Everyone Was Waiting to See Just How Strong Lin Yan Really Was

Lin Yan felt a little amused and exasperated by the discussion around him.

After all, he hadn't expected that something from several months ago would be dredged up again.

But honestly, he didn't care much about it. In Lin Yan's eyes, he and Lin Hong were no longer on the same level.

He continued forward, but after only a few steps, he spotted a pretty girl in red walking toward him. She had fair skin, beautiful features, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail.

Lin Yan recognized Lin Xia at a glance and smiled as he greeted her. "Sister Lin Xia, long time no see."

Lin Xia smiled and greeted him first, but when she heard the words "long time no see," her gaze turned a little reproachful. "So you do know it's been a long time, you busybody. You have free time but still don't come visit your big sister. I've missed you so much."

Lin Yan's gaze grew increasingly peculiar.

Seeing his odd look, Lin Xia stopped teasing him. She spun around in front of him, then said with a beaming smile, "All right, all right, I'll stop messing with you. Take a guess—what level am I at now?"

Lin Yan gave her a careful look before answering, "The Eighth Layer of Body Tempering?"

Lin Xia nodded smugly, but seeing how nonchalant he was, she looked a little dissatisfied. "You're no fun at all! Why are you so calm? Anyone would think the Eighth Layer of Body Tempering was nothing special!"

Lin Yan put on an exaggerated expression. "Wow, Sister Lin Xia, you're amazing!"

Lin Xia's face immediately went dark. "Enough, enough. Stop pretending. You don't sound sincere at all."

She let out a breath and said, "Actually, I have you to thank for this. If it weren't for your medicinal liquid, I'd probably still be at the Seventh Layer of Body Tempering, just like Lin Hong. So I really have to thank you for it."

Lin Yan smiled but said nothing.

Lin Xia turned to him. "That unlucky Lin Hong still thinks he can beat you. He only advanced one level and reached the Seventh Layer of Body Tempering, yet he's already building castles in the air."

"Your strength should be greater than mine, right?"

Lin Xia gave Lin Yan a probing look. Ever since she'd seen his strength a few months ago, she hadn't asked about his level. But she felt he was far stronger than she was, and that his current strength might even surpass hers—in other words, he could be at the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering?

"About the same as yours, big sister."

"Not much stronger."

Lin Yan replied modestly.

Lin Xia rolled her eyes at him. "As if I'd believe you."

The two walked on, and before long they ran into Lin Dong and the others, so they continued together. But Qing Tan, walking behind them and watching the two chat and laugh, felt inexplicably jealous and pouted.

"Today is the day of the Lin Clan's Clan Competition. Thank you all for coming. Everyone here is familiar to me, so I'll spare you the pleasantries and get straight to the point."

"As usual, the opponents will be decided by drawing lots. All the youngsters taking part in the Clan Competition, come forward and draw."

At last, Lin Zhentian, head of the Lin Clan, appeared at the venue.

He was an extremely efficient man who disliked beating around the bush. So as soon as he appeared, he got straight to the point and had the Lin Clan's youngsters begin drawing lots.

Lin Yan and the others went forward one by one to draw. Afterward, they headed to the contestants' area to wait.

Lin Zhentian returned to his seat after everyone had drawn.

The competition soon began, but Lin Zhentian didn't watch the matches right away. Instead, his gaze swept across the contestants' area before finally settling on Lin Yan.

"That child must be Lin Yan, right?"

"I hear he even repelled Lin Hong before. I didn't expect our Lin Clan to have another prodigy."

Lin Ken, seated beside him, chimed in. "He certainly seems promising. Lin Hong already ranks among the top three of our younger generation."

"The fact that this child could repel him is proof enough that he's no ordinary talent."

Lin Ken paused, then added, "But I heard Lin Hong has already reached the Seventh Layer of Body Tempering, and he still holds a grudge over what happened last time."

"I wonder if this child can still beat him."

Lin Zhentian merely smiled and waved a hand. "What of it?"

"Small squabbles between the youngsters are fine, as long as they don't go too far. A little friction is a good thing. It gives them a reason to work hard at their cultivation."

Looking at Lin Yan chatting and laughing with Lin Xia, Lin Zhentian added with a grin, "But more importantly, isn't Lin Xia old enough to be married? She seems to get along well with Lin Yan."

Lin Ken gave an awkward laugh and said nothing.

The two finally turned their attention back to the arena.

Though each had a dark horse they favored, as elders, they also needed to keep an eye on the other youngsters' growth. After all, that was part of their responsibility.

And so, as time passed, the Lin Clan Competition continued in full swing.

By then, Lin Hong, Lin Xia, Lin Dong, and Lin Yan had all competed and successfully advanced.

But Lin Yan was the one whose strength was hardest to gauge.

In several rounds, he hadn't even used martial arts techniques. He simply dodged his opponents' attacks with ease, then struck them down in a single blow when they least expected it.

As a result, no one could make a clear estimate of Lin Yan's strength.

"Could you tell? Just how strong is that boy?"

After watching one of Lin Yan's matches, Lin Zhentian asked Lin Ken.

Lin Ken shook his head. "I couldn't tell at all."

"But I can say for certain that he's at least above the Sixth Layer of Body Tempering."

Lin Zhentian rolled his eyes at him. "What you just said was pointless."

Lin Ken gave an awkward smile, and Lin Zhentian turned his gaze back to the arena.

"But it doesn't matter that we can't tell yet. We'll find out soon enough."

"The Clan Competition is almost over, and there aren't many contestants left."

"In the next round, whether he faces Lin Hong or Lin Xia, even Lin Yan will have to show his true strength, won't he?"

The next round of lots was drawn soon after.

When the drawing box was brought out, everyone quickly stepped forward to draw again.

Lin Hong's gaze remained fixed on Lin Yan.

Ever since what had happened last time, he'd felt he had lost face.

So he'd been hoping to use this Clan Competition to win back his honor.

"Next match! Lin Hong versus Lin Xia! Both contestants, please come to the arena!"

But Lin Hong didn't get his wish. This time, he hadn't drawn Lin Yan. Instead, he'd drawn Lin Xia.

The referee's announcement soon rang out.

Hearing it, Lin Hong could only walk onto the arena reluctantly.

"What a shame. I didn't draw Lin Yan."

"Never mind. I'll beat Lin Xia first. Then I should be able to deal with Lin Yan in the next round."