"Master need not praise his disciple, for ridding demons and safeguarding the Dao is but routine, a teaching you have imparted."
Song Yin bowed humbly, yet a trace of regret surfaced:
"Alas, my Flawless True Body took too long to form. Had I penetrated the illusion in time, that woman would have died alongside the Demonic Path, my prior intent to save her notwithstanding."
Fortunately, this did not lead to any casualties, and those mortals are still alive.
"My heart harbors compassion and the will to aid others, good, very good."
Jin Guang smiled subtly, not daring to look into Song Yin's eyes, but ultimately could not refrain, "Disciple, you say you can penetrate illusions, but how can this be determined, can you see... your master?"
These eyes can see through illusion?
Wouldn't that also reveal him?
Doesn't that mean...
Death?!
"Why would Master ask such a question? Your teachings are always in my heart, Master's words are a sign of distrust and insult to me!" Song Yin's face reddened.
"Your master misspoke, your master misspoke..."
Jin Guang breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
Good that he didn't see, good that he didn't...
"Master, about those people..." Song Yin continued to ask.
"Leave the matter to your judgment," Jin Guang replied with a smile.
Song Yin continued, "Master, my junior brothers wish for me to pass on the law; I observe their qi movement to be loose and scattered, may I lecture daily to help them advance their cultivation?"
Passing on the law?
Jin Guang was taken aback. The disciples he had taken in were meant for gathering materials; their duties were to collect herbs and swindle mortals, for which they were apt. Why else would one take disciples?
As for teaching disciples, it was enough to instruct in basic cultivation techniques, herb identification, and the Bewitching Mind Technique used to deceive mortals. But indeed, to assist with his alchemy, he had truly passed on the Human Elixir Technique to one person.
Only his Senior Disciple Zhao Yuanhua knew the Human Elixir Technique and frequently consumed Human Elixirs.
However, that person had just died today...
"Leave it all to you to manage, you handle it..." Jin Guang eagerly looked at the flesh mashed under the bricks and stones.
"Master, with the sect in ruins, I shall lead the junior brothers in cleaning and repairing..."
"Ah, fine, all is fine..."
"Master, there is also this..."
"Stop! Disciple..."
Jin Guang took a deep breath, repressing his impatience: "Since you are the Big Senior Brother, you may oversee all sect affairs, great and small, for your master trusts you completely. Do not keep asking about every little thing; you should discover them on your own. Cultivation is also about understanding the ways of the world. If you are really unfamiliar... isn't your junior brother Zhang Fei Xuan just back? He's been in our sect for several years and is very clear about many things. You can just ask him if you have questions."
"Yes, Master! I understand!"
Song Yin responded with a salute.
"Then you may leave. Your master will continue to study this Demonic Path," Jin Guang said with a smile.
"Yes, Master, I will come to disturb you after some time," said Song Yin as he took his leave without further delay, turning to depart.
Once Song Yin had left, Jin Guang reached out his hand, and the bricks flew up again, piling up at the entrance of the Elixir Room.
Jin Guang, still uneasy, added another layer of prohibition on top of it.
Even if it were useless, a bit of psychological comfort was good.
After completing all this, Jin Guang stared at the puddle of flesh on the ground, his expression fluctuating.
...
Upon exiting the grand hall, Zhang Fei Xuan was already waiting there; seeing Song Yin come out, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Big Senior Brother..."
The people had already been organized by Zhang Fei Xuan, just as the other sect members had stood in lines before, now forming two neat rows.
Song Yin nodded and said to the group of people,
"My name is Song Yin, and I'm the type who speaks frankly. I see that you lack the qualifications for cultivation. As for our Jinxian Sect, you have also seen its state, dilapidated and barely standing beyond a ruined great hall. Even if you persistently seek the Dao, it's unsuitable for you to do so here."
As soon as these words were spoken, the people exchanged glances. The youth among them trembled and asked, "I—I am not suitable for cultivation?"
"Not suitable."
Song Yin was straightforward, "Not suitable means not suitable. I will not offer false comforts. Should you forcefully cultivate and something goes awry, that would be truly unfortunate."
"Then, Great Immortal, what should we do?" asked one of them.
"Return from whence you came. However, letting you go back on your own is hardly appropriate—the journey is fraught with wolves and leopards lurking around. You may stay here a little longer, just tell me your address and I will personally escort you home," said Song Yin.
Right after his arrival in this world, his master had taken him to the Xumi Vein, where he had encountered numerous wild beasts, including some inexplicable creatures. Letting mortals return alone would certainly be dangerous.
Upon hearing this, the people exchanged glances once again.
Thump!
All but the youth knelt down.
"Great Immortal, Great Immortal!"
The leader prostrated himself on the floor, pleading, "Please take us in, even if we lack the talent for cultivation. We will stay and serve as servants, content with just having enough to eat."
"Please do not abandon us, Great Immortal. My hometown has been ravaged by demon beasts, and survival has become impossible. We only ask for a place to stay."
"Yes, Great Immortal, a water demon emerged in my hometown, drowning my family of seven and devouring the entire village! Please have mercy on us!"
"That Demonic Path, at least, would feed me. Great Immortal, you can't leave us with nothing!"
"This..."
Song Yin furrowed his brow, "Disasters have befallen all your hometowns?"
The others nodded in unison.
"Junior Brother?"
Song Yin looked towards Zhang Fei Xuan.
"Ah? Isn't that normal?" Zhang Fei Xuan responded with a puzzled expression.
Disasters befalling mortals were commonplace. Did Song Yin not understand even this?
Any sane person would be aware of what the world had become.
Had this guy jumped out of a crack in a rock?
"Normal, is it..."
Song Yin looked at the group, noting their clothes were clean but some were worn and tattered, and their garments were far too thin...
He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
In his previous life, he had been an orphan, surviving on the charity of neighbors, one meal at a time. He understood the hardships of life and what it felt like to be without a home...
When he first arrived in this world, he knew nothing and had not experienced the cruelty of the world before his master found him. He hadn't suffered from hunger, but now, seeing these people, it was clear they were starving and reluctant to leave.
And yet, for this very reason...
Song Yin opened his eyes, his gaze exceptionally bright, shining like the radiant sun.
"Our Jinxian Sect is committed to helping the people of the world, eradicating demons, and upholding the Righteous Path! As a righteous sect, we naturally cannot neglect mortals in need. My master did not disdain my uncivilized background and took great care of me. I will certainly continue this spirit. You may settle down at the base of the mountain, and I will lead my fellow disciples to provide a place for you to live and thrive!"
"Thank you, Great Immortal! Thank you, Great Immortal!"
All the people were overjoyed and prostrated themselves like a tidal wave of worship.
Song Yin raised a hand to silence their shouts and continued, "However, this will not be free. Since you will be under the protection of our Jinxian Sect, you must also work for the Jinxian Sect. I will teach you how to identify herbs and the techniques for capturing wild beasts. Should you obtain resources, they must be offered to the Jinxian Sect. Is that acceptable?"
Hearing this, the people were even more thrilled and prostrated on all fours, shouting in unison,
"Yes!!"