3: Chapter 3: A Generous Reward, A Heavenly Oath

On the vast White Jade Square, one could hear a pin drop.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes converged simultaneously on the lean youth standing at the very back of the crowd, his figure still appearing somewhat frail.

“Lin Ze?”

“Is that the adopted son from the sixth branch?”

“Has he gone mad?”

“He has a four-attribute False Spiritual Root of Metal, Water, Wood, and Earth. He just turned sixteen and has been stuck at the Second Layer of Qi Gathering for over half a year, yet he wants to guard an outer spiritual island?”

“Isn't that just delivering a snack to the water demons!”

Standing in the front row, Sixth Aunt Lin Wanrong Lin Wanrong's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

She spun around abruptly, ignoring the rules of the Family Discussion Hall, wanting to rush over and pull Lin Ze back.

“Ze-er, what nonsense are you up to? Step back immediately!”

Lin Wanrong's eyes were rimmed with red.

She knew all too well how dangerous the outer waters were.

In the underwater undercurrents there, First-Rank Great Yao lurked, capable of easily tearing a Qi Gathering Cultivator to shreds.

However, before Lin Wanrong could get close,

“Hum...”

A massive Spiritual Pressure crashed down upon the entire square!

Foundation Establishment Stage pressure!

The Qi Gathering Cultivators in the field all felt a tightness in their chests and were forced to lower their heads. Lin Wanrong was even forced back several steps by this power, unable to move.

High atop the jade steps, the Old Patriarch Lin Zhenhai's eyes locked onto Lin Ze at the back of the crowd.

“Lin Ze, Second Layer of Qi Gathering.”

The Old Patriarch's voice betrayed no emotion. “Do you realize that the outer spiritual islands are isolated? If you encounter an attack from water bandits or Yao Beasts, it will take at least half an hour for the Family's reinforcements to arrive.”

“In that half hour, you could be skinned and de-boned, leaving no corpse intact!”

“Do you truly wish to go?”

As The Old Patriarch finished speaking, a wisp of that terrifying pressure belonging to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator actually split off and, like a great river bursting its banks, bore down directly on Lin Ze alone!

“Creak...”

Lin Ze felt his shoulders suddenly grow heavy.

A drop of cold sweat instantly slid down from his forehead.

The 'Major Achievement' level of the Azure Wave Art surged within his body!

That long-lasting dharmic power, far exceeding that of Cultivators of the same rank, protected his heart vessels and internal organs.

On the surface, Lin Ze looked pale.

But in reality, this pressure had not harmed him in the slightest!

“In response to Great-Grandfather,”

Lin Ze gritted his teeth hard and abruptly looked up, meeting The Old Patriarch's gaze without flinching.

“Your grandson's Aptitude is dull. If I stay on the main island, even if I exhaust the Family's resources, I will have no hope of Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.”

“It is better to take the opportunity while I am young to go and reclaim the outer lands for the Family!”

“Though my cultivation is low, I understand the principle that 'when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.'”

“Your grandson is willing to go!”

Every word was resonant and forceful.

Among a group of hothouse flowers who had been scared witless, Lin Ze's words were like a sudden clap of thunder.

“Good, good, good!”

On the high platform, the Old Patriarch Lin Zhenhai suddenly laughed aloud.

A hint of admiration appeared in his eyes as he looked at Lin Ze.

“What a fine 'when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact'!”

“My Lin Clan has stood in Yunmeng Marsh for two hundred years, relying not on shrinking back, but on this bloody courage to risk one's life!”

Standing behind The Old Patriarch, Seventh Great-Uncle, the Instructor, also stroked his beard and sighed inwardly.

He had long known that this junior named Lin Ze had always been 'precocious' and had a steady character.

Looking at it now, this Heart-Nature was simply a hundred times stronger than those young masters with Dual Spiritual Roots!

What a pity for that False Spiritual Root of Water, Wood, and Earth.

“Since a clansman has stepped forward, the Family naturally will not mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service!”

The Old Patriarch suddenly struck his Dragon-Headed Cane on the ground and announced loudly.

As a high-ranking member of the Family, he naturally understood the principle that there are always brave men under heavy rewards.

“To all who volunteer to guard the three outer spiritual islands, the Family will grant the following heavy rewards!”

“First, during the period of guarding the island, the monthly stipend will be doubled.”

“An additional subsidy of one bottle of first-rank Low Grade ‘Medicinal Pills’!”

“Second, the Family's Artifact Refining Workshop will set up a ‘First-Rank Medium Grade Water-Moon Heaven-Blurring Array’ for each spiritual island for free!”

“Third, and most importantly!”

The Old Patriarch surveyed the scene and threw out the biggest bait.

“During the period of island guarding, all reclaimed spiritual fields, and captured spiritual fish, only eighty percent need to be handed over to the Family. The remaining twenty percent will belong entirely to the individual guardian!”

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere on the square instantly reversed.

Men die for wealth, birds die for food.

Double stipend, pill subsidies, and even a formation!

The craziest part was that twenty percent profit sharing!

One must know that even if a first-rank Medium Grade spiritual island is dilapidated, one month's output is worth half a year's fixed salary for a low-level Cultivator on the main island!

“I'm signing up.”

“Clan Chief, I'm going too!”

The young Cultivators who had been as quiet as cicadas in winter were now red-eyed, excitedly raising their hands and shouting.

However, Lin Ze only sneered in his heart.

“Now you want to snatch it?”

“Too late.”

Sure enough, The Old Patriarch waved his hand, suppressing the crowd's clamor.

