Clan Competition Champion

"How dare you! Lin Dong, I never expected someone so young to be so vicious!"

With a long howl, a lean figure suddenly shot out from the stands like a hunting eagle, clawing viciously at Lin Dong from an extremely vicious angle.

Lin Mang had mistaken Lin Dong's hand seal for an attempt to continue attacking his son, who had already fallen from the Battle Platform. Driven by his desire to protect his son and his inability to accept his defeat, Lin Mang, a Sky Origin Stage expert, actually attacked Lin Dong, a junior.

Lin Dong's gaze turned cold as he raised his hand to retaliate, but for some reason, he quickly lowered the fist he had raised halfway.

"Lin Mang, you're courting death! How dare you touch my son!"

Just as Lin Mang flew out, a figure even faster than him flashed before Lin Dong. He raised his hand and threw a punch directly at the charging Lin Mang.

"Boom!"

Lin Mang was sent flying as though struck by lightning, landing with remarkable precision beside his son Lin Hong. A family had to stay together, after all!

"Pfft!"

Lin Mang's face turned deathly pale as he spat out a mouthful of blood. He stared at the figure standing before Lin Dong in utter shock. "Peak Sky Origin Stage... Lin Xiao, y-your cultivation has completely recovered?"

Lin Mang had only intended to seize the chance to cripple Lin Dong's cultivation. Who would have thought that he would expose Lin Xiao's true cultivation instead? For a moment, he was utterly speechless.

"Hmph. If I hadn't recovered my cultivation, was I supposed to stand by and watch trash like you bully my son?"

Lin Xiao, who had rushed over at high speed, wore a cold expression as he stared murderously at his Second Brother.

The exchange between Lin Mang and Lin Xiao had lasted no more than an instant. By the time everyone reacted, everything had already been settled.

"Lin Mang, you insolent... Third Brother, your cultivation has recovered..."

Lin Zhentian abruptly rose to his feet and muttered a few incoherent words before flying into a rage. "What are you all doing? Get back here at once!"

As the head of the clan, Lin Zhentian knew that with outsiders present, this was not the time to discipline his disgraceful second son. He could only restore order first.

"Hmph!"

With righteousness on his side, Lin Xiao had nothing to fear. He snorted coldly and immediately led Lin Dong down from the Battle Platform.

Knowing his father's temperament well, Lin Mang knew he would not get off easily later. He could only force himself to remain calm as he helped Lin Hong up and left.

"I hereby announce that the champion of this Clan Competition is Lin Dong. As for the champion's prize, I will have someone personally deliver it to the champion later."

Lin Zhentian swiftly made the announcement, then declared the Clan Competition over.

Thus, the Lin Family's annual Clan Competition came to an end in an utterly bewildering fashion. Yet no matter what, Lin Dong's name as champion had thoroughly resounded throughout the Lin Family.

Lin Family's rear courtyard.

All the Lin Family's higher-ups had gathered there, and the atmosphere in the courtyard was exceptionally solemn.

"Second Brother, you've really grown capable. A dignified Sky Origin Stage expert actually dared to attack a junior of the clan. Good, very good indeed. You've truly brought honor to my face!"

Seated high in the main seat, Lin Zhentian glared murderously at Lin Mang. There was none of the cheerful demeanor he had displayed earlier in the Trial Hall.

"Father, I..."

Lin Mang opened his mouth, attempting to explain himself. But when he remembered Lin Zhentian's overbearing, unquestionable authority within the clan, he wisely chose to shut his mouth in the end.

"Since Third Brother's cultivation has fully recovered, it is time for him to take charge of clan affairs again. From today onward, the clan's financial authority will be handed over to Third Brother."

Without caring about Lin Mang's thoughts, Lin Zhentian continued speaking on his own.

"Father, but the clan's finances have always been managed by me..."

Lin Mang abruptly raised his head and stared at his father in disbelief.

The Lin Family's financial authority had always been under Lin Mang's control. It was the most important matter he managed. Although he also oversaw several estates besides that, how could he possibly care about such paltry profits?

