496: Zevin's Dilemma

The temperature in this Small World was noticeably higher, likely due to the volcano, making even the jungle feel somewhat hot.

Most of the Spirit Medicine and plants were also fire-attributed.

Lin Shijie stood at the crater, looking at the surging volcano, equally excited.

"Shiming, I feel like Cultivating here is even more effective than at the Family's Thousand Wood Peak!"

The Family's Thousand Wood Peak had a pure fire-attributed Spiritual Vein, but it was only a Low Grade Fourth-Order, whereas here it was not only a High Grade Fourth-Order but also had a large amount of pure fire-attributed power and a Southern Bright Crystal Mine, which naturally helped Lin Shijie even more!

"Big Brother, if you're planning to go into seclusion to Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Late Stage, I can still offer you some help here!"

"As for Lianyun Island, there's no need to worry; with Ze Kong's strength and vision, he can manage it for these years!"

"Good! I indeed feel the opportune moment approaching." Lin Shijie nodded.

Lin Shiming didn't hesitate either; his Divine Sense entered the Immortal Cave space, and the Rising Sun Sword also flew out of the Immortal Cave.

The intensely burning flames, like the red glow in the sky, surged continuously and were exceptionally vibrant.

"This is..."

Lin Shijie was also hesitant at this moment. Lin Shiming had slain the Red Cloud Bird in the Book of Hidden Paths's Hidden Path space, so he hadn't seen the Crimson Glow Flame.

But the moment that temperature emerged, his expression changed dramatically.

"This is the Crimson Glow Flame, likely born from this volcano and refined by that Yao Race bird. It's considered a Fifth-Order Spirit Fire, but I've saved some of this flame for Shitao and my Spirit Beast!" Lin Shiming explained.

"Naturally!" Lin Shijie nodded. If this Fifth-Order Spirit Flame were given entirely to him, he wouldn't be able to handle it, and it might even be dangerous.

Even though he Cultivated the Five Flames Scripture.

Lin Shiming wielded the Rising Sun Sword, drawing a sword mark in the air, causing thirty percent of the intensely burning Crimson Glow Flame to separate.

However, the Spirit Flame still darted around, refusing to separate, as if it had developed a hint of sentience.

Seeing this, Lin Shiming once again made a Spirit Art, and the Rising Sun Sword expanded by another thirty percent in mid-air, emitting a clear sword cry!

As the sword light flashed, the Crimson Glow Flame finally separated.

And as it showed a tendency to merge again, Lin Shiming waved his sleeve once more.

He brought most of the Crimson Glow Flame and the Rising Sun Sword into the Immortal Cave!

"Big Brother, just use a fire-attributed Magical Artifact to guide it!" Lin Shiming suggested from the side.

This fire temperature was extremely terrifying; even a part of it was not something an ordinary Cultivator could touch at will.

"Don't worry, the Cultivation Technique I practice is all about playing with fire!" Lin Shijie shook his head and replied with a smile!

From his chest, five Spirit Flames were conjured, and in the blink of an eye, these five Spirit Flames transformed into five swords, flying forward!

At this moment, it could be seen that among the five Flying Swords condensed from Spirit Flames, a cyan Snake Spirit Flame was the most dazzling!

As the five Spirit Swords flew out, the Crimson Glow Flame also landed on one of them, continuing to burn fiercely!

"Shiming, I might need to Cultivate here for a while now!" Lin Shijie looked at the Spirit Sword but didn't immediately retract it!

Although he had connected with it using a Spirit Sword, he didn't believe it would be so simple to refine.

"Alright, I'll have Ze Lu help you set up a Fourth-Order Formation here. If it interferes, the Southern Bright Fire Crystal Mine can also temporarily halt mining!" Lin Shiming also nodded, then used a sound transmission to call Lin Zelu.

After everything was handled, Lin Shiming, Lin Zekong, and Lin Zeyi left first!

Lin Zelu was a Formation Master; he still needed to stay behind to set up more Formations. At the same time, he also had to guide the island, adjust its direction, and reduce the time the sunset fell on the island.

Although the Small World would not be completely sealed off now, reducing the time could also reduce the risk.

After all, the time the sunset lingered on the island was not short.

Lin Shiming felt relieved after doing all this. With Lin Zecheng and Lin Zelu present, plus Lin Shijie's Red Dragon!

The Red Dragon was currently having a blast inside the volcano. Although there was no Dragon Qi to absorb, compared to being suppressed by the Dragon King and not daring to breathe, he now felt the beauty of being a Dragon!

Lin Shiming led Lin Zekong into Lianyun Island. This time, unlike when they arrived, Lin Shiming was not so eager. He strolled through Lianyun Island's market.

This place was much inferior to Tianxiang Island, but the Lin Family's Lin Family Restaurant and Lin Family Pill Pavilion were still slightly popular.

And in front of the Lin Family Restaurant, a force belonging to the Xu Family caught Lin Shiming's eye.

He walked into the shop.

"Senior, what would you like?" A Cultivator dressed in coarse hemp robes immediately stepped out.

