Rewards

After Lin Changqiang and Lin Hong stepped down, Lin Dong didn't issue any more challenges. Lin Guangjiang, at Body Tempering Stage Six, knew he was no match for the others, so the Clan Competition quickly came to an end.

The final results were naturally Lin Changqiang in first place, Lin Xia and Lin Hong tied for second, Lin Dong in third, and Lin Guangjiang in fourth.

In a large hall at the back of the Lin Family compound, several figures sat upright. At the head was Lin Zhentian, beaming with a smile. Below him sat Lin Ken, Lin Xiao, and Lin Mang. Finally, at the back, were Lin Changqiang and the others who had placed in the top five of the Clan Competition.

"Today, our Lin Family has double blessings," Lin Zhentian said cheerfully, stroking his beard, his eyes narrowed into slits. "First, Xiao's strength has recovered to the Heavenly Origin Stage, and then Changqiang and Ahong showed outsiders and certain people what brotherly love really means."

With that, he shot a look of disappointment at his second son, Lin Mang, and third son, Lin Xiao, making Lin Mang turn his head away awkwardly while Lin Xiao stood to the side with a wry smile.

Lin Changqiang and Lin Hong kept their eyes on their noses, tacitly playing deaf and dumb. Matters of the elders were not something they dared to meddle in.

"Back during the Lin Clan competition, Xiao was defeated in a single move by that Lin Langtian and left half-crippled, dashing our Qingyang Town branch's hopes of returning to the main clan..." Lin Zhentian sighed as he spoke, seeming to age a few more years. Only in front of his own people would he show such vulnerability. "But back then, Xiao was already the most outstanding genius of our branch. If he couldn't do it, would any of you have fared better?"

Under Lin Zhentian's gaze, Lin Mang lowered his head slightly, his breathing growing heavier. Lin Xiao and his son Lin Dong clenched their fists tightly.

"It's one thing for outsiders to take their anger out on Xiao, but how could you blame him too? And you even made the younger generation hostile toward each other. He's your own blood brother, your family!" He then turned irritably toward Lin Xiao. "And don't get me started on you, you stubborn ox. You believed it yourself and gave up on treatment. Back then, you nearly drove me to death with anger!"

Lin Xiao could only nod with an embarrassed smile.

"Regardless, it's good that you've pulled yourselves together. From now on, both of you learn from Changqiang and Ahong. If I catch anyone causing trouble again, don't blame me for being harsh!"

After laying down the law, seeing that Lin Xiao and Lin Mang offered no rebuttal, Lin Zhentian nodded in satisfaction. Then, with a kind gaze, he looked at Lin Changqiang and the others and said with a smile:

"Grandfather is happy today. All five of you will receive rewards for the Clan Competition, and Lin Changqiang's will be doubled. Also, the family's Martial Arts Hall will be open to you from now on. If you need anything, just tell me. Strive to make another breakthrough before the Qingyang Town Hunt, so our Lin Family can make a name for itself in town."

Hearing that they could freely browse the family's Martial Arts Hall, Lin Dong and the others, who had been sitting idly, lit up instantly. Seeing Lin Dong and Lin Hong's eyes gleam, Lin Changqiang's heart bloomed with joy.

The night was quiet, a full moon hung like a bright mirror high above, and soft moonlight bathed the earth.

"The Hunt? If I remember right, that's when Lin Dong's future good brother Xiao Yan makes his first appearance." Lin Changqiang sat cross-legged on his bed, trying to recall the plot.

The triennial Hunt was the liveliest time in Qingyang Town. Even people from outside the town would come to join the excitement.

Speaking of the Hunt, one couldn't ignore the three major powers of Qingyang Town: the Lei Family, the Xie Family, and the Mad Saber Martial Hall.

The Lei and Xie Families were native to Qingyang Town, with the deepest foundations, and they were the most hostile toward the outsider Lin Family and the Mad Saber Martial Hall.

The Mad Saber Martial Hall, though founded only a dozen or so years ago, had grown in strength so rapidly that even the Lei and Xie Families dared not underestimate it.

Beneath these three powers came the Lin Family—at least, that was before. Now that Lin Xiao had recovered to the Heavenly Origin Stage, the Lin Family, with four Heavenly Origin Stage experts, barely qualified to stand on equal footing with the other three. After all, even the strongest, the Lei Family, only had five such experts.

The triennial Hunt was jointly organized by these major powers. In truth, it was a training exercise for the younger generation and another form of competition.

Thinking this over, Lin Changqiang smiled and took out a brocade box. Inside were his rewards from the Clan Competition: four Third-grade Spirit Medicines!

"I only noticed the benefits of assisted cultivation before, but I didn't realize it had a flaw."

True, the system description sounded great—each day, he could choose any martial art to gain experience, or any cultivation technique to gain twelve hours of perfect cultivation. But the Body Tempering Stage relied on tempering the body for experience...

That meant before reaching the Earthly Yuan Stage, he couldn't use assisted cultivation to boost his cultivation; he could only practice martial arts. Fortunately, he still had the option to absorb spirit medicines, or else his progress would have been severely slowed.

"System, absorb all spirit medicines."

"Dong, absorption successful. Converting to Yuan Power. Estimated conversion time: twelve minutes."

"Phew, that feels good." Lin Changqiang stretched contentedly as he watched his experience points slowly rise. "The Yuan Power conversion isn't as much as the Ancestral Stone's, but I don't have to spend time slowly absorbing it myself, nor do I have to suffer like Lin Dong, writhing in pain occasionally. Every gain has its loss."

Suddenly, a gleam flashed in Lin Changqiang's eyes. Remembering something, he quickly checked his inventory.

"System, use one Double Experience Card!"

"Dong, Double Experience Card used successfully. For seven days, all experience gained from any source except 'Inner Demon' will be doubled. Remaining double experience time: six days, twenty-three hours, fifty-nine minutes, fifty-two seconds."

Seeing the system prompt, Lin Changqiang finally relaxed. He had nearly forgotten about the Double Experience Card. Good thing he remembered in time; he'd only lost a tiny bit of experience.

A few minutes later, the system chimed again.

"Dong, spirit medicine conversion complete. Congratulations, host. Cultivation has increased to Eighth Layer of Body Tempering (22%)."

"If Lin Dong found out, he'd start questioning his life again." Lin Changqiang chuckled, imagining Lin Dong's stunned expression. "Now I'll just leech off others' experience peacefully. Once I reach the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering, I'll use the Inner Demon Trial Card and jump straight to the Earthly Yuan Stage!"

Lin Changqiang had considered asking Lin Zhentian for the Azure Yuan Art. But first, he remembered that cultivation techniques couldn't be practiced before the Earthly Yuan Stage. Second, Lin Zhentian might think he was aiming too high and refuse.

After mulling it over, Lin Changqiang decided it was better to focus on cultivation for now rather than beg for it. He'd find another way after breaking through to the Earthly Yuan Stage.

With his mind made up, Lin Changqiang stopped sitting idly. He washed up, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep. Thanks to the recovery effect of Holy Light Protection, he could go without sleep entirely, but for some reason, staying awake too long always left him irritable and listless.