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

Seeing the steady stream of customers at Yang Jinshu's tea stall, other villagers in Xiushui Village noticed that it didn't seem too difficult to manage. Encouraged by this, some families also set up small stalls nearby. Instead of selling tea, they offered homemade items like dried sweet potatoes, which were popular rural snacks.

The small stream flowing from the foot of the northern mountain, passing by Sun Yigao's private school, had now become a popular spot for visiting scholars. Many composed poems and painted scenes of the picturesque setting. Before long, this previously obscure stream at the foot of the mountain became a newly famous scenic spot in Anqun County.

Some curious and adventurous visitors noticed a small path leading up the mountain near the private school. However, Sun Yigao always managed to deter them from exploring further, citing the dangers of snakes and wild beasts on the mountain.

Perhaps due to the influence of these scholars, Xiushui Village gradually saw an increase in visitors. This, in turn, put a bit of extra money in the villagers' pockets. With more money, the villagers' tempers seemed to improve as well. The frequent quarrels over trivial matters that used to echo through the village had noticeably decreased, and the overall atmosphere in the village became more harmonious.

Thus, Xiushui Village grew even more peaceful and tranquil.

Meanwhile, as the members of the Lingxian Sect steadily advanced their development, Lin Xiao settled into a reasonably priced inn in Yuanling City. During the day, he would go out for a walk, mainly visiting Qixing Street to listen for any new information. He treated other areas like an explorer opening up a map, simply familiarizing himself with the city and its routes.

At night, he would return to the inn, activate multiple formations—including isolation, concealment, and spirit-gathering formations—and then begin his daily cultivation.

Yuanling City was truly vast. It took Lin Xiao three full days just to explore it, and even then, he hadn't seen all of it. Part of the time was spent lingering in different places, but the city's size was undeniable—it was at least ten times the size of Liaoju Prefecture.

One evening, after finishing his exploration for the day, Lin Xiao was on his way back to the inn. As he passed by an alley, he noticed a faint, weak aura coming from within. Curious, he stepped into the alley and saw a familiar figure slumped against a pile of straw in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, Lin Xiao was surprised to recognize the man—it was Liu Chun, the same man who had caused a commotion at Wu family's banquet in Xianxiang Tower a few days ago.

However, Liu Chun looked far worse than he had then. Though he had appeared thin before, now his eyes were sunken, his face pale as paper, and his lips tinged with a bluish hue. His clothes were torn in several places, and he lay slumped on the ground, barely able to hold himself up against the straw pile.

Seeing Liu Chun in such a state, Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to help.

In his previous life, Lin Xiao couldn't ignore someone in need, and in this life, he wasn't about to change that. However, after experiencing the harsh realities of a world filled with cultivators, he had learned to think things through more carefully.

Instead of rushing forward to help, Lin Xiao first disguised himself, then went to a nearby medical clinic. There, he paid a cultivator doctor twenty spirit stones and asked him to go to the alley and save a person.

After spending the last few days wandering around Yuanling City, Lin Xiao had learned that the cultivation world had its own medical clinics, distinct from those that served ordinary mortals. The latter, called "medicine huts," were rare in the vast city, while clinics for treating cultivators were abundant.

Given Liu Chun's condition, Lin Xiao knew that the twenty spirit stones he paid were likely only enough to cover the cost of transporting him to the clinic and an initial diagnosis. However, he couldn't afford to leave too many spirit stones behind. After all, Liu Chun was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he should be able to afford his own treatment.

After paying the spirit stones and giving the doctor directions, Lin Xiao pretended to leave, but instead, he hid nearby to observe.

The doctor, puzzled by the young boy who seemed to have no spiritual energy yet casually handed over twenty spirit stones, watched Lin Xiao leave in a hurry. He wondered if this boy was either from a powerful family or a senior cultivator concealing his true strength. Either way, the doctor decided not to entertain any dangerous thoughts and promptly set off to the alley to help.

Hidden in the shadows, Lin Xiao watched as the doctor indeed entered the alley and carried Liu Chun back to the clinic. Sighing with relief, Lin Xiao then turned and left the area.

As he walked, Lin Xiao pondered Liu Chun's situation. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to end up so pitifully lying in an alley, it was clear he had been attacked. However, since the use of force within Yuanling City was prohibited, Lin Xiao had not seen any public brawls during his time there. Even when disputes seemed on the verge of breaking out, a flash of light from above would immediately quell any conflict, causing those involved to withdraw.

Most likely, Liu Chun had been attacked outside the city, or perhaps someone had used some other method to incapacitate him within the city. Either way, Lin Xiao suspected that the assailant was likely connected to the Wu family.

As Elder Liao had predicted, regardless of who was in the right or wrong, the Wu family would ultimately emerge victorious. With their long-established roots in the city, their influence would likely ensure that, unless they crossed too many powerful people, they would continue to dominate, with their actions becoming mere gossip for the townsfolk. At best, people might mutter a few words of disapproval—calling the Wu family ruthless—but that would be the end of it.

Meanwhile, new cultivators arriving in the city, unaware of the Wu family's history, would likely be lured by their apparent generosity and join them. Those who were oppressed by the Wu family would have no choice but to swallow their grievances, as no one would stand up for those without strong backing.

Reflecting on this, Lin Xiao realized he needed to be extremely cautious in choosing his allies. Their small sect would stand no chance against such powerful forces.

After returning to the inn, Lin Xiao shared with Elder Liao what had happened with Liu Chun and how he had arranged for his rescue.