Lin Xuan let out a light chuckle.
Over the past five days, aside from secluding himself for cultivation, he had spent his time strolling and sightseeing around Qingyu City with Lin Shiyun.
As the top genius of the Lin family, and now the foremost prodigy of Qingyu City, his reputation had long spread throughout the entire city. Many people recognized him.
Naturally, no petty troublemakers or clueless fools dared to cross his path, giving him no chance to show off and save face.
Still, he had enjoyed himself quite a bit.
During these days, he cultivated while playing, spending at most half a day each day on training. Even so, he had managed to break through two levels of cultivation.
In contrast, after he had transmigrated here a month ago, he had been stuck at the seventh level of Body Tempering. His predecessor had needed months to make a single breakthrough.
Such a stark difference made Lin Xuan realize the terrifying power of exceptional talent.
Originally, he had only possessed mid-grade cultivation talent, but now he had top-grade talent—a gap of two grades—and this was the result.
It was easy to imagine.
"In the future, I need to focus on improving my talent," Lin Xuan murmured to himself.
"And these energy points... have they already accumulated to 110,000? Not bad."
Looking at the number of energy points, Lin Xuan's smile grew wider. The more energy points he had, the more treasures he could replicate, and the faster his strength would increase. Naturally, he was pleased.
After tidying up, Lin Xuan strode out of the cultivation room.
He went to the washroom, freshened up, and changed into a clean set of clothes.
This time, after breaking through to the ninth level of Body Tempering, he had instantly stabilized his realm. But since the breakthrough had just occurred, further cultivation in the short term would yield little effect, so there was no need to waste time.
Secondly, if his estimation was correct, Lin Shiyun would soon come to drag him out for some fun.
That had been the pattern over the past few days.
For the person who could be considered his closest companion in this life, Lin Xuan naturally wouldn't refuse. So he decided to prepare in advance, before Lin Shiyun arrived.
As expected, after finishing everything, Lin Xuan didn't have to wait long.
With a pleasant, bell-like laugh, a fragrant breeze swept in.
A tall, graceful figure with a delicate, pure face stepped through the door.
"Lin Xuan-ge."
Lin Shiyun called out with a smile.
"You're here."
Lin Xuan replied and walked out as well.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Lin Xuan felt a warm, soft, fragrant form crash into his arms.
"Lin Xuan-ge, long time no see," Lin Shiyun's melodious voice came.
"Yun'er, long time no see."
Lin Xuan gently patted Lin Shiyun on the back.
But a hint of heaviness settled in his heart.
He could clearly sense that Lin Shiyun had been clinging to him more than usual lately—far more than before.
For someone he cared about to be so affectionate, Lin Xuan naturally wasn't repulsed but rather pleased. Yet, for some reason, an unshakable shadow lingered in his mind, one he couldn't dispel no matter what.
Lin Shiyun held tightly to Lin Xuan in his embrace for several breaths before pulling back with a slightly flushed face.
She looked at Lin Xuan's handsome features and suddenly exclaimed softly:
"Lin Xuan-ge, have you broken through to the ninth level of Body Tempering?"
"Yeah, and haven't you broken through too?"
Lin Xuan chuckled, his eyes flickering.
In the Body Tempering realm, advancing in cultivation brought increases in physical strength and vitality. But unless one actively released their aura, other martial artists—even those at the Qi Gathering stage—would find it hard to detect.
Yet Lin Shiyun had seen through his breakthrough with just a glance.
It seemed Lin Shiyun was even more talented than he had imagined.
"In that case, Lin Xuan-ge, you're truly the top disciple in name, not just in strength," Lin Shiyun said with a warm smile.
A flicker of shock passed through her beautiful eyes.
Five days ago, during the monthly strength assessment, Lin Xuan-ge's cultivation had still been at the seventh level of Body Tempering. In just five days, he had broken through two levels.
That cultivation speed was a bit fast.
Even she couldn't match it.
But as long as he was still her Lin Xuan-ge, she didn't care to dwell on it.
"Yun'er, shall we go out and have some fun?" Lin Xuan's light laugh came.
"Lin Xuan-ge, not today," Lin Shiyun shook her head and said seriously, "My father wants to see you. Can you come with me to meet him?"
Her tone carried a hint of pleading.
"Of course, it's a good chance to meet my future father-in-law," Lin Xuan laughed heartily, agreeing immediately.
"What are you saying? I'm ignoring you, hmph!"
Lin Shiyun's face reddened, her nose twitching as she shook Lin Xuan's arm and spoke coquettishly. Yet she didn't let go, still holding on tightly.
Then, laughing and chatting, Lin Xuan and Lin Shiyun headed toward the Third Elder's residence.
On the way.
Lin Xuan wore a relaxed expression, joking with Lin Shiyun.
But inwardly, he was contemplative.
As a Lin family disciple, he had heard some information about Lin Shiyun's father, Lin Qiyuan—the top genius of the Lin family and even all of Qingyu City.
Rumor had it that Lin Qiyuan, along with the current family head Lin Qixing, the First Elder, and the Second Elder, were originally blood brothers. He had once been a candidate to inherit the family head position.
But Lin Qiyuan, unwilling to see his brothers turn against each other, had left the Lin family to train abroad. When he returned a few years later, his cultivation had already reached the late stage of Qi Transformation, making him the strongest in Qingyu City. Even the patriarchs of the other two major families and the city lord were no match for him.
By then, the family head had already been decided. Though Lin Qiyuan was the strongest, he had no interest in managing the family, so he became the Third Elder.
Leveraging Lin Qiyuan's prestige, the Lin family had risen rapidly over the years, climbing from a precarious fourth place among the four major forces—almost falling out of the ranks—to second place, even threatening the city lord's mansion.
This was despite Lin Qiyuan rarely making a move in recent years; otherwise, the Lin family would have long been the top force in Qingyu City.
When Lin Qiyuan returned, besides his Qi Transformation cultivation, he had also brought back a little girl, claiming her as his daughter—that was Lin Shiyun.
As for Lin Shiyun's mother, Lin Qiyuan had never mentioned her, and no one dared to ask.
Over the years, Lin Qiyuan's main focus had been raising Lin Shiyun in seclusion. Even the family head rarely saw him, let alone a Lin family disciple like Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan was puzzled as to why Lin Qiyuan had suddenly summoned him.
Lost in thought, Lin Xuan soon arrived.
He looked at the courtyard, even more luxurious than the family head's residence, and silently marveled.
In this world, strength reigned supreme.
Though the Lin family head held the highest position in theory, before the stronger Lin Qiyuan, he couldn't help but be overshadowed. This was evident from the courtyard.
"Lin Xuan-ge, let's go in," Lin Shiyun's gentle voice came.
"Alright," Lin Xuan replied.
Together, they stepped through the gate.
Before them lay a large grassy field.
In the distance, a small grove of flowering trees.
Servants were working everywhere, bowing respectfully when they saw Lin Shiyun.