Yang Siling Emerges from Seclusion

"Now that the purpose of those eight thousand Spirit Stone has been explained, I will not say any more."

"Although the Hundred Spirits Sect owns a share of this mine, the Hundred Spirits Sect's reputation can deter villains."

"However, to prevent the cultivators of the other four families in Huai River County from embezzling the Sand Soil Ore mined from this mine, I think it would be better to send one or two Qi Training Stage clansmen to guard this place and supervise the clansmen of the other four families."

"As for having Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the clan oversee that mine, it's somewhat of a waste of talent."

"Furthermore, in this Martial Duel, my Ling Clan has incurred the enmity of the Luo Clan. If that old thief Luo Minghui of the Luo Clan finds an opportunity to kill Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he might just kill him."

"Therefore, it is better to send Qi Training Stage clansman to guard this place."

"Yun Qian, among the four of us gathered here in this small house to discuss matters, you are the one who is most familiar with the situation of the Qi Training Stage members of the clan. Do you have anyone in mind?" Ling Yunhong suggested.

Upon hearing the question, Ling Yunqian thought for a moment, his expression brightening, and he made a recommendation.

"Xiao Hua Xiao Hua, the sixth in the Xiao Generation of the Lineage, is quite capable. More than ten years ago, after returning to the family following you, Third Brother, in response to the Hundred Spirits Sect's efforts to expand the Jiao Province territory, Xiao Hua entered the Qi Training Late Stage and now has the Qi Training Eighth Layer of Qi Refining."

"Such cultivation level is among the best even in the clan."

"Furthermore, Xiao Hua is also a weapon-refining apprentice, and he is proficient in using a secret technique of weapon refining. His speed in refining ores into spirit iron is also much faster than that of ordinary cultivators."

"If Xiao Hua were to be stationed in that Sand Soil Mine, he could directly refine the Lineage's Sand Soil Ore from within the vein."

"As for the rest of the clan members, apart from Xiao Hua, they are basically all tied up."

"In the past year, the Lineage has opened a shop in Five Prefecture Cities in Yuan Province that the Hundred Spirits Sect has newly developed. The surplus manpower in the family has also gone to help look after the shops, expand the Lineage business, and earn Spirit Stone."

Ling Yunhong nodded upon hearing this. "Since the rest of the Lineage can't leave, then let Xiao Hua go alone. Anyway, there won't be any danger in guarding that mine, and Xiao Hua's strength is not weak, enough to handle some minor dangers."

"After this council session ends, I will give Xiao Hua some supplementary pills and Spirit Talisman Cave talismans for self-defense, and leave him a sum of Spirit Stone to activate the Mining Puppet that the Hundred Spirits Sect will bring."

The Sand Soil Ore are extremely hard, and ordinary people cannot dig them at all. Only cultivators who can activate spiritual power can dig out spiritual ore.

However, hiring cultivators to mine is too costly, far less efficient than the puppets specifically developed by the Hundred Spirits Sect's Artifact Refiner for mining.

The Mining Puppet can mine day and night, and at a speed that is comparable to that of ten cultivators of the same level.

Furthermore, this puppet possesses a miniature Spirit Gathering Formation within its body, capable of absorbing free-floating Spiritual Qi from heaven and earth, consuming very few Spirit Stone.

It takes about a month of continuous mining to consume just one Spirit Stone.

However, the Hundred Spirits Sect has always prohibited the sale of such puppets.

Afterwards, Ling Yunhong, Ling Pengyun, Ling Pengxing, and Ling Yunqian chatted for a few more minutes before concluding the meeting. They then left the small house and returned to their temporary residences to meditate.

Two days later.

A Second Rank Array Formation Master from the Spirit Array Hall of the Hundred Spirits Sect arrived with ten first-tier Mining Puppet to assist the five Foundation Establishment Family of Huai River County in excavating Sand Soil Mine.

At the same time, the 40,000 Spirit Stone required for the Hundred Spirits Sect to purchase 30% of the Sand Soil Mine were equally distributed among the Five Great Clans of Huai River County.

The Second Rank Array Formation Master then set up a Second Grade Middle Rank Defense Array on the Sand Soil Mine, and handed over the array plate to the five cultivators of Huai River County.