"Carry out the order. Leave."

Lin Zhentian said expressionlessly.

Lin Mang had gone far too far these past few years. It was time to rein him in.

"Father..."

Lin Mang cried out, trying to fight for something.

"I told you to leave!"

Lin Zhentian suddenly roared, making Lin Mang shudder. He could only leave the courtyard in a dejected state.

"Dong'er, what level of Body Tempering are you at now?"

Once Lin Mang had left, Lin Zhentian immediately changed his expression and smiled at Lin Dong, who had been standing quietly nearby.

During the Clan Competition, Lin Dong had only used pure Physical Strength each time he attacked and had never used Origin Energy. Even when he fought Lin Hong, who was at Body Tempering Stage 7, it had been the same. Thus, outsiders found it difficult to determine Lin Dong's true cultivation.

"Body Tempering Layer Nine." Lin Dong thought for a moment before answering seriously.

"Good, good, good! Excellent! Dong'er truly is a fine child of our Lin Family. Even Lei Li of the Lei Family and Xie Yingying of the Xie Family are only at Body Tempering Stage 8, yet you have already reached Body Tempering Layer Nine ahead of them."

Lin Zhentian burst into laughter after hearing this, excitedly saying "good" three times in a row.

Qingyang Town had four major powers. The Lei and Xie Families were long-established local forces with a century of history, while the Lin Family and Savage Blade Martial Hall were newer forces that had moved there within the past twenty or thirty years. Qingyang Town was neither large nor small, and conflict naturally arose between the old powers and the newcomers.

The allied Lei and Xie Families had always secretly opposed the Lin Family and Savage Blade Martial Hall. Left with no other choice, the Lin Family and Savage Blade Martial Hall could only secretly join forces as well.

Lei Li and Xie Yingying were the strongest members of the younger generations of the Lei and Xie Families, and Xie Yingying was also Lei Li's fiancée.

Lin Zhentian had led this branch of the clan in putting down roots in Qingyang Town for most of his life, always hoping to surpass the Lei and Xie Families. Now that he had finally seen hope, how could he not be delighted?

"As for the Clan Competition champion's reward, I will have someone deliver it to your residence later. Also, Dong'er, you must cultivate diligently during this period and strive to enter the Earth Origin Stage as soon as possible. Qingyang Town's Hunting Competition will begin soon. When the time comes, our Lin Family will show the Lei and Xie Families what we're made of."

Having gradually calmed down, Lin Zhentian thought for a moment before gently instructing Lin Dong.

The Hunting Competition was Qingyang Town's triennial group event and also a platform for its major powers to show off their strength. Calling it Qingyang Town's grandest event would not be an exaggeration.

"Yes, Grandfather." Lin Dong obediently replied.

"Alright, Dong'er, go down with your Uncle first."

After saying that, Lin Zhentian gave Lin Ken, who stood nearby, a meaningful look.

"Dong'er, let's go."

The perceptive Lin Ken knew that his father must have some things to discuss privately with Lin Xiao, so he immediately led Lin Dong out of the courtyard.

"Third Brother, I'm afraid your cultivation is more than just the Sky Origin Stage, isn't it?"

Once only Lin Zhentian and the father-and-son pair remained in the courtyard, Lin Zhentian spoke leisurely.

Lin Zhentian had entered the Peak Sky Origin Stage many years ago and possessed exceptionally sharp judgment. The instant Lin Xiao and Lin Mang had exchanged blows in the Trial Hall, he had already noticed something unusual.

Although Lin Mang had only entered the Sky Origin Stage two years ago, even Lin Zhentian would need to put in some effort to defeat him so cleanly. Yet when Lin Xiao heavily injured Lin Mang with a single strike, he had done so with astonishing ease.

Therefore, Lin Xiao's cultivation was definitely not merely at the Sky Origin Stage!

P.S. I received some good news: this book has finally been released on Mobile QQ.