"Boss! It really is you—you're back!" Lin Er was the first to rush forward. Taking a huge stride, he spread his thick arms and gave Lin Yan a solid bear hug. This broad-shouldered man's eyes were slightly red, and his voice choked up. "Boss, you're finally back. All these years, we've been hoping every day that you'd come home soon."
Lin San also stepped forward, rare excitement appearing on his steady face. "Boss, welcome home."
"Boss, you're finally back. My cultivation has already reached Late Earth Immortal."
"Boss, it's great that you're back. Hurry up and straighten out Lin Qi—he fights people every day."
"Boss, don't listen to Fifth Brother's nonsense. I'm cultivating, not fighting."
Seeing Lin Yan's return, all the brothers were incredibly excited. Thousands of years apart had not made them unfamiliar with one another.
Listening to his younger brothers' overlapping greetings, Lin Yan looked each of them over. Lin Si was still clever and lively, but he now carried an added trace of composure. Lin Wu was still as stiff and proper as ever; even when greeting Lin Yan, he was meticulous. Little Transparent, Lin Liu, had seized the best spot among the brothers, yet Lin Yan had nearly overlooked him anyway. Lin Qi now radiated killing intent, and Lin Yan had no idea how he had cultivated over these years. Lin Ba's face was waxy yellow, making him look gravely ill, but his eyes were exceptionally bright.
The younger brothers had all changed somewhat over the years and grown much more mature, yet upon seeing Lin Yan, they all revealed their original temperaments.
"Lin Er, Lin San, Lin Si... is everyone doing well?" Lin Yan looked over the brothers before him one by one, warmth rising in his heart.
"Good, we're all doing very well!" the