Chapter 677 Family Changes, Heavenly Thunder Secret Realm (Two-in-One Updated)
On top of Thousand Wood Peak, it's the time of harvest once again, with spirit peaches filling the mountain.
Lin Family cultivators busily roam the mountain, watering these spirit fruits with Spirit Water.
In the sky, Lin Shiming and Lin Shitao's figures soon appear, and upon seeing the scene, a faint smile appears on their faces.
"The island has grown bigger!" Lin Shiming suddenly remarks.
Lin Shitao also releases his Divine Sense, and sure enough, the entire Shuangmu Island has expanded several times in size.
He knew that part of this was because the spirit vein upgraded to a Sixth-Order Spirit Vein, naturally expanding a bit, and also because the Spiritual Energy was too dense, leading the Lin Family to migrate some islands to merge with Shuangmu Island.
Although such a big island is not as stable as Redwood Island, with time, it won't fall short by much.
Besides, now that the Lin Family has Nascent Soul-level capabilities, not many dare to bully the Lin Family.
Thus, there's no need to worry about issues on Shuangmu Island.
Apart from the island's changes, Qinglian Peak has also undergone the most significant transformation.
Previously, the cloud layer could cover the summit of Qinglian Peak; now, it can only cover the mountainside.
The whole mountain is majestic and wide.
Additionally, the subsidiary islands around Shuangmu Island have increased.
Now, needless to say, any Golden Core Cultivator of the Lin Family can choose a subsidiary island outside.
Lin Shiming and Lin Shitao didn't choose, as they have a Cave Heaven, equally undisturbed.
Lin Shijie and others, however, have started selecting subsidiary islands.
These islands, although not inhabited frequently, are already prepared.
After all, they are all Golden Core Cultivators.
"Let's go to the Council Hall and have a look!" Lin Shiming proactively invites Lin Shitao, who has been in seclusion for quite a while.
Understanding what's been happening recently is clearly beneficial.
Lin Shitao initially wanted to find Lin Zeying, but it was clear Lin Zeying is still in seclusion in the Purple Mansion.
Of course, according to Lin Shiming's estimation, it won't be long until he breaks through the Purple Mansion and starts undergoing the Minor Divine Ability tribulation.
Lin Zeying should also have two tribulations, as he has consumed a Minor Divine Ability Fruit and also possesses a Spiritual Body.
Arriving at the Council Hall, Lin Shiming discovers that Lin Family cultivators are extremely busy now.
Moreover, some of the council elders have been replaced.
The Lin Family staggered the replacement of council elders and the Family Head, ensuring the normal operation of all main and subsidiary lines of the Lin Family.
"Our Redwood branch has subdued five auxiliary families, and the Family Head hopes to process it swiftly!"
"Our Tengmu branch has subdued seven subsidiary families this time, and there's also warfare involved..."
...
Inside the hall, Lin Shiming can still hear arguments—however, compared to before, now these arguments seem more like mutual boasting.
Since the integration of major resource quotas in the Lin Family, the gaps between different branches have narrowed.
Hence, they naturally began to compare the strength of each of their branches.
Lin Shiming listens for a while.
Each branch head discusses how many subsidiary families they have subdued, how much resources they have found, or what new Demonic Beasts they are raising.
"Congratulations to Seventh Great-Uncle and Seventh Great-Aunt on successfully emerging from seclusion again!" Lin Yanqing greets Lin Shiming warmly.
"Where did you learn this move from? Your father never goes for this kind of thing!" Lin Shiming jokes with a smile, taking a glance at Lin Yanqing.
Indeed, congratulating such a breakthrough is appropriate, though he hasn't broken through a realm.
In the past, Lin Family members typically greeted each other with simple greetings, but today Lin Yanqing directly offered congratulations, momentarily leaving him puzzled.
Lin Yanqing has donned a new blue embroidered outfit, looking much rosier than before.
He appears quite dignified, with sharp eyes.
Behind him, various council elders and hall leaders are taking turns reporting.
More importantly, these clansmen all appear particularly astute, unlike those who only focus on cultivation.
This demonstrates that his previous choice was correct; Lin Yanqing indeed fits the Family Head role better than Lin Changxing.
Lin Changxing is too gentle, unfamiliar with other methods.
With Lin Yanqing's arrival, the clansmen take turns reporting and competing, creating the competitive environment the Lin Family desires.
"Seventh Uncle, Seventh Aunt!"
"Seventh Great-Uncle, Seventh Great-Aunt!"
...
Besides Lin Yanqing, others also start speaking, with Lin Shiming and Lin Shitao waving in response.
Then Lin Shiming proceeds towards the Eight Immortals Table at the front of the hall.
Seeing this, Lin Yanqing also signals with his eyes, prompting the other elders to take their leave one by one.
"Seventh Great-Uncle, the family report for today is complete; I hope Seventh Great-Uncle will review it!" Lin Yanqing takes out a Jade Book.
He presents it to Lin Shiming for examination.
This Jade Book is considerably larger than a Jade Talisman, a first appearance in the Lin Family, surprising Lin Shiming.
He then takes the Jade Book and glances at it; however, there's a Divine Sense restriction formation blocking it.
For a moment, he cannot see through it.
When he raises his Divine Sense a bit, the Jade Book seems on the verge of collapse.
This surprises him for a while.
"Seventh Great-Uncle, this requires the blood of Lin Family leadership to view, but you can use this Spirit Art!" Lin Yanqing produces a Jade Slip.
Upon seeing the Jade Slip, Lin Shiming becomes very intrigued.
After applying the Spirit Art from the Jade Slip to unlock the Jade Book, Lin Shiming finally sees the content recorded within.
The Jade Book records all Lin Family assets below Fifth Rank.
This record shocks Lin Shiming.
Because it not only documents the wealth and resources of the main and subsidiary lines of the family but also the Spirit Root situation of family cultivators, as well as their cultivation levels.
The detail is meticulous, even noting how many children a cultivator has, their Spirit Roots, whether there are illegitimate children, and even roughly recording Magic Artifacts.