Chapter 6 — The Aftermath of a Fallen Star
The Lin Clan compound was unusually restless that morning. Rumors spread faster than wildfire — a blazing light had fallen in the forest, and the once-useless Lin Xian had not only survived but returned unscathed.
Some said he'd found a treasure.
Some whispered he'd awakened a strange power.
And others — mostly his enemies within the clan — simply refused to believe it.
---
Lin Xian walked calmly through the courtyard, his white hair glowing faintly under the morning sun. His steps were quiet, but every head turned as he passed.
> "Is that really the useless one?"
"His entire demeanor seems different."
"Don't talk nonsense. He's just pretending to look mysterious."
Lin Xian ignored them all. His expression was indifferent, as if the world's chatter no longer reached him.
On his shoulder, the golden kitten yawned and swayed lazily with each step, blinking at the gossips. When one servant muttered too loudly, the kitten's tail flicked — a faint static spark hit the man's hair, making it stand straight up.
> "Ah! Wh–what was that?!"
"Hahaha! He looks like a startled chicken!"
Lin Xian's lips curved slightly.
> "You've got quite the temper, little one."
The kitten purred proudly.
---
Before Lin Xian reached the main hall, a harsh voice called out behind him.
> "Stop right there!"
A young man in blue robes approached, eyes burning with jealousy — Lin Tianhao, his cousin.
Once the clan's favored genius, Lin Tianhao had always looked down on Lin Xian. Even when Lin Xian had been useless, Tianhao's arrogance had known no bounds.
Now that Lin Xian's spirit stone test had drawn the elders' attention, Tianhao's pride was wounded beyond repair.
> "You think you can act high and mighty now just because you passed one test?" Tianhao spat. "Don't think the clan will forget you were a disgrace for years!"
Lin Xian stopped walking. His pale face turned slightly toward his cousin, expression unreadable.
> "Is that all you wanted to say?"
The simplicity of his tone made Tianhao's fury spike.
> "Fight me!" Tianhao roared, gathering qi into his palm. "Let's see how much of that arrogance you can keep when I beat you down!"
Lin Xian's eyes glimmered faintly — not with his golden illusion, but with cold calculation.
He sighed softly.
> "I'm not interested in bullying children."
Tianhao's veins bulged. "You—!"
Before he could finish, the golden kitten leapt from Lin Xian's shoulder, landing on Tianhao's head with perfect precision.
> Mrrrp!
A stream of golden light — no, pee — descended from above.
Tianhao froze, then screamed.
> "You—what is this filthy thing doing?!"
The courtyard erupted in laughter. Even a few servants who tried to suppress their giggles failed miserably.
Lin Xian's calm voice drifted through the chaos.
> "It seems even Heaven disapproves of your babblings."
Tianhao's face turned crimson with rage. He swung his palm at the kitten—
—but Lin Xian's hand moved first.
He barely shifted his stance, yet Tianhao's wrist was caught mid-air. Lin Xian's fingers pressed lightly against his cousin's meridian, freezing his qi flow.
> "Tch… you—"
Lin Xian's gaze sharpened. His left hand twisted Tianhao's wrist aside, his right fist flashing like a phantom.
Bam!
The impact landed cleanly on Tianhao's rib. The force was precise — enough to crush his breath, not break bone. Tianhao gasped, knees buckling as he dropped to the ground with a dull thud.
The crowd fell silent.
A Peak Mid-Stage Mortal Vein… defeated by a single punch from an Early Stage Mortal Vein.
Tianhao's expression contorted with disbelief and humiliation.
> "You… impossible…!"
Lin Xian's voice was calm, quiet — but it cut through the air like a blade.
> "You should discipline your mouth before you challenge others," he said softly. "Otherwise, not even your face will be spared next time."
Tianhao clutched his side, unable to stand. His qi circulation trembled in disarray.
The kitten, now perched once more on Lin Xian's shoulder, flicked its tail in satisfaction.
---
After the upheaval of the Fallen Star incident, the Lin Clan had not returned to normal.
It had merely grown quieter.
—
Lin Xian stepped into the inner courtyard of the clan estate.
Disciples gathered in small circles, pretending to train, pretending to converse—
But every gaze slid toward him.
His white hair shimmered faintly under the sun, as though each strand held a trace of starlight. His black robe flowed around him without ornament, yet on him it looked like ceremonial regalia. His face was calm, carved in pale jade—emotionless, distant.
He walked neither fast nor slow.
Yet unconsciously, people made way.
Whispers bloomed behind him like weeds.
"Is that really… him?"
"The useless one?"
