The Misty Immortal Palace sent a modest contingent of thirty disciples.
They were currently bewildered, wondering why their masters and senior uncles had brought them back.
Moreover, the atmosphere suggested they were not intending to continue fighting.
What had happened?
"Senior Fang, please explain briefly," Lin Xiao said.
He observed the disciples with immense satisfaction. Though they appeared older than him, their cultivation was solid, and their youthful faces were genuine.
Men in their thirties, forties, even fifties, but their expressions and composure were akin to those in their twenties.
It was likely they had spent too much time secluded in the mountains, with little opportunity to experience the outside world.
Frankly, Lin Xiao was curious.
How had these individuals managed to survive in such a monotonous mountain environment?
Was it solely through day-after-day cultivation, the reward and punishment systems within the Immortal Palace, and the interactions among sects in the inner realms? What did they do in their leisure time? Did they simply review their daily lessons, find opportunities to bask in the sun, or perhaps engage in romantic pursuits?
Fang Qing stood beside Lin Xiao and explained the matters he had discussed with Palace Master Chen.
"Descend the mountain for training?!"
The moment these four words were spoken, a significant commotion erupted among all the disciples.
Without exception, a distinct light appeared in each of their eyes!
"That's great!"
"Finally, we can descend the mountain for training! All these years, I've been on the mountain and haven't truly mastered my skills. I thought I would have to apply to the Palace Master to leave the Immortal Palace, but I never expected we could finally descend for training!"
"Indeed... after thirty years in the mountains, and since becoming a monk, I haven't seen people from the world below for a long time."
"I believe that after this training, I will definitely reach another level and step into the Divine Realm!"
Various reasons fueled their eagerness to descend the mountain for training.
Fang Qing frowned, then gestured for everyone to quiet down. He then addressed them, "You will be the first batch of disciples to cooperate with the current Dragon Country's government and military. As disciples of the Misty Immortal Palace, you will take the lead, and more disciples from other sects will join after you."
"Are you willing?"
"We are willing!"
All of them responded in unison.
"The Misty Immortal Palace may be stagnant, but that doesn't diminish these disciples' longing for the outside world," Qi Tian said, standing beside Lin Xiao. He watched the scene with a regretful smile. "Unfortunately, for them now, it's a bit too late. They've missed the best time."
"As long as one is willing to explore a broader world, it's never too late," Lin Xiao turned his head to look at Qi Tian. "Not everyone can achieve what the Young Master has, reaching a level that countless people can only look up to at such a young age."
"Lin Xiao, you're trying to overpraise me," Qi Tian narrowed his eyes. Lin Xiao, after entering the Divine Realm, seemed intent on challenging him.
"It's not overpraise, merely stating a truth," Lin Xiao shook his head, no longer looking at Qi Tian. "The Misty Immortal Palace, how many young disciples does it have now?"