Gathering Meal

When Lin Xia and the others saw that Lei Li had finally left, they quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Though the strength Lin Yan and Lin Dong had just revealed was extremely astonishing, if they truly had to face a genius like Lei Li, whose reputation had long since spread, even they did not feel especially confident. So being able to avoid a fight now was naturally the best outcome.

"Heh, Lin Xia, looks like your Lin Family has produced two incredible fellows." Wu Yun watched Lei Li leave, then turned around, swept his gaze over Lin Yan and Lin Dong, and finally looked at Lin Xia with a smile.

Lin Xia rolled her eyes at him, then looked proudly at Lin Yan and Lin Dong. With no small amount of arrogance, she said, "Of course. With my two cousins' cultivation speed, surpassing you all won't be anything difficult."

Faced with Lin Xia's confidence, which was even fuller than their own, Lin Yan and Lin Dong could only shake their heads helplessly.

Compared to Lin Yan's silence, Lin Dong was much warmer and more open. He smiled at Wu Yun and said, "Many thanks for today."

Seeing this, Lin Yan had no choice but to thank Wu Yun along with Lin Dong, though in his heart, he felt there was really no need.

Even if Wu Yun had not shown up with his men to interfere, it would not have been easy for Lei Li to defeat him and Lin Dong joining hands.

"No need to thank me. Lei Li and I can be considered rivals too. If I can make him uncomfortable, I'm more than happy to." Wu Yun waved his hand with a smile. In front of the Lin Family Double Heroes, he did not put on any airs. From the brief exchange between the two of them and Lei Li just now, he could tell that the Lin Family Double Heroes' strength was probably not much weaker than his.

More importantly, the potential of the Lin Family Double Heroes shocked him even more. As far as he knew, these two youths before him, who were even younger than he was, had risen up in less than a year. Yet they were already able to join hands against Lei Li, Qingyang Town's number one genius. This kind of cultivation speed was truly terrifying.

The group chatted for a while after that, though most of the talking was done by Lin Dong. Because of his nature, Lin Yan did not much like speaking to outsiders, and instead watched quietly from the side. In Wu Yun's eyes, although these two before him were both known as the Lin Family Double Heroes, their personalities were quite opposite, rather like one handled matters within while the other handled matters outside.

"It's getting late, so I'll be leaving first. Haha, you two, see you at the hunt. But when the time comes, I'll also fight you. I hope we can have a satisfying match."

After the three chatted a little longer, Wu Yun waved with a smile, then led his men away.

"We should head back too."

Seeing that the crowd had more or less dispersed all at once, Lin Yan thought of the Beast Bone in his clothes and turned his head to say to Lin Dong, Lin Xia, and the others.

"Mm."

After experiencing that earlier conflict, Lin Xia and the others were no longer willing to stay. They all nodded at once, and so the group surged out under one gaze after another.

After returning to the Lin Family, Lin Yan, Lin Dong, and Qingtan did not immediately return to the little hill. Calculating the time, today just happened to be the end of the month, the time for the Lin Family's gathering meal. At this time each month, the core members of the family would gather together and report on the various matters of the month.

Originally, Lin Yan and even Lin Dong had not been able to attend this kind of gathering meal in the past. But ever since the Clan Competition, their status in the Lin Family had practically risen in a straight line. Now, they even had a place at this kind of family gathering meal.

The full moon hung in the sky, and cool moonlight poured down, covering the land.

The Lin Family's rear courtyard seemed especially lively at this moment. Dozens of people gathered around a large round table, laughter sounding without end.

Lin Yan and Lin Dong sat in the twin seats of honor on the left. Below them were Lin Xia, Lin Hong, and the other rather outstanding juniors of the Lin Family.

To Lin Yan, someone from another world, this gathering meal was somewhat dull. The only thing that made him happy was that the various delicious roasted meats on the table tasted rather good.

Though he had already stepped onto the path of cultivation, and martial artists were gradually freeing themselves from reliance on food, Lin Yan felt that enjoying good food was also one of life's great pleasures.

While Lin Yan was enjoying the roasted meat, Lin Zhentian, seated at the head, also learned of the conflict between these juniors and the juniors of the Lei and Xie Families.

However, as the family patriarch, Lin Zhentian was clearly different from Lin Ken of the eldest branch, who held an opposing attitude. Not only did he not blame them for anything, he was instead full of encouragement and support.

Below, Lin Yan was not surprised at all. After all, clashes between juniors were actually one aspect of the game between rival families. Whichever family's juniors were more impressive proved that family had greater potential.

Clearly, with Lin Yan's insertion, the reputation of the Lin Family Double Heroes was much greater than the sensation caused by Lin Dong alone in the original work.

Anyone with eyes could see that even if the Lin Family's current power was inferior to the Lei and Xie Families, once the Lin Family Double Heroes grew up, who would call the shots in Qingyang Town would no longer be certain.

Lin Zhentian had also thought of this. At the banquet, he could not help laughing loudly. "Good, good grandsons. It seems my Lin Family has finally produced geniuses no weaker than those of the Lei Family—and two of them at that!"

Seeing the two spirited youths below, Lin Zhentian could not help laughing heartily. Hearing his delighted laughter, Lin Xiao and Lin Ken also smiled faintly, while Lin Mang at the side had a somewhat complicated expression.

"There are still about four months until the hunt. During this time, Dong'er and Yan'er must cultivate hard. If there is anything you need, just say it. As long as my Lin Family has it, we absolutely won't keep it from you!" Lin Zhentian stroked his beard and said with a smile.

When they heard this, many people's hearts chilled slightly. Lin Zhentian's words clearly meant he intended to nurture Lin Yan and Lin Dong as the most precious core seeds. Lin Xiao had also been treated this way at first back then.

There was also some envy in Lin Xia and the others' eyes. However, the results the Lin Family Double Heroes had displayed recently were indeed unmatched.

"Many thanks, Grandpa."

Lin Yan and Lin Dong stepped out together, then cupped their fists in thanks toward Lin Zhentian at the head seat.

But in truth, in their hearts, both of them shook their heads indifferently. To be honest, with the Heavenly Flame, the Lin Family's resources no longer held much attraction for Lin Yan.

As for Lin Dong beside him, because of the Stone Talisman, he likewise did not have much demand for the Lin Family's resources.

As though sensing each other's thoughts, Lin Yan and Lin Dong subconsciously exchanged a glance, then silently turned their heads away again.

Lin Dong knew Lin Yan had secrets, but clever as he was, he clearly would not take the initiative to ask such a taboo question.

On Tianxuan Continent, what martial artists hated most was other people prying into their trump cards.

As for Lin Yan, he knew the secret on Lin Dong's person, but he would not take the initiative to expose it either. The impression he left Lin Dong with was probably: I also know you have a secret, but I don't know what that secret is.

As for this, if Lin Dong did not take the initiative to say it, Lin Yan would forever pretend not to know. After all, once he said it, a grown man like Lin Yan knowing Lin Dong even more thoroughly than Lin Dong knew himself would truly be too terrifying. Yet Lin Yan also had no way to explain it, and that was the awkward part.

As time passed, Lin Zhentian once again discussed some family matters with the others, and only then did the gathering meal gradually disperse.

Lin Yan also hurriedly returned to his little wooden hut and took out that piece of Beast Bone...