After playing around with his Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python for a while, Lin Yan had originally intended to continue cultivating.
Unexpectedly, a familiar shout suddenly came from outside the room.
"Lin Yan, are you home?"
Lin Yan found the voice familiar the moment he heard it.
When he opened the wooden door, he indeed saw that Qing Tan had come looking for him.
So he simply smiled and greeted her: "It's Qing Tan."
"What's the matter?"
Qing Tan smiled and extended an invitation to Lin Yan: "Lin Yan, my father and mother said they haven't seen you in a long time and miss you very much, so today they specially bought a lot of ingredients at the market and cooked themselves. They sent me to invite you over for a meal together."
Lin Yan thought it had indeed been some time since he last visited Lin Dong's house. Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, and with Qing Tan personally coming to invite him, he agreed right away: "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
He soon left the house with Qing Tan. He had originally planned to put the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python back into the Na Ring, but the little creature had only just come out not long ago and was unwilling to return, so Lin Yan simply let it coil around his shoulder.
"Lin Yan, that little snake of yours is really beautiful."
Qing Tan couldn't help but praise it. After all, the Nine-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python had an extremely striking appearance, its body dazzling with color, far more attractive than ordinary pets.
Lin Yan had wanted to let Qing Tan touch the little creature, but it was quite stingy and refused outright.
It was only willing to be played with by Lin Yan alone, leaving him rather helpless.
The two continued walking forward, and the atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat awkward.
Qing Tan had actually been holding something in for a long time, but at this moment she could no longer endure it and suddenly asked: "By the way, Lin Yan, have any other girls from the family come looking for you recently?"
Lin Yan was taken aback at the question, then replied: "No, I've been cultivating the whole time lately. Why?"
Qing Tan's cheeks flushed red at his answer.
She was worried that Lin Yan might be snatched away by other girls, yet she was too embarrassed to voice her own thoughts.
So for a moment she stammered and couldn't get anything out.
Fortunately, the result was good. After hearing his answer, Qing Tan felt much more at ease.
"No, Lin Yan, I was just asking."
Her face red, her gaze darting away, she twisted her clothes with her small hands and answered softly.
Seeing this, Lin Yan revealed a mischievous smile. Clearly sensitive to the girl's feelings, he asked: "You're not jealous, are you?"
Qing Tan's ears suddenly turned even redder. She had always been rather shy, but this time, for some reason, she suddenly grew bold and replied: "What if I am?"
Lin Yan looked at Qing Tan in surprise, then suddenly grabbed her delicate little hand, their fingers interlocking: "Want to give it a try?"
Qing Tan's ears grew redder and redder, her voice growing smaller and smaller: "If we're trying, then let's try."
The two continued walking toward Lin Dong's house.
Yet in that instant, they completely ran out of words.
After all, ever since her small hand was caught by Lin Yan, Qing Tan felt her heartbeat quicken nonstop.
Even while walking she could hear her own fierce heartbeat. She hadn't taken more than a few steps before she already felt drenched in sweat.
"Lin Yan, you're here."
Mother Liu Yan happened to be carrying a wooden basin of vegetable-washing water to pour into the garden by the door. She hadn't expected to turn around and see Lin Yan and Qing Tan.
She first greeted Lin Yan, but soon noticed their clasped hands and a knowing smile appeared on her face.
"Oh my."
Qing Tan's cheeks instantly burned crimson, her entire body seeming to steam as if overloaded.
She struggled free of Lin Yan's hand as if fleeing for her life, but Liu Yan frowned at the sight.
She stepped forward, set down the basin, grabbed both Lin Yan's and Qing Tan's hands, and locked them together again.
"Carry on, you two. I didn't see anything just now~"
Qing Tan broke free, her face scarlet with embarrassment, and quickly pushed Liu Yan away to leave with her.
"Mother~ It's not what you think!"
Liu Yan blinked and asked: "Then what is it?"
Lin Yan watched the mother and daughter walk off, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
He had long sensed Qing Tan's feelings toward him. Since he also had a good impression of her, he had been bold earlier.
It seemed Liu Yan and Qing Tan didn't object; on the contrary, they approved?
When it came to emotions, Lin Yan never hid anything. If he liked someone, he would try. If it suited, they would be together. Even if it ultimately ended without success for various reasons, at least there would be no regrets, right? He didn't want to be the kind of person who looked back on the past with regret.
So in this regard, Lin Yan wouldn't be overly hesitant.
Still, he understood the principle of letting things take their natural course.
He and Qing Tan were only just beginning; he couldn't rush things.
He soon headed toward Lin Dong's room and quickly spotted Lin Dong cultivating outside while Lin Xiao stood to the side supervising and guiding him.
"Uncle Xiao, Lin Dong, practicing?"
Lin Yan greeted the two of them first.
He then watched Lin Dong's movements and immediately realized that he was also practicing the Green Origin Technique and the Pure Yang Finger.
This was normal, after all; since Lin Dong had long since reached the Earth Origin Realm, he had also obtained these two techniques and martial skills from Lin Zhentian.
"Lin Yan, you're here."
"Brother Lin Yan."
Hearing this, the two naturally responded to Lin Yan.
Lin Dong even walked up and gestured a few times for Lin Yan.
"Look, Brother Lin Yan, I've also received the Green Origin Technique and the Pure Yang Finger from Grandfather."
Lin Yan smiled and said, "I can see that. I didn't expect you to have reached the Earth Origin Realm as well. Impressive, little brother Lin Dong."
Lin Dong smiled at Lin Yan upon hearing this and asked him, "Brother Lin Yan, how is your progress with the Green Origin Technique and the Pure Yang Finger?"
Speaking of this, a trace of small pride appeared on Lin Dong's face. After all, in terms of raw strength, he might not be Lin Yan's equal.
But when it came to the speed of cultivating techniques and martial skills, Lin Dong felt he still had a significant advantage.
After all, he had the help of the Stone Talisman, and with its assistance, he had only spent a month to reach the entry level of the Pure Yang Finger, while also using the Green Origin Technique to open up a special meridian.
So, at this moment, Lin Dong was thinking about showing off a little in front of his brother. He liked to hide his talents in front of outsiders, but to Lin Dong, Lin Yan was clearly not an outsider.
"You really want to know?"
Lin Yan sensed Lin Dong's intent and asked him with a strange look in his eyes.
"Let's see it. There are no outsiders here anyway."
Lin Dong replied with an indifferent expression.
Lin Yan smiled and nodded, saying, "I don't mind, I'm just afraid of discouraging you."
Lin Dong snorted, "Brother Lin Yan, you look down on me too much. Although my strength is a bit inferior, I have quite a bit of insight when it comes to cultivating martial skills."
However, Lin Dong could not finish his sentence.
Because in the next second, Lin Yan pointed a finger, and a powerful force caused the air to tremble.
Lin Dong and Lin Xiao were both stunned at the sight.
Since they both practiced the Pure Yang Finger, they naturally recognized that what Lin Yan had just used was the Pure Yang Finger at the perfection stage!
"This... how is this possible?"
"Brother Lin Yan, you practiced it so quickly?"
Lin Dong was dumbfounded on the spot, his face filled with disbelief.
But Lin Yan did not stop there; immediately after, a formidable aura surged from his body.
This time, Lin Dong and Lin Xiao were even more shocked.
Especially Lin Dong, who began to doubt his own life and could not help but gape in astonishment.
"Mid-stage Earth Origin Realm?"
"Perfected Green Origin Technique?"
"It's only been a month! Brother Lin Yan, are you a monster?"
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