Lin Dong's Relief

After seeing Elder Tao off, the entire Qingyang Town branch fell into calm once more.

Yet amid this calm, most people in Qingyang Town likely never expected that in merely a single day, the Lin Family's Third Master, who had originally been crippled, would not only fully recover from his injuries but even seize this opportunity to break through into the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm!

As an outsider family in Qingyang Town, the Lin Family Branch possessed considerable strength, but locally, it could not be considered a dominant power.

After all, everyone knew that Qingyang Town's three major powers were the Lei Family, the Xie Family, and Mad Saber Martial Arts School.

The Lei Family and Xie Family were native Qingyang Town families with deep foundations, while Mad Saber Martial Arts School, though founded not long ago, had similarly risen swiftly.

Only the Lin Family had its momentum of growth abruptly cut short after Lin Xiao was crippled, leaving it ranked beneath the three major powers.

However, from this day onward, the Lin Family's situation would change completely.

Because the Lin Family now had an Expert of the Lesser Yuan Dan Realm!

Why was the Lei Family hailed as Qingyang Town's strongest family? Was it not because it had five Heavenly Yuan Realm Experts within its ranks? Yet before a Yuan Dan Realm Expert, that was simply not worth mentioning!

A family with a Yuan Dan Realm Expert could not only dominate all of Qingyang Town, but also gain a foothold in Yan City and claim a share of its opportunities.

This also foretold that Qingyang Town would soon face a complete reshuffling of its powers.

Thus, even though Elder Tao had departed, the impact Lin Langtian had brought to the Qingyang Town branch was quietly changing something...

This was not merely an increase in the Qingyang Town branch's strength, but also a subtle transformation in people's hearts...

On a small hill behind the Lin Family estate, the area had originally been remote and desolate, rarely visited by anyone. However, a family moving here several years ago had brought a little Life Force to the place.

That family was none other than Lin Xiao's family of four.

Although he had recovered his strength and become the family's strongest Expert, Lin Xiao clearly had no intention of changing residences. Instead, he chose to return to his shabby yet warm little home.

"Father..."

On the way home, Lin Dong's expression kept shifting. In the end, he could no longer hold back and spoke.

"Do you... want to ask me why I forgave Lin Langtian?" Lin Xiao stopped as well, looking at the Youth behind him whose face was filled with complicated emotions.

"Mm." Lin Dong first nodded, then said bitterly, "That man caused you to be crippled for years. He ruined you, and he ruined our whole family.

Why did you forgive him? Just because he healed your injuries?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao froze for a moment. Then, as though recalling something, he looked toward the setting sun at the foot of the mountain and murmured, "Actually, I don't quite understand why Lin Langtian specifically asked Elder Tao to bring me medicinal pills to treat my injuries.

In my impression, Lin Langtian was an extremely arrogant and cold person. He possessed great talent and outstanding strength, but he had always regarded those from the branch families as ants, never acknowledging that branch family members were part of the Lin Clan.

That was why I was so shocked when I learned that the Azure Wood Spirit Pill had been sent by Lin Langtian. But don't think your father is so shallow-minded. A single Azure Wood Spirit Pill isn't enough to buy my self-respect."

"Then why did you forgive Lin Langtian, Father? Could it be... that you were afraid he would retaliate against our Qingyang Town Lin Family?"

After hearing Lin Xiao's words, the tall image of his father in Lin Dong's heart became even firmer. He then continued to ask.

Shaking his head, Lin Xiao said, "Since he was willing to send me an Azure Wood Spirit Pill, it means that Lin Langtian's view of the branch families has changed.

Now that he is the Law Enforcement Elder, I don't believe he would do something like retaliate against our Qingyang Town branch."

"Then why exactly? Didn't you hate Lin Langtian the most, Father?"

"No. Other than Lin Langtian, there is someone else I hate even more." Lin Xiao shook his head.

"Oh? Who is it?" Lin Dong was startled and hurriedly asked.

Lin Xiao did not answer directly. Instead, he walked to the foot of the mountain, found a large rock, and sat beside Lin Dong. Gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, he slowly began.

"You should know the history of our Qingyang Town branch, Dong'er. Although I grew up in Qingyang Town, under your grandfather's influence, I too deeply longed to return to the Inner Clan.

It could be said that Father, your eldest and second uncles, myself, and even the entire branch family all shared one greatest wish: to lead the family back into the Inner Clan.

Among the brothers in the family, I had the highest talent. Thus, Father placed the greatest expectations on me, and I did not disappoint him or the family. I became the youngest Heavenly Yuan Realm Expert in Qingyang Town.

At that time, I was high-spirited and full of confidence, believing that I could achieve a good ranking at the Lin Clan gathering and allow the family to return to the Inner Clan."

As he spoke, some of that old vigor appeared upon Lin Xiao's weathered face, as though he had returned to his youth.

"Mm-hm, Father will always be the best."

Lin Dong hurriedly nodded as well. In his heart, his father had always been that indomitable man.

Rubbing Lin Dong's little head, Lin Xiao gave a bitter smile. "Unfortunately, reality always deals people a cruel blow. When I confidently participated in the clan gathering, I encountered that man in the very first round."

"It was Lin Langtian!" Hatred still flashed through Lin Dong's eyes at the mention of that name.

Seeing the hatred in Lin Dong's eyes, Lin Xiao shook his head and said calmly, "You already know what happened next, Dong'er. With just one move, I was defeated by Lin Langtian. After that, I returned to the family utterly dejected.

Though having my body crippled was extremely difficult for me to accept, what grieved me even more was that the family's hope of returning to the Inner Clan had been completely destroyed in my hands."

At this point, pain gradually appeared on Lin Xiao's face. "I failed Father's nurturing and expectations. I let down the family's earnest hopes for me.

So from then on, I hid away in the back mountain like a rat. Although Father and everyone else never blamed me, I still sealed myself off here for years, never leaving.

Because... the person I hated most was myself!

I hated my own incompetence, hated my own weakness, hated that I could not bring the family the good news of returning to the Inner Clan.

So, Dong'er, do not be so stubborn. Even if I had never encountered Lin Langtian, your father would still have been a failure..."

"Father..."

Seeing this, Lin Dong hurriedly rose to his feet. His expression resolute, he declared with ringing conviction, "Father, you are not a failure. In Mother's heart, in Qing Tan's heart, you will always be our pride!"

"Dong'er..." Lin Xiao was startled upon hearing this, then seemed to think of something and smiled. "That's right, I still have Liu Yan, Dong'er, and Qing Tan.

Dong'er's talent surpasses even mine. I believe that at the clan tournament a few years from now, Dong'er, you will definitely bring us good news!"

"Mm, I will!"

Hearing this, Lin Dong nodded with utmost determination. Then he gazed toward the distant horizon, where he seemed to see a figure.

This figure had lingered in his mind for years, one he had hated and cursed through countless days and nights.

Yet now, he no longer held the same hatred toward that figure as before, and his gaze gradually returned to calmness.

Lin Langtian, even if the grudge between us has been resolved, I will still defeat you at the clan tournament.

Because... this will be the complete end to the grievances between us that have lasted for years...