Is It Reasonable for Me to Start a Sect at 12?

The two had only met a few days ago, so there wasn't much need for small talk.

Liu Chun casually exchanged a few words before asking:

"Yaoguang, have you heard of the Mortal Realm?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yaoguang nodded while arranging the new hides he had recently hunted on the shelf, responding:

"I've heard of it. My father mentioned it a few times, and occasionally, there were some rare guests who also came from the Mortal Realm."

Liu Chun then continued:

"Didn't I tell you earlier that I recently took refuge with a friend? Actually, that friend is from the Mortal Realm."

Hearing this, Su Yaoguang was a bit surprised. He turned his head, frowning slightly in disapproval, and said to Liu Chun:

"Why would you even think of going there? I heard the spiritual energy in the Mortal Realm is extremely scarce, making it difficult for cultivators to progress in their cultivation. If you're facing any difficulties, just tell me. It's not like you can't stay here with me. Don't sacrifice your cultivation path just to avoid troubling me."

Previously, Liu Chun had only mentioned that he had sought refuge with a friend but hadn't explained that he had already traveled to and returned from the Mortal Realm. In Su Yaoguang's mind, the Mortal Realm was so distant that most ordinary cultivators didn't even know in which direction it lay.

So, he didn't believe that Liu Chun had already been there and back within just a year, assuming instead that he had been wandering the Immortal Realm with his friend.

Thus, his response.

While speaking, he continued to arrange the bottles and jars stacked at his feet onto the shelf by the door, and then took out a large wooden board, writing on it: "Top-grade Talisman Ink and Beast Blood for Sale."

He added to Liu Chun:

"I also heard that the Mortal Realm is extremely far from our Immortal Realm. If you go there, returning will be difficult. Any cultivator with some skill from the Mortal Realm usually tries their hardest to escape to our Immortal Realm. Don't act rashly and follow someone to that desolate place."

Unlike Yuan Qing, who was only in his teens, Su Yaoguang had lived for several decades and ran a store, interacting daily with people from all walks of life.

Thus, he had heard more rumors about the Mortal Realm and had a clearer impression of it.

Seeing his reaction, Liu Chun smiled wryly, unsure how to explain things. He could only say:

"Don't worry, I'm not giving up on myself. Otherwise, why would I still plan to participate in the Talisman Master Conference? These matters are hard to explain now, but I'll tell you more when there's an opportunity."

"However, that friend of mine is indeed a good person. As you know, he's new to the Immortal Realm and wants to meet and interact with more cultivators. I thought, since you don't often socialize, this could be a good chance for you two to get acquainted. What do you think?"

While saying this, Liu Chun noticed his old friend busily organizing goods. For some reason, he suddenly remembered Lin Xiao's reaction yesterday when he mentioned that his friend owned a general store. Inspiration struck him, and he added:

"Moreover, he's also in business. Who knows? You two might end up working together in the future."

Su Yaoguang wasn't usually interested in much beyond running the store he inherited from his father, ensuring his family's well-being, and cultivating diligently. He focused on urging his son to cultivate and didn't care for other matters.

When Liu Chun initially suggested introducing him to a friend, Su Yaoguang wasn't particularly interested. However, he considered that this friend had saved Liu Chun's life, so meeting him wouldn't hurt.

But hearing now that they might end up in business together, his actions paused, and he turned to Liu Chun, asking:

"A cultivator from the Mortal Realm, what kind of business could he possibly do?"

It wasn't that he looked down on Mortal Realm cultivators, but the few he had encountered were all dirt-poor. They only came to his store because it was the smallest on the street, assuming the goods were the cheapest. So, he instinctively felt that Mortal Realm cultivators probably didn't have much wealth.

Liu Chun was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had some idea of the sect's future plans, but it wasn't his place to reveal them. So, after some consideration, he told Su Yaoguang:

"He must have some confidence to be where he is. Besides, he saved my life, and I'll be following him from now on. Don't you want to meet him?"

Su Yaoguang reluctantly shrugged and nodded:

"Alright, alright. Since you've put it that way, I suppose I'll meet him. Bring him by, let him get acquainted. If he ever decides not to keep you around, he can drop you off here."

And so, after settling things with Su Yaoguang, Liu Chun returned to give Lin Xiao an answer.

Lin Xiao didn't waste any time. That very afternoon, after disguising himself, he followed Liu Chun to Su's General Store, with Jiang Youfu tagging along as well.

Since they weren't wandering the streets aimlessly, and Yuanling City had regained its vitality, they didn't stand out too much.

When Lin Xiao saw the small store before him, which was only wide enough for a person to stretch out their arms and no more than four meters deep, crammed full of goods on the shelves, he finally understood why Liu Chun had called it a "small general store" and why it barely supported Su Yaoguang's family.

However, Lin Xiao didn't mind at all.

After all, back when Lingxian Sect started, they only had a small straw hut.

This store was far more luxurious in comparison.

Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu followed Liu Chun inside.

At first glance, Su Yaoguang was a little surprised.

He scrutinized Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu for a while.

No matter how much he relied on his seasoned judgment, he couldn't detect any sign of maturity in their eyes—both were clearly no older than teenagers.

At most, the boy in front had an unusually composed gaze, suggesting he was more thoughtful, but his actual age wasn't much.

And neither of them showed any sign of cultivation.

Could it be that these two were indeed cultivators from the Mortal Realm?

Su Yaoguang, puzzled, turned his gaze to Liu Chun.

His confusion was understandable.

The few Mortal Realm cultivators he had encountered who managed to reach the Immortal Realm were all at least at the Golden Core stage and much older.

These two…

If they were born and raised in the Immortal Realm, from a lineage wealthy enough to afford items that concealed their cultivation, that might make more sense.

Liu Chun, knowing his old friend's sharp eye, didn't try to explain the situation of his two young sect leaders and elders. Instead, he ignored Su Yaoguang's questioning look and formally introduced them to each other.