Cultivation begins with earning spirit stones

Chapter 60 Departure

Zhang Lin then unfolded the rolled-up animal skin.

The animal hide recorded some of the Zhang family's ancestors' experiences, but the handwriting was messy and the ink was somewhat blurred.

The record is as follows:

In the southeast of Huainan Road, there is a secret realm called Langya Cave.

Legend has it that it was left behind by an ancient alchemist, containing countless spiritual herbs and piles of magical artifacts.

However, there are restrictions at the entrance of the cave; one cannot enter without having completed the cultivation of Qi.

Zhang Lin's gaze narrowed slightly. Countless spiritual herbs and magical artifacts piled up like mountains—such a good thing seemed more like a gimmick to attract people.

Langya Grotto was left behind by ancient Qi refiners; one cannot enter without perfecting one's Qi refinement.

He memorized this information and carefully put the animal hide away.

Once he has established his foundation or formed his core, perhaps we can go and investigate.

-------

As evening fell, the sun began to set.

Zhang Lin sat alone under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, watching the sunset on the horizon.

The spring breeze, carrying the fragrance of flowers, stirred his robes.

These past few days, he's been thinking about one question—foundation building.

After reaching the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, one proceeds to Foundation Establishment.

The methods of foundation building are divided into three levels: the human way, the earth way, and the heaven way.

With a system at his disposal, he can easily acquire hundred-year-old spiritual treasures. What would happen if he used a thousand-year-old spiritual treasure to build his foundation?

He shook his head. He hadn't even reached the peak of Qi Refining yet, so thinking about these things was a bit too ambitious.

After half a month of effort, the dantian can now hold eighty drops of liquid true qi, but its expansion will become slower and slower in the future.

At the current pace, it will take at least three to five more months to expand the dantian to a level sufficient to hold 108 drops of true qi.

One hundred and eight drops constitute the completion of Qi cultivation.

Zhang Lin snapped out of his thoughts, got up, and walked towards the main hall.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the month, and there are still three days before we head to Qingxuan City.

It's time to say goodbye to my parents.

------

The main hall was brightly lit.

Mrs. Wang personally cooked a table full of dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

The family of three sat around the table, but the atmosphere was somewhat somber.

Wang kept putting food on Zhang Lin's plate.

"Eat more, eat more... After I leave tomorrow, I don't know when I'll be able to eat Mom's cooking again..."

Her voice was choked with emotion, and her eyes were red.

Zhang Chongyuan sat opposite him, holding his wine glass, slowly sipping his drink without saying a word.

After the meal, Wang went to clear the dishes, and Zhang Chongyuan called Zhang Lin to the study.

In the study, the father and son sat facing each other.

long silence.

Zhang Chongyuan asked, "Is everything packed?"

"All packed up."

"Are there enough spirit stones?"

"enough."

"Where are the pills?"

"That's enough."

Zhang Chongyuan nodded, then fell silent again.

Zhang Lin looked at his father, a slight stirring in his heart.

This middle-aged man is not good with words, but he has the heart of a loving father.

"Father," Zhang Lin said, "After I leave, please take good care of yourselves, Mother. Do not slack off in your cultivation, but do not be reckless either."

"That set of 'Shangqing Qi-Inducing Technique' is enough for you to cultivate until you reach the perfection of Qi Refining. If you encounter any bottlenecks in the future, you can take Peiyuan Pill to help you break through."

"The spirit stones and pills I left behind are enough for you and Mother to use for several years."

Zhang Chongyuan nodded: "Father will remember."

He paused, then added, "You must also be careful out there. The cultivation world is a hundred times more dangerous than the officialdom, where life and death are often at stake."

"There's nothing your father can do to help you, all I can do is... I can only hope you're safe."

Zhang Lin nodded: "I understand."

Zhang Chongyuan stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

The night was deep, and the moonlight was like water.

He gazed at the bright moon in the sky, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "Go, the path of cultivation cannot be abandoned halfway."

