16: Wanxiang Academy!

Inside the Quiet Room, Lin Dao's aura blended with the faint purple Family Luck surrounding him, like breathing. His Life Soul Realm Ninth Layer Peak cultivation was vast and boundless, seemingly capable of shaking mountains and rivers with a single thought.

However, the barrier leading to the Heavenly Soul Realm was thicker and more profound than any previous hurdle, and could not be broken through by mere accumulation of power.

His mind sank into the System, and the list of the Intermediate Treasury unfolded in his consciousness, dazzling and brilliant.

His gaze bypassed the Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques and Medicinal Pills, landing directly on the Heaven Rank area, which was now open to him, as well as the more unusual items.

[Heaven Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique, "Star God Contemplation Method": Draws upon the power of the stars to temper the Divine Soul, strengthen the Life Soul, and glimpse the secrets of the Heavenly Soul. Requires 80,000 Authority Points.]

[Heaven Rank Low Grade Medicinal Pill, "Nine Aperture Soul Condensing Pill": Greatly purifies the Divine Soul, enhances the essence of the Divine Soul, and increases the success rate of condensing the Heavenly Soul. Requires 50,000 Authority Points.]

[Special Marvelous Item, "Void Star Core Fragment": Contains a trace of the most fundamental Star Law and spatial power, which can aid in comprehending the Dao of the Void Heavenly Soul. Requires 120,000 Authority Points.]

[Special Building Blueprint, "Star Guiding Platform": Gathers the power of the surrounding stars, modifies the environment of an area, and is extremely beneficial for Cultivating star-type Cultivation Techniques and tempering the Divine Soul. Requires 90,000 Authority Points.]

[Secret Realm Seed, "Minor Heaven and Earth Realm" (Incomplete): Can be nurtured to grow into an independent fragment of a Small World, containing inherent Laws. Its time flow is slightly different from the outside world, requiring massive resources and Luck to nourish. Requires 200,000 Authority Points.]

Lin Dao scanned the long, staggering list of Authority Points, his expression calm.

Destroying the Cloud Sky Heavenly Sect Warship had brought in a huge income of points, but it was still insufficient to exchange for these top-tier resources.

"The Family is still the Foundation."

With his mind set, he stopped agonizing over exchanging resources for himself and instead focused on how to further enhance the overall strength of the Family.

"System, filter for Medicinal Pills or Formations suitable for massively increasing the Aptitude of low-level Family Disciples and solidifying their Foundation."

[Recommendation:]

["Mortal Transformation Pill" (Profound Rank Supreme Grade): Can slightly increase the bone Aptitude of Acquired and Innate Realm Cultivators, with no side effects. Bulk exchange discount: 1,000 pills/10,000 Authority Points.]

["Minor Spirit Gathering Formation" Improved Formation Diagram (Earth Rank Low Grade): Spirit gathering efficiency increased by 30%, energy consumption reduced by 20%, can cover main Family areas. Requires 5,000 Authority Points.]

["Heart Refining Road" Illusion Formation Blueprint (Earth Rank Medium Grade): Can simulate various environmental pressures and Heart Demon trials, tempering the will of Disciples and increasing the probability of Breakthrough. Requires 8,000 Authority Points.]

"Exchange for three thousand Mortal Transformation Pills, the improved Minor Spirit Gathering Formation, and the Heart Refining Road blueprint."

Lin Dao did not hesitate. These investments concerned the Family's future Foundation.

[Exchange successful.]

A large number of Jade Bottles and two new Formation Jade Slips appeared. Lin Dao immediately sent a sound transmission to Lin Zhen, instructing him to distribute and set them up.

Soon, the entire Lin Family was stirred up again.

The Mortal Transformation Pills were prioritized for the younger generation of Acquired and Innate Disciples. Coupled with the improved Spirit Gathering Formation, their Cultivation began a new round of rapid ascent.

