With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

Lin Ye's consciousness was still immersed in the phantom of the family's nest, beside the nest shape formed by the two halos of light.

Suddenly, two lines of tiny seal characters appeared, like a secret scroll blown open by the wind—one line read "Rotten Soil Ants" and the other read "Gargoyle".

He stared at the words "Rotten Soil Ant Servant" and his heart skipped a beat: these ant-like Dao soldiers could actually increase the production of spiritual plants!

Then he looked at the footnote next to "Gargoyle"—"Flyable"—and almost exclaimed with delight: A combat-type Taoist soldier that can fly!

These two categories happen to be the most precious types in the Daoist soldier system.

The Dao soldiers in this world are never something you can "have as many as you want".

Nests have strict time thresholds for gestation: a third-rate nest can only gestate one per month, a second-rate nest every six months, a first-rate nest every year, and a nest at the Acquired Realm takes four years. While human martial artists improve slowly, their sheer number makes up for it.

In actual combat, five third-rate martial artists can hold off one first-rate Taoist soldier. In war, the sheer number of people ultimately determines the outcome; the Taoist soldier is merely an "auxiliary weapon."

However, even "assistance" has different levels. The value of production-type soldiers is far higher than that of combat-type soldiers—they are not as strong as combat-type soldiers, but they can "create people".

Cultivating spiritual plants allows people to advance in their cultivation level, refining elixirs allows people to undergo a complete transformation, and raising spiritual beasts gives people wings, fundamentally enhancing the combat power of martial artists; while combat-type Dao soldiers are ultimately "enhanced by external forces," and after the battle, they still have to rely on themselves.

In the production category, spiritual plant cultivation is at the pinnacle. Spiritual plants can be eaten directly or used to refine pills, both of which can increase the speed of a martial artist's cultivation.

Next came medicine making and alchemy, animal husbandry, and lastly, weapon forging.

After all, no matter how sharp the weapon is, it is only "borrowing external force" and the fundamental strength still depends on the martial artist.

As for combat-type Taoist soldiers, the word "flight" already represents an overwhelming advantage.

In this world, apart from top-tier martial artists who can use their lightness skills to leap dozens of meters at low altitude, ordinary people can't even touch the edge of "flying".

Ground troops are easily surrounded, and those that swim are limited by terrain. Only those that fly can conduct reconnaissance from above and harass from above, breaking through the enemy's formation and gaining the upper hand on the battlefield.

The family's lair unexpectedly granted him both a "farming-type production" and a "flying-type combat" ability!

The former can revitalize the Lin family's fields that have been abandoned for five years, allowing them to cultivate spiritual plants that enhance the clan's abilities; the latter can give the Lin family air superiority far exceeding that of their peers when facing enemies.

With these two types of Daoist weapons in hand, the foundation for the family's revival can truly be established.

As soon as Lin Ye had a thought, another great benefit of the contracted family's nest came to mind: the granting of territories.

This place, where the Dao soldiers' lair is located, is the foundation upon which a family can be "conferred titles." Xiang County is currently lacking such lairs. If a lair could be materialized and the help of a sect could be sought, this matter would be very promising!

He took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to the most pressing matter: challenging the Nest Soldiers and awakening the two third-rate Nests.

"Gargoyle lair... never mind." He quickly calmed down.

Those are top-tier, third-rate flying combat soldiers. I can only manage a 50/50 chance against two Rock Toad Guards now. How can I possibly face a Gargoyle?

Let alone five, even two would probably be enough to knock me to the ground. Before breaking through to the second-rate martial artist level, it's out of the question.

The ant nests in the rotten soil are worth a try!

Although production-type troops possess negligible combat power, their essence lies in "production," and their combat strength is inevitably far lower than that of combat-type troops of the same tier. If they can be captured, it will open the door for the clan to "increase the production of spiritual plants and rebuild its foundation."

Immediately focus your consciousness into the fruit core in your mind and activate the nest trial simulation. This is also a function of the family nest, allowing you to fight against Dao soldiers in your mind.

"Brother, wake up!"

Lin Ye was awakened by a series of loud shouts. She groggily opened her eyes; daylight was already streaming in through the window. Her younger brother, Lin Chuan, clung to the doorframe: "Mom said everyone's coming today for a family meeting to arrange things going forward, and she wants you to get up early to prepare!"

