Chapter 4: Meeting Lin Dong and Qing Tan’s Parents

Lin Xia watched Ling Hong and his brother leave before walking over to Qing Tan, a smiling on her face: "Qing Tan, are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you Lin Xia-jie." Qing Tan nodded in acknowledgement. Lin Xia and her father had always been good to her and Lin Dong since young. Hence, their relationship was considered pretty good and it was only because Lin Xia has been busy with training these past few years that their interactions had decreased compared to before.

"I just witnessed your duel with Lin Shan and Lin Hong, I guess you are far stronger than Lin Shan and Lin Hong, and what's your name?" Lin Xia asked looking at Lin Feng, surprised. She knew that Lin Feng few years younger than Lin Dong, yet he's already so strong.

"My name is Lin Feng, Qin Tan boyfriend and yours?"Asked Lin Fen, knowing her name but chosed not say to avoid suspicion.

"My name is Lin Xia, I'am from the Lin family."Said Lin Xia proudly, as she apreciated again Lin Feng's face.

Lin Xiao grinned, before her expression turned serious: "However the current you is still way behind Lin Hong. I know that you are stronger that him but he can cause problems to you with his father influence. Hence, it is best for you to avoid fighting with him or will surely trouble Qing Tan and Lin Dong's parents."

"Yes, I know." Lin Feng did not try to put on a arrogant front like those young marsters from richers clans, based on his current abilities, he knew that he can outclasse Lin Hong easly. Nonetheless Lin Hong has his father backing him and he can create problem for Qing Tan and Lin Dong, but he already decided to protect Qin Tan and her family.

"Hehe, alright, keep up the good work, I will be heading back now and Lin Dong remember to work hard for the upcoming Family Competition, you know how much your father cares about that event." Lin Xiao smiled as she patted Lin Dong's head. Then, after she greeted Qing Tan, Lin Changqiang and Lin Feng she swung her ponytail and walked away suavely.

"Hehe, Lin Xia-jie is really cool, even Lin Hong had to back down in front of her. You know, Grandpa really adores her, and sometimes he even teaches her martial arts personally." Lin Changqiang enviously said, as he watched Lin Xia's slender figure walking away.

'You are just lazy.' Lin Feng rolled his eyes at Lin Changqiang. Without further ado, he immediately signalled to Qing Tan and Lin Dong, turned to leave. Lin Changqiang followed them for a short distance, but as he saw the darkening sky, he somewhat reluctantly left the three.

"Lin Dong-ge, I am so sorry. I promise not to sneak off to find elixirs again…" Qing Tan pitifully cried, as she tugged at Lin Dong's sleeve on their journey home.

"It's fine. Once I become stronger, no one will dare to bully you ever again even though that your boyfriend is stronger than me and will protect but I will never give up." Even though Lin Dong had initially planned to scold her, her pitiful face was like bucket of cold water over the flames of rage in his heart. He helplessly shook his head, before slapping his chest as he replied with a laugh.

"He is not my boyfriend!!" Screamed Qing Tan, as her face was red like a tomato.

Lin Feng who heard her, looked at her with puppy eyes, thought as form of teasing her, and asked."You dont want be my girlfriend?"

Seeing the puppy eyes his, Qing Tan founded extremly cute, as she was having on saying no to these's cute puppy eyes, as she said in a thin voice."No-no, it's not like I don't want.."

"Really?"Asked Lin Feng, suprised at her anwser, as he thought that she will say no, but he was happy as she'll be his woman.

Qing Tan just timidly nodded, and said to Lin Dong as she lifted her cute nose,"I want to train to."

"Weren't you afraid that training would make you ugly?" Lin Dong jokingly asked, as he was suprised that she wanted to train, she always said that training will just make her ugly.

"No way, look at how beautiful Lin Xia-jie is. If I could become like her, then Lin Hong will never again dare to bully me or Lin Dong-ge anymore."Qing Tan replied cutely as she stuck out her little pink tongue.

