13: Continuous improvement!
The profound afterglow of the System upgrade still echoed in his Sea of Consciousness, and Lin Dao's mind raced, quickly assimilating the newly unlocked functions.
"Intermediate Treasure Vault Authority... Family Dao Stele... Bloodline Resonance..."
Divine light shone brightly in his eyes.
"In this way, the Lin Family's Foundation will become even more solid, and its development speed can climb several more floors."
Without hesitation, he first communicated with the System: "Exchange for the 'Family Dao Stele' (Virtual), and place it in the Family's core Martial Arts Arena."
[Exchange successful. 3000 Authority Points consumed.]
Silently, in the center of the Lin Family's core Martial Arts Arena, a virtual stone stele, about three *zhang* high, entirely Chaos gray, and covered in countless tiny, profound runes, materialized out of thin air.
It was not a physical entity, yet it emitted an ancient Dao Rhyme that suppressed all directions and enlightened wisdom.
The moment the stone stele appeared, it captured the attention of all the Family members.
"What is that?"
"Such a peculiar feeling. Just by looking at it, I feel like my understanding of the Qingyuan Sword Art has deepened a little?"
"It's the Old Ancestor's method! Hurry and approach it to gain insight!"
Without needing further instruction, the Family members immediately realized the stele's value and quickly gathered around it, attempting to gain insight.
Soon, someone cried out in surprise, discovering that a barrier they had been stuck at for a long time had actually loosened!
Lin Dao immediately used the System to imprint his understanding of the Basic Qi Refining Art, the Qingyuan Sword Art, the Flowing Cloud Steps, the Wind Control Art, the Archaic Savage Bull Art, and even the incomplete Nine Revolutions Golden Core Art, along with some Cultivation insights from the Acquired to the Tongtian Realm, onto the Dao Stele one by one.
Instantly, the Dao Stele glowed, and different sections displayed images of different Cultivation Technique Concepts and textual annotations, becoming clearer and more intuitive.
Family members could observe and gain insight specifically according to their own needs, increasing efficiency by more than double!
This was especially true for Lin Hao and Ye Chen; having just Broken Through, they urgently needed to consolidate their Realms and deepen their understanding.
Standing before the Dao Stele now, watching the explanations regarding Sword Intent and the Body Refining Dao (which, though simplified by Lin Dao, went straight to the core), their eyes shone with brilliance. Many doubts encountered during Cultivation were suddenly resolved, their recently Broken Through Realms quickly stabilized, and they gained a clearer understanding of the path ahead.
[Ding! Family Dao Stele activated. Average Cultivation efficiency of Family members increased by 50%, success rate for Breaking Through Bottlenecks increased by 10%. Received Cultivation Feedback +100.]
Immediately afterward, Lin Dao exchanged several large Formation diagrams suitable for the current Lin Family from the Intermediate Treasure Vault: the Minor Heavenly Cycle Star Formation (Earth Rank Peak Grade, integrating defense, Qi gathering, illusion, and killing), the Five Elements Evolution Formation (Earth Rank High Grade, capable of nourishing Earth Veins and optimizing the environment of the Herb Garden and Artifact Workshop), along with a batch of corresponding Formation Materials.
"Lin Zhen."
"Old Ancestor!"
Lin Zhen immediately responded, his face brimming with uncontrollable excitement. He had only just gained a slight insight from the Stele's miraculous effects, yet he already felt greatly benefited!
"Gather all the disciples in the Family who are interested in or talented in Formations to study these Formation diagrams. Upgrade the Family's main Formation as soon as possible, and set up corresponding Auxiliary Formations in places like the Herb Garden, Artifact Workshop, and Cultivation Rooms."
Lin Dao transmitted the exchanged diagrams and Materials.
"Yes! Old Ancestor!"
Lin Zhen received them, his hands trembling slightly. Earth Rank Peak Grade large Formations! This was something they wouldn't have dared to dream of before! With this Formation protecting them, the Lin Family would have no more security worries!
