C89 His Business Is My Business

At this moment, the reality was just as it seemed.

Lin Chongtian, though astonished by his daughter Lin Miaoran's level of cultivation, harbored no doubts. Her ability to withstand Lin Kongtong's furious strike was proof positive.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" he exclaimed.

Moments later, after releasing Lin Miaoran's wrist, Lin Chongtian couldn't contain his laughter, his face beaming with pride. "My daughter, Lin Miaoran, is truly exceptional!"

To advance to the Pulse Condensation Stage at just sixteen was no small feat. In the entire Yunao Kingdom, not just Evergreen Town, Lin Miaoran was undeniably a prodigy.

Yet, Lin Chongtian felt a twinge of confusion. He sensed that Lin Miaoran's aura was somewhat unstable, indicating her recent promotion. So why had she chosen to reveal herself now, taking a hit for Chu Yan?

Pondering this, Lin Chongtian cast a meaningful glance at Chu Yan.

Chu Yan, for his part, was completely absorbed, staring in astonishment at Lin Miaoran's retreating figure. "She's reached the Pulse Condensation Stage?" he murmured in disbelief.

He remembered Zhao Ji mentioning during their journey to Evergreen Town that Lin Miaoran was absent from the clan, preparing to advance to the fifth level of the Genuine Force Stage. Yet here she was, no longer at the Genuine Force Stage, but a cultivator of a much higher order.

Lin Kongtong's expression flickered with uncertainty. Lin Miaoran's sudden appearance had thrown his plans into disarray, her advancement shattering them completely, leaving not a trace behind.

As he observed the awe and envy in the eyes of those around Lin Miaoran, and then glanced at Lin Ao, lying to the side with his head drenched in blood, Lin Kongtong felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, a metallic taste in his throat, as if he were on the brink of spitting blood.

"Lin Chongtian, are you so determined to shield Chu Yan today?!" Lin Kongtong spat out, his anger overriding any respect for the clan leader.

His gaze then settled on Lin Miaoran, his eyes ablaze with fury: "Lin Miaoran, you're not yet married to Chu Yan. In terms of kinship, Lin Ao and Lin Chongzhi are closer relatives. So now you're turning your back on your own family, preferring to meddle in the business of outsiders rather than helping your own kin?"

Lin Chongtian was taken aback.

Lin Kongtong's demeanor was a blatant show of disrespect towards him, the family patriarch.

Yet before he could respond, Lin Miaoran lifted her head, her eyes cool and piercing as she addressed Lin Kongtong, "Grandpa Kongtong, what if I told you that Chu Yan's concerns are my concerns?"

Gasps filled the air.

Her statement was shockingly bold and suggestive, especially coming from a young woman.

Not only were Lin Chongtian, Lin Kongtong, and the other Lin family members present taken aback, but even Chu Yan himself was stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What does she mean by that? We've been nothing but honorable, and now she's claiming ownership?"

As she spoke, Lin Miaoran's heart raced, her cheeks flushed with heat, yet her stance was unwaveringly firm.

Only she knew the extent of Chu Yan's assistance.

For that reason alone, she couldn't stand by and let Lin Kongtong break the rules and harm Chu Yan today.

There were other emotions and factors at play, too complex for even Lin Miaoran herself to articulate at the moment.

Repeatedly defied by Lin Miaoran, Lin Kongtong's complexion shifted from white to red, then from red to a livid green. His eyes seethed with malice and anger, churning like boiling magma.

"You ungrateful wretches—" Lin Kongtong bellowed, his voice thick with rage as a terrifying intent to kill surged from him.

Lin Chongtian's expression hardened. He immediately stepped forward, shielding both Chu Yan and Lin Miaoran behind him.

He could sense Lin Kongtong's murderous intent.

As both the clan leader and a father, his emotions were far from calm in the face of Lin Kongtong's behavior today.

Just then, a resonant voice echoed from the back of the crowd: "Lin Kongtong, you might be reckless with your eating, but you should be careful with your words."

"Who dares to challenge me!" Lin Kongtong bellowed, spinning around to see who had spoken.

The crowd's gaze followed, and they caught sight of a lean, towering figure standing atop a distant wall.

The figure's features were obscured by a large bamboo hat, leaving only a masculine voice as a clue to his identity.

Somehow, this imposing man had ascended without anyone noticing.

While Chu Yan pondered who the man could be, a surge of excitement flashed in Lin Chongtian's eyes as he exclaimed, "You are..."

Lin Kongtong's expression darkened as if a realization struck him.

The Lin Clan's elite on the dais rose to their feet, their eyes alight with thrill and anticipation.

"It's me, I have returned." The man on the wall then lifted his hat, revealing a face with striking, well-defined features.

He appeared to be a man in his sixties or seventies, with snow-white hair and a forehead lined with wrinkles. Yet, his eyes sparkled with a vitality that shone with the intensity of an eagle or a tiger, exuding a formidable presence even from afar.

At that moment, Chu Yan considered the old man's possible identity.

"Grandfather!" Lin Miaoran's crisp voice confirmed the old man's identity.

"Father!" Lin Chongtian called out, unable to contain himself.

"It's the Supreme Elder!"

"The Supreme Elder has returned!"

The Lin Family members quickly recognized the old man and erupted into excited cheers.

For a moment, the earlier conflict seemed to vanish from memory.

Chu Yan now knew for certain the old man was Lin Chongtian and Lin Chongzhi's father, Lin Miaoran's grandfather, the Lin Family's Supreme Elder, Lin Xiao.

Chu Yan had learned that Lin Xiao was in seclusion, pushing his limits when he first arrived in Evergreen Town.

His appearance here meant he must have succeeded in his advancement.

"If my memory serves me right, he should have reached the Second Level of the Pulse Condensation Stage," Chu Yan thought to himself.

"Clan... clan leader..." At this moment, the most distressed person was undoubtedly Lin Kongtong.

Upon witnessing Lin Xiao's return, he instantly realized that any chance of forcefully taking Chu Yan's life today had vanished.

With a hearty laugh, Lin Xiao leaped from the city wall. His movements were so swift that no one in the crowd could catch them; in the blink of an eye, he was already standing on the stage.

"What a bustling day we're having," Lin Xiao boomed, his voice resonating with strength and vitality, belying his age.

Lin Kongtong's complexion immediately paled, his lips quivered, but he found himself speechless.

At that moment, Chu Yan caught Lin Xiao's gaze. The old man's eyes twinkled with an appreciative smile. "Brother Yuze, you've got yourself a fine grandson."

Chu Yan was uncertain whether it was a genuine compliment or a veiled jab, but he chose to take it as the former.

"Dad, when did you get back?" Lin Chongtian inquired.

With a fleeting glance at Lin Kongtong, Lin Xiao responded nonchalantly, "I've been here since the competition began. I watched the whole event before deciding to reveal myself."