Sets

Hearing this, the few who had originally planned to work day and night to quickly carry back the required hundred baskets of soil immediately lowered their heads, scratched their noses, and chuckled sheepishly.

Seeing them like this, Lin Xiao knew they had indeed been thinking of brute-forcing it.

Then he added:

"And we can't just use any soil either; it has to be the red clay from upstream of the mountain stream."

After giving a few more instructions, he led everyone back to the thatched shed and began teaching them how to read characters and study the cultivation manual, one by one, guiding their hands personally.

Digging and moving soil was out of the question for today.

The sun would be setting before long.

And nothing was more important than having everyone cultivate.

Once their cultivation levels improved, everything would become easier.

Before heading down the mountain, Lin Xiao gathered everyone and said:

"In our sect, you can tell your families what you feel you can share, but it's best to emphasize the serious consequences of leaking information, so they don't casually tell outsiders."

The group listened and nodded repeatedly.

Lin Xiao knew that the families of these few brothers were all relatively sensible people who avoided gossip and didn't enjoy stirring up trouble or idle chatter.

So he wasn't too worried.

After urging everyone to practice diligently whenever they had time at home, they all descended the mountain together and went their separate ways.

On his way home, Lin Xiao took a detour to the Sun household.

Aunt Sun, who was sweeping the courtyard, saw Lin Xiao and immediately came forward warmly:

"Oh, it's Brother Xiao! Here to play with Gao'er? Come in, come in!"

Lin Xiao was pleasantly surprised.

Although he and Aunt Sun were from the same village, they didn't meet often. Her sudden warmth left him somewhat puzzled.

Had Uncle Sun told Aunt Sun that he was the one who saved her?

Lin Xiao followed Aunt Sun into Sun Yigao's room.

After Aunt Sun left, Lin Xiao asked Sun Yigao:

"Did you tell her about me saving your mother?"

Sun Yigao smiled and nodded:

"Yes, and my mother also agreed to me joining the Lingxian Sect."

Lin Xiao was somewhat surprised:

"Didn't Auntie always want you to study for the imperial exams and bring glory to the family?"

Sun Yigao looked a bit embarrassed as he said:

"Perhaps after my mother's encounter with that evil entity, she gained some perspective. She told me that cultivation is quite good too; at least you don't have to fear evil entities. As for the imperial exams, success depends on fate. She won't pressure me anymore. If I'm interested, I can give it a try; if not, forget it."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow:

"So, you're very interested in immortal cultivation?"

Sun Yigao looked steadily at Lin Xiao and said:

"I am interested in aiding the world and saving the people."

"I believe immortal cultivation can aid the world and save the people more effectively than being an official."

Hearing him speak like this, Lin Xiao felt a surge of respect for this fifteen-year-old youth before him.

He felt as if his own blood was somewhat boiling upon hearing Sun Yigao's words.

Just then, Aunt Sun's voice came from outside:

"Brother Xiao, have dinner with us!"

Lin Xiao quickly replied:

"No need, Auntie! My father and the others are waiting for me at home for dinner!"

Then, he turned to Sun Yigao and said:

"Tomorrow at Maozheng (6 AM), gather at the foot of North Mountain. Is that convenient for you?"

Sun Yigao nodded: "Convenient."

Lin Xiao said:

"Then it's settled. I'm heading home. See you at the mountain foot tomorrow!"

Early the next morning, Lin Xiao was, as usual, hauled out of bed by Lin Dayou.

Lin Xiao, eyes still bleary, washed up in the courtyard.

Over the years, without toothpaste, he had given up hope of having a set of sparkling white teeth.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up!

He glanced sideways at Lin Yun and Lin Dayou, who were also washing up.

Silently, he cast a Dust Removal Technique on his own teeth.

Then he spat out the water from his mouth, turned, patted Lin Dayou and Lin Yun, and flashed his neat teeth, saying:

"Dad, big brother, take a look at my teeth! Any change?"

Lin Dayou and Lin Yun were puzzled but looked at his teeth.

"Wow! So white!"

Lin Dayou just widened his eyes.

But Lin Yun exclaimed in surprise!

Although he never thought his brother's teeth were particularly yellow, they certainly weren't very white either.

In the village, unless you were a lazybones who didn't even wash up, everyone basically had yellowish, not-so-white teeth, Lin Xiao included.

But now, Lin Yun and Lin Dayou saw Lin Xiao's teeth, white and gleaming!

The desire for beauty is universal.

Before Lin Yun could say anything, Lin Dayou spoke to Lin Xiao first:

"You rascal! That magic of yours is really something! Hurry up and do one for me too."

Saying this, he bared his teeth at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao obediently cast a Dust Removal Technique on Lin Dayou's teeth.

Turning, he saw Lin Yun looking at him eagerly.

Lin Xiao was just about to do the same for him.

But Lin Dayou interrupted:

"Let your big brother cultivate properly and do it himself when he can. Don't help him; let him manage on his own."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao gave Lin Yun a helpless look and had to give up.

Lin Yun looked at his father, silently lowered his head, and continued brushing his teeth with plain water.

Thinking to himself, it's just cultivation, right? I must cultivate to the point of being able to use magic as soon as possible! I want a set of gleaming white teeth too!

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was pondering whether this could be a way to make money.

Although the sect was still very simple and weak, it was bound to grow and strengthen eventually!

They couldn't always have everyone bringing their own dry rations up the mountain to cultivate during the day and returning home to rest at night.

Sooner or later, everyone would need to reside at the sect permanently.

But what about food, drink, and all the necessities for so many people?

That would all require money and provisions!

The system could only provide some things needed for sect development, like materials, seeds, cultivation manuals, magical treasures, and such.

But Lin Xiao had no intention of selling those things.

They were the foundation of their sect!

So the sect absolutely needed some source of funds.

Right now, the sect was weak; engaging in any major business was unrealistic.

In his opinion, this teeth-cleaning business seemed very suitable!

Having made up his mind, Lin Xiao told Lin Dayou.

He asked him to take him along when he went to the town market this month.

Lin Dayou, hearing Lin Xiao's idea and the reasoning behind it, was quite supportive, thinking his son was quite foresighted and even aiming to grow and strengthen the sect.

After finishing their wash-up and having a simple breakfast, the family of three all went out.

Today, Sun Yigao got up very early.

Before dawn, he was already waiting at the foot of North Mountain.

But he didn't have to wait long before he saw, in the distance, a figure sprinting towards him at an incredibly fast speed.

Sun Yigao had never seen anyone run so fast!

It seemed like in just two or three breaths, the person who had been a hundred meters away was now right in front of him!

And not even flushed or out of breath!

That's right.

The newcomer was Lin Xiao.

From afar, he had seen Sun Yigao already waiting at the mountain foot. Feeling a bit bad about making him wait, he had run over.

It must be said, now that he had reached the third level of Qi Refining, a hundred-meter sprint in three seconds was as easy as a stroll for him.

He just left his brother Lin Yun far behind.