4: Chapter 4 Shifting the Blame Eastward, the Benefits of the Spiritual Vein

The death of the Li Family's second-in-command, Li Kui, was like a red-hot iron, searing into the already tense situation in Sunset Town.

Lin Yue stood on the watchtower of the Family courtyard, looking at the faint figures near the town entrance, his brows furrowing slightly.

As expected, Li Shan had blockaded the town, with the entrances and exits held by Li family disciples.

Gleaming sabers and swords flashed coldly in the sunlight, creating an atmosphere so murderous it made it hard to breathe.

“Clan Chief, the Li Family people are conducting very strict inspections at the town entrance; not even a bird can fly out.”

Lin Hu ran up to the watchtower, hunching his back, and whispered in a low voice.

“I just had some brothers pretend to go into town to buy medicine, but they were stopped and searched three times. They almost had the wound medicine in their robes confiscated.”

Lin Yue nodded, not finding it surprising.

Li Kui was Li Shan's biological younger brother. Now that he had died a tragic death, with Li Shan's explosive temperament, it would be strange if he didn't overturn the entire town.

“Did they say when they're coming to ‘visit’ us?”

“They haven't said explicitly yet, but I heard the Li family disciples on guard muttering that the Li Clan Chief is gathering manpower. I'm afraid... I'm afraid they'll come this afternoon.”

Lin Hu gripped the iron sword at his waist. “Clan Chief, how about we strike first? While they aren't prepared yet, let's charge out and fight them!”

“Fight? Can we win?”

Lin Yue glanced at him. “The Li Family's current strength is a notch above our Lin Family.”

“Li Shan himself is at the Peak of Late Stage Qi Refining, half a level more stable than our Grand Elder;”

“Within their clan, there are three Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, twelve Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, and nearly forty able-bodied youths they can mobilize.”

“What about our Lin Family?”

“In the Late Stage of Qi Refining, there's only me and the Grand Elder. We have four Middle Stage Cultivators and fifteen Early Stage Cultivators. Counting everyone who can pick up a weapon, we're barely over thirty.”

“If we truly go head-to-head, we won't gain anything.”

The color drained from Lin Hu's face. “Then... then what do we do? We can't just sit and wait for death, can we?”

“Of course not.”

Lin Yue turned his gaze toward the west of the town, which was the Zhang Family's territory. “Since it was the Zhang Family who handed over the knife, then they should be the first to taste its edge.”

Lin Hu's eyes lit up. “Clan Chief, you mean...”

“Go, find a few clever clansmen and have them find a way to sneak into town and spread some ‘news’.”

Lin Yue leaned in close and whispered, “Say that someone saw Li Kui arguing fiercely with Zhang Ba in a tavern the night before he died, seemingly over a dispute regarding the Xipo Mining Cave.”

“Add some details, like Zhang Ba slamming the table and shouting, ‘Li, if you dare meddle in the mining cave's affairs again, don't blame me for being impolite.’”

“Will... will this work?”

Lin Hu hesitated slightly. “Will the Li Family believe it?”

“Whether they believe it or not isn't important; what's important is making them suspicious.”

Lin Yue said calmly, “Li Shan is in a fit of rage right now and sees everyone as a suspect. We'll add some fuel to the fire to make him feel the Zhang Family is also suspicious, so he won't be solely focused on us.”

He paused and then added, “Remember, it must be done discreetly. Don't let anyone see it was our doing.”

“It's best to have a few rogue Cultivators who usually have no ties to either the Li or Zhang families spread the word; that way it will seem real.”

“I understand!”

Lin Hu immediately responded and turned to leave in a hurry.

Lin Yue watched his retreating back, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

The Zhang Family wanted to kill with a borrowed knife, so he would simply turn that knife in a different direction.

The three major families of Sunset Town were already suspicious of each other. Once a crack appeared, there was no need to worry about it not widening.

After dismissing Lin Hu, Lin Yue returned to his wooden house and flashed into the plane.

