61: visiting card
Only ten days remained until the grand ceremony for the Lin Family's promotion to a Heaven-Grade Family.
The atmosphere within Qingzhou grew increasingly tense and fervent.
The massive Heaven-Sacrifice Platform had already been completed, piercing into the clouds like a sharp sword.
The runes engraved on the platform shimmered with obscure light under the sun, faintly echoing the pale gold Luck canopy that enveloped the entire Lin Family.
From the Elders down to the lowliest Utility Disciples, everyone in the Lin Family was high-spirited, yet carried a solemnity akin to the eve of battle.
The undercurrents of the outside world had already transformed into substantial pressure.
The External Affairs Hall (Blue Vein) received a mountain of visiting cards and gift lists every day.
However, the intentions contained within them varied greatly.
Some came sincerely to observe the ceremony and form alliances, some were purely curious onlookers, and many visiting cards hid subtle testing or even hard-to-detect coercion.
"Old Ancestor, this is the latest list of visiting cards received."
Lin Xuan respectfully presented a Jade Slip, his expression grave.
"Aside from some major Sects and friendly Families on the surface, there are seven visiting cards from extremely secretive sources. After a preliminary investigation by the Shadow Hall, they are suspected to be from... hidden Heaven-Grade Families, and may even include the 'Sand Puppet Race' and the 'Witch-Barbarian Race'."
Lin Dao's Divine Sense swept over the Jade Slip, taking in all its contents.
His expression remained calm, showing neither joy nor sorrow.
"Those who come are guests. Since they sent visiting cards, we shall receive them according to etiquette. As for what they intend to do..."
The corner of Lin Dao's mouth curled into an indifferent arc.
"My Lin Family's Heaven-Sacrifice Platform is not a place where just anyone can run wild.
Give the order to prepare for guests with the highest specifications, but also have the War Hall and Shadow Hall stay on high alert. During the ceremony, if there is any unusual movement, suppress them with thunderous force without needing to ask for instructions!"
"Yes!"
Lin Xuan felt the confidence and Killing Intent in the Old Ancestor's words; his heart settled as he took the order and left.
The activities of the Shadow Hall (Green Vein) became increasingly frequent and secretive.
Countless invisible shadows permeated every corner of Qingzhou and even the surrounding provinces, monitoring the movements of all suspicious individuals.
Several hidden lines attempting to infiltrate the Lin Family's main manor or sabotage the Heaven-Sacrifice Platform were quietly eliminated, their corpses becoming nutrients for the Lin Family's spirit fields.
The disciples of the War Hall (Red Vein) were even more brimming with Killing Intent, patrolling day and night and forming mobile slaughter Formations.
They thirsted for battle, eager to use the blood of enemies as the most glorious sacrificial offering for the Lin Family's promotion.
Meanwhile, inside the Lin Family, the phenomenon beneath that ancient Enlightenment Tree continued.
The youth Lin Feng remained sitting in meditation, the dust on his body almost covering him as he merged with the tree roots.
However, the faint trace of Dao charm around him did not dissipate; instead, it was like a trickling stream—weak, yet stubbornly persistent—and its range seemed to be expanding extremely slowly.
With him as the center, within three feet, it was as if a quiet Domain had formed; even the flow of air became sluggish, and light seemed to twist slightly.
Lin Hao, Ye Chen, and Lin Yun also watched from a distance during their busy schedules.
"Strange, there isn't a trace of spiritual energy, yet it makes me feel... like I can't quite see through him."
Lin Hao frowned slightly, his Sword Heart keenly sensing the abnormality in that area.
"Heh, this kid has some tricks. Once the ceremony is over, I'll definitely have to have a chat with him!"
Ye Chen scratched his head; he was most interested in such peculiar matters.
Lin Yun's Double Pupils flickered with faint light as he tried to see through that layer of Dao charm, but he found it like looking at flowers through a fog, only able to vaguely perceive a void and tranquility bordering on 'nothingness'.
"His 'existence' itself is expounding a certain truth."
Lin Yun said softly, his eyes filled with thought.
Phoenix Spirit was also permitted by Lin Dao to watch from a distance.
As she sensed that trace of Dao charm, the Phoenix True Fire within her body actually transmitted a strange sense of peace, as if that Dao charm of 'nothingness' could neutralize the overly hot and violent side of her Bloodline.
"Revered Master, he... seems very powerful?"
Phoenix Spirit looked up and asked Lin Dao.
Lin Dao patted her head, his gaze profound. "The world is vast, and there is no lack of wonders.
The Dao does not only exist within power.
Feel it well; it will also be beneficial to you."
At the same time, the cultivations of the three Saints and Phoenix Spirit were undergoing their final consolidation and sprint under this high-pressure environment and the flourishing Family Luck.
They all knew that at the ceremony, they represented not just themselves, but the future and face of the Lin Family; there could not be the slightest mistake.
Deep within the Family's Sword Pavilion, Lin Hao used the remnant intent of ten thousand swords to temper his Sword Soul. His Sword Intent became increasingly pure and condensed, having reached the limit of the Life Soul Realm, needing only an opportunity to trigger the Tribulation of the Heavenly Soul.
Ye Chen practiced frantically with the experts of the War Hall in the Martial Arts Arena, controlling the power of the Ancient Desolate Sacred Body with more and more precision. With every movement, his blood and Qi were like a Dragon, shaking the heavens and earth.
Lin Yun went into seclusion at the Star Gazing Platform, drawing upon the power of the stars to cleanse his Double Pupils and Divine Soul. His aura grew deeper, and the river of stars swirled within his pupils, as if he could reflect the past and future.
Phoenix Spirit stayed by Lin Dao's side, receiving the most direct guidance, consolidating her Life Soul Realm cultivation, and familiarizing herself with the various mysteries of the Phoenix Undying Body, making rapid progress.
The entire Lin Family was like a bow being gradually drawn to its limit, accumulating power and waiting for that earth-shattering moment.
And on the third day before the ceremony, a new change finally appeared in Lin Feng, who had been sitting calmly.
The faint Dao charm that had lingered around him for nearly a month suddenly rippled like water.
Immediately afterward, with him as the center, within that three-foot-square 'quiet Domain', the dust and fallen leaves accumulated on the ground actually defied common logic and slowly floated up, suspended in mid-air, motionless.
It wasn't controlled by spiritual energy, but rather as if the 'gravity' or some basic rule of that area was being extremely weakly influenced by that trace of Dao charm!
This anomaly immediately alerted the guards and Lin Xuan, who had been following the place closely.
Lin Dao's Divine Thought also swept over instantly.
"The embryonic form of... rules?"
A flash of genuine surprise finally crossed Lin Dao's eyes.
For a Mortal to trigger Dao charm was already inconceivable, but now he was beginning to minutely influence the rules of reality?
Even if this influence was minuscule and limited to a tiny space, it was enough to shock the world!
"Three more days..."
Lin Dao murmured softly, his aura completely merging with the majestic Luck of the entire Lin Family, like a dormant Primeval Divine Dragon about to awaken and soar into the Nine Heavens!