Time flies in the mountains, a thousand years have passed in the world. Three years passed in a flash, and during these three years, the entire Huilan Mountain Range remained peaceful, with no major conflicts between the Foundation Establishment families.
For the Lin Family, everything progressed according to the Family's resolutions over these three years. In a small courtyard on the mountainside of Huilan Mountain, the Lin Family's ancestral land, a young man about 1.5 meters tall sat cross-legged on a stone bed, forming hand seals and fully absorbing the surrounding Spiritual Qi. He refined the Spiritual Qi into his own magical power, storing it in his Dantian, which was on the verge of Perfection.
This young man was Lin Zufeng, who had only entered Qi Refining Level 1 three years ago. Through three years of diligent Cultivation, his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. He had been at Refining Qi Level 5 Late Stage for six months and was now preparing to Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 6.
At this moment, Lin Zufeng's body glowed red, his Fire Spiritual Qi extremely active. Sweat streamed down his forehead, veins bulged, and a pained expression distorted his face. It seemed he had entered a critical moment of Breakthrough. Inside young Lin Zufeng's body, immense surges of Fire Spiritual Qi repeatedly charged towards the Meridian nodes, which had begun to crack. Time and again, the Spiritual Qi tried to break through the barrier, and time and again, it failed. The young man felt his body weaken, an unbearable sensation like ten thousand ants gnawing at his heart, as if his body no longer belonged to him. He was enduring inhuman pain. If Lin Zufeng had not been a person of great perseverance, any other eleven or twelve-year-old boy would have long since given up and abandoned the Breakthrough.
Yet Lin Zufeng gritted his teeth and persevered, his body trembling ceaselessly, blood even appearing at the corners of his mouth, showing the immense pain he was enduring.
At this moment, he had only one strong belief in his heart: he must make himself strong, the Breakthrough must succeed. If he couldn't endure this small pain, how could he Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment in the future? He reminded himself again and again: his parents' revenge was not yet taken, the Family's nurturing grace was not yet repaid, there were still many things he wanted to do, a beautiful life was still beckoning him, and he still had to step out of this world.
He must succeed in the Breakthrough; he could not fail. At this moment, young Lin Zufeng endured the pain, inhaled another powerful surge of Fire Spiritual Qi, and refined it into magical power. He now had three surges of Fire Spiritual Qi accumulated within him. Lin Zufeng steeled his heart, controlling these three surges of Spiritual Qi to fuse together, and then fiercely charged towards the barrier of Qi Refining Level 6. With a 'pop,' the barrier shattered, and Lin Zufeng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The Spiritual Qi in his body found its Breakthrough point and surged into his Dantian from the shattered barrier. Having broken through the barrier, Lin Zufeng successfully entered Qi Refining Level 6, though he looked somewhat disheveled, drenched in sweat, with trickles of blood at the corners of his mouth, his body like a pile of mud, unable to muster any strength.
Lin Zufeng let out a long sigh of relief, finally having broken through to Qi Refining Level 6, but then he gave a bitter smile. He inwardly examined his damaged Meridians and empty Dantian, muttering to himself, “The price of a forced Breakthrough is not small. It seems I’ll have to spend a lot of time recovering from the Meridian injuries, otherwise, it might leave sequelae and damage my Foundation, which would be a huge loss.” He thought to himself that it would be great if he had a Nourishing Meridian Pill or a Meridian Guarding Pill, then he wouldn’t have to worry about Meridian injuries. He also thought, if his parents were still alive, would he not have to endure such great pain?
Never before had Lin Zufeng felt such a strong desire for familial affection. But reality poured cold water on him: his parents were both deceased. He immediately sobered up. Alas, without a backer, Cultivating Immortality is extremely difficult! Yet, he reminded himself, 'Are kings and generals born with a special destiny?' If he had no powerful backer, then he would be his own backer.
Lin Zufeng's gaze became firm again. After a brief rest, he began to slowly absorb Spiritual Qi to nourish his Meridians, while also replenishing the magical power in his Dantian to consolidate his Realm. His injured Meridians could not withstand violent impacts, so he had to proceed slowly. Unconsciously, four major cycles of Cultivation were completed.
It was already dark. Lin Zufeng got up and left the room, heading straight for Fourth Elder Lin Rulan's Immortal Cave without looking back. Arriving at the entrance of the Fourth Elder's Immortal Cave, he sent out a sound transmission talisman: “Fourth Elder, Lin Zufeng has something to ask you.”
