Lin Shiming took out all the jade slips in one breath, only to be pleasantly surprised to find that among them were quite a few cultivation techniques and secret manuals.
They covered all five elements attributes, with four Profound Rank Superior Grade techniques that could be cultivated to the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment.
Besides that, there was also one Profound Rank Inferior Grade technique, the Kui Water True Sutra.
This was something Lin Shiming hadn't expected. The Lin Family only had one Profound Rank technique, and it was the Fire Attribute Profound Rank Inferior Grade technique practiced by Lin Shijie. This would give the family's cultivators another option.
The gain was no less than that of a Third Rank Superior Grade magic artifact.
From this perspective, it's likely that the blue-robed old cultivator had obtained the inheritance of a family.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to have treasures like the Shocking God Drum and the Heavenly Silkworm Silk, and it's even possible that he got Profound Spirit Mountain as well.
The appearance of the jade slips containing five techniques filled Lin Shiming with joy, and he became even more expectant for the remaining jade slips.
As a family branched out from a sect, although the Lin Family was once part of the Purple Mansion Family, its foundation in cultivation techniques was still no match for those thousand-year-old veteran Foundation Establishment families.
The remaining two jade slips, one was the artifact refining insights of a Third Rank Artifact Refiner, and the other was a secret technique, the Split Spirit Art!
The artifact refining insights were fine, as the Lin Family had some, but the latter's Split Spirit Art was the existence that excited him the most.
This technique was exactly what the blue-robed old cultivator practiced, which could significantly enhance Divine Sense.
The Split Spirit Art was more useful than that Second Rank Awakening Spirit Flower.
Once his Divine Sense became powerful, he would also be able to activate the Shocking God Drum, and together with the Golden Winged Mantis, if a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator became careless, they might be cut down by Lin Shiming.
After taking the Split Spirit Art, he had finished inspecting all the treasures. Although this time was perilous, he also gained a lot.
He now had body refining techniques, a secret technique for condensing Divine Sense, and even insights into artifact refining.
Once the matter of the Yellow Grade Secret Realm was settled, he could seclude himself for cultivation to make himself even stronger.
Lin Shiming suppressed the joy in his heart and went to the stone chamber of the Red-haired Demon Monkey, which was still in deep slumber and hadn't evolved into a Third Rank Demonic Beast, but the increasingly powerful aura of its Spirit Might greatly reassured him.
Given the Red-haired Demon Monkey's Bloodline Reversion, combined with a Demon Core breakthrough pill, advancing to a Third Rank Demonic Beast should not be difficult. It's just uncertain how much potential would be left after breaking through to a Third Rank Demonic Beast.
Then, Lin Shiming went to the Heavenly Spirit Fruit Tree and catalyzed it with Wood Attribute True Essence as part of the routine.
It also implied that the potential of the Golden Thunder Bamboo was even more formidable than that of the Minor Divine Ability Tree.
With the Golden Thunder Bamboo planted, the last weight on his heart lifted. After half a day more of cultivation in the cave, Lin Shiming finally emerged from retreat.
His seclusion had lasted seven days, coinciding with the return of his great uncle, Lin Xianzhi.
The Family Jade Book had been purchased, and nearly all cultivators from both Nanling County and Xing County Square Market had gathered at the ancestral shrine.
It was Lin Xianzhi, the great uncle, who led the incense offering and ancestral chant.
This was the Lin Family's first time possessing their Family Jade Book, which meant aside from the Forbidden God Formation, the family could now ascertain the survival of their cultivators without the need to use the family token.
For some reason, the great uncle's speech during this ancestral chant was longer than usual.
It conveyed the family's expectations and hopes for Lin Shiming.
After everyone had paid their respects, it was finally Lin Shiming's turn to organize the family members, bringing them forward to drip blood into the book.
As blood entered the book, each person would offer three sticks of quality sandalwood, with the Great Elder, Lin Yuqing, standing by to introduce and chant for each family member, presenting them to the ancestors of the Lin Family.
Lin Xianzhi was the first, followed by Lin Houyuan, then Lin Shiming, and by the time it was Lin Shijie's turn as the fifth, tears had already stained his cheeks.
The memorial tablet of the Second Elder, Lin Yuqi, was also there, among the newest row.
With the book entries complete, Lin Shiming announced the start of the Lin Family competition.
This competition not only marked a new cycle of the family's tribute system but was also an occasion to elect the three outstanding members of the Lin Family.
Age or generation did not limit the selection of the three exceptional members – anyone under fifty could be chosen, with two from the later stages of Qi Cultivation and one from the mid-stages being selected.
Of course, the most crucial goal was to select the cultivators from the Lin Family suitable to enter the Yellow Grade Secret Realm.
It's known that the Yellow Grade Secret Realm prohibits entry to both Foundation Establishment cultivators and Third Rank Demonic Beasts.
Therefore, even Lin Shiming would only be able to wait outside the Secret Realm this time.
"The family competition will be judged on actual combat this time," Lin Shiming began. "The triumphant three of the Lin Family will have the priority right to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills.
Additionally, the top five in the later stages of Qi Cultivation, the top three in the mid-stages, and the top one in the early stage will each receive five hundred contribution points from the family and a suitable Magic Artifact."
"Moreover, I will personally provide an additional Magic Artifact," Lin Shiming added, instantly delighting everyone present. Lin Shiming's combat prowess was among the best in the family, and the power of his Magic Artifacts was renowned far and wide.