He then ordered the Five Great Clans of Huai River County to pay 5,000 catties of Sand Soil Ore to the Hundred Spirits Sect every year. After paying 40,000 catties of ore belonging to the Hundred Spirits Sect within ten years, the Second Rank Array Formation Master left the place and did not stay there.

This mineral vein does not belong exclusively to the Hundred Spirits Sect. If the interests belonging solely to the Hundred Spirits Sect are lost, the Hundred Spirits Sect can also make up for it from the five families of Huai River County.

In addition, although the Hundred Spirits Sect has many Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the Hundred Spirits Sect has recently expanded its territory too much, and the Spirit Vein in the newly developed areas all need to be guarded.

Therefore, no cultivators from the Hundred Spirits Sect were stationed to oversee that Sand Soil Mine.

After the Array Formation Master from the Hundred Spirits Sect left, the other Lineage in Huai River County, like the Ling Clan family, left one or two Qi Refining cultivators to oversee the Sand Soil Mine and supervise each family to prevent embezzlement.

Subsequently, the Clan Head of the Five Great Clans led the rest of their clansmen away from this place and returned to their respective Lineage.

Since the Ling Clan had just received a huge sum of eight thousand Spirit Stone, Ling Pengyun did not immediately ride the Immortal Spirit Crane King back to the Rock Scale Snake Den to guard it.

Instead, he followed the Ling Clan's cultivator team, along with two Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Ling Yunhong and Ling Pengxing, to escort the batch of Spirit Stone and more than twenty Qi Refining clan members who were involved in the mine matter back to the Lineage.

It took nearly ten days and thousands of miles for the Ling Clan clan to finally return to their clan.

Ling Pengyun spent a day at the Clan Mountain, where he held a small council meeting with other high-ranking Lineage of the clan.

From this meeting, Ling Pengyun also learned about his Lineage's marriage alliance with the Wen Clan, as well as the recruitment of sons-in-law and concubines.

After the meeting ended, Ling Pengyun rode the Lineage's Guardian Spirit Beast, the Immortal Spirit Crane King, and left the Clan Mountain.

Several days later.

Outside the Rock Scale Snake Den.

Since Ling Pengyun left the Snake Cave, Ling Ruxian, the Lineage elder who temporarily took over the Snake Cave and cared for its Snake Den Spirit Vein, was looking up at a Immortal Crane descending towards the Snake Cave from the sky.

Just now, while he was inside the Snake Cave, he sensed the approach of a cultivator through the Cave Protection Grand Array Geng Metal Needle Splitting Array, which was set up in the Snake Cave.

He also discerned the identity of the newcomer through the array plate.

As the Immortal Crane landed in the sky, a young man also jumped off the crane's back and walked in front of Ling Ruxian.

Upon Ling Ruxian's expression revealed a mixture of worry and anticipation as he asked.

"Peng Yun, did your Lineage encounter any dangers during this seizure of the Sand Soil Mine in that barren land between the Luo Clan and Liu Clan' territories?"

"Were there any casualties among the clan? Has the Lineage managed to reclaim ownership of that mine?"

The young man was Ling Pengyun, and the Immortal Crane was the Lineage's Guardian Spirit Beast Immortal Spirit Crane King.

"Eleventh Great Grandfather." Upon hearing this, Ling Pengyun bowed and greeted Ling Ruxian.

He then recounted in detail the events surrounding the Ling Clan's seizure of the mine, and how they had become enemies with the Luo Clan during the Martial Duel over the division of the mine's profits.

Ling Ruxian felt a wave of fear wash over him.

After all, Ling Yunhong, the strongest member of the clan, was almost killed by Luo Minghui of the Luo Clan in the Martial Duel over the division of the mineral vein's interests.

"Fortunately, Yun Hong is unharmed. Otherwise, without Yun Hong to support the Lineage, the Lineage's strength would also decline." Ling Ruxian gave some instructions to Ling Pengyun, who was about to be alone in this Snake Cave.

"I won't say more about this, Peng Yun. Now that you've come here, I won't stay any longer."

"Now that your Lineage has a feud with the Luo Clan, you need to be extra careful while you're stationed here, lest those Foundation Establishment from the Luo Clan discover this place and make them attack you when you're alone."

Ling Pengyun nodded and said, "I understand. With the Immortal Spirit Crane King here, even if I'm no match for him, escaping shouldn't be too much of a problem."

