Inside the pavilion of the Qinglian Pool, Lin Shiming was also becoming anxious.
This branch of the Li family's suppression tactics was indeed ruthless, and unlike the situation with the Huang Family, Xie An could not step in to help now, and the reputation of the Zi Xuan Hermit was also of limited use.
It should be known that the Li family also has a Purple Mansion cultivator, and their ties with the Qingxuan Sect run deep as well.
If the Lin Family were to actively use the power of the Qingxuan Sect, the Li family would then have an excuse, and even if the Zi Xuan Hermit was powerful, there were still factions within the sect that were his opponents.
Moreover, within the Qingxuan Sect, it was well known that the Zi Xuan Hermit was already over four hundred years old and not far off from the five-hundred-year lifespan limit of the Purple Mansion stage.
"The family must think of new financial avenues, alchemy and artifact refining simply cannot compete with the Li family!" Lin Yuzheng said worriedly.
After a long silence, Lin Xianzhi finally summarized and spoke up,
"Let's host Lin Houyuan's Foundation Establishment event in the square market of Xing County, and hold an auction at the same time. We should extend an invitation to the fellow cultivators in Yunzhou. Since we cannot expand the Qingyun square market, we shall develop the Xing County market, which is close to the scattered cultivators of the Qingyun Mountain range!"
"Also, Yuzheng, thereafter, the family will need to find a way to purchase Spirit Peach Trees and expand the production of Monkey Wine, striving to increase sales to Qingzhou!"
Lin Yuzheng and Lin Yuqing both nodded in agreement; this seemed to be the best way forward.
"Uncle Five, how is the market for Spirit Fish and other spiritual delicacies?" Lin Shiming suddenly asked.
"The market for Spirit Fish is naturally very good, but the source of Spirit Fish and such delicacies is far too rare, even more so than the Spirit Beasts in Qingyun Mountains!" Lin Yuzheng, upon hearing Lin Shiming mention this, also looked somewhat puzzled.
Hearing this, Lin Shiming's eyes suddenly lit up. With over twenty years in immortal cultivation, he naturally knew that Cultivator Families were proficient in raising Spirit Plants, but there was little thought given to the breeding of Spirit Beasts or Spirit Fish.
After all, Spirit Beasts were too uncontrollable and were not of great value to warrant the effort of cultivation.
"Shiming, do you mean to use Qinglian Pool for breeding Spirit Fish?" Lin Yuzheng, who had been in business for many years and was sensitive to financial matters involving Spirit Stones, instantly understood when Lin Shiming asked this question.
And he thought that pairing Spirit Fish with Monkey Wine would indeed be an excellent match.
"Right, and we don't need to use Qinglian Pool directly. As the Green Lotus must be expanded, having them too densely packed will affect their growth. We can construct another Qinglian Lake, dilute Third Rank Spirit Water and pour it into the new Spirit Lake, dividing up the Green Lotus."
"As a Spirit Plant Master, I understand the growth of Spirit Plants well. Many of the excretions from Spirit Beasts can aid in the growth of Spirit Plants!" Lin Shiming explained slowly, integrating ideas from his past life's breeding techniques.
"Shiming, your suggestion is feasible. The growth of the Green Lotus has indeed slowed down, and with a Third Rank Superior Grade Spirit Vein, it shouldn't be at this pace!" Lin Xianzhi spoke up as well.
Soon, Lin Xianzhi made a decision. They would construct a new Qinglian Lake, with Lin Yuzheng now responsible for finding new Spirit Fish fry, and Lin Yuqing taking charge of organizing Lin Houyuan's Foundation Establishment event.
Since they wanted to expand their influence, invitations for the Foundation Establishment event would need to be sent out a month in advance.
After discussing the upcoming matters, Lin Shiming showed to Lin Xianzhi the Third Rank Consolidation Pills that Second Elder had refined.
The latter removed the bottle stopper, examined it for a while, then nodded with a hint of joy and handed the pill bottle back to Lin Shiming.
"There's no difference compared to other elixirs!"
