"Father, what happened?"
Seeing Lin Zhentian land safely, Lin Xiao and the others rushed over, asking anxiously.
"I don't know," Lin Zhentian said, raising his eyebrows and shaking his head. "The one who attacked just now must have been a First-Seal Talisman Master, or perhaps even a Second-Seal Talisman Master."
Hearing this, even though they had already guessed, Lin Xiao and the others couldn't help but change their expressions, worriedly saying, "Could it be an expert invited by the Lei Family?"
Lin Zhentian fell silent, then lowered his voice and said, "Probably not. Although that person's mental energy was strong just now, they never intended to suppress me. Instead, it was more like a probing test. If it were someone invited by the Lei Family, then... it wouldn't be like that."
"Could it be that there's a hidden expert somewhere near Ironwood Manor?" Lin Xiao asked in surprise.
"Perhaps..." Lin Zhentian nodded, suddenly recalling a previous instance some time ago when he was also probed by mental energy. However, that mental energy probe was far weaker than today's, and he didn't know if the two were the same person.
"During this period, secretly send people to investigate the vicinity of Ironwood Manor. If there really is a suspicious person, do not offend them. If the other party only wants to spar, there might even be a chance to draw them into our Lin Family," Lin Zhentian said.
"Yes."
Lin Xiao and the others nodded. If the other party was indeed a Talisman Master and also pledged allegiance to the family... then, for the Lin Family, it would undoubtedly be a divine blessing.
While Lin Zhentian and Lin Xiao were still talking, a fiery red figure swiftly glided from the deepest part of the village towards them. Lin Dong, with the tips of his toes on the tiger's back, leaped in front of Lin Zhentian, happily saying, "Grandpa, you succeeded?"
"Haha, yes, this time I was able to enter the Yuan Dan Stage thanks to you, little rascal," Lin Zhentian's face immediately broke into a gentle smile upon seeing Lin Dong, and he nodded with a laugh.
"Then, from now on, our Lin Family has its first Yuan Dan Stage expert!" Lin Dong was also a little excited. He had always been very clear about the immense deterrent power a Yuan Dan Stage expert held for the Lin Family.
"Alright, alright, what Yuan Dan expert? At most, it's just the Minor Yuan Dan Stage," Lin Zhentian said with a smile, waving his hand.
"Minor Yuan Dan Stage?" Lin Dong was startled.
"The Yuan Dan Stage, to be precise, has three levels. Someone like me, who has just entered, is called the Minor Yuan Dan Stage. After passing the Minor Yuan Dan Stage, there are also the Yuan Dan Minor Perfection and Major Perfection, two more levels," Lin Zhentian said with a smile. In the past, the Yuan Dan Stage was somewhat distant for them, so it was normal for Lin Dong not to know about these relatively high-level distinctions.
Lin Dong was a little surprised, naturally not expecting the so-called Yuan Dan Stage to be divided into such detailed levels.
"Then, what realm is after the Yuan Dan Stage?" Lin Dong suddenly asked curiously.
"Haven't you heard the saying? The path of cultivation is to steal Yin and Yang, seize creation, transcend Nirvana, and grasp life and death. That encompasses the sequence of our cultivation levels."
Lin Zhantian smiled and said, "The Yin-Yang Stealing technique is for the Earth Yuan Stage and Heaven Yuan Stage. It involves absorbing the two energies of Yin and Yang, allowing Yin and Yang to intertwine, and condensing them into a pill. After the Yuan Dan Stage, there are the three stages known as the Creation Stages."
"The Creation Stages?"
"The Form Creation Stage, the Qi Creation Stage, and the Creation Stage – collectively known as the Three Creation Stages." A hint of reverence appeared on Lin Zhantian's face. Although he had stepped into the Minor Yuan Dan Stage today, he understood that there was still a very long way to go before reaching the Creation Stage.
