At Gravel Square, Lin Dong and the others were surrounded by members of the Xie Family and couldn't escape. Lin Xia and the others looked uneasy, but Lin Dong remained calm as still water, unfazed by the scene before him.
"Let's end this here."
Just as the two sides were about to clash, a calm voice rang out.
Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a young man holding a fine steel sword. A sharp edge seemed to radiate from him, making him an intimidating presence.
"Lin Ge?"
When the Lin Clan members saw who had arrived, excitement shone in their eyes, and smiles spread across their previously grim faces.
The Lin Clan disciples had witnessed Lin Ge's strength at the Trial Hall that day. Now they no longer had to fear Xie Ting and her people.
"You're Lin Ge?"
Xie Ting furrowed her brows and sized up the ordinary-looking young man before her, suspicion filling her eyes.
Lin Ge's name had spread throughout Green Sun Town. They said he possessed both strength and talent, that no one among the younger generation could match him. Some even called him Green Sun Town's greatest genius.
Xie Ting had always doubted those claims, and now that she had seen him in person, her doubts vanished.
Lin Ge, the greatest genius—what a ridiculous joke.
Though she could tell that Lin Ge had an imposing presence, she couldn't discern how high his cultivation was.
Under normal circumstances, Xie Ting could tell at a glance if someone had reached the ninth level of Body Tempering. But she couldn't read Lin Ge.
Either his strength far surpassed hers, or he was so weak that even she couldn't tell.
Of the two possibilities, Xie Ting preferred to believe the second. She once again wore an arrogant, disdainful expression.
Lin Ge noticed the change in her face and could roughly guess what she was thinking, but he didn't say so aloud.
There were always people in this world who judged others by appearances, never understanding that there was always someone greater.
With such narrow vision, they would never see how formidable others could be. That was exactly how Xie Ting was looking at Lin Ge now.
"Let's put an end to this today. If this goes on, it won't be good for anyone."
Lin Ge smiled as he spoke.
He paid no mind to the displeasure in the Lin Clan members' eyes. Still smiling, he looked at Xie Ting, his gaze as still as a pool of water, without a ripple.
"Why should I listen to you?"
Xie Ting replied with open disdain and a mocking sneer.
Lin Ge's smile faded, and his expression turned calm. He looked past Xie Ting at the other Xie Clan disciples behind her, and a hint of a mysterious smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I think I can make you listen."
At his words, Xie Ting was about to sneer, but before she could speak, Lin Ge vanished from before her eyes.
A breeze swept past. Then several cries of pain rang out, and Xie Ting hurriedly turned around.
The Xie Clan members lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. Confusion showed on their faces; they had no idea what had happened!
"Well?"
Lin Ge's voice came from behind her. Xie Ting turned stiffly and stared at him as he reappeared, shock written all over her face.
It wasn't just Xie Ting. Everyone from the Lin Clan, including Lin Dong, was stunned.
Lin Ge had moved so fast that no one had seen him strike. Even Lin Dong had only barely caught sight of a blur!
"So this is his true strength?"
Watching Lin Ge's back, Lin Dong felt ever more shaken, and the pressure weighing on him grew heavier.
Although Lin Dong and Lin Ge belonged to the same clan, this was only the third time they had met. Yet each encounter had shown Lin Dong just how unfathomable Lin Ge was.
To Lin Dong, even Lin Zhentian, who had reached the Heaven Origin Realm, was merely formidable. Given enough time, he had no doubt he could surpass him.
But facing Lin Ge, Lin Dong had no such confidence. At least for now, even if he gave it everything he had, he might not be able to so much as touch Lin Ge's sleeve.
"Now you're the only one left. Are you still going to resist?"
Lin Ge gave a faint smile and spoke to Xie Ting, who still hadn't recovered from her shock.
At his words, Xie Ting gradually came to her senses. Alarm and fear showed in her gaze as she looked at Lin Ge.
"Just you wait!"
Xie Ting felt humiliated at the thought of leaving like this. But if she stayed, the humiliation would likely be even worse. So she could only leave her threat behind, abandoning the Xie Clan disciples sprawled on the ground as she went off alone.
Watching Xie Ting and the others leave, Lin Ge's lips curled up slightly, and a faint sense of satisfaction stirred within him.
"So this is the thrill that comes with having great strength? It feels wonderful!"
All this time, Lin Ge had kept away from people and cultivated alone. He had hardly ever been in conflict with anyone, so he had never felt what power could bring him.
But after this small incident, Lin Ge deeply understood what power could give him in this world: the authority to rule over everything!
"Thank you, Lin Ge."
Lin Xia glanced at Lin Ge, hesitated for a moment, and finally offered her thanks in a soft voice.
But Lin Ge merely glanced at her and didn't respond.
His gaze rested on Lin Dong for a few seconds. Then, without paying them any further attention, he left on his own.
"This..."
Watching Lin Ge leave, the Lin Clan members looked at one another, unsure what to say.
"That's just how he is. Don't take it to heart."
Lin Dong smiled faintly as he watched Lin Ge's departing figure.
Though they had only met three times, Lin Ge had always struck him as odd and quiet, but still a good person. After all, he had already helped Lin Dong twice.
"The hunt is coming up soon. I'm afraid the Xie Family won't let us off this time."
Lin Xia sighed heavily, worried about the hunt ahead.
"Even without this, they wouldn't let us off."
Lin Dong smiled calmly, without the slightest worry.
The Xie and Lei Families had been suppressing the Lin Clan for a long time. Whether or not today's incident had happened, they would never pass up a chance to keep the Lin Clan down.
Since the outcome was inevitable, there was no need to worry. When the time came, they would simply give it their all and do right by their clan and themselves.
"It's getting late. Let's head back."
Lin Dong glanced at Lin Xia and spoke softly.
Lin Xia nodded, and the others didn't object.
The earlier incident had already ruined their mood for shopping. Returning to the Lin Clan was just what they wanted.
So Lin Dong and the others left the street and slowly made their way home.
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