The night wind gradually turned cool, rustling through the weeds in the dilapidated little courtyard like whispered secrets.
Wang Teng and Su Qingyao left with complicated thoughts of their own. The prying eyes around them had also dispersed, and the little courtyard returned to its usual deathly silence. Yet beneath that silence, undercurrents surged. The brief but fierce clash just now, along with Lin Chen's earth-shattering declaration of "breaking off the engagement," was destined to stir no small waves within the Lin Family.
Lin Chen stood quietly in the courtyard. Moonlight stretched his thin shadow long and cast itself over his somewhat pale yet exceptionally calm face.
He did not immediately return to cultivation.
Although his exchange with Wang Teng had forced the other man back, Lin Chen himself had endured no small amount of impact. The gulf between the second and fifth layers of the Body Tempering Realm could not be completely bridged by a momentary outburst alone. His right arm still throbbed faintly, while the blood and qi within him churned unsteadily.
More importantly, after such violent ups and downs, his emotions needed time to settle.
He had personally severed the shackles of the engagement. It was certainly liberation, but it also meant he had completely cut himself off from the past. From now on, within the Lin Family and even throughout Qingyang Town, he would become even more isolated and helpless. Whatever ties remained with the Su Family had vanished into thin air, while the Wang Family had become his mortal enemy.
And within the Lin Family itself?
He recalled Lin Bao and the others' arrogant bullying during the day; recalled the unspoken "understanding" that had allowed Su Qingyao and Wang Teng to barge in late at night without anyone stopping them; then recalled the schadenfreude, contempt, and disdain in the eyes of the Lin Family members around him... Lin Chen's heart turned ice-cold.
This place that had given him life and raised him no longer had room for him.
So-called lineage, so-called family affection—before absolute interests and cruel reality, they seemed pale and powerless.
"The threat of expulsion..." Lin Chen quietly chewed over those words, his gaze sharp as a hawk's. "Seven days! Only seven days remain!"
The Family Test seven days from now would not merely determine whether he stayed or left. For him, it would be a trial of life and death!
Judging by the killing intent Wang Teng had displayed today, as well as his influence within the Lin Family—the Wang Family behind him had openly colluded with the Lin Family's Great Elder—if Lin Chen performed poorly in the test, or even if he barely passed but was still regarded as a "threat," what awaited him would certainly be far more than mere expulsion from the household!
Wang Teng's words about grinding his bones to dust and scattering his ashes were no empty threat!
Strength!
In the end, it all came down to strength!
In this world where the strong were revered, without power, one could only be slaughtered by others and did not even have the right to control one's own fate!
Lin Chen slowly clenched his fists. He felt the true qi flowing within him—still weak, yet undeniably real—and sensed the mysterious, powerful Myriad Dao Furnace within his Dantian Sea of Qi. An unprecedented determination flooded his heart.
He was no longer the genius of three years ago who could only endure in silence, much less the cripple of the past three years who could only struggle in despair!
Now, he was Lin Chen, wielder of the Myriad Dao Furnace!
He would use these seven days to improve himself like mad! Not only would he pass the Family Test, he would rise with such force that everyone would be left dumbstruck! Those who had once scorned and trampled upon him would all pay the price!
The thoughts in his heart were like wildfire sweeping across the plains, instantly driving away the trace of fatigue and churning blood and qi left behind by the clash. Lin Chen's eyes burned anew as he turned his gaze once more toward the unremarkable pile of medicine dregs in the corner.
That was his only hope of rapidly increasing his strength.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Chen sat cross-legged again, cast aside distracting thoughts, sank his consciousness into his Dantian, and connected with the Myriad Dao Furnace.
He reached out and grabbed a handful of medicine dregs. This time, he was no longer trying them piece by piece—he grabbed a whole handful!
Buzz!
As though sensing its master's determination, the Myriad Dao Furnace flashed faintly with black light. An even stronger suction force instantly enveloped the handful of medicine dregs in Lin Chen's hand!
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—
Visible to the naked eye, the blackened, dry, hardened medicine dregs rapidly turned grayish white and crumbled into powder. Their impurities and useless components were refined and stripped away by the furnace at an even faster rate, leaving behind streams of pure Medicinal Power, somewhat richer than before, which poured continuously into Lin Chen's meridians!
