Chapter 623 Sudden Enlightenment, Qingyun Fox Clan Appears (Combined Two in One Update)_2
The people here will definitely have to relocate to Chu Country. If they stay, even Lin Shiming may not be able to protect them—after all, there's a Demon Emperor.
Furthermore, the Lin Family has enmity with the Qingyun Fox Clan.
Lin Shiming even suspects that the Qingyun Fox Clan might harbor the presence of a Demon Emperor.
Their clan's intelligence is exceedingly high, and they can even collaborate with human Alchemists and Artifact Refiners.
In this regard, they are fundamentally different from other demonic races.
Additionally, Lin Shiming has never heard of the Spirit Beast Sect taming Qingyun Foxes. All indications point to the Qingyun Fox Clan being anything but simple.
"Board the Spirit Boat. This is a Fifth Rank Treasure Boat, comparable in power to Fifth Rank Golden Core cultivators!" Lin Shiming introduced it with a smile.
He directed Lin Yanyu and Lin Changxue to board the Fifth Rank Treasure Boat.
They boarded the War Treasure Ship and curiously examined their surroundings.
After all, the ships they'd seen before were at most Third Rank ordinary treasure ships. As for Fourth Rank War Treasure Ships, those were considered lofty and unattainable in their eyes.
Now, confronting this Fifth Rank War Treasure Ship with over a hundred spirit slots, they couldn't have imagined such a marvel before.
"Yanyu, starting today, you will receive five times the family stipend. This is a special allowance from the family. Additionally, Changxue will receive triple the stipend!"
"What?" Lin Yanyu was slightly puzzled.
His confusion wasn't about the stipend but rather Lin Shiming's mention of Lin Changxue.
"Don't worry. Nowadays, the family has plenty of Heavenly Spirit Root and Spiritual Body cultivators. Ice Spirit Root cultivators are no longer rare!" Lin Shiming naturally understood Yanyu's concerns. However, given the Lin Family's current strength and talent, there was no need to tread as cautiously as before.
No sect will dare pose a threat to the Lin Family anymore.
The Spirit Boat had barely made its way through the air when they arrived at the county town.
Lin Shiming descended from the Spirit Boat and approached the town.
"I am Lin Shiming of the Fangmu Mountain Lin Family, the eighth-generation Family Head. Due to various reasons and vendettas, we were forced to leave before. Today, I return to take our family to a place where everyone can cultivate and live in peace, rather than staying here in constant fear. I hope you all can trust us!" Lin Shiming declared.
As Lin Shiming spoke, all the mortals emerged. They looked at Lin Shiming and the massive Spirit Boat, the atmosphere becoming lively and boisterous.
They were incredibly grateful toward the Lin Family cultivators.
After all, these past years had seen Lin Yanyu and others protecting them.
Now that Lin Yanyu was directly present, alongside even stronger and more numerous cultivators claiming they would take them away, there was no hesitation.
The most striking element was the enormous Spirit Boat hovering in the void, larger than their entire town, casting shadows across the skies.
They were naturally willing to follow.
"Shiyuan, organize these mortals to board the Spirit Boat. The Spirit Boat is parked just outside the town; all their livestock should be placed into Spirit Beast Bags!" Lin Shiming instructed.
Settling the mortals was currently a major issue for the Lin Family. Only by handling it properly could they enhance the family's unity, a vital step toward perfecting Lin Shiming's state of mind.
A moment of revenge, a moment of resettlement.
Even for Lin Shiyuan, this task carried great importance.
After all, these were the clanspeople protected by his father.
The Spirit Boat's arrangement proceeded systematically. Apart from Shiyuan, Lin Shiming had Lin Shilei test the Lin Family members present here.
Simultaneously, he had their cultivation techniques updated.
For instance, Lin Changxue now began cultivating the same technique as Lin Changxing: the "Too-Cold-Like-Water Canon."
However, for Lin Changxue, her progress was somewhat lacking, with her being twenty-one years old and only at the seventh layer of Qi Cultivation.
The scarcity of resources had impeded her cultivation, and her current level was due to her decent talent and Lin Yanyu's care. Otherwise, her cultivation realm would be even lower.
Besides Lin Changxue, Lin Yanyu also possessed notable talent. Currently in the Foundation Establishment Early Stage at the age of forty-eight, with dual Gold-Wood Spirit Roots, his aptitude was relatively strong.
Of course, Lin Shiming valued Yanyu's managerial abilities even more. Among the capable family members, Lin Yanjiao, Lin Zewen, Lin Yanqing, Lin Zekong, and Lin Zecheng managed affairs well, but compared to the family's expanding territory, there were far too few cultivators who could independently shoulder responsibilities.
