Cultivating immortality begins with discerning the secrets of heaven.

After half a year of hard work, Lin Yun completed the task assigned by his family.

Ten low-grade magical artifacts made primarily of purple-patterned copper, including seven spear-type artifacts, three swords, and a long halberd.

These ten low-grade magic artifacts are all of excellent quality, far exceeding ordinary low-grade magic artifacts. If sold in the market, they would definitely fetch more than 150 spirit stones.

If we disregard the raw materials, Lin Yun has created over a thousand spirit stones worth of material for the family this time.

The spirit stones that his father, Lin Yuanshan, lost in the casino back then have been fully recovered.

In the family's general affairs hall, Lin Hairong couldn't help but show a hint of emotion when he saw these ten low-grade magic artifacts of such excellent quality.

"Yun'er, you have truly given the family a wonderful surprise."

"This level of weapon crafting skill is already comparable to that of many weapon crafting masters who have been immersed in the art for a long time."

Lin Yun, however, was not complacent. He asked, "Second Uncle, I wonder if this achievement could help my father return to the main branch of the family?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Hairong was slightly taken aback and exclaimed, "Brother, you are truly blessed with good fortune!"

Even now, Lin Yun is still so considerate of his biological father.

It should be known that in the cultivation world, many cultivators are willing to betray even their own brothers and blood relatives for some opportunity to achieve immortality.

  

Despite having made such a great contribution to the family, Lin Yun still wholeheartedly wanted to bring his father back to the main branch of the family.

"Don't worry, I will report this to the clan elders' council."

"The time for the family to recommend disciples for cultivation is coming soon. You have made such a great contribution, you might actually be able to secure a spot."

After Lin Hairong finished speaking, he immediately took the ten low-grade magic artifacts, which Lin Yun had personally crafted, and ascended the main mountain.

...

In the council hall, Lin Jinnan and the elders of the other two clans sat in their seats, looking at the ten refined iron magic artifacts presented below, all showing expressions of surprise.

"Were these ten magical artifacts truly forged by Lin Yuanshan's son from the Ji lineage?"

Lin Jingtao of Zhongmai said in surprise.

Among the Lin family members who went to Fire Cloud Valley to learn martial arts this time, Lin Yang was from the Zhong lineage.

However, Lin Yang was clearly not skilled enough. So far, he could only refine some fine iron magic weapons. Once other kinds of spiritual materials were involved, the success rate of refining them was extremely low, and the quality was extremely poor.

Of course, the elders did not criticize Lin Yang for this, after all, every weapon refiner needs to accumulate experience.

But compared to Lin Yun's ten masterpieces, Lin Yang's work seems rather inferior.

Lin Hairong bowed and clasped his hands in greeting to the elders seated at the table, saying, "These ten magical artifacts were made by my nephew, Lin Yun!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing, sitting to Lin Jinnan's left, revealed a proud expression, wishing he could emphasize again and again that this was his own grandson!

Lin Jinnan nodded slowly and said, "It seems that the family will be able to have its own weapon refiner in the future, and we will no longer need to entrust other weapon refiners in the market or buy those overpriced magic weapons."

Magical artifacts best represent a cultivator's combat strength; it's no exaggeration to say they are his lifeline.

If outsiders were to refine it, there would be a risk of information leaks.

"That's right. The family's influence with the upper sect has been almost exhausted. We can't rely on that weapon-refining elder at Hundred Refinement Peak for everything."

The speaker was another elder of the Bo family, ranked below Lin Jinnan, the second son of the Bo family, Lin Zhenbei.

Lin Jinnan casually asked, "This is a great achievement. Did Lin Yun say what he wanted in return?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Hairong took a deep breath, his heart pounding.

He began, "My nephew's greatest wish is to join a higher sect and cultivate!"

These words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the previously pleasant council chamber.

Although not all the elders from the three lineages were present this time, the gazes fixed on Lin Hairong still made him feel immense pressure.

At this moment, Lin Jing finally broke his silence and coughed, saying:

"Speaking of which, it seems the quota for the family to recommend students to cultivate at the upper sect hasn't been finalized yet, has it?"

"My Ji family hasn't been allocated a spot for at least fifty years. Why don't we allocate one this time? I, as the grandfather, have seen all the hard work my grandson has put in recently."

However, Lin Jingtao shook his head and said, "Lin Yun has made a great contribution this time, but at most it will allow him to return to the main branch. It's still not enough to get a recommendation quota from a family."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jing finally lost his temper. He suppressed his anger and said:

"When did family members recommend disciples for entry into the upper sects for cultivation begin with merit? Isn't it simply a matter of being from the main lineage to compete?"

"My grandson's weapon-refining skills are so exquisite; he reached the fourth level of Qi Refining before he was even twenty years old. How come he can't compare to the disciples of your two lineages?!"

Lin Jingtao was momentarily speechless, but still insisted on shaking his head and refusing.

There are only two family recommendation slots in total. If Lin Yun is to take one, he will most likely take one from the Zhong family.