"If one can enter the Creation Stage, they can be called the strongest expert in the Great Yan Dynasty. The current Clan Head of the Lin family is a Creation Stage expert, capable of reaching the heavens and penetrating the earth." Lin Zhantian sighed softly.
Seeing the reverence on Lin Zhantian's face, Lin Dong licked his lips. Suddenly, a sense of anticipation welled up in his heart. His goal was not merely the Yuan Dan Stage.
"As for the Nirvana Stage, which comes after the Three Creation Stages, that is a profound realm that I am incapable of knowing..."
Lin Dong nodded silently, engraving this verse deep into his heart.
"Haha, Father is too modest. Although it's only the Minor Yuan Dan Stage, you have, after all, broken through an important barrier. Even in Yan City, this is considered quite good," the surrounding Lin Xiao and others said with a laugh.
Lin Zhantian smiled, then asked, "How have things been recently?"
Hearing this, the smiles on the faces of Lin Xiao and the others gradually faded. After a moment of hesitation, they recounted how the Lei and Xie families had attacked the Lei family's relatives, along with their recent strange actions.
"Hmph, as expected, the Lei family sees my Lin family as a thorn in their side, a splinter in their flesh that they want to remove." After hearing Lin Xiao's words, Lin Zhantian's expression instantly turned grim.
Lin Xiao nodded. Previously, the Lin family had always been patient. Although the Lei family had no good feelings towards them, they maintained a certain degree of restraint on the surface and were not overly hostile. However, ever since the Lin family acquired the Ironwood Manor and, moreover, discovered and exploited the Yang Yuan Stone mine there, the Lei family had completely regarded them as mortal enemies. If given the chance, they would utterly destroy the Lin family.
"Father, what should we do next?" Lin Keng asked in a low voice. Today, Lin Zhantian had successfully entered the Minor Yuan Dan Stage. Throughout Qingyang Town, it was unlikely there was anyone who could be his opponent. Therefore, there was indeed no need to worry about the Lei and Xie families joining forces.
"Send people to investigate every move of the Lei and Xie families. In addition, contact the Mad Blade Martial Arts Academy. If they agree to help... cooperating with them would be best," Lin Zhantian said with a hesitant expression.
"Once the cooperation talks are settled, we will immediately act to deal with the Lei family." As he spoke the last sentence, a cold glint flashed in Lin Zhantian's eyes. After enduring for so many years, it was finally time to retaliate!
"Yes."
Lin Xiao and the others nodded heavily. During this time, they had only defended and not ventured out. Although they ignored the somewhat heavy atmosphere of suspicion outside, they still felt a bit wronged in their hearts. Moreover, the Lei and Xie families had used despicable tactics, so a fire of anger had long been ignited within them.
Seeing everyone's spirits so high, Lin Zhentian smiled, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.
"Lei Bao – you want my Lin family to be destroyed, but I won't let you have your way!"
***
Ever since Lin Zhentian successfully entered the Minor Yuan Dan Realm, the defenses of Ironwood Stronghold had relaxed slightly. The Lin family no longer remained holed up; instead, they dispatched some scouts back to Qingyang Town to investigate every move of the Lei and Xie families.
Regarding the cooperation, they quickly contacted the Mad Blade Martial Arts Academy. The relationship between the two families was quite good due to the combined forces of the Lei and Xie families, so when the Lin family proposed an alliance, they didn't refuse, though they hesitated slightly. This was because no one truly wanted to confront the Lei and Xie families. Even though those two families were extremely detestable, they were still the two largest powers in the region.
However, this hesitation immediately vanished when they received news that Lin Zhentian had successfully entered the Minor Yuan Dan Realm. The cooperation faced no further obstacles. They were very clear about how terrifying Lin Zhentian would ultimately be now that he had entered the Minor Yuan Dan Realm.
Nevertheless, on the second day, as both parties were discussing the cooperation, an invitation from the Lei and Xie families arrived at Ironwood Stronghold.
The Lei and Xie families, who had remained silent for two months, had finally made their move.