Qing Tan clasped her little hands behind her back and slightly raised her chin, a hint of pride on her face. In a sweet voice, she said, "I just broke through to the Body Tempering Seventh Level."
"She reached the Body Tempering Seventh Level so quickly? She's probably already caught up with Sister Lin Xia. Qing Tan, you're amazing!"
Lin Yi sincerely praised her.
"Heehee, I'm still not as amazing as Brother Lin Yi..." Qing Tan was delighted by Lin Yi's praise and replied with a giggle.
"How long have you even been cultivating..." Lin Yi shook his head slightly, unable to help marveling at the cultivation speed of the Sect Demon Body.
Qing Tan had only been cultivating for a few months. She had not relied on any external aid, and she even spent one day cultivating and the next playing.
Lin Dong cultivated by soaking in a pool of water infused with Stone Talisman Spirit Liquid every day, and Lin Yi had given him quite a few pills. Yet he had only reached the Body Tempering Sixth Level by now!
As for Lin Yi himself, he used even more cultivation resources and cultivated extremely diligently.
However, Qing Tan had suffered the torment of cold energy for years, and her body had long since been tempered countless times. It was therefore hardly strange that she had progressed so quickly in the Body Tempering Realm.
"By the way, the Clan Competition is in three days. Brother Lin Yi, you'll definitely take first place this time, right? I heard that the champion of the Clan Competition gets two rank-three Spirit Medicines as a reward!"
Qing Tan suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke expectantly.
"First place in the Clan Competition belongs to me!" Lin Yi said with a confident smile. "It's getting late. Come on, let's go home. I'll rest for the next three days too and learn from you how to balance work and rest. Maybe it'll help with cultivation."
"Really? That's great! Then I'll play with you for the next three days. You and Brother Lin Dong cultivate every day, and I've been bored all by myself," Qing Tan said, overjoyed—practically happier than when she broke through.
"No problem." Lin Yi smiled slightly and started walking home.
Qing Tan naturally linked her arm through Lin Yi's and happily walked alongside him.
At that moment, the system's childlike voice suddenly rang out in Lin Yi's mind.
[Beep! The host has comprehended the true meaning of cultivation and understood the importance of balancing work and rest. Reward: one thousand Yang Yuan Stones!]
Hm?
That worked too?
Lin Yi was slightly stunned. He had only intended to slack off for three days. He never expected that he could receive a reward for that as well.
"System, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
[Beep! All rewards issued by this system comply with the relevant regulations. Host, please do not question this system without cause!]
"System, you're not wrong. I am." Lin Yi promptly admitted his mistake, then made a small request inwardly. "But could you send Yang Yuan Pills directly next time? Yang Yuan Stones still have to be painstakingly refined."
Lin Yi was not lacking Yang Yuan Pills anyway, so there was no need to waste time refining them himself for the price difference.
The Lin Family would soon obtain a Yang Yuan Stone mine as well, so they would no longer lack this low-grade currency.
Besides, it would not be long before Yang Yuan Pills flooded the market and were replaced by a higher-grade currency.
[Beep! In light of your excellent attitude in admitting your mistake, this system agrees!]
Hmph, what a tsundere.
Lin Yi was in a good mood, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
Not long after the siblings returned home, Liu Yan had already prepared dinner.
After Lin Xiao and Lin Dong returned, the family enjoyed a warm dinner together.
After dinner, Lin Yi returned to his room to rest.
For the next three days, Lin Yi completely put cultivation aside and had a wonderful time playing with Qing Tan.
Qing Tan was even happier than when she broke through in cultivation!
After three days of carefree fun came to an end, the Lin Family's Clan Competition officially arrived!
As the morning light broke free of the clouds and shone upon the earth, the Lin Family residence grew noisy as well.
A lively atmosphere enveloped the entire estate.
Led by Lin Xiao, Lin Yi, Lin Dong, and Qing Tan arrived together at the Clan Competition Trial Hall.
When they arrived at the Trial Hall, it was already seething with excitement. Looking around, they saw a surging sea of people packed shoulder to shoulder.
