txolops Chapter 4: The Lin Family Patriarch!
Chapter 4: The Lin Family Patriarch!
Chapter 4: The Lin Family Patriarch!
Yuelu Hall is an important place in Huangfeng Valley.
This hall is dedicated to storing formulas for refining magical artifacts and elixirs, as well as esoteric texts. It also provides auxiliary tools and commonly used raw materials for alchemy and artifact crafting. The contents of the hall concern the sect's secrets, and it is heavily guarded; ordinary Qi Refining disciples are not allowed to enter.
Lin Chuan frowned as he looked at the divination results.
As a Qi Refining disciple, if he wanted to enter the Yue Lu Hall to consult the classics, he would have to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage or have a Foundation Establishment cultivator as his guarantor.
"It seems we have no choice but to go to the ancestor."
The ancestor he mentioned was none other than Lin Xuankun, the only Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Lin family.
According to seniority, Lin Chuan should call him Great-Grandfather. He is now over 180 years old, with a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level, and serves as a steward in Huangfeng Valley.
……
The Hall of Stewards is located halfway up the main peak of Huangfeng Valley. The hall is magnificent with green tiles and flying eaves.
Lin Chuan landed on the plaza in front of the hall, straightened his robes, and bowed to the gatekeeper: "Disciple Lin Chuan requests an audience with Steward Lin Xuankun."
The gatekeeper glanced at him, saw that he was dressed in the robes of an inner disciple and had a cultivation level of tenth level Qi Refining, and said, "Wait here."
A moment later, the disciple returned: "Deacon Lin wants you to come in."
Lin Chuan thanked him and stepped into the hall.
The hall was quite spacious, with sandalwood tables arranged on both sides, where several disciples were handling affairs.
At the innermost part, there is a screen that separates the quiet room, where the Lin family patriarch is located.
After passing the screen, one could see an old man in a green robe sitting cross-legged on a futon.
The old man had a gaunt face, white hair and beard, and slightly closed eyes. His aura was deep and profound.
Although he did not deliberately release his pressure, the unique spiritual pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator still made Lin Chuan's breathing slightly choked.
"Lin Chuan pays his respects to his great-grandfather." Lin Chuan bowed respectfully.
Lin Xuankun slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as calm as a still well: "Within the sect, use titles."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Lin Chuan bowed his head.
"Sit down." Lin Xuankun pointed to the futon opposite him.
Lin Chuan sat down as instructed, his back straight and his expression respectful.
"What brings you to this old man?" Lin Xuankun asked in a calm voice.
"I have been stuck at the tenth level of Qi Refining for half a year. I tried to break through recently but failed and instead damaged my mental state." Lin Chuan carefully chose his words. "I wish to go to Yuelu Hall to consult the classics and find a solution. I have come here to ask you, Steward, for your guarantee."
Lin Xuankun glanced at him and scanned him with his divine sense.
"Your Fire Separation Technique is running smoothly and your spiritual energy is solid, so you've definitely reached a bottleneck." He nodded slightly. "You're eighteen this year, right? With dual spiritual roots, reaching the tenth level of Qi Refining at eighteen isn't slow."
As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized cyan jade tablet from his sleeve, and with a flash of inspiration, he engraved several runes on the jade tablet.
"With this token, you may enter the Yuelu Hall." Lin Xuankun handed over the jade token. "However, the Yuelu Hall has its own rules, which you must abide by."
"Disciple understands, thank you, Steward!" Lin Chuan accepted the jade token with both hands.
The jade pendant feels warm and smooth to the touch, and the back bears Lin Xuankun's unique mark.
Lin Xuankun looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and slowly said, "Lin Chuan, you are one of the most promising Foundation Establishment disciples in this generation of the Lin family."
His voice lowered slightly: "The Lin family may seem prosperous now, but it is actually weak inside. The entire clan is only supported by me, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If I pass away, the Lin family will have no more Foundation Establishment cultivators, and those covetous rivals will surely devour the Lin family's assets."
