Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

120: Gift of Qi Ling DanLin Jingyu strolled through the crowds of the market once more, glancing here and there.

Talismans, things that could save one’s life at a critical moment, were naturally indispensable.

He carefully tucked several Medium Grade Rank One Thunderfire Talismans and Agility Talismans, along with two protective Vajra Talismans, deep into his Storage Pouch.

Then there were the Medicinal Pills: Qi Recovery Pills, qi gathering pills... all were essential consumables for traveling the cultivation world. Although it pained him to spend the Spirit Stones, safety came first.

Finally, his gaze fell upon several sets of exquisite celadon tea sets.

Thinking of the expensive box of ”flowing cloud kite” in his pocket, he couldn’t let it be ruined by the coarse pottery bowls at home. Gritting his teeth, he chose an elegant set of white porcelain tea ware, along with a matching small red clay stove.

As for the water, he had already decided to use the water from the cold spring in the depths of the underground secret chamber; it would surely have a unique flavor.

With the Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch significantly depleted, Lin Jingyu sighed and turned back toward the shantytown.

The door to Gong Changshou’s dilapidated house was slightly ajar, and as he approached, he smelled the familiar scent of low-quality tobacco.

Pushing the door open, he saw the old man squatting on the ground, a tobacco pipe in his mouth, squinting at the ”treasures” spread across the floor.

Special silk threads as thin as hair, triangular barbs forged from refined steel, sharp blades thin as a cicada’s wing, and several oddly shaped mechanical components... there was a sense of meticulousness amidst the clutter.

”Yo, young lad, you’re back?” Gong Changshou chuckled, tapping his pipe against the sole of his shoe.

”Take a look, it’s all here, exactly as you drew on the blueprints! I don’t mean to boast about anything else, but when it comes to a craftsman’s skill in forging mundane items, few in the market can match me.”

Lin Jingyu squatted down and picked up a curved, refined steel tube. It felt cold and heavy in his hand, with substantial weight. He then pinched the nearly transparent silk thread; it had excellent resilience.

He nodded with satisfaction. ”Old Gong, reliable!”

He casually tossed over the remaining balance of Spirit Stones.

Gong Changshou caught them nimbly, weighed them in his hand, and his old face wrinkled into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum.

”You’re generous, young lad! Next time you have more of these ’little toys,’ remember to come back to this old man.”

He was smart enough not to ask about their purpose; living at the bottom of the market, one didn’t survive long with too much curiosity.

Even if Lin Jingyu used them for murder or arson, it had nothing to do with him.

Lin Jingyu said no more, sweeping the items into his Storage Pouch with a flick of his sleeve.

Although his safety was greatly bolstered with Third Manager Qin Yue backing him, he still decided to proceed with his original plan.

It would be best if he didn’t have to involve the Third Manager.

As he stepped out of the shantytown, the sky was approaching dusk.

Lin Jingyu delayed no longer. Orienting himself, he channeled his spiritual power and moved through the wilderness like a civet cat, racing toward Lin Family Village.

He didn’t use something as conspicuous as the ”flowing cloud kite.” Instead, he was like a gray shadow, covering several yards in an instant.

From a distance, Lin Jingyu saw that the entrance to Lin Family Village was decorated with lanterns and streamers, looking very ”festive.”

Large red lanterns hung high on a crooked old tree, and red silk was tied everywhere as if it cost nothing, wrapping around the branches on both sides of the road.

Yet beneath this bustle, there was an underlying air of deathly stillness.

Many people had looks of disdain on their faces, sighing incessantly.

Approaching his home, he ran into Lin Lingkuang, who was pacing irritably at the courtyard gate like a caged bear.

His face was livid, his fists clenched so hard they cracked, and his eyes glared at the red silk as if he wanted to burn it to ashes.

Several patrolling clansmen nearby didn’t dare to make a sound, keeping their distance from him.