With proper cultivation, Lin Yanyu's future achievements would undoubtedly be significant.
In front of the town, numerous cultivators were already helping condense the mortals' belongings into storage on the Spirit Boat.
The Fifth Rank War Treasure Ship was sizeable enough to accommodate one hundred thousand mortals.
This county town had only several thousand people, so there were no concerns about capacity.
Nearby, Red Leaf True Person quietly stood in place without intervening. She remained silently waiting, neither disturbing Lin Shiming nor rushing him.
Not only had Red Leaf True Person received instructions, but the display of martial prowess Lin Shiming had just demonstrated was enough to command her respect.
Meanwhile, Lin Shiming had arrived at the ruins of Fangmu Mountain.
This was the spot he and Lin Shiyuan had personally shattered.
Alongside him were Lin Houshou, Lin Shilei, and several others.
"Back in those days, I spent countless hours in the family's Treasure Pavilion. Nowadays... ah!" Even Lin Houshou couldn't suppress a sigh.
His gaze grew profoundly reflective, as if consumed by an avalanche of old memories.
Lin Shiming's eyes also carried a distant focus. It seemed as if he could peer through the river of time, seeing Lin Yuqi tirelessly urging for alchemy, the brave yet solemn Great Elder Lin Yuqing, and Lin Yutie, the lifelong gentle figure of compassion.
All past scenes flashed by in a blur, and a faint smile crept onto Lin Shiming's lips.
Though sadness over old memories rang true, standing on Fangmu Mountain today, Lin Shiming could proudly declare that the Lin Family was now a Nascent Soul clan, numbering in the millions.
All the ancestors' wishes had been fulfilled.
This sense of accomplishment was deeply complex.
At that moment, Lin Houshou's gaze shifted toward Lin Shiming, a peculiar light flickering in his eyes. Suddenly, he perceived Lin Shiming as different from before.
An eerie spirit light emanated from him, reminiscent of the Spirit Light acquired by the Lin Family's meditation cushions.
"Shiming is experiencing Dao Enlightenment! Everyone must withdraw immediately!" Lin Houshou transmitted the message urgently. He began personally setting up a formation.
The opportunity for Dao Enlightenment is rare and invaluable for any cultivator.
Lin Houshou naturally wouldn't allow disturbances.
No matter how long Lin Shiming remained here, he would protect him unwaveringly.
"Second Uncle, I'll keep watch from afar!" Lin Shijie announced.
Given that this was Yunzhou near the Qingyun Mountain Range, and with Youzhou largely fallen, it was expected for Great Demons or even Demon Kings to appear.
Lin Shiming's Dao Enlightenment could tolerate no interruptions.
Even if the relocation were postponed, there was no other choice.
"Notify Elder Jiuxiao and Red Leaf True Person of our situation!" Lin Houshou turned to Jiuxiao True Person.
Today, Jiuxiao True Person had curiously refrained from drinking with Lin Houwei. Both habitual drinkers displayed unusual restraint, with Lin Houwei overwhelmed by emotion. Upon witnessing Lin Shiming's Dao Enlightenment, Jiuxiao True Person promptly took flight toward the distance.
They hoped Red Leaf True Person might assist in the defense as well.
Time passed.
The Lin Family's relocation efforts continued smoothly.
Meanwhile, a piercing beast's cry echoed from the distant skies.
A vast tide of beasts surged toward them.
This sight threw the mortals into chaos.
Though unable to see far, the quaking earth and skies filled with dense shadows made it clear. This beast tide was unprecedented!
"Yanyu, have the mortals aboard the Spirit Boat retreat into ship cabins. Those remaining must return to the town. All cultivators, follow me to resist the assault!" Lin Houshou commanded, flying toward them.
He led Lin Shilei and others to confront the beast tide directly!
Their brows knitted tightly. This beast tide bore signs of Demon Kings' presence, clearly aiming specifically for them.
Lin Shijie soon arrived, accompanied by Red Leaf True Person in the distance. Evidently, Red Leaf Island would assist the Lin Family this time.
Jiuxiao True Person stood watch beside Lin Shiming, shielding him from disturbances.
Nearby was Lin Zelu. Zelu had initially offered to exchange roles with Lin Houshou, but as a junior member, he was thoroughly reprimanded.
"Those figures in the distance resemble the Qingyun Fox Clan!" Observing many tails and the overwhelming demonic aura in the skies, Lin Shijie and Lin Shiyi frowned deeply.
Their thoughts turned to Lin Shiming's warnings about the Qingyun Fox Clan.