93: At the Listening to the Rain Pavilion gathering, undercurrents begin to stir.

Listening to the Rain Pavilion was a common gathering place for the young disciples of the Lin Family, located in a garden within the West Courtyard. There was a pond outside the pavilion; every time it rained, the sound of rain hitting the lotus leaves was crisp and pleasant, hence the name 'Listening to the Rain.'

Three days later, at dusk, Lin Fan arrived as scheduled.

Before he even drew near, he heard bursts of talking and laughter coming from inside the pavilion. Through the carved wooden windows, over a dozen figures could be seen sitting around, all of whom were the elite of the Lin Family's younger generation. Among them were several whom Lin Fan recognized, all core disciples who had performed impressively during the Great Competition.

"Brother Lin Fan, over here!"

Clear Snow today wore a water-blue dress, her hair lightly pinned up, making her look elegant and ethereal. Standing under the corridor outside the pavilion, her eyes flashed with joy upon seeing Lin Fan, and she quickly stepped forward to meet him.

"Miss Clear Snow," Lin Fan nodded in greeting.

"Just call me Qing Xue." The young girl's cheeks flushed slightly as she led Lin Fan into Listening to the Rain Pavilion.

The pavilion suddenly fell silent.

Everyone's gaze landed on Lin Fan with varying expressions. There was curiosity, admiration, jealousy, and indifference.

"You are Lin Fan, right? The champion of the Great Competition, I have long looked forward to meeting you." A young man in a blue robe stood up first, cupped his fists, and smiled. "I am Lin Hao, from the Second Elder's lineage."

Lin Fan returned the gesture: "Greetings, Brother Lin Hao."

"I am Lin Waner." A woman in red stood up, looking heroic and spirited. "Daughter of the Fifth Elder. Lin Fan, the way you broke through to the Condensing Essence Realm with a single punch that day was truly impressive!"

"It was merely luck," Lin Fan said modestly.

One after another, people came forward to introduce themselves, and the atmosphere gradually became warm. Most of these disciples belonged to the neutral faction or leaned towards the Clan Chief's lineage, and they held no hostility toward Lin Fan.

Only at a corner table sat three people who watched coldly from beginning to end.

The leader was a white-clothed youth with feminine features, fiddling with a jade thumb ring. His gaze swept toward Lin Fan from time to time with undisguised hostility.

"That is Lin Yun, the second grandson of the Grand Elder and Lin Hong's younger brother," Clear Snow reminded him in a low voice. "His talent is not as good as Lin Hong's, but he is more calculating. You must be careful."

Lin Fan nodded impassively.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more lively. Someone suggested a spar to add to the fun, which immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"What's the point of just drinking? Why don't we use martial arts to make friends and keep it to a friendly exchange? What do you think?" Lin Hao suggested with a smile.

"Good! It's the perfect chance for us to witness the style of the Great Competition's champion!" someone immediately chimed in.

Lin Fan could not decline and had no choice but to agree.

The first match was Lin Waner against a disciple named Lin Yuefeng. Lin Waner used a soft sword, her sword technique agile and tricky; Lin Yuefeng used a saber, his strikes heavy and powerful. Both were at the eighth level of Body Tempering. After over thirty moves, Lin Waner finally won narrowly with the move 'Spirit Snake Flicking Tongue.'

"Sister Waner's 'Soft Water Sword Technique' has become even more refined!" Everyone cheered.

Lin Waner sheathed her sword and looked at Lin Fan: "Lin Fan, would you be willing to offer some guidance?"

"I wouldn't dare," Lin Fan stood up. "It's just a spar."

The two stood facing each other. Lin Waner's expression was serious: "I know I am no match for you, but please go all out and let me see the gap between us."

"Please." Lin Fan assumed a starting stance.

Lin Waner gave a soft shout as her soft sword shook out seven sword flowers. It was difficult to distinguish the real from the fake as they enveloped Lin Fan's vital points.

The Delusion-Breaking Divine Pupils quietly activated. In Lin Fan's eyes, the trajectory of the sword flowers was clearly visible; the true killing move was hidden behind the third flower.

He did not dodge, instead joining his fingers into a sword-hand and delivering a light thrust.

"Ding!" His fingertip accurately struck the sword blade. Lin Waner felt a massive force transmit through it; the soft sword nearly flew from her hand, and she retreated three steps before stabilizing herself.

"This..." She was filled with astonishment.

Breaking a sword move with a single finger? What kind of eyesight was this? What kind of finger strength?

