Chapter 2399 Matters Concerning Lin Fan’s Growth

Half a month later.

Lin Xun, Zhao Jingxuan and their child, Lin Baobao, returned to Mind Cleansing Peak, immediately drawing countless eyes and attention.

“So cute!” A’hu exclaimed, pinching the little boy’s cheek. Her eyes lit up with joy and her voice softened with affection.

“Little Master, I am Little Silver! From now on, I’ll be your protector!” Little Silver crossed his arms and declared proudly.

Little Sky, standing beside him, nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

Over a decade had passed, and Shi Linlang had grown into a beautiful young lady. Dressed in a light blue gown, she looked graceful and fresh. Unable to resist, she stepped forward, scooped Lin Baobao into her arms, and planted a kiss on his forehead. “Little Brother Baobao is so good-looking!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Lin Baobao had inherited the best traits from his parents. He had delicate, handsome features that naturally drew affection from everyone around him.

However, Lin Baobao wriggled in Shi Linlang’s embrace and cried out, “Miss, you’re squishing me.”

The crowd fell silent in shock, their expressions turning strange.

Shi Linlang’s face turned crimson as she hurriedly passed him to Zhao Jingxuan. “Little Brother Baobao just came into the world, why...why can he talk already?”

Lin Baobao said proudly, “Talking is nothing! I understood the principles of the great dao even before I was born. I'm far beyond you.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped and their eyes widened in disbelief.

Even a heaven-born holy child couldn’t compare to him!

Zhao Jingxuan flicked her finger against Lin Baobao’s forehead and scolded gently, “Don’t speak so rudely. Do it again and I’ll punish you.”

Lin Baobao quickly nodded with a pitiful look, “Big Sister, I was wrong. Please forgive me, otherwise, Mother will spank me.”

Shi Linlang couldn’t help but giggle. “How could I possibly argue with a little kid like you?”

Lin Baobao also laughed.

Swoosh!

The big black bird suddenly swooped in and studied Lin Baobao with sparkling eyes. “Little boy, I did a quick calculation and discovered that you and I are fated. If you agree to become my disciple...see this black pot? I’ll give it to you!”

Lin Baobao glanced at the black pot strapped to the big black bird’s back and rolled his eyes. “You’re a big bad bird, you better keep that black pot on your own back.”

The big black bird was flustered, “You’re just like your father!”

Everyone couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

From a distance, Lin Xun came over, followed by Su Bai and Gu Xi. Seeing this lively and heartwarming scene, a smile spread across his face.

In his heart was a deep reluctance to leave.

Originally, he had arranged everything and planned to depart after successfully condensing the sapling of the Primal Chaos Tree, but the birth of Lin Baobao had quietly changed that plan.

He now found himself unwilling to go at all.

......

Five years passed in the blink of an eye.

On Mind Cleansing Peak.

A five-year-old boy lay sprawled in a flower bed with his eyes slightly closed. Beneath his head rested a mighty black tiger with striking stripes.

This once ferocious beast was now as docile as a house cat, and its gaze even held a hint of flattery, as if trying to please the little boy.

The little boy’s name was Lin Fan.

The name had been chosen by his father Lin Xun.

Though born extraordinary, he was given the name ‘Fan.’ This was Lin Xun’s hope. He wished that no matter how exceptional and talented his son became in the future, he would always remember that all living beings in the world were born unique. Ordinary or extraordinary were just labels. What mattered most was how one chose to understand this world, the heavens, the earth, and the myriad lives.

Fan—common, plain, and unremarkable.

The name was indeed ordinary.

Lin Fan had complained and grumbled about it more than once.

Even Zhao Jingxuan and their close families and friends had looked at Lin Xun in disbelief when they heard the name Lin Xun had chosen.

A child so gifted, with such rare talent, exceptional aptitude and intelligence, was rarely seen throughout the ages, but he was given the name ‘Fan.’ It seemed too mundane!

Despite that, Lin Xun never wavered.

His own name was simple too, but it carried the hopes of his mother, Luo Qingxun.

Now, for his own son, he also wanted him to understand what it meant for someone truly extraordinary to carry the name ‘Fan.’

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

“Little Master, why don’t you go and play?” Little Silver called from a distance.

“Are you talking about those silly games like pretend and tag with those kids? That’s far too childish and boring for me,” Lin Fan replied without even opening his eyes.

Little Silver was taken aback by the answer. “Then, what do you want to do?”

Over the past five years, Lin Fan had shown extraordinary intelligence and insight. Whatever he learned, he grasped instantly. His talent astonished everyone around him.

Telling him to play with other children his age...did seem a little out of place.

“I want to leave Mind Cleansing Peak, to see how vast the sky is, how deep the earth runs, how many daos exist, to witness the marvels of the universe, the rise and fall of world affairs, to see...”

He rambled on, growing more enthusiastic and hopeful the more he spoke. He suddenly jumped to his feet, glanced around sneakily, and then whispered, “Little Silver, can you secretly take me away?”

Little Silver instantly shook his head. “No way! You’re still too young.”

