Chapter 876: The Beginning of the Path of Cultivation

"You've been busy this whole time, so I didn't want to bother you," he said.

"What's wrong?"

"I want to have a chat with you, just the two of us, like old friends."

"About what?"

"About your future. Your future plans, to be exact."

"My future plans... didn't we already discuss them?"

"What we discussed then were just some general ideas. Today, I want to hear your more concrete thoughts."

"My more concrete thoughts are to continue learning while traveling."

"Learning what?"

"Everything. Whatever I want to learn."

"For how long?"

"Until I feel I've learned enough."

"Learned enough for what?"

"Learned enough to know what I should do next."

"Do you think that's responsible?"

"What do you mean?"

"Right now, you have countless people relying on you for food. They follow your lead. You are the leader of the Xuanmen disciples. You are the hope of all those who practice cultivation. You carry the expectations of the entire cultivation world. At this moment, you're telling me you want to keep wandering and learning, to figure out what you should do next? Do you think that's responsible?"

"I didn't say I wouldn't lead them anymore. I just said I want to keep learning."

"And the Xuanmen disciples? The cultivating crowd? Are you just going to leave them be?"

"I'll bring them with me. We'll learn and practice together."

"Where will you go? How far will you travel?"

"I don't know. Wherever we want to go, as far as we can travel."

"What if something happens?"

"Something like what?"

"What if the Wuliang Jianzong decides to attack again? What if the demons make a comeback? What if... something unexpected happens?"

"If something happens, I'll handle it."

"How? By yourself?"

"I'll handle it with everyone."

"But you'll be far away, traveling and learning. How will you handle it?"

"If something big happens, we'll rush back immediately."

"Rush back immediately... do you think it'll be that simple? You don't even know where you'll end up. It could be anywhere. If something happens here, and you're far away, do you think you can rush back in time? What if they target the Xuanmen headquarters while you're gone? What will you do then?"

"Then we'll all rush back together."

"Do you think you can make it back in time? You can't even estimate how long your journey will take, how far you'll go, or where you'll end up. When disaster strikes, what if you're days or even months away from here? By the time you get back, everything might be gone."

"..."

"A true leader isn't just about strength. It's about responsibility, about carrying the weight of your people. You have a duty to those who follow you. You can't just leave them behind to pursue your own learning, no matter how important it is to you. They need you here, leading them, protecting them."

"I understand what you're saying, but..."

"But what? But you still want to wander and learn? Is your personal growth more important than the safety and future of all the cultivators who trust you?"

"It's not that I don't care about them. It's just that I believe that by continuing to learn, I can become stronger, and only then can I truly protect them. If I stop now, my cultivation might stagnate. If a greater threat emerges, I might not be strong enough to face it."

"Becoming stronger is important, yes, but leadership isn't just about individual strength. It's about strategy, planning, and having a stable base of operations. You need to consolidate your power here, build a strong foundation for the Xuanmen, and then, from a position of strength, you can face any challenge. Wandering aimlessly will only make you vulnerable and leave your followers unprotected."

"But what if staying put limits my growth? What if there are things I can only learn by venturing out into the world?"

"There are always things to learn, no matter where you are. The world is vast, and knowledge is endless. But you can learn here too. You can learn about managing the Xuanmen, about leading the disciples, about diplomacy with other sects, about preparing for potential threats. These are all crucial forms of learning for a leader."

"I... I need time to think about this."

"Take all the time you need. But remember, the clock is ticking. The world of cultivation is not a peaceful one. Threats lurk in every corner. Your followers are looking to you for guidance and protection. You have a responsibility to them. Don't let them down."

He fell silent, lost in thought. He knew that what Jingming was saying was true. He had a duty to his followers. He couldn't just abandon them to pursue his own personal goals. But he also felt a strong urge to explore the world, to seek out new knowledge and experiences. He was torn between his duty and his desire.

"Perhaps there is a way to balance both," he said finally.

"How?"

"Perhaps I can still travel and learn, but not aimlessly. Perhaps I can have a clear destination, a purpose for my journey. And perhaps I can bring some of the core disciples with me, so they can also learn and grow. The rest can stay here, at the Xuanmen headquarters, under the guidance of the elders."

"That's a possibility," Jingming conceded. "But the journey must have a clear purpose, a tangible goal. It cannot be just for personal enrichment. And you must ensure that the Xuanmen headquarters is secure in your absence. The elders are capable, but they are not you. You are the leader, the symbol of strength and unity for the Xuanmen."

"I understand. I will carefully consider all of this. I will not make a decision lightly."

"Good. That is what I wanted to hear. A leader is not afraid to consider all options and make the best choice for their people. I have faith in you. I know you will do what is right."

Jingming's words resonated deeply within him. He knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but he also knew that he was not alone. He had the support of his friends, his disciples, and the entire cultivation world. He would find a way to fulfill his duty while also pursuing his own growth. He would become the leader they all needed him to be.