Chapter 57: Opportunity at Tianquan Manor

After dismissing Li Yunze and the others, Lin Donglai thought to himself: *I should avoid dealing with them in the future.*

That Sang Qiao was innocent and naive, but since she was close to Xue Hong, Li Yunze, and the others, it would actually be more problematic if he intentionally approached her.

"As for learning the Way of the Earth Master, I'll find another opportunity later."

Learning the Way of the Earth Master was meant to cultivate spiritual veins within the Inner Landscape Blessed Field.

But since he currently lacked the ability to cultivate spiritual veins, he might as well stick to honest farming for now.

However, after reaching the third level of Qi Refinement, he would be eligible to apply for Qi Refinement middle and late-stage cultivation techniques. He could take another look at the Five Elements Qi Gathering Technique and, while he was at it, master the portion regarding the Yin Five Elements cycle.

As for Huang Yue, he heard her say, "That group—men and women alike—all went out to drink and eat. Why didn't you go?"

"They are all inner sect disciples. A few outer sect disciples and female disciples might join in the fun, but they are the ones enjoying the festivities; I have nothing to contribute."

Hearing this, Huang Yue showed a trace of understanding.

Lin Donglai said, "I'd rather focus on farming. By the way, Senior Sister, didn't you say we could choose an outer sect cave dwelling?"

"That is done at the Hall of Merit. While there, you can also take on a long-term spiritual plant task. Senior Brother Liu Jinyang is already there; let's go together."

As the two walked side by side, Huang Yue suddenly said, "Elder Zhou already has a successor for his family lineage. Besides, his lifespan is limited; he won't be taking any more disciples."

"I mentioned you to Master last time. After he learned of your spiritual root aptitude, he didn't give a definitive answer. Once I go to the Hengxia Market, Senior Brother Liu Jinyang will also have to head out to accumulate experience. He hopes to attempt Foundation Establishment before he turns sixty."

"Your abilities are not lacking, but it is a pity you haven't entered the inner sect."

"However, the position for the Spiritual Plant Hall's reception has already been set, and there's no need to worry about the land at Tianquan Manor. If you manage that place well and accumulate enough merit, even without an elder taking you as a disciple, you can directly transition to becoming an inner sect disciple."

Lin Donglai felt moved, but he did not believe this was a sign of romantic interest from his Senior Sister; it was merely a mixture of admiration and sympathy.

Lin Donglai said earnestly, "I am very grateful for your help these past few days, Senior Sister. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult for me to obtain this Azure Essence Fruit."

"You are walking the grand and righteous path cultivated by the sect. In fact, the cleaner your path is, the easier it will be to move forward in the future. This has little to do with me. In the future, if you encounter those wandering 'Immortal Seed' disciples, just be as dedicated and responsible to them as I have been to you, and pass this on."

"It won't be long; in three years, another batch of Immortal Seed disciples will enter the sect."

"Senior Sister, how many years will you spend as the Spiritual Field Manager at Chengxia Market?"

"I will return whenever I break through to the seventh level of Qi Refinement and break through the shackles of the late stage. Perhaps I will stay there as the manager for the rest of my life, even until I am sixty."

"I am sure your path will be smooth sailing, Senior Sister."

"Then I shall take your good words to heart."

Meanwhile, at Merit Peak, they arrived at the Construction Hall to select cave dwellings. Liu Jinyang was already there and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Junior Brother, on taking first place in the Immortal Seed Spiritual Plant competition."

Lin Donglai replied modestly, "Actually, there weren't many spiritual plant candidates. Some were from our own Spiritual Field Valley. Only Nie Caixia held a great hostility toward me, but if her skill isn't as good as mine, then it simply isn't as good."

Liu Jinyang understood that Lin Donglai had doubts regarding the matter of Tianquan Manor, so he smiled and said, "Don't mind him. His grandfather was once a deacon in charge of Tianquan Manor. When he was in his sixties, he had accumulated enough merit to exchange for a Foundation Establishment spiritual item, but he died after a failed attempt to break through during seclusion."

"After that, Deacon Nie entrusted his affairs to his partner, Deacon Li, hoping to hold onto Tianquan Manor to leave it to this Nie Caixia."

