289: Test and return to the mountain (two in one)

Familiar mahogany tables, familiar grand chairs, familiar teapots, and the elegant aroma of tea.

Zi Xuan Sanren, dressed in purple robes, still looked at Lin Shiming with a calm expression.

At this moment, Lin Shiming's eyes were filled with sorrow, and he was simply dressed in a white robe.

However, he didn't hold a coffin or wear a white felt hat.

Some things are better in moderation.

If Zi Xuan Sanren was paying attention, he would naturally notice, and his arrival here, with Zi Xuan Sanren even using a Clone to receive him, already represented a lot.

"Revered Master!" Lin Shiming performed the Disciple's bow, still respectful.

Zi Xuan Sanren nodded.

"Shiming, your matters, including Xian Zhi's matters, I, your Revered Master, am already aware of!"

"You did this for the Sect, and the Sect will certainly not let you down. Even if you couldn't bring back the Spirit Communication Sword, the Sect will reward you this time!"

"However, there are still some details that I, your Revered Master, need to understand clearly!"

Zi Xuan Sanren spoke slowly, placing his hand on the mahogany table, and a Jade Slip and two Pill Bottles appeared on the table.

These were the so-called Sect rewards.

Lin Shiming didn't look at the rewards; he knew that the questions were the most crucial part.

And the System prompt indeed sounded:

"You have been subjected to a Heart-Questioning Talisman; please ensure the truthfulness of your answers!"

Lin Shiming's heart tightened; as expected, Zi Xuan Sanren had secretly employed a method.

Heart-Questioning Talismans are not uncommon, but ordinary ones require casting a spell on the person being questioned.

The spell-caster would certainly know.

He just didn't know what kind of Heart-Questioning Talisman Zi Xuan Sanren used, or when it was cast on him?

Such a Heart-Questioning Talisman was too miraculous, and if he hadn't received the System prompt, lying at that moment would have almost certainly led to his demise.

Moreover, the existence of the Heart-Questioning Talisman also indicated that Zi Xuan Sanren no longer fully trusted him.

"It's mainly about the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard incident, after all, many of your Senior Brothers perished inside!" Zi Xuan Sanren spoke, a hint of sorrow appearing on his face.

And Lin Shiming's sorrow, following Zi Xuan Sanren's words, also fully showed on his face.

Then he spoke with immense bitterness:

"Revered Master, when I entered the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard, I also encountered the Spirit Communication Sword, but the sword suddenly stopped halfway..."

Lin Shiming spoke cautiously and slowly, as if still immersed in Lin Xian Zhi's demise.

The sorrow in his eyes concealed his pauses for thought very well.

This allowed him to better organize his words and recall events.

Fortunately, Zi Xuan Sanren asked for a general overview, and Lin Shiming, without lying, recounted everything he saw and heard.

He merely skipped over his knowledge of the Spirit Communication Sword and his encounters with the Sword Grass.

He also detailed the dangers he faced while climbing the Sword Ladder.

Finally, he retrieved a sword and left the Ten Thousand Swords Graveyard.

After Lin Shiming finished speaking, Zi Xuan Sanren remained silent.

His expression only grew uglier, and his gaze towards Lin Xian Zhi became somewhat stern.

At this moment, Lin Xian Zhi even felt that his lies had been detected.

But he could guarantee that everything he had stated was true.

Zi Xuan Sanren was trying to trick him!

"Disciple failed to retrieve the Spirit Communication Sword that flew into the air, please punish this Disciple, Revered Master!"

"Disciple is willing to accept Revered Master's punishment after observing the seven-day mourning period for my Old Ancestor!"

Seeing Zi Xuan Sanren's silence and stern expression, Lin Shiming immediately clasped his fists and bowed his head in apology.

"Forget it, this is not your fault. Go back and fulfill your filial duties. Here are two Foundation Establishment Pills, and a bottle of Three Yuan Azure Spirit Pills, both useful for Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators!"

"Additionally, the Cultivation Technique is the latter half of the Purple Wood Heart Sutra. Destroy it after reading. I, your Revered Master, deeply regret Xian Zhi's passing. I only hope that you can surpass Xian Zhi in the future and lead the Family to prosperity!"

