C78 Prepare Yourselves We Can Start at Any Time

As Lin Miaoran hesitated whether to unleash her full power and let her aura burst forth, Chu Yan spoke up, "That's enough, I've seen what I need to."

"But I—" Lin Miaoran longed to express her gratitude, to tell him that her recent surge in strength was due to their sparring sessions. Yet, the words wouldn't come. Speaking up risked revealing her true identity, and a whirlwind of emotions swirled within her, leaving a bittersweet taste and a warmth in her eyes.

She yearned to say thank you, but was powerless to do so.

"Thank you," Chu Yan preempted her, uttering the words she couldn't.

Surprised, Lin Miaoran looked up, her gaze flickering as she met his.

"When I come back, I'm going to beat you," Chu Yan said with a smile, waving his hand. "So, for now, good night."

Lin Miaoran waved back, the words "goodbye" lodged in her throat, turning into a whisper only she could hear: "Goodbye."

Watching Chu Yan walk away, Lin Miaoran felt something odd. He had said his farewells but didn't leave. Instead, he strode towards the Sixth Madame.

"Spirit Money," Chu Yan called out, holding out his hand.

"Are we exchanging for blood essence again?" Sixth Madame asked, amused yet exasperated, knowing full well his single-minded pursuit of Spirit Money made him nearly impossible to deceive.

"Not this time. Just the Spirit Money," Chu Yan clarified.

"Very well," Sixth Madame replied, intrigued by his unusual request but agreeing without further question.

Once Chu Yan had the Spirit Money in hand, he swiftly departed from Langya Pavilion, vanishing into the night.

"Miss, Miss," Fu Rui leaned in close to Lin Miaoran, who was still in a daze, and waved her hand in front of her face. "He's long gone!"

"I know that!" Lin Miaoran snapped back to reality, her voice tinged with feigned annoyance to mask her awkwardness.

"Ah, the unfortunate Chu Yan is going to face rejection from the young miss tomorrow. Tonight, I'll head back early, light three sticks of incense, and pour out a cup of wine as a way to offer him some solace," Fu Rui said, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Burning incense and pouring wine?" Lin Miaoran asked with a curious gaze. "Is that your idea of comfort? And do you really think he can feel it?"

"Absolutely," Fu Rui replied with conviction. "That's exactly what my mother did when she paid respects at my father's grave."

Lin Miaoran: "..."

Sixth Madame: "..."

After leaving Langya Pavilion, Chu Yan made a beeline for the Lin Family Estate.

It had been nearly ten days since his last visit, and in that time, his power had surged forward, his cultivation level rising at an astonishing rate.

Back in the Southern Yuan Kingdom, even the most fortunate, persistent, and wise warriors would need at least twenty years to progress from the fourth to the fifth level of the Genuine Force Stage.

Yet now, less than a month had passed since Chu Yan had reached the fourth level of the Genuine Force.

To spend merely a month achieving what took others twenty to thirty years, or even a lifetime, was extraordinary. This feat was made possible not only by the time-space cage but also by the vital training with his blood essence and the sparring sessions at Langya Pavilion.

"Just wait and see, you're in for a surprise," Chu Yan mused, his eyes gleaming with confidence as he gazed at the distant lights of Evergreen Town, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The summer night breeze carried the silhouette of the young man, exuding an aura as if he could shoulder the heavens themselves.

The pouch, heavy with Spirit Money, flipped through his fingers with ease.

"After tomorrow, this ten thousand Spirit Money will come in handy for something on the sixth floor of the Return to the Ruins Tower," Chu Yan thought to himself.

Meanwhile, inside the Lin Family Mansion.

In a dimly lit room, Lin Yun wielded a sharp sword, its silver light exploding in a burst that sent more than a dozen sword blossoms into the air, each one cleaving the swirling fallen leaves in half.

"Master Yun's swordsmanship is impressive. With such martial prowess, securing a top two spot in the family selection and representing the Lin Family will be no issue at all," praised the servant, who had been eagerly waiting to the side, his face etched with sycophantic eagerness.

"Hmph, I didn't need you to tell me that," Lin Yun said, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smug smile.

He had poured considerable effort into mastering the Heaven Swamp Sword Art, a mid-grade martial skill of the Mortal Realm, to an impressive degree.

While Lin Miaoran and Lin Ao often captured the spotlight among the Lin Family's younger generation, Lin Yun's talents were certainly not to be underestimated.

He was well aware of his own prowess, which only deepened his intolerance for Chu Yan.

The Lin Family already boasted two shining stars; what significance did Chu Yan think he held?

"Securing the opportunity to represent the Lin Family in battle is expected, but my ambitions extend far beyond that," Lin Yun said with a cold laugh. "What about the information I had you gather? Any progress?"

"I've thoroughly investigated, sir. My men have kept a constant watch on that small garden over the past few days," the servant replied, bowing. "Chu Yan hasn't been seen for the last ten days; his whereabouts are unknown."

"Hmph, the turtle finally shows his shell," Lin Yun sneered repeatedly. "If he had any sense, he'd disappear and spare himself some suffering. But if he dares to show his face tomorrow—I'll make sure he regrets it!"

"Absolutely, absolutely. That Chu Yan is courting death, daring to cross our Young Master Yun. He's like an old man courting disaster, clearly fed up with living," the servant quickly added, heaping on the flattery.

Elsewhere on the Lin Family grounds.

Tucked behind a tranquil bamboo grove stood a quaint two-story building.

Inside, on the second floor, Lin Ao sat in meditation, his legs crossed.

Before him were two tiny, empty glass bottles, each no larger than an adult's thumb.

Lin Ao meditated with closed eyes, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Nearby, his father, Lin Chongzhi, watched him with a mix of hope and impatience.

After a considerable pause, Lin Ao spoke up, "Father, is there something you wanted to say?"

Lin Chongzhi didn't respond to Lin Ao's question right away. Instead, he stepped closer, his voice laced with urgency, "How are you feeling? Has the blood essence brought about any improvement?"

"Given that blood essence commands such a steep price for its benefits, it's only natural."

Before Lin Chongzhi could even allow a smile to grace his features, Lin Ao added, "But the vitality within the blood marrow is overwhelmingly potent. I fear from the two bottles I've just taken, I've barely absorbed a tenth of their strength. To fully assimilate it, I'll need at least another fifteen days."

"The Clan Selection tomorrow—" Lin Chongzhi's face was immediately etched with concern.

With a dismissive glance at his father, Lin Ao's tone was devoid of blame, yet his look sent a shiver through Lin Chongzhi's heart.

"Father, do you really think I could lose to those nobodies?"