Meanwhile, the newly constructed "Heart Refining Road" Illusion Formation became the most popular Trial Grounds, with Disciples entering daily to temper themselves. Screams and the auras of Breakthrough illuminated each other.

The overall strength of the Family, especially the potential of the middle and lower-tier Disciples, was undergoing a qualitative leap.

[Ding! The Family Foundation has been systematically strengthened, and potential has greatly increased! Received Cultivation Feedback +300!]

[Ding! Family Luck is steadily increasing! Received Cultivation Feedback +150!]

The feedback arrived as expected. Although it didn't lead to a direct Breakthrough, it made Lin Dao's Ninth Layer Peak Cultivation even more condensed and profound.

At the same time, the progress of the three "Outstanding Talents" of the Lin Family was rapid and remarkable.

Lin Hao sat motionless for ten days in front of the Sword Stele (the Family Dao Stele's sword art section). The Sword Qi around him sometimes shot into the sky and sometimes retracted, finally gathering completely back into his body, achieving the state of Sword Heart Clarity and Man-Sword Unity.

His Cultivation naturally advanced, stepping into the Spirit Sea Realm Third Layer! His Sword Intent became increasingly pure and sharp.

Ye Chen, meanwhile, directly endured immense gravity and walked into the deepest part of the newly arranged "Heart Refining Road" Illusion Formation. Utilizing the various extreme environments and powerful illusory opponents generated by the Formation, he fiercely hammered his Physical Body and honed his Battle Skills.

The power of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Body was further stimulated. His vital Qi and blood soared like smoke, and his Cultivation Broke Through to the Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer Peak. His Physical Body strength was already comparable to the Spirit Sea Realm Perfection!

A single "Raging Bull Roar" resonated, enough to make the Divine Souls of Cultivators of the same Realm tremble and their Qi and blood flow backward.

The most surprising progress belonged to Lin Yun.

Under the continuous nourishment of the faint purple Luck and Lin Dao's occasional guidance of stellar power infused by his Divine Soul, his "Starry Sky Annihilation Pupil" finally achieved complete Awakening (5%)!

Although it was only a preliminary Awakening, points of stars appeared and vanished when his eyes opened and closed. Not only could he see through most deceitful Illusion Arts, but he could also draw upon a trace of weak stellar power to empower himself or interfere with enemies.

His Cultivation even caught up from behind, soaring all the way to the Innate Realm Perfection by relying on the feedback from his Pupil Technique!

The "Outstanding Talents and Spiritual Land" resonance effect between the three became increasingly apparent. They often sparred and Cultivated together, their auras blending, and their speed of progress far exceeded others.

[Ding! Destiny Member Lin Hao Broke Through to the Spirit Sea Realm Third Layer, and his Sword Dao Realm level increased! Triggered High-Multiplier Critical Hit, Feedback Cultivation +400!]

[Ding! Destiny Member Ye Chen Broke Through to the Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer Peak, and his Sacred Body further recovered! Triggered High-Multiplier Critical Hit, Feedback Cultivation +380!]

[Ding! Destiny Member Lin Yun's Pupil Technique Awakened (5%), and his Cultivation Broke Through to the Innate Realm Perfection! Triggered Ultra High-Multiplier Critical Hit, Feedback Cultivation +350!]

[Ding! The Family's three major Destiny Members have achieved positive resonance, driving the overall Cultivation Practice atmosphere of the Family! Received Cultivation Feedback +200!]

The surging feedback power rushed in again, like waves constantly crashing against a dam.

Lin Dao's Life Soul Realm Ninth Layer Peak Cultivation could advance no further. This massive energy was continuously compressed, refined, and accumulated, waiting for the moment of final qualitative change.

He felt that his Life Soul had grown to the limit of his current Realm, lacking only an Opportunity to attempt to assault the ethereal "Heavenly Soul" Realm.

However, before that Opportunity arrived, another powerful aura descended first.

This time, it did not come from beyond the heavens, but from the ground.

