Hearing Lin Xiao's explanation, Yuan Qing nodded thoughtfully.
"So that's how it is. The mortal world is indeed quite different from the cultivation world."
He recalled how, after expressing his desire to follow Lin Xiao, Lin Xiao had asked him about his views on the mortal world. Now, everything made sense.
Seeing that Yuan Qing had grasped the concept of a village and seemed calm about being in the mortal world, Lin Xiao continued:
"Our sect is located here, in this village. If you follow the peach blossom path from earlier, you'll reach the entrance to our sect."
Before Yuan Qing could react, Lin Xiao took out the black Soul Nourishing Pendant from his robe and added:
"Also, during our journey in the cultivation world, it wasn't just me and Fuzi traveling with you."
Yuan Qing looked at the black jade pendant in Lin Xiao's hand, puzzled.
Could this pendant also represent an important person?
Then, Lin Xiao's tone softened, as if coaxing someone, and he spoke to the pendant:
"Senior Liao, how about you come out and introduce yourself?"
Yuan Qing watched in shock as a semi-transparent figure slowly emerged from the pendant.
He was utterly stunned.
"This... this…"
As he looked closely, Yuan Qing realized that the figure of Liao Pantu seemed somewhat familiar.
Sensing his thoughts, Liao Pantu, who had emerged from the Soul Nourishing Pendant, snorted lightly and said:
"Don't be so surprised. We met before in the Green Wild Secret Realm."
With that, Yuan Qing remembered—yes, it was this senior who had helped restore his fellow disciples' vitality after they were rescued. However, he had also heard from his senior brothers that they were trapped due to this senior's actions…
Yet, judging from Lin Xiao's relationship with this senior, it didn't seem like they had a bad relationship.
For a moment, Yuan Qing was unsure of what attitude he should have toward this senior.
"Daoist Lin, this… I…"
Lin Xiao knew that Yuan Qing's fellow disciples must have told him about Liao Pantu's past actions. He smiled and explained calmly:
"Daoist Yuan, there's no need to feel conflicted. It's true that Senior Liao once did things with the intent to kill. That is a fact. However, he never intended to trap or torment them, which is why he later expended his energy to restore their vitality and extend their lives.
Now, Senior Liao is also an elder of our sect. He has been dedicated and loyal to Lingxian Sect. As long as he remains loyal, our sect will stand by him. The decision is yours to make."
Lin Xiao felt it was necessary to be clear about everything. While Liao Pantu's actions might not have directly harmed Yuan Qing, Yuan Qing's connection with his fellow disciples, who had suffered because of Liao, made this issue significant for him. It was important for Yuan Qing to understand the situation fully and make an informed choice.
Jiang Youfu, not fully aware of what had transpired in the Green Wild Secret Realm, listened quietly, occasionally cracking sunflower seeds, as he didn't have much to add to the conversation.
Yuan Qing was left in deep thought, turning his gaze to Liao Pantu.
At that moment, Liao wore an uncomfortable expression, looking somewhat agitated, though he tried to appear indifferent.
Liao Pantu's discomfort didn't stem from guilt over his past actions. He had come to terms with what he had done, having passed through Wenxin Road many times. He didn't view his past deeds through a lens of absolute right or wrong; he simply acted according to the survival rules of the cultivation world.
What bothered him now was the fact that Lin Xiao had casually said, "As long as he remains loyal, our sect will stand by him," in such a matter-of-fact way, catching him off guard.
As for his past misdeeds, Liao Pantu had long accepted them. In the brutal world of cultivation, his actions made sense given the circumstances he faced at the time. Now, as a member of Lingxian Sect, his only obligation was to uphold the principles of his new environment. As long as he acted with integrity within the sect, he had no regrets.
The only trace of guilt he felt was for the suffering of those who had been trapped in the secret realm because of him, enduring a miserable existence.
Seeing Liao Pantu's expression, Yuan Qing had a moment of clarity.
Perhaps because of his unique ability to perceive people's inner nature, Yuan Qing had always been able to sense the good or evil in a person. When he first encountered this senior in the Green Wild Secret Realm, there had been a distinct harshness in his demeanor. But now, meeting him again, Yuan Qing couldn't see any trace of that former cruelty.
The man standing before him now seemed like nothing more than a seasoned, kind-hearted elder.
Yuan Qing felt conflicted.
He thought about Lin Xiao's words—that this senior was now an elder of the sect, and Lin Xiao had made it clear that he had the power to decide the sect's stance toward the elder.
Suddenly, Yuan Qing understood something and asked:
"Daoist Lin, may I ask… what is your role in the sect?"
Lin Xiao cleared his throat and replied:
"Ah, yes, I forgot to introduce myself properly. I am the sect master of Lingxian Sect, Lin Xiao. Since our sect is still relatively weak and I am not that strong myself, I didn't mention it earlier. I apologize for that."
So, that was it.
Yuan Qing nodded in understanding.
However, he didn't feel deceived. In the cultivation world, being cautious, especially when one was weak, was simply the norm.
He bowed his head and thought for a moment, then looked up with determination.
"Sect Master Lin, I would like to join your sect and become your disciple!"
After thinking it over, Yuan Qing suddenly recalled why he had wanted to follow Lin Xiao in the first place.
He hadn't come for social reasons or anything like that—he had come because of Lin Xiao himself!
The person he wanted to follow had always been Lin Xiao, not anyone else.
Who the sect's elder was, or what grudges might exist between the elder and others, didn't matter to him.
Besides, his fellow disciples had mentioned that even after recovering, they didn't seek revenge as a life goal. They just wanted to live peacefully from then on, without ever seeing their enemy again.
So, what did it matter if this senior had a history with his fellow disciples? It had nothing to do with Yuan Qing's desire to follow Lin Xiao.
As for becoming Lin Xiao's disciple, Yuan Qing had simply realized that Lin Xiao was far more powerful than he was.
Moreover, his uncle had once told him that Lin Xiao's cultivation level wasn't low.
Besides, the sect master of this sect was Lin Xiao!
Yuan Qing believed that if Lin Xiao were leading the sect, it couldn't possibly be a bad one.