239: Breakthrough in body refining, news about Seventh Uncle (two-in-one)

Lin Shitao left, but Lin Shiming still didn't speak.

He was a bit lost, with disappointment in his eyes.

But for him, whether it was an answer or anything else, it all had to wait until he returned from the Mysterious Grade Secret Realm.

The Mianyang Pill and Beast Nurturing Pill in his hand still held residual warmth.

Lin Shiming shook his head, no longer looking at the distant scent of lingering fragrance, and returned to his Immortal Cave.

He began to Cultivate in seclusion!

Five years was too short.

He first activated all the Formations in the Immortal Cave, then returned to the Grotto-heaven World.

The Spiritual Vein in the Grotto-heaven World was at the Peak of a High Grade Third-Order, only slightly short of a Fourth-Order Spirit Vein, much better than the Lin Family's Fangmu Mountain Spiritual Vein.

Within the Grotto-heaven World, the Mingxin Tea Tree had visibly grown a bit more, but the cluster of its Natal spirit leaf at the top had shrunk considerably, as if it had exhausted its Spiritual Qi.

Clearly, the Wood Demon's original Spiritual Qi essence was all stored in that Natal spirit leaf.

As soon as the Lightning Tribulation ended that day, the Natal spirit leaf grew from the withered branch, absorbing Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth.

Now, this Natal spirit leaf was consuming itself, making the entire Mingxin Tea Tree larger, more lush, and constantly feeding back into the tree's body.

Not counting the spirit leaf Lin Shiming picked, it now appeared even more luxuriant than before he had picked any.

This surprised Lin Shiming, and even delighted him!

This Mingxin Tea Tree had clearly stored a lot of life energy.

And it was important to know that the spirit tea he had previously consumed not only helped him refine his Physical Body but also restored the Spirit Light of his Root of Deduction.

His sword technique had already achieved initial Sword Intent, and was only slightly short of Sword Light Manifestation, a major Realm in the Dao of the sword.

If he could use these spirit tea to complete the cultivation of Sword Light Manifestation, his chances of success in this Secret Realm trip would definitely increase by several points.

Lin Xianzhi's Ren Water Geng Metal Art transforming into Azure Lotus Sword Intent was already enough for him to fight across Realms, and his Grass Character Sword Art was even more focused on killing; once the sword seed was unleashed, it could definitely serve as a trump card.

Even if the sustained Sword Intent ability was slightly weaker, the Sword Intent of the Grass Character Sword Art could still be imbued into his Purple Wood Mysterious Sky Sword Formation.

With this thought, Lin Shiming also walked towards the Mingxin Tea Tree.

The Wood Demon in the distance was still meditating, its form still that of a young child, and upon seeing Lin Shiming approach, it immediately reacted as if facing a great enemy, with urgent emotional fluctuations emanating from its Divine Sense.

“Let's call you Mingxin. I don't think you want me to perish in the Secret Realm, do you!” Lin Shiming spoke with a hint of threat and dissatisfaction.

The Mingxin Tea Tree was his contracted Wood Demon, but this kind of intelligent Wood Demon Spirit Beast had this one drawback: it had its own thoughts.

This was also why many Cultivators didn't want to contract adult Spirit Beasts.

Even with a Spirit Contract, these Wood Demon Spirit Beasts would still develop a hint of different ideas.

The Wood Demon was startled by Lin Shiming's glare, and after two moments of hesitation, it leaped onto its Natal spirit leaf, simultaneously covering a small cluster of spirit leaf that guarded the Natal spirit leaf.

The rest of the spirit leaf remained untouched, allowing Lin Shiming to pick them.

Lin Shiming nodded in satisfaction, but then, thinking about the half-Dragon Snake that would hatch in the future, which would probably give him an even bigger headache, made him even more eager to find a higher-level Spirit Contract.

Fortunately, that half-Dragon Snake hadn't developed intelligence for long, so even if it hatched, it shouldn't be too affected.

