16: The Master Returns

A sharp, inch-long point of light cyan Protective Aura condensed in Lin Hongfeng's palm, less than three feet from Lin Yang's back. The wind in the Training Grounds seemed to stagnate; everyone's gaze was fixed on that withered yet terrifyingly powerful hand. Even Shen Shuanghua's brows furrowed slightly, and the fingers beneath her moon-white cloak quietly clenched.

"Who dares touch my grandson!"

A thunderous roar suddenly came from the horizon, shaking the bluestone slabs of the Training Grounds. Everyone felt their vision blur as a massive figure plummeted like a meteor in front of Lin Yang. The scales on his Black Battle Armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight. It was the Lin Family Head who had vanished three years ago—Lin Xingnan!

He didn't even look at Lin Hongfeng, simply throwing a punch backhanded. This punch was simple and unadorned, yet it carried the Aura to shatter mountains and split stones. Before the fist edge arrived, the ground was already ploughed with five deep trenches by the Qi Energy. Lin Hongfeng realized something was wrong and hastily pushed his Protective Aura shield to the maximum, but the moment the two fists collided, he felt a massive, surging force like a tsunami.

"Crack!"

The light cyan shield shattered instantly. Lin Hongfeng flew backward like a kite with a broken string, tumbling seven zhang across the bluestone before finally stopping, crashing into a stone pillar on the Viewing Platform, and spitting out a mouthful of black blood mixed with organ fragments.

"Grandpa!" Lin Yang was both startled and overjoyed. In that instant, he clearly felt a familiar, warm energy, more immense than any he remembered.

Lin Xingnan turned around, his massive body shielding Lin Yang. His graying hair and beard moved without wind. He looked at the bloodstains on Lin Yang's shoulder, and his previously furious eyes instantly softened. He reached out and patted his grandson's back: "You've been wronged."

"Family Head? Weren't you in secluded cultivation aiming for the Gang Qi Realm?" Lin Hongfeng struggled to stand up, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with disbelief. Three years ago, when Lin Xingnan entered seclusion, he was already at the Peak of the Tenth Level of the Innate Realm. Everyone thought he would become the first Gang Qi Realm Martial Artist in the Lin Family for a hundred years, but although his Aura was overbearing now, he had not achieved that Breakthrough.

"No matter how important secluded cultivation is, it's not as precious as my grandson's life!" Lin Xingnan snorted coldly, and his figure suddenly vanished from the spot. Lin Hongfeng only saw a black shadow flash before his eyes, followed by a sharp pain in his jaw. He was lifted up like a small chicken, immediately followed by a storm of punches.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Dull thudding echoed across the Training Grounds. Lin Xingnan's punches lacked any flourish, yet every one landed precisely on Lin Hongfeng's soft spots. The Grand Elder, usually so majestic and imposing, was now being beaten black and blue like a broken sandbag, his teeth mixed with bloody foam flying everywhere, his screams reduced to broken gasps.

The entire audience was struck silent with fear, even their breathing softened. No one expected this mysterious Family Head to be so overbearing, resorting to fists to settle an argument the moment he disagreed. The Elders who usually relied on Lin Hongfeng all shrank their necks, afraid to make a sound.

"Grandpa, that's enough." Lin Yang grabbed Lin Xingnan's arm. He could feel the chaotic state of his grandfather's Qi within his body; clearly, that single punch had consumed a lot of energy.

Only then did Lin Xingnan stop, throwing Lin Hongfeng onto the ground like trash. He dusted off his hands, wrapped an arm around Lin Yang, and burst into hearty laughter: "Good boy! Fighting nine against one, you've got guts! You have the flair I had when I charged into the Black Wind Stockade back in the day!"

Returning to the small courtyard where Lin Xingnan had been in secluded cultivation, just as the door closed, the massive Family Head suddenly began coughing violently, a streak of shocking crimson staining his Black Battle Armor. He stumbled, leaning on the doorframe, his face pale as paper—a stark contrast to the dominant figure he was moments ago in the Training Grounds.

"Grandpa!" Lin Yang hurriedly supported him. When his fingertips touched his grandfather's back, he felt a chaotic surge of Qi Energy violently crashing through his Meridians, as if it might explode at any moment.

