In front of the majestic and imposing Treasure Pavilion, Lin Houshou still stood guard, now joined by a junior of the "Shi" generation.
When Lin Shiming exchanged for elixirs, it was mainly that "Shi" generation cultivator who followed the rules to carry out the transaction.
Uncle, deep in thought, still held a jade slip in his hands, seemingly researching formations, his research causing him such a headache that his expression was one of bitter frustration.
Lin Shiming had sold the second rank superior grade Spirit Sword he acquired from a Huang Family cultivator, along with two intermediate grade Spirit Swords, at a discounted price to his family's Treasure Pavilion in exchange for elixirs.
His divine sense wasn't strong enough to support him in activating multiple Snake Vine Flowers while also wielding two superior grade Spirit Swords, and now that he was penniless again, he simply made the exchange.
In the exchange room, Lin Houshou, upon learning that Lin Shiming and Lin Shiyi were going to spar, immediately volunteered to supervise the fight to prevent any danger at critical moments.
The sparring between cultivators is quite perilous, especially when their strengths are close.
Naturally, both Lin Shiming and his opponent were willing, as having an elder present could point out their flaws at critical moments.
The location chosen for their sparring was a barren land not far from the Treasure Pavilion.
"Second Brother, after you?" Lin Shiming extended his hand, gesturing for the other to proceed.
"Little Seventh, I'm a straightforward man and don't go in for all this ceremony. However, I'll let you strike first!" said Lin Shiyi in his simple way, then pulled out an iron rod.
This iron rod seemed dull and unremarkable on the surface, but it was actually a second rank superior grade magic artifact called the Dark Gold Profound Rod, made from the large iron staff of the Red-haired Demon Monkey from the battle in Peach Blossom Valley; its power was not to be underestimated.
Lin Shiming inhaled deeply, no longer offering courtesy, and immediately started the incantation, releasing countless seeds of the Wood Vine Technique.
At the same time, with his other hand, the Lotus Sword also flew out, bursting with spirit light, slashing directly at Lin Shiyi.
"Good coming!" Lin Shiyi roared with laughter, his profound rod dancing with spirit light as he charged towards Lin Shiming.
As a body cultivator, he was not well-versed in the ways of magic, his strength lying in his physical body.
Lin Shiyi moved exceedingly fast, his rod slammed into Lin Shiming's Lotus Sword with a thunderous noise, sending it flying.
At this moment, Lin Shiming incanted once more, and countless vines began to surge from under the ground.
In an instant, they completely enveloped Lin Shiyi, but with a fierce sweep of his rod, a wave of flames emanated from the Dark Gold Profound Rod, sweeping away the vines, leaving a large empty space.
And it was at this moment that Lin Shiming incanted again, a large Snake Vine Flower seed beginning to sprout.
"This is exactly what I was waiting for!" Lin Shiyi bellowed, as if he had anticipated this all along, and his rod magically tripled in size.
A fiery, massive rod smashed down on the not yet fully grown Snake Vine Flower.
Lin Shiming humbly accepted the advice and continued the exchange until the sunset.
Only then did Lin Shiming and his brother Lin Shiyi leave the Treasure Pavilion.
He once again set foot on the path to Qingtao Mountain.
...
On Qingtao Mountain, the peach blossoms bloomed and withered, withered and bloomed.
In the blink of an eye, two springs and autumns passed.
The sky was clear again, the flowers bloomed resplendently.
The peach blossoms this time were more abundant than ever before, dense and continuous, cluster after cluster.
On the Spirit Peach Tree, a red monkey over two meters tall hopped about, crying out as it jumped, causing numerous peach blossoms to fall, blanketing the ground in a carpet of pink petals.
The Red-haired Demon Monkey seemed to find the small tree boring and aimed to leap to another, much larger peach tree.
A golden mantis suddenly flew out, striking with its huge scythe-like forelegs.
The Red-haired Demon Monkey immediately ran toward a wooden hut, crying out.
The hut opened, and a young man in blue stepped out. On his shoulder, a Golden Luan Eagle groomed its golden feathers with its beak.
"Red-Haired, if you dare to wreak havoc on the Spirit Peach Tree again, prepare for a battle with Golden Wing!"
The young man in blue was none other than Lin Shiming, who had been in rigorous cultivation for two years. During this period, he had not broken through to the seventh level of Qi Cultivation but had instead encountered a bottleneck.
On the other hand, the Red-haired Demon Monkey and the Golden Winged Mantis had undergone tremendous changes, especially the Golden Winged Mantis. In terms of cultivation strength, it had reached a Second Rank Intermediate Grade Demonic Beast and was on the verge of breaking through to the Superior Grade.
The Red-haired Demon Monkey also recently became a Second Rank Intermediate Grade Demonic Beast, but its strength was much inferior to that of the Golden Wing.
As for the Golden Luan Eagle on his shoulder, it was even further behind, a Second Rank Inferior Grade Demonic Beast, only suitable for riding and serving as a means of flight.
Just then, a Spirit Talisman shot in, and Lin Shiming caught it in his hand.
It was from the Lin Family's next member in line to guard Qingtao Mountain.
"The two-year period has ended; it's time to return!"
```