The Great Harvest Is Near

Zi Linglong naturally had no qualms challenging the Tower of Trials.

"Linglong is amazing! To think that Huo Yun, the first disciple of Lieyang Peak, was sent flying with just a single strike. Dong Fanglie, that son of a b*tch, must be fuming with anger!" Gu Hai suppressed his unease and speculations and laughed after hearing about how powerful his disciple was. He was also shocked that a ten-year-old child was a Golden Core cultivator defeated Huo Yun, the first disciple of Lieyang Peak. Huo Yun was a genius who had been cultivating close to a century, after all.

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Master!" Zi Linglong said obediently.

"If you didn't awaken your phoenix bloodline, I could be the best teacher in the world, and it still wouldn't matter," Gu Hai said. He did not claim undue credit.

"That's why you shouldn't bother me about my cultivation in the future, Master," Jiang Ming seized the opportunity and said with a smile, "If I were talented, everything would go smoothly like it does for Junior Sister. She reached the Golden Core Realm in less than a year. Look at me! My talents are mediocre. I won't reach that realm even if I cultivate my entire life!"

"You're negating and giving up on yourself." Gu Hai scoffed. "You think it's pointless to cultivate just because your talents are mediocre? You don't think you'll ever be an expert? Do you think experts will remain powerful while the weak remain weak? Remember, Ming, cultivation itself is defying the heavens. Cultivators go against the convention, breaking their limits, and win against the heavens. I won't deny a talented person will improve quickly, but if you're diligent and persistent, you can achieve great things as well. If you give up now, then there's no doubt you'll end up mediocre. When you're 100 years old and are buried underground, will you be content with how you lived your life? Moreover, you're only 19 years old, but you're already a 7th Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator. You may not be the best, but you can also be considered a genius…"

"I'm not giving up on myself, Master," Jiang Ming smiled wryly.

Gu Hai did not seem to be in a good mood. He picked up his chopsticks and sent more food into his mouth. With that, his dark expression seemed to lighten. "I have to admit that you're cooking is improving day by day. This is really delicious."

Linglong giggled. "Master, I think you're not being fair to Senior Brother. I mean, I've never seen other disciples chop wood, fetch water, or clean the courtyard without using mana when they're Senior Brother's age. I've never seen them plant crops over days and months. Don't you think these things show Senior Brother's determination as well? I don't the other disciples can compare to Senior Brother's perseverance."

"Hmmm, you have a point." Gu Hai's hand that was holding the chopstick paused in midair. He stroked his beard and looked at Jiang Ming as he said, "Are you tempering your character by doing these things?"

"I genuinely like labor and menial tasks," Jiang Ming replied sheepishly.

"You're hopeless! I really shouldn't have asked!" Gu Hai said indignantly. His chopsticks left afterimages in the air as he picked up more food. He finished his meal in no time at all and returned to the main pavilion.

Jiang Ming was stunned.

Zi Linglong pouted. "I can't believe he didn't leave anything for us at all!"

With this, Gu Hai's voice rang from afar. "Cook something else for your junior sister!"

Zi Linglong covered her mouth and giggled. Then, she said softly, "I'll find some spiritual items that can help improve your cultivation base. We'll cultivate and become immortals together."

"Don't worry. Your senior brother isn't that weak," Jiang Ming said as he ruffled her hair, "Wait here. I'll cook you something."

After dinner, the duo spent some time together. They watched the stars twinkle in the night sky as the moon cast its light on the lands.

Light glimmered at the other Peaks in the sect as well. Some of them were from disciples casting spells, some were from them flying, and some were only lighting up the night sky with their mana for fun.

Despite the dazzling lights in his surroundings, Jiang Ming had grown numb to them.

…

When Jiang Ming woke up the next day…

[Ding! You had a good night's sleep. Reward: Ten days' worth of cultivation]

Jiang Ming was delighted by this notification.

As usual, he chopped wood, fetched water, cleaned the courtyard, made breakfast, and went to the back of the mountain.

