"Ayan!"
Lin Zhao waited by the door early. When Leng Yan walked off the plane, Lin Zhao rushed forward, stopped in front of Leng Yan, cupped his fists, and said, "Happy New Year, may all your wishes come true!"
Leng Yan chuckled and playfully punched his chest. Then, Leng Yan saw the people standing by the door. She recognized Chen Xue and Mo Chenxue, but was not familiar with the other two women. One of them was particularly beautiful and carried herself with grace.
"Let me introduce you."
Lin Zhao said, "This is my elder cousin, Murong Feiyue, my only relative in the world. Cousin, this is Ayan, full name Xu Yan."
"Oh~~~"
Murong Feiyue raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Hello, Xu Yan. I am Lin Zhao's elder cousin, Murong Feiyue, the holder of the Scarlet Moon Knights guild key and the founder of the Scarlet Moon Knights a hundred years ago."
"Lin Zhao has told me about you."
Leng Yan smiled with dimples, "Hello, elder sister!"
This address of "elder sister" made Murong Feiyue ecstatic. She examined Xu Yan from head to toe, liking her more and more. In terms of looks, Xu Yan was top-tier, basically on par with Shen Xingchen. As for her chest, although not as well-endowed as Shen Xingchen's, it was more than enough, and she wouldn't starve future children.
What was most striking were Xu Yan's legs, straight and slender, as if custom-made by the Creator. They truly lived up to the title of "Leg God" on the national server!
Murong Feiyue smiled meaningfully. This woman is truly my sister-in-law!
"Ayan."
Lin Zhao continued to introduce, "This beautiful lady is my cousin's adjutant in the military, Ning Yu."
"Hello, Sister Ning Yu!"
Leng Yan greeted again. Ning Yu was somewhat flattered. The status of this beautiful woman before her was extraordinary. She was the pearl of Xu Chun, the boss of Xu Corporation in Ningcheng, and her status was no less than Shen Xingchen's!
"Leng Yan, Happy New Year!"
Chen Xue and Mo Chenxue greeted her together.
"Mhm mhm."
Leng Yan nodded repeatedly, "Axue, Xiaoxue, Happy New Year!"
They were all familiar with each other, so even if there were underlying tensions, outward politeness was essential.
Just then, a young man appeared from the plane behind Leng Yan. It was a cold winter day, and the young man was dressed in a suit, shivering. It was Xu Yan's cousin, Xu Ran, the legendary figure who had been demoted by Xu Yan from a 5,000-man commander to a 100-man commander in the Shengtian Guild.
Xu Ran's only goal recently was to regain his former position as a 5,000-man commander. After being demoted by his elder sister, his words no longer carried weight in the guild. Previously, he had been dallying with girls in the guild, and many of them had flown away or were now indifferent to him.
"Oh my!"
As soon as Xu Ran stepped off the plane, he eagerly rushed to Lin Zhao, skillfully took his hand, and said with a sincere expression, "Brother-in-law, long time no see!"
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was stunned.
"Get lost!"
Leng Yan wished she could give this guy a "Wind God Kick."
"Alright, alright."
Lin Zhao felt Chen Xue's intimidating gaze and forced a smile, "It's cold outside, let's talk inside."
"Mhm mhm."
Everyone entered the living room together. It was immediately warm after closing the door. Wang Ju had already filled the table with all sorts of snacks and fruits.
Leng Yan voluntarily sat next to Lin Zhao, feeling particularly at ease.
Lin Zhao smelled the fragrance of Leng Yan's hair and secretly glanced at her. Her delicate features and bright eyes made him secretly delighted. My Ayan is truly beautiful, no less than Xingchen.
Xu Ran sat opposite, still shivering, "It's so cold today. As soon as I stepped out, I saw frost all over the ground."
"Are you just weak?"
Leng Yan glanced at him and said, "Stop going to places like Ningcheng Tianxiang. Otherwise, your body will be depleted by wine and women sooner or later. I've told you so many times, but you never listen."
Xu Ran nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes, elder sister is right. I just can't quit for the moment."
Leng Yan snorted, turned, and grabbed a handful of spiced sunflower seeds, stuffing them into Lin Zhao's hand. Lin Zhao was forced to participate, cracking sunflower seeds one by one. He then glanced at Chen Xue, who gave him a confused look. Lin Zhao looked at Mo Chenxue again, and she immediately got up to get playing cards.
The entire morning was spent playing cards, chatting about trivial family matters, and discussing things in the game. Leng Yan also exchanged contact information with Murong Feiyue and Ning Yu.
By eleven o'clock, Xu Ran started winking at Leng Yan incessantly, feeling anxious. Why weren't they leaving yet? If they didn't leave soon, they would really have lunch. The charming young woman in the kitchen had already started cooking, and Xu Ran could even smell the scent of braised chicken with edamame. It smelled so good!
He steeled himself. His elder sister was the boss. If she really didn't want to leave, he wouldn't either. Perhaps later, if he chatted happily with Miss Mo Chenxue from the Scarlet Moon Knights, they might exchange contact information, and their families could become closer!
However, as he leered at Mo Chenxue, Leng Yan stood up, took Xu Ran's head in both hands, and turned his face away. "Alright, stop bothering Lin Xueqiong. Lin Xueqiong is a good girl, and you're a scumbag. Even if you turn back with a broken neck, you won't deserve her. What's done is done."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Xu Ran's mind was filled with thoughts of regaining his 5,000-man commander position. These days, his elder sister's words carried more weight than his father's, almost like imperial decrees. He nodded profusely, "I also feel I don't deserve her. Elder sister is right, Lin Xueqiong, I'm sorry. I can't marry you in this lifetime, my apologies."