【ruined plane (Rank: 1)】

【Spiritual Qi Concentration: 4.8 (Normal external environment is 1)】

【spirit soil Area: 20 square meters】

【Absorbable Spiritual Items: (Added 30 catties of companion spirit iron ore, 7 strands of miniature Spiritual Vein Spiritual Qi)】

【Status: About to upgrade】

He was only 0.2 away from Rank 2 in Spiritual Qi concentration.

Lin Yue looked at the spirit soil that had already expanded to twenty square meters. The Spiritual Plants growing inside were flourishing, and a few of them even showed signs of breaking through the limits of low-grade spiritual plants.

“Let's add a bit more.”

He took out three Low-Grade Spirit Stones from his robe—these were the ‘trump cards’ he had specifically kept—and threw them into the Chaos without hesitation.

The moment the Spirit Stones dissolved, the plane shuddered violently. Dense Spiritual Qi spread out like a tide, and the green light at the edge of the spirit soil almost solidified.

【ruined plane (Rank: 2)】

【Spiritual Qi Concentration: 5 (Normal external environment is 1)】

【spirit soil Area: 30 square meters】

【New Function: Can simulate the generation of low-grade Ore veins (Currently available: Common Iron Ore Vein, companion spirit iron ore vein), can produce 10 catties of corresponding Ore daily】

【Status: Stable】

It's done!

Lin Yue was ecstatic.

Rank 2 not only doubled the Spiritual Qi concentration but also unlocked the “Simulated Ore Vein” function!

Although it could only produce 10 catties daily, it meant the Lin Family would have a stable source of Ore from now on and would no longer have to depend on others.

He tried using his consciousness to communicate with the plane, selecting “companion spirit iron ore vein”.

In the Chaos at the edge of the spirit soil, an illusory image of an Ore vein suddenly emerged.

10 catties of black-and-gold spirit iron ore appeared out of thin air on the ground, looking almost identical to the ones mined from the Xipo Mining Cave.

“Fantastic!”

Lin Yue picked up a piece and felt the Spiritual Qi within; the quality was actually slightly higher than those mined from outside.

With this function, the spirit iron ore in the Xipo Mining Cave could be left alone for the time being.

Waiting for the heat to die down before slowly mining that potentially existing miniature Spiritual Vein was the safest course of action.

He put away the newly generated spirit iron ore and checked the Spiritual Plants in the spirit soil.

Under the nourishment of 5 times the Spiritual Qi, several originally ordinary “qi condensing grass” plants had actually grown pale blue flower buds, and the Spiritual Qi they emitted was several times denser than before.

“Is this... about to advance into middle-grade spiritual plants?”

Lin Yue was beyond pleasantly surprised.

The value of middle-grade spiritual plants was much higher than low-grade ones; one plant could be exchanged for at least fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

The potential of the plane seemed even greater than he had imagined.

When he left the plane, it was already noon.

As soon as Lin Yue stepped out of the wooden house, he saw Lin Zhong running over in a hurry, a strange look on his face.

“Clan Chief, in town... there's news from town.”

Lin Zhong panted, “Those words you had Lin Hu spread seem to have worked.”

“Oh? How so?” Lin Yue asked.

“I heard Li Shan summoned the clan Elders and is currently discussing this matter.”

“Someone said it's true they saw Zhang Ba and Li Kui arguing, and that Zhang Ba had long wanted to monopolize the Xipo Mining Cave. Li Kui's interference brought about his fatal disaster.”

Lin Zhong said, “Now everyone in town is saying that the killer isn't our Lin Family, but the Zhang Family!”

“There's something even more interesting.”

Lin Zhong lowered his voice, “The Zhang Family seems to have heard the rumors. Zhang Ba personally took men to the Li Family to argue, and the two groups ended up shouting at each other in the town center, nearly coming to blows!”

Lin Yue smiled.

It seemed he had added the fuel at just the right time.

Zhang Ba was already feeling guilty, and after being provoked, he would inevitably overreact, making him even more suspicious.

“Is the Li Family still planning to come to our place?”

“Hard to say.”

Lin Zhong shook his head, “Although Li Shan has become suspicious, he doesn't seem to have completely dismissed his suspicions of us.”

