Clan Immortal Cultivation: I Can See Hints

Lin Shiming was slightly surprised, but then let it go. The commotion on Five Flame Peak couldn't possibly be hidden from others.

To Lin Shiming, there was no need for secrecy. In this chaotic era, greater strength was the real deterrent.

Moreover, the Lin Family wouldn't be met with heavy resistance unless they produced their first Nascent Soul expert.

"Daoist Qingyu, you must be joking. I've been timid since childhood!" Lin Shiming gestured for Lin Yanjiao to serve tea to Granny Qingyu.

As the latter had two maidservants, their statuses were equal, so it was naturally inappropriate for Lin Shiming to personally serve the tea—unless the Lin Family was far inferior to the Qinghua Sect.

After serving the tea, Lin Yanjiao stood respectfully to the side.

"This junior of yours is not bad. She has the makings of a future True Monarch!" Granny Qingyu took a sip of tea, her attention falling on Lin Yanjiao instead of the Spiritual Tea.

It was clear she had noticed Lin Yanjiao's Spiritual Body.

Lin Shiming, too, felt a hint of admiration for Granny Qingyu's insight.

"True Monarch, your saying so flatters her. However, if you have advice to offer, we would be most grateful!" Lin Shiming shook his head modestly.

Unexpectedly, the latter truly took out a Jade Slip.

"Here is a Secret Technique named Thousand Illusory Clones. It's particularly suited for cultivators gifted in Illusion Techniques, so I'll gift it to the young friend!" Granny Qingyu handed the Jade Slip over without hesitation.

"Thank you, Senior!" Lin Yanjiao glanced at Lin Shiming before clasping her hands in gratitude.

"No need for thanks—it's nothing. This old woman has lived long, and all I have over you youngsters is a few years of experience!" Granny Qingyu shook her head nonchalantly and took another sip of Spiritual Tea.

After finishing the tea, she stood up and said:

"Daoist Lin, I've troubled you long enough. I shan't linger. As for Taiqian Abyss, I am somewhat worried. If a true crisis arises, the three factions of Nan Jiang will not sit idly by!" Granny Qingyu spoke before taking her leave.

Drinking tea showed respect, gifting the Gold Condensation Fruit was an apology, and offering guidance on a Secret Technique was a gesture of goodwill.

Lin Shiming couldn't help but feel a growing fondness for Granny Qingyu.

Though she reminded him of Kuangfeng True Person, she was far more approachable.

And much more thoughtful.

Lin Shiming escorted Granny Qingyu to the Transmission Formation on Shuangmu Island.

For an esteemed visitor, it was naturally impossible to let her fly off in a Spirit Boat.

In the past, the Lin Family would have moved cautiously and secretively, but now, there was no need.

After all, the only force capable of breaching Shuangmu Island was the Taiqian Shark Tribe, and as for other True Monarchs, they had no reason to do so.

After all, if you destroy my island, I'll destroy yours—there was no point in such behavior.

The three sects of Nan Jiang were not unfamiliar to Lin Shiming.

The Qinghua Sect, adept at flora and fauna; the Five Poisons Sect, masters of venomous creatures and toxins; and the Heavenly Sun Sect, skilled in alchemy and formations.

These three major sects ruled over the entire Nan Jiang. If nothing unexpected occurred, Lin Shiming assumed the other two sects had also produced Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

As seals continued to be lifted, restrictions on Innate Spiritual Treasures loosened, and Nascent Soul True Monarchs became increasingly common.

It was like the arrival of a grand era, with everyone rushing forth.

Lin Shiming wasn't sure if this was a good thing, but compared to the alternatives, he preferred such times.

The threat of the Taiqian Shark Tribe, coupled with the looming danger of the Dark Spirit Clan, painted a picture of turbulent undercurrents within the Cultivation World of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Even the Golden Core Stage was becoming insufficient.

Feeling the bottleneck of his own Golden Core Middle Stage cultivation, Lin Shiming sighed helplessly.

His cultivation speed was actually quite fast. At less than two hundred years old, he had reached the Golden Core Middle Stage, and he was confident he could break through to the Golden Core Late Stage before turning three hundred.

But even this pace wasn't fast enough!

Watching Granny Qingyu disappear into the Transmission Formation, Lin Shiming shook his head.

He could only hope the Taiqian Shark Tribe would grant him more time to prepare.

Even mastering the Divine Palace of Spiritual Will and the God-Piercing Needle could elevate his strength to stand out even among Golden Core Late Stage cultivators.

Without relying on the Soul Summoning Sword, however, he was no match for Chi Shan True Person, whose incomplete Spiritual Treasure, the Fang Tian Halberd, was extremely formidable.

