NOVPUBAt last, under the gaze of everyone, he boarded the Cloud Luan Crane and left the Luoyun Market.
Not until the figures of the two had disappeared without a trace did Lin Shilu lead everyone back to the Cave Mansion Courtyard.
...
Half a month had passed.
On this day, in the Green Bamboo Mountain Clan Territory, on the plaza at the mountain gate.
Lin Tianming appeared on the spacious plaza, accompanied by more than a dozen clan members, with his grandfather, mother, and sister naturally among them.
Besides them, the long-unseen Lin Tianqin and Lin Tianhong were also present, and even the busy Lin Shikang and Lin Shihua had come to see him off.
After half a month of seclusion, he had successfully refined the Qingyu Fruit, and his cultivation had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment Fifth Level as expected.
If he had some high-quality Spiritual Medicines and Fruits to aid him, it might be possible for him to step into the Foundation Establishment Sixth Level Realm within a year.
The procession made its way to the Bluestone Plaza, and Lin Tianming chatted with several Shi generation clan members, with most of the conversation consisting of stern exhortations from his elders.
This journey’s duration was uncertain, filled with both danger and opportunity. In a foreign land, without the support of his clan, he could only rely on himself.
Under such circumstances, though they knew his strength was comparable to Lin Shilu’s, it was difficult for the elders to be at ease.
After all, Lin Tianming was the Lin Family’s guarantee of rising to power, and it was very likely that he could enter the Golden Core Stage within several decades if he continued his cultivation in an orderly fashion.
Regrettably, contrary to their wishes, the surge of Demonic Beasts had completely disrupted the peace, utterly derailing the family’s plans. The possibility of cultivating peacefully was no longer an option.
Walking along, the group reached the edge of the plaza, not far from the Protective Clan Formation.
"My fellow clan elders, don’t worry, for the family, Tianming will definitely return safely."
With a deeply respectful bow, Lin Tianming addressed Lin Shikang and the others with unwavering conviction.
Seeing his resolute expression and utmost faith, Lin Shikang and the others nodded, then began to offer words of advice.
"Tianming, we’ve said what needs to be said, I won’t say more. Be careful in everything you do outside!" Lin Shigong advised.
"Xingzhi, Tianhu, on your journey to Golden Horn Mountain, do not slacken. Make a trip back every so often. With Tianming absent, we can only count on you two!" Lin Shihua advised Lin Xingzhi and Lin Tianhu.
Following Lin Tianming’s departure, Lin Xingzhi and Lin Tianhu headed to Golden Horn Mountain to fill the void left by Lin Tianming.
"My fellow clan elders, rest assured. At Golden Horn Mountain, I will certainly, together with the twelfth brother, keep the clan members in check and ensure the safety of Golden Horn Mountain."
"Without the Purple Gold Eagle to hasten our journey, this time I have brought two First Order Late Stage Qilin Beasts. Although their speed and safety are lesser, without accidents, we will have someone return to the clan to report periodically."
Lin Xingzhi said, his fists clasped, arranging to report back to the clan at regular intervals, setting Lin Shihua and others at ease to let them depart.
Hearing Lin Xingzhi’s words, Lin Shihua nodded. Both Lin Xingzhi and Lin Xingrong had experience managing the Luoyun Market, having considerable strength in cultivation and abundant experience in handling affairs.
With Golden Horn Mountain guarded by these two, assisted by the experienced fighters Lin Tianfeng and Lin Tianhu, and the cooperation of the younger and older generations of the Lin Family, protected by a formation not inferior to the Lin Family’s Protective Formation, as long as they did not encounter too powerful a Demon Beast Tribe, there should be no danger.
"I won’t say more, just be careful in everything you do outside!"
"Depart!" Lin Shikang looked up at the sunlight overhead and commanded with a wave of his hand.
Lin Tianming and the other two bowed to the clan members and replied in unison, "Take care, my fellow clan elders!"
Immediately after, Lin Tianming was the first to step into the fissure of the formation’s light screen, followed by Lin Xingzhi and the others.
Lin Shikang and others watched the departing trio, their eyes filled with reluctance, and only after they had vanished from sight did Lin Shikang dismiss the crowd.
After exchanging a few words with Lin Shihua and Lin Shigong beside him, he too left the plaza and headed to the entrance of Ye Pinghai’s seclusion valley.