Warmth spread through his entire body once again!
Lin Chen could clearly feel the bottleneck of his second layer of the Body Tempering Realm being repeatedly battered and loosened by that pure Medicinal Power! The qi vortex within his Dantian spun faster and faster, and its color seemed to grow more solid as well!
It worked! And the efficiency was even higher!
Lin Chen's heart settled completely as he immediately threw himself into the great work of refining.
Handful after handful of medicine dregs was scooped up, then swiftly turned into drifting ash.
Within the little courtyard, aside from the night wind's mournful wail, only the nearly inaudible sizzling of medicine dregs being refined remained, along with Lin Chen's breathing, which gradually grew long and powerful.
Time quietly slipped away amid this tedious yet hopeful refining.
Who knew how long had passed? When Lin Chen had refined nearly a hundred catties of medicine dregs, and the true qi in his body had swelled to a critical point, with the barrier of the middle stage of the Body Tempering Realm Double Layer about to break through—
A clearer, more hurried set of footsteps, accompanied by a shrill voice filled with obvious displeasure, shattered the little courtyard's silence once again.
"Hmph! What rotten luck! Having to come to this godforsaken place in the middle of the night!"
"The family head too—was it worth wasting words on a cripple? If it were up to me, we'd just beat him out with clubs seven days from now!"
The footsteps stopped at the courtyard gate.
Lin Chen's brows furrowed slightly as he withdrew from cultivation. He could sense that the people who had come this time possessed a steadier aura than Lin Bao or Wang Teng, as though they held a higher status.
He raised his head and saw a middle-aged man standing at the gate, dressed in a gray satin robe and wearing a small round cap. The man was of average build and ordinary appearance, but his triangular eyes darted constantly, revealing shrewdness and snobbery. His chin was raised slightly, and as he looked at the courtyard, he made no effort to conceal the disgust and contempt in his gaze.
Lin Chen recognized him. He was the Lin Family's chief steward, Liu Fu.
Liu Fu held no low status in the Lin Family. He managed many internal affairs, particularly the allocation of resources among the various courtyards and the deployment of servants. He was a man who fawned on the powerful and followed the wind. Usually, he bent over backward before those from the Great Elder's branch, while toward a fallen collateral descendant like Lin Chen, he had never shown the slightest courtesy.
Behind Liu Fu stood two broad-shouldered, round-waisted servants with arrogant expressions, clearly there to bolster his presence.
"Lin Chen!" Liu Fu called in a pinched voice, using a cold, businesslike tone as if he were not calling a person but an object. "The family head has ordered you to come at once!"
The family head?
Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly.
The Lin Family head, Lin Xiaotian, was one of Qingyang Town's notable experts. It was said that his cultivation had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. He usually kept a low profile and devoted himself to cultivation, leaving most family affairs to the elders. When Lin Chen had suffered his mishap three years ago, Lin Xiaotian had paid some attention, but in the end he could only shake his head helplessly and did not intervene much.
Why did the family head suddenly want to see him now? Was it because of Su Qingyao breaking off the engagement? Or because of his conflict with Wang Teng?
Lin Chen rose to his feet, dusted off his clothes, and looked calmly at Liu Fu. "Steward Liu, do you know why the family head has summoned me?"
Liu Fu rolled his triangular eyes and said with a smile that was not a smile, "How could servants like us possibly guess the family head's thoughts? Lin Chen, you'd best hurry and come with me. Don't keep the family head waiting!"
His tone was still somewhat polite, but the contempt and impatience in his eyes were impossible to hide. It was as though every extra question Lin Chen asked was wasting his precious time.
Lin Chen did not ask further. He knew that a snob like Liu Fu would not provide any useful information. Besides, he had no reason to refuse the family head's summons.
"Fine. I'll go with you." Lin Chen nodded indifferently.
Seeing Lin Chen cooperate so readily, Liu Fu's eyes flashed with surprise before returning to arrogance. He snorted and turned to leave, as if remaining another second would tarnish his status.
Lin Chen followed at an unhurried pace. The two servants walked on either side of him to "escort" him. Rather than an escort, however, it was more like surveillance; their eyes were filled with vigilance and disdain.