"We are a centuries-old shop, guaranteeing all kinds of Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicine!"

"Oh?" Lin Shiming showed a slightly interested expression and went into the shop to look, but then he shook his head and left the store.

He continued deeper into the street. This time, he visited other Family shops and also the street stalls.

After roughly touring around, he rode his Flying Sword to the Lin Family's Cloudwood Mountain on Lianyun Island.

Cloudwood Mountain was the Lin Family's clan mountain on Lianyun Island, named with the meaning between Lianyun Island and the Shuangmu Forest!

The entire mountain peak was not tall, and its Spiritual Vein was only a Fourth-Order Spirit Vein.

However, the mountain peak was covered with a magical type of cloudwood.

These cloudwoods grew extremely tall, their bark covered with cloud-like patterns. They were extremely light but belonged to High Grade Grade 3 treasures. The Grade 3 Magical Artifacts refined from them were much easier to wield than ordinary Magical Artifacts. A normal Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator could even control a set of over a dozen such cloudwood Magical Swords!

This was also a major feature of Cloudwood Mountain!

Inside the Cloudwood Mountain Great Hall, Lin Zewen was currently in the Great Hall, his brows tightly furrowed, as if contemplating important matters.

"Seventh Uncle!" Seeing Lin Shiming appear, Lin Zewen quickly called out!

He was somewhat surprised at this moment.

He had not expected Lin Shiming to appear here at this time.

However, while Lin Zewen was pleasantly surprised, Lin Shiming was disappointed.

When the Family summarized, the Lin Family had chosen two acting Family Heads: Lin Yanjiao and Lin Zewen!

But two years later, the difference was clear: Lin Yanjiao was elected by almost unanimous vote from the Elder Council!

Lin Zewen, on the other hand, seemed to have faded into obscurity!

Even now, Lin Shiming was even more disappointed!

Lin Yanjiao was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage then, and now she was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Lin Zewen was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage then, and now he was still at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!

Even with Three Spiritual Roots, under the Lin Family's current resources, this shouldn't be the case.

Speaking of development, under Lin Yanjiao's leadership, the Lin Family's Shuangmu Island prospered, and Tianxiang Island had at least made significant progress, which could be seen in the Lin Family's markets, Spirit Cuisine, restaurants, Alchemy workshops, and Artifact Refining workshops!

But Lianyun Island had no distinguishing features, causing it to fall far behind Tianxiang Island.

The key was that Lin Zewen seemed to have lost his edge.

At this moment, he looked much older.

And it should be known that Lin Zewen belonged to the Ze Generation, only a little over a hundred years old, which was definitely his prime among Foundation Establishment Cultivators!

When he followed him to the Qingxuan Sect to attend the Golden Core Ceremony, he did not look like this.

"Zewen, your Big Brother will go into seclusion for a period of time. In the future, it will be Ze Kong, your Big Brother, who will guard Lianyun Island!"

"Yes!" Lin Zewen also nodded.

"Zewen, from now on, Lianyun Island will have three more requirements!"

"First, regarding Lanling Island, pay close attention, and you can even actively encroach on some territory. We are all subordinate forces; the sense of boundaries doesn't need to be so strong!"

"Second, I hope to see a reshuffle of Lianyun Island's subordinate forces. I don't want to see some of the old forces that have been passed down from the previous Lianyun Island a second time!"

"Third, I hope you can clearly see yourself. One failure is not a failure, two failures are not failures; lifelong failure is failure!"

"Our Lin Family does not lack people who strive for A desire to win, but it does lack enterprising people. On this point, you can learn more from Ze Kong!"

After Lin Shiming finished speaking, Ze Kong also scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

He too had been lectured by Lin Shiming in the past, but he somewhat understood Lin Zewen's feelings!

Although he competed with Lin Yanjiao at the same time, he was definitely at a disadvantage!

Lin Yanjiao had Dual Spiritual Roots, was a Spiritual Body, could control the Illusion Heart Pavilion, and also controlled the Lin Family's Shuangmu Island and Tianxiang Island!

Lin Shiming did not say anything more and left directly!

These matters required Lin Zewen to figure out for himself. If he couldn't figure them out, he would at most only be able to control a small Lianyun Island in the future.

Moreover, the first two points he had instructed were also extremely urgent.

Lanling Island had always been at odds with Hongye Island. When he participated in the Ziyang Secret Realm, the other party even wanted to drag him down!

It also belonged to the Jin Lei Island's camp!

Previously, Lianyun Island had also been infiltrated by Jin Lei Island!

But in fact, the island adjacent to Lianyun Island was not Jin Lei Island, but Baibing Island, which belonged to Lanling Island.

Therefore, regardless of whether Lanling Island might collude with Jin Lei Island this time, he had to start probing!

If Lanling Island launched a counterattack and repeatedly sent people to negotiate with the Lin Family, the problem might not be big. If Lanling Island tolerated everything, then the problem would be big!

This was also the reason for Lin Shiming's demand!

