107: Chapter 107 Immortal Seed and the Depths of the Secret Realm

Ten days passed in a flash as the Lin family's Cultivators busied themselves without pause.

The spiritual testing work was fully completed, and the results were quickly summarized and handed to the Clan Leader, Lin Yaozong.

"Nine people in total; the quantity is average, but the quality is acceptable," Lin Yaozong looked at the records in the Jade Slip, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face. "There are three with Four-Element Spiritual Roots, and more rarely, among our own Mortals in the clan territory, a Three Spirit Roots has appeared!"

This news brought smiles to the faces of the Elders present. A Three Spirit Roots was considered quite talented in the cultivation world; as long as resources kept up, there was hope for Foundation Establishment. For the rapidly developing Lin family, this was undoubtedly good news.

"As for the Immortal Seedlings who are not of Lin Bloodline, bestow the surname Lin upon them as usual, and place them in the 'Cang' generation," Lin Yaozong instructed. "Reward the City Lords of the cities that produced Immortal Seedlings with 'Body Strengthening Pills'."

The so-called "Body Strengthening Pills" were actually "defective products" from the Alchemy department when refining qi gathering pills and spirit nurturing pills, where the heat control was slightly off and the Spiritual Qi content was insufficient. These pills were tasteless for Cultivators to eat but a pity to discard, yet for Mortals, they were "Immortal Pills" that could cure chronic illnesses, strengthen the body, and prolong life. The Lin family had become increasingly proficient in this tactic; it both incentivized the Mortal City Lords to work harder for the family and cleared out "inventory," killing two birds with one stone.

All the newly discovered Immortal Seedlings, regardless of their origin, had been collected by Lin Lingfeng and settled within the Secret Realm. Their Mortal relatives remained where they were, under the unified care of Lin Lingyu. With this, the spiritual testing matter came to a successful conclusion.

The end of the spiritual testing also meant that half of the brief rest period had passed. Lin Yaozong did not delay and immediately began organizing a Secret Realm exploration team.

"For this exploration, I will lead the team. Third Elder, Ling Yan, Ling Tu, and Cangchen will accompany me," Lin Yaozong called out the names. "Grand Elder and Second Elder will stay behind to teach the Clan Members with talent in Alchemy and Talisman Making. Everyone else will perform their duties; do not be slack."

The individuals called immediately stepped forward, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. Especially Lin Cangchen and Lin Lingtu—one was curious about the depths of the Secret Realm, while the other yearned for potential Formation ruins in the unknown areas.

Lin Lingfeng opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to apply to join as well, but was stopped by a look from Lin Yaozong: "Ling Feng, you just returned; spend more time with Ling Shan. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore the Secret Realm in the future."

Lin Lingfeng looked at Zhao Lingshan, whose gaze was gentle, and had no choice but to swallow his words, scratching his head with a smile. Well, accompanying one's Dao Companion was also very important.

Before departing, Lin Yaozong seemed to remember something and took out the identity jade plaque from his Storage Pouch, obtained from the remains of the Boundless Sect Disciple—belonging to the Disciple named "Zhao Yan."

"This Secret Realm was once the territory of the Boundless Sect, after all. Taking this along might prove useful," Lin Yaozong put away the jade plaque and then waved his hand. "Depart!"

The exploration team of five left the developed palace area and headed deep into the realm toward the direction where the second rank low grade Concealment Formation had been discovered.

To avoid missing any possible clues, they did not use the faster spirit boat but chose to travel on foot, their Divine Sense carefully scanning every blade of grass and tree along the way.

For the first few days, the journey was relatively peaceful. Although the Spiritual Qi in the peripheral areas of the Secret Realm was dense, the grades of the Yao Beasts were generally not high, mostly unranked or First Grade, Low Rank. Feeling the Foundation Establishment Stage Spiritual Pressure intentionally released by Lin Yaozong, they fled early and did not dare to approach.

However, starting from the third day, the situation began to change.

They began to encounter first-rank middle-grade Yao Beasts, and occasionally, one or two first-tier high-grade fellows would jump out. These Yao Beasts did not have high intelligence, but their sense of territory was extremely strong, and they often chose to attack intruders directly.

The result, naturally, was without suspense.

Facing these Yao Beasts, which were at most at the Qi Refining Late Stage, Lin Yaozong, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, did not even need to act personally. Third Elder Lin Yaoqing had a strong desire for battle and was often the first to rush forward; his Eighth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation combined with Major Achievement battle Spells made dealing with these Yao Beasts like cutting melons and vegetables. Lin Lingyan and Lin Lingtu supported from the flanks to hone their coordination. Lin Cangchen was happy to take it easy, observing and learning combat techniques while dutifully playing the role of "battlefield cleaner."

