394: Wood Demon Promotion, Shimo Bottleneck (two-in-one, please vote for me)

At Illusion Heart Pavilion, as the last rays of the setting sun faded, the stars began to faintly appear across the sky.

The Spirit Light of the pavilion flickered and finally dimmed.

Lin Shiming's hanging heart finally settled.

In the distance, Lin Shitao also strode out of the pavilion, a broad smile on her face.

At this moment, Lin Shiming even felt that Lin Shitao's true essence had changed.

The aura of the Purple Mansion was also getting closer and closer.

"Seventh Brother, I'm going into seclusion!" Lin Shitao said firmly, then flew towards Thousand Wood Peak.

Lin Shiming followed closely behind. Thousand Wood Peak had a pure fire-attribute Spiritual Vein, which was most conducive for Lin Shitao's Breakthrough.

She had broken through the illusion, trained for nearly five years, refined the Snake Spirit Flame in terms of Cultivation Technique, broken through to Purple Mansion Divine Sense, and made self-Breakthroughs in Alchemy.

At this moment, her confidence was also overflowing.

Lin Shiming also nodded; he had full confidence in Lin Shitao as well.

He accompanied Lin Shitao into Thousand Wood Peak. Lin Shitao sealed her Immortal Cave, and of course, Lin Shiming was also inside. Before breaking through to the Purple Mansion, preparations were still needed, and she also needed to raise her spirit, Qi, and Divine Soul to their optimal state.

Furthermore, the most important thing was to refine a portion of Purple Mansion Jade Liquid.

Lin Shiming had a total of five taiqing purple jade fruits. Lin Shiming used one, Lin Shijie and Lin Shitao used one, leaving two taiqing purple jade fruits.

After this, either Lin Shiming would catalyze them, or they would have to find a way to obtain new taiqing purple jade fruits.

Even with the Wind of Rejuvenation to catalyze, it would require at least five or six attempts.

Fortunately, Lin Shimo's method of gathering Purple Mansion could use the Five Elements Heavenly Armored Corpse.

One purple profound treasure jade would suffice. However, Lin Houshou was about to break through and needed preparations.

While Lin Shitao refined the Purple Mansion Jade Liquid in her Immortal Cave, Lin Shiming continued his seclusion, comprehending the Treasure Unlocking Art of the Star Bead.

Lin Shiming was confident that this incomplete Star Light Spirit Treasure would be easier to use than the blood demon disc and the Book of Hidden Paths.

After all, he Cultivated a Body Refining Cultivation Technique that shared the same origin as the Spirit Treasure.

With each segment of the Treasure Unlocking Art he comprehended, his body seemed to feel the suction of the Star Bead.

This was different from the two incomplete Spirit Treasures, making him even more expectant.

Time gradually passed with the monotonous Cultivation.

With a surge of Spiritual Qi, Lin Shiming slowly awoke, only to see Lin Shitao successfully conclude her Alchemy.

The Purple Mansion Jade Liquid fell into Lin Shitao's hand, emitting a refreshing Pill Fragrance.

Lin Shitao's face was full of smiles; everything had gone exceptionally smoothly since Lin Shiming returned.

Lin Shiming was also genuinely happy for Lin Shitao, and just then, Lin Shiming discovered that his Minor Divine Ability, Wind of Rejuvenation, was finally ready.

Lin Shiming informed Lin Shitao and then stepped into the Immortal Cave, arriving at the specially designated Spirit Herb Garden. The Wood Demon was currently guarding the ten-thousand-year Spirit Medicine.

That Red Crane still looked down on the Wood Demon.

The Wood Demon didn't mind, watching contentedly and cheerfully. When it saw Lin Shiming arrive, it quickly called out, "Master."

"Mingxin, the catalysis I promised you last time, I'll give it to you now!"

The Wood Demon was instantly overjoyed. It flashed and appeared on the main body of the Mingxin Tea Tree.

Since becoming a High Grade Third-Order spirit tea Tree, its branches were even more luxuriant, and its natal spirit leaf had transformed into a full cluster, appearing extremely vibrant.

The Spirit Light it emitted connected into a continuous expanse, full of vitality.

Moreover, Lin Shiming noticed that perhaps because he hadn't paid attention for the past five years, the Mingxin Tea Tree had grown considerably larger.

The Mingxin Tea Tree's foundation seemed to far exceed Lin Shiming's expectations.

"Mingxin, let's be clear beforehand, I still need half of your natal spirit leaf!" Lin Shiming said again.

An aged face immediately appeared on the Mingxin Tea Tree's Wood Demon.

"For the mistress, Mingxin is willing!"

