Lin Hong knew he had lost face today.
So after delivering a harsh threat to Lin Yan, he had no face left to linger there.
He quickly looked toward Lin Shan and the others standing to one side.
"Let's go!"
After urging them, he immediately led everyone away.
At last, the matter was settled.
Watching Lin Hong and the others gradually disappear into the distance, Qing Tan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
It was a good thing Lin Yan had helped today. Otherwise, she really wouldn't have known what to do.
"Brother Lin Yan, you rascal. You've been hiding your strength so well!"
Lin Xia suddenly slung an arm around Lin Yan's shoulders and addressed him with a mischievous grin.
The two got along fairly well, so she was extremely surprised to learn that Lin Yan was actually so powerful. Now, she had a firm grip on his arm, and her tone held a hint of reproach.
"You're already at the sixth layer of Body Tempering Realm, and you didn't even tell your big sister?"
Lin Yan replied with a faint smile, "You never asked."
Lin Xia glared at him, displeased. "Still trying to talk your way out of it!"
She was just about to punch Lin Yan when she noticed Qing Tan cautiously approaching them from the side, her cheeks faintly flushed as she looked at him.
Seeing this, Lin Xia stopped teasing Lin Yan. She quickly let go of his arm and whistled. "Looks like someone's in luck~"
Lin Yan smiled warmly and said to Qing Tan, "Is there something you wanted to say, little sister Qing Tan?"
Blushing, Qing Tan said, "Actually, I came to thank you, Brother Lin Yan, for saving me today. If you hadn't stepped in, Lin Shan and the others would definitely have bullied me."
Lin Yan smiled and shook his head, then ruffled Qing Tan's hair. "We're family. There's no need to be so formal."
Qing Tan's cheeks turned even redder.
She had meant to keep telling Lin Yan how grateful she was, but just then, Lin Changqiang came running over with Lin Dong in tow.
Apparently, Lin Dong had heard what happened from Lin Changqiang and hurried over at once.
The only difference from the original story was that Lin Yan had already taken care of everything. By the time Lin Dong arrived, there was nothing left for him to do.
"Brother Lin Yan."
"Sister Lin Xia, you're here too?"
"Qing Tan, Lin Changqiang told me Lin Shan and the others gave you trouble earlier. Are you all right?"
Lin Dong was a little surprised to see Lin Yan and Lin Xia, but out of politeness, he greeted them both.
Then he quickly stepped forward, took Qing Tan's little hand, and asked her with concern written all over his face.
"I'm fine, Brother Lin Dong."
"Brother Lin Yan and Sister Lin Xia saved me."
Qing Tan shook her head as she answered Lin Dong.
Seeing how confused Lin Dong looked, she simply told him the whole story from beginning to end.
Lin Dong's gaze turned cold.
The Lin Shan and Lin Hong brothers had always bullied others by throwing their weight around, and Lin Dong had long held a grudge against them.
What had happened today only made his anger flare even hotter, so he secretly resolved to find a chance to teach them a lesson.
Of course, that was only how Lin Dong felt about Lin Hong and Lin Shan.
After hearing Qing Tan's account, Lin Dong was still deeply grateful to Lin Yan and Lin Xia.
He was especially grateful to Lin Yan. From what Qing Tan had just said, if Lin Yan hadn't stepped in in time, she might not have held out until Lin Xia arrived.
That made his gratitude toward Lin Yan even more profound.
"Brother Lin Yan, thank you."
"I'll remember what you did today!"
Lin Dong thanked Lin Yan with utmost sincerity.
He had always repaid kindness, and he especially treasured his family and brothers.
So Lin Yan's help to Qing Tan was something he would remember well.
If Lin Yan ever ran into trouble in the future, Lin Dong would never stand by and do nothing.
"Heh, there's no need to be so polite. We're family."
"It's only right that we help each other."
Lin Yan replied with a smile. His words had the same hollow, insincere ring as someone pretending they didn't want a red envelope at New Year's.
But Lin Dong and Lin Yan had only just become acquainted. Although they belonged to the same clan, they weren't blood-related like Lin Dong and Lin Xia. This was their first conversation.
So after a few brief pleasantries, Lin Dong and Lin Yan didn't talk much more. It was hardly likely they'd immediately drop their guard and chat away like old friends. Lin Dong soon left with Qing Tan.
Before leaving, though, Qing Tan ran over and whispered in Lin Yan's ear once more, "Brother Lin Yan, thank you so much for today. I hope we can become friends someday."
Lin Yan smiled and agreed.
Then Qing Tan and Lin Dong left together.
On the way back, Lin Dong asked Qing Tan for the details of what had happened.
After all, he didn't know how strong Lin Yan was, so he couldn't quite understand how Lin Yan had managed to help Qing Tan.
"Brother Lin Dong, you have no idea how strong Brother Lin Yan is."
"He beat up Lin Shan and all the others by himself. Even Lin Hong couldn't match him when they fought!"
Qing Tan praised Lin Yan without holding back.
"He's that strong?"
"If I remember correctly, Lin Hong should already be at the sixth layer of Body Tempering Realm, right?"
"Brother Lin Yan is even stronger than him?"
Lin Dong was slightly taken aback.
Qing Tan answered proudly, "Of course! Brother Lin Yan is really strong."
At last, Lin Dong had a clear idea of Lin Yan's strength. But when he looked at Qing Tan, his gaze turned a little odd.
"Come to think of it, you seem pretty fond of Brother Lin Yan?"
"I've never seen you act like this around another man."
Qing Tan's cheeks immediately turned a little red. She glared at Lin Dong and said, "Don't make things up! I'm not!"
Of course, Lin Yan had no idea what was happening between Lin Dong and Qing Tan.
Now that Lin Dong and Qing Tan had both left, he had planned to leave as well.
But then he thought it over. There probably weren't many spirit herbs left in the Back Mountain, and finding suitable ones would be even harder.
He might as well go buy some medicinal ingredients at the trading house. That would make refining medicine much more efficient.
"Sister Lin Xia, can I ask you a favor~"
Lin Yan looked toward Lin Xia and spoke with a smile.
"With that attitude, I can tell you're up to no good."
Lin Xia, who knew Lin Yan well, immediately sensed danger.
"Not at all!"
"Actually, I just wanted to borrow some money from you. I'll pay you back in a little while."
Lin Yan explained to Lin Xia.
"I can never say no to you."
Lin Xia could only sigh helplessly and lend Lin Yan some money.
"Thanks, Sister Lin Xia!"
Lin Yan thanked Lin Xia on the spot after taking the money, then headed straight for the trading house in Green Sun Town.
As he'd said earlier, he wanted to get more medicinal liquid to help with his cultivation. That was the only way he could try to reach the Earth Origin Realm before the Clan Gathering. The nearest place where he could quickly get medicinal ingredients was naturally the trading house in Green Sun Town.
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