Breakthrough and Invitation

After smoothly beheading the Scorpion Leopard, Lin Yan was not particularly surprised.

After all, the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire was a Different Fire. Even if it was less than one ten-thousandth of its peak strength, dealing with a mere wild beast was no problem.

Looking at the Scorpion Leopard lying dead on the ground, Lin Yan flicked his finger, and the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire leaped from his fingertip onto the Scorpion Leopard's corpse.

The next second, under Qingtan's shocked gaze, the originally rather large Scorpion Leopard was completely devoured by a tiny flame. Flesh, blood, and bones alike vanished without a trace. Only a bit of ash on the ground showed that the Scorpion Leopard had ever existed.

"What kind of flame is that? It's so terrifying..."

Qingtan looked at Lin Yan in astonishment. Her curiosity about him deepened like an abyss.

Among the younger generation of the Lin Family, the person she was closest to was undoubtedly Lin Dong, who had grown up with her. In Qingtan's eyes, Lin Dong was both the most formidable person in the world and the person who treated her best.

Lin Yan could not deny that. No matter what his relationship with Lin Dong might be in the future, Lin Dong was indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness, with an overwhelming sense of responsibility. There was a reason so many goddesses liked him.

Yet Lin Yan's performance today made Qingtan feel that even Lin Dong Ge might not have been as perfect toward her as Lin Yan had just been.

For a moment, a corner of the little girl's heart, which had been closed off because of Lin Dong, was unknowingly pried open, though she herself had no awareness of it.

Meanwhile, Lin Yan had no mind to pay attention to the little girl's thoughts. After devouring the Scorpion Leopard's blood essence, flesh, and bones, the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire returned to his palm.

Looking at the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire before him, now a deeper blood-red and swollen to roughly half the size of a fist, Lin Yan could not help but smile.

This Scorpion Leopard was far more nourishing than the wild beasts Lin Yan had slain over the past few days. Although there was still a long way to go before the Ember Body could break through into the Blazing Body, the might of ten thousand beasts contained within it had doubled from before!

It seemed he truly had not chosen wrong. The Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire fed on ten thousand beasts. If he had started with another kind of Different Fire Seed, he would probably still be worrying about finding resources to nourish it.

Since the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire had grown a little, it was about time for his cultivation to break through as well. At that thought, Lin Yan's heart burned with excitement, and he hurriedly drew the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire back into his body.

Sure enough, once the Different Fire entered Lin Yan's body, a tingling sensation immediately spread throughout him, while waves of scorching heat flowed along his meridians.

Lin Yan knew this was the effect of the Different Fire. He and the Different Fire now coexisted as one; as the Different Fire grew stronger, so would he.

Along with that scorching heat, Lin Yan felt changes taking place within his body. His bones, flesh, and skin seemed to be becoming increasingly tough and powerful.

"A breakthrough—Body Tempering Fourth Layer!"

Lin Yan licked his lips, excitement stirring in his heart. Of the nine levels of Body Tempering, the first three were merely simple physical training. Only upon reaching the fourth level could one truly feel the benefits of cultivation. After shedding one's skin, the newly formed skin was like wood and stone, greatly enhancing both strength and resistance to blows. Compared to the third level, it was vastly stronger.

Under Qingtan's gaze, flakes of skin rapidly fell from his body. Once they had all fallen away, Lin Yan slowly stroked his arm. Wherever his palm passed, it felt as though he were touching smooth wood and stone, an unusual hardness transmitting into his palm.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Lin Yan immediately performed the Stone Crushing Fist. As he completed the set of punches, gusts of wind howled, even stirring up some of the dust on the ground. Such momentum was simply incomparable to before.

"Cousin Lin Yan, you broke through?!"

Seeing this, Qingtan could no longer suppress her curiosity. She immediately ran to Lin Yan's side, her bright and innocent eyes examining him as if she had only just met him.

As Qingtan drew close, a faint fragrance entered Lin Yan's nose, allowing him to take a closer look at the girl before him.

The girl's brows and eyes were picturesque, her skin as fair as snow. Though still so young, she already possessed a breathtaking beauty. Her slightly raised chest, delicate little face, slender figure, and that barely perceptible fragrance were enough to stir the imaginations of countless boys.

Seeing the beautiful and adorable girl before him, Lin Yan suddenly recalled how he had once intended to kidnap her to threaten Lin Dong into handing over the Stone Talisman. His expression immediately became somewhat awkward. That truly would have been a sin.

