Double Heroes Battle

The Trial Hall was silent. Countless intent gazes were fixed on the stone platform at its center as everyone held their breath, preparing to welcome the upcoming final.

In the VIP seats, a faint anticipation rose in the depths of Lin Zhentian's eyes. Many years ago, Lin Xiao had stood out in just this way during the family competition, allowing him to see hope of returning to the main clan... He just did not know whether Lin Dong and Lin Yan, the rising Lin Family Double Heroes, would once again give him as great a surprise as Lin Xiao had back then.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was both delighted and conflicted. One of the finalists was his son, Lin Dong, while the other was Lin Yan, who might become his future son-in-law. The fact that both had reached the final was undoubtedly the happiest thing to happen to him in over a decade.

What troubled him was that the two had finally met in the final. No matter who won or lost, it was not something he wanted to see. In his eyes, both Lin Yan and Lin Dong were exceptionally outstanding juniors. In previous years, either of them would surely have been a leading figure among the Lin Family's younger generation. Yet now they had collided head-on. Of the Lin Family Double Heroes, who would prove superior?

At this moment, Lin Xiao noticed that Qingtan wore the same expression. Seeing the conflicted look on her adorable little face, he unexpectedly joked, "Tan'er, who do you hope will win this final—your Brother Lin Dong or Brother Lin Yan?"

Hearing this, Qingtan, who had been wearing a conflicted expression, froze. Then her pretty face flushed red, and she stammered without knowing what to say.

If Lin Dong's opponent had been anyone else, she would definitely have supported him without hesitation. After all, she and Lin Dong had grown up together; though they were not siblings by blood, they were closer than siblings.

But the one fighting Lin Dong was Lin Yan, and that immediately made her hesitate.

At this time, Qingtan was merely an ordinary thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl, still at an age when she knew little about emotions. Although her feelings for Lin Dong had begun to show signs of developing beyond those between siblings, they had not yet reached the unwavering devotion of the future.

If nothing unexpected happened, then as she grew older, Qingtan would, just as in the original story, develop romantic feelings for Lin Dong that surpassed those of siblings and remain steadfast in them. However, Lin Yan's appearance had unexpectedly interrupted that process.

In Qingtan's eyes, Lin Yan was a very special person. Whether it was his personality, conduct, speech, or mannerisms, he was different from everyone she had encountered before. While that made her curious, it also drew her toward him.

Moreover, Lin Yan had saved her life in a moment of danger. The flames within his body possessed a mysterious attraction, and he was handsome and dashing. For a young girl in adolescence, it was only natural that a few unfamiliar feelings would slowly begin to bloom in her heart.

Things that brought happiness often became the source of people's pursuit. Just like love—what young man did not yearn for romance, and what young girl did not dream of spring?

Seeing Qingtan's expression, how could the experienced Lin Xiao fail to understand? Had he and Liu Yan not also been a gifted man and beautiful woman back then, a perfect match of their generation?

Yet Lin Xiao's first feeling was not happiness, but a touch of loss. Tan'er had grown up after all. Sooner or later, she would have to be entrusted to someone else, and a profound reluctance surged into his heart.

But he quickly composed himself. He was extremely satisfied with Lin Yan. His years of experience in judging people told him he would not be wrong about him. Since Qingtan was interested as well, he would discuss it with his wife after they returned home.

While everyone in the arena was lost in their own thoughts, Lin Yan and Lin Dong both began walking toward the stone platform.

With a leap, Lin Yan landed on the stone platform. By then, Lin Dong had already stepped up as well and was looking at him with a smile.

"Cousin Lin Yan, just as I expected, you are my greatest opponent in this family competition," Lin Dong said with a smile as he looked at Lin Yan before him.

Lin Yan remained calm, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Cousin Lin Dong, you haven't disappointed me either. You didn't show your full strength in your fight against Lin Hong, did you? Don't hold back later."

At those words, Lin Dong's expression turned serious. He had indeed held back in that match, though not deliberately. There had simply been no need to expose it, because Lin Hong's strength had not been enough to force him to use that move.

What surprised him, however, was that Lin Yan had noticed the strength he had concealed. Even as he was astonished, excitement welled up in his heart, because he knew Lin Yan's strength was equally far from simple.

For some reason, despite having known each other for only a few months, he always felt as though Lin Yan was very familiar with him. Likewise, he and Lin Yan seemed to share an unusual sense of tacit understanding.

Could it be that our hearts are connected? At that thought, Lin Dong suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and hurriedly pushed the idea aside.

"Cousin Lin Yan, I remember that when you fought Cousin Lin Xia, you still hadn't revealed that mysterious flame. I'll have to see it for myself later," Lin Dong said after casting aside that unsettling thought. His expression was grave, but the burning excitement in his eyes could not be hidden.

Hearing this, Lin Yan knew that Lin Dong's desire for battle had been completely stirred. But was he any different?

The person before him was Lin Dong, the future Martial Ancestor. On his road to rise, he would defeat countless prodigies, giants, and mighty experts. Fighting him was precisely the motivation behind Lin Yan's diligent cultivation over the past few months.

Win or lose, he had to witness the Martial Ancestor's brilliance.

As the tension between the two sharpened, the atmosphere throughout the arena gradually mounted toward its peak. The Lin Family Competition had produced too many surprises thus far, but the most shocking of all had been the emergence of Lin Yan and Lin Dong, two dark horses.

One had defeated Lin Hong, while the other had won against Lin Xia.

Both had climbed onto the new generation's stage of genius by stepping upon the shoulders of established talents, and Lin Zhentian, the Lin Family Patriarch, had bestowed upon them the title of Lin Family Double Heroes.

Along with their rise, a question had taken root in everyone's minds.

Was Lin Yan stronger, or was Lin Dong superior? Of the Lin Family Double Heroes, who was the Lin Family's number one genius?

With that question in mind, countless people eagerly awaited the battle to come.

The fervent atmosphere spread to every corner of the Trial Hall. Even the invited outside VIPs could not help being swept up in it, and everyone's eyes remained fixed on the two figures atop the stone platform.

Lin Yan vs. Lin Dong—the Double Heroes Battle!

Lin Ken looked at the two on the stone platform, his feelings immensely complicated. He had thought that his daughter would stand upon the stage of the final, but the ones standing there now were two youths who had always been unknown.

Lin Family Double Heroes, I hope you can bring glory to the Lin Family.

At that thought, Lin Ken's mood improved somewhat. He then looked at the evenly matched pair in the arena, locked in a fierce confrontation and refusing to yield an inch, and his heart grew heated as well. Let me see which of you is truly the Lin Family's foremost hero.

"I declare the match... begin!"