As for the subordinate forces left behind from before, in his opinion, there was no need to keep them.

Because Lianyun Island had been reshuffled by the Yao Race.

To be able to take root on Lianyun Island and maintain a considerable reputation even after the Yao Race beast tide reshuffle, it would be impossible without a background!

And this background, naturally, could not have come from Hongye Island.

Lin Shiming didn't blame Lin Zewen for this point before!

But after he held the Golden Core Ceremony, if it was still like this, then this point showed Lin Zewen's mediocrity.

Lin Shiming went directly to the Teleportation Array!

In the hall, only Lin Zewen and Lin Zekong remained.

"Seventh Uncle must be very... disappointed!" Lin Zewen paused for a long time, finally letting out a sigh.

Lin Zekong, seeing Lin Zewen still like this, also spoke at this moment:

"Zewen, you don't have to be so disheartened. Sometimes, there's no need to be so gentle. Our Lin Family is already a Golden Core Family!"

"Every great Family rising inevitably experiences various battles and bloodshed!"

"But all difficulties, in the face of our Lin Family being a Golden Core Family, are like fleeting clouds!"

"Since Lianyun Island belongs to us, then all the subordinate Families here must either be thoroughly known, or supported by us, or completely open to our Lin Family. As for those with ulterior motives, kick them all out of this game!"

"Do you know how many spies from other forces Yan Jiao has killed on Tianxiang Island, and even Shuangmu Island? Those unclear forces at the bottom, even if the Lin Family doesn't cleanse them, the Ye Family and the Zhao Family's Yuanyang Sect will step in to cleanse them!"

"A Golden Core Family is different from a Purple Mansion Family!" Lin Zekong spoke again.

"And about you, the future of the Lin Family is limitless, and your future is also limitless!"

"Even Mortals can wield power in their twilight years; isn't it ridiculous for Cultivators to set a fixed upper limit for themselves?" After Lin Zekong finished speaking, he also began searching for an Immortal Cave on Cloudwood Mountain!

The words had been spoken. Whether Lin Zewen could understand them or not depended on him!

Today, he and Lin Shiming had said enough!

If he remained trapped in the space where he was crushed by Lin Yanjiao, unable to extricate himself, then no amount of words would be useful!

Moreover, he understood Lin Shiming's meaning!

One Lin Yanjiao was enough as the Family's anchor.

But the Family still needed a pioneer!

The Lin Family's territory, two islands, would not be enough!

Such a person could not be a Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment was just right... Returning to Shuangmu Peak, Lin Shiming went directly to the Council Great Hall!

Lin Yanjiao was still there at this moment, as if she had been waiting for Lin Shiming for a long time!

"Seventh Grand Uncle!" Seeing Lin Shiming enter, Lin Yanjiao quickly cupped her hands.

"The Small World is complete. Next, the Family will still adopt the method used in the Eastern Territory: Mortals will be evacuated to live in that Small World, and Spirit Ships will be used to transport Mortals!" Lin Shiming took out a Jade Slip, meticulously recording the sea chart of the Small World and the method to contact Lin Zelu.

He handed it to Lin Yanjiao!

"In addition, this latest batch of Immortal Seeds can also be brought into the Small World to begin training in the Hall of Teachings. As for other Cultivators, you can arrange it!"

Lin Shiming directly entrusted these matters to Lin Yanjiao. He was quite satisfied with Lin Yanjiao's current work style!

"Alright, Seventh Grand Uncle!" Lin Yanjiao nodded.

"Also, you and Zewen should jointly pay attention to and probe Lanling Island!"

"You can even notify Hongye Island. Hongye Island knows more than we do. We are subordinate to Hongye Island, so communicate with them at any time!" Lin Shiming then added a few more sentences.

"Alright." Lin Yanjiao also nodded!

After all this was done, Lin Shiming headed towards his Immortal Cave!

Upon reaching his Immortal Cave, he directly entered the Immortal Cave space!

As soon as he entered the Immortal Cave, the Dragon King looked over eagerly at this moment!

Its huge Dragon eyes were like two large lanterns!

It kept looking at Lin Shiming, letting out low roars!

"Master, I've eaten fruit, and now I want to eat meat!" Although the Dragon King spoke slowly!

The venomous saliva in its mouth had indeed accumulated a lot, and it was all dripping out now!

It fell into the Dragon Nest. Fortunately, the other four snakes were not without resistance to the poison!

Otherwise, if he kept doing this!

These snakes wouldn't even need to transform into Dragons.

"Don't worry, you'll get your share!" Lin Shiming tapped the Dragon King's head and also took out the golden dragon fruit!

Besides the golden dragon fruit, he also took out a Fifth-Order Poison Flood Dragon's inner core!

At this moment, the golden dragon fruit was emitting a vast Dragon Qi, and the Fifth-Order Poison Flood Dragon's inner core was also emitting a vast Dragon Qi!

Vaguely, it seemed as if two Dragons were confronting each other.

"And that crawling insect's venom sac, roar!" The Dragon King still remembered it at this moment!