However, unexpectedly, the Mingxin Tea Tree agreed very readily.

Lin Shiming had the Wood Demon's Soul Restraining Seal, so he naturally knew that the Wood Demon was not going against its will.

And losing its natal spirit leaf was a drain on the Mingxin Tea Tree's accumulated foundation.

The previous time it gave one to Lin Xianzhi, the Mingxin Tea Tree took at least fifteen to twenty years to recover.

"Don't worry, this time, you should gain something. Also, once the Ziyang Pagoda is successfully built, your main body can also enter!" Lin Shiming said again.

Although he couldn't promise the next Wind of Rejuvenation, once Lin Houshou successfully broke through to a Fourth-Order Formation, and the Ziyang Pagoda was built with a Fourth-Order High Grade Spiritual Vein hidden within, the Jiaolong Nest and Ziyang Pagoda would surely be completed.

At that time, the Wood Demon's gains would definitely outweigh its sacrifices.

Lin Shiming didn't say much more. Within his Purple Mansion, emerald Spirit Runes surged out one after another, then connected into a continuous expanse.

His body instantly began to emit emerald True Essence, which, in conjunction with the Spirit Runes, stirred up a emerald green hurricane that swept towards the Mingxin Tea Tree.

Wherever the hurricane passed, the tea leaves began to grow wildly.

Like vines under the Wood Vine Technique, one spirit leaf after another was born, the branches grew thicker, and the Spirit Leaves became even more emerald green.

The Wood Demon's face showed an intoxicated expression. It had seen Lin Shiming perform this before, but had never experienced it.

But now, it truly felt the power of Lin Shiming's spiritual body.

It continuously thanked Lin Shiming in its Divine Soul, somewhat incoherently.

It was also fully digesting this magical wood-attribute True Essence.

The spirit tea Tree grew larger and larger, and its Spirit Light became denser and denser.

In the distance, several five-thousand-year Spirit Medicine, led by thousands of other Spirit Medicine, also came towards this direction, clearly sensing the benefits of the Wind of Rejuvenation here.

Lin Shiming also sent out two Flying Swords from his hand, deflecting those Spirit Medicine.

The benefits promised to the Wood Demon could not be shared at this moment.

Moreover, the Wood Demon's natal spirit leaf was also crucial for Lin Shitao's Breakthrough.

Those Spirit Medicine were naturally startled by the Spirit Swords and retreated.

And the Wind of Rejuvenation quickly came to an end.

As the last trace of green light disappeared, the Mingxin Tea Tree transformed greatly once again.

At this moment, the main body of the Tea Tree was the size of a tower, with countless tender spirit tea Leaves hanging densely from its branches, emitting waves of Spirit Light.

And at the very Peak, that cluster of natal spirit leaves had already branched out into another small cluster, which only had two tiny Spirit Leaves.

They were tender and succulent, vibrant and green.

This was also considered the most essential part of the Mingxin Tea Tree.

One could even see clear Spirit Liquid dripping from the Spirit Leaves.

And the grade of the Mingxin Tea Tree, without a doubt, rose another level, comparable to a High Grade Third-Order, which, in terms of the Wood Demon, was equivalent to a Peak Third-Order combat power.

The next moment, a tree-faced Wood Demon walked out, holding that half of the natal spirit leaf in its hand.

It placed it in Lin Shiming's hand.

"Master!" The Wood Demon spoke somewhat weakly, but its eyes were incredibly sincere, without a trace of resentment.

The Spirit Leaves on the main body of the Mingxin Tea Tree also began to disappear rapidly, like melting ice and snow in February, leaving only bare branches that still stood firm.

This time, the Wood Demon's consumption was equally immense.

Its Cultivation base even dropped again, falling back to the Late Third-Order.

However, it didn't fall into a deep sleep like last time.

"Mm!" Lin Shiming also nodded, taking out some Fifth-Order spirit water and Fifth-Order spirit soil and handing them to the other party.

This made the Wood Demon overjoyed.

It knew that Fifth-Order spirit water and Fifth-Order spirit soil were equally precious to Lin Shiming.

For it, they could greatly shorten its period of weakness and even bring some unexpected benefits.

But Lin Shiming was willing to give them to it, and it was naturally moved.

Moreover, it had witnessed Lin Shiming from Foundation Establishment to Purple Mansion, and understood Lin Shiming's character, which was why it resolutely gave up another half of its natal spirit leaf.

"Thank you, Master!" The Mingxin Tea Tree Wood Demon bowed again, then retreated into its main body, and the Tea Tree's main body also began to hibernate.

In the distance, those five-thousand-year Spirit Medicine and ten-thousand-year Spirit Medicine also flew towards Lin Shiming.

