316: Breaking through the Purple Mansion (three-in-one, added for 1500 Meteor in the End)

At the Peak of Qinglian Peak, another square pavilion stood, with a stone table and an unfinished game of chess.

And Lin Xianzhi, with a worried look on his face.

He had reached Purple Mansion, but he hadn't left behind a treasure for breaking through to Purple Mansion.

Although there was the taiqing purple jade fruit, Purple Mansion Jade Liquid was, after all, a Fourth-Order Medicinal Pill. Although it didn't require Pill Condensation, its difficulty was comparable to a High Grade Third-Order Medicinal Pill.

However, Lin Shitao was only a Medium Grade Third-Order Alchemist. Even with the Detailed Explanation of Array Instruments, she could only refine High Grade Third-Order Spirit Medicine.

For Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, it would take at least ten, or even twenty, more years!

Yet, he couldn't reveal himself to invite a Fourth-Order Alchemist for help!

Even participating in an Auction was currently impossible.

Lin Shiming walked in from the side, respectfully bowing to Lin Xianzhi:

"Seventh Grand Uncle, the Purple Mansion Jade Liquid is complete!"

"Really?" Lin Xianzhi stood up, a chess piece dropping, his face filled with surprise and joy.

"Indeed!" Lin Shiming took out the Medicinal Pill bottle, and Lin Xianzhi, after a glance, couldn't help but smile in relief, the gloom between his brows completely vanishing.

"Good! Shitao truly is the Family's most Genius Alchemist. The Family's third Purple Mansion Cultivator will definitely be Shitao!" While delighted, Lin Xianzhi immediately made a promise.

This promise was not light at all, and it also meant that no matter how many times Lin Shitao failed, the Family would find new Purple Mansion Spirit Medicine for her.

"Thank you, Seventh Grand Uncle!" Seeing Lin Xianzhi's extreme joy, Lin Shiming didn't continue to mention that Lin Shitao had succeeded with only one taiqing purple jade fruit.

Instead, he inquired again about the details of breaking through to Purple Mansion, especially the condensation of the Divine Soul.

Lin Xianzhi also nodded, then turned around and suddenly looked out at the sea. Lin Shiming followed his gaze.

In the distance, waves rose, and seabirds scattered.

Lin Xianzhi removed the sound-insulating Formation, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore created a thousand layers of spray.

One wave followed another, each more turbulent than the last!

"Shiming, look at this sea. The reason it is a sea is because the waves always move in only one direction. If every wave had its own direction, then this would be tens of thousands of rivers!"

"And to condense the Divine Soul, in addition to powerful Divine Sense, you must also find your direction, which is your Dao Heart!" Lin Xianzhi said.

"Before, you always avoided Shitao, and even now you still do. Of course, this doesn't mean you are lacking, but rather that your state of mind has never fully opened up, and your Dao Heart still has doubts!"

Lin Xianzhi turned his head and looked into Lin Shiming's eyes, speaking with an extremely profound gaze.

More than two hundred years of experience meant that there were rarely any ripples in his eyes.

That sense of calm, yet being able to see through everything, made Lin Shiming unable to refute.

Such was the truth. Whether he admitted it or not, if his Dao Heart was firm...

The first time Lin Shitao expressed her feelings, he would have agreed.

If his Dao Heart was firm, he wouldn't have softened the second time.

He had the System prompts, he had a hidden Spirit Body, and he had always had confidence in the Dao of Immortality.

But Cultivating too quickly was still his shortcoming.

Lin Shiming stood for a long time, then nodded.

"If you feel your Dao Heart is unstable, then go into the Mortal World to seek the Dao and enlighten your mind. Go accompany Shitao!"

"If you feel your Divine Soul is ethereal, then go look at the Family, look at Cultivators, and also look at Mortals. The Family's Dao not only includes Cultivation, but also Mortals. Mortals are the foundation of all generations!"

"Thank you, Seventh Grand Uncle, for your guidance. Shiming understands!"

His state of mind was indeed his weak point. He was now, at most, a little over seventy years old, and most of his time had been spent Cultivating.

Having a direction also made him feel a little more at ease.

"Oh, right, Seventh Grand Uncle, Shiming still has one more question. Will Minor Divine Abilities have a Lightning Tribulation?"

"Legend says that Minor Divine Abilities with infinite potential do!" Lin Xianzhi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Then, as if he thought of something, he looked at Lin Shiming, and waves of shock rose in his heart again, his eyes becoming eager.

"Shiming, you already have a premonition before breaking through?"

Cultivators sometimes have an unconscious awareness of danger. Lin Shiming's understanding of Minor Divine Abilities naturally wouldn't be as great as his.

