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Chapter 208: Beginning Seclusion
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 05:38:47 +0000 UTCHowever, he wanted everyone to have an equal opportunity.
Whether they chose to cultivate and to what extent they pursued cultivation should be their decision, not something determined at birth, as if their right to cultivate had already been decided.
To achieve this, he would work hard to develop Lingxian Sect, guiding it to grow in a fair and balanced way.
He wanted more people to see the sect, recognize it, and be influenced by it, regaining the opportunity to cultivate, which had been ruled by spiritual roots for so long.
So, he had mentally prepared himself for the sect's exposure.
Once the news of their sect reached the imperial court, there were three possible reactions:
The first possibility was that the court might dismiss it, thinking that such a sect could not suddenly appear in a remote area and that it was likely a joke or a hoax, and they would ignore it. However, this possibility was very low.
The second possibility was that the court would take it seriously, seeing them as a heretical sect or a foreign force, and view them with hostility. They might then immediately notify the three major sects and work together to plan a response. Given the current close relationship between the court and the three major sects, this scenario was highly likely.
The third possibility was that the court would have doubts but also a different kind of expectation. They might quietly send someone to investigate, and after confirming the situation, secretly contact Lingxian Sect. They could then negotiate deals and cooperation, supporting the sect to create a new power beyond the three major sects, allowing the court to break free from the dominance of the three.
Over the years, it was impossible for the court not to harbor some resentment towards the three major sects.
So, Lin Xiao felt that this third scenario was also very possible.
He was betting that the third scenario would happen.
However, even if the second scenario—the worst-case scenario—came to pass for Lingxian Sect, it would not be too bad.
If that happened, they could simply move everyone to the mountain and focus on cultivation without leaving.
They could become reclusive cultivators.
After all, the mountain now had fields, land, water, and ample food and spiritual energy.
Once they had more high-level cultivators in their sect, the three major sects would likely hesitate to challenge them.
After all, a confrontation could result in mutual harm, giving their rivals an opportunity. If they didn’t take action, it would merely mean sharing power with a fourth sect rather than maintaining their current tripartite division. After all, the kingdom of Pusi wasn’t monopolized by any one sect.
The only sect that might cause trouble was Shangyang Sect, which shared the eastern region of Pusi Kingdom with Lingxian Sect.
But no matter how he thought about it, Lin Xiao believed that even if the sect were exposed, it wouldn’t be a big problem.
On the contrary, if they constantly lived in fear of exposure, second-guessing every action, that would be a real burden.
So, Lin Xiao wasn’t particularly worried about the exposure of the sect.
Nevertheless, Prefect Tong’s help had bought them more time, which was certainly a good thing.
Who knows? By the time the court or the three major sects took any action, he might have already finished his seclusion.
Moreover, life was unpredictable.
He had no idea what the future held or what might happen in the next moment.
As long as he made the proper preparations, he felt that he would be fine.
Outside, the night deepened.
The people of Shushui Village gradually fell asleep under the bright moonlight and the chorus of cicadas.
The next morning.
Lin Xiao, along with his father and brother, climbed the mountain at dawn.
Senior Liao, Mo Yuanjiao, Mo Que, Liu Chun, and Liu Yunan’s family of three were already waiting under the Ten-Mile Peach Blossom Trees in Guiyuan Mountain.
When the Lin family trio arrived, everyone greeted them warmly.
Lin Xiao took out the positioning communication talismans he had prepared the previous night and handed them to Liu Yunan. He informed him of the message from Prefect Tong and asked him to send some talismans to the prefect.
Soon, others arrived one after another.
Jiang Youfu, who had stayed by his grandmother’s side all night, made sure she was well before coming up the mountain. This morning, after drinking a large bowl of rice porridge, his grandmother seemed much better, so he finally felt comfortable leaving.
When Lin Xiao saw him arrive, he handed him the three-piece Immortal Cuisine set.
He explained that these items were given to him because he had comprehended The Chapter of Immortal Cuisine from The Original Heart Sutra. They were specifically meant for him.
Jiang Youfu was overjoyed and gratefully accepted the items.
Today was the day Lin Xiao had decided to begin his seclusion, which he had mentioned during their previous meeting.
So, instead of heading straight to their cultivation chambers, everyone followed him to the seclusion spot he had built—what Lin Xiao had named the Natural Platform.
Lin Xiao first took out the entry-level Spirit-Gathering Array he had purchased from the shop and then opened the building synthesizer. He selected the Natural Platform and placed the Spirit-Gathering Array inside, initiating the secondary synthesis.
The others, watching quietly from behind, had no idea what he was doing and didn’t disturb him.
Once he successfully completed the secondary synthesis and repositioned the Natural Platform, he turned to face the group, his gaze sweeping over each person.
Then, with a smile, he said:
“I’ll be entering seclusion shortly. While I’m away, I hope everyone will work together, support one another, cultivate diligently, and manage our sect well. If anything happens in the village, feel free to discuss it and lend a hand. Well… that’s all I have to say. I know you all understand, and I’m confident you’ll do even better than I could.”
Hearing this, everyone smiled and responded:
“Brother Xiao, don’t worry.”
“Yeah, Sect Master, don’t worry. We won’t ruin the sect.”
“Brother Xiao, while you’re in seclusion, I’ll work on new recipes. When you come out, I’ll cook a huge feast just for you! Hehe.”
“I’ve already extracted some suitable content from our sect’s cultivation method and compiled it into a teaching manual. Our sect’s legacy will definitely spread successfully.”
Lin Dayou and Lin Yun stood quietly in the crowd, not saying a word.
They were filled with pride.
The child they had once protected had now grown into the sect master of Lingxian Sect.
All their words turned into a deep sense of pride swelling in their hearts.
Hearing everyone’s responses, Lin Xiao felt warm inside.
He had dealt with most of the sect’s matters over the past few days.
If there was anything he hadn’t noticed, he would leave it to the sect members to handle.
He believed that everyone in the sect was very capable.
They had knowledgeable seniors, steady and reliable elders, and hardworking, united, and kind-hearted peers.
Even though Lin Xiao still had many concerns and worries, looking at the people before him, he suddenly felt that with such companions, there was nothing to worry about.
So, all the concerns in his heart finally condensed into one simple sentence:
“Alright, I’m going in. Take care, everyone. I’ll see you when I come out.”
With that, he turned and entered the Natural Platform, beginning his seclusion.
From this moment on, he would temporarily set aside his role as the sect master of Lingxian Sect and focus solely on his cultivation journey!
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