Chapter 122: Tianhao Is Back

At noon, the gray mist continued to swirl in the air. In the backyard, Lin Dong leaned back on a wooden chair, eyes slightly closed, quietly pondering and comprehending the mantras of the Air Control realm.
Beside him, a cup of Good Fortune Tea emitted rising steam, intertwining with the thick mist.
Xiao Shuang had already returned to the academy, so there was no need for Lin Dong to cook himself. He was enjoying a carefree moment.
Not far away, Yang Ling focused his energy in his dantian, swinging his fists as a howling gust of wind tore through the mist, creating streams of air currents.
By the stone table, Yang Qingting stared at the silver rabbit lying lazily on the ground dozing off, unable to believe that it was a high-tier spiritual beast.
When she first saw the silver rabbit, she hadn’t paid much attention, thinking it was just a first or second-tier spiritual beast that Lin Dong had gotten for Lin Shuang to play with. It wasn’t until she tried to tease it out of boredom that it dodged instantly—then she realized the silver rabbit was far more than just first or second tier. Its speed was so fast that she couldn’t even track its movement, which alone meant it was definitely above fifth tier.
Yang Qingting sighed softly. During this trip to Xilan City, she finally realized how ridiculous her arrogance had been.
A adopted son with talent enough to shock the world, and an adopted daughter with extraordinary business acumen—five years ago, in her eyes, they were just two dirty beggars. After failing to get close to them out of boredom, she ignored them completely.
But now, these two children, barely twelve years old, already had futures that made her look up to them.
What pride could the younger generation of the Yang family have in comparison to these two children?
She couldn’t help but glance at Lin Dong, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed. Yang Qingting smiled bitterly—she realized she had never truly understood this man either.
Cowardly and incompetent, perhaps he had simply not grown up back then.
A man who could run an inn well enough to defeat Maple Forest Restaurant—though just a merchant dismissed by martial artists—was enough to prove how poor her judgment had been in the past.
“Owner… Tianhao is back.”
Ma Chun rushed in, his face filled with joy as if breaking through the mist.
Tianhao’s return meant that once Maple Forest Restaurant closed down, Lin’s Inn would expand into Autumn Wind City.
Since Lin Dong had discussed the future development of Lin’s Inn with him, Ma Chun had been full of enthusiasm over the past ten days, almost unable to wait.

Xilan City has no rival; Qiufeng City is a far greater world. Just thinking about becoming the manager of Lin’s Inn in Qiufeng City filled him with excitement.
Lin Dong suddenly opened his eyes. Through the thick mist, at the entrance of the courtyard, the thin-faced Xiao Tianchi came alongside Tian Hao.
Seeing others in the courtyard, Xiao Tianchi removed his smile and politely bowed to Lin Dong, “Shopkeeper Lin!”
Tian Hao’s gaze lingered briefly on Yang Qingting’s face. When she smiled, he discreetly looked away and strode toward Lin Dong.
“Dad, I’m back.”
“You’ve grown taller! And a bit paler too.” Lin Dong chuckled as he messed up Tian Hao’s hair into a messy mess.
“Tian Hao!” Yang Qingting called out softly from the side.
Tian Hao looked up at Lin Dong. He naturally recognized this woman—his father’s idol, and also his nominal mother.
Lin Dong smiled and reminded him, “Aunt Yang, you must know her.”
“Aunt Yang.” Tian Hao immediately turned and called out to her.
Yang Qingting seemed disappointed but forced a smile. “It’s been five years—Tian Hao has almost become a little adult.”
Tian Hao nodded and looked back at Lin Dong.
Lin Dong pulled him in front of Yang Ling. “You must know who the person my father is most grateful to in this life is, right?”
Tian Hao was stunned for a moment before looking at Yang Ling and respectfully bowing, “Uncle Yang!”
“Not bad—dark-skinned, like a real man,” Yang Ling laughed.
Tian Hao grinned, showing his bright white teeth.
After asking Xiao Tianchi to sit at the stone table, Lin Dong didn’t waste time in pleasantries and mentioned his plan to take Tian Hao to the Yang family’s house.
Although reluctant, Xiao Tianchi had no choice but to agree.
The atmosphere at the table wasn’t very lively, but they still chatted amiably. After lunch, after another brief conversation, Lin Dong took Tian Hao to his room and explained the reason for this trip to Qiufeng City.
Upon hearing about Yang Ling’s plans, Tian Hao was stunned. After a long pause, he asked, “Uncle Yang, are they bandits?”
Lin Dong nodded. He understood that given Tian Hao’s personality, it would be difficult for him to accept Yang Ling’s identity and motives right away, let alone agree to help him deal with the Yang family.
To Lin Dong’s surprise, Tian Hao didn’t stay silent for long. He raised his head resolutely and said, “Since Uncle Yang has done good for Dad, we must help him.”
Lin Dong patted Tian Hao’s shoulder. Sometimes, one had to do things even though they knew they were wrong.
Tian Hao hesitated. “Dad, what about Aunt Yang…”

“Dad already let her go. Whether she can escape Uncle Yang’s revenge depends on her own luck!”
Lin Dong shook his head. Although Yang Qingting had forced her ex to marry her, disregarding his feelings and future back then, she hadn’t forgotten to take her ex, whose leg had been broken by the Yang family, when running away. She also left some silver when returning to the Yang family.
To be fair, though Lin Dong didn’t like Yang Qingting’s personality, he didn’t particularly dislike her either.
“Mm!” Tian Hao nodded.
Lin Dong smiled and asked, “So, where has Master Xiao taken you on this trip?”
“We’ve been to Changhai Mountain and Yechang Mountain,” Tian Hao replied after hesitating for a moment. “Besides visiting various sects to collect spiritual material seeds and learning about local customs, it was also to help Tian Hao gain more practical combat experience.”
“Practical combat experience?” Lin Dong was surprised. “Fighting against disciples from other sects?”
Tian Hao shook his head and mumbled, “Killing bandits.”
Lin Dong felt ashamed. Not long ago, he had even called a bandit ‘uncle’.
“Any progress in cultivation?”
“In another half month or so, I should be able to break through to the Lingdong stage.”
“So fast?” Lin Dong was astonished. He vaguely remembered that Tian Hao had only reached the ninth level of the Lingdong stage three or four months ago.
Tian Hao explained, “The grand master often gives me some pills for cultivation, so I’ve progressed much faster than before.”
Lin Dong clicked his tongue. Spending most of his time traveling, and with the help of some pills, he could break through in just over four months. Such talent would surely make many envious.
At least, after taking the Ninth-Level Reverse Meridian Pill, Lin Dong considered his cultivation speed to be on par with that of geniuses. But with triple cultivation acceleration, plenty of pills and spiritual stones, and most of his time dedicated to cultivation, it would still take about four months to break through to the ninth level of the Lingdong stage.
After some thought, Lin Dong decided to have Tian Hao cultivate with him in the room. With triple cultivation acceleration, they would surely be able to break through to the Lingdong stage before heading to Qiufeng City.
Reaching the Lingdong stage at the age of twelve—just based on Tian Hao’s words, Yang Ling’s status in the Yang family could soar rapidly.