Lin Dong smiled as he shook his head, his finger moving to flick Qing Tan's forehead. He then told her,"But brother Feng would protect you, When we return home, do not tell anyone about what happened today. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry Lin Dong I'll protect her even if cust of my life."Said Lin Feng, as he happy to protect her.

"Ookkk…"Qing Tan childishly dragged out her reply, as she a frown formed on her tiny face.

"And we should introduce father and mother their Son-In-Law."Said Lin Dong with a teasing smile, as he looked towards Lin Feng and Qing Tan.

"Do you have a place to stay brother Feng?"Asked Lin Dong curiously, as he didn't think that Lin Feng had a place to stay, as he came from the other side of the forest.

Lin Feng scratched his head in shame, as he would to stay at their house, like a freeloader, and said."No, I don't have a place to stay now."

"You know you can stay in our house, even though it's not so big, we can share a room."Said Lin Dong, with an full air of benevolence.

"Thank you, and sorry to trouble you"Said Ling Feng, as he nodded.

"It's okay, now lets go" Said Qing Tan happily, as she though that Lin Feng will live with her now, now she can apreciate his handsome face.

At Lin Dong House

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"Mom this is Lin Feng, he doenst have a place to stay so he will be staying with us starting today."Said Lin Dong, as he waited his parents anwser.

"Please take care of me, and sorry for the trouble."Said Lin Feng.

"It's okay don't worry to much you can call me mother" Said Lui Yan to Lin Feng and though'Such cute boy I have to match him with Qing Tan.'

"Thank you mother." Said Lin Feng happily, as it can be said that now his a member of this family.

10 minutes later at dinner*

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Although Lin Dong had reminded Qing Tan not to mention anything, in the end, he was unsuccessful in concealing the day's event.

"You and Lin Feng fought with the Lin Shan and his brother this afternoon?." Lin Xiao casually remarked during dinner as he laid down the chopsticks in his hand, when he returned in home at first he suprised to see Lin Feng there, after Luo Yan explained his situation to him, he welcomed him with open arms.

Upon hearing these words, Lin Dong and Qing Tan immediately felt their bodies tense up, but for Lin Feng that already knew the history, he was not so suprised. Liu Yan, who was also present, also helplessly shook her head as she gave a disapproving look to the two of them.

"It's was brother Feng that fought with Lin Shan, to save Qing Tan, when I arrived there it was already finished." Said Lin Dong, as he tried to explain the situation that they were put in.

"Father, this has nothing to do with Lin Feng-ge and Lin Dong-ge. Its all my fault…" Said Qing Tan, as tears threatened out in her face.

Lin Xiao glanced at the two of them, his facial expression steady. He kept his eyes glued onto Lin Feng as he asked with a smile, "So you are Qing Tan boyfriend, I heard that you defeated Lin Shan?"

Lin Feng knew that was not a friendly smile and cratched his head, wryly smiling as he said. "It's wasn't that hard, as his cultivation is lower than mine."

Lin Xiao's eyes opened up a lot and looked at Lin Feng and asked: "And what's your current cultivation Level?"

"Tempered Body 8th Layer." Said Lin Feng in calm tone, he doesn't think his cultivation is enough, as he knows that there are people out there in the world who can crush him easily, so he doesn't want to show of his acomplishement.

Then Lin Xiao looked at Lin Feng laughed and said:" Hahaha, so my Son-In-Law is at Tempered Body 8th Layer at such young age, so heavens didn't forsaken me hahaha."

"I was already planing to pair you two but your are already together, oh my, my son in law is fast." Said Luo Yan with a visible smile on her face.

Qing Tan who heard what her mother said, her face quickly turned red as she looked under the table and dared not show her face in shame.

"And you Lin Don, give me your hand to me." At Lin Dong's acknowledgment, Lin Xiao's eyes flashed as he stretched out his wide palm and gripped the latter's arm. Gently tapping the arm, a smile surfaced on his usually stoic face: "Tempered Body 4th Layer?"

"Yes." Lin Dong once again nodded.

"Haha, excellent!, so much surprises in one day hahaha." Upon receiving Lin Dong's confirmation, and Qing Tan having a boyfriend at Tempered Body 8th Layer, Lin Xiao finally let a out hearty laughter, filled with joy and contentment.

