Lu Xing stood to one side, her clear eyes resting on the earnest face of Lin Mo, and she couldn't help but be mesmerized. It wasn't just Lin Mo's appearance that captivated her—after all, for Cultivators desiring handsome or beautiful looks was remarkably simple—the main thing was the aura around Lin Mo, which affected her.
"The Mountain Protection Array Formation is decent," Lin Mo silently nodded to himself, "but there are some other defects that need to be resolved first, and then we can proceed with the upgrade." He stood on the hillside all day, only when the sun set did Lin Mo finally finish modifying the Array Map. However, this was merely the modification of the Array Map; to truly repair the Mountain Gate Array, they still needed some materials and the disciples' effort. But Lin Mo didn't have to manage these matters for now. He just needed to hand the Array Map to Cheng Ying and let him take charge of the repairs.
"All done," Lin Mo said, waving his hand casually, the Star Map folding back into the Jade Pendant and flying back to his hand.
"Ah?"
Lu Xing sat on the soft grass with her small hands propping up her cheeks. She had accidentally fallen asleep and awoke to the sound of Lin Mo's voice. "Sect Leader, is it finished?"
"Mhm. Hand over the Array Map to Elder Cheng Ying and let him oversee the repairs," Lin Mo said as he handed the Jade Pendant to Lu Xing.
"Mhm." Lu Xing nodded, her gaze lingering on Lin Mo a bit dreamily. She had thought it would take Lin Mo several days to complete the modifications, but he had done it in less than half a day.
"Where is the Star Sect's Medicine Garden?" Lin Mo asked.
Lu Xing pointed southwest, "The Star Sect's Medicine Garden is over there. Do you want me to take you there, Sect Leader?"
"No need." After saying that, Lin Mo was already striding toward the southwest corner.
The Spirit Grass seeds and Spirit Fruits he obtained last time in Flood Dragon Valley had all been stored in the Space Ring, and he hadn't found a suitable place to plant them until now. The Spirit Energy within the Star Sect was abundant, and the sect had a Medicine Garden to grow Spiritual Medicine for alchemy, providing resources for the disciples.
Lin Mo reached the Medicine Garden, which was not large in area, but laid out with the Spirit Gathering Array, the thick Spiritual Energy swirling like a faint mist.
Lin Mo took out the Spirit Grass and Spiritual Medicine from the Space Ring, promptly selected a patch of bare ground, planted them, then produced hundreds of Low-grade Spirit Stones and arranged them in an Array. With the help of these Spirit Stones, the growth rate of the Spirit Grass could be accelerated.
"There's also the Yin Yang Flower, Flood Dragon Fruit, all these are rare treasures on Earth, I'm afraid not even the Heavenly Sect can find many such Spiritual Objects," Lin Mo glanced at the contents of the Space Ring.
Suddenly, a glint of light sparkled in Lin Mo's eyes as he stared at an unremarkable little grass in the Space Ring; he immediately took it out and held it in his hand.
"Sweet Jade Grass? No, this isn't Sweet Jade Grass, it's Bitter Nether Grass," Lin Mo's face revealed great delight.
The Sweet Jade Grass he mentioned was a very common medicinal ingredient in the Cultivation World, primarily used to concoct elixirs for healing and restoration, but Bitter Nether Grass was different—it was an extremely rare existence in the Cultivation World. However, because of its rarity, many people did not recognize it, and since it closely resembled Sweet Jade Grass, it was often difficult to differentiate between the two.
When he was in Flood Dragon Valley, Lin Mo had hurriedly exited his retreat, dumping everything inside the Space Ring without having examined them closely until now.
Though Bitter Nether Grass was extremely rare in the Cultivation World, few sought it since, despite being an ingredient for alchemy, the Pills it produced were very specific, and the people who knew how to concoct them were even rarer.
"Bitter Nether Grass, Yin Yang Flower, Flood Dragon Fruit, with these I can concoct a Mystic Sky Pill," Lin Mo's face showed excitement. The Mystic Sky Pill was special, allowing Cultivators below the Innate level to forcefully increase their strength by one realm.
This kind of elixir was special because it was only useful for those below Innate Strong People to forcefully elevate their strength by one realm. In a Cultivation World where resources were abundant, advancing one realm, although challenging, was achievable. Moreover, concocting such elixirs could waste time and materials, so it seemed rather pointless.
As the methods for concocting elixirs gradually faded from memory, it just so happened that Lin Mo knew how to concoct this kind of elixir.
And now, on Earth, where resources were scarce, and Spiritual Energy was insufficient, if he could forcefully improve his strength by one realm, it would be a great boon for him.
"Even if I can concoct the Mystic Sky Pill, the Star Sect isn't the right choice," a cold light flashed in Lin Mo's eyes as if he had thought of something.
When he walked out of the Medicine Garden, he paused, seeing a figure standing outside the garden, back towards him, hands clasped behind, the tall stature and a hint of authoritative aura unmistakably belonged to Lin Mo's father, Lin Guang.
"Dad, what are you doing here?"
Lin Mo paused, then briskly walked forward.
Lin Guang turned, his bearded face with its authoritative look softening into a gentle smile, "I asked Miss Lu Xing earlier; she said you were here, so I came to find you."
