41: family

“Many thanks, Clan Chief Grandpa, for your benevolence!” Lin Feng was overjoyed, but maintained a respectful demeanor.

“As for the stipend…” Lin ZhengNan mused, “According to Clan rules, those who go out for experience and have no fixed tasks will naturally have their monthly stipend suspended.

However, you brought back Spirit Trees for the Family, establishing a meritorious deed.

I will make an exception and advance you three years’ worth of Qi Refining Middle Stage stipend, converted into Spirit Stones, totaling three hundred and sixty pieces.

I hope you use them well.”

Saying this, he took out a heavy pouch of Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Lin Feng.

This was already a considerable special privilege.

Lin Feng received it with both hands and gratefully said, “Lin Feng thanks the Clan Chief for the generous gift! I will not disappoint you!”

Lin ZhengNan looked at him, a hint of kindness and reluctance flashing in his eyes, then took out a Talisman from his sleeve, shimmering with a faint golden luster and covered with profound runes, and solemnly handed it to Lin Feng: “Lin Feng, this is the ‘Vajra True Talisman’, a second-tier Elementary defensive Spirit Talisman.

When activated, it can form a Vajra protective shield around your body, enough to withstand several full-force attacks from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

This Talisman is precious; I obtained it in my early years and have always treasured it.

Your journey this time will be fraught with unforeseen dangers; take it with you, it might save your life in a critical moment.

Remember, be careful in everything!”

Feeling the profound and resilient Spiritual Pressure emanating from the Talisman, Lin Feng’s heart trembled, and a warm current surged through him.

This was by no means perfunctory; it was genuine concern! He solemnly received the Talisman with both hands, bowed deeply, and his voice was slightly hoarse: “Lin Feng…thank you, Second Grandpa, for your profound love! This kindness and sentiment will be etched in my heart forever!” This “Second Grandpa” was called out with genuine emotion.

After bidding farewell to the Clan Chief and the Elders, Lin Feng went to the Hall of General Affairs and found Elder Lin Qingsong, who was in charge of Black Reef Island affairs.

“Elder Qingsong.” Lin Feng bowed respectfully, offering the Formation token for Black Reef Island with both hands, “This Junior has resigned from the post of guarding Black Reef Island, and has specially come to return the token and settle the contribution points.”

Lin Qingsong took the token, looked at Lin Feng, and nodded: “Hmm, it’s good you’re back.

Black Reef Island is barren, but during your tenure, the Spirit Field output on the island was stable, and there was no major chaos among mortals; your task completion was acceptable.

According to the rules, you can receive fifty contribution points.”

“Thank you, Elder.” Lin Feng paused, then added, “This Junior is about to go out for experience and wishes to exchange for two first-tier ‘Beast Nurturing Pouches’.

I wonder if my contribution points are sufficient?”

“Beast Nurturing Pouches?” Lin Qingsong was a little surprised; this type of Storage Magical Artifact, specifically for containing live Yao Beasts, was not widely used within the Family.

He checked the ledger, “A first-tier Beast Nurturing Pouch requires thirty contribution points each.

Your contributions are more than enough; you can exchange for one.”

Lin Feng was already prepared and immediately said, “This Junior wishes to exchange for the difference for two Beast Nurturing Pouches.

I wonder if that is possible?”

Lin Qingsong glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and nodded: “Yes.” Soon, two palm-sized, sturdy gray pouches with simple beast-shaped runes drawn on their surfaces were handed to Lin Feng, completing the transaction.

These two pouches were prepared for his cherished Jade Emperor Bee swarm, and the other for the Treasure Seeking Rat.

…

Leaving the Hall of General Affairs, Lin Feng’s heart had already flown back to his small home.

Pushing open the familiar wooden door, a clear, tender child’s voice immediately rang out:

“Ge Ge! Ge Ge is back!”

He saw a small girl, wearing a red jacket, with pigtails, as delicate as a carved jade figurine, stumbling towards him.

It was his sister, Lin XueEr, who had just turned two years old.

Her small face was beaming with innocent joy.

“XueEr!” Lin Feng’s heart instantly melted, and all his fatigue and calculations were thrown to the winds.

