Nowadays, Tong Jialiang wasn't as helpless as he had been before. For example, he no longer had accidents. Now, with Baojian's help, he could at least get to the toilet, sit down, and take care of his needs by himself.
This was a psychological improvement, and his body had fully recovered from the physical damage caused by the incident in the Jishi Mine. These improvements were the result of Sun Yigao's efforts over the past three years.
However, he was still far from being fully healed, far from being a functioning young man. Baojian had once mentioned that Tong Jialiang had just turned eighteen this year, the prime of his life. He shouldn't be wasting it living like a shell of a person.
Because of this, Sun Yigao had been diligently researching, reading through all sorts of ancient texts—some found in local bookstores, some provided by Elder Liao, and others brought back by the Finance Hall from the cultivation world. He absorbed this knowledge bit by bit, all in the hope of devising a new treatment plan for Tong Jialiang.
The Lin family's house was now filled with many new items, mostly provided by Mo Yuanjiao and Han Weishu. Lin Dayou's family had moved most of their old household items—like bedding, utensils, and other necessities—up to the mountain. Even items they didn't immediately need were stored away. Initially, Lin Dayou hadn't planned to take these things with him, intending to leave them for Baojian and Tong Jialiang to use. However, Baojian, feeling uncomfortable about using everything from the host's household, had insisted on bringing his own. Not wanting to make him feel uneasy, Lin Dayou didn't press the issue and left only a few scattered items for them to use, like jars and cooking pots.
Sun Yigao sat down inside the house, and Baojian poured him a cup of tea. Accepting the cup, Sun Yigao began explaining his new plan:
"Our sect's Wenxin Road has the ability to help people confront their deepest fears and inner darkness, allowing them to face their own hearts. Jialiang's trauma stems from the sudden nightmare he experienced in the Jishi Mine, which disrupted his once simple life. To truly recover, he needs to face that nightmare again and emerge from it on his own terms. Only then might he be cured."
This was a conclusion Sun Yigao had reached after consulting with other sect members and talking to those who had experienced Wenxin Road firsthand. Unfortunately, he couldn't experience it for himself, so he had to rely on others' accounts.
Even so, he wasn't entirely certain about Wenxin Road's specific effects. After all, his information came from second-hand sources. However, after Lin Xiao provided him with some advice, explaining that Wenxin Road protected the minds of those who entered, ensuring they wouldn't face overwhelming scenarios that could lead to mental collapse, Sun Yigao gained the confidence to propose this treatment plan.
If Lin Xiao vouched for it, there was little doubt that it would work.
Upon hearing this, Baojian immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Sun Yigao, saying:
"Mr. Sun, I can never repay the great favor you've done by helping Jialiang. I am forever in your debt. My life belongs to the Mo family, so I cannot repay you in this life, but I will remember your kindness in the next. Jialiang is a grateful person. If he ever recovers, he will surely be deeply grateful to both you and the Lingxian Sect, even willing to repay you with his life."
As they spoke, the sounds of a commotion suddenly came from the village road outside the courtyard.
"Mo Yuanjiao! Stop right there!" a young woman's voice called out. It sounded breathless, as if she had been running while shouting.
Inside the house, Sun Yigao and Baojian exchanged a glance, then both walked outside into the courtyard. The Lin family's courtyard walls were quite low, so as soon as they stepped out, they saw what was happening on the village road not far away.
A young girl, drenched in sweat with her makeup smudged, was running down the road, breathless as she lifted her complicated skirt to chase after someone. Ahead of her, Mo Yuanjiao was keeping a careful distance, ensuring she couldn't catch up.
Seventeen-year-old Mo Yuanjiao had grown into his full height. His silk blue robes emphasized his tall, slender figure, and his skin was as fair as polished jade. With his handsome, youthful face and bright eyes, he had matured into a striking young man.
The girl chasing after him was equally beautiful, with a radiant complexion, though at the moment, she appeared quite disheveled. Despite her current state, it was clear she had a lovely appearance.
Many tourists in the village turned their heads to watch the scene, though the two sturdy maidservants trailing behind the girl glared at them until they looked away. Even though they looked away, their ears remained pricked, eager to hear more.
Mo Yuanjiao was trying to maintain his distance, worried that the girl might be harassed if he let her run too far behind. He continued to plead with her:
"Your makeup is ruined!"
Since he spent most of his time either cultivating on the mountain or studying formations, Mo Yuanjiao rarely made appearances in Xiushui Village, and he wasn't wearing his sect robes. As a result, none of the villagers recognized him as an immortal from Lingxian Sect; they assumed he was just some rich young master from a prominent family.
Hearing him mention her ruined makeup, the girl froze for a moment, then stamped her foot in frustration. Hastily, she raised her sleeve to cover her face.
"Oh no! Then stop looking!"
Mo Yuanjiao waved dismissively and said, "I'll stop looking if you go back. But if you keep chasing me, I might have to use extreme measures!"
The girl stubbornly replied, "I'm not going back! I'll keep following you!"
Mo Yuanjiao sighed, realizing he had no choice but to let her follow him, though he figured she wouldn't be able to enter Wenxin Road anyway.
As Xiushui Village's reputation grew, so did the number of visitors. Every day, many people would try to enter Wenxin Road, spending several days inside before emerging, often looking exhausted. Seeing the growing numbers, Lin Xiao eventually adjusted the system to restrict access, allowing only sect members to enter the path.
Latecomers who had missed the opportunity to experience Wenxin Road were left lamenting their missed chance, regretfully pounding their chests for not arriving sooner to experience the Immortal's path.
In recent years, Lingxian Sect had also gradually developed a set of sect rules. One of the rules prohibited the use of magic in front of ordinary people, except during missions authorized by the sect. The rule was designed to prevent disciples from showing off their abilities to deceive or bully others.
This rule was meant to remind the sect members not to lose themselves in their extraordinary powers and to remain humble.
In the Lin family courtyard, Sun Yigao was curious about the situation, but before he could ask, Baojian offered an explanation:
"That young lady is the second daughter of Lord Xuanyuan's family in the capital. Lady Xuanyuan and my lady were childhood friends, and when they were younger, it seems the two mothers arranged a marriage between this young lady and my young master."