Lin Feng and his two younger siblings moved to a stone table in the courtyard. Under the moonlight, surrounded by the tranquil garden, the three siblings shared a warm, simple meal. The tension of the impending competition and the mysteries of cultivation faded away, replaced by the easy comfort of family.
As they ate, Lin Feng turned to Lin Wanrou. "How is Master Qiu? Is she well?"
Lin Wanrou's smile softened. "Master is doing very well. She's currently in seclusion, comprehending a new sword art. She sends her regards."
Lin Yun listened intently, picking up on the subtle undertones. The way they spoke of "Master Qiu" carried a weight of deep respect and something else... a hint of past tribulation?
He rifled through the original owner's memories but found nothing substantial about this master. He only knew she was a peerless expert who had taken Lin Wanrou as her disciple. The gaps in his knowledge were frustrating.
Lin Wanrou then turned the conversation back to her elder brother, her expression turning serious. "Big Brother, are you prepared for the competition? I heard that Ji Gengxin has been accepted as a direct disciple by the Sky Sword Sect. That's no small matter."
Lin Feng took a sip of his tea, his demeanor unshakably calm.
"The Sky Sword Sect is indeed formidable," he acknowledged. "But this is Fortune City. They wouldn't dare act too arrogantly here on someone else's turf."
He set his cup down with a quiet, confident finality. "And don't forget, my master is no ordinary figure either."
Lin Wanrou's eyes widened in surprise. "Is your master coming?"
The prospect was thrilling. Lin Feng's master was a legendary, elusive figure.
Lin Feng shook his head. "I spoke with him earlier. He is currently in the middle of a crucial pill refinement and cannot be disturbed. However, he is sending Senior Sister Rong over to observe and lend her support."
"Sister Rong is coming?" Lin Wanrou's face lit up with genuine delight. "That's wonderful! I haven't seen her in ages!"
It was clear the two young women had a strong, friendly relationship. The arrival of Lin Feng's senior sister was a significant show of force, a clear message to the rival clans that the Lin Clan had powerful backers of their own.
Lin Yun listened to it all, silently eating his food. He was on the periphery of these high-stakes discussions, a weak player in a game of giants. But he wasn't disheartened.
The simple meal concluded, leaving a comfortable silence between the three siblings. The moon hung high, bathing the courtyard in its silvery light. Lin Yun knew this was the moment. He needed to secure his allies and present his "gift" in the most effective way.
"Big Brother, Second Sister," he began, his voice calm but purposeful. "There's something I'd like to show you. It's the gift I prepared for Grandfather."
He retrieved two items from his robes. The first was the jade bottle containing the single, pristine High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill. The second was a sheet of paper on which he had neatly transcribed the system's optimized recipe for the same pill.
He placed them on the stone table. Lin Feng's sharp eyes immediately fell on the recipe. His brow furrowed slightly as he scanned the lines.
The ingredient list was familiar, but the proportions were slightly different. The heating sequences, the energy control points... they were more precise, more efficient. It was a subtle optimization, but to an expert's eye, the potential was glaringly obvious.
His gaze then shifted to the pill Lin Yun placed beside it. He picked up the jade bottle, uncorked it, and a rich, pure spiritual aroma wafted out. The pill itself was milky-white and flawless, its surface shimmering with a gentle inner light.
"This is..." Lin Feng's normally impassive expression shifted to one of genuine surprise. "The spiritual essence is incredibly concentrated. The purity is far beyond the standard Qi Gathering Pills we produce. You refined this?"
Lin Wanrou leaned in, her beautiful eyes wide with astonishment. She looked from the pill to her younger brother. "Little Brother, where did you get this recipe?" Her tone was not accusatory, but filled with wonder and concern.
Lin Yun had prepared for this. He adopted a slightly embarrassed expression, perfectly mimicking the original owner's demeanor when caught doing something unusual.
"I... I found an old, damaged jade slip in a corner of the academy library," he lied smoothly. "It was mostly broken, but this recipe was partly legible. I was curious, so I tried to refine it."
He looked down, as if ashamed. "But I kept studying it. I think I've finally understood it. This pill and this recipe are the result."
Lin Feng and Lin Wanrou exchanged a long, meaningful glance. The story was flimsy. Finding a superior recipe in a pile of trash was the stuff of legends, not their lazy younger brother's reality.
However, the evidence was right in front of them—the impeccable pill and the logically superior recipe. They could sense he was holding something back, but they also saw the result. Prying further might break this newfound initiative and talent he was showing.
For the sake of family unity and his apparent growth, they chose to let it go.
"It's an incredible find, Little Brother," Lin Feng said finally, his voice firm with approval. "This recipe is a treasure for our clan."
Lin Yun pressed his advantage. "Big Brother, if it's possible... could you be the one to present this to grandpa? I... I don't want to be the center of attention. I just want to contribute to the clan quietly."
This was a calculated move. By having Lin Feng, the clan's proudest star, present the gift, it would carry immense weight and be taken seriously immediately. It also shielded Lin Yun from excessive scrutiny.
Lin Feng understood his brother's intention instantly. He nodded. "A wise decision. I will handle it."
Emboldened, Lin Yun took out another piece of paper. "There's more. I found this recipe for the Body Tempering Pill on the same jade slip. I haven't had a chance to try it yet."