Chapter 14: Lin Dong's Relief

After seeing Elder Tao off, the Lin family in Qingyang Town once again fell into a state of calm.

However, amidst this calm, most of Qingyang Town's residents likely didn't foresee that in just a single day, the previously crippled third master of the Lin family not only fully recovered from his injuries but also took the opportunity to break through to the Early Primordial Spirit Stage!

As an outsider family in Qingyang Town, the Lin family's branch, while influential, was not considered a dominant force locally.

Everyone knew that Qingyang Town's three major powers were the Lei family, the Xie family, and the Kuangdao Martial Hall.

The Lei and Xie families were indigenous to Qingyang Town, with deep roots, while the Kuangdao Martial Hall, though established recently, had risen quickly.

Only the Lin family, whose rise had been abruptly halted when Lin Xiao was crippled, ranked behind these three powers.

But from now on, the situation of the Lin family would fundamentally change.

Because the Lin family now had a Initial Primordial Spirit Stage expert!

Why was the Lei family reputed as the strongest in Qingyang Town? It was because they had five Heavenly Spirit Stage experts in their family. But this was nothing in front of a Primordial Spirit Stage expert!

A family with a Primordial Spirit Stage expert could not only dominate Qingyang Town but also gain a foothold in Yan City.

This foreshadowed that soon, Qingyang Town would experience a complete power reshuffle.

So even though Elder Tao left, the influence brought to the Lin family's branch by Lin Langtian silently began to change things...

This was not only an enhancement of the Lin family's power in Qingyang Town but also a subtle change in people's hearts...

On a small, barren hill in the Lin family's rear mountain, a family had moved in several years ago, bringing some vitality to the place.

This family was Lin Xiao's family of four.

Even though he had regained his strength and become the strongest in the family, Lin Xiao clearly had no intention of changing his residence. He chose to return to his humble yet cozy home.

"Father..."

On the way home, Lin Dong's expression kept changing, and finally, he couldn't help but speak up.

"Are you wondering why I forgave Lin Langtian?" Lin Xiao also stopped, looking at his son, whose expression was complicated, and asked.

"Yes," Lin Dong nodded, then said angrily, "That man crippled you for several years, ruined you, and destroyed our family. Why forgive him just because he healed your injuries?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao was momentarily taken aback, then, recalling something, he looked towards the sunset at the foot of the mountain and murmured, "Actually, I don't quite understand why Lin Langtian specifically sent Elder Tao with the healing elixir. In my impression, Lin Langtian is an extremely proud and cold person. He is extraordinarily talented and powerful, but he always viewed branch family members as ants, not acknowledging them as part of the Lin clan.

That's why I was so shocked when I learned that the Green Wood Elixir was sent by Lin Langtian. But don't think too little of your father; a single Green Wood Elixir can't buy my dignity."

"Then why did you forgive Lin Langtian? Are you afraid of him retaliating against our Lin family in Qingyang Town?"

Hearing Lin Xiao's words and regaining his father's towering image in his heart, Lin Dong asked again.

Shaking his head, Lin Xiao replied, "Since he sent the Green Wood Elixir, it shows that his views on the branch family have changed. Now that he is an elder in the clan, I don't think he would retaliate against us."

"Then why? Father, didn't you hate Lin Langtian the most?"

"No, besides Lin Langtian, there's someone else I hate more," Lin Xiao shook his head and said.

"Oh? Who is it?" Lin Dong was stunned and quickly asked.

Instead of answering directly, Lin Xiao walked to the foot of the mountain, found a large rock, and sat down with Lin Dong, looking at the sunset, and slowly said.

"Regarding our branch family in Qingyang Town, you probably know. Although I grew up in Qingyang Town, under your grandfather's influence, I also had a great desire to return to the main family. It can be said that the greatest wish of your grandfather, your uncles, and me, as well as the entire branch family, was to lead the family back to the main clan. Among my brothers, I had the highest talent, so father had the greatest expectations for me. I didn't disappoint him or the family, becoming the youngest Heavenly Spirit Stage expert in Qingyang Town.

At that time, I was full of confidence, believing I could achieve a good rank in the clan's tournament and lead the family back to the main clan."

At this point, Lin Xiao's slightly aged face showed a hint of youthful vigor, as if he had returned to his younger days.

"Yes, father is always the best."

Lin Dong quickly nodded. In his heart, his father had always been a heroic figure.

Lin Xiao patted Lin Dong's head and smiled bitterly, "Unfortunately, reality always hits hard. When I confidently participated in the clan tournament, I met that man in the first match."

"It's Lin Langtian!" Lin Dong said with hatred in his eyes at the mention of that name.

Seeing the hatred in Lin Dong's eyes, Lin Xiao shook his head and said calmly, "You know what happened next. I lost to Lin Langtian in one move and returned home in despair. Though being crippled was hard to accept, what pained me more was that the hope of the family returning to the main clan was shattered in my hands."

With a painful expression, Lin Xiao continued, "I failed father's training and expectations, and I let the family down. So, after that, I hid in the rear mountain like a rat. Though father and everyone didn't blame me, I still secluded myself for years. Because... the person I hate the most is myself!

I hated my incompetence, my weakness, my inability to bring good news of returning to the main clan to the family. So, Dong'er, don't be too obsessed. Even without meeting Lin Langtian, I would still be a failure..."

"Father..."

Seeing this, Lin Dong quickly stood up, his expression firm, and said forcefully, "Father, you are not a failure. In mother's heart, in Qing Tan's heart, you are always our pride!"

"Dong'er..." Hearing this, Lin Xiao was stunned, then thought of something and smiled, "Yes, I still have Liu Yan, Dong'er, and Qing Tan. Dong'er, your talent surpasses mine. I believe in the clan tournament in a few years, you will bring us good news!"

"Yes, I will!"

Hearing this, Lin Dong nodded firmly, then looked into the distance, where he seemed to see a figure. This figure had been in his thoughts for years, cursed countless nights.

But now, regarding this figure, he felt no hatred, his gaze becoming calm.

Lin Langtian, even if our grudges are resolved, I will defeat you in the clan tournament.

Because... this will be the ultimate resolution of our past...