Chapter 1036: Return

Shenglong City.

It had once been nothing more than an ordinary small city, but later produced a prodigy like Lin Fan, rising to fame overnight and startling the world.

The Lin family became the foremost of the eight great families, not through suppression by force, but through suppression by reputation.

The other seven families harbored no discontent; Lin family patriarch Lin Haoming cared little for such power struggles, which instead moved the seven families to gratitude.

They were willing to take the Lin family as their leader, naturally because the Lin family had a prodigal son—that young master who had been taken into the Heaven and Earth Sect. Yet he had not returned for three years, which left the families somewhat puzzled.

Some even entertained a particular thought: could it be that the Lin family’s young master had been slain outside?

Though joining a sect was a great blessing, the sect was no child’s play; it was fraught with endless danger.

Countless disciples had died outside—too many to count.

The other seven families had harbored such thoughts, but kept them buried deep, for over these years they had found this arrangement quite agreeable.

Moreover, the Lin family’s eldest daughter, having left the sect by chance, had also entered a women’s sect. This thrilled the Lin family—two prodigies from one household was simply heaven-defying.

And this eldest daughter, Lin Hanyu, often returned, bringing sect elixirs to the Lin family and sharing them with the other seven families. This feeling was truly wonderful.

Crackle!

Shenglong City was bustling with excitement, fireworks streaking across the sky.

At the city gate, a large crowd had gathered.

Among them were members of the eight great families, as well as wealthy magnates and commoners of Shenglong City. The Lin family’s eldest daughter had returned from the sect once more, and this time, it seemed, she brought good news.

“Brother Lin, congratulations! Two prodigies from one household—from now on, the Lin family will soar to the heavens.” Huang family patriarch Huang Yan offered his congratulations, though inwardly he felt a twinge of envy.

When he thought of his own son, Huang Yan’s heart filled with sorrow—idle all day, his cultivation stagnant, not even married.

“Not at all, not at all.” Lin Haoming was in excellent spirits. He had never imagined that the Lin family would rise under his leadership.

Lin Haoming suddenly realized that he was truly formidable—his children were all so outstanding.

Especially his son, who had been accepted as a disciple of the Heaven and Earth Sect. Yet what displeased Lin Haoming was that the boy had been away for three years without sending back a single message—truly worrying.

If the journey to the Heaven and Earth Sect weren’t so far and fraught with dangers, he would have gone to see what great deeds the boy had accomplished.

The surrounding commoners gazed at Lin Haoming with envy.

“The Lin family is so fortunate—both children entered sects.”

“Yes, the Lin family used to be the weakest of the eight, but now they are the leader.”

“Miss Lin returns once a year, but the young master has had no news for three years.”

“I’ve heard rumors that the young master may have fallen outside the sect.”

“You mustn’t say such things carelessly—if someone hears, it would be terrible.”

“Ah, I don’t want to spread rumors either, but news has been circulating since half a year ago. It seems he fell in some secret realm, and even people within the Heaven and Earth Sect don’t know his whereabouts.”

“Shh, don’t say any more.”

…

“Father, is that sister?” At that moment, little sister Lin Lan’er pointed at a glimmer of light in the distant sky, speaking excitedly.

Three years had passed, and Lin Lan’er had grown into a graceful and stunning young woman.

Matchmakers had nearly worn down the threshold of the Lin family. In the past, Lin Haoming would have found her a good husband, but now that Lin Fan was extraordinary, his goal was to nurture the remaining two children—if they too could enter a sect, that would be wonderful.

“It should be.” Lin Haoming said with a smile.

The light drew closer and closer.

Suddenly, at the gate of Shenglong City, several figures descended from the void.

Lin Hanyu was among them, accompanied by three women and one man.

Lin Haoming was overjoyed. “Set off the fireworks!”

Boom!

Boom!

Fireworks burst in the sky, blooming into beautiful scenes.

Lin Haoming hurried forward. “Daughter, you’ve returned.”

“Father, mother, little sister.” Lin Hanyu’s face lit up with a smile. Though she returned once a year, each time filled her with excitement—seeing her family felt truly wonderful.

The four behind Lin Hanyu wore expressionless faces. They paid no heed to these mortals, considering them mere ants.

They had merely followed Junior Sister Lin to see the mortal world this time.

The sect Lin Hanyu had joined was called the Hundred Flowers Palace, not among the major sects, but a mid-tier sect.

The Nine Sects, Six Factions, and so on were great sects with hundreds of thousands of years of heritage. The Hundred Flowers Palace had risen only in the last tens of thousands of years; compared to the Heaven and Earth Sect, it was worlds apart, beyond comparison.

“Father, these three are senior sisters from the sect, who have taken good care of me,” Lin Hanyu said, then pointed to the man beside her. “This is the son of the Iron Sword Sect’s master.”

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

He had no idea what the Iron Sword Sect was, but hearing it was a sect master’s son, the status was naturally extraordinary.

The son of a sect master—a super second-generation—was not something a mortal family could compare to.

Ning Tiekun nodded expressionlessly, not even uttering a word of politeness.

“Sister!” Lin Feixue and Lin Lan’er rushed over, embracing their sister.

They had been apart for a long time and missed her dearly.

The son of the Iron Sword Sect master’s eyes flickered when he saw Lin Lan’er, then he concealed it.

“Junior Sister, let’s go to your home and rest first,” said Lin Hanyu’s senior sister.

“Alright.” Lin Hanyu nodded.

Lin Haoming then spoke, “Hanyu, the patriarchs of the other seven families have prepared a welcome banquet for you. How about we go eat first?”

At that moment, the seven family patriarchs were full of anticipation, but the other party’s words left them somewhat embarrassed.

One of the senior sisters, with a gaunt face and prominent cheekbones, said, “Mortal food is nothing special. Let’s go to the Lin residence first.”

Hearing this, Lin Hanyu nodded awkwardly. “Father, forget it.”

Though displeased, Lin Haoming smiled and said, “Alright, alright, let’s go home.”

“By the way, daughter, what good news do you have for your parents?” Lin Haoming asked.

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

“Good, good, an outer disciple—very impressive. Soon you’ll catch up to your brother,” Lin Haoming said with a smile.

“Father, hasn’t brother come back at all?” Lin Hanyu asked, her heart full of worry.

“No.” Lin Haoming shook his head.

At that moment, Ning Tiekun spoke up, “Hanyu, your brother was accepted as a disciple of the Heaven and Earth Sect, but these major sects are not safe. Secret realms are perilous, with a high mortality rate.”

Ning Tiekun’s words instantly made the atmosphere awkward.

Lin Haoming felt a surge of anger—was this fellow implying his son was dead?

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

“Let’s go back first.”

…