After leaving the Lin Clan, Lin Yan headed to the Medicine Hall in Qingyuan Town and bought another batch of medicinal herbs.
Yao Lao had already been puzzled by Lin Yan's actions. Now, seeing the herbs he'd bought, he was even more baffled.
He could tell that these were the very same herbs he had previously helped Lin Yan use to prepare medicinal liquid.
By rights, medicinal liquid was no longer of any use to Lin Yan.
After all, its greatest advantage was its mild medicinal effect, which allowed martial artists at lower levels to withstand it.
But Lin Yan's cultivation had reached the point where he could no longer use something with such mild effects.
The more Yao Lao thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Unable to hold back, he asked Lin Yan, "Young friend, did you buy these herbs to prepare medicinal liquid?"
Lin Yan answered directly, "Yes, Senior Yao Lao."
Yao Lao asked in puzzlement, "But this medicinal liquid can't help your cultivation at all anymore, can it?"
Lin Yan smiled. "Senior Yao Lao, you misunderstand."
"The medicinal liquid I'm making isn't for myself."
He explained to Yao Lao, "The Lin Clan has looked after me these past few days."
"I know the Lin Clan treats me this way partly because I'm one of their own, and partly because I've shown exceptional talent."
"But I've never liked owing anyone a favor."
"After thinking it over, I decided that making a batch of medicinal liquid to give to the Lin Clan would be the most appropriate thing to do. After all, it works wonders for martial artists below the Body Tempering Realm and could help the Lin Clan produce more Earth Origin Realm martial artists. Besides, it's actually not much trouble to prepare. With my alchemy skills, a simple refinement is all it takes, so it won't interfere with my cultivation."
Yao Lao finally understood.
He gave Lin Yan a meaningful look, then sighed in admiration. "It seems you truly are a man who values loyalty and gratitude, young friend!"
He had gained an even deeper understanding of Lin Yan's character.
As the saying went, if someone showed you an inch of respect, you returned a foot.
Lin Yan was exactly that sort of person.
Yao Lao had always admired people like him most, and was most willing to befriend them.
After all, friends like that were loyal and grateful. Whatever you did for them, they kept it in their hearts. They were far better than those ungrateful white-eyed wolves who could never be tamed.
Yao Lao couldn't help but sigh at the thought.
If only my disciple, Han Feng, had even half of young friend Lin Yan's character. How would I have ended up like this?
"Senior Yao Lao, is there something wrong?" Seeing him sigh, Lin Yan asked in confusion.
Yao Lao shook his head. "Nothing is wrong. On the contrary, I admire your character very much."
"I was simply reminded of an old friend, and lost in my thoughts for a moment."
Lin Yan nodded and said no more.
After that, he soon returned home.
He quickly refined the herbs and finished preparing the medicinal liquid.
Just as Lin Yan had said, preparing this sort of medicinal liquid was now child's play for him.
From beginning to end, it took him only two hours.
Afterward, Lin Yan packed the medicinal liquid into his Na Ring. His first stop was Lin Dong's home.
He didn't owe Lin Dong any favors, but Qing Tan was still at the Body Tempering Realm. This medicinal liquid would greatly benefit her cultivation, and Lin Yan wouldn't forget her when he had something good to share.
So he soon arrived at her home to see her.
"Brother Lin Yan, you came to see me?" Qing Tan had been cultivating. When she heard Lin Yan was looking for her, she was surprised and delighted, and hurried outside, her heart full of anticipation.
"Mm, Qing Tan, take these medicinal liquids."
"Every few days, after you finish cultivating, pour some into clean water and soak in it. It'll greatly benefit your cultivation."
Lin Yan skipped the small talk and went straight to explaining what the medicinal liquid did and how to use it.
Qing Tan was so moved she could barely contain herself.
She glanced around and, seeing no one nearby, mustered her courage and hugged Lin Yan. Feeling his firm chest, she blushed and said, "Brother Lin Yan, you're so nice."
Lin Yan smiled and ruffled Qing Tan's hair. "If I'm not nice to you, who should I be nice to, silly girl?"
Then he gave her soft body a discreet feel. "Qing Tan, you're so soft. It feels great to hold you, and you smell lovely too."
