Beside her, Qingtan sighed. "Brother Lin Dong got beaten again… Why does he always challenge Brother Lin Xuan, when he knows he can't win?"
Though she admitted Lin Dong had improved greatly, he still could not compare to Lin Xuan.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan ignored the system notifications flashing in his mind.
More important was comforting his little bean.....he couldn't let him sink into despair, or there'd be no one left to "farm quests" with later.
He leapt down from the stage and helped Lin Dong up.
"You alright? My fault, I didn't hold back enough."
"I'm fine, Brother Lin Xuan. I just… I'm not as skilled as you." Lin Dong's voice was heavy with frustration.
"How can you say that?" Lin Xuan clapped him firmly on the shoulder, forcing him out of his gloom. "You're amazing, Lin Dong.
A true genius! You actually figured out the continuation of the Qimen Seal. That's unbelievable!"
Lin Dong blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? Didn't you also use the second stage just now?"
"That's exactly why I should thank you!" Lin Xuan grinned.
"I'd been stuck for weeks, always feeling close to the breakthrough but never finding the key.
But when I saw your third seal just now, I instantly realized....that was the missing link.
In that moment of inspiration, I copied your hand movements.
And it felt like I'd practiced them countless times before in a dream....smooth and natural. I succeeded on the first try."
Lin Dong's lips trembled. "So… you used the second stage just now by copying me?"
"Of course! How else?" Lin Xuan said matter-of-factly. "That's why you're the real genius."
Then he frowned playfully. "We agreed to share our insights, didn't we?
Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've been struggling for nothing!"
"I…" Lin Dong was speechless.
Somehow, even though he was the one who had just been beaten to a pulp, it felt like Lin Xuan was the one who had been wronged.
He had planned to defeat Lin Xuan with the second stage, then reveal it to him afterward.
But Lin Xuan had learned it in a single glance...and mastered it better than him.
At this moment, Lin Dong felt like he had swallowed the world's bitterest medicine.
The hunting competition ended, and Lin Xuan received four fourth-grade spiritual herbs as a reward.
Besides the rewards for the participants, there were other bonuses, but those were negotiated by the family and had little to do with Lin Xuan.
In any case, he had already secured whatever benefits he could for the family.
Due to the unexpected incident with the Fire Python Tiger, the hunting event ended abruptly.
Lin Xuan and Lin Dong's outstanding performances were overshadowed by topics about Lei Li and Xie Yingying.
Since top-tier experts from various powers weren't present, the attention on the two of them was minimal.
This did not affect their daily lives.
Now, the focus of everyone was on that Fire Python Tiger.
Lin Xuan returned home with Lin Dong and Lin Xia, fully loaded with rewards.
Lin Zhentian and others still had to cooperate with the Lei and Xie families to hunt the Fire Python Tiger, but this didn't stop the younger generation from returning home.
On the way back, Lin Xuan found an opportunity to be alone with Qing Tan and quickly comforted her: "Qing Tan, how are your injuries? Are you okay?"
Seeing the little girl hurt made him quite concerned.
After all, she was still young, and being attacked by Xie Yingying could have been much worse.
Lin Xuan felt partly responsible....if he hadn't interfered with Xie Yingying earlier, she wouldn't have taken it out on Qing Tan.
"I'm fine… Lin Xuan-ge, it doesn't hurt," Qing Tan said, coughing lightly and occasionally rubbing her chest.
Clearly, Xie Yingying's strike had been severe.
"I've experienced cold pain since I was young. This hurts much less.
Lin Xuan-ge, don't worry, it will heal soon," Qing Tan continued.
She had already put the incident behind her; Xie Yingying had paid a heavy price.
Seeing Lin Xuan look somewhat guilty warmed her heart.
Still, she was a little puzzled and couldn't help asking, "Lin Xuan-ge, why did you separate from us?"
Although Qing Tan didn't want Lin Xuan to appear, she still wanted to know why he hadn't.
When she was bullied by Xie Yingying, her first thought was Lin Xuan..,if he had been there, Xie Yingying wouldn't dare touch her.
"You'll know the reason later!" Lin Xuan said. Since there were many people around, he didn't explain further."
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