A Sensible Patriarch! Apology and Investment!

Upon hearing that the Lin Family Head, a Soul King-level powerhouse, had come in person, a flicker of surprise flashed through Tang San's eyes, but he quickly regained his calm.

He glanced at Xiao Wu beside him, who was equally surprised but even more curious, and swiftly weighed the situation in his mind.

Rather than spying on them in secret or barging in to demand an explanation, the other party had chosen such a formal "visit" and lowered his stance so much. His intentions were obvious.

He had come to resolve their grudge, perhaps even to befriend them.

It seemed the Lin Family of Qingfeng City had not become a Local Tyrant solely by bullying others through their influence. At the very least, this patriarch was a sensible man.

Tang San thought to himself.

He did not want unnecessary trouble, but since the other party had treated them with courtesy, he would not turn him away. After all, one more friend was always better than one more enemy, even if only a friend on the surface.

"Please ask the Lin Family Patriarch to wait in the Front Hall. We will be there shortly," Tang San instructed the Shopkeeper in an even tone, neither arrogant nor timid.

"Yes, yes." The Shopkeeper hurriedly bowed and withdrew, his attitude even more respectful than before.

How could he dare show the slightest negligence toward someone the Lin Family Head had personally come to visit?

"Little San, are we really going to meet that Lin Family Patriarch? Could there be trouble?"

"No matter what, he is a Five-Ring Soul King. We are badly outnumbered..."

Xiao Wu leaned closer and asked in a lowered voice, vigilance flickering in her pink eyes.

Though innocent, she was not foolish. She knew that a Five-Ring Soul King was already considered an extremely formidable existence in the human world.

"It is nothing." Tang San straightened his slightly wrinkled robe from having just gotten up, his movements unhurried. "He came to 'visit,' not to seek revenge. Since he is willing to follow the rules, we will respond according to the rules. Besides, I am here."

Those simple words, "I am here," carried a power that put people at Peace of Mind.

Xiao Wu looked into Tang San's calm, unfathomable eyes and nodded. The trace of unease in her heart Disappeared along with it.

She knew exactly how frightening the Trump Card of the companion beside her was.

Even without her father, Tang Hao, secretly protecting them, Tang San had nothing to fear.

Did they really think his Trump Card, the Desert Eagle, was just for show?

He could even kill a Titled Douluo, let alone a mere Five-Ring Soul King.

If the other party truly made a move, it would be the perfect chance to test the power of his newly acquired Third Soul Ring.

He felt that he would not even need the Desert Eagle.

After all, an Eighty-Six Thousand Year Soul Ring was no joke.

Tang San and Xiao Wu did not keep Lin Xiaotian waiting long. After tidying themselves up a little, they headed to the inn's Front Hall together.

The Front Hall of Qingya Residence was elegantly arranged. At that moment, a tall, stern-looking middle-aged man in brocade robes stood by the window with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sparse greenery in the courtyard.

His Aura was deep and steady, with faint Soul Power Fluctuations circulating around him. He was none other than the Lin Family Head, Lin Xiaotian.

Two Confidant Guards with considerable auras stood behind him. Both were Soul Ancestors, yet they were currently staring at their noses, their noses at their hearts, keeping an exceptionally low profile.

The visitor was Lin Xiaotian.

What he did not know was that the instant he had stepped into this residence, Tang Hao, who was secretly protecting Tang San and Xiao Wu, had already locked onto him. If he dared make a move, it would mean the end of his life.

Hearing footsteps, Lin Xiaotian turned around.

When his gaze fell upon Tang San and Xiao Wu as they entered, even though he had long learned from his son, Lin Feng, that the two were young, he could not help but marvel again upon seeing them in person.

They were far too young!

Especially the Blue-Clad Youth walking half a step ahead. His features were extraordinarily handsome, his eyes Amber Blue-Gold, his long hair Blue-Gold. The tranquil, water-like look in his eyes and the composed bearing he naturally exuded as he walked, utterly mismatched with his age, made even Lin Xiaotian, a Soul King, feel a faint invisible pressure.