At that moment, Qingtan saw that the youth not only failed to answer her question but was also looking at her with an awkward expression. Her little face instantly flushed red. Then, gritting her pearly teeth, she said angrily, "Cousin Lin Yan, what are you looking at?!"

"Ah... I..."

Lin Yan also realized that he had lost his composure. Although he had been decisive and ruthless when facing the Scorpion Leopard just moments ago, faced with the young girl's slightly coquettish tone, he could only laugh awkwardly. "Nothing. I just didn't expect Cousin Qingtan to have grown into such a graceful young lady already. I wonder which brat will be lucky enough to have you in the future."

Hearing the youth speak in such an old-fashioned tone, Qingtan was both embarrassed and angry. Yet she seemed to think of something, her bright eyes shifting as she teasingly said, "I also didn't expect Cousin Lin Yan to be so capable. You really hid your abilities well, fooling the entire Lin Family so thoroughly."

Hearing Qingtan's teasing, Lin Yan could not help but smile bitterly. Things like reincarnation and Different Fire were truly difficult to explain. At the same time, he gained some understanding of the girl's temperament—she really was not one to let herself suffer a loss.

"Cousin Qingtan, please don't casually tell others about me. For the time being, I don't want anyone to know."

Noticing the seriousness in his expression, Qingtan understood the gravity of the matter. She nodded her delicate chin and said solemnly, "Don't worry, Cousin Lin Yan. I won't say anything carelessly. I didn't see that flame of yours that can devour wild beasts either."

Although they had only spent a short time together, influenced by the original story, Lin Yan more or less understood the girl's personality. Hearing her promise, he nodded faintly.

Seeing that Lin Yan was willing to trust her, a slight smile appeared on the girl's pretty face.

"Let's go. I'll take you home. Uncle and Aunt are probably getting anxious from waiting."

Looking at the darkening sky, Lin Yan naturally offered to escort the girl home. As for Uncle and Aunt, he was naturally referring to Lin Xiao and his wife.

Hearing Lin Yan's words, Qingtan's little face suddenly turned pale. She nervously stuck out her tongue, clearly thinking of the scolding she would receive from her father and mother after returning home.

Seeing Qingtan's reaction, Lin Yan smiled softly. He had not expected the future peerlessly domineering Darkness Hall Master to have such an adorable girlish side. But then a wave of loneliness washed over him as he thought of his own parents.

A traveler far from home—his predecessor's parents had both died, while his own parents were far away on that blue planet. He would likely never see them again, and he did not know whether they were doing well.

Sensing the change in the youth's mood, the clever Qingtan seemed to make a guess.

Though she too was an orphan, she had been adopted by Lin Xiao and his wife since childhood and treated like their own daughter. She also had an older brother who took care of her, so she had never lacked familial affection.

But Lin Yan had lost his father when he was young, and his mother had died from illness several years ago. He could be said to have no home left. Thinking of this, the girl's heart softened.

"Cousin Lin Yan, how about I invite you to my home as a guest tonight? You saved my life, and I haven't thanked you yet."

It was the first time she had invited a boy into her home, and the girl felt somewhat nervous. Of course, it was not because she had already developed feelings between a man and a woman for Lin Yan; she simply wanted the lonely youth before her to feel the warmth of a home.

Lin Yan clearly did not guess the girl's thoughts. Instead, he wondered whether this would allow him to meet the Child of the Plane, the future Martial Ancestor, Lin Dong. After thinking it over, he nodded in agreement.

Seeing Lin Yan agree, the girl was delighted, and her steps became much lighter. Looking at the Azure Origin Grass in her hand, she suddenly took one out and handed it to Lin Yan.

"Cousin Lin Yan, this is Azure Origin Grass. I'll give you one as thanks for saving my life."

Without waiting for Lin Yan to refuse, she forcefully stuffed it into his hand.

Holding the Azure Origin Grass that had been thrust upon him, Lin Yan could not help but smile. He had not expected the girl to have such a forceful side. Then he thought of how the other Azure Origin Grass was surely meant for Lin Dong.

Did that mean he and Lin Dong were now evenly matched...

P.S.: I know all you brothers are upright gentlemen and cannot bear to see Qingtan being strung along by Lin Dong as nothing more than a younger sister. Since that is the case, then I'll take her in. There will be some emotional buildup, and it may be a little long-winded, but I won't write those plots where the protagonist merely leaks a bit of domineering aura and all kinds of goddesses throw themselves into his arms. Please forgive me for that. Finally, brothers, please show some support. Thanks...