"Shiming, where did you get this wine from?"
"How many people know about it?"
"How much is left?"
The Second Elder took a deep breath, his eyes filled with urgency as he asked three questions in quick succession.
The other Elders too stretched their necks as if they were eager to crowd around and grab Lin Shiming by the collar to demand answers—if it weren't for the fact that he was their junior.
A second-rank, inferior-grade Spiritual Wine, like the Spirit Pool on Fangmu Mountain, nearly bore the brunt of the Lin Family's financial income.
Now, having discovered a second-rank, intermediate-grade Spiritual Wine with healing effects, the profits were unimaginable!
"Reporting to Second Grandfather, currently, only I am aware of this matter. Furthermore, there is plenty of this Spiritual Wine..." Lin Shiming recounted everything he had seen, heard, and thought in Peach Blossom Valley, sparing no detail.
Especially the second-rank, superior-grade Spirit Peach Tree and the second-rank peak, potentially mutated species—the Red-haired Demon Monkey, Lin Shiming was extremely meticulous, emphasizing the importance of these discoveries.
For a moment, everyone inside the Treasure Pavilion held their breath.
It took a long time before anyone spoke; they were all immersed in the information they'd just received.
This tsunami of news was astonishing!
Even dozens of second-rank, inferior-grade Spirit Peach Trees now seemed trivial in comparison!
A second-rank, intermediate-grade or higher Spirit Vein, a second-rank, superior-grade Spirit Peach Tree, second-rank, intermediate-grade Spiritual Wine, and even second-rank, superior-grade Spirit Fruit!
Each of these, even on their own, would be worth thousands upon thousands of Spirit Stones.
Of course, with great profit came great risk.
The strength of the Demon Monkey troop was clearly not weak!
As the core of the Lin Family, the Great Elder was the first to regain his composure, speaking with a stern expression:
"Hou Shou, close off the Treasure Pavilion, and hang a notice for a three-day closure!"
Lin Houshou didn't dare delay for even a moment, his entire being numb from the news. Having an order to follow was a welcome distraction for him.
That imposing figure, towering and majestic in the eyes of all the Lin Family's young disciples, now had the thought, "I should be the one guarding the door."
The main door closed with a click, and still, no one spoke.
As the highest authority and the most powerful person present, the Great Elder spoke again:
"Hou Yuan, as the current Family Head of the Lin Family, you manage all matters!"
"Furthermore, no one must utter a single word about today's events, not even to their own spouses or children!" Lin Yuqing swept his formidable gaze over everyone before waving his hand to signal Lin Houyuan to come forward and take charge.
Lin Houyuan didn't hesitate; he took a deep breath and began to make arrangements:
"Esteemed uncles and Elders, we have come to the most important moment for our Lin Family. Since our esteemed ancestor left the Qingxuan Sect to establish the Purple Mansion Family, it has been five generations, well over three hundred years!"
"Now, we have fallen to the status of a mere Foundation Establishment family, and even that position is unstable—it is due to our dereliction of duty, for which we... all bear responsibility!"
"But now!" Lin Houyuan raised his voice.
"We have reached the most crucial moment for the Lin Family; I hope all uncles and Elders will spare no effort and work together wholeheartedly!"
"We shall heed the Family Head's decree and do everything within our power for the rise of our family!"
All the Elders replied in unison with fervent looks in their eyes.
"Second Elder, take this Spiritual Wine to Seventh Uncle to see if it can alleviate his chronic ailment. Even the slightest relief would do, and we might be able to obtain second-rank, superior-grade, or even peak second-rank Spiritual Wine!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
"Great Elder, please recall the Demon Hunting Team. Use the discovery of a dual Spirit Root genius as a pretext to re-examine all mortals within the Lin Family's domain in search of more individuals with Spirit Roots! Remember not to reveal any information about Spirit Peach Valley."
"Yes, Family Head!"