These were absolutely not Disciples that an ordinary family could raise!

As for the girl in pink beside him, she was lively and spirited, with clear eyes. She appeared harmless, but Lin Xiaotian keenly noticed that when she looked at him, she showed none of the awe an ordinary Soul Master would feel toward a stronger opponent. There was only pure curiosity.

"I am Lin Xiaotian, the Lin Family Patriarch of Qingfeng City. I have come uninvited and disturbed your peace. I hope you will forgive me," Lin Xiaotian said first, cupping his hands in greeting. His tone was extremely polite, even carrying a trace of barely perceptible caution.

He had completely placed himself on equal footing with them, or perhaps even slightly below them.

Tang San stopped and returned the greeting with cupped hands. Neither servile nor overbearing, he said, "Patriarch Lin is too courteous. This junior is Tang San, and this is my younger sister, Xiao Wu. May I ask why Patriarch Lin has come so early in the morning?"

His voice was clear, and his manner was appropriate. He gave the other party face without showing excessive warmth, judging the balance perfectly.

Seeing his reaction, Lin Xiaotian became even more certain of his own suspicions.

A fitting look of apology appeared on his face as he said, "Yesterday, my son Lin Feng acted ignorantly and offended Young Master Tang and your younger sister. I failed to teach my son properly, so I have come specifically to apologize."

As he spoke, he turned slightly and signaled to the Guard behind him.

The Guard immediately stepped forward, holding an exquisitely crafted purple sandalwood box in both hands.

Lin Xiaotian accepted the box and opened it himself. Inside were not gold or silver treasures, but three neatly arranged items: a jade pendant of pure emerald green that emitted gentle energy fluctuations; a small white jade bottle labeled "Soul Condensing Pill"; and a finely drawn Leather Map.

"This is the Clear Heart Jade Pendant, carved from Hundred-Year Warm Jade. Wearing it can calm the mind, focus the spirit, and aid cultivation. It is only a small trinket, but please accept it as compensation for frightening your younger sister," Lin Xiaotian said gently to Xiao Wu, pointing to the jade pendant first.

Xiao Wu blinked and looked toward Tang San.

Tang San gave a slight nod, and only then did Xiao Wu accept it with a grin. It felt Warm and Moist in her hand, and was indeed very comfortable.

Lin Xiaotian then picked up the white jade bottle and said to Tang San, "There are three Soul Condensing Pills inside. They are of slight use in stabilizing and modestly improving the Soul Power of a Soul Elder. I hope Young Master Tang will accept them as a small token of my apology."

For an ordinary Soul Elder, Soul Condensing Pills were indeed rare and valuable items.

Lin Xiaotian's apology was quite sincere.

Finally, he picked up the Leather Map and said, "As for this Map, it is a rough record compiled through generations of exploration by the Lin Family. It marks places within a thousand li of Qingfeng City where rare herbs, minerals, and special Soul Beasts may be found. Perhaps it may be useful during your travels."

This gift showed even more thoughtfulness.

It was not merely wealth, but intelligence and resources. For Soul Masters who needed experience and opportunities, its value far exceeded the first two items.

Watching Lin Xiaotian's actions, Tang San was astonished. He had not expected this man to be willing to spend so much before even knowing their identities.

The other party had invested enough capital to resolve their grudge and clearly intended to befriend them.

Tang San pondered briefly and did not refuse at once.

The other party was being so sensible that a blunt refusal would instead make him seem cold and unreasonable, and might even cause the man to grow suspicious.

Besides, now that he had broken free from the plot of the Original Work, making a friend outside might not be a bad thing.

More importantly, this was part of his training as well. The more friends he had, the more paths would be open to him, making things easier in the future.

Perhaps this was also one of the reasons his father, Tang Hao, had sent him out to gain experience.