"Qimen Seal, incomplete..."
Lin Dong stared in surprise at the introduction on the wooden plaque, not expecting this Third-grade Martial Art to actually be incomplete.
"Grandpa once told me that this martial art was found by chance," Lin Xia stepped forward and said. "But just as the introduction says, it's only a partial scroll. If you really want to experience a Third-grade Martial Art, you should pick a different one."
"It's just an incomplete version, yet Grandpa kept it here. The Qimen Seal must be very powerful, right?" Lin Dong mused, a thoughtful look on his face.
"You could say that," Lin Xia replied with a smile. "But it's incomplete, so it's not really suitable for cultivation. According to Grandpa, even if you successfully cultivate this incomplete Qimen Seal, its power will only be at the level of a Third-grade Martial Art, or perhaps even less."
"Furthermore, this partial scroll of the Qimen Seal is very difficult to cultivate. Quite a few people in the Lin family have tried to cultivate it, but in the end, it seems only your father and Grandpa managed to succeed. However, because its power was inferior to other Third-grade Martial Arts, they eventually gave up on it." Seeing that Lin Dong still seemed somewhat tempted, Lin Xia, fearing he might make a rash choice, informed him further.
"Oh?"
Lin Dong was a little surprised. He hadn't expected his Grandpa and father to have cultivated it successfully. It seemed this incomplete Qimen Seal truly had some peculiar aspects.
"If it's a partial scroll, I wonder if the glowing Stone Talisman can automatically mend the missing parts?" Lin Dong blinked. Looking back at his experience cultivating the Tongbei Fist and Eight Desolations Palm, it seemed that no matter what martial art it was, once it came into contact with the glowing Stone Talisman, it could be perfected. So, he wondered, would this partial scroll of the Qimen Seal be the same?
If the glowing Stone Talisman could truly restore the Qimen Seal to its complete form, Lin Dong would undoubtedly have stumbled upon a massive treasure. Although he wasn't sure how powerful the Qimen Seal truly was at the moment, the fact that an incomplete scroll could reach the level of a Third-grade Martial Art indicated its unique qualities. If it were the complete version, the Qimen Seal would likely be at least a Fourth-grade Martial Art!
A Fourth-grade Martial Art – that was already beyond the scope of Minor-grade techniques, stepping into the realm of Mid-grade Martial Arts!
The entire Lin family possessed only one Fourth-grade Martial Art, and that was the one Grandpa had obtained from the Lin clan back then!
If Lin Dong could cultivate a Fourth-grade Martial Art, even when facing an opponent at the ninth level of Body Tempering, he was absolutely confident he would secure victory!
"I have to try it!"
Lin Dong's heart burned with excitement at the mention of a Fourth-grade Martial Art. His eyes blazed as he stared at the pale black scroll. A moment later, his resolve solidified, and he reached out directly, taking it into his hand.
"Hey, you brat, why don't you ever listen? Do you want a beating?!" Lin Xia, standing nearby, saw that despite all her efforts, Lin Dong still stubbornly chose the incomplete Qimen Seal martial art. Her delicate eyebrows shot up, and she spoke sharply.
"Haha, I'll just try cultivating it first. If it's not suitable, I can always switch to another one," Lin Dong said with a laugh.
"You... Ugh, forget it, do as you please."
Lin He stomped her foot in frustration. She had seen many people choose martial arts, and many had chosen this fragmentary martial art manual. These people all harbored dreams similar to Lin Dong's, only thinking of success after cultivating this incomplete manual. However, without exception, they all eventually returned to switch to a different martial art. Therefore, she didn't want to see Lin Dong use this useless martial art.
"Lin He-jie, don't worry, I'm just looking at it. I don't really plan to cultivate it," Lin Dong said with a smile, knowing she meant well.
"Anyway, make sure you handle this properly yourself. Don't let it delay your cultivation. Those damned Lei and Xie families still look down on my Lin family. The younger generations from both sides clash frequently." As she spoke, a hint of anger flickered across Lin He's face, then she sighed with a somber expression. "However, to be honest, the Lei and Xie families' foundations are indeed a bit deeper than our Lin family's. Every time there's a conflict, we're the ones who end up suffering losses. And the elders can't intervene in such matters; they can only turn a blind eye..."
