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Chapter 254: Fear
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 04:31:06 +0000 UTC"Therefore, as long as we don't make this public, the outside world won't know about our sect's cultivation methods for quite some time," Lin Xiao explained.
General Mo thought about it and realized that Lin Xiao was right. So far, the only people who knew that Lingxian Sect could cultivate without the need for spiritual roots were those within the sect and a few trusted individuals like himself.
No one would reveal this secret prematurely, as it would bring harm to the sect. Besides, he certainly wouldn't disclose it, especially since his son was part of the sect. And who knows, maybe one day his entire family might join the sect. That made it even less likely that he would put the sect in danger.
Moreover, even if he were foolish enough to betray his own son and spread the news, who would believe a mere mortal like him? After all, the idea of cultivating without spiritual roots was unheard of in the entire history of cultivation. And even more so if it came from the mouth of a mortal.
However, General Mo contemplated for a moment before speaking again. "A few years might be fine, but if this goes on for a long time, unless Lingxian Sect never accepts new members, the truth will eventually come out."
Lin Xiao smiled gently and nodded. "You're right. That's why I'll work hard to improve my strength quickly and push everyone in the sect to cultivate diligently. By the time the truth does come out, what will it matter?"
Seeing Lin Xiao's confident expression, General Mo thought for a moment and then smiled back. The young man before him had achieved the Golden Core stage in less than a year, something that was almost impossible for most cultivators. Although the other members of the sect hadn't progressed as quickly as Lin Xiao, their cultivation speed was still unmatched by any other sect.
In a few years, perhaps Lingxian Sect would indeed have no need to fear other sects. With this in mind, General Mo took his leave from the sect's main hall, already considering whether he should bring his family over after the New Year and have them join Lingxian Sect.
After saying goodbye to General Mo, Lin Xiao sat alone in the main hall for a while, staring blankly into a corner. He had thought that after reaching the Golden Core stage, he would be able to relax for a while and enjoy himself. But today, General Mo's words shattered that dream, reminding him that he still needed to cultivate diligently. The Golden Core stage was not enough to deter the surrounding sects.
Lying back on the mat, Lin Xiao spread out on the floor in a '大' shape, sighing. Being the sect master was hard. The more the sect developed, the heavier the burden on his shoulders became.
"System, is it too late to dissolve the sect?" Lin Xiao asked.
The system responded:
【Reply to host: Once a sect is established, it cannot be dissolved. Even if you officially dissolve it, as long as the disciples of the sect still believe in Lingxian Sect, they can continue to cultivate. The sect will continue to exist in essence, if not in name. Dissolving the sect will do nothing but make you an irresponsible coward.】
Lin Xiao sighed. The system's harsh words were true. Unless the sect remained small and never accepted new members, living in seclusion forever, it would inevitably face these challenges. But he still dreamed of a world where all pure-hearted and determined people could cultivate.
Suddenly, Lin Xiao asked the system, "What if our sect went into seclusion for a few decades or centuries, and only emerged when everyone in the sect had reached high cultivation levels? How does that sound?"
The system replied:
【The development strategy of the sect is entirely up to the host.】
So, Lin Xiao began to seriously consider having the sect go into seclusion for a while. Honestly, he was starting to get anxious. Before, when the sect was still in the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, it didn't seem like a big deal. But now that the sect had caught the attention of the country and the three major sects of Puruo Kingdom, he was worried. He feared that his friends and family might suffer due to unforeseen events. He feared that Shuishui Village might face disaster because of him or Lingxian Sect. The potential consequences were too heavy for him to bear.
——
It was time for lunch. Jiang Youfu brought out steaming dishes from the stove. The members of Lingxian Sect were already gathered around the table, eagerly waiting for this moment.
"Isn't Xiao'er here yet?" Qin Jianghe asked, not seeing Lin Xiao.
Mo Yuanjiao looked towards the direction of the main hall and saw Lin Xiao approaching, so he laughed and said, "He's here!"
Everyone saw Lin Xiao walking over calmly. He smiled at them and said softly, "Were you all waiting for me? Let's eat."
Lin Dayou glanced at Lin Xiao but said nothing. After Jiang Youfu served all the dishes, the group began to eat with great enthusiasm.
After lunch, Lin Xiao secluded himself in the sect's main hall for a long time. Sun Yigao could sense that Lin Xiao had something on his mind, but since Lin Xiao hadn't mentioned anything, he decided not to ask for now.
It wasn't until after dinner, when everyone had scattered to their private activities, that Lin Xiao found his father, Lin Dayou, who was chatting with the old patriarch.
When Lin Dayou saw Lin Xiao approaching, he didn't ask any questions. He simply stood up, informed the old patriarch, and led Lin Xiao towards the back mountain.
Under the inky night sky, the father and son walked side by side in silence. Lin Dayou walked with his hands behind his back for a long time before he suddenly spoke.
"Boy, if you've got something to say, then say it. If you've got something to fart out, then fart it out. You need your old man to get things started for you?"
Hearing this, Lin Xiao took a deep breath before saying, "Dad, I'm a bit scared. I'm thinking of hiding the sect."
Lin Dayou didn't stop walking. His steps were steady, and his voice was as calm as his stride. "So you're scared because the situation is growing too fast?"
Walking behind his father, Lin Xiao nodded. "I'm scared. If it weren't for the early warning and the defenses set up by Elder Liao and the others, Shuishui Village would have been wiped out. The thought that if any step had been missed or done wrong, the villagers might have been wiped out scares me."
Surprisingly, Lin Dayou nodded in agreement. "Fear is good. Knowing fear is a good thing. I was worried you'd forgotten how to be afraid."
"Second son, we were born as ordinary people, with nothing extraordinary about us. Ever since you started cultivating, watching your cultivation level soar day by day, I've sometimes worried that you might forget what's up and what's down and lose your sense of fear."
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