Is It Reasonable for Me to Start a Sect at 12?

After a simple introduction between Yuan Qing and Liu Chun, the four of them set off together towards the dock outside Panxiang City.

It was another uneventful and leisurely journey back. However, this time, Lin Xiao noticed that the ship seemed to skip over one of the cities. On the journey there, he had made sure to note down every city they stopped at, but on the return trip, a place called Hengtong City was missing.

Lin Xiao brought this up to Liao Pantou, who nonchalantly replied, "What's so strange about a city or two disappearing in the cultivation world?"

Liao Pantou continued, "Did you see how many people boarded from Jinshan City earlier? Most of them probably weren't heading to the Talisman Master Tournament. It's likely that Hengtong City did something to offend Jinshan City."

Lin Xiao was stunned. "So, you're saying Hengtong City was... destroyed by Jinshan City?"

It seemed a bit extreme to him. Could an entire city really be wiped out in just a few dozen days?

Liao Pantou explained, "Not necessarily destroyed, but it's possible that Jinshan City, along with other cities and sects in the Southern Spirit Region, isolated and pressured Hengtong City. Even if Hengtong City could defend itself, being surrounded and cut off would eventually lead to its downfall unless they could break out of their isolation."

After hearing this, Lin Xiao felt like he had gained new insight. This was like a large-scale version of bullying, and the cultivation world certainly played by its own ruthless rules.

Liao Pantou sighed, "That's why, young sect master, the cultivation world is not a good place."

The better Liao Pantou's life had been in Lingxian Sect, the more frustrated he felt upon returning to the cultivation world.

The four of them—and one soul—returned safely to Yuanling City. However, as they entered the city, they noticed a subtle but pervasive gloom hanging over it. It was as if everyone in the city was under a dark cloud.

At one end of Yuanling City, black smoke was visibly spiraling in the sky above the Wu family's main residence. Yuan Qing explained that was where the Wu family had lived.

Now, Yuanling City was gripped by fear. Especially those who had had close dealings with the Wu family—they barely dared to leave their homes.

Someone had managed to breach Yuanling City's protective barrier and slaughter the entire Wu family without anyone noticing. Who could say if they would be next? Although the townspeople didn't fully understand why the Wu family was destroyed, and despite the Wu family's poor reputation, this did nothing to comfort the people. They were all aware that the same deadly threat could descend upon them at any time.

The oppressive atmosphere in Yuanling City made Lin Xiao and the others feel very uneasy. If it weren't for the fact that they were waiting for Liu Chun to hear back from Elder Zhang, Lin Xiao would have returned to Xiushui Village immediately.

For the first few days in Yuanling City, the four of them didn't go anywhere. They stayed in the inn, focusing on cultivation, relaxing with foot baths, chatting, and enjoying good food.

In addition to that, they now had a new pastime—reading. Thanks to their recent shopping spree, they had plenty of books to keep them occupied. Even though they read quickly, often skimming through pages, they had more than enough material to last them for a long time.

However, Lin Xiao couldn't just sit around doing nothing. He felt like it would be a waste not to gather more information while in the cultivation world. After a few days at the inn, he finally decided to venture out, but this time, he only took Yuan Qing with him.

Since Liu Chun had some ties to the Wu family, Lin Xiao was concerned that his appearance might cause trouble if someone recognized him. Therefore, he chose to leave him at the inn and took Yuan Qing along instead.

As they walked through the streets, Lin Xiao noticed that the presence of more investigators from various sects and an increase in city patrols seemed to have slightly eased the people's fear. The atmosphere was not as panicked as it had been before.

Lin Xiao didn't have a specific destination in mind. He remembered the conversation he had with Qin Jianghe and considered his current plans, so he wandered through the city, observing and recording the prices and types of goods available.

Although he had done this before, Yuanling City was vast, and there were many things he hadn't noted down previously. Now that he had the time, he was determined to be thorough.

Before leaving the inn, Lin Xiao had also disguised Yuan Qing's appearance to avoid the chance of being recognized by anyone who might have known him. Although Yuan Qing was no longer a child, and most people who had known him before wouldn't recognize him, it was better to be cautious.

As they strolled through the city, Lin Xiao chatted casually with Yuan Qing. "Yuan Daoyou, have you ever heard of the Mortal World?"

Yuan Qing wasn't sure why Lin Xiao was asking about the prices and types of goods in the city, but he didn't mind. He was just happy to accompany him. When asked about the Mortal World, Yuan Qing thought for a moment before answering, "I've heard of it before, but I'm not really sure where it is."

Lin Xiao then casually asked, "What's your opinion of mortals?"

Yuan Qing had never really thought about it. He pondered for a while before responding, "I haven't had much contact with mortals, but I suppose they're not too different from cultivators. They may be weaker because they can't cultivate, but human nature is the same—there's good and evil, regardless of whether someone is a cultivator or a mortal."

Lin Xiao nodded in understanding and then asked another probing question, "Would you be willing to live among mortals?"

Not suspecting anything, Yuan Qing simply thought Lin Xiao was making small talk and nodded, "If it were a normal environment, I think I'd prefer living among mortals over being in a sect or a clan..."

He recalled a memory from his childhood. There were many mortals in Yuanling City, but in a city dominated by cultivators, they often felt invisible. He remembered a time when he was young, after his parents had died. During those days when he was starving and scrounging for scraps, a mortal had given him a large steamed bun.

It was the only act of kindness he had experienced during that bleak period before his sister took him in. Thinking back, he sighed softly, "Mortals... might be better."

It wasn't clear if Lin Xiao heard him, as they both fell into a long silence after that.

They spent the entire day wandering through the city. Since Lin Xiao had a clear purpose this time, he was meticulous in observing and recording prices and goods. As a result, he gathered more information today than on any previous occasion.