In Martial Universe, Signed in at the Start with Yao Lao's Ring

Compared to Lin Dong's shock, Lin Yan appeared much calmer.

Thus, upon hearing Lin Dong's words, Lin Yan merely smiled faintly and shrugged.

"There was no other choice. Since they intended to strike at the Lin family, I could only kill them all."

Lin Dong's mouth twitched involuntarily. His gaze toward Lin Yan became somewhat peculiar.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that his normally gentle and refined brother could be so ruthless in battle.

So many people, yet he hadn't let a single one escape—all were completely wiped out.

This gave Lin Dong a whole new understanding of Lin Yan—not only was he strong, but when dealing with enemies, he was utterly merciless!

However, Lin Dong also knew that Lin Yan's actions were entirely justified.

After all, these people were enemies. If they weren't eliminated, then the ones truly in danger would be the Lin family's disciples.

Therefore, it was certainly better for these Black Dragon Stockade criminals to die instead.

"What's wrong? Are you afraid of me now?"

Lin Yan looked at Lin Dong with a teasing smile.

Lin Dong shook his head. "No, brother Lin Yan did the right thing. I was just surprised that you were able to go through with it so decisively."

Lin Yan simply chuckled and said nothing more.

Shortly after, he noticed Lin Ken, Lin Xia, and others rushing toward them. Since the battle had taken place outside Steel Wood Manor, the commotion quickly reached those inside.

Realizing something was wrong, Lin Ken immediately led a group over.

However, when they arrived at the scene, they were utterly stunned by the gruesome sight before them.

"Ugh—"

Lin Hong and the others had never killed before.

So when they arrived and saw the area littered with corpses, their faces turned pale, and their stomachs churned, causing them to vomit uncontrollably.

"Lin Yan, Lin Dong, what are you two doing here?"

Lin Ken immediately spotted the two standing amidst the aftermath and asked in confusion.

"The Black Dragon Stockade planned to strike at Steel Wood Manor while Grandpa and the others were away," Lin Yan explained.

"I assume the Lei family received information about the Yang Yuan Stone mine in the manor and sent them to destroy it!"

Lin Ken was momentarily stunned.

"So these people… are from the Black Dragon Stockade?"

Looking at the fallen banners scattered across the battlefield, Lin Ken quickly recognized their origins.

"That's the leader of the Black Dragon Stockade, Yan Kuo! And the second-in-command, Wu Sha! They actually came here as well?"

Shocked, he turned to Lin Yan and Lin Dong, his voice trembling slightly.

"So… all these people… you two killed them?"

Lin Ken wasn't questioning them—he had no intention of blaming them—but the sight before him was so overwhelming that he couldn't contain his astonishment.

"Not exactly," Lin Dong shook his head.

Lin Ken sighed in relief.

"I thought so. There's no way the two of you alone could've handled so many people from the Black Dragon Stockade—"

But before he could finish, Lin Dong continued.

"Actually, Lin Yan did it alone."

"I was in the middle of a breakthrough and couldn't join the fight. I thought I'd step in to help once I was done, but by the time I finished, Lin Yan had already wiped out the entire Black Dragon Stockade force by himself."

At those words, Lin Ken turned to Lin Yan, utterly dumbfounded. Lin Ken's mouth was so wide open that an apple could fit inside.

He looked at Lin Yan as if he were staring at a monster.

He remained frozen for a long moment before finally regaining his senses and asking, "Lin Yan, what level have you reached now?"

Lin Yan knew there was no point in hiding it, so he answered openly.

"Heavenly Yuan Middle Stage."

As soon as he spoke, a powerful aura erupted from his body.

Sensing the energy fluctuation, Lin Xia and the others felt their chests tighten, and even Lin Ken was left in complete shock.

"Heavenly Yuan Middle Stage?!"

"So fast?"

"You've grown this much already?!"

Lin Ken was dumbfounded for a long time before finally forcing out those words. He then looked at Lin Yan with eyes full of admiration.

"This level of talent is truly astonishing!"

He sighed and continued, "Once Father returns, I'm sure he'll be just as shocked."

"Your growth speed is simply absurd."

Lin Ken quickly instructed the others to clean up the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Lin Yan was told to rest. After all, Lin Yan's status in the Lin Family had now surpassed even Lin Ken's. How could he let him do such menial tasks?

Moreover, Lin Yan had made an incredible contribution this time.

If it weren't for him wiping out the Black Dragon Stockade forces, the Lin Family would have faced a true disaster in the absence of Lin Zhentian and the others.

-------

After returning home, Lin Yan went straight to rest.

