22: Chapter 22 A First Glimpse into the Hidden World: New Discoveries and Hidden Worries

Lin Yue sat on the wooden chair in his study, the warm touch of the Mid-Grade Spirit Stone still lingering on his fingertips.

The sunlight outside grew increasingly intense, casting mottled light and shadows on the floor through the window frames, intertwining with the light green mist emanating from the "Four Symbols Maze Array," as if draping a flowing veil over Sunset Town.

He once again sank his consciousness into the Primary Grotto-Heaven.

After half a day of settling, the Spiritual Qi of the Grotto-Heaven Continent had become increasingly stable.

The world tree sapling stood quietly in the center, the silver patterns on its leaves stretching slightly in the spiritual wind; with every flicker, it pulled a thread of extremely fine Chaos Spiritual Qi from the surrounding Chaos mist,

merging it into itself like a silkworm spinning silk.

Lin Yue focused his perception and found that the edges of the continent had indeed extended outward slightly—less than half a foot, but it truly confirmed the description of "slow expansion" on the Panel.

On the Spirit Field Plain, the purple leaf orchid seedlings had grown to about an inch tall, the edges of their leaves glowing with a faint purple halo, a sign of having absorbed sufficient Spiritual Qi.

He tried to invest some Chaos Spiritual Qi conversion points into the Spirit Field—

The number on the Panel dropped from 10.5 points to 5.5 points, and the soil on the Spirit Field Plain instantly glowed with a layer of soft light.

The growth speed of the purple leaf orchids increased visibly, and the halo on the leaves became even more intense.

"It really works."

Lin Yue understood, but he did not continue to invest.

There were only about ten Spiritual Qi conversion points per day, and they should be used in more critical areas.

He turned his gaze toward the Spirit River, the water gurgling and flowing, shimmering with golden light under the sun (the Grotto-Heaven now had a simulated light source).

With a thought, a stream of spirit river water automatically branched off, irrigating the newly sown spirit nurturing flower seeds at the edge of the Spirit Field.

These seeds had been brought in from the outside and would normally take seven days to germinate, but now, under the nourishment of the spirit river water, they had actually broken through the soil, revealing tender green sprouts.

"The cultivation of external spiritual Materials within the Grotto-Heaven actually yields such a significantly improved effect."

Lin Yue fell into deep thought.

The profound ice grass was of vital importance to the Family; perhaps its seeds could be introduced to the Grotto-Heaven Spirit Field, using the denser Spiritual Qi and spirit river water there to Cultivate even higher quality medicinal Materials.

He noted this idea down and turned his gaze toward the Ore vein on the west side.

On the gentle slope above the companion spirit iron ore vein, the clusters of Spiritual Plants with a metallic luster had become increasingly prominent, their leaves turning from an initial light silver to a deep gray, with iron-like powder faintly rustling down.

Lin Yue plucked a leaf and probed it with spiritual power, actually sensing a tough aura similar to that of companion spirit iron ore.

"Could it be a Spiritual Plant nurtured by the companion spirit iron ore vein?"

He stored the leaf, intending to have Lin De study it later; perhaps Materials to assist in forging could be extracted from it.

The mine of the Spirit Stone Ore vein had naturally formed a tunnel about ten feet deep, with pearly-white Spirit Stones embedded in the rock walls like stars in the night sky.

Lin Yue walked to a newly generated Ore vein node and brushed it lightly with spiritual power; three Low-Grade Spirit Stones and one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone automatically detached and fell into his palm.

The Mid-Grade Spirit Stone felt warm in his hand, its Spiritual Qi more pure than that of the outside world; holding it, he could even sense a peaceful rhythm.

"With Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, the cultivation speed of the Family's disciples might be even faster."

Lin Yue put away the Spirit Stones and turned his gaze toward the Shallow Lake of the Grotto-Heaven.

The number of transparent Spirit Shrimp in the lake had increased significantly, swimming around an aquatic plant that had just emerged from the water; the stems of that plant glowed with a faint spiritual light, clearly also a spiritual object.

He did not linger and withdrew his consciousness from the Grotto-Heaven.

For this newborn world, maintaining patience was far more important than rushing for success.

Just as he returned to reality, Lin Hu came running in hurriedly, his face filled with excitement:

"Clan Chief, Master Lin Shi has finished forging the silver-patterned daggers! The brothers in the Guard Team tried them out and said they are ten times better than the previous iron swords!"

Lin Yue stood up and headed toward the Artifact Refining Workshop.

Inside the workshop, the furnace fire was blazing, with sparks flying everywhere. Lin Shi and three apprentices were gathered around a bluestone table.

On the table, over twenty daggers were neatly arranged, their blades shimmering with a faint silver light; they were the silver-patterned daggers forged from refined companion spirit iron ore.

