243: Take one person with you (two in one, please subscribe)

After three renovations, the Lin Family's Hall of Deliberations was now decorated even more grandly.

Several pillars were made of excellent spiritual wood, covered in spiritual patterns, exuding waves of spiritual power!

On the plaque, the three characters for "Hall of Deliberations" were re-etched by Lin Xianzhi, infused with a hint of Sword Intent.

The two Cultivators guarding the hall entrance also stood tall and proud.

They were both Shi Generation Cultivators, and upon seeing Lin Shiming, they quickly greeted him:

"Clan Chief, Thirteenth Uncle is inside!"

Lin Shiming nodded. Since he had already communicated through a sound transmission Jade Slip, he walked straight in.

"Father!"

Inside the main hall, Lin Houyuan was currently frowning, looking at a Jade Slip.

"Shiming!" Lin Houyuan looked up. Seeing that it was Lin Shiming, the hint of gloom in his eyes dissipated considerably. Especially seeing Lin Shiming standing tall and full of confidence.

His emergence from seclusion this time must have brought him great gains.

This eased much of his worry.

"Father, has anything happened recently?" Lin Shiming asked softly.

He had just come out of seclusion, and Lin Houyuan's frown was definitely not because of him.

"Hmm, Shuangmu Island has been restless lately, but I've already sent your Second Uncle and Thirteenth Uncle there!"

"Also, Shiyi broke through half a year after you went into seclusion. He's also on Shuangmu Island now. With four Foundation Establishment Cultivators, that side should be safe!" Lin Houyuan said truthfully.

Seeing Lin Shiming frown, as if he wanted to go to Shuangmu Island, he added again.

"But don't worry, the Family has purchased a High Grade Tier 3 mountain-protecting Formation. With your Second Uncle's Formation cultivation, you don't need to worry too much!"

Lin Shiming nodded upon hearing this. He naturally wouldn't be at ease with only Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators, but with his Second Uncle's Formation cultivation, plus Lin Shijie's combat power, and three other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they were by no means a force to be underestimated.

If they encountered a Purple Mansion Great Demon from the seabed, even if he went, there would be nothing he could do; he would still only be able to retreat from Shuangmu Island.

"Shiming, this is the Yuan Magnetic Seal refined by the Family!" Lin Houyuan took out a jade box from his Storage Pouch.

And the jade box contained a small seal. This small seal had no patterns, was entirely gray-black, and looked like an ordinary seal.

But upon closer inspection, one would notice that as soon as the small seal appeared, the surrounding Spiritual Qi scattered, as if fearing to get too close!

"This jade box is a matching treasure-collecting Magical Artifact!" Lin Houyuan continued to introduce.

Lin Shiming took the jade box, while his other hand reached for the Yuan Magnetic Seal. However, the next moment, he felt a terrifying force of gravity.

Even with his Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Body Cultivator strength, he still felt somewhat strained and couldn't pick it up for a moment.

And if he used true essence to counteract the force, with a flash of dusty gray light, his true essence hand dissipated.

"It truly is a good treasure!" Lin Shiming was not surprised but rather delighted.

He performed a spiritual incantation, releasing the Red-haired Demon Monkey.

The latter, having just eaten its fill and preparing for a long sleep, suddenly emerged from the Grotto-heaven World, howling and somewhat displeased.

Lin Shiming handed over the Yuan Magnetic Seal. Immediately, the Red-haired Demon Monkey felt a gray light transmit, which somewhat suppressed the flames on its Physical Body. Especially the spiritual patterns on its tail, which began to burn uncontrollably on their own.

For a moment, the entire hall was filled with terrifying high temperatures.

"This seal is more powerful than your Profound Spirit Mountain!" Lin Shiming couldn't help but say.

Although this Yuan Magnetic Seal was only a rudimentary Magical Artifact and lacked spiritual patterns and Formations, its power was definitely not inferior to ordinary High Grade Magical Artifacts. Moreover, this Yuan Magnetic Seal countered Five Elements Spells. At critical moments, even a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator might stumble.

The latter immediately understood.

It eagerly stretched out its claws to grab it, but as soon as it grasped it, its pupils widened slightly.

It couldn't pick it up, just like Lin Shiming earlier.

The next moment, its monkey face became incredibly serious, and as red light flowed over its body, its form slowly began to enlarge.

It grew to a full ten feet tall, almost touching the hall ceiling, before stopping. The Yuan Magnetic Seal was finally clutched in its hand, swinging it left and right, thoroughly enjoying itself.

It howled excitedly at Lin Shiming.

As for the Crimson Flame Fire Staff and Profound Spirit Mountain, both were discarded by it.

Lin Shiming also somewhat admired the Red-haired Demon Monkey's personality. He put away the Crimson Flame Fire Staff and Profound Spirit Mountain, and then brought the Red-haired Demon Monkey back into the Grotto-heaven World.

"Shiming, it can change its form, and it has also broken through to Tier 3 Middle Stage?" Lin Houyuan was somewhat stunned. In everyone's eyes in the Lin Family, this Yuan Magnetic Seal was a Magical Artifact Lin Shiming had prepared for himself, but now it seemed it was clearly for that monkey.

