Atop Fangmu Mountain, the Treasure Pavilion.
During leisure times, the Treasure Pavilion seemed quite deserted, with only the spring breeze blowing, leaving no traces behind.
Lin Houshou put down a Formation Jade Slip, a smile emerging on his face.
Just moments ago, he had unraveled a formation puzzle that had baffled him for over a decade, and he had recorded the solution in the Jade Slip.
He felt that it wouldn't be long before he could truly arrange a Superior Grade Second Rank formation, becoming the second Array Master of the Lin Family to reach such a level.
A sense of pride, long absent from his heart, surged once again.
He, Lin Houshou, was still the formation genius of the Lin Family!
"Eh!" The next moment, Lin Houshou's vision blurred, and he saw someone he shouldn't have seen.
"Second Uncle!" Lin Shiming's call of "Second Uncle" brought Lin Houshou back to reality.
The visitor was none other than Lin Shiming, who had hurried back from Qingtao Mountain. It had been three days since the trip to Peach Blossom Valley.
Upon returning to Qingtao Mountain, Lin Shiming had Lin Shiqi guard the place, and promptly rushed back to Fangmu Mountain with Lin Tao, Lin Zhong, and others.
At this moment, Lin Houshou was quite displeased with Lin Shiming. He had left for guard duty less than a month ago and had already returned three times!
With such a mindset, how could he be a true guardian, and how could he bear the responsibility of revitalizing the family in the future?
"Second Uncle, I am here to return the Spirit Testing Plate!" Lin Shiming took out the Spirit Testing Plate, looking at Lin Houshou, who had suddenly become serious, not understanding why his expression had changed so drastically.
"Oh, how was it, have you learned that earning Spirit Stones is not easy?" Lin Houshou took the Spirit Testing Plate, knowing that there were eight other guards in the family who would borrow the plate to gamble for good fortunes.
If they tested a cultivator with good potential, they could be rewarded with both fame and a rich harvest, and might even gain the goodwill of a future powerhouse.
Clearly, this was how Lin Houshou viewed Lin Shiming as well.
That's why he said so.
In his view, life is a journey against the current, and cultivation is a struggle against the heavens. Encountering setbacks is sometimes better, which is why he had not stopped Lin Shiming from borrowing the Spirit Testing Plate before.
But before Lin Houshou could see the disheartened and chastened expression Lin Shiming would surely wear...
Several people hurriedly approached from behind Lin Shiming.
"Family Head, Great Elder, Second Elder, Fourth Elder, Sixth Elder!"
Lin Houshou couldn't understand what was going on at all.
In that instant, nearly all the elders had arrived, with only the Third and Fifth Elders absent.
The Third Elder was Lin Houshou's mother, Lin Yushui, the only Superior Grade Second Rank formation master, presiding over the family's visit to the market in Xing County.
The Fifth Elder, Lin Yuzheng, was the head elder of the family's merchant fleet, constantly leading the caravan to conduct business and bringing profit to the family.
Even when Lin Shijie was discovered to have a Dual Spirit Root years ago, the family was not more shaken than this!
"Shiming, is the message you transmitted true?" The Second Elder, Lin Yuqi, a pale and thin middle-aged man, asked earnestly due to years of alchemy, his gaze soft and profound.
The other elders also watched Lin Shiming eagerly.
That news was too important for the Lin Family, which was currently in a precarious situation.
"It's true! They are currently resting in the guest welcoming building, having flown a day's journey, exhausted. Shiming took the liberty of letting them rest!" Lin Shiming answered humbly and politely.
He wasn't surprised by the elders' expressions; when he learned about the Dual Spirit Root, he, Lin Shiming, had the very same look.
Moreover, these are elders who have dedicated their lives to the family, always hoping to see their children rise to great heights.
At this moment, Lin Houshou was the most tormented.
Everyone else understood the situation; he was the only one out of the loop.
Normally, he would have swung his fist and demanded Lin Shiming to explain everything right there and then—no need to wait so anxiously.
But now, in this situation, aside from the Sixth Elder and the Family Head Lin Houyuan, everyone present was his senior. How could he dare to act rashly?
It was Lin Houyuan, the Family Head, who noticed Lin Houshou's discomfort and spoke up:
"Second Brother, Shiming discovered a talent with Dual Spirit Roots, and the Spirit Testing Plate was sent by you, so you share in this merit!"
"What?" Lin Houshou's mind buzzed, and it took a long time for him to come back to his senses, then he burst into hearty laughter.
The emergence of a prodigy with Dual Spirit Roots would completely justify why all the elders of the Lin Family had mobilized.
Even the patriarch of the family with 'Xian' in his name might be stirred.
The naming convention of the Lin Family was established by the founding elder, Lin Zhengxing, organized as: integrity, enlightenment precedes, worldly benefits extend far, and family harmony has its strategies.
Currently, Lin Xianzhi was the only one left from the 'Xian' generation; the 'Yu' generation still had quite a few elders, the family's pillars were from the 'Hou' generation, and the 'Shi' generation was the Lin Family's hope for the future, also the generation that was growing rapidly.
"Shiming, nicely done! Heaven blesses our Lin Family!" Lin Houshou couldn't help blushing at the thoughts he had earlier, but the prospect of a new Dual Spirit Root in the family pushed those thoughts aside.
"Since everyone is available right now, why don't we go to the guest building to meet some of the younger generation!" While the elders were all joyous, the Second Elder also put forth another suggestion.
A genius with both Fire and Wood Spirit Roots would be very suitable for Alchemy and Artifact Refining. If they could nurture a Third Rank Alchemist or Artifact Refiner for the family, he himself could pass away after several decades, turn into a handful of yellow soil, and still die without regrets.
The Second Elder's proposal was approved by everyone.
After all, not having seen the person in question, there was some measure of trepidation in their hearts.
In the past, there had been occasions of mistaken Spirit Roots, so it was not unprecedented.
"Father, Great-Grandfather, apart from Shitao's issue, Shiming has something even more important to report!"
"Oh? Then speak!" Everyone was also surprised to hear that Lin Shiming had more important news to share, as the Transmission Talismans they had received only mentioned the discovery of a new Dual Spirit Root talent within the family.
"It might also be necessary to inform the old patriarch!" Lin Shiming hesitated for a moment and then slowly began to recount what had happened at Peach Blossom Valley.
His expression grew more serious as he mentioned the Red-haired Demon Monkey; after all, it was a Second Rank Supreme Grade demon monkey, and its fur coloration was unusual compared to the typical yellow-haired variety.
In his opinion, it was very likely to have undergone a mutation, just like his own Golden Winged Mantis.
This was not to be underestimated.
The elders said nothing for a while, hesitating, clearly indicating that the old patriarch had something difficult to discuss.
After a moment of contemplation, Lin Shiming realized it might have something to do with rumors, so he didn't insist any further.
He took out the spirit bottle that held the Monkey Wine from that day.
"Please, Second Grandfather, have a taste!" Second Elder Lin Yuqi didn't hesitate, taking the spirit bottle, pouring out a small drop of Spiritual Wine, and using telekinesis to send it into his mouth.
Lin Yuqi closed his eyes, savoring the effects of the Spiritual Wine carefully. After a few seconds, his eyes suddenly sprang open, bursting with sharp intensity as he spoke excitedly:
"This is Second Rank Intermediate Grade Spiritual Wine with effects that enhance one's cultivation!"
"No, it also has a remarkable healing effect, not inferior to Intermediate Grade Healing Pills!"