3: Strength has increased dramatically!
Inside the deliberation hall, the atmosphere was solemn.
The remaining high-ranking members of the Lin Family were gathered there, most of them injured and their Auras weak, but in each person's eyes burned the excitement of surviving a catastrophe and infinite reverence for the figure above.
In the main seat, Lin Dao, clad in white, had his eyes closed in meditation, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the rosewood armrest.
The immense power with which he had casually crushed powerful enemies earlier had completely receded. At this moment, he looked more like a handsome, otherworldly Young Master. Only the invisible, Soul-shaking majesty that permeated the air reminded everyone of this “Young Master's” true identity and terrifying power.
Lin Zhen stood below, suppressing his excitement, respectfully reporting the Family's losses. His voice was hoarse but filled with uplift: "...Twenty-seven Family guards died in battle, nineteen were severely injured, and many suffered minor injuries; property losses were considerable, but the Foundation remains intact.
Thanks to Old Ancestor's timely emergence from seclusion, otherwise, our Lin Family would have faced utter annihilation today..."
Lin Dao slowly opened his eyes and interrupted him: "As long as people are alive, it's good."
His gaze swept over the pale or bandaged faces below. In those eyes, there was concern and lingering fear, but more than that, there was a light called hope.
"System," he thought to himself, "retrieve Medicinal Pills suitable for the current stage of the Lin Family's Disciples to recover from injuries and improve their Cultivation, as well as... Cultivation Techniques that can lay a solid Foundation."
[Ding! Screening completed based on Host's Family's current situation.
Recommendations:] [Medicinal Pills: Three-Revolution Rejuvenation Pill (Profound Rank High Grade) - A sacred healing medicine that can quickly repair internal organ and Meridian damage; Vitality Replenishing Spirit Pill (Yellow Rank Peak) - Strengthens the body's Foundation, accelerates Spiritual Qi recovery, and slightly boosts Cultivation.] [Cultivation Techniques: "Basic Qi Refining Art - Improved Version" (Yellow Rank Peak) - Neutral and balanced, solidifies the Foundation, no risk of Qi Deviation, can seamlessly connect to higher-grade Cultivation Techniques; "Condensing Origin Art" (Profound Rank Low Grade) - Significantly effective in condensing Spiritual Qi, suitable for Cultivators below the Spirit Sea Realm to temper their Spiritual Qi.]
"Hmm, these will do for now. Take... a sufficient quantity of each." Lin Dao's thoughts stirred.
The next moment, a soft white light appeared without warning in the open space in the center of the deliberation hall.
As the light dissipated, dozens of Jade Vials and dozens of ancient Jade Slips appeared out of thin air, neatly stacked together.
A rich medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the air, refreshing the mind. Just inhaling a trace of it made one feel invigorated, and the circulation of Spiritual Qi within the body sped up by a few points.
Upon those Jade Slips, obscure and profound energy fluctuations flowed.
"Hiss—"
A chorus of gasps immediately filled the hall.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the pile of suddenly appearing resources, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Creating something out of nothing?!
What kind of divine method was this?!
Lin Zhen's beard even trembled with excitement. He naturally recognized the names and grades of the Medicinal Pills marked on the Jade Vials; any single bottle, if leaked, would be enough to cause a storm in Qingfeng County!
And as for those Cultivation Technique Jade Slips, just sensing their fluctuations revealed them to be infinitely more profound and mysterious than the Lin Family's current main Cultivation Technique!
"Old Ancestor, this... this is too precious!" Lin Zhen's voice trembled.
"A few resources, nothing worth mentioning." Lin Dao's tone was calm, as if he had only taken out some ordinary items. "Distribute the Medicinal Pills, heal injuries with full effort, and Cultivate.
The Cultivation Techniques... replace those crude things originally in the Family. Our Lin Family Disciples' starting point should not be so low."
"Yes!
We respectfully obey Old Ancestor's decree!" Lin Zhen and the Elders were flushed with excitement, bowing quickly in acceptance. Their gazes towards Lin Dao were no different from those directed at a deity.
Just as the excited Family members stepped forward, preparing to respectfully take the Medicinal Pill Jade Vials and Cultivation Technique Jade Slips to distribute them, Lin Dao's gaze inadvertently swept over a silent youth at the end of the crowd.
The youth was about fifteen or sixteen years old, his clothes slightly worn, and he also had injuries, his face somewhat pale, but his back was ramrod straight.
