Chapter 294: Returning Home

After testing for over two hours and taking five Ling Pills, Lin Dong’s spiritual energy in his dantian was once again nearly depleted. Only after gaining a basic understanding of the Wish Bench did he stop.
In terms of spiritual energy consumption, the most significant use was altering shape, size, and material. With his current level of spiritual energy, he could barely create a third-tier spiritual sword. Moreover, if he didn’t continue to consume energy, the bench would revert to its wooden state within half an hour.
The next most energy-intensive use was enhancing appetite and digestion. According to Lin Dong’s estimates, exhausting one’s entire spiritual energy could give a person such strong desire that they could devour three or five tables’ worth of food and drinks.
The least energy-consuming use was restoration, which required almost no spiritual energy at all.
Putting the bench into the mobile counter, Lin Dong eagerly knocked on the door of the adjacent room.
When Yun Lan opened the door, Lin Dong asked impatiently, “Are there any advanced spiritual artifacts that can change shape, size, or even material?”
“Change shape, size, or even material?” Yun Lan frowned slightly.
Lin Dong nodded, took out the Wish Bench, and threw it onto the roof. With a thought, his spiritual energy slowly flowed out, causing the bench to thin rapidly as it fell through the air. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a green robe.
Yun Lan exclaimed in surprise, “What kind of spiritual artifact is this?”
“Isn’t there such an artifact?” Lin Dong asked.
Yun Lan hesitated for a moment before slowly shaking her head. “I’m not sure. Some spiritual artifacts equipped with illusion arrays can indeed change shape and size, but not material. As for an illusion array being installed on a bench-shaped artifact to turn it into a robe… I’ve never heard of that.”
Lin Dong breathed a sigh of relief. He realized Yun Lan had misheard his question. Yet, her answer still contained the information he wanted.
If illusion arrays on spiritual artifacts could change shape and size, then having a Wish Bench wouldn’t be too astonishing.
After thinking for a while, Lin Dong asked, “What kind of spiritual artifacts usually have illusion arrays installed? What are the details about these artifacts?”

Glancing at the long robe in Lin Dong’s hands, Yun Lan pondered and said, “Generally speaking, most spiritual artifacts are equipped with killing arrays. Those with illusion arrays mostly serve special purposes. For example, the famous assassin Ghost Shadow used a high-level dagger equipped with an illusion array. It is said that when this dagger was thrust, it could control others’ minds. Cases like yours, though extremely rare, do exist. The most well-known one is an elder from the Tianwei Pavilion, who, before achieving great strength, relied on a spiritual sword that could transform into eighteen different combat styles to entertain the royal family through performances.”

“Another reason is those who need to conceal their true killing moves or whose weapons have unique features—such as a broad sword that uses an illusion array to make it appear like a long sword. Although the techniques are similar, there are slight differences, and it is in these differences that the killing move lies. There are also some special spiritual artifacts, and it’s the same here, only the purpose shifts from concealing killing moves to hiding the unique traits of the weapon itself. In short, it’s all to catch people off guard. Most of these spiritual artifacts are at level five or above; otherwise, it’s difficult to hire a spiritual array master to set up an array. Creating an illusion array on a spiritual artifact is even more difficult than creating a killing array, and only high-level spiritual array masters can do it.”

Lin Dong understood. With a high-level spiritual array master like Yun Lan by his side, the Reasonable Stool made sense.

Yun Lan suddenly asked, “This spiritual artifact of yours can really turn into a long robe, right?”

Lin Dong nodded and smiled. “It can turn into anything I want, and I guarantee it’s real—definitely not an illusion.”

Yun Lan hesitated. Such a spiritual artifact was beyond her understanding.

Lin Dong smiled bitterly. “It’s hard to explain. It’s a bit too unbelievable. I’m afraid you’ll think I’m crazy if you know the reason. Just think there are really gods in the sky, and I have some connection with them. This thing must be a gift from them!”

Accustomed to such things, Yun Lan also smiled bitterly and asked, “What’s the strength of this spiritual artifact?”

“It’s roughly at level three, but…” Lin Dong explained, “The stronger I get, the higher its level becomes.”

Yun Lan frowned slightly. “If that’s the case, it’s best to use it only when few people are around, unless it’s absolutely necessary in the early stages. Only by having this spiritual artifact reach a high level can we avoid arousing suspicion.”

Lin Dong nodded helplessly. Setting up such a peculiar illusion array on a low-level spiritual artifact would indeed arouse suspicion.

Just as he was about to speak, Yun Lan shook her head slightly and glanced outside.

