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

The rotund, richly dressed cultivator across from him sneered with disdain. He first cupped his hands to the surrounding onlookers, then addressed the thin cultivator.

"Liu Chun, a man should have a conscience. You've been with the Wu family for ten years, and during that time, we have never treated you unfairly. Your monthly stipend was always paid in full. Yet now, you dare to turn against us? This is truly an eye-opener for me!

You claim that the Wu family promised you a spot in the Tianxuan Sect. Is that even possible? Let me ask you this: in the entire Yuanling City, which family would be so generous as to hand over a Tianxuan Sect spot to an outsider?"

Hearing this, the onlookers began nodding in agreement.

"Exactly. Those Tianxuan Sect spots are incredibly rare. I've heard that even the great families only get five or six spots every few decades. The rest must go through qualification tests and join through regular channels."

Someone unfamiliar with the intricacies asked curiously, "But if there are normal recruitment channels, why are these extra spots from the Tianxuan Sect so valuable?"

"You don't know, do you? If you go through regular channels, and your qualifications aren't great, even if you enter the Tianxuan Sect, you'll likely just end up as a servant disciple or, at best, an outer disciple. But these extra spots from the Tianxuan Sect guarantee you an inner disciple position! The difference is huge..."

"In that case, this Liu Chun must be delusional, right? The Wu family didn't shortchange him on his stipend, and now he's trying to extort a Tianxuan Sect spot from them? That's just..."

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Liu Chun felt a mix of shame and anger. He retorted furiously,

"Wu Sanbao, you're spouting nonsense! It was your Wu family that promised me the spot first! You even said my stipend wouldn't be affected. Why else would I have given up the once-in-a-century opportunity to compete in the Talisman Master Tournament to become your family's talisman supplier?"

His words surprised many.

No one expected this man to be someone who had aspired to participate in the prestigious Talisman Master Tournament.

The Talisman Master Tournament is a grand event jointly organized by the Southern and Northern Spirit Regions, aimed at discovering the most talented talisman masters. Those recognized by the tournament receive corresponding rank tokens, and the highest-ranked participants are even granted entry into the legendary Talisman Sect!

As a result, many exceptionally talented talisman masters set their sights on participating in the tournament. Given that the event is held only once every hundred years and the selection process is extremely rigorous, only a dozen or so people typically earn a rank token each time. Therefore, few people dare to make it their goal unless they possess extraordinary talent.

Hence, the murmurs of surprise.

However, the fat cultivator known as Wu Sanbao scoffed.

"Liu Chun, don't you feel any shame making such grand claims? You think you deserve to compete in the Talisman Master Tournament?

The Wu family only took you in because you were a pitiful, destitute mess. We extended a helping hand by giving you a position as a talisman supplier, but it turns out you're nothing but an ungrateful wretch!

Look at you! When you joined our Wu family, you were in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, and after all these years, you haven't made a bit of progress in your cultivation. And you still dare claim you were aiming for the Talisman Master Tournament? What a joke!"

"You!" Liu Chun was furious beyond measure, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

"You know very well why my cultivation stagnated!

If it weren't for your promise of that spot, why would I have spent these years day and night crafting talismans, neglecting my cultivation?

Now, not only are you reneging on your promise, but you're also slandering me! Fine, Wu family— from this day forward, I swear I will be your mortal enemy!"

Upstairs, Lin Xiao continued to watch the standoff intently. Each side had their own version of events, and the onlookers couldn't tell who was telling the truth.

Lin Xiao also had no way of knowing. He wasn't familiar with the customs of the cultivation world, and human nature is complex. It was just as plausible that the Wu family, being the local power, was bullying Liu Chun as it was that Liu Chun was pretending to be the victim to gain sympathy and profit.

He had no intention of getting involved in this matter. Having seen enough of the spectacle, Lin Xiao was about to close the window and return to his roast suckling pig when a clear, melodious voice came from a nearby private room.

"Why don't you both swear a Heavenly Oath that your words are true? That should settle it, right?"

The crisp voice, infused with spiritual energy, resonated throughout the entire hall.

The surrounding crowd immediately chimed in,

"That's right, that's right! Since you both have different stories, why not take a Heavenly Oath?"

"A Heavenly Oath isn't something to be taken lightly, though..."

Seeing that there might be a turning point in the stalemate, Lin Xiao prepared to stay and watch the outcome. However, Liao Pantu suddenly waved his hand and closed the window in front of him.

"I'm full, and it's too noisy here. Let's go."

Surprised, Lin Xiao turned to him and said, "Come on, Senior, let's wait a bit longer. I want to see how this ends."

Liao Pantu rolled his eyes at him.

"There's nothing to see. It doesn't matter who's right or wrong; the Wu family will win in the end, regardless. Come on, let's leave. No need to let this ruin my good mood."

Hearing the undertone in his words, Lin Xiao decided not to press for details. He nodded and walked over to the table.

"Alright, if you're not enjoying it, then let's go."

With that, he stored the remaining half of the roast suckling pig and the untouched Eight-Flavored Silver-Tailed Fish in his personal inventory. Liao Pantu also returned to the Soul Nourishing Pendant, nestled against Lin Xiao's chest.

Outside, the onlookers crowded around the hall, making it difficult to move. Lin Xiao had to carefully squeeze his way out of Xianxiang Restaurant.

Once outside, he thought for a moment and transmitted to Liao Pantu,

"Senior, do you want to return to your cave residence?"

Liao Pantu replied, "No need to accommodate me. Do whatever you need to do."

Lin Xiao smiled and responded,

"Alright. I plan to stay in the city for the next few days until we head to the Icefield Secret Realm. That way, I won't waste time traveling back and forth, and I can gather more information. I'll also see what preparations people usually make before heading into a secret realm..."

During the few days that Lin Xiao was away, the tranquil Xiushui Village saw the arrival of the custom-made desks and chairs for Sun Yigao's private school, which had officially opened for enrollment.