Lin Tian couldn't fathom what he saw.

  The Lin compound sprawled before him like a miniature city, nestled between twin mountains whose peaks disappeared into wisps of spiritual mist. Ancient pavilions and towering pagodas rose amidst carefully landscaped gardens where Qi-infused streams created patterns visible even to untrained eyes. The entire complex pulsed with power—formations etched into the very stone of the walls, currents of spiritual energy flowing through invisible channels beneath the ground.

  Cultivators moved through the grounds with purpose—some riding magnificent spirit beasts, others engaged in training exercises that warped the very air around them. A young disciple guided a massive bear with azure fur through a complex pattern, while elsewhere, an elder sat in meditation atop a lion whose mane crackled with lightning.

  "Welcome home, Young Master," Lin Feng said quietly. His expression revealed nothing, but there was a subtle shift in his posture as they approached the main gates.

  Mistress Yue moved ahead to speak with the gate guards. Though her manner appeared casual, Lin Tian noted how the guards straightened instantly, their eyes widening slightly before they bowed deeply.

  "Impressive, isn't it?" Lin Feng remarked, noting Lin Tian's scrutiny. "The First House serves as both administrative center and public face of the Lin clan."

  "First House?" Lin Tian asked, catching the implication.

  Lin Feng's lips curved in a slight smile. "The Lin clan's holdings are... extensive. What you see is merely one face of our legacy."

  As they passed through the gates, Lin Tian's enhanced senses detected a shift in the ambient Qi—a subtle recalibration as the compound's formations recognized and cataloged their presence. More interestingly, he noticed how the patterns seemed to react differently to Lin Feng, creating ripples of recognition that quickly disappeared.

  Servants appeared as they dismounted, taking charge of the Cloud Runners with practiced efficiency. Lin Tian didn't miss how their eyes flickered toward him with poorly concealed curiosity, or how they maintained a careful distance from Lin Feng, their postures conveying not just respect but something closer to reverence... or fear.

  "Is that Lin Tian?" The whisper came from a pair of young disciples nearby, though they clearly thought themselves out of earshot.

  "Yes, but look at him—he's more handsome than I expected."

  "Who's that with him? Wait, Lin Tian should only have one person assigned as his guard..."

  "It can't be... is that Lin Feng?"

  "Lin Feng? But he hasn't been seen in nearly a decade!"

  "It must be. The boy the Patriarch recruited personally."

  "I've heard stories. Didn't they say he had the 'Erasure' gift."

  "Shh! Don't speak of such things where others might hear."

  Their conversation cut off as Lin Feng's gaze swept casually in their direction. The young disciples paled and hurried away.

  Lin Tian filed away this information while maintaining an outwardly calm demeanor.

  The "Erasure" gift—clearly connected to the technique he'd witnessed Lin Feng use against both the assassins and Shen Wu. And the Patriarch had personally recruited Lin Feng? The relationship between his supposed father and his attendant grew more interesting by the moment.

  Mistress Yue returned to them. "Elder Jin has requested to meet with the Young Master," she informed them. "He awaits in the Hall of Clear Thought."

  Lin Feng frowned slightly. "The Patriarch instructed that the Young Master should rest before any formal duties."

  "The Patriarch isn't currently in residence," Mistress Yue replied, her tone neutral but her eyes conveying something more. "Elder Jin serves as his representative during his absence."

  Lin Tian's mind worked quickly. The politics were becoming clearer—Elder Jin was making a statement with this immediate summons, testing boundaries and perhaps his own influence.

  "It would be disrespectful to keep Elder Jin waiting," Lin Tian said smoothly. "I'm quite rested from the journey."

  A flicker of approval crossed Mistress Yue's face. "Very well. I'll escort you."

  As they followed her through the compound, Lin Tian noted the growing number of observers. Some watched openly from verandas or garden paths, while others—more interestingly—monitored from shadows and concealed positions, their Qi signatures dampened but not entirely hidden from his enhanced perception.

  "The Lin clan seems quite interested in their third son's return," Lin Tian commented quietly to Lin Feng.

  "Your recent advancement has caused... speculation," Lin Feng replied. "The Lin clan values talent, but unexpected changes often prompt caution."

