256: Arrange affairs

In the Lin Family Ancestral Hall, candlelight flickered, casting solemn shadows upon the ancient, age-worn walls.

The air was filled with the scent of aged sandalwood and a hint of freshly applied tung oil, mixed with an indescribable sense of excitement and anticipation.

Beside the heavy red sandalwood long table, Lin Lingshan sat in the main seat, his bronze-colored face appearing even more resolute under the candlelight.

Lin Jingyu sat beside him, his expression calm, his gaze deep as a night pool, making it difficult to gauge the turmoil within his heart.

Several core Family members sat on either side, all wearing solemn expressions, and the air seemed to vibrate faintly with invisible tension.

On the table, a manpower distribution chart, meticulously drawn in neat small regular script, was slowly spread open.

It was densely marked with eighty-seven names, followed by their Cultivation Realm, age, and even a preliminary assessment of their Heart-Nature and Aptitude.

Lin Lingshan's thick finger heavily tapped the chart, his voice deep and resonant, echoing through the silent ancestral hall with the decisiveness of a Family patriarch:

“Everyone, this roster before us is the 'timely rain' sent by the Dakang City branch, and it is also the key to whether our Lin Family can truly establish a firm foothold by leveraging this opportunity.

The Eagle Beak Ravine ore vein needs to be mined day and night to quickly transform into Family foundation. Those dozens of acres of new Spiritual Fields, though brimming with Spiritual Qi, require careful tending to become the source of our Lin Family's spirit rice and Medicinal Pills.

Furthermore, with the expansion of the village and the widening scope of patrols and security... relying solely on the few dozen Cultivators of our main branch is already stretching us thin. If this continues, it will inevitably slow everyone's Cultivation progress, which is akin to draining the pond to catch all the fish.

Therefore, these people need to be trained to take our place in performing these miscellaneous tasks.”

Lin Chengyun, who was in charge of internal Family affairs and discipline, stroked his grizzled long beard and chimed in, his tone containing both worry and a hint of anticipation:

“What the Clan Chief said is absolutely right. Although these mortal Martial Artists lack Spiritual Roots and cannot Qi Refining for longevity, they are all vigorous in Qi and blood, strong in muscle and bone, and possess extreme endurance.

With a little training and discipline, they are perfectly suited for tasks requiring physical labor and strict discipline, such as mining, farming, and patrolling—truly making the best use of their talents.

If we can use the 'heaven-breaking pill' to help them Breakthrough to the Innate Realm, their physique, five senses, and endurance will all transform, making them comparable to Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators—they are truly the best auxiliary force.

This is enough to free our main branch disciples from various chores, allowing them to focus on Cultivating. This is the cornerstone for the overall leap in our Family's strength!”

Lin Jingyu's gaze swept over the chart, and he continued, his thoughts clear and meticulously planned:

“Uncle Lingshan, the few clansmen with Spiritual Roots should be incorporated into the clan school to study alongside the Family's newly educated children.

Guide them in their Cultivation.

As for the Martial Artists, divide them into three teams. The first team, led by Uncle Lingkuang, will specialize in the Eagle Beak Ravine ore vein.

The primary task is not speed, but familiarizing themselves with the ore properties, establishing procedures, ensuring safety, and then planning for gradual production increases.

The second team, led by Xiaohu, will be responsible for the cultivation of the Spiritual Fields.

They can start by planting 'Spirit-Containing Grass' and 'Iron Bone Rice,' which require less Spiritual Qi and grow faster, to accumulate experience. Once mature, they can gradually introduce more precious Spiritual Plants.

The third team, jointly managed by Lin Xuan and Lin Qingyu, will be integrated with the Family Guard Team, responsible for daily patrols and security of the village outskirts and key routes to the mines and fields.

This will also allow these mortal Martial Artists to quickly familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment and integrate into the Family.

At the same time, personnel across these three teams can transfer freely.

All mortal Martial Artists will be treated equally and incorporated into the Family Contribution System.

Clear regulations will be established: those who are diligent, responsible, and faultless will be granted one 'heaven-breaking pill' after a full year.