After passing through several quiet corridors and winding around rockeries and gardens, Lin Chen was brought before a brightly lit hall in the Lin Family's core area.
This was the Lin Family's discussion hall, a place that normally only the family's upper ranks were qualified to enter.
At this moment, the hall was brilliantly illuminated, and faint voices could be heard from within.
Liu Fu stopped and said to Lin Chen, "Wait here. I'll go inside and announce you." With that, he straightened his clothes, put on a flattering smile, and carefully pushed open the door before entering.
Lin Chen stood outside as the night wind stirred his clothes, bringing a trace of chill. He could sense several powerful auras within the hall. One was especially deep and heavy, and that must have belonged to the family head, Lin Xiaotian.
The other auras carried varying degrees of pressure and scrutiny. One of them was cold and sharp, making Lin Chen instinctively uncomfortable—it was the aura of the Great Elder, Lin Zhenhong!
Lin Bao's grandfather, and also the hardliner who had always advocated expelling him from the Lin Family!
It seemed this so-called summons tonight was far from simple.
Lin Chen sneered inwardly, though his expression remained calm as still water. Soldiers came, generals blocked them; water came, earth dammed it. He wanted to see what tricks these people intended to play.
Before long, Liu Fu emerged from the hall. The flattering smile on his face had vanished, replaced by sternness and indifference.
"Lin Chen, go in. Remember, before the family head and the elders, mind your words and conduct. Do not forget your place!" he warned, as if Lin Chen were an ignorant child.
Lin Chen ignored him. Taking a deep breath and steadying himself, he pushed open the heavy wooden doors and strode into the discussion hall.
The hall's interior was exceptionally spacious, decorated in an ancient and imposing style. On the seat of honor at the front sat a stern-faced middle-aged man whose authority did not require anger. He wore a purple brocade robe, and sharp light flickered in his eyes whenever they opened and closed. He was the Lin Family head, Lin Xiaotian.
Seated below Lin Xiaotian on either side were three elderly men, all with deep, steady auras. They were clearly senior elders of the Lin Family.
The man seated first on the left was an old man with white hair and beard and a sinister face. He had a hooked nose, blade-sharp eyes, and an occasional cold gleam flashing through them. He was the Lin Family's Great Elder, Lin Zhenhong. He was also Lin Bao's biological grandfather and wielded immense power within the Lin Family, almost able to stand on equal footing with the family head.
When he saw Lin Chen enter, obvious disgust and disdain flashed through Lin Zhenhong's eyes.
The other two elders, Second Elder Lin Zhenshan and Third Elder Lin Zhenyue, wore differing expressions. The Second Elder looked mild, as though he were not particularly concerned about the matter before him. The Third Elder, meanwhile, had slightly furrowed brows, and his gaze toward Lin Chen contained scrutiny and confusion.
Several people stood in the center of the hall. Among them was none other than Lin Bao, whom Lin Chen had taught a lesson during the day! He now stood behind Great Elder Lin Zhenhong with an aggrieved and furious expression, his eyes filled with venom as he looked at Lin Chen.
Beside Lin Bao stood a richly dressed, arrogant young man. It was Wang Teng, the Young Master Wang who had just left!
Why was he here?!
Lin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and he instantly understood.
This was no summons from the family head at all. It was a trial aimed at him... or rather, a banquet at Hongmen Gate jointly staged by the Great Elder and the Wang Family, meant to drive him completely into the abyss!
"Lin Chen, do you know your crime?!"
Lin Chen had barely come to a stop and had not yet bowed when a majestic roar exploded through the hall like thunder!
The one who shouted was none other than the family head seated in the place of honor, Lin Xiaotian!
His gaze was like lightning as it locked tightly onto Lin Chen. His face bore undisguised anger and disappointment.
Lin Chen's heart tightened, but he remained neither servile nor overbearing. He gave a slight bow. "Lin Chen pays respects to the family head and all elders. May I ask what crime Lin Chen has committed?"
