After hearing Lin Yi's words, Little Mink's tiny eyes immediately lit up. It licked its lips and said, "Rebuilding the body is still too far away. Right now, I need Spirit Medicine that can nourish Demonic Spirits, such as the Fire Ancestor Demonic Flower from last time."
"No problem. I'll do my best to help you find some. If I get the chance, I can also find some Demonic Spirits for you." Lin Yi nodded slightly as he spoke.
"However, the prerequisite is that I become stronger. You shouldn't distrust me, either. In your current state, who else besides me can help you?"
Little Mink fell silent for a moment before saying, "Go on. What do you want to know?"
"Can this Stone Talisman rapidly increase Spiritual Energy or Yuan Power?" Lin Yi asked, his eyes flickering slightly.
"There is indeed a way to accelerate the cultivation of Spiritual Energy, but not Yuan Power." Little Mink thought for a moment before answering.
"Moreover, you must be able to endure that kind of suffering. Otherwise, it will all be in vain."
"Take me there and let me try." Lin Yi immediately agreed.
"Come with me. This Stone Talisman Space is very complicated, but most things have been sealed. Fortunately, the place you need to go can still be entered."
Little Mink nodded, then turned and shot into the darkness. Lin Yi followed without hesitation.
In the darkness, Lin Yi stayed close behind Little Mink, and the route twisted wildly.
After a long while, Little Mink suddenly vanished ahead, and a faint white glow suddenly blossomed before Lin Yi's eyes.
Within that white glow, Lin Yi saw two enormous crystal grinding mills slowly rotating.
As the grinding mills turned, a strange fluctuation gradually spread outward.
"This is the Spiritual Energy Grinding Mill. It can accelerate the speed at which you cultivate Spiritual Energy."
At some point, Little Mink had leaped onto Lin Yi's shoulder. It pointed its claws toward the place where the two crystal grinding mills met. White light gathered there, and even space seemed to twist slightly.
"How do I use it?" Lin Yi studied the crystal grinding mills, then asked.
Hearing this, Little Mink did not conceal anything and directly explained how to use the Spiritual Energy Grinding Mill.
After listening, Lin Yi took a deep breath, then leaped into the ball of light at the junction of the two enormous grinding mills.
In the next instant, an irresistible force directly stripped Lin Yi of control over his body. Immediately afterward, he felt his body begin to shatter inch by inch, until it became scattered points of Spiritual Energy before gathering and reforming once more.
The cycle repeated endlessly. The process was simply excruciating!
Little Mink watched from the side. Much of the mockery in its eyes faded, and a trace of admiration appeared in its gaze toward Lin Yi.
"Not bad, kid. You actually endured nine rounds right away..."
When Lin Yi finally returned to Little Mink's side, it waved its tiny paw and spoke with a laugh.
Lin Yi forced a smile in response. Compared with Lin Dong in the original story, he was still slightly inferior.
However, Lin Yi accepted the result calmly. After all, he had originally been nothing more than an ordinary person.
Afterward, Little Mink suggested that Lin Yi obtain some Spirit Medicine capable of nourishing Spiritual Energy, then it darted back into the darkness.
After Little Mink left, Lin Yi's mind stirred, and he exited the Spiritual Space.
After that, Lin Yi and Lin Zhentian cultivated in that special cave by absorbing Yang Gang Qi. Of course, Lin Yi did not neglect cultivating his Spiritual Energy either.
Another half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Three months had passed since they had last sold Yang Yuan Stones.
Although they had mined for one month less than last time, their increased mining proficiency meant that the total amount of Yang Yuan Stones excavated over these three months was considerably greater than the previous batch.
Lin Zhentian reluctantly exited his cultivation state. He still decided to personally escort this batch of Yang Yuan Stones to Flame City for sale.
The profits from selling Yang Yuan Stones were simply too important to the entire Lin Family.
Moreover, Lin Zhentian had received some bad news.
"I'm afraid transporting this batch won't be as easy as last time. There are indications that this batch of Yang Yuan Stones from our Lin Family may have attracted some hungry wolves..."
In a hall within Ironwood Manor, Lin Zhentian looked solemnly at Lin Xiao and the others as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Oh? Is the Lei Family planning to make a move?" Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao and the others' expressions changed.