"Extract!" Within his line of sight, beside the corpse of an Iron Armored Rhinoceros whose head had just been shattered by the Third Elder's sword, Lin Cangchen chanted silently in his heart.

[Obtained 'Iron Armored Rhinoceros Bloodline Card (Faint)' × 1]

[Obtained 'faint spiritual energy card' × 1]

As expected, the cards extracted from Yao Beasts were mostly related to the characteristics of the beast itself; Bloodline cards and spirit energy cards were the mainstream, with occasional [Yao Beast Material Cards] (yielding common Materials from the corresponding beast, such as rhino horns, fur, etc.). Thinking of extracting Spirit Stones or Magical Artifacts from Yao Beasts was out of the question.

By the fifth day, the Yao Beasts they encountered were not only primarily first-rank middle-grade, but small-scale social groups began to appear. Once it was five first-rank middle-grade Wind Wolves, and another time it was four first-rank middle-grade Scarlet Flame Leopards, which included a first-tier high-grade leader.

"Form up! Ling Yan on the left wing, Ling Tu on the right wing, Cangchen support!" Lin Yaozong ordered calmly, standing with his hands behind his back, his aura locked onto the strongest leader leopard just in case.

Third Elder Lin Yaoqing laughed loudly and charged directly into the wolf pack, his fist wind howling, actually using his Physical Body to clash head-on with the wolf claws: "Delightful! This is much more satisfying than killing those slippery demonic Cultivators!"

Lin Lingyan and Lin Lingtu were also experienced; one on the left and one on the right, their sword light and Earth Wall Technique coordinated perfectly, firmly blocking the leopards trying to flank them.

Lin Cangchen roamed the edge of the battlefield, occasionally throwing out a Minor Achievement level Green Vine Art to trip up the Yao Beasts or using a proficient Geng Metal Finger for precise finishing blows. His main energy was still focused on "looting corpses." Every time a Yao Beast fell, he immediately used his thought to extract.

[Obtained 'Wind Wolf Bloodline Card (Faint)' × 3]

[Obtained 'Scarlet Flame Leopard Bloodline Card (Faint)' × 1]

[Obtained 'trace mental power card' × 1] (From that first-tier high-grade leader leopard)

[Obtained 'Yao Beast Material Card' × several]

The harvest was quite good, especially that trace mental power card, which was a pleasant little surprise.

During this period, they also encountered two solitary peak of first tier Yao Beasts, equivalent to Qi Refining Great Perfection. At this level, the Third Elder found it somewhat difficult to handle alone. Only then did Lin Yaozong slightly reveal the power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; he didn't even use his full strength, just a casual, condensed finger wind or palm print, and easily killed those two formidable Yao Beasts.

"The Clan Leader is mighty!" Lin Lingtu's eyes shone as he watched, his flattery following immediately.

Lin Yaozong gave a faint smile and looked at the increasingly dense primeval forest ahead, where the Spiritual Qi also seemed richer; his brow furrowed slightly: "We have only been deep for five days, and peak of first tier Yao Beasts have already frequently appeared. Further ahead, I'm afraid..."

He did not finish, but everyone understood his meaning—they might encounter a Second Tier Demonic Beast!

A Second Tier Demonic Beast was equivalent to a human Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, and its strength was by no means comparable to the Qi Refinement Stage.

Lin Yaozong pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over everyone and finally landing on Lin Cangchen: "Cangchen, how is your control over that second-rank Concealment Formation now?"

Lin Cangchen sensed for a moment and replied: "I am much more proficient than when I first dismantled it. Although I cannot fully set it up yet, I can trigger part of its concealment effect and expand the range to cover the few of us; I should be able to maintain it for about half an hour. It's just that the consumption of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones will increase."

"That's enough," a look of decisiveness flashed in Lin Yaozong's eyes. "With me here, plus your Formation as a fallback, even if we truly encounter a second rank low grade Yao Beast, we might not be without the strength to fight. Even if we are no match, relying on the Formation's concealment and maneuvering, we should be able to escape without worry."

He looked at the crowd: "I have decided to continue exploring forward. What do you all think?"

Third Elder Lin Yaoqing naturally agreed with both hands; he couldn't wait for something more exciting. Lin Lingyan and Lin Lingtu were also eager to try. Lin Cangchen had no objection either; he was one of the main drivers of the exploration, and the deeper they went, the richer the "legacy" they might find.

"Good! Since no one has any objections, then let's continue forward!" Lin Yaozong made the final decision. "Everyone, stay sharp; it may not be so easy ahead."

The exploration team set off again, advancing cautiously toward the unknown depths of the Secret Realm. Everyone knew that the real challenge might have just begun. But opportunities often coexist with danger.