...
Outside the Protective Clan Formation.
With the Purple Gold Eagle at their back, the three of them sat together, looking back at the receding clan territory with solemn expressions.
At this moment, Lin Tianming’s state of mind had undergone significant changes.
In the past, whenever he left the clan territory, he was always accompanied by a few clan members, with the more powerful Lin Shilu often providing protection. If any danger arose, there were always people to shield him from the wind and the rain.
But this time, there was no shelter from the storm; he had to rely entirely on himself for life or death opportunities.
Seeing his solemn expression, Lin Xingzhi understood very well, and he was both envious of and admiring toward Lin Tianming.
As the pride of the Lin Family, Lin Tianming was steady and composed, neither arrogant nor rash in his cultivation practice, which he pursued with great dedication.
The indefatigable Tianming had cultivation strength that surpassed his peers, and even the older Xing clan members could only sigh and look on in admiration. He had even begun to catch up with the pace of the Shi clan members.
One could imagine that in not more than a decade, he might likely surpass the older generation in the family and become the family’s Stabilizing Sea Needle.
Regaining his composure, Lin Xingzhi started to offer words of comfort.
"Tianming, when the soldiers come, block them, when the water comes, cover it with soil, I believe you will definitely rise against the current, making all clan members proud of you!"
No sooner had his voice faded than Lin Tianhu, who was at his side, also spoke up in agreement.
"That’s right, Sixth Brother, I’ve always taken you as my example over the years, never daring to slack off, just to catch up with your footsteps."
"Heh heh... Uncle, Tianhu, I’m just a little emotional, don’t worry about me!"
Lin Tianming replied with a smile, his eyes shining with a different light. He was, in fact, looking forward to this experience.
Seeing his resolute gaze, Lin Xingzhi and the other man were influenced, their previous concerns vanishing, replaced by a strong sense of confidence.
The three lapsed into silence, watching the peaks below gradually recede as the Purple Gold Eagle carried them rapidly northward.
After half a day, Lin Tianming and his two companions arrived at Golden Horn Mountain smoothly.
Following tradition, they first scoured the area around the clan territory, casually eliminating a few low-order monster beasts to ensure that there were no potential threats, before entering the clan territory together.
In Lin Xingrong’s cultivation cave dwelling courtyard, five Foundation Establishment clan members were sitting together, sharing recent news.
Upon learning of Li Huafeng’s call to arms, Lin Xingrong’s and Lin Tianfeng’s expressions changed dramatically, both becoming worried about Lin Tianming.
It was only after Lin Tianming’s persistent persuasion, and with the situation being inescapable, that they reluctantly accepted the outcome.
Lin Xingrong sighed deeply, then asked, "Tianming, when do you plan to depart?"
"I will rest here for a day, and set off tomorrow morning!" Lin Tianming replied truthfully.
"Well... Given the circumstances, I won’t say more, just be careful out there! When you encounter danger, don’t think too much, preserving your life is the most important thing, regardless of how the beast tide develops," Lin Tianfeng advised.
Hearing this, Lin Tianming nodded and reassured them both, "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. The matter of defending Golden Horn Mountain now falls on you."
"Just as you advised me, if it’s impossible, lead the clan members to retreat from here. As long as we have the green hills, we won’t fear running out of firewood!"
"Yes, everyone be careful!" Lin Xingrong responded.
After some idle chat, Lin Xingzhi and the others stood up to leave, leaving Lin Tianming alone with his father.
Once they had left, Lin Tianming fetched a large amount of cultivation resources, including elixirs and Second Order low-grade talisman paper, which were not very useful to him and could be considered dispensable treasures.
Though they were of little use to himself, they were extremely valuable treasures for his father, who was at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment in his cultivation.
Lin Tianming handed all the treasures to his father, but Lin Xingrong promptly refused to accept them, feeling it inappropriate to do so.
Lin Tianming was about to go to the frontline to fight, and as a father, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate to take the treasures his son left behind since he couldn’t offer any help.
Seeing his father refuse firmly, Lin Tianming felt quite helpless. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝘤𝘰𝑚
He could only put away the talisman paper and other treasures that were meant to boost combat strength and leave behind the treasures useful for cultivation. Finally, Lin Xingrong, though reluctantly, accepted them.
Straight after, the father and son chatted casually for a while before Lin Tianming bade farewell and left.