Seeing that Lin Shiming hadn't killed them all these years, they now dared to approach Lin Shiming to ask for spirit water and spirit soil.

Especially the ten-thousand-year Spirit Medicine, the Red Crane, which was even more arrogant.

It even pointed and gesticulated at the Mingxin Tea Tree, as if saying that if the Wood Demon could get it, they should too.

Lin Shiming conjured a Spirit Art, using the Formation to envelop all the Spirit Medicine.

These Spirit Medicine might be used for medicinal purposes in the future, so Lin Shiming would not be soft-hearted.

Allowing them to grow wildly now was also to preserve their spirituality.

Lin Shiming exited the Immortal Cave and handed a spirit leaf of tea to Lin Shitao.

Lin Shitao had some questions at this moment, but feeling the spiritual essence of the spirit leaf, she knew that this treasure might help her Purple Mansion.

"This spirit leaf can eliminate some side effects of the Detailed Explanation of Array Instruments and can also temporarily improve Comprehension Ability!" Lin Shiming explained.

Lin Houxuan's failed Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment also relied on this spirit tea, though it wasn't a natal spirit tea, including Lin Houfei and Lin Shizhong later on.

And Lin Xianzhi, through this natal spirit leaf, had even improved his Sword Intent to the half-step Sword Qi Coagulation.

Lin Shitao nodded after hearing this and immediately went into seclusion.

Lin Shiming also bid farewell and left. Breaking through to the Purple Mansion could not tolerate the slightest disturbance.

He also took this opportunity to successfully Cultivate the Star Bead's Treasure Unlocking Art.

Returning to the Immortal Cave, Lin Shiming took out a futon and built a pavilion in the Spirit Lake.

Star Spirit Shells swam above the Spirit Lake, with Lin Shiming separated from them by only the lake.

During the day, he refined the stored star spirit floss and Cultivated the Treasure Unlocking Art, his entire body radiating starlight.

At night, the Spirit Lake reflected the myriad stars, while the Star Spirit Shells consumed Fourth-Order spirit soil and spirit water to temporarily produce star spirit floss.

Lin Shiming fully activated the Starlight Body Tempering Art, absorbing star spirit floss day and night, and comprehending the Treasure Unlocking Art, which made him appear incredibly sacred, his starlight defense like a holy radiance.

In his mind, a star map gradually appeared.

This star map corresponded to the sky, profound, deep, and endless.

The Star Bead in his hand also began to show one star point after another, gradually revealing the Veins of the star map.

Lin Shiming felt that once he comprehended the Star Bead, even if it was just the first layer, he would definitely gain a great killing weapon, which would certainly not be weaker than his Minor Divine Ability, Shadow of Immortal Wood.

However, the Treasure Unlocking Art became more and more obscure and difficult to understand as he progressed, often requiring the System's prompts for every step forward.

Only then could he gain a sliver of comprehension.

Even with the same origin, a Spirit Treasure was far from something a Purple Mansion Cultivator could comprehend.

But as long as it could be successfully cast, its power would definitely be earth-shattering.

Back then, Real Person Liuhe, relying solely on his Clone to wield the blood demon disc, nearly killed Real Person Divine Machine, who was about to break through to Nascent Soul.

Lin Shiming still remembered it vividly!

While refining the Star Bead, Lin Shiming's Body Refining strength also greatly increased.

However, the consumption of Fourth-Order spirit soil, spirit water, and Fifth-Order spirit soil, spirit water was an astronomical figure. Besides what was seized from the Ziyang Secret Realm, and the two Spiritual Veins of the Lin Family that were constantly producing them, they were also continuously purchased from Tianxiang Island.

The advantage of having a Family was evident here.

However, Fourth-Order spirit soil and spirit water were easier to obtain, while Fifth-Order spirit soil and spirit water were very difficult to access.

Otherwise, Lin Shiming was confident that within five years, his Body Refining Cultivation would be the first to break through to the Purple Mansion Late Stage.

After all, the Lin Family now had no shortage of spirit soil and spirit water... Another four years passed!

At Tianxiang Island, the Lin Family Restaurant was incredibly popular, already overflowing with people.

All four floors of the Lin Family Restaurant were packed, and even on the first floor, there were no Qi Refining Cultivators seated, only Foundation Establishment Cultivators, a bustling crowd of over a hundred people.

As for the Qi Refining Cultivators, they had all gone to the Ye Family's restaurant next door.

Everyone's discussion point was also the three major rankings.

The three major rankings had been ongoing for nine years, and today was the third update of the rankings.