There was only one possibility for Lin Shiming to have this thought and premonition!

That was when he broke through to Purple Mansion, his hidden Spirit Body would fully manifest, accompanied by an Epiphany of a Minor Divine Ability and a Minor Divine Ability Lightning Tribulation.

This could be a manifestation of Lin Shiming's extraordinary Spirit Body.

"Mm!"

Lin Shiming nodded.

"This time, I will also return to Yunzhou. I will disguise myself and go to Ten Thousand Swords Sect to help you purchase treasures and a Formation Plate for the Lightning Tribulation!" Lin Xianzhi said.

"All of the Family's Late Stage Third-Order Thunder Turtle shells will also be refined into High Grade Third-Order defensive shields for you!"

"I will also buy you Lightning Evasion Medicinal Pills and other treasures. You can rest assured and focus on understanding and preparing for Purple Mansion!" Lin Xianzhi acted as soon as he spoke. Lin Shiming naturally didn't want to trouble Lin Xianzhi, but he was dismissed with just one look from Lin Xianzhi.

He absolutely couldn't refuse!

At this moment, Lin Xianzhi's mind only had four words: Golden Core Family!

Lin Shiming being able to comprehend such a powerful Minor Divine Ability indicated that his Spirit Body was extraordinary!

Thinking of this, Lin Xianzhi became even more impatient.

"Also, don't feel pressured. The Family's second Cultivator to break through to Purple Mansion can only be you!" At the end, Lin Xianzhi turned around and added again, then began to prepare to return to Yunzhou.

Lin Xianzhi had many things to arrange. The Thunder Spirit Turtle was now guarding Spirit Turtle Island, and the war treasure ship was at Shuangmu Island. The safety of both islands had to be properly arranged.

The number of Cultivators from the Lin Family in the Outer Sea had already exceeded three digits. If an accident occurred, it would be an unacceptable loss for the Lin Family... In Qingtao Town, at a bustling street corner, an old man selling candied haws kept waving and shouting.

A chubby child, about ten years old, stumbled, clutching a sweat-soaked copper coin, eagerly rushing out of the crowd.

"Old Ninth Grandfather, I'll buy ten candied haws!" The child spread his hand, revealing ten copper coins, his face full of eagerness.

"Old Ninth Grandfather, nine is enough for me, you can have the last one. The Immortal Master from Fangmu Mountain said I can go to Fangmu Mountain to Cultivate, and maybe I'll even get Immortal haws to eat in the future!"

The child took the nine haws and then proudly said,

"When that time comes, I'll give a portion to Old Ninth Grandfather too, so you can taste the flavor of Immortal haws!"

"Haha, then I wish Little Tiger Immortal Master in advance!" The child's words also attracted many passersby on the street to come and congratulate him.

Next to them, a scholarly-looking young man walked with a woman veiled in light gauze.

The scholarly young man nodded in self-admiration. This was the first time he had seen a reason to Cultivate for the sake of eating.

Although it wasn't as grand as Cultivating for longevity, nor as great as Cultivating for the common people.

But this child at least had a Dao Heart from the beginning, real and firm!

The young man stepped forward and congratulated him like everyone else, then took out a Jade Pendant and placed it in the chubby child's hand.

"Little Tiger Immortal Master, if fate allows in the future, may I ask for an Immortal haw?"

"Yes!" The child took the Jade Pendant, then nodded without thinking, and after gesturing for half a circle, he wanted to return the Jade Pendant to the young man.

"Big brother, when I have Immortal haws, then I'll accept your Jade!"

However, the young man, still holding the woman in the gauze dress, walked into the crowd, and the child wanted to chase them but had already lost sight of the two figures... On the outskirts of Qingtao Town, in front of a steamed bun shop, the rising steam wafted down more than half the street.

In front of the main street, a long queue had formed.

The queue was enormous, appearing extremely unique in the long street. Most were young children, dressed in rags, with empty hands, and even their dirty hands, when grasping a steamed bun, would leave black flour marks.

The couple selling the steamed buns were extremely skilled, and with each bun they handed out, they eagerly shouted:

"Eat the buns while they're hot, they taste even better!"

Next to the steamed bun shop was a money box.

Adults would drop two copper coins after receiving a bun, while children ate for free.

The scholarly young man and the light-gauze woman joined the queue with some interest. The young man patted the shoulder of the man in front of him.

"Brother, may I ask why this couple gives free buns to children?"

"Oh, you must be from out of town. This couple's child is an Immortal Master, and their child has been charitable since he was young. The couple also upholds the virtues of their Immortal Master child, always helping the children in the town!" The man said, smiling as he introduced them.

