The Lin Family Was Stunned by Lin Yan's Strength

Seeing Lin Xia's mischievous smile, Lin Yan only shook his head slightly. Without the slightest embarrassment, he said:

"Actually, I only broke through recently."

"Before that, my strength really was about the same as yours."

"Besides, Lei Li probably wasn't using his full strength. Judging from how he looked earlier, he must still have a trump card."

"I feel like if he'd used it, I might not have won."

Lin Xia had heard enough of his nonsense. She rolled her eyes at Lin Yan. "Sure, and pigs can fly."

"With the way you're acting, I bet you reached the Earth Origin Realm ages ago."

"Lei Li's nowhere near as strong as you. I saw right through it from the start."

She didn't want to dwell on the subject any longer. Soon, she turned to check whether any of the other Lin Clan disciples had been injured.

Lin Dong, standing off to the side, couldn't help finding it a little amusing.

He also felt that Brother Lin Yan was being far too modest.

His strength was clearly formidable, yet he was so low-key. Lin Dong agreed with Sister Lin Xia about what had happened: Lin Yan was incredibly strong. The martial skill he'd just used was one Lin Dong had never seen before, and its power had been astonishing.

"Looks like Brother Lin Yan has secrets of his own."

Lin Dong sighed. Meanwhile, Lin Xia had finished checking on everyone. The Lin Clan disciples had suffered only superficial injuries, nothing serious.

So they soon decided to head back to the Lin Clan together.

"Wait, Lin Yan, Lin Dong. We have something to say."

Just as Lin Yan and the others were preparing to leave, Lin Hong and Lin Shan came up from behind.

They no longer looked as overbearing as before. Instead, they seemed awkward and uncomfortable.

Still, they were the sort of people who could admit when they were wrong. After all, Lin Yan and Lin Dong had helped them, so the two sincerely said, "Thanks for what you did earlier. We were wrong before."

Lin Dong glanced at Lin Yan, signaling for him to speak.

Lin Yan simply smiled and shook his head. "Let the past stay in the past. We're all members of the Lin Clan, after all. A little squabbling now and then is no big deal. When real trouble comes, how could family stand by and do nothing?"

"Don't take it to heart."

Lin Yan smiled and patted them both on the shoulder before quickly heading off.

As for Lin Hong and Lin Shan, after hearing his words and watching him walk away, they looked at his retreating figure with deep emotion.

"Such magnanimity, such strength. Little brother, we've fallen so far behind."

For the first time, Lin Hong felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority. He let out a breath and spoke to Lin Shan.

Lin Shan nodded at Lin Hong.

"That's right, brother. Brother Lin Yan really is different from most people."

Soon, everyone returned to the Lin Clan.

However, they didn't head straight to their own homes.

It was the end of the month, and the Lin Clan was holding its monthly family gathering. At this time every month, the clan's core members came together to discuss the various matters from the past month.

After returning, Lin Yan, Lin Dong, Lin Xia, Qing Tan, and the brothers Lin Hong and Lin Shan headed to the Lin Clan's rear courtyard together. They took their places, eating and chatting amid continuous laughter.

As the family ate, a letter was brought to Lin Zhentian. He read its contents, his expression first turning grave, then brightening. At last, he couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Good, good, well done!"

Everyone stared at him in surprise, unable to figure out why he was suddenly so happy. Lin Ken took the initiative and asked, "Father, what happened to make you so happy?"

Lin Zhentian smiled as he answered, "I just got word that those youngsters of ours clashed with the Lei and Xie Families again today. And in the end, they even drew Xie Yingying and Lei Li over."

Lin Ken froze. Beside him, Lin Xiao asked with some confusion, "Father, is that something to be happy about?"

They were all baffled. In the past, whenever the younger generation of the family clashed with the Lei and Xie Families, they usually ended up on the losing side. The adults couldn't step in personally, so they were left swallowing their losses.

If Xie Yingying and Lei Li hadn't been there this time, they might have believed the Lin Clan youngsters had come out on top. But Lin Zhentian had just said Lei Li had gone too, which meant their juniors must have suffered another defeat. What was there to celebrate?

"Of course it's worth celebrating."

But Lin Zhentian's next words left everyone present dumbstruck.

"I hear that Lin Yan showed up at the crucial moment. Not only did he hold Lei Li off, he even sent him flying with a single punch. I never expected this kid to have hidden his strength so well!"

The Lin Clan members around him were stunned.

One by one, they looked toward Lin Yan in shock.

They all knew how formidable Lei Li was. At such a young age, he had already reached the Ninth Floor of Body Tempering, and he might even break through to the Earth Origin Realm soon. His strength had once far surpassed that of the Lin Clan's Lin Hong and Lin Xia. They never expected him to be defeated by Lin Yan this time.

"Lin Yan, is this true?"

Everyone found it hard to believe. Lin Xiao was especially delighted as he asked Lin Yan.

"Just luck," Lin Yan replied with a faint smile.

Lin Xiao's delight only grew.

Lin Zhentian laughed outright. "Hahaha! Good! It looks like my Lin Clan has finally produced a supreme genius!"

Lin Zhentian said to Lin Yan, "Lin Yan, I'll say it again: if you need anything, just ask! As long as the clan can help, we'll do everything we can."

"The Hunting War is four months away. When the time comes, it'll be up to you."

Lin Yan cupped his hands. "All right."

The meal finally ended in this cheerful atmosphere.

After what had happened today, Lin Yan's name spread throughout the Lin Clan. The younger generation and the elders alike treated him with great warmth.

For the first time, Lin Yan felt a sense of belonging to this family. As the saying went, people weren't made of grass or wood; how could they be without feelings?

The Lin Clan had treated Lin Yan fairly well. In particular, he had friends here like Lin Dong, Qing Tan, and Lin Xia. Loving the people around him made him feel warmly toward the clan as well.

"Then I'll show them what I can do at the Hunting War."

"I wonder if I'll be able to sign in there."

Lin Yan muttered to himself.

Just as he was about to leave, he noticed Qing Tan hurrying up behind him.

"Brother Lin Yan, wait for me."

Lin Yan stopped and looked at Qing Tan, asking with some confusion,

"Is something the matter, Qing Tan?"

Qing Tan's cheeks were flushed, and her fingers fidgeted behind her back. But in the end, she gathered her courage and said to Lin Yan, "Brother Lin Yan, I have two theater tickets. I'd like to invite you to see a play. I was wondering if you have time."