This update naturally included the Foundation Establishment ranking and the Qi Refining ranking. The Purple Mansion ranking remained unchanged, as there were less than ten Purple Mansion Cultivators on the entire Tianxiang Island.

Apart from Real Person Jiuxiao, who still held the top spot with his Purple Mansion Late Stage Cultivation, the second place was held by Daoist Liuan, a Loose Cultivator with Mid Purple Mansion Realm Cultivation. The rest were all Early Violet Palace Stage Cultivators.

It should be noted that all twelve outer islands under Rising Sun Island had opened their rankings, and Tianxiang Island was not the outermost one, so the competition among Purple Mansion Cultivators was not too fierce in the early stages.

However, as Purple Mansion Great Demons became more numerous, an increase in Purple Mansion Cultivators was inevitable.

Moreover, as soon as the Purple Mansion ranking was updated, it was highly possible for the Lin Family's Daoist Jiuxiao and Lin Shijie to be removed from the list.

At this moment, the most discussed topic in the Lin Family Restaurant was naturally the Foundation Establishment Hero Ranking.

As the large spirit screen, previously used for auctions, began to glow, then displayed one name after another, all the Cultivators immediately erupted in an uproar.

"Indeed, the top spot on the Foundation Establishment ranking is still Lin Shimo of the Lin Family, the Lin Family's Corpse Refinement Genius! It is said that he commands five Peak Refined Corpses alone, and against those Peak Third-Order Yao Beasts, he kills them with precision!"

"It's not just Lin Shimo alone. Look, among the top ten on this Foundation Establishment ranking, five names are from the Lin Family, and of the remaining five, three are Loose Cultivators, one from the Ye Family, and one from the Zhao Family!"

"It's seven people. One of the three Loose Cultivators is already marrying into the Lin Family, and one was originally a Cultivator who married into the Lin Family!"

People kept talking, and their yearning for the Lin Family was self-evident.

The Lin Family's actions over the years had captured the hearts of many Loose Cultivators. One must know that Loose Cultivators could Cultivate on the Lin Family's Fourth-Order Spirit Vein on Purple Jade Mountain, and could also be entrusted with important responsibilities on Tianxiang Island... Everyone discussed the ranking list, full of clamor.

The Foundation Establishment Cultivators, who were once high and mighty, had now all become gossips.

And in a room on the second floor, a group of Lin Family Cultivators were gathered.

Lin Shimo also nodded slightly upon seeing the updated ranking, showing no particular joy.

After all, for him, he had five Tianjia corpses, and without a Purple Mansion Great Demon, no Third-Order Yao Beast was his match.

He also had many treasures, including the Spirit Control Seal, with which he commanded a Late Third-Order Sea Cloud Bird and a Late Third-Order Azure Armor Crab.

As for other Late Third-Order refined corpses, there were also quite a few.

Although the Lin Family was not as powerful as the Corpse Refinement Sect, the Corpse Refinement Sect would not have so many resources for Lin Shimo to use. Moreover, now was the time for his Five Elements Heavenly Corpse Art to shine.

Lin Shilei, however, was a bit disheartened, because on the ranking, Lei Xuan, with his Late Foundation Establishment Stage lightning Cultivator Cultivation, ranked second, while Lin Shilei, with his Peak Mid Foundation Establishment Stage, ranked eighth.

They were both Cultivators with mutated Spiritual Roots. Although Lin Shilei was a bit younger, in his opinion, he still needed to work harder!

On the ranking, Lin Shiyi ranked third, and Lin Houwei, who had just broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, ranked sixth.

Lin Houyuan, also in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, ranked ninth.

However, everyone knew that this ranking still contained a lot of embellishment. For example, the two Family heads of the Ye Family and the Zhao Family could rank among the top ten, or even higher, but these elder Cultivators had not made a move.

Even if they secretly killed a Late Third-Order Yao Beast, they only left the Yao Beast Materials, without any video recording.

Except for the Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators who particularly wanted rewards, the major affiliated families did not exert themselves.

After all, the Lin Family was the highest authority on Tianxiang Island.

If there were no Lin Family members on the ranking, then the smaller forces on Tianxiang Island would truly feel insecure.

"Fourth Brother, you must be preparing to break through to the Purple Mansion, right!" Lin Shiyi next to him couldn't help but say enviously.

One must know that Lin Shimo had Four Spiritual Roots, and his rapid Cultivation speed was related to Corpse Refinement and also to Lin Shimo's hard work.

"I'm still stuck at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Bottleneck and can't enter Peak Foundation Establishment. I want to try hunting a Purple Mansion Great Demon!" Lin Shimo paused, then suddenly spoke.

And this remark was astonishing!