Chapter 27

Inside the Trial Hall, silence reigned. Astonished gazes stared blankly at the Black-Clothed Youth on the stone platform, the shock in their hearts leaving them speechless for a long while.

"He actually won..."

Lin Xiao and Qingtan were also stunned by the outcome. A moment later, joy surged across their faces.

The successive surprises today were simply too overwhelming. Lin Xia and Lin Hong had actually both been defeated by Lin Yan and Lin Dong. To Lin Xiao, it felt like a dream.

For years, due to his injuries, their third branch had always been weak. The family's authority was almost entirely held by the first and second branches. Though Lin Xiao seemed not to care, he had always felt stifled deep down.

And now, the outstanding juniors of the first and second branches had unexpectedly both lost to the third branch. The feeling was like drinking an icy beverage in the sweltering heat of summer—utterly refreshing.

As for why he counted Lin Yan as part of the third branch, Lin Xiao looked at the youth on the stone platform, then turned to the delighted girl beside him. He grinned and laughed heartily, deciding that once he returned home, he would discuss with his wife having Lin Yan and Qingtan get engaged first.

He had come to realize that Lin Yan was no ordinary person. He was steady in temperament and neither arrogant nor impetuous in the way he handled matters. Entrusting Qingtan to him would be an excellent choice.

He was a highly sought-after son-in-law!

"You know the Eight Desolations Palm too?!"

Below the stone platform, Lin Xia, who had been blasted down by Lin Yan, flushed red as she asked in confusion and indignation.

When she noticed Lin Yan's familiar hand gesture during the match, she had guessed something. The Eight Desolations Palm was widely practiced within the clan; both Lin Dong and Lin Hong cultivated it, so Lin Xia had recognized it at once.

However, she had not taken it to heart at the time. After all, she had cultivated the Spirit Sword Finger for a long time. Even against the Eight Desolations Palm, she believed she would not be at any disadvantage.

But when their attacks truly collided, she discovered that the power of Lin Yan's Eight Desolations Palm seemed far stronger than what an ordinary seventh level Tempered Body martial artist could wield. It also carried a searing Fire Force within it.

This discovery made Lin Xia's face turn somewhat pale. She had assumed that Lin Yan had only begun cultivating recently. Since his cultivation realm had risen so quickly, his martial technique training should have lagged far behind. Yet she had not expected his Eight Desolations Palm to be so masterfully refined as well.

But by then, it was too late. When palm met finger, Lin Yan ultimately proved more skilled and successfully defeated Lin Xia.

As the Lin Family's foremost genius, she had always basked in glory, admired by the younger generation and cherished by the elders. Yet she had unexpectedly lost to the previously obscure Lin Yan. For a time, Lin Xia found it difficult to accept reality.

Seeing Lin Xia's dejected expression, Lin Yan smiled lightly from atop the stone platform. "Uncle Lin Xiao taught me the Eight Desolations Palm. Otherwise, I would likely have lost to Cousin Lin Xia today.

"Victory and defeat are common in battle. Cousin Lin Xia need not trouble herself too much over it."

Lin Xia froze upon hearing Lin Yan's consolation, then nodded. She was strong-willed herself and naturally would not become disheartened over such a setback.

After composing herself, Lin Xia, whose face had initially been full of gloom, suddenly smiled sweetly. "Cousin Lin Yan truly is exceptionally talented. I was blind not to see it.

"Third Uncle's family is truly fortunate. It would have been enough for Lin Dong to soar to greatness, yet I never expected you, Lin Yan, to be no less outstanding."

After saying this, she gave Lin Yan a meaningful glance before turning and leaving, her graceful figure fading away.

Below the stone platform, Lin Ken also gave Lin Yan a complicated look. Lin Xia, whom he had always regarded as a favored daughter of heaven, had actually been defeated by the suddenly rising Lin Yan. He truly found it hard to accept.

However, Lin Ken was still a reasonable man. He knew that the more outstanding the family's juniors were, the stronger the family would become. Seeing Lin Yan and Lin Dong rise, he also felt a measure of relief before announcing the match results.

When the results were officially announced, the entire venue erupted in celebration.

Lin Dong vs. Lin Hong—Lin Dong wins!

Lin Yan vs. Lin Xia—Lin Yan wins!

As the Lin Family's two most outstanding geniuses, Lin Xia and Lin Hong had once been considered the strongest contenders for the championship of this Clan Competition. Before the matches began, everyone had speculated which of the two would take first place.

Yet to everyone's surprise, before the finals had even begun, Lin Hong and Lin Xia had both lost to Lin Dong and Lin Yan.

An upset—an enormous upset!

As two obscure dark horses, neither Lin Dong nor Lin Yan had been well known before the Clan Competition. But after this battle, their names would likely spread throughout all of Qingyang Town.

In the guest seats, Lin Zhentian watched the scene with a broad smile, stroking his snowy white beard. As the family patriarch, seeing outstanding juniors continuously emerge was undoubtedly a matter of great joy.

He had originally believed Lin Hong and Lin Xia to be unmatched among the younger generation. Who would have thought that there were people even more formidable than them—and two in a row at that.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhentian laughed aloud. "Dong'er and Yan'er are indeed the Lin Family's qilin sons. Silent for ten years, yet astonishing the world with a single cry.

"They are worthy of being called the Lin Family Double Heroes!"

The title "Lin Family Double Heroes" instantly spread throughout the entire Trial Hall.

Among the younger generation of the family, perhaps only Lin Xiao from decades ago had received such recognition from Lin Zhentian. It was clear just how delighted Lin Zhentian was.

And the Lin Family Double Heroes was not merely a title. It represented that Lin Yan and Lin Dong would henceforth become symbols of the Lin Family. As long as the Double Heroes stood, the Lin Family would endure!

As the people in the Trial Hall looked at Lin Yan and Lin Dong, their hearts swelled with passion. The Lin Family Double Heroes—the Lin Family was destined to flourish!

In a corner, upon hearing this title, Lin Yan inexplicably felt awkward. Who would have thought that after living a second life, he would somehow end up being paired with Lin Dong? Lin Family Double Heroes—what a terrible name.

While Lin Yan's thoughts wandered, the atmosphere throughout the venue grew even more fervent, because everyone knew the most crucial final had yet to come.

At that moment, everyone fixed their eyes on where Lin Yan and Lin Dong stood. They all knew that the champion would emerge from between these two.

Both were dark horses in this Clan Competition, and both were members of the Lin Family Double Heroes. Yet no one knew who was stronger between Lin Yan and Lin Dong.

However, more of the boys supported Lin Dong. After all, Lin Xiao had personally taught him since childhood, so his martial arts experience should be richer. That was the rational analysis. Most of the girls, on the other hand, supported Lin Yan. There was no need to explain why—it was purely emotional support.

Under such circumstances, Lin Ting, who had luckily drawn an empty lot, directly announced his withdrawal.

No one was surprised by this outcome. You should be secretly celebrating just for stumbling into the top three. Even Lin Xia and Lin Hong had been brought down—your luck was simply unbelievable. You practically lay down and coasted into the top three.

The spectators in the Trial Field did not pay much attention to this, because everyone knew that the most important final was finally about to begin. All of them waited eagerly.

Not even the blazing noon sun affected their enthusiasm for watching the match, because this was the battle of—

Lin Yan vs. Lin Dong.

The Lin Family Double Heroes would decide who was the greater hero!

P.S. Suddenly, I feel like there's no need for a female lead. Lin Yan and Lin Dong should just get together—what do you all think?