Chapter 75: Earth-Grade Top-Tier Technique

Only Xiao Luan, still at the second level of Awakening, was blissfully unaware, tilting its little head in confusion. Life in the sect had been so comfortable that Xiao Luan spent most of its days nestled in the grass hut, sleeping. If it weren't for Jiang Youfu occasionally pulling it to the cultivation room or Yang Jinshu feeding it spirit grains daily, it might have remained at the first level of Awakening for quite some time.

Hearing Liao Pantu's response, Lin Xiao was both surprised and somewhat prepared. Fortunately, as they passed the cultivation room, he could clearly sense the diligent cultivation of the disciples inside. With everyone so focused, the village should be fine for now.

So, he decided to put the matter aside temporarily. After all, with a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator in the sect, it was time to dig deep into the world of cultivation! Lin Xiao quickened his pace, leading Liao Pantu and Sun Yigao into the sect's main hall.

Xiao Luan, seeing them head towards that seemingly empty house, lost interest and scurried back to the grassy area near the stone where the secret realm's entrance was located, searching for bugs to eat.

Inside the sect's main hall, Liao Pantu noticed the plaque above the door reading Lingxian Hall and felt something was off. Once inside, Lin Xiao cheerfully introduced the place, "This is the main hall of our Lingxian Sect, and I'm the sect leader."

Liao Pantu couldn't help but wonder if the world had changed drastically in the decades he'd been secluded. Since when did a child at the eighth level of Qi Refining lead a sect? Had it become trendy in the cultivation world for children to take charge of sects?

It took Liao Pantu a while to regain his composure and voice his confusion, "Where are your elders? Your master?"

Sun Yigao glanced at Lin Xiao and responded, "He's my master."

Liao Pantu's eyes widened as he pointed at Lin Xiao, "But isn't he your brother?"

Lin Xiao spread his hands, "A brother can also be a master; it's all about perspective."

Still incredulous, Liao Pantu asked, "You're only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, yet you have a disciple at the seventh level?"

Lin Xiao shrugged, "What can I say? I took him in when I was at the third level. Cultivation naturally slows down the higher you go, and our talents aren't that different, so it's normal for our levels to be close."

Liao Pantu was left speechless. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he thought he'd seen it all, but this situation was beyond his comprehension—a twelve-year-old sect leader and a fifteen-year-old disciple at the seventh level of Qi Refining. It felt surreal.

Liao Pantu scanned the main hall, which, though modest, had a semblance of dignity. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he asked, "This sect... is it just the two of you?"

Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao quickly shook their heads. Lin Xiao corrected him, "Of course not!"

Relieved, Liao Pantu thought that perhaps the sect was just unusual but still had elders. Then Sun Yigao added, "Our sect, besides the two of us, has eight more members—all disciples of the sect leader."

Liao Pantu nearly choked. Was this some sort of cultivation playhouse?

But then he remembered the valuable items Lin Xiao had casually produced. A possibility dawned on him—perhaps this was the offspring of some powerful family playing a large-scale sect game.

With this in mind, Liao Pantu felt like he had uncovered the truth. He watched as Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao each grabbed a mat and sat beside him, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Senior Liao, can you tell us about the cultivation world?" Lin Xiao asked.

Believing they were overly sheltered, Liao Pantu patiently explained, "The cultivation world is vast—immense, really. In the entire Shifang Continent, the mortal world occupies less than a corner. The rest is the realm of cultivators."

Sun Yigao asked, "So where does Pusi Country fit into all this? How far is it from the cultivation world?"

Lin Xiao, hearing the name of their country for the first time, was as curious as Liao Pantu, who was also unfamiliar with it. "Pusi Country? I've never heard of it. The cultivation world doesn't have nations; those are only in the mortal world... Wait, are we in the mortal world?"

Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao exchanged glances, nodding in confirmation. Seeing them nod, Liao Pantu was stunned. If this was the mortal world, then these kids couldn't possibly be from some powerful sect. Yet, in the mortal world, how could there be a fifteen-year-old at the seventh level of Qi Refining and a twelve-year-old at the eighth level?

Excited, Liao Pantu asked, "What cultivation technique are you using? Let me see!"

Lin Xiao blinked innocently, "Our sect's techniques are for disciples only, not for outsiders."

Liao Pantu, waving his hand, declared, "I'll join your Lingxian Sect!"

Lin Xiao blinked again, "Words alone aren't enough; you'll need to make a Heavenly Oath."

Liao Pantu readily agreed, "I'll make the oath!"

Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, "What about your Tianluo Sect...?"

Liao Pantu dismissed it, "I've abandoned them! I haven't been back in decades, and those useless fools haven't found me either!"

Seeing Liao Pantu's determination, Lin Xiao asked, "Are you sure a part of your soul making the oath counts? Can it represent your whole self?"

Liao Pantu, slightly irked, retorted, "Of course! It's just my soul split, not a clone. My soul parts can still sense each other!"

Ding—Liao Pantu has joined the sect. Congratulations, host, for recruiting a Nascent Soul cultivator. A hidden reward has been sent to your private storage. Please check it.

Hearing the system prompt, Lin Xiao confirmed that Liao Pantu had truly joined. Generously, he took out a copy of the Peach Blossom Void Technique from his storage and handed it to Liao Pantu.

It wasn't that Lin Xiao was unwilling to give him the Original Mind Sutra, but compared to it, the Peach Blossom Void Technique seemed more universally acceptable, so Lin Xiao chose this one.

Upon receiving the technique, Liao Pantu eagerly began reading. He quickly became engrossed, unable to tear himself away.

After some time, as Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao were about to head down the mountain to check on the village, Liao Pantu finally looked up at Lin Xiao with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"This... this is an Earth-grade top-tier technique!"