5: The lowest of the low in Qingzhou!

Inside the Quiet Room, one could hear a pin drop.

Lin Dao sat cross-legged, his aura perfectly unified, seemingly resonating with the heavens and earth.

Killing Zhao Li with a flick of his finger just now was no different to him than brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve.

His cultivation at the Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm was nearly legendary in this remote Qingfeng County.

He immersed his mind into the System interface.

As the Family power skyrocketed, the System panel had also taken on a new look.

【Eternal Strongest Family Ancestor System】

【Host: Lin Dao】

【Realm: Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm (Peak)】

【Family: Lin Family of Qingfeng County】

【Family Rank: County-Level Overlord (The Fringes of Qingzhou)】

【Family Members: 187 (Details can be expanded)】

【Family Luck: Pale Cyan (Slightly gathering)】

【Family Resources: Evaluating... (Details can be expanded)】

【Available Functions: 1. Cultivation Feedback (Calculated based on the overall improvement of the Family strength, member Breakthroughs, expansion of power, etc., obtained continuously) 2. Infinite Treasury (Permission: Elementary, can extract basic and some Profound Rank resources) 3. Family Attribute Panel (New)】

"County-Level Overlord, the fringes of Qingzhou..."

Lin Dao raised an eyebrow slightly.

It seems this Nine Provinces Continent is far more vast than he imagined.

The Foundation in Qingfeng County, when placed in the entire Qingzhou, probably doesn't even count as a speck of dust.

His gaze fell on the "Family Members" details, and with a thought, the list expanded.

Most names were followed by Acquired or Innate cultivation labels, and there were only a few in the Spirit Sea Realm, including Lin Zhen.

Only one name stood out—

【Lin Hao: 16 years old, Peak of the Ninth Level of the Acquired Realm (About to break through). Status: Destiny Protagonist Fate (Initial Awakening 5%), Cultivating ("Innate Guidance Technique" Minor Achievement). Potential: ???】

"Five percent..." Lin Dao mused.

It seems that the Earth Rank Cultivation Technique and Medicinal Pill only initially pried open the Treasure Trove within his body.

Such a person bearing great Luck needs more careful guidance and... investment.

"System, retrieve resources suitable for Lin Hao at his current stage that can further stimulate his potential without harming his Foundation."

【Ding! Analyzing... Recommended:】

【"Nine Revolutions Golden Core Art" Fragment (Low Grade Heaven Rank) - Condenses the supreme Golden Core Foundation, suitable for those with Destiny Luck, but cultivation requires massive resources and is only the formula for the first three revolutions.】

【'Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill' (High Grade Earth Rank) - Uses Dragon essence blood as the main ingredient to temper the physique, cleanse the meridians and marrow, with a very small probability of Awakening a Dragon Bloodline talent. (Warning: The medicinal properties are overbearing; do not consume unless the physique is strong or one possesses abundant Luck)】

【Three leaves of 'Dao Enlightenment Tea' (Heaven And Earth Treasure) - Drinking the brew can help one enter a shallow state of Dao enlightenment, improving comprehension of Cultivation Techniques and the probability of breaking through a Bottleneck.】

"Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique fragment? Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill? Dao Enlightenment Tea?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Dao's eyes. The richness of the System treasury seemed far beyond expectations.

Even with just Elementary permission, the items produced were enough to drive the outside world crazy.

"Redeem."

【Redemption successful. Corresponding permission points consumed.】

A white light flashed, and a Jade Slip flowing with purple-gold luster and an ancient aura, a pill the size of a dragon's eye with blood-dragon patterns circling its surface and emitting scorching blood-Qi fluctuations, and three emerald-green leaves with natural Dao charm and mysterious textures appeared before Lin Dao.

He did not immediately summon Lin Hao. Pulling on seedlings to help them grow only harms them; going too far is as bad as not going far enough.

He needed to wait for him to break through to the Innate Realm on his own, when his will was more resilient, before granting this Opportunity; only then would the effect be maximized.

Immediately after, he looked at the treasury list again. The overall strength of the Lin Family was still too weak and needed comprehensive improvement.

"Redeem one hundred bottles of 'Yuan Condensing Pill' (High Grade Yellow Rank), fifty bottles of 'Barrier Breaking Pill' (Low Grade Profound Rank), the Low Grade Earth Rank Cultivation Technique "Qingyuan Sword Art", and the Low Grade Earth Rank movement technique "Flowing Cloud Steps"."

These resources were luxurious for the current Lin Family Foundation and were enough to Cultivate several more Spirit Sea Realm experts in a short time, increasing the overall strength several times over.

【Redemption successful.】

Another soft white light appeared, and a large number of jade bottles and two new Cultivation Technique Jade Slips appeared.

"Lin Zhen." Lin Dao's voice calmly transmitted out of the Quiet Room.

Lin Zhen, who had been respectfully waiting outside, heard the voice and immediately entered quickly. When he saw the mountain of resources on the floor, especially when he felt the fluctuations from the two Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques, his breathing instantly quickened, and his eyes widened.

"Old... Old Ancestor! This... this..."

"Distribute the Medicinal Pills as needed, prioritizing the cultivation of promising descendants. Place the two Cultivation Techniques in the Scripture Pavilion; anyone with sufficient contribution may study them," Lin Dao instructed. "The Family strength needs to be improved as soon as possible. Qingfeng County is too small."