Lin Fan let out a long groan and collapsed back into the flower bed. “I’m already five, that’s not young at all... Now I finally get why my father named me ‘Fan,’ because he wants me to live a boring, ordinary life...”

From a distance, Lin Xun couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the scene. Turning to Zhao Jingxuan, he asked, “What do you think about sealing our son’s talent with a secret method and then letting him train and cultivate on his own?”

Zhao Jingxuan, who was standing beside him, responded with concern, “Fan’er is only five years old. He may seem very smart, but he’s still just a child. Isn’t this the same as suppressing his growth?”

“A child?” Lin Xun chuckled. “He’s no ordinary child. Besides, the sealing will be a test. As he experiences more, each trial will unlock a layer of the seal, allowing him to develop the strength that aligns with his experience. This way, he’ll learn that true strength, whether innate or earned through cultivation, must be matched by a character that is worthy of it.

“You know as well as I do that on the path of the great dao, character is everything.”

When Lin Xun said this, Zhao Jingxuan hesitated before speaking again, “But Fan’er will likely suffer a lot because of this.”

“We’ve all suffered a lot.” Lin Xun said with a smile, “Besides, don’t underestimate this child. He must have known for a long time that not only his talent, but also his background is different from others.”

Over the past five years, Lin Xun had been with Zhao Jingxuan and the child, and had long been watching every move of Lin Fan over the past five years.

Overall, Lin Fan’s intelligence and maturity were too extraordinary for a child his age. Sometimes, his thoughts and insights often surpassed those of many adults.

What he called ‘boredom’ was sometimes more akin to disdain.

Lin Xun was well aware that without proper guidance, Lin Fan’s character would likely become warped!

A child born extremely gifted and intelligent, and had a father who was the first supreme Emperor in one hundred thousand years and a mother who was a descendant of the True Dragon Clan.

He was surrounded by Emperor-level figures like A’hu, Little Silver, and Little Sky.

The entire New Genesis Sect treated him as a precious jewel, showering him with love and pampering.

In the past five years, he had faced little hardships or setbacks, meaning his character had yet to experience the necessary trials for growth and maturity.

“Even if it’s just training, there’s no need to seal his innate power, is there?” Zhao Jingxuan was still worried.

Lin Xun smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry.”

With that, he appeared in front of Lin Fan. “Want to go out and train?”

Lin Fan stood up, lifting his little face to meet his father’s gaze and said honestly, “It’s not just about wanting to.”

As he matured, a natural respect and awe for his father grew within him.

“How about I seal your innate power first and then let you go?” Lin Xun said.

Lin Fan smiled brightly and said, “I already guessed that my father would use some method to temper me, so I’ve already thought it through.”

Lin Xun nodded, a wave of emotion swelling in his chest.

To be able to think like this at just five years old...this child, in the future...he will likely become extraordinary.

“Go and comfort your mother.” Lin Xun said softly.

“Alright.” Lin Fan called out, running off happily. At that moment, he looked like a carefree child.

“If you don’t carve jade, it will never become something useful... I wish you were just an ordinary child, so you can live a simple and peaceful life.” Lin Xun sighed, “But since you were born this way, you’re destined to endure hardships that ordinary people can’t even imagine. Only through this will you be able to avoid losing your way.”

......

On this day, Lin Xun used a secret method to seal Lin Fan’s innate abilities, layer by layer. He didn’t tell anyone about it except Zhao Jingxuan.

That night, Lin Xun, Zhao Jingxuan, and Lin Fan, the family of three shared a meal that Zhao Jingxuan had prepared with care.

As they ate, Lin Xun casually said, “Fan’er, your father is leaving soon and might not return for a long time.”

Lin Fan paused, but he was not reluctant or surprised. He thought for a moment before responding seriously, “I understand. With Father’s cultivation, you wouldn’t leave unless you had something important to do.”

He smiled brightly at Zhao Jingxuan. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll take care of you. From now on, I’ll protect you!”

Zhao Jingxuan’s eyes welled with tears as she gently rubbed Lin Fan’s head. “You’re so thoughtful, unlike your father, who’s leaving after only five years.”

Lin Xun felt a pang of guilt and embarrassment.

Lin Fan grinned mischievously, “Father, my mother doesn’t want you to leave. Why not just take her with you?”

“You wish!”

Before Lin Xun could respond, Zhao Jingxuan reached out, grabbing Lin Fan’s ear and twisting it. Lin Fan winced, gasping in pain.

No one knew their child better than their mother. How could she not see through the rascal’s intentions? He was hoping they would leave and he would be free to do as he pleased without anyone holding him back.

“Father, help me!” Lin Fan wailed, his eyes welling up with tears.

Lin Xun couldn’t help but laugh. No matter how clever Lin Fan was, he couldn’t escape being punished by his parents.

“What are you laughing at?” Zhao Jingxuan shot Lin Xun a cold look. “You think once you leave, you’ll be free to roam around without a care?”

Lin Xun’s smile froze, and he turned to Lin Fan. The father and son exchanged a look of shared understanding.