He squatted down, scooped up his sister, and kissed her tender little cheek, making the little girl giggle.

“Lin Feng!” His mother, Madam Liu, walked out quickly from the inner room, her eyes red and swollen, clearly having just cried.

She grabbed Lin Feng’s hand, looked him up and down, and choked out, “My son… you’re finally back!

These past two months, Mother’s heart has been broken! I thought… I thought…” As she spoke, tears could not help but roll down again.

His father, Lin Qingshan, followed closely behind.

This steady middle-aged man, a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Cultivator, also had slightly red eyes at this moment.

He patted Lin Feng’s shoulder vigorously, his lips moving a few times, eventually only forming one sentence: “It’s good you’re back, it’s good you’re safe!”

The house was filled with warmth.

Lin Feng enjoyed this rare tender moment, detailing his “experiences” and soothing his parents’ anxious hearts.

During dinner, the Family of four sat around, enjoying each other’s company.

After dinner, Lin Feng looked at his parents and solemnly said, “Father, Mother, your son has reported to the Clan Chief and has decided to go out for experience, to broaden my horizons, and seek opportunities for Breakthrough.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the warm atmosphere instantly froze.

Madam Liu’s bowl and chopsticks almost fell, and her eyes immediately reddened again: “Lin Feng… you… you just got back… it’s so dangerous outside…”

Lin Qingshan also frowned tightly: “Lin Feng, you have just broken through to Qi Refining Sixth Layer, your Foundation is not stable.

Is it too hasty to travel far at this time? The Family is not without resources for you to Cultivate…”

Lin Feng held his mother’s hand, looked at his father, his eyes firm yet gentle: “Father, Mother, your son knows you are worried.

But your son’s mind is made up.

This experience has made me realize that being confined to one place will not lead to great achievements.

A young eagle must eventually spread its wings.

I have the protective Spirit Talisman bestowed by the Clan Chief, and I also know how to act cautiously.

I will definitely protect myself well.

Please rest assured, Father and Mother!”

Looking at the undeniable determination in their son’s eyes, Lin Qingshan and Madam Liu exchanged glances, seeing the worry and reluctance in each other’s eyes, but even more, understanding and support.

Their son had grown up and had his own path to walk.

Madam Liu wiped her tears, choking out, “Good… good… My son has ambition… Mother… Mother supports you… But you must promise Mother, to come back safe and sound…”

Lin Qingshan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “Since you have decided, Father will not stop you.

Remember, do not be overly assertive in matters, and always think twice before acting.

Home will always be your backing.”

“Your son will bear Father and Mother’s teachings in mind!” Lin Feng nodded heavily.

The night before his departure, Lin Feng came to his parents’ room and set up a simple sound-insulating Restriction.

Under his parents’ astonished gaze, he took out several jade boxes and a few small jade bottles from his Storage Pouch.

The jade boxes were opened, and inside were several Spirit Fruits brimming with Spiritual Qi, including verdant Spirit Peaches, fiery red Jujube Pears, and fragrant jade marrow mushrooms… all of which were High Grade first-tier Spirit Fruits and Spirit Medicine he had ripened on Black Reef Island!

In the jade bottles was golden Jade Emperor Bee honey, emitting a pure herbal fragrance and faint Spiritual Qi.

“Father, Mother, XueEr, please keep these Spirit Fruits and honey.

The Spirit Fruits contain gentle spiritual power, which can strengthen the body and slowly improve one’s Physique.

XueEr is young, so she can only be fed a small amount of diluted honey water each time.

Father and Mother can consume them during Cultivation; they will also be beneficial.” Lin Feng whispered the instructions.

Lin Qingshan and Madam Liu looked at these valuable and spiritually potent items before them, too shocked to speak.

These were definitely not things that Black Reef Island could produce!

They instantly understood that their son’s experiences over the past two months were far from as simple as he had described!

He must have had a fortuitous encounter! Moreover, he chose to leave such precious items for them…

“Lin Feng… This… this is too precious! You need these for your experience outside…” Madam Liu hurriedly refused.