Not long after the Clan Competition concluded, the house next to Lin Dong's small mountain peak became much livelier. From late afternoon until now, quite a few people had come to offer congratulations. Everyone understood that starting today, given Lin Dong and Lin Xiao's performance, they would once again become important members of the Lin Family, and their status would be far from low.
As for these well-wishers, Lin Xiao had instructed Liu Yan to entertain them before seeing them off.
Inside the room, the family of four gathered once again for dinner. From morning till now, the smile on Liu Yan's face hadn't faded. As for what was called "wealth and status," she didn't really care about it. As long as Lin Xiao and Lin Dong were always doing this well, she would willingly give up anything.
"Dong'er, Body Tempering Seventh Layer, and if the Nine Echoing Penetrating Fist is cultivated to mastery, it's no weaker than Lin Hong's Eight Desolations Palm! Your progress is truly terrifying!" While eating, Lin Xiao suddenly put down his bowl and chopsticks, speaking with a half-smile.
Hearing Lin Xiao's words, Lin Dong's hand, resting under the table, couldn't help but tremble slightly. It seemed his rapid cultivation speed had made Lin Xiao somewhat suspicious.
"I feel the same way! Last night, before going to bed, I suddenly broke through to the Body Tempering Seventh Layer. As for the Penetrating Fist and Eight Desolations Palm, unlike my usual cultivation, I don't know why I comprehended them so much faster!" Lin Dong shook his head, feigning confusion, then furrowed his brows and replied thoughtfully.
"What?" Lin Xiao was stunned. Lin Dong's demeanor didn't seem like he was lying, so Lin Xiao frowned. In martial arts, there were indeed exceptions who comprehended things very quickly. It was said that there was once a martial arts genius who, upon acquiring any martial skill, could master it in a short amount of time.
Lin Xiao hadn't fully believed these stories. But Lin Dong's cultivation speed was a bit too rapid. After all, half a year ago, he was merely at the Body Tempering Second Layer.
In half a year, he had leaped five layers. Such speed, let alone in Qingyang Town, would be considered unparalleled even within the Lin Clan.
"In the past half year, are you sure you haven't consumed anything?" Lin Xiao asked.
Although, as he had previously speculated, Lin Dong's body absorbed spiritual medicine exceptionally well. However, the most crucial reason was their family's limited circumstances, so in these past six months, Lin Dong hadn't obtained any high-grade spiritual medicine. If there wasn't enough spiritual medicine to use, how much benefit could even superior absorption capabilities provide?!
"It seems like...? But, two months ago, when I was training alone in the mountains, I came across a golden-colored fruit. I ate it, but it seemed like my body didn't change much...!!! Could it be because of that?" Lin Dong widened his eyes, putting on an act of trying hard to recall. Then, his expression unchanged, he said.
Lin Xiao pondered for a moment but couldn't figure out what that golden fruit could possibly be. He could only shake his head, not entirely certain, and said: "It's possible... All things considered, perhaps your luck was exceptionally good, and you ended up eating some kind of spiritual fruit...?!"
Seeing his demeanor, he seemed to know that no clues could be found regarding this matter, so he didn't ponder it further. Anyway, no matter what, as long as Lin Dong's strength could increase, that was the best outcome.
Seeing that Lin Xiao had dropped the matter of questioning, Lin Dong finally let out a long sigh of relief. He didn't want to reveal the mysterious Stone Talisman too soon. Later, when the time was ripe, he would personally tell Lin Xiao this secret.
"Today, for you to secure first place in the Clan Competition was beyond my expectations!" Lin Xiao said, his expression solemn. "However, don't become arrogant and neglect your cultivation! Otherwise, when the year-end Qingyang Town Hunt begins, the young talents from other factions in town will also participate. You must not tarnish the reputation of my Lin family!"
Lin Dong naturally knew very well about the triennial Qingyang Town Hunt. This was also the most bustling time in Qingyang Town every three years. Even people from outside the town would flock to watch the excitement.