  The Hall of Clear Thought proved to be an elegant structure built over a small lake, connected to the shore by a winding stone bridge. Mist curled around its foundations, and Lin Tian detected intricate formations woven into its very architecture—designed for privacy, certainly, but perhaps also for other purposes.

  Inside, the hall lived up to its name. The air felt crystalline, each breath bringing unusual clarity to the mind. At the center, an elderly man sat on a raised dais, a small table with tea implements arranged before him. His robes were simple but made of material that subtly refracted light, and his long white beard was bound with a jade clasp.

  "Elder Jin," Mistress Yue announced, "I present the Third Young Master, Lin Tian, returned from the Celestial Dragon Sect as requested."

  The elder's penetrating gaze seemed to dissect Lin Tian layer by layer. "So," he said, his voice surprisingly melodious for one of his apparent age, "the young dragon returns to the nest. Come closer, boy. Let me look at you."

  Lin Tian approached with measured steps, bowing with precise formality. "Elder Jin. I'm honored by your attention."

  A thin smile crossed the elder's face. "Such courtesy. Did the Celestial Dragon Sect teach you that, or is it a recent acquisition?"

  The subtle barb confirmed Lin Tian's suspicions. This was indeed a test—one that had begun the moment he entered the hall.

  "Respect for one's elders is fundamental, regardless of when or where it is learned," Lin Tian replied evenly.

  Elder Jin made a noncommittal sound, gesturing for Lin Tian to take a seat across from him. Lin Feng and Mistress Yue remained standing near the entrance, their positions suggesting both deference and vigilance.

  "I understand congratulations are in order," Elder Jin said as he began preparing tea with practiced motions. "Advancement to Qi Condensation II after so many years of... limited progress." His emphasis made clear what he truly meant—years of failure.

  Lin Tian inclined his head. "Fortune favors those who persist."

  "Indeed." Elder Jin's hands never faltered in their precise movements as he prepared the tea. "Though some might question the nature of such... fortune. Especially when it attracts attention from individuals of Shen Wu's caliber."

  So news of the encounter had already reached the compound. Interesting, but not surprising—Lin Tian had expected as much after Mistress Yue sent her jade token message.

  "I'm still learning to understand my cultivation path," Lin Tian said, accepting the cup of tea Elder Jin extended to him. "The attention of others is beyond my control."

  Elder Jin's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Patriarch isn't here at present, and while I could test your cultivation skills, Young Master, it wouldn't really be fair to you." He sipped his tea, studying Lin Tian over the rim of his cup. "To properly test how much you have grown, I'd like to examine your understanding of theory, as the Lin clan's principles tend to focus on precision and advancement."

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  Lin Tian suppressed a sigh. Why are the elders of noble families or higher powers always so arrogant or willing to test you? Is there no different trope? This scenario was all too familiar to Edward—political maneuvering disguised as concern, tests masquerading as conversation.

  "I welcome Elder Jin's guidance," he replied instead, his tone respectful.

  The elder's first question came swiftly. "Explain the principle of Qi resonance when facing a cultivator of superior realm."

  A straightforward beginning—perhaps deceptively so. Lin Tian drew on both his recent studies and Edward's extensive understanding of magical theory from his previous life. The principles weren't so different from how he had manipulated mana fields against stronger opponents.

  "Qi resonance occurs when one cultivator's energy frequency aligns with or deliberately counters another's," he began. "When facing a superior realm opponent, their Qi naturally operates at a higher frequency and amplitude. Direct opposition is futile, but through careful harmonizing at specific intervals—similar to how a small vibration can gradually influence a larger oscillation—even a lower realm cultivator can create brief moments of interference."

  He continued, drawing parallels to specific techniques taught at the Celestial Dragon Sect while incorporating principles of constructive and destructive interference that Edward had mastered in his magical studies. "The key isn't matching power, but understanding the natural harmonics within all Qi manifestations."

  Elder Jin's eyebrows rose fractionally—the first indication that Lin Tian's answer had exceeded expectations.

  "And how would you apply this principle in practical combat?" the elder pressed.

  Lin Tian's response drew on Edward's extensive military experience fighting against magically superior opponents. "Against a stronger opponent, victory rarely comes from matching strength directly. Instead, I would observe their Qi circulation patterns, identify rhythmic fluctuations, and time my techniques to exploit momentary vulnerabilities. Even Supreme Peak cultivators have microseconds of realignment between techniques—imperceptible to most, but exploitable with precise timing."