Lin Zhen was so excited that he trembled all over, falling to his knees with a thud: "I will strictly obey the Old Ancestor's decree! The Lin Family will certainly not fail the Old Ancestor's high expectations!"

He understood that the true take-off of the Lin Family began at this moment!

The resources were distributed, and the entire Lin Family was once again plunged into a fanatical wave of Cultivation.

With sufficient Medicinal Pills and Advanced Cultivation Techniques, everyone's cultivation changed almost daily.

Relying on the accumulation of resources and his previous Foundation, Lin Zhen broke through to the Third Level of the Spirit Sea Realm in one go!

Two new Spirit Sea Realm experts were added to the clan, and over twenty people were in the Innate Realm! The overall strength was more than twice as strong as it was half a month ago!

Under the tilt of resources and his own efforts, Lin Hao also successfully broke through to the Innate Realm three days later!

When guiding Qi into his body, there was faintly a sound of a Dragon roar accompanying it, a truly extraordinary phenomenon.

【Ding! Destiny Member Lin Hao broke through to the Innate Realm, triggering a high-multiplier critical hit, feedback Cultivation +50!】

【Ding! Overall Family strength significantly improved, feedback Cultivation +30!】

【Ding! Two new Spirit Sea Realm experts added to the Family, feedback Cultivation +20!】

The System notification sounds rang from time to time. Although it was a drop in the bucket for the improvement of Lin Dao's Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm cultivation, many a little makes a mickle, and he could feel the barrier leading to the Life Soul Realm seemingly loosening slightly.

What Lin Dao did not know was that the Lin Family's rapid rise, as well as the incident where Zhao Li came to seek revenge and disappeared without a trace, could not be completely covered up after all.

Hundreds of miles away from Qingfeng County, a city far more prosperous and magnificent than Qingfeng County—Black Rock City.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, a middle-aged man wearing brocade robes with a sinister face was listening to the report from a scout below.

He was the Black Rock City Lord, Shi Lie, with cultivation at the Ninth Heaven of the Tongtian Realm, governing more than ten surrounding counties, and Qingfeng County was also within his sphere of influence.

"...The Lin Family of Qingfeng County annexed the Wang and Zhao Families within half a month, suspected of having a Tongtian Realm Cultivator sitting in charge. Three days ago, an extremely strong Tongtian Realm aura appeared in Qingfeng County, suspected to be the missing Old Ancestor of the Zhao Family, Zhao Li, but his aura disappeared rapidly after erupting, suspected... to have been killed by that mysterious powerhouse of the Lin Family."

The scout reported respectfully, his voice carrying a trace of disbelief.

"Oh?" Shi Lie tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, a flash of shrewdness in his eyes. "That old ghost Zhao Li, if it really was him, he was at least at the Third Heaven of the Tongtian Realm. To be able to kill him... that person from the Lin Family, it seems, is not simple."

A meaningful smile curled at the corners of his mouth:

"It seems that under my jurisdiction in Black Rock City, a fierce dragon has crossed the river. Pass down the order, in my name as City Lord, send an invitation to the Lin Family of Qingfeng County, inviting their Family Head... no, invite that Lin Family Old Ancestor to come to Black Rock City for a chat. Just say that I, the City Lord, wish to hold a celebration for the Lin Family and discuss the future annual tribute of Qingfeng County."

"Yes!" The scout accepted the order and left.

Shi Lie stood up, walked to the window, looked towards the direction of Qingfeng County, his eyes flickering, and muttered to himself:

"Tongtian Realm... if he can be recruited, it will be a great help. If not... hmph, this edge of Qingzhou cannot accommodate too many uncontrolled 'fierce dragons'."

An undercurrent began to quietly surge towards the rapidly rising Lin Family.

The invitation was soon respectfully delivered to the Lin Family mansion.

Lin Zhen took the invitation, which was made of exquisite materials and stamped with the Black Rock City Lord's seal, not daring to be negligent, and immediately presented it to Lin Dao.

Inside the Quiet Room, Lin Dao glanced at the content of the invitation, his expression calm.

"Black Rock City Lord? Shi Lie?"

A barely perceptible flame ignited at his fingertip, turning the invitation into ashes. "Discussing annual tribute? I fear it is a feast without good intentions."

Although he was not afraid now, the Lin Family's Foundation was still shallow, and it still needed time to digest what it had obtained.

"Reply to him that I am at a critical juncture in my closed-door training and cannot spare the time. Lin Family affairs are fully handled by the Family Head, Lin Zhen. As for the annual tribute, follow the old precedent of previous years."

Lin Dao instructed indifferently.

"Yes, Old Ancestor." Lin Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed. He was also worried that if the Old Ancestor went rashly, he would fall into a trap.

The news was sent back to Black Rock City.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion, Shi Lie listened to the report, his face instantly turning gloomy.

"Closed-door training? Cannot spare the time? Follow the old precedent?"

He sneered, and the jade cup in his hand was crushed to pieces. "What a high and mighty attitude! Does he really think that just because he killed a Zhao Li, he can disregard my Black Rock City?"

A wave of Evil Qi permeated the area, and the guards below were terrified into silence.

"It seems that I, the City Lord, must personally go and 'invite' this Lin Family Old Ancestor."

A cold light flashed in Shi Lie's eyes. "Prepare the carriage! Assemble the personal guards; I, the City Lord, will personally visit Qingfeng County to see exactly who this Tongtian Realm Old Ancestor is!"