First Meeting with Lin Dong's Family

Within the Lin Family's inner courtyard, in a room that was simple yet exceptionally tidy, a man and a woman waited anxiously for something.

The woman was dressed rather plainly and appeared to be around thirty years old. Her features were delicate, giving off a gentle and tender impression. She was Liu Yan, the mother of Qingtan and Lin Dong.

Seated beside her was a man who looked to be in his thirties or forties. His frame was somewhat thin, though traces of sharpness could still be seen between his brows. However, he seemed to be injured, his face slightly pale and concealing much of that sharp aura. He was Lin Xiao, Lin Dong's father.

"Brother Xiao, Qingtan has been out for so long and still hasn't returned. Do you think something happened?"

Noticing the sky growing darker, the woman's face filled with unease as she spoke worriedly to the man.

At her words, a trace of concern also flashed across the man's pale face. Though Qingtan had been adopted by the couple rather than born to them, they had treated her as their own daughter all these years, no differently from their biological son, Lin Dong.

Qingtan was usually very well-behaved. It was exceedingly rare for her to return this late, so the two could not help but worry.

"How about this? I'll go look for her. You wait at home." Lin Xiao glanced at the sky and decided to go search for Qingtan himself.

"But your injuries..." The gentle woman looked worried when she saw Lin Xiao preparing to leave.

The man waved his hand dismissively, but before he could rise, a youth walked in.

The youth was around fourteen or fifteen. Though he was not particularly handsome, his face was filled with determination, and every movement radiated confidence. It was Lin Dong, who had just returned from training.

"Father, Mother, what happened? It's so late—where's Qingtan?"

Seeing Lin Dong return, Liu Yan breathed a sigh of relief before hurriedly saying, "Dong'er, you came at just the right time. Qingtan left at noon, but she still hasn't returned. Your father was just about to go out and look for her.

"But he's injured, and I'm worried. Now that you're here, go find your sister first."

After hearing his mother's words, Lin Dong's expression immediately changed. Qingtan had grown up with him, and he regarded her as his own younger sister. Now that she might be in danger, how could someone as loyal and devoted as Lin Dong possibly remain indifferent?

Then, as though he had thought of something, Lin Dong clenched his teeth and said angrily, "Lin Hong, Lin Shan, I hope this has nothing to do with you two. Otherwise, even if you're from the Second Branch, I'll make you pay a severe price!"

A few days ago, Lin Dong and Qingtan had clashed with the brothers Lin Hong and Lin Shan over a stalk of Red Yang Grass. Now that Qingtan had yet to return, Lin Dong naturally suspected the two brothers.

With that thought, Lin Dong, filled with worry, hurriedly set off to search for Qingtan.

However, before he could leave, a familiar, crisp voice came from outside. "Father, Mother, Lin Dong Ge, I'm back."

Upon hearing that voice, Lin Xiao, Liu Yan, and Lin Dong were all delighted. Qingtan had returned.

But when they saw who had arrived next, their delight slowly turned into strange expressions.

Qingtan had actually brought a boy home. Could it be...

Qingtan also noticed the odd atmosphere. Quick-witted as she was, she immediately realized what they were thinking. Seeing Lin Dong Ge studying her and Lin Yan with the same strange look, her little face gradually flushed red.

Both embarrassed and annoyed, she hurriedly explained, "Father, Mother, it's not what you think. At noon today, I went to the Back Mountain, and then..."

She then recounted everything, from gathering Azure Origin Grass, to being targeted by a Scorpion Leopard, to being rescued by Lin Yan.

Upon hearing that Qingtan had encountered such danger, Liu Yan's face immediately darkened. She hurriedly pulled Qingtan to her side and carefully examined her from head to toe. Only after confirming that she was unharmed did she finally let out a breath of relief, then scolded, "Qingtan, you are not allowed to go to the Back Mountain again. Otherwise, your mother will punish you severely."

