The Rowe Clan Assembles and the Patriarch Arrives

A whole crowd showed up—not just one person.

It was a group—dozens, maybe more.

The elders up front moved with that dragon-tiger swagger—white hair, white beards, faces dead serious. Even before they got close, Lucy Sun and the others felt a chill. That killing intent was off the charts.

That vibe hit everyone—even Master Daniel Ward. Their hearts skipped a beat.

Lily Liang's face changed big time. She took one look—there had to be over a hundred people coming straight at them.

"First Elder Rowe, Second Elder Rowe?"

Master Daniel Ward frowned, quietly stashing the pill in his hand. "So, what brings you all to my pill-refining grounds?"

Master Daniel Ward and the Ancient Martial Rowe clan had always been partners—helping each other out, keeping things polite. But with all the pills Daniel Ward had, even the Rowe clan couldn't help but get greedy sometimes.

Most days, they played nice and kept it respectful. Still, Daniel Ward had a stash of pills that made even the Rowe clan drool. Every now and then, he’d catch that greedy look in their eyes.

As for First Elder Rowe and Second Elder Rowe? In the Rowe clan, these two were big shots—high rank, huge power.

Just a few days ago, they had come in person to ask Master Daniel Ward to lend the Rowe clan every pill stored in his pill chamber.

They said the Rowe clan was in trouble, but Master Daniel Ward refused, sticking to their usual agreement: pills provided regularly and in set quantities—no extras, but never short either.

Now, seeing the Rowe clan charging in, Master Daniel Ward felt a surge of anger, thinking they meant to rob him outright.

Lucy Sun, Chloe Cheng, Ray Zhao, and Tim Xu, sensing things were going south, had already retreated several steps to stand beside Master Daniel Ward.

"Rest assured, Master Wu‑wang, we're not here today to seize your pills."

Second Elder Rowe shook his head, his face cold as he addressed Master Daniel Ward.

First Elder Rowe's gaze landed on Evan Lin, completely ignoring Lily Liang beside him.

"Is your surname Lin?"

First Elder Rowe asked.

As soon as he spoke, Sun Lu's face changed instantly.

"What does that mean?" She was still confused.

"First Elder Rowe is a high-ranking, honored figure with extraordinary strength. Why would he come to the pill-refining grounds for that kid?" Tim Xu frowned, thoroughly puzzled.

"Impossible! What kind of status does he have? He's just some big-talking nobody. Why would First Elder Rowe know him?" Ray Zhao looked utterly unconvinced.

Chloe Cheng glanced over, watching Evan Lin stand there, looking isolated and alone.

Evan Lin's expression and emotions never wavered.

He just stood there, eyes calmly watching the Rowe clan as they rushed forward and gathered a hundred meters away from him.

"Surname Lin?"

Master Daniel Ward's brows furrowed repeatedly as he quickly searched his mind for information about Lin-family clans.

Beijing Lin family?

Probably not.

If it really was the top-tier Lin family from Beijing, even the Rowe clan wouldn't have the guts to charge over with so many people.

Even if someone from that Lin family committed a huge crime against the Rowes, the Ancient Martial Rowe clan would have to negotiate honestly—they'd never dare bring a mob and storm in like this.

But if it's not that Lin—

What other Lin could it be?

Master Daniel Ward was shocked and suspicious. He spent almost all his time in the Dan Pavilion, just making pills for the Rowe clan on schedule. He barely knew what was happening outside.

So he had no clue what had gone down with the Rowe clan lately.

As for Lucy Sun and the others, they'd left the Rowe clan early on to hunt for pills, and just got back—so they had no idea what the Rowes had been through either.

Seeing the Rowe clan all lined up and looking fierce, Lucy Sun honestly felt like she was dreaming.

What kind of grudge, what kind of status, could make the Rowe clan get this serious?

This is the Ancient Martial Rowe clan!

"Yeah, it's the Lin you're thinking of."

Evan Lin nodded. His answer sounded kind of strange.

Lucy Sun and Chloe Cheng glanced at each other, totally lost.

But they noticed the Rowe clan, already tense, got even more nervous as soon as Evan spoke.

Their faces were full of pent-up anger, everyone itching to act—but it looked like they were all holding back.

Nobody said a word.

Except for First Elder Rowe and Second Elder Rowe up front.

Those two were special—like anchors for the whole Ancient Martial Rowe clan.

"Is everyone here?"

After a brief silence, Evan Lin asked lightly.

"Not sure what you mean by 'everyone's here.'"

Before the two elders could answer, a gust of wind swept through the crowd.

The wind howled by, and a tall, imposing man appeared at the front of the Rowe clan.

Sword brows and starry eyes, hair half black half white, dressed in elegant gray robes. Just standing there, he gave off a crushing, mountain-like aura.

"The Rowe Patriarch? Wasn't he supposed to be in seclusion?"

If seeing the whole Rowe clan show up was shocking, seeing the Rowe Patriarch in the lead left Lucy Sun and the others terrified and awestruck.

Even Master Daniel Ward's face changed completely this time.

He was a pill-refining master under the Pill King, with high status—almost equal to the elders in the Rowe clan, earning their respect.

But compared to the Rowe Patriarch, he couldn't quite measure up.

The kicker? The Rowe Patriarch had supposedly been in seclusion for ten years!

Ten years ago, he was already at the first level of the Pointing-to-Mystery realm.

In the ancient martial world, most clan leaders stay at the first level of Pointing-to-Mystery. Only three clan leaders have broken through to the next realm.

So, those three ancient martial clans are especially prestigious among all the families.

The Rowe Patriarch entered seclusion for a life-or-death breakthrough. If he's come out, there are only two possibilities.

One: he broke through to the next realm and came out, ready to take the Rowe clan to new heights.

Two: he came out because the Rowe clan is facing life and death, to protect them.

Both possibilities spun through Master Daniel Ward's mind.

He tended to believe the first—after all, the Rowe Patriarch was a martial prodigy. But seeing this scene, he couldn't help but look at Evan Lin.

Who is this teenager, really?

Did he force the Rowe clan into a dead end, making the Patriarch come out to meet him?

Unbelievable!

"Master Daniel Ward, today's not your concern—but the Rowe clan needs to borrow the area in front of your Dan Pavilion. Hope you don't mind."

The Rowe Patriarch looked at Master Daniel Ward and nodded. "Also, if possible, could you and your disciples step back a bit?"

His voice was calm.

That calmness only made Master Daniel Ward feel like storm clouds were gathering, danger looming.

"When I said 'everyone's here,' I meant: Is your whole Rowe clan present?"

The teenager who hadn't interrupted the Rowe Patriarch before now spoke up again.

His voice was as always—calm and fearless.