NOVPUBChapter 735: Chapter 399: Delay_2 Chapter 735: Chapter 399: Delay_2 Lin Tianming’s kindness, given the relationship between him and his wife, Qin Xi naturally would not refuse.
With this treasure, her strength had also become much stronger; even if she were to face a Second Order Late-Stage Demonic Beast alone, she would be able to put up a fight.
After thus receiving a large amount of treasure, the couple chatted idly for a while before going their separate ways.
After separating, Lin Tianming went straight to his room to rest, and Qin Xi began preparing for the demonic beast hunting mission.
…
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
On this day, at dawn, sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone upon the towering mountains.
...
At that time, within the Lin Family Clan Grounds, everything was prospering, with many clansmen moving through the grounds or gathering together, preparing to head deep into the Luoyun Mountain Range for experience.
Inside the Guest-Receiving Palace on the peak of Green Bamboo Mountain.
Lin Shihua and Lin Shilu sat in the high seats, while two Foundation Establishment Cultivators sat below them.
Looking out, one of them was dressed in a golden robe with sun embroidery on the chest, clearly a disciple of the Zhenyang Sect.
The other person was Xu Zhihua, an Inner Sect Disciple from Myriad Medicine Valley, both of whom had the cultivation of the Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment.
At this time, Lin Shihua looked at the expressions of both individuals, and even though they hadn’t conversed much, he already knew the purpose of Xu Zhihua and the other’s visit.
However, even so, he still pretended as if nothing was amiss and then asked, “What brings the two esteemed friends from your Sect to our humble abode today?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhihua from Myriad Medicine Valley cupped his hands toward the seated Lin Shihua and replied calmly, “Chief Lin, our visit today is firstly to greet our friends from the Lin Family.”
“And secondly, it concerns the Jiuli Star Fruit and the matter of the reward for friend Tian Ming!”
“Oh?”
Lin Shihua showed an expression of doubt and then inquired, “May I know how your Sect plans to distribute the fruit, and what reward you intend to offer?”
After speaking, Lin Shihua looked at Xu Zhihua calmly, his face showing an expectant look.
Seeing this, Xu Zhihua also decided not to beat around the bush and began to convey the decision of the Sect’s higher-ups.
“For his merits in the Secret Realm, it has been decided after consultation between our Sects’ high-level officials that we award friend Lin Tianming one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, as well as three Foundation Establishment Pills!”
“As for the three Jiuli Star Fruits still in the hands of friend Lin Tianming, they will be reclaimed by our two Sects in entirety!”
Upon hearing these words, Lin Shihua’s face remained unchanged, but inside he was somewhat furious.
Considering Lin Tianming’s great achievement within the Tianfeng Wind Secret Realm, it was no exaggeration to say it could be credited with saving the lives of the two Sects’ disciples.
Yet even so, they intended to dismiss the Lin Family with some Spirit Stones and a few Foundation Establishment Pills, as if these were comparable to the Jiuli Star Fruit.
Clearly, the two Sects thought the Lin Family was too weak to negotiate.
They had no regard for the Lin Family at all!
Understanding all this, Lin Shihua felt annoyed inside, yet he still kept a placid face, showing no signs of abnormality.
At this moment, seeing that Lin Shihua had not spoken for a while, Xu Zhihua continued to press the matter.
“I presume friend Lin Tianming has already returned to the clan grounds and informed you about this matter. May we request friend Tian Ming to appear for a meeting, so we may settle this affair and return to our Sects with news?”
“Heh heh…”
Lin Shihua’s face remained calm, and he lightly said with a smile, “I am indeed aware of this matter, but unfortunately, the timing of your visit is not opportune!”
“My nephew Lin Tianming has obtained some gains from the Secret Realm and is currently in closed-door cultivation, attempting to reach a higher realm. I’m afraid he will not be able to meet you any time soon!”
“However, since it’s not easy for both honored guests to come here, why don’t you stay at the Lin Family for a few days? It would be just right to wait for Tian Ming.”
“Should he just happen to come out, naturally he can meet you, and we presume he will not retain anything that should be returned!”
“However, if he does not come out, perhaps you might consider returning to your Sects first. Once Tian Ming comes out, I will certainly have him personally visit your Sects to deliver the Jiuli Star Fruit himself, how does that sound?”
