Relief

In the gravel square, Lin Dong and the others were surrounded by the Xie Clan, unable to break free. Lin Xia and the others looked rather grim, but only Lin Dong remained as calm as still water, completely unfazed by the scene before him.

"Let's end this here."

Just as the tension between the two sides reached a breaking point, a calm voice rang out.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the source of the sound and discovered a young man holding a refined steel sword. A sharp, piercing aura radiated from his body, enough to make anyone feel a sense of dread.

"Lin Ge?"

When the members of the Lin Clan saw the newcomer, a flash of excitement appeared in their eyes, and their previously grim faces broke into smiles.

The strength of Lin Ge had been witnessed by all the Lin Clan disciples at the Trial Hall that day, so they no longer had any reason to fear Xie Ting and her group.

"You are Lin Ge?"

Xie Ting frowned, her eyes scanning the ordinary-looking youth before her, filled with skepticism.

The name Lin Ge had spread throughout Green Sun Town; it was said that he possessed both strength and talent, that no one in the younger generation was his match, and some even hailed him as the number one genius of Green Sun Town.

Xie Ting had been highly doubtful of these claims, and now that she saw him in person, her doubts vanished entirely.

The number one genius, Lin Ge? What a ridiculous joke.

Although she could sense that Lin Ge's presence was unusual, she could not discern his cultivation realm.

Under normal circumstances, even a ninth-level Body Tempering expert would be obvious to her at a glance, but with Lin Ge, she could see nothing.

Either his strength far exceeded her own, or he was so weak that even she couldn't perceive his level.

Compared to the former, Xie Ting preferred to believe the latter, and so, she once again donned her arrogant and disdainful expression.

Lin Ge saw the shift in Xie Ting's expression and roughly understood what she was thinking, but he did not point it out.

There are some in this world who always like to judge a book by its cover, never understanding that there is always someone better, and a sky beyond the sky.

If one views others through a narrow lens, one will naturally fail to see their true prowess, and that was exactly how Xie Ting was looking at Lin Ge.

"Let's end today's business here. If this continues, it won't be good for anyone."

Lin Ge said with a smile.

He ignored the dissatisfaction in the eyes of the Lin Clan members and continued to look at Xie Ting with a smile, his eyes as still as a stagnant pool, devoid of any ripples.

"Why should I listen to you?"

Faced with Lin Ge's words, Xie Ting was full of disdain, responding with a sneer.

Lin Ge withdrew his smile, his expression turning calm. He looked past Xie Ting at the other Xie Clan disciples behind her, and a strange smile suddenly tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I think I have a way to make you listen to me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Ting was about to retort with a mockery, but before she could speak, Lin Ge had already vanished from before her.

A breeze swept past, followed by several cries of pain. Xie Ting hurriedly looked back.

She saw the members of the Xie Clan sprawled on the ground, howling in agony, their faces twisted in confusion, unable to comprehend what had just happened!

"Well?"

Lin Ge's voice sounded from behind her. Xie Ting turned stiffly to look at the man who had reappeared, her face filled with shock.

It wasn't just Xie Ting; the members of the Lin Clan, including Lin Dong, were all wearing expressions of shock.

Lin Ge's speed was too fast—so fast that no one had seen how he struck. Even Lin Dong had only barely managed to catch a glimpse of a residual image!

Is this his true strength?

Looking at Lin Ge's back, Lin Dong felt his shock deepening, along with a growing sense of pressure.

Although Lin Dong and Lin Ge were from the same clan, they had only met three times, including this occasion, yet every time they met, Lin Dong felt that Lin Ge was unfathomable.

One had to realize that for the current Lin Dong, even Lin Zhentian at the Heavenly Yuan stage was merely formidable; given enough time, he had no doubt he could surpass him.

But facing Lin Ge, Lin Dong lacked that confidence. At least for the current Lin Dong, even if he gave his all, he might not even be able to touch the hem of his garment.

"Now that it's just you left, do you still want to resist?"

Lin Ge smiled calmly, watching Xie Ting, who had yet to recover from her stupor, and spoke.

Hearing this, Xie Ting slowly regained her senses, her gaze toward Lin Ge filled with panic and fear.

"You just wait!"

Leaving like this felt incredibly humiliating, but if she stayed, she would likely face an even more disgraceful outcome. Thus, she could only leave behind a harsh threat and, ignoring the Xie Clan disciples on the ground, she fled alone.

Watching Xie Ting and the others retreat, the corners of Lin Ge's mouth curled slightly upward, a faint sense of pleasure rising in his heart.

Is this the pleasure that comes with possessing great strength? How wonderful!

For a long time, Lin Ge had kept away from crowds, cultivating in solitude, rarely having conflicts with others, and never feeling what power could bring him.

Now, having experienced this minor incident, Lin Ge deeply realized that what power brought him in this world was the right to dictate everything!

"Thank you, Lin Ge."

Lin Xia looked at Lin Ge, hesitated for a moment, and finally whispered a word of thanks.

Who would have thought that Lin Ge would merely glance at her, offering no response at all.

His gaze lingered on Lin Dong for a few seconds, but he paid them no further mind and departed alone.

"This..."

Watching Lin Ge leave, the members of the Lin Clan looked at one another, at a loss for words.

"That is just how he is; there is no need for everyone to take it to heart."

Lin Dong smiled slightly, watching Lin Ge's retreating figure as he spoke.

Although he had only met him three times, the impression Lin Ge gave him was that of an eccentric, taciturn man, yet a good person nonetheless—after all, he had already helped him twice.

"The hunt is coming up soon, and I fear the Xie Clan will not let us off this time."

Lin Xia let out a heavy sigh, clearly worried about the upcoming hunt.

"Even without this incident, they would not have let us off."

Lin Dong, however, smiled calmly, showing not a hint of worry.

The suppression of the Lin Clan by the Xie and Lei clans had a long history; regardless of today's events, they would never pass up an opportunity to suppress the Lin Clan.

Since the outcome was inevitable, there was no need for them to worry. When the time came, they would simply give it their all, and that would be enough to answer to the clan and themselves.

"It is getting late; let us head back."

Lin Dong glanced briefly at Lin Xia and said softly.

Lin Xia nodded, and the others raised no objections.

The earlier incident had long since caused them to lose interest in strolling through the streets, and returning to the Lin Clan was exactly what they wanted.

And so, Lin Dong and the others left the street and slowly made their way home.