Lin Xiao Recovers

"Hehe, old friend, you're busy with countless affairs every day. What brings you to the Lin family of Qingyang Town?"

Inside the Lin Family Main Hall, Lin Zhentian looked at the Gray-robed Old Man beside him and smiled faintly.

He and the Gray-robed Old Man had been friends for many years. When they were young, they had carried out missions together several times in the Main Family, forging a friendship that had lasted for decades.

Unfortunately, times had changed. The other man had now secured a place for himself in the Main Family, while he had established a branch family in the remote Qingyang Town.

"What, old friend Zhentian? Could it be that you don't welcome me?" the Gray-robed Old Man said with a faint smile.

"How could I dare? Your arrival has truly brought honor to my branch family in Qingyang Town," Lin Zhentian said with a hearty laugh.

As he spoke, he pointed to the two middle-aged men beside him. "These are my two sons, Lin Ken and Lin Mang."

After the introductions, Lin Zhentian hurriedly said to the two, "This is an old friend of mine. You may address him as Elder Tao."

Hearing this, Lin Ken and Lin Mang exchanged looks. However, when they sensed the Gray-robed Old Man's profound aura, they respectfully said, "Greetings, Elder Tao."

"Hehe, no need for such courtesy. Your father and I have been friends for many years. Though we have not met in a long time, our friendship remains," Elder Tao said with a smile.

At this point, Elder Tao suddenly narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled. "Zhentian, I heard that you have three sons, and that your youngest is the most talented. Why hasn't he come out to see me?"

Lin Zhentian's expression stiffened slightly upon hearing this, before he sighed. "Old friend, you know about what happened back then. You even saw Lin Xiao when he attended the clan gathering.

"After that incident, Xiao'er withdrew into the mountains and rarely sees anyone. I hope you can understand."

As he spoke, Lin Zhentian's aged face grew increasingly desolate. Once, he had placed his hopes of returning to the main clan upon this youngest son.

Yet when the clan gathering that came once every ten years had finally arrived amid great anticipation, the result had plunged the entire Lin family into an abyss.

One move!

With just one move, his youngest son, who had been regarded as their hope, had suffered a crushing defeat!

And it had been the very first match of the clan gathering!

Years of hope and years of cultivation had turned to bubbles in the span of a few short breaths.

The fate of a loser was naturally countless strange looks. When Lin Xiao had returned to Qingyang Town under the mockery and cold sneers of others, like a lost dog, it had struck Lin Zhentian like a bolt from the blue.

Although several years had passed, he still had not recovered from it.

Seeing this, Elder Tao understood the pain in his old friend's heart and sighed inwardly. However, recalling Lin Langtian's instructions before his departure, he said with a light smile.

"Old friend, I came here precisely to resolve Lin Xiao's matter. You should call him over. Rest assured, this is a great thing for your Qingyang Town branch family."

"Oh?" Lin Zhentian and his three sons looked at Elder Tao in surprise.

Could it be that the Main Family had remembered this crippled disciple of the branch family and had specially come to offer assistance?

Thinking this, Lin Zhentian looked at his old friend doubtfully. Still, out of trust in their decades-long friendship, he waved to his eldest son and had him bring Lin Xiao over.

Time passed slowly as they waited. By the time Lin Zhentian and the others had finished two cups of tea, several figures slowly entered the hall.

"Father, Elder Tao, Third Brother and... Dong'er have all been brought here."

As his words fell, Lin Ken stepped aside, revealing the two figures behind him.

On the left stood a man around thirty or forty years old. His body was somewhat thin, though traces of sharpness could still be seen between his brows.

However, he seemed to be carrying an injury. His face was slightly pale and haggard, concealing most of that sharpness. He was Lin Zhentian's third son, Lin Xiao.

As for the one on the right, he was a youth of fifteen or sixteen. His face was still young and handsome, but what was most striking were those Black Eyes. Unlike the confusion of ordinary youths, they revealed a resoluteness and steadiness far beyond his age.

After entering the hall, the two respectfully bowed to Lin Zhentian, who sat at the head.

"Lin Xiao, Dong'er, you're here. This is my friend from the Main Family. Speaking of which, you should address him as Elder Tao," Lin Zhentian said, pointing to the Gray-robed Old Man beside him when he saw the father and son arrive.

Lin Xiao and Lin Dong exchanged a glance. When they heard that the Gray-robed Old Man came from the Main Family, a trace of discomfort flashed across both their faces.

Still, following Lin Zhentian's instructions, they respectfully said, "Greetings, Elder Tao."

Looking at the Gray-robed Old Man, Lin Xiao seemed to recall something and gave a bitter smile. "Come to think of it, I met Elder Tao once at the clan gathering several years ago. But Elder Tao probably doesn't recognize me anymore. After all, I'm just a cripple now..."

"Father..." Lin Dong's heart immediately ached when he heard the word "cripple."

