Chapter 7: Taking on a Family Task

Lin Family's Logistics Hall, a five-story tall pavilion built from large stones, standing over ten zhang high. Many family members came here to accept family tasks.

Lin Tianming was among them.

In the first-floor hall of the Logistics Hall, a huge golden screen displayed rows of family tasks in red characters.

Every so often, a task or several tasks would disappear, indicating that a family member had accepted them.

The screen was filled with hundreds of family tasks.

"Find two Golden Yuan Grass, six months deadline, reward thirty merit points, minimum Qi Refining sixth level."

"Guard the family's spiritual herb garden, one-year term, reward fifteen merit points, no cultivation level required."

"Follow the Law Enforcement Hall to clear monsters in the Luoyun Mountain Range, one-year term, reward eighty merit points, minimum Qi Refining seventh level."

"Guard Qingfeng Town, three-year term, reward sixty merit points, minimum Qi Refining third level."

After examining all the tasks for half an hour, Lin Tianming found that most tasks were either too time-consuming or too risky.

Although he had successfully cultivated the Five Elements Techniques and secret techniques, and often sparred with his peers in the family, he had never engaged in actual combat.

Clearing monsters in the Luoyun Mountain Range could train his techniques and secret skills, increase his combat experience, and allow him to explore the outside world.

Unfortunately, the minimum requirement for this task was Qi Refining seventh level, and he was only at the fifth level.

Guarding Qingfeng Town was also a good option. Although it required a three-year commitment, he could return to the family for half a month each year to visit and replenish his cultivation resources.

Lin Tianming decided to take on the task of guarding Qingfeng Town.

He approached the front desk of the Logistics Hall, exchanged greetings with the steward, and successfully accepted the task of guarding Qingfeng Town.

Tasks involving guarding family properties or assets allowed early collection of rewards since they were long-term and relatively low-risk. These rewards could be exchanged for resources to bring along for continued cultivation at the guarding location.

Receiving the task reward in advance, Lin Tianming planned to exchange it for some cultivation resources to bring to Qingfeng Town.

A year was neither too long nor too short. He had one Spirit Essence Pill, forty spiritual stones, ten sets of Bigu Pill materials, and five sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials, which might not be enough for a year.

With ten remaining merit points from the previous purchases, plus sixty merit points from the task reward, totaling seventy merit points, he could buy more alchemy materials and try to refine Spirit Essence Pills.

He headed to the Merit Hall to see Tenth Grandfather Lin Shixin, successfully exchanging for ten sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials, costing eighty merit points.

Though the task of guarding Qingfeng Town was relatively safe, he wanted to prepare some combat tools. He exchanged for two top-tier first-grade attack talismans, costing thirty merit points, totaling 110 merit points.

Having spent all his merit points, his family token was cleared. He used forty spiritual stones to cover the remaining cost, leaving him with no spiritual stones or merit points.

Now, besides ten sets of Bigu Pill materials and fifteen sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials, he had two top-tier first-grade attack talismans and one Spirit Essence Pill, but was otherwise empty-handed.

The task required him to arrive at Qingfeng Town within ten days to replace the previous guard. With time to spare, he decided to practice his Five Elements Techniques and secret skills to enhance his strength.

He summoned his Green Bamboo Sword and flew to a valley on the mountainside of Green Bamboo Mountain.

In half an hour, he arrived at a dense forested valley. Trees of immense size covered the hills, with a three-zhang wide stream running through the valley.

This valley was a natural training ground he had discovered for practicing spells and secret techniques. It was sparsely populated, ideal for training, and provided a place to practice with wild animals. After training, he could enjoy barbecuing and swimming, spending much of his practice time here.

Lin Tianming sat on a huge rock and skillfully circulated his Fire Origin Technique, adjusting his state, and then performed a secret technique, the Fire Origin Slash.

A massive sword formed from countless fiery flames appeared above his head. The surrounding plants and trees withered and died instantly, scorched by the heat.