As they watched Lin Xiao laugh so heartily, Lin Feng, Qing Tan and Lin Dong's heart finally heaved a sigh of relieve. It looks like they won't be scolded after all…

Liu Yan could not help but purse her lips into a smile when she saw Lin Xiao's heartfelt smile. Looking at Lin Feng and Lin Dong with doting eyes, she understood that Lin Xiao had invested everything he had into Lin Dong. He had always blamed himself for causing the loss of a genius in the Lin Family and destroying their hopes. Therefore, due to his stubborn nature, he had always hoped to 'return' a genius back to the Lin Family and that genius he had hoped to 'return' was naturally Lin Dong.

"Correct me if i'm wrong but you had only just reached Tempered Body 3rd Layer ten days ago right? How did you progress this quickly?" Even though he was ecstatic, Lin Xiao had his suspicions. To progress from 3rd to 4th Layer in ten days time was an extremely rapid pace. How did a Lin Dong without the aid of any elixirs manage to accomplish this?

"I'm not too sure either...ever since I ate the Red Gingseng, my training progress feels much smoother than before." Lin Dong's heart skipped a beat upon hearing Lin Xiao's queries. After a slight hesitation, he eventually decided to tell a little lie. Somehow, he always felt that it would be best not to reveal the secret of the stone talisman, or else there would be a major calamity heading his way but Lin Feng already knew.

"Oh?" Lin Xiao frowned upon hearing Lin Dong's reply. The Red Ginseng is merely a Grade 1 elixir, how could it be so potent?

"Maybe Lin Dong's body has a special affinity with elixirs and can absorb their effects more effectively? I have heard that some people are blessed this unique gift and their bodies are able to absorb elixirs more effectively than most people." Lin Feng offered a possible explanation as He smiled, as blinked at Lin Dong.

"True, it might be because of that." Lin Xiao nodded his head in agreement, he had also heard of similar cases before. If Lin Dong truly possessed this miraculous body constitution, it would not be impossible for him to train at this breakneck speed.

"Looks like I have been neglectful in the past, if Dong-er really possesses this gift, it will not be difficult for him to achieve a good result in the Family Competition." Lin Xiao smiled in contentment as he reached into his garments. Carefully taking out a bundle wrapped in a roll of cloth, he gently placed it on top of the table. As he spread opened the cloth, a fragrance instantly spread out across the room and a light-golden branch appeared before their eyes.

The branch was coloured gold, and within that golden glow a light green liquid gently flowed through, similar to a chalcedony.

"This is...a Grade 2 elixir, Golden Jade Branch?" Liu Yan gasped as she saw the golden branch.

"Is this what a Grade 2 elixir looks like?" Lin Dong peeked at the golden branch out of curiosity, the corners of his mouth pulling downwards. Even though it looked out of the ordinary, the amount of Ling Qi contained within was lackluster compared to the mysterious liquid that came from the stone talisman.

"Heh heh, I had the good fortune of coming upon this elixir in the mountains yesterday. Liu Yan, boil this elixir for Dong-er tomorrow." Lin Xiao smiled as he said. Yet soon after, his face turned slightly pale as he violently coughed twice.

"Father, I do not need this. Please keep it for your own injuries." Lin Dong hastily replied.

"No worries. I merely expended a bit of energy to deal with a troublesome beast yesterday when I was acquiring this elixir. It's no big deal. After all, I have lived with my injuries all these years, these elixirs will hardly be able to make a difference for me." Lin Xiao said, as he waved his hand from side to side. "Besides, in a few months time, it will be the Family Competition. During this period, you should focus on your training. Do not worry about the elixirs, let father handle this problem."

Lin Dong's eyes reddened, as he saw the happy expression on Lin Xiao's usually stern face. Without a word, he lightly nodded his head as he muttered to himself: "Father, do not worry. I will not disappoint you."

"Its late, get some rest. You still have training tomorrow". Lin Xiao waved his hand, beckoning Lin Dong to go and rest.