Lin Xiao merely waved his hand indifferently, the expression on his face growing increasingly despondent.

"Hehe, Nephew Lin Xiao, there is no need to be like this. I came here precisely to treat the injuries on your body."

Elder Tao glanced at the father and son. After pausing on Lin Dong for two extra seconds, he took a jade-green pill the size of a longan from his robes, its fragrance rich and potent.

"This is an Azure Wood Spirit Pill. It can heal Nephew Lin Xiao's injuries," Elder Tao said with a light smile.

"What!?" Lin Zhentian was stunned. He slammed his palm heavily onto the table, his face filled with shock.

Even Lin Xiao and Lin Dong, standing nearby, revealed looks of surprise and joy.

"Elder Tao, can this pill really heal my father's injuries?"

Upon hearing that Lin Xiao's injuries could be healed, Lin Dong could no longer maintain his usual calmness and hurriedly stepped forward to ask.

Over the years, Lin Xiao's strength had failed to advance even a single step because of the injuries within his body. Though he had forced himself to appear unconcerned on the surface, Lin Dong could sense that his father, once the most high-spirited member of the Lin family, had gradually been consumed by despondency.

As his son, Lin Dong was undoubtedly deeply pained by this. Thus, he bore deep hatred in his heart toward Lin Langtian, the true culprit behind it all.

Now that he had heard his father's injuries could be healed, Lin Dong was incomparably excited.

To him, nothing was more important than family!

"Hehe, you must be Lin Dong. Whether it succeeds or not, we'll know after trying. Surely you don't think I would harm your father, do you?" Elder Tao said as he handed the pill to Lin Dong.

Taking the Azure Wood Spirit Pill, Lin Dong's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally handed it to Lin Xiao.

"Hehe, Elder Tao naturally wouldn't harm me."

Lin Xiao was rather easygoing about it. After taking the Azure Wood Yuan Pill, he swallowed it directly.

"Gulp."

After swallowing the Azure Wood Spirit Pill in one gulp, Lin Xiao patted Lin Dong's head. Just as he was about to say something while looking at everyone in the hall staring blankly at him, his face suddenly flushed as red as if it had been set ablaze.

"Father!"

Lin Dong's expression changed at once when he saw Lin Xiao suddenly become like this.

Even Lin Zhentian and the others looked extremely nervous.

"Pfft!"

As Lin Dong panicked, Lin Xiao's body temperature grew higher and higher, and his face became increasingly flushed. A moment later, he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of foul-smelling black blood.

"Third Brother, are you all right?" Seeing Lin Xiao cough up blood, Lin Ken hurried over to support him.

Lin Xiao panted rapidly, the flush on his face quickly fading and being replaced by a healthy rosy complexion.

"My injuries..."

Lin Xiao stared blankly at his palm. At that moment, he could feel that the injuries that had accumulated within his body for years were actually being eased by the medicinal power of the Azure Wood Spirit Pill!

The sensation of his blood and qi flowing freely once more filled his organs with surging strength. He had not experienced that feeling for many years.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xiao's aura suddenly began rising steadily. Like a Volcanic Eruption, it broke through from the middle stage of the Heavenly Yuan Realm to the late stage, then directly reached the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm!

"Third Brother, your strength?" Lin Ken asked in delighted surprise.

Seeing Lin Xiao's strength soar, the second brother, Lin Mang, revealed a trace of envy and jealousy.

"Hehe, old friend, thank you!" Joy and relief also appeared on Lin Zhentian's aged face. As his most outstanding son, Lin Xiao's decline had caused Lin Zhentian no small amount of heartache.

Now that this most outstanding son could display his brilliance once more, the regret in his heart had finally been made whole.

"Elder Tao, thank you for your help!" Lin Xiao also said excitedly to the Gray-robed Old Man.

This Azure Wood Spirit Pill had not only helped him recover from his injuries, but had also allowed him to directly break through to the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm. It was practically a second life!

Beside him, immense joy appeared on Lin Dong's young face. Then, looking at the Gray-robed Old Man, he spoke with utmost solemnity.

"Elder Tao, words cannot express my gratitude. I, Lin Dong, will forever remember the kindness you have shown my family!"

As his words fell, Lin Dong gave Elder Tao a deep bow.

Seeing this, Elder Tao merely smiled. "Hehe, don't thank me. This Azure Wood Spirit Pill is extremely valuable. It isn't something a minor retainer like me could afford."

"Oh?" A trace of confusion flashed across Lin Zhentian's aged face. "Old friend, are you saying this Azure Wood Spirit Pill was bestowed by the Main Family?"

Lin Xiao, Lin Dong, and the others also looked toward the Gray-robed Old Man, their eyes filled with doubt.

Hearing this, Elder Tao shook his head. Then, amid everyone's puzzled expressions, he slowly spoke a name.

"The owner of this Azure Wood Spirit Pill is the Law Enforcement Elder... Lin Langtian."