296: Zhang family's actions, wine that increases that ability

In the Lin Family's Council Great Hall, Lin Houyong, Lin Shitao, and a group of Foundation Establishment Elders were gathered.

Everyone's brows were tightly furrowed as a jade talisman message circulated among them.

"It seems we need to ask Seventh Brother to come out of seclusion!" Lin Shitao said, her pretty brows knitted.

Lin Shiyi and Lin Houwei also nodded in agreement.

Ever since Lei Xuan and Lin Houxuan broke through, after stabilizing their Cultivation, they headed to Shuangmu Island. Under Lin Xianzhi's leadership, the Lin Family had successively occupied two more Spiritual Islands, requiring more garrison Cultivators.

Lin Shitao continued to be in charge of the Family's Alchemy Pavilion. Of course, another reason was to allow her to be closer to Lin Shiming, as they had to separate due to his seclusion after their wedding.

If she were transferred to Shuangmu Island, it would be even more unreasonable.

"Indeed, Shiming needs to make a move!" Lin Houyong also sighed.

The next moment, a Spirit Light shot out, heading towards the Council Great Hall.

It landed in Lin Houyong's hand, and the gloom on his Face immediately dissipated, replaced by a relaxed expression.

"Shiming has come out of seclusion!"

Following Lin Houyong's words, the door soon opened, and Lin Shiming, who had been in seclusion for five years, walked in.

At this moment, Lin Shiming still had the appearance of a youth, but his hair was already streaked with gray, and a hint of vicissitude showed in his brows.

This sight immediately caused a bit of worry among the others.

However, seeing the smile on Lin Shiming's lips, their worries subsided.

Feeling Lin Shiming's Cultivation, the others weren't too surprised.

After all, it had only been a full ten years since Lin Shiming broke through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

It was normal not to have a Breakthrough.

An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator might take twenty to thirty years to break through from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage. For example, Lin Shiming's father, Lin Houyuan, despite having the Opportunity of spirit tea and a Opportunity before, and then going into seclusion for five years, still had no news.

Lin Houyong had also broken through to Foundation Establishment about twenty years ago, but he knew he still needed many years to break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Moreover, Lin Shiming's Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was still after his.

Even the excuse of 'dead seclusion' was merely a reason for the Lin Family to keep a low profile.

And this was not just his personal understanding!

Even Lin Xianzhi thought the same!

Lin Shiming smiled faintly, offering no explanation.

He merely marveled at the Three Purities Qi Concealment Art's miraculousness. No wonder Qian Bosheng, with his Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivation, could conceal himself as a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, undetected by anyone. Even when he attacked, his True Essence was that of a Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Only by opening that seal could he recover.

"Fifth Uncle, has anything major happened recently?" Lin Shiming walked beside Lin Shitao, seeing the worried expressions of the others, and asked.

"Shiming, the Zhang Family wants to re-divide the Qingyun Market!" Lin Houyong said after a moment of hesitation.

"And they want to divide the shares by combat. Foundation Establishment Cultivators' matches will account for sixty percent of the division, and the remaining thirty percent will be for young Qi Refining Cultivators' matches!"

Lin Houyong sighed after speaking.

Ever since the Li Family withdrew, the entire Qingyun Market had basically fallen into the hands of the Lin Family and the Qian Family.

This time, for some unknown reason, the Qian Family declined overnight, becoming a Qi Refining Family.

However, to avoid suspicion, the Lin Family's shops in Qingyun Market had always held only thirty percent, and a large portion of those thirty percent of profits were tied to Purple Mansion Loose Cultivator and Xie An.

Now, the Zhang Family, after settling into Yunzhou for three years, directly wanted to re-divide the Qingyun Market.

And they initiated this 'share war.' There was a precedent for such a 'share war' within the Qingxuan Sect's territory, and the Zhang Family had a Purple Mansion Cultivator. It was rumored that the Qingxuan Sect seemed to be supporting the Zhang Family because they voluntarily relocated to Yunzhou!

