Spiritual Power

After the convoy returned to Ironwood Manor, Lin Changqiang exchanged a few words with Lin Dong before returning to his residence.

Soft lamplight illuminated the somewhat plain yet tidy room. Lin Changqiang sat cross-legged on the bed and took a jade bottle from his robes. Inside were five pale red pills—the Yang Yuan Pills.

During this trip to Flame City, the Lin Family had exchanged for a total of thirty-two Yang Yuan Pills. Lin Zhentian took six, Lin Dong received four, while Lin Xiao, Lin Mang, Lin Ken, and Lin Changqiang each received five. The remaining two were given to Lin Xia and Lin Hong respectively, to help them break through to the Earthly Yuan Stage sooner.

After using a Double Experience Card and tossing the Yang Yuan Pills to the system, Lin Changqiang put on the Daytime Prince and lay down on the bed. If the system had not told him that fashions for the same body part could not take effect at the same time, he would have loved to put on the Ghost Captain as well.

Lin Changqiang closed his eyes and feigned sleep, quietly waiting. He knew that with Lin Dong's personality, he would not be able to resist practicing the Spiritual Power cultivation method given to him by the old man for long.

Sure enough, before long, Lin Changqiang felt his Spiritual Power slowly begin to rise. It seeped out from his mind and continuously spread outward. As it extended, although his eyes remained tightly shut, he could clearly "see" everything inside the room.

Lin Changqiang forcefully suppressed the urge to extend his Spiritual Power further and instead withdrew it back into his mind. He had agreed with Lin Dong that Lin Dong would read it first today, while he would read it tomorrow. If Lin Dong discovered that he had cultivated Spiritual Power just like him without even reading it, that would be rather difficult to explain.

Satisfied as he watched his Spiritual Power experience steadily rise, Lin Changqiang nodded, relaxed his body and mind, and drifted into sleep.

This sale of Yang Yuan Stones had undoubtedly let the Lin Family taste the benefits. Thus, with a grand wave of his hand, Lin Zhentian transferred nearly seventy percent of the Lin Family's manpower to Ironwood Manor. It was clear they were preparing to "move the capital."

The Lin Family's actions naturally drew many suspicious looks. After so much time had passed, most people had already learned of the tricks the Lei Family had played when handing over Ironwood Manor.

Therefore, in the eyes of others, Ironwood Manor was no longer nearly as valuable as before. It was tasteless to keep, yet a pity to discard. But now, the Lin Family had instead tightened its defenses even further.

Faced with the outside world's many speculations, the Lin Family neither confirmed nor denied anything, maintaining silence throughout. As a result, although people were immensely curious, they had no clues at all.

Of course, one faction was an exception...

Qingyang Town, Lei Family.

Inside a luxurious hall, more than a dozen core members of the Lei Family sat around a round table. At the head of the table sat the Lei Family's patriarch, Lei Bao. His expression was terrifyingly gloomy, and everyone else held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

"Father, afterward, I sent people to investigate in secret. Hua An was indeed telling the truth. The Lin Family's trip appeared to be for selling Ironwood, but their true purpose was to sell Yang Yuan Stones!" Lei Pi stepped forward, his face dark and sinister.

"Say what you mean." Upon hearing this, Lei Bao's eyelids twitched slightly, and his expression grew even uglier.

"Everyone must know every move the Lin Family has made lately. We all know perfectly well how much Ironwood remains in Ironwood Manor. If the Lin Family's actions were merely for that remaining Ironwood, then Lin Zhentian must truly have been kicked in the head by a donkey."

At Lei Pi's words, the crowd frowned slightly. The Lin Family had been able to take the fourth seat in Qingyang Town largely because of Lin Zhentian. Calling him an old fox would be more fitting; few would believe he had gone senile.

Since it was not for the Ironwood, the Lin Family had to have another purpose. Thinking of the batch of Yang Yuan Stones they had sold, everyone's expressions darkened.

"Therefore, if I am not mistaken, the Lin Family likely discovered a Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein deep within Ironwood Manor!"

Lei Pi's words exploded like thunder, and the entire hall instantly fell silent. Only after a long while did someone stand up in disbelief. "Nonsense! My Lei Family operated the place for years, yet we never discovered any Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein in Ironwood Manor!"

"But the problem is, we always focused on the areas where Ironwood grew. We never thoroughly explored the depths of the forest." Lei Pi looked helpless as well. He took a deep breath and looked uneasily at Lei Bao. "Father, it seems we gave the Lin Family a manor of immense value!"

Bang.

Lei Bao suddenly clenched his right hand, and the teacup in his grasp shattered into a pile of powder. Tea dripped onto the floor with a patter.

Yang Yuan Stone Mine Vein—those five simple words made Lei Bao feel as though his heart were being carved apart. Seeing his twisted, savage expression, everyone wisely fell silent, no longer daring to speak.

"Send out every scout in the Lei Family. Keep a close watch on every move the Lin Family makes. If they set out for Flame City again, notify me immediately!" Lei Bao took a deep breath. His anger slowly receded, but his voice was like a cold wind on a rainy night, sending chills through their hearts.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Pi and the others hurriedly accepted the order respectfully. After exchanging glances, they did not linger and left the hall one after another.

With their departure, the hall fell into dead silence once more. Lei Bao remained seated with a cold expression. After a long silence, he spoke viciously again. "Lin Zhentian, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

In the blink of an eye, three months passed. During this time, Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong returned to the training routine they had followed back in their Body Tempering Stage days on the Lin Family's Back Mountain.

During the day, the two sparred in martial arts. When they grew tired, they cultivated their Yuan Power for a while, and Lin Dong occasionally offered guidance to Qing Tan and the other younger members of the Lin Family. At night, they secretly came together to Lin Changqiang's room behind Lin Xiao and the others' backs, sometimes cultivating Spiritual Power and sometimes absorbing the Yang Gang Qi emitted by the Daytime Prince.

With such peaceful cultivation, Lin Dong broke through to the initial Heavenly Origin Stage faster than in the original story, while Lin Changqiang's cultivation also advanced naturally to the Mid Heavenly Origin Stage.

"System, display my personal information."

Host: Lin Changqiang

Gender: Male

Cultivation Level: Mid Heavenly Origin Stage (37%)

Martial Arts: Pure Yuan Finger (Fourth-grade), Mysterious Gate Seal (Fifth-grade), Fire Dance Whirlwind (Sixth-grade)...

Cultivation Art: Azure Yuan Art

Spiritual Power Level: Talisman Master Apprentice (21%)

Secret Techniques: None

Spiritual Power Art: Divine Movement Chapter (Beginner)

Treasures: Little Trumpet (2), Intimacy Rose (5), Double Experience Card (3), Double Gold Coin Card (4)...

Lottery Draw Count: 3.

Looking at his cultivation, Lin Changqiang gave a satisfied chuckle. During this period, in preparation for the approaching people from the Black Dragon Stronghold, he had not chosen to cultivate Spiritual Power and Yuan Power simultaneously. Instead, he had used every daily assisted cultivation attempt on Yuan Power, which could raise his immediate combat strength faster.

"After farming for so long, it is time to achieve great merit!"