Take the Lead

Recalling the sudden interference that had appeared along the Path of Inquiry, Lin Xiao’s eyes darkened slightly.

The mastermind behind that Jishi really was formidable. It had actually infiltrated a mortal three years ago, hiding so deeply that none of them had noticed anything unusual for all this time.

Still, Lin Xiao decided to set the matter aside for now and discuss it later.

At present, the most important matter for their Lingxian Sect was the new disciples.

He swept his gaze over the newcomers he had just moved to the plaza. At a glance, he noticed that the numbers did not add up.

Why were there only 131 people?

Lin Xiao immediately spread out his divine sense, instantly covering the entire Lingxian Sect.

The next moment, he discovered an unfamiliar young man sitting quietly and staring blankly inside the large thatched shelter in the new disciples’ living quarters.

It seemed this was the new disciple they had missed.

Lin Xiao raised his hand and casually condensed a ball of spiritual energy in his palm, sending it toward the boy. At the same time, he used his divine sense to activate Object Manipulation, grabbed the boy by the collar, and hauled him over.

He even wrapped the boy in spiritual energy to keep him from being injured by the excessive speed.

Baizhu had been sitting in the thatched shelter, recalling the contents of the dream he had experienced on the Path of Inquiry, when he suddenly felt an immense force seize him by the back of his neck and effortlessly lift him into the air. Then, with a whoosh, he was dragged rapidly in a certain direction.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhh—!”

The sudden sensation of weightlessness and the scenery flying backward on either side terrified him. His scream echoed through the valley.

But before he could finish yelling, he was gently placed on the ground.

Baizhu slowly opened his half-closed eyes when he felt solid ground beneath his feet. To his embarrassment, he discovered that he had gone from the empty living quarters to the very front of a crowd that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

He stood there in a daze, looking around. The people surrounding him were staring at him in astonishment as well, apparently unable to understand how this person had suddenly appeared at the head of the crowd.

At that moment, Liao Pantu was the first to reach the plaza.

The other members of the Lingxian Sect followed close behind.

Lin Xiao stood smiling at the very front of the plaza, on a high platform, watching everyone.

Seeing the new disciples who had just been brought to the plaza and still seemed unsure of what was happening, Liao Pantu immediately grew solemn. He flew to the base of the platform, stood before all the disciples, then raised his hands and bowed respectfully to Lin Xiao above him.

“Welcome back from seclusion, Sect Master!”

His powerful, resonant voice echoed through every corner of the plaza.

In the past, the sect had consisted entirely of family members, friends, and close elders. Everyone got along harmoniously, with no conflicts, so formal rules and ceremonies had been unnecessary.

But with new members joining from now on, they could not function without rules.

For a sect to remain stable, all its members and disciples had to hold proper respect for its Sect Master.

Fearing that the others might not know what to do, Liao Pantu had decided to take the lead himself.

Seeing Liao Pantu’s actions, Sun Yigao, Qin Jianghe, and the others immediately understood. They hurried over and followed him in bowing to Lin Xiao, calling out in unison:

“Welcome back from seclusion, Sect Master!”

The new disciples, who had initially been focused on Baizhu’s sudden appearance, saw so many immortals flying over and respectfully saluting Lin Xiao. They immediately forgot all about Baizhu and hurriedly imitated the immortals, bowing deeply to the young Sect Master.

Seeing Liao Pantu take the lead, Lin Xiao understood that he was trying to establish the Sect Master’s authority in front of the new disciples. Naturally, Lin Xiao cooperated.

Standing straight and tall on the platform with a smile in his eyes, Lin Xiao waved his hand and first used his spiritual energy to lift the senior members of the Lingxian Sect to their feet.

“Thank you all for your hard work recruiting new disciples this time.”

Liao Pantu straightened and looked at Lin Xiao, his eyes filled with relief.

Sixteen years old, and already an Origin Nascent cultivator. In just three and a half years, he had gone from an ordinary mortal to the Nascent Soul Realm.

He had really done it.

Lin Dayou and the other elders looked at Lin Xiao, whom they had not seen for a year. Seeing that he had now fully grown into his features, they were filled with relief as well.

As for Jiang Youfu, Mo Yuanjiao, and the other youths of Lin Xiao’s generation, they gazed at him with shining eyes.

Their hearts had long since been surging with excitement as they shouted inwardly:

“Brother Xiao has reached the Nascent Soul Realm!”

“As expected of Brother Xiao! He’s already reached the Nascent Soul Realm!”

“Senior Brother Sect Master is incredible! This is the goal I have to catch up to!”

Lin Xiao secretly raised a hand and flashed them a V sign.

Then he quickly lowered it, coughed lightly, composed his expression, and used his spiritual energy to help the new disciples rise as he smiled.

“Welcome, everyone. The fact that you were able to pass this trial on the Path of Inquiry proves that you possess precious qualities highly compatible with my Lingxian Sect.”

“I hope that, from now on, you will devote yourselves to cultivation within the Lingxian Sect, get along harmoniously with your fellow disciples, and advance hand in hand.”

“Next, Hall Master Liu of the Affairs Hall will say a few words.”

With that, Lin Xiao looked at Liu Yunan below and signaled with his eyes for him to come up and take charge of the situation.

At the same time, he sent him a voice transmission:

“Come up quickly. I don’t know what else to say!”

Liu Yunan did not believe Lin Xiao’s nonsense in the slightest.

All the sect’s major affairs had always been led by Lin Xiao. What was more, Lin Xiao had taught Liu Yunan many things from the very beginning, and he always spoke eloquently at every sect assembly. How could he possibly not know what to say?

However, Liu Yunan also knew that Lin Xiao was doing this so he could take over the management of the new disciples.

They had agreed on this beforehand.

From now on, as Sect Master, Lin Xiao would focus more on making decisions concerning the sect’s overall direction. As for minor details, unless a matter was especially difficult to decide or required careful judgment, the various elders would make their own decisions.

Lin Xiao also needed to maintain an appropriate distance from the new members and disciples.

Thus, although Liu Yunan was transmitting inwardly:

“Brother Xiao, you’re being too modest. In our sect, you’re the last person who could possibly not know how to speak,”

he nevertheless flew up onto the platform.

The moment Liu Yunan came up, Lin Xiao decisively flashed away to the air behind them, then leisurely settled into the Sect Master’s seat at the center. Propping his chin on one hand against the armrest, he watched the scene below with keen interest.

Usually, he was the one holding meetings for everyone. This time, he could finally relax and enjoy being a spectator.

Watching Lin Xiao flee decisively, Liu Yunan felt somewhat helpless and sighed inwardly. On the surface, however, he put on a gentle smile and began introducing himself to the newcomers.

Afterward, he called all the elders below onto the platform and introduced each of them as well.

This sort of situation was not too difficult for people like Sun Yigao and Qin Jianghe. But for elders such as Old Master Lin, it was inevitably somewhat awkward.

Normally, they spent their time in the sect with relatives, friends, and a group of juniors, so they had never felt anything unusual about it.

Now, however, they were being formally addressed as “elders” and receiving respectful bows from more than a hundred people below. It made them feel extremely uncomfortable.

Fortunately, although they had not experienced many grand occasions, they had still lived for several decades and had spent three years as “immortals.” In front of the newcomers, they were at least able to maintain a calm and composed exterior.