Split

After all, the current Shangyang Sect was the domain of those who managed the spirit stone mine, with all its output at their own disposal.

Now that Elder Luo's group had returned, they naturally had to hand over the spirit stone mine.

But they had no way to refuse; who could they blame but their own low cultivation?

Therefore, when these people who had stayed behind saw Elder Luo and the others return, they were extremely unwilling in their hearts.

It was not at all like what Elder Luo's group had imagined—that seeing them return would give the stayers a sense of finding their backbone.

The leading Foundation Establishment cultivators were deeply dissatisfied.

They had finally survived the oppressive might of that Nascent Soul cultivator, Wei Hai, and could now spend the spirit stones as they pleased. Yet, this group of people who had abandoned the sect and fled waited until the danger had passed to come back, effortlessly taking over the spirit stone mine without doing a single thing.

They, who had survived trembling in fear under Wei Hai's hands, were the true heroes who had guarded the Shangyang Sect. This bunch of cowardly wretches had fled the sect so ignominiously back then, and now they returned shamelessly to seize power. How truly brazen.

However, despite the burning indignation in their hearts, the gap in cultivation was an undeniable reality.

Even with ten times the courage, they wouldn't dare to protest.

They could only express a tiny hint of their dissatisfaction through their attitude.

Yet, how could Elder Luo and his group, who were capable of abandoning these people and fleeing in the first place, possibly care about their thoughts?

As far as Elder Luo's party was concerned, letting this group run wild in the sect for these past days without forcing them to spit out the spirit stone mine's output from this period was already generous enough.

What more could they want?

After taking a headcount, Elder Luo and the others realized that more than half of the people had run away.

Adding those who had been killed by Wei Hai back then.

The entire Shangyang Sect now had no more than two hundred people from top to bottom.

But he didn't mind too much.

At worst, they would just recruit more people later.

As for people, there were plenty.

Thus, the returning elders and elite disciples began their plan to revitalize the Shangyang Sect, using lightning-fast methods to swiftly reorganize and take over the sect's various affairs.

What they did not know, however, was that from the moment they returned, the internal structure of the Shangyang Sect had naturally split into two factions in the hearts of those who had been abandoned.

Secretly, these people had already formed their own teams and chosen their own leaders.

Teacher, you have already become an immortal. Why do you still read, teach, and work as a teacher?

After the new year came spring.

The private school at the foot of the North Mountain had also officially begun classes.

It was currently recess. A dozen or so students were sitting by the small bamboo grove inside the school, surrounding their teacher and chattering away with him.

It was a rare occasion today; during the lunch break, the teacher actually did not go up the mountain but stayed to spend time with them.

Hearing this, Sun Yigao, who was sitting upright in the center dressed in a green robe, looked at the student who asked the question with a smile in his eyes and said:

I don't read because I love books, but because I want to use books to understand and learn more about the thoughts of the ancient sages and the truths they conveyed.

Similarly, cultivating immortality is not my life goal. Rather, through cultivation, I can gain more abilities to reach my life goal.

Then what is your life goal, Teacher? another student asked.

To this, Sun Yigao did not answer directly. Instead, he smiled faintly and said:

Everyone's goal is different. You are still young now and don't need to rush to set a confusing goal for yourselves. Observe more and think more when encountering things. Try to slowly establish your own thoughts during this process. The journey of finding a goal is also a very interesting thing.

He knew that these students currently had a massive sense of worship toward him. If he stated his own goal, it was highly likely that these students would directly adopt his goal as their own and strive for it.

But this was not what he hoped to see.

Although he felt his life goal was quite good.

He preferred that his students not blindly use his goal to continue their lives.

Instead, they should earnestly and diligently discover and establish their true thoughts.

Ever since he decided to become a teacher and instruct students, Sun Yigao had always positioned himself merely as a guide.

He wanted to do his utmost to show the diversity of the world to his students.

As for the rest, regarding many choices, he did not want to influence them too much.

Hearing his words, the surrounding students fell into deep thought for a moment.

Then, a student with sparkling eyes stood up, bowed to him, and said:

Teacher, I understand! I will definitely work hard to find my own goal and direction in the future!

Seeing this, the other students followed suit and replied in the same manner.

Seeing this, Sun Yigao smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

For these students who had only just enrolled, he did not expect them to understand too much. However, as their guide, it was only natural for him to slowly guide them in such matters from a young age.

This was not something that could be achieved overnight; it could not be rushed.

Following that, a student who was usually the most active suddenly asked aloud:

Teacher, how long will it take for Teacher Mo to come back?

While the private school was having a lively lunch break.

Lin Xiao was coming down from the mountain, heading toward Village Chief Du's house in the village.

It was the beginning of spring again. The mountain streams had already broken their ice and thawed, and it was time to head down to the fields again.

Everyone in the village chief's house had gone out to work. Only Village Chief Du and his grandson Dou'er were sitting in the courtyard, holding a bamboo sieve full of dried beans and sorting through them.

Grandpa Village Chief, are you busy? Lin Xiao called out to greet Village Chief Du from the courtyard gate.

Hearing the voice, Village Chief Du raised his head and squinted at the gate. Seeing it was Lin Xiao, he cheerfully waved at him and said:

Good boy, come in quickly, come in.

Saying that, he turned to Dou'er beside him and said:

Dou'er, hurry and fetch a chair for your Brother Lin Xiao.

Hearing this, the obedient Dou'er scurried into the house on his short little legs and brought out a small low stool, placing it next to Village Chief Du.

Having received Village Chief Du's permission, Lin Xiao stepped into the courtyard. After thanking Dou'er, he sat down on the low stool. Seeing the beans on Village Chief Du's lap, he naturally reached out to help sort them.

Village Chief Du did not stop him, merely continuing to pick through the beans with a face full of smiles.

While keeping his hands busy, Lin Xiao spoke up:

Grandpa Village Chief, do you think our village needs to develop a bit more?

Hearing this, Village Chief Du nodded and said:

It's about time.

He knew what Lin Xiao meant.

Although the current Xiushui Village was vastly different from before, its scale was ultimately still too small. It was just a small business of setting up a few stalls and occasionally hosting tourists for the night.

In the beginning, he was worried that the villagers' egos would inflate and that taking steps too big would lead to a fall. Therefore, Village Chief Du had actually been cooperating with the patriarchs and village elders of several families to suppress such a situation from happening.