Chapter 20: A Gift from the Elders—Never Before So Blessed
“Greetings, Great-Grandfather, Second Great-Grandfather.”
“Grandfather, Second Grandfather.”
After exchanging formal greetings, the group of elders and younger generation engaged in casual conversation for a while.
Then, under the warm hospitality of Lin Siyu and Lin Sihong, they made their way to a bamboo loft where they usually spent their leisure time.
The four of them took their seats in turn, enjoying the beautiful scenery outside the loft as they sipped tea and discussed various topics. Despite the significant difference in their ages and seniority, the atmosphere was unusually harmonious.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and Lin Shoucheng suggested it was time to leave, Great-Grandfather Lin Siyu and Second Great-Grandfather Lin Sihong didn’t insist on staying longer.
The Lin family wasn’t so large that they couldn’t meet often.
Besides, this time, they were fortunate to receive two rare “Breaking Sect Pills” thanks to their great-grandson’s achievements.
These pills had allowed them to break through to the Master realm, extending their lives by decades—something that might have been impossible otherwise, perhaps even in their lifetimes.
“It’s all thanks to Chen’er that we’ve been able to break through to Master and gain a few extra decades of life.”
“This storage bag contains nearly five hundred lower-grade spirit stones and some cultivation notes as well. Consider it a small meeting gift from your great-grandfather and second great-grandfather.”
As Lin Siyu spoke, he took out a small gray pouch from his chest and handed it over.
“A gift from the elders cannot be refused.”
Lin Zichen didn’t utter any polite refusals. They were family, after all, and Lin Siyu was his own great-grandfather. He accepted the gray pouch respectfully with both hands.
“Thank you, Great-Grandfather, Second Great-Grandfather.”
“Your talent far exceeds ours, but you have yet to reach your full potential. When you return, take some time to study the cultivation notes in the storage bag. They should be of some help to you.”
“The future of the Lin family will ultimately rest in your hands.”
“Alright, off you go now.”
Patting the boy on the shoulder, Lin Siyu’s voice rang out with kind reminders in the bamboo loft.
Lin Zichen nodded respectfully and slowly took his leave.
With the existence of the Immortal Clan Simulator, he was confident he could lead the Lin family to the pinnacle of the Tianwu Continent, and perhaps even transcend its boundaries to seek out the legendary immortals.
However, these thoughts were his alone. Lin Zichen would never speak of them aloud.
The existence of the Immortal Clan Simulator was a secret he wouldn’t reveal to anyone.
“One, ten, a hundred… gasp, there are actually four hundred and eighty-nine lower-grade spirit stones! In addition to that, there’s the complete cultivation method for the Heart of the Sovereign Art and its associated martial skills: Wave Palm and Furious Sea Raging Wave. Most importantly, they’re annotated in detail, greatly reducing the difficulty of learning them.”
“Excellent, excellent, excellent! With these resources, my strength will advance by leaps and bounds!”
Back in his small courtyard, Lin Zichen stared at the mound of lower-grade spirit stones before him, along with the three associated martial techniques in his hands. His face was alight with joy.
Wasting no time, he began to study the materials.
Thanks to the threefold cultivation speed boost and his innate cultivation level of Prenatal Realm, Lin Zichen managed to master the Wave Palm and Furious Sea Raging Wave to the Minor Mastery in just a single day.
“489 lower-grade spirit stones, plus the 91 I had left from my previous cultivation… that pushes my total past the 500 mark. I now have 580 stones, enough to run five family simulations.”
“Unfortunately, if the Lin family’s core strength doesn’t change, no matter how many times I simulate, the outcome eight years from now won’t vary much. The Lin family will still face destruction at that time. The only real difference might be for me personally. Knowing in advance that the Wang family has a Peak Master realm expert might allow me to change my own fate.”
Shaking his head, Lin Zichen dismissed the thoughts.
“Simulations are just simulations, after all.”
The text-based outcomes of the simulations often felt surreal to Lin Zichen.
Combined with the fact that he possessed a unique treasure capable of ensuring the Lin family’s survival in real life—even overturning the Wang family—he wasn’t particularly moved by the grim prospects from the simulations.
“Excluding the spirit stones I need for cultivation and a reserve stash for emergencies, I can only afford to use 200 stones for simulations. Hmm… I’ll round it up. Let’s keep 400 stones and use the remainder to run simulations and farm rewards. If I can obtain treasures to enhance the strength of a Master Realm expert, perhaps the Lin family’s simulated future might change as well.”
The thought sparked a glimmer of anticipation in Lin Zichen’s eyes.
During family simulations, the Immortal Clan Simulator provided him with a textual record of major events and turning points.
It didn’t detail daily life, but it didn’t hinder his ability to claim rewards.
In the last simulation, he had lived for over thirty years, reaching the peak of the Master realm and founding the Azure Garb Tower.
He had acquired countless treasures, including pills that could enhance strength, advanced cultivation techniques, and martial skills.
If he could claim even one of these treasures at the end of a simulation, it would steadily bolster the Lin family’s overall power.
Accumulated over time, they could one day rise above the threat posed by the Wang family of Wutong County.
“Ah, is it already daylight? The weather looks great. I promised my little sister two days ago to take her out. It’s been a while since I’ve gone anywhere myself—time to relax a little.”
Cultivation requires balance.
Pushing too hard without rest slowed progress, damaged the body, and could even harm the soul—ultimately counterproductive.
Periodic relaxation was not just beneficial but essential for continued growth.
“Big Brother! Big Brother! Lian’er is here! Open the door~!”
Just as Lin Zichen was recalling his promise, an excited knocking and the cheerful voice of his younger sister, Lian’er, broke his train of thought.
A smile spread across his face.
In a flash, he appeared at the door.
Opening it, he was greeted by the sight of Lian’er, adorable as a porcelain doll in her white gauze dress, throwing herself into his arms.
“Big Brother, are you done cultivating? Did Lian’er disturb you?”
“Not at all. Didn’t I promise to take you out today? I was just about to come get you.”
Lin Zichen lovingly ruffled her hair, his tone indulgent as he spoke.
Lian’er purred contentedly like a kitten, burrowing deeper into his embrace and giggling nonstop.
Moments later, Lin Zichen, carrying Lian’er, stepped out of the Lin family estate amidst the respectful bows of the guards and servants.
But just as the siblings left the gates, inside the Lin estate, another gathering was taking place.
Having reached the Postnatal Realm nearly ten days ago, Lin Zitao and the others had reconvened.
Their confidence was sky-high, their spirits soaring.
“The Postnatal Realm is leagues beyond the Body Refinement Realm! Yesterday, I defeated several guards working together. Impressive, right?”
“Heh, bullying Body Refinement guards is nothing. I straight-up beat a squad leader at the first stage of the Postnatal Realm yesterday. Isn’t that more impressive?”
“I never imagined the gap between the Body Refinement and Postnatal realms would be this vast. No wonder we couldn’t even put up a fight against the Young Master back then.”
After breaking into the Postnatal Realm, Lin Zitao and the others couldn’t wait to test their new abilities.
The results left them both stunned and deeply satisfied.
Now, early in the morning, they gathered to brag about their feats. Their awe and reverence for Lin Zichen had diminished significantly. Some even grew restless with ambition.
They were eager to challenge him again, hoping to prove they weren’t mere decorations.