Among the excited or ecstatic Family members, he appeared exceptionally calm, his black eyes clear, yet deep within them, a kind of unyielding flame seemed to hide.
Even more peculiar was that, in Lin Dao's perception, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi around this youth seemed to be a trace more active than elsewhere. Although faint, it possessed an indescribable spirituality, spontaneously gathering towards him.
And within the youth's body, a highly subtle yet inherently high-level power seemed to be hidden, merely obstructed by something, making it difficult to erupt.
[Ding! Detected special Destiny fluctuation!
Scanning...]
[Scan complete!
Target: Lin Hao, Lin Family collateral Disciple, age sixteen, current Cultivation: Acquired Realm Seventh Layer.]
[Talent judgment: Possesses a hidden 'Destiny Protagonist' fate (unawakened), endowed with great Luck, easily turns danger into safety, misfortune into good fortune, Cultivation Bottlenecks are far weaker than ordinary people, and more easily achieves Breakthroughs in desperate situations.
Current fate is in a dormant state, requiring special Opportunity or a large amount of resources to be initially Awakened.] [Suggestion: Focus on cultivating him. His growth will greatly benefit the Family and the Host.]
"Destiny Protagonist fate?" Lin Dao's heart stirred slightly.
Indeed, which Family doesn't have a junior who seems frustrated but actually has limitless potential?
This was simply a high-quality "feedback source" delivered right to his doorstep.
He raised his hand and pointed at the youth: "What is your name?"
Everyone was stunned, looking in the direction Lin Dao pointed.
The youth was clearly not expecting the Old Ancestor to suddenly call his name. He was startled for a moment, then stepped forward neither subservient nor arrogant, bowed inBow, his voice clear but with a hint of suppressed excitement: "Replying to Old Ancestor, this Disciple is Lin Hao."
"Lin Hao..." Lin Dao nodded slightly, seemingly casually taking three Jade Vials of Three-Revolution Rejuvenation Pills and five Jade Vials of Vitality Replenishing Spirit Pills from the pile of resources. He then separately took out a Jade Slip that glowed with a faint golden light—this was the "Innate Guiding Art" (Earth Rank Low Grade) that the System had just additionally marked, suitable for laying the Foundation and guiding Qi, directly pointing to the Innate Great Dao.
"These are for you." Lin Dao waved his hand, and the Medicinal Pill Jade Vials and that special Jade Slip lightly flew in front of Lin Hao.
Whoosh—!
The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar. All eyes focused on Lin Hao and the resources in front of him, which were clearly several times more numerous and seemed to be of a completely different quality, filled with shock and envy, yet no one dared to voice a question.
The Old Ancestor's personal bestowal must have profound meaning!
Lin Hao himself was dumbfounded, looking at the Spiritual Qi-rich Jade Vials and the Jade Slip that was clearly extraordinary. His breathing quickened: "Old Ancestor, this... this is too valuable!
How can this Disciple be worthy..."
"Your Foundation is not bad, do not disappoint it." Lin Dao's tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable implication. "Cultivate diligently. The future of the Family depends on you juniors."
Lin Hao's body trembled violently. He raised his head, meeting Lin Dao's eyes that seemed to see through everything. A huge warm current and an unprecedented sense of responsibility instantly filled his heart.
He tightly grasped the Medicinal Pills and Jade Slip in front of him, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh, and bowed deeply, his voice firm: "Disciple Lin Hao will definitely not fail Old Ancestor's high expectations!"
[Ding! Bestowing resources to a person containing Destiny Luck triggers an increased critical hit coefficient for hidden rewards.
Each future Breakthrough of this member will grant the Host additional Cultivation feedback.]
The corner of Lin Dao's mouth curved into a barely perceptible arc.
Very good.
For the next three days, the Lin Family mansion's gates remained tightly shut, refusing all visitors.
Inside the mansion, however, it was a scene of bustling activity and complete transformation.
A rich medicinal fragrance almost enveloped the entire mansion.
With the help of the precious Medicinal Pills, all injured Family members recovered at a visible rate. Not only that, the Vitality Replenishing Spirit Pills even allowed many Disciples who had been stuck at a Bottleneck for years to achieve Breakthroughs.
More importantly, the Cultivation Techniques were replaced.
The popularization of the "Basic Qi Refining Art - Improved Version" and the "Condensing Origin Art" greatly increased the efficiency of Spiritual Qi absorption for all Lin Family Disciples. Their Foundations were continuously solidified, and their overall Cultivation Realms began to steadily and rapidly improve.