“Positions are limited. Lin Ze, you were the first to stand out. This courage deserves a reward!”

“Of these three spiritual islands, you shall pick first.”

Having said that, Seventh Great-Uncle the Instructor stepped forward and took out a scroll of beast skin emitting a faint spiritual light from his Storage Pouch.

The scroll slowly unfurled in mid-air, transforming into a thirty-foot-long complete map of the Yunmeng Marsh waters.

Among them, three lit-up islands were flickering with an inviting light in the outer waters.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes were instantly filled with jealousy and envy, staring fixedly at Lin Ze.

The right of first choice!

This meant he could pick the safest island with the richest resources.

Lin Ze stepped forward neither humbly nor arrogantly, his gaze quickly scanning the three islands.

The first was “Spirit Turtle Island,” closest to the main island and relatively safe, but the Spiritual Vein on the island was dried up, and there were many underwater reefs, making it impossible to raise high-grade spiritual fish.

The second was “Golden Sand Island,” the largest in area with the densest Spiritual Qi, and even half an acre of existing spiritual fields. However, it was right next to the escape route of the Black Water Gang remnants; it could be said to be on the edge of a powder keg—whoever went there would die.

Finally, Lin Ze's gaze fell on a small point of light located at the far northern edge of the waters, marked as “Reed Island.”

This island was the smallest in area and was shrouded in river mist year-round. The island was also covered in mundane reeds that possessed no Spiritual Qi.

To outsiders, this was a desolate place where even birds wouldn't poop.

But Lin Ze's brain, which had a reputation for being 'precocious,' was working frantically.

“Reed Island... I remember reading in a fragmentary copy of the Family's ‘commentary on the yunmeng water classic’ that wherever mundane reeds grow to a towering height, there must be a ‘Profound Ice Water Vein’ beneath the water.”

“Although this water vein is extremely cold and unsuitable for the growth of spiritual plants, it is an excellent breeding ground for water-attribute spiritual fish.”

“Most importantly, it is remote enough and hidden enough.”

“It is simply the perfect safe haven for my ‘Liver Emperor Panel’!”

A sharp light flashed through Lin Ze's eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he extended his finger and pointed firmly at that most inconspicuous isolated island.

“Great-Grandfather, your grandson's cultivation is shallow, and I do not dare to covet a treasure land rich in resources.”

“Your grandson chooses this place, Reed Island!”

Whoosh...

A burst of bewildered discussion immediately erupted in the square.

“Is he crazy?”

“Leaving Golden Sand Island with its spiritual fields and choosing a deserted island that grows wild grass?”

“He's still young after all, scared out of his wits, preferring to go to the most remote place to hide away.”

Even The Old Patriarch and Seventh Great-Uncle were slightly stunned.

But seeing Lin Ze's calm eyes, The Old Patriarch thought even more highly of him: not greedy, knowing when to advance or retreat, and knowing how to choose a living environment based on his own strength.

This lad has excellent Heart-Nature.

“Good!”

“Reed Island is yours to guard for three years!”

The Old Patriarch made the final decision.

“However, this external assignment concerns the Family's lifeblood. According to the Lin Clan rules, anyone who takes a Spiritual Vein outside must swear a Heavenly Dao Oath.”

The Old Patriarch's expression turned solemn. This was precisely the core method by which a large clan ensured its cohesion; interests and responsibilities must be deeply bound.

“Your grandson understands.”

Lin Ze did not hesitate to bite his fingertip, forcing out a drop of essence blood to draw a rune in the air.

“Heaven and Earth be my witness, let the Great Dao testify.”

“I, Lin Ze, today accept the Family's command to guard Reed Island.”

“Within three years, I shall certainly do my utmost to nurture the Spiritual Vein and protect the island.”

“I shall never collude with external enemies, and never betray the Family.”

“If I violate this oath, may heavenly thunder strike my crown, and my Divine Soul be utterly destroyed.”

Hum!

The essence blood rune in mid-air flashed suddenly, turning into a bloody light that vanished into the world. A wisp of Law power enveloped Lin Ze's brow, then faded away.

The Heavenly Dao Oath was complete.

With this oath, the Family's high-level members completely let down their guard and would view Lin Ze as a core cornerstone to be nurtured.

This was the warmest and most reliable contract in the Family cultivation style.

The spots were quickly allocated.

Two more collateral branch disciples in the Middle Stage of Qi Gathering, pressured by the heavy rewards, gritted their teeth and took on the missions for the other two islands.

“Today's discussion ends here. Tomorrow morning, collect your resources and depart for the islands immediately!”

With The Old Patriarch's command, the tense atmosphere of the Red Lotus Summoning Order finally came to a close.

The clansmen on the square gradually dispersed, some with joy and some with sorrow.

Lin Ze breathed a sigh of relief and turned around, preparing to comfort Sixth Aunt, who was still wiping away tears.

Suddenly, a voice crossed a distance of dozens of yards and entered his ear.

It was the technique of 'Sound Transmission'.

“Ze-er, steady your mind, do not make a sound.”

“Let the sixth branch's people head back first.”

“You, quietly circle around to the side hall behind the Ancestral Shrine. I, your Seventh Great-Uncle... have something to give to you alone.”

Lin Ze's footsteps paused, and his pupils contracted slightly.

He turned his head. Seventh Great-Uncle the Instructor gave him a deep look, then flicked his sleeve and turned, disappearing into the depths of the hall.

“Give me something alone?”

Lin Ze's heart began to pound uncontrollably.