“Just now, some brothers saw that the Li Family's people are still gathering toward the road leading to our side, but their movements are much slower.”

“As expected.”

Lin Yue nodded.

If Li Shan were that easily convinced, he wouldn't have sat securely as Clan Chief for so many years.

“Uncle Zhong, go prepare some tea and snacks.”

Lin Yue suddenly said, “Perhaps some ‘guests’ really will arrive later; we can't let them leave empty-handed.”

Lin Zhong was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and smiled in response. “Ah, alright!”

Sure enough, at the hour of the Sheep in the afternoon, an unexpected person appeared at the Lin Family's courtyard gate.

It wasn't Li Shan, nor was it Zhang Ba, but Shopkeeper Li of the town's Hundred Herbs Hall.

Shopkeeper Li still had that slightly chubby look, but the usual shrewdness was gone from his face, replaced by a touch of caution.

Behind him followed two Li family disciples, both with swords at their waists, their eyes scanning the Lin Family courtyard alertly.

“Clan Leader Lin, please forgive my unannounced visit.”

Shopkeeper Li cupped his hands, his tone unusually polite.

Lin Yue stood at the courtyard gate and smiled faintly. “Shopkeeper Li is too polite. I wonder what advice you have for me today?”

“It's like this.”

Shopkeeper Li rubbed his hands. “The Head... oh no, the Li Clan Chief sent me to ask if Clan Leader Lin has any clues regarding the matter of the second-in-command.”

“After all, we are all people of Sunset Town. We can't let the murderer go free, right?”

His words seemed to be asking for clues, but in reality, he was testing Lin Yue's tone and observing the Lin Family's reaction.

Lin Yue understood perfectly, but his face showed just the right amount of confusion. “Shopkeeper Li's question is strange; I was about to ask your Li Family.”

“I heard that on the day the second-in-command died, someone saw him wandering near the Xipo Mining Cave. Could it be that he was killed because he was eyeing our Lin Family's mining cave?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the two Li family disciples behind Shopkeeper Li immediately glared. “What nonsense are you talking!”

“I'm talking nonsense?”

Lin Yue sneered, and his Late Stage Qi Refining Aura suddenly released. The condensed spiritual power pressure was like an invisible wall.

It forced the two Li family disciples to involuntarily retreat half a step, their faces turning pale—

They were only at the Early Stage of Qi Refining; how could they withstand such pressure?

“The Xipo Mining Cave is our Lin Family's territory. The second-in-command came uninvited and died nearby. Who knows if he was haunted by something unclean?”

Lin Yue's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"Besides, everyone in town knows how long the Zhang and Li families have been fighting over the mining cave. Now that someone is dead, instead of asking the Zhang Family, you come to ask our Lin Family. Doesn't that seem a bit illogical?"

Shopkeeper Li felt his heart tighten under the pressure of this Aura, and he suddenly remembered that the young Clan Chief before him was no pushover.

To be able to lead the Lin Family to stand firm against the Zhang Family and even make Zhang Ba suffer a loss—such strength and wit could never be underestimated just because he was "young."

"Clan Leader Lin must be joking. I was just... just doing a routine inquiry."

Shopkeeper Li forced a smile, the probing tone in his voice largely replaced by a genuine sense of wariness.

"Routine inquiries are fine, but if you're looking to frame us, then our Lin Family isn't easily bullied either."

Lin Yue reined in his Aura, but his tone remained cold. "Shopkeeper Li, you can go back and tell Clan Leader Li that if he truly wants to find the killer, he should look into the Zhang Family."

"As far as I know, Zhang Ba was claiming just a few days ago that anyone who dared touch Xipo Mining Cave shouldn't blame him for being merciless with his blade."

Shopkeeper Li's eyes flickered as he replied vaguely, "This... I will pass it on to the Head of the Family."

"Take care, I won't see you out."

Lin Yue stepped aside to clear the path, saying nothing more.

Shopkeeper Li didn't dare say another word and hurriedly left with the two Li family disciples.

