The next morning at dawn, outside the grand formation of Lin Family's residence.
Grandfather Lin Shigong, father Lin Xingrong, mother Ren Yuxuan, and sister Lin Tianyue were there to see off Lin Tianming.
Ren Yuxuan's eyes were red. When no one was paying attention, she secretly handed Lin Tianming a storage bag, filled with unknown items.
Despite repeated instructions last night, Grandfather Lin Shigong still couldn't help but give endless reminders.
"Remember to be careful, and do not neglect your alchemy and cultivation..."
"Alright, Dad. Tianming is not a child anymore, and it's getting late. We should set off as soon as possible!" Lin Xingrong said with a worried look as he urged.
Lin Shigong's face flushed red, and then he spoke:
"It's my old age showing improper emotions. Go ahead, Tianming, don't worry about us, focus on your cultivation, and come back to see us as soon as the year is up!"
"Hmm..."
Lin Tianming's face was calm, and he spoke with determination:
"Grandfather, Father, Mother, Sister, I'm leaving. I will take good care of myself and cultivate diligently. I'll strive to return soon. Take care of yourselves!"
Having said that, he brought out his Green Bamboo Sword, leapt onto the blade, and reluctantly rose into the air, flying towards the east.
Standing on the Green Bamboo Sword, the wind caused his green robe to flap loudly. Passing over mountains and rivers, Lin Tianming felt a whirlwind of emotions.
He had always looked forward to leaving the family residence early, to travel the Nine Provinces Continent, to see the great rivers and mountains, to witness the heroes of all tribes.
Having left for just half a day, he began to miss his family. With a reluctant heart, he continued on the road to Qingfeng Town.
Qingfeng Town was more than six hundred li from Green Bamboo Mountain. With full-speed flight and his speed, he could arrive in two days. Departing five days early afforded plenty of time, so there was no need to hurry on his way.
After half a day of Sword Flight, over half of his spiritual power was consumed.
For the sake of unexpected circumstances, he saved half of his spiritual power for emergencies. It was best to be cautious on his first venture into the world, as it was still early and there was no harm in recovering before continuing on the journey.
Just ahead, there was a small valley with a river ten zhang wide, towards which he flew.
Landing on a large tree, he took out the storage bag given by Ren Yuxuan.
Inside were three Lingshen Pills, one Huiyuan Pill, one Huadu Pill, and forty low-grade spirit stones.
Looking at the elixirs and spirit stones in the storage bag, his thoughts were abundant.
This must have been left by his father, Lin Xingrong. It was impossible for his mother, with only the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement and no particularly outstanding skills, to often provide resources for him and his sister to cultivate.
Although his father was seldom at Green Bamboo Mountain and did not show much concern, he was silently contributing.
At this thought, Lin Tianming was very moved.
He quietly placed the items back in the storage bag and summed up his current possessions.
He currently had ten Lingshen Pills, four Huiyuan Pills, two Huadu Pills, and forty low-grade spirit stones, along with enough herbs for ten Fasting Pills and thirty-five batches of Spirit Origin Pill ingredients.
Two first order superior attack talismans, two first order superior defense talismans, one Elemental Fire Bottle, and one set of Alchemy Experience summarized by his grandfather.
He also had maps of Qingzhou and Jizhou, detailed with the mountain ranges of major countries, the territory of medium to large family sects, and family residence locations.
The Lin Family of Green Bamboo Mountain was marked on the map, though it was not prominent.
This net worth, valued at least in the hundreds of spirit stones, could very well be more than what Lin Family cultivators with the Seventh or Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement possessed.
The four first order high-quality talismans, two attack and two defense talismans, would be more than enough for self-protection, as long as he did not encounter a cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement.
Taking up the map, he carefully discerned his location; he had flown a hundred li and should now be over Jinyu Mountain, a small mountain range the size of a hundred li.
He sorted his possessions, closed his eyes, and began to meditate and cultivate.
An hour later, having recovered, he resumed his journey, continuing to fly eastwards.
Three days passed.
A town spanning dozens of li gradually came into view, a plain filled with vast rice paddies, hardly a hill in sight, offering an extremely open vista.
Feeling the atmosphere of this place, he sensed that the spiritual energy was far less than at Green Bamboo Mountain, probably not even sixty percent as strong.
Luckily, he had plenty of spiritual medicine and Lingshen Pills, otherwise relying solely on practice for cultivation, the effect would not be satisfactory.
Green Bamboo Mountain was located in the Luoyun Mountain Range. During the time of their ancestor, the family had spent a great deal to deploy a second order superior formation, which significantly increased the level of spiritual energy due to its inherent spirit-gathering power.
Qingfeng Town, however, was only part of the secular world, so it was not surprising that the spiritual energy was thin.
In a matter of breaths, he flew over the town.
What came into view were densely packed houses, orderly streets, and a multitude of Lin Family commoners looking up with admiration and envy, some kneeling on the ground and murmuring prayers.
In every direction of the town, there was a city wall spanning thousands of meters, several zhang high, with a gate in the middle displaying a placard.
The placard, made of red sandalwood and measuring several zhang in length and one zhang in width, bore the three large characters for Qingfeng Town.
In the center of the town stood the tallest and most imposing tower in the entire town, five stories high, built entirely of marble. Its gray-white walls were particularly eye-catching.