"They've been helping for over ten years, which is why this steamed bun shop's business has always been so good!"

"Their child must also be a good Immortal Master!"

After speaking, the queue had reached the man. He turned around, skillfully took two steamed buns, and put down two copper coins. The couple still smiled and reminded him.

The man walked into the distance, handed the two steamed buns to a child of six or seven, and together they disappeared at the end of the street.

"Eat the buns while they're hot, they taste even better!" It was now the turn of the scholarly young man and the light-gauze woman.

The boss couple still smiled. The scholarly young man also smiled as he took the buns, put down four copper coins, and walked out onto the street.

He only saw a child by the side of the street taking two steamed buns and handing them to a man sitting with his legs crossed.

The man with crossed legs took the buns and ate them one by one. Seeing the scholarly young man looking over, the man immediately spoke unhappily:

"What are you looking at? You still think that couple's son can really give birth to an Immortal Master son? His brat was clearly carried off by wild beasts in the mountains. They can only fool you outsiders!"

The scholarly young man was stunned. He looked through the street corner at the steamed bun shop again. There was still a long queue, and still mostly children.

The scholarly young man joined the queue again. This time, he bought an entire cage of steamed buns and distributed them at the street corner!

In the steamed bun shop's money box, at some unknown time, an extra Jade appeared... Subsequently, the scholarly young man and the light-gauze woman appeared throughout Qingtao Town.

The tavern that bustled for half a street, the crowded Ascension to Immortality Assembly site, tea houses, and the slums.

Sometimes, they passed by indifferently.

Other times, they would leave a shallow Jade Pendant.

No one could explain their origin, only knowing that they were distinguished guests from outside the city.

Finally, they left Qingtao Town and headed towards a village.

The village had also changed greatly, showing the rudimentary form of a small town.

Arriving at a thatched cottage, the light-gauze woman pushed open the door, her veil falling, revealing a beautiful face.

It was Lin Shitao, and the scholarly-looking man beside her was Lin Shiming, who had followed Lin Xianzhi's advice to visit a Mortal city.

Along the way, he witnessed the countless desires and Dao Hearts of Mortals.

They varied greatly, but there were still countless Dao Hearts that moved him.

Inside the thatched cottage, the familiar furnishings remained, and the small dressing window was even brighter, but there was no longer a peach tree outside the window.

“That’s great!” Lin Shitao also nodded, then looked at Lin Shiming, her face full of smiles.

She didn't know how long she had been looking forward to this day.

If that child’s Dao Heart was to eat Immortal gourds and delicacies eaten by Immortals, then her Dao Heart was to always be by Lin Shiming’s side.

Even if it was just watching from below.

During this time, Lin Shiming accompanied her to stroll through Qingtao Town, eat candied hawthorn, eat steamed buns, and return to her Mortal home—all things she had once yearned for.

Previously, she was unwilling to speak up, also worried that Lin Shiming wouldn’t have time for Cultivation.

But at this moment, she truly felt it.

“Seventh Brother, let’s plant another peach tree!”

“Okay!” Lin Shiming nodded.

The two of them then planted an ordinary peach tree where the Spirit Peach Tree used to be. Lin Shiming used his True Essence to stimulate its growth, and with his hidden spiritual body, it quickly grew into a large peach tree.

“Shitao?” Suddenly, an old voice called out. An old man, frail and leaning on a cane, walked over, supported by a middle-aged woman.

“Father!” Lin Shitao couldn't help but exclaim.

The old man before her was indeed Lin Shitao’s biological father, Wang Mazi, who had changed his name to Lin Guanglin.

Clearly, the room was spotless, and the small window remained as it always was, all cleaned by Lin Guanglin.

Perhaps when he was young, it was for prosperity and wealth, but at his age, he only missed his daughter, Lin Shitao, immensely, and felt a sense of indebtedness.

But how could an Immortal and a Mortal meet so easily?

Lin Shiming also called him ‘father-in-law,’ and the group returned to the room to brew tea and cook.

Lin Guanglin clearly didn’t have much time left; his body was already extremely weak, and the Mortal’s lifespan was nearing its end.

Life and death, joy and sorrow!

The two of them stayed in Qingtao Town again.

A month later, Wang Mazi passed away peacefully in front of his cottage, without regret.

The two also left Qingtao Town and went to Xing County, visiting every Mortal city in the Lin Family of Yunzhou.

The more they visited, the more they were moved, and the more Lin Shiming understood in his heart.

Moreover, the System prompts also gave him some insights.

By the time he emerged from the Mortal city in Nanling County, a full half-year had passed. He took out his spirit boat and flew towards Fangmu Mountain, without telling anyone.

