Chapter 2: Lin Hong's Provocation, The Chill Erupts!
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. With a glance, he recognized the youth before him—it was Lin Shan's older brother, Lin Hong.
Within the Lin family, apart from Lin Xia, Lin Hong was the most outstanding among the younger generation.
Lin Hong's and Lin Shan's father, Lin Mang, managed the family's finances, and the cultivation resources at his disposal far surpassed those of Lin Xiao.
Because of this, even though Lin Hong was only fifteen, he had already reached the sixth level of Body Tempering!
Right now, Lin Fan wasn't his match.
But Lin Fan wasn't worried.
He knew that Lin Xia was likely on her way and would intervene before Lin Hong could make a move.
Even if Lin Xia didn't show up, Lin Fan could take Body Tempering Pills mid-battle, using Lin Hong's attacks to accelerate the refinement of the pill's medicinal power and strengthen himself!
As expected, things unfolded just as Lin Fan had predicted.
The two sides exchanged a few heated words, and then Lin Hong struck first.
But just as Lin Hong launched his attack, Lin Xia arrived in time and stopped him from going any further.
After scolding Lin Hong a few times, she led him and Lin Shan away.
As they passed Lin Fan, Lin Hong paused slightly and leaned in, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"During the clan competition six months from now, I'll make it into the top three. Then I'll ask Grandpa to approve my engagement to Qingtan. So, take good care of her for me—she's going to be my future wife."
"You won't get the chance. That, I guarantee," Lin Fan replied with a faint smile, giving Lin Hong a patronizing pat on the head as if dealing with a little brother.
Lin Fan knew Lin Hong was trying to provoke him, but he wasn't about to give him the satisfaction.
More importantly, Lin Fan was confident that Lin Hong wouldn't succeed, so he paid the provocation no mind.
Lin Fan's casual response made Lin Hong seethe with fury, but he ultimately didn't lash out. Face cold and dark, he quickly left with Lin Shan.
After they left, Lin Xia offered Lin Fan a few words of encouragement before departing as well.
Watching her tall, graceful figure disappear into the distance, Qingtan said with a hint of envy, "Sister Lin Xia is so cool. Even Lin Hong has to behave himself around her. I wish I were as strong as she is."
Lin Fan chuckled. "Well, who told you to be lazy and slack off in your training?"
"Hehe, fine, I'll start working harder from now on," Qingtan said with a mischievous giggle.
Lin Fan reached out and ruffled her hair with a smile. "It's alright. Even if you're not as strong as Sister Lin Xia, you've got me and your brother Lin Dong to protect you."
"I don't want to be protected—I want to become strong myself, so I can protect you two. And Mom and Dad, too!" Qingtan stuck out her pink tongue adorably.
"Alright then, I'll be counting on Qingtan to protect me," Lin Fan replied with a bright smile.
The two chatted and laughed as they made their way back home.
Lin Changqiang followed them for a bit but had to part ways when the sky began to darken, leaving reluctantly.
When Lin Fan and Qingtan returned to their residence, Lin Xiao, Liu Yan, and Lin Dong were already seated around the table, waiting for them.
"Fan'er, Qingtan, you're back. Come eat," Liu Yan said gently when she saw them enter.
As she spoke, she moved to serve rice for them.
Lin Xiao sat silently at the table, while Lin Dong gave Lin Fan and Qingtan a subtle wink, as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Lin Fan quickly said, "Thank you, Aunt Liu, I can serve myself."
In this life, Lin Fan's parents had died when he was six. He had lived with Lin Xiao and his wife for ten years.
The couple had treated him like their own son, and in Lin Fan's heart, they were no different from his real parents.
Now that he had regained his past life memories, he cherished this bond even more.
As he spoke, Lin Fan took the spoon and began serving food for everyone.
Seeing how mature and considerate Lin Fan was, Liu Yan felt a warm sense of comfort in her heart.
"Fan'er, did you get into a fight with Lin Shan again this afternoon?" After dinner, Lin Xiao put down his bowl and chopsticks and spoke calmly.
