Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 4

Following the New Year festivities, Lin Jiang introduced several modifications to the Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa. To start, he assembled the renters and excavated a pond exceeding ten acres within the grounds. Next, he purchased one hundred Silver Light Fish from the Lin family bazaar. These Silver Light Fish qualify as low-grade monster beasts boasting aggressive dispositions and delectable flesh. Lin Jiang recalled savoring them at a clan banquet with striking clarity.

Subsequently, they constructed a pigpen and nurtured twenty Iron-backed Pigs. Iron-backed Pigs represent a variety of feral beasts that haven't ascended to elevated tiers yet—they remain at the base level, yet their meat proves exceptionally tasty.

Lin Jiang further directed the tenants to cultivate twenty acres of dedicated farmland, allocating two acres for vegetable production while the remaining area grew spiritual herbs to nourish the Iron-backed Pigs and Silver Light Fish.

Henceforth, Lin Jiang remained in seclusion at his residence, dedicating daily time to meditation and cultivation practice, alongside chopping wood, tending to the pigs, and managing the fish. He relished a leisurely and contented existence. Visits from the Lin family dwindled notably, and without occasional mentions from Zhuang Rong and Lin Ying, the clan might have entirely overlooked Lin Jiang's presence.

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Three years onward, at the Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa.

A youthful and attractive young lady, gripping a steel fork, fixed her gaze on a being ahead of her; wait, actually, it turned out to be a Silver Light Fish.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the young lady jabbed her steel fork ahead.

"Wow, Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother, I struck it! We get to enjoy fish once more."

The young lady withdrew the fork; impaled upon it rested a Silver Light Fish tipping the scales at roughly ten pounds. Clutching the catch, she approached Lin Jiang.

"Sister, you're incredible. Here, we'll prepare an extra dish for midday meal."

Lin Jiang cheerfully stowed the Silver Light Fish, deftly scaled and gutted it, sliced in some wild ginger, incorporated cooking wine along with various seasonings, and placed everything into a bowl for marinating.

"Sixth Brother, your spot remains so cozy. Father grows increasingly intense, insisting I cultivate nonstop. It's utterly dull."

The young lady dragged over a mat, sprawled upon it forthwith, and vented her grievances to Lin Jiang. She had covertly escaped, in other words, she was playing hooky.

"Who asked for your talent? Father holds great expectations for you. Consider Third Sister Lin Die—she's on the verge of achieving Foundation Establishment."

Lin Jiang remarked with delight, casually offering a few skewers of pre-roasted Iron-backed Pig meat to Lin Ying.

Progress in immortal cultivation hinged on two elements. The first involved innate talent, determined by Spiritual Root. Lin Jiang's Five Spiritual Roots marked the poorest variety. Lin Ying possessed Three Spiritual Roots, inferior to singular or dual Spiritual Roots, yet among the Lin family's second generation, it ranked respectably.

The other element was comprehension. Certain individuals struggled for months to master a cultivation method, whereas others grasped it after mere glances. Such disparities arose from comprehension levels. Lin Ying excelled remarkably here, earning escalating regard from Lin Batian, who tightened his oversight accordingly.

"I'm no match for Third Sister's diligence. She devotes eight hours daily to practice and rests just one hour. She's even delving into alchemy!"

"Well, I refuse to cultivate further."

"Skipping practice isn't feasible. With twenty siblings already, Mother depends on me as well. We can't rely on you."

"Father remains adept with his 'sword'."

Lin Jiang merely shook his head. Over the past three years, Lin Batian persisted in his 'farming' endeavors. Beyond nine sons and six daughters, he kept producing more offspring. By now, the twentieth child had arrived.

"Brother, when will you advance to the second layer? You've lingered ten years there, while I reached the second layer at fourteen."

"No rush."

Lin Jiang tossed over a flask of wine. It contained Peach Blossom Wine, crafted from the spiritual peach blooms of Peach Mountain Villa. Its flavor proved exceptional and immensely palatable.

Regarding Lin Jiang's cultivation progress, urgency evaded him. He had dwelled at the first layer of Qi Refining for a decade, requiring only several additional months for breakthrough.

"Should you fail to advance next year, Father will truly cast you out. Even the rest label you the Lin family's disgrace. Mother can't intercede on your behalf anymore."

