146: "The drowning person"

Memories flooded back like a tide.

That young man struggling in the Outer Sect of the Yin Yang Sect had a Spiritual Power Affinity of only a pitiful two points!

That was almost universally recognized in the cultivation world as trash-tier talent; even Drawing Qi into the body was incredibly difficult.

But his Revered Master, Leng Yuekui—who wasn't a Peak Master at the time—had never given up on him.

Revered Master wasn't wealthy back then either, yet she saved up Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills from her mission rewards—

and even sold some of her beloved possessions—to continuously pour resources into him, this "bottomless pit."

Various Medicinal Pills for strengthening the foundation and forcibly widening Meridians, as well as expensive Spirit Gathering Formation Plates—Revered Master gritted her teeth and let him use them all.

But the result? It was like a stone sinking into the ocean.

No matter how many resources were poured in, his cultivation still hovered at the low stages of Qi Condensation, with Qi Condensation Perfection nowhere in sight.

Seeing Revered Master's face grow more haggard day by day while she forced a smile,

and seeing the overt and covert mockery from his fellow disciples, a massive sense of guilt and despair almost crushed him.

To avoid becoming a burden to his Revered Master, he chose the most cowardly way—he gave up on himself.

He abandoned his Cultivation and began writing storybooks and novels, escaping reality and numbing himself in fictional stories.

At that time, wasn't he just like a drowning man,

knowing full well that the straw was fragile, yet clutching it for dear life, refusing to let go?

What fundamental difference was there between that greed and persistence born of despair and the way Lin Chengzong and his son were now clutching onto the Marquis's Estate as their "straw"?

Yes, they are all drowning men... Revered Master gave everything she had,

out of pure Revered Master-disciple sentiment, hoping I could embark on the immortal path.

But what about the Lin family? It's greed, it's taking, it's squandering!

They never thought of self-reliance, never thought of repaying kindness; they only wanted to suck the Marquis's Estate dry!

This attitude, this way of doing things, is the true root of why they are despised by the world!

Though I was trash back then, I knew enough not to drag Revered Master down and chose to wallow in my own stagnation; though I was dull, I still maintained a bottom line of not involving others.

But this Lin family... they view the sacrifices and efforts of others as their natural right to be provided for!

Yao Delong's heart was filled with mixed emotions; there was a hint of understanding for Lin Minghao's situation, but even more so, a deep-seated loathing for the Lin family's conduct.

He looked at Lin Chengzong's head, which finally hung low and no longer held a stiff neck, and seeing that slumped, aged appearance, a sliver of compassion finally stirred within him.

He turned to Lin Qingxue, his voice softening slightly:

“Junior Sister, things have come to this; there's no point in saying more. For these next few days, we will stay in Canglan City.”

He paused and added with pointed intent, “Especially... keep an eye out,

lest your father has a moment of 'confusion' and sells off those hard-won treasures as junk for a pittance!”

Yao Delong was far too worried. If Lin Chengzong could do something as stupid as buying useless Magic Treasures at several times the price, there was no guarantee he wouldn't,

be fooled by a few words from those shrewd merchants and dispose of high-value Earth-Grade Weapons as if they were scrap metal!

That would be a true, absolute loss!

Lin Qingxue naturally understood her Senior Brother's concern and was grateful that he was willing to leave her father some dignity in this embarrassing situation.

She nodded, her voice cold yet carrying a trace of imperceptible exhaustion:

“Fine, Senior Brother, then we will stay in Canglan City for a few more days.”

With that, Lin Qingxue no longer hesitated.

Her gaze was like lightning as it swept across the hall. Those decorative Flying Swords embedded with luxurious gems but possessing chaotic spiritual power,

the top-grade earth artifact 'black tortoise shield' that Lin Minghao used as a toy, several pieces of radiant but flashy and impractical Defensive Dharma Robes,

and even the expensive jade pendant at Lin Chengzong's waist that could automatically gather faint Spiritual Qi... all high-level Magic Treasures and luxury goods that clearly exceeded the Lin family's normal needs and were purchased using the Marquis's Estate's resources were locked onto by her powerful Divine Sense.

“Collect!” Lin Qingxue waved her slender hand, and a simple storage ring flickered with light.

