Traveling the Same Road

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao quietly followed behind Lin Dayou, head bowed in thought.

Lin Dayou continued:

"Although your father didn't have much formal education, the most important thing in life is to have reverence for all things in the world. Only after having reverence can one have ambition."

"Whether you want to hide the sect temporarily or continue developing as before, I don't know, and I can't give you much advice. I just want to tell you that being afraid is normal, it's necessary. Being afraid of nothing isn't called fearlessness, it's called recklessness."

"No matter what you do, Dad will support you."

Hearing Lin Dayou's words, Lin Xiao looked up at him, moved, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Father..."

Seeing Lin Xiao's touched expression, Lin Dayou waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Alright, alright, it's not a big deal. You're almost thirteen, and you're still crying like a little kid."

Lin Xiao sniffed and said:

"When have I ever been a crybaby... I'm just saying, Dad, how many days has it been since you used your Dust Removal Technique? You smell bad. Your son has reached the Golden Core now, my nose is incredibly sensitive, and being so close to you, you're making me choke on the smell."

Lin Dayou felt a throbbing sensation in his temples and his hands were extremely itchy.

He deftly lifted his foot and took off his straw sandals. Now that he possessed cultivation, and farm work was much easier, he had plenty of time to weave straw sandals.

Seeing that things were going badly, Lin Xiao decisively made a run for his life, muttering to himself as he ran:

"Dad, remember the Dust Removal Technique! If that doesn't work, we'll just take a bath! It's not shameful if you can't use the Dust Removal Technique!"

Lin Dayou, furious, pointed with his straw sandal in the direction he had fled and said:

"You little brat, if you've got the guts, don't run away! And you're already looking down on your dad!"

However, Lin Xiao was nowhere to be seen; all that could be heard was his voice coming from the air.

"Thank you, Dad--"

After making sure his father wouldn't chase him as he scurried down to the foot of the mountain, Lin Xiao let out a long breath, used Concealment Technique, and headed towards the village.

He didn't have any other thoughts; he had just had a deep conversation with his father, and his mind was a bit jumbled. He wanted to clear his head for a while.

Now, with his cultivation at the Golden Core Early Stage, he can use Concealment Technique so that even if he walks next to a mortal, they will not be able to detect his presence; it's as if he has become invisible.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, lanterns were hung in front of every household in the village.

Every household sends New Year's greetings.

Whenever guests arrive, the host will throw a few firecrackers into the stove to make a loud noise.

Children visited each household to exchange New Year's greetings, receiving a few candies from one house and a handful of melon seeds from another, creating a lively atmosphere.

It was already evening, and many guests from nearby villages who had come to visit Xiushui Village were beginning to say goodbye.

People said goodbye at the gate of the courtyard and saw each other off at the village entrance. Amidst their reluctant farewells, they left Xiushui Village under the cover of night.

Walking along the village road, Lin Xiao watched the lively scene and felt very relaxed.

As Lin Xiao walked, he encountered Li Zhanying was also strolling around the village.

Since we've encountered it, there's no reason to avoid it.

Lin Xiao took the initiative to step forward, bow, and greet him:

"Happy New Year, Senior Li."

Li Zhanying smiled at Lin Xiao when he saw that it was Lin Xiao:

"Happy New Year, Sect Master Lin Sect Master Lin! I didn't expect you to enjoy strolling around the village like I do. Would Sect Master Lin do me the honor of accompanying me for a while?"

Hearing this, Lin Xiao figured he was going to wander around alone anyway, so he might as well go with them.

He nodded and said:

"Thank you for the invitation, senior. I will gladly accept."

So the old man and the young man took a walk together in Xiushui Village on a winter's day.

Looking at the vast expanse of white, Lin Xiao asked:

"I wonder how long you intend to stay in Xiushui Village this time, sir?"

Li Zhanying did not speak immediately, but first carefully observed the scenery in the distance before turning to look at Lin Xiao, his gaze sincere and smiling as he said:

"To be honest, the reason I left the capital is because I have been in seclusion for two years without making any progress, so I wanted to go out for a walk."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised.

Is it appropriate for a senior to openly tell a junior that they have encountered a bottleneck in their cultivation?

Li Zhanying laughed heartily, put his hands behind his back, and walked forward, saying:

"What's inappropriate about it? Anyway, if I can't break through, my lifespan will be coming to an end, and in a few years I'll just be a skeleton. If I successfully break through, what can't I say?"

"Besides, would Sect Master Lin really reveal this matter?"

Having lived to Li Zhanying's age and spent so many years cultivating in solitude in the imperial city, he had long since come to understand many things.

He had principles for protecting the country, but he no longer had any obsessions he couldn't let go of.

Lin Xiao subconsciously shook his head, but he didn't say anything to guarantee that he wouldn't tell anyone. He knew that Elder Senior Li didn't want to hear his empty promises.

The two arrived at the Mountain Stream and stopped, looking at the frozen water.

Li Zhanying asked:

"This old man wishes to ask Sect Master Lin for an answer on behalf of my Li Household Imperial Family. I wonder if Sect Master Lin would be so kind as to provide one?"

Lin Xiao then said:

"Please speak, senior."

Gazing at the majestic and mysterious mountain peaks in the night, Li Zhanying spoke softly:

"Will the Lingxian Sect become an enemy of my Li Imperial Clan, the imperial court, and the Pusi Kingdom in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao knew that this senior was worried that his sect might want to change dynasties in the future.

Perhaps when the Li Imperial Clan formed alliances with each sect, they asked similar questions and made some kind of pact.

However, he didn't know that Li Zhanying asked him this question not because he said this to every sect.

In fact, when the Li Imperial Clan negotiated cooperation with the three major sects in the past, they did not ask the three major sects for such guarantees. Instead, it was simply a complete exchange of benefits based on the premise that their strengths were comparable.

However, Lin Xiao was unaware of this.

He thought for a moment and replied:

"As long as the court led by the Li Imperial Clan continues to act in a way that benefits the country and its people, and lives up to the expectations of the nation, my Lingxian Sect will absolutely not interfere in the slightest."

He had no ambition to seize power or gain profit; as long as those in power were acting normally, he had no intention of causing trouble.

Upon receiving his answer, Li Zhanying nodded as if relieved.

"Very well. With Sect Master Lin's words, this old man is satisfied."

Then, he looked up at the sky and said to Lin Xiao:

"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now. Sect Master Lin, you should also return soon."

The two parted ways at the Mountain Stream, and Lin Xiao returned to the mountain.

After chatting with his father for a while and taking a walk in the village to clear his head, Lin Xiao finally felt less lost.

He arrived at the sect's main hall with great interest, intending to first check the New Year's gifts given by the system!

Lin Xiao closed the door tightly to prevent others from disturbing her while she opened her private vault, rubbing her hands together.