All the Cultivation Families in Yunzhou could not refuse.

They either participated or withdrew from the Qingyun Market.

For Yunzhou, this already barren border region, without the vast Loose Cultivator market of Qingyun Market, relying solely on the Xing County Market and the Lin Family's caravans, the Lin Family would be unable to sell off its large quantities of Glinting Metal Stone Veins, Spirit Fish, Medicinal Pill, and Spiritual Artifact industries.

And if these industries couldn't be expanded, the Lin Family would once again Face its previous dilemma: either reduce Cultivator benefits or Face an empty Family treasury!

That would inevitably greatly dampen the enthusiasm of the Family's Cultivators.

Among the Family's Foundation Establishment Cultivators who were good at fighting, Lin Houwei, Lin Shiyi, and Lin Shijie were all good choices.

But after all, all three were Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators, and competing for the market was not entirely safe.

Yunzhou's Foundation Establishment Cultivators were at the bottom among the Four Continents, but there were still many Foundation Establishment Families, most of which were supported by one or two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, just like the Lin Family before.

And these Foundation Establishment Cultivators were all extremely shrewd, and their strength sometimes surpassed the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

"Leave this matter to me!" Lin Shiming readily agreed. The Zhang Family's desire to re-divide the market did not surprise him. Not forcibly occupying it, but letting other families bid, was already giving Face to Purple Mansion Loose Cultivator.

If he wasn't mistaken, at this very moment, Purple Mansion Loose Cultivator had also begun his seclusion to break through to Golden Core.

And the probability was definitely not small.

Lin Shiming still felt anxious internally.

After all, if Zifu broke through to Golden Core quickly, then Golden Core breaking through to Nascent Soul would also be quick.

As time passed, the entire Zhao Country would truly become a place of rising winds and surging clouds.

"Shiming, furthermore, the current Family Head of the Zhang Family is an extremely ambitious person!" Lin Houyong reminded him again.

This division specifically mentioned the young Qi Refining Cultivators' arena, which meant it was no ordinary matter.

Although those Qi Refining Families were weak, they might still come.

After all, Qingyun Market was closest to the Qingyun Mountain Range, and Cultivators who hunted demons in the Qingyun Mountain Range would come here to buy Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, or sell Spirit Medicine and spiritual materials.

And this also meant that the Zhang Family could, in one go, gauge the high-end combat power and future prospects of all the major families in Yunzhou!

Yet, in this matter, all Cultivators would be unable to hide their true strength!

Lin Shiming didn't think much of it. With his current strength, he only needed to be careful of the Zhang Family's Old Ancestor.

While there were candidates for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, there were no suitable candidates for young Qi Refining Cultivators for the time being.

In the Immortal Realm, 'young Cultivators' by default referred to those under thirty years old. Among the Lin Family's Cultivators under thirty, only a few from the Shi Generation qualified.

Originally, Lin Shilei was the most suitable, but Lin Shilei and Lin Zecheng had already gone to Shuangmu Island.

Speaking of which, Lin Zecheng, the number one of the Lin Family's Ze Generation, had already broken through to the Qi Refining Stage Eighth Level, not far from the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level. At less than twenty-four years old, his Cultivation was not inferior to Lin Shijie of the same era.

"Ze Kong can try, but he has only just broken through to the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level!" Lin Houyong suggested.

Upon hearing this, Lin Shiming glanced at his Fifth Uncle.

He truly hadn't expected Lin Houyong to recommend Lin Zekong.

He naturally had an impression of Lin Zekong. Like Lin Zecheng, he had Two Spiritual Roots, and like himself, he had Fire and Wood Two Spiritual Roots.

It was just that his Heart-Nature was rather poor. He lost in the grand competition and still tried to find reasons in the rules, believing that a Qi Refining Stage Fifth Level competing against a Qi Refining Stage Sixth Level was unfair.