A flush crept all the way to Qing Tan's ears. Embarrassed, she took the medicinal liquid and fled as if for her life. "Uh, that's enough, Brother Lin Yan. I'm going to cultivate."
With that, she quickly disappeared.
Lin Yan could only laugh helplessly.
With such a shy temperament, if he really wanted to steal a kiss, he'd have to take his time and coax her.
But he had only come to deliver the medicinal liquid, and there were still several other households to visit, so he didn't linger.
He soon hurried over to Lin Ken's home and knocked on the door.
"Who is it? Hm? It's you, Lin Yan. What brings you here?" Lin Ken came to answer the door. When he saw Lin Yan, his attitude softened considerably, though he still asked in confusion.
"Uncle Lin Ken, is Sister Lin Xia home?" Lin Yan asked with a smile.
Lin Ken paused. If some other young man had come to call on his daughter, he would have given him a thorough scolding, for fear some pig might gobble up his cabbage. But since it was Lin Yan, his attitude changed. He gave Lin Yan a suggestive look, then laughed heartily. "Hahaha, looking for Lin Xia? Good, good. I'll go get her. Wait here."
With that, he immediately called Lin Xia over.
Lin Xia soon hurried over. As for Lin Ken, he stayed away and left his daughter alone with Lin Yan.
"Lin Yan, well, what wind blew you, such a busy man, over to my place today?"
Lin Xia had been puzzled by her father's secretive manner, but when she saw Lin Yan, she felt a little pleased and couldn't help teasing him as she stepped forward.
"You're not here to ask me for something again, are you?"
Lin Yan rolled his eyes at her. "Come on, Sister Lin Xia. Is that really what you think of me?"
"Isn't it?" Lin Xia said crossly. "Unless you need something, when have you ever come over to chat and have tea with me? Even when you occasionally have time to go fishing, I only ever see you going with Qing Tan and Lin Dong. You never remember your big sister."
Lin Yan felt a little awkward at her words. It did sound like that was exactly what he was like.
He immediately took out some medicinal liquid and handed it to Lin Xia. "Sister Lin Xia, look. This time, I haven't forgotten to share something good with you."
"I made these especially for you. They're all yours."
"I figured the medicinal liquid I gave you last time should be enough to cultivate to the Ninth Floor of the Body Tempering Realm. But you'll probably need some more help to break through to the Earth Origin Realm, so I got up early this morning and prepared some for you. I never thought you'd misunderstand me so badly. It really breaks my heart."
Lin Xia's eyes lit up at once. She eagerly accepted the medicinal liquid, then gave Lin Yan a generous hug to show her gratitude.
"All right, good little brother. I know how good you are to me."
"I'll give you a hug as a reward. You're lucky—I've never hugged another man before."
Lin Xia was straightforward by nature. She hugged Lin Yan without turning beet red like Qing Tan.
Lin Yan felt her embrace and was a little surprised. He hadn't expected Lin Xia to be so soft too.
After chatting with her for a while, Lin Yan turned and headed toward the Lin Clan's main hall.
Lin Xia watched him leave. As he gradually disappeared into the distance, her eyes shimmered. She glanced at the medicinal liquid she had gotten from him, then gave a gentle smile that was utterly captivating.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Smiling so happily—you practically want to go with him."
Lin Ken suddenly appeared, grinning as he spoke to his daughter.
Lin Xia rarely blushed, but now her face reddened. "Dad! You're so shameless at your age, eavesdropping on us."
Lin Ken looked innocent. "I was just passing by! I wasn't eavesdropping."
Lin Xia gave an annoyed huff and turned to leave.
Lin Ken's voice rang out again. "Girl, if you're really interested, then go after him boldly. As the saying goes, when a man pursues a woman, there's a wall between them; when a woman pursues a man, there's only a veil. I can see you two get along well, so you've already got a foundation. Be bold."
At that, Lin Ken sighed. "Sometimes, once you've missed your chance, it's gone for good. I don't want to see someone crying over it later."
"And don't worry about competing with that girl Qing Tan. It's perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. If you like him, there's no need to worry so much."
Lin Xia paused, then snorted and quickly walked away. "You're always making things up. I don't have any such intentions!"
Lin Ken watched his daughter disappear completely and could only shake his head. "A stubborn duck, all mouth and no trousers. She hugged him and still won't admit it."
"Ah, she really doesn't make life easy!"
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