The area fell silent. Everyone could see that Lin Fan had not used his full strength at all, nor had he even used a Martial Skill; he had crushed her purely with absolute power and eyesight.

"I lose," Lin Waner said with a bitter smile. "I am thoroughly convinced."

Lin Fan cupped his fists: "I concede."

"Let me try!" Another disciple leaped out; it was Lin Tao, who was at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering.

The result was without suspense. Lin Fan still only used basic moves, forcing him back in three strikes.

After defeating three people in a row, no one else dared to challenge him easily. Everyone's gaze, intentionally or otherwise, drifted toward Lin Yun in the corner.

Lin Yun set down his jade thumb ring and slowly stood up.

"The God Child truly lives up to his reputation," he said in a feminine voice. "How about you and I have a spar?"

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle. Everyone knew that Lin Yun belonged to the Grand Elder's lineage; a challenge at this time was definitely not a simple 'spar.'

Lin Fan's expression was calm: "Please."

The two walked to the open space outside the pavilion. The moonlight was like water, spilling across the bluestone floor.

Lin Yun wasted no more words. With a flash of his body, he actually transformed into three afterimages, attacking Lin Fan from different directions!

"Phantom Steps!"

"A Profound Rank movement technique! Lin Yun actually managed to master it?"

Amidst the exclamations, Lin Fan's eyes narrowed slightly. Under the Delusion-Breaking Divine Pupils, he instantly saw through the reality—of the three afterimages, the aura of the one on the left was the most solid; that was the true body.

But he did not counterattack immediately, instead pretending to be confused and retreating toward the back right.

A flash of triumph appeared in Lin Yun's eyes as his true body quietly circled behind Lin Fan, striking a palm toward the center of his back! The palm wind was fierce and carried a faint foul scent; he had clearly Cultivated some kind of poison technique.

"Watch out!" Clear Snow cried out in alarm.

Just as the palm wind was about to touch his back, Lin Fan's body twisted eerily, sliding away like a swimming fish. Simultaneously, he reached back and accurately gripped Lin Yun's wrist.

"What?!" Lin Yun was greatly shocked and tried to break free, but he felt his wrist locked as if by iron pincers, unable to move an inch.

"It's just a spar, why use poison?" Lin Fan's voice was cold. He had smelled that foul scent in Lin Yun's palm wind; if not for the Eternal Indestructible Body being immune to all poisons, even a normal person who blocked that palm strike would have been poisoned.

"What nonsense are you talking!" Lin Yun's face flushed red.

Lin Fan said no more. His wrist exerted force, swinging Lin Yun's entire body up and slamming him heavily onto the ground!

"Bang!"

The bluestone cracked, and Lin Yun spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.

"Lin Fan! How dare you strike so heavily!" The two people at the same table as Lin Yun slammed the table and stood up.

"Heavily?" Lin Fan released Lin Yun and patted away non-existent dust from his hands. "If I hadn't shown mercy, his arm would already be useless."

The two wanted to say more, but were stopped by Lin Yun.

"Very good." Lin Yun struggled to crawl up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared fixedly at Lin Fan. "I will remember today's gift. Let's go!"

The three left in a pathetic state.

Listening to the Rain Pavilion was silent. Everyone could see that the grudge between Lin Fan and Lin Yun's lineage was now completely established.

"Brother Lin Fan, you were too impulsive," Clear Snow said worriedly. "Lin Yun is narrow-minded and will definitely seek revenge."

"It's fine," Lin Fan shook his head. "What must come will come. Constant yielding only makes them think I am easily bullied."

Lin Hao sighed: "Brother Lin Fan is right. The Grand Elder's lineage has become increasingly overbearing over the years; it's about time someone dampened their arrogance."

"But you still need to be careful," Lin Waner said seriously. "Though Lin Yun is nothing to fear, his elder brother Lin Feng... is the truly terrifying figure."

"Lin Feng?" Lin Fan remembered this person. The Grand Elder's eldest grandson and the number one person of the Lin Family's younger generation. He had already broken through to the Condensing Essence Realm three years ago and was currently out gaining experience; it was said his cultivation was unfathomable.

"Lin Feng will return in three months to participate in the Meteor Star Ancient Domain trial," Lin Hao said solemnly. "At that time, he will certainly target you."

Lin Fan's gaze was calm: "I'll be waiting."

The gathering continued, but the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before. After chatting for a while longer, everyone went their separate ways.

Clear Snow saw Lin Fan out of the West Courtyard.

Under the moonlight, the two walked side by side, their shadows stretching long on the bluestone path.