But one must know that as Two Spiritual Root Geniuses, the resources provided by the Family to them were inherently higher than those for other Cultivators. If they still couldn't stand out, then it was their own fault.

In the Immortal Realm, there was never a saying that having Two Spiritual Roots guaranteed Foundation Establishment or Purple Mansion!

Even if he didn't make it into the top five in that competition, if he worked hard to Cultivate and raised his Cultivation to the Sixth Level, then participating in the competition again would naturally offer a greater chance.

Yet, he chose to remain on the arena, as if to prove how strong his combat ability was.

It was simply ignorant and stubborn!

"Shiming, you'll know when you see him. And the Family has also produced a Body Cultivator Genius!"

Lin Houyong couldn't help but smile.

Hearing this, Lin Shiming was somewhat curious, thinking there must have been a change.

However, he didn't go to see him immediately, but instead inquired about the Lin Family's recent situation and the situation on Shuangmu Island.

After five years of development, the Lin Family was becoming increasingly prosperous. There were over thirty Cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level within the Family.

There were also thirteen Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and several more were in the process of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, such as Lin Yuqing, Lin Shilei, and Lin Shiyun!

As for Cultivators in the Qi Refining Late Stage, there were a full sixty to seventy of them.

This was unimaginable for the Lin Family in the past.

As for the Qingxuan Sect's actions, they weren't significant. Besides the increased tribute, the Qingxuan City's once-a-decade grand assembly was still very popular, but there were no longer any war treasure ships as the grand finale treasure.

The Lin Family also successfully purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill.

After understanding the situation, Lin Shiming also took out four spirit beast pouches. Inside the spirit beast pouches were the Red Spirit Fish he had raised in his Grotto-heaven. However, these Red Spirit Fish not only had stronger vital energy and had been promoted to High Grade Second-tier Spirit Beasts, but their taste and texture were also first-rate.

As for the mysterious black fish, he didn't take them out. He didn't have many left and was waiting for them to continue breeding!

At that time, he would also need Lin Shitao to refine some Demon Enticement Pills.

To increase the black fish's reproduction!

Besides that, he also distributed some spirit tea from the Mingxin Tea Tree to everyone.

The recovery of the Mingxin Tea Tree, coupled with its effects, was also of great use to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Lin Houyong, Lin Shiyi, and the others also happily nodded repeatedly. The fragrance of the Red Spirit Fish moved even these Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

And the Third-tier spirit tea was even better for them.

Whether for personal consumption or for entertaining guests, it was quite excellent.

"Thank you, Shiming!" Lin Houyong said.

"Fifth Uncle, what are you saying? Shiming has relied on the Family to help collect body tempering fluid and Spirit Medicine these past few years!" Lin Shiming replied with a smile.

Beside him, Lin Shiyi also expressed his gratitude to Lin Shiming. The current Lin Shiyi was much more shrewd than before, with a little less of his former straightforwardness.

However, when he smiled, Lin Shiming realized that his honest Second Brother was back!

Lin Shiyi also pulled out several Storage Pouches, all filled with spirit beast meat.

This was something Lin Shiming needed, as the three beasts had consumed quite a bit.

Lin Shiming nodded and accepted them.

Lin Houwei, on the other hand, looked at Lin Shiming and said:

"Shiming, I'm not like them. I won't take your things for nothing!"

"I guarantee your eyes will light up!"

Lin Houwei patted his chest, guaranteeing, then took down the gourd from his back.

This gourd was precisely the zijin gourd Lin Shiming had given to Lin Houwei, with the upper gourd being a High Grade Magical Artifact and the lower gourd being a High Grade Magical Artifact.

However, as the gourd was uncorked, Lin Houwei had already taken out a palm-sized, crystal-clear jade bowl.

Transparent liquor poured down like a jade column, and immediately, a rich aroma wafted forth.

