NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Lin Family Manor
In this world, cultivation talents were considered a rare gift, and if one possessed a talent linked to Spirit Plants, it was even more extraordinary. Those with such abilities were often swiftly recruited by powerful sects to help them gain an edge in the cultivation world.
Merrick, suspecting that Ethan possessed such a rare talent, knew that bringing him into the Lin Family would benefit both parties immensely. With his talent, Ethan would be able to grow into a highly skilled Spirit Farmer under the Lin Family's protection, gaining access to their resources and cultivation techniques. For the Lin Family, securing Ethan would strengthen their influence and ensure their continued dominance in the Spirit Plant trade in the future.
It was a win-win situation.
With this in mind, Merrick extended an offer to Ethan to officially join the Lin Family, ensuring a bright future for both.
Moreover, most of the villagers around Greenspire Town were the descendants of the Lin Family, and whenever any cultivator with a good Spirit Root appeared from these villages, they were recruited into the family.
But only those with good Spirit Roots were given proper attention, whereas those without proper Spirit Roots could only become guards for the Lin Family.
"I am willing."
Ethan was more than happy to join the Lin Family as he was looking for a cultivation family to join anyway.
Moreover, Ethan had heard lots of good things about the Lin Family from his father, and even in Kai's memories, the Lin Family seemed to be a peace-loving family that focused on spirit farming.
"Good."
Merrick happily nodded his head and informed, "Wait for a moment, I will personally take you to the Ancestral Hall to pay respect to the Ancestors."
According to the traditions of the Lin Family, by making the newly recruited youngsters pay respects to the Ancestors, they could officially become members of the Lin Family.
"Yes, Manager."
Ethan nodded his head.
"No… you should call me Uncle from now on."
Merrick corrected Ethan's way of addressing him, indirectly telling him that he had become a member of the Lin Family.
"Yes, Uncle Merrick."
Ethan didn't hesitate to call him 'Uncle' right away, making Merrick smile.
"Let's finish the business before going to the Ancestral Hall."
Saying that, Merrick asked someone to count the Silverstem Flowers from the two wooden boxes.
"Garrick submitted 1,023, whereas Joran submitted 990 Silverstem Flowers, and all of them are Good Quality."
The servants were quick with their hands as they informed the numbers to Merrick.
"Not only the quality, but even the yield has increased slightly. Good… good."
Merrick did some calculations and said, "According to the contract, 10 percent of the harvest belongs to you; however, since you have done exceptionally well, I will give you 20 percent of the harvest."
"What? Thank you, Manager Merrick."
"Thanks for your generosity, Manager."
Both Garrick and Joran were expecting some bonus; however, they didn't expect to receive 20 percent of their harvest.
Remember, the harvest this time contained all Good Quality Flowers, which meant they were getting four times their regular income.
Hence, they hurriedly thanked Manager Merrick for his generosity.
"You can collect the gold from the Trading Hall."
Soon, Merrick wrote something on a beast skin and gave it to Garrick to collect their rewards from the Lin Family Trading Hall.
"As for Kai, I will send him back after completing all the registration procedures to join the Lin Family."
After that, Garrick and Joran went to redeem their money, whereas Merrick took Ethan into the Lin Family's Ancestral Hall, where Ethan paid his respects to the Lin Family Ancestors.
It was because of these late Ancestors that the villages around Greenspire Town were a little more peaceful, and villagers could enjoy the peaceful life of farming and hunting.
If not for the Lin Family overseeing and protecting the villages, Kai's family would have died long ago. In that aspect, Ethan held great respect for the Lin Family.
"You have a Chaotic Mixed Cultivation Root, which is useless for cultivation; however, it still lets you become a Spirit Farmer."
A Spirit Farmer required cultivation; otherwise, they were bound to be Spirit Labourers for their entire lives.
While registering Ethan's details, Merrick checked Ethan's Spirit Root; however, he was not disappointed with it.
"Let's begin your training in the field of Spirit Farming from tomorrow."
Merrick himself had a slightly better Spirit Root than Ethan, and he was forever stuck at the Qi Refining Completion Realm. So, he suggested that Ethan focus more on his goal of Spirit Farming.
With enough cultivation resources, Merrick believed that sooner or later, he could increase Ethan's cultivation to the Qi Refining Completion Realm.
That's right!
Merrick was unable to see through Ethan's cultivation because Ethan had a higher cultivation and was completely focused on hiding it.
'Sorry, Uncle Merrick. I will reveal my cultivation when I completely trust the Lin Family.'
No matter how good the Lin Family was, Ethan wanted to observe them before slowly revealing his cultivation.
Until then, Ethan planned to hide it from everyone.
"You can read these books to increase your theoretical knowledge on Spirit Farming."
After that, Merrick gave three books to Ethan to study. They were:
A Beginner's Guide to Spirit Farming.
The Art of Spirit Plant Nurturing.
Essentials of Spirit Flora.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Ethan repeatedly thanked Merrick as he received things one after another.
It took the entire afternoon to complete the procedures, and Ethan officially became a member of the Lin Family.
He received some robes with the word 'Lin' on them, a wooden badge with his name 'Kai' on it, and three books related to Spirit Farming.
"It's time for shopping."
After leaving the Lin Family Manor, Ethan didn't go find his father and uncle. Instead, he strolled around Greenspire Town's Market.
Of course, before strolling, he covered his face and released an aura of level 7 Qi Refining Cultivation, which was not very high but at the same time, not too low.