Only after they were far away did the two disciples dare to breathe heavily. One of them whispered:

"Shopkeeper, Lin Yue's Aura is so strong! It's even more terrifying than those Middle Stage Cultivators in our Family!"

Shopkeeper Li looked back toward the Lin Family's small courtyard, his brow furrowed:

"No wonder he could push back the Zhang Family. This kid... is not simple. Let's get back and tell the Clan Chief about this immediately."

Watching their figures disappear around the street corner, the coldness in Lin Yue's eyes intensified.

Li Shan sending Shopkeeper Li over showed he clearly hadn't given up his suspicions, but at least he wouldn't make a move for the time being.

Next, it was time to see how the Zhang and Li families would fight each other.

Sure enough, by that evening, news arrived in town—

The Li Family and the Zhang Family had come to blows in the town center.

It started when Li Shan used the "rumors" to confront Zhang Ba. Zhang Ba denied them exasperatedly, their argument grew heated, and they eventually started fighting.

It was said the scene was extremely chaotic. Two of the Li Family's Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators were seriously injured, and the Zhang Family didn't fare well either. Zhang Meng was hit by a gust from Li Shan's palm, breaking his arm. Half the town saw him crying for his parents.

In the end, it was the town's Old Clan Chief who stepped in to barely suppress the farce.

"Clan Chief, you're truly amazing!"

Lin Hu ran back excitedly to report the news. "Now the Zhang and Li families have completely fallen out, accusing each other of being the killer. They don't have the mind to worry about us anymore!"

Lin Yue smiled and said nothing.

This was only temporary. Both the Zhang and Li families were old foxes; once they calmed down, they would eventually figure out what was going on.

But at least the Lin Family was safe for now, gaining some breathing room.

"Oh, and Clan Chief, there's more good news."

Lin Hu leaned in. "The merchant team we contacted earlier heard about our situation with the Zhang and Li families and thinks our Lin Family has potential."

"They're willing to buy our iron Ore at fifteen Low-Grade Spirit Stones per ton, which is five times higher than what Shopkeeper Li offered!"

"Oh? Which merchant team?"

Lin Yue was somewhat surprised.

"It seems to be the 'Black Stone Merchant Team' from outside. They say they have businesses in several nearby towns and have a pretty good reputation."

Lin Hu added, "They said if we have spirit iron ore, the price can be negotiated further."

Lin Yue's eyes lit up.

Black Stone Merchant Team?

He had some impression of this name from the original host's memories. It seemed to be a significant power, much stronger than the three major families of Sunset Town.

If they could establish a connection with them, the Lin Family's future resource channels would be secure.

"Agree to their terms."

Lin Yue said immediately, "The ordinary iron Ore will be at their price. For the spirit iron ore... let's set it at one Low-Grade Spirit Stone per jin and ask if they want it."

The value of spirit iron ore was far more than that, but for a first collaboration, it wasn't wise to be too high-profile. One stone per jin was already a sky-high price; he believed the other party wouldn't refuse.

"Alright! I'll go reply right away!"

Lin Hu ran off excitedly.

Lin Yue watched his receding back, a heavy stone finally lifting from his heart.

Resources, safety, external channels... the conditions for the Lin Family's rise were gradually maturing.

He entered the plane again, looking at the space filled with misty Spiritual Qi and the spirit iron ore continuously forming at the edge of the spirit soil, his eyes full of anticipation.

Rank 2 was only the beginning. He needed to increase the plane's Rank as quickly as possible to unlock more functions.

Perhaps one day, this ruined plane could grow into a real world, and the Lin Family would be its guardians.

Late at night, Lin Yue quietly came to Xipo Mining Cave.

Seeing it was him, the clansmen guarding the entrance immediately let him through.

Lin Yue walked into the mine shaft, reached the location of the spirit iron ore, and once again guided the plane to absorb the Spiritual Qi from the Spiritual Vein.

