Qing Tan!

"Brother Lin Dong, is Brother Chen here?"

After Lin Dong's shout was heard by the person in the inner room, a reply came before anyone even appeared.

"Little brother, you're tipping them off..."

Seeing this, Lin Chen could not help but find it funny.

He had visited a few times before, but Third Uncle's family was simply far too enthusiastic. Every time, they stuffed him so full his stomach swelled, leaving him unable to cultivate in peace after he returned. Holding to the idea of disturbing them as little as possible, he had only come over to visit after letting some days pass.

"Not at all. My voice was just a little loud."

A crafty glint flickered in Lin Dong's eyes. He did not admit that he had done it on purpose—and that he had been planning it for a long time.

Did anyone really think he trusted just anyone enough to take out the Mysterious Stone Talisman and share it with them?

In truth, that was not the case. Even his own family did not know about the Mysterious Stone Talisman.

And the reason he had given it to Lin Chen did include the reasons he had just mentioned, but more than that, it was because of this matter.

Qing Tan, this younger sister of his, had feelings in her heart. It was just that because of her personality and her age, she had not dared to say them aloud.

As the elder brother who doted on her the most, Lin Dong naturally had to help her.

No matter how one put it, he approved of Lin Chen.

The most valuable thing he could take out was only the Mysterious Stone Talisman.

Now that Lin Chen had already agreed, he would naturally have more time to interact with Qing Tan in the future.

As for what might happen, Lin Dong had long anticipated it. Everything was under control!

After the door opened, a butterfly-like figure had already rushed out. Along with a faint fragrant breeze, she arrived before Lin Chen.

It was a little girl dressed in pale-colored clothes, with picturesque brows and eyes, skin like snow, and clear, lively large eyes that shone with delight. A smile surfaced on her breathtakingly delicate face, and she happily hooked her arm around Lin Chen's as she said with a grin, "Brother Chen, did you come to see me?"

Seeing this, Lin Dong at the side could not help teasing her. "Qing Tan, you used to always hold my arm. How come that changed the moment you saw Brother Chen?"

Hearing this, Qing Tan explained a little embarrassedly, "That's because I haven't seen Brother Chen for several days. Brother Lin Dong, I see you every day, so it's different."

The Clan Tournament was coming soon, so she had not dared to go see Lin Chen, worried that she might affect his cultivation.

No matter what, now that Lin Chen had come over, she was very happy.

"Yes, yes, yes. In the future, you and Brother Chen will have plenty of chances to meet, so don't worry."

The corners of Lin Dong's mouth lifted slightly as he continued, "I'm going to find Father and Mother now. We'll eat something good. At the Clan Tournament two days from now, we have to shine!"

"Not too much, really!"

Lin Chen reached out, intending to stop Lin Dong and remind him a bit more, but the other party ran off in a flash. This left him somewhat helpless, so he could only turn his attention to Qing Tan beside him and ask, "Qing Tan, I heard from Brother Lin Dong that your cold qi hasn't been causing much trouble lately. Is that right?"

Hearing his concern, Qing Tan felt warm inside and answered, "Yes. I don't know what method Brother Lin Dong used, but he dealt with the cold qi that even Father had no way to handle. The cold qi these last few times hasn't affected me too much. Looks like I might have a chance to cultivate too!"

"Since you've already made up your mind to walk the path of cultivation, Qing Tan, you'll definitely need quite a few cultivation resources to help you complete the first three levels of the Body Tempering Stage more quickly."

Lin Chen nodded, took out several medicinal herbs he had prepared earlier from his robes, and handed them to Qing Tan, reminding her, "These are Crimson Ginseng and Golden Jade Branch. Before Body Tempering Stage Four, they'll be of no small help to you. Once you reach Body Tempering Stage Four, I'll help you find even better spirit medicine."

When one first stepped onto the path of cultivation, body refinement naturally came first.