Although Lin Xiao was not as visibly anxious as Liu Yan, the concern and reproach in his eyes were equally undisguised.

As for Lin Dong, he stared worriedly at Qingtan. When he heard that Lin Yan had saved her, he turned to the latter with a grateful expression.

Hearing that her usually gentle mother was actually going to punish her, Qingtan tensed up. She then said timidly, "Mother, Qingtan won't do it again.

"But this time, it was all thanks to Cousin Lin Yan. If it hadn't been for him, I might truly have met with disaster."

At this, Lin Xiao and Liu Yan realized they had misunderstood Qingtan's relationship with Lin Yan, and their faces could not help turning red.

Lin Xiao then looked at Lin Yan and suddenly recalled something. "You're Lin Lie's son? I didn't expect you to have grown so much. The family has wronged your household. Your father died young, and I heard your mother passed away two years ago as well. But if they knew that you had become so capable, they could rest in peace below.

"Today, you saved my daughter. If there is any reward you need, or if you encounter any difficulties in the family in the future, you may seek me or your cousin Lin Dong. Our family will certainly help you."

As the son of the clan chief Lin Zhentian, Lin Xiao knew the members of the family well enough. Lin Yan had never shown anything remarkable in the past, yet today he had saved Qingtan from a Scorpion Leopard. Such strength had already surpassed the average level of the family's younger generation.

But Lin Xiao soon looked toward his own son, Lin Dong. Lin Dong's strength had risen rapidly over this period, greatly comforting him. In his view, Lin Dong was already the most talented among the younger generation of the family.

Meanwhile, as Lin Xiao's family observed him, Lin Yan was also quietly assessing them.

Lin Xiao and Liu Yan were exactly as described in the original work. Liu Yan was virtuous and gentle, and her gaze toward him was full of kindness. Lin Xiao's face was pale; it seemed that the hidden injury Lin Langtian had left him was indeed serious. No wonder Lin Dong was determined to take revenge on him. He had beaten someone's father into such a state—who could possibly endure that?

After observing Lin Xiao and Liu Yan, Lin Yan focused his attention on Lin Dong.

This Child of the Plane was still very young, his face still somewhat immature. His strength was likely only at the Body Tempering Fifth Level, far from possessing the unrivaled dominance of the Martial Ancestor he would one day become.

Still, that determined face left a deep impression. He was brimming with confidence. It seemed the Stone Talisman had indeed given Lin Dong considerable confidence, but Lin Yan believed that his own Heavenly Flame would be no inferior.

Perhaps because of Qingtan, when Lin Yan observed Lin Dong, the latter's sharp instincts also noticed his subtle scrutiny. Yet Lin Dong said nothing and merely returned it with a faint smile.

Seeing this, Lin Yan smiled back. On Tianxuan Continent, the two had no conflict between them. They might even need to support each other in the future. Lin Yan knew Lin Dong's character; he would make a fine companion.

Hearing Lin Xiao's words, Lin Yan clasped his hands as a junior and said, "This junior, Lin Yan, greets Uncle, Auntie, and Cousin Lin Dong.

"It so happened that Cousin Qingtan was in danger. As her elder cousin, I naturally had to do everything in my power to save her. I would not seek any reward. I only hope that Cousin Qingtan will not go alone to a dangerous place like the Back Mountain again."

Though Lin Yan spoke thus, he muttered inwardly, Lin Dong hasn't risen to prominence yet. The Third Branch has no standing at all in the Lin Family right now, and they can't offer me anything in thanks. It would be different if Lin Dong gave me the Stone Talisman, but that's impossible.

Lin Dong had been silently observing Lin Yan all along. For some reason, he could vaguely sense that Lin Yan's body seemed to contain a terrifying power. Once unleashed, it felt as though it could destroy the entire Lin Family.

Hearing Lin Yan's words, Lin Dong became curious about this cousin who had suddenly risen to prominence. He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said:

"This younger brother, Lin Dong, greets Cousin Lin Yan..."