"Among the younger generation of the Lei and Xie families, who has the strongest cultivation right now?" Lin Dong nodded slightly. He wasn't surprised by this; after all, those two families had been developing in Qingyang Town for many years, whereas the Lin family, when compared to them, indeed had a somewhat 'outsider' feel.
"Among the Lei family's younger generation, the strongest must be that fellow Lei Li. As far as I know, four months ago, he had already reached the Body Tempering 8th Layer. I don't know if he's reached the 9th Layer yet..."
"And in the Xie family, the strongest among their peers is Xie Yingying. Her cultivation has already reached the 8th Layer." As she spoke this name, Lin He clearly gritted her teeth a little, seemingly having a very poor impression of the other party.
"Lei Li, Xie Yingying..." Lin Dong repeated these names, sighing inwardly at the formidable foundations of the Lei and Xie families. The Lin family, when starting out, was indeed a bit lacking in 'firepower' compared to them.
"What about the Mad Blade Martial Arts School?" Lin Dong seemed to recall that the martial arts school had arrived in Qingyang Town later than the Lin family, yet its power had developed faster than theirs.
"The Mad Blade Martial Arts School? That would be Wu Yun. His cultivation has also reached the Body Tempering 8th Layer. However, that fellow doesn't get along with the younger generation of the Xie and Lei families. He once sparred with Lei Li, but ultimately, he was defeated," Lin He said.
"Indeed, they're all formidable individuals..." Lin Dong smiled, tightening his grip on the Mysterious Gate Seal fragment in his hand. These people were far more significant than Lin Hong; they were truly the most outstanding among the young generation in Qingyang Town.
"That's right. When we started, our Lin family's younger generation was a bit weaker." Lin He sighed, then her spirits lifted. Her gaze fixed on Lin Dong, and her beautiful eyes said, "But it won't be the same later. With you as our dark horse, our Lin family will definitely achieve some decent results!"
"Lin Hejie, don't praise me too much. My cultivation is only on par with yours. Compared to those three, there's still quite a gap," Lin Dong said, shaking his head with a smile.
“Don’t pretend with me. You’ve probably not even been officially cultivating for a year, and I’ve cultivated for countless times longer than you. At your current speed, even surpassing the person known as Qingyang Town’s youngest – Lei Li – wouldn’t be a problem,” Lin Xia said, pouting as she shot a disdainful look at Lin Dong.
“However, I must tell you, if by any chance you become stronger than that Lei Li fellow in the future, you absolutely must help me teach that stinky woman Xie Yingying a lesson. Otherwise, I won’t let you off the hook!” As if remembering something, Lin Xia suddenly put on a fierce expression and said.
Lin Dong was taken aback, looking at Lin Xia’s fierce eyes, like those of a little tigress. He immediately nodded without hesitation, forcing a smile as he said, “Since Sister Lin Xia has said so, I will definitely follow through in the future. But to deal with that Xie Yingying, why must I be stronger than Lei Li?”
“Because Xie Yingying is that annoying fellow’s fiancee. Ah, if you want to deal with her, you first have to take care of Lei Li, right?” Lin Xia chuckled softly.
“Got it, Sister.”
Lin Dong shivered again, then nodded.
“Let’s go, it’s getting late. We need to register this martial arts remnant scroll before we can take it out,” Lin Xia said, nodding contentedly. As she turned around, her delicate hands clasped behind her back, her ponytail swayed with her slender waist, swinging back and forth. She was indeed a very lively and spirited young girl.
Following behind Lin Xia, Lin Dong registered the remnant scroll, and then smoothly took the incomplete Qimen Seal out of the Martial Arts Hall.
After leaving the Martial Arts Hall, Lin Xia chatted with Lin Dong for a bit longer before finally departing. Lin Dong, too, let out a long sigh of relief, then, like a swift horse, he ran back to his dwelling. He was already very eager to try it out: could the Stone Talisman’s light projection – could the Stone Talisman restore this incomplete Qimen Seal to perfection?