"But he hasn't returned to the main branch yet!"

"If all else fails, we can wait. I guarantee that he can be accepted into the Taiyuan Sect for cultivation in ten years."

Lin Jing slammed his fist on the table angrily and said, "What? Such a great achievement isn't enough for him to return to the main branch? Isn't my grandson of the main family bloodline? How much more merit does he have to make to return to the main branch?"

"Sigh, this spot is related to a Foundation Establishment Pill. I remember Lin Yun's cultivation aptitude is not good. With only four spiritual roots, the chance of him successfully establishing his foundation is too small." Lin Jingtao still rejected the idea.

At this point, Lin Jing could no longer contain his anger. He questioned, "What? Does getting a family recommendation mean you have to succeed in Foundation Establishment?"

"Then why haven't we seen either the Bo or Zhong lineages from the past fifty years..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Jinnan finally couldn't stand it anymore. He tapped his bamboo cane, coughed lightly, and silenced the argument between the two.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

"Ahem, alright, alright, let's keep talking or we'll ruin the harmony."

"Although the family has three branches, they are all of the Lin family bloodline and are all part of the family."

A wise look appeared on Lin Jinnan's aged face. With his experience, he naturally understood that if this matter was not handled properly, it could very likely cause discord among the three factions.

Lin Jing, however, refused to back down and was determined to secure a family recommendation for his grandson.

"Sigh, you've been arguing for so long, why don't you listen to what the person involved has to say?"

"Call Lin Yun over here!"

Thus, Lin Yun, who was waiting for news at the foot of the mountain, was summoned to the council hall.

On the way, his second uncle briefly mentioned, "Your grandfather is trying to secure a family recommendation for you."

Lin Yun was taken aback at first, but quickly figured out the key point.

His mind raced...

"Grandpa wants me to be exempted from the Ascension Ceremony assessment and directly join the Taiyuan Sect through the family."

"If this can be accomplished, that would be wonderful. After all, even if I knew the content of the weapon-refining assessment beforehand, I wouldn't be able to pass it 100%. There are so many talented and extraordinary people in the world..."

"However, this matter is obviously not that easy. The elders of the Bo and Zhong branches will certainly not agree easily."

"Perhaps we can use this to our advantage and gain even more benefits?"

After a brainstorming session, Lin Yun was led into the council hall on the main mountain.

This was his first time entering this place that represented the highest decision-making power of the family. Although not all the elders from the three branches of the family were present, he still felt considerable pressure.

"Jimai Lin Yun greets the clan elder!" Lin Yun greeted him with a respectful clasped fist.

Sitting in the chief seat, Lin Jinnan chuckled and said, "Lin Yun, you've worked hard these past few days. These ten magical artifacts weren't something that could be forged casually. I can tell you put a lot of thought into them."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yunyi said sternly, "It is my honor to be able to contribute to the family."

The answer was quite remarkable, and several clan elders showed surprise in their eyes.

"Although Lin Yuanshan is a playboy, his son is really quite good."

"Neither arrogant nor impatient, neither humble nor overbearing, he is a rough gem."

"My dog-father, Tatsuko..."

Lin Jinnan stroked his bamboo cane with his aged hand and slowly asked, "You have performed a great service this time, enough to allow you to return to the main branch."

"The family ancestral rites are coming up soon, and your grandfather has secured one of the two nomination slots for the family. What do you think?"

On the eve of each Ascension Ceremony, the Lin family would hold a clan sacrifice.

During this clan ceremony, the Lin family will select two outstanding members to directly join the main lineage.

After the clan ceremony, the clan will take the remaining disciples who also intend to participate in the Ascension Conference to Taiyuan Immortal City.

Therefore, this clan festival, held once every ten years, is extremely important to all the members of the Lin family.

Lin Yun hadn't expected the question to be directed at him. He took a deep breath and said, "Becoming a disciple of a superior sect is indeed something I've always dreamed of."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jinnan slowly nodded and said, "Alright, then the quota for recommending members to the sect this time will be allocated to the Zhong and Ji branches."

Upon hearing this, the other elders' expressions changed, and even Lin Jing shook his head repeatedly, saying, "How can this be..."

"Elder brother, you absolutely mustn't! Mo'er from the Bo family has the aptitude of three spiritual roots. If she could join the Taiyuan Sect earlier, she might very well be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage in the future!"

"That's right, maybe this time my Zhongmai shouldn't recommend any candidates."

"..."

The council chamber suddenly became lively.

Lin Yun hadn't expected things to turn out this way. He glanced at his grandfather and then said:

"If the family has a better candidate this time, Lin Yun is willing to obey the family's arrangements."

Hearing such sensible words, the other elders were immediately gratified, but his grandfather, Lin Jing, became somewhat anxious.

Lin Jinnan shook his head at this, saying:

"Alright, I'll give you two choices."

"First, one of the family's recommendation slots will be allocated to you."

"Second, if you give up this spot, you can make a request to the family: wait another ten years, and you will definitely be among the family's recommended candidates next time."

...