Clashing with Lin Hong

As Lin Shan fell to the ground, a figure came sprinting over from behind. It was Lin Shan's older brother, Lin Hong. Aside from Lin Mu, everyone else's expressions turned solemn when they saw Lin Hong.

Lin Hong was considered quite outstanding within the Lin Family. At only fifteen, he had already reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer. Among the younger generation, aside from Lin Xia, no one had been a match for him.

Naturally, Lin Mu was not included among them. Lin Hong simply did not warrant his attention now.

"Brother!" Though Lin Shan acted arrogantly toward ordinary people, before Lin Hong, he was as docile as a lamb.

"With that little ability, instead of training properly, you came out here to disgrace yourself," Lin Hong rebuked.

"I only lost because I was careless. If we fought again, I definitely wouldn't lose to him!" Lin Shan said unwillingly, though he lacked confidence when he spoke.

"The three-sounding Through-the-Back Fist isn't something you can withstand." Lin Hong turned his gaze toward Lin Dong and watched him for a long while before saying, "Cousin Lin Dong, it seems you've been hiding your skills for quite some time..."

"Just a trivial trick. It's not worth Cousin Lin Hong's notice," Lin Dong said with a smile.

The corner of Lin Hong's mouth twitched slightly. "Cousin Lin Dong, I'm also interested in your Through-the-Back Fist. How about we exchange a few moves?"

The moment he finished speaking, he did not wait for Lin Dong's reply. He suddenly stepped forward and chopped a palm toward Lin Dong's chest. The forceful wind rushing at him was far stronger than Lin Shan's had been.

Bang!

At that moment, a figure appeared in front of Lin Dong and blocked Lin Hong's attack. It was Lin Mu.

Lin Hong staggered back several steps before steadying himself, while Lin Mu remained standing there without moving an inch.

"Brother!" Lin Dong cried in shock.

He was not the only one shocked. The onlookers around them were equally stunned.

Lin Mu waved a hand, signaling Lin Dong not to speak, then looked at Lin Hong. "I know the Through-the-Back Fist too. How about the two of us exchange a few moves?"

"Since Cousin Lin Mu is interested, of course we can," Lin Hong said. Lin Mu was a few months older than Lin Hong, so it was only natural for Lin Hong to address him as cousin.

(Note: Strictly speaking, he should be called an elder paternal cousin, but that was how he was addressed in the original, so it will not be changed.)

"Good. Be careful, Cousin Lin Hong!" Lin Mu said with a smile. His hands shifted, and he threw a punch at Lin Hong.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Six crisp sounds rang out in succession, and a faint gleam shone over his fist. It was the seed of Primal Energy.

Lin Hong struck out with a palm, using the eighth-grade martial art, Eight Desolations Palm.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided. Lin Hong was sent flying straight back and crashed to the ground.

"Body Tempering Sixth Layer!" Lin Hong said in shock. His blood and energy churned within his chest, but he was not seriously injured.

Big Brother has actually reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer! Lin Dong was deeply shocked. Lin Mu had been sleeping all this time, yet his strength had surpassed his by so much.

"What are you all doing here?" An angry rebuke rang out, followed by the appearance of a red figure before everyone.

"It's Sister Lin Xia!"

Cries of surprise erupted from the surrounding crowd when they saw who had arrived.

"Sister Lin Xia, Cousin Lin Hong and I were merely exchanging a few moves," Lin Mu said with a smile.

"It's no great ability for brothers of the same family to fight fiercely among themselves. When The Hunt in Qingyang Town begins, defeating the people from the other families—that is what counts as ability." Lin Xia frowned, carrying herself with the imposing air of an elder sister.

"Sister Lin Xia is right," Lin Hong said lazily.

After speaking, Lin Hong left with Lin Shan, while the others gradually dispersed as well.

"Cousin Lin Mu, Cousin Lin Dong, the two of you have improved quite a bit," Lin Xia said with a smile.

"Big Brother's improvement is even greater. Compared to him, I'm far behind," Lin Dong said bitterly. He had trained so hard, yet he had fallen so far behind Lin Mu.

"Just a trivial trick. It's not worth Sister Lin Xia's notice," Lin Mu said with a smile.

"You've already reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer, yet you're still being modest. By the time of the Clan Competition, I'm afraid I won't be your match," Lin Xia said.

Lin Mu smiled faintly but said nothing. Lin Xia was already no match for him.

Lin Xia was also at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer, but Lin Mu's Through-the-Back Fist could produce ten sounds. Lin Xia was far inferior to him.

"Alright, I should head back too. Keep working hard. When the Clan Competition comes, we can all have a proper spar," Lin Xia said with a smile. Her ponytail swayed as she turned and strode away coolly.

"Sister Lin Xia is really impressive. Even Lin Hong didn't dare say anything," Qing Tan said with a smile.

"You're just lazy. If you trained diligently, you definitely wouldn't be any worse than Sister Lin Xia," Lin Mu said, pinching Qing Tan's delicate nose.

"Brother Lin Mu, how about you teach me how to train?" Qing Tan said.

"Didn't you say training would make you ugly, so you didn't want to train?" Lin Dong asked in surprise.

"Sister Lin Xia trains too, but she hasn't become ugly. She's only gotten prettier and prettier." Qing Tan stuck out her little tongue and spoke playfully.

"It's getting late. When we get back, don't tell Father about what happened today," Lin Mu said.

"Okay..." Qing Tan drew out her response and nodded.

Although Lin Mu and the other two did not tell Lin Xiao about what had happened that day, Lin Xiao still learned of it. They had caused quite a commotion.

"I heard you fought with the Lin Hong brothers today?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Father, it was because of me that Brother Lin Mu and Brother Lin Dong fought with them." Qing Tan immediately stepped forward, wanting to take the blame upon herself.

"Mu'er, have you reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer?" Lin Xiao continued asking as though he had not heard Qing Tan.

Lin Mu nodded slightly.

When Lin Mu nodded, a sharp glint flashed through Lin Xiao's eyes. He grabbed Lin Mu's arm, and a thread of Primal Energy entered Lin Mu's body. Then his face filled with wild joy. "Haha, you've truly reached the Body Tempering Sixth Layer!"

"Little Brother has reached the Body Tempering Fourth Layer too," Lin Mu said.

"Good, both of you are doing well!" Lin Xiao laughed happily.

After speaking, Lin Xiao took out a cloth bundle from his robe and carefully opened it. A fragrance immediately spread through the air, revealing a dark golden dried branch before them.

"This is the Second-grade Spiritual Medicine, Golden Jade Branch!" Liu Yan exclaimed, covering her mouth.

"That's right. This is indeed the Second-grade Spiritual Medicine, Golden Jade Branch. Later, boil it and give it to Mu'er and Dong'er," Lin Xiao said.

"Father, I don't need it. Give it all to Little Brother," Lin Mu said.

He had the system. Aside from a large number of Yang Yuan Pills, other resources were not particularly important to him.

"It would be better to use it to treat Father's injuries," Lin Dong said. He had Stone Talisman Spirit Liquid and did not need the Golden Jade Branch either. Stone Talisman Spirit Liquid was comparable to a fourth-grade spiritual medicine, far better than the Golden Jade Branch.

"The Clan Competition is only a few months away. Focus on your training. You don't need to worry about spiritual medicines," Lin Xiao said, waving his hand.

Lin Dong wanted to say more, but Lin Xiao stopped him.

"It's getting late. Go get some rest. You still need to train tomorrow."

"Mm, I'll definitely train hard and won't disappoint Father," Lin Dong said firmly.

Lin Mu answered as well, and the three of them left together.