Chapter 27: Lin Zhentian's Surprise, The Lei Family's Next Move!
"Who dares spy on my Lin family?!"
At the same time, through his spiritual power, Lin Fan heard Lin Zhentian's furious shout.
Realizing what had happened, Lin Fan quickly withdrew his spiritual sense.
Even that brief collision of power left him pale—after all, he had only just begun training in spiritual force and was still far too weak.
Shaking his head slightly, Lin Fan followed the Shen Dong Chapter's guidance to recover his mental strength and then resumed his cultivation.
On the other side, Lin Zhentian stood in his room, his face stern and full of doubt. He couldn't understand why a Rune Master would suddenly try to peer into the Lin family's affairs.
Just as he was pondering this, he felt another different spiritual fluctuation.
His face sank as he barked, "Show yourself!"
At the same time, he unleashed a surge of powerful Yuan Power toward the empty space in front of him.
This wave, however, had nothing to do with any intruder—it was caused by Lin Dong, who had just begun cultivating spiritual power for the first time.
Lin Dong, filled with excitement, had no idea his training had set off such a reaction.
Lin Fan also sensed the pulse of Lin Dong's mental energy.
After some thought, he decided it would be best to explain, and so he headed straight to Lin Zhentian's room.
Having been disturbed twice in a row, Lin Zhentian wouldn't be able to sleep easy without clarification.
"What? You're saying those two spiritual fluctuations were from you training in spiritual power?"
Lin Zhentian was stunned with surprise and delight upon hearing Lin Fan's explanation.
Lin Fan added, "Not just me. The first wave was from me, the second was from Lin Dong."
"Hahahaha! Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"
Lin Zhentian burst out laughing.
His two most gifted grandsons were not only geniuses in Yuan Power cultivation but also possessed talent for spiritual force. How could he not be thrilled?
"Where did you get the cultivation manual for spiritual power?" he asked suddenly.
Lin Fan explained, "While you and Uncle Ken were selling the Yang Essence Stones in Yan City, I took Lin Dong and Qingtan for a walk. We ended up at the Wonder Treasure Pavilion…"
Without hiding anything, Lin Fan recounted everything that had happened at the pavilion.
Lin Zhentian was amazed. "So Master Yan actually took an interest in Dong'er?"
Having been to Yan City many times, Lin Zhentian naturally knew of Master Yan, the Four-Seal Rune Master, and his standing.
Then his expression dimmed slightly. "Too bad Dong'er didn't accept his offer to study the Rune Path under him."
Lin Fan offered, "Grandfather, Lin Dong has his own destiny. He's even more determined than many adults. I think it's better not to interfere in his choices—he'll go farther that way."
Lin Zhentian looked deeply at Lin Fan and then chuckled. "You're not just talking about Lin Dong, are you?"
"You see right through me, Grandfather," Lin Fan said with a smile, not denying it. "But don't worry—Lin Dong and I will do our best to fulfill your wish of returning to the main family."
The mention of the "main family" caused Lin Zhentian's smile to fade. He fell into a moment of silence.
After a while, he patted Lin Fan's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I'm not one to impose my will. I know you both have your own paths, and I won't get in your way."
"As for returning to the main family... don't feel too pressured. Just do your best. What happened to your third uncle back then, I hope never happens to you."
Though Lin Zhentian still harbored deep feelings about returning to the main family, he didn't want to burden the younger generation.
Lin Fan nodded. "Thank you, Grandfather. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now. You should get some rest."
"Go on, then." Lin Zhentian waved casually.
Without saying more, Lin Fan returned to his room.
In the days that followed, he stayed at Tiemu Manor, focusing completely on his training.
He cultivated both Yuan Power and spiritual power diligently, without neglecting his martial techniques.
Lin Dong trained even harder than Lin Fan.
As for Qingtan—when not training—she loved riding Huo'er around the estate.
Huo'er was growing rapidly, soon catching up to and even surpassing Xiao Yan, which meant Qingtan no longer monopolized Lin Dong's tiger.
Meanwhile, Tiemu Manor's defenses became increasingly robust, and the mining of the Yang Essence Stone Vein was now in full swing.
Everything was moving in the right direction.
But while the Lin family flourished, the Lei family wasn't idle either.
Not only had they discovered the Lin family's mining operation at Tiemu Manor, but they were also secretly colluding with the bandit group Black Dragon Fortress, located near Qingyang Town...
...
Time flew by.
Three months passed since the Lin family's last trip to Yan City.
In that time, the miners had unearthed another significant batch of Yang Essence Stones.
Lin Zhentian personally organized a second, even larger convoy to transport them.
Inside a grand hall in Tiemu Manor, Lin Zhentian sat at the head of the table, his expression grave.
"This time, the delivery won't be as easy as last time," he said. "According to the information I've received, our Yang Essence Stones have caught the attention of some wolves…"
"You mean the Lei family is making a move?" Lin Xiao asked.
Lin Zhentian shook his head slightly. "Lei Bao is a cunning old fox. He won't act directly. More likely, he's sent Black Dragon Fortress after us."
"Black Dragon Fortress?"
The name made Lin Ken and Lin Mang frown.
That gang was one of the most notorious bandit groups within a hundred miles of Qingyang Town, led by two Heaven Origin experts—not to be underestimated.
After a moment of thought, Lin Zhentian said, "I'll personally lead this trip. Lin Ken and Lin Mang will come with me. Lin Xiao will stay behind and oversee Tiemu Manor."
"As for Fan'er and Dong'er, you two will stay as well."
Lin Fan's eyes flickered. He remembered how, in the original story, Black Dragon Fortress attacked Tiemu Manor during such a trip.
But this time, things were different—Lin Xiao was now a Small Yuan Dan Realm cultivator, and both he and Lin Dong were in the Heaven Origin Stage.
Even if Black Dragon Fortress attacked, they'd be easily handled.
So Lin Fan didn't say anything about the potential ambush.
With the plans finalized, no one objected.
Soon after, the convoy was assembled, and Lin Zhentian and his two sons departed with guards and Yang Essence Stones in tow.
"Keep your eyes open. Don't let anyone suspicious sneak into the estate. If anything seems off—signal immediately!"
Once they had gone, Lin Xiao gave strict orders to the remaining guards.
The entire manor became tense.
Many of the Lin family's younger generation had also gathered at Tiemu Manor and couldn't help but worry.
"Lin Fan, you don't think anything will happen to Grandpa and the others, right?"
Lin Xia, one of the closer juniors, asked him anxiously.
Lin Fan smiled. "Black Dragon Fortress only has two Heaven Origin Stage leaders. Grandpa has three Heaven Origin experts with him. What's there to worry about?"
As the acknowledged top genius of the Lin juniors, everyone trusted Lin Fan deeply.
Hearing his words, Lin Xia and the others felt more at ease.
She then chatted with Lin Fan about various happenings in Qingyang Town.
Rumble—!
Suddenly, a thunderous roar of hooves echoed from outside Tiemu Manor.
"Here we go," Lin Fan muttered softly as he rushed toward the manor wall.
"What is that?!"
Behind him, Lin Dong, Qingtan, Lin Xia, and several others followed.
As they looked out and saw the rising yellow dust kicked up by galloping horses, their expressions changed instantly.
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