98: Chapter 98 The Distribution of Merit and the Art of "Humility"

Under the cover of night, the light curtain of the newly reactivated Formation at the entrance of the Red Copper Ore Vein emitted a soft and steady glow, dispelling some of the murderous aura and gloom that lingered after the battle.

The Cultivators from both families each found a relatively flat area to rest and recover.

Lin Cangchen and Lin Lingtu were not idle either; they efficiently set up two simple First Grade, Low Rank Spirit Gathering Formations in the central area between the two camps.

Although the effect was far inferior to the Spirit Gathering Formations in the Secret Realm or their clan grounds, it was more than enough to gather the thin Spiritual Qi in the surroundings and assist everyone in recovering their expenditure.

"Tsk tsk, this kid Cangchen's technique is becoming increasingly proficient." Third Elder Lin Yaoqing watched as Lin Cangchen laid down the Formation base and outlined the spiritual patterns with fluid, effortless movements, unable to help but praise him in a low voice.

Clan Leader nodded slightly, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

This fourth-generation grandson of his was simply a treasure who always managed to bring surprises.

The members of the Liu Family watched as the Lin Family side set up Formations, consumed Medicinal Pills, and adjusted their breathing with practiced ease; their actions were orderly and highly efficient. Comparing this to their own slightly chaotic and heavy atmosphere, they felt a myriad of emotions in their hearts.

That was the true caliber of a professional cultivation team!

Once the Spirit Gathering Formations were set up, the Cultivators from both families entered them to adjust their breathing.

Having gone through a bitter battle, both their spiritual energy and mental state were heavily depleted.

Time flowed slowly amidst the silent recovery.

About two hours later, in the Lin Family camp, an abnormal fluctuation of Spiritual Qi suddenly appeared around Lin Lingjin, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

The fluctuation carried a sense of stagnation, as if it were about to burst forth but lacked the follow-up strength. Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and his brows were tightly locked, as if he were enduring some kind of pressure.

"Uncle Ling Jin is... about to have a Breakthrough?" Lin Cangchen, sitting not far from him, keenly sensed this fluctuation.

Lin Lingjin was originally at the Peak of the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining. After experiencing the Black Wind Ravine and the fierce battle just now, his accumulation was already sufficient, and a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer should have been a natural progression.

However, perhaps because the battle consumption was too great, or perhaps because his state of mind had fluctuated slightly, the supply of Spiritual Qi for this final push was somewhat insufficient.

This situation occasionally occurred during a Breakthrough. If no one helped, he would either fail the Breakthrough and damage his Origin Qi, or he would need to spend a much longer time slowly accumulating energy.

Lin Cangchen's heart stirred; he happened to have several "faint spiritual energy card" items left in his conscious space.

This item was a drop in the bucket for him, but for Lin Lingjin, who was at the critical moment of a Breakthrough, it might just be the final straw needed.

He remained calm, his gaze falling on Lin Lingjin as he silently thought in his heart: "Use 'faint spiritual energy card' on Lin Lingjin."

An invisible, intangible, pure, and gentle stream of Spiritual Qi silently surged into Lin Lingjin's body, instantly filling the void of his lack of follow-up strength.

Lin Lingjin's body trembled slightly, his tightly locked brows suddenly relaxed, and the previously stagnant Spiritual Qi fluctuation around him surged forth like a flood breaking through a dam!

An aura significantly stronger than before radiated from him; it was clearly the Qi Refining Fifth Layer!

He suddenly opened his eyes, filled with surprise and a hint of confusion: "I... I had a Breakthrough?"

The surrounding members of the Lin Family were also startled by this aura of a Breakthrough and looked over one after another.

"Good lad! A Breakthrough in the middle of a battle, not bad!" Lin Lingfeng smiled and patted his shoulder.

"It seems this great battle has yielded quite a harvest." Clan Leader also revealed a gratified smile.

Lin Lingjin scratched his head, feeling a bit surprised himself: "I felt like I was almost... and then I don't know how, but I just broke through all of a sudden."

He naturally could not have guessed that it was Lin Cangchen helping him in secret, assuming instead that it was a natural progression combined with a bit of luck.

Lin Cangchen hid his merits and fame, continuing to snack on his "spirit melon seeds" (ordinary melon seeds slightly nourished with Spiritual Qi, which tasted better).

The Liu Family side naturally noticed the commotion here, and seeing someone from the Lin Family have a Breakthrough in the middle of a battle made their feelings even more complex.

This Lin Family, not only was their strength deeply hidden, but even their Clan Members' Breakthroughs were so... casual? It really is infuriating to compare people.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, just as the sky brightened, a streak of cyan light arrived from the horizon and landed at the entrance of the ore vein.

The light faded, revealing a middle-aged Cultivator dressed in the attire of a Azure Cloud Sect Deacon with a solemn expression; his aura was clearly that of the Foundation Establishment Stage!

"Who is in charge here?" The Foundation Establishment Deacon's gaze swept over the members of the Lin and Liu families waiting there, his voice flat but carrying undeniable authority.

Clan Leader and Patriarch Liu hurried forward and bowed respectfully: "Lin Yaozong of the Lin Family in Qingshi Town (Liu Hanshan of the Liu Family of Black Rock Peak), greets you, Deacon."

The Foundation Establishment Deacon nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on the two for a moment before he began to inquire about yesterday's battle situation, and personally entered the depths of the ore vein to verify the corpses of the demonic Cultivators, the traces of the Formation, and the Loose Cultivators who had been rescued.

