NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10 - Lin Zhiying’s Breakthrough, Lin Chen Offers His Treasure
From this, it was clear: the higher the luck color of the investment target, the more investment opportunities there were.
The number of investment chances was linked to the grade of the target’s luck color.
Of course, this rule was still just an early hypothesis. To fully confirm it, more investments would need to be made.
As for the two patterns Lin Xuan had previously deduced, they were now nearly certain after investing in Lin Zhiying and Lin Zhifeng.
The first pattern was that the items invested were always something the target urgently needed.
The second pattern was that the items Lin Xuan invested were always things he could provide.
Lin Zhiying had slightly better aptitude and was on the verge of a breakthrough. With a more advanced cultivation method and some guidance, she would be able to break through and become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The reason for choosing a lower-level Heaven-tier cultivation method was that Lin Zhiying’s elemental roots were gold and water, which were incompatible with the top-tier Heaven-tier [Grass and Wood Spirit Sutra].
As for Lin Zhifeng, with his slightly inferior aptitude, an advanced Earth-grade technique was more than sufficient. What he truly needed was a martial art that would drastically improve his combat abilities.
The [Two Elements Flower-Picking Finger], a Heaven-tier low-grade spell, was an excellent fit. It didn’t require high-level artifacts or rare materials. With sufficient dedication to mastering the technique, he could easily dominate in the Qi Refining stage.
When they reached the family treasury, Lin Xuan first completed Lin Zhifeng’s investment and encouraged him briefly before sending him off.
“Lin Zhiying, sit down and focus. I will pass you a cultivation method and guide you. You should be able to break through,” Lin Xuan said to Lin Zhiying after Lin Zhifeng left.
“Yes!” Lin Zhiying, thrilled but cautious, quickly followed Lin Xuan’s instructions and sat down to meditate.
“This technique is called [Taiyi Spirit Transformation Record]. Its nature is balanced and gentle…”
As Lin Xuan transmitted the method into Lin Zhiying’s mind, he explained it aloud. Given her current level, she wouldn’t understand the more profound concepts, so he kept his guidance simple and easy to grasp. He explained from the surface, progressively going deeper, ensuring she could absorb as much as possible.
“The path of cultivation lies in cultivating the heart… When breaking through, it’s crucial not to be rash. Stay calm and proceed steadily…”
As Lin Xuan continued his guidance, Lin Zhiying’s aura surged, nearing the final threshold for a breakthrough.
Just then, Lin Xuan sensed something and glanced towards the treasury’s entrance.
Lin Chen had been looking for Lin Xuan in the backyard and, upon learning that Lin Xuan was in the treasury, made his way there. As he approached, he felt a surge of spiritual energy rushing into the treasury.
Surprised, Lin Chen stopped, sat down outside the treasury, and began to cultivate. Although he had just broken through to the Qi Refining stage, he wasn’t ignorant about cultivation. The family was abuzz with the news that Lin Xuan had set up a Spiritual Gathering Formation.
Many members had already broken through, and judging by the movement, it was likely someone in the treasury was making a breakthrough as well.
“Breakthrough into Qi Refining, and the [Grass and Wood Spirit Pearl] has activated. Excellent!”
With his cultivation at the Golden Core stage, Lin Xuan didn’t even need to activate his Eye of Investigation to see through Lin Chen’s current state. Although he found it odd that Lin Chen had come to the treasury at this moment, he couldn’t afford to be distracted while guiding Lin Zhiying’s breakthrough.
Breaking through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment could be tricky, but it wasn’t necessarily difficult.
More than half of all cultivators were stuck at Qi Refining for their entire lives. However, for descendants of powerful families and sects, those with decent aptitude and access to Foundation Establishment Pills often found it relatively simple to advance.
From Lin Xuan’s perspective, it wasn’t hard at all. The process was largely one of accumulation, and the key difference between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment lay in the amount of spiritual energy stored in the dantian.
At the Qi Refining stage, a cultivator’s lifespan extended just over a century, while Foundation Establishment added only another hundred years or so. The endurance between the two stages differed, but the gap wasn’t insurmountable.
Lin Zhiying, with her dual roots of gold and water, had decent aptitude. With the Spiritual Gathering Formation aiding her and Lin Xuan’s protection, it was almost impossible for her not to break through.
Boom!
A muffled explosion sounded from within Lin Zhiying’s body, and her aura surged. She had broken through—her Foundation Establishment was complete!
“Thank you, Family Head!” Lin Zhiying withdrew her aura and opened her eyes. She immediately bowed deeply to Lin Xuan.
“It’s fine. Go back and stabilize your cultivation. In the future, contribute more to the family, and my protection of you today won’t be in vain,” Lin Xuan waved his hand as he spoke.
“Zhiying will not forget the Family Head’s kindness. I will dedicate my life to protecting the family!”
Lin Zhiying bowed again before leaving the treasury.
“Brother, with you in charge of the Lin Family, I can rest easy even if I’m stuck guarding the treasury forever!” Lin Teng couldn’t help but marvel at how Lin Xuan had produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator so quickly. He felt more confident than ever that his choice to step back and guard the treasury had been the right one.
Being an elder wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. There were external enemies, internal strife, and endless responsibilities—many of which would end up making him unpopular with both sides. But now, he had a much simpler role: guard the treasury, focus on cultivation, and leave the family’s troubles to his brother.
Pushing away his distracting thoughts, Lin Teng closed his eyes and began cultivating with the new technique he had received.
…
“Lin Chen greets the Family Head!”
“No need for formalities. Did you need something?” Lin Xuan asked when Lin Chen entered the treasury after Lin Zhiying had left.
“Family Head, I…” Lin Chen trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
“Is it about the treasure?” Lin Xuan asked, already having an inkling of what Lin Chen wanted to discuss.
“Family Head, you know?” Lin Chen asked, shocked and a bit delighted.
“Of course,” Lin Xuan nodded calmly, his expression inscrutable.
“Everyone has their own destiny. The fact that you found it and activated it shows that you are fated with it. There’s no need to tell me or anyone else in the family. Just make good use of it and contribute to the family.”
“Ah… this…” Lin Chen was confused but didn’t press further. Since Lin Xuan had spoken, there was nothing more to question.
“Alright then, if there’s nothing else, return to your cultivation,” Lin Xuan waved him off.
Before Lin Chen left, Lin Xuan, recalling the power of the [Grass and Wood Spirit Pearl], gave one last reminder.
“Remember to use the treasure well, but also be cautious. Don’t let anyone know about its existence.”
In truth, Lin Xuan coveted the [Grass and Wood Spirit Pearl] as well, but for him, it was merely a nice-to-have and not essential. For Lin Chen, however, the treasure was a foundation for his future success.