Chapter 140: A Long-Awaited Reunion

"This is my sister-in-law, He Xinran!" Lin Xiaobao continued with the introductions.

"Greetings, Sister-in-law!" Lin Tian and Wang Dasha spoke almost in unison. While Lin Tian bowed low, Wang Dasha merely cupped his hands in a casual, perfunctory gesture.

"This is the second young lady of the Yun family, Yun Keke, and a friend of mine!"

As Lin Xiaobao introduced her, Lin Tian bowed low once more. Although Yun Keke was a generation his junior, her status as the second young lady of the Yun family meant that even if Lin Tian had not left the Fengxue Pavilion, he would still be required to show her the utmost respect.

Seeing Lin Tian bow to her, Yun Keke did not dare to accept it. She hastily stepped aside, returned the gesture, and said, "Xiao Bao and I are friends; please, Senior Lin, do not stand on such ceremony!"

Perhaps because he had already dealt with Chen Zhong, Lin Tian's threshold for such surprises had increased, and he did not insist further.

"This is Qin Feng!" Lin Xiaobao continued, seemingly worried that Lin Tian would bow again, and added, "You don't need to worry about this old guy. He lost a bet to me and has to serve as my apothecary apprentice for three years. Please, don't bow to him!"

"Greetings, Brother Qin!" Lin Tian, not daring to be as rude as Lin Xiaobao suggested, cupped his hands, though he refrained from a formal bow.

Suddenly, Lin Tian seemed to realize something. "Qin Feng... Master Qin?"

Qin Feng had originally hoped to use Lin Tian to regain some face in front of Lin Xiaobao. He hadn't expected the boy to be so tactless. However, seeing that Lin Tian had recognized his identity, he stroked his sparse beard with a hint of pride. "Indeed, it is I."

"Xiao Bao, what is going on? How can you be so disrespectful to Master Qin?" Lin Tian seemed unable to adapt to the changes in Lin Xiaobao.

"I'm not being disrespectful!" Lin Xiaobao spread his hands, looking helpless. "I respect Master Qin’s integrity in keeping his word, which is why I let him be my apprentice after he lost the bet. If I had refused, people might have thought Master Qin was a man who went back on his promises!"

"Isn't that right, Master... Qin?" Lin Xiaobao glanced sideways at Qin Feng.

Under Lin Xiaobao's gaze, Qin Feng’s hand froze on his beard, and his mouth twitched slightly. Forced to yield, he said to Lin Tian, "Brother Lin, let us keep our affairs separate. I did indeed lose to your disciple; I simply lacked the skill."

"I never imagined so much had happened!" In the courtyard of the Yun residence, Lin Tian sat on a stone bench, feeling deeply moved after Lin Xiaobao recounted his experiences since leaving the Nine Flat Mountains.

Knowing that Lin Xiaobao and Lin Tian had much to discuss after their long separation, the others left. Yun Keke led the two to the courtyard before departing, while Wang Dasha went off to challenge Chen Zhong to a drinking contest.

"There is one more thing I need to tell you, Master," Lin Xiaobao said after a moment of hesitation. "That Si Mengling... she is your daughter."

"What?" Lin Tian stood up abruptly from the stone bench, grabbing Lin Xiaobao’s hand with agitation. "Where is she now?"

"She is here in the Yun residence. She went out with me earlier, but perhaps she needs time to process everything." Seeing the sadness in Lin Tian's eyes, Lin Xiaobao added, "But I can tell that she has already accepted you as her father in her heart. Everything is just a matter of time."

"Thank you," Lin Tian said sincerely, releasing Lin Xiaobao’s hand.

"Master, what are you saying? Without you, there would be no Lin Xiaobao today!" Lin Xiaobao replied with equal sincerity. Even after Lin Tian learned that he was not his biological son, he had helped him selflessly, and Lin Xiaobao remained deeply grateful. Although he carried the souls of two elders within him and would have risen eventually, it was Lin Tian who had helped him take the most difficult first step.

"Being able to take you as a disciple is the greatest pride of my life!" Lin Tian looked at Lin Xiaobao’s achievements with immense satisfaction. He had always believed Lin Xiaobao would eventually surpass him, but he had never imagined the growth would be this rapid. Although Lin Xiaobao was only at the sixth stage of the Spirit Realm, given his feats at the Long family, Lin Tian did not doubt that if they were to fight, the outcome would be no different from that of Liu Yingfeng or the elders.

"Master, since you are here, stay in the Yun residence and rest easy. As for the injuries within you, when the Profound Sun Palace holds its Treasure Exchange Conference, I will acquire some medicinal ingredients to refine a pill that should clear them, allowing you to cultivate without worry." Fearing that Lin Tian still held onto his past shadows, Lin Xiaobao teased, "Master, you must work hard! Don't let your disciple surpass you by then!"

"There is no need to wait for 'then'; even now, I am no longer your match!" Lin Tian felt no envy, only joy at Lin Xiaobao's growth. However, hearing the mention of the Treasure Exchange Conference made him itch with curiosity. The conference was a grand event in the world of the mysterious arts. In the past, Lin Tian would never have dared to dream of attending, but now that Lin Xiaobao and Chen Zhong were brothers, he felt a flicker of hope—though he felt embarrassed about relying on his disciple to get in.

A moment later, the temptation of the conference overcame his reserve. "Regarding that conference... could you ask Senior Chen to let me attend and observe?"

What Lin Tian found embarrassing, Lin Xiaobao found only natural. "Of course. There is no need to ask Brother Chen; you can simply accompany me when the time comes."

"Is that really appropriate?" Although Chen Zhong clearly valued Lin Xiaobao, Lin Tian was uncertain about the extent of their friendship, especially since Lin Xiaobao had downplayed many of his experiences during his recount.

"Don't worry, Master!" Lin Xiaobao said, deliberately adopting a carefree air. "Forget the Profound Sun Palace; with the two of us together, we could walk sideways through the Blood Victory Empire and no one would dare stop us!"

"You must not say such things!" Lin Tian scolded immediately. "Senior Chen has treated you with great kindness; you should maintain your integrity and not cause him any trouble, do you understand?"

"As you command, Master!" Lin Xiaobao held Lin Tian in high regard, and although he did not fully agree with his outlook on life, he maintained the necessary decorum.

"Xiao Bao, Pavilion Master Wen is here to see you," Yun Keke said, approaching them and asking for Lin Xiaobao’s decision.