"Do you need me for something?" Lin Mo raised his eyebrows slightly and asked.
Lin Guang nodded, then took a deep breath, looking up as the sky had darkened, stars densely scattered in the black night, "It's been a long time since we had a proper talk. Let's walk and chat."
"Mm." Lin Mo nodded and walked side by side with the other towards the front.
Lin Mo was now the number-one martial artist in Huaxia, but whenever he faced Lin Guang, deep down in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence; after all, this middle-aged man bearing the weight of years was his father.
"Xiao Mo, Dad was wrong towards you and your mother in the past. Although I did it for your own good, I also owed you far too much." Lin Guang suddenly said in a deep voice, "At the very least, for a period of time, I failed to fulfill my responsibilities as a father."
"Dad, I've already forgotten about those things, after all, you did it for me and Mom's sake," Lin Mo said softly. Lin Guang suddenly smiled, shook his head, and said, "I used to think so too, but you suffered too many hardships and endured too much pain during the years of your studies and growth, and I, as your father, couldn't offer you any help. Moreover, time cannot be reversed, and this has become my eternal regret."
Lin Mo's expression grew firm. In his mind, Lin Guang was the head of the Lin Family and always appeared as a stalwart and indifferent man; he didn't expect him to speak such touching words.
Lin Mo rubbed his nose and smiled, "Dad, why are you suddenly saying such sentimental things and having so many emotions?"
Suddenly, Lin Guang stopped walking and looked deeply into Lin Mo's eyes.
Lin Mo was also stunned. He had never seen such a serious expression on his father's face, not even when facing the divine thought of the Innate Strong People from the Qingxuan Sect did he feel a hint of nervousness, but now his heart was beating a bit faster as he saw his father looking somewhat strange. After a moment of silence, Lin Guang finally spoke, "I want to make it up to you and your mother now. I know you're extraordinary, much stronger than I am as your father, but you will always be my son, Lin Guang's son. Did you suddenly bring us here because something happened?"
Lin Mo hadn't expected Lin Guang to notice his concerns. He had concealed the matter about the Heavenly Sect from his parents because he didn't want them to worry, but he never imagined that Lin Guang would ask him directly.
"Xiao Mo, you're my son. You should tell me everything that's on your mind," Lin Guang said in a deep voice, with a trace of authority as a father.
Lin Mo hesitated for a moment but eventually told Lin Guang everything about the Heavenly Sect and the Qingxuan Sect, after all, Lin Guang was his father, and he shouldn't keep hiding it.
"Dad, I hope you don't tell Mom and Aunt about this. I don't want them to worry about me," Lin Mo said earnestly.
Lin Guang laughed, "Hehe, Xiao Mo has grown up and become a real man. Don't worry, I won't tell your mom and your aunt."
"But Xiao Mo, I'm your dad. No matter what happens, I will stand by your side. Even if I'm an ordinary person, if anyone dares to bully you, I will not let them off," Lin Guang said solemnly, each word ringing with resolution.
Lin Guang previously couldn't circulate True Qi, but after arriving at the Heavenly Sect, he had been able to resume cultivation through various elixirs and special methods, and he had now even reached the Qi Cultivation Stage. However, the aura he exuded was no less formidable than those strong people; this was a strength that emanated from within, irrespective of his own capabilities.
This was also a father's promise to his son.
"Once, the things I regretted could not be chased back, but going forward, I don't want any regrets," Lin Guang said, looking resolutely at Lin Mo.
Having cultivated to his current stage, Lin Mo's heart was extremely firm, yet hearing his father's words, he couldn't help but feel warmth welling up in his eyes. His father's image stood tall and majestic in his heart, for him, no less formidable than the strong ones in the starry sky.
After all, as a son, the most venerable and awe-inspiring figure in his heart was his father.
After this conversation, Lin Mo realized that he had a newfound understanding of his father, this man who seemed cold and serious on the outside, had given up so much for his family.
"For the sake of the people I love, I must not give up. Even when facing powerful enemies, I won't compromise," Lin Mo clenched his hand and said to himself.
Elder Cheng Ying had arranged a house in the East Garden for Lin Mo's family. It was quiet, as disciples seldom disturbed them there.
"Xiao Mo, Brother Guang, what took you so long to come back? We've been waiting for you to eat."
Yang Chuxue saw the two return and had already prepared a table full of food. Not every disciple in the Heavenly Sect had reached the realm of fasting and abstaining from food, and the kitchen was fully stocked with all necessities.
"Brother Xiao Mo, Uncle," Lin Shanshan also stood at the doorway, looking pretty.
"Is there wine? Xiao Mo, drink a few cups with me tonight," Lin Guang said with a smile.
"Sure. "
Lin Mo asked Yingzi to bring some wine over, knowing that Elder Cheng Ying had quite a collection of fine wines.
"You two seem very happy today. What's going on?" Yang Chuxue looked at the father and son with some suspicion, vaguely sensing that there seemed to be some kind of change between Lin Mo and Lin Guang, like their relationship had grown closer.
Tonight, it wasn't the wine that intoxicated, but the company that brought joy!
(Wonderful continuation tomorrow.)