Next to Lin Family's council hall, there is a row of guest rooms reserved for entertaining distinguished visitors.
Although Lei Xuan was not considered a guest, given the matter of the Secret Realm, Lin Family had invited Lei Xuan over, and he would be taken care of by dedicated personnel.
Lin Shiming called the cultivator guarding the door and knocked.
"Fellow Daoist Lei."
"Elder Lin, please come in!" Lei Xuan also opened the door, and upon seeing Lin Shiming, his face lit up with eagerness.
Lin Shiming was slightly taken aback; he had been referred to as junior, fellow daoist, or Family Head before, but this was the first time someone had called him Elder Lin.
However, according to the rules of the Cultivation World, he did indeed qualify as an elder.
With a lifespan of two hundred and fifty years after Foundation Establishment, he had unwittingly walked ahead of countless cultivators.
Lei Xuan was not tall and was somewhat thin, but his eyes were bright and spirited.
His face was neither servile nor overbearing, and Lin Shiming even felt he saw his former self reflected in Lei Xuan.
Lei Xuan invited Lin Shiming into the room, to sit at the table set with a complete tea set, consisting of a tea table, teapot, tea cups, and everything needed.
Lin Shiming's face showed a hint of strangeness, as Lei Xuan seemed to be treating this place a bit too much like his own home.
With the Secret Realm involved, Lei Xuan either had to have his memory sealed or be imprisoned by Lin Family for life.
Seeing that Lei Xuan made no move and did not touch upon the subject of Thunder-attribute Techniques, Lin Shiming also remained silent and simply sat quietly.
In this situation, whoever spoke first would undoubtedly fall into a disadvantageous position. The family naturally did not want to take any risks, but if they could obtain Thunder-attribute Techniques, they certainly wanted them, as they related to the future prospects of Lin Shilei of the current generation.
Unless Lin Family could send Lin Shilei to a Sect.
So he was in no hurry, for he was not lacking in time.
Lei Xuan held a steaming teapot in one hand, sprinkling a wisp of tea leaves with the other, pouring them into the boiling Spirit Water, his tea-making and pouring flowing in one smooth action.
His graceful movements elicited admiration from Lin Shiming.
As soon as the tea leaves steeped, a strong fragrance spread out, making Lin Shiming's True Yuan pulsate, especially the True Yuan at his heart. A hidden stream of True Yuan within him stirred as if greatly agitated.
Lin Shiming was inwardly shocked, not because the tea leaves were of Superior Grade at Second Rank, but because he sensed the same power of the Wood Demon's heart as in his own body.
This indicated that the tea leaves might have been plucked from the body of a Wood Demon.
Lei Xuan was no ordinary person. Identified as the heir of the Lei Family, he would be recognized by old enemies who could potentially trace their way back to the Lin Family.
"Then, Lin Elder, may I marry into the Lin Family, offering the map of the Secret Realm and the Thunder-attribute Techniques as a bridal gift?" Lei Xuan spoke again.
This request startled Lin Shiming.
He had never even considered such a proposal from Lei Xuan before.
Marrying into the family signified not only giving up his previous family identity but also his status as a free and independent Loose Cultivator.
However, on second thought, if Lei Xuan wished to safely breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment or even the Purple Mansion stage, he would still need to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills, Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, and such. These would definitely not be provided by the opposing Purple Mansion Family, unless Lei Xuan joined a Sect.
"I want to know why," Lin Shiming asked.
"To lay low and seek revenge," Lei Xuan stated, and even though he appeared calm, a fierce light flashed in his eyes.
"Of course, I won't endanger my family. I will wait until my Purple Mansion power is fully developed to take revenge!"
"And who is the opposing family?" Lin Shiming continued to inquire.
"The Zhang Family of Jinzhou!" Lei Xuan replied.
Information about the Zhang Family immediately surged into Lin Shiming's mind.
The Zhang Family was a prominent clan in Jinzhou, a region somewhat similar to Qingzhou, with more Purple Mansion Families and abundant resources and Spirit Veins. There were three Purple Mansion Families in total, among which the Zhang Family was one.
It was rumored that the family had two Purple Mansion Cultivators within the Qingxuan Sect, and another at the Purple Mansion Late Stage.
"This can be arranged. But if you are to marry in, do you have a desirable spouse in mind?" Lin Shiming pondered for a long while before deciding to agree.
Had it been before, he might have hesitated, since Lei Xuan was a Spirit Root Cultivator who, with success and ample resources, could certainly reach the Purple Mansion stage.
But now that he knew he might possess a latent Spiritual Body, he had more than enough confidence to keep Lei Xuan in check.
Not to mention, he had the system notifications.
If there was any danger, the system would notify him. Now, with Lei Xuan appearing genuinely interested in marrying into the family, perhaps seeking to use the family's influence,
"Lin Shiqi!" Lei Xuan spoke up once more.
With this definitive response, Lin Shiming also instantly understood.
Lei Xuan likely knew from the start that he couldn't leave freely and had long since considered marrying into the family to retain autonomy and join the clan.
The Lin Family's policy of nurturing disciples seemed to be made precisely for geniuses.