Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

203: The Zhong family came to apologize.”The Liu Family... sure enough, they colluded with Demonic Cultivators! And what they are planning is no small matter!”

Lin Jingyu frowned deeply, his gaze becoming incredibly sharp, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the cold Jade Slip.

”Perhaps the Liu Family was behind the previous incident where Demonic Cultivators ambushed Uncle Lingshan, causing him to be severely injured and enter seclusion!

This Liu Family is even more treacherous and vicious than the Black Wind Stockade, which attacks openly!”

He felt an invisible pressure descending upon him.

The Black Mountain region appeared calm, but in reality, undercurrents surged, and dangers lurked everywhere. Just as the matter with the Zhong Family concluded, a greater storm seemed to be brewing.

The Liu Family colluded with Demonic Cultivators, plotted for the Secret Realm, and even dared to kill Qinglan Sect Disciples; their ambition must be immense.

The Lin Family was caught in the middle, and the slightest mistake could lead to utter annihilation.

”The Secret Realm...”

Lin Jingyu muttered to himself, his eyes flickering. Naturally, his heart was moved by this legendary place of Opportunity.

The ”Rare Spirit Medicine” and ”High-Grade Ore” described in the intelligence report were enough to drive any Cultivator mad.

But the intelligence also described the extreme danger.

It was not just the dangers within the Secret Realm itself, but also countless Demonic Cultivators lying in ambush.

The deadly situation that had severely wounded even Xu Li, coupled with the shadow of the Liu Family and the Demonic Cultivators, instantly sobered him up.

”This muddy water is too deep.”

He took a deep breath of cold air, forcing himself to suppress his inner restlessness.

”A struggle of this magnitude is far beyond what the current Lin Family and I can participate in.

Without sufficient strength, rushing into it would likely not be an Opportunity, but a death warrant! Like a moth flying into a flame, seeking self-destruction.”

The most important thing now was to consolidate the Family Foundation and improve his own strength.

Only by becoming powerful himself could he secure a foothold in the coming storm, or even... snatch chestnuts from the fire.

Just then, an excited and nervous announcement came from the Lin Family Clansmen guarding the Formation at the village entrance:

”Reporting to the Clan Chief, Young Clan Leader! Zhong Yue, the Clan Chief of the Zhong Family, has arrived outside the Formation with his son Zhong Peng and a group of attendants, requesting an audience!”

Lin Jingyu calmed his mind, his eyes regaining their tranquility. He temporarily buried the matter of the Secret Realm deep in his heart, exchanged a glance with Lin Lingshan who had rushed over upon hearing the news, and nodded.

What must come will come. Today was the day for the Lin Family to truly establish its might.

”Activate the Formation and welcome the guests!”

Lin Lingshan gave the order with great vigor, his voice spreading throughout the entire village, carrying a proud and triumphant spirit.

The pale blue light screen rippled open like water, revealing the scene outside the Formation.

Zhong Yue, who had changed into a relatively plain dark robe today, had a complicated expression, showing a mix of solemnity and deliberately restrained authority.

Behind him, Zhong Peng kept his head down, his face still visibly swollen and bruised. His eyes darted away, afraid to meet the gaze of the Lin Family Clansmen, completely lacking the arrogance of yesterday.

Further back were several Zhong Family guards whose cultivation had been sealed by Talismans, leaving them pale and miserable. They were the ones who had injured the Lin Family Clansmen yesterday.

A few more Cultivators carried several heavy crates and a specialized beast cage. Locked inside the cage was the magnificent, yet slightly listless, Green Scale Colt.

”Fellow Daoist of the Lin Family.”

Zhong Yue stepped forward, his voice deep and clear as it entered the Formation. His posture was very humble:

”I, Zhong, have specifically brought my rebellious son today, along with a modest gift, to come and apologize in person.

Everything that happened yesterday was due to my Zhong Family’s failure to discipline properly, resulting in an offense against your esteemed Family. I sincerely hope that Clan Chief Lin, Young Clan Leader Lin, and all Fellow Daoist can forgive us!”