The first three levels of the Body Tempering Stage mainly strengthened one's physical quality and physique, without any major changes. But after reaching the fourth level, Skin Refining would begin, gradually making the skin as hard as wood and stone, and one's strength and speed would both undergo considerable changes.

Crimson Ginseng, like the one Lin Chen had given her, was only a First-grade Spirit Medicine. To him, it was already basically useless. But for someone like Qing Tan, who had not yet reached Body Tempering Stage Four, it was sufficiently beneficial.

The medicinal effect of the First-grade Spirit Medicine Crimson Ginseng was enough to allow someone at the second level of the Body Tempering Stage to reach the third level. It could basically last for five days, and during this process, one needed to exercise the body more, strengthen the physique, and only then would the medicinal effect be better absorbed.

As for the Second-grade Spirit Medicine Golden Jade Branch, it appeared like a pale golden withered branch. Accompanied by a fragrance, its entire body was golden, and through the surface of the withered bark, one could faintly see green liquid flowing inside, like jade essence, extremely beautiful. Its medicinal effect was even better than that of a bottle of spirit medicine like Crimson Ginseng, with more abundant spiritual energy. After taking it, someone at the third level of the Body Tempering Stage could immediately break through to the fourth level, and if their luck was good, they might even have a chance to reach the fifth level. It could be called precious.

"Brother Chen, how can I accept this? It's too valuable. I can't take it!"

When Qing Tan saw these two kinds of spirit medicine, her expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly shook her head to refuse.

She knew very well that these spirit medicines could all help Lin Chen in the Body Tempering Stage.

If he gave these good medicines to her, then what would Lin Chen use when the time came?

The Clan Tournament was in two days, and Qing Tan did not want him to be defeated because he had given these two kinds of spirit medicine to her.

"Are you worried about me?"

Lin Chen saw through the reason for her refusal at a glance and said with a smile, "Of these two spirit medicines, Crimson Ginseng is only First-grade, so it no longer has any effect on me. As for the Second-grade Spirit Medicine Golden Jade Branch, it does help me a little, but the effect isn't obvious. Rather than waste it on me, it's better to give it to you, Qing Tan. Besides, don't forget, no matter what, I'm with Grandpa Zhentian. What good things would I not have, right?"

"But..."

Qing Tan twisted her fingers, extremely conflicted. Of course she understood what he meant. He was simply saying those things because he wanted her to accept them.

Even if Lin Chen had grown up beside the Lin Family head, that still did not mean he could casually obtain the Second-grade Spirit Medicine Golden Jade Branch.

Even if Lin Zhentian agreed, the others would be unwilling.

Especially Second Uncle Lin Mang, who controlled the Lin Family's finances. Because Lin Chen was very close to Third Uncle Lin Xiao's family, some of Lin Mang's anger had also been directed at Lin Chen, making it even more impossible for him to easily give Lin Chen spirit medicine.

Besides, how could the medicinal effect of the Second-grade Spirit Medicine Golden Jade Branch be as weak as Lin Chen said?

Within the Body Tempering Stage, basically anyone could take them. For those who had Yuan Power, taking one would let them accumulate quite a bit of Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi, which was much easier than absorbing and refining it from the world on their own.

All of this was simply Lin Chen's concern for Qing Tan after learning that she planned to cultivate!

Lin Chen knew exactly how to dispel the worries of this strong-willed little sister Qing Tan. He smiled and said:

"There are no buts. Since you already have the will to cultivate, then resources like spiritual herbs are definitely necessary. If you don't cultivate properly, how will you protect us in the future?"

Qing Tan stared blankly, and her fingers, which had been twisting together in conflict, also stopped at that moment.

That was right. Without cultivation resources, how could she cultivate properly?

And if she did not cultivate properly, how could she protect Brother Chen and their whole big family?

The reasoning made perfect sense, but for some reason, Qing Tan felt that something about it was off.

Was something like protecting others really something a girl like her should be thinking about...?('')