As they walked, Lin Mo and Gu Ningxin finally arrived at the main hall of the Lin family estate.
Gu Ningxin pulled Lin Mo to sit across from her.
“Mo’er, are you doing well in the sect?”
“Have you been cultivating properly?”
“Are you eating enough?”
“Are you getting enough rest?”
…
A string of questions bombarded Lin Mo, leaving him unsure where to even start answering.
But her concern for him was genuine—there was no doubt about that.
Lin Mo softly replied, “I’m doing well.”
“That’s all that matters.” Gu Ningxin smiled warmly, her eyes filled with motherly love.
Although she was only in her forties, as a mortal, she aged much faster than cultivators.
Even though Lin Zhan had given her anti-aging pills, she still looked older compared to female cultivators of the same age.
“I was in such a rush to bring you in earlier that I didn’t get a good look at you.”
Gu Ningxin walked around Lin Mo, carefully observing him before sighing in admiration:
“You’ve grown up… and you finally know how to dress yourself.”
She knew her son was always frugal and never cared much about his appearance.
But compared to his previous visits, where he always wore plain white robes, Gu Ningxin much preferred to see him dressed nicely.
Then, nudging Lin Mo playfully with her elbow, she leaned in and chuckled softly:
“Mo’er, you must have plenty of girls chasing after you now, huh?”
“That girl from the Chu family is quite nice. Now that she’s joined the Frost Palace, she’s practically soared to the heavens.”
“You better be careful. Don’t get caught being too close with other girls and get yourself into trouble!”
“Men, after all…”
She gave him a knowing look.
Lin Mo couldn’t help but laugh. He never expected his mother to have such a playful side.
“Mother, let’s talk about more serious matters.”
“Tomorrow is Grandfather’s 500th birthday, but I haven’t seen Father or any of the family elders. Where are they?”
Gu Ningxin explained, “Recently, a noble family discovered a hidden demon race secret realm. In a few days, several major families will be sending their disciples inside for training. Right now, they’re all in the conference hall discussing the arrangements.”
Secret realms were incredibly dangerous, but they also held countless opportunities and ancient inheritances.
If someone obtained a powerful inheritance, they could skyrocket in status overnight.
It was only natural that the Lin family took this so seriously.
“Mo’er, why do you look so uninterested?”
Most secret realms had strict age and cultivation restrictions.
Lin Mo understood this well and smiled. “It’s an opportunity for the younger generation. I wouldn’t be allowed to participate anyway.”
“You’ve been the ‘Senior Brother’ of Qingzhu Peak for too long, haven’t you? You’re still part of the younger generation, you know!”
Gu Ningxin lightly smacked Lin Mo on the forehead.
“The entry restriction is set at thirty years old, and only cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage can enter.”
Lin Mo was a little surprised.
“They’re allowing such a wide range? This must be a particularly dangerous secret realm.”
“Once the family meeting ends, I’ll have your father secure you a spot in the secret realm.”
“We’ll see.” Lin Mo replied nonchalantly.
“What do you mean ‘we’ll see’?”
Gu Ningxin smacked his forehead again and said, “You’re still part of the Lin family. I only have one son—you’re my only hope for a better life! Hurry up and go in there, strike it big, and let me live in luxury!”
Her tone was playful, clearly joking.
Lin Mo could hear the humor in her voice and played along:
“Even if I don’t go to the secret realm, I can still make sure you live well, Mother.”
Parents always wanted their children to succeed but also wished for their presence.
Gu Ningxin thought about how Lin Mo had left home to join Qingling Sect just to give their family a better future.
Her heart ached a little, but she still smiled:
“That’s true. My greatest blessing in life was meeting your father… and having such an outstanding son like you.”
At that moment, Lin Qingqing entered the hall, accompanied by a tall man.
“Cousin, when did you come back?”
The man greeted Gu Ningxin first before happily approaching Lin Mo.
He patted Lin Mo’s shoulder and laughed:
“It’s been years, and you’ve only gotten more handsome!”
This man was Lin Changqiang, Lin Mo’s distant cousin from the fifth-generation branch, and he was twenty years older than Lin Mo.
Then, turning to Lin Qingqing, he instructed:
“Qingqing, greet your uncle properly!”
Lin Qingqing hesitated for a moment before blushing slightly and softly greeting him:
“Little Uncle… hello.”
Lin Mo briefly sorted through the Lin family’s complicated relationships in his mind.
Lin Mo’s cousin, Lin Changqiang, was actually one of the younger ones in his generation.
In fact, Lin Mo had several other cousins who were already over a hundred years old.
This only reinforced one thing—the cultivation world’s family trees were an absolute mess.
After greeting Lin Mo, Lin Qingqing quietly hid behind Lin Changqiang, sneaking glances at him from time to time.
Lin Mo naturally noticed but didn’t mind, instead turning to Lin Changqiang and asking curiously:
“Cousin Changqiang, why aren’t you attending the Lin family conference?”
“Hah, I don’t have the seniority or talent to qualify!” Lin Changqiang smiled bitterly. “Only those from my father’s generation and a few Golden Core cultivators are allowed to participate.”
His spiritual root was only a three-element constitution, meaning he hadn’t received much family support growing up.
Even now, at forty-something years old, he was still only at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm.
“But I have to say, it’s thanks to the Qi-Nourishing Pills you brought back a few years ago that I managed to break through to the late stage.” Lin Changqiang expressed his gratitude, but then looked at Lin Mo with curiosity.
“Cousin, I can’t even sense your cultivation anymore. Could it be… you’ve already reached the Golden Core stage?”
Lin Mo nodded slightly. “I just broke through recently.”
Lin Changqiang exclaimed in awe, “A Golden Core cultivator at twenty-five! As expected of Uncle Lin Zhan’s son. I’m sure Grandfather will be absolutely thrilled when he hears about this!”
Gu Ningxin, being a mortal, had no way of sensing Lin Mo’s cultivation, but hearing this, her face lit up with joy.
Just then, voices chattered from outside the hall.
“Lin Tian, didn’t I hear your grandfather sent you to Baidi City to buy a gift for your great-grandfather?”
“Don’t even mention it! I had my eye on a top-tier alchemy furnace, but some bastard outbid me and took it.”
“Didn’t you reveal your identity as a Lin family member?”
“That’s the most infuriating part! Of course, I told him who I was—but the moment that little punk heard I was from the Lin family, he raised the price even higher!”
“What?! Someone actually dared to disrespect our Lin family?”
“Exactly! If I see that kid again, I swear I’ll break his legs!”
Lin Tian was fuming with rage.
His grandfather had tasked him with purchasing a valuable gift for their great-grandfather in exchange for a spot in the demon race secret realm expedition.
Because he had failed the task, both his father and grandfather had mercilessly scolded him, making him resent the one who outbid him even more.
Now, as he stepped into the main hall, he suddenly noticed Lin Mo sitting inside, casually sipping tea.
At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Rubbing his eyes and looking again, he realized he wasn’t mistaken.
In an instant, rage surged straight to his head, and he didn’t even stop to think why Lin Mo was here in the Lin family estate.
Pointing at Lin Mo, he shouted angrily, “That’s him! Guys, let’s break his legs!”
Lin Mo recognized Lin Tian immediately.
Just as he was about to make a move, Lin Changqiang beat him to it—
With a single powerful kick, Lin Changqiang sent Lin Tian tumbling across the floor.
“You brat! Have you lost your mind?! That’s your uncle!”
Lin Tian rolled a few times before coming to a stop, staring in utter shock.
“What?! My… uncle?!”