"It's time for the harvest!" Jiang Ming was rather excited as he looked at the bent stalks of the paddy and the wheat. Once he harvested them, he would be rewarded. After a moment, he quickly suppressed his excitement.

His junior sister was going to the Tower of Trials today, and as her senior brother, he had to be present.

"System, will I still receive rewards for persistence if I leave Chuyang Peak?"

[Ding! So long as you stay and work during the day, you'll still be rewarded]

"Great!" Jiang Ming's mood improved upon hearing this.

Currently, the Elders were still looking for Zuo Han's killers around the distant peaks. Alas, they were destined to fail in their quest. Who would ever suspect the culprit was just a Qi Cultivation disciple?

Jiang Ming patrolled his farm before he returned to the courtyard again.

After he dealt with everything, he met up with Gu Hai and Zi Linglong.

"I've already notified the Sect Master and the other First Seats that Linglong will be challenging the Tower of Trials. We'll witness the birth of a rising star!" Gu Hai was beside himself with excitement. He was clearly in high spirits. He chuckled as he continued to say, "No one will say Chuyang Peak is in decline now! I can beat all of them with just two disciples! Let's go! Follow me!"

Gu Hai waved his sleeve as a gust of wind swept out and carried his two disciples with him as he flew.

"We can fly on our own, Master," Jiang Ming said, feeling rather speechless.

"You're too slow. You won't be able to keep up," Gu Hai replied.

"You're just excited and can't wait to get started, right?"

Gu Hai laughed. "Of course! I've been enduring for a long time, and now, I can finally hold my head up high!"

"Why don't you recruit more disciples then? You've always avoided the disciple recruitment ceremony. What happened in the past, Master?"

"Don't ask too many questions."

"I'm the first disciple, and I'm also an adult now. Moreover, Junior Sister will also soon become a gifted disciple of the sect."

"Let's talk about this later," Gu Hai said. A hint of loneliness could be heard in his voice.

…

The Tower of Trials was located on Tongtian Peak.

Two towers that vanished into the clouds could be seen from afar, and they glowed with a faint radiance.

The nine-story tower was used by Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment disciples while the twelve-story tower was prepared for Core Formation disciples.

At this time, several First Seats were gathered there. There were many disciples as well. All of them turned to look at Gu Hai in unison when he appeared.

When Gu Hai landed, he cupped his fists together and said with a broad grin, "Greetings, Sect Master, everyone! Thank you for coming to bear witness…"

"If it's for an exceptional disciple, I'd do it every day," Yan Yan, the Sect Master, said with a smile, "You don't see a ten-year-old Golden Core cultivator every day, after all. This is a first for Jiuyang Sect. Well done, Linglong!"

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Zi Linglong answered in a sweet voice. She did not seem nervous at all.

The Sect Master nodded and looked at Jiang Ming. "You're doing great as well. You might be a bit too indifferent, but your perseverance is commendable."

Jiang Ming thanked the Sect Master.

At this time, most people's attention was focused on Zi Linglong.

Dongfang Lie and Yue Cheng could hardly believe that Zi Linglong was a Golden Core cultivator. At her age, most people would only be starting on their cultivation journey.

'I should try recruiting her to Zhiyang Peak.' Yue Cheng briefly entertained this thought as his eyes glinted.

Since the others were hunting Zuo Han's killer, they did not wait for long. After a short conversation, Zi Linglong entered the twelve-story Tower of Trials after Gu Hai gave her a few pieces of advice.

"I wonder how many floors she'll be able to clear?" Gu Hai was slightly nervous.

"At least nine," Jiang Ming replied.

At this moment, Yin Yue, Jiaoyang Peak's First Seat, walked over. She was dressed like a middle-aged woman, and there were a few silver strands of hair on her head. However, her skin was supple and smooth. Her expression was usually as cold as ice, but when she walked over, the ice seemed to thaw, and her expression grew warmer. She said, "Nine? Do you know about the Tower of Trials' origin? Do you know how many cultivators made it past the ninth floor? Do you know how many made it to the twelfth floor?"