An Azure-Robed Elder silently appeared outside the gates of Qingfeng County.

He looked ordinary, like an old man next door, with no trace of Spiritual Power fluctuation on his body. But with one step, it was as if he was Shrinking the Ground into an Inch, instantly arriving outside the main gate of the Lin Family Manor.

He looked up at the faint purple Luck Canopy above the Lin Family and the stable "Minor Heavenly Cycle Star Formation," and a subtle flash of light crossed his cloudy eyes.

"Lin Family Ancestor, this Old Ancestor is Azure Cloud Son, from the Myriad Manifestations Academy. May you show yourself for a meeting?"

The elder's voice was peaceful, yet it clearly penetrated the great Formation and reached every corner of the Manor, carrying no hint of worldliness or hostility.

Myriad Manifestations Academy?

Lin Dao slowly opened his eyes in the Quiet Room.

This name, he seemed to have seen it in the basic information about the Nine Provinces Continent loaded by the System. It was a massive entity established in Qingzhou, whose strength was incomparable to forces like the Cloud Sky Heavenly Sect; it was a true Hegemon-level power that governed an entire State Region.

Is the visitor friend or foe?

Lin Dao's figure flashed, appearing above the Manor gate, looking at the Azure-Robed Elder.

Even with his Life Soul Realm Ninth Layer Peak Cultivation, he was momentarily unable to discern the depth of the other party's power.

"Myriad Manifestations Academy?" Lin Dao spoke, his tone calm. "What is the matter?"

Azure Cloud Son stroked his beard and smiled, his attitude quite amiable:

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be nervous. The Academy monitors the world. The sudden appearance of a figure like you in Qingzhou, and a Family like the Lin Family with such flourishing Luck, naturally draws the Academy's attention. This Old Ancestor is here with no ill intent, merely representing the Academy to deliver an Invitation."

He flipped his wrist, and an Invitation, neither gold nor jade, emitting a soft white light and engraved with the Myriad Manifestations Star Pattern, slowly flew toward Lin Dao.

"Three months from now is the Myriad Manifestations Academy's once-in-a-century 'Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering.' At that time, Prodigies and powerhouses from Qingzhou and several surrounding states will gather here to discuss the Dao, compete in martial arts, and exchange ideas. The Academy sincerely invites Fellow Daoist Lin of the Lin Family to attend as a guest. Perhaps, for the younger generation of Elites in the Lin Family, this will also be a rare Opportunity."

Lin Dao accepted the Invitation, swept it with his Divine Thought, and confirmed it was genuine. It contained a trace of vast and pure intent, confirming it was an Invitation.

"Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering?"

Lin Dao's eyes flickered slightly.

This might be an Opportunity for the Lin Family to formally enter the view of a higher level, and also allow Lin Hao and the others to experience a broader world.

"At that time, this Venerable One will bring people to attend." Lin Dao put away the Invitation.

Azure Cloud Son's smile widened:

"That is excellent. The Academy will respectfully await your arrival then. Farewell."

Having spoken, he cupped his hands toward Lin Dao, and his figure slowly dissipated on the spot like a wisp of smoke, as if he had never been there.

Arriving silently, departing without a trace.

Lin Dao held the Invitation, his gaze profound.

Myriad Manifestations Academy, Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering... it seems the waters of Qingzhou are deeper than imagined. And the Lin Family, this massive ship that has just set sail, is about to face real storms and Opportunities.

He looked down at Lin Hao, Ye Chen, Lin Yun, and the others below, who had been startled by the arrival of the Myriad Manifestations Academy Envoy and were looking up.

"Three months from now, the Myriad Manifestations Academy, Heavenly Vault Grand Gathering."

His voice clearly entered the ears of the three of them.

"Are you willing to follow this Venerable One to meet the Prodigies of Qingzhou?"

In the eyes of the three, brilliant and dazzling Battle Intent and anticipation instantly erupted!

"This Disciple is willing to go!"