Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

159: Three Strange StonesA thrilling trial finally came to an end in this manner. The clansmen dispersed, discussing amongst themselves and filled with emotion.

Only Lin Jingyu, Lin Lingshan, and a faint smell of blood remained in front of the ancestral hall.

”Jingyu, this move of yours...” Lin Lingshan looked at Lin Jingyu with a complicated expression.

”Punishing them by sending them to the Black Gravel Mine? Although that place is a mine that our Liu Family has been exploiting for a hundred years, it is cold and damp, yields almost no resources, and is basically abandoned. If you assign them there for three years, isn’t that a waste of time...”

”Uncle Lingshan,” Lin Jingyu said, his gaze profound.

”Punishment must be practical and hit where it hurts, only then will people remember it. The environment of the Black Gravel Mine is harsh, perfect for tempering their resolve... If they work without complaint or resentment, I naturally won’t let them stay in this abandoned Black Gravel Mine forever.

This is merely a test for them.

After all, it is very safe there.”

Lin Lingshan suddenly understood and patted Lin Jingyu’s shoulder: ”You kid... your thoughts are getting deeper and deeper. Alright, I’ll listen to you!

I thought you were determined to make them stay for the full three years.”

The two then walked into the ancestral hall.

Inside, there were traces of renovation everywhere, and even the ancestral tablets were newly made.

The faint smell of scorching could not be driven away.

Lin Lingshan’s tiger eyes were red. He took out three incense sticks, lit them, and placed them in the incense burner.

Kneeling on the prayer mat, he began to repent:

”Ancestors above, it is all my fault, Lin Lingshan’s fault, for allowing the Family Ancestral Hall to be burned by thieves and disturbing the ancestors.

My sin is profound, and I cannot shirk responsibility.

I shall pray for the ancestors and atone for my sins day and night...”

Lin Jingyu rubbed his nose, quite speechless, never expecting Uncle Lingshan to have such a nagging, sentimental side.

He also properly took three incense sticks, lit them, and inserted them into the incense burner.

His gaze focused with Spiritual Qi, and he spoke solemnly:

”...Ancestors above, no matter the identity of that devil spawn or who instructed them, I will certainly find them.

I will exterminate them all to console the spirits of the ancestors in heaven.”

Hearing Lin Jingyu say this, a smile appeared on Lin Lingshan’s lips, and he vigorously patted Lin Jingyu’s shoulder.

Next, the two walked into the secret chamber of the ancestral hall.

Lin Lingshan took out all the spoils from this event and placed them before Lin Jingyu.

Over 6,200 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, seven crystalline Mid-Grade Spirit Stones whose Spiritual Qi far surpassed that of Low-Grade Spirit Stones, thirteen Storage Pouches belonging to Liu Family Cultivators... A vast array of wealth was piled up before them, emitting an enticing spiritual glow.

He did not immerse himself in the joy of sudden wealth but calmly began to sort the items.

Spirit Stones were hard currency and had to be properly stored, serving as the Family’s strategic reserve and the main capital for activating the spirit eye.

Consumables like Medicinal Pills and Talismans were key to enhancing the Family’s immediate combat strength.

He carefully checked the seized Medicinal Pills: Qi Recovery Pills, healing medicine, and a small amount of Foundation Strengthening Pills, all of which were of decent quality.

After sorting them carefully again, he directly pocketed all those suitable for his own Cultivation.

He also took some for his sister, suitable for Early Stage Qi Refining.

The rest would be distributed among the clansmen according to their contributions.

The types of Talismans were quite varied, including offensive, defensive, and speed-enhancing ones.

He took a few sheets, setting the rest aside for the time being.

Regarding Magical Artifacts, Liu Chengcai’s ”Jade Light Shield” heart-protecting mirror, which could withstand attacks from Late Stage Qi Refining, was definitely a high-quality item.

It could reach the level of a Tier 1 High Grade Magical Artifact.

It was much better than his Black Tortoise Spirit Shield.

So he immediately replaced his own.

Lin Lingshan had little interest in these Magical Artifacts.

His body was basically equivalent to the strength of a Tier 1 Medium Grade Magical Artifact.

Aside from some specialized Magical Artifacts suitable for Body Cultivators, he had no other needs.

The Magical Artifacts belonging to the other Liu Family Cultivators were of mediocre quality but numerous, totaling seventeen or eighteen items. They could be used to replenish the Family treasury and reward promising clansmen.

They could also be sold at the Southeast Market Town in exchange for Spirit Stone resources.

The most troublesome items were the miscellaneous Materials and Ores.

They were incredibly varied, making one’s head spin just looking at them.

Lin Jingyu inspected them carefully, item by item, identifying them using the Alchemy knowledge he had just learned.

Most were Materials for refining Low-Tier Magical Artifacts, such as Fine Iron Stone, Red Copper Ore, and Cold Iron Sand.

There were also some he didn’t recognize at all, and he had no idea what their specific value was.

”Hmm? What is this...”

When he opened an inconspicuous small cloth bag, his gaze narrowed slightly.

Inside the cloth bag were only three dull grey, unassuming stones, the size of pigeon eggs. They were cold to the touch, extremely hard, and heavier than fine iron.

The stones were covered in extremely fine, naturally formed, distorted patterns. Upon closer inspection, those patterns seemed to be slowly wriggling, exuding an indescribable, strange aura.

”These patterns...”

Lin Jingyu mobilized his powerful Mental Energy to sense them carefully. The Spiritual Qi contained within the stones themselves was negligible, almost ignorable.

But the wriggling patterns faintly emitted a trace of extremely weak, yet unusually pure... spatial fluctuation?

Lin Jingyu’s heart suddenly leaped! Spatial attribute?!

This was an extremely rare and Advanced attribute! The descriptions of Materials containing Spatial Power in the Taihao Elixir Canon were scarce, but every single one was a rare treasure!

These three stones, he didn’t know which Liu Family Cultivator possessed them, were likely just collected as ordinary Ores.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been placed so carelessly.

He cautiously placed these three ”weird stones” separately deep inside his most personal Storage Pouch.

After Lin Lingshan saw this, he asked with some surprise:

”Could it be that these stones possess some magical quality?”

”Uh... I don’t know what they are, but they feel somewhat extraordinary, so I’ll put them away first...”

Lin Jingyu replied thus.

By the time he finished dealing with everything, it was already the next day.

He rushed back home.

At this time, his sister Lin Jingxia had not yet slept and was holding Little Ash.

Upon seeing Lin Jingyu, she hurried over.

She said with a touch of playful innocence:

”My dear brother, you were so imposing today! Even the Clan Chief was overshadowed by you. Now everyone is calling you Young Clan Leader.

Brother, will you be the Family’s Clan Chief from now on?”

In response, Lin Jingyu smiled without replying.

He was unwilling to take on the position of Clan Chief.

There were too many trivial matters; it would severely delay his Cultivation.

If he were to directly go into closed-door seclusion like Lin Lingshan, it would be too irresponsible toward the Family.

Therefore, he would definitely have to choose a suitable person to be the Clan Chief in the future.

It was more important for Lin Jingyu to diligently Cultivate and walk the great Dao of Cultivation.

He took out more than ten bottles of Medicinal Pills from his Storage Pouch and shoved them into Lin Jingxia’s hands, saying:

”Now, for your brother, Cultivate properly. You don’t need to manage the spirit field; just rent it out.”

Lin Jingxia quickly replied:

”Brother, I will Cultivate diligently, and I will also take good care of the spirit field. I promise I won’t delay my Cultivation time...”

In response, Lin Jingyu gently flicked her forehead.