"Hmph! You still dare to quibble!" Before Lin Xiaotian could speak, Great Elder Lin Zhenhong slammed his palm down on the table and shouted, "Lin Chen! As a descendant of the Lin Family, you failed to improve yourself and neglected cultivation, making you a disgrace to the family! Today, you grew even more audacious. First, you attacked your fellow family descendant Lin Bao without cause and injured him! Then, at night, you openly contradicted and humiliated the young lady of the Su Family who came to dissolve the engagement. You even fought with Young Master Wang, who had come to mediate! Every single act has ruined the Lin Family's conduct and damaged its reputation! What do you have to say for yourself?!"
Lin Zhenhong's voice was loud and righteous, as though Lin Chen had committed some unforgivable crime.
Lin Bao immediately put on a pained expression and pointed at Lin Chen as he accused him, "Family Head, Great Elder! Lin Chen was jealous because my cultivation was higher than his. He deliberately provoked trouble and attacked ruthlessly, nearly crippling my leg! I beg the family head and elders to uphold justice for me!"
Wang Teng also stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Lin Xiaotian and the elders, wearing the posture of an injured party. "Family Head Lin, honored elders, this junior had only meant well. Seeing Miss Su come to dissolve the engagement, I feared Brother Lin Chen might act rashly, so I accompanied her to offer persuasion. Who would have thought that Lin Chen would not only refuse to appreciate it, but speak maliciously to humiliate Miss Su, insult me, and even brazenly attack me! Had this junior not possessed a little ability, I might have fallen victim to his vicious hands as well! A person with such cold-hearted nature and cruel methods is truly a scourge upon Qingyang Town!"
The two of them sang in harmony, turning black into white. They pushed every fault onto Lin Chen while painting themselves as innocent victims.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became incomparably oppressive.
The elders' gazes all focused on Lin Chen, filled with scrutiny, doubt, and even undisguised disgust.
Lin Xiaotian's face was dark as iron. Clearly, he was extremely dissatisfied with Lin Chen's conduct. He had once retained a trace of pity and hope for this descendant upon whom great hopes had been placed, but after hearing Wang Teng and Lin Bao's "testimony," especially the parts about ruining the family's reputation and antagonizing the Wang Family, the anger in his heart was ignited as well.
"Lin Chen!" Lin Xiaotian's voice was icy. "Are their words true?"
Facing everyone's gaze, Lin Chen stood straight-backed, without the slightest trace of panic. He simply said, "In reply to the family head: Lin Bao provoked me first. I acted in self-defense and stopped at the proper point; I did not injure his bones or tendons. As for Miss Su..."
He paused, sweeping his gaze over Wang Teng's hypocritical face. A mocking curve touched his lips. "She met privately with Young Master Wang in my courtyard at night. Her words were harsh, her bearing arrogant, and she came to break off the engagement. Though I, Lin Chen, may be a cripple, I still possess a little backbone. Unwilling to suffer such humiliation, I took the initiative to dissolve the engagement. What was wrong with that? And as for Young Master Wang..."
Lin Chen looked directly at Wang Teng, his eyes sharp as swords. "He sought to play the hero for a beauty and tried to kill me. I rose up in resistance merely to protect myself! If I had not considered the Lin Family's reputation, would he still be standing here safely and speaking now?"
His tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable force!
He did not spend much time explaining details. He merely stated the core facts and attributed all his actions to "self-defense" and protecting his "backbone"!
His words struck the ground like nails, changing Lin Bao and Wang Teng's expressions. Even the elders and family head Lin Xiaotian showed a trace of surprise in their eyes.
They had not expected that, facing such a formation, this youth they regarded as a cripple could remain so composed, speak so sharply, and even faintly carry an air of... pride?
"Utter nonsense!" Lin Zhenhong slammed the table again and rose in fury. "At death's door, you still dare to talk tough! Self-defense? Backbone? You are a cripple who has not even reached the first layer of the Body Tempering Realm. What could you use to defend yourself? What gives you the right to speak of backbone?! I say you harbored resentment and deliberately sought revenge!"
He turned toward Lin Xiaotian and cupped his hands. "Family Head! This child is incorrigible and vicious by nature. If he remains in the household, he will sooner or later become a calamity! Now he has even offended the Su Family and the Wang Family, severely damaging the Lin Family's interests! According to clan rules, anyone who ruins the family's conduct and harms its interests should have his cultivation abolished and be expelled from the household, as a warning to others!"
"Abolish my cultivation? Expel me from the household?" Hearing this, Lin Chen sneered inwardly.
