Clan Competition Begins

Lin Family patriarch Lin Zhentian—Lin Yan looked at the old man not far away, and his eyes immediately narrowed.

In terms of seniority, although Lin Yan was not his biological grandson, he could still call him Grandfather. Of course, that "Grandfather" was clearly not as valuable as when Lin Dong and the other true grandchildren said it. Otherwise, the original owner would not have died of illness.

As for that, Lin Yan did not feel much resentment, but to say he had any burning affection for the family was pure nonsense.

The old man before him looked amiable and kind, but Lin Yan could sense a dense fluctuation of Yuan Power from him. It was a level only veteran Heavenly Origin Realm experts could reach.

As far as Lin Yan knew, the Lin family currently had three Heavenly Origin Realm experts in total: Lin Zhentian and his eldest and second sons. However, if Lin Xiao recovered from his injuries, there would be one more Heavenly Origin Realm expert. This was also the strength that allowed the outsider Lin family to establish itself in Qingyang Town.

And at the core of all this was Lin Zhentian. It could be said that Lin Zhentian was the backbone of the Lin family. Before Lin Dong rose to prominence, no one could replace his position.

Behind Lin Zhentian, a middle-aged man followed closely. It was Lin Zhentian's eldest son, Lin Ken of the eldest branch, and beside him stood a young girl in fitted training clothes.

The girl wore red and looked to be around seventeen or eighteen, a little older than the others. Her appearance was quite pretty, and her brown ponytail fell straight down to her slender waist. Her slightly raised brows carried a heroic air that lost nothing to a man's.

This girl was Lin Ken's daughter, the genius of the eldest branch, Lin Xia. Her graceful figure immediately drew quite a few young gazes.

And the moment Lin Zhentian appeared, the Trial Hall erupted into commotion. Everyone hurriedly rose. In Qingyang Town, the former could be considered a notable figure. Back then, he had come here alone and built the current Lin family through hard work. When it came to his methods and abilities, quite a few people admired him.

Lin Zhentian smiled as he greeted the honored guests, then stopped at the central seat. But as his footsteps came to a halt, his gaze happened to land on Lin Xiao, who had risen not far away. He immediately froze, then quickly walked over.

What followed was a sentimental scene of deep affection. To outsiders, it was curious—they had not expected the long-retired Lin Xiao to reemerge today. To Lin Dong's family, it was the excitement of finally seeing this day after many years. To the old man, seeing his own son recovered brought a burst of joy. But to Lin Yan, it was simply boring.

After all, this kind of scene was like a family reunion in his previous life. Watching it, one might feel curious or even somewhat moved, but since one was not involved, claiming to be extremely excited or touched would not be very believable.

At this moment, after Qingtan finished greeting Lin Zhentian, she just happened to notice Lin Yan quietly waiting for the competition to begin in the corner. Her eyes turned, as if she had thought of something, and she hurriedly said to Lin Zhentian beside her:

"Grandfather, let me tell you, our Lin family has produced another genius. He's not the slightest bit worse than Lin Xia Jie. Look, he's right over there."

As she spoke, she pointed her finger in Lin Yan's direction.

Hearing this, Lin Zhentian, as well as Lin Xia, Lin Ken, and the others behind him, all turned their gazes toward Lin Yan in the corner.

When Lin Xia saw the youth in the corner, she felt that aside from being somewhat handsome, he did not seem particularly special. Her fine brows furrowed slightly, and then she "fiercely" glared at Qingtan, that look seeming to say, You little girl, do you think just anyone can be compared to your Lin Xia Jie?

The others, including the visiting guests, also felt a wave of doubt. One had to know that to the outside world, Lin Xia was the number one expert among the Lin family's younger generation. Who was this youth who had suddenly appeared?

Only Lin Xiao and Lin Dong looked toward Lin Yan with a faint smile at the corners of their mouths. The two of them were undoubtedly extremely clear on the latter's strength and talent. Even the proud and confident Lin Dong valued Lin Yan greatly and did not dare look down on him.

Facing Lin Xia's gaze, Qingtan at the side playfully stuck out her tongue, then lifted her snow-white chin and looked at Lin Yan with an arrogant little expression.

