Chapter 20

Three days had passed since Lin Zhangqing's sudden enlightenment.

After returning home that day, Second Uncle shared the news of Lin Zhangqing's sudden enlightenment with the family, and everyone was overjoyed.

His mother was even happier, hugging Lin Zhangqing and spinning him around, making Lin Zhangqing blush.

After all, he was a man at heart, but his mother still treated him like a child. Fortunately, after a while of fussing, everyone's mood calmed down.

Then they were curious about how Lin Zhangqing felt during his sudden enlightenment. Lin Zhangqing expressed that at that time, his mind was empty and pure, as if some shackles had been opened, and the world became exceptionally clear.

Later, everyone in the clan knew about it. His little friends also came to see the wonder, which made Lin Zhangqing famous again.

Everyone was curious about what sudden enlightenment was like, and Lin Zhangqing shared the feeling he had at that time again.

Even the Second Elder of the Scripture Pavilion came to find Lin Zhangqing, asking him to record the insights from this sudden enlightenment as much as possible, to leave for future generations to refer to.

Lin Zhangqing could only accept the order and earnestly and carefully recorded his insights.

He handed it to the Second Elder, who solemnly took it and put it away. He expressed his gratitude to Lin Zhangqing for his selfless sharing and also represented the clan in rewarding Lin Zhangqing with 500 contribution points.

This action made Lin Zhangqing identify even more with the clan.

After a few lively days, it finally became quiet again, and Lin Zhangqing hurriedly learned a few spells.

The first one was definitely the Flying Artifact Technique; he had coveted it hundreds of times. This time, he finally got his wish.

The second was the Earth Wall Technique, a defensive spell that uses spiritual energy to condense into a sturdy earth wall, which can block enemy attacks.

The third was the Golden Light Slash, an offensive spell that uses spiritual energy to condense golden light blades to slash or cut enemies.

Regarding the spirit planter inheritance, there was the first-grade mid-grade Earth Covering Technique; having this made turning the soil convenient, and it was also a spell that every spirit planter must learn.

He also had to continue practicing the Nourishing Origin Catalysis Technique to improve it to the level of catalyzing two months of growth progress per casting as soon as possible.

Plus mastering the habits of two hundred more types of spirit herbs and spirit plants. That would make him a first-grade mid-grade spirit planter.

Basic spells weren't expensive either; the four spells cost 20 contribution points. Lin Zhangqing took back his identity jade token after the points were deducted.

It originally had 280 points plus the 500 points rewarded by the clan, minus 100 points for a bottle of high-grade Qi Gathering Pills, and 20 points for learning spells this time. There were still 660 contribution points on the jade token, which was enough for Lin Zhangqing to practice for a long time.

Since Grandfather returned last time, Lin Zhangqing had already agreed with his family that he could earn his own cultivation resources and must not delay the cultivation progress of his parents, Second Uncle, and aunt.

Seeing that he could earn six or seven hundred contribution points every year, which was already quite good and similar to the income of his father and Second Uncle, the family agreed.

He put away his identity jade token and said goodbye to the Second Elder.

Lin Zhangqing had to hurry back to practice the Flying Artifact Technique. He used the first-grade mid-grade Purple Bamboo Sword his father gave him, returned to the cultivation room at home, and started studying the Flying Artifact Technique.

His comprehension was quite good; in half a day, he could use the Purple Bamboo Sword to wobble half a meter off the ground and start flying. However, he didn't dare to fly too high yet, fearing a fall. He had to practice this slowly and increase the height after becoming proficient.

But he was indeed very interested in flying. By the second day, he had moved to the courtyard to practice, and he was already two or three meters off the ground. He just didn't dare to fly too fast yet.

Seeing him start to learn the flying technique, his mother and aunt came over one after another to impart their experience. They even demonstrated it personally. This time, with people teaching him, he learned even faster.

Lin Zhangqing could be said to have become obsessed with flying recently. Whenever he had free time, he would fly around on the Ancestral Mountain.

He even showed off in front of his little friends to satisfy his small vanity. It also indirectly urged his little friends to practice hard.

It made them even more determined to practice hard, wanting to outdo Lin Zhangqing again.

Time flowed away slowly like this, and soon it was the end of the year.

Lin Zhangqing especially liked to look in the direction of the mountain gate on Aoyun Peak, always hoping to see the figure of the Demon Hunting Team returning.

This year, the Demon Hunting Team was already a bit later than last year, and Lin Zhangqing started to worry a little.

Fortunately, two days later, the Demon Hunting Team finally returned.

