Cultivation begins in the endless sea.

Chapter 23 Turbulent Times

Cultivation knows no seasons, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this morning, after four months of seclusion, Lin Qing successfully broke through to the ninth level of Qi Refining, becoming the youngest elder in the history of the Lin family.

However, this is not very meaningful to Lin Qing, because once he reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, his status will naturally rise, and an elder's position cannot accommodate a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

After reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining, his magical power increased significantly, and his divine sense could extend to a terrifying two hundred meters, which was more than double that of a typical ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Thirty-one years old, Qi Refining Level Nine.

Comparable to a top-grade spiritual root like Lin Yunfeng, the wonders of the Creation Elixir are indeed incredibly miraculous.

Once I obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, I should save up two drops of Creation Elixir.

"At that time..."

A bold idea suddenly arose in Lin Qing's mind, but whether to actually do it depended on the timing and circumstances.

Immediately afterwards, he took out the foundation-building insights given to him by his ancestor and began to study them.

This is the advantage of being a family cultivator, and it's what independent cultivators envy most.

"Dharma companions, wealth, and land; teacher's virtue and wisdom."

The importance of a "partner" is self-evident.

……

"Shopkeeper, another pot of spirit wine!"

"Coming right up!"

The quick-witted waiter brought over the chilled spirit wine and hurried over.

Just then, a tall and imposing man entered the building. He had a square face with eyebrows that reached his temples, and he exuded an aura of power and grandeur.

"Please reserve a private room for this old man."

"This…"

The quick-witted waiter was momentarily captivated by his charm and stammered in reply:

"This place is already full."

"That…"

"Ancestor!"

Lin Shengrong, who had been busy at the back, saw this scene and quickly ran over to bow, saying respectfully, "Greetings, Ancestor."

The man instantly realized who it was and hurriedly knelt on the ground.

Unexpectedly, a gentle spiritual force steadily supported his knees, and then he heard the voice of the ancestor in his ear.

"It's alright, no need for such formalities."

Then, at Lin Shengrong's signal, the waiter went off to get busy.

"The Lin family patriarch is indeed extraordinary!"

Looking at the old man's retreating figure, the new employee couldn't help but sigh.

Lin Shengrong led the old ancestor to the second floor of the backyard.

Lin Canglan's expression darkened, and he slowly spoke:

"You are probably aware of the purpose of my visit."

Lin Shengrong understood; it seemed the demon-slaying operation was about to begin, and he nodded in agreement.

Lin Canglan solemnly reminded him, "Due to the restrictions of the oath, I cannot reveal too much. Qing'er has now reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, so remember to tell him not to leave Wanfu Market."

"Everything will wait until I return."

"Don't worry, Ancestor, I will definitely protect Qing'er."

This is not just polite talk. Having spent nearly ten years in the market, Lin Shengrong has long regarded the little genius in his family as his own child.

Lin Canglan took out a jade slip and handed it over.

"After Qing'er emerges from seclusion, give him this jade slip."

"You and Shengshuang have worked hard this time."

Lin Shengrong hesitated, "Sheng Shuang and I are alright, but..."

"Ancestors, you all must be extremely careful!"

The two chatted for a while longer before Lin Canglan left alone.

Not long after, one night, a Purple Mansion cultivator led a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a hundred Qi Refining late-stage cultivators on a journey from Qingyang Island.

Among them, the Su family of Qingyang dispatched three Foundation Establishment cultivators and sixty-three Qi Refining cultivators, while the Lin family dispatched one Foundation Establishment cultivator and four Qi Refining cultivators, including Lin Shenglei.

Their departure was kept very secret, and Lin Qing had no way of knowing about it.

Lin Qing held the jade slip left behind by their ancestor, his eyes flashing. This jade slip not only contained a special restriction imposed by their ancestor, preventing it from being opened by anyone other than designated individuals, but it also recorded all the clan's secrets and techniques.

This can be considered the ancestor's final arrangement.

According to the message, if Lin Canglan encounters any mishap during this operation, Lin Qing will take over as the clan leader and lead the Wanling Lin family to continue on its path!

Just as Lin Qing was looking through the jade slip, a sudden surge of turbulent waves rose up on the sea near Wanfu Island's port.

The dark waves surged higher and higher, quickly crashing against the tall stone walls of the Su family's residence.

The Su family disciples stationed there stared wide-eyed in disbelief at what was before them.

A massive warship, a spirit ship, emerged from the giant waves!

"Clang clang clang..."

Nine tolls signal a life-or-death crisis!

This!

Lin Qing suddenly raised his head. The nine chimes ignored the cave's restrictions and pierced through directly.

"The Nine Cries will only be triggered when attacked by enemies from the Purple Mansion or third-tier sea monsters!"

"Damn it, the demon-slaying operation must have already been launched. But somehow the news leaked, giving the enemy an opportunity."

Lin Qing hurriedly left the cave and rushed to meet Lin Hexuan.

On the way, they happened to meet Rong Bo, who was looking for them. Both of them breathed a sigh of relief and looked up together.

Three beams of light flashed across the dark, cloud-covered sky, revealing the three Foundation Establishment elders of the Su family stationed at Wanfu Market.

"Fellow Daoists, according to information from the front, a large number of pirates have launched a surprise attack on the market."

"They not only have nearly twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators wreaking havoc, but they also likely have Purple Mansion cultivators backing them up!"

"As agreed upon by the nine chimes, fellow cultivators have one cup of tea's time to decide whether to stay or leave. Once that time is up, all remaining cultivators must await the Su family's orders!"

"Let me offer a friendly reminder: fellow Daoists who harbor thoughts of taking advantage of the chaos, remember the Purple-Gold Lightning Lightning of my Su family ancestor!"

A series of sounds came from the mouths of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, completely shattering the tranquility of the market.

"No way! A pirate at the Purple Mansion Realm?"

"There must be some kind of conspiracy! Wanfu Market has always been peaceful, when did this happen?"

"Could the Su family be up to some kind of trick?"

A cacophony of voices suddenly erupted, leaving everyone momentarily at a loss.

Lin Qing pulled Rong Bo, who snapped out of his daze and hurried back into the building with a livid face.

"Gurgle gurgle"

Lin Shengrong took several large gulps of tea, then shook his head with a wry smile at the Lin family members in front of him:

"Our Lin family and the Su family have already signed an alliance agreement. Under these circumstances, those independent cultivators can leave or stay as they please. But we have no choice but to stay!"

"Besides, escaping outside isn't a good solution either. After all, who knows if the pirates have spies planted in the market?"

"If we lose the protection of this third-tier magic array, the chances of us perishing will be much greater."

Lin Shengrong stopped there. If the Lin family didn't step up this time, what if the Su family returned from their demon-slaying mission and used this incident to take back the Foundation Establishment Pill they had promised the Lin family? The Lin family would truly be in deep trouble then!

Thinking of this, Lin Shengrong's face darkened, and he slowly said:

"All members of the Lin family, heed my command!"

"All members of the Lin family must obey the Su family's orders and participate in the defense of the market."

"Any negligence will be punished according to clan rules!"

Clan rules? The Lin family members exchanged bewildered glances, with Gu Shang'an's expression being particularly complex.

"Here you go!"

"I will follow the elder's instructions!"

"it is good."

Lin Shengrong's expression softened, and he nodded: "Everyone, hurry up and pack up."

"Frost arises, wind arises, Xiao Liu."

"The three of you, come with me."