He picked the spirit tea in clusters, all of them except for the newly sprouted tender shoots.

Soon, a small jade box was filled.

After picking the spirit tea, Lin Shiming stepped forward and transmitted a portion of his Purple Wood Heart Sutra true essence to the Mingxin Tea Tree, but not much. This Wood Demon could clearly catalyze its own growth, and time was of the essence right now.

The Wood Demon immediately bowed to Lin Shiming, conveying its gratitude.

However, when Lin Shiming glanced at the few remaining spirit tea again, the latter immediately shivered once more.

Of course, Lin Shiming was only observing whether the Mingxin Tea Tree would change after receiving the Purple Wood Heart Sutra; he wasn't really going to continue picking.

He turned around and then walked towards the Golden Thunder Bamboo, the Little Divine Tree, and the Heavenly Spirit Fruit Tree. The Little Divine Tree remained the same, only its precious light was more abundant, and the Heavenly Spirit Fruit Tree had already bloomed.

After nearly fifteen years of cultivation here, it had finally bloomed.

The flowering period of the heavenly spirit fruit was extremely long, and its ripening time was also extremely long. If it were in the wild, the Heavenly Spirit Fruit Tree would attract powerful Yao Beasts.

However, within the Grotto-heaven World, only the group of Spirit Devouring Ants could be tempted.

However, Lin Shiming dared not let the Spirit Devouring Ants guard the Heavenly Spirit Fruit Tree.

On the other hand, the Red-haired Demon Monkey liked to stay near the Little Divine Tree, even if it hadn't bloomed or borne fruit. Even the Snake Egg continuously emitted Divine Sense fluctuations, wanting to hatch near the Little Divine Tree.

After cultivating all three trees one by one, he looked at the three yuan forging spirit flower, which was a Spirit Medicine for enhancing his Divine Sense.

However, this batch of spirit flowers had just sprouted. Even if he dedicated all his time to cultivating them for five years without personal cultivation, they wouldn't ripen. For now, he could only set them aside.

Lin Shiming came to a corner of the Grotto-heaven World, took out a stone table, and slowly began to brew tea.

Next to the stone table was a bathtub filled with Body Refining Spirit Medicine for the Mountain Ape Body Refining Art. In addition, Lin Shiming also took out several Dragon Blood Grass, which he had found in the swamp of the Poison Valley.

As soon as the Dragon Blood Grass appeared, the Snake Egg next to it immediately emitted a wave of angry Divine Sense fluctuations.

These were its Dragon Blood Grass!

This made Lin Shiming feel helpless, but he took out his Storage Pouch, pulled out a High-Grade Spirit Stone, and placed it next to the Snake Egg. The angry Divine Sense fluctuations immediately lessened significantly.

When he placed another High-Grade Spirit Stone, the latter was instantly overjoyed, its Divine Sense fluctuations full of intimacy, as if saying, “Use as much as you want, use as much as you want.”

Around it, many Dragon Blood Grass seedlings were being cultivated, so this Snake Egg was not in a hurry.

Lin Shiming took out the mingxin tea and began to brew it. The Red-haired Demon Monkey also came over and circled the bathtub filled with medicinal liquid.

After two turns, it even used its finger to gesture in the medicinal liquid, making 'ao ao ao' sounds.

Seeing that Lin Shiming hadn't reacted, it actively approached Lin Shiming and continuously rubbed its red furry head against him.

Lin Shiming rubbed the latter's head, then waved his hand, and another medicinal tub appeared beside him.

The Red-haired Demon Monkey immediately leaped in, and like Lin Shiming, it sat quietly, with streams of Spirit Light circulating throughout its body. The flames on its tail were directed towards the side of the tub, as if still heating the medicinal tub.

Lin Shiming took out several more pill bottles, which were Beast Nurturing Pills. After feeding the Red-haired Demon Monkey, he took a sip of mingxin tea himself and quietly closed his eyes.

He felt the special true essence throughout his body and the surging powerful Qi and blood.