"Fourth Elder, you take charge and arrange the purchase of a large number of Spirit Talismans, and on the pretext that the family has discovered a formation prodigy, recall the Third Elder!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
"Sixth Elder, effective immediately, all of Lin Family's guard duties on external missions are canceled!"
"Yes, Family Head!"
All those who were called promptly gave their affirmative responses; the people of the Lin Family, the spirit of the Lin Family, at that moment, everyone's spirit in the venue was united.
"Everyone, whether the Lin Family can overturn the situation, whether the old patriarch can regain his combat strength, it all hinges on this!"
...
After a round of mobilization, all the Elders left, the situation having arisen suddenly.
However, they could not afford to be unprepared for what was to come because of its suddenness.
In the end, only Lin Houyuan remained, looking at his son who stood as tall as him, those sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes reminded him of his own younger days.
Yet, the current Lin Shiming was doing far better than him during his youth.
And Lin Houyuan, too, could proudly announce his son's name to everyone.
"Shiming, your father is proud of you, and the family is honored by you. Now, let's talk about your rewards!"
"Before this journey, you may choose a Second Rank Superior Grade Magic Artifact from the family's inventory! Also, 500 contribution points!"
"After this journey, you will receive half of the profits from the Peach Blossom Valley!"
"Thank you, Father. Thank you to the family!" Lin Shiming quickly expressed his gratitude. A Second Rank Superior Grade Magic Artifact could be worth at least a few hundred Spirit Stones, and the better ones could even cost over a thousand Spirit Stones.
To know that the later-stage cultivators in the family would typically use a common Second Rank Superior Grade Magic Artifact, as for Loose Cultivators, later-stage ones were probably using Second Rank Intermediate Grade Magic Artifacts!
Being able to choose a Second Rank Superior Grade Magic Artifact, the reward was indeed generous!
Not to mention the five hundred contribution points and half of the profits from Peach Blossom Valley, this was even a massive fortune.
The profits from the Spiritual Wine and Spirit Peaches alone could bring in a few hundred Spirit Stones in revenue each year, probably enough to make even the later-stage cultivators or Elders in the family a bit envious!
Lin Shiming's eyes blazed with eagerness; although this operation was somewhat risky, the profits were undoubtedly huge.
Lin Shiming no longer needed to worry about his inability to sustain the Golden Winged Mantis, an eater of considerable appetite.
"Shiming! What I just said was as the Family Head, now as your father, I have something else to tell you!" Lin Houyuan changed his tone, his gaze seemingly filled with reminiscence.
"This family, your father can still withstand it, you, you've grown up!"
"But, you must protect yourself at all costs, next time, do not take such risks!" At the end of his speech, Lin Houyuan's gaze brimmed with tenderness, the meticulous man appearing to have a glint of tears in his eyes at that moment.
Indeed!
All the Elders were fixated on how vast Peach Blossom Valley was, the profits, and how many people knew about it!
But not one of them showed concern for him, for how he found Peach Blossom Valley, for how he emerged from the presence of a peak Second Rank Demonic Beast, or for the extent of his injuries.
Immortal Cultivation, immortal cultivation, stripping away the identity of a Qi Cultivation fifth layer, Lin Shiming was merely a seventeen-year-old youth!
"Here, take this set of Superior Grade Inner Armor!" Lin Houyuan directly took off a piece of Spirit Armor from his body and handed it to Lin Shiming.
"Father, this..." Lin Shiming was deeply moved, but at the same time, he hesitated; this Inner Armor was Lin Houyuan's personal armor, it could save his life at a critical moment.
It was far more precious than dozens of Superior Grade Spirit Talismans!
"What are you hesitating for when the size fits so well? The men of our Lin Family are not so indecisive!" Lin Houyuan said with a laugh as he chided.
Lin Shiming no longer put on airs, and after receiving the still-warm Spirit Armor, he bowed deeply.
"Father, I will not disappoint you!"
"One day, I will take over the Lin Family, and I will ensure the Lin Family's legacy lasts forever!"