Family Test, All Eyes on Us

The dawn's radiance, like a gentle tide, washed over the eaves and corners of the Lin Family's grand estate, dispelling the last vestiges of night. The sprawling family, having slumbered through the night, began to stir like a waking giant, gradually regaining its vitality and vigor.

Within the dilapidated small courtyard, Lin Chen had not slept all night. Yet, far from feeling any fatigue, he was invigorated, his eyes shining brightly, as if containing burning stars.

The reconnaissance and discoveries of the previous night had ignited a raging fire within his heart, filling him with anticipation and an unshakeable conviction for the upcoming "hunt." The unimaginable capabilities of the Myriad Dao Furnace gave him boundless confidence.

However, he did not act immediately.

After a night of calm reflection, he realized that directly infiltrating the Leopard Garden to steal the Scarlet Sun Grass and any other potential resources, while highly feasible, still carried risks. No matter how injured Lin Bao was, he was still a martial artist at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer, with followers by his side. If discovered, it would inevitably lead to a fierce battle. More importantly, if he failed or left any trace, it would incur the wrath of Great Elder Lin Zhenhong, leaving him utterly ruined.

"I must minimize the risks, and... I need a perfect 'alibi'," Lin Chen's eyes flickered as he lightly tapped his knee, his mind racing.

He needed an opportunity, one that would allow him to approach Lin Bao openly, or at least provide a reasonable explanation for his whereabouts during the time Lin Bao might be targeted.

And that opportunity seemed... not far away.

Lin Chen looked up, gazing in the direction of the Lin Family's martial arts training grounds.

According to family custom, about five days before the formal Family Test, a small-scale "preliminary test" or "internal selection" would usually be held. Its purpose was to preliminarily filter out disciples with excessively poor strength who were merely making up the numbers, and also to give the elders a general understanding of the younger generation's overall strength, so they could better allocate resources and quotas in the formal test.

In previous years, such preliminary tests held no meaning for "waste" like Lin Chen; he didn't even have the qualification to participate.

But this year, things seemed a little different.

Firstly, he had "fortunately" broken through to the Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer, barely meeting the minimum threshold for participation.

Secondly, the matter of his broken engagement with the Su Family, his confrontation with Wang Teng, and even his pledging a military order in the assembly hall had already spread like wildfire within the family. No matter how much the elders might despise him internally, to demonstrate the family's "fairness" and to silence public opinion, they would likely have to grant him a chance to participate in this preliminary test.

And this was precisely what Lin Chen needed!

The preliminary test would inevitably be conducted openly in the martial arts training grounds. At that time, almost all the young disciples of the Lin Family, including the elders, stewards, and even the family head, would likely be present to observe.

This was a stage that would capture everyone's attention!

He could use this opportunity to do many things!

For instance, he could display a little "strength" during the test, but not so much as to be astonishing. He could maintain his image of "just breaking through to the third layer, with potential but unstable foundations." This would not only respond to the previous military order, temporarily silencing those waiting to see him fail, but also lull Lin Zhenhong and Wang Teng into lowering their guard.

Furthermore, he could use the test to find opportunities to "spar" with Lin Bao or his followers! It would be best if he could "accidentally" injure them, further weakening their strength and creating more favorable conditions for the subsequent "hunt"! Of course, this would require extremely high skill and control, to injure the opponent without appearing too deliberate, and without revealing his true strength at the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer.

He could even use the confusion of personnel and the attention of the crowd during the test to create some "alibi" evidence or distractions for his actions that night!

One bold and meticulous plan after another emerged in Lin Chen's mind like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

"That's settled!" A sly glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes, and a cold arc curved across his lips.

He no longer hesitated and immediately began making final preparations for the upcoming preliminary test (if it truly happened) and the subsequent "hunt."

First, strength!

Although he couldn't obtain new high-quality "fuel" for the time being, he could still circulate the optimized version of the Basic Qi Refining Art, absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, consolidate his realm at the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer, and continuously refine his control over his own strength. He simulated punching, kicking, dodging, and blocking movements over and over again, striving to use every ounce of his strength precisely, so that it could not only unleash powerful force but also perfectly conceal his aura without leaving any trace.

He even began to recall some rudimentary martial arts he had encountered three years ago. At that time, he was arrogant and disdained these basic martial arts, not practicing them diligently. But now, with the assistance of the Myriad Dao Furnace, he attempted to "forge" and integrate these fragmented memories.

Although he couldn't directly obtain complete inheritance and optimization like forging cultivation techniques and scriptures, the furnace seemed to play a role in "organizing" and "inspiring." Some previously vague key points of movements gradually became clear; some seemingly clumsy actions revealed their crucial points of force generation.

