69: consultation

Half an hour later.

Inside the Ling Family's main deliberation hall.

Ling Feng was currently seated in the main position, reviewing the recent development of the Family.

He would frown at times, and at other times, a faint smile would appear on his face.

Ling Yuan and Ling Shi sat on chairs to the side of the hall, waiting quietly.

Suddenly, a series of hurried and messy footsteps echoed from outside the door.

“Thump, thump, thump… thump, thump…”

As the footsteps grew closer, Ling Di soon led Ling Wuji and others in, one after another.

Seeing this, Ling Feng also looked up, then spoke directly.

“Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, please find a seat for yourselves first, and wait a moment. I’ll finish reading these documents I have.”

After speaking, without waiting for Ling Wuji and the others to say anything, he immediately refocused, dedicating his attention to the papers in front of him, which documented the Family’s recent development.

Seeing this, Ling Wuji couldn't help but shake his head, muttering to himself.

“This little rascal.”

He then said to Ling Buyi and Ling Zhan.

“Second Brother, Third Brother, these are all our own people. Just find a seat for yourselves.”

“Understood, Big Brother.”

Ling Buyi and Ling Zhan, hearing Ling Wuji’s instruction, unceremoniously went straight to the empty chairs nearby and sat down… Half an incense stick’s time later.

Ling Feng then put down the papers in his hand, let out a long breath, then looked up and around, apologizing with a smile to Ling Wuji, Ling Buyi, and the others.

“Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“Feng’er, why did you so urgently have Guard Ling summon me, your Second Uncle, and Third Uncle? Did something happen?”

After Ling Feng finished speaking, Ling Wuji was the first to stand up and ask Ling Feng.

Ling Buyi and Ling Zhan, hearing this, also turned their gaze towards Ling Feng.

“Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, the reason I’ve gathered you all today is indeed because there are a few matters that require your help to handle together. So, I called you over in advance to discuss and make arrangements.”

“Feng’er, if there’s anything you need us to do, just speak directly. We will certainly do our utmost to complete it.”

Before Ling Feng could finish speaking, Ling Zhan was the first to speak.

Ling Feng pointed to Ling Wuji next to him and introduced him to Ling Yuan and Ling Shi.

“Let me introduce the two of you. This is my father, and also the Ling Family’s first Grand Elder.”

“As for these two, they are my Second Uncle and Third Uncle, and also the Family’s Grand Elder and Second Elder.”

“We greet the Grand Elder, Grand Elder, and Second Elder!”

Upon hearing this, Ling Yuan and Ling Shi immediately bowed respectfully to Ling Wuji and the other two.

“No need for such formality, both of you.”

“Feng’er, this is…”

Seeing this, Ling Wuji first spoke to Ling Yuan and Ling Shi, then questioned Ling Feng again.

“It seems the Grand Elder and the others aren’t very familiar with you two yet. Introduce yourselves.”

Upon hearing Ling Feng’s instruction, Ling Yuan was the first to step forward, respectfully cupping his hands with a smile towards Ling Wuji and the other two, saying.

“I am Ling Yuan, currently a Heaven Rank Enshrined of the Ling Family’s Enshrinement Pavilion.”

“I am Ling Shi, currently a Heaven Rank Enshrined of the Ling Family’s Enshrinement Pavilion.”

Afterward, Ling Shi also stepped forward, cupping his hands with a smile, and said.

“Enshrinement Pavilion? When did my Ling Family have a place called the Enshrinement Pavilion? Could it be…”

Upon hearing this, Ling Wuji, Ling Buyi, and the other two were instantly filled with doubt. Then, as if they had thought of something, they all cast hesitant glances at Ling Feng.

Seeing this, Ling Feng said with a smile.

“Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, this Enshrinement Pavilion is one of the matters I’m about to discuss with you.”

“My Ling Family’s continuous development and growth is only a matter of time. In the future, it will be unavoidable to recruit some external experts to serve the Family. Therefore, I intend to establish an Enshrinement Pavilion within the Family. The Enshrinement Pavilion will be divided by Rank according to strength. The lowest Rank will be the Heaven Rank Enshrined, corresponding to Heaven Martial Realm Martial Artists. Above that will be the King Rank Enshrined, corresponding to King Warrior Realm Martial Artists.”

“As for Ling Yuan and Ling Shi, they are the first batch of Heaven Rank Enshrined in the Enshrinement Pavilion.”

“Hiss…”

“The lowest Rank of Heaven Rank Enshrined in the Enshrinement Pavilion requires the strength of a Heaven Martial Realm Martial Artist, so wouldn’t Ling Yuan and Ling Shi also be Heaven Martial Realm Martial Artists?”

“My heavens, this… this…”

After hearing Ling Feng’s explanation, Ling Buyi and Ling Zhan were so excited they couldn’t speak.

As for Ling Feng’s father, Ling Wuji, since he was already a Heaven Martial Realm expert himself, his shock wasn't as exaggerated as Ling Buyi and the others, but the appearance of Ling Yuan and Ling Shi still gave Ling Wuji a great shock.

“Such an idea is indeed extremely forward-thinking, but from the perspective of the Family’s long-term development, the establishment of the Enshrinement Pavilion is very necessary.”

Ling Wuji calmed his mind and slowly spoke.

“Indeed, the establishment of the Enshrinement Pavilion can provide our Family with a guarantee of top-tier martial power. It will play an extremely important role in the Family’s future development. Therefore, the quality of personnel in the Enshrinement Pavilion must be strictly controlled, and the requirements for joining must be stringent.”

“Every external expert who joins the pavilion must have my approval before they can join the Enshrinement Pavilion.”

“Additionally, with the Family growing stronger, the current Family stronghold is too small and doesn’t resemble a stronghold befitting a powerful Family. Moreover, the current Family stronghold is too chaotic, which is not conducive to management.”

“Therefore, I intend to integrate and reconstruct Qingyun Town into a city to serve as the Family’s outer force. At the same time, the Family will expand its existing stronghold, utilizing the dozens of peaks behind the current stronghold.”

“We will rebuild a grander Family stronghold.”

Watching the few people gradually recover, Ling Feng then threw out another bombshell.

“What?”

At this moment, as Ling Feng’s words came out, everyone in the hall was utterly shocked. This plan was simply too massive!

A moment later.

Ling Wuji was the first to recover, asking with a trembling voice.

“Feng’er, I have no objection to integrating Qingyun Town and building a city. With the Ling Family’s current strength and foundation, it’s entirely achievable. However, expanding the Family stronghold and incorporating those dozens of peaks in the back mountain will require an enormous amount of resources. The Ling Family’s current foundation is completely insufficient.”

“Shouldn’t the expansion of the stronghold be temporarily postponed? It wouldn’t be too late to build it when the Ling Family has ample resources.”

“Father, you don’t need to worry about resources. The integration of Qingyun Town into a city to become the Ling Family’s outer defense line, and the expansion of the Family stronghold, these two matters will proceed simultaneously. Whenever resources are needed, just go to the Flying Cloud Commerce Guild for procurement. If Spirit Stones are insufficient, just come to me for them.”

“Second Uncle, Third Uncle, please come up with a plan for me as soon as possible. You don’t need to worry about resources. I only have one requirement: it must be completed as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, Clan Chief.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Buyi and Ling Zhan immediately stood up, responding formally with serious expressions.

Seeing this, Ling Feng motioned for the two to sit down, then spoke again.

“Then, next is the third matter…”

...