At the break of dawn, Lin Dong was awakened by an excited shout echoing through the house.
"My injury... my injury!"
Rushing out, he found Lin Xiao trembling as he tightly embraced Liu Yan, his face alight with disbelief and joy. Liu Yan, too, was overwhelmed, tears shimmering in her eyes. Nearby, Qing Tan peeked over curiously, her pale features tinged with wonder.
Seeing the scene, Lin Dong's throat tightened. The years of pain and disappointment had finally given way to this moment of hope.
It took a long while for Lin Xiao to calm himself. Then, solemnly, he handed the ancestral stone back to Lin Dong.
"Dong'er, this stone is no ordinary object. You must never reveal it—not even to us. If word of it gets out, it could bring disaster upon the entire Lin family."
"I understand, Father," Lin Dong nodded.
"No matter what lies ahead, you'll always be my pride," Lin Xiao said, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder.
Liu Yan couldn't hold back her tears. This reunion—the healing, the miracle—had been buried in her dreams for so long. At last, it had become reality.
"I'm sorry," Lin Xiao whispered, holding her again. "Because of me... you both suffered so much."
...
The days that followed were peaceful. Lin Dong remained home, rarely venturing out. Since he had helped Qing Tan control the Yin-cold energy of her Terminus Devil Body, her cultivation soared. In just two months, she broke through to the fifth level of body tempering.
Lin Shan, on the other hand, recovered swiftly thanks to spiritual medicine. But misfortune struck again. On his first day back out, he bumped into Qing Tan and couldn't resist his usual mockery. Moments later, he was back in bed—defeated soundly by the very girl he had once dismissed.
Lin Hong attempted to intervene, only to run into Lin Xiao in high spirits. The result? Both he and Lin Shan ended up bedridden.
The incident rocked the Lin family. Lin Mang, their father, flew into a rage. With the clan competition approaching, both his sons were out of commission. If not for the intervention of Lin Zhen Tian, the patriarch, he might have stormed Lin Dong's household in fury.
...
Soon enough, the day of the clan competition arrived.
As the golden morning light broke through the clouds, the Lin estate buzzed with energy. Crowds poured into the training hall, excitement thick in the air.
When Lin Xiao arrived with Lin Dong and Qing Tan, the hall was already bustling. Yet Lin Dong remained calm; he had seen this scene before in another life.
The trio made their way toward the VIP section.
"Third Brother," Lin Mang said with his usual sneer, "You've finally left your little corner. What a surprise."
"Is there a problem?" Lin Xiao responded mildly.
"No. But today is an important day for the Lin family. I hope your appearance won't bring shame upon us."
Lin Xiao didn't respond and calmly took his seat.
Behind Lin Mang, Lin Hong stood with arms crossed. Lin Dong shot him a mocking glance. "Recovered so soon? Your family's mine really does produce miracles."
Lin Hong's face twisted. "You worried about me, cousin? Why not settle things in the arena later?"
"Gladly. I'll make sure to put on a show for Uncle Lin."
Lin Mang gave a cold snort. "What a fine son you have, Third Brother."
But Lin Xiao paid him no mind.
"Haha, is this the Lin Xiao who was once rumored to be the Lin family's brightest hope for reaching the Yuan Dan Realm?" a guest chuckled beside Lin Mang.
"Just empty rumors," Lin Mang replied smoothly. "These days, I'm the one with the better prospects."
"Haha! Then we should definitely work together more in the future."
At that moment, the patriarch, Lin Zhen Tian, entered, silencing the arena. Lin Xiao quickly stood and greeted him with due respect. After brief exchanges, Lin Xia's father helped mediate the lingering tension between brothers, and Lin Zhen Tian returned to his seat.
The clan competition began.
After a few formalities from Lin Zhen Tian, the younger generation began drawing lots for their matches.
Lin Dong was originally meant to face Lin Changqiang, but he quietly manipulated the draw. When the results were announced, he strode calmly toward the third stone platform.
Across the arena, Lin Hong glanced down at his own bamboo stick. Number three.
He looked up, locked eyes with Lin Dong, and smirked.
As Lin Hong climbed onto the platform, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Poor Lin Dong," someone said. "His luck couldn't be worse."
Even Lin Ken shook his head. "His father's finally recovering, but now the boy's matched against Lin Hong. He won't stand a chance."
"Brother Lin Dong..." Qing Tan whispered anxiously from the fourth platform.
Lin Xiao sighed. He had pinned great hopes on today—but now, all he could do was pray the outcome wouldn't shatter Lin Dong's resolve.
...
"Looks like Lin Mang's son is about to steal the spotlight," a guest chuckled, trying to win favor.
"This is just a friendly internal match," Lin Zhen Tian cut in sternly. "Let no one forget that we are all family."
"Of course, Grandfather," Lin Hong said with a faint smile. "I only wish to show my cousin that arrogance must be tempered with humility. A lesson for his benefit."
Several visiting elders nodded approvingly, praising his maturity. The Lin family, they thought, was blessed with many talents.
The Lin family members themselves, however, wore strange expressions. Most pitied Lin Dong's fate.
"Shall we begin, Lin Hong?" Lin Dong asked flatly, interrupting the theatrics.
"Well," Lin Hong said, cracking his knuckles, "since my dear younger cousin is so eager, I'll do my best to teach him a thing or two."
...
"Heh, can't wait to get beaten, huh?" Lin Shan muttered from the sidelines, though those nearby could hear the bitterness in his voice.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd as Lin Hong activated his energy. His body radiated a faint glow—sign of someone who had reached the seventh level of body tempering at a young age.
But before the awe could settle, the spectators froze.
Because Lin Hong's fierce opening punch had been—caught.
By Lin Dong.
With one hand.