Chapter 65: Everyone's Busy

  Zhao Chun didn't notice the smile at the corner of his senior sister's mouth, and naturally didn't know that his true nature had been seen through by his master and senior sisters. Seeing that his show-off performance wasn't working, he immediately changed tactics and asked in a flattering tone: "Senior sister, it's so late, you must have come here for something, right? Spill the beans, what is it?"

  "Of course, there's something going on. Master called me to come and summon you, hurry up and pack, don't delay too long." Xue Bingxin said with a smile.

  "Really? Alright, I'll be right there!" Zhao Chun's eyes darted back and forth, his face filled with joy, as he hastily tidied up and then urged his sister to hurry out the door.

  Zhao Chun said he was under the tutelage of a master in the Golden Elixir period, but in fact, it was actually his senior sister from the Foundation Building period who taught him his lessons. So after coming to Qingyang Gate for so long, apart from seeing his master twice during his apprenticeship and advancing to the eighth layer of Qi Refining, he had hardly seen his master's shadow. However, although he saw his master infrequently, he had a very good impression of him, no other reason than that every time he saw his master, there were always good things to be obtained.

  The first time he met his master was to pay respects, and after that, his master gave him a mid-grade earth-attribute sword and a spatial ring. The second time was when he had just entered the eighth layer of Qi Refining, his master casually tossed him two bottles of mid-grade Qi Consolidation Pills, saying it was for consolidating his realm. I wonder what good things he'll get this time seeing his master?

  The main peak of Qingyangmen's Yunu Peak is over a thousand feet high, but under the protection of the mountain-protecting array and various spirit-gathering arrays, it is always spring here, with abundant spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for cultivation. However, ordinary disciples of Qingyangmen usually do not have the opportunity to come to this peak for practice, as it has always been a exclusive training ground for inner door disciples of Yunu Peak. The only ones who live at the highest level and can be considered masters are Peak Master Mei Suo and her direct disciples. Mei Suo's direct disciples are few in number, with Zhao Chun being one of them, making a total of four. Here, Zhao Chun and Xue Bingxin are considered masters, so they passed through unimpeded, following the winding stone steps to quickly arrive at the largest main hall at the peak, entering without needing to report.

  There were only two people in the hall, a middle-aged beautiful woman sat in the main seat, with a gentle face but gave people an invisible sense of oppression, making them dare not underestimate her. Next to her stood a young woman in her early twenties, born with youthful beauty, but with a straight back and waist, full of heroic spirit. One smiled and spoke, the other listened respectfully, occasionally responding with one or two sentences, obviously chatting happily, only stopping when they saw Zhao Chun and the others enter.

  "I have seen Master, I have seen Senior Sister!" Xue Bingxin and Zhao Chun said in unison as they entered the grand hall and paid their respects.

  "Oh, you've arrived. No need for formalities!" The middle-aged beauty sitting in the superior seat smiled and waved her hand, she was indeed Mei Suo, the master of Yúnǚ Fēng and their teacher, a high-ranking expert at the Golden Elixir mid-stage.

  The young woman beside them was their senior sister Li Tong. Although she was already a sixth-level cultivator in the foundation period, perhaps because of her status as the eldest disciple, Master had always been strict with her. As a result, she maintained a serious and prudent demeanor at all times, and even now, she didn't dare to say much in front of Master, simply smiling and nodding her head in greeting to the two junior disciples.

  "Master, you've called us over, but what instructions do you have for us?" Xue Bingxin, who was always pampered, finished her greeting and quickly ran to the master's side, pulling on his sleeve as she asked.

  "Mischievous! Xīn'ér, you're also a senior sister now, don't you know to set an example for your junior brother? You're being so noisy and impatient, don't let your junior brother look down on you." Mei Su said with a smile, although she was scolding him, but there wasn't a hint of anger in her expression.

  Xue Bingxin stuck out her small tongue, glared at Zhao Chun who was secretly gloating, and then sulkily said: "Disciple knows wrong, please Master punish."

  "Alright, the reason I called you two here today is that the one-year training is about to begin. This is a major event for our sect, and any Qi-refining stage disciple who reaches the seventh layer of Qi-refining must participate. Both you and Chun'er have met the standards for participating in this training, so Master has called you here mainly to discuss some matters to pay attention to during the training."

  "Really? That's great, Xue Bingxue has been wanting to go out and gain some experience for a long time, and now she can finally do it." Xue Bingxue was so excited that she almost jumped up. As the princess-like existence in Qingyang Gate, although she was extremely pampered, due to safety reasons, she rarely had the opportunity to go out. She had also heard about the sect's training for a long time and had been looking forward to it in her heart. Now that she heard Master say it with his own mouth, she confirmed that things were settled, and suddenly became extremely excited.

  Zhao Chun also liked to reveal his true form, and when he was at the Yang's house, he was watched very closely. From dawn till dusk, he practiced tirelessly without a break, never having the chance to go out for a stroll like Lin Feng did. After several years of dull practice, he too had longed to go out and take a look around.