The Mountain Ape Body Refining Art began to operate automatically.

And he sat into the medicinal tub.

As the Qi and blood surged within his body, and with the aid of the surrounding medicinal liquid, he could feel his Physical Body strengthening at a visible rate.

His Body Refining cultivation, which had been stalled at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, also began to loosen.

Lin Shiming did not stop. Next, he began to consume Dragon Blood Grass.

The power of Dragon Blood Grass was even more rapid. He only felt a vast surge of blood Qi entering his body, accompanied by the Mountain Ape Body Refining Art.

It made him feel as if a terrifying Dragon Ape was slowly awakening within him... Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, three years passed.

Within the Grotto-heaven World, with a thunderous roar!

Two figures, one red and one green, suddenly separated.

Aoooo aoooo!

The Red-haired Demon Monkey was completely fiery red, continuously howling and pointing its finger at Lin Shiming's Storage Pouch.

Lin Shiming still wanted to rush forward, but found that the Red-haired Demon Monkey wouldn't cooperate at all.

It kept dodging, pointing at his waist, and making a fuss.

“We just started fighting, and you want water spirit coconut again?” Lin Shiming's face instantly darkened.

Over the past three years, he had continuously consumed Dragon Blood Grass, and the mingxin tea had been harvested twice.

Coupled with various Body Refining spirit liquids sent by the Family, he finally broke through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage of Body Refining cultivation some time ago.

Of course, the consumption was also enormous. The mingxin tea had been completely used up, and the Mingxin Tea Tree was still bare. The Wood Demon, whether truly exhausted or afraid, had not yet nourished the tree body.

As for the Dragon Blood Grass, only young sprouts remained, and even the Body Refining spirit liquids sent by the Family were becoming increasingly scarce.

Moreover, this was because he himself had a Qi Refining cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, which allowed for such a smooth Breakthrough.

Even if he were given ten times the resources after this, it would be impossible for his Body Refining cultivation to break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Over the past three years, in addition to cultivating the Mountain Ape Body Refining Art, he had also continuously sparred with the Red-haired Demon Monkey.

Initially, the Red-haired Demon Monkey naturally had the upper hand, fighting with great vigor and excitement, its tail occasionally perked up.

However, after Lin Shiming broke through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, it became somewhat fatigued.

After every short sparring session, it would demand to drink Third-Order water spirit coconut, eat Beast Nurturing Pills, various spirit beast meat, and soak in a tub of crimson medicinal liquid.

Compared to the Golden Winged Mantis, which quietly cultivated and ate in the distance, this monkey was simply too mischievous.

However, for Body Refining cultivation, the Red-haired Demon Monkey was also more suitable as a sparring partner. Of course, he did not allow the Red-haired Demon Monkey to use the spirit fire on its tail.

It was also strange that despite consuming so many Beast Nurturing Pills, a large amount of Dragon Blood Grass, and medicinal liquid—receiving no less treatment than him—the Red-haired Demon Monkey remained a Third-Order Early Stage Yao Beast. Instead, its spirit fire grew larger and redder.

When used with full power, it could almost ignite the air.

The Golden Winged Mantis's body had grown a bit larger again, and its strength had increased significantly. It was likely that if an ordinary Third-Order Late Stage Cultivator were ambushed by it, they would either die or be severely injured.

Overall, the three years had significantly improved him.

“Alright!” Seeing that the Red-haired Demon Monkey no longer wanted to spar, Lin Shiming took out a Third-Order water spirit coconut and gave it to him to drink, though it was only a small cup.

The rest was Third-Order spirit water drawn from the Green Lotus Pond, which naturally wasn't as effective as water spirit coconut, but mixed together, the Red-haired Demon Monkey drank it with relish!

Lin Shiming was naturally happy about this, otherwise, with Shuangmu Island's water spirit coconut, which ripened only once every ten years, it wouldn't be able to sustain the Red-haired Demon Monkey for many drinks.

