47: The second elder’s concerns

At midday, Lin Xianzhi, who had recovered in the cave, finally woke up. He called Lin Shiming and the others over one by one.

He began the spirit-capturing process again. The same unknown spirit disk, which had appeared in Lin Xianzhi's hand at some point, was used.

Just like last time, Lin Xianzhi cast an incredibly complex spirit-capturing spell, causing the spirit disk to emit a brilliant light. A Dragon-shaped Spiritual Qi, roaring like a Dragon's cry, shot into the sky.

Then, this Dragon-shaped Spiritual Qi plunged fiercely, burrowing into the ground beneath the spirit soil.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi began to rise again, step by step.

Compared to a High Grade second-tier Spiritual Vein, capturing this spirit was even more difficult. Sweat began to bead on Lin Xianzhi's forehead, and his tightly furrowed brows showed the arduousness of the task.

Finally, with another spell cast, a Dragon's roar was heard, and the surrounding Spiritual Qi slowly began to recede.

A loess-colored Dragon-shaped Spiritual Qi, significantly larger, flew into the spirit disk.

"Collect!" Lin Xianzhi put away the spirit disk. This trip to Qingyun was essentially over.

The five did not linger and continued to fly out of the Qingyun Mountain Range on their spirit boat.

They picked up the Grand Elder and the others near the old small hill.

Lin Yuqi and Lin Houshou's injuries had improved somewhat, but they were still quite severe and required rest at Fangmu Mountain.

However, on the way back, the mood of the Lin Family members was much lower. The Hou Generation had lost a few more people.

The scenes of their arrival were still vivid, but their return marked a world of difference.

Lin Shiming sat in a corner of the spirit boat, watching the constantly flashing clouds and blue sky in the distance.

For a moment, he was filled with emotion.

By the time they returned to Fangmu Mountain, it was two days later. The Qingyun Mountain Range was closer to Qingyun Market, but still some distance from the Lin Family. It was only because Lin Xianzhi piloted a third-tier spirit boat that they could arrive within two days.

Upon returning to Fangmu Mountain, Lin Xianzhi immediately ordered the mountain to be placed under strict security and strictly forbade Family Cultivators from going out. Even those with important missions outside had to conceal their identities.

With such a major incident involving the Huang Family, it was impossible for them to remain inactive. Even if the cover-up was successful, the Huang Family would undoubtedly suspect the Lin Family first.

In addition, Lin Xianzhi instructed Lin Houyong to make a trip to Qingyun Market and deliver a Storage Pouch to his Senior Brother, Xie An.

Next, he tasked Lin Houyuan with handling the aftermath for the fallen Cultivators. For those with direct Cultivator relatives, their belongings and pensions would be given to their direct relatives. If direct relatives had no Spiritual Roots, it would be recorded in a registry, and any future descendants who developed Spiritual Roots would inherit the Spirit Stones and assets.

This matter was also crucial: for a Family to have cohesion, it must win the hearts of its people!

After giving his instructions, the entire Lin Family once again entered a frenzy of Cultivation.

Those who had been to the Qingyun Mountain Range naturally felt a sense of crisis and Cultivated with all their might.

Those who hadn't been to the Qingyun Mountain Range, though unaware of the Huang Family incident, envied the wealth of those who returned and secretly competed, Cultivating far more diligently than before.

Most notably, Lin Shimo and Lin Shijie almost simultaneously announced their seclusion for Cultivation.

Lin Shiming, however, was not in a hurry. Cultivation, he believed, should be balanced. On Green Peach Mountain, he had Cultivated diligently every day, and now he was enjoying a moment of leisure.

His immediate priority was to recuperate from his injuries. Moreover, Seventh Grand Uncle had told him on the way back not to rush his Breakthrough to the Late Stage of Qi Refinement, but to wait for the Spiritual Qi tide when the Spiritual Vein was upgraded.

The next day, Lin Shiming, having used up all his Beast-Rearing Pills, went to the Alchemy Pavilion again. In the Family's Earth Fire Hall, just like before, Lin Yuqi was teaching several Alchemy apprentices.

