Chapter 6 — The Aftermath of a Fallen Star
The Lin Clan compound was unusually restless that morning. Rumors spread faster than wildfire — a blazing light had fallen in the forest, and the once-useless Lin Xian had not only survived but returned unscathed.
Some said he'd found a treasure.
Some whispered he'd awakened a strange power.
And others — mostly his enemies within the clan — simply refused to believe it.
---
Lin Xian walked calmly through the courtyard, his white hair glowing faintly under the morning sun. His steps were quiet, but every head turned as he passed.
> "Is that really the useless one?"
"His entire bearing seems different."
"Don't talk nonsense. He's just pretending to look mysterious."
Lin Xian ignored them all. His expression was indifferent, as if the world's chatter no longer reached him.
On his shoulder, the golden kitten yawned and swayed lazily with each step, blinking at the gossips. When one servant muttered too loudly, the kitten's tail flicked — a faint static spark hit the man's hair, making it stand straight up.
> "Ah! Wh–what was that?!"
"Hahaha! He looks like a startled chicken!"
Lin Xian's lips curved slightly.
> "You've got quite the temper, little one."
The kitten purred proudly.
---
Before Lin Xian reached the main hall, a harsh voice called out behind him.
> "Stop right there!"
A young man in blue robes approached, eyes burning with jealousy — Lin Tianhao, his cousin.
Once the clan's favored genius, Lin Tianhao had always looked down on Lin Xian. Even when Lin Xian had been useless, Tianhao's arrogance had known no bounds.
Now that Lin Xian's spirit stone test had drawn the elders' attention, Tianhao's pride was wounded beyond repair.
> "You think you can act high and mighty now just because you passed one test?" Tianhao spat. "Don't think the clan will forget you were a disgrace for years!"
Lin Xian stopped walking. His pale face turned slightly toward his cousin, expression unreadable.
> "Is that all you wanted to say?"
The simplicity of his tone made Tianhao's fury spike.
> "Fight me!" Tianhao roared, gathering qi into his palm. "Let's see how much of that arrogance you can keep when I beat you down!"
Lin Xian's eyes glimmered faintly — not with his golden illusion, but with cold calculation.
He sighed softly.
> "I'm not interested in bullying children."
Tianhao's veins bulged. "You—!"
Before he could finish, the golden kitten leapt from Lin Xian's shoulder, landing on Tianhao's head with perfect precision.
> Mrrrp!
A stream of golden light — no, pee — descended from above.
Tianhao froze, then screamed.
> "You—what is this filthy thing doing?!"
The courtyard erupted in laughter. Even a few servants who tried to suppress their giggles failed miserably.
Lin Xian's calm voice drifted through the chaos.
> "It seems even Heaven disapproves of your babblings."
Tianhao's face turned crimson with rage. He swung his palm at the kitten—
—but Lin Xian's hand moved first.
He barely shifted his stance, yet Tianhao's wrist was caught mid-air. Lin Xian's fingers pressed lightly against his cousin's meridian, freezing his qi flow.
> "Tch… you—"
Lin Xian's gaze sharpened. His left hand twisted Tianhao's wrist aside, his right fist flashing like a phantom.
Bam!
The impact landed cleanly on Tianhao's rib. The force was precise — enough to crush his breath, not break bone. Tianhao gasped, knees buckling as he dropped to the ground with a dull thud.
The crowd fell silent.
A Peak Mid-Stage Mortal Vein… defeated by a single punch from an Early Stage Mortal Vein.
Tianhao's expression contorted with disbelief and humiliation.
> "You… impossible…!"
Lin Xian's voice was calm, quiet — but it cut through the air like a blade.
> "You should discipline your mouth before you challenge others," he said softly. "Otherwise, not even your face will be spared next time."
Tianhao clutched his side, unable to stand. His qi circulation trembled in disarray.
The kitten, now perched once more on Lin Xian's shoulder, flicked its tail in satisfaction.
---
By the time Lin Xian walked away, the entire clan compound buzzed with new whispers.
> "Did you see that? He stopped Tianhao's attack with one hand—then floored him with a single strike!"
"A mid-stage genius lost to an early stage? What kind of strength is that?"