Lin Dong understood that someone must have come. Sure enough, after a short while, there was a knock at the door. From outside, Xiao Tianchi’s voice came through: “Is Miss Yun and Manager Lin here?”
“Yes!”
Lin Dong replied and opened the door.
Xiao Tianchi said excitedly, “Manager Lin, why have you two come back?”
“We were tired, so we came back,” Lin Dong said with a smile. “How’s the situation?”
“Fang Shijin and all the elders have been killed. Those with outstanding talents were kept behind to pursue the remaining disciples of the Ningjizong sect,” Xiao Tianchi explained. “If nothing goes wrong, there won’t be more than ten who escape. It won’t cause much trouble.”
Lin Dong nodded. This result was within his expectations. If someone could rise again after escaping for a decade or two and even pose a serious threat to the Xingli Sect, the system wouldn’t give any alert.
“Manager Lin, what’s left is to distribute the profits and figure out a way to prevent nearby sects from coveting them,” Xiao Tianchi said with a smile. “I know you’re not interested in the follow-up matters. As long as our Guhuan Sect maintains its mystery, there won’t be much of a problem. As for distributing the profits… what are your thoughts?”
Lin Dong smiled. It was rare for Old Fox Xiao to ask what he wanted on his own.
Originally, Lin Dong was satisfied with the mundane treasures on the first floor of the treasure vaults of the two major sects. Since Xiao Tianchi had asked, there was no reason to be polite.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Dong said with a smile, “I plan to establish a guard team for Lin’s Inn soon, but we’re short of spiritual skills and spiritual artifacts.”
Sure enough!
Xiao Tianchi was secretly amazed. Manager Lin always had high demands once he spoke up.
Fortunately, Xiao Tianchi was prepared. Reserving a share of the profits for Lin Dong was a last resort. After all, it was necessary to highlight the difference between the Guhuan Sect and the Xingli Sect.
The Xingli Sect would never think of sharing profits with Lin Dong; at most, they might give a few spiritual artifacts as thanks. If the Guhuan Sect voluntarily offered a share, it would clearly show who was closer and who was superior.
As for spiritual artifacts, they were purely the Guhuan Sect’s gain. As for spiritual skills…

Xiao Tianchi chuckled inwardly but looked somewhat troubled on the surface. “There’s no major issue with spiritual artifacts. Ningjizong has a substantial stock, and since our Guhuanzong is also a sect dedicated to artifact refinement, it doesn’t matter if Manager Lin asks for as many as he wants. As for spiritual techniques… The spiritual techniques of Xinglizong were already taken from us by Guhuanzong, so it will be extremely difficult to get them to agree to let the guards of Lin’s Inn learn them. Even if it were Ningjizong’s spiritual techniques, Sect Master You probably wouldn’t be happy about it either. After all, the more people who know about them, the greater the potential losses, even if it doesn’t seem like much on the surface.”

“What if we just use first- or second-tier ones? And it’s fine if they’re from Ningjizong; we don’t need those from Xinglizong,” Lin Dong asked.

“No problem. I’ll talk to Sect Master You,” Xiao Tianchi said with a smile. “It shouldn’t be a big issue.”

Lin Dong nodded. With over twenty high-tier spiritual techniques, the guard team wouldn’t lack them in the first place. But since their strength was still weak, even if they learned high-tier techniques, they wouldn’t be able to fully utilize their power—some might even be inferior to lower-tier techniques. A few lower-tier techniques could serve as a temporary solution until they mastered higher ones.

With no worries about spiritual techniques or artifacts, Lin Dong suddenly realized he seemed to have nothing to do here anymore.

“Sect Master Xiao, where are Sect Master You and Miss You?”

“They’re both at Ningjizong dealing with the aftermath,” Xiao Tianchi replied with a smile. “I was worried something might happen to you two since you weren’t here, so I came to check on you.”

Lin Dong couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly. “Sect Master Xiao is worried we might get in trouble?”

Xiao Tianchi’s face turned red. His act of concern seemed too fake, so he forced a laugh and said, “Since you two are here, I’ll head back to Ningjizong first.”

Lin Dong nodded. “We don’t have anything to do here either. It’s better to return to Lin’s Inn early. We’ll go there later as well.”

Xiao Tianchi nodded and turned to leave.

“What if we head back to Lin’s Inn overnight?” Lin Dong asked Yun Lan.

Yun Lan smiled and nodded. “This Sect Master Xiao probably just wants to leave without saying goodbye, hoping it will upset you.”

Lin Dong felt a pang of understanding. He finally grasped why Xiao Tianchi had been so polite. He couldn’t help but say, laughing and crying at the same time, “That old fox—his son and his two main partners are all in their Guhuanzong, yet he’s still worried that I might have an affair with another sect.”

“He’s probably worried that Lin’s Inn’s access to high-tier spiritual materials and cultivation enhancements is limited, and that Xinglizong will take what should belong to Guhuanzong,” Yun Lan analyzed.

Lin Dong nodded without overthinking it. It was only human to feel that way, and besides, he hadn’t intended to form close ties with other sects. The more people knew about high-grade spiritual materials and their cultivation benefits, the greater the risk. It was better to focus on training his guard team—there would be no shortage of manpower. For auxiliary industries, the Gu Huan Sect was sufficient.

After some thought, Lin Dong suddenly smiled meaningfully and said, “Do you think it’s better for us to say goodbye before leaving, or to just leave without saying anything?”

Yun Lan was taken aback and then said with a hint of annoyance, “It would be best if you stayed here as a son-in-law.”

Lin Dong grinned. “That’s a good idea.”

The Lan Chen Sword suddenly appeared in Yun Lan’s hand, emitting a slight chill.

Having been frightened too many times, its deterrent effect had long vanished. Lin Dong smiled leisurely and turned away. “Let’s go! It would be awkward to leave without saying goodbye.”

Yun Lan felt an itch in her teeth.

Upon arriving at the Ning Ji Sect, You Beide, who was busy directing the aftermath, politely tried to keep them for a while but said nothing more.

Whether it was Lin Dong or Yun Lan, You Qinxang truly wanted them to stay for a while, but since Lin Dong was determined to leave, she could only see them off to the outside of the Ning Ji Sect before being persuaded back by Lin Dong.

By the time they descended from Qingmei Mountain, dawn was breaking. The two rode at full speed straight toward Qiufeng City.

Three days later in the afternoon, they finally arrived at the Lin’s Inn. As soon as they dismounted, before Lin Dong could even stretch to celebrate being home at last, Ma Chun rushed out, his face filled with anxiety.