"Fierce Tiger Fist... Mountain Splitting Palm... Willow Catkin Movement Technique..." Lin Chen recalled as he moved and dodged in the small courtyard, practicing these most basic martial arts.

His movements were somewhat stiff and awkward at first, but as time passed and with the support of the vigorous true qi within him, they gradually became fluid and natural. Although these martial arts were not of high grade and their power was limited, it was better than nothing. At the very least, they would give him more means to deal with opponents in the upcoming preliminary test and better match the performance expected of a "normal" Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer martial artist.

In addition to cultivating and practicing martial arts, Lin Chen did not forget to prepare for his night raid on the Leopard Garden.

He used the seemingly useless plant residues left after his forging and purification, along with some common materials found around the courtyard, to begin crafting some simple tools.

For example, he collected some tough vines and wove them with a special technique into a inconspicuous yet exceptionally strong rope. One end of the rope was tied with a simple grappling hook carved from hardwood. This was to facilitate climbing and dealing with special terrain.

Furthermore, he collected some herbs with mild paralyzing or irritating scents (these herbs were common in the Lin Family, usually used to repel insects or in medicine, and would not arouse suspicion), and then carefully used the Myriad Dao Furnace for extremely precise forging and purification!

This process was extremely mentally demanding and also extremely dangerous! A slight mistake could ruin the medicinal properties of these herbs or even produce unpredictable toxicity!

But Lin Chen, relying on his increasingly strong control over the furnace and his steely will, actually succeeded!

He successfully extracted a small pinch of colorless and odorless powder with a mild paralyzing effect from those ordinary herbs, as well as another powder that emitted a faint irritating scent and could temporarily interfere with smell and spirit!

Although these substances were not very potent and could not deal with true masters, they might have unexpected effects when used against the guards at the Leopard Garden, who were at the Body Tempering Realm Triple or Fourth Layer, to create chaos or temporarily paralyze them at a critical moment!

After completing all these preparations, it was already noon on the third day.

For these three days, Lin Chen had barely closed his eyes. Apart from necessary eating and drinking (still the rough meals delivered by Lin Fu, but he didn't mind), all his time was spent on cultivation, practice, and preparing tools.

Although his cultivation had not broken through again, his realm at the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer had been completely stabilized, and his control over his own strength had reached a state of perfection. He was confident that even without using the Myriad Dao Furnace, relying solely on his realm, physical strength, and those few rudimentary martial arts, he could now easily deal with opponents at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer!

And the aura he outwardly projected was still perfectly controlled to appear as if he were in the early to middle stages of the Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer, even seeming somewhat "unstable" due to "diligent cultivation," making it even more deceptive.

Just as Lin Chen felt that all preparations were complete and he was only waiting for a suitable opportunity to arrive—

"Dong—dong—dong—"

A dull yet melodious bell sound suddenly rang out from the central area of the Lin Family's grand estate, spreading throughout the entire family!

This was the bell sound used by the Lin Family to summon all disciples to the martial arts training grounds! It was usually only rung when important ceremonies were held or major matters were announced!

Lin Chen's heart stirred, and his eyes instantly lit up!

It's here!

The opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived!

He immediately stopped cultivating, tidied his clothes, and readjusted his "actor" state—his eyes held a hint of apprehension, a hint of anticipation, and a trace of awkwardness and unease from facing the crowd.

Then, he pushed open the courtyard gate and merged into the crowd surging towards the training grounds.

Along the way, almost every Lin Family disciple he encountered would subconsciously cast a few extra glances his way, their expressions complex.

There was mockery, disdain, curiosity, sympathy, and even a sliver of… inexplicable anticipation?

Clearly, the matter of him signing a military order, and the upcoming "assessment test," had already become one of the focal points of attention for the entire Lin Family.

Everyone wanted to see if this former prodigy, now a good-for-nothing, was truly mad or if he was genuinely hiding some unknown trump card. Was his so-called "Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer" real or fake? And how long could it last?

Lin Chen took it all in, a cold sneer echoing in his heart. Yet, on his face, he displayed just the right amount of nervousness and awkwardness, lowering his head and silently following the flow of people.

Soon, the vast training grounds appeared before them.

At this moment, the training grounds were already packed with people and bustling with activity.

In the center of the grounds, a high platform had been erected. Seated at the very top was the Family Head, Lin Xiaotian, with the Great Elder Lin Zhenhong, Second Elder Lin Zhenshan, Third Elder Lin Zhenyue, and several core family stewards on either side.