Subtle Spiritual Qi fluctuations caused by Breakthroughs occasionally rippled throughout the mansion.
As for Lin Hao, he was completely immersed in Cultivation.
The profundity of the Earth Rank Cultivation Technique far exceeded his imagination, coupled with ample Medicinal Pill support, the obstructions within his body seemed to be swept away by a torrent. His Cultivation advanced rapidly, breaking through continuously in just three days, reaching the Peak of the Acquired Realm Ninth Layer, only a step away from the Innate Realm!
The Spiritual Qi vortex he caused even attracted a small amount of attention.
Lin Dao sat in his Quiet Room in seclusion, feeling the System's notification sounds ringing in his mind from time to time.
[Ding! Family member Lin XX has broken through to Innate Realm Second Layer, Cultivation feedback +1...]
[Ding! Family's overall strength has significantly increased, Cultivation feedback +5...]
[Ding! Destiny Member Lin Hao has broken through to Acquired Realm Ninth Layer, triggering a critical hit, Cultivation feedback +15...]
Although each feedback of Cultivation was minuscule compared to his current Tongtian Realm, it was continuous, accumulating over time, making his recently achieved Realm even more stable and steadily advancing towards the Peak of the Second Heaven.
On the evening of the third day, Lin Zhen and several Elders, whose injuries had fully recovered and whose Cultivation had even advanced, respectfully arrived outside Lin Dao's Quiet Room.
"Old Ancestor, the Family members' injuries have all recovered, and their strength is greater than before!
The main forces of the Wang and Zhao Families are completely lost, and their mansions are empty. Now is the time to thoroughly eliminate future troubles and seize their resources!" Lin Zhen's voice was full of vigor, containing irrepressible Battle Intent and excitement.
The stone door of the Quiet Room silently opened, and Lin Dao slowly walked out.
Three days of quiet Cultivation had made his Aura even more profound and restrained.
"Since preparations are complete, then go." His tone was calm, as if he were merely going for a trivial stroll. "This Venerable will accompany you on this journey."
"Yes!"
That night, a blood moon hung high over Qingfeng County.
The Lin Family's elites were all dispatched, like tigers unleashed, directly charging towards the mansions of the Wang and Zhao Families.
Having lost their top combat power and main elites, the remaining resistance of the Wang and Zhao Families appeared pale and powerless before the Lin Family's vengeful army.
Moreover, in mid-air, Lin Dao stood in white robes, hands clasped behind his back. The terrifying Divine Thought of the Tongtian Realm enveloped them like an invisible net, and any nascent strong resistance would be instantly crushed by an oppressive force descending from thin air!
This was no longer a battle, but a predetermined crushing and cleansing!
Shouts of killing, wails, and pleas for mercy lasted for half the night, then gradually subsided.
As dawn broke and sunlight spilled over Qingfeng County, the Wang and Zhao Families, who had dominated the area for centuries, had completely become history.
All their Family treasuries, properties, markets, and mineral veins, along with all other resources, were now under the Lin Family's name!
Inside the Lin Family mansion, all the Family members who participated in the action, though covered in blood, were ecstatic and full of vigorous Aura.
The Family's strength, sphere of influence, and resource reserves had expanded several times over in this single night!
[Ding! Detected Host's Family annihilating hostile forces and annexing all their resources. Family strength, influence, and prestige have significantly increased!]
[Triggering ten-thousand-fold critical return!]
[Reward: Host's Cultivation greatly increased!]
Inside the Quiet Room, Lin Dao, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly experienced a surge in his surrounding Aura!
Boom!
Vast, ocean-like energy poured down from the Void Realm, surging into his limbs and bones, washing over his Meridians and Dantian!
The Realm barriers of Tongtian Realm Second Layer, Third Layer, Fourth Layer... were like paper before this violent energy, being continuously broken through!
His Aura climbed higher and higher, becoming increasingly terrifying, and the space around him began to subtly distort, emitting heart-pounding fluctuations.
Finally, that surging Aura slowly subsided after reaching a certain Peak.
Lin Dao opened his eyes, within which the sun, moon, and stars seemed to revolve, profound and boundless.
He gently clenched his fist, feeling the terrifying power within his body, enough to overturn rivers and seas and shake mountains.
Tongtian Realm, Nine Heavens!
In a single night, he reached the Tongtian Peak!
He was now only one step away from the higher Realm of Life Soul.