"It's okay."
Mo Chenxue smiled, "I don't like you anyway."
Lin Zhao grinned.
"Alright."
Leng Yan stood up and said, "The New Year's greetings end here. Let's go home for lunch. I'm getting hungry!"
"Mhm mhm!"
Lin Zhao also stood up, "Ayan, be careful on your way back. Stay safe."
"Brother-in-law, you should say that to the pilot, not to my sister. It's useless talking to her."
"That makes sense!"
Lin Zhao tutted, "Ayan, I heard you demoted this Leng Xiaoran from his 5,000-man commander position last time. Since he's so sensible, don't let him return to his original position. Just let him serve as your advisor, counselor, or strategist. He talks so well, so let him talk more."
Leng Yan chuckled, "Brilliant!"
"Ah~~~"
Xu Ran let out a pig-like scream, then was dragged by the collar by Leng Yan onto the plane, shivering all the way, his face pale, a red tie fluttering wildly in the air.
...
Afternoon.
After Murong Feiyue's reminder, Lin Zhao took the wheel of the commercial vehicle purchased by the studio and took everyone to a nearby mall to buy clothes and cosmetics for Chen Xue, Mo Chenxue, his cousin, and Ning Yu. All of these were charged to Lin Zhao's account.
Lin Zhao was no longer short of money. As the largest shareholder of Scarlet Moon Transport, his income could be described as a gold mine, not to mention the considerable earnings from the game. Completing any task or achievement would yield one or two unbound golden coins, which was enough.
They shopped until evening, buying a few sets of clothes for Wang Ju and Xiao Juzi to take back.
During dinner, Chen Xue opened a few bottles of red wine, and everyone had a little.
Lin Zhao didn't dare to drink too much, stopping when he felt slightly tipsy. After all, in reality, he was just a mortal body, a normal person, without the ability to circulate his cultivation to dissipate the effects of alcohol.
He still had to go online in the evening to practice sword and fist techniques. His cultivation foundation was built up gradually through diligence and self-discipline, not overnight.
After dinner, he went online.
"Swish!"
His character appeared on the peak of the Mountain View Villa. He immediately sat cross-legged and cultivated the Eternal Sword Scripture for 40 minutes, consuming most of his mental energy. Then, he began practicing his fist techniques.
After an unknown amount of time practicing his fists, Lin Zhao suddenly turned and looked north. Two auras erupted as they approached Snow Domain Heavenly Pool, no longer hiding themselves.
When Lin Zhao activated the Water Moon Mirroring Heaven technique, he saw two figures riding donkeys up the north mountain. One was a stooped old man, and the other was a young man wearing a tattered gray cloak, with a long sword leaning behind him. It was Old Huang and Lin Zhujie!
"They're finally back!"
Lin Zhao's face lit up with surprise. He had always worried if Old Huang would perish in the demon ancestral land. Now that Huang Tingyu had returned, his aura was full and vigorous. He might have even broken through to the thirteenth realm.
...
Tianran Residence.
Reunited, Huang Tingyu shook his body by the lotus pond in front of Tianran Residence, shedding his disguise. His stooped back straightened, and the sword Amber behind him revealed its might, exuding wisps of sword energy. At this moment, Huang Tingyu had undergone a complete transformation.
"Huang Tingyu pays his respects to the Mountain Lord!"
Upon seeing Lin Zhao, Old Huang still maintained his etiquette.
"Old Huang, no need to be so formal."
Lin Zhao laughed heartily, stepped forward, and punched Huang Tingyu in the chest, lowering his voice, "Have you broken through?"
"I have!"
Huang Tingyu also lowered his voice, "Mountain Lord, I'm not ashamed to say... I never expected that breaking through in this life would happen before losing my virginity. Alas... fate plays tricks on people!"
Lin Zhao immediately kicked him. Huang Tingyu dodged with a laugh.
"Brother Huang!"
Tang Guangjun's figure gracefully floated up the mountain, cupped his fists, and laughed, "Congratulations on breaking through, Brother Huang! Amazing! A thirteenth-realm sword cultivator, a true demon immortal!"
Huang Tingyu pinched his nose and laughed, "Brother Tang, you're too kind. Your thirteenth realm is also within your grasp, sooner or later."
"Hahaha, thank you for your good wishes, Brother Huang!"
In the wind, Ru Zhi, Gu Lingyu, Chen Ben, Yu Wan Ning, Chu Yu, Mu Ya, and others gracefully arrived one by one.
Ru Zhi smiled, "Old Huang, congratulations on breaking through!"
Huang Tingyu cupped his fists in return.
Gu Lingyu, with his scholarly demeanor, offered his congratulations very elegantly. Yu Wan Ning, Chu Yu, Mu Ya, and others congratulated him respectfully one by one. The pressure on them was increasing. After all, they were still at the eleventh realm, and now, Snow Domain Heavenly Pool finally had a thirteenth realm to oversee it, and it was a sword cultivator!
Coupled with Huang Tingyu's bloodline returning to its ancestral state and his physical foundation, this thirteenth-realm sword cultivator was indeed terrifying, likely not inferior to Bai Lan of the thirteenth realm in the past.