Sure enough, this was their true objective!
If they wanted to condemn him, they could always find a pretext!
Delight flashed through Wang Teng's eyes. This was exactly the outcome he wanted! Once Lin Chen was expelled from the Lin Family and lost its protection, would he not be free to knead him round or flatten him as he pleased?
Lin Xiaotian's brows were tightly furrowed. His fingers lightly tapped the armrest as though he were weighing the pros and cons.
Abolishing cultivation and expelling someone from the household was the harshest punishment for any family descendant, almost equivalent to a death sentence. Lin Chen was still of Lin Family blood, and he had once been a genius upon whom great hopes were placed...
But, as the Great Elder had said, he had now offended the Su Family and the Wang Family. The Wang Family in particular had tangled, deeply rooted ties with the Lin Family. If this caused the two families to become hostile, it would indeed be detrimental to the Lin Family. Moreover, a cripple unable to cultivate was truly only a burden in the family, even a disgrace...
Just as the hall's atmosphere grew heavy and Lin Xiaotian was about to make his decision, the silent Third Elder, Lin Zhenyue, suddenly spoke.
"Family Head, Great Elder, is this matter... perhaps still open to discussion?" Lin Zhenyue said slowly. "Although Lin Chen has committed mistakes, he is young and hot-blooded. Besides, the Family Test is only seven days away. According to clan rules, he will naturally be judged then. To impose such a heavy punishment now, would it not be... too hasty?"
Third Elder Lin Zhenyue oversaw punishments within the family. He was relatively fair-minded and had never gotten along well with the Great Elder. Although he too was disappointed in Lin Chen, he did not support immediately taking such a ruthless step.
Lin Zhenhong snorted coldly. "Third Elder, your words are mistaken! Clan rules are clan rules, but what he has done today has already gravely crossed the bottom line! If he is not severely punished, how will we convince the masses? How will we answer to the Wang Family?"
He deliberately mentioned the Wang Family, putting pressure on Lin Xiaotian.
Wang Teng also spoke at the right moment. "Family Head Lin, this junior has no intention of forcing your hand. But Lin Chen's actions have indeed caused Miss Su immense grievance and chilled this junior's heart. If the Lin Family cannot provide a fair resolution, this junior... may find it difficult to answer to my father."
A threat! A naked, undisguised threat!
Lin Xiaotian's expression became even uglier.
He glanced at the expressionless Lin Chen, then at the aggressive Lin Zhenhong and Wang Teng, his heart filled with irritation.
At that moment, Lin Chen suddenly laughed.
His laughter was not loud, but within the oppressive hall, it was exceptionally clear—almost grating.
"What are you laughing at?!" Lin Zhenhong glared at Lin Chen. "At death's door, and you can still laugh?!"
Lin Chen stopped laughing. His calm gaze swept over everyone present as he slowly said, "I am laughing... because all of you are rather too impatient."
"Great Elder keeps saying that I ruined the family's conduct and harmed its interests, and that he wants to abolish my cultivation and expel me from the household."
"Young Master Wang is also eager for me to pay the price."
"The family head seems to be weighing whether to preserve the dignity of a 'cripple' or protect the 'interests' he has with the Wang Family."
His voice was not loud, yet every word was clear, like an invisible blade cutting open the hypocritical veil over everyone's hearts.
"But," Lin Chen's tone shifted, and a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes, "what makes you so certain that, seven days from now, I, Lin Chen, will definitely fail the Family Test? What makes you so certain that I, Lin Chen, am definitely the 'cripple' who can be sacrificed at will?!"
"Is it because I have been unable to cultivate for the past three years?"
"Or is it because of your... deeply rooted prejudice against me?!"
By the end, his voice abruptly rose, carrying the resentment and fury he had suppressed for three years!
These words left everyone in the hall shaken!
Lin Xiaotian suddenly raised his head, a trace of surprise and suspicion flashing through his eyes.
Lin Zhenhong's expression changed as he shouted, "Lin Chen! Do not spout nonsense! Your blocked meridians are a fact known to all! Do you still dream of some miracle occurring within seven days? What a fool's dream!"
