Lin Zhan’s second bone strengthening had been ongoing for half an hour, and the heart-wrenching screams had not stopped.
Zhang Zhen and Lin Shanhe remained by Lin Zhan’s side, but they were now accompanied by a barbecue grill and several buckets of beer.
“Brother, Zhan’er has been screaming for over half an hour. Can his body handle this?” Zhang Zhen asked, taking a swig of beer and skewering a piece of grilled meat.
“He’s fine, Big Brother. This kid has a strong constitution and can endure a lot. Forget half an hour, he can handle half a day. Listen to how energetic his cries are,” Lin Shanhe replied, also grilling and drinking.
Lin Shanhe pointed at the three spiritual pets – Xiao Jin, Xiao Bao, and Xiao Hei. “Besides, Big Brother, look at these three. Their eyes are practically falling into the beer buckets. If Zhan’er were in danger, would they be like this?”
Xiao Bao, drooling profusely, asked Xiao Jin, “Brother Snake, are these two old scoundrels really the boss’s biological fathers? Even with the boss wailing like this, they can still eat?”
“Xiao Bao is right, Brother Snake. Not only are these two old scoundrels eating, but the grilled meat smells pretty good too,” Xiao Hei said, also drooling.
“They’re grilling such delicious food and don’t even offer us brothers a bit, just hogging it all to themselves. May they choke, you two old scoundrels,” Xiao Jin said, glaring at the two fathers who were feasting.
Zhang Zhen felt the gaze of the three young ones and looked up, startled. “Holy cow, Brother, look at the way these three brats are looking at us. Why are their eyes glowing green?”
“It’s fine, Big Brother. Let them glow green or whatever. I’ll have Jin Jiao teach them a lesson another day. Come, let’s toast,” Lin Shanhe said, raising his wine glass to clink with Zhang Zhen’s.
“Brother, have you noticed that Zhan’er’s bone strengthening doesn’t seem to be entirely voluntary? Otherwise, without any spiritual medicine to aid him, who could remain conscious during such a process? Back when we were strengthening, our godfather had to slaughter several Diamond-grade ferocious beasts to assist us,” Zhang Zhen said sternly, looking at Lin Zhan, who was still howling.
“Big Brother, you’ve forgotten. When Zhan’er was healing me, he mentioned that a human senior was guiding him. The cultivation technique he’s practicing isn’t one of our Lin family’s inherited techniques. During this trip to the secret realm, even the ancestor of the Yu Long clan didn’t mention this human senior guiding Zhan’er. From this, it seems he should be safe. Furthermore, in a few days, I’ll take him to see the ancestor. If there’s any real problem, the ancestor will be there,” Lin Shanhe said, with a rare seriousness.
“That’s good too. Perhaps this is Zhan’er’s destiny. In just half a year, Zhan’er has advanced from awakening his bloodline to the Gold level, with a very solid foundation and immense combat power. I feel that even without those three little brats, Zhan’er would be invincible below Platinum,” Zhang Zhen added.
“It’s true. Didn’t Uncle Cheng Shan say back then that Zhan’er had his own opportunities and that we shouldn’t interfere too much?” Zhang Zhen agreed, nodding.
“It’s finally over. I almost died of pain,” Lin Zhan said, standing up unsteadily after screaming for an hour.
Lin Zhan felt his body’s strength. “Hmm, about a 30% increase. System, come out, let’s have a good chat.”
“Congratulations to the Host on completing the reinforcement. This reinforcement took one hour, increasing bone strength by more than 2 times, and overall combat power by 30%. A perfect result.”
“Friendly reminder, the more you reinforce in the future, the stronger the pain will be. Host, don’t drag this out. Just grit your teeth like a man and get through it. If you want painless reinforcement, please top up one hundred million evolution points to help the system upgrade. Then, there might be a painless reinforcement service. Otherwise, please stop complaining. This service is now concluded. If you have no major business, please do not disturb the system master again. Goodbye.”
Lin Zhan was dumbfounded after hearing the system’s words. So, after taking the money, they wouldn’t provide any after-sales service?
“Boss, are you okay? How is it?” Xiao Jin’s voice reached Lin Zhan’s ears.
Lin Zhan looked at the three large heads in front of him and said emotionally, “I can always count on you three. Don’t say anything else. From now on, if I have anything to eat, I’ll definitely not let you have only soup.”
Xiao Jin also moved away from Lin Zhan’s body and pointed with its tail at Lin Shanhe and Zhang Zhen, who were still drinking and grilling. “Boss, Uncle Lin and Uncle Zhen are also here protecting you. Look, they’ve been grilling and drinking over there.”
Following Xiao Jin’s direction, Lin Zhan looked over. “I was here in agony, and these two old scoundrels are still grilling meat and drinking. Aren’t they afraid that if something unexpected happened to me, they’d be without an heir? Come on, let’s go find them.”
“Brother, Zhan’er is awake. This kid seems a little angry,” Zhang Zhen said, glancing over.
“It’s fine, Big Brother. Leave it to me,” Lin Shanhe said reassuringly.
“Oh, old man and Uncle Zhen are still drinking, are you? Grilled meat and beer, living the good life, aren’t you,” Lin Zhan said to the two fathers with a forced smile.
“My son is truly capable. He’s a true descendant of our Lin family, completing the second stage of bone strengthening in one go. Back then, neither your Uncle Zhen nor I had this ability. Here, take these 10 spirit cores for your pocket money,” Lin Shanhe said, handing 10 Diamond-level initial stage spirit cores to Lin Zhan.
Lin Zhan, who had a weakness for money, quickly took them and said with a smile, “You flatter me, Father. It’s all family, so why be so polite?”
“There’s no need to be polite. It’s only right for a father to give his son pocket money. Zhan’er, I’ve already contacted your second grandfather. Prepare yourself, your second grandfather will pick us up tonight to go see the ancestor,” Lin Shanhe informed Lin Zhan about Lin Hai’s impending arrival.
“Okay, I understand, Father. I’ll go down and prepare. You and Uncle Zhen continue drinking,” Lin Zhan said, leaving with his three spiritual pets.
“Brother, this kid is just greedy for money. I didn’t expect you to have this trick up your sleeve. But 10 Diamond-level initial stage spirit cores, that’s quite a generous gift,” Zhang Zhen said, laughing at Lin Zhan’s money-grubbing demeanor.
“It’s not much, Big Brother. Don’t you remember that we got 30 Lord-level peak spirit cores from that kidnapping incident? One Lord-level peak spirit core is equivalent to 300 Diamond-level initial stage ones. This kid is spending his own money and having a great time,” Lin Shanhe said, laughing heartily.
“Hahaha, you two father and son are truly remarkable. If anyone were to offend you two, they’d end up helping you count the money even after being sold,” Zhang Zhen said, completely impressed by the father-son duo.
Lin Zhan tossed the leather pouch in his hand and said to his three spiritual pets, “The old man knows how to handle things. Let’s go, brothers, we’ll go have a good meal with your sister-in-law.”
Xiao Bao turned his eyes and said, “Boss, it seems something isn’t right. You gave the military 30 Lord-level peak spirit cores for that kidnapping job.”
Upon hearing Xiao Bao’s words, Lin Zhan’s smile gradually faded. “Holy cow, this old man is using my money to do me a favor. I’m being sold and still helping him count the money.”
“Those two old scoundrels, when I meet the ancestor, I’m definitely going to complain about them.”