Lin Ying fretted deeply over this. Two years prior, Lin Batian threatened to expel Lin Jiang, only deterred by Zhuang Rong's pleas. Such appeals wouldn't succeed this year.

"Fine, I'll advance this year."

"Truly, Brother?"

"Truly, no deception here. Take this peach."

"Peaches at this season?"

"That's my secret."

Lin Jiang grinned, explaining, "I acquired an ice-sealing spell to serve as refrigeration. I've got plenty of spirit peaches stored."

"It tastes superb, Brother. Your setup is so ideal, featuring fish, pork, wine, and peaches. Total independence. No surprise you avoid returning home."

"Visit more frequently ahead. Crowds displease me."

Lin Jiang stated. He favored tranquility over clamor, yet adored his little sister immensely. Each of her visits prompted him to butcher an Iron-backed Pig.

"Sure, I'll drop by often. I'm stuffed now; time to head back. Discovery by Father means another scolding."

"Hold on, I'll prepare items for Mother."

Lin Jiang bundled fresh Iron-backed Pig meat, netted two Silver Light Fish, extracted scores of spirit peaches from the frost array, pondered briefly, then gathered some crisp spirit vegetables, stuffing a large sack full.

"Such a devoted son; Mother didn't rear you for nothing. Farewell."

Lin Ying beamed and declared, summoning a flying sword, mounting it, and vanishing swiftly into the sky.

Lin Jiang observed his sibling's form with faint envy. He owned a flying sword too, but his cultivation fell short for flight. It demanded at least the fourth layer of Qi Refining.

"Oh dear!"

Lin Jiang prepared to depart when Lin Ying's cry echoed. She tumbled from the flying sword, and though Lin Jiang rushed to aid, she astonishingly soared back up, wobbling precariously.

Lin Jiang chuckled inwardly. Lin Ying had evidently just attained the fourth layer recently and lacked proficiency with the flying sword. A fitting mishap for her escapade.

Lin Jiang skipped the remaining Silver Light Fish for his meal. He pressed on grilling the catch and, once sated, staggered to his chamber for meditation.

"I must intensify my efforts in training. Extend daily sessions from four to eight hours."

"No, eight proves excessive. Perhaps six?"

"Six falls short too. Duties for spiritual fields, pig feeding, and fish care persist. Settle on five hours daily, across five days weekly, with weekends free. Ideal."

After intense deliberation, Lin Jiang resolved to boost practice duration by one hour while reserving weekends for relaxation.

Lin Jiang had resolved ages ago. He shunned toil and ambition. If reclining sufficed, he reclined.

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Three months hence, at Spiritual Peach Mountain Villa.

"Hahaha…"

Joyous guffaws emanated from Lin Jiang's quarters. Through prolonged diligence, he at last attained the second layer of Qi Refining. A moment of triumph.

Thereafter, Lin Jiang emerged from seclusion and announced to the attendants an extra feast that evening, honoring the major cultivation milestone of their Sixth Young Master.

Post-celebratory night, the following day saw Lin Jiang horseback to the Lin family gates, bearing villa specialties. He presented them to Lin Batian, signaling he ought not face expulsion from the clan so hastily. After all, Lin Jiang had now achieved the second layer of Qi Refining.

"Eldest, speak truthfully: is your Sixth Brother truly my flesh and blood? How did I, Lin Batian, sire such an oddity?"

As Lin Jiang departed brimming with elation, Lin Batian voiced his skepticism to his firstborn, Lin Shan. He increasingly doubted this "Sixth Brother" stemmed from his lineage, else why such peculiarities?

Reflecting on his own prowess, Lin Batian—formidable and unparalleled—commenced cultivation at twelve, attained Foundation Establishment by thirty, and claimed Golden Core prior to a century. Over a dozen progeny likewise pursued cultivation paths. Yet he endured a wastrel son like this.

"Ahem, Father, Fourth Auntie isn't that sort."

Lin Shan found it both humorous and perplexing. Amid his junior siblings, Sixth Brother forever charted his unique course. Yet perhaps that benefited all, sparing competition. Were all juniors prodigies, the eldest like him would struggle to maintain superiority. Defeat by juniors would prove mortifying.