Aside from members of the Lin Family, quite a few factions friendly with the Lin Family had also sent representatives to observe the Clan Competition.
On the one hand, they wished to draw closer to the Lin Family. On the other, they wanted to take the opportunity to see the abilities of the Lin Family's younger generation.
At that moment, quite a few people were already seated in the VIP section of the Trial Hall, laughing and chatting among themselves.
Lin Mang, one of the Lin Family's hosts, was among them as well.
When Lin Mang saw Lin Xiao arrive, his brows furrowed imperceptibly.
Ever since Lin Xiao had been injured by Lin Langtian all those years ago, this was the first time he had appeared at the Clan Competition.
To Lin Mang's left stood the brothers Lin Hong and Lin Shan.
While Lin Mang watched Lin Xiao, they shifted their gazes onto Lin Yi.
A trace of fear was faintly visible in Lin Shan's eyes.
Lin Hong's expression was gloomy, his eyes carrying both fury and provocation.
Lin Xiao's family acted as though they had not heard or noticed the Lin Mang father and sons watching them. Their footsteps did not pause in the slightest.
"Third Brother, what made you willing to leave your place this time?" As they passed by Lin Mang and his sons, Lin Mang suddenly smiled and spoke casually, holding a teacup in his hand.
Lin Xiao smiled faintly. "Is there a problem?"
Seeing the smile on Lin Xiao's face, Lin Mang could not help being stunned. The smile no longer carried the despondency of the past, and that made him somewhat uncomfortable.
"Nothing. It's just that today is an important occasion for my Lin Family. Since you've come out, I hope you won't bring shame upon the Lin Family."
Lin Xiao smiled faintly and ignored him, brushing past him before taking a seat in a section not far away.
"Lin Yi, the humiliation you gave me a few months ago—I'll return it to you doubled today!" As Lin Yi passed by, Lin Hong could not stop himself from speaking in a dark voice.
Lin Yi sneered. "I'm only afraid you'll humiliate yourself."
Lin Yi's words made Lin Hong's expression even gloomier, and his fists clenched tightly!
Lin Mang glanced at Lin Hong and said indifferently, "You can win back the face you lost once you get onto the arena."
"Yes." Lin Hong agreed, his expression calming considerably.
Before the Clan Competition officially began, many people began discussing Lin Xiao's sudden arrival in low voices.
After all, Lin Xiao's reputation in Qingyang Town was considerable.
When the Lin Family Patriarch, Lin Zhentian, saw Lin Xiao appear in the Trial Hall, his expression also became somewhat complicated. After exchanging a few words with him, he returned to the principal seat.
Once Lin Zhentian took his seat, the Trial Hall gradually quieted down as well.
One after another, all eyes focused on Lin Zhentian.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Lin Zhentian rose to his feet, cupped his hands toward the VIP section, and laughed heartily.
"Today is the day of my Lin Family's Clan Competition. Thank you all for coming to lend us your support. I won't waste any more words. We'll get straight to the main event."
After speaking, Lin Zhentian looked toward Lin Ken, who was not far away. Lin Ken nodded with a smile, then walked into the spacious arena within the Trial Hall.
He took out a bamboo tube filled with bamboo slips.
"As usual, draw lots to determine your opponents. All the youngsters participating in the Clan Competition, come out and draw your lots."
Upon hearing Lin Ken's words, dozens of figures successively walked out of the Trial Hall, each taking a bamboo slip from the tube in Lin Ken's hand.
"Father, we're going too." Lin Yi said something to Lin Xiao, then led Lin Dong and Qing Tan into the arena, where each of them drew a bamboo slip.
Seeing that Qing Tan had drawn a lot as well, Lin Ken was slightly startled, but he did not say anything unnecessary.
"There are five arenas here. Those who drew the numbers one through five will begin first."
Seeing that everyone had finished drawing lots, Lin Ken pointed at the five stone platforms behind him and said with a smile.
Lin Yi glanced at the bamboo slip in his hand. The number "three" had been written on it in white ink. Without any hesitation, he directly stepped onto the third stone platform.
He then looked down from the platform, wanting to see who his first opponent would be...
Before you continue