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

Jiang Youfu patted his slightly round belly and sighed, "I never imagined that the stories Elder Liao tells us about the cultivation world are actually true. I always thought he was just making them up to scare us."

Fang Manliang, who hadn't been back to the sect yet, asked, "Who's Elder Liao?"

With a mysterious expression, Jiang Youfu replied, "Elder Liao is one of our sect's highly skilled elders. He loves telling us stories. If you ever return to the sect and see someone whose appearance really shocks you, that's Elder Liao. You need to be respectful, understand?"

Fang Manliang nodded, still somewhat confused.

Meanwhile, from within the valley, occasional screams echoed out.

Hearing this, Jiang Youfu shivered all over and turned to Qin Jianghe. "Jianghe, did you use the immobilization technique on that man?"

Qin Jianghe nodded calmly. "Don't worry. I've already crippled him. Once Yuxiao has avenged her father, we can leave. Honestly, letting this remote valley serve as the grave for these vile bandits is too good for them."

Fang Manliang scratched his head and asked, "Aren't we going to hand them over to the authorities?"

Qin Jianghe replied, "It's inconvenient. If we report this to the authorities, there's no guarantee they'd be able to capture all these bandits. And if I hand them over myself… well, it's troublesome. Besides, if the officials are intimidated by that man's status as a cultivator or are in league with him, they might just let him go. That would be a real problem."

"I see..."

At that moment, Gu Yuxiao emerged from the cave, having avenged her father. Qin Jianghe handed her a handkerchief.

Looking weary, Gu Yuxiao accepted it and wiped her hands, though she had already used a cleansing spell.

Before leaving, Lin Xiao took the concealed array plate and all the money and supplies from the bandits' lair, storing them in his private repository.

The group of five then left the valley hidden deep within the mountains.

Before long, the heavy scent of blood in the valley began to attract wild animals.

By evening, the five of them returned to the outskirts of Songyang County on Lin Xiao's spirit boat.

Fang Manliang accompanied Gu Yuxiao to pay respects at her father's grave, while Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu followed Qin Jianghe back to Lingxiao Escort Agency.

Upon seeing that Qin Jianghe had returned safely, Fang Mancang, who had been guarding the agency, sighed in relief.

He promptly closed the main gate, and the four of them gathered inside to catch up.

Lin Xiao had already informed Qin Jianghe about the recent affairs of the sect through the sound transmission talismans that Gu Yuxiao had brought back, so now they mostly discussed events from the past month.

When Qin Jianghe heard that Lin Xiao had gone to guard the Guchuan Dam and even met up with Sun Yigao, he couldn't help but smile. "That sounds exactly like something you two would do."

Lin Xiao also recounted how Governor Tong from Liaoju Prefecture had sent him a gift. He then handed over a stack of positioning sound transmission talismans to Qin Jianghe.

"Jianghe, these are the new positioning sound transmission talismans I created. They contain traces of my spiritual energy, as well as those of Tuozi and Yigao. If you ever need to reach any of us, you can use these to send us a message directly."

The talismans for Sun Yigao had been made back when Lin Xiao was at Guchuan Dam, while the others were hastily created the previous night.

Qin Jianghe took the talismans, examining them closely. "This will make it much easier to stay in touch with you guys!"

Jiang Youfu, surprised, asked Lin Xiao, "Why didn't I get one of these with your spiritual energy in it? I want one too!"

Lin Xiao had anticipated this and immediately pulled out ten talismans containing his spiritual energy. "I knew you'd ask, so here are yours."

He then handed Qin Jianghe another stack of blank talismans. "These are for you to record your own spiritual energy later. Send five back with me to the sect, and keep the rest for yourself."

Next, Lin Xiao took out a pile of books and a pouch of spirit stones from his private storage, handing them to Qin Jianghe. "These are our sect's latest books on the four cultivation arts. While you might not have all the tools you need, you can study them during your free time. Also, here are some spirit stones and tools for crafting talismans. Use them for cultivation or to hone your skills. I'll periodically send more resources your way, but since alchemy, artifact forging, and array crafting require more space and equipment, it's better if you come back to the sect when you can to train in those."

As Qin Jianghe found himself suddenly burdened with all these items, he momentarily felt like Lin Xiao had become his mother, fussing over him like when he'd left home.

Jiang Youfu clapped Qin Jianghe on the shoulder. "Jianghe, let me tell you, the four cultivation arts are really fun! Lin Xiao's spirit boat was made in the artifact forging hall! And let me tell you..."

Jiang Youfu eagerly recounted all the fun he had learning the four cultivation arts in the sect. Then he noticed Fang Mancang, who had been trying to stay unnoticed. With a broad grin, he slapped Fang Mancang on the back. "Mancang, when you and Jianghe get a break, head back to the sect for a visit. We've already got a house for you and your brother at Guiyuan Mountain Residence. The sect is a blast! I'll introduce you to Xiao Luan; it's hilarious watching him train his disciple..."

Although 18-year-old Fang Mancang didn't quite understand why watching Xiao Luan train his disciple would be amusing, his enthusiasm remained undeterred. Although he had married the previous year, he still had the heart of a youth.

He decided that when the escort agency wasn't as busy, he'd take some time off to visit his wife and then head to Shuishui Village to check out the sect he'd never seen before.

Now, Fang Mancang, Fang Manliang, and Gu Yuxiao were all Qin Jianghe's disciples and, by extension, members of Lingxiao Sect.

At that moment, Fang Mancang's stomach rumbled loudly, a sound the three cultivators in the room could hear clearly.

Having just reached the first level of Qi Refining, Fang Mancang still couldn't suppress his hunger.

Qin Jianghe laughed heartily. "We've had a long day. Let's go eat out! And we'll bring some food back for Manliang and Yuxiao."

Jiang Youfu quickly volunteered, "Let me cook! Do you have ingredients here, Jianghe?"

Qin Jianghe, surprised that Jiang Youfu—who usually only ate—wanted to cook, nodded instinctively. "Yes, the kitchen maid buys groceries every day..."

And so, with enthusiasm, Jiang Youfu rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen with Fang Mancang to start cooking.

By the time Gu Yuxiao and Fang Manliang returned, the food was ready.

That evening, the six of them ate and drank their fill, thoroughly satisfied.