Lin Zhangqing breathed a sigh of relief. Before he even reached the clan square, he saw one large and two small, three Golden Winged Birds circling and playing in the sky.

By now, everyone had long recognized these few Golden Winged Birds and knew they were spirit beasts raised by Lin Zhangqing's family. Moreover, they were very smart; every time they caught insects, they would never harm the spirit herbs or spirit plants. They were very popular with spirit planters.

Some people even wanted to reserve the offspring of First One and the others, but Lin Changqing didn't agree. He only said he would see how things went in the future.

He found his father's position, squeezed in, and leaned against his father's side. Like before, he quietly listened to the Clan Leader speaking on the stage.

This year, the Demon Hunting Team still had two clansmen die, and five were injured. It was a little better than last year. But hearing about the casualties of the clansmen, the atmosphere at the scene was still relatively heavy.

After summarizing the harvest and arranging for people to exchange contribution points, they let the Demon Hunting Team go back to rest.

He went to the edge of the square to meet up with his mother and aunt. Seeing his father return safely, everyone was very happy, and the group started walking home.

Returning home, after his father washed up, his spirit was a little better, and everyone gathered together.

His father started sharing this experience. First, he fiercely praised Second One, saying that its performance this time was very good.

It discovered demon beasts in advance many times and warned about the direction of the demon beasts' appearance in time. With it, they basically wouldn't be ambushed.

Moreover, it was very helpful for tracking demon beasts; with a pair of eyes watching from high in the sky, it was basically very difficult for demon beasts to escape.

This year, because of Second One's help, the harvest was a bit more than before. This year, it was estimated to be around 800 contribution points.

And Second One received unanimous praise from the Demon Hunting Team his father was in. After all, safety had improved and income had increased, so everyone had to praise it.

Lin Changqing estimated that this time, more people would be eyeing the offspring of First One and the others.

However, if it could reduce the casualties of the clansmen, Lin Changqing was also willing to hand over the offspring of First One and the others to the clan.

But Second One and Sixth One now only had a wingspan of about 40 centimeters, much weaker than First One. Should he discuss with Grandfather and feed them each a Vermilion Fruit?

In the evening, the family gathered together happily for dinner. Grandfather had already privately given his father a Vermilion Fruit, and seeing that the atmosphere was about right.

Grandfather coughed lightly. Everyone knew Grandfather had something to say.

Everyone kept quiet, waiting for Grandfather to speak.

Grandfather first looked at everyone earnestly and said: "Maoting is already at the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Now you must work hard to polish your spiritual energy to Great Perfection to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

The clan's Scripture Pavilion has the Foundation Establishment insights of ancestors from past generations; you must read more, comprehend them with your heart, and if there is anything you don't understand, you can come and ask me. You must be sure of yourself. Strive to succeed in Foundation Establishment in one go."

Aunt nodded and said: "Alright, I understand, I will definitely not live up to everyone's expectations."

Grandfather continued: "In another year, there will be an auction in the prefecture city market of our Pingyang Prefecture, but your Fifth Uncle's family has worked hard for forty years for this Foundation Establishment Pill, so we cannot compete with him.

Moreover, if the clan's spirit stones are not enough, we still have to help if needed. I will communicate this with the Clan Leader first.

There will also be an auction in Jinzhou Prefecture in two years. My idea is that I will take Maoting to rent a cave abode in the Jinzhou Prefecture market first.

If we can buy a Foundation Establishment Pill, we will establish the foundation in the Jinzhou City market, and return after succeeding."

After speaking, he paused to give everyone some time to digest it.

After waiting for a while, Grandfather looked at his parents and Second Uncle, and continued: "The three of you must also start preparing for Foundation Establishment.

There is a third-grade spirit plant in the Baicao Garden that has been catalyzed by me for decades and is about to mature. When the time comes, I will ask Great-Grandmother Xu to come forward and exchange it for three Foundation Establishment Pills.

Each of you will get one, and you will all have a chance to establish your foundation."

Everyone was shocked and couldn't quite believe it, but his mother reacted faster.

Mother spoke up and said: "Give my Foundation Establishment Pill to Qing'er!"

Grandfather shook his head and said: "It's still too early for Qing'er. Besides, if the family has five Foundation Establishment cultivators, are we afraid we won't be able to earn a Foundation Establishment Pill? If you are thinking of Qing'er, you must succeed in Foundation Establishment in one go, then Qing'er's Foundation Establishment Pill will be settled."

Hearing Grandfather's words, the three of them fell silent, looked at each other, and made a certain determination.

(End of chapter)