Knowing well the purpose of Xu Zhihua’s visit, Lin Shihua didn’t care about the rewards. Instead, he used the reason they had agreed upon before to delay.
After all, it was never the Lin Family’s intention to hand over the Jiuli Star Fruit. Rewards or no rewards, the Lin Family simply didn’t care anymore.
Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Shihua’s words, Xu Zhihua and his companion showed difficulty in their expressions.
The reasons given by Lin Shihua were sound and well-founded. He didn’t directly refuse them, nor did he say the Lin Family wouldn’t hand over the Jiuli Star Fruit.
Under these circumstances, it was hard for them to forcefully pressure the Lin Family, and they didn’t want to leave so easily either.
After all, the current strength of the Lin Family was not comparable to that of a few decades ago. Among them, Xu Zhihua had witnessed the strength of Lin Tianming in the Tianfeng Wind Secret Realm.
He was very clear that besides the nearly ten Foundation Establishment Cultivators whom the Lin Family had already exposed, there was definitely more to their strength than met the eye.
And here, Lin Shilu was also at the Ninth Level of Foundation Establishment as well as the already famous Lin Shikang of the Southern Wei Kingdom, further complemented by Lin Tianming’s remarkably killing style. The Lin Family was by no means ordinary.
In such a situation, even if they decided to pressure the Lin Family openly, they would probably not gain any benefit and might instead provoke the Lin Family, putting themselves in danger.
But if they were to readily believe Lin Shihua’s words and leave the Lin Family Clan Grounds just like that, it wouldn’t be easy for them to report back.
This was indeed a dilemma.
“This… this…”
So, with no one speaking up, the scene became awkward for a while.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhihua was discussing how to deal with the Lin Family with a Zhenyang Sect Disciple through voice transmission.
Who knows how much time had passed before Xu Zhihua and his companion seemed to have come to a decision.
At this time, Xu Zhihua looked at Lin Shilu’s somewhat sullen face and then bowed his hands in greeting.
“Fellow cultivators, since Tian Ming cannot be disturbed right now, we two will return to our sect for now. Once he finishes his retreat, please bring the Jiuli Star Fruit to the Zhenyang Sect to return what belongs to our two sects!”
“As for the reward we two sects have negotiated, how about we give it to Tian Ming later on?”
Hearing this, Lin Shilu’s face looked better seeing Xu Zhihua and his companion taking a step back willingly.
In their hearts, the rewards were something the Lin Family could take or leave. They simply didn’t care.
As long as they could delay for a few years, they had temporarily achieved their goal!
Understanding this, Lin Shihua also smiled and then said there was no problem, telling them to be at ease.
“That’s good… I hope Tian Ming pays a visit to the Zhenyang Sect soon after his retreat. That way, our mission can also be accomplished!”
After Xu Zhihua finished speaking, the other Zhenyang Sect Disciple also agreed.
“Indeed… this matter cannot be delayed. If our Sect Leader assigns blame, the two of us will also have difficulty explaining ourselves!”
“Hehe… Rest assured, fellow cultivators, I will inform Tian Ming about this matter as soon as possible and arrange for his visit promptly!”
Lin Shihua assured them earnestly, his expression very sincere and not at all like he was daring to offend the two sects.
Seeing this, Xu Zhihua and his companion nodded in satisfaction, seemingly convinced that the Lin Family wouldn’t dare to defy the arrangements of the two sects.
Then, to put them further at ease, Lin Shihua quickly produced forty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones and gave twenty thousand each to Xu Zhihua and his companion, making an ingratiating gesture.
He also asked them to help mediate on their behalf once they were back.
This proactive display of weakness satisfied Xu Zhihua and his companion even more.
Subsequently, Lin Shihua personally entertained the two, and after they had their fill of food and drink, Xu Zhihua and his companion temporarily left the Lin Family Clan Grounds.
Little did they know that Lin Shihua and the entire Lin Family’s scheme, were things they couldn’t even begin to imagine.
As they departed, Lin Shihua and Lin Shilu both heaved a sigh of relief.
For the moment, they had managed to fool Xu Zhihua and his companion, but this wasn’t a long-term solution.
At present, they only hoped to buy more time, even hoping that the Golden Sword Sect would exert further pressure on the two sects, allowing the Lin Family more time to build their strength.
As for how much time they could buy, that was anyone’s guess. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
In short, if the Lin Family wanted to achieve their goal, they must hurry!