Whether it was a fool's dream or not, there would be an answer seven days from now!" Lin Chen lifted his head and chest, his blazing gaze fixed on Lin Xiaotian. "Family Head! Lin Chen begs the family head to give me seven days! At the Family Test seven days from now, if I, Lin Chen, cannot reach the Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer, there will be no need for the elders to act. I will abolish my own cultivation and leave the Lin Family!"
"But! If I can pass the test..." Lin Chen's voice rang like iron striking stone through the hall, "I hope that today's matter will end here! From then on, the well water shall not offend the river water!"
He did not ask for fairness. He only wanted an opportunity to prove himself! An opportunity to temporarily escape the crisis before him!
His words were filled with confidence, even carrying a trace of... defiance!
Everyone was stunned by Lin Chen's sudden boastful declaration!
A publicly acknowledged cripple with useless meridians dared make such a military pledge? On what grounds? Where did his confidence come from?
Lin Zhenhong was first stunned, then burst into loud laughter filled with ridicule. "Good! Good! Good! What grand words! The Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer? Lin Chen, have you slept yourself senseless? Since you are seeking death yourself, this old man shall fulfill your wish!"
He turned to Lin Xiaotian. "Family Head! Since he has made this military pledge himself, why not grant it to him? It will also save people from saying that our Lin Family never gave him a chance!"
Mockery also flashed through Wang Teng's eyes. The Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer? In seven days? It was simply a fantasy beyond the heavens! He wished more than anyone that Lin Chen would make such a certain-to-lose wager! When the time came, he would see what face Lin Chen had left to remain in the Lin Family!
Third Elder Lin Zhenyue frowned, seeming as though he wanted to say something, but in the end he remained silent.
Lin Xiaotian looked deeply at Lin Chen, as though trying to see something through his calm face. Yet all he saw was depth and determination, along with a sharp gleam that vanished in an instant from the depths of those black eyes—a gleam so piercing that even he felt a faint palpitation.
After a moment of silence, Lin Xiaotian slowly spoke, his voice low and authoritative. "Fine! Lin Chen, I will give you this opportunity!"
"Seven days! The Family Test seven days from now!"
"If you can reach the Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer, today's matter will be set aside for now!"
"But if you..." A cold gleam flashed through Lin Xiaotian's eyes. "Cannot reach it! Then do not blame me for enforcing the clan rules, abolishing your cultivation, and expelling you from the Lin Family! When that time comes, even the Jade Emperor himself will not be able to save you!"
Once words left the mouth, even a team of four horses could not chase them back!
The crisis of expulsion had been postponed by seven days through Lin Chen's almost crazed approach!
Yet those seven days had also become a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head!
Either he would soar into the sky in a single flight!
Or he would plunge completely into the abyss!
"Thank you, Patriarch, for granting this!" Lin Chen bowed, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Hmph!" Lin Zhenhong snorted coldly and did not spare Lin Chen another glance. In his eyes, Lin Chen was already a dead man.
A cruel smile curled across Wang Teng's lips as he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Lin Chen, enjoy your final seven days as a 'Lin Family disciple'! After the test, I'll show you what it means to wish you were dead!"
Lin Chen shot him an icy glance but gave no response.
Just a clown prancing on a stage. Why bother paying him any mind?
The only thing he needed to do now was use these precious seven days to push the potential of the Myriad Dao Furnace to its utmost limit!
"Enough. Everyone, leave!" Lin Xiaotian waved his hand, seeming somewhat weary.
Lin Chen bowed once more, then turned and left the council hall.
As he stepped out the doors, the night wind brushed against his face, and he let out a long breath of stale air.
Tonight had been dangerous, but he had managed to weather the crisis for the time being.
Moreover, he had seen certain people of the Lin Family for what they truly were, cutting off the last thread of unrealistic fantasy in his heart.
From this day onward, he would live only for himself!
His gaze became resolute and blazing once again.
"Body Tempering Realm Triple Layer? Heh heh..."
Lin Chen murmured softly, a confident curve lifting at the corner of his lips.
If he had not obtained the Myriad Dao Furnace, this truly would have been a fool's dream.
But now...
Seven days were enough for him to create a miracle that would leave everyone dumbstruck!
He quickened his pace and headed toward his dilapidated little courtyard.
There was still a "treasure mountain" there, waiting for him to "smelt" it!
Before you continue