Zi Xuan Sanren picked up the Jade Slip and the two Jade Bottles.

Lin Shiming was momentarily stunned, evidently not expecting Zi Xuan Sanren to be so accommodating.

But he quickly reacted, taking the Jade Bottles and Jade Slip with both hands.

However, he only felt a faint true essence begin to flow into his body, and in an instant, it vanished from Zi Xuan Sanren's fingertips.

This true essence was too swift; in the past, he would certainly not have noticed it. If this were Zi Xuan Sanren's true body at Peak Purple Mansion, Lin Shiming also wouldn't have detected it.

But at this moment, he dared not relax his guard for a second.

He hadn't expected Zi Xuan Sanren to still be testing him at this moment!

In Lin Shiming's downcast eyes, a hint of terror was hidden, which quickly disappeared.

He could guarantee that Zi Xuan Sanren had just probed his true essence, and even checked if he had the Sword Nurturing Art within his body.

He checked if he was Cultivating the Purple Wood Heart Sutra, and even sensed his Sword Intent.

Fortunately, after returning to the Qingxuan Sect, he hadn't immediately changed his Cultivation Technique and corrected the Purple Wood Heart Sutra, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.

At the same time, he hadn't started Cultivating the Sword Nurturing Art with the Sword Dao Spiritual Seed.

Before long, Zi Xuan Sanren retracted his hand.

He picked up the spirit tea on the table and drank it alone.

How could Lin Shiming not understand Zi Xuan Sanren's meaning? He immediately spoke:

"Revered Master, this Disciple takes his leave!"

As soon as he returned to his room, he held the Jade Box Coffin in his hands, dressed in mourning robes, and bid farewell at the mountain gate.

Descending the Ascension Ladder and exiting the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate, Lin Shiming couldn't help but take a deep breath as he gazed at the beautiful mountains and rivers outside, then tilted his head back, feeling the dazzling sunlight.

His heart was filled with peace, as if reborn.

But the expression on his face remained unchanged, and could not change.

He took out a third-grade spirit boat, jumped onto the bow, and sat alone at the front.

Braving the biting cold wind, with the Jade Box Coffin placed behind him, he headed towards the Lin Family's Fangmu Mountain.

Only after leaving Qingzhou, where the Qingxuan Sect was located, did Lin Shiming's heart truly relax.

He didn't know if anyone was observing him with Divine Sense from behind, as he couldn't sense the Divine Sense of Purple Mansion Cultivators or Golden Core Cultivators.

Unless he fully matured all the three yuan forging spirit flowers in his Small World, raising his Divine Sense from Late Foundation Establishment Stage to Great Perfection Foundation Establishment, then perhaps he might be able to sense something... Fangmu Mountain, a continuous spring rain, gently showered the mountains.

Tiny raindrops rippled on Fangmu Mountain's mountain protection Formation.

However, they didn't create ripples but dissipated into nothingness.

The Spirit Peach Trees on the mountain, having lacked sunlight for a long time, produced somewhat small peach blossoms.

A young girl in a green dress held a guzheng, her slender, delicate hands slowly plucking the strings.

She didn't know how long she had played, nor for whom she was playing.

But in the next moment, a string suddenly snapped with force.

And the girl abruptly stood up.

When she stood, her eyes were already wet with spring rain.

She had been waiting!

Also standing up was Lin Houyuan at the summit of Fangmu Mountain.

Then, the other Cultivators also began to emerge from their Immortal Caves.

At this moment, in front of the Formation, a spirit boat quietly hovered.

However, before everyone could celebrate and speak, Lin Shiming's clear voice rang out:

"Unfilial descendant, sending Seventh Grand Uncle home!"

A long cry echoed throughout Fangmu Mountain.

Many Cultivators were stunned, but upon seeing Lin Shiming holding a Jade Box Coffin, their hearts were immediately thrown into chaos.

Lin Xian Zhi had fallen. For the Lin Family, it felt as if the sky had collapsed, utterly unacceptable. One must know that Lin Xian Zhi was the Lin Family's true protector, and also the Old Ancestor with the highest Cultivation and seniority.

