Chapter 1036: The Return

Longcheng.

Once just an ordinary small town, it became famous overnight after Lin Fan, a prodigy disciple, emerged from it, shocking the entire world.

The Lin family rose to become the paramount among the Eight Great Families—not through superior strength, but through sheer reputation.

The other seven families harbored no resentment at all. In fact, they were grateful that Lin Haoming, the head of the Lin family, had no interest in power struggles.

They were more than willing to follow the Lin family’s lead, all because of Lin Fan, the heavenly gifted son who had been accepted into the Heaven and Earth Sect. However, it had been three years since he left home, and his absence puzzled the other families.

Even in their minds, a troubling thought arose: Could it be that the young master of the Lin family had been killed outside?

Although joining the sect was a great fortune, the sect was no child’s play—it was filled with endless dangers.

Countless disciples had died outside, too many to keep track of.

Although the other seven families had such thoughts, they kept them buried deep in their hearts. Over the past few years, they found this arrangement rather pleasant.

Moreover, the eldest daughter of the Lin family had left home and, by sheer fortune, joined a female sect, which thrilled the Lin family greatly. Having two outstanding talents in one family was simply extraordinary.

This eldest daughter, Lin Hanyu, often returned home, bringing medicinal pills from her sect for the Lin family, and even shared them with the other seven families. This made the experience all the more delightful.

Crackling fireworks filled the sky!

Longcheng was bustling with activity, fireworks lighting up the sky.

At the city gates, a large crowd had gathered.

Representatives from all eight great families were there, along with local elites, nobles, and commoners alike. The eldest daughter of the Lin family had returned from her sect, and this time, it seemed she had brought good news.

“Brother Lin, congratulations! One family producing two outstanding talents—truly, the Lin family shall now soar into the heavens!” Huang Yan, head of the Huang family, offered his congratulations, a hint of envy in his heart.

Looking at his own son, Huang Yan felt a pang of sorrow—wasting his days away, making no progress in cultivation, and still unmarried.

“Where, where,” Lin Haoming replied with a smile, his mood unusually bright. He had never expected the Lin family to rise so high under his leadership.

Suddenly, Lin Haoming realized how incredibly capable he must be, having raised such extraordinary children.

Especially his son, who had been accepted into the Heaven and Earth Sect. However, what displeased Lin Haoming was that the boy had been gone for three years without a single word. It was truly worrisome.

If not for the immense distance and the dangers along the way to the Heaven and Earth Sect, he would have gone there himself to see what important matters his son was occupied with.

The commoners around watched Lin Haoming with envy.

“The Lin family is so lucky, both children entered sects.”

“That’s right. Before, the Lin family was the weakest among the Eight Great Families, but now they are the leader.”

“The eldest Lin daughter returns every year, but the young master hasn’t been heard from in three years.”

“I heard rumors that the young master might have perished outside the sect.”

“You can’t say such things so carelessly, or someone might hear you.”

“Ah, I don’t mean to spread rumors. This news started circulating half a year ago—it seems he perished in some hidden realm, and even the Heaven and Earth Sect doesn’t know his whereabouts.”

“Shh, don’t speak of it anymore.”

…

“Dad, is that my sister?” At that moment, the youngest daughter, Lin Lan’er, pointed excitedly at a light in the distant sky.

In the past three years, Lin Lan’er had blossomed into a graceful and beautiful young woman.

So many suitors had come to the Lin family that they nearly wore down the doorstep. In the past, Lin Haoming would have sought a good match for her, but now that Lin Fan had become so extraordinary, his new goal was to cultivate the remaining two children and hope they too could enter sects.

“It should be,” Lin Haoming replied with a smile.

The light grew closer.

Suddenly, several figures descended from the sky near the city gates.

Among them was naturally Lin Hanyu, and beside her were three women and one man.

Lin Haoming was overjoyed. “Fire the cannons!”

Boom!

Boom!

Fireworks lit up the sky, creating a stunning spectacle.

Lin Haoming quickly stepped forward. “Daughter, you’ve finally returned.”

“Dad, Mom, Sister,” Lin Hanyu smiled. Although she returned once a year, every visit filled her with excitement. Being reunited with her family was such a wonderful feeling.

The four people behind Lin Hanyu remained calm and indifferent. To them, these mortals were nothing but ants, unworthy of their attention.

They had only come along with their junior sister to take a brief look at the mundane world.

Lin Hanyu had joined the Baihua Palace, a mid-tier sect not among the top-tier sects.

The Nine Sects and Six Sects were ancient sects with legacies spanning tens of thousands of years. In contrast, the Baihua Palace was a relatively new sect that had risen only in the past few thousand years. Compared to the Heaven and Earth Sect, it was like comparing heaven and earth—completely incomparable.

“Dad, these three are my senior sisters from the sect, who have always taken good care of me,” Lin Hanyu introduced, then pointed to the young man beside her, “And this is the son of the Iron Sword Sect’s sect leader.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Haoming became even more courteous. “Welcome, welcome.”

He had no idea what the Iron Sword Sect was, but hearing that he was the son of a sect leader, he knew the young man’s status was extraordinary.

Ning Tiekun merely nodded expressionlessly, not even offering a polite word.

“Sister!” Lin Feixue and Lin Lan’er rushed forward, hugging their sister tightly.

They had been apart for so long and missed each other dearly.

When Ning Tiekun saw Lin Lan’er, his eyes flickered with interest, though he quickly concealed it.

“Junior sister, why not come to your home first?” One of Lin Hanyu’s senior sisters suggested.

“Okay,” Lin Hanyu nodded.

At this moment, Lin Haoming spoke up. “Hanyu, the elders of the other seven families have already prepared a feast to welcome you all. Why not have a meal first?”

At his words, the heads of the seven families looked forward eagerly, but the next sentence left them in an awkward position.

One senior sister, with a thin face and prominent cheekbones, spoke, “Mundane food isn’t worth eating. Let’s go to the Lin family first.”

Hearing this, Lin Hanyu awkwardly nodded. “Dad, let’s skip it.”

Although Lin Haoming wasn’t very pleased inside, he still smiled and said, “Alright, alright, then let’s go home.”

“Oh, by the way, daughter, do you have any good news for your old man?” Lin Haoming asked.

“Dad, I’ve officially become an outer disciple of the sect!” Lin Hanyu said excitedly.

“Great, great! An outer disciple is already very impressive. Soon you’ll catch up with your brother,” Lin Haoming laughed.

“Dad, hasn’t my brother come back yet?” Lin Hanyu asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“No,” Lin Haoming shook his head.

At that moment, Ning Tiekun spoke, “Your brother was accepted into the Heaven and Earth Sect, but those great sects are not safe. The hidden realms are perilous, and the death rate is extremely high.”

His words immediately created an awkward silence.

Lin Haoming’s heart burned with anger. Was this guy implying his son was dead?

But considering the young man’s status, Lin Haoming forced a smile.

“Let’s go home first.”

…