If there are special contributions during this period—such as discovering rich ore deposits, improving cultivation methods, warning against external enemies, or rescuing colleagues—and the accumulated contribution points are verified to meet the standard, they may be granted the pill early, or even...”

He paused, his gaze deepening:

“...Even, if their contributions are outstanding, and their Heart-Nature and Aptitude prove to be superior upon examination, in the future... it is not impossible to bestow upon them a 'Spirit-Awakening Item,' granting them a thread of immortal destiny.”

“Spirit-Awakening Item?” Several Elders gasped almost simultaneously, their eyes bursting with unbelievable light.

That was a rare treasure of heaven and earth capable of defying destiny and granting Spiritual Roots to mortals! Its value far exceeded that of a heaven-breaking pill.

The value could reach at least a thousand Spirit Stones.

This statement was undoubtedly like dangling the thickest, sweetest carrot in front of all the mortal Martial Artists, enough to make them burst forth with one hundred and twenty percent loyalty and drive.

Their hearts couldn't help but feel a pang of pain.

After all, before this, the Lin Family had to split a single Spirit Stone in two for use.

Lin Lingshan suddenly slapped his thigh, his tiger eyes gleaming brightly:

“Good! Jingyu's consideration is thorough, rewards and punishments are clear, and the path is distinct! With this, why worry about people not being devoted, or great things not being accomplished!

I will arrange this immediately, ensuring that this group of young men forms a fighting force and integrates into the Family structure as quickly as possible!”

Everyone then meticulously discussed numerous detailed clan rules concerning restrictions, rewards, and management, ensuring that this new blood could maximize their effectiveness without causing trouble or disrupting the Family's existing order. They finally concluded the meeting and dispersed late into the night.

The moonlight, like water, quietly spilled onto the somewhat chilly streets of Lin Family Village.

Lin Jingyu stepped on the moonlight and returned to his small courtyard. The changes in the courtyard, after months of his absence, made him pause.

The original wattle fence courtyard was gone, replaced by a wall approximately ten feet high, built from heavy bluestone, with simple reinforcement and warning runes carved into its surface.

It appeared solid and reserved, silently guarding the tranquility within.

Around the wall, Spiritual Light, invisible to the naked eye, slowly flowed like running water; a small Defensive and Warning Formation had already been activated.

Although not as grand as the Clan Protection Great Formation, it was sufficient to isolate prying eyes and resist ordinary petty thieves, providing peace of mind.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the scene inside the courtyard was still familiar and tidy.

The few houses they had lived in for years remained unchanged, but they had clearly been meticulously cleaned and maintained, with not a speck of dust found on the eaves or under the corridor.

Warm light still shone in his sister Lin Jingxia's room, and her silhouette, seated cross-legged in Cultivation, was reflected on the window paper.

Lin Jingyu swept his Divine Sense lightly and could clearly perceive the exquisite Spirit Gathering Formation Pattern laid on the floor inside the room.

It was continuously drawing the pure, slightly cold Spiritual Qi guided up from the transforming “spirit eye” in the underground secret chamber, gathering it here for her to absorb and Cultivate.

Sensing that his sister's aura was stable and her Cultivation was steadily increasing, a faint, imperceptible, gentle smile appeared on Lin Jingyu's stern face.

Turning his gaze to the corner, the Earth Spirit Rat, Little Ash, was still curled up in a ball in its small nest, which was padded with soft hay and old cotton cloth, deep in slumber.

But the changes on its body were becoming increasingly significant. Its formerly dusty gray fur was now sleek and glossy, shining with a noble pale golden luster under the moonlight.

Its body size seemed to have expanded by a circle, appearing round yet still agile.

Most strangely, beneath its fur, an extremely fine yet incredibly tough pattern of dark golden scales was vaguely visible, covering its entire body.

And on its brow, a mysterious and complex pale silver mark was slowly condensing and circulating, emitting a faint yet ancient and vast aura.

Overall, the feeling was that Little Ash's demeanor had undergone an earth-shattering change, much like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.