They didn’t care that Lin Yan defeated Lin Kang, because they could do the same.
But his successful Cultivation of the Thunder Sound Technique... that was something that made them take him seriously.
"Brother Yao, has this Lin Yan also cultivated the Thunder Sound Technique?"
"There’s no mistaking it. That was the sound of thunder produced by the Thunder Sound Technique. I only just managed to get the hang of it yesterday, and I’m nowhere near his level of proficiency."
Lin Yao stared at Lin Yan on the stage, a wary look in his eyes. ’Branch clan members couldn’t possibly have encountered the Thunder Sound Technique before coming to the main family. This means Lin Yan, just like me, only began his Cultivation after arriving here. But while I’ve only just begun to grasp the basics, he’s already achieved mastery.’
"The Thunder Sound Technique, and that last punch clearly carried Fist Momentum. I originally thought the branch members who came for the Third Branch this time were nothing special. I never expected they’d be hiding someone like this."
Many of the top-tier clansmen from the various branches, all at the Third-Time Skin Smoothing Realm, had originally been watching with the attitude of mere spectators. Now, however, they began to take Lin Yan seriously.
Among the onlookers, two groups now stood in dead silence.
Over with the Fourth Branch, everyone’s mouths were slightly agape. They could never have imagined that Lin Kang would lose, let alone so quickly.
Lin Wang stood frozen in place. He stared intently at Lin Yan, who stood on the stage having withdrawn his fist, his lips pressed into a thin, white line.
’If I had been the one on that stage just now...’
He didn’t dare to think about it any further. A wave of relief washed over him, but it was immediately followed by a surge of anger.
’Liar!’
’Lin Yan, that liar, he deceived me.’
Back when they first entered the city, Lin Yan had told him about his family background—how his family had fallen into decline and didn’t even have a single elder who had reached the Third-Time of Skin Smoothing. His older brother had even offered Lin Yan a few words of comfort at the time.
’Looking at it now, the man was full of lies. He was on guard against my brother and me from the very beginning.’
’And my brother even told me not to be hostile toward Lin Yan just because of the feud between the Fourth and Third Branches.’
’How laughably foolish!’
Over with the Third Branch, Lin Zhaowu and the others stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the scene before them.
They had been waiting for Lin Yan to be defeated, waiting for him to be expelled from the Lin Mansion by the main family. It would have been a way to vent their frustration after being publicly mocked by the Fourth Branch.
They never would have imagined that the outcome would be Lin Yan sending Lin Kang flying with just three punches.
For a moment, they were so stunned they even forgot to put on a show of cheering loudly.
On the stage, Lin Yan slowly withdrew his fist, his breathing steady. Without a second glance at Lin Kang, he turned and walked unhurriedly down from the Combat Platform, heading toward the Disciple’s Quarters.
The crowd automatically parted to make way, their eyes following Lin Yan as he left.
「Third Branch Area, Lake Heart Pavilion.」
Lin Minghai and two other young men were sitting in the pavilion, chatting about recent clan affairs.
"You guys have it easy, Brother Song, going out and enjoying yourselves. I’ve been stuck in the clan lately, and I’ve had to put up with a lot of grief."
"Minghai, cut the sarcastic remarks. We were out on a mission. In your mouth, it becomes ’enjoying ourselves.’ Besides, with your temper, who in the clan could possibly give you any grief?"
"It’s about the branch clan members, of course. First Uncle assigned the matter to me, but as it turns out, of all the branches, our Third Branch has the fewest people, and they’re all a bunch of disappointments."
Lin Minghai briefly recounted the events of the past few days. Leaning against the railing, Lin Mingsong chuckled. "Minghai, the clan is just calling up branch disciples to fill some manpower shortages in the various branches. It’s not like they’re being sent to fight against the other branches."
"That may be so, Brother Song, but that bastard Lin Mingtang has been using this branch member issue to get more and more arrogant with me lately. It’s pissing me off. And then there was what happened three years ago—"
"Minghai, watch your words."
Lin Mingsong cut Lin Minghai off, his gaze shifting toward the approach bridge. A servant was walking quickly toward them.
"Young Master Hai, news from the Disciple’s Quarters. Lin Yan from the Third Branch and Lin Kang from the Fourth Branch were fighting on the Combat Platform—"
Hearing the servant’s report, Lin Minghai’s face flushed with anger. He slammed his hand on the stone table, scaring the servant so badly that he couldn’t get the rest of his words out.
"The servants at the Disciple’s Quarters reported that Lin Yan just stayed in his courtyard practicing martial arts every day. I thought he was one of the sensible ones, but it turns out he’s just another idiot! Brother Song, I’ll go take care of this."
"Go on, but don’t be too harsh. From what you’ve said, it’s possible the Fourth Branch people provoked him. They’re all hot-blooded young men; not many could endure that," Lin Mingsong advised.
"Even if he was provoked, he’s still an idiot!"
Lin Mingsong: ...
The servant, who hadn’t found a chance to interject, saw Lin Minghai stand up and couldn’t hold back any longer. "Young Master Hai, Lin Yan won the fight! And he sent Lin Kang flying with just three punches!"
Lin Minghai stopped in his tracks and glared at the servant. "Why didn’t you just say all that at once?"
’That’s because you scared me!’
The servant grumbled inwardly. Just as he was about to explain, Lin Mingsong laughed. "Wasn’t it you who scared him? Alright, you’re dismissed."
"Thank you, Young Master Song."
The servant let out a long sigh of relief. Compared to the fiery-tempered Young Master Hai, the gentle Young Master Song was much easier to deal with.
"So, Minghai, what do you have to say now? Still think he’s an idiot?"
In the pavilion, the other young man was now looking at Lin Minghai with a teasing expression.
"He’s still an idiot. If he knew he had the strength, he should have set his opponent up, made a bet for some silver coins or Contribution Points. Does he think I’m like Lin Mingtang, that I’m going to give him a reward just for beating some guy from a Fourth Branch family?"
Lin Mingchen: ...
Lin Mingsong: ...

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