Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

206: Long-term planningInside the side hall of the ancestral temple, the scent of sandalwood wafted. Heavy zitan wood furniture gleamed faintly in the afternoon light filtering through the window lattice, and the air was filled with solemnity and a lingering trace of celebratory afterglow.

After hearing Lin Xuan’s report, Lin Lingshan’s rugged face showed shifting emotions. His tiger-like eyes, like copper bells, first burst with an unbelievable, brilliant light, then were immediately shrouded in a deep, heavy gloom.

His broad hands unconsciously gripped the armrests of the Grand Tutor’s chair, his knuckles slightly white from the exertion.

He suddenly stood up and paced back and forth a few steps, his heavy footsteps particularly clear in the silent hall.

Finally, he stopped, his gaze sweeping like lightning over Lin Xuan, Lin Lingbao, and Lin Lingyue below, who were holding their breath. His voice was as resolute as iron, carrying the decisiveness of a Family head:

”This matter... the three of you have rendered great service! The Family will never forget your contributions.

Specific rewards will be distributed after the Young Clan Leader and I have carefully deliberated; you will certainly not be treated unfairly! Now, you three go rest well. What you have seen and heard today, keep it buried deep.

Strictly forbid leaking even half a word to anyone outside! Remember, anyone! If there is the slightest hint of a leak...”

Lin Lingshan’s tone suddenly turned cold, and a Late Stage Qi Refining pressure inadvertently leaked out, making the temperature in the hall seem to drop by several degrees.

”It will be treated as treason, dealt with by Family rules, with no room for leniency!”

Lin Xuan’s heart tightened. He immediately clasped his fists and responded steadily, ”Yes! Family Head! Young Clan Leader! Lin Xuan understands the gravity of the situation and will keep absolutely silent!”

Lin Lingbao and Lin Lingyue were even more terrified, their faces paling. They quickly bowed, their voices trembling slightly: ”Yes... yes! Family Head! We would never dare to speak carelessly!”

They also breathed a sigh of relief.

The Family had not pursued the crime of concealment, and had even noted their contributions.

Lin Lingbao secretly raised his eyes, quickly glancing at Lin Jingyu, who remained silent and expressionless.

The fervor in his heart, which had arisen from discovering the Secret Realm, was instantly doused by a bucket of ice water, leaving only lingering fear and awe.

”Go,” Lin Lingshan waved his hand.

The three felt as if they had been granted a great pardon, respectfully bowed, and exited the side hall.

The heavy hall door slowly creaked shut, isolating inside from outside. The moment Lin Xuan closed the door, his gaze briefly met Lin Jingyu’s calm, unwavering eyes.

What he saw was not ecstasy, but a profound solemnity and contemplation, which made the heavy stone in his heart not fall, but hang even higher.

While the Opportunity of the Secret Realm was tempting, the strange suction from the rock wall and the difficult-to-refine Yin-cold Spiritual Qi all indicated that the dangers ahead were far from ordinary.

Could the Lin Family, this small boat that had just set sail and not yet experienced great winds and waves, truly navigate these impending turbulent waves, or even reap benefits?

He retreated silently, filled with worry.

Only Lin Jingyu and Lin Lingshan remained in the hall. The air seemed to solidify. The slight relaxed atmosphere previously brought by the Zhong Family’s apology had long vanished.

In its place was a heavy, oppressive feeling, like a storm brewing.

Lin Lingshan walked a few steps to Lin Jingyu, the Family Head, who was always known for his resolute courage, now had his brows furrowed into a deep ’ river’ character.

His eyes were incredibly complex, with immense excitement like a windfall from heaven leaping within, yet also deep, bottomless worry surging like a tide.

He lowered his voice, which seemed to be squeezed out with difficulty from deep in his throat:

”Jingyu, this... this is simply a Heaven-Defying Opportunity that fell from the sky! But... but it’s too hot to handle!

This isn’t a pie, it’s clearly a furnace that could ’boom’ and blow our Lin Family to smithereens at any moment!”

His hands unconsciously rubbed together, showing his extreme unease. The magnitude of the Opportunity before them was enough to drive any cultivation Family mad.

But the risks behind it were also enough to make any rational Family Head hesitate.

When he was young, he traveled extensively and heard countless stories and legends of Families being annihilated due to exploring Secret Realms.

Even supreme powers, far stronger than Sects like Qinglan Sect, had turned to dust because they committed their entire Sect’s strength to developing a certain Secret Realm.

And turned to ashes.

It also carried a scorching Opportunity.

Many forces also soared to prominence after obtaining Opportunities in Secret Realms.

Lin Jingyu did not answer immediately.

He slowly walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out.

In the courtyard, several half-grown children were chasing and playing, their carefree, bell-like laughter drifting in.

In the distance, cooking smoke curled upwards, as women prepared the evening meal.

Further away, in the Spiritual Fields covered by a faint light barrier, clansmen were diligently working, a scene of peace, harmony, and vitality.

How wonderful it would be if this could continue forever!

But Black Mountain was now turbulent, with treacherous undercurrents.

If the Lin Family did not grow stronger, it might sink to the bottom with a single wave.

He was silent for a moment, the light from the window outlining his young yet already resolute profile.

In his mind, the information on the intelligence panel flashed like cold inscriptions: Xu Li in danger, demonic cultivators ambushing, the Secret Realm perilous... In fact, he had already made up his mind!

He turned around, facing the anxious Lin Lingshan, a cold and decisive light flashing in his eyes—a light as sharp as a drawn cold blade, as if it could cut through all mist.

”Uncle Lingshan.”

His voice was unusually steady, yet carried an undeniable power, clearly echoing in the silent hall.

”This Opportunity is rare, a Heaven-Defying chance that might allow our Lin Family to rise abruptly and completely escape its predicament as a minor power.

But the danger is even greater; one wrong step means an abyss of ten thousand fathoms, utter destruction, and the demise of our Family.

This matter must not be handled rashly in the slightest. We must plan before acting, prepare meticulously, and tread as if on thin ice.”

He spoke as a strategist would, deploying on a sand table:

”First, immediately send absolutely reliable and tight-lipped trusted clansmen!

Under the pretext of ’reinforcing mine shaft structures and preventing old mine tunnels from collapsing,’ completely seal off the area where the grotto was discovered, as well as several connecting branch tunnels around it.

Designate it as the Family’s highest Forbidden Ground! No one is allowed to approach without your and my personal authorization!

Maintain a unified public statement: say that the rock strata of that mine vein are extremely unstable, with peculiar geology, and there have been abnormal rockfalls. Investigations show a significant risk of collapse, so those who enter without permission do so at their own risk, and the Family will not be responsible!”

Lin Lingshan nodded heavily, his eyes sharpening: ”Good! I will handle this personally. The people I choose will be absolutely trustworthy! I guarantee not even a fly will get in!”

”Second.”

Lin Jingyu’s finger tapped heavily on the table, making a dull sound, his gaze burning as he looked at Lin Lingshan.

”Regarding the Secret Realm and its entrance, the scope of knowledge must be compressed to the absolute minimum.

Currently, it is limited to you, me, Lin Xuan, Lin Lingbao, and Lin Lingyue.

You must personally instruct Lin Lingbao and Lin Lingyue again; if necessary, make them take a Heart Demon Oath!

Subsequently, if other core clansmen must be brought in for exploration needs, it must also be with our joint approval, and they must similarly take a solemn oath!”