"And that kitten of his… actually peed on the young master! Hahaha!"
Lin Xian ignored them all, heading toward his secluded courtyard. The kitten purred smugly on his shoulder, tail flicking like a tiny banner of victory.
> "You really enjoy trouble, don't you?" he murmured.
The kitten looked up at him with innocent eyes — then meowed softly as if to say, He started it.
Lin Xian chuckled faintly.
> "Fair enough."
As he closed his courtyard gate, his expression turned thoughtful.
> "So… the clan is stirring, the city is restless, and attention are turning toward the forest."
He gazed toward the distant mountains where the meteor had fallen.
> "Sooner or later, others will come searching."
His hand unconsciously brushed the kitten's soft fur.
> "And when they do… we'll be ready."
The kitten meowed once more, tail curling into the shape of a crescent.
---
The quiet of Lin Xian's courtyard was soon broken by a soft knock.
> Tok tok tok.
Lin Xian looked up from where he was sitting, one hand idly brushing the golden kitten's fur.
> "Come in."
The door slid open, and a small figure peeked inside — a girl of about twelve, with bright eyes and a round face framed by neat black hair.
> "Big brother!"
It was Lin Xue'er, his little sister — one of the few people in the clan who had never mocked him. She rushed in, her light blue dress fluttering, eyes shining with excitement.
> "They said you fought Cousin Tianhao and won! Is it true?!"
Lin Xian smiled faintly.
> "Rumors fly faster than wind. It was nothing worth mentioning."
But before he could say more, Lin Xue'er's gaze landed on the golden bundle curled up in his lap.
> "Ah! What is that?!"
The kitten tilted its head, blinking up at her with wide golden eyes. Its little tail swished curiously.
Lin Xian opened his mouth to explain, but Lin Xue'er had already gasped and crouched down, her voice soft and filled with wonder.
> "It's so cute… Is it really golden?"
The kitten stretched, then jumped lightly into her arms — as if it had already decided she was safe. It rubbed its tiny head against her chin and purred loudly.
> "It likes you," Lin Xian said quietly, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Lin Xue'er giggled, hugging the kitten close.
> "So warm! Big brother, where did you find it? Can I keep it in my room?"
Lin Xian raised an eyebrow.
> "No. It's mine."
She puffed her cheeks in protest.
> "Hmph! You finally find something adorable and won't even share it?"
The kitten mewed in agreement, looking between them as if trying to mediate. Then it licked her nose.
Lin Xue'er squealed and laughed so hard she nearly dropped it.
> "Stop that! That tickles!"
Lin Xian leaned back, watching the rare sight of his little sister's joy. His lips curved slightly — a quiet warmth that hadn't touched his face in years.
> "Careful. That little thing isn't as harmless as it looks."
Lin Xue'er tilted her head.
> "Huh? It's just a kitten."
The golden furball sneezed. A faint spark of golden light popped in the air, burning a small leaf nearby.
Lin Xue froze.
> "...It breathes lightning?!"
> "Something like that," Lin Xian replied mildly. "Try not to make it angry."
Lin Xue stared at the tiny creature now purring again as if nothing had happened.
> "Then I'll just make it happy all the time!"
She began scratching its chin; the kitten melted into her hands, eyes half-closed in bliss.
> "See, brother? Even fierce things like gentle people."
For a moment, Lin Xian said nothing. The soft morning light caught in his white hair and the kitten's golden fur, and his expression gentled almost imperceptibly.
> "Maybe you're right."
Lin Xue smiled brightly.
> "Then it's settled. I'll come visit every day to play with it!"
> "Just don't feed it spirit fruits from Father's stores," he said dryly. "It already eats more than a person."
> "Hehe… No promises."
She stuck out her tongue, hugged the kitten once more, and ran out laughing. The golden kitten looked back at him from her arms, letting out a tiny, triumphant mrrp! — as if declaring victory.
Lin Xian shook his head, a helpless smile forming.
> "So it's two against one now, hm?"
The kitten meowed softly in response.
For the first time since his rebirth, the lonely courtyard felt alive — filled with laughter, warmth, and the faint purr of a bond that reached beyond blood or fate.