Chapter 22: Forcing the Lei Family Back, Qingtan's Great Merit!
Lei Ying had arrived late and didn't know the details of Lei Shan's injuries. He assumed it was Lin Xiao who had severed Lei Shan's leg.
Lin Xiao didn't bother to explain. He said coldly, "Your man made the first move. If he couldn't handle it, then he deserved what he got. The fact he only lost a leg means I was being merciful."
"You—!" Lei Ying was furious, but before he could retort—
"From now on, Tiemu Manor belongs to the Lin family. If you don't get lost, don't blame me for settling things here and now."
Lin Xiao cut him off, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Lei Ying's expression twitched. But remembering the strength Lin Xiao had just demonstrated—late Heaven Origin Stage—he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
"Heh… since your Lin family is so eager to keep Tiemu Manor, then fine—take it. But everything you took today, our Lei family will take back one day. Including Lei Shan's severed leg."
With a cold sneer and a flick of his sleeve, Lei Ying led the Lei family members away.
Afterward, Lin Ken and Lin Xiao ordered the men to conduct a full inspection of the ironwood groves.
Seeing that most of the trees had been destroyed, and even the soil heavily damaged, they were both furious.
But in the end, they could only swallow the humiliation—for now, the Lin family's strength wasn't enough to take down the Lei family completely.
Lin Xiao sent someone back to report the situation to Lin Zhentian.
When Lin Zhentian learned what had happened, he personally led a force to Tiemu Manor, arriving before half a day had passed.
Gazing over the ruined ironwood fields, his face turned ashen. A furious roar erupted from his throat.
Standing in the back of the crowd, Qingtan, who had come with them, flinched at the sound. She whispered to Lin Fan, "Lin Fan-ge… Grandpa's scary when he's angry…"
"Be careful he doesn't hear you," Lin Fan teased with a smile. "Come on, let's not stay here and risk getting caught in his temper. Let's go explore a bit."
"Okay!" Qingtan quickly nodded.
With that, Lin Fan quietly led Qingtan away from the crowd, heading deeper into the manor. Following behind them was Huo'er, her Fire Python Tiger, looking like a giant Tibetan mastiff.
Tiemu Manor was vast and scenic.
If not for the lingering stench of chemicals in the air, this place might have made a fine summer retreat.
Chatting casually, the two wandered deeper into the territory.
"Lin Fan-ge, it's getting hotter the deeper we go," Qingtan suddenly said.
"Hm?" Lin Fan's eyes gleamed slightly. "Let's keep going. Try to sense if it keeps getting warmer."
Qingtan's body contained an extreme Yin Fiend Constitution, making her incredibly sensitive to changes in temperature.
In the original story, it was precisely Qingtan's ability to sense heat that led to the discovery of the Yang Essence Stone Vein.
"Okay." She didn't fully understand, but nodded and agreed without hesitation.
The two of them, along with Huo'er, sped up, heading deeper into the woods.
After half an hour, they stopped.
They had reached a slightly sunken valley at the edge of the forest.
There, two black shadows prowled—it was a pair of Black Iron Demon Leopards!
Almost forgot… finding the Black Iron Leopards means the Yang Essence Vein must be close by, Lin Fan thought as his eyes narrowed.
He crouched and scooped a handful of damp soil—sure enough, it radiated a faint Yang Gang Qi.
"Lin Fan-ge… I feel so hot…"
Qingtan was sweating profusely, her face flushed.
Her whole body seemed to be trapped inside an oven.
"Let's go. Time to head back."
Seeing her state, Lin Fan didn't linger. He grabbed her hand and quickly turned back.
On the way, Lin Fan smiled. "Qingtan, you've done a great deed this time."
"Huh? What did I do?" she blinked, confused.
Lin Fan grinned and explained the Yang Essence Stone Vein to her.
Qingtan was stunned, then overjoyed. "So you're saying the reason I felt hot was because of the underground Yang Essence Stone?"
Lin Fan nodded. "We haven't dug it up yet, but I'm almost certain."
"Then let's tell Uncle and Grandpa! Maybe we can start digging right away!" Qingtan said eagerly.
Back at the main hall, Lin Zhentian had calmed down and was assigning men to cleanse the chemical-laced soil.
Hearing Lin Fan's report, he was stunned. "What did you say?! A Yang Essence Stone Vein?!"
Lin Ken and Lin Xiao's expressions also changed dramatically.
They knew just how valuable such a vein was.
Lin Fan explained, "I sensed abundant Yang Gang Qi in the area. And since Tiemu Manor sits atop a volcanic region, all conditions for a Yang Essence Stone Vein are met."
Lin Zhentian took a deep breath. "But we haven't confirmed anything yet?"
Lin Fan nodded. "Not yet. If not for the two Black Iron Leopards guarding the area, I would've started digging myself."
Lin Xiao turned to Lin Zhentian. "Father, let's go take a look. If the vein's real, it'll be a huge gain. If not, we've only wasted a little effort."
"You're right. Let's go now!" Lin Zhentian nodded firmly.
Lin Fan and Qingtan led the way as Lin Zhentian, Lin Ken, Lin Xiao, and Lin Dong followed quickly toward the valley guarded by the demon leopards.
"Black Iron Demon Leopards, just as you said."
From atop the ridge, Lin Zhentian's face darkened slightly as he saw the two beasts.
"Is this the place?" Lin Xiao asked Lin Fan.
Lin Fan nodded. "Right here."
Confirmed, Lin Ken and Lin Xiao grabbed some shovels and began digging immediately.
Lin Fan leaned close to Lin Dong and whispered, "Try sensing it with your stone talisman. It should help pinpoint it faster."
Lin Dong nodded silently, then began "exploring" the area, pretending to be curious as he subtly activated the talisman in his palm.
After a few moments, he felt it—his talisman reacted.
"Dad, let me help you dig!" he said, eyes sparkling, as he grabbed Lin Xiao's shovel.
"You brat," Lin Xiao chuckled and let him take over.
Lin Dong started digging where the talisman pointed.
Clang!
A crisp sound echoed through the valley.
Everyone's gaze instantly turned toward the spot the sound had come from.
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