Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

The eldest uncle stepped forward, patted Xiao Wen on the shoulder, and said in a warm but firm tone, "Brother Xiao, you're being too polite. Given our relationship, now that we're at each other's doorstep, how can we refuse to come in? Come on, come on, you must come with me into the Lin family home so that we can show you the hospitality of our host!"

As he spoke, he almost half-pushed and half-embraced Xiao Wen, who was still somewhat hesitant, and together they headed to the Lin family's territory.

Without another word, the group sped up and set off, a faint light flashing beneath their feet.

Before long, the familiar outline of Qingxi Mountain appeared.

At the foot of the mountain, the stream, imbued with a faint spiritual energy, murmured softly, its water vapor rising in the air.

In the mountains, the green maple trees swayed without wind, their leaves shimmering with a gentle spiritual light and radiating a subtle yet reassuringly powerful spiritual energy.

The entire Qingxi Mountain was shrouded in a faint, almost transparent halo of light, which was the Lin family's second-tier protective array, the "Azure Wood Profound Light Array," silently operating.

The array's spiritual energy flowed continuously, emitting a subtle yet reassuringly powerful fluctuation. Occasionally, the halo rippled like waves, revealing the mysterious runes that were faintly visible within.

"This, this is the ancestral land of the Lin family?" Lin Qingluo's eyes widened in shock.

Upon seeing such a sight for the first time, Lin Qingluo couldn't help but widen her clear eyes, her mouth slightly open, her face filled with shock and longing.

She was born into a rogue cultivator family and had never seen such a solemn and profound family ancestral land before.

Even the well-informed Xiao Wen couldn't help but show a hint of amazement in his eyes. His figure was as upright as a pine tree, and his face, which had been somewhat sharp due to his nascent swordsmanship, softened at this moment. He sighed softly, "If this formation had protected us, how could my Xiao family have..." The last part of his sentence turned into an almost inaudible sigh, filled with endless regret.

Lin Tianze had already made arrangements, allowing everyone to enter the array's range without hindrance. The halo of light gently brushed against their bodies like ripples on water, bringing a cool and gentle touch.

They went straight to the core area of ​​the family and soon arrived at the cave dwelling of Lin Xinglong, the third elder of the Lin family.

Outside the cave, Lin Xinglong, dressed in a simple blue robe, with white hair and beard but full of vigor, stood with his hands behind his back, quietly waiting for them.

His face was thin and refined, his gaze gentle yet profound, as if he could see into people's hearts. Standing beside him was Uncle Zhao, who was as taciturn and composed as ever.

"grandfather!"

"Father"

Upon seeing this, everyone rushed forward, bowing respectfully with expressions of awe.

The grandfather's gaze first fell on Xiao Wen, a gentle smile appearing on his face, his voice steady and powerful: "You must be Xiao Wen, the brother Tianze often mentions, right? Indeed, you have an extraordinary bearing. At such a young age, you have already embarked on the path of sword cultivation. You are truly a formidable young man. Given time, your cultivation will surely surpass that of this old man." His admiration was evident in his words.

Then, he looked at the somewhat reserved Lin Qingluo and instructed Uncle Zhao, "Old Zhao, go and arrange two quiet cave dwellings. Young friend Xiao is new to the way of swordsmanship and needs to calm down and consolidate his cultivation; this young friend that Xuan'er brought back also needs to be properly settled and not neglected."

Xiao Wen was an extremely intelligent man, and he immediately understood that Lin Xinglong was deliberately sending them away so that Lin Xuan and the others could report important matters in detail.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute, his expression solemn: "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, senior. I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder." After saying this, he nodded slightly to Lin Qingluo, signaling her to follow, and the two of them quietly left with Uncle Zhao.

After Xiao Wen and the other man had walked away, Lin Xinglong turned his gaze back to Lin Tianze, Lin Xuan, Lin Zhao, and Zhao Ziming, and said calmly, "Come in, all of you."

The four followed instructions and entered the cave. The interior was extremely simple, even spacious, with only a few blue futons placed in the center of the clean stone chamber.

Lin Xinglong sat down cross-legged on the central prayer mat, while Lin Tianze and the other three sat quietly around him according to their seniority, ready to begin the report.

The grandfather's gaze slowly swept over the group, lingering for a moment on Lin Xuan's still somewhat pale face, before he spoke slowly, his voice steady: "Hmm, tell me, what's the situation outside this time...?"

The eldest uncle and Lin Xuan exchanged a glance. Lin Xuan took the lead in narrating, while Lin Tianze supplemented from the side. They began to report on the situation of the Liuyun Chamber of Commerce, the market, the bloody battle on the plains, the mystery surrounding the puppets, the competition among various forces, and one thing after another, as thoroughly as possible.

Lin Zhao and Zhao Ziming stood quietly to the side, listening to the thrilling narration, their minds seemingly experiencing those life-and-death crises alongside Lin Xuan.

Only the clear voices of the two people could be heard in the cave, along with the occasional echo of the grandfather's fingers tapping on the blue futon beneath him.

Lin Xuan recounted the entire story, from the bloody battle on the plains and the mystery surrounding the puppets to his eventual escape, in detail over several hours.

The grandfather closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, a faint spiritual light flowing around him, before slowly speaking: "I am roughly aware of the situation. This turmoil involves many people. You should all stay within the clan for now and wait for the situation to become clearer before making a decision."

He turned his gaze to his eldest uncle, with a hint of lingering fear and relief, "You were able to return safely this time thanks to your close friend. The Lin family will remember this kindness, and you should express your gratitude properly."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Lin Tianze scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "Father, I'm really worried about this matter. Brother Xiao... he insisted on not taking a single penny. Apart from what Xuan'er got from his own battles, he forced all the spoils he had acquired, including the storage bags of those four Qi Refining Level 8 cultivators, onto me."

A flash of inspiration struck him, and several bulging storage bags appeared in his palm.

"Nonsense!" Grandfather frowned, his anger barely concealed. "How can you be so tactless? Couldn't you just refuse?"

The uncle said helplessly, "You know the sword cultivator's personality. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. He practically forced it into my hands on the way here, and I really couldn't persuade him otherwise."

Grandfather took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and pondered, "So be it. Since he values ​​loyalty and righteousness, our Lin family cannot be impolite. On the third floor of the library, there is a red jade slip sealed in the Crimson Flame Jade Box, which contains the Second Elder's lifelong insights into sword cultivation."

Xiao Wen is new to the path of swordsmanship and aspires to join the Thousand Radiance Sect, so this item is of paramount importance to him. I have already spoken to the Second Elder; you must go and retrieve it immediately and personally deliver it to Xiao Wen's cave. Tell him it is a small token of my appreciation.”

Lin Chongxiao, the second elder of the Lin family, has a peak cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining. He leads the Lin family's demon-hunting team and is specifically responsible for external conquests.

He is also a powerful swordsman who has been practicing swordsmanship for over thirty years, and has few rivals among his peers.

If the First Elder is the steadfast shield protecting the Lin family, then the Second Elder is the sharpest sword in the Lin family, capable of annihilating all invading enemies! The Second Elder deserves great credit for the Lin family's ability to maintain stability for decades after the passing of the Foundation Establishment Ancestor.