Several disciples from the Guard Team were gesturing with the daggers, and one of them swung a dagger at a nearby piece of hard iron Ore.

With a soft "shing" sound, a deep gash was easily carved into the Ore.

"Clan Chief!"

Seeing Lin Yue enter, everyone stopped what they were doing.

Lin Shi picked up a silver-patterned dagger and handed it to Lin Yue:

"Clan Chief, look, this dagger is not only sharp, but it can also condense a sharp aura when spiritual power is injected. I just tested it; even the protective spiritual power of a Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator can be easily pierced."

Lin Yue took the dagger and injected a trace of spiritual power; the silver patterns on the blade immediately lit up, and a sense of condensed sharpness traveled up his arm.

He nodded. "Very good. Equip every member of the Guard Team with one, and keep five for the core disciples of the clan for self-defense.

Lin Shi, continue to refine the remaining companion spirit iron ore, and strive to forge longswords suitable for Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

A smile appeared on Lin Shi's dark face, his eyes full of drive.

After arranging the affairs of the Artifact Refining Workshop, Lin Yue went to the Alchemy Room.

Lin De was sitting in front of the Pill Furnace, carefully adjusting the flames; a wisp of light green smoke drifted from the vent at the top, carrying a faint medicinal fragrance.

"Second Elder, how is the research on the leaves of the profound ice grass going?" Lin Yue asked.

Lin De looked up, his face showing some fatigue, but his eyes were shining:

"Clan Chief, this profound ice grass is truly not simple!

Following the records in the Green Vein Pill Scripture, I used three leaves to extract a trace of Ice Soul Cold Qi and mixed it into the medicinal juice of the qi condensing pill. It actually made the pill's spiritual power more condensed and even added an effect of suppressing the Heart Demon."

He took out a small jade bottle and poured out a qi condensing pill. Unlike the usual orange-yellow pills, this one had a layer of faint white frost on its surface, and its Spiritual Qi fluctuations were more stable.

"This is... an improved version of the qi condensing pill?"

Lin Yue was somewhat surprised.

"You could say that."

Lin De smiled. "The effect is nearly thirty percent stronger than a normal qi condensing pill, and it doesn't cause that feeling of restless spiritual power after consumption. It's most suitable for disciples who have just broken through the Qi Refinement Stage to stabilize their cultivation.

However, the profound ice grass hasn't fully grown yet, so we can't take too many leaves. For now, I can only refine these few."

"Well done."

Lin Yue praised, "Once the profound ice grass matures, we will refine this improved qi condensing pill on a large scale.

By the way, I have a Spiritual Plant here; take a look and see what it is."

He handed the metallic-lustered Spiritual Plant leaf he had brought from the Grotto-Heaven to Lin De.

Lin De took the leaf, examined it carefully for a moment, and then sniffed it. His brow gradually furrowed. "The aura of this leaf... is actually somewhat similar to companion spirit iron ore, yet it has an added trace of botanical vitality.

Clan Chief, where did you find this?"

"I can't say for now."

Lin Yue said, "Just study it first and see if it can be used in pill recipes or if it has other uses."

"Alright."

Lin De put the leaf away and returned to his Alchemy.

It was already dusk when Lin Yue left the Alchemy Room.

The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the mist of the "Four Symbols Maze Array," casting mottled light and shadows on the streets of Sunset Town. The clansmen were finishing their day's work, greeting each other with steady smiles on their faces.

The scent of incense drifted from the direction of the ancestral hall, intertwining with the Spiritual Qi of the array and

the medicinal fragrance of the Spirit Field, creating a unique atmosphere of tranquility.

Lin Yue walked to the town wall, where Lin Cang was leading two clansmen in checking the formation patterns.

Seeing Lin Yue approach, Lin Cang hurried forward to meet him. "Clan Chief, the array is operating normally. The Spirit Gathering effect is even stronger than yesterday, and the Spiritual Qi concentration in the town has visibly increased."

He pointed to the formation patterns on the wall; the originally pale gold lines now glowed with a pearly luster.

"The notes left by Old Mo were indeed useful. Following his instructions, I added a trace of soil from the Spirit Field to the formation eye, and the Spiritual Qi circulation between the array and the Spirit Field has become much smoother."

Lin Yue reached out to touch the formation patterns and could feel the spiritual power flowing within them was even more robust than yesterday, indeed forming a subtle resonance with the Spiritual Qi of the Spirit Field.

With the Spirit Gathering effect of the "Four Symbols Maze Array" plus the improvement in Spirit Field quality brought by the irrigation from the Grotto-Heaven's Spirit River,

the Spiritual Qi concentration in Sunset Town was steadily growing. In the long run, the cultivation speed of the clansmen would inevitably increase.

