In a stone hall by the wall, several middle-aged men followed a young man in green robes as they walked in.
While taking everything in, their eyes almost unanimously landed on the Spirit Pool.
These people were none other than Lin Shiming and the Lin Family Head Lin Houyuan, as well as the various Elders.
"Shiming, you are truly a blessing to our family!" the Great Elder was the first to praise with emotion.
Although this small Spirit Pool was not large, it was still possible to harvest some Spirit Water every month, and even the Green Lotus from Fangmu Mountain could be partially nurtured here.
Of course, the most crucial point was that this was a Second-Rank Superior Grade Spirit Vein.
In the Cultivation World, if those with Spirit Roots were talents, then Spirit Veins were indeed the real territory.
"It's just a pity that the Second-Rank Superior Grade Spiritual Wine doesn't have that much more healing ability than the Intermediate Grade Spiritual Wine!" The Second Elder also felt very happy, but when he thought of the Spiritual Wine previously extracted from the Second-Rank Superior Grade Spirit Peach Tree.
His mood dropped quite a bit, which was why the Lin Family had made such a big fuss to come to Peach Blossom Valley.
It was because they could find a way to heal the family's only Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
But now that they had failed, all they managed was to gain another piece of territory for the family; they didn't even dare to sell the Spirit Peach Tree and its Spirit Wine openly.
Without sufficient strength, flaunting this wealth was like a child walking through a market with a gold brick.
"Fifth brother, are you confident about this Spirit Vein?" Lin Houyuan also spoke up to the Sixth Elder, who had been examining the Spirit Pool and holding an instrument tray.
The Sixth Elder, named Lin Houyong, ranked fifth in the "Hou" generation, had a Third Spirit Root. His Metal Spirit Root from the Third Spirit Root was extremely pure, hence his talent was also very high. At 55, he had already become an Elder and was one of the Lin Family's two most promising seeds for Foundation Establishment.
He also had another identity; he was a Spirit-Seeking Master.
Spirit Veins in the world are naturally nurtured and arise in coincidence with fate. Just as Spirit Plant Masters are adept at handling Spiritual Medicine and Spirit Plants, Spirit-Seeking Masters are skilled at finding Spirit Veins and transplanting them.
The reason why The Great Sects have been rising faster and their Spirit Veins getting better is precisely because they have a large number of Spirit-Seeking Masters. By spending a certain price to gather small Spirit Veins together, they can form a vast Spirit Vein.
"This is a Second-Rank Superior Grade Spirit Vein, and it has even nurtured a Spirit Pool. I'm not sure!" Lin Houyong shook his head; he was only a Second-Rank Intermediate Grade Spirit-Seeking Master.
The training of Spirit-Seeking Masters is several times more difficult than that of Alchemists and Artifact Refiners. After all, as difficult as it is to practice Alchemy and Artifact Refining, materials can still be found for practice, but Spirit Veins are different!
"Then we can only wait until the Spirit Peaches mature and are transplanted. Afterward, we'll have to pay a great price to hire someone!" Lin Houyuan also sighed.
"Father, all the grandfathers and Elders! Shiming has one more thing!" Seeing everyone reverting to their previous states, Lin Shiming did not hesitate and took out the Spirit Vial.
As soon as the Spirit Vial appeared, an exceptionally rich aroma of wine spread out, followed by streams of pure Spiritual Energy gushing forth.
"Is this a Second-Rank Supreme Grade Spiritual Wine?" Trembling, the Second Elder walked up to Lin Shiming, took the Spirit Vial, looked at it, and after taking a deep breath.
He burst out laughing, "Haha, heaven has not forsaken our Lin Family. This is a Second-Rank Supreme Grade Spiritual Wine with better healing effects. Among the Spiritual Medicine used, there are even Third-Rank Spirit Fruits!"
The words of the Second Elder, Lin Yuqi, exploded in the minds of all the Elders, followed by everyone's jubilation.
Second-Rank Supreme Grade Spiritual Wine, that completely solved the problem of treating the old ancestor's injuries.
