The Chief Disciple's Reward

Chapter 68: The Chief Disciple's "Reward"

"Chief... Chief Disciple Miao."

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao turned around, only to find Miao Tian standing silently behind them. Both jolted in fright, breaking into a cold sweat. This man appeared and vanished like a ghost.

It was rather frightening.

"It was a serendipitous encounter. We happened to decipher the secrets of the stone stele in the ancient ruins and obtained two cultivation methods and martial skills. It can be considered a bountiful harvest," Ning Fan said with a shrug.

"Whether it is one technique or two is not important. The crux of the matter is that you, Junior Brother, possess the ability to decipher ancient texts. This way, those obscure ancient relics and inheritances will sooner or later become an asset to our Changming Peak. In the future, our Changming Peak might not necessarily be trapped in its current predicament forever."

Miao Tian spoke in a mild tone. He then shifted his gaze to Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao, a gleam of relief and gratification shining in his eyes.

"You two are not bad. Our Changming Peak will not mistreat those who render meritorious service."

"Then, Chief Disciple Miao..."

Ning Fan's eyes lit up.

It seemed he could reap some benefits from Chief Disciple Miao. He wondered if this Chief Disciple was generous. If not, even cultivation resources worth one or two thousand Spirit Stones would suffice to resolve his pressing needs.

"I have decided to give you two some special tempering," Miao Tian declared.

"Sp... special tempering!?"

Ning Fan's eyes widened. Yun Qingyao beside him was equally bewildered. Could special tempering be considered a benefit?

"Let us begin right now."

"Prepare yourselves."

Miao Tian said. As he spoke, he drew a peach wood branch from out of nowhere. Seeing Miao Tian's actions, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao grew even more confused.

They had no idea what was going on.

In the next moment.

Crack—

With a crisp snap, the peach wood branch whipped through the air, producing a sharp burst of qi, and landed heavily on Ning Fan's calf. Even with the protection of his robes, the strike made Ning Fan wince, drawing in a sharp breath of cold air.

"Hiss-"

"Chief Disciple Miao, what are you doing!?"

Ning Fan cried out in alarm.

"..."

Miao Tian remained silent. He merely raised his hand again and swung the peach wood branch down toward Ning Fan.

This time, Ning Fan was prepared.

He immediately retreated. The peach wood branch brushed past Ning Fan's body and struck the floor, echoing with a clear 'crack'.

"Not bad. Your speed is acceptable."

"A martial cultivator's strength is not solely dependent on their realm, but also on their execution in battle. Speed, endurance, reflexes-all of these determine a martial cultivator's true prowess."

"And these are precisely the aspects most easily overlooked."

"The disciples of my Changming Peak must absolutely never neglect these foundations."

"Watch out."

Miao Tian flicked his wrist, and the peach wood branch shot toward Ning Fan once more. This time, Miao Tian's movements were even swifter. Even though Ning Fan dodged at the very first moment, he still could not completely evade the strike.

The tip of the peach wood branch grazed Ning Fan's skin. It was not a solid hit, but it was enough to leave a stinging welt.

Those who have suffered the lash of a peach wood branch know this well.

Taking a solid strike from the branch is not overwhelmingly painful; the true agony comes when the very tip lightly whips across the flesh, hovering between a strike and a graze.

That truly hurt.

A red welt instantly swelled on Ning Fan's forearm, causing him to bare his teeth in pain.

"Husband..."

Yun Qingyao watched with an aching heart, but Miao Tian afforded her no opportunity to fret. Flipping his free hand, a handful of small stones appeared in his palm.

Resting a stone against the crook of his index finger, he pressed his thumb down hard and flicked. The small stone instantly transformed into a streak of light, striking Yun Qingyao squarely on the forehead!

"Ouch!"

The impact knocked Yun Qingyao backward. A large bump rapidly swelled on her forehead, and a layer of mist instantly welled up in her eyes.

"Let Senior Brother test the depths of your foundations."

"Come!"

Brandishing the peach wood branch in one hand and the small stones in the other, Miao Tian unleashed a fierce assault on Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao. Naturally, the couple was not the type to stand idly and take a beating.

They immediately fled.

They bolted straight out of the hall.

However, Miao Tian was far faster. Even when Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao sprinted outside, Miao Tian pursued them relentlessly, driving them all the way down the mountain.

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao had no other choice.

Dodging Miao Tian's attacks, they scrambled down the slopes. Just as they reached the foot of Changming Peak, they spotted another figure running in the distance.

"Senior Brother Li Yunqi!?"

"You're still cultivating this late at night?" Ning Fan asked, finding a brief gap to speak.

It was already deep into the night, nearing the early hours of the morning. He never expected Li Yunqi to still be running laps around Changming Peak. Such bitter diligence.

"..."

Hearing this, the corner of Li Yunqi's mouth twitched violently.

Damn it all.

Did they think he wanted to cultivate this bitterly!?

Was it not because Miao Tian had ordered him to run ten extra laps, threatening to double the punishment tomorrow if he failed? He had no choice but to run as if his life depended on it!

"Hey, hey!"

Suddenly, Li Yunqi caught sight of Miao Tian driving Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao forward from behind. A gloating expression instantly bloomed on his face.

"Junior Brother Ning, Junior Sister Yun."

"Don't just talk about me. You two are cultivating bitterly as well, I see?"

Ning Fan: "..."

Yun Qingyao: "..."

Uttering a single mocking remark was not enough. Li Yunqi simply halted his run and began to cheer for Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao.

"Keep it up!"

"Junior Brother Ning, dodge to the left!"

"Oh dear."

"Split up and run! If you split up, at least one of you can escape!"

"Oh, I almost forgot."

"With Chief Disciple Miao's speed, he is likely herding you two together on purpose."

"..."

Ning Fan was already burning with frustration from dodging Miao Tian's peach wood branch. Hearing Li Yunqi's blatant mockery made him lose his composure entirely. Yet, the moment his focus slipped...

The peach wood branch lashed onto his body.

"Ahahaha."

Li Yunqi clutched his stomach, roaring with laughter.

But in the very next moment.

His extreme joy turned to sorrow. Miao Tian completely abandoned Yun Qingyao and Ning Fan, gripped his peach wood branch, and darted straight toward him!

Seeing Miao Tian closing in, Li Yunqi's face turned ghastly pale. He hurriedly turned and fled, but Miao Tian's speed vastly eclipsed his own. The peach wood branch rained down upon Li Yunqi's back, strike after strike.

"I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong!"

"Chief Disciple Miao!"

"Have mercy!"

"..."

Li Yunqi's