His foundation in the Golden Core realm still had many gaps, and these couldn't be closed in a short time.

Fortunately, he had plenty of time—and the backing of the Myriad Swords Divine Mountain.

Lin Shiming's thoughts drifted to the Taiyi Grass Sword, which still contained numerous Soul Summoning Swords. He wondered when he might extract a few more.

Quickly shaking off these thoughts, Lin Shiming returned to his Cave Heaven to resume closed-door cultivation.

The condensation of the Divine Palace of Spiritual Will couldn't be delayed even for a moment.

...

In the waters surrounding the Soarwood Archipelago, countless drifting icebergs floated on the ocean.

Cold Turtles rested in the sea, some of them resembling small glaciers. Only upon closer inspection would they open their gaping mouths.

Their teeth were astonishingly hard, and they could shoot freezing beams of light to immobilize other creatures.

Lin Shimo and Lin Shiyi stood on the water, surrounded by three Fourth Rank War Treasure Ships. Beside the ships were various subordinate factions and a number of Purple Mansion cultivators.

Compared to the attack on Ice Wolf Island, this time, there were even more cultivators. In addition to their original affiliated forces, several more Purple Mansion factions had joined the effort. Additionally, Lin Zekong and Lin Zecheng had come to lend their aid.

This operation was critical to securing the underground top-grade Spirit Stone mine.

Once Cold Turtle Island was taken, the Spirit Stone mine beneath the sea would fall within the Lin Family's territory. Using Cold Turtle Island as a defensive point for Jiuyue Island, they could guard the border without fear of demonic beast invasions.

Of course, even with everyone present, they still felt cautious. Their gazes frequently shifted toward Wang Jiao beneath the sea.

"Rest assured. This king will crush their shells one by one. With me overseeing the battle, there will be no issue!" Wang Jiao declared confidently.

While it couldn't defeat deep-sea Flood Pythons, it was well-equipped to handle an old Cold Turtle.

Were it not for Lin Shimo and the others desiring some sparring, it would have rushed the island on its own long ago.

Trusting in Wang Jiao's confidence, they nodded in agreement.

After all, they had more than just Wang Jiao—they also possessed a late Fifth Rank puppet stored in their Storage Bag. If they truly found themselves outmatched, they could unleash the Spirit Puppet for an all-out assault.

"Yanqing, instruct them to begin clearing out the Cold Turtles on the periphery!" Lin Zekong commanded.

Uninterested in leading, Lin Shimo and Lin Shiyi preferred the heat of battle. Thus, Lin Zekong took charge this time.

Lin Shimo immediately released several blood corpses, though fewer than during the attack on Ice Wolf Island, given the short preparation time.

However, the Lin Family had gained numerous Spirit Puppets, galvanizing the subordinate forces as they charged fervently toward the island.

Cold Turtles awoke, their fierce heads emerging as they fired a barrage of ice spikes. From the depths, icy spears also surged upward, targeting the cultivators above.

Whenever a Fourth Rank Turtle Demon appeared, Lin Zekong and Lin Zecheng would summon their Spirit Beasts to assist in its destruction.

As most of the Cold Turtles were roused, concealed icebergs began to shift, unleashing waves of violent energy.

Lin Shimo and Lin Shiyi charged decisively toward the island.

On the island, a massive ice mountain was flung aside, revealing a giant turtle the size of a mountain, barreling toward them!

As it advanced, the area was engulfed in an extreme icy storm, and countless ice crystals began to form.

Lin Shimo dared not be careless, hastily summoning five Heavenly Corpses.

Yet, under the overwhelming power of the Golden Core realm, all five Heavenly Corpses were rapidly frozen and significantly impaired.

Lin Shimo's expression turned pale.

The gap between the Golden Core Stage and the Purple Mansion Stage was truly immense!

Lin Shiyi produced a Soul-Suppressing Pagoda to block the way, but even the pagoda was soon encased in ice.

As the Cold Turtle Demon King drew ever closer, Lin Shimo formed a hand seal, summoning five streaks of blood light that spurred the Heavenly Corpses to attack the Profound Turtle!

"If any of you hesitate even slightly today, be prepared to be replaced with new corpses!" Lin Shimo seemed to address the Heavenly Corpses directly.

The statement was eerie, as the Heavenly Corpses were his own life-bound creations.

Yet, as if understanding his words, the blood light radiating from the five Heavenly Corpses grew more intense as they charged the Cold Turtle Demon King.

Even so, the gap in strength remained insurmountable. The five Heavenly Corpses were further weakened by the freezing aura, their eyes showing signs of fear. The weakest Earth Attribute corpse even began to crack under the impact of the Cold Turtle Demon King's charge!