During the battle, he had set up numerous Flame Spirit Arrays. Even though they were only First-Grade arrays, maintaining them had still drained a considerable amount of his energy.

So the moment he lay down, he fell into a deep sleep.

Because of this, he didn't even go out to greet Lin Zhentian and the others when they returned from selling the Yang Yuan Stones.

.....

As the sun began to set over Steelwood Manor, Lin Zhentian and his group finally returned.

They were in high spirits after a successful transaction, chatting and laughing along the way.

However, as they approached the area where Lin Yan had fought the Black Dragon Stockade, they saw Lin Ken and several Lin Family members cleaning up the corpses.

The thick stench of burnt flesh and blood filled the air.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao's face changed drastically. "Something's wrong!"

He immediately jumped down from the carriage and shouted toward Lin Ken, "Big Brother, what happened here?!"

Lin Ken turned toward them, and upon spotting Lin Xiao and Lin Zhentian, his expression darkened.

He then spoke in a grave tone, "After you left, the leaders of the Black Dragon Stockade brought their forces here."

Lin Zhentian's face twisted with rage. Before Lin Ken could continue, he roared furiously, "Black Dragon Stockade! If I don't wipe you out, I'm not worthy of my name!"

"Let's go! We're heading there now!"

He was already about to charge toward the Black Dragon Stockade in a fury. Fortunately, Lin Ken quickly stopped him.

"Father, wait! Listen to me first."

Lin Zhentian's impulsive nature left Lin Ken feeling helpless.

"What's there to say? So many of our people have died!"

"Do you expect me not to avenge them?!"

Lin Zhentian fumed.

Lin Ken quickly explained, "These bodies all belong to the Black Dragon Stockade."

"Father, look—both their Chief, Yan Kuo, and their Second-in-Command, Wu Sha, are dead. Their elite forces have also been completely wiped out."

"As for our Lin Family… not a single person was harmed. What are you getting so worked up about?"

Lin Zhentian, still burning with anger, was suddenly stunned. The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

His expression turned to one of disbelief as he confirmed again, "Are you telling the truth?"

Lin Ken nodded. "Of course! Why would I lie about something like this? If you don't believe me, ask the others."

With that, Lin Ken turned to Lin Xia and the others. Lin Xia and the others all turned toward Lin Zhentian with affirming expressions.

Upon seeing this, Lin Zhentian's face became even more stunned. He knew exactly how strong Yan Kuo and Wu Sha were.

Both of them were Heavenly Yuan Realm experts.

Their strength was on par with Lin Ken. With those two leading an attack, Lin Ken's forces should have been completely overwhelmed...

So how did they end up being utterly annihilated instead?

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't make sense of it. Lin Zhentian turned to Lin Ken and asked, "Then who killed all of them? Don't tell me it was you."

Lin Ken sighed and shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Father, how could I have that kind of ability? These people... Lin Yan wiped them all out by himself."

"Father, it was Yan Kuo and Wu Sha, plus all of these Black Dragon Stockade warriors! They were all killed by him alone."

"He didn't even tell us. If we hadn't heard the commotion and come to check, we wouldn't have known..."

Lin Zhentian was completely dumbfounded, standing still in a daze for a long time.

"Yan'er alone killed them all? Has his strength really grown this much?"

But soon, Lin Zhentian snapped out of it, immediately growing concerned about Lin Yan's condition. His tone was a bit anxious as he asked Lin Ken,

"Was Yan'er injured?"

Lin Ken quickly shook his head and reassured him, "Not a single scratch. He should have already gone home to rest."

Lin Zhentian's expression became even more astonished.

Defeating the entire Black Dragon Stockade without a single injury—this was something even he might not be able to accomplish.

And yet, Lin Yan had done it.

This filled Lin Zhentian with immense joy! After all, Lin Yan was part of the Lin Family! If Lin Yan was strong, then the Lin Family would be strong!

"Well done, Yan'er! This time, we must reward him properly!"

Lin Zhentian burst into hearty laughter as he spoke.

"Should I ask for him to see you?" Lin Ken nodded before asking.

However, after hearing Lin Ken's question, Lin Zhentian immediately shook his head and firmly instructed,

"Absolutely not! Do not disturb Yan'er's rest! After experiencing such an intense battle, even if he isn't injured, he must be completely exhausted!"

"Make sure the family members passing by Yan'er's residence stay quiet. No loud shouting or noise. If anyone disturbs his rest, I won't let them off!"

Worried that Lin Yan might be fatigued, Lin Zhentian made meticulous arrangements and instructed Lin Ken with a serious tone.

"Also, make sure to prepare dinner immediately. Once Yan'er wakes up, he'll need to eat. Don't let him go hungry!"