Zhang Lin got up, walked behind his father, and knelt down.

"Your unfilial son is unable to stay by your side often."

Zhang Chongyuan stiffened, turned around, looked at his son kneeling on the ground, his eyes slightly red.

He reached out and helped Zhang Lin up.

"Arise! A man's knees are worth gold; they should not kneel lightly."

He looked into Zhang Lin's eyes and said, word by word, "Remember, you are a member of the Zhang family. No matter how far you go or how great your achievements are, never forget where your roots are."

"I understand."

Zhang Chongyuan nodded and patted him on the shoulder.

"Go on, your mother is waiting for you."

Zhang Lin turned around and walked out of the study.

Under the eaves, Wang stood there, holding a pair of cloth shoes in her hands.

"Lin'er, these are the soles your mother made. Put them on." Her voice was trembling with tears. "Nothing from outside fits as well as what your mother makes..."

Zhang Lin took the cloth shoes and put them into his storage bag.

"Mother, take care."

Wang's tears finally flowed uncontrollably.

She hugged Zhang Lin tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Lin'er... Lin'er... you must take good care of yourself... take good care of yourself..."

Zhang Lin gently patted his mother's back without saying a word.

After a long while, Wang finally let go, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile.

"Go on, go on... Get some rest early, don't be late tomorrow..."

Zhang Lin nodded and turned to walk towards his bedroom.

-----

It was early morning, and the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Zhang Lin stood in the courtyard, looking at the house where the original owner had lived for sixteen years.

The osmanthus tree has grown thicker and its branches and leaves are lush.

The moss on the stone steps had grown thicker, a lush green expanse.

The old parrot under the eaves tilted its head and looked at him, cawing twice.

"I'm leaving, I'm leaving."

Zhang Lin smiled slightly, fed the old parrot a Spirit Awakening Pill, patted its head, and turned to walk towards the main hall.

In the main hall, Zhang Chongyuan and Madam Wang were already waiting.

Wang's eyes were red and swollen, clearly indicating that she had been crying all night.

She was carrying a bundle containing a few changes of clothes and some osmanthus cakes she had made herself.

"Lin'er, this is what your mother made for you. Eat it on the road." Madam Wang handed over the bundle, her voice choked with emotion. "Take good care of yourself out there. Wear more clothes if you're cold, eat when you're hungry, don't..."

She couldn't continue, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Zhang Chongyuan stood to the side, looking at his son, his eyes also reddening.

He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.

"Go."

Zhang Lin looked at his parents and nodded.

"Father, Mother, take care."

He turned around, strode out of the main hall, crossed the courtyard, and pushed open the gate.

Outside the door, the morning light was just right.

Zhang Lin took a deep breath and stepped out of the threshold.

Behind them came Wang's suppressed sobs and Zhang Chongyuan's low, comforting words.

-----

East of Chuzhou City, the Yu family.

Zhang Lin stood in front of the Yu family's house, leading his horse.

Today is the beginning of the month, the day he and Yu Youwei had agreed upon.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

The door opened quickly, and the butler poked his head out. Upon seeing him, he stepped aside.

"Young Master Zhang, Miss is waiting for you in the main hall."

Zhang Lin nodded, tied the horse to the tree in front of the door, and stepped over the threshold.

The Yu family's courtyard remained quiet, and the unfinished chess game under the osmanthus tree was still there, with black and white pieces scattered as if they had never been touched.

Zhang Lin walked through the front yard and came to the main hall.

Yu Youwei was already waiting in the main hall.

She was dressed smartly today, in a light blue dress with a white silk sash around her waist, and her long black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin.

He looked clean and neat, and his demeanor was efficient and efficient.

There was a small bundle beside him, indicating that he didn't have much to carry.

Yu Zhengyuan stood to the side, his face calm and expressionless.

Yu Youwen was also there, standing behind her father, looking at her younger sister with a complicated expression.

"Young Master Zhang, you may leave now." Yu Youwei nodded slightly, her voice cool and clear.