Outside the door, Lin Xiao looked around at everything, feeling a wave of nostalgia.
After being away from the Lin Clan for many years, returning here brought back countless memories from his youth, and he couldn't help missing those days.
He thought of his late friend, and together with Lin Yan's kindness this time, a bold idea suddenly occurred to him.
"Come to think of it, Qing Tan still isn't betrothed."
"And she seems to have feelings for Lin Yan. That boy's background is clear, too. Why not..."
Lin Yan had no idea what Lin Xiao was thinking. Seeing them arrive, he stepped forward with a smile to greet them.
"Uncle Xiao, Aunt Liu, Qing Tan, Lin Dong, what brings you here?"
Lin Yan's words interrupted Lin Xiao's thoughts, but the moment Lin Xiao saw him, he grew visibly excited.
"Lin Yan, you've grown so much!"
"Mm, broad-shouldered, handsome, and a fine young man! You really are Lin Quan's son!"
Lin Xiao praised Lin Yan without holding back.
Then he frankly admitted that he owed Lin Yan a great deal of thanks for his help.
"Lin Yan, I really have to thank you for this."
"After taking your pills, my internal injuries have completely healed."
"If it weren't for your pills, who knows how long I would've remained a cripple?"
Lin Dong also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and thanked Lin Yan with a serious expression. "Brother Lin Yan, I'll always remember what you've done for me. If you ever need anything, even if it means crossing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire, I won't hesitate!"
Hearing this, Lin Yan smiled and waved a hand. He wasn't at all carried away by the gratitude of Lin Dong's family. Instead, he replied warmly, "What are you saying, Uncle Xiao? You and my father were close friends. When my father was alive, you were as close as brothers. If you're in trouble, of course I'll do whatever I can to help."
Then Lin Yan patted Lin Dong on the shoulder. "As for you, little brother Lin Dong, you called me 'big brother.' Did you really think I'd let you go climb a mountain of blades or plunge into a sea of fire?"
"We're family. There's no need to stand on ceremony."
Lin Yan smiled as he answered Lin Dong and Lin Xiao.
The rest of Lin Dong's family were also visibly impressed by Lin Yan's words.
Lin Dong privately admired how skillfully Lin Yan spoke. The same few words, when they came from Lin Yan, made people feel as if a spring breeze were washing over them.
After hearing those words, even someone as calculating as Lin Dong felt his blood surge, and he nearly wanted to treat Lin Yan as his own brother. It was clear just how good Lin Yan was with words.
Lin Xiao and Liu Yan, too, looked at Lin Yan with growing approval after hearing him speak.
Lin Dong and Qing Tan had already told them that Lin Yan was quite powerful, but they hadn't expected that he'd also be so good at dealing with people. His maturity beyond his years made them give him a thumbs-up in their hearts.
As the saying went, the pupil surpassed the master.
This boy Lin Yan really was something!
After that, Lin Yan invited Lin Dong's family inside to sit and chat over tea.
The more Lin Xiao and Liu Yan looked at Lin Yan, the more they felt he was an outstanding young man. Liu Yan, in particular, began looking at him as if she were a mother-in-law sizing up a prospective son-in-law.
"Qing Tan, aren't you about old enough to start dating?"
Liu Yan whispered the question into Qing Tan's ear, testing the waters.
Qing Tan's cheeks flushed. She sneaked a cautious glance at Lin Yan, then quickly looked away. "Mother, you're always teasing me."
Liu Yan laughed melodiously. She didn't say anything more, but in her eyes, the two children seemed more and more suited to each other.
Lin Xiao's family stayed at Lin Yan's for a while longer.
But they didn't linger. They'd come in a hurry, and they hadn't visited in a long time, so they felt awkward about staying for a meal.
"Lin Yan, whenever you have time, come visit Uncle Xiao. You, Lin Dong, and Qing Tan are all about the same age. You can spend more time together and build a closer bond. You can also spar with each other while you train."
"We'll be heading off now."
Lin Xiao soon said his goodbyes to Lin Yan.
Then he led his family home.
Lin Yan watched them leave. Only after they were gone did Yao Lao appear.
"That family is quite good. They're worth befriending."
Yao Lao gave his assessment.
He never chose his friends based on their strength. If he got along with someone, he befriended them.
And Lin Xiao's family was clearly very much to his liking.
"But there's something strange about that boy, Lin Dong."
"I can always sense a peculiar aura coming from him," Yao Lao added, stroking his beard.
"Oh, that? It's probably his own good fortune."
Lin Yan smiled at that but said no more.
Before he'd activated the system and gained Yao Lao's help, he'd indeed coveted the Stone Talisman.
But now, Lin Yan didn't think much of it.
After all, Lin Dong had Little Marten, and he had Yao Lao.
Naturally, he no longer coveted Lin Dong's good fortune.
He soon resumed his cultivation.
In the days that followed, he occasionally stopped by Lin Xiao's home.
It wasn't that Lin Yan wanted to mooch meals. It was just hard to refuse their warm hospitality.
Ever since what had happened last time, Liu Yan had Qing Tan bring over some delicious food every few days.
She claimed that she'd made too much and was bringing some over.
But Lin Yan knew what their family's situation was like. Most of those dishes made with demon-beast meat had probably come from hunts Lin Xiao had specifically gone out on.
So afterward, Lin Yan occasionally went hunting as well. It helped him gain more practical experience, and it also let him return some of their kindness. After all, constantly eating and drinking at their expense didn't sit right with him.
As they spent more time together, Lin Yan and Lin Xiao's family gradually grew closer.
Lin Dong and Qing Tan in particular had once been somewhat reserved around Lin Yan, even though they'd always treated him with respect.
Now that reserve had all but disappeared. In their free time, they'd even seek Lin Yan out themselves, greeting him with an enthusiastic "Brother Lin Yan" whenever they saw him.
"Oh? Lin Dong, training here? Is Uncle Xiao at home?"
Lin Yan had nothing to do that day, so he'd gone to Back Mountain and hunted a demon beast.
It was a wild boar, and Lin Yan couldn't eat it all by himself. So he carried it over, planning to share it at Lin Xiao's home.
When he reached the entrance to Lin Dong's home, he spotted Lin Dong training and smiled as he walked over.
"Mm. The Clan Competition starts in a few days, so I need to train hard. That way, I can show what I'm made of when it begins."
Lin Dong smiled as he answered Lin Yan.
"Want to spar?"
Lin Yan smiled at him.
Since Lin Dong wanted to train, Lin Yan could help him get some practice in. Besides, he was curious to see just how strong Lin Dong was now.
"Sure! Brother Lin Yan, wait here. I'll carry this demon beast home and have Mother prepare it, then we can get started!"
Lin Dong readily agreed, then spoke to Lin Yan with excitement.
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