47: Chapter 47 Return Journey: Discussions on Taoism and the Grand Plan of Spirit Testing

With the purchases complete, the grandfather and Grandson set off on their journey home.

Unlike their light travel on the way here, the Clan Leader's Storage Pouch was noticeably bulging on the way back.

Besides a few brand new, still warm, low-grade Pill Furnaces and large bundles of spirit charcoal, what made him feel both pained and yet worthwhile was the two sets of Formations he had purchased additionally.

"The 'Geng Metal Thorn Formation' and the 'Thick Earth Bedrock Formation' are both first-rank middle-grade, combining both offense and defense." The Clan Leader explained via voice transmission to Lin Cangchen, who was sprinting on the ground, while flying on his sword. His tone carried a mix of heartache from spending money and anticipation.

"Although the micro iron mine in Black Stone Valley is not of high grade, it is a basic Materials for Artifact Refining, and the Purple Sound Bamboo in Emerald Chirp Lake is an excellent Spiritual Plant for making Talisman paper, so it cannot be lost. With these two sets of Formations guarding them, even ordinary Cultivator at the Qi Refining Late Stage will find it difficult to break through easily. We can finally mine and farm with peace of mind."

Hearing this, Lin Cangchen did not stop his 'Wind Chasing Steps', but his heart stirred.

The Clan Chief's investment was very visionary! It seemed the Family was really going to start exerting its strength.

He looked up and shouted: "Grandfather is wise! With the Formations guarding us, we can farm with peace of mind... ah no, I mean, develop our industries with peace of mind!"

The Clan Leader was pleased by his Grandson's flattery, stroked his beard, and laughed: "You rascal, you certainly know how to talk. However, this trip to the market cost a considerable amount. Just those two sets of Formations almost emptied nearly thirty percent of the Family's liquid Spirit Stones."

He changed the subject, with a hint of emotion: "Speaking of which, in two months, it will be the day for the clan's Spirit Testing this year. I wonder if one or two children with Spiritual Roots will emerge from this batch of six-year-olds."

Spirit Testing?

Lin Cangchen's steps slowed slightly, and a flash of lightning seemed to pass through his mind. A thought that he, or rather almost all Cultivator, had habitually ignored, suddenly popped out.

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound less excited: "Grandfather, Grandson has an idea, I don't know if I should say it."

"Oh? Speak your mind." The Clan Leader slowed down his Flying Sword and looked at his Grandson on the ground with interest. This kid had many strange ideas; perhaps he would have some surprising words again.

"Grandfather, look," Lin Cangchen organized his words, "Our Lin Family now has a Secret Realm. The Spiritual Qi concentration there is at least second rank low grade, right? The Spiritual Fields that can be reclaimed inside will definitely produce much more than here in the clan territory in the future! Plus, with the Grand Elder's Alchemy skills improving, we will definitely be able to refine more qi gathering pills, and even qi condensing pills in the future!"

He paused and threw out the core question: "Will we be short of people in the future?"

The Clan Leader frowned upon hearing this: "People? My Lin Family currently has over twenty Cultivator, which is not a small number among Qi Refining families. Moreover, every year during Spirit Testing, we can always supplement one or two..."

"No, no, no, Grandfather, I mean, we will be short of 'our own people'!" Lin Cangchen hurriedly interrupted. "Think about it, the rise of our Lin Family is already evident. In the future, there will be more industries, the Secret Realm needs to be developed, Spiritual Lands need to be guarded, Medicinal Pill need to be refined, Talisman need to be drawn... Which one doesn't require trustworthy 'our own people'? Relying solely on our twenty-something people now will definitely not be enough in the future!"

"And," he lowered his voice, as if telling some earth-shattering secret, "every Family, including us in the past, only stared at the children with Bloodline relations in their own Family for Spirit Testing. Is that a bit... well, short-sighted?"

The Clan Leader's flying figure paused slightly in the air, clearly shocked by his Grandson's "short-sighted" comment. He slowly descended and walked side-by-side with Lin Cangchen through the mountains and forests, his expression becoming serious: "Cangchen, what do you mean?"

"Grandfather, look," Lin Cangchen saw that the Clan Chief had listened, his spirits greatly boosted, and he began to analyze by counting on his fingers, "Those Mortal settlements, within a radius of thousands of miles, have hundreds of thousands of people! Although the birth of someone with a Spiritual Root among Mortal is one in ten thousand, the base number is huge! We didn't test before because we couldn't afford to raise them and didn't think it was necessary. But now it's different!"