Lin Chuan's expression was solemn: "This disciple will definitely devote himself to cultivation and establish his foundation as soon as possible."
"Hmm." Lin Xuankun nodded. "The family can only provide you with limited resources each year, but if you truly achieve Foundation Establishment, the family will devote all its efforts to nurturing you. On the path of cultivation, aptitude, temperament, and opportunity are all indispensable. You should take good care of yourself."
"Your disciple will remember this."
……
After leaving the Hall of Affairs, Lin Chuan mounted his white feather and flew straight towards Wujun Peak.
Wujun Peak is located deep in Huangfeng Valley, with steep terrain and swirling clouds and mist.
Yuelu Hall is located on the mountainside of this peak.
Several miles from the temple, Lin Chuan sensed the fluctuations of the surrounding restrictions—layers of invisible formations covered the mountain path, with spiritual light appearing and disappearing. Patrolling disciples occasionally flew by on their magical artifacts, all of them at the late stage of Qi Refining, their expressions wary.
He landed at the foot of the mountain path and walked on.
Upon reaching the square in front of the palace, one sees a majestic three-story palace with green walls and black tiles, and copper bells hanging from the eaves that ring softly in the wind.
At the entrance of the hall, two disciples in red robes stood with swords in hand, both exuding an aura of Qi Refining Level 12 or higher.
Stop.
The disciple on the left raised his hand, "This is the important Yuelu Hall; entry is not permitted without permission."
Lin Chuan took out the jade token given to him by Lin Xuankun: "Disciple Lin Chuan, holding the token of Steward Lin, has come to consult the classics."
The disciple in red took the jade token, carefully examined the mark, and glanced at Lin Chuan a few times before nodding: "Go in."
……
The interior of the hall was even more spacious than it appeared from the outside, reaching a height of about five zhang (approximately 10 meters). The walls were lined with sandalwood bookshelves, densely filled with jade slips and ancient texts. A faint scent of ink and the aroma of spiritual herbs permeated the air.
Directly opposite the palace entrance was a large table, where an elderly man with a ruddy complexion was bent over, looking through something.
Hearing footsteps, the old man looked up and smiled at Lin Chuan.
"Is this your first time visiting Yuelu Hall, nephew?"
The old man had white hair and beard, but his face was rosy like a baby's, and his eyes shone with shrewdness. He was none other than the old man surnamed Xu from the original story who loved to take advantage of others.
"Greetings, Uncle-Master. This is indeed my first time visiting Yuelu Hall." Lin Chuan bowed respectfully, but he was already on guard—this Uncle-Master Xu was notoriously cunning in the original story.
"I wonder what brings you to Yuelu Hall, my nephew?" The old man surnamed Xu put down the book in his hand, looked Lin Chuan up and down, and his eyes flashed with the shrewdness of a businessman.
"I have come here to search for some ancient texts," Lin Chuan said.
"Oh? Looking at ancient texts, huh?" The old man surnamed Xu's smile widened. "The second floor of Yuelu Hall houses various cultivation techniques, travelogues, and miscellaneous writings. It costs one low-grade spirit stone per hour. However, you can only view them here; you are not allowed to take the originals out of here."
He paused, then rubbed two fingers together: "If you want the content copied, you will need to pay a copying fee of ten spirit stones per copy."
After saying that, he squinted at Lin Chuan, seemingly waiting for Lin Chuan to show a surprised or embarrassed expression.
Lin Chuan was already familiar with these rules and didn't linger because of the old man's words. He took out a low-grade spirit stone from his storage bag and placed it steadily on the table.
"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle-Master."
A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes, then his smile deepened: "Interesting! You weren't scared off by such a fee. Looks like you're quite wealthy."
He put away the spirit stones, took out a wooden plaque from under the table, and handed it to Lin Chuan: "Please make yourself at home on the second floor. Hehe, you know the rules now."
Lin Chuan took the wooden sign, said nothing more, and went straight up the wooden ladder on the side.
Behind them, an elderly man surnamed Xu muttered to himself, "Looks like another small fortune is coming..."
……