Feathers All Over the Ground

Seeing his certainty, Lin Xiao nodded, but did not immediately agree. Instead, he said:

"Since you've made this choice, then come with me. Our sect has a Heart-Questioning Road, which is similar to the Heart-Questioning Stone in your sect. You must pass through it to officially join the sect."

So Lin Xiao led him to the entrance of the Heart-Questioning Road.

"If you get through, you just need to keep walking up this mountain path."

When Yuan Qing arrived at the Heart-Questioning Road, he was somewhat surprised to see that this Peach Blossom Road was the Heart-Questioning Road that Lin Xiao had mentioned. However, he did not hesitate for long and immediately stepped in.

Seeing that he didn't seem to be waking up anytime soon, Lin Xiao and the other two returned to their sect.

At this moment, the members of the Lingxian Sect had just finished their morning cultivation and were beginning their respective side hustles.

Since Jiang Youfu wasn't in the sect, they often had a quick and easy lunch or even skipped it altogether.

They recently emerged from their training in the Green Field Mystic Realm, and everyone reaped considerable rewards, significantly replenishing the sect's treasury.

When Lin Xiao and his two companions returned, it was Xiaoluan, who was scolding Big Peach, who was the first to notice them.

"Giggle!"

Perhaps because she hadn't seen them for so long, Xiaoluan excitedly dropped the Big Peach in her paws and ran over to greet them.

Seeing the Big Peach, Lin Xiao and the other two could hardly bear to look.

Jiang Youfu took out a pile of roasted wheat from his Storage Bag and gave one portion to Xiao Xiaoluan. He then walked over to the Big Peach, which was looking up at the sky with a sense of despair, and gave it one as well. He said to Xiaoluan:

"Xiaoluan, you can't keep bullying Big Peach. You're its master, you have to teach it properly."

Xiaoluan tilted her head:

"Huh?"

Lin Xiao then pointed in the direction of the private school at the foot of the mountain and said:

"When you have time, go and learn from your Senior Brother Sun, and see how he teaches."

Hearing this, Xiaoluan looked down the mountain in the direction he was pointing, seemingly understanding but not quite, though she couldn't see anything.

After saying that, Lin Xiao looked at Xiaoluan and found that it seemed to have grown bigger again; the tuft of bright feathers sticking up on its head was now up to his chest.

So he glanced again at the thatched hut not far away.

At this rate, it seems the thatched shed will soon be too small to contain Xiaoluan.

He sighed inwardly. It seemed that the training ground for the Demon Beast also needed to be put on the agenda, even though their sect only had three Demon Beast at the moment.

One of them even had Nascent Soul Demon Core to consume, and its cultivation level was increasing rapidly despite not needing to cultivate much.

Thinking about all the things he needed to do upon his return, Lin Xiao didn't linger too long. After giving Xiaoluan a few instructions, he parted ways with Jiang Youfu and Liao Pantu.

He went straight to the location of the sect's spiritual field.

As expected, his father could be seen working busily around the spirit field from a great distance.

"Father--!"

Lin Dayou turned around upon hearing the sound and saw his mentally challenged son rushing to his side in the blink of an eye.

Lin Dayou looked him up and down and then nodded, saying:

"You're back."

He then turned back to continue fiddling with the Insect-Killing Formation in his hand.

Seeing his father's cold demeanor, Lin Xiao knew he was probably keeping it all inside and wouldn't express it, so he grinned and went up to Lin Dayou to tease him:

"Father, this won't do! It's been so long and you're only at the Third Layer of Qi Refining, while your disciple Yuan Yuanjiao reached the Foundation Establishment!"

Although he hadn't had a chance to meet Mo Yuanjiao yet, that didn't stop him from quickly bringing up Mo Yuanjiao's profile in his mind to check his current cultivation level before speaking.

Then they discovered that Mo Yuanjiao had already Foundation Establishment during this period.

"Go away, go away! Sect leader, huh? Don't you have anything better to do all day? Get back to your business and stop loitering around in my way."

Lin Dayou wasn't embarrassed that Mo Yuanjiao's cultivation speed was faster than his own. He was focused on farming and cultivating, while Yuanjiao clearly a smart young man, so it was only natural that he cultivated faster.

As for Lin Xiao, Lin Dayou felt that he might be asking for trouble, as his hand had already started to touch the new shoes issued by the sect.

These shoes are great in every way, except they're not as convenient as straw sandals for taking them off and whipping people.

Seeing Lin Dayou's actions, Lin Xiao wisely turned and ran.

"Dad, you're busy. I just remembered I need to see Tuzi, so I'm off!"

After returning and greeting his father, Lin Xiao went to the Affairs Hall and gave the transaction payment that Liu Chun had previously received to Liu Yunan, who was busy inside.

"Brother Xiao, you're back!"

Lin Xiao handed him the Storage Bag containing the payment and nodded, explaining:

"Elder Liu's sister has been found, but she was harmed by a villain and is currently in poor health. Fortunately, the Yuan Household in Yuanling City has a hot spring suitable for treating her condition, so she is temporarily receiving treatment there. Elder Liu is staying there to accompany her and will likely not be able to return for some time."

Liu Yunan was aware of the Yuan Household, the most powerful Lineage in Yuanling City.

After all, Lin Xiao had mentioned it quite a bit when he talked to them about the situation in the Immortal Cultivation Realm. Since they were going to do business with the Many Treasures Pavilion, they would inevitably have to travel to Yuanling City frequently in the future, so it was natural to mention it.

"In the future, whenever our sect sends people to trade, remember to make a trip to the Yuan Household to visit Elder Liu, bring him some food and supplies, and ask him if he needs anything or if there's anything wrong."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunan nodded and noted it down.

After Lin Xiao finished speaking, Liu Yunan began to report to him on the recent situation at the sect:

"Most of the sect members entered the Green Field Mystic Realm this year. I've reached an agreement with the imperial court through Jianghe; the royal family has agreed to our request. We've also found a shop in the capital to use for communication with the royal family. As for the matter of attacking Huanyou Nation, according to a secret report from the imperial court, they have joined forces with several surrounding countries and have already begun to officially launch their attack, with the formal commencement of war expected in the autumn."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao frowned and asked:

"Is it a full-scale war, not just targeting the royal family and those sects that act as their accomplices?"

Liu Yunan nodded and said:

"That seems to be the case. The imperial court has recently begun mobilizing troops, and General Mo led his army out a month ago."

Upon hearing the news, Lin Xiao, sitting at the table, tapped his fingers lightly on the surface as he pondered something, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

Seeing this, Liu Yunan thought for a moment and continued:

"The imperial court says that the main focus is still on punishing the royal family of Huanyou Nation. However, war is still necessary because if the royal family of Huanyou Nation is destroyed, several neighboring countries will have to take over their people. If they want the people to realize that their court has changed and they are subject to the rule of the new court, this war is indispensable."

After all, not everyone knows exactly what happened. For many ordinary people, without this process, they might not be able to accept the destruction of their country.

Therefore, this time, not only should they launch a war, but they should also make their reason for launching the war so prominent that it is known to everyone.