Qingyang Town.
Lin Family Residence.
After parting ways with Zhou Yi, Lin Dong hurried back to the Lin family without delay.
Ahead of him, a man and a woman stood waiting.
"Father, Mother..."
Seeing the two figures, Lin Dong called out in excitement.
"Dong'er, you're back!"
The woman looked at Lin Dong, her face lighting up with joy.
She wore modest attire and appeared to be in her early thirties. Her delicate features exuded a gentle and warm aura.
This woman was Lin Dong's mother, Liu Yan.
"It seems your trip has been quite fruitful!"
The man observed Lin Dong's confident demeanor with satisfaction, noting that his son had grown much stronger.
The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties to early forties. His frame was slightly thin, and though his brows hinted at a once-formidable presence, his pale complexion revealed lingering injuries that masked much of his former sharpness. He was Lin Dong's father, Lin Xiao.
Years ago, Lin Xiao had dueled Lin Langtian and was severely injured in a single strike, leaving him nearly crippled. His cultivation fell from the Heavenly Yuan Realm to the Earthly Yuan Realm, and his wounds had never fully healed, causing him constant suffering.
Lin Dong silently vowed to seek justice from Lin Langtian.
His urgency in returning was also due to another crucial reason—Zhou Yi had given him a bottle of healing pills capable of completely curing Lin Xiao's internal injuries.
Though Lin Xiao's current state was not entirely dire, as he could still wield Earthly Yuan Realm strength, his former Heavenly Yuan Realm cultivation was merely equivalent to a Dou Master in the world of Battle Through the Heavens.
To Zhou Yi, Lin Xiao's injury was nothing more than a minor affliction.
"Father, I was fortunate to become the disciple of a supreme expert at the Ancient Tomb Mansion. Master has given me a bottle of healing pills—your injuries can finally be healed!"
Lin Dong eagerly presented the pill bottle, his excitement evident.
"What? You've become the disciple of a powerful master? Where is your teacher? Why didn't they come with you?"
Lin Xiao and Liu Yan were both stunned and overjoyed. Their son had grown, and they knew he wouldn't speak lightly. If he had truly been taken in by a supreme expert, that person must be extraordinary.
They had hoped to express their gratitude in person.
"Master had urgent matters to attend to. He gave me the pills and techniques, instructing me to return home and train. Father, please try the medicine first—let's focus on healing you first!"
Lin Dong handed the pill to Lin Xiao expectantly.
"Alright!"
Lin Xiao's hands trembled as he received the pill. Under Lin Dong's protective watch, he consumed it and began refining its medicinal effects.
Though Lin Xiao did not recognize this particular pill, its potency was astounding.
Not only were his injuries completely healed, but his cultivation surged back to the peak of the Heavenly Yuan Realm—surpassing his former prime.
He even sensed that once his realm stabilized, he could step into the Yuan Dan Realm at any moment.
As Lin Xiao stood there, his wounds mended and his vitality restored, Liu Yan's eyes turned red with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.
How many years had it been...
Lin Xiao had finally recovered.
Their son had also grown strong.
"Mother, don't cry. Everything is fine now,"
Lin Dong softly reassured, tugging at Liu Yan's sleeve.
"Yes, everything is fine now!"
Lin Xiao laughed heartily, the years of frustration finally dissipating in an instant.
Yan City.
Wan Jin Auction House.
The largest auction house in Yan City, Wan Jin Auction House, was owned by one of the three top-tier factions in the city—the Wan Jin Chamber of Commerce.
On the second floor of the auction house, within a private room, a woman clad in a red dress sat elegantly.
Her fair skin was as flawless as snow, and her peach-blossom-like cheeks carried a dignified yet enchanting smile, making her exceptionally captivating.
Despite her youthful appearance, her mature curves and graceful posture exuded an irresistible charm.
She was Xuan Su, the overseer of Thousand Gold Auction House.
"I never expected that little guy to be so lucky, encountering such an incredible opportunity..."
Xuan Su's refined and stunning features displayed a mixture of envy and curiosity.
Yan City was close to the Tianyan Mountain Range, and with the emergence of the Ancient Tomb Mansion, all major forces in the city were closely monitoring the region.
The prodigy Wang Yan of the Wang Clan from the Great Yan Dynasty had wielded the clan's divine weapon, the Grand Luojin Spear, only to be obliterated—his body and weapon reduced to dust by a single word from a mysterious expert. The sheer terror of such power sent shockwaves throughout the region.
And now, Lin Dong, a branch disciple of the Lin Family, had actually been taken in by this enigmatic powerhouse as a disciple, sparking immense jealousy, admiration, and attention.
Lin Dong had met Xuan Su during his first auction visit to Yan City. The mature and beautiful auctioneer had left a strong impression on him, and the two had even collaborated on a few occasions.
Truthfully, Xuan Su was essentially a duplicate of Ya Fei.
Apart from their names, their identities, skills, and auras were nearly identical.
Double the Ya Fei, double the joy—who could refuse?
While Xuan Su and the major factions of the Great Yan Dynasty were still reeling from the shocking emergence of Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi himself had already arrived outside the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace alongside Ling Qingzhu.
As Zhou Yi gazed into the distance, a massive light barrier enveloped the vast, mountainous terrain.
Inside, countless floating islands suspended in midair, shrouded in mist, where white cranes soared gracefully, exuding an atmosphere of serenity and transcendence.
Majestic palaces stood atop these islands, enveloped in a celestial glow—a true paradise of immortals.
"You're such a scoundrel..."
Ling Qingzhu muttered under her breath as she recovered her strength.
More importantly, she needed to completely erase all traces of the funds Zhou Yi had invested in her sect.
Those funds were illicit, and if her master discovered them, she could only imagine how furious she would be.
"Here, drink some water—it'll help replenish your strength."
Zhou Yi handed her a flask of spirit wine with a gentle smile.
After all, Ling Qingzhu had indeed lost a lot of fluids earlier.
"Hmph."
She snorted, ignoring him.
Zhou Yi took a sip himself, leisurely watching her meditate.
Seated upon a floating azure lotus, Ling Qingzhu's dark, silky hair cascaded elegantly, framing her flawless snow-white skin and delicate, arched brows.
Even though she had donned a sheer veil, the breathtaking contours of her face were still visible.
After a long hesitation, she realized there was no avoiding the inevitable.
"Let's go!"
Ling Qingzhu finally stood, her usual cold demeanor restored.
"Mm."
Zhou Yi, intrigued by the thought of meeting her master, reached out and gently grasped her soft hand.
Ling Qingzhu instinctively tried to pull away.
Yet she failed.
With a final clench of her jaw, she relented.
Under Ling Qingzhu's guidance, the two easily passed through the sect's protective barrier and entered the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, where the spiritual energy was incomparably dense.
Their arrival was quickly noticed, prompting an immediate stir among the disciples.
"The Young Palace Mistress has returned!"
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