NOVPUBThinking of these matters, Lin Tianming and his two companions found themselves in a thorny situation and were at a loss for an immediate countermeasure.
After a moment of silence, Lin Shikang glanced at Li Huafeng, then spoke up, "Fellow Daoist Li, this matter is of great importance. May we discuss it amongst ourselves before giving you an answer?"
"Hehe... Fellow Daoist Lin, please feel free to discuss. There’s no need to give me a response!"
"I am merely conveying the conscription notice. If your esteemed clan is unable to participate, there’s no need to force yourselves," said Li Huafeng.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Lin Shikang and his two companions shifted slightly, but they did not show any further reaction.
Li Huafeng sounded relaxed, without any hint of coercion. He said that if they couldn’t spare the manpower, they didn’t have to join—the mistake would be to actually believe that.
Suppressing their internal thoughts, Lin Shikang turned to Lin Shihua and said, "Shihua!"
"Fellow Daoist Li and Fairy Shen have taken the trouble to come to Green Bamboo Mountain. Arrange for them to rest within the clan for a day, and ensure they are well attended to, fulfilling our duty as hosts."
Upon hearing this, Li Huafeng’s smile deepened slightly, thinking that the status of a Zhenyang Sect Disciple really did wonders. The Lin Family’s top brass were all very courteous and did not dare to offend him in the slightest.
Seeing Lin Shikang and Lin Shihua’s behavior, Li Huafeng knew that the Lin Family needed to discuss internally. He had no intention of staying long, and even less of making them uncomfortable.
Thus, understanding the situation, he stood up and cupped his fists, saying, "Your clan’s sincere invitation is appreciated. I will thank you for your hospitality then."
"My junior sister and I are indeed a bit weary. We will stay with your esteemed clan tonight, and tomorrow we will visit the Jiuhua Mountain Sun Clan. Once the tasks of conveying the messages to both your clans are completed, I shall return to the sect to report back."
"Hehe... Fellow Daoist Li’s efforts for the Wei Kingdom’s Cultivation World are truly exemplary for our generation!"
Lin Shihua complimented him, then made a welcoming gesture and left the great hall with Li Xiuyuan, personally arranging accommodation for the two of them.
A quarter of an hour passed.
Lin Shihua returned, and Lin Shigong, having received a summons, rushed over. All three elders of the Lin Family with ’Shi’ in their generational names were present.
Joining Lin Tianming, the four of them sat together, repeated the entire sequence of events, and discussed the conscription conveyed by Li Huafeng.
At this moment, all present furrowed their brows, their expressions grave.
Lin Shikang sighed. His previous conjectures had been entirely confirmed. At this critical juncture, the Three Great Sects of Wei Kingdom had issued a recruitment order, seriously disrupting the clan’s plans.
Lin Shihua’s face was also dark. He looked at the few worried people and initiated the discussion, "What are everyone’s thoughts? Shall we respond to the conscription?"
"Twelfth Grandpa, from the current situation, not responding is definitely not an option. Although it is said we are not obliged to, is that really the case?"
"That’s merely a courtesy. If we really refuse to respond, we will undoubtedly infuriate the Zhenyang Sect, and in such a case, our Lin Family doesn’t have the capability to contend with the Zhenyang Sect," Lin Tianming said.
No sooner had he finished speaking, than Lin Shigong, who had been silent, chimed in with his own agreement.
"Third Brother, Tianming is right. We can’t afford to offend the Zhenyang Sect right now. If there are repercussions in the future, both the family and Luoyun Pavilion will likely be affected," Shigong added. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
Hearing the explanations from his grandson and peers, Lin Shikang looked at Lin Shihua as if exchanging opinions.
Lin Shihua nodded and said, "Third Brother, even if we don’t want to answer the call, we have no choice but to send someone to the front lines to join the battle!"
"What Tianming and the others have said is correct, regardless of the reasons, we currently cannot afford to offend the Zhenyang Sect. Not just our Lin Family, but hundreds of families in the southern region look up to the Zhenyang Sect. It’s not bad to keep a low profile when we don’t have enough capital—at least, not until someone from our clan reaches the Golden Core Stage. We shouldn’t antagonize the Zhenyang Sect," he added.
Hearing the continuous reasoning from the others, Lin Shikang nodded. He was well aware of the apparent circumstances.
"Sigh... When one’s strength is insufficient, this is all we can do!" Lin Shikang sighed.
As things quieted down, Lin Shikang asked, "Now that we’ve decided to answer the call, who shall the clan send?"