"His entire demeanor is different…"
"Don't talk nonsense. He's just pretending to look mysterious."
A younger disciple leaned closer, voice hushed but urgent.
"I heard that day he fought Lin Tianhao and his followers."
"And?"
"He swept them. Clean. None of them could fight back."
Another intake of breath.
"They say Young Master Tianhao was defeated with a single move."
"Impossible…"
"If that's true… what does it mean for the next generation of the Lin Clan?"
Silence followed that question.
Because no one dared answer it.
Lin Xian heard every word.
But none of it matters to him.
Their voices felt distant, like echoes underwater. Praise, doubt, fear—it was all the same.
Irrelevant.
Perched lazily on his shoulder, the small golden kitten stretched and yawned, its tiny claws hooking lightly into his robe. Its fur shimmered faintly with a metallic sheen, catching sunlight like molten gold.
Its round eyes blinked at the murmuring crowd.
When one servant muttered a little too loudly—
"Bah, probably some cheap trick—"
The kitten's tail flicked.
A faint crackle.
A barely visible arc of golden static leapt through the air.
The servant yelped.
"Ah! Wh–what—?!"
His hair stood straight up, smoking faintly at the tips.
For half a breath, the courtyard froze—
Then laughter erupted.
"Hahaha!"
"He looks like a startled chicken!"
The servant scrambled away in humiliation.
Lin Xian's lips curved ever so slightly.
"You've got quite the temper, little one."
The kitten puffed its chest proudly.
"Mrrrp."
—
Before reaching the main hall steps, another figure stood waiting.
Lin Tianhao.
He was no longer surrounded by swaggering followers. No mocking grin stretched across his face today.
But pride—thin, brittle pride—still clung to him like cracked porcelain.
As Lin Xian approached, Tianhao's eyes flickered.
Resentment.
Humiliation.
Fear—quickly buried.
Under his breath, just loud enough—
"Trash."
The word dropped like poison.
The golden kitten's ears twitched instantly.
Its pupils narrowed.
A low hiss vibrated from its tiny throat, sharp and displeased.
Lin Xian stopped.
The courtyard seemed to contract around them.
He turned his pale face slightly toward his cousin.
His expression revealed nothing.
"Oh?"
"So you haven't learned your lesson?"
His voice was calm.
Tianhao's throat tightened.
Memory flashed through him—his body collapsing, unable to react, the suffocating pressure of that single punch.
For a heartbeat, fear surfaced naked in his eyes.
But pride clawed it back.
He straightened.
"So what?"
"You think I'm afraid of you?"
His voice rose, brittle but loud.
"My father is still the Great Elder of the Lin Clan!"
He took a step forward, though his fingers trembled faintly.
"If I tell him what you've done, he can expel you. Your father. Your sister. All of you!"
The words came out harsher than intended.
Desperate.
That was the line.
Family.
Lin Xian's aura shifted.
The temperature around him seemed to drop several degrees.
His previously tranquil eyes darkened—like a frozen lake cracking beneath the surface.
The courtyard went silent.
Tianhao felt it immediately.
That subtle change.
The air pressing against his chest.
His heartbeat stumbled.
For the first time—
He wondered if Lin Xian would truly kill him.
Before Lin Xian could take a step—
A golden blur leapt from his shoulder.
Perfect arc.
Perfect timing.
The kitten landed squarely on Tianhao's head.
"Mrrrp!"
For a split second, Tianhao froze in confusion.
Then—
A warm stream descended.
Golden. Pee.
Unmistakable.
The courtyard held its breath.
Tianhao's face went from pale to green to violently red.
"You—WHAT IS THIS FILTHY THING DOING?!"
He staggered backward, slipping slightly as the kitten sprang away with effortless grace, landing once more on Lin Xian's shoulder.
The smell hit.
The servants couldn't hold it.
Laughter exploded.
Some tried to cover their mouths. Others turned away, shoulders shaking violently.
Even a few outer disciples outright bent over, wheezing.
Tianhao stood drenched in humiliation, trembling with rage and disbelief.
Lin Xian's voice drifted lightly through the chaos.
"It seems even Heaven disapproves of your babbling."
The kitten flicked its tail with regal satisfaction, eyes half-lidded.
Tianhao clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened.
But he did not dare move.
Because beneath the humor—
He could still feel it.
That killing intent.
That warning.
Lin Xian gazed at him one final time.
Cold.
Measured.
"If your father wishes to speak to me, he may come personally."
A faint pause.
"But next time you use my family to threaten me…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…no one in this clan will be able to protect you."
The words were not loud.