"Brother Lin Fan," Clear Snow suddenly spoke, "actually, my father wants to see you."

Lin Fan was startled: "The Second Elder?"

"Yes." Clear Snow nodded. "Father said there are some things he wants to discuss with you in person. About the Meteor Star Ancient Domain, and also about the Grand Elder's lineage."

Lin Fan's heart stirred slightly: "When?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, Father will be waiting for you at the Star-Gazing Pavilion."

"Fine, I will definitely be there." While speaking, they reached the front of Lin Fan's courtyard. Clear Snow stopped, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Is there something else?" Lin Fan asked.

Clear Snow bit her lip and said in a low voice: "Brother Lin Fan, I know you carry a heavy burden. But don't shoulder everything alone. My father and I will both support you." Having said that, she did not dare to look into Lin Fan's eyes, turned around, and quickly left.

Lin Fan watched her retreating figure, a trace of warmth rising in his heart.

In this crisis-ridden Family, having a piece of sincere concern was truly not easy.

Pushing the door to enter the courtyard, the gentleness on Lin Fan's face instantly vanished.

A figure was sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard.

Dressed in black with a black cloak, his face was hidden in the shadows.

"Who are you?" Lin Fan's entire body's muscles tensed, ready to strike at any moment.

The man in black slowly raised his head, revealing an ordinary middle-aged face. He took a Purple-Gold Token from his robe, identical to the one the Clan Leader had given to Lin Fan.

"The Clan Chief sent me," the man in black said in a raspy voice. "There are some things that are not convenient to discuss openly."

Lin Fan relaxed slightly but remained vigilant: "What is it?"

"About the Meteor Star Ancient Domain," the man in black said solemnly. "The Grand Elder's lineage has already set a death trap. Lin Feng will personally strike to take your life during the trial. In addition, they have colluded with outside forces."

Lin Fan's gaze turned cold: "Outside forces?"

"Which clan specifically it is has not yet been determined." The man in black shook his head. "But it is certain that the price they paid was enormous. The Clan Chief asked me to remind you that the Ancient Domain trial is exceptionally perilous. If you do not wish to go, the Clan Chief can arrange an 'accidental injury' for you to avoid this trial."

Lin Fan was silent for a moment before shaking his head: "No, I'm going."

"Think carefully. This is not a matter of pride; you really could die."

"I know." Lin Fan looked up, his gaze firm. "If I am even afraid of an internal Family trial, how can I face future powerful enemies? How can I uncover the truth behind my parents' deaths?"

The man in black stared at Lin Fan for a long while, then suddenly smiled: "Good, you are indeed not unworthy of being Xiaotian's son. The Clan Chief truly did not misjudge you."

He stood up and took a Jade Slip from his robe: "The Clan Chief asked me to give this to you. Inside is a partial map of the Meteor Star Ancient Domain, as well as some secret intelligence. Remember, the Jade Slip can only be viewed once, after which it will automatically be destroyed."

Lin Fan took the Jade Slip: "Thank the Clan Chief for me."

"In addition," the man in black lowered his voice, "the Clan Chief also said that if you encounter a life-or-death crisis in the Ancient Domain, you can go to Dragon Fall Cliff. There is a sliver of hope there."

"Dragon Fall Cliff?" Lin Fan committed the name to memory.

The man in black said no more; his body flashed and he disappeared into the night like a ghost.

Lin Fan gripped the Jade Slip and returned to his room.

Lighting the oil lamp, he pressed the Jade Slip to his forehead and probed it with his Divine Sense.

A large amount of information flooded into his mind: a topographical map of the Meteor Star Ancient Domain, markings of dangerous areas, several known places of Opportunity... and also several locations where the Grand Elder's lineage might set up ambushes.

One of them was marked particularly prominently—Blood Wolf Valley.

"Blood Wolf Valley..." Lin Fan murmured to himself. "It seems that will be the first tough battle."

The Jade Slip turned to powder in his hand.

Lin Fan sat cross-legged and began to Cultivate.

The True Dragon Body Refining Art circulated, and faint phantom dragon scales appeared on the surface of his body. The Qi and blood of the Eternal Indestructible Body surged like a great river, constantly washing through his Meridians.

His cultivation at the eighth level of Body Tempering had stabilized and was advancing towards the ninth level.

"Three months..." Lin Fan opened his eyes, which were flashing with sharp light. "Lin Feng, I'll be waiting for you."

Outside the window, the moon was hidden and the stars had sunk.

A storm is brewing.