This question once again plunged Lin Shihua and the others into a difficult dilemma.
According to the Recruitment Order’s requirements, currently in the Lin Family, the only ones who met the cultivation level were Lin Shikang, Lin Shilu, and Lin Tianming.
Among the other clan members, Lin Xingyuan, Lin Xingrong, and Lin Shihua were all at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment and did not meet the minimum cultivation requirement of the recruitment decree.
And among the many clan members, Lin Shikang had to preside over internal family affairs, Lin Shilu oversaw the Luoyun Market, and Lin Tianming likewise had the task of guarding Golden Horn Mountain.
Under such circumstances, since everyone had their own responsibilities, it was not convenient for them to leave their posts. Moreover, with the front lines fraught with danger, Foundation Establishment Cultivators were like small fish crossing the river, where a slight lapse could lead to their downfall. It was truly a conundrum as to who should be sent to the front lines to participate in the great war.
After a long silence, Lin Shihua spoke up, "Third brother, let me undertake the recruitment mission!"
"Shihua... You are still at the Foundation Establishment Third Level, you do not meet the minimum cultivation requirements of the recruitment order!" Lin Shigong reminded.
"Heh heh..." Lin Shihua chuckled. Then he began to explain.
"Our family still has two Hun Tian Pills. If I take them, I can definitely break through to the Foundation Establishment Fourth Level in a short period of time, thus meeting the requirements of the Recruitment Order."
Upon hearing this, Lin Shikang’s expression changed slightly. He sternly rebuked, "No... Even if you break through to the Foundation Establishment Fourth Level, going to the battlefield to resist the beast tide, what difference would it be from seeking death?"
"Indeed..." Lin Tianming agreed with a nod.
"Twelfth Grandpa, the beast tide assault on the main battlefield is a completely different matter from the clan’s situation. For the horrifying meat grinder of a battlefield, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator amounts to nothing."
"Tianming is right, when the great battle erupts on the main battlefield, even Golden Elixir Experts are at risk of falling. The Foundation Establishment Fourth Level cultivator is merely part of the main force."
"If you rely on the Hun Tian Pills to forcefully advance a realm, this level of strength, fighting against the Demon Beast Army on the main battlefield, would be far too dangerous. The hope of surviving would be slim." Lin Shigong also spoke up to persuade.
Hearing his clan members’ successive attempts to persuade him, Lin Shihua smiled helplessly. The truth was as they said, but since he had brought up this proposal, he hadn’t expected to survive the journey back.
He merely wished to complete the recruitment task, to lessen the losses for the family as much as possible. After all, the family was growing stronger and the loss of one Foundation Establishment Cultivator wouldn’t have too much impact.
At this point, Lin Tianming lapsed into silence, deep in thought.
Given the current situation, the clan members who qualified all had their own tasks. To send any other members to undertake the recruitment task would almost certainly result in a nine in ten chance of death.
He sighed, then stood up and bowed to the elders, saying, "Third Grandfather, Twelfth Grandpa, let me undertake the recruitment task!"
"You? No way!"
Before Lin Shikang could speak, Lin Shihua flatly refused, his tone severe as if there was no room for discussion.
Seeing this, Lin Tianming began to persuade, "Twelfth Grandpa, given the current situation, no one is more suitable than I am!"
"Third Grandfather must preside over the family and act as a guardian for Grandpa Sea as he attempts the Golden Core Stage, so it’s not possible for him to leave."
"And with Fifteenth Grandfather in charge of the Luoyun Market, he needs to lead the overall situation and simply can’t spare the time. As for the importance of the market, there’s no need for me to say more!"
"Tianming, combined with the Purple Gold Eagle, possesses strength almost on par with Fifteenth Grandfather. As for Golden Horn Mountain, if it truly cannot be defended, letting it go wouldn’t be much of a loss."
...
"In that case, it seems I am the most suitable person to go!"
Lin Tianming expounded on his own strengths in one breath, even detailing his counter-strategies for an escalated beast tide assault in great detail.
Hearing Lin Tianming’s watertight arguments, Lin Shikang and the others fell silent, uncertain of what to decide.
Seeing their expressions, Lin Tianming continued to urge, "Third Grandfather, make a decision. A cultivator’s life is all about defying fate. Others might see this as a calamity, but I view it as a potential opportunity. "
"For the sake of the family and the path to immortality, Tianming is confident of returning safely, perhaps even securing an entry spot to the Tianfeng Wind Secret Realm!"
