6: Lin Feng, Lin Yun, Lin Tie!
Lin Dao walked out slowly, neither rushing to deal with the potential undercurrents in the outside world, nor immediately immersing himself in cultivation.
With his level of cultivation, sitting in secluded meditation blindly had negligible effects; instead, he needed a sense of resonance with the heavens and earth, and with his own existence.
He decided to take a casual stroll through the Family estate that had been revitalized because of him.
Sunlight filtered through the newly repaired eaves, casting warm patches of light.
There were significantly more clansmen moving about the estate, each walking with hurried steps yet full of vitality, their brows and eyes carrying an uplifted, sharp spirit.
Upon seeing Lin Dao, regardless of age, everyone immediately stopped, retreated to the side of the path, and bowed, their eyes filled with heartfelt fervor and awe.
Lin Dao nodded slightly and strolled on.
He did not deliberately release his Divine Thought, but his spiritual perception at the Nine Heavens of the Tongtian Realm was incredibly sharp. The subtle Spiritual Qi fluctuations throughout the estate, the murmuring sounds of blood and Qi circulation as the Disciples Cultivate, and even the slightest fluctuations in their moods, all naturally reflected in the lake of his heart like streams flowing into the sea.
Passing by the Martial Arts Arena, dozens of young Disciples were training hard.
The wind of their fists whistled, and Sword Qi pierced the air. Most were practicing the newly bestowed 'Ningyuan Technique' and 'Qingyuan Sword Art.' Although they seemed immature, they already had a System, and their progress was rapid.
His gaze swept over the crowd without lingering. These Disciples had solid Foundation, but most had ordinary potential.
Walking near the library pavilion, under an ancient ginkgo tree, a boy of about thirteen or fourteen was holding the Jade Slip of 'Flowing Cloud Steps,' reading it with rapt attention.
He did not practice the Move like others; instead, he frequently frowned in thought, his fingers unconsciously tracing mysterious trajectories in the air. Weak air currents swirled around him, faintly echoing some kind of wind rhythm.
【Ding! Special talent fluctuation detected. Scanning...】
【Scan complete! Target: Lin Feng, collateral branch Disciple of the Lin Family, age 14, current cultivation: Innate Realm, First Level.】
【Talent assessment: Possesses 'Gale Spirit Body' (latent, not yet awakened), has extraordinary Comprehension Ability for wind-attribute Cultivation Technique and movement techniques, speed talent far exceeds peers.】
【Suggestion: Can be focused on training for reconnaissance, surprise attacks, or specializing in wind-attribute spells.】
"Wind Spirit Body?" Lin Dao paused his steps slightly.
The boy called Lin Feng noticed someone, lifted his head abruptly, and seeing it was Lin Dao, was so startled that he shivered and quickly knelt down: "Di... Disciple Lin Feng, pays respects to the Old Ancestor!"
"No need for formalities." Lin Dao's tone was calm, "What are your insights on the 'Flowing Cloud Steps'?"
Seeing that the Old Ancestor was actually speaking to him, Lin Feng's small face turned red with excitement, and he answered both nervously and excitedly: "Re... Reporting to the Old Ancestor, this movement technique is too exquisite. Disciple feels... feels like I can sense the wind pushing me along, it's just that there are still some parts I don't quite understand..."
Lin Dao nodded slightly, and a point of white light from his fingertip sank into Lin Feng's brow: "This is the 'Wind Control Art' (Profound Rank, High Grade), which complements the 'Flowing Cloud Steps.' Study it well."
A stream of profound information regarding the application of wind and the variations of movement techniques flooded into Lin Feng's mind, countless times clearer than what he had been racking his brain to understand!
The boy stood frozen on the spot, then wild joy flooded his heart, and he kowtowed again: "Thank you, Old Ancestor, for bestowing the technique! Disciple will definitely practice diligently without stopping!"
Lin Dao said no more and continued walking.
Circling past a carefully tended herb garden, the scent of medicine hit his nose.
A young girl wearing washed-out white clothing was carefully using a wooden ladle to water a Spiritual Plant that emitted a pale blue halo.
Her movements were gentle and focused. When her fingertips brushed over the leaves, the Spiritual Plant visibly perked up, and the blue light on the leaves became increasingly lustrous.
【Ding! Special talent fluctuation detected. Scanning...】
【Scan complete! Target: Lin Yun, collateral branch Disciple of the Lin Family, age 15, current cultivation: Acquired Realm, Eighth Level.】
【Talent assessment: Possesses 'Vegetation Affinity' talent (Elementary), keen perception of Spiritual Plant growth and medicinal properties, possesses the potential to become an excellent Spiritual Planter or Alchemist.】
【Suggestion: Can be trained in the direction of Spiritual Plant cultivation or Alchemy.】
Lin Dao's gaze fell on the young girl.