Lin Xianzhi's words eased the minds of both men, as these represented the viability of the Formation Artifact Manual methods and, at the same time, the possibility of producing Foundation Establishment Pills.
If not for this, the Lin Family would have had to risk being discovered while looking for a Qingxuan Sect Alchemist to craft the Foundation Establishment Pills, not to mention that the processing fee aside, even the hush money was not a small amount.
The Qingxuan Sect strictly forbids clans from privately concocting Foundation Establishment Pills.
"You must also hurry with your cultivation. The peaceful days won't last long!" Lin Xianzhi voiced his concerns somewhat worriedly.
At that moment, it was clear that the old family head knew something, but Lin Shiming didn't press for more information. Instead, he silently resolved to continue dedicating himself to cultivation.
That day, after asking some questions about cultivation, Lin Shiming took his leave.
Ten days later, Lin Houyuan finally emerged from seclusion, and Lin Shiming went to meet him as soon as possible. At the same time, he handed over the Consolidation Pills to Lin Houyuan.
After meeting with the clan's elders, Lin Houyuan returned to seclusion and announced that the Foundation Establishment Conference would convene in half a year at Xing County Square Market.
At that time, Lin Houyuan would also give a sermon, offering a chance for fortune to the cultivators who came to the meeting to congratulate him.
Lin Shiming continued his retreat, cultivation, tending to the Spirit Beasts, and cultivating the Heavenly Spirit Fruit trees.
...
A month later, a Spirit Talisman flew into Lin Shiming's cave dwelling.
Lin Shiming opened his eyes and took the Spirit Talisman into his hands.
He saw that it was from his second elder brother, Lin Shiyi, who seemed very eager to meet with Lin Shiming.
Without hesitation, Lin Shiming released the three Spirit Beasts, fed them one by one, and then left the mountaintop to head down to the mountainside.
"Little Seventh, I've called you this time because there's an opportunity available. I wonder if you're willing to go!" said Lin Shiyi, as hearty as ever, with his cultivation visibly breaking through to the Seventh Level of Qi Cultivation, his muscles looking even more robust.
"Second Brother's opportunity is something Shiming is of course willing to partake in. However, please explain the situation so Shiming can make adequate preparations," Lin Shiming said, holding a great fondness for Lin Shiyi, but he understood all too well that Lin Shiyi could be a bit rash.
Opportunity always came with risks, and it was best to be prepared.
"It was the Fourth Brother who discovered a valley with an Inferior Grade Second Rank Spirit Vein. Inside, there are plenty of Inferior and Intermediate Grade Spiritual Medicines, including the Bone-Tempering Flower needed for Body Cultivation. The danger lies in two Second Rank late-stage Sabretooth Tigers, one of which has just given birth to a cub!" Lin Shiyi revealed.
The Bone-Tempering Flower is the main ingredient for the Superior Grade Second Rank Bone-Tempering Pill, which is extremely helpful for Body Cultivators in the late stages of Qi Cultivation.
In the marketplace, it also holds significant value. A single Bone-Tempering Flower could sell for several hundred Spirit Stones.
Thus, Lin Shiyi's gaze was filled with intense eagerness.
"We originally planned to invite Big Brother, but he has taken a Barrier-Breaking Pill and is attempting to break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation. Considering Little Seventh, you have formidable combat power, we decided to include you," he added, further explaining.
After listening, Lin Shiming nodded. A Second Rank late-stage Sabretooth Tiger along with a mother who has just given birth to a cub wouldn't pose a significant problem for Lin Shiming and the others, who were all in the late stages of Qi Cultivation.
He believed that with some assistance, he wouldn't be much weaker than someone at the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation, and Lin Shiming regarded Lin Shimo's abilities as fairly capable.
"All right, but first, let's stop by the Treasure Pavilion to pick up some Spirit Talismans!" Lin Shiming agreed but prudently went to exchange for Spirit Talismans.
Of course, what he was thinking about even more at this moment was Lin Shimo. He could never quite understand this Fourth Brother who practiced the Corpse Training Decree.