Qingyang Town

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

After leaving Lin City, Lin Chen had traveled at an unhurried pace under the guidance of Lin Zhentian and the others. It took nearly a month before he finally arrived at Qingyang Town, the city that was his destination.

Along the way, Lin Chen had gained some understanding of the Great Yan Dynasty beyond Lin City, broadening his horizons considerably. As the saying went, seeing once was better than hearing a hundred times. Although Lin Chen possessed a broad understanding of the Tianxuan Continent, that knowledge was clearly quite vague. He would ultimately need to experience and learn about it step by step himself.

Through his subtle Spiritual Power probes, Lin Chen had also gained a rough understanding of Qingyang Town.

Qingyang Town was a small town with a population of over a hundred thousand. It was neither particularly large nor particularly small. Though it could not compare to a city on the scale of Lin City, it could still be considered a city.

Within the Great Yan Dynasty, a city like this might amount to nothing, but in the eyes of those living in remote villages, Qingyang Town could already be regarded as a major city.

There was always someone stronger, and always a higher sky. Just as the definition of a strong person changed with one's own strength, so too did the scale of a city.

"This Qingyang Town is rather tranquil, with beautiful mountains and clear waters. If the surrounding heaven and earth Origin Energy were not so sparse and unsuitable for cultivating Origin Energy, living here long-term would not be impossible."

Looking at the two large words "Lin Mansion" before him, Lin Chen, standing outside the Lin Family Manor, could not help sighing inwardly.

"We're finally back..."

Lin Zhentian gave a light cough, then hurriedly pointed ahead and smiled at Lin Chen. "Young Master Lin Chen, please come in..."

Lin Chen did not stand on ceremony. He gave a slight nod and stepped inside directly. After Lin Chen took the lead, Lin Zhentian, his son, and the others quickly followed behind him.

It was not that Lin Chen considered himself superior or did not know how to respect others. Rather, throughout the journey with Lin Zhentian and his son, no matter how Lin Chen tried to persuade them, they never dared call him by name directly. Their gazes always carried a reverence that should not have existed.

Over time, Lin Chen completely gave up on the impractical idea of treating Lin Zhentian, his son, and the others as equals.

Lin Zhentian and the others' stubbornness and ignorance once again gave Lin Chen a profound understanding of this world: even if he possessed values of equality for all that transcended this world, they were merely his own wishful thinking.

On the Tianxuan Continent, strength was ultimately supreme. So-called equality was built upon strength. Perhaps his own strength did not appear powerful on the surface, as he was merely at the initial stage of the Heavenly Origin Realm, but Lin Mu behind him was likewise a manifestation of strength.

At least, that was how Lin Zhentian and his son saw it. Not to mention the deeply rooted distinction of status between the Inner Clan and Branch Family in their hearts.

There might not be no people on the Tianxuan Continent who feared neither the strong nor authority, but Lin Zhentian and his son could never be among them. It had to be said that their behavior imperceptibly changed Lin Chen's state of mind, allowing him to thoroughly integrate into this world of cultivators.

Having lived in this foreign world for fifteen years, Lin Chen had already realized that, unlike in the Lin Clan, where he had Lin Mu's protection and his mediocre displayed Origin Energy cultivation kept him from drawing attention, leaving him without conflicts of interest with the members of the Lin Clan and able to live peacefully and leisurely, the struggles outside the Lin Clan would be exceedingly brutal. One careless mistake could bring utter disaster at any moment.

He had died once. He absolutely could not die a second time. Some things had no second chances. Lin Chen did not dare guarantee that he would be able to experience such a bizarre transmigration to the Tianxuan Continent again.

Before he possessed the ability to ensure his own safety, he should maintain vigilance toward the strong.

And by the strong, he did not mean the rulers of the Great Thousand World, Heavenly Sovereigns, nor the top experts of the Tianxuan Continent such as those at the Reincarnation Realm and Ancestor Realm. He meant anyone stronger than him who could threaten him.

"Young Master Lin Chen, I have already asked Lin Ken to arrange a place for you to stay. Shall we go take a look first?"

Inside the Meeting Hall, Lin Zhentian respectfully introduced several members of the Lin Family to Lin Chen with a cheerful smile before making the suggestion.

"Old Master Zhentian, there's no need to trouble Lin Ken. I think your Lin Family Back Mountain is quite suitable—quiet and secluded. I plan to stay there."

"For one, it will minimize any disturbance to your family. For another, it will benefit my own cultivation in peace." Lin Chen took a sip of the clear tea on the table, shook his head, and stated his intentions.

He had not forgotten his true purpose in coming to Qingyang Town: the Ancestral Stone, ranked second on the Divine Artifact Ranking of the Tianxuan Continent. He had no reason to yield it, nor could he yield it.

The so-called protagonists of heaven and earth were all shaped by human effort. He had never believed in protagonist's luck. Everyone had moments of good fortune and misfortune; hard work was the foundation of success.

Even if he lacked the illusory Ancestral Symbol Affinity of this world and ultimately failed to gain the Ancestral Stone's recognition, there was nothing wrong with borrowing the Ancestral Stone's power at this stage to improve his own strength.

After all, in the original course of events, the Ancestral Stone would not reappear in the world for another six years. Lin Dong was only seven or eight years old now. If Lin Chen truly had no affinity with the Ancestral Stone, it would not affect anything if he allowed Lin Dong to make full use of it after he began cultivating.

"The back mountain..."

"That place is certainly secluded, but the conditions there are simple and it is too desolate. I fear Young Master Lin Chen would be wronged by staying there. If the Grand Elder learned of it in the future, I'm afraid I would have a hard time explaining myself..." Lin Zhentian said hesitantly, his face full of contemplation.

"It's nothing. A few repairs will suffice." Lin Chen waved his hand and replied.

"Since Young Master Lin Chen has made up his mind, I shall have Lin Ken and Lin Mang arrange for people to repair the houses on the back mountain. It is still early; it should be finished before sunset."

Lin Zhentian wore a bitter expression. Clearly not daring to go against Lin Chen's wishes, he could only nod in agreement.

"Hehe..." Seeing Lin Zhentian's unwilling expression, Lin Chen pondered for a moment, chuckled, and made another request.

"Since Old Master Zhentian is so uneasy, fearing that it will be difficult to face the Grand Elder in the future, why not have your son Lin Xiao and his family accompany me to live on the back mountain? Your grandson Lin Dong is quite good. If not for him on the journey back from Lin City, the return trip would truly have been far more tedious."

Upon hearing this, the bitterness on Lin Zhentian's old face instantly faded considerably. Clearly, Lin Chen's request had put him much more at ease.

Lin Chen was a guest from afar, a member of the clan, and the benefactor who had saved Lin Xiao. For all these reasons, Lin Zhentian did not dare treat him carelessly.