In the hall and deep within the storehouse, one valuable treasure after another was drawn as if by an invisible hand,

turning into streaks of light and instantly vanishing into her storage ring! Her movements were clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

“My shield! My jade pendant! Qingxue! You...”

Lin Chengzong watched helplessly as the treasures he regarded as symbols of his status were taken away,

his heart aching so much it almost bled, and he instinctively moved to jump up and stop her.

“Hmm?”

Lin Qingxue swept a cold gaze over him, her Golden Core Perfection pressure like physical ice,

instantly freezing Lin Chengzong's budding anger and greed.

He was like a duck being strangled by the neck; all his words were stuck in his throat, and his face turned from red to white,

until finally, he could only lower his head dejectedly again, not daring to say another word.

Xia Ling was even more terrified, hugging Lin Minghao tightly and not daring to breathe loudly.

Lin Qingyao looked at her sister's vigorous, all-controlling Aura, a flash of jealousy in her eyes, but it was mostly fear.

The hall instantly felt much emptier, leaving only some basic Spiritual Artifact-level Magic Treasures and daily necessities.

Only then did Lin Qingxue withdraw her gaze, and when she looked at Yao Delong,

the coldness in her eyes instantly melted, replaced by a hint of imperceptible intimacy and dependence.

“Senior Brother,” she stepped forward proactively, lightly pulling on Yao Delong's sleeve, her voice softening,

“The estate is stifling. Why don't I take you for a walk around Canglan City? And while we're at it... we can dispose of these things.”

She shook the storage ring in her hand.

Yao Delong saw his Junior Sister showing a rare moment of closeness, and his heart warmed as he gave a doting smile: “Alright, let's go.”

Just as the two turned to leave, Yao Delong paused as if he had suddenly remembered something and abruptly turned his head,

his gaze accurately locking onto Xin Yuelan, who was quietly shrinking into the shadows, trying to minimize her presence.

“Hey!”

Yao Delong tilted his chin slightly, pointing at Xin Yuelan, his tone carrying an unquestionable command,

“What? Have you no awareness as a maidservant? Are you going to stand there like a block of wood? Follow us!”

The corner of Xin Yuelan's mouth under her mask twitched violently!

She had indeed been planning to wait for these two to leave and then immediately find an opportunity to slip away!

This damned Yao Delong, even when he's on a date, he doesn't forget about me!

“Yes... Young Master...”

Xin Yuelan suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and responded in an extremely reluctant, mosquito-faint voice,

shuffling along behind them like a mistreated little wife.

Seeing this, Lin Qingxue's beautiful brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Senior Brother... why must he take this woman of unknown origin and eerie Aura everywhere he goes?

Moreover, the tone Senior Brother used with her... though it carried a command, it seemed to have... a strange familiarity?

A subtle hint of sourness and doubt rose in her heart, but she ultimately didn't ask. Senior Brother had said he would explain tonight.

Thus, the three of them walked out of the oppressive atmosphere of the Lin Estate.

As a major southern stronghold of the Ba Xia Dynasty, Canglan City was not as prosperous as the Royal Capital, but it had its own bustling scene.

Along the wide bluestone streets, shops lined both sides, and banners fluttered in the wind.

There were cultivation shops selling various low-grade Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Magic Treasures, as well as spiritual food restaurants emitting enticing aromas,

and markets selling mundane local specialties, rare flowers and plants, and precious birds and exotic beasts.

Lin Qingxue walked beside Yao Delong, temporarily setting aside her family troubles as she introduced the city to him in a soft voice:

“Senior Brother, look, that 'Hundred Herb Pavilion' ahead is the largest Spirit Medicine shop in the city. It's said to have the backing of the Alchemist Association and has an excellent reputation.”

“If you go into that alley over there, it's the 'Heavenly Craft Workshop' area,

where many Artifact Refiners have set up shops or workshops. You can go there for custom-made or repaired Magic Treasures.”

“The 'White Cloud Merchant Guild' in the west of the city is the largest merchant guild. They have small auctions every month, and occasionally rare items appear... However, for these Magic Treasures of ours, there's no need to go there. Not far ahead are several reputable pawnshops and material recycling stores...”