  The questions continued, growing increasingly complex. Elemental affinity balancing. Meridian optimization theory. Dantian compression techniques. With each answer, Lin Tian carefully balanced demonstrating knowledge without revealing the full extent of Edward's analytical capabilities or the insights from his previous life as an emperor who had extensively studied magical theory.

  He noticed subtle changes in the hall's atmosphere as the examination progressed. The hidden observers he had detected earlier grew more numerous, their Qi signatures betraying increased interest. Even Mistress Yue's posture had shifted slightly, her attention more focused.

  After nearly an hour, Elder Jin set down his teacup with deliberate care. "Fascinating," he murmured. "Your theoretical understanding has developed... impressively. Now, a final question."

  The elder leaned forward slightly. "How would you engage an opponent two realms above your own?"

  This was the true test, Lin Tian realized—not just of knowledge, but of wisdom. The traditional answer would involve evasion, seeking help, or using treasures to bridge the gap. But Edward had faced magically superior beings with tactical brilliance. He knew better.

  "I wouldn't," Lin Tian said simply.

  Elder Jin's eyes narrowed. "Explain."

  "To engage implies accepting the opponent's framework—realm against realm, power against power. Against a superior opponent, this guarantees defeat," Lin Tian explained. "Instead, I would redefine the encounter entirely. Change the terrain, the timing, the objective. Superior cultivation means little if the cultivator is fighting the wrong battle."

  He continued, drawing on Edward's campaigns against numerically and magically superior forces. "I would analyze not just their techniques but their psychology. What drives them? What blind spots exist in their worldview? What assumptions might they make about a lower-realm opponent?"

  Lin Tian gestured subtly. "Water doesn't challenge a mountain's strength—it flows around, gradually carving paths of least resistance. Similarly, I wouldn't meet superior force directly but would manipulate circumstances so that their power becomes irrelevant or, better yet, self-defeating."

  The silence that followed felt weighted with assessment. Elder Jin's gaze had grown intent, almost unsettlingly so.

  "An unusual perspective," he finally said. "Not traditional Lin clan teaching."

  Lin Tian bowed slightly. "I have found that integration of diverse perspectives strengthens one's foundation."

  "Indeed." Elder Jin rose with fluid grace that belied his apparent age. "You've given me much to consider, Third Young Master. Your... growth... is noteworthy."

  The elder moved toward the exit, then paused. "Your quarters have been prepared in the East Compound. I suggest you rest and acclimate yourself to the clan's Qi environment. The Patriarch will wish to assess you personally upon his return."

  With that, Elder Jin departed, leaving Lin Tian with Lin Feng and Mistress Yue.

  Once they were alone, Mistress Yue's formal demeanor relaxed fractionally. "Well handled, Young Master. Elder Jin rarely extends such examinations beyond a few cursory questions."

  "He seemed surprised by my answers," Lin Tian observed.

  "Your reputation preceded you," she replied diplomatically. "Your previous... challenges... with cultivation theory were well-documented."

  Lin Feng moved closer, his voice lowered. "We should proceed to your quarters. There are many eyes and ears within the compound."

  Lin Tian nodded, rising from his seat. As they exited the hall and crossed the stone bridge, he noticed several disciples watching their progress with unconcealed interest.

  "Did you hear?" one whispered to another. "Elder Jin tested him on advanced theory, and he answered everything."

  "Impossible. He couldn't even remember basic principles at the sect."

  "Well, something's changed. They say he might have gone through enlightenment. That's why our rivals are trying to kill him."

  "Enlightenment? Pfft, rumors will say anything."

  "But don't you think it's weird? A bastard that made no cultivation progress suddenly advanced a whole stage? He failed all his previous assessments and couldn't even form a core."

  Lin Tian kept his expression neutral as they walked past, though internally he was amused. These comments about his past failures merely confirmed what he already knew about Lin Tian's original reputation. The inability to form a core had been one of the first things Edward had discovered upon inhabiting this body—a fundamental deficiency he was now overcoming through superior understanding of magical principles from his past life.

  The East Compound proved to be a secluded section of the clan grounds, separated from the main areas by a series of gardens and small courtyards. Lin Tian's quarters were spacious and elegant, with a private meditation chamber and a small training yard.