Instead, using the Spirit Devouring Ant, he easily entered Fangmu Mountain, where he listened to his clansmen tell his stories in the Hall of Teachings.

In the Alchemy Hall, he watched clansmen apprentices practice furnace control, and the instructors had already become Cultivators of the Ze Generation.

He went to the Artifact Forging Pavilion, where Lin Houfei still liked to sit in the rattan chair that Lin Yutie used to sit in, examining Magical Artifacts.

He went to the Peach Blossom Grove, to Green Lotus Lake, and saw the Red Spirit Fish and Blood Crocodile.

He looked at the clouds and mists of Fangmu Mountain from the sky, and watched the lotus flowers bloom in the Green Lotus Pond from the pavilion.

He then came to the ancestral hall and saw that next to Lin Yuqi's memorial tablet, there was now Lin Yuzheng's memorial tablet; Lin Yuzheng had also passed away.

Lin Shiming felt the same deep regret for this Fifth Grandfather; he still had the fu ling fire mulberry fruit.

Perhaps if he had been in Fangmu Mountain, Lin Yuzheng could have become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But there are no 'perhapses'; sometimes, there is only reality.

He kowtowed three times, lit three incense sticks, and once again flew on his spirit boat, heading towards Shiling Cave and Shuangmu Island.

Now, he had the answer!

His Dao Heart was longevity, and also the longevity of his Family!

Cultivating longevity alone was his Minor Dao; the longevity of the Family was the brightest and most encompassing Grand Dao in his heart!

Just like the direction of the ocean waves!

Pressing forward fearlessly!

...In front of Qinglian Peak, on the pavilion, Lin Xianzhi had been waiting for a long time.

“Seventh Grand Uncle!” Lin Shiming bowed and spoke.

Lin Xianzhi also smiled, for at this moment, Lin Shiming gave him a different feeling than before.

The only thing that remained the same was the confident look on his face.

Lin Xianzhi said no more, handing a Storage Pouch to Lin Shiming, followed by a Jade Slip.

Lin Shiming then arrived at the true Peak of Qinglian Peak, where the Spiritual Vein was most concentrated.

The rich Fourth-Order Spiritual Qi, even though Lin Shiming had experienced it countless times, still moved him slightly.

Standing on the Peak, looking out at the vast sea, his path ahead was now clear in his heart.

The Formation opened, and he took out the Jade Slip. Inside the Jade Slip were the insights Lin Xianzhi had added over the past year.

As well as information purchased from various underground markets in Yunzhou.

He could imagine that Lin Xianzhi had probably taken many risks this year, wholeheartedly preparing for his Purple Mansion Breakthrough.

He didn't express his thanks verbally; only by letting the rumbling of heavenly thunder echo across Qinglian Peak and Shuangmu Island would it be the best response.

Taking a deep breath, and having fully grasped the contents of the Jade Slip, he then took out his Storage Pouch. Inside, there were four treasures in total: a set of High Grade Grade three Formation Plates called the Five Thunder Absolute Prison Formation. The power of this Formation Plate was no less than the Great Five Elements Demon Slaying Formation Xiao Chen used to fight against a Purple Mansion Great Demon!

It also had excellent resistance to lightning-based attacks.

Outside of the Formation Plate was a blue Heavenly Thunder Inner Armor. This Inner Armor was clearly refined from a Thunder Spirit Turtle, and what caught Lin Shiming's eye was a small, exceptionally prominent and thick blue thunder spirit pattern in the center of the Inner Armor, far more pronounced than the surrounding ones.

This part was clearly a piece of the Fourth-Order Thunder Spirit Turtle's shell, which Lin Xianzhi had cut off at some point and also refined into a treasure for him.

Besides the Inner Armor, the remaining items were two Heavenly Thunder Banners, also High Grade Grade three Magical Artifacts.

If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't use Magic Treasures yet, he would now suspect that Lin Xianzhi might even have gotten him a Fourth-Order lightning-attribute Magic Treasure.

As Lin Shiming prepared, the entire Shuangmu Island also activated its Formations.

Lin Xianzhi sat in the pavilion, playing an unfinished game of chess. He wouldn't go into seclusion for the next few years.

And at various locations on the mountainside, Foundation Establishment Cultivators like Lin Shijie and Lin Houwei were seen standing by, fully prepared.

All the Cultivators from Spirit Turtle Island had returned, and even the Fourth-Order Thunder Spirit Turtle was already prostrate beneath Shuangmu Island. The High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine had ceased excavation.

At this moment, nothing was more important than Lin Shiming’s Breakthrough to Purple Mansion!

