Chapter 19: Warmth at Home, Family Matters!
In the next instant, a fiery red blur shot out from the woods and landed precisely where Lin Fan had just been sitting.
It was none other than the Fire Python Tiger cub named Xiao Yan.
Seated atop Xiao Yan's back was Qingtan, her face brimming with joy.
A month and a half had passed, and the Fire Python Tiger had already grown to the size of a typical adult tiger.
Qingtan now rode it around often for fun.
Following behind them was a smaller Fire Python Tiger—the one Lin Fan had originally given to Qingtan.
She had also given it a name: Huo'er.
When Lin Fan saw Qingtan, he immediately dropped his guard and smiled. "Qingtan, you're riding Xiao Yan around again?"
Qingtan stuck out her tongue playfully. "I'm not just goofing off—Dad told me to come find you!"
"Oh? Uncle Xiao is looking for me?" Lin Fan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Alright then, let's head back."
By his estimation, a month and a half had passed since the Hunting Tournament, and the New Year had already come and gone.
Lin Xiao had been busy handling family matters and hadn't returned home in half a month.
"Lin Fan-ge, hop on too! Xiao Yan can take us both," Qingtan said.
Lin Fan raised a brow. "Are you sure Xiao Yan can carry the two of us?"
Roar!
Xiao Yan let out a low growl and lowered its front half slightly, as if inviting him up.
Qingtan grinned. "See? Xiao Yan says it's fine!"
Smiling, Lin Fan lightly jumped onto the tiger's back and sat behind Qingtan, gently patting Xiao Yan's side. "Let's go."
Roar!
With a low growl, Xiao Yan dashed off through the forest.
Huo'er followed closely behind, bounding along with swift steps.
[Ding! You touched the Fire Python Tiger and obtained: Fire Resistance Physique!
Note: Grants immunity to all fire-attribute damage!]
The system's familiar voice echoed in Lin Fan's mind, and he couldn't help but feel pleased.
Fire Resistance Physique—not bad! he thought. Though he didn't notice any changes yet, he planned to test its effects later.
"Lin Fan-ge, why is my Huo'er growing so slowly?" Qingtan's voice grumbled in his ear. "It used to look stronger than Xiao Yan…"
Lin Fan glanced back at Huo'er, who now looked more like a Tibetan mastiff than a tiger, and chuckled. "Maybe it's because she's female. Male tigers usually grow faster."
In truth, he knew Xiao Yan had mutated and had been fed spiritual liquid from Lin Dong's talisman, which greatly accelerated its growth.
Qingtan's cub, on the other hand, was still a normal Fire Python Tiger and hadn't received any such boosts—so it was growing at a natural pace.
Qingtan, satisfied by Lin Fan's explanation, nodded. "Makes sense. Must be like you said."
She then patted Xiao Yan's head. "You're growing so fast, Xiao Yan. From now on, you have to protect your sister!"
Roar!
Xiao Yan let out a low growl as if responding to her command.
Before long, Lin Fan and Qingtan returned to their hilltop home atop Xiao Yan.
There, they found Lin Xiao, Liu Yan, and Lin Dong waiting for them.
Dismounting from Xiao Yan, Lin Fan and Qingtan greeted the family.
Lin Xiao waved them over with a smile. "Fan'er, how's your cultivation going lately? Smooth progress?"
Lin Fan nodded. "Everything's going well."
Qingtan added excitedly, "When I went to find Lin Fan-ge earlier, I saw a Yuan Power vortex around him—it looked amazing!"
"A Yuan Power vortex?" Lin Xiao was startled, then suddenly thought of something.
"I did feel a flash of Yang Gang Qi earlier from your training area… and if there was a vortex too—don't tell me… did you just break through to the Heaven Origin Stage?"
Having gone through it himself, Lin Xiao was quite familiar with the process.
"Yes," Lin Fan replied calmly, not hiding it.
Lin Xiao pressed eagerly, "And? Did you succeed?"
Without actively releasing Yuan Power, it was difficult to detect someone's level—hence his need to ask.
When Lin Fan confirmed with a nod, Lin Xiao was overjoyed. "Good! Good! At seventeen years old, already at the Heaven Origin Stage—this is top-tier even across the entire Great Yan Dynasty!"
"I used to be called a genius, but compared to you… it's nothing!"
Qingtan's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Lin Fan-ge, you're incredible!"
Lin Dong was also stunned and deeply impressed. "Congratulations, Lin Fan-ge!"
Liu Yan smiled warmly, her eyes full of pride and comfort.
But Lin Fan laughed lightly. "Actually, we've all got someone more amazing in our family—someone you're all overlooking."
Qingtan blinked. "Lin Fan-ge, you mean someone stronger than you among the Lin juniors?"
Lin Fan smiled and pointed to Lin Dong. "Lin Dong here isn't even sixteen yet, but he's already at mid-stage Earth Origin. I bet he'll break through to Heaven Origin within a year. Doesn't that make him more amazing?"
Though Lin Fan had helped Lin Dong along the way, without the Yin Fiend energy from Qingtan's bed like in the original story, his progress wasn't quite as ahead as it had been there.
Lin Dong scratched his head shyly. "I only got lucky with my breakthrough. Still far from Heaven Origin."
"Haha, both of you are exceptional," Lin Xiao said, beaming with pride.
Qingtan raised her hand enthusiastically. "Don't forget me, Dad! I'm already Body Tempering level nine!"
Lin Xiao burst into laughter. "Yes, yes—Qingtan is doing great too."
Hearing that, Qingtan smiled brightly.
Liu Yan looked around the room, contentment radiating from her gentle smile.
Laughter and warmth filled the room—a peaceful, joyous family moment.
"Dad, what have you been working on lately?" Lin Dong asked after a pause. "You've been away so often. And… Grandpa and the others seem tense too."
Lin Xiao's smile faded instantly, his face darkening. "It's those shameless bastards from the Lei family again!"
Lin Fan raised a brow. "Uncle… is it about Tiemu Manor?"
Lin Xiao nodded, expression grim. "We were supposed to finalize the handover within two weeks. But it's been a month and a half—and they still haven't moved out."
Lin Dong frowned. "But the wager was made in front of everyone. Would the Lei family really dare go back on it?"
Lin Fan smiled coolly. "They probably won't outright refuse—but delaying things like this? They're clearly plotting something."
Lin Xiao nodded solemnly. "That's what your grandfather and I suspect too. But the manor's guarded heavily. Unless we force our way in, we can't see what's going on."
Lin Fan appeared to think for a moment, then asked, "Uncle, is it possible the Lei family is planning to destroy the ironwood—or even the land where it grows?"
Lin Xiao's face changed dramatically. He shot to his feet. "That's very possible!"
"No—we can't wait any longer. I'll go to your grandfather right now. We need to prepare to take Tiemu Manor back, even if we have to do it by force!"
With that, Lin Xiao rushed toward the Lin family's inner court.
"I'm coming too!"
Lin Fan called out, hurrying after him.
"I'm in!" Lin Dong followed close behind.
Qingtan wanted to join them, but Liu Yan gently held her back.
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