The liquor swirled in the jade bowl, and waves of Spiritual Light emerged within it.

Accompanying the liquor was an invigorating Spiritual Qi that filled the air.

This also indicated that this wine was not a Second-tier spirit wine, but a Third-tier spirit wine!

At this moment, Lin Shiming was also stunned. He hadn't expected that the direction of wine he told his Thirteenth Uncle about ten years ago had actually been successfully researched by Lin Houwei.

Third-tier spirit wine was rare even in Qingzhou, where the Qingxuan Sect was located.

And this aroma was even more mellow than the Lin Family's monkey wine.

No wonder Lin Houwei was so confident.

"Thirteenth Uncle, what is this spirit wine called?" Lin Shiming took the jade bowl Lin Houwei handed him and brought it to his nose. The aroma of the wine enveloped him, causing the True Essence within his body to stir, and it also seemed to invigorate his vital energy.

"I'm temporarily calling this wine 'turtle spirit coconut'!" Lin Houwei excitedly introduced, but seeing Lin Shiming's obvious surprise at the name, he then spoke again with a serious tone:

"Shiming, don't let the simple name fool you, but its effects, I guarantee, will astound you!"

"This wine can not only increase a Cultivator's True Essence, but also enhance a Body Cultivator's body tempering strength. Most importantly, it can also improve... that aspect of ability!"

Lin Houwei grew more and more excited as he spoke, but towards the end, he couldn't help but glance at Lin Shitao, his voice becoming softer.

Lin Shitao, listening nearby, indeed blushed slightly.

Lin Houwei, however, remained unfazed and continued:

"And, if I'm not mistaken, it can even improve a Cultivator's fertility!"

If Lin Shiming could ignore the previous words, this last statement completely moved him.

The higher a Cultivator's Cultivation, the harder it was to have offspring.

This had already become an iron rule in the Immortal Realm.

Golden Core True Persons and Purple Mansion Loose Cultivator, wanting to have offspring, would usually seek out Spirit Fruit and Spirit Pills everywhere.

And when Lin Houwei said his turtle spirit coconut could achieve this, Lin Shiming was naturally incredibly surprised.

Even a slight increase in chances was immensely important.

One must know that the Lin Family's greatest source of Cultivators currently came from Qi Refining Cultivators who had no hope of further Cultivation marrying and having children, and Mortals marrying and having children.

As for Cultivators who had achieved success in Cultivation, they either couldn't have children or were devoted to the Dao!

If this turtle spirit coconut could be popularized, the market demand would be huge, and it could also bring more Geniuses to the Lin Family.

"Fifth Brother drank it, and the effect was good!" Lin Houwei added.

Lin Houyong, behind him, also looked a bit helpless, his Face full of embarrassment, but he still nodded:

"It's indeed good!"

Lin Shiming hadn't expected his Fifth Uncle to have married and had children. However, considering his Fifth Uncle's Aptitude, breaking through to Purple Mansion would be extremely difficult, so marrying and having children was indeed normal.

As Lin Houwei introduced it, Lin Shiming also raised the jade bowl and drank it.

The turtle spirit coconut was not spicy, but extremely mellow and fragrant. After entering his stomach, it transformed into a warm True Essence spiritual liquid.

And besides the sensation of True Essence and vital energy, he also felt a strange excitement.

This state caused Lin Shiming's expression to change involuntarily.

Lin Houwei and Lin Houyong, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, only the smile at the corners of their mouths could no longer be controlled.

Lin Shiyi, beside them, was looking on eagerly, drawn by the aroma of the wine. He was also curious about this Third-tier spirit wine.

Lin Houwei did not hesitate, taking out another jade bowl and giving it to Lin Shiyi.

As for whether this young Lin Shiyi would be affected in any way, he didn't care.

"Thirteenth Uncle, this wine is indeed excellent. You have rendered a great service to the Family. I'm going to refine it now!"

Lin Shiming praised it, then intended to take his leave!