txolops Chapter 31 We still have to go to the Crimson Forbidden Land!
Chapter 31 We still have to go to the Crimson Forbidden Land!
Chapter 31 We still have to go to the Crimson Forbidden Land!
"Lin Chuan, come here."
Lin Xuankun's aged voice broke the brief silence of the secret room as he beckoned to Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan took a few steps forward as instructed and respectfully stopped in front of the ancestor.
Lin Xuankun gave him a deep look, said nothing more, reached into the storage bag at his waist, and after a moment, took out a talisman with a dark gold color and a small sword engraved in the middle.
"This item is a flying sword talisman that I obtained by spending a lot of favors and resources."
Lin Xuankun handed the talisman to Lin Chuan, his voice calm yet solemn: "Although the power of the flying sword magic weapon sealed within is not much left, and it has been through many years, the talisman can still be activated three or four times with full force. Each activation far surpasses that of ordinary top-tier magic weapons, and may help you turn the tide of battle and save your life when necessary."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Jie's eyes widened suddenly, and his face instantly filled with disbelief, astonishment, and resentment.
He stared intently at the dark gold talisman, then suddenly looked at Lin Chuan, his chest heaving violently.
Talisman!
This is a precious treasure that even he, the most outstanding member of the direct lineage, had never dared to dream of!
The ancestor actually—actually intends to bestow it upon Lin Chuan, a member of a collateral branch?!
A strong sense of resentment and jealousy gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.
On what grounds?
I am the true heir of the Lin family, and the future hope that the family is nurturing with all its might!
However, faced with Lin Xuankun's authoritative gaze and unquestionable decision, Lin Jie, despite his thousand dissatisfactions and ten thousand unwillingnesses, could only grit his teeth and forcefully swallow the doubts and resentment surging in his throat.
"Thank you for bestowing this treasure upon me, Ancestor! I will certainly make good use of it and live up to your high expectations."
Lin Chuan did not refuse, nor did he look at Lin Jie's ugly expression. He calmly stretched out his hands and steadily accepted the talisman.
It feels slightly cool to the touch, yet you can sense its sharpness and immense power.
He carefully sensed it and confirmed that although the spiritual power within the talisman was dormant, its power, which belonged to the level of a magic weapon, was undeniable.
Moreover, as the ancestor said, the remaining power is probably enough for three or four more uses.
Lin Xuankun nodded slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with Lin Chuan's calm and composed attitude.
Then, he looked at Lin Jie, whose face was pale, and softened his tone: "Lin Jie."
"Your grandson is here." Lin Jie quickly composed himself and bowed in response.
"This Xuan Turtle Shield is a top-tier defensive magic weapon used by our ancestor in his early years. Although it is not as precious as a talisman, it has protected me many times. It is of superior quality, sturdy and durable. I bestow it upon you today. I hope you will diligently refine it and use it well." With that, Lin Xuankun took out a small shield about the size of a palm, dark green in color, engraved with mysterious tortoise shell patterns, and handed it to Lin Jie.
"Thank you, Ancestor!"
Lin Jie accepted the Xuan Turtle Shield with both hands, feeling slightly relieved, but the sense of loss caused by the talisman treasure was still hard to completely subside.
Lin Chuan observed coldly, already understanding the situation in his heart.
Before today's summons, it's likely that the old patriarch's heart was tipped in favor of Lin Jie.
That flying sword talisman was probably originally prepared for Lin Jie.
However, when he discovered that his cultivation level as a collateral descendant had surpassed Lin Jie's, reaching the Qi Refining Perfection stage and far exceeding Lin Jie's twelfth level, he temporarily changed his mind.
He gave himself the more precious and life-or-death talisman, while appeasing Lin Jie with a decent top-tier magic weapon.
This patriarch of the Lin family is fairly fair.
At least, when it comes to the overall interests of the family, he did not blindly favor his direct descendants, but instead chose to make key investments in those who, in the current context, had greater potential and more promising prospects.
This made Lin Chuan feel more favorably toward this usually dignified and taciturn patriarch.
After bestowing the treasures, Lin Xuankun did not dismiss the two men; instead, his expression became even more solemn.
He glanced at Lin Chuan and Lin Jie, then slowly spoke in a low voice: "The reason I summoned you two here is only to bestow treasures upon you. There is something even more important, concerning your paths to enlightenment and the future of the Lin family."
Lin Chuan's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague premonition.
Sure enough, Lin Xuankun's next sentence was: "It's for that 'Crimson Forbidden Land'."
