It's not over yet!
"The Yuan Dan has formed, so next comes the Spiritual Power."
As a thought stirred in Lin Dong's mind, the spiritual power within the Niwan Palace began to stir rapidly. Within the Niwan Palace, a Natal Spirit Talisman had already cracked open a rather large gap, needing just a bit more before it would fully split apart.
"Third Natal Spirit Talisman, come forth!"
At his low shout, the Spiritual Power in the Niwan Palace poured into the Natal Spirit Talisman struggling to split apart. After the continuous infusion, a crisp crack rang out, and the Natal Spirit Talisman finally separated completely.
The third Natal Spirit Talisman had appeared!
Three-Seal Talisman Master, achieved!
"Woo~"
As the third Natal Spirit Talisman formed, the Spiritual Power Storm churning inside the Niwan Palace gradually subsided.
"Lesser Yuan Dan Realm, Three-Seal Talisman Master—this is indeed a rather formidable power. With my current strength, combining Yuan Power and spiritual power, I'd have no problem fighting someone at Greater Perfect Yuan Dan. I'd say I have an eighty percent chance of winning."
Lin Dong opened his eyes slightly and spread his hands, feeling the vast power flowing through his body. An inexplicable joy welled up in his heart.
.....
The sun rose, and a new day began. The entire Lin Clan Grounds came alive because today was the Lin Family's annual Clan Competition, where its younger generation could show their abilities.
Countless Lin Family elders hurried to the Lin Family's Trial Hall with their sons and daughters. Lin Xiao, Lin Dong, and Qing Tan were among them.
Eastern part of the Lin Family's Inner District, the Trial Hall.
When the three entered, a lean man standing at the entrance to greet guests noticed them. He frowned. "Lin Xiao, why have you come to the Trial Hall? Aren't you afraid of embarrassing the family?"
"I heard you entered the Heavenly Yuan Realm only two years ago. Your progress has been far too slow. It seems that managing the family's finances these past years has made you lax in your cultivation."
Lin Xiao stopped, looked up at his half-brother, Second Brother, and replied in a faintly condescending tone without answering the question.
"Lin Xiao, you—"
The Second Master of the Lin Family, Lin Mang, his expression changing, was just about to scold him, only to find that Lin Xiao's family of three had already walked far away.
"Hmph. He's nothing but a useless man stuck at the Earthly Yuan Realm for life, unable to advance his cultivation. What's he so proud of?"
Lin Mang's face darkened. He curled his lips and spat viciously at Lin Xiao's back.
Lin Mang had tolerated Lin Xiao when he was the family's second-strongest expert. But now that Lin Xiao was practically crippled, why should he show this so-called Third Brother any respect?
"Father, you're now a Yuan Dan Realm expert, while that Lin Mang is nothing but a small fry at the Heavenly Yuan Realm. And he dares to call you useless? Doesn't that make him even less than useless?"
After taking his seat, Lin Dong grumbled.
"He's only a clown. Leave him be. Oh, your grandfather and the others have arrived. Come with me to greet them."
Lin Xiao's gaze swept over, and he spotted the Lin Family Head, Lin Zhentian, and several others entering through the doorway. He hurriedly brought his son and daughter forward to greet them.
"Third Son, you've finally come out to see me?"
The dignified old man in an embroidered robe looked at the son of whom he had once been most proud. His expression was complicated as he spoke.
"Father, what are you saying? These past years, I wanted only to find a quiet place where I could focus on raising Dong'er and Qing Tan."
Lin Xiao stood tall, an unshakable, proud bearing naturally radiating from him.
"Hm, you've changed quite a bit these past years."
Watching the tremendous change that had come over his son, a flicker of surprise passed through Lin Zhentian's aged eyes. This kind of confidence was something he had only ever seen in Lin Xiao before his injury.
"Still, you've raised Dong'er and Qing Tan well these past years. I heard that four months ago Dong'er could already defeat Hong'er, who was at the Sixth Stage of Body Tempering, and Qing Tan could defeat Shan'er, who was at the Fourth Stage of Body Tempering. Is that true?"
Lin Zhentian's gaze shifted, landing on Lin Dong and Qing Tan, who stood beside Lin Xiao.
"Grandfather（Grandfather）."
Lin Dong and Qing Tan stepped forward together and bowed obediently.
"Mm, both fine children of my Lin Family. Perform well at the Clan Competition later—if you do well, Grandfather has a reward for you."
Lin Zhentian praised the two of them for a while, then walked toward the main seat with Lin Dong's eldest uncle, Lin Ken.
The Lin Family's Trial Hall remained noisy for some time. Then, at Lin Zhentian's gesture, Lin Ken rose, cupped his fists, and announced, "This year's Lin Family Clan Competition officially begins!"
With the Eldest Master of the Lin Clan, Lin Ken's, command, the Trial Hall immediately grew lively once more. Lin Family disciples lined up to draw lots for their matches, and in no time, grunts and shouts erupted from several Stone Platforms at once.
"Lin Changqiang, are you sure you want to fight me?"
Lin Dong watched the chubby boy struggle onto the platform opposite him and smiled teasingly.
"Ahem. I'm not fighting you, you freak. You entered the Seventh Stage of Body Tempering four months ago, and by now you're probably at its peak. I'm only at the Fourth Stage of Body Tempering. Let someone else fight you."
Lin Changqiang coughed lightly, raised his right arm, and shouted with complete conviction, "I concede!"
The Stone Platforms where matches had just begun fell silent, and everyone turned to look. Conceding at the start? Lin Changqiang had probably set the record for the fastest concession.
Seeing this, Lin Ken's expression also turned strange, and he waved his hand dismissively. "Since you've conceded, then hurry up and get down."
Lin Changqiang's father, the Fifth Master of the Lin Family, wanted to disappear from embarrassment. If Lin Zhentian had not been present, he might have covered his face and fled.
This unfilial son! If you wanted to concede, fine—but did you have to shout it so loudly? And with such conviction? As if conceding were something to be proud of!
Besides, so many distinguished figures from Qingyang Town had come to watch the ceremony. Were you afraid they wouldn't know you were the son of the Fifth Master of the Lin Family?
"Hmph. Wait until we get home tonight. I'll show you what deep, fatherly love means!!!"
"Huh, Father, why does your face look so awful?"
Lin Changqiang ran down from the platform and gave his father a puzzled glance.
"Mm, it's nothing. Focus on watching the competition. When we get home tonight, I have a surprise for you."
The Fifth Master of the Lin Family suppressed his urge to strike down his unfilial son on the spot and forced a doting-father smile.
"Great, thanks, Father."
The simple-minded Lin Changqiang thought nothing of it. He replied cheerfully, sat down, and watched his friend Lin Dong's match with interest.
Heh heh, who would've thought losing a match could still get you a surprise? Nice~
"Second match, Lin Yun against Lin Dong."
Lin Ken quickly announced Lin Dong's next opponent: a taciturn youth in grey robes who nimbly leapt onto the Combat Arena.