STOP!"
A sharp voice rang out.
A teenage boy rushed forward, palm striking toward Lin Xuan.
Bang!
Lin Xuan met the palm with his fist, both of them staggering back a few steps from the impact.
"Lin Hong!"
Lin Dong's face paled. This newcomer was Lin Shan's older brother....one of the most outstanding youths of the Lin family.
At only fifteen, Lin Hong had already reached the fifth level of Body Tempering, and by now, he had likely formed a Yuan Power Seed, stepping into the sixth level!
Brother, he… he hit me!" Lin Shan wailed pitifully, his face swollen like a pig's head.
"You useless fool!" Lin Hong snapped impatiently before turning his sharp gaze on Lin Xuan.
"Lin Xuan, my brother may have been reckless, but you went too far.
Beating him to this state… isn't that inappropriate?"
Lin Xuan's expression turned icy. "Your brother led a group to attack Qing Tan, who hasn't even reached the Body Tempering stage. Tell me, Lin Hong, isn't that inappropriate?"
"You bullied Qing Tan?" Lin Hong frowned and glared at Lin Shan.
Qing Tan, still holding the fiery red spiritual herb tightly, shrank back timidly.
Lin Shan forced an awkward smile. "N-no, Brother, we were just… teasing her."
"Hmph."
Lin Hong clearly didn't believe him, but he didn't pursue it further. Instead, his tone turned cold.
"Regardless, my brother isn't someone you can teach a lesson to."
"I've already taught him a lesson," Lin Xuan said calmly, standing tall and unafraid.
The disdain in his voice infuriated Lin Hong. "Insolent brat! Looks like you really think you can act lawlessly without discipline."
Lin Hong stepped forward, his palm slicing through the air with fierce momentum.
"Eight Desolate Palms!"
A surge of cyan Yuan Power flared around his hand, the pressure alone making nearby onlookers gasp.
"Yuan Power Seed… sixth level of Body Tempering!" Lin Dong's face tightened in shock. He clenched his fists, worry for Lin Xuan flooding his chest.
Qing Tan's small hands trembled as she bit her lip. Brother Lin Xuan is in danger…
But Lin Xuan only smirked. At the moment Lin Hong attacked, Lin Xuan's own fist erupted with a blinding light.
"Falling Rock Fist!"
Boom!
Their clash shook the ground. To everyone's astonishment, Lin Xuan stood firm, his Yuan Power visibly stronger than Lin Hong's!
"You… you broke through to the sixth level?!" Lin Hong's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had relied on his father Lin Mang's wealth and resources to reach this stage.
Yet Lin Xuan, an orphan with no support, had caught up to him so quickly!
While Lin Hong reeled from shock, Lin Dong seized the moment.
"Lin Hong, teach me a lesson too while you're at it!"
He leapt forward, fists pounding Lin Hong's back in a flurry of Through-the-Back Fists.
"Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!"
Though Lin Dong was only at the fourth level of Body Tempering, his sudden ambush made Lin Hong stagger.
"Damn you....!" Lin Hong growled, but Lin Xuan's crushing fist forced him back again.
-
"Enough!"
A commanding voice cut through the chaos.
The crowd parted to reveal a striking young woman in red.
She looked about seventeen or eighteen, her ponytail swaying behind her, her sharp eyebrows exuding an imposing heroic aura.
"Sister Lin Xia!" many people exclaimed in surprise.
Lin Xia, daughter of the main family's head, was widely recognized as the number one among the younger generation.
She had broken through to the sixth level of Body Tempering half a year ago and was both respected and feared.
"They're all brothers of the same clan!" Lin Xia scolded, glaring at both sides.
"If you want to compete, wait until the Qingyang Hunt and fight outsiders. Turning against each other like this is shameful."
Lin Hong clenched his fists, unwilling but forced to retreat.
"At the family competition in half a year, Lin Xuan, I'll make you kneel and admit defeat."
Lin Xuan only chuckled. Half a year later? By then, you won't even be a worthy opponent.
Before leaving, Lin Hong glared at Lin Dong. "When I claim one of the top three spots in the clan competition,
I'll have Grandfather arrange an early engagement with Qing Tan. So take good care of my future wife."
With those words, he dragged Lin Shan and his lackeys away in humiliation.
L
Lin Xia's sharp eyes softened slightly as she turned to Lin Xuan.
"Junior Brother Lin Xuan, I didn't expect you to hold your own against Lin Hong.
As far as I know, he broke through three months ago. Did you surpass him before that?"
Lin Xuan shook his head calmly. "I only broke through recently.
Beating him today was just a matter of brute strength, nothing impressive."
Lin Xia smiled faintly. "Breaking through at your age is already exceptional. Grandpa will be pleased. Focus on the clan competition and don't worry about Lin Hong....I'll warn him myself."
"Thank you, Sister Lin Xia," Lin Xuan said respectfully.
As Lin Xuan turned to leave, Qing Tan called out, her voice crisp and tender.
"Brother Lin Xuan! Thank you… for saving me."
"Thank you, Brother Lin Xuan," Lin Dong added, his tone filled with gratitude.
Lin Xuan glanced at the two siblings, his eyes softening. "Yeah."
With a nod, he walked away without further words.
Back in his room, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged and summoned his system interface.
[Mission: Teach Lin Shan a lesson and help Qing Tan out of danger.
Reward: A pair of Golden Silkworm Boxing Gloves.
Completed! Claim reward?]
[Mission: Spar with Lin Hong.
Reward: A bottle of second-grade Qi and Blood Pills.
Completed! Claim reward?]
"Claim."
Two flashes of light later, Lin Xuan held a pair of exquisite golden gloves and a small bottle of red pills in his hands.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"Not only did I teach those bullies a lesson, but I also gained some unexpected treasures."
With these rewards, his path to strength had just begun.