  "Just reminded you to pay attention to your own image, and you're so happy that you've forgotten yourself. You think tempering is just going out to play?" Mei Su said with a smile, tapping the forehead of Xue Bingxin.

  "Master, I know that training is about killing monsters and completing many tasks. Master, rest assured, I guarantee to complete the task perfectly." Xue Bingxin said with a smile.

  "Understood? This time, the training will last for a year. Each person must complete tasks worth 100 contribution points from the sect. The tasks issued by the sect are varied, some difficult and some easy, but that's not important. What's most important is safety. When going out, accidents can't be avoided, so safety comes first. If you encounter danger, it's better to give up on the task than take risks, got it?"

  "I understand!" Xue Bingxin and Zhao Chun replied in unison.

  "Considering that Jun'er's foundation is poor and Xinger doesn't have much experience, Master has decided to let you two form a team to complete the task together. You must help each other and improve together. Don't be careless just because the task is simple, nor give up easily just because it's difficult. Remember, tempering oneself through trials is also a kind of cultivation, don't slack off!"

  "Yes, Master!" Xue Bingxin and Zhao Chun hastily replied.

  Mei Su nodded, then flipped her palm, and the two jade pendants flew steadily towards Xue Zhao and the others. After seeing them catch it, she said: "This is a one-time defensive jade symbol made by Master for you. When activated, it can block an all-out attack from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Master hopes that you won't need to use it, but if danger arises, don't hesitate."

  "Thanks for your concern!"

  "Alright, Master has already taken the task for you, the list is with your senior sister. The specific method of preparing and completing the task will be told to you by your senior sister later. Now go down first, I still have things to discuss with your senior sister." Mei Su waved her hand, indicating that the two could leave. As a Golden Dan period cultivator, she didn't need to personally guide the Qi Refining stage disciples' training. She had called them over specifically just to show her care.

  "The disciple took his leave."

  After the two finished their greetings and withdrew, Mei Su spoke up again to Li Tong: "You worry more about Xin Er and Chun Er's matter, still that phrase, safety first, understand?"

  "Disciple understands." Li Tong replied.

  A few days later, the Qingyang Gate officially issued a notice that it would start a one-year trial, requiring all disciples in the Qi-refining period who had reached the seventh level or higher to participate. At the same time, countless tempting rewards were given out. As soon as the news came out, the Qingyang Gate was in an uproar, and everyone was busy. Those who were eligible to participate naturally called on their friends and looked for powerful teams. Those who were not qualified either intensified their practice to prepare for the next trial or asked around, talking about which senior brother had what kind of strength or how rich this time's rewards were. In short, except for those seniors who had gone through the foundation-building period, all the disciples in the Qi-refining period were excited and enthusiastic.

  Wu Linpo didn't have the qualifications to participate in this trial, he is currently only at the peak of the fifth layer of Qi refining, and these few days are crucial for breaking through to the sixth layer, but regardless of whether he succeeds or not, this trial has nothing to do with him.

  Wu Linpo has always been diligent in his practice. Although he only became an outer disciple of the Qingyang Sect who had to do some chores, as long as he completed them, the sect guaranteed him a supply of 15 low-grade Qi Gathering Pills every month, which greatly accelerated his cultivation speed. Unfortunately, due to his shallow foundation and poor aptitude, he didn't stand out in the Qingyang Sect.

  After entering the sect and practicing for more than a month, he had only reached the threshold of breaking through to the sixth layer. Compared to his senior brothers who were originally at a higher level and occasionally made breakthroughs, he felt tremendous pressure. If he could still find some sense of superiority when he was in the Yang family because Lin Feng and others were beneath him, then in the Qīng Yáng Sect, one of the top two sects with the most heaven-defying geniuses gathered together, he had almost lost all confidence, let alone any sense of superiority.

  Wu Lin Pu had thought of seeking help from Zhao Chun, having heard that ordinary inner disciples received five middle-grade Qi-gathering pills every month. As for someone like Zhao Chun, a direct disciple in the Golden Elixir stage, it was said that they were fully supplied with middle-grade Qi-gathering pills. If he could get two pills from him, he would be able to make progress sooner. However, as an outer disciple who had just entered the sect, Wu Lin Pu didn't even have the qualifications to enter the inner sect area, let alone meet Zhao Chun, who was on the main peak of Yúnǚ Fēng and couldn't be easily seen by inner disciples either. Since entering Qingyang Gate, Zhao Chun had been closely watched by Mei Su as he broke through the eighth layer of the Qi-refining barrier and didn't have time to come out and visit his senior brother. As a result, the two hadn't even met face-to-face since entering Qingyang Gate, let alone discussed middle-grade pills.

  There's no other shortcut, so once the announcement of the trial is made, Wu Lin Pu becomes even more diligent. The four-year trial, this one he can't catch up with, but the next one he will definitely make it.