Below the platform stood a dense crowd of hundreds of young Lin Family disciples! They were roughly divided into several areas based on age and cultivation, standing tall and proud, their fists clenched, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

At the very front of the crowd, several young men with exceptionally powerful auras stood out like cranes among chickens, drawing everyone's attention.

One of them, tall and imposing with a handsome face and sharp eyes, was none other than Lin Yan, recognized as the foremost among the younger generation of the Lin Family! He stood there quietly, exuding a powerful confidence and presence.

Another was a graceful and beautiful white-robed maiden, with a cool demeanor, like an ice lotus blooming on a snowy mountain peak. It was Lin Xue, whose fame was on par with Lin Yan's.

And amidst the crowd near the Great Elder Lin Zhenhong, a youth with a slightly pale complexion and sinister eyes, surrounded by a few followers, was none other than Lin Bao!

Lin Chen's gaze immediately locked onto Lin Bao!

He carefully observed Lin Bao's complexion and the fluctuations of his aura. As expected! Although Lin Bao's pallor was somewhat concealed, a hint of unnatural paleness could still be seen, and his aura appeared somewhat weak and unstable, far from the condensed strength expected of someone at the peak of the Body Tempering Realm Fourth Layer!

It seemed the news of his injury was true! And it wasn't a minor one!

Lin Chen's heart settled, and the corner of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

Just then, Lin Bao seemed to sense Lin Chen's gaze and abruptly turned his head, their eyes meeting in mid-air!

Lin Bao's eyes instantly filled with malice, hatred, and undisguised killing intent! He even made a throat-slitting gesture towards Lin Chen with fierce intensity!

Lin Chen sneered inwardly, but his face immediately adopted an expression of "panic-stricken fright," as if startled by Lin Bao's ferocity. He quickly lowered his head, averted his gaze, and disappeared into the crowd.

This display of "cowardice" naturally drew a round of laughter and even more contemptuous glances from Lin Bao and his followers.

"Hmph! A good-for-nothing is just a good-for-nothing! You still dare to glare at me? Just wait until the test begins, and I'll show you!" Lin Bao muttered fiercely, completely unaware that he had already become a fat sheep marked for slaughter in someone's eyes.

On the high platform, Family Head Lin Xiaotian swept his gaze over the dense crowd below, cleared his throat, and spoke in a deep voice:

"All disciples of the Lin Family!"

His resonant voice, infused with true qi, clearly carried throughout the entire training grounds, instantly silencing all the noise.

"Three days from now is the Lin Family's annual Family Test Ceremony! This test not only concerns your future resource allocation and family status but also whether our Lin Family can achieve excellent results in the Qingyang Town Tri-Family Competition in half a month, bringing glory to our Lin Family!"

"In order to better select the true elites of our Lin Family, and to allow everyone to adapt to the test atmosphere in advance, an internal assessment test will be held today!"

"This assessment test is open to all disciples aged twelve and above, with a cultivation base of Body Tempering Realm First Layer or higher! The test will consist of two parts: cultivation verification and combat duels!"

"Cultivation verification will be personally conducted by the elders to assess your level. For the combat duels, opponents will be determined by drawing lots, with participants competing in pairs. Winners advance, losers are eliminated!"

"Ultimately, those who perform exceptionally well in the assessment test will not only receive priority in the formal test but will also be rewarded with additional family resources!"

Lin Xiaotian's words, like massive stones cast into a calm lake, instantly stirred up a thousand waves among the crowd below!

So there was an assessment test! And combat duels! Plus extra resource rewards!

The eyes of all the young disciples instantly ignited with fierce fighting spirit and desire!

Especially those who considered themselves talented were practically itching to get started, eager to shine on this stage and prove themselves!

As for Lin Chen, upon hearing the keywords "combat duels" and "opponents determined by drawing lots," a subtle glint flashed in his eyes!

An opportunity! This was practically a tailor-made opportunity for him!

Drawing lots? Heh, if he got "lucky" enough to draw Lin Bao or one of his cronies as an opponent… wouldn't that be a chance to have a proper "sparring session" openly?

An even more complete and exciting plan began to take shape in his mind!

"Alright! Enough with the pleasantries!" Lin Xiaotian waved his hand. "The assessment test begins now! First, we will proceed with cultivation verification! All participating disciples will take turns on stage to be tested according to their cultivation levels!"

With the Family Head's command, the atmosphere of the training grounds instantly reached its climax!

Under the gaze of the masses, a test concerning honor, resources, and future destiny officially commenced!

And within the crowd, that inconspicuous, even somewhat "cowardly" black-clothed youth, his eyes gleamed with the light of a hunter.

His stage was about to begin!

This time, he would let everyone know how brilliantly the "furnace dregs" that had been dormant for three years would burn once ignited!