  "These are not the chambers you occupied before," Lin Feng explained as servants brought in Lin Tian's few possessions. "Your new status warranted... adjustments."

  Once the servants had departed and Lin Feng had activated several privacy formations around the quarters, Mistress Yue spoke more freely.

  "Your performance with Elder Jin will spread quickly through the compound," she said. "Be prepared for increased scrutiny—and perhaps challenges."

  "The Lin clan seems unusually interested in its supposedly worthless third son," Lin Tian observed.

  A subtle exchange of glances between Mistress Yue and Lin Feng didn't escape his notice.

  "The Lin clan's interest in its members often correlates with their potential value," Mistress Yue replied carefully. "Your recent advancement has... adjusted certain calculations."

  Lin Feng moved to inspect the room's privacy formations once more before speaking. "What Mistress Yue means is that you've become a potential asset rather than a disappointment—and thus worthy of both investment and caution."

  "And the assassination attempts?" Lin Tian pressed. "Those suggest I was never truly considered worthless."

  Another meaningful glance between his companions.

  "The Lin clan has many rivals," Mistress Yue said eventually. "Some take preventative measures against even potential threats."

  It was a deflection, not an answer, but Lin Tian recognized he wouldn't get more—not yet. He nodded, accepting the temporary impasse.

  "I should report to the Patriarch," Mistress Yue said. "Lin Feng will ensure your security and comfort, Young Master."

  After she had departed, Lin Tian turned to Lin Feng. "Now that we're alone, perhaps you might explain what the 'Erasure' gift is? I overheard some interesting whispers about your capabilities."

  Lin Feng's expression remained impassive, though Lin Tian detected a subtle tightening around his eyes. "Servants gossip, Young Master. Their understanding of cultivation matters is... limited."

  "Yet their fear of you seems quite comprehensive," Lin Tian replied dryly.

  A faint smile touched Lin Feng's lips. "Fear often exceeds understanding." He moved toward the door. "You should rest, Young Master. The compound's Qi density is significantly higher than the Celestial Dragon Sect's outer areas. Your system will need time to adjust."

  Lin Tian recognized the deflection but didn't push further. "Very well. But I expect we'll revisit this conversation soon."

  When Lin Feng had departed, Lin Tian methodically inspected his quarters, checking for hidden observation formations or listening devices. Finding nothing obvious, he still maintained caution as he settled into meditation in the center of the room.

  His senses extended outward, mapping the Qi flows of the surrounding compound. The density and complexity were indeed impressive—far beyond what he had experienced in the outer sect of the Celestial Dragon Sect. Layers of formations interconnected throughout the buildings and gardens, some clearly defensive, others more mysterious in purpose.

  More interestingly, he detected numerous observers positioned strategically around the East Compound. Some made no effort to conceal their presence, while others employed sophisticated techniques to mask their Qi signatures. Lin Tian carefully avoided any reaction that might reveal his awareness of the surveillance.

  As night fell, he continued his meditation, appearing outwardly serene while his mind analyzed everything he had learned. The Lin clan's interest in him clearly extended beyond mere family duty. The resources deployed for his protection, the high-level cultivators assigned to watch him, the external parties attempting to eliminate him—all suggested a significance that contradicted his supposed worthlessness.

  Lin Tian—or rather, Edward Reinhart wearing Lin Tian's identity—found himself at the center of a complex web of political and martial intrigue. The situation demanded caution, strategic thinking, and careful information gathering—all skills that had served Emperor Edward well in his previous life.

  He smiled faintly in the darkness. Whatever game the Lin clan was playing, whatever purpose they had for their supposedly talentless third son, they weren't prepared for what he had become. Edward Reinhart had conquered gods and unified a realm. The machinations of a cultivation clan, however powerful, were merely a new type of battlefield—one he intended to master.

  In the quiet of his meditation chamber, with unknown watchers monitoring his every move, Lin Tian began planning his next steps. The Lin clan compound held secrets—about his body's past, about Lin Feng's true nature, about his own unexpected importance—and he would uncover them all.

  The game had begun. Lin Tian's plan seemed simple enough: overcome these challenges, grow stronger than the clan anticipated, then slip away to live in peaceful isolation.

  Oh boy, was he wrong.