Fangmu Mountain, the morning sun rose early in the sky, heralding the end of late spring and the arrival of early summer.
The mildly spicy sunlight burned away much of the mist that surrounded the mountain, making Fangmu Mountain appear even more resplendent.
At this moment, the Spirit Peach Tree on the mountainside was also radiating a thick spiritual glow, crystal clear and brimming with spiritual energy.
And at this time, the mountain was adorned with lanterns and streamers, bustling with more activity than usual with people coming and going.
It was the annual year-end summary day of the Lin Family.
On this day, all cultivators of the Lin Family, unless absolutely unable to get away, would make it a point to return to the clan regardless of how far away or busy they were.
Because this moment was not only the glory of the family, but also their own glory, as well as the recognition and affirmation of the family for their efforts over the last three years.
Lin Shiming was also in the council hall; the appointed time had not yet arrived.
Lin Shiming saw many faces he had not seen for a long time: Uncle Thirteen Lin Houwei who was sipping from his wine jug from time to time, Second Uncle Lin Houshou who was always serious and acting like an elder, his Third Sister Lin Shiqi who always claimed to have a secret, and his eldest brother Lin Shijie who carried the reputation and responsibility of the 'Shi' generation, as well as Lin Shiyi and Lin Shiming.
Lin Shiming went forward to greet each of them one by one and catch up on old times.
Just then, a faint voice rang out.
"Seventh Brother, long time... no see!" Hearing this weak voice, Lin Shiming's memory inexplicably returned to that rainy night, the peach blossoms barely blooming.
The young girl timidly knocked on the door, calling out "Immortal Master" and asking if he wanted some tea.
The past events seemed like they happened just yesterday.
Lin Shiming turned his head and saw that the pale and frail young girl from that time had transformed into a little lass wearing a green dress.
Her complexion had greatly improved, her facial features had become very delicate, and she was very much a beauty in the making, a stark contrast from before.
She had also grown a bit taller.
Furthermore, her cultivation level had increased; having not seen her for two months, she had already reached the Fourth Layer of the Innate stage, a talent of the Second Spirit Root, truly terrifying!
To think that it took Lin Shiming a full half-year to reach the Fourth Layer of the Innate stage.
However, like before, she was still easily embarrassed, only timidly calling him Seventh Brother.
There were two Intermediate Grade Second Rank Alchemists, both from the Hou generation, and three Inferior Grade Second Rank Alchemists, showing no increase compared to before, as Alchemy is a skill that requires a lot of time and cannot make swift progress.
The situation with the Lin Family's artifact refining, talisman-making, formation arranging, and Spirit Plant Masters was more or less the same, with little change, except for Lin Shiqi of the Shi generation, who had advanced from an Inferior Grade Second Rank Spirit Plant Master to an Intermediate Grade Second Rank Spirit Plant Master.
This surprised everyone.
Lin Houshou, as the guardian of the Treasure Pavilion, although about to break through to a Superior Grade Second Rank Array Master, was still a bit short.
After everyone reported, all the members of the Lin Family were filled with joy, as this year's changes were too significant compared to previous years.
The old Patriarch came around; the Family now had Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Family's finances had improved, and there were also more geniuses.
At this point, Lin Xianzhi, seeing that everyone had finished reporting, continued to speak:
"Yu Qing, let me add a few words!"
"Firstly, from now on, the Green Lotuses produced by the Qinglian Pool will also be counted as part of the Family's income. I will no longer use them for healing, which can provide an additional 1,000 Spirit Stones each year!" Upon hearing this, all the members of the Lin Family were stirred.
The financial situation of the Lin Family hadn't been good over the years, with the Green Lotus Spirit Plants from the Lin Family's Spirit Pool all being supplied to the old Patriarch; naturally, in everyone's eyes, as the strongest combatant, the old Patriarch deserved to use the Spirit Plants to improve his cultivation level and for healing.
Lin Yuqing and others began to persuade him, saying that only if Lin Xianzhi became stronger would the Lin Family have more say.
But this was rebuffed by Lin Xianzhi's firm gaze.
"Secondly, once the Family's Monkey Wine is brewed, it could at least double the income from the Spirit Peaches, an additional increase of 2,000 Spirit Stones!
Of course, some of this income was promised to Shiming before, so each year the Lin Family will give Lin Shiming 500 Spirit Stones, and the rest will be reserved for buying him a Foundation Establishment Pill once Shiming reaches Qi Cultivation Ninth Level!"
If the previous words had been somewhat shocking, these words were like thunder, striking at the hearts of all present.
The Family would buy a Foundation Establishment Pill for Lin Shiming!
It is known that a single Foundation Establishment Pill, when competed for, would cost at least 80,000 Spirit Stones, often reaching over 100,000 Spirit Stones in auctions, a considerable sum for the Lin Family.
"Silence!" Lin Xianzhi raised his voice again.
The noisy scene was quieted by this command, falling completely silent.
"Lastly, I announce that from today onwards, everyone's basic salary will be doubled! Additionally, for those we support, each member of the Shi generation will receive an annual subsidy of 300 Spirit Stones, and Hou Yuan and Hou Yong an additional 500 Spirit Stones each year."
Upon hearing this, all members of the Lin Family cheered. Sufficient support in Spirit Stones meant they would go further, and their descendants would go even further.