Over time, Mo Yuanjiao gradually realized that many aspects of Lingxian Sect were quite different from what he had initially imagined or understood.
However, that didn't change his unwavering belief in the greatness of his sect.
He eventually came to understand that his master, Lin Dayou, was not some powerful hidden expert.
Lin Dayou had even suggested that Mo Yuanjiao find another master, as he couldn't teach him much about cultivation.
But Mo Yuanjiao never sought out another master.
He realized that when it came to cultivation, he didn't actually need much guidance; his cultivation progressed quickly on its own. Even the experienced Elder Liao once remarked that Mo Yuanjiao's cultivation speed was considered a rare genius-level talent, even in the cultivation world.
Growing up, Mo Yuanjiao was either spoiled or pressured by those around him. He had a tendency to be impatient and a bit arrogant due to his natural single-spiritual root talent, which had always garnered praise from others.
While he didn't need much instruction in cultivation—any questions he had could be answered by either his Sect Master Senior Brother or Elder Liao—Mo Yuanjiao believed that Lin Dayou was someone who brought him great benefit in other ways.
Lin Dayou taught him about planting, fertilizing, and observing the weather and crops. He explained the importance of adapting to local conditions, doing things at the right time, and knowing when enough was enough.
Most importantly, Lin Dayou taught him what it meant to be grounded.
During these past few years at Lingxian Sect, Mo Yuanjiao learned many things he had never considered before.
So, even though his master's cultivation speed wasn't particularly fast, Mo Yuanjiao remained loyal to him.
However, being young and enthusiastic, Mo Yuanjiao was eager to boast about his sect's rapid growth to someone who could appreciate it.
Previously, the sect preferred to remain low-profile, so Mo Yuanjiao couldn't return to the capital and show off. When asked about his and the sect members' cultivation progress, he would always be vague.
As for Xuan Yuan Haoyue, they hadn't been very close, even as they grew older. After she joined the sect, she was always busy with her cultivation and work, so much so that she often didn't even notice Mo Yuanjiao as she rushed by, only occasionally nodding in acknowledgment.
Mo Yuanjiao never really had a chance to talk to her.
Now that Li Zhouxuan had joined the sect, Mo Yuanjiao finally had someone to brag to!
They were all members of the same sect now, so these things weren't considered secrets anymore!
Additionally, the sect had recently begun to appropriately display its strength to the outside world, much to Mo Yuanjiao's delight. When he had first decided to leave the capital, his friends had all doubted him, thinking he was chasing some nonsensical dream.
"Hmm, but for now, let's not spread this around too much," Mo Yuanjiao casually reminded him.
The goal was to keep outsiders guessing about the sect's true strength, letting them speculate as much as they wanted, since they wouldn't be able to figure out the real situation.
Li Zhouxuan, still processing everything, nodded blankly. It took him a while before he finally snapped back to reality and asked, "So, our sect really has a Divine Transformation cultivator?"
"Yep, that's Elder Liao. He just reached the Divine Transformation stage a few days ago, and he even rebuilt his physical body," Mo Yuanjiao said with enthusiasm. "You wouldn't believe it—before, Elder Liao wasn't even complete. Part of his soul was housed in a Soul-Nurturing Wood, and he used a wooden body to walk and talk. Later, our Sect Master made him a Soul-Nurturing Pendant, which made him look less strange..."
Mo Yuanjiao rambled on, completely absorbed in recounting Lingxian Sect's many wonders, while Li Zhouxuan stood there, increasingly bewildered.
Mo Yuanjiao continued without pause, "Oh, and you probably don't know this yet—our sect has a way to directly access the cultivation world. But it costs a ton of spirit stones every time we use it..."
As Mo Yuanjiao kept talking, Li Zhouxuan's mind was spinning, struggling to keep up with the barrage of information.
But the things Mo Yuanjiao was telling him were no secrets within Lingxian Sect; practically every disciple knew these details.
In fact, most of this information was regularly published in the sect's monthly bulletin, which also clarified what could be shared with outsiders and what should be kept confidential.
Therefore, every disciple of Lingxian Sect was well aware of the boundaries.
Just as Mo Yuanjiao was getting into the flow of his storytelling, someone called out from outside Li Zhouxuan's residence: "Brother! Aren't you coming out?"
The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall had summoned the newly inducted disciples today to collect their allowances and be briefed on various matters. Li Zhouxuan had previously arranged to go with his three cousins.
Another voice joined the first, calling for him. It took Li Zhouxuan a moment to snap out of his daze, and he turned to Mo Yuanjiao, saying, "I need to head to the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. When I get back, you can continue."
There was too much information, and he hadn't heard enough.
——
On the seventh day of the new year, the Shuishui City markets were fully open, with most shops along the streets lifting their shutters. Only a few stores remained closed.
The city's Trade Affairs Center had also officially begun its operations for the new year.
Today was Li Zhouxuan's first day on the job.
Early in the morning, he accompanied the other disciples assigned to the Trade Affairs Center down the mountain, entering the center's courtyard through a staff-only passage.
Each person went to their respective office.
Back when Li Zhouxuan was still the emperor, he liked to keep tea and snacks nearby while reviewing memorials. Whenever he felt tired or weary from work, he would take a break with some tea and refreshments.
Now, even at Lingxian Sect, he hadn't abandoned this habit.
He arrived at his desk and set up a small kettle. Underneath the kettle, he placed a miniature fire-starting array that Mo Yuanjiao had crafted for him the day before.
This tiny array consumed only a minimal amount of spiritual energy. A single spirit stone could power it for months. The array wasn't particularly powerful—it was just enough to boil a kettle of water. Its most notable feature, however, was that it could maintain the water's temperature, so there was no need to constantly watch it to prevent the kettle from boiling dry.
This fire-starting array was practically made for Li Zhouxuan's preferences.
In the courtyard, there was a well, the water from which came from the spiritual spring near Lingxian Sect's Guiyuan Residence. The water was rich in spiritual energy.
Li Zhouxuan fetched water from the well, filled his kettle, and placed it on the fire-starting array to boil.
Then, he pulled out a small purple clay teapot from his storage bag—a personal item he had brought when he left the capital.
He also took out a jar of spiritual tea.
This, too, was a gift from Mo Yuanjiao, who had proudly informed him that he had personally grown the tea last year and harvested it this year.
However, since he didn't know how to process tea leaves, they had been sent to Lingxian Sect's Spiritual Food Hall, where the tea master, Grandpa Ma Changlong, had roasted them to perfection.