"Deacon Li—the outer sect deacon who is teaching Nie Caixia—is sixty years old. Lacking the courage to attempt Foundation Establishment, he retired, left the sect to marry, and went to establish a small cultivation family."

"I don't know what he told Nie Caixia to make him talk such nonsense."

Lin Donglai asked suspiciously, "Could it be that Nie Caixia's grandfather hid some treasure in Tianquan Manor?"

"Who knows?" Liu Jinyang's expression suddenly turned cold. "But the idea of a family treating the sect's spiritual fields as a hereditary estate, occupying such a piece of land indefinitely, is simply not allowed. So, I took it. It just so happens to be perfect for you to use, rather than letting his family squander it."

The breathing of the Jianmu Spiritual Root brought a cool sensation, making his soul feel clear.

A thought flashed through Lin Donglai's mind like a bolt of lightning, triggered by the scrutinizing gaze Li Yunze had directed at him earlier.

It was like a wolf staring at a rabbit.

He then remembered Huang Yue saying that Liu Jinyang was preparing to accumulate the experience and merit needed to exchange for Foundation Establishment resources.

A bold suspicion formed in his heart: the items left behind by Nie Caixia's grandfather in Tianquan Valley had likely already been obtained by Liu Jinyang.

Otherwise, Lin Donglai couldn't understand why, simply because of an introductory spiritual plant assessment, Liu Jinyang would be willing to offend a retired deacon of the Spiritual Plant Hall just to seize the Tianquan Manor plot.

Furthermore, his eagerness to help Lin Donglai occupy the manor was likely a way to "divert attention."

Why did Nie Caixia believe that Lin Donglai was from the Fifth Elder's lineage and was trying to seize Tianquan Manor?

This entire matter had been orchestrated by Liu Jinyang from start to finish.

In the future, when Nie Caixia failed to find her grandfather's legacy in Tianquan Manor, she would only think of Lin Donglai and that Deacon Li.

But if Deacon Li had known about the legacy, he wouldn't have retired to marry and start a family. If it were a Foundation Establishment spiritual item, he certainly wouldn't have been able to resist attempting a breakthrough.

Thus, there was only one possibility: Lin Donglai had taken it. If Lin Donglai claimed he hadn't, Nie Caixia would never believe him.

Combined with the grudge from losing the first-place ranking, the conflict would likely become a life-and-death struggle. If Lin Donglai failed to realize this, he would merely think Nie Caixia was obsessed with revenge because her rank was stolen, never suspecting the existence of a hidden legacy.

In this way, once Liu Jinyang had accumulated enough merit to exchange for a Foundation Establishment spiritual item and applied for a breakthrough, no one would suspect him. He would have perfectly distanced himself from the matter.

Though this was merely a deduction and not necessarily the truth, Lin Donglai's heart grew cold.

However, he certainly could not give up Tianquan Manor.

But Lin Donglai would not just sit idly by and wait for death.

Once Liu Jinyang left, Lin Donglai would personally invite Nie Caixia to Tianquan Manor to join the Spiritual Field Mutual Aid Society and assist him in farming. Nie Caixia would surely be overjoyed and agree.

If there were no so-called treasure, that would be for the best. But if there was, with Nie Caixia's blunt and hot-headed personality, she would surely stir up a storm.

Lin Donglai would only need to occasionally drop hints: that Senior Brother Liu was a good man who had occupied this manor specifically for her, but since he didn't need it and was busy preparing for Foundation Establishment, he had handed it over to him.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for considering me so deeply. I am immensely grateful. I only regret my meager means; however, since this reward includes a set of mid-grade spiritual plant artifacts, how about I gift one to you?" Lin Donglai flashed a brilliant smile.

"No need. I'm going out to accumulate experience; I won't have a use for it. If you are truly sincere, you should work hard at farming. When I am ready for Foundation Establishment, lend me some merit to exchange for Foundation Establishment spiritual herbs!" Liu Jinyang said earnestly.

"Of course," Lin Donglai laughed. "The fact that I can obtain such a prime spiritual field like Tianquan Manor is entirely due to your efforts, Senior Brother. I have no way to repay you, so this is the only way!"