With the help of the little white snake, Lin Xiao Tian was able to enter the deeper parts of Black Mountain. After all, with his current strength at the third level of Qi Refining, he couldn't move freely within Black Mountain, unless he had the curse given by the Flood Dragon before, which could temporarily grant Lin Xiao Tian the strength of the peak of Qi Refining.
After coming out of Black Mountain, Lin Xiao Tian would visit Zhang Cui Hua and Li Gui Hua. For their safety, Lin Xiao Tian found bodyguards for them, which also saved him the trouble of dealing with certain extremist people in the village targeting the two women.
Lin Xiao Tian also paid a visit to Li Er Guai's house. Nowadays, Li Er Guai was mostly not in the village, as he had to go to town to take care of Zhang Xue Fen. The last time he accidentally met Li De Ping was when he encountered him in town. This was also arranged by the old lady. The old lady knew that Li Er Guai was on Lin Xiao Tian's side, so she let him interact with Li De Ping.
The two chatted for a while, and Li Er Guai mentioned Xue Zi Yan, saying that during the time Lin Xiao Tian was missing, Xue Zi Yan had been inquiring about his situation. Lin Xiao Tian naturally understood Li Er Guai's words, which meant Xue Zi Yan had feelings for him, but thinking about the women around him, he eventually dismissed the idea. Xue Zi Yan was a good woman, but she didn't necessarily have to be with him.
Not long after, Lin Xiao Tian returned to the Lin family. Coincidentally, the old lady had gathered the family members for a meeting, and as soon as Lin Xiao Tian returned, he was called to attend. Family meetings were mandatory for Lin Xiao Tian if he was present. The meeting was nearing its end, so Lin Xiao Tian just needed to show his face.
However, Xiao Ming, who came to find Lin Xiao Tian, looked at him with a strange expression. Lin Xiao Tian asked a question, but Xiao Ming didn't answer, just looked at Lin Xiao Tian meaningfully.
After entering the meeting hall, the Lin family members also looked at Lin Xiao Tian with strange expressions. One of them looked at Lin Xiao Tian and nodded repeatedly, "He's so much like him! I knew there was something familiar about Xiao Tian the more I looked at him." "I can attest to that, the old patriarch looked exactly like this when he was young."
The crowd chimed in, leaving Lin Xiao Tian utterly confused. What were they talking about?
Then, a statement from the old lady stunned Lin Xiao Tian. "I am willing to accept the scrutiny of the family members regarding Xiao Tian's identity for a period of one week. At the same time, I announce that if Xiao Tian's identity is confirmed after a week, he will officially become the sole candidate for the future head of the Lin family!"
"Yes!" A uniform chorus of agreement rose from below. Lin Xiao Tian couldn't help but twitch his mouth. Wasn't he supposed to keep a low profile? Why the sudden reveal? What was the old lady trying to do?
After the meeting, the news of Lin Xiao Tian being a descendant of the Lin family spread thoroughly within the family. It turned out that the child who went missing many years ago had lived in Jinsha Village in seclusion, and had a child there, who was Lin Xiao Tian. Shortly after Lin Xiao Tian's birth, his parents left again, their whereabouts unknown. Because their movements were very secretive and Jinsha Village was too remote, the Lin family had never discovered Lin Xiao Tian until Lin Xiao Tian's blood transfusion to save the old lady, which led to the accidental discovery. The old lady had a paternity test done, and it was confirmed that Lin Xiao Tian was a descendant of the Lin family. Since the Lin family kept genetic information for each member, Lin Xiao Tian's identity was easily confirmed.
At the Jiang Corporation, several members of the Jiang family were gathered, discussing something intensely, with dejection etched on everyone's faces. They were originally the most likely party to succeed the Lin family, but Lin Xiao Tian's appearance completely disrupted their plans.
"If the results are confirmed within seven days, Lin Xiao Tian will be the future heir of the Lin family. If we do nothing, we're finished once Lin Xiao Tian takes over the Lin family," Jiang Kun said, his face pale. "We have to do something, otherwise, he'll definitely retaliate against me later," Jiang Li finally showed fear. Even when Lin Xiao Tian had driven him out of Jiang Corporation before, he hadn't felt Lin Xiao Tian was that terrifying. As a strong candidate for the future heir of the Lin family, he had sufficient confidence. But now it was different; his only confidence was worthless in front of Lin Xiao Tian. Lin Xiao Tian's father was the heir of the Lin family, and now that Lin Xiao Tian was here, the Lin family rightfully belonged to him, and the Lin family no longer needed to indulge Jiang Li.
Lin Li Ping still held a glimmer of hope, "Maybe the old lady is mistaken. How could it be such a coincidence?" "It's impossible. Knowing the old lady, she would never do something so foolish. She's more cunning than any of us," Jiang Kun refuted directly. Seeing her husband contradict her, Lin Li Ping was displeased. "Then we can't just sit and wait to die, can we?" Lin Li Ping glanced at Jiang Kun, "I don't care, and Jiang Li doesn't care. We are of the Lin family bloodline. As for you, you'll probably have to live cautiously from now on." Lin Li Ping's tone was sharp and sarcastic, which greatly displeased Jiang Kun. However, as a son-in-law, he dared not challenge Lin Li Ping and could only sigh. "Living cautiously it is! At least I can still live." Jiang Kun had completely given up the idea of competing with Lin Xiao Tian.
Other branches of the Lin family also paid great attention to Lin Xiao Tian's matters. The sudden appearance of a descendant of the Lin family, and a direct descendant at that, left everyone feeling helpless.
"What does the old lady mean by this? Isn't she setting up some scheme? Or perhaps testing us?" "Testing us with the Lin family's bloodline? Although the old lady is deep in thought, she shouldn't do something like this!" "Who knows? Don't forget, Lin Xiao Tian saved her life, and she is an outsider. Now, to consolidate her power, finding a puppet isn't impossible. Who knows if she has some deal with Lin Xiao Tian behind the scenes?" "Everyone, stop guessing. Let's make decisions after the verification. What's real can't be faked, and what's fake can't be real. For the next seven days, keep a close eye on the main family. We can't let them tamper with anything."
While the branch families were outwardly courteous regarding Lin Xiao Tian's identity during meetings, they did not inwardly accept him unless there were concrete results. Even those who were relatively close to Lin Xiao Tian, like Lin Xiao, were now standing against him.
In the Lin family's manor, Lin Li Wen's face showed joy upon learning of Lin Xiao Tian's identity. "I knew I felt a connection with Xiao Tian; I didn't expect him to be my nephew." "Yes, I really didn't expect it," Fang Wen Hua, who was beside her, narrowed his eyes. "Xiao Tian is so capable; our children will learn from him in the future and will surely become outstanding individuals," Lin Li Wen said. "Mmm! I'll listen to you!" Fang Wen Hua sighed.