"Furthermore, this place is secluded, and the fact that it contains Spirit Vein is known only to the higher-ups of the Yang Clan family, a few members of our Lineage, and Senior Zhang Yan of the Hundred Spirits Sect."

"It is impossible for these people to spread the news that I am stationed here, otherwise it would also harm their interests. After all, if I were killed, the Third Grandfather and the others would probably no longer cooperate with the Yang Clan, and at the same time, it would also expose the fact that there is Spirit Vein in this place."

"If things get out of hand, the Yang Clan will find it difficult to seize the Second Rank Spirit Vein that originally belonged to the Hundred Spirits Sect within the Snake Cave."

Ling Ruxian still somewhat uneasy and said, "What you said makes sense, but it's still best to be careful."

"Okay." Ling Pengyun replied, then, remembering something, he smiled and said.

"Great-grandfather, now that you have stepped down from the position of Grand Elder, and there are no other matters concerning the family, would you like to go and enjoy some family time with Ancestor Yun'an?"

"Some time ago, I went to Tuyuan Market and looked for Ancestor Yun'an. I saw that Ancestor Yun'an had taken another concubine named Liu Qing."

"At that time, you will have six Grandma to take care of you. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Ling Ruxian hearing this.

Since his only son, Ling Yunfu, became Lineage elder more than thirty years ago and was sent out by the Lineage to manage the Lineage's businesses outside the family, he has rarely spoken with his only son, Ling Yunfu.

The relationship between the two has also become quite distant.

After the Demon Beast Uprising ended, Ling Yun'an often sent messages back to his Lineage, asking Ling Ruxian and enjoy his old age by his side.

However, at that time, Ling Pengliang was in seclusion breaking through to the Foundation Establishment, Ling Ruxian needed to take over the position of the Lineage's Great Elder for a period of time, so he did not go to Ling Yunfu's side.

"Well, I don't have many years left, so it's time for me to enjoy the care of my daughters-in-law."

"Peng Yun, you're not young anymore. A while ago, when we were at the Lineage, Yun Hong talked to me about your Daoist partner. He's been worrying about it."

"If you find a suitable female cultivator in the future, don't miss the opportunity," Ling Ruxian said with a smile.

"I understand, Eleventh Great Grandfather." Ling Pengyun raised an eyebrow and nodded in response.

"Alright, this old man won't nag you anymore."

Ling Ruxian speaking, he handed the Geng Metal Splitting Needle Grand Array, which protected the Snake Cave, to Ling Pengyun from his Storage Bag. Then, he summoned a Qi Training Late Stage Immortal Spirit Crane from his Beast Taming Pouch at his waist and rode the crane away from the place.

Ling Pengyun watched Ling Ruxian a while until Ling Ruxian's figure disappeared from his sight before returning to the Rock Scale Snake Den.

One year later.

Zhang Yan, the deputy Hall Master of the Hundred Spirits Sect Affairs Hall stationed in Tu Yuan Market Town, once again came to the Rock Scale Snake Den and sought out Ling Pengyun.

Outside the Rock Scale Snake Den.

"Senior Zhang, is there something you need to do here today?" Ling Pengyun asked, puzzled, seeing that Zhang Yan, with whom he had little relationship, had come to this place again.

"Junior Brother Wu Yan's Daoist partner, Junior Sister Yang Siling, emerged from seclusion a month ago. This is a letter that Junior Sister Yang entrusted someone from my Hundred Spirits Sect to deliver to me, asking me to pass it on to you." As Zhang Yan spoke, he took out a letter from his Storage Bag and handed it to Ling Pengyun.

Upon hearing this, Ling Pengyun's expression brightened with joy.

Several years ago, when he attended the Hundred Days Banquet of his nephew Wu Hong, who possessed the Wind Spirit Root, he heard from his cousin-in-law Wu Yan that his cousin Yang Siling had suffered severe damage to her Qi and Blood and vital energy due to using Secret Method to give birth to Wu Hong.

His cultivation level, which Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment, has fallen back to the Qi Refinement Realm.

In recent years, Yang Siling has also been relying on spiritual objects to stay in seclusion and recover from her injuries.

My cousin is now able to emerge from seclusion, which clearly means her injuries have healed.