A moment later, the stone door of the Fourth Elder's Immortal Cave opened. Fourth Elder Lin Rulan's soft voice said, “Come in, no need for formalities.” As Lin Zufeng stepped into the Fourth Elder’s Immortal Cave, a wave of Spiritual Qi washed over him. It seemed the Spiritual Qi density in a Foundation Establishment Immortal Cave was more than ten times that of his small courtyard. When would he have such a Cultivation place? His desire to become stronger intensified. Arriving at Fourth Elder Lin Rulan’s reception room, Lin Zufeng clasped his hands and bowed to Fourth Elder Lin Rulan, saying, “Fourth Elder, Lin Zufeng has fortunately broken through to Qi Refining Level 6. I have specially come to report to you and also to apply for a Family task. Please approve, Fourth Elder.”
Fourth Elder Lin Rulan said, “Oh, if I remember correctly, you should be under twelve years old this year, right? When did you Breakthrough to Qi Refining Level 6? Did you use any other methods? Judging by your appearance, your Meridians were severely damaged during the Breakthrough, weren't they?” Lin Zufeng replied, “Fourth Elder has a Wisdom Eye. I forced the Breakthrough, and my Meridians were indeed severely damaged.”
Fourth Elder Lin Rulan then said, “Since your Meridians are severely damaged, why are you in such a hurry to take on a task? Can’t you wait until your injuries recover before taking on a task?”
Lin Zufeng said, “Ever since my parents were killed when I was three, I have been raised by the Family. After entering Qi Refining Level 4, the annual stipend of eighty Low-Grade Spirit Stones is no longer enough to meet my Cultivation needs. So, I want to take on tasks earlier to earn contribution points and exchange them for the resources I need for Cultivation. Otherwise, I fear my cultivation will be difficult to advance in the future. Now that my Meridians are injured, I will need to warm and nourish them for a long time, unable to Cultivate. This is a good opportunity to undertake some easier Family tasks to increase my income.”
The Fourth Elder sighed and said, “It's truly hard on you, child. You are only twelve years old and already have to consider so much, earning resources for your own Cultivation. If your parents were still alive, with your two Spiritual Root Aptitude, reaching Qi Refining Level 6 at the age of twelve, you probably wouldn't have to worry about Cultivation resources. I have three Nourishing Meridian Pills here that I don't need. I'll give them to you today. I hope you recover from your Meridian injuries as soon as possible, and absolutely do not damage your Foundation, which would affect your future cultivation.” After speaking, she handed Lin Zufeng a jade bottle.
Lin Zufeng took the jade bottle from the Fourth Elder and said, “Thank you, Fourth Elder, for the medicine. The kindness of this medicine will be etched in my heart.” The Fourth Elder said, “Don’t take it to heart. In the future, when your cultivation is strong, just guide the younger Lin Clan more. When you have the ability, remember the Family behind you.” Lin Zufeng said, “Fourth Elder’s teachings, Lin Zufeng dares not forget. If not for the Family these past years, Lin Zufeng would probably have long since been left dead in the wilderness.”
The Fourth Elder said, “Then do you have any plans?” Lin Zufeng replied, “I have Wood and Fire Spiritual Roots. My Wood Spiritual Root is naturally close to Spiritual Plants and Spirit Medicine, and my Fire Spiritual Root provides a bonus in Alchemy. So, I want to take on the Family’s planting tasks. I’m not skilled in other Artifact Refining or Alchemy. Among the hundred arts of immortal cultivation, I want to learn Alchemy, and planting Spirit Medicine to familiarize myself with the medicinal properties of Spirit Medicine will also benefit Alchemy. The two can complement each other.”
The Fourth Elder then said, “That’s a good idea, but you are too young. While your cultivation meets the requirements for taking on Family tasks, your experience is almost zero, making it difficult for you to undertake Family tasks.” Lin Zufeng quickly said, “Fourth Elder, please rest assured. Since entering the clan school at the age of six, I have been able to live independently, and my practical skills are stronger than those of my older and younger clan brothers of the same age. I should be able to take on some planting tasks. Moreover, I will not act blindly. Before performing the task, I will learn the relevant knowledge, and if there’s anything I don’t know, I will consult the elders in the clan. Please grant my request, Fourth Elder.”
The Fourth Elder said, “Since you insist, I will no longer stop you. I will now take you to the Clan Chief to inform him and let him decide.” After speaking, she stood up and walked out of the Immortal Cave, leading young Lin Zufeng towards the Clan Chief’s Immortal Cave.