"Heh, Lei Bao is an old fox. How could he act so easily? According to the information we received, the ones coveting this batch of Yang Yuan Stones from our Lin Family should be the Black Dragon Stronghold." Lin Zhentian let out a cold laugh.
The Black Dragon Stronghold was a relatively famous bandit force within several hundred miles of Qingyang Town. It had two Heaven Origin Realm leaders, both of whom possessed considerable renown in Qingyang Town.
Lin Xiao frowned and said, "How would the Black Dragon Stronghold know that we're transporting a large batch of Yang Yuan Stones?"
"Hehe, the Lei Family probably had a hand in this. It seems they've grown suspicious of our Lin Family's recent actions." Lin Zhentian gave a cold laugh.
"Father, are you saying that the Black Dragon Stronghold is acting under the Lei Family's orders?" Lin Ken and Lin Mang, who stood nearby, spoke with grim expressions.
"Based on my understanding of Lei Bao, that is most likely the case." Lin Zhentian nodded slightly, his gaze cold.
After pondering briefly, he continued, "I will still personally lead the convoy this time, with Lin Xiao and Lin Mang accompanying me. Lin Ken and Yi'er will remain in Ironwood Manor. I'd like to see whether the Black Dragon Stronghold truly dares to attack our Lin Family!"
"Grandfather, I have a different idea." At that moment, Lin Yi suddenly spoke.
"Oh? What idea does Yi'er have?" Lin Zhentian no longer regarded Lin Yi as a child and took his opinions very seriously.
Lin Yi smiled slightly and said, "Since Grandfather thinks the Black Dragon Stronghold may attack us, why don't we strike first and wipe out the Black Dragon Stronghold? Then we can safely go sell the Yang Yuan Stones."
Lin Zhentian considered this for a long while before shaking his head. "If we do that, Lei Bao might contact other bandits instead, leaving us in a situation where the enemy is hidden while we are exposed."
"Now we know the enemy and ourselves, and we have three people at the Heaven Origin Realm on our side. We can simply wait for the Black Dragon Stronghold to walk into our trap. As for the Lei Family, I'll deal with them after I break through to the Yuan Dan Stage!"
With the special Yang Gang Qi deep within the mine, Lin Zhentian was now brimming with confidence.
Lin Yi nodded. "I understand."
As for the fact that the Black Dragon Stronghold would not attack the convoy but would instead attack Ironwood Manor, Lin Yi thought about it and ultimately said nothing.
Lin Yi was not certain whether the Black Dragon Stronghold's plan would still be the same as in the original story.
Moreover, with him and Lin Ken guarding Ironwood Manor, the Black Dragon Stronghold would only be courting death if it dared to come!
Once they had reached a decision, Lin Zhentian brought Lin Xiao and Lin Mang, led a large group of men, and escorted several boxes of Yang Yuan Stones, along with Ironwood meant to conceal their true cargo, toward Flame City in a grand procession.
Before the convoy departed, Lin Yi went to Lin Xiao alone and gave him a batch of Yang Yuan Pills, asking him to purchase Spirit Medicine that could restore Spiritual Energy.
After watching the convoy depart, Lin Ken shouted sternly at the men remaining behind, "Keep your eyes sharp! The moment anything suspicious happens, send a signal immediately. No suspicious person is to be allowed into the manor!"
"Yes!"
Hearing Lin Ken's shout, numerous answering cries rang out from atop the towering courtyard walls.
Lin Yi and Lin Ken did not remain atop the walls the entire time, but they would occasionally climb up to patrol.
Rumble!
Suddenly, Lin Yi's vast Spiritual Energy sensed the thunderous sound of galloping hooves outside Ironwood Manor.
With a few flashes, Lin Yi leaped onto the courtyard wall and looked into the distance. At the end of the road outside Ironwood Manor, a large group of riders was charging rapidly toward them, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Everyone, pay attention! The Black Dragon Stronghold is attacking! Prepare for battle!"
Lin Yi took a deep breath, and his clear voice rang throughout Ironwood Manor.
Lin Ken quickly climbed onto the wall as well. When he looked at the billowing yellow dust, a solemn expression immediately surged into his eyes.
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