Yet they carried absolute certainty.
Lin Xian turned and continued toward his courtyard residence, black robe flowing behind him like a shadow swallowing light.
The golden kitten settled comfortably on his shoulder, purring.
Behind him—
Laughter slowly faded.
And unease began to grow.
Because everyone present understood something clearly now—
The balance within the Lin Clan had shifted.
----------
By the time Lin Xian walked away, the entire clan compound buzzed with new rumours
"Did you see that?? Lin Xian humiliated Tianhao and he have no guts to fight back at all!"
Lin Xian ignored them all, heading toward his secluded courtyard. The kitten purred smugly on his shoulder, tail flicking like a tiny banner of victory.
> "You really enjoy trouble, don't you?" he murmured.
The kitten looked up at him with innocent eyes — then meowed softly as if to say, He started it.
Lin Xian chuckled faintly.
> "Fair enough."
As he closed his courtyard gate, his expression turned thoughtful.
> "So… the clan is stirring, the city is restless, and attention are turning toward the forest."
He gazed toward the distant mountains where the meteor had fallen.
> "Sooner or later, others will come searching."
His hand unconsciously brushed the kitten's soft fur.
> "And when they do… we'll be ready."
The kitten meowed once more, tail curling into the shape of a crescent.
---
The quiet of Lin Xian's courtyard was soon broken by a soft knock.
> Tok tok tok.
Lin Xian looked up from where he was sitting, one hand idly brushing the golden kitten's fur.
> "Come in."
The door slid open, and a small figure peeked inside — a girl of about twelve, with bright eyes and a round face framed by neat black hair.
> "Big brother!"
It was Lin Xue'er, his little sister — one of the few people in the clan who had never mocked him. She rushed in, her light blue dress fluttering, eyes shining with excitement.
> "They said you fought Cousin Tianhao and won! Is it true?!"
Lin Xian smiled faintly.
> "Rumors fly faster than wind. It was nothing worth mentioning."
But before he could say more, Lin Xue'er's gaze landed on the golden bundle curled up in his lap.
> "Ah! What is that?!"
The kitten tilted its head, blinking up at her with wide golden eyes. Its little tail swished curiously.
Lin Xian opened his mouth to explain, but Lin Xue'er had already gasped and crouched down, her voice soft and filled with wonder.
> "It's so cute… Is it really golden?"
The kitten stretched, then jumped lightly into her arms — as if it had already decided she was safe. It rubbed its tiny head against her chin and purred loudly.
> "It likes you," Lin Xian said quietly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Lin Xue'er giggled, hugging the kitten close.
> "So warm! Big brother, where did you find it? Can I keep it in my room?"
Lin Xian raised an eyebrow.
> "No. It's mine."
She puffed her cheeks in protest.
> "Hmph! You finally find something adorable and won't even share it?"
The kitten mewed in agreement, looking between them as if trying to mediate. Then it licked her nose.
Lin Xue'er squealed and laughed so hard she nearly dropped it.
> "Stop that! That tickles!"
Lin Xian leaned back, watching the rare sight of his little sister's joy. His lips curved slightly — a quiet warmth that hadn't touched his face in years.
> "Careful. That little thing isn't as harmless as it looks."
Lin Xue'er tilted her head.
> "Huh? It's just a kitten."
The golden furball sneezed. A faint spark of golden light popped in the air, burning a small leaf nearby.
Lin Xue froze.
> "...It breathes lightning?!"
> "Something like that," Lin Xian replied mildly. "Try not to make it angry."
Lin Xue stared at the tiny creature now purring again as if nothing had happened.
> "Then I'll just make it happy all the time!"
She began scratching its chin; the kitten melted into her hands, eyes half-closed in bliss.
> "See, brother? Even fierce things like gentle people."
For a moment, Lin Xian said nothing. The soft morning light caught in his white hair and the kitten's golden fur, and his expression gentled almost imperceptibly.
> "Maybe you're right."
Lin Xue smiled brightly.
> "Then it's settled. I'll come visit every day to play with it!"
> "Just don't feed it spirit fruits from Father's stores," he said dryly. "It already eats more than a person."
> "Hehe… No promises."
She stuck out her tongue, hugged the kitten once more, and ran out laughing. The golden kitten looked back at him from her arms, letting out a tiny, triumphant mrrp! — as if declaring victory.
Lin Xian shook his head, a helpless smile forming.
> "So it's two against one now, hm?"
The kitten meowed softly in response.
For the first time since his rebirth, the lonely courtyard felt alive — filled with laughter, warmth, and the faint purr of a bond that reached beyond blood or fate.