Lin Ye propped himself up and sat up, but his head still felt heavy and painful.

Last night, the scene of simulating battle in the core of my mind flashed through my mind.

On his first encounter with two rotting earth ant servants, he easily "killed" them by using his minor mastery of the Shadow Piercing Spear technique, striking their joints with the spear tip and sweeping them back.

The second time, there were three ants, and the ants cooperated even more closely. It took him a long time to barely win.

The third time, I greedily added a fourth one, only to be attacked from behind by two others. My consciousness avatar "died" on the spot, and my head is still buzzing.

"Okay, I'll get up now." Lin Ye rubbed his temples, threw off the covers and got out of bed. He quickly dressed and followed Lin Chuan to the front hall for breakfast.

Lin Ye's mother was putting pickled vegetables on the table when she saw him come in. She frowned and reached out to touch his forehead: "I told you to drink less last night. Make some more porridge."

Lin Ye sat down at the table and drank the porridge in large gulps. The warm aroma of rice helped to ease his headache. His mother sat opposite him, watching him rub his head from time to time. She then turned to the maid beside her and said, "Xiao Fang, make some hangover soup for the young master later."

"Mom, it's alright." Lin Ye looked up and smiled, then took another sip of porridge, the warmth of the rice water spreading to her heart. "Everyone was happy yesterday, so it's understandable that we drank a few more cups."

Lin Ye finished his porridge in a few gulps, wiped his mouth, and got up. Lin Chuan quickly followed, while his mother led his younger sister, Lin Xiu, as the group headed towards the front hall. Several family stewards were already waiting in the hall, bowing respectfully: "Young Master."

Lin Ye had already sorted out her thoughts while lying in bed last night.

Other matters can wait. Right now, the most important thing for the family is to maintain stability and stay unchanged so that we can get through this period. Once we have a nest and a fief, the situation will be completely different, and the conditions will be much better. We can develop then.

Of course, we can't just do nothing now. First, the family is waiting, and we can't let them down. Second, we can't arouse suspicion from other families. If the young master returns from the sword sect and does nothing, it will only increase suspicion and cause trouble.

Therefore, at this point, it is best to play it safe and cultivate the persona of a martial arts fanatic. This way, one can not only practice martial arts more and improve their skills to defeat the Dao soldiers and manifest the lair as soon as possible, but also reduce the vigilance of other families.

He sat down in the main seat and glanced at everyone: "Elders, I just returned yesterday and am not yet familiar with the family affairs. Today I will simply explain how to arrange the resources I brought back. Everything else will remain the same, so please bear with me."

"The first matter," he gestured, "I acquired several martial arts manuals from the Sword Sect, and I need to select suitable disciples to learn from them. I'll leave this to Uncle Lin Qiang. You're a third-rate martial artist, knowledgeable in the field, and you'll definitely be able to choose the right people."

Lin Qiang quickly agreed: "Don't worry, young master, I'll draft a list right away, giving priority to those with good physique and who are willing to endure hardship."

"The second thing," Lin Ye turned to his mother, "is that the Sword Sect has given us some spiritual plant seeds and planting materials. We need to find a piece of land in the fortress to plant them."

Spiritual plants are different from crops; you have to learn carefully. Mother, you'll have to lead the sword sect's servants and the clansmen who know how to farm to work together, learning as you go. This will be a lot of work for you."

The mother smiled and nodded: "I'll take good care of the things you brought back."

"The third thing," he looked at Lin Tie, "Uncle Lin Tie, I've contracted a production-type Taoist soldier called 'Mountain Patrol Craftsman,' who can help forge weapons. You can place him in the blacksmith shop in the county town and let him lend a hand, so you don't have to work yourself to the bone."

Lin Tie's eyes lit up: "With this weapon, the shop can produce 30% more weapons! Thank you, young master!"

After saying that, Lin Ye stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "Everything else will be handled according to the old rules. Thank you for your help, elders. I... I'll go back to the courtyard to practice my shooting now."

The others exchanged glances, but seeing the gleam in his eyes, revealing a passionate dedication to martial arts, they didn't ask any further questions. After all, he was the young master, having just returned from the sword sect; it was normal for him to be interested in martial arts.

Lin Ye turned and left. This "martial arts fanatic" persona is quite convincing.