Lin Houyuan had been in the Family ancestral hall, so he naturally knew that the two soul slips. At this moment, he was somewhat bewildered.

But then, Lin Shiming's voice transmission made Lin Houyuan immediately react.

Fangmu Mountain's Formation opened, and along with it, the Lin Family's Fangmu Mountain funeral bell.

As the bell tolled, the entire Lin Family mountain was covered with white mourning cloths.

Lin Shiming, Lin Xian Zhi, and other main Family Elder members all had to mourn.

Furthermore, all Lin Family Cultivators in Nanling Mountain, Qingyun Market, and Xing County Market were required to return.

This day, for the Lin Family, was undoubtedly unforgettable.

Even for the entire Yunzhou, there was no small stir, after all, currently in Yunzhou, besides the Qian Family, the Lin Family was the strongest.

However, after this Secret Realm, once the news spread, the Qian Family would likely be as shocked as the Lin Family.

One must know that all of the Qian Family's Old Ancestors had perished at Lin Shiming's hands.

On Fangmu Mountain, the Lin Family's Elders mourned for a full seven days... Beside the Green Lotus Pond, the Family council reconvened, though this time, only Foundation Establishment Elders of the Family participated.

Except for Lin Shijie and Lin Houshou, who guarded Shuangmu Island, and Lin Houyong, who guarded Shiling Cave.

All other Foundation Establishment Cultivators were present.

Lin Shiming stood in front of the pavilion, took out numerous concealing Formations, and then fully activated Fangmu Mountain's mountain protection Formation.

A layer of white mist once again enveloped Fangmu Mountain.

Seeing that everything was ready, and as everyone eagerly awaited what Lin Shiming would say, the figure of Lin Xian Zhi gracefully emerged from his Immortal Cave.

At this moment, Lin Xian Zhi had once again returned to his youthful appearance, though his white hair remained unchanged.

Everyone was somewhat surprised, especially Thirteenth Uncle Lin Houwei and Lin Shiyi.

Lin Houyuan, guarding the family jade book, naturally knew that Lin Xian Zhi's soul slip had not dimmed.

As for Lin Shitao, Lin Shiming had previously sent her a voice transmission, requesting that she provide some Mianyang Pills.

Lin Xian Zhi needed to break through to Peak Foundation Establishment, and secondly, prepare for Purple Mansion!

"Everyone, this trip to the Secret Realm was very successful!" Lin Shiming said with a smile.

A few of them were all beaming with joy.

"But precisely because of its success, our Lin Family must be even more low-key!" After the excitement, came a warning.

"Our Family has the Foundation Establishment Pill Formula, and a Tian Ling Fruit Tree. This trip to the Secret Realm was a huge sensation, so Seventh Grand Uncle had no choice but to feign death!"

"Our Lin Family is not suited to become the number one Family in Yunzhou, at least not for the next hundred years!"

"Therefore, in the future, the Lin Family's development direction will be the Outer Sea's Shuangmu Island. Only four Foundation Establishment Cultivators will remain in Yunzhou permanently!"

Lin Shiming briefly outlined the Family's future direction.

After the brief meeting, everyone was full of confidence.

At this moment, as everyone looked at the surrounding Green Lotus Pond again, they only felt a vibrant vitality in the pond, as if countless green lotuses were being nurtured, waiting for the day they could all bloom and unfurl.

At that moment, the entire Fangmu Mountain would be enveloped in the fragrance of the Green Lotus Pond.

"Father, besides these matters, I hope you can acquire Medicinal Pills for breaking through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage from external sources!"

Lin Shiming spoke again.

Lin Houyuan nodded, instantly understanding Lin Shiming's meaning.

Without a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Old Ancestor, the Family naturally needed to produce new Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators!

And entering secluded Cultivation not only allowed them to refuse visits from external Cultivators but also served as a means to resist Family crises!

Moreover, the Family's finances had been excellent these years, so acquiring some Medicinal Pills was naturally not a problem.

In addition, Lin Shitao would also refine more Mianyang Pills.

