Chapter 3239 Double Joy Arrives

The scale of Fortune Divine City was comparable to that of an entire great world. Moreover, Lin Xun had personally transformed this city back then, integrating secret realms such as the Fangchun Secret Realm, the Origin World, the Shaman World, the Zen World, and the Spirit World into its foundation. As a result, its scope and structure were far beyond anything ordinary.

As Lin Xun and Xia Zhi stepped into the city, they were greeted by bustling streets filled with people and horse-drawn carriages. The scene was lively and prosperous. The clamor of voices rose and fell like waves, causing Lin Xun’s gaze to drift.

With a simple calculation, he realized that several hundred years had passed since he had left for the Sea of Fate. Now, upon returning, Fortune Divine City before him had long changed. Everywhere he looked, there was peace, vitality, and flourishing life.

The cultivators walking the streets came from countless epochal civilizations within the Fortune Dominion. Regardless of their cultivation, they coexisted in harmony.

Street vendors even dared to argue their case with Immortal figures over the price of a single aeth herb. Attendants in the teahouse remained composed before nobles, neither servile nor overbearing. Even the humblest peddlers and laborers went about their work, each attending to their own duties. These scenes together painted the picture of a peaceful and flourishing world.

“Master,” Wushuang said with a proud smile, “over the years, there have been quite a few who tried to stir trouble. But I followed your instructions, reasoning with those who could be reasoned with and dealing firmly with those who could not. Now, throughout the entire Fortune Dominion, no one dares cause trouble in this city.”

Dressed in white, she appeared pure and delicate, like a little fairy descended into the mortal world, drawing countless admiring glances along the way. However, when people’s gazes shifted to Xia Zhi at Lin Xun’s side, they were all left dazed, their minds drifting.

Seeing this, Lin Xun hurriedly reminded her to conceal herself. Only then did Xia Zhi seem to realize. She let out a soft ‘oh,’ and her aura shifted subtly. In an instant, that breathtaking beauty capable of captivating all under heaven faded into something plain and unremarkable.

Along the way, Lin Xun deliberately suppressed his spirit sense. He chose instead to see and experience the city through the eyes of an ordinary person, and as he did, he could not help but feel a deep sense of quiet satisfaction and reflection.

He had not forgotten the great aspirations of the sages, Taixuan, Mo Yang, and the others: become the heart of heaven and earth and live for all living things, to carry forward the lost teachings of the ancient sages, and to usher in an era of lasting peace for all generations.

If even a single Fortune Divine City could embody such prosperity and harmony, then with him here, the eight wastelands, the four seas, and all under heaven would one day be the same.

As he walked, a wave of loud, boisterous noise suddenly rose in the distance, surging straight into the sky. Lin Xun lifted his gaze. The commotion was coming from a vast martial arena within the city.

“Master,” Wushuang explained softly, “this is a training ground established by Senior Xuan Feiling. It’s used for exchanging insights and discussing the dao. Of course, if disputes arise between cultivators in the city, they can settle them here as well. Some even come here to fight to the death and settle their grudges once and for all.”

Lin Xun nodded.

Even harmonious coexistence did not necessarily mean the absence of conflict. So-called ‘tribulations’ arose precisely from such differences, and killing and strife were destined to never truly vanish from this world.

This was the law of life. Differences in temperament and in the dao inevitably give rise to conflict, calamity, and enmity.

“Let’s go take a look.” Lin Xun said, his interest piqued as he stepped forward.

The training grounds were vast, capable of accommodating tens of thousands. At that moment, a battle had just ended. From the surrounding stands, cheers erupted as the crowd hailed the victor: a young man clad in black robes. The sound rolled like waves, shaking the air.

“No wonder he’s the ninth young master of the Lin Clan in this generation. He truly bears the Lin Clan’s blood!” someone exclaimed in admiration.

“Lin Hengdu! Hurry up and turn eighteen! I’m waiting to marry you!” A pretty young woman cried out excitedly, her eyes filled with infatuation. Her shout immediately set off a burst of laughter and playful teasing from the crowd.

In the martial arena, Lin Hengdu, the young man in black robes, had stood calm and composed throughout the battle. However, the moment he heard the girl’s bold confession, his handsome face turned bright red. Embarrassed and at a complete loss, he hastily cupped his hands toward the crowd before turning and making a quick escape.

“Ahhh—I’m going to die, Lin Hengdu is too cute!” A group of excited girls shrieked from the stands.

“Master, that’s Lin Hengdu, the ninth son of Young Master Lin Fan,” Wushuang said with a grin. “He’s only fourteen this year, yet he has already stepped into the True Saint Stage. He’s quite famous in Fortune Divine City.”

She chuckled, “I watched him grow up. He has an excellent temperament...he just gets shy when girls stare at him.”

“Shy?” Lin Xun was momentarily at a loss for words. Then, as if something suddenly clicked, he asked in surprise, “Wait...did you say he’s Lin Fan’s ninth child?”

Wushuang nodded. “That’s right. Above Young Master Hengdu, he has three elder sisters and five elder brothers. The eldest is Young Master Lin Hengyun, who is two hundred and thirty-nine years old this year and he has already reached the Heavenly Longevity Immortal Stage...”

Lin Xun stood there, both surprised and delighted. His gaze drifted as he muttered in disbelief, “That brat Lin Fan...since when did he become that good at having children...”

This piece of good news was something he had never expected.