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Zhang." Ling Pengyun reached out and took the letter, then thanked him.

"No need for formalities. I still need to guard Tu Yuan Market Town, and I can't leave for long, so I won't keep you company any longer," Zhang Yan waved his hand and said.

After saying this, Zhang Yan commanded a flying boat and left the place.

Ling Pengyun then broke through a small, seemingly insignificant restriction on the letter, allowing him to see its contents.

After reading the contents of the letter, Ling Pengyun was at a loss for words, not knowing whether to smile wryly or not.

Aside from Yang Siling's words of reassurance, the letter stated that she had found three young female cultivators of suitable age, with cultivation levels reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, and who were also beautiful, for Ling Pengyun Ling Pengyun meet at the Hundred Spirits Sect Hundred Spirits Sect.

After all, it's not ideal for the woman to come to your home for a blind date.

"A single female cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm is indeed rare; we should go and meet her."

Ling Pengyun looked at the letter in his hand, muttered something to himself, and then called the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Immortal Spirit Crane King, which was sleeping deep in the Snake Cave, and the Wind Shadow Peng to leave together.

Several days later.

Ling Pengyun returned to his Lineage and told the Clan Head Ling Yunhong, about the blind date arranged by his cousin Yang Siling, at the Hundred Spirits Sect.

"This is a good idea. My connections are limited, and most of the people I know are from the Foundation Establishment Family. Female cultivators from these Lineage are not within your consideration. However, the female cultivators from the Hundred Spirits Sect are quite good. Peng Yun, make the most of this opportunity."

"If you can bring a Foundation Establishment female cultivator back to your clan, your Lineage will become even stronger. If your Lineage has a conflict with the Luo Clan in the future, you will have more confidence."

Upon learning of this, Ling Yunhong was overjoyed.

"Third Grandfather, if I go to the Hundred Spirits Sect, I'm afraid I won't be able to return for a long time. The Rock Scale Snake Den, located within Yuan Province, also needs someone to guard it." Ling Pengyun then expressed his concerns.

"I understand what you mean. After you leave the Clan Mountain, I will go to the Rock Scale Snake Den to guard it for a few days."

"As for your Third Brother Peng Xing, he has been in seclusion since the recent Martial Duel battle at the Sand Soil Mine. It is estimated that he gained some insights from his battle with Li Xia, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Luo Clan."

"In most cases, when he emerges from seclusion, he will be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment Third Layer."

"In the end, you're the most obedient child, unlike Peng Xing..." Ling Yunhong said helplessly when talking about Ling Pengxing getting married.

Ling Pengyun was fairly obedient and knew he needed to get married.

However, Ling Pengxing was really stubborn. Ling Yunhong tried to persuade Ling Pengxing to get married several times, but failed. Ling Pengxing declined, saying that his cultivation level was still too low and he had not considered marriage.

Ling Yunhong didn't want to say too much about it, since Ling Pengxing was not young and had his own ideas. Ling Yunhong also didn't want to talk about his marriage.

Ling Pengyun knew a little about this matter, so he didn't say much.

"Alright, let's not dwell on this matter any longer. Peng Yun, your journey to the Hundred Spirits Sect is long and arduous. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, you should ride the Lineage's Immortal Spirit Crane King."

"If you encounter a danger that you cannot overcome, relying on the speed of the Immortal Spirit Crane King will give you a better chance of escaping," Ling Yunhong said.

"Okay," Ling Pengyun replied.

Afterwards, he chatted with Ling Yunhong for a few more minutes before taking Lineage leave and riding away from the Clan Mountain on the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Immortal Spirit Crane King.

Several days later.

Ling Pengyun rode the Wind Shadow Peng across hundreds of thousands of miles and finally arrived at the Hundred Spirits Mountain Range where the Hundred Spirits Sect was located.

Because Spirit Talisman True Person's daughter-in-law, Yang Siling, had already informed the Hundred Spirits Sect cultivators who were patrolling the Hundred Spirits Mountain Range about Ling Pengyun's possible arrival at the Hundred Spirits Sect.

Therefore, when these Hundred Spirits Sect cultivators saw the unfamiliar face Ling Pengyun appear, they simply inquired about Ling Pengyun's identity and then let him pass.

Ling Pengyun thus arrived at the gate of the Hundred Spirits Sect without any difficulty.

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