"It's nothing." Lin Xingnan waved his hand, pushed Lin Yang's hand away, and sat down with a bitter smile. "I suffered Qi Deviation while trying to Break through to the Gang Qi Realm. It's a miracle I survived." He unfastened his armor, revealing a deep, bone-visible bloodstain on his chest, faintly tinged with black Qi. "I was just putting on a strong front back at the Training Grounds."

Lin Yang's eyes instantly reddened as he looked at the wound. He finally understood why his grandfather had suddenly appeared—he must have sensed Lin Yang was in danger and forcefully interrupted his secluded cultivation to rush over.

"Silly boy, what are you crying for?" Lin Xingnan ruffled his hair, his eyes full of gratification. "With your accomplishments, even if your grandpa died right now, I could die content..."

"Grandpa, don't talk nonsense!" Lin Yang quickly interrupted him, reaching out to examine the injury, but Lin Xingnan held his hand down.

Just then, a light knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate, three taps in a set, neither rushed nor slow. Lin Yang frowned and stood up. Who could it be at this hour?

Opening the gate, Lin Yang saw Shen Shuanghua standing clearly in the moonlight. She had changed into a light purple Ruqun, her dark hair loosely coiled, and she held a glistening white Jade Bottle that shone with a gentle luster in the moonlight.

"This is?" Lin Yang was stunned.

"nine revolutions jade dew pill." Nan Ruohua handed the Jade Bottle over, her fingertips inadvertently brushing his palm, carrying a hint of coolness. "It's a good medicine for internal injuries."

Lin Yang subconsciously wanted to refuse; he had no deep relationship with this Disciple of the Misty Immortal Palace.

"It's for your grandfather." Shen Shuanghua's eyes shifted, the moonlight casting faint shadows on her long eyelashes. "Consider it... forging a good connection." Her voice was soft, yet it carried an irresistible force.

Lin Yang took the Jade Bottle; it was cool to the touch. The bottle was carved with intricate cloud patterns, clearly not an ordinary item. He watched Shen Shuanghua's retreating back. Her skirt swept over the grass on the stone steps, leaving behind a faint fragrance. Doubts bloomed in his heart—this woman was mysterious and unfathomable, yet her eyes held no malice. What exactly did she want?

Returning to the room, Lin Yang handed the Jade Bottle to his grandfather. Lin Xingnan opened the stopper, and a clear, refreshing medicinal fragrance instantly filled the air. Inside the bottle lay three pills, the size of pigeon eggs, glistening white, faintly radiating a flowing, rosy light.

"It really is the nine revolutions jade dew pill!" Lin Xingnan exclaimed. "This is a sacred medicine capable of sustaining the life of a Gang Qi Realm Martial Artist. How does that Shen Family girl possess something like this?" He no longer hesitated, took out one pill, swallowed it, and closed his eyes to circulate his Internal Energy.

After the Time to Brew a Cup of Tea, Lin Xingnan suddenly opened his eyes and exhaled a mouthful of black Qi. The bloodstain on his chest healed at a visible speed. He stretched his muscles and bones; a faint white glow appeared around his body, and he vaguely felt the threshold of the Gang Qi Realm!

"Good medicine! Truly good medicine!" Lin Xingnan laughed heartily, patting Lin Yang's shoulder. "That Shen Family girl is extraordinary! Lin Yang, you've turned eighteen, it's time to start thinking about marriage..."

"Grandpa!" Lin Yang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and quickly changed the subject. "When are we departing for Qingmeng Mountain?"

Lin Xingnan then spoke seriously: "Ten days from now. The White Cloud Sect has set up a Trial Camp on Qingmeng Mountain. It tests not only strength but also Heart-Nature. When you go, be cautious of everything, especially the Disciples from those large Sects. They are all arrogant yet deeply scheming." He paused, then added, "Right, Shen Shuanghua will also be traveling with you. Look after her along the way; that girl doesn't seem to hold any malice toward you."

Moonlight shone through the window lattice into the room, falling on Lin Yang's clenched fist. He could feel the newly steady Aura within his grandfather's body, and he recalled the meaningful smile Shen Shuanghua gave when she turned away. The journey to Qingmeng Mountain was destined not to be peaceful.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the Training Grounds, Lin Hongfeng, beaten until he resembled a pig's head, was being helped away by Disciples. He looked venomously toward the direction of Lin Xingnan's small courtyard, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: "Lin Xingnan, Lin Yang... just you wait!"

A bigger storm was quietly brewing within the Lin Family.