Hearing this, Qingtan instinctively tensed up, while Liu Yan shook her head and gave both of them a mildly reproachful look.
Qingtan said timidly, "Dad, it was because of me..."
Lin Xiao glanced at the two, his expression steady. He turned to Lin Fan and asked, "Fan'er, what level of Body Tempering are you at now?"
"I broke through to the fifth level two days ago," Lin Fan replied.
"Fifth level? Not bad." Lin Xiao nodded slightly, clearly pleased. Then, with a touch of regret, he added, "It's my fault for holding you back. Otherwise, even Lin Hong wouldn't be a match for you by now."
Lin Fan quickly said, "Please don't say that, Uncle. If it weren't for you and Aunt Liu, I probably wouldn't even have food to eat, let alone the means to cultivate."
After all, cultivation required resources!
Not wanting Lin Xiao to dwell on him too much, Lin Fan changed the subject. "By the way, I think Lin Dong also had a breakthrough."
"Oh?" Lin Xiao was indeed distracted by the shift in topic. He looked at Lin Dong with a bit of surprise. "Let me see your hand."
Lin Dong nodded silently and extended his arm.
Lin Xiao took his wrist and gave it a gentle flick. A flicker of joy broke through his normally calm face. "You've reached the fourth level of Body Tempering?"
"Mm." Lin Dong nodded, looking slightly nervous.
His speed of progress had been thanks to the mysterious stone talisman, which had accelerated his cultivation.
But he didn't want to reveal its existence. He had a strong feeling that exposing the talisman would bring disaster.
"Haha! Excellent!"
After confirming it, Lin Xiao couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, full of relief and joy.
Because of past events, Lin Xiao had always felt responsible for losing a genius on behalf of the Lin family—believing that he had buried the clan's hope.
So for years, he'd been desperate to raise another genius to make up for it.
And Lin Dong was clearly the one he'd pinned those hopes on.
Now, Lin Dong hadn't let him down.
Suddenly, Lin Xiao recalled something and asked curiously, "You just broke through to the third level about ten days ago, didn't you? How did you manage another breakthrough so soon?"
Lin Dong credited his rapid improvement to the Scarlet Ginseng he had taken earlier.
At this point, Liu Yan smiled and added, "I've heard some people are just gifted, and their bodies absorb spiritual medicine far more efficiently than others. Maybe Dong'er is one of them."
Lin Xiao had initially been a bit suspicious, but Liu Yan's explanation dispelled his doubts. He said no more and instead took out a stalk of spiritual herb.
"This... a second-grade herb? Golden Jade Stem?" Liu Yan gasped, covering her mouth in surprise.
"Hehe, I got lucky yesterday in the mountains and came across this," Lin Xiao said with a smile. "Liu Yan, tomorrow boil this and give it to Fan'er and Dong'er."
But he didn't smile for long before his face turned pale, and he let out a couple of violent coughs.
"Uncle (Dad), we don't need it. You should keep it to heal yourself!"
Lin Fan and Lin Dong said in unison when they saw his condition.
After a bit of back and forth, Lin Xiao brought up the upcoming clan competition and insisted that the herb be given to Lin Fan and Lin Dong. Then he sent them off to rest.
As the three walked out of the room, they could still hear Lin Xiao's hearty laughter echoing inside.
Lin Fan gave Lin Dong's shoulder a pat. "Lin Dong, let's work hard. During the clan competition, we must make it into the top three and live up to Uncle's expectations!"
"Mm." Lin Dong clenched his fists and nodded firmly.
Just then, the system's notification sounded once more in Lin Fan's mind.
[Ding! You touched Lin Dong and obtained Heaven-Defying Comprehension! Note: Those with Heaven-Defying Comprehension can easily understand and master any martial technique or cultivation method!]
Hearing the system reward, Lin Fan was overjoyed.
But then he suddenly felt a wave of cold air sweep in from his side. Alarmed, he turned his head.
What he saw made his expression shift.
Qingtan's delicate, porcelain-like face had turned pale, and wisps of visible frost were seeping out from her body, scattering tiny shards of ice across the ground around her.
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