Fang Ming, based on his understanding of human nature, had completely seen through the Lin family patriarch's intentions.
Therefore, the situation had changed. Previously, Fang Ming had some worries about the Second Elder, but now he didn't fear him at all.
Having understood everything, Fang Ming simply waited quietly. He knew that since the Lin family patriarch had gone to talk to the Second Elder, he would naturally come to talk to him as well.
Thus, there was no need to do anything extra, only to wait.
As expected, not long after, the Lin family patriarch turned his head and said to Fang Ming, "Lin Xuan, when you defeated Lin Yang before, I had already estimated your potential. Although the result was good, it was still a bit short of Lin Yao… But now it seems I underestimated you back then."
The Lin family patriarch's words were not stern; a clear sense of closeness could be felt.
He continued, "At the age of fourteen, defeating Lin Yao, with your talent, you have no problem being ranked first in Liangchen County."
"Truly a young prodigy!"
"You might still be worried about the Second Elder's matters… but rest assured, I have already restrained the Second Elder, and he dares not seek revenge."
"Your father was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator of our clan… and you could tolerate him bullying you so brazenly..."
The Lin family patriarch's tone was very amiable.
Fang Ming naturally knew why his tone was so amiable – it was entirely due to the strength and cultivation Fang Ming had displayed.
When the original Lin Xuan was a good-for-nothing, this Lin family patriarch had never shown any particular attention, maintaining an indifferent attitude.
Now he had directly appeared and strongly supported him – in the end, it was only because Fang Ming had shown his value.
Of course, the Fifth Elder, and even the Third Elder before him, had the same thoughts and attitudes.
If it were the former useless Lin Xuan… when the Second Elder arrived, the Fifth Elder would not have offered any resistance even if he were on the stage.
Fang Ming mused.
Although he was well aware of the ugliness of human nature in these people, and understood exactly what kind of person the Lin family patriarch was.
On the surface, Fang Ming still raised his head and put on a grateful expression.
"Thank you, Patriarch."
As Fang Ming expressed his gratitude, he revealed a look of longing: "Patriarch, Lin Yao's half of his property from our fight, the cultivation resources he lost to me..."
As Fang Ming spoke, the Lin family patriarch pondered for a moment and then said, "Rest assured about this matter, the family will not tarnish this property of yours… Wait here for a moment, I will get it for you."
With that, the Lin family patriarch ascended into the sky. His speed was astonishing, the fastest Fang Ming had ever seen. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he returned, holding a storage bag.
Holding this item, the Lin family patriarch said to Fang Ming, "This is half of his property. Apart from immovable assets like farmland, courtyards, and taverns, I have brought it all back for you."
Fang Ming took the storage bag with one hand. Inside, there were three thousand mid-grade spirit stones, along with many rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
Three thousand mid-grade spirit stones represented thirty high-grade spirit stones!
And it also represented three hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones!
Possessing these spirit stones, Fang Ming inwardly sighed at their abundance.
Setting aside the heavenly materials and earthly treasures for now, these three hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones alone were indeed half of Lin Yao's property – such wealth proved its authenticity.
The Lin family patriarch, in handling matters, naturally did not just find a random bag to fob Fang Ming off.
"This is the first time I've had so many spirit stones in my hands."
Fang Ming thought.
In the first cultivation world he had been in, he didn't even have one percent of the spirit stones in this bag.
Regardless of the world, this was indeed the first time he had encountered such a large quantity of spirit stones.
As expected, defeating Lin Yao, the son of the Second Elder, a rich second-generation and power second-generation, indeed yielded a lot of wealth.
Although he had also thoroughly offended Lin Yao and the Second Elder – but they were already intent on killing him, their friendliness was already at minus one hundred, and provoking them a few more times would only result in the same level of hatred that would lead to his death.
"This matter is now concluded and considered settled."
The Lin family patriarch first made a concluding judgment on the duel between Fang Ming and Lin Yao on the stage.
Then he gave further instructions, "Lin Xuan, you don't need to dwell on these matters anymore."
"Now, what you need to consider is the matter of the Lingxiao Sect."
"Regarding the Lingxiao Sect's disciple recruitment, prepare yourself well to face their grand competition. With your current combat strength, you might be able to pass the Lingxiao Sect's disciple recruitment competition and secure a spot as an inner disciple…" the Lin family patriarch cautioned.
Judging by the solemnity in his eyes, this matter was also very important to the Lin family.
"It's a pity that this competition is not coming at the right time. If it were another three to four years, with your talent, securing a spot as an inner disciple would be a sure thing… Now, the probability is much lower." The Lin family patriarch sighed when he said this.
Clearly, he believed that with Lin Xuan's talent, the strength of a fourteen-year-old Lin Xuan would naturally be different from an eighteen-year-old Lin Xuan.
Competing at this age was a significant disadvantage.
The Lin family patriarch said so, and Fang Ming had nothing else to say.
He could only reply, "Patriarch, please rest assured, I will prepare diligently and strive to achieve a good ranking."
Fang Ming could indeed only answer this way. He did not want to reveal that he was confident of securing a spot as an inner disciple.
And with a hundred percent certainty.
With Foundation Establishment realm strength, even at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, any weaker Foundation Establishment realm cultivator was far superior to any Meridian Condensing realm cultivator. Fang Ming did not believe that there would be young geniuses under thirty years old in the Foundation Establishment realm within the major families of Liangchen County.
And they would compete with him for this grand competition spot.
This was naturally impossible.
If, with Foundation Establishment realm strength, one could not become an inner disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, then it would be even more impossible…
Therefore, Fang Ming, possessing such strength, was not worried.
Of course, according to convention, to avoid suspicion, such strength should not be exposed if possible. Thus, he could not directly tell the Lin family patriarch about it at this moment.
So Fang Ming could only speak this way, rather than saying that he had Foundation Establishment realm strength and didn't need to worry about these issues at all.
"Hmm." The Lin family patriarch was very satisfied with Lin Xuan's answer. He was unaware of the many thoughts that flashed through Lin Xuan's mind and thus directly ascended into the sky again, leaving with great satisfaction.
Furthermore, as he departed, a voice entered Lin Xuan's ears.
Naturally, it was a mystical technique for telepathic communication.
"Lin Xuan, if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you can come to me. I am always available."
The Lin family patriarch's voice echoed in Fang Ming's ears: "I can help you resolve many cultivation problems. Don't hesitate, just come directly…"