His manner was extremely humble, and his tone was quite sincere. Clearly, he was genuinely afraid and wanted to use this Opportunity to ease relations with the Lin Family.

This was to prevent himself from being used as a pawn by the Liu Family and then completely offending Lin Jingyu, who possessed terrifying potential.

Lin Jingyu’s expression was calm as he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Lin Lingshan. Behind them stood the Lin Family Clansmen, their backs straight and their eyes burning brightly.

The morning sun shone upon them, as if cloaking them in golden armor.

”Clan Chief Zhong is too polite. Please enter.” Lin Lingshan gestured with a raised hand, neither haughty nor servile.

Only then did Zhong Yue and his entourage, feeling somewhat constrained, walk into Lin Family Village under the gazes of the Lin Family Clansmen, who looked on with indifference, curiosity, or satisfaction.

When they felt the subtle pressure emanating from the ”Water-Wood Flowing Cloud Formation” that enveloped the entire village, and noticed the completely different spirit and vigor of the Lin Family Disciples compared to yesterday, their hearts grew even colder.

Especially Zhong Peng, whose head was bowed even lower, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

This great Formation was not much weaker than their Family’s Clan Protecting Great Formation.

The apology ceremony was held in the square in front of the ancestral hall.

In front of all the Lin Family Clansmen, Zhong Yue sternly rebuked Zhong Peng and the others again, and ordered Zhong Peng and his group to bow and apologize to Lin Lingshan and the injured Clansmen.

His words were sincere. Afterward, he presented the compensation gifts one by one.

There were over a dozen crates of sparkling Spirit Stones, various mineral Materials glowing with spiritual light, a large batch of decent-quality Medicinal Pills, and the invaluable Green Scale Colt.

Especially when the beast cage was opened, and the Green Scale Colt—nearly ten feet tall, covered in dark blue scales, and bearing a single horn on its head—walked out somewhat timidly, it instantly captured everyone’s attention.

This Yao Beast seemed remarkably intelligent. It looked around, and finally its gaze settled on Lin Jingyu, who was standing at the front.

As if sensing the gentle yet pure spiritual power and the extraordinary Mental Energy within him, it let out a low neigh and actually walked forward on its own.

It lightly rubbed its head against the back of Lin Jingyu’s hand, signifying submission and recognition of him as its master.

”Good!”

”This Yao Beast has intelligence!”

”Young Clan Leader is mighty!”

Seeing this, the Lin Family Clansmen burst into cheers, their faces radiating pride and joy. Gaining a Yao Beast with decent potential as a recognized mount was a significant boost to the Family.

Lin Jingyu gently stroked the Green Scale Colt’s cool and tough scales. Feeling the affection and dependence it conveyed, his heart stirred slightly.

This Green Scale Colt was probably scared witless by the Heavenly Thunder he used last time.

That was why it immediately expressed submission this time.

He forced a drop of crimson blood from his fingertip and touched it to the base of the horn on its forehead, completing the simplest master-servant contract.

A faint light flashed, and a mysterious connection instantly formed between them.

This contract did not possess much binding power.

Lin Jingyu did not place much importance on this Green Scale Colt.

However, it was excellent for transportation, and could save him Spirit Stones.

At this point, the Zhong Family’s apology matter came to a successful conclusion.

Zhong Yue was visibly relieved. After saying many words about easing relations and hoping for more future interactions, he finally bid farewell and departed with mixed emotions.

Through this incident, the Lin Family not only received substantial compensation but, more importantly, completely established its might in the Black Mountain region.

Being able to overpower the Zhong Family and force them to bow and apologize.

This was enough to demonstrate the power backing the Lin Family.

As the news spread, the surrounding small Families and Loose Cultivator forces who had previously held disdain or covetous intentions toward the Lin Family were all shaken, and they no longer dared to provoke the Lin Family lightly.

However, Lin Jingyu still felt waves of urgency, as it was indeed a time of trouble.

A casual strike from a major figure could wipe out the entire Lin Family...