Over the past several months, Qingtan had gone to find Lin Yan to play several times, only to return in defeat every time. It had left the girl full of pent-up frustration, and today she had finally gotten him back.

Of course, the girl bore no ill intent. In her view, Lin Yan truly was no worse than Lin Xia, and was even stronger. Back then, the youth had saved her life in a moment of danger, and Qingtan remembered it with perfect clarity.

When the gazes of the entire hall shifted onto him because of the girl's words, Lin Yan immediately looked bewildered. He glanced at Qingtan, noticed her impish expression, and could only shake his head helplessly before stepping forward to greet them.

"Junior Lin Yan greets Grandfather, Uncle Lin Ken, Uncle Lin Xiao..."

"Lin Yan. You seem to be Lin Lie's son, yes? I didn't expect you to have grown so much. Qingtan says your talent is quite good, so you'll have to perform well later." In those simple words, he did not mention Lin Xia. The implication was that Lin Zhentian did not believe Lin Yan could be compared to Lin Xia and merely took Qingtan's words as a child's joke.

Hearing this, Lin Yan simply nodded without taking it to heart. Being looked down upon by others was nothing. What mattered was that he looked up to himself.

Instead, Qingtan at the side puffed up in anger and was just about to say something, only to be stopped by Lin Xiao.

Even though Lin Xiao knew Lin Yan's talent well, this kind of occasion was clearly not a place for children to throw a tantrum.

Seeing this, Lin Mang, who had been somewhat depressed because of the old man's regard for Lin Xiao, immediately found an outlet. He sneered, "He's merely from a collateral branch. What ability could he have? The only one in the family who can contend with Lin Xia is my son, Lin Hong."

After saying this, he gave a cold snort, flung his sleeve, and left.

Looking at Lin Mang's departing figure, a cold glint flashed through Lin Yan's eyes, then was swiftly hidden deep within them. In the entire hall, no one noticed except Lin Dong.

Noticing the fleeting chill in Lin Yan's eyes, Lin Dong was immediately startled. He had originally thought that after breaking through to the seventh layer of Tempered Body yesterday, he would be able to firmly take first place in the family competition. But he had not expected this suddenly rising Lin Yan to be not the slightest bit inferior to him. That chill had even seeped into the heart.

And the reason he himself had been able to rapidly improve his strength was because he had the help of the Stone Talisman. Then presumably, this Lin Yan must also have encountered some great opportunity.

Thinking of this, Lin Dong's gaze toward Lin Yan grew even stranger. During these several months, Qingtan's cold energy had erupted once more. Because Lin Yan had not been around, Lin Dong had discovered by chance that his Stone Talisman could actually absorb and devour the cold energy inside Qingtan's body, and could even condense cultivation treasures like the Yin Pearl.

All of this could not help but make Lin Dong wonder whether Lin Yan also possessed a supreme treasure similar to the Stone Talisman.

But no matter what, Lin Dong valued Lin Yan more than anyone else in the hall did.

Stepping forward, Lin Dong patted Lin Yan on the shoulder and said, "Cousin Lin Yan, don't take Second Uncle's words to heart. You should know, among everyone here, you're the only one who gives me pressure."

Hearing this, Lin Yan looked at the resolute and confident youth before him and smiled faintly. "Cousin Lin Dong, as it happens, the only opponent in my eyes is also you."

As soon as the words fell, an indescribable look flashed across Lin Dong's face. It seemed the two of them truly understood each other, both regarding the other as their greatest opponent.

However, both of them were proud and spirited people. It was likely that neither would take the initiative to concede.

Lin Dong had a premonition that even if one day he reached the peak of martial artists and became invincible under the heavens, this youth beside him would probably never be inferior to him. But Lin Dong did not mind in the slightest. Cousin Lin Yan, can you accompany me and fight on together? I'm afraid the future path will be so lonely if I walk it alone!

Lin Yan looked at Lin Dong standing beside him, his expression exceptionally calm, but his heart was also surging with hot blood. The future Martial Ancestor, huh? This Tianxuan Continent isn't only your stage!

Just as the two were secretly measuring themselves against each other, at the honored guest seats, with Lin Zhentian taking his seat, the entire hall gradually quieted down.

The Lin Family Competition officially began!