And it seemed that monkey's cultivation was even higher than his!

"Yes, Red-haired has undergone two Bloodline Restoration Secret Methods!" Lin Shiming did not shy away. The Bloodline Ancestral Return Secret Method itself was taken from a Loose Cultivator and had already been placed in the Family's Treasure Pavilion.

When other Family members needed to use it, they naturally could.

Moreover, he believed that with his two Bloodline Restoration Secret Methods proceeding so smoothly, the Family's core Cultivators would also undertake it.

"Oh, and Father, that secret method carries significant risks. It's best not to use it on ordinary Spirit Beasts!" Lin Shiming hesitated for a moment before adding.

The latter immediately nodded. His father now raised a Sea Cloud Bird. With Beast Nurturing Pills and the Bloodline Ancestral Return Secret Method, his Sea Cloud Bird might also have a chance to become a Haiyun King Bird!

Lin Shiming then began to learn about everything that had happened in the Family recently.

The Lin Family purchased two Foundation Establishment Pills at the Qingxuan Assembly half a year ago. With these two Foundation Establishment Pills, Lin Houxuan and Lei Xuan both began secluded cultivation.

These two had spent a very long time refining at Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level. The former had broken through once before, and this time with dragon blood pills and his Tier 3 Mingxin spirit tea, and the latter, possessing a lightning Spiritual Root, would basically not encounter any accidents.

Although Lei Xuan was a son-in-law Cultivator, over the past ten years, he had been diligent and had integrated into the Lin Family. He had also given birth to a daughter, of the Ze Generation, though she was not yet ten years old.

But given her parents' Spiritual Roots, she would likely not be too bad.

The Spirit Crocodiles and Red Spirit Fish in the Family's Green Lotus Lake were now thoroughly popular in Yunzhou.

With Spirit Cuisine and a unique business model, they dominated the entire Yunzhou's Loose Cultivator market and Family Cultivator market. Additionally, monkey wine was popular throughout the Qingxuan Sect's territory, though the profits from monkey wine in other states had to be shared with Zi Xuan Sanren.

And the Xing County Market was now quite large, even comparable to the Qingyun Market, which was closer to the Qingyun Mountain Range.

"Shiming, now, the Family is only one Purple Mansion Cultivator away from being a Purple Mansion Family of a hundred years ago!" Lin Houyuan exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes shining brightly!

Lin Shiming also nodded. This was their biggest goal for this Secret Realm trip: the main ingredient for Purple Mansion Jade Liquid!

And also longevity-extending Spirit Medicine!

To help Lin Xianzhi achieve Purple Mansion, and at the same time, to store Spirit Medicine for his own Purple Mansion Breakthrough.

That day would not be too far off!

"However, your father hopes you won't be too reckless!" Lin Houyuan spoke again.

His brows were tightly furrowed.

At this moment, Lin Houyuan was more serious than ever!

"Perhaps your father is selfish, but compared to a Purple Mansion Family, your father hopes more that you can return alive!"

If the preceding words were the earnestness and hope a Family Elder should have, then the latter were a father's heartfelt concern.

"I will!" Lin Shiming nodded. The Secret Realm trip was indeed dangerous; he could only do his best.

"This is the last thing your father can prepare for you!" Lin Houyuan then took out a jade bottle.

Inside the jade bottle was a drop of hundred-year spiritual milk.

Although there was only one drop of this spiritual milk, one drop could restore all the true essence of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. At critical moments, it could definitely save a life, and the price was extremely high, at least 600,000 to 700,000 spiritual stones.

The key was that it was priceless and rarely seen on the market!

"Thank you, Father!" Lin Shiming nodded, solemnly accepting it.

He could imagine that his father must have put a lot of thought into acquiring this hundred-year spiritual milk.

After understanding all the Family matters with Lin Houyuan and giving all the instructions, Lin Shiming walked out.

After a year and a half of secluded cultivation, he now leisurely strolled out with a hint of contentment.

The scenery of Fangmu Mountain, whether thirty years ago or now, thirty years later, was equally pleasing to the eye.

Of course, this was also his last moment of peace before going to Qingxuan Sect.

He wandered aimlessly. He passed by the training grounds and saw Lin Zekong practicing the Wood Vine Technique. This Ze Generation Genius Cultivator with Two Spiritual Roots, due to his words five years ago, had practiced for five years in the training grounds, constantly refining the attack of the Wood Vine Technique, also to prove himself to him.

However, Lin Shiming just passed by and did not go forward.

Nor did he offer any guidance.

Regarding wood Spiritual Roots,

He absolutely, he still didn't understand!

Lin Shiming then went to the Family's Hall of Teachings. There, were the Family's youngest Cultivators, all around ten years old, full of vigor and yearning for the life of cultivation.

The one giving the lecture this time was a Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Hou Generation Cultivator of the Family, demonstrating the simplest Fireball Spell.

Lin Shiming also didn't go over, just smiled slightly.

