After that, Lin Yan and Lin Dong continued on their way.
However, when they passed a jewelry store, Lin Yan stopped deliberately and picked out several pieces to buy.
"Brother Lin Yan, I still have to say it: you really know how to make women happy."
Seeing this, Lin Dong let out a heartfelt sigh.
Lin Yan cleared his throat and replied righteously, "What do you mean, 'make them happy'? It's called putting thought into it."
The two soon left the jewelry store and continued on their way. Before long, they reached their destination and reunited with Lin Xiao and the others.
"Dad, how did it go?"
As soon as he saw Lin Xiao, Lin Dong approached with a grin and asked him.
"Heh, pretty well. Yang Origin Stones aren't hard to find buyers for, and we got a decent price. We traded three hundred Yang Origin Stones for thirty-two Yang Yuan Pills," Lin Xiao replied with a smile, clearly quite satisfied with the deal.
"Dong'er, Yan'er, there are thirty-two Yang Yuan Pills. You two can have six each. Take them and use them for cultivation." Lin Zhentian was also pleased with the deal. However, unlike Lin Xiao, Lin Zhentian held greater authority in the Lin Clan. So, right there in front of everyone, he simply waved his hand and gave twelve Yang Yuan Pills to Lin Yan and Lin Dong.
This was already a substantial reward. After all, they had only earned thirty-two Yang Yuan Pills from the deal, yet Lin Zhentian had given nearly half of them to Lin Yan and Lin Dong. The rest would go toward the clan.
Still, no one objected to Lin Zhentian's decision. They all knew that Lin Dong and Lin Yan had played a crucial role in securing such a large number of Yang Yuan Stones. And right now, the two of them were more valuable to the Lin Clan than anyone else.
If this helped them grow stronger more quickly, then no matter how many resources were spent on them, it would be worth it.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Lin Yan and Lin Dong hurriedly cupped their hands toward Lin Zhentian in thanks.
Lin Zhentian burst into laughter. "What are you two doing? We're family. There's no need to stand on ceremony."
"Now that you have the Yang Yuan Pills, remember to cultivate well. The future of the Lin Clan rests on you two."
Lin Zhentian stroked his beard as he spoke, making no effort to hide how highly he regarded Lin Yan and Lin Dong.
The two nodded to Lin Zhentian.
Just then, Lin Mang came rushing in. His face was dark as he said to Lin Zhentian, "Father, the price of Ironwood has been slashed by thirty percent. It took me a lot of effort to find out that the Lei Clan was behind it."
Everyone was furious, but it wasn't yet time to fall out with the Lei Clan, so they swallowed their anger for now.
Lin Yan's gaze turned icy. The longer he stayed with the Lin Clan, the more he felt the warmth of his clansmen. His sense of belonging to the family grew stronger, too.
So, at that moment, he quietly thought to himself:
Looks like I'll have to increase my strength even faster from now on.
Then I'll pull out that troublemaking thorn in our side—the Lei Clan.
The group soon left Flame City and headed back to Ironwood Manor.
After all, they had already finished what they had come to do, so there was no point in staying in Flame City any longer.
As soon as Lin Yan returned to Ironwood Manor, he saw Qing Tan and Lin Xia waiting there.
Since Ironwood Manor had a Yang Origin Stone Mine, Lin Zhentian had apparently summoned as many of the clan's members as possible, with the aim of mining more Yang Origin Stones.
"Brother Lin Yan, Brother Lin Dong, you're back!"
Qing Tan and Lin Xia had been waiting by the entrance to Ironwood Manor for quite some time. Seeing the two of them approaching, they were delighted. Qing Tan stepped forward first and greeted them with a bright smile.
"Mm, we're back," Lin Dong replied to Qing Tan with a smile.
Lin Yan, however, immediately took out two beautiful pieces of jewelry and handed them to Qing Tan. Smiling, he said, "Here, Qing Tan. One is for you, and the other is for Aunt Liu. Take them."
Qing Tan was overjoyed. She took the jewelry and couldn't stop admiring it.
She widened her eyes and asked Lin Yan, "Brother Lin Yan, could you put this necklace on me?"
Lin Yan was more than happy to help. His fingers brushed Qing Tan's neck, making her ears turn red. "There. It looks great."
Qing Tan responded shyly, "Thank you, Brother Lin Yan."
Then, full of joy, she took the gifts back inside to Liu Yan.
Lin Yan soon turned to look at Lin Xia, who was standing to one side with an impassive expression. She kept looking everywhere except at him.
"What is it, Sister Lin Xia? Are you angry?" Lin Yan asked with a grin.
Lin Xia didn't look at him. "Which of my eyes saw me getting angry?"
Lin Yan took out her gift as well. "Ah, I didn't forget you, Sister Lin Xia. Look, I got you a present, too."
Lin Xia looked surprised and glanced at his palm. Sure enough, there was another bracelet.
A smile appeared on her face, though she still put on a gruff front. "I didn't expect you to remember your big sister when something good happened this time."
Lin Yan smiled. "How could I forget? Out of everyone, how could I ever forget my sister?"
Lin Xia finally gave a delicate huff. "At least you have a conscience, you little rascal!"
Everyone soon went back to eat together. They had traveled all the way back from Flame City, and it was nearly dinnertime. Besides, they had earned so many Yang Yuan Pills that evening—it was only right to celebrate properly.
After a lavish dinner, everyone left the hall and prepared to head home.
"Cultivate hard, little brother Lin Dong. Once I'm done with what I have to do, I'll come collect that manual from you."
Before they parted, Lin Yan reminded Lin Dong one last time. Neither of them needed to mine, so it was best to spend this time on cultivation.
"Understood, Brother Lin Yan."
Lin Dong nodded solemnly, taking his words to heart.
Lin Yan patted Lin Dong's shoulder and soon left.
After that, he headed home.
He took a quick bath, washing away the sweat from the day, then closed his eyes and rested.
Once his mind was in peak condition again, Lin Yan took out the rewards he had received from the system.
[Basic Theory of Spirit Array Masters!]
[First-Order Spirit Gathering Array Diagram!]
[First-Order Fire Spirit Array Diagram!]
Looking at the treasures he had received from the system, a burning glint appeared in Lin Yan's eyes.
Once he mastered these things, he would become a Spirit Array Master and be able to construct Spirit Arrays!
Yao Lao happened to release his divine sense, and immediately noticed the things Lin Yan had taken out.
He became quite interested.
"Oh, young friend, a Spirit Array Master?"
"What sort of unusual profession is that?"
Before you continue