With a shout, Lin Tianming sent the flame sword flying a hundred zhang away, slicing through a large tree, reducing it to ashes, the cut area blackened and dry.

Despite repeated practice, Lin Tianming was still amazed by its power. However, it consumed too much spiritual power, depleting his reserves in less than three uses, making it a last resort in battle.

Over the next few days, he practiced the Fire Origin Slash more than ten times, exhausting his spiritual power each time. He could now cast it almost instantly, gaining an edge in combat.

His mastery of the Five Elements Techniques also improved significantly. Many wild animals in the valley fell victim, some burned by fire swords, others entangled by spiritual vines.

During these days, Lin Tianming enjoyed various delicacies: bear paws, tiger meat, and even a giant eagle.

With half the time remaining before departure, he needed to bid farewell to his grandfather and mother. Though he had visited Luoyun Market twice with his father, he had never been beyond his father's watchful eyes.

Excited about his first solo journey outside the family territory, he packed some leftover meat and flew back home.

At his family courtyard, his grandfather Lin Shigong, who managed the Alchemy Hall, took a rare break from his busy alchemy duties to reunite with the family, knowing Lin Tianming had accepted the task of guarding Qingfeng Town.

His father, Lin Xingrong, also returned from Luoyun Market, resting before heading back.

Three generations of the family sat under the maple tree in the courtyard, enjoying tea, while his mother and sister cleaned the meat and prepared a meal.

Grandfather Lin Shigong, with a worried look, didn't want Lin Tianming, with his dual spiritual roots and exceptional alchemy talent, to leave the family and face potential dangers.

Though Qingfeng Town was only six hundred li from Green Bamboo Mountain and within the inland area, making it unlikely for monsters from the Luoyun Mountain Range to attack, human threats were a concern.

"Grandson, I have been refining pills for the family for over sixty years. Most of the family's pills are my work. I can ask Twelfth Uncle to change your task. He will grant me this favor."

Father Lin Xingrong, blushing, said, "Father, if everyone acted like this, how could the patriarch manage the family? Though you have contributed greatly, we must not use our positions for personal gain. We shouldn't invite criticism upon ourselves."

Lin Tianming, speaking earnestly, added, "Grandfather, flowers in a greenhouse can't grow strong. You won't always be able to protect me."

"The cultivation world is full of strong individuals. There are countless large sects and families. The Lin family is just one of many small families. Without real trials, how can one become strong?"

"Qingfeng Town isn't far from our family base and is in the inland area. As long as I avoid trouble, there shouldn't be any danger."

"I exchanged for two top-tier first-grade attack talismans. They will suffice for self-defense. I will take good care of myself, so please don't worry."

Lin Shigong, seeing the reason in Lin Tianming's words, felt somewhat relieved. Overprotection wouldn't lead to success.

"Take these two top-tier first-grade defense talismans, two bottles of Spirit Essence Pills, three Rejuvenation Pills, one Detoxification Pill, and twenty sets of Spirit Essence Pill materials."

"Also, take this Yuan Fire Flask. I requested the help of Fifteenth Uncle to store some ground fire in it. It will last for three to five years."

"Remember not to neglect cultivation and alchemy. Return after a year so I can check your alchemy skills."

Touched and determined, Lin Tianming thanked his grandfather and promised to strive hard, improving his alchemy to make his family proud.

"Grandson, thank you, Grandfather. Please take care of yourself and don't overwork."

Lin Xingrong, who managed the family's business in Luoyun Market, offered his vast experience, teaching Lin Tianming how to interact with people and handle various situations.

Instead of providing resources, he gifted Lin Tianming a map of Qingzhou and Jizhou and advised, "Always stay humble and cautious, think twice before acting."

The three generations chatted for half an hour before the meal was ready.

It was a rare family reunion. Grandfather took out his treasured wine, and they enjoyed a joyful meal together, celebrating Lin Tianming's departure.