Lin Tianming didn't linger; he headed straight for the attic.
Less than half an hour later, Lin Tianming landed directly in the square in front of the attic.
A few moments passed, and out of the attic emerged a middle-aged man, about sixty years old, with the cultivation of the Fifth Level of Qi Refinement, a clan uncle of the Lin Family by the name of Lin Xingche.
Before this, the two had met several times but had never interacted much.
Lin Tianming quickly walked forward, bowing with his hands clasped in salute, and said,
"Tianming pays his respects to Clan Uncle!"
Lin Xingche didn't put on airs; he greeted him with a smile and said,
"There's no need for such formalities, nephew. You must be weary from your travels, please come inside to rest for a while."
Lin Tianming didn't refuse, and the two entered the grand hall of the attic together.
Before leaving, Lin Xingche instructed the Lin Family commoners nearby,
"Send someone to prepare a table of food for the grand hall, and summon the town mayor as well."
"Yes!"
The commoner from the Lin Family responded, bowed respectfully, and then left.
Inside the grand hall, Lin Xingche brought out the tea set and the two sat opposite each other, starting to enjoy the tea and chat.
Lin Xingche made pleasantries and said,
"I originally thought that the one who would take over my guardian duty would be another clansman, but I never expected it would be our Lin Family's pride, truly beyond anyone's expectations."
Lin Tianming chuckled and modestly replied,
"I dare not claim to be the pride, with so many in the Wei Kingdom blessed with outstanding talents, not to mention in larger regions like Qingzhou or Yunzhou and Xuanzhou."
Lin Xingche didn't say much more and began to introduce Qingfeng Town to Lin Tianming.
Qingfeng Town is one of the Lin Family commoners' five major gathering places, with nearly a hundred thousand people, of medium scale, with a history of over five hundred years of city construction, and an important resource of commoners for the Lin Family. Every three years, it can produce several clansmen with Spiritual Roots.
In two years' time, it will be time for the clan's triennial Spirit Root Testing Ceremony, when people should arrive to test the suitable-aged clansmen of Qingfeng Town and take those with Spiritual Roots back to the family's territory for cultivation.
Qingfeng Town lies five hundred li south, within the territory of the Huangyang Kingdom of Jingzhou, in the Whirlwind Mountain Range—a no man's land.
Occasionally, low-order Demonic Beasts lose their way and intrude into Qingfeng Town's jurisdiction. Remember to be vigilant and refrain from crossing the border into Jingzhou territory recklessly, for their cultivation standards far exceed Qingzhou's, and do not stir up trouble or make enemies for the family.
Three hundred li west is the end of the Wei Kingdom's Ziyun Mountain Range in Qingzhou. In the thousand-li radius, there are no cultivator families. There are also many Demonic Beasts in the Ziyun Mountain Range, so there won't be any danger as long as you don't stray more than a hundred li from Qingfeng Town.
Lin Xingche talked for half an hour. Then the Lin Family commoners brought in over ten different types of dishes and drinks. While eating and drinking, they continued discussing Qingfeng Town.
Less than fifteen minutes later, an elderly man over fifty, with white hair, entered the grand hall, supported by two young adults.
All three knelt down together and said in unison,
"Welcome, great ancestor, to Qingfeng Town."
Before the elder could finish speaking, Lin Tianming raised his hand with a wave, and the three were lifted and stood up in midair.
Stunned, the three stood there with flushed faces, looking somewhat at a loss.
Lin Tianming spoke calmly,
"There's no need for such formalities. I've been briefed sufficiently on Qingfeng Town by Clan Uncle. For the next three years, I will be stationed here to protect Qingfeng Town and ensure its peace."
Lin Tianming then asked the elder to introduce himself and the other clansmen.
The elder's face lit up as he began to speak,
"I am Lin Sheng, a thirty-second generation clansman of the Lin Family from Qingfeng Town, and have been serving as the town mayor for over twenty years."
"These are my sons, Lin Shan and Lin Hai. Both are quite astute. I am getting on in years and find it hard to get around. I'm afraid I might not be able to serve you closely, great ancestor. I ask for your understanding, but please feel free to command them for anything," he added, turning to his sons.
After saying this, he instructed his sons:
"You two brothers, make yourselves fully available to serve the great ancestor. Any lapses will be met with family discipline!"
Hearing this, Lin Shan and Lin Hai were visibly apprehensive, nodding repeatedly and promptly agreeing.
In front of everyone, Lin Xingche handed over the control token for the attic's restrictions to Lin Tianming and then let the three leave.
The two continued their meal, and after a few cups of wine, Lin Xingche bid farewell to Lin Tianming, planning to rest for the night and set off at dawn to return to the family's territory and report back.
Lin Tianming also raised a cup in respect and wished his clan uncle a safe journey, then they retired to their respective rooms to rest.
After traveling tirelessly for three days, Lin Tianming was thoroughly exhausted. Finally relaxed, he fell onto the bed and immediately fell asleep.
Lin Sheng and Lin Hai stayed outside the attic, not straying a step away.
The next morning, Lin Tianming saw off Clan Uncle Lin Xingche for several tens of li before returning. He surveyed the area around Qingfeng Town Clan Territory for ten li to ensure safety and then went back to the secret chamber in the attic.