"Yes."

After Lin Dong replied, Lin Feng and Qing Tan left the dinner table, Chen Fan walked in their room with Lin Dong and Qing Tan walked to her room. Even as they left the room, they could still hear Lin Xiao's hearty laughter. This laughter was something that Lin Dong and Qing Tan had not heard in a long time...

As he gently clenched his fist, Lin Dong turned his head and indicated for Qing Tan to return to her room to rest. Yet, he suddenly saw her beautifully sculpted face turn pale as threads of white and cold air gradually seeped out of her body, causing frost to grow on the surrounding ground.

"Oh no...the chilling cold has flared up again!"

Upon witnessing this abrupt development in Qing Tan, Lin Feng and Lin Dong's expression changed.

'So its the time.' Thought Lin Feng, as he anxiously looked at Qing Tan, he new he can save her now but that will bring unnecessary problems.

"Qing Tan, has the chilling cold flared up again?"

As he felt waves of chilling cold emit from Qing Tan's body, Lin Dong could not help but shiver as he anxiously asked.

"Yes." Qing Tan squeezed out an answer through clenched teeth. Her frail body constantly shivered from the cold, a look of suffering on her tiny face.

"I'll go and call father!" Lin Dong quickly said.

"No, please don't go!" Upon hearing those words, Qing Tan swiftly grabbed on to Lin Dong's sleeve. Immediately, the chilling air swifty formed a thin layer of frost on his sleeve. "It's no use. Besides, its rare to see Father in such a good mood. Please do not trouble him, I can endure this."

As Lin Feng looked at Qing Tan's tiny yet deathly white face, he felt a growing ache in his heart.

Gritting his teeths, Lin Dong finally nodded. He knew that Qing Tan was right, even if he called father over, it would be of little use and will instead only increase the number of worried people to two.

"What's happening?" Lin Feng asked knowing but decided to ask to not cause suspicion.

"Qing Tan had frequently suffered from this chilling cold since young. After a certain period of time, an extremely dense chilling air will explode from within her body. Under the effects of this chill, her insides will be tormented by extreme pain. Over these past ten years, she has suffered immensely due to this chilling cold. However, even Father could not find any solution to alleviate her condition. He once tried to use Yuan Force to forcefully expel the chilling cold, but in the end, he had to spend nearly half a month in bed in order to remove the chilling cold that entered his body.

Therefore, every time the chilling cold flared up in Qing Tan's body, the three of them could only helplessly watch as Qing Tan suffered while their hearts were cut to pieces on the inside." Said Lin Dong in a sad tone.

"Let me carry you back to your room." Observing that Qing Tan was paralyzed with pain, Lin Feng suddenly lifted her up, hugging her tightly in his arms, and ran like a mad man towards her room.

"Hsss hss!"

As Lin Feng dashed into the room, Lin Feng swiftly placed Qing Tan on her bed. Then, he hastily rubbed his arms, which had turned numb from the chilling cold and felt as though they were being pierced by needles but the cold disappeared, so he assumed that is was the Heavenly Phoenix Bloodline, as the Bloodline give him immunity towards fire and ice.

"Lin Feng-ge, you...you should return first. I can endure this." Qing Tan hid her frail body under the blanket as she feebly mumbled. However, as she spoke, her body started to tremble even more violently. It seems that the chilling cold was even more intense compared to previous times.

"So cold...so cold..."

Qing Tan popped her little head out of the blanket, her tiny face white as sheet and her hair glittering with ice crystals.

Upon witnessing this scene, Lin Feng, who was standing beside her, became extremely anxious and agitated as he paced up and down her bedside. Suddenly, his footsteps stopped. Clenching his teeth, he tore off his shoes and jumped onto her bed before proceeding to hug Qing Tan tightly through her.

Lin Feng hoped to use his Heavenly Phœnix Samsara Body warmth to alleviate Qing Tan's pain. He could not bear to watch Qing Tan being tortured by the chilling cold all by herself, even knowing that this will change the plot a bit, but if was for Qing Tan then it was worth.