After arranging these matters, Lin Dao attempted to activate the new function, "Bloodline Resonance."
Buzz—!
An invisible, strange fluctuation centered on him, spreading rapidly in all directions like ripples. It instantly swept past Qingfeng County, covered Black Rock City, and continued to spread toward the more distant lands... A moment later, the fluctuation gradually subsided.
[Ding! Bloodline Resonance concluded. A total of three relatively clear Bloodline connections were sensed.]
[1. Northwest direction, 13,000 *li* away, Bloodline Concentration: Low, Talent Fluctuation: Weak (Metal Affinity). Status: Critical (Being pursued).]
[2. South direction, 8,000 *li* away, Bloodline Concentration: Medium, Talent Fluctuation: Significant (Fire Elemental Body, unawakened). Status: Stable (Living in seclusion in a village).]
[3. Northeast direction, 20,000 *li* away, Bloodline Concentration: Extremely High! Talent Fluctuation: Exceptionally Strong (Unknown Eye Technique Bloodline, dormant). Status: Trapped (Within a certain Restriction).]
The three pieces of information flooded Lin Dao's mind, especially the last one, causing his gaze to narrow slightly.
"Extremely high concentration? Unknown Eye Technique Bloodline? Trapped?"
Lin Dao pondered for a moment.
For the first two, he could perhaps send Shi Lie to dispatch people to escort them, but the last person has an extremely high Bloodline concentration and is in a dangerous situation, so he might need to go personally.
"System, exchange for a 'boundary breaking talisman' (One-time use, Heaven Rank Low Grade), which can temporarily tear through most Restriction barriers."
[Exchange successful. 8000 Authority Points consumed.]
A jade talisman, flowing with silver light and containing the power of spatial tearing within its runes, appeared in his hand.
Just as he was preparing to depart, suddenly—
[Ding! Faint Purple Family Luck detected, triggering Heavenly Rules. Talents of core Family members activated!]
[Lin Hao comprehended the 'Clear Sword Heart' state before the Dao Stele. Sword Intent purity increased, and efficiency in Cultivating any sword technique is additionally increased by 100%. He independently created the Spirit Sea Realm Sword Skill, the Nine Wind Slashes!]
[Ye Chen activated the Body Refining insights from the Dao Stele. His Vital Energy and the Archaic Savage Bull Art further Fused, Awakening the innate Divine Ability, Raging Bull Roar (Elementary). A single roar can shock the Divine Soul and shake Vital Energy!]
[Lin Feng fell into an Epiphany before the Dao Stele. The Swift Wind Elemental Body was initially Awakened, and his Cultivation Broke Through to the Spirit Sea Realm Third Stage!]
[Lin Yun observed the Dao Stele's Pharmacology section. Her Grass and Wood Affinity Talent improved, and she successfully cultivated the first Earth Rank Low Grade Spirit Medicine, the Jade Marrow Ganoderma!]
[Lin Tie...]
A series of good news rang out in his mind like firecrackers, accompanied by even more turbulent and surging Cultivation Feedback, pouring wildly into Lin Dao's body!
His Cultivation at the Life Soul Realm Seventh Stage Peak violently shook under the impetus of this power, and that sturdy barrier loosened once more!
Boom!
Naturally, he stepped into the Life Soul Realm Eighth Heaven!
Moreover, the feedback continued, ultimately pushing his Cultivation to the Middle Stage of the Life Soul Realm Eighth Heaven!
Lin Dao felt the increasingly vast power within his body and felt delighted watching the Authority Points continuously grow in the System due to the Breakthroughs and achievements of his members.
The Family and the individual had formed a perfect, virtuous cycle!
He stood up tall, his gaze directed toward the northeast.
"It is time to bring that lost Family member home."
His figure flickered, and he vanished from the Quiet Room, as if merging into the Void Realm, silently traveling toward the location of the extremely high-concentration Bloodline.