It was even more serious and cautious than when Lin Xianzhi made his Breakthrough.

This was not only what everyone genuinely wanted to do but also the first death order given by Lin Xianzhi, the Old Ancestor, in nearly a century!

“All Lin Family Cultivators, even if they die, must not allow Yao Beasts to affect Lin Shiming’s Breakthrough!”

Lin Houshou inspected the Formations of Shuangmu Island several times, setting up one Formation within another. Even Lin Zelu and Lin Shiyun, two Cultivators about to enter seclusion for Foundation Establishment, began setting up Formations at the edge of Shuangmu Island...

At the Peak of Qinglian Peak, the Fourth-Order Spiritual Vein was activated by the Formation, and countless Spiritual Qi surged towards Lin Shiming.

The Kui Wood Sword Scripture, which had not been fully activated for a long time, was pushed to its limit. Countless Spiritual Qi entered Lin Shiming's body, transforming into surging True Essence. His three spirit platforms shone to their utmost, reflecting each other.

And within his body, a vast expanse of Dao meridians, the Purple Mansion Dao meridians, had appeared at some unknown time.

Lin Shiming calmed his mind and Qi, his expression normal, and did not immediately charge. He continued to circulate the Kui Wood Sword Scripture, beginning the compression and refinement of his True Essence!

Excitement is merely a side dish in Immortal Cultivation; the essence of Immortal Cultivation lies in the monotonous and unyielding adherence to one's original Dao Heart.

After an unknown period, Lin Shiming felt his entire body surge with True Essence, rolling like clouds. As his True Essence condensed, subtle phenomena even began to appear.

At this very moment, his brows furrowed, and he began his first charge!

The surging True Essence rushed towards the Dao meridians, but the Dao meridians remained as solid as a rock, completely unmoving.

Although Lin Shiming had prepared for this, he still felt a hint of difficulty at this moment.

His Purple Mansion Dao meridians seemed exceptionally sturdy under the dual enhancement of his Peak Body Refining cultivation and incredibly solidified True Essence.

Of course, once such Dao meridians were opened, the boost to him would undoubtedly be immense. It was even possible that his Purple Mansion would be much larger than that of other Purple Mansion Cultivators.

At that time, even if he had just entered Purple Mansion, he might be able to suppress those veteran Purple Mansion Cultivators.

And once his Magic Treasures were fully gathered, he was even more confident in being able to slay ordinary Purple Mansion Cultivators.

Of course, what he needed to do now was to first break down the Dao meridians, make them loose, and then use his Sword Essence to break through in one fell swoop.

Repeated impacts caused the Spiritual Vein of Qinglian Peak to surge again and again.

Boom!

At a certain moment, the Dao meridians began to loosen!

And Lin Shiming's eyes narrowed!

The three leaves of the sword dao seed within his body began to release Sword Essence in a frenzy.

The domineering nature of Sword Essence was far more terrifying than True Essence. This charge was like a heaven-slaying sword cleaving the heavens.

The entire Dao meridian began to be covered in cracks.

Lin Shiming's confidence also greatly increased, and he continued to control the Sword Essence, charging towards the Dao meridians.

Once!

Twice!

Thrice!

More and more cracks appeared, yet the Dao meridians still hadn't fully opened, and his Sword Essence was almost depleted!

Lin Shiming resolutely took out a Medicinal Pill bottle, inside which purple spiritual liquid flowed continuously.

It was Purple Mansion Jade Liquid.

Upon entering his mouth, the Purple Mansion Jade Liquid immediately transformed into a surge of True Essence, more violent than a Spiritual Qi tide, rushing towards the Purple Mansion Dao meridians.

And Lin Shiming's Sword Essence was also completely released.

The next moment, only a 'crack' sound was heard!

The incredibly sturdy Dao meridians were completely opened, and a terrifying wood-attribute True Essence surged out from the Dao meridians, instantly refilling his body.

Before he could carefully sense the marvel of Fourth-Order True Essence, he saw his Sea of Consciousness also begin to vibrate. The next moment, he felt countless Divine Sense gush out, and his Sea of Consciousness completely transformed into a state of Chaos.

Immediately following was his Divine Soul, growing wildly within his Sea of Consciousness, then scattering in all directions.

At this moment, he finally understood what Lin Xianzhi meant by 'thousands of rivers'; this was precisely it!

He saw the Divine Soul of Alchemy, full of Lin Yuqi's shadow; he saw the Divine Soul of artifact forging, full of Lin Yutie's shadow; he saw himself specializing in spirit swords, saw himself specializing in Formations, and also saw himself specializing in Family affairs... And many, many more, each a microcosm of his past, and a part of his Divine Soul!