His stern expression made the apprentices lower their heads, silent.

"Second Grandfather!" Lin Shiming greeted softly.

The latter turned and, seeing Lin Shiming, waved his hand again. The apprentices, as if grasping at a lifesaver, quickly gathered their Spirit Medicine and went to the adjacent hall.

"Shiming, have you run out of Beast-Rearing Pills again?" Lin Yuqi replied to Lin Shiming in a gentler tone. Seeing Lin Shiming nod, he took out several jade bottles from his Storage Pouch. Inside the jade bottles were the Beast-Rearing Pills.

"Still the same as before, I'll deduct your contribution points!"

Lin Shiming nodded, taking out his Family token. It now contained over ten thousand contribution points, so he wasn't worried about deductions.

After the deduction, Lin Yuqi asked Lin Shiming another question:

"Shiming, what are your thoughts on Alchemy?"

Lin Shiming was somewhat puzzled by the question but answered without hesitation:

"Becoming an Alchemist is, of course, a dream come true. After all, Cultivation cannot be separated from the four elements: wealth, companions, techniques, and land. Becoming an Alchemist means never worrying about Spirit Stones, and it also creates value for the Family. Moreover, there's an Alchemist master to guide you?"

Lin Shiming still harbored the desire to become an Alchemist.

And with the System's prompts, he could avoid many detours.

However, due to his slow Cultivation speed, he was worried about not achieving Foundation Establishment by the age of sixty, so Lin Shiming had temporarily put it aside. After Foundation Establishment, with sufficient lifespan, he would learn and master all these skills one by one.

Hearing Lin Shiming's words, Lin Yuqi nodded in approval, feeling a stir in his heart. Then he sighed and suddenly spoke:

"Then what do you think about Shitao becoming an Alchemist?"

As soon as these words came out, Lin Shiming immediately understood. Second Grandfather had a hidden meaning in his words.

It seemed that in the past two years, Lin Yuqi must have tried hard to persuade Lin Shitao to learn Alchemy.

However, as far as he knew, though the latter was an Alchemy Genius, Lin Shitao, already at the third level of Qi Refining, was not enthusiastic about Alchemy. Instead, she had a passionate love for Spirit Plants and was already following Lin Shiqi, tending to the Spirit Peach Trees on Fangmu Mountain.

The fragrance of peach blossoms filling the mountain and the sea of flowers in full bloom during spring had earned her much praise from the elders of the Lin Family.

Lin Shiming had not yet answered.

Lin Yuqi on the other side let out another long sigh, expressing a sense of aged weariness and emotion:

"Shiming, Second Grandfather is old. In another twenty years, I don't know if I'll live to see the day the Family refines a third-tier Medicinal Pill!"

After speaking, he looked at the Earth Fire.

The Earth Fire burned fiercely. Because no one was controlling it, it sometimes shot very high and sometimes sank very low.

At this moment, Lin Shiming saw helplessness in the old man's eyes, and also worry about the Family's future Alchemists.

Alchemy is a very difficult skill for Cultivators in the Qi Refinement Stage, especially for those without talent. They might not achieve anything for several years, or even decades, after starting. These lost decades could ruin their Dao path, making Foundation Establishment impossible. This is why Cultivators generally aren't keen on Alchemy.

Except for those with good talent, who learn quickly, or those with Dual Spiritual Roots, top-tier Three Spiritual Roots, who are confident in their Cultivation speed, it's basically only some Five Spiritual Roots or Four Spiritual Roots holders who, knowing their Dao path is hopeless, try to find another way.

But for High Stage Cultivators, Foundation Establishment Purple Mansion Cultivators, many more possess various skills. After all, Cultivators at this stage already have sufficient lifespan, and seeking further Breakthroughs requires more resources and experience.

"Second Grandfather, Shiming will go and persuade Shitao!" Lin Shiming looked at Lin Yuqi's slightly narrowed eyes watching the Earth Fire, and also thought of the Family's situation, so he replied.