[ruined plane (Rank: 2)]

[Spiritual Qi Concentration: 5.2 (External environment is 1)]

[spirit soil Area: 30 square meters]

[Absorbable Spiritual Items: (Added 5 wisps of Qi from the miniature Spiritual Vein)]

[Status: Stable]

As the Spiritual Qi was absorbed, Lin Yue could clearly feel a slight ripple in the Spiritual Vein deep within the shaft, as if it were responding to something.

"What secret does this miniature Spiritual Vein hold?"

Lin Yue murmured to himself. He had a premonition that this Spiritual Vein might be more important than he imagined.

He wasn't greedy; he stopped after absorbing five wisps of Spiritual Qi.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a faint "crack" from deep within the mine shaft.

The sound was very light, like the sound of stone cracking.

Lin Yue's heart tightened. He gripped the iron sword at his waist and cautiously walked deeper.

The mine shaft grew narrower and the light dimmer, but the "crack" became clearer.

Reaching a corner, Lin Yue peeked around and was instantly stunned.

On the rock wall at the end of the shaft, a fissure had opened. A faint white light shone from within, and a surge of Spiritual Qi several times denser than before gushed out, carrying an ancient and pure Aura.

"This is..."

Lin Yue looked at the fissure in shock, his heart pounding wildly.

The Spiritual Vein... seemed to have been activated!

He hesitated for a moment but eventually couldn't resist the temptation and cautiously approached the fissure.

The white light from the fissure illuminated his face. The dense Spiritual Qi made his whole body feel so comfortable he almost groaned.

Just as he reached out his hand to touch the fissure, a golden streak of light flashed from within and, with lightning speed, burrowed into the gray stone on his chest.

Lin Yue's whole body jolted. He felt a "buzz" in his mind as the plane space seemed to be struck by something, then fell into a dead silence.

[ruined plane (Rank: 2)]

[Spiritual Qi Concentration: 5.2 (External environment is 1)]

[spirit soil Area: 30 square meters]

[Abnormal Status: unknown energy intrusion detected, parsing...]

[Status: Unstable]

unknown energy?

Lin Yue's expression changed. He quickly sank his consciousness into the plane, only to find the Chaos within churning violently, Spiritual Qi currents raging, and even a crack appearing on the spirit soil.

"What's going on?"

Lin Yue felt a surge of panic.

The plane was the Lin Family's Foundation; nothing could go wrong with it!

He tried to guide the Spiritual Qi to soothe the plane, but he found the unknown golden energy to be extremely domineering. It not only resisted his guidance but was also continuously devouring the plane's Spiritual Qi.

[Parsing failed... Energy Rank too high...]

[Initiating emergency defense...]

[Consuming Spiritual Qi to suppress...]

The plane's Spiritual Qi concentration began to drop rapidly, falling from 5.2 all the way to 4.5 before finally stabilizing.

The golden energy seemed to have been suppressed, settling deep within the Chaos, no longer moving.

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, his forehead already covered in cold sweat.

In that moment just now, he felt like he had almost lost this Golden Finger.

"What on earth was that?"

Lin Yue looked at the fissure deep in the mine shaft with lingering fear.

The white light there had vanished, and the Spiritual Qi had returned to its previous weakness, as if everything just now had been an illusion.

But the waves of warmth from the gray stone on his chest and the unstable state within the plane told him that everything that had happened was real.

He didn't dare stay any longer and hurriedly left the mining cave.

Returning to the Family, Lin Yue immediately locked himself in his wooden house, focusing all his efforts on soothing the plane.

It wasn't until dawn that the plane finally regained stability, but the Spiritual Qi concentration had dropped to 4.3, and the spirit soil had shrunk to twenty-five square meters—a heavy loss.

[ruined plane (Rank: 2)]

[Spiritual Qi Concentration: 4.3 (External environment is 1)]

[spirit soil Area: 25 square meters]

[Abnormal Status: unknown energy suppressed, parsing in progress (Estimated time: 7 days)]

[Status: Stable]

Seeing the "seven days" parsing time, Lin Yue furrowed his brows deeply.

During these seven days, the plane could change at any time. He had to accumulate spiritual items as quickly as possible to increase the plane's Spiritual Qi, just in case.