“Come on...let’s go see that brat.” Lin Xun found it hard to steady his emotions. He had only been gone for a few hundred years, yet he already had grandchildren! And not just one or two, but nine! The sudden shift in status to that of a grandfather stirred a subtle, unfamiliar change within his state of mind.

......

Outside the arena, a young girl dressed in blue walked out alongside Lin Hengdu.

Along the way, many girls had originally wanted to approach him. However, the moment the girl in blue swept them with a cold glance, they froze in place, too intimidated to step forward, and could only watch from afar.

“Elder Sister, why are you scaring them like that?” Lin Hengdu said with a helpless smile. “You look so fierce. At this rate, what boy would dare come near you?”

The girl in blue snorted coldly. “My heart is set on cultivating the dao, why would I concern myself with matters of romance. As for you...you’re only fourteen. Don’t let those girls muddle your mind. Mother already said that before you turn eighteen, you’re not allowed to associate with any girl.”

“Aren’t you a girl too?” Lin Hengdu asked helplessly.

“I’m your elder sister!” She flicked his forehead without hesitation. Her fierce expression made Lin Hengdu instinctively shrink back. The two continued on, bickering as they walked.

Behind them, Wushuang’s clear voice rang out, “Master, that’s Miss Henglan, the eighth in this generation. She’s nineteen this year. She and Young Master Hengdu grew up together and are especially close.”

Lin Xun nodded, watching the siblings from afar. A quiet, subtle warmth rose in his heart.

“Master, I just remembered some good news,” Wushuang said suddenly.

Before Lin Xun could ask, she had already explained everything one by one. It turned out that Lin Fan’s dao companion, Tang Jiang, had been pregnant for ten months and was about to give birth.

Lin Xun froze, then excitement surged through him. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! Come! Let’s go!”

In all these years, he had never been present for the birth of his nine grandchildren. But now that another was about to be born, how could he, as their grandfather, possibly miss it? At that moment, Lin Xun lost all interest in strolling through the city. There was only one thing on his mind: to return to the Lin Clan at once.

“You two little rascals, come with me as well.”

As the thought crossed his mind, Lin Xun flicked his sleeve. In the distance, Lin Henglan and Lin Hengdu, who had been walking side by side, suddenly vanished and reappeared at his side. Both of them were startled. They opened their mouths to cry out, but the moment their eyes fell on Lin Xun’s face, they froze and their eyes widened in disbelief.

“You...you’re my grandfather?” Lin Hengdu stammered.

“You recognize me?” Lin Xun asked with a faint smile.

“Of course I do! I saw your portrait when I was little!” Lin Hengdu blurted out.

Lin Henglan, standing beside him, took a deep breath and said cautiously, “Little Brother, be careful. Don’t let him fool you. Who knows if he’s someone pretending to be our grandfather!”

Lin Xun chuckled softly. “This little girl is quite alert...not bad, not bad.”

Lin Hengdu glanced at his sister, then at Lin Xun, Xia Zhi, and Wushuang, and couldn’t help but say, “Elder Sister, who in this world would dare impersonate Grandfather? If someone tried, Wushuang would’ve already dealt with them.”

“This little fellow’s reasoning is sound as well.” Lin Xun’s smile grew even warmer.

Lin Henglan gradually calmed down, coming to the same realization. She stared at Lin Xun, still a little dazed. “You...are you really...Grandfather?”

“When we reach the Lin Clan, we’ll talk properly.” Lin Xun offered no further explanation. With a thought, space rippled and in the next instant, they were gone.

......

Fangchun Secret Realm.

Lin Clan, inside a hall.

Lin Wenjing, Luo Qingxun, Lin Fan, Zhao Jingxuan, and the others had already gathered, waiting anxiously. Their expressions were tense, filled with anticipation

Outside the hall, Lin Fan’s eldest son, Lin Hengyun, stood together with his younger siblings. They were whispering among themselves. Suddenly, the air trembled and a ripple spread outward. Several figures appeared from nothingness.

“Henglan, Hengdu, you’re back. Hm? And they are...?” Lin Hengyun and the others were stunned for a moment, then their gazes shifted to Lin Xun and their eyes widened.

That face...they knew it all too well, but...

“Big Brother...he...he said he’s our grandfather...” Lin Hengdu whispered.

Grandfather!

Lin Hengyun and the others were momentarily dazed. Since childhood, they had heard countless legendary tales about their grandfather, Lin Xun, and had seen his portrait more times than they could count, but never once had they met him in person.

Now, he stood before them. Caught off guard by his sudden appearance, they were all at a loss for what to do. Silence fell over everyone. Lin Xun’s gaze swept slowly across the group of young men and women, the smile on his face deepening with each passing glance.

“Father!”

At that moment, a figure rushed out from the hall. It was Lin Fan. He had sensed the disturbance outside, and upon seeing Lin Xun, his expression changed dramatically as he cried out in astonishment.

Whoosh—

Behind him, Zhao Jingxuan, Lin Wenjing, Luo Qingxun, and the others hurried out as well. The moment they saw Lin Xun, they could not hide the shock and joy on their faces. Only then did Lin Hengyun and his siblings finally believe it. The man before then was truly their grandfather, Lin Xun!

He was a man who, even in their childhood, had already been regarded by all under heaven as a peerless legend!

Just then...from deep within the hall came the cry of a newborn. Tang Jiang, after ten months of pregnancy, had safely given birth to a daughter. At that moment, double joy descended.