The entire process was meticulous and extremely rigorous.

About half an hour later, the Foundation Establishment Deacon returned with a slightly softened expression on his Face: "The situation has been verified. There was indeed a major omission in the mission intelligence, and the strength of the demonic Cultivators far exceeded the estimates. It is truly not easy for you all to have annihilated the majority of them and reclaimed the ore vein. The merit rewards will be re-evaluated according to the actual situation. The Sect will take over this place, and you may return to the Sector B7 Stronghold to settle your merits."

"Thank you, Deacon!" Clan Leader and Liu Hanshan said in unison.

Leaving the ore vein and those anxious Loose Cultivators for the Azure Cloud Sect Deacon to handle, the Cultivators from both families set off again and returned to the Sector B7 Stronghold.

Upon returning to the mission building in the stronghold, the Azure Cloud Sect Disciple responsible for verifying missions had clearly already received the Deacon's transmission, and was highly efficient.

"【Class A Mission: Reclaim the Red Copper Ore Vein】, after verification, the difficulty has been increased, and the base merit reward has been adjusted to 800 points!" The Disciple announced loudly, while simultaneously transferring the merits onto the Family merit jade tokens.

800 points! That was 300 points more than the original 500! This was undoubtedly a huge sum!

Next came the issue of distribution. According to their agreement, for jointly accepted missions, merits would be distributed between the two families based on their contributions.

Before Clan Leader could speak, Patriarch Liu, Liu Hanshan, took a step forward and said with an extremely sincere attitude: "Clan Leader, for this mission, if not for your Family's deep foresight, exquisite Formation, and outstanding strength, let alone sharing the merits, I fear my Liu Family would have already been completely wiped out. This 800 merit points is something my Liu Family is ashamed to accept; we will only take 100 points for healing purposes, and the rest shall belong entirely to the Lin Family!"

He spoke beautifully and lowered his posture extremely low. The Liu Family Elder behind him, who had been arrogant before, was now also keeping his head down, not daring to have any objections. The situation was stronger than the people; they only wanted to cling tightly to the Lin Family's thick thigh now.

Upon hearing this, Clan Leader waved his hands repeatedly, looking "upright and awe-inspiring": "Patriarch Liu, your words are wrong! If not for your Family fighting valiantly in the early stages and exhausting the demonic Cultivators' sharpness, we would not have been able to succeed so easily. Furthermore, in yesterday's battle, your Family also contributed a great deal, and even had Clan Members severely injured. If you only take 100 points, how could my Lin Family feel at ease?"

He pondered for a moment, as if having thought it over carefully, before saying: "How about this, the Liu Family takes 200 points, and my Lin Family takes 600 points. Patriarch Liu, do not decline again, otherwise, you are looking down on my Lin Family!"

One was desperately trying to take less to show sincerity, while the other insisted the other party take more to show magnanimity. The two families staged a drama of "humility" in front of the mission building, leaving the surrounding Cultivators stunned, silently exclaiming "Good heavens," is there really a way to distribute merits like this?

In the end, Liu Hanshan could not "resist" Clan Leader's "persistence" and had no choice but to "tearfully and gratefully" accept the 200 Family merit points.

He knew clearly in his heart that the Lin Family was not only demonstrating their strength and methods but also giving his Liu Family Face and small benefits, intending for long-term cooperation. This favor, his Liu Family would remember.

"Clan Leader is truly righteous! In the future, if there are any commands, my Liu Family of Black Rock Peak will definitely do our best!" Liu Hanshan bowed solemnly.

"Patriarch Liu is too polite. Our two families live as neighbors, and we should naturally support each other." Clan Leader returned the bow with a smile, "In the future, if there are suitable missions, we might as well accept them together again."

"That is exactly what I wish for, I dared not ask!" Liu Hanshan quickly agreed.

Regarding personal merits, the Demon-Slaying Order had already automatically recorded and settled them when they successfully killed the demonic Cultivators.

Lin Cangchen glanced at his own jade token; the number on it had changed to "38". Clearly, his harassment and finishing blows yesterday had yielded quite a harvest.

The other Clan Members also had their own gains.

After the merit settlement was completed, the Liu Family members hurried to the Merit Building. Two of their Clan Members were seriously injured and urgently needed to exchange for good healing Medicinal Pills, while also replenishing some consumed Talismans and Magical Artifacts.

This was the norm for most frontline Cultivators; merits often turned into life-saving supplies as soon as they were obtained. A Family like the Lin Family, with strong combat power, rich methods, and relatively controllable consumption, was truly an anomaly.

Watching the backs of the Liu Family members as they left, Clan Leader said to his own people: "Having gone through two consecutive battles, everyone has worked hard. Today, we shall rest properly at the stronghold for one day, and tomorrow we will see what kind of mission to accept next."

"Yes, Clan Leader!" Everyone replied in unison, with relaxed smiles on their Faces.

Not only did they complete a high-difficulty mission and obtain generous merits, but they also incidentally subdued a potential ally. This trip to the front line had a perfect start.

Lin Cangchen rubbed his chin, looking in the direction of the Merit Building, calculating in his heart: "600 Family merit points, one step closer to the foundation establishment pill."

However, what mission should I accept next? It would be best if it were the kind that allows for 'fishing' and can leverage my Formation advantages..."

He was already starting to look forward to the next "performance."