Of course, what they didn't know was that Lin Shiming's Breakthrough to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage was not fake; he was truly preparing to break through.

"Father, here are two Foundation Establishment Pills!" After speaking, Lin Shiming took out another Storage Pouch and handed it to Lin Houyuan.

Of course, there was naturally more than just Foundation Establishment Pills in the Storage Pouch.

There were also two High-Grade Spirit Stones, a third-grade Medium Grade Magical Sword, a third-grade Medium Grade Magical Armor, and a Spirit Shocking Drum.

These were all high-quality Magical Artifacts, and he had specially selected them.

Among them, the Spirit Shocking Drum was the most convenient for Lin Shiming to use previously, but by the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, with his body full of top-grade Magical Artifacts, he no longer needed the Spirit Shocking Drum.

Lin Houyuan accepted them directly after seeing them, his face filled with joy.

He didn't need to be polite with this son who had returned with a full harvest. In his opinion, Lin Shiming could no longer use these Magical Artifacts.

However, the High-Grade Spirit Stones made him somewhat hesitant, but with Lin Shiming's nod, he still accepted them.

"Shitao, this is a gift for you!"

Lin Shiming then handed another Storage Pouch to Lin Shitao.

Lin Shitao also happily took the Storage Pouch, a faint blush appearing on her face.

This made the others chuckle softly.

However, in the next moment, Lin Shitao's mouth widened in surprise, because inside the Storage Pouch, there were not only two High-Grade Spirit Stones, but also a third-grade top-grade Pill Furnace, precisely the Five-Colored Twin-Eared Alchemy Furnace, a third-grade High Grade Five-Colored Silk Magical Artifact, as well as a third-grade Medium Grade offensive Magical Artifact and a third-grade Medium Grade defensive Magical Artifact, and finally, a Jade Slip.

What was recorded inside was the Five Flames True Scripture.

This was a Cultivation Technique that could be Cultivated to the Late Golden Core Stage, and it was also Profound Rank High Grade, the most suitable Cultivation Technique for dual fire and wood Spiritual Roots!

After finishing the Cultivation Technique Jade Slip, the remaining Jade Slip contained a fourth-grade Purple Mansion Alchemy Legacy!

The Pill Formulas recorded within even included fourth-grade Pill Formulas!

Lin Shitao's mouth was wide open, astonished and unable to calm down for a long time.

Any one of these treasures, if brought out, would be astonishing. In the past, any few of them would have been the Lin Family's Family-protecting treasures.

But now, they all appeared before her eyes. One must know that the Lin Family's best Pill Furnace before was a third-grade Low Grade Pill Furnace, which Lin Shiming had captured, and as for Pill Formulas, there were only three third-grade Pill Formulas: Mianyang Pill, Rejuvenation Pill, and Foundation Establishment Pill!

Now, there were more than three fourth-grade Pill Formulas, and even the Alchemy insights of a Purple Mansion Cultivator!

Seeing the envious looks from the others, Lin Shiming continued to take out two Storage Pouches, one for Lin Shiyi and one for Lin Houwei.

In Lin Shiyi's Storage Pouch, besides the basic High-Grade Spirit Stones, there was the thousand layer mountain, a third-grade High Grade Magical Artifact. The Red-haired Demon Monkey of the thousand layer mountain no longer needed it. In addition, there were many body-tempering Spiritual Plants.

These Spiritual Plants were obtained by Lin Shiming in the Small World. He had enough for himself, so he distributed many of them.

As for Lin Houwei, he was given the zijin gourd. The current zijin gourd no longer had Wind Fire Star Sand, but it was still a semi-top-grade, semi-High Grade Magical Artifact, which made the latter extremely happy, and he even vowed to pull Lin Shiming into drinking.

After the few of them received their treasures, they all bid farewell and left. Lin Shiming finally looked at Lin Xian Zhi, who had a look of gratification, then gave an awkward smile, and then respectfully returned the soul splitting banner with both hands.

Lin Xian Zhi accepted it generously, and at the same time, spoke with a serious expression:

"Shiming, there's something you haven't dealt with yet!"