Only Lin Yan, who was normally so unassuming, managed to create miracles at every critical juncture.
From first in his branch to now first among the newcomers...
A thought couldn’t help but surface in the minds of many clan members from the various branches, making their breath quicken with excitement.
With the strength Lin Yan was now displaying, it wasn’t out of the question for him to compete for the top three in the next clan grand competition, or perhaps the one after.
On the Combat Platform, after the referee announced that he had taken first place, Lin Yan stepped down.
"Lin Yan, you’re the type to stay quiet, only to stun everyone with a single move."
Lin Mingye walked over excitedly. Hearing this, Lin Yan said calmly, "I wouldn’t call it that. Everyone already acknowledged I had the strength to make the top five. Taking first place now shouldn’t be that much of a surprise."
Lin Yan’s words stunned Lin Mingye. On second thought, he realized Lin Yan actually had a point.
When Lin Yan defeated Lin Minghuan earlier, no one was particularly surprised. That showed they already acknowledged his strength.
So if Lin Yan had the strength to be in the top five, then him taking first place wasn’t really an upset.
"But you made winning first place look too easy. You defeated Lin Mingqi in a single strike."
"It may have looked like a single strike, but I was going all out. If Lin Mingqi had been able to block it, I would have been the one to lose."
"Really?"
Lin Mingye scratched his head. There was nothing technically wrong with what Lin Yan said, but he still felt something was off. Besides, it sounded vaguely familiar, as if he’d heard it somewhere before.
’Why does that sound so familiar?’
After leaving the Combat Platform and saying goodbye to Lin Mingye, Lin Yan first returned to his courtyard to drop off his belongings, then headed for the Fifth Branch’s area.
As Lin Yan walked from the Third Branch to the Fifth Branch’s area, he noticed more clan members than usual casting their gazes upon him.
First place in the Newcomer Competition. Though only half an hour had passed, the news had already spread among all the young people in the clan.
"That’s Lin Yan?"
"He’s so strong. He beat Lin Mingqi in a single strike."
"I heard that was an all-out strike. If Lin Mingqi had managed to block it, he would have won."
"Bah! You’ll believe anything he says, won’t you? What are you, a second Lin Mingye?"
Lin Yan, who was listening to the discussion from a distance: ...
「The Third Branch, a training ground.」
"Minghai, looks like you’ve made some progress."
Lin Mingchen said with a grin, looking at Lin Minghai, "Almost at the Blood Exchange Third Transformation?"
"Did you really think I don’t cultivate at all?" Lin Minghai chuckled smugly.
"In that case, we of the Third Branch will be counting on you for the clan grand competition."
Lin Minghai’s face fell at Lin Mingchen’s words. For the *next* clan competition, maybe, once he reached the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation. But *this* year... what was he supposed to use to compete?
’My head? Or this handsome face of mine?’
The clan grand competition had always been a stage for cultivators at the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation. A rare few at the Blood Exchange Third Transformation who had comprehended a powerful Mental Realm might make a showing, but he was not one of them.
’This year, I’ll just be going through the motions. As long as I don’t come in last, it’s a win.’
"Next time, I, Lin Minghai, will take the stage!"
The corner of Lin Mingchen’s mouth twitched. ’The next competition... competing at the ripe old age of twenty-nine... That’s so in character for Minghai’s usual shamelessness.’
"Young Master Hai, good news!"
A servant came rushing over, shouting out before he even got close.
"Young Master Yan defeated Lin Mingqi and took first place in the Newcomer Competition."
When they heard the servant’s cry, Lin Minghai and Lin Mingchen exchanged a look, surprise evident in both their eyes.
Lin Mingchen was surprised that Lin Yan had actually taken first place, besting all the young geniuses from the clan’s various branches.
"Lin Yan is back? How come I didn’t know?"
What surprised Lin Minghai was that he hadn’t even known Lin Yan was back. He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Lin Yan had won the competition.
"’Do you really think Uncle Jiu would take just any clan member as his disciple? He paid a hefty price to accept Lin Yan. He even personally rushed to East River to deliver Martial Arts Resources to him. You have no idea how Uncle Jiu...’"
"Enough. If anyone from the Fifth Branch overhears you and it gets back to Uncle Jiu, believe me, one of these days during his cultivation, a sword might ’accidentally’ fly from the Fifth Branch all the way to the Third and land right on top of you."
Lin Mingchen was speechless. ’He even dares to make fun of Uncle Jiu. Minghai must have a death wish.’
"Hehe, fine, let’s not talk about Uncle Jiu. Let’s talk about Uncle Qi. Mingqi is Uncle Qi’s disciple, and Lin Yan beat him. When Uncle Qi hears about it, do you think he’ll be happy that our Third Branch produced a genius like Lin Yan, or will he be heartbroken that his own disciple lost?"
"I don’t know what Uncle Qi will think, but I know you’re in deep trouble!"
Lin Mingchen grinned. Their Eldest Uncle was walking right toward them, and with his level of power, there was no way he hadn’t overheard every single word Minghai had said.
Seeing the gloating look on Mingcheng’s face, Lin Minghai knew something was up. He immediately wiped the expression from his face, turned, and put on his most honest and obedient look. "Eldest Uncle."
"If you can’t place in the top fifteen at the clan competition in five days, you can report to Reversed Lake for a month of confinement."
「Fifth Branch, his master’s residence.」
Before Lin Yan could even knock, the courtyard gate swung open from within. A slight smile played on Lin Mingxi’s lips. "Look who’s here, our number one newcomer."
"Sister Xi, being first among the newcomers is nothing compared to you. You’re one of the top ten of our clan’s younger generation."
"Even if I’m in the top ten, I never won first place among the newcomers back in my day."
Lin Mingxi gave a little blink. "Don’t you know, Lin Yan? What you can’t have is always the most desirable."
Lin Yan: ...
"Alright, Xi’er, stop teasing Lin Yan. Both of you, come inside."
Lin Shouyuan’s voice drifted from the courtyard. Only then did Lin Mingxi make way. "See? Now even my father is taking your side. These are the perks of being number one. He’s gained a disciple but lost a daughter."
Faced with her playful pestering, Lin Yan chose to remain silent.
’Whatever Sister Mingxi says is right!’
In the rear courtyard, Lin Shouyuan was sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, wiping down his longsword. He only looked up when Lin Yan came in, but as his gaze fell upon him, a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

Comments

Loading...