Chapter 98: Heading to the County Town

Back in Shushui Village, about ten days after Qin Jianghe's departure, Sun Yigao was also preparing to head to the county town to participate in the county exams.

Two days before his departure, Sun Yigao approached Lin Xiao and the others early in the morning and asked, "Does anyone want to accompany me to the county town the day after tomorrow?"

The group was surprised and looked at him in disbelief. "We can go too?"

Sun Yigao quickly nodded. "My father told me yesterday that he rented a small courtyard for me in the county town. Although it only has two rooms and a kitchen, the bed inside is quite large and can accommodate several people. He suggested I ask if any of you want to come along and have some fun in the county town."

The group immediately understood that this was a special arrangement made by Sun Yigao's father, likely in anticipation of them visiting the county town.

Liu Yunian, feeling both excited and a bit embarrassed, rubbed the back of his head and asked, "If we go, will we distract you from your exam?"

Lin Xiao added, "Exactly. We'll have plenty of chances to visit the county town later. There's no rush this time. We wouldn't want to affect your performance."

Sun Yigao smiled and reassured them, "Don't worry. I've been studying for years, so a few days won't make a difference. Besides, the county exam consists of three sessions, each lasting a whole day. You can take the opportunity to explore the county town while I'm busy. Plus, having you all there will help me relax."

Hearing his words, everyone felt relieved and began joking about who would go. Surprisingly, Ironhead was the first to decline the invitation.

When asked why, he shook his head repeatedly and explained, "I want to stay and gather more materials and also plan to collect some flowers and trees to plant around our sect, making it more beautiful. So, I won't be going this time. You all have fun and make sure to support Yigao during the exams!"

Ironhead, though usually easygoing, was stubborn when it came to tasks he was committed to. After failing to persuade him, Lin Xiao and the others decided to let him be. After all, once their cultivation skills improved, they'd be able to travel anywhere they wanted.

Lin Yun and Lin Lei also chose not to go. Lin Yun wanted to stay behind to help his father, Lin Dayou, manage the family fields and the sect's spiritual fields, while Lin Lei wanted to focus on his cultivation, aiming to master the Dust Removal Technique and Earth Escape Technique as soon as possible.

In the end, the group heading to the county town consisted of Lin Xiao, Jiang Youfu, and Liu Yunian, along with Sun Yigao.

Liu Shengsheng and Lin Ying, the two younger girls, watched with longing eyes as the boys excitedly discussed their upcoming trip to the county town, but neither expressed a desire to join.

With the sect temporarily entrusted to Liao Pantao, Lin Xiao asked him to keep an eye on things.

Liao Pantao reluctantly accepted the responsibility. His first disciple was about to take an important exam, and while it was just a small test in the mortal world, he, as the master, couldn't accompany him. Sigh…

He glanced at Lin Xiao with a hint of resentment. "Even if you're going to support him during the exam, you must make sure to focus on improving your cultivation as well! Hurry up and find my soul and body!"

Otherwise, he would remain in his current state, unable to travel openly.

Of course, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, Liao Pantao didn't see anything wrong with his current form—only mortals, who had little experience with such things, found it unsettling. Thus, he expressed his desire to join them on the trip, only to be collectively rejected by everyone, including his own disciple.

The night before their departure, the four boys excitedly packed their belongings. They first placed the items recently given to them by Lin Xiao into their storage bags and then packed some extra clothes and essentials.

As for Lin Xiao, he was preoccupied with the matter of money. Although Sun Yigao didn't mention it, visiting the county town would certainly require some spending. Even though Sun Yigao's father had arranged accommodation, it wouldn't be right to take advantage of his generosity.

Lin Xiao was already considering how to earn some pocket money in the county town. Perhaps… they could offer teeth-cleaning services again? As long as they didn't make a big scene like they did in the town, it wouldn't attract too much attention. They could go door-to-door offering their services…

With these thoughts in mind, Lin Xiao happily drifted off to sleep.

Initially, Lin Xiao thought that becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator would mean no longer needing sleep, just like in the novels he had read. And indeed, that was the case. He could go several days without sleep and still feel refreshed.

However, after trying to go five days without sleep, Lin Xiao quickly decided to stick to a normal sleep schedule. When he finally rested after five days, the moment his head hit the pillow, he felt a wave of relaxation wash over him. Despite sleeping on a hard wooden bed with a buckwheat pillow his mother had made over ten years ago, he drifted off comfortably.

That was when he realized how much he enjoyed sleeping. While cultivation was important, he couldn't give up the pleasure of sleep! Without enjoyment, what fun would there be in cultivating?

The other three felt the same way. After packing, they all went to bed early.

Jiang Youfu's grandmother wanted to remind him to be safe in the county town, but after hearing her grandson snoring loudly, she decided to hold off until morning and went back to her room to rest.

The next morning, smoke curled up from the chimneys of Shushui Village as the first rays of dawn touched the land. Dewdrops clung to the grass, welcoming the vitality of the day. The village seemed like a watercolor painting, bathed in the light of the sun and moon.

Teenage boys, who were excellent sleepers, woke up feeling refreshed. Wiping the drool from their mouths, they eagerly grabbed their storage bags and headed out.

Their elders quickly stopped them, stuffing bundles of dry food into their arms and swiftly wiping their sleep-creased faces with damp cloths. After making sure their faces were clean, they finally let them run out the door.

Except for Lin Xiao.

Before the sun was even up, Lin Dayou had unceremoniously yanked him out of bed. Tossing him a bag of the family's prized mixed-grain flour, he told him to steam his own dry food.

Lin Dayou's exact words were, "Get up, you little brat! You think I'm going to steam your dry food for you just because you're going to the county town? Do it yourself! And hurry up—I don't want them waiting around for you all day!"