Bloodstained Forbidden Land!
Lin Chuan's brows furrowed slightly involuntarily.
Before yesterday, he might have been anxious and actively preparing for it.
Now, the two Foundation Establishment Pills are safely lying in his jade tablet space, and the biggest obstacle on the path to Foundation Establishment has been cleared.
In his view, venturing into that legendary, perilous place where death was almost certain was the only possibility was unwise, even somewhat unnecessary.
He intended to politely decline or find an excuse to refuse.
But Lin Xuankun's next words made him swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
"My lifespan is short; I have at most twenty years left."
Lin Xuankun's voice carried a barely perceptible heaviness, "The Lin family must produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator before I pass away! Otherwise, the Lin family is in grave danger—"
He stared intently at Lin Chuan and Lin Jie, his tone resolute: "Ideally, both of you would successfully establish your foundation!"
Only in this way can my Lin family truly rise to prominence and gain a firm foothold in the cultivation world of Yue Kingdom.
Lin Chuan remained silent.
He could sense the deep affection and responsibility the ancestor felt for the family in his words.
"I've been operating in Yellow Maple Valley for many years, and this old face of mine still has some use," Lin Xuankun continued. "If I do everything in my power, I should be able to secure a quota of one Foundation Establishment Pill for the two of you."
One Foundation Establishment Pill!
Upon hearing this, Lin Jie's eyes immediately blazed with intense light, and his breathing quickened.
This is what he has always dreamed of!
Lin Chuan felt nothing at all, and even a little helpless.
One? He now has two.
"but,"
Lin Xuankun then changed the subject, "You should also know that even with dual spiritual roots, the probability of successfully establishing your foundation after consuming a Foundation Establishment Pill is not 100%! There is still a risk of failure!"
His gaze swept over the two of them, and he said in a deep voice, "Therefore, I hope that both of you can enter that blood-red forbidden land and try your luck for an even greater opportunity!"
Within the forbidden area, if one can gather a sufficient quantity and age of rare spiritual herbs and submit them to the sect, one can directly exchange them for Foundation Establishment Pills as a reward, without any quota restrictions!
"Regardless of who emerges alive, or who brings out more or more valuable spiritual herbs, this Foundation Establishment Pill in my hand will be bestowed upon the one who performs better!"
Lin Xuankun's tone carried an undeniable decisiveness, "This can also be considered a test for you."
"Of course,"
His tone softened slightly, and a hint of expectation appeared in his eyes. "What I most hope to see is that both of you return safely, and that you can each exchange a Foundation Establishment Pill from your sect based on what you have gained in the forbidden area!"
Thus, it is only a matter of time before our Lin family achieves two Foundation Establishment cultivators!
"Rest assured, Ancestor! Your grandson will do everything in his power to bring glory to the family in the forbidden area, seize the spiritual medicine, and successfully establish my foundation!"
Lin Jie immediately straightened his back and responded loudly, his tone full of confidence and eagerness.
For him, entering the forbidden area to seize the spiritual medicine was the most direct and previously the only way to obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Now that his ancestor has promised a guaranteed minimum, he is even more motivated.
Lin Chuan remained silent for a moment.
To go or not to go?
If you refuse, it will inevitably arouse suspicion—why would a cultivator who has reached the peak of Qi Refining hesitate when faced with the tremendous opportunity to directly obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill? Do you already have a Foundation Establishment Pill?
Where did it come from?
Is it related to certain recent events?
These associations.
This is something Lin Chuan absolutely does not want to see.
If I agree to go, with my current cultivation level, methods, and trump cards, as long as I am not so unlucky as to fall into a desperate situation or be besieged by multiple Qi Refining stage enemies, I should be able to protect myself.
Even better, finding rare medicinal herbs or other opportunities in the forbidden area would be the icing on the cake.
More importantly, this trip can provide a perfect and plausible "pretext" for "suddenly" laying the foundation for his future career.
Everything fell into place, and no one would doubt the true origin of the Foundation Establishment Pill.
With this in mind, Lin Chuan had already made up his mind.
He raised his head, meeting Lin Xuankun's probing gaze, and slowly nodded: "Disciple understands. The Crimson Forbidden Land, disciple is willing to go."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Lin Xuankun said "good" three times, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"I am relieved that you two are so determined. Go back and prepare well. The opening of the forbidden area is not far off, so make sure you are in top condition!"
"Yes, Ancestor!"
Lin Chuan and Lin Jie responded in unison.
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