever you want. Those who can't, just honestly shut your doors and be a waste. The Lin family is large and wealthy; it can easily support you.

"I have told you this countless times since you were children, but I ask you now—if you die out there, what should you do?"

Facing the elder's interrogation, a youngster in the crowd shouted in response, "It means dying in vain."

The old man clapped his hands in satisfaction, praising with approval, "Exactly! Little Nineteen has a brain... Right, dying in vain!

"Trash that can't even make it home is as good as dead! Don't expect the family to avenge you; the family won't even pay for your coffin! Lacking even the basic sense for their misdeeds, such disgraceful embarrassments are better off dying quickly.

"If you want to be a person of the Lin family, this is your fate!

"—Do you all understand?"

"Understood!"

Everyone in the hall responded in unison.

"Very well, then go do what you need to do."

The aged Candle Dragon nodded slowly, "It's not easy to return home. Everyone should go and recuperate... then go wherever you please to kill and set fires. You all have bright futures ahead of you."

"As for Xiao Yu..."

He pondered for a moment, lifting his gaze to look at his granddaughter-in-law. He slowly shook his head. "Her soul is damaged. Send her into the Abyss. Whether she can emerge stronger after this trial is up to her fate.

"Now that she has returned, I, as her Great-grandfather, will take on the accountability from the Yuan Family for her. You needn't worry."

The woman steadying the wheelchair trembled, unclear whether from excitement or fear. After a long while, she lowered her head, saying nothing more.

The old man closed his eyes, once again sinking into a Deep Sleep.

「And so, the world grew dark.」

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