The days following the duel between Tianyu and Lin Jie were filled with whispers, astonished expressions, and new opportunities. Tianyu had secured his position as the strongest within the Lin Clan, even surpassing his father, Lin Zhentian, in terms of raw cultivation speed.
As the news of his victory spread through the clan, other elders and disciples began to treat him with newfound respect, though some still harbored doubts.
---
The Lin Clan Courtyard, Three Days Later
Tianyu stood in the middle of the courtyard, facing the clan's elders and a select group of young disciples. His father had called for a meeting to discuss the future of the Lin Clan.
"Everyone, listen carefully," Lin Zhentian began, his deep voice reverberating through the courtyard. "The Lin Clan has always been weak, but Tianyu has shown that we can rise above our limitations. I've decided to trust his judgment moving forward."
Tianyu stepped forward, his demeanor calm and authoritative. "The time has come for us to change the course of this clan. We will no longer be content with just surviving—we will thrive."
The elders exchanged wary glances. A few whispered amongst themselves, unsure of Tianyu's words. But Tianyu, with his confidence radiating from every pore, continued.
"We will expand our cultivation resources, open new trade routes, and strengthen our internal unity. But most importantly, we will begin by focusing on the core professions of this world—Alchemy, Beast Taming, Formation Mastery, Blacksmithing, and more."
One elder, a woman with graying hair, spoke up hesitantly. "Young Master, we are the weakest clan in the weakest city of the weakest kingdom. How do you plan to compete with sects and kingdoms with vast resources?"
Tianyu smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We will use the only thing we have—our willingness to do whatever it takes."
---
The System's Advice
Tianyu's mind buzzed with thoughts of his next steps. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. The world was filled with powerful sects and aristocratic families, all of which held centuries of knowledge, resources, and influence. He needed more than just cultivation; he needed to gain expertise in other professions that would set him apart from the rest.
As Tianyu walked back to his chambers, he activated the System in his mind.
"System," Tianyu said, "What's the best way to start gathering resources for the clan?"
"Host, as per your task to rise the Lin Clan, I recommend the following steps:
1. Alchemy - You can begin by obtaining low-tier medicinal herbs and crafting simple pills to trade for resources. Alchemy has always been a key asset for cultivating power in this world.
2. Beast Taming - The Lin Clan can expand its strength by taming beasts of the Qi Refining and Foundation Building stages. These beasts can be used as guards, mounts, and allies in battle.
3. Formation Mastery - Since you have the talent to form complex formations, I suggest you begin studying advanced formations and use them to defend the clan's territory and increase the success of your future endeavors.
4. Blacksmithing - Creating basic weaponry and armor to equip your clan's warriors will solidify your foundation. A weapon, once crafted properly, can increase the strength of a cultivator.
5. Additional Recommendations - Purchase items in the System's store to enhance your abilities further. The Spirit Gathering Array has already proven effective, but with more resources, your clan's strength will grow exponentially."
Tianyu paused. "Alright, I'll focus on those for now. Open the store and show me what we can buy."
---
System's Store
The familiar store interface appeared before Tianyu, displaying a variety of items that could aid in the development of the Lin Clan. He scrolled through the various categories:
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[Alchemy Section:]
Basic Qi Restoring Pill (20 Points): Restores a small amount of qi.
Healing Elixir (50 Points): Heals minor to moderate injuries.
Qi Refining Elixir (100 Points): Helps advance a cultivator to the Qi Refining stage.
Spirit Refining Pill (200 Points): Refines a cultivator's meridians and allows them to handle higher amounts of spiritual energy.
[Beast Taming Section:]
Beast Tamer's Collar (100 Points): A simple collar that helps form a bond with beasts of the Qi Refining stage.
Tamed Beast Egg (300 Points): Contains the essence of a low-tier beast. Can be hatched into a loyal companion.
Beast Summoning Scroll (500 Points): Summons a low-tier beast for a short duration.
[Formation Section:]
Basic Defensive Formation Scroll (150 Points): Creates a simple barrier formation.
Spirit Trap Formation (500 Points): Used to trap low-level cultivators or beasts.
Energy Harvesting Formation (800 Points): Collects and stores spiritual energy from the environment for later use.
[Blacksmithing Section:]
Basic Spirit Sword (300 Points): A sword that resonates with a cultivator's qi, amplifying their attack.
Low-tier Armor Set (200 Points): Basic armor that provides protection against low-level attacks.
Heavenly Furnace (1000 Points): Used to forge high-quality weapons. It can amplify the potential of materials when crafting.
---
Tianyu's gaze flicked over the items. His mind whirled as he considered his options.
"I'll take the Basic Qi Restoring Pill, Beast Tamer's Collar, and a few Tamed Beast Eggs. And definitely the Spirit Refining Pill."
---
[Items Purchased:]
Basic Qi Restoring Pill (20 Points) – x5
Beast Tamer's Collar (100 Points) – x1
Tamed Beast Egg (300 Points) – x3
Spirit Refining Pill (200 Points) – x1
[Total Points Deducted: 940]
**[Remaining Points: 0
[Beast Taming Section:]
Beast Taming Collar (30 Points): An item that helps tame beasts within the Qi Refining realm.
Tamed Beast Egg - Level 1 (100 Points): Can be hatched into a beast of the Qi Refining realm.