Lin Yun sensed the gaze, looked up, and seeing it was the Old Ancestor, her hand shook, and the wooden ladle almost fell. She hurriedly bowed, her cheeks flushed crimson.
"Do you like taking care of these flowers and plants?" Lin Dao asked.
"Re... Reporting to the Old Ancestor, Disciple feels they have great spirituality, and watching them grow up makes me very happy..." Lin Yun's voice was like that of a mosquito, but it carried sincerity.
Lin Dao pondered for a moment, then exchanged a copy of the 'Hundred Herbs Spiritual Record' (Profound Rank, Medium Grade) and a small bag of 'Spirit-Moistening Soil' (can accelerate Spiritual Plant growth) from the System treasury.
"This book records the habits and cultivation methods of Spiritual Plants, and this soil will be beneficial for you to take care of the herb garden. Study it well; the Family may need to rely on this path in the future."
Looking at the ancient-looking book floating in front of her and the bag of spiritual soil radiating a rich aura of vitality, Lin Yun was stunned for a moment, then brilliant light burst forth from her eyes, and she was so excited she became incoherent: "Tha... Thank you, Old Ancestor! Disciple will definitely! Will definitely not let the Old Ancestor down!"
Leaving the herb garden, he walked to a quiet place in the backyard, where he faintly heard the sound of metal clashing against stone.
He saw a sturdy, dark-skinned boy, shirtless, hammering a red-hot iron billet while sweating profusely.
He was not practicing any Cultivation Technique, just purely forging, but every hammer blow was heavy and powerful, following a clear System. Amidst the splashing sparks, the Impurities in the iron billet were rapidly discharged, gradually revealing a pure billet.
【Ding! Special talent fluctuation detected. Scanning...】
【Scan complete! Target: Lin Tie, collateral branch Disciple of the Lin Family, age 16, current cultivation: Acquired Realm, Ninth Level.】
【Talent assessment: Possesses 'Giant Strength' and 'Artifact Refining Perception' talent (Elementary), strength far exceeds peers, has a natural intuition for metal Materials and heat control, possesses the potential to become an Artifact Refiner.】
【Suggestion: Can be trained in the direction of Artifact Refining.】
Lin Dao stopped to watch for a moment.
Lin Tie was fully focused and did not notice anyone behind him.
It wasn't until a cool metal armor blueprint and a copy of the 'Basic Artifact Refining Essentials' (Profound Rank, Low Grade) landed gently on the stone table beside him that he turned around in surprise.
"Old Ancestor!" He hurriedly put down his hammer and bowed.
"Your strength is passable, but your technique is crude. Practice according to this blueprint and the essentials, and you may withdraw some metal Materials from the Family treasury for practice." Lin Dao said indifferently.
Looking at the incredibly detailed blueprint and the Artifact Refining essentials, and hearing that he could use the treasury's Materials, the honest boy's eyes instantly reddened, and he kowtowed heavily: "Thank you, Old Ancestor! Lin Tie will definitely forge the best weapons for the Family!"
Along the way, Lin Dao discovered two more boys who had some aptitude for basic Formation deduction, and he also bestowed upon them corresponding introductory Formation classics.
【Ding! Cultivated Family members with special talents, Family potential diversity increased, latent Luck enhanced. Gained cultivation feedback +10.】
【Ding! Host's behavior aligns with the "Old Ancestor" identity, Family cohesion increased, gained cultivation feedback +5.】
A faint warm current merged into his body, better than nothing.
Lin Dao was quite satisfied. If a Family is to become truly powerful, it must not rely solely on one or two top combatants and ordinary Cultivator.
Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Formation, controlling, and planting... talent in all aspects is indispensable.
Although these seedlings are weak now, as long as they are given suitable soil and resources, they can all become pillars supporting the Lin Family mansion in the future.
He returned to the Quiet Room, his mind sinking into the System once again.
"System, continue to optimize the follow-up resource supply plan based on the talents of Lin Feng, Lin Yun, Lin Tie, and the others."
【Ding! Plan generating... Already included in the cultivation sequence. According to their progress, follow-up Cultivation Technique resources such as 'Gale Sword Art,' 'Introduction to Alchemy,' and 'Thousand Forging Method' will be provided in a timely manner.】
After handling these matters, Lin Dao cast his gaze into the distance, as if penetrating through layers of courtyards, seeing the storm that might be brewing.
"Black Rock City... Shi Lie..." He whispered to himself, a trace of indifference curving the corners of his mouth.