Lin Shiming, as usual, transmitted some true essence to several spirit plants, then looked at the Snake Egg. At this moment, the patterns on the Snake Egg were becoming more numerous and brighter.

It was on the verge of hatching.

However, the consumption of High-Grade Spirit Stones was also significant; in just three years, thirty High-Grade Spirit Stones had been used.

And if Lin Xianzhi hadn't given him many more High-Grade Spirit Stones, he would have run out of them due to this Snake Egg.

Lin Shiming replaced two new High-Grade Spirit Stones and exited the Grotto-heaven World.

As soon as he stepped out of the Immortal Cave, Lin Shiming felt two powerful true essences emanating nearby, followed by the Divine Sense of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, which was not fully controlled and spread out.

The two were Lin Houwei and Lin Houshou, who had broken through in Fangmu Mountain.

In the pavilion, many Cultivators were still waiting, and Lin Shiming's father, Lin Houyuan, was also there.

With Lin Houshou's success, it not only proved that the dragon blood pill was indeed viable, but also meant that the Lin Family finally had its own Third-Order Formation Master.

With Lin Houshou's talent in Formations and his previous accumulation, he would probably be able to refine even a Third-Order Middle Stage Formation Plate by then.

And the Formations of the Lin Family's Lingnan Mountain and Shuangmu Island would be further improved and strengthened.

It was important to know that his second uncle was most skilled in Formations within Formations!

Lin Houwei was still consolidating his cultivation, while Lin Houshou excitedly walked out. His true essence was clearly more refined than Lin Houwei's. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment at nearly seventy-eight years old, his Spiritual Qi had clearly been tempered longer at the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level. Coupled with the Solidifying Yuan Pill prepared by the Family, it was fine for him to come out now.

Especially since he had long despaired, even resigned himself, but then, at the very end, he had gotten a glimmer of an opportunity. This feeling was incredibly exciting for him, and he simply couldn't suppress it.

“Patriarch, thank you!” As soon as Lin Houshou came out, he bowed to Lin Shiming.

An elder bowing to a Junior, one can imagine the depth of gratitude.

Lin Shiming was immediately startled and quickly bowed back.

He would never dare to let an elder perform such a grand courtesy!

“Second Uncle, all of this is your effort! Moreover, as the Family's first Third-Order Formation Master, Second Uncle, your burden is by no means small!” Lin Shiming quickly said.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Houshou chatted with the other Lin Family Cultivators and accepted their congratulations.

Especially Lin Shiyun, who was now at the Peak of the Qi Refining Stage Eighth Level, and could reach the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level once he found an opportunity, which made him extremely satisfied.

Lin Shiyun's Formation cultivation was all taught by him.

Thirteenth Uncle Lin Houwei did not come out, still consolidating his cultivation. Lin Shiming naturally did not disturb him, but followed Lin Houyuan to the Family's Treasure Pavilion.

Feeling Lin Shiming's increasingly powerful aura, Lin Houyuan also felt a little relieved.

The two of them went together to the third floor of the Treasure Pavilion, a place where only Seventh Grand Uncle could once go.

Lin Houyuan held a Formation Flag and continuously waved it, opening the Formation to reveal the wooden shelves inside.

Next to the shelves were a dozen large-capacity Storage Pouches, storing the Family's wealth.

“Shiming, here are the monkey-type Yao Beasts and mantis-type Yao Beasts collected by the Family, all sealed with cold jade. However, there are fewer mantis-types. In addition, there is a Wood Core of a Third-Order High Grade Azure Cloud Wood!” Lin Houyuan handed a Storage Pouch to Lin Shiming, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke again:

“Most of these Third-Order Yao Beasts and Third-Order High Grade Spirit Wood Wood Cores were obtained by Seventh Grand Uncle!”

“For three years, Seventh Grand Uncle has not stayed in one place for a moment!”

“And, Seventh Grand Uncle, may not have much Lifespan left!”

Lin Houyuan's words were like a bolt from the blue.

Lin Shiming was stunned.