Beast Spirit Essence (150 Points): A powerful essence that can improve the bond between a tamer and their beast, speeding up cultivation.
[Formation Mastery Section:]
Basic Protective Formation (50 Points): Creates a small shield around a designated area, capable of withstanding attacks from low-tier cultivators.
Advanced Trapping Formation (120 Points): A complex formation that can trap and restrain mid-tier cultivators.
Heavenly Formation Scroll (300 Points): A rare scroll that contains a high-level formation capable of overwhelming Foundation Building cultivators.
[Blacksmithing Section:]
Basic Weapon Forging Materials (20 Points): Materials to forge low-tier weapons for personal use.
Basic Armor Forging Materials (30 Points): Materials for crafting defensive armor for low-tier cultivators.
Heavenly Forge Hammer (250 Points): A special tool that enhances the quality of crafted weapons, raising them to a higher rank.
[Miscellaneous Section:]
Spirit Stones (Low-tier, 10 Points): A small amount of energy that can be used for cultivating.
Spirit Stones (Mid-tier, 50 Points): Provides a moderate amount of energy that can be used for high-speed cultivation.
Mystical Herb Seed (200 Points): A rare seed capable of growing into a plant that provides potent medicinal effects.
---
Tianyu's eyes flickered with interest. The list was extensive, but his available points were still limited. After a few moments of consideration, he selected a few items that would provide immediate benefits to the Lin Clan.
He purchased:
1. Beast Taming Collar (30 Points)
2. Tamed Beast Egg - Level 1 (100 Points)
3. Basic Protective Formation (50 Points)
4. Spirit Stones (Mid-tier, 50 Points)
The total cost was 230 points, leaving him with a balance of 120 points.
---
"System, why are the prices so high for certain items?" Tianyu asked, still processing his choices. "I can barely afford a few items for the clan with this many points."
The System responded in its usual calm tone.
"Host, the items in the store are priced based on their rarity and power. However, you can earn more points by completing tasks, defeating enemies, or selling crafted goods. The faster you rise, the more access you will gain to higher-tier items."
Tianyu nodded thoughtfully. "I see. It looks like I'll need to focus on completing tasks and missions if I want to strengthen the clan faster."
---
Tianyu was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in," he called.
The door opened, and a young man entered—one of the clan's disciples. His name was Lin Jie, a disciple who had seen Tianyu's rise and was keen to join him.
"Lord Tianyu," Lin Jie said respectfully, bowing. "I wish to request your guidance. I believe I can be of service to the clan if I receive the proper training in Beast Taming or Alchemy."
Tianyu studied him carefully. Lin Jie was a young man of medium build, his face showing a bit of worry. It was clear that he was eager but lacked the experience necessary to be truly useful.
"You seek to become one of the strongest in the clan?" Tianyu asked, his voice steady.
Lin Jie nodded. "Yes, Lord Tianyu. I have no intentions of staying weak. I want to be useful to the Lin Clan and help it grow."
Tianyu studied the young man for a moment longer before speaking. "If you are willing to work hard and learn, I will take you as my disciple. But know this—you will not be treated lightly. You will train harder than anyone else."
Lin Jie's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Tianyu! I will not disappoint you."
Tianyu gave a small nod, signaling the beginning of Lin Jie's training.
---
Lin Clan Courtyard
The next day, Tianyu, along with Lin Jie, made their way to the Lin Clan's training grounds. The courtyard was a large, open space surrounded by high walls. Several disciples were practicing their basic techniques, sparring with each other. The air was thick with the tension of competition, though the atmosphere remained calm.
As Tianyu stepped onto the training grounds, the disciples immediately stopped their activities and turned to observe him. His presence had grown significantly since his victory over Lin Jie's father, and now even the clan's senior disciples looked at him with admiration and respect.
"Lord Tianyu," one of them called out, bowing deeply.
Tianyu glanced at them, then turned his attention back to Lin Jie. "We will start with Beast Taming first. The collar I purchased will allow you to tame low-tier beasts. After that, we will move on to more advanced techniques."
Lin Jie nodded eagerly. "I understand, Master."
Tianyu walked to the side, where a collection of tamed beasts were kept. They were all of varying sizes, but each was only in the Qi Refining realm. Tianyu picked up one of the Beast Taming Collars from his spatial ring and handed it to Lin Jie.
"Use this collar to tame one of these beasts," Tianyu instructed. "Remember, patience and control are key. Don't rush."
Lin Jie took the collar, his hands shaking slightly. He glanced at Tianyu, who stood by observing.
With a deep breath, Lin Jie approached a young tiger that was resting nearby. He held the collar in his hands, focusing on the beast's qi. The tiger's ears perked up, and it let out a low growl, clearly unsettled by the collar.
Lin Jie took another step forward, activating the collar. The collar shimmered with light before it latched onto the tiger's neck.
The tiger's eyes widened, and for a moment, it struggled, but Lin Jie maintained his concentration. Slowly, the tiger began to calm, its growls fading into soft purrs.
The sight left the disciples watching in awe.
"Master," Lin Jie said, turning to Tianyu. "I did it!"
Tianyu nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Well done, but this is just the beginning. Let's see if you can tame more in the future."
The success of this training session was just the first of many to come. Tianyu knew that with his guidance, Lin Jie could become a powerful disciple. But Tianyu also understood that this was only the beginning. He had far bigger plans for the Lin Clan—plans that would make it rise above all others.