Speaking of the Hunt, one had to mention the Three Great Factions of Qingyang Town: the Lei family, the Xie family, and the Mad Blade Martial Hall.
The Lei family and the Xie family were considered native clans of Qingyang Town, having developed there for generations. But when it came to the most formidable background, one had to speak of the Mad Blade Martial Hall. Although it had only been established for a short few years, it had already surpassed previous factions. In terms of strength, neither the Lei family nor the Xie family dared to underestimate it.
Furthermore, the Mad Blade Martial Hall also held some renown within a hundred-mile radius around Qingyang Town. Several merchant caravans had signed protection contracts with the Mad Blade Martial Hall, and when mentioned, ordinary bandits wouldn't dare to provoke them.
Below these Three Great Factions, the strongest was the Lin family. In fact, from another perspective, if Lin Xiao were to recover his full strength, the Lin family would likewise be qualified to be ranked among the Three Great Factions. After all, even the Lei family's foundation only boasted five Sky Yuan Stage masters.
The so-called Hunt was jointly organized by these Three Great Factions. In truth, it was ultimately a form of trial specifically for the young generation of these factions to compete and contend against each other.
Of course, this was also another form of covert struggle that the major factions had always engaged in.
And whoever could gain renown from this trial, when word spread, these clans and factions would naturally feel honored. This was a competition to suppress the reputation of their rivals in this aspect.
Therefore, the so-called Hunt was relatively important to the major factions in Qingyang Town. Achieving good results in this Hunt's trial meant that the young participants were outstanding individuals within their respective clans. Its ferocity was not comparable to the experience Lin Dong gained in today's small Clan Competition.
Furthermore, those opponents would be far stronger than Lin Hong.
That was the true trial!
"Yes, Father! I won't be lazy!"
Inside the room, Lin Dong recalled his thoughts, looked up, smiled, and replied. "I've heard that in recent years, the Lin Family's performance in these hunting expeditions hasn't been very good, leading to quite a bit of ridicule. Therefore, Grandfather must be placing heavy expectations on this hunting trip."
"– Mm!"
Lin Xiao nodded in satisfaction and said:
"– The Lei and Xie families, being local powers, are highly antagonistic towards my Lin Family, and even towards the Mad Saber Martial Hall. In recent years, they've devised every possible method to suppress my Lin Family. What's their goal? It's to make outsiders know that *they* are the true overlords! If my Lin Family wants to develop, we have to be at their mercy!"
At this point, Lin Xiao couldn't help but let out a cold snort, then continued:
"– For years, my Lin Family has been keeping a low profile. Now that I've recovered my strength, we no longer need to fear them! Therefore, you must work hard and use this hunting expedition to re-establish the Lin Family's prestige!"
Lin Dong nodded once more.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao also smiled. Then, he handed Lin Dong a brocade box and instructed:
"– This is your grandfather's reward for you! Inside are two third-grade spiritual medicines. From now on, you are qualified to enter the Martial Arts Hall. As for what kind of martial arts you want to cultivate... go see for yourself!"
"– Two third-grade spiritual medicines?"
Hearing this, Lin Dong's eyes immediately lit up, and he hastily accepted it. Ever since he luckily discovered a Crystal Vermillion Fruit last time, he hadn't had the chance to encounter third-grade spiritual medicine again. He had refined two elixir pills from the Stone Talisman Elixir, but due to their limited quantity, he was reluctant to use them. Today, with these two third-grade spiritual medicines, he could finally test just how powerful those elixir pills truly were!
"– Alright, it's getting late. Go rest first! During this time, I'll first go to Fiery Flame Manor to look into some cultivation matters! You must seize this opportunity yourself!"
Seeing that Lin Dong had accepted the brocade box, Lin Xiao waved his hand and said.
"– Yes!"
Lin Dong nodded, then darted out of the room like a flash. He was eager to test just how great the effects would be if he refined the third-grade spiritual medicine into elixir pills!