At that moment, a clansman responsible for sentry duty suddenly ran over, looking tense:

"Clan Chief, Grand Elder, several Cultivators have been spotted outside the town, wandering near the array. Looking at their clothes... they seem to be from the Green Robe Hall!"

Lin Yue and Lin Cang exchanged looks, both feeling a chill in their hearts.

They walked to the lookout on the town wall and peered out through the mist of the array.

A hundred yards outside the town, four Cultivators dressed in green robes were examining the array. The leader was a Tall, Thin Cultivator with a sinister gaze—it was the same Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had been lingering outside the town last time.

"How do they dare to come at a time like this?"

Lin Cang whispered, tightening his grip on the Formation Plate Token.

Lin Yue's gaze darkened slightly. "I'm afraid news leaked from the Black Stone Chamber of Commerce's side. Knowing our frequent trades with the chamber, they want to test our strength."

He noticed that the Green Robe Hall Cultivators occasionally released spiritual power toward the array, but their perceptions were all distorted by the outer Illusion Array, leaving them with puzzled expressions.

"Activate the middle-tier Illusion Array and show them what we're made of."

A flash of severity crossed Lin Cang's eyes.

"No need."

Lin Yue shook his head. "It's fine to let them see the array's depth; it'll save us from further harassment later.

Just activate the outer Spirit Gathering mist and let the Illusion Array reveal a bit of defensive might."

Lin Cang understood his meaning and injected spiritual power into the Token.

The Green Robe Hall Cultivators outside the town suddenly found that the light green mist before them grew even denser, with spiritual light faintly flickering within, as if thousands of troops were hidden there.

As soon as the probing spiritual power they released touched the mist, it was bounced back by a soft but resilient force; one person even groaned and took two steps back due to spiritual power backlash.

"What a strong array!"

The Tall, Thin Cultivator's expression changed, and a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.

"When did Sunset Town set up such a powerful array?"

A Cultivator beside him whispered, "The Hall Master said that the Lin Family of Sunset Town has been in close contact with the Black Stone Chamber of Commerce recently. They've likely gained the chamber's support.

This array... by the looks of it, it's at least Second-Tier. If we try to force our way in, we probably won't come out on top."

The Tall, Thin Cultivator stared at the array for a long while before finally cold-snorting:

"Withdraw! Go back and tell the Hall Master that Sunset Town is guarded by a Second-Tier array and it's not wise to act rashly."

The four Green Robe Hall Cultivators quickly disappeared in the direction of the Black Wind Forest.

Lin Cang breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "The Clan Chief is indeed brilliant, scaring them off without moving a single soldier."

Lin Yue did not relax, however. Looking toward the Black Wind Forest, his brow furrowed slightly:

"This is only the beginning.

Since the Green Robe Hall has set its sights on us, they won't give up easily.

This time they saw the power of the array; next time they come, I'm afraid there will be even stronger Cultivators."

He turned to Lin Cang and said, "Increase the guard, especially at night.

Additionally, have the Guard Team master the silver-patterned daggers quickly. Add two hours of practice every day and be ready to respond to any sudden situations at any time."

"Yes!"

Lin Cang responded in a deep voice.

The sun had completely sunk into the western mountains, and night enveloped the land.

The mist of the "Four Symbols Maze Array" glowed with a faint green light in the night, acting like a guardian of Sunset Town.

Lin Yue returned to his study and entered the Grotto-Heaven once more.

The world tree sapling emitted a soft golden light in the night, the Spiritual Plants on the Spirit Field Plain grew quietly, and the sound of the Spirit River's flow was exceptionally clear in the silence.

He took out that Mid-Grade Spirit Stone and placed it beside the world tree sapling.

The Spiritual Qi in the Spirit Stone slowly overflowed and was absorbed by the sapling's leaves; the silver patterns instantly brightened, and the speed at which it pulled Spiritual Qi from the Chaos also increased slightly.

The Chaos Spiritual Qi conversion points on the Panel quietly changed to 11.

"Only by becoming strong enough can one face all storms," Lin Yue thought to himself as he looked at the sapling.

Whether it was the defense of Sunset Town, the cultivation of the clan's disciples, or the growth of this Primary Grotto-Heaven, all required continuous investment and accumulation.

The appearance of the Green Robe Hall was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake; although it hadn't caused giant waves, it had already reminded him—

Beneath the calm, the undercurrents never cease.

He needed to increase his strength faster, make the Grotto-Heaven grow quicker, and allow the Lin Family to truly possess the foundation to stand firm on this land.

Outside the window, the night grew deeper. The halo of the "Four Symbols Maze Array" and the golden light of the Grotto-Heaven's World Tree intertwined into a steady light in Lin Yue's eyes.

The path belonging to the Lin Family had only just begun; every step needed to be taken with caution, yet one must also forge ahead bravely.