Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 3

As the year drew to a close, the entire family assembled for a feast.

Within a vast hall, three tables stood arranged. The women occupied one, Lin Batian along with the second generation of the Lin family took another, while the third generation claimed their own.

Lin Batian fathered nine sons and six daughters. His oldest son, Lin Shan, had turned forty-eight and climbed to the pinnacle of the tenth layer in Qi Refining. The next, Lin He, aged forty-six, also stood at the tenth layer of Qi Refining. Among the second generation, the third daughter, Lin Die, at twenty-five, shone brightest with her seventh layer in Qi Refining.

The fourth daughter, Lin Yuan, twenty-four years old, had advanced to the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Her twin in age, the fifth son Lin Hai, reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining. Following him came the sixth son, Lin Jiang, merely seventeen and lingering at the first layer of Qi Refining.

Lin Jiang's younger siblings hadn't begun cultivation. Starting too young wasn't necessary. Lin Batian enforced a rule: cultivation commenced at twelve. Prior to that, basic physical training sufficed. With the family's growing wealth, medicinal baths now enhanced their preparation.

Lin Shan's eldest son, Lin Keli, the firstborn among the grandsons, hit the seventh layer of Qi Refining by thirty. Several other descendants hovered at the third or fourth layers—seven or eight in total. Through Lin Batian's decades of tireless work, the Lin family had firmly rooted itself in Yun State.

Honoring the yearly custom, Lin Batian assessed the progress of his numerous descendants that day. Strong performers earned generous rewards, whereas underachievers faced sharp rebukes.

"Lin Jiang."

Lin Batian offered his remark, placing Lin Jiang last. During the whole affair, Lin Jiang simply ate, nearly infuriating Lin Batian.

"Dad, I'm present."

"Can't you rise for me? Even your nephew outpaces you in cultivation."

Lin Batian felt content with his offspring. Though their cultivation pace lagged, they possessed skills to aid family management. Yet this youngest son tested his patience endlessly. Nothing came easily to him. Five years on, he remained stuck at the first layer of Qi Refining.

"I get it, Dad. I'll push harder in my cultivation for sure."

"Fail to reach the second layer next year, and you're out. You're driving me mad."

"I understand, Dad."

Lin Jiang replied with lazy nonchalance, unconcerned. He felt no rush. Over five centuries old, he outlasted his father already. The Qi Refining stage? Practicing it for hundreds of years hardly shamed him.

Lin family siblings shook their heads in quiet dismay. Without Lin Batian's presence, they'd have jeered at their worthless kin. He brought disgrace upon them; they cringed to claim such a sibling.

The Lin family lacked elaborate traditions as yet. Still expanding, the gathering held a warm vibe. Lin Jiang paid little heed, lost in the feast's delights.

Meats and veggies alike sprouted from spiritual fields. The master cook transformed them into mouthwatering delights. Lin Jiang devoured eagerly.

"Sixth Brother, ease up on the eating. Stuck at first layer Qi Refining, you'll burst if you overdo it."

Lin Hai, nearby, watched no longer and halted Lin Jiang swiftly. These dishes brimmed with spiritual energy. A first-layer cultivator could only manage so much, or risk exploding from the overload.

Startled by the warning, Lin Jiang dropped his utensils. Still, he resolved, upon returning to Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa, to rear magical beasts for meals. He'd cultivate a few acres of spiritual land for produce too.

Joy defined life. Without it, immortality lost its charm.

The junior disciples, overwhelmed by the energy, departed early. Higher cultivators pressed on. Lin Jiang exited alongside his sister Lin Ying. At thirteen, she'd cultivated a year, matching Lin Jiang's level.

"Sixth Brother, everyone's heading to the market. Shall we join?"

"Sure, I'll follow your lead."

Lin Jiang agreed with a nod. The prior owner visited the market, but he hadn't and yearned to explore.

Thirty miles from the Lin family's mountain gate lay their founded market. It served as a hub for trades among cultivators within a thousand miles. This vital revenue stream fell under the Lin family's eldest brother.

Naturally, he couldn't handle it solo. Lin Batian enlisted Foundation Establishment aides to secure the area. The family's foundation stayed shallow, with descendants immature. Key roles in the Lin family often went to Lin Batian's hires. He alone upheld the clan. His absence would doom them to swift ruin and devouring.

Decades would pass before second and third generations matured, yielding a cadre of Foundation Establishment experts. Then, the Lin family might claim true security.

Crowds of rogue cultivators thronged the Lin market, mingled with mortals. Year-end bustle amplified the energy, featuring diverse snacks and wares.

Spirit stones and spiritual beads served as currency. Cultivation realm's standard spirit stone measured three inches long, one wide, one thick. Leftover bits shaped into spiritual beads. In principle, a hundred beads equaled one stone.

Excluding cultivation aids, spirit stones held robust buying power. Lin Jiang snatched up snacks for Lin Ying, spending just twenty spiritual beads or so.

"Brother, Brother, see, that's Mother's store."

"Grandmother's over there, and that one's hers too."

"Aunt Wu owns that one."

"Auntie Lin's is this."

Lin Ying gestured to the market's shops, explaining, "Over half belong to Lin Batian's wives and concubines. They don't operate them personally—renting to tenants, collecting annual dues."

Lin Jiang ignored such ventures. Business eluded him. Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa suited him better. Farming called to him, etched in his very being.

They lingered till midnight before the Lin youths raced back to the gate. Ordinarily, such late returns stayed forbidden for safety.

Come dawn the next day, Lin Jiang farewelled Zhuang Rong. Duty called him to Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa. His cool demeanor chafed at the Lin gate's throngs and clamor.

Ere departing, Zhuang Rong pressed a pouch of spirit stones into his hands. "Son, cultivate diligently. Miss the second layer by next year, and your father means to exile you."

"Mom, I've got funds. Why this?"

"Just accept it. From now on, Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa's yields are yours. No more sharing with me. I'm set—your grandfather provided plenty. As my sole boy, who else?"

"Lin Ying's cultivating too; I'll support her some."

"Hold onto it, no frets. Focus on practice."

"Alright, alright."

Lin Jiang took the stones, inwardly sighing. Parental affection weighed heavy; he couldn't refuse.

Two days on, Lin Jiang arrived at Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa. Tenants bustled with New Year preparations. Mortals cherished such rites, unlike cultivators. Advanced ones often secluded, ignoring festivities.

Lin Jiang mulled ways to optimize the villa. Its full earnings now his, yet how did that shift things?

Though Lin Jiang took life leisurely, extra spirit stones appealed. The more, the merrier.