”Uncle Lingkuang.” Lin Jingyu appeared silently behind Lin Lingkuang, his voice as flat as if he were commenting on the weather.

Lin Lingkuang whipped around. Seeing it was Lin Jingyu, his tense shoulders slumped slightly, but his anger was still irrepressible, and he squeezed out through gritted teeth:

”Jingyu! You’re back! Look at this! Just look at what this has become! Selling daughters for glory, and they even put up red decorations! I... I’ll be damned...”

He panted heavily, his chest heaving. Had it not been for Lin Lingshan and Lin Jingyu’s repeated warnings to endure, he would have torn down that wretched silk long ago.

Lin Jingyu patted his thick arm, conveying a steadying force. ”Keep your cool. Let them jump around for a bit longer. It’s not worth ruining your health over these rotten people.”

Lin Lingkuang took several deep breaths of the cool evening air before he managed to suppress the rage rising to his head. His voice was muffled: ”I know... but... but do you know? Old Nine’s girl, Little Miss, almost died!”

Lin Jingyu’s brow furrowed instantly. ”Little Miss? What happened?”

He had clearly told Jingxia to go comfort her; how could she have still attempted suicide?

Lin Lingkuang wiped his face, filled with lingering fear and fury.

”What else could it be? She was forced! That girl has a fiery temper. There are rumors that the marriage candidates from the Liu Family are all aged and flawed old Cultivators.”

This afternoon, she just found a rope and tried to hang herself! Luckily, Old Nine’s wife stumbled upon her and saved her just in time!”

”There are deep marks on her neck! What a sin! Old Nine and his wife are crying their hearts out. What kind of world is this!”

After a moment of silence, Lin Jingyu took out a small white porcelain bottle from his Storage Pouch. It was only the size of a thumb and felt smooth. He handed it to Lin Lingkuang.

Seeing it, Lin Lingkuang immediately waved his hands in refusal.

”Aiya, Jingyu, why are you giving this to me? I haven’t cultivated seriously for years. Giving pills to this old body would be a waste! Keep it for yourself; you’re the one who needs it!”

”It’s not for you.” Lin Jingyu’s voice was calm as he pressed the bottle into Lin Lingkuang’s fan-like hand. ”It’s for Xi Xi—the Spirit Enlightenment Pill.”

”Spi... Spirit Enlightenment Pill?” Lin Lingkuang shuddered as if struck by lightning. He abruptly looked down at the small porcelain bottle in his hand, his eyes bulging.

Those three words hit his heart like a heavy hammer.

A Spirit Enlightenment Pill! This was a treasure that could help a child draw Qi into their body early and lay a better foundation!

It was a treasure that low-level Cultivator families like theirs could only dream of; a single one was worth over a hundred Spirit Stones! Even after raising pigs for over a decade, he couldn’t save enough for one!

He hadn’t even dared to think of it before.

Lin Lingkuang’s hands began to tremble uncontrollably, his rough fingers tightly gripping the small porcelain bottle, terrified he might drop it.

He jerked his head up, his eyes already red, swirling with complex emotions.

Shock, gratitude, guilt, and a deep yearning for his daughter’s future.

His lips trembled, and his Adam’s apple bobbed several times. Finally, a thousand words condensed into a single, heavy, choked-out word that fell like a stone:

”Good!”

That single word contained so much. It was a promise to Lin Jingyu for his timely help, an expectation for his daughter’s future, and an etching of this debt of gratitude deep into his very bones.

Lin Jingyu nodded and said no more. He understood Lin Lingkuang’s current state of mind. Glancing at the jarring red at the village entrance, he whispered, ”I’ll go check on Jingxia first.”

Lin Jingyu intentionally took a detour to show his face to the patrol, casually asking about the situation and indicating that all was well with the ”Family Head” before unhurriedly walking toward his own courtyard. One had to play the part fully.

Walking to his sister Lin Jingxia’s door, he raised his hand and knocked.