With the old family head well, and with Peach Blossom Valley as a land with a Spirit Vein, it won't be long before they could cultivate a second Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage!
"A land of soaring dragons, this Peach Blossom Valley is our Lin Family's land of soaring dragons!" The Great Elder also spoke up with exceptional cheerfulness, his smile beaming broadly.
The family's weakening influence over decades was not bent by others, but by these Elders, the ones with "Yu" in their names, their very own backs!
The other Elders too were brimming with joy, a kind of elation they had never felt before.
"Shiming, you truly are the lucky star of our Lin Family, the dragon among men destined to bring glory to our lineage!" All the Elders couldn't stop singing Lin Shiming's praises.
This time, not only did they complete their mission successfully, it even seemed to surpass all expectations.
"Family Head, I can't stay any longer, we must hurry back to Fangmu Mountain to deliver it to Uncle Seven. Uncle Seven must be getting impatient!"
Second Elder spoke urgently, as if any delay might lead to unforeseen accidents.
And the Uncle Seven he mentioned was none other than the old patriarch of the Lin Family, Lin Xianzhi, who was also Lin Shiming's seventh granduncle.
"Indeed, there's no time to waste. The rest of us here, alongside Aunt Three, will suffice. Big Uncle, Fourth Uncle, Brother Five, you should escort them as well, to ensure that no accidents occur!"
"Agreed!" Great Elder Lin Yuqing also nodded in approval. After accepting the task, Lin Houqing proposed that Lin Shiming should return with them.
It would be a good opportunity for Lin Shiming to make an appearance in front of the old patriarch.
Lin Shiming was only too happy to agree. He had been curious about this great uncle of his for a while, but even more than that, he felt a deep respect for him.
This great uncle had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage at the age of fifty-seven and was now one hundred and fifty years old, having safeguarded the Lin Family for ninety-three years.
Leaving the stone chamber, Lin Shiming boarded Second Elder Lin Yuqi's Flying Sword.
His Flying Sword was a Second Rank Superior Grade artifact, which made it faster. Combined with his powerful strength at the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation, the journey back to Fangmu Mountain would take even less time.
The Sixth Elder and Fourth Elder stood quietly to one side.
It was Great Elder Lin Yuqing who then spoke,
"Shiming, you are the first of the Shi generation to meet the old patriarch!"
"And for that, I am grateful to you, great-grandfather!" replied Lin Shiming, obviously pleased. He had thought Lin Shijie would have met the patriarch by now. It seemed the elder's wounds might indeed be grave.
There had been news recently that Uncle Thirteen, Lin Houwei, had announced that the family would stake everything on a Foundation Establishment Pill in five years.
And now, the family was exerting all its might to conquer Peach Blossom Valley.
"You've earned it. And I've noticed that the spiritual energy in your body is almost at a boundary. Once you return, you should go into seclusion right away, and it may not be many days before you break through to the Sixth Level of Qi Cultivation!"
"Thank you very much for the reminder, great-grandfather!" Lin Shiming nodded. His gains this time were indeed enormous, and he needed to take some time to assimilate all of it.
Breaking through his cultivation level was the most important thing right now.
The journey was silent, and after about a day, Fangmu Mountain was finally in sight.
The peak soared into the clouds, familiar mist enshrouded its midst, and compared to before, Fangmu Mountain seemed even more desolate.
Lin Shiming couldn't help feeling a tinge of sadness. After all, there were several uncles and elder relatives who would now forever remain just outside of the Qingyun Mountain range.
They were the true heroes of the Lin Family!
With a substantial number of cultivators withdrawn from the family, martial law had been declared on Fangmu Mountain from the day Lin Shiming and the others departed.
As soon as Lin Shiming and his party appeared in the sky above, the waiting members of the Lin Family quickly noticed them.
The first to appear was the Lin Family's Fifth Elder, Lin Yuzheng, who had been called back to take charge of the situation on Fangmu Mountain during the family's mobilization.
"Big brother, how did it go?"
"A great victory!"