He considered himself not a very excellent Clan Chief, but at least, under his leadership, the Family's Cultivators were progressing, the Family's finances were progressing, and even the Family's teaching methods were progressing!

That was enough!

He went to Green Lotus Lake again. Many Cultivators were catching Red Spirit Fish. Competition for cultivation in the Lin Family was fierce, so naturally, many coveted the well-paying jobs.

Behind the huge Red Spirit Fish and Blood Crocodiles were patch after patch of green lotuses, weaving into a scroll of green lotus painting before him.

He still walked aimlessly. He didn't know where he was going or how to view Fangmu Mountain. He only knew that he didn't want to stop for now.

Finally, a Peach Blossom Grove appeared before his eyes.

The Spirit Peach forest was still full of peach blossoms, as if every departure was in late spring.

The peach blossoms bloomed with a unique splendor.

Spirit Seeking Bees shuttled through the Peach Blossom Grove, bustling about.

The number of Spirit Seeking Bees had increased again. Although he had signed a spiritual contract with the Bee Queen, he hadn't managed the Spirit Seeking Bee Bee Queen for twenty years, and didn't even know how large the swarm was.

A faint sound of zither music slowly drifted from the forest, entering his ears.

He looked up. Through one peach tree after another, a woman in a green dress was gently playing the zither.

The zither was still the zither of over a decade, and the tune was still the peach blossom tune from over a decade ago.

Lin Shiming did not speak, and the zither music did not stop.

Only peach blossoms drifted down, petal by petal, and the busy Spirit Seeking Bees, marking the passage of time.

The tune was the same, yet different!

The tune was more charming, more melodious.

At the same time, it was also the young girl revealing the thoughts she had hidden in her heart for thirty years, yet to be spoken.

Everything was in the zither music, unspoken, yet everything laid bare.

Lin Shiming suddenly understood that his destination seemed to be the peach tree forest, to be the Peach Blossom Immortal!

As the zither music reached its end, Lin Shiming walked in step by step. The young girl's face was slightly red, like a newly bloomed peach blossom.

"Thank you for your zither music! It's very beautiful!" Lin Shiming thanked her.

The latter did not reply.

"And thank you for your Medicinal Pill!" Lin Shiming continued.

Lin Shitao still didn't answer.

Her face was just slightly red, her eyes sparkling with light, like dazzling stars in the night sky.

After a long while, Lin Shitao stood up.

She extended her jade hand.

"Seventh Brother, the Grand Dao is lonely. Why not journey with one person?"

"Brew tea together, discuss the Dao together!"

"Seek longevity, seek eternal longevity together?"

Lin Shitao mustered her courage and spoke each word clearly.

After speaking, she was overjoyed and became even more confident.

The phrase "journey with one person" instantly stunned Lin Shiming.

Just as Lin Shitao was stunned by his words "the Grand Dao can be achieved, the minor Dao can be perfected" that day, today, he could not refute Lin Shitao.

Those few feelings in his heart, merely hidden deep within, would naturally be false if he said they weren't there.

Over thirty years of memories flashed through his mind, scene by scene.

Lin Shiming didn't know why, but his mind, previously full of grand principles, now found them escaping without a trace.

Finally, he could only mechanically extend his hand and nod:

"Wait for me to return!"

Thousands of words condensed into one sentence.

Lin Shitao nodded, her face full of smiles, just like the peach blossoms of late spring at this moment, unparalleled in their beauty.

At this moment, the wind grew stronger, and more peach blossoms fell from the trees.

In the air, on the ground, and on both of them.

Quietly embracing!

Standing for a long time.

Lin Shiming took out a sword that the Fourth Elder had given him.

He placed it in front of her:

"Keep this sword for me!"

Lin Shiming couldn't utter any sweet nothings. In the end, he just took out the Ze Ying Sword.

The latter also nodded and handed Lin Shiming a full Storage Pouch.

Inside the Storage Pouch were a large number of Beast Nurturing Pills, as well as a large number of Mianyang Pills and Recovery Pills.

"Also, help me keep these Medicinal Pills!"

...Three days later, the Formation of Fangmu Mountain opened again.

In the Void Realm, a spirit boat flew out, heading towards the Qingxuan Sect.

Lin Shiming held a Storage Pouch in his hand, while in front of him, Lin Xianzhi held a Jade Slip.

The Storage Pouch contained talismans and Formation Plates prepared by the Family for them. This trip to the Secret Realm would definitely not be too peaceful. What they were competing on was not just cultivation, but also their respective preparations and foundations.

The Jade Slip in Lin Xianzhi's hand was sent by Xie An. The reason they were in such a hurry was also because Zi Xuan Sanren was giving final guidance to the Cultivators of his faction entering the Secret Realm.

At the same time, Zi Xuan Sanren also told them more specific information about the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard and the Spirit Communication Sword.

It was also an alliance of this faction.

Most importantly, the Cultivator leading the team this time was surprisingly not Zi Xuan Sanren's eldest Disciple, Xie An, but a Cultivator named Chen Daoyuan!

------Author's Note------

It's the end of the month, brothers. Monthly votes are useless if you keep them, so why not ^_^