It was already dark when everyone, including the people of the Lin Manor, got back to their chambers and only little Donghai Lin and Old Patriarch Lin Ren remained standing on the Heart Root Testing Ground.
"Dong Er, I've already accepted your request to skip the crucial test only for you. While many people saw it as a bitter taste, including our Lin people, they must have felt really anxious about favoring you on the inside." Patriarch Lin Ren said in a serious tone. Yes, he accepted Donghai Lin's request after he learned Donghai had already known about his heart root.
"I understand!" Donghai Lin responded.
"So, can you at least let me know your Heart Root? I'm curious too." Patriarch Lin Ren asked.
"Eh, there is nothing good about my Heart Root, Grandpa! Just leave it." Donghai Lin replied while waving his hand and then he further added, "And Grandpa, I have another reason for taking your valuable time here."
"Oh, alright, I'm listening." Old Patriarch Lin Ren said.
"I think it's time for me to leave the Lin Manor as I now wish to explore the Xue Prefecture." Donghai Lin said in a calm tone.
"Absolutely not!" Old Patriarch Lin Ren rejected his request this time without even giving it a thought. Then he further added, "Dong Er, you're just turning eight and still a child. In addition, you still haven't gone through your coming of age. So, I can't let you go outside the Lin Manor before you have gained sufficient strength to protect yourself in the outside world. Trust me, the outside world is worse and crueler than you can even imagine."
"I concur. And I totally understand as Grandpa means no harm, but speaking bluntly, there is nothing left for me to learn in this place. So, if I stay here, then it'll be just wasting my time, and also living here is so peaceful that sometimes I feel like I miss something." Donghai Lin responded skillfully and then he further added, "Grandpa, please reconsider. I'm dead serious with this decision."
"Nothing left to learn in this place?!... Dong Er, you must be kidding, right?" Old Patriarch Lin responded as he was still not convinced.
"Yep, I've already digested, reading all the books in the library two years ago. And I like to experience everything I have read in those books for real this time. And I also believe I've enough strength to protect myself." Donghai Lin further insisted on leaving the Lin Manor.
The old Patriarch pondered for a few minutes and said,
"Alright, I don't know what kind of strength you possess to brag in front of me about that when you still haven't even learned to cultivate Qi for real... Whatever. There is only one thing to do as Lin's man." And then he yelled at the top of his lunge, "Prove it to me by defeating me in a duel. So, the only question is; do you still have the guts to fight with me?"
"Oooh, come on Grandpa. Don't you joke around like that? That's not funny at all." Little Donghai Lin responded with a smile on his face, trying to diffuse his seriousness.
"Lin Donghai, I'm dead serious here. And you better be, if you are dead serious about leaving the Lin Manor." The Old Patriarch Lin said in a determined tone.
"Fine, let's spar. But in a hidden place, not here, since I don't want to hurt Grandpa's feelings here. Perhaps some unwanted eyes may see the outcome of our fight and it will make things more difficult for Grandpa." Little Donghai Lin responded as he sighed like an old man, agreeing to the duel.
"Hmph, that's more like it. And your unbounded confidence is up to my liking. Follow me." Patriarch Lin Ren said proudly and then he walked toward his Chamber. And Donghai Lin scuttled forward, catching to his pace.
Following this, Donghai Lin was brought into a Brobdingnagian hall deep within Patriarch Lin's chamber.
They stood facing each other.
"Lin Donghai, listen. Before we start, let me remind you about this. I'm currently in Level 9 of the Golden Core, Qi Cultivation realm. And you are just in the Mortal Body Cultivation Realm. So, in order to make this spare fair. I'll seal my cultivation to level 9 of the Qi Gathering Realm*." The Old Patriarch explained, tapping multiple places on his body as he adjusted his cultivation to Level 9 of the Qi Gathering Realm.
Little Donghai Lin cupped his fist to Patriarch Lin and responded, "Okay, but Grandpa, I have to make an apology first before we begin."
"Mmm-hmm, what is that?" Old Patriarch Lin asked.
"Nothing much! Only that I'm going to kick your arse." Donghai Lin said as he curled up his lips aiming to make a devilish grin, which he failed at as he still looked adorable with the baby fat still on his face.
"Hmph!" Patriarch Lin snorted and dashed toward Donghai Lin while giving a punch aiming for his chest.
Little Donghai Lin dodged it unorthodoxly and then the two engaged in a melee fight with Patriarch Lin attacking and Donghai dodging like a nimble monkey
For three minutes, Patriarch Lin couldn't even touch a single hair of him. Therefore, he said, taunting him: "Hmph! Simply dodging. This is how you're going to defeat me. Dream on, little one."
Donghai Lin briskly stepped back making a gap with the old man and said, gesturing his hand: "Wait! I forgot something."
Patriarch Lin halted as he was curious about what trick little Donghai Lin was about to come up with.
Donghai Lin reached into his upper robe and pulled out a dull-looking Wine Gourd. He then unbuttoned its cap and began chugging it for a few minutes before stopping.
"Hmm, now, I'm all good to have a fight." He said as he wobbled precariously and then he threw the wine gourd to Patriarch Lin and said, "Have some. Even though its taste is not up to par, it still has its perk."
Old Patriarch Lin caught it in the air, took a sniff, and muttered under his breath, "Wine!" He yelled as he became enraged. "Lin Donghai! What is the meaning of this? Did you think you could skip this fight under the pretext of being drunk? Then, you're so wrong, lad. Today, I'll teach you a valuable lesson."
He then tossed the Wine Gourd and sprinted toward Donghai Lin….. (please, stay tuned!)