His eyes shone: "We have the Secret Realm as a backup, and our resources will become more and more abundant! We can fully afford to cultivate more Cultivator! Why can't we expand the scope of Spirit Testing to all Mortal territories within the Lin Family's sphere of influence?"

The Clan Leader pondered: "This matter... other Family seem to have never done it. Moreover, the Spiritual Qi in Mortal regions is thin, and the probability of giving birth to those with Spiritual Roots is said to be much lower than within cultivation Family..."

"Grandfather, that's because they are stupid... uh, it's habitual thinking!" Lin Cangchen almost slipped up and quickly corrected himself. "They all think Mortal are useless and can't be bothered to pay attention. But even a mosquito's leg has meat! What if? What if we are lucky and pick up a few that slipped through the net?"

He became more excited as he spoke: "We don't have to make a big splash. Find an opportunity to 'show off our divinity' in a few large Mortal towns! For example, Grandfather, you fly a circle in the sky on your Flying Sword, or I find an opportunity to cast a few small fireballs or small vines, so those Mortal can see the means of the 'Immortal Master' with their own eyes!"

"Then," he described the blueprint, "we announce that the Immortal Master, mindful of the hardships of all living beings, wishes to open the Immortal Fate widely. In the Lin Family's sphere of influence, we will provide free Spirit Testing for all children who have reached the age of six! Those who are tested to have Spiritual Roots can join the Immortal Master's sect and embark on the Immortal path! Even their families can be brought into the Immortal Master's blessed land to live, free from the suffering of the Mortal world, and granted the Lin surname! When the child grows up, they can also marry our Lin Family Clan Members. Doesn't that make them completely 'our own people'?"

Lin Cangchen finished in one breath and looked at the Clan Chief expectantly.

The Clan Leader stood on the spot, his brows tightly locked, falling into a long contemplation.

Expanding the scope of Spirit Testing... selecting Disciple from Mortal... granting surnames... intermarriage...

This idea was too bold, too heterodox! It completely overturned the traditions that cultivation Family in Qingshi Town, and even Luoxia County, had continued for hundreds of years!

Why didn't other Family do it? First, cost; cultivating a Cultivator costs a lot, and their own Bloodline might not have enough resources, so why would they care about outsiders? Second, concept; Cultivator are high and mighty, viewing Mortal as ants, so why would they lower themselves to find Disciple in a pile of ants? Third... they simply couldn't think of this layer! Just like people wouldn't specifically look into an anthill to see if there are any particularly strong ants, it's habitual thinking.

But Cangchen is right! The Lin Family is different now! Secret Realm, Alchemy, newly occupied resource points... The Family really needs more trustworthy and potential-filled hands! Moreover, if those Mortal children are really tested to have Spiritual Roots, and their families can move to the edge of the clan territory, having hope, they will definitely be loyal to the Lin Family! Granting the Lin surname, intermarrying with Clan Members, after a few generations, they will be iron-clad Lin Family people!

What about the risk? Mainly secrecy. Must not let other Family, especially the Li clan, know that the Lin Family is testing for spirits and absorbing Disciple from Mortal on a large scale. Otherwise, it will inevitably lead to suspicion and suppression.

"This matter..." The Clan Leader spoke slowly, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible excitement, "is of great importance and needs to be discussed at length. The method of 'showing off divinity', the specific procedures for Spirit Testing, and how to keep it secret all need to be carefully considered."

He looked at Lin Cangchen, his eyes full of appreciation and amazement: "However, Cangchen, your method... is very clever! If it can really be done, it can solve the talent worries of my Lin Family for decades to come! After returning to the clan, I need to discuss this properly with Yao Shan and Second Elder!"

Seeing the Clan Leader was moved, the big rock in Lin Cangchen's heart fell, and he chuckled: "Grandfather, this is called casting a wide net to catch more fish! Maybe we can catch a few hidden 'big fish with Spiritual Roots'! It's better than guarding our own little acre of land and counting on God to reward us with food every year!"

"Casting a wide net to catch more fish... Hahaha, well said!" The Clan Leader clapped and laughed, his mood extremely comfortable. Looking at this quick-thinking Grandson by his side who could always bring surprises, he felt that the future of the Lin Family was truly bright.

The journey home became increasingly lighthearted due to this discussion about the future of the Family. In the mountains and forests, only the low-voiced discussion between the grandfather and Grandson about how to "show off divinity" in a way that was both effective and not too ostentatious remained, along with that heavy anticipation for the future.