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Chapter 253: Conversation
🕑 Added 2024-09-27 04:30:59 +0000 UTCThe two men, just about to take their leave, did not refuse when they heard Lin Xiao’s suggestion. They had long been curious about the legendary Path of Reflection. Now that Immortal Lin had invited them, they exchanged a glance and quickly agreed.
Fortunately, they had come alone today, with Xue Chengfeng driving the carriage, so there were no attendants with them. After tying the horse to a nearby tree, the two of them stood at the entrance to the Path of Reflection, took a deep breath, and boldly stepped forward.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao decided to return to the mountain first. He instructed Xiao Luan to keep an eye on them and notify him when they woke up so he could come to see them off.
After giving Xiao Luan these instructions, Lin Xiao headed to the sect’s main hall, intending to open the New Year’s gifts the system had sent and see what they were. However, before he could do so, Mo Yuanjiao appeared, excitedly running over when he saw Lin Xiao.
“Senior Brother Sect Master, do you have a moment?” Mo Yuanjiao asked, practically brimming with energy.
Lin Xiao, puzzled, asked, “What’s going on?”
Mo Yuanjiao, taking his question as a sign of availability, beamed and said, “My father wants to have a chat with you!”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao thought that the system’s New Year’s gifts could wait—after all, they weren’t going anywhere—so he nodded. “Sure, where is your father? I’ll go find him.”
Mo Yuanjiao quickly stopped him, waving his hands. “No need! You can just talk in the sect’s main hall. I’ll go get him right now!”
With that, Mo Yuanjiao dashed off, leaving Lin Xiao standing alone. Lin Xiao considered his options and decided to store the gifts that Tong Daren and Xue Chengfeng had brought first.
He found Liu Yunan in the affairs hall, where Liu Yunan was diligently recording accounts behind a desk, surrounded by stacks of positioning talismans, likely used for communicating with Jiang He.
“Baldy, we received some New Year’s gifts,” Lin Xiao called out as he entered.
Liu Yunan, hearing Lin Xiao’s voice, glanced up briefly before returning to his work, eager to finish so he could enjoy Jiang Youfu’s cooking later.
“What kind of New Year’s gifts?” Liu Yunan asked without looking up.
Lin Xiao, seeing how busy he was, didn’t waste time. He pulled the gifts from his private vault and placed them on the empty ground nearby. “Gifts from Tong Shuzheng, the prefect of Liaoju Prefecture. Nothing too valuable, so I accepted them. I gave them two Essence Stabilizing Pills as a return gift. Make a note of it, and we’ll treat them as regular friends in the future, exchanging gifts as appropriate.”
Liu Yunan glanced at the gifts and nodded. “Got it. Tong Zhifu is a good man. I’ll note it down.”
After handling this, Lin Xiao left the affairs hall and returned to the main hall.
He didn’t have to wait long before Mo Yuanjiao returned, bringing his father, General Mo. After bringing his father inside, Mo Yuanjiao considerately closed the main hall doors tightly, giving a final look that said, “Take your time and have a good chat.”
General Mo looked at his younger son’s antics with some exasperation, wondering who he had taken after since neither he nor his wife behaved this way.
Seeing General Mo, Lin Xiao respectfully cupped his hands in greeting. “General Mo, I apologize for the lack of personal time these past two days. Please forgive me for not having the opportunity to speak with you sooner.”
General Mo quickly returned the gesture. “Not at all, Sect Master Lin. You’re a young genius, managing such a large sect at your age. I’m already honored that you’ve taken the time to speak with me.”
With this polite exchange, General Mo expected Lin Xiao to steer the conversation toward the main topic. However, instead of diving straight in, Lin Xiao asked, “General Mo, have you been comfortable staying at Lingxian Sect these past two days?”
General Mo was impressed by Lin Xiao’s tact. He thought to himself that if only his son could learn half as much from this young man, he’d be satisfied. Appreciating the courtesy, General Mo smiled and said, “The accommodations have been excellent. Lingxian Sect is indeed a place where talented people gather, and the environment is peaceful. Staying here, I feel as though I’ve become a few years younger overnight.”
Not wanting to drag out the conversation with pleasantries, General Mo continued, “Sect Master Lin, I’ve heard from Yuanjiao that your sect allows anyone with the right character to cultivate, regardless of their spiritual roots. Is it true that anyone can practice immortality here as long as they pass the tests of character?”
Lin Xiao nodded, confirming, “Indeed, that is the case. In our Lingxian Sect, spiritual roots are of little consequence.”
Hearing this, General Mo furrowed his brow slightly. He remained silent for a moment before continuing, “As far back as I know, and at least within the Purui Kingdom and the surrounding allied nations, there has never been a sect that cultivates without relying on spiritual roots. Surely, Sect Master Lin is aware of this?”
Lin Xiao nodded again. “I am.”
General Mo went on, “Yuanjiao mentioned that your sect’s private school at the foot of the mountain holds many of your sect’s teachings. Sect Master Lin must understand the potential consequences if the word spreads that your sect allows cultivation without spiritual roots.”
Lin Xiao responded calmly, “I have considered what you’re saying, General Mo. Are you concerned that Lingxian Sect might become a target because of this?”
General Mo didn’t mince words. He nodded. “Indeed, I am worried. On one hand, I fear that Yuanjiao might be harmed because of this. On the other hand, I see great potential in your sect, and it would be a shame if it were to come to an end because of this.”
Understanding General Mo’s concerns, Lin Xiao explained, “I understand your worries, General Mo. But actually, there is another requirement for cultivating our sect’s teachings, aside from having the right character.”
“Oh? What is that requirement?” General Mo asked.
“To cultivate our sect’s teachings, one must be a disciple of our sect. Otherwise, they won’t gain any cultivation progress,” Lin Xiao explained.
General Mo was slightly confused by this and furrowed his brow, but he didn’t interrupt, waiting for Lin Xiao to continue.
Lin Xiao went on, “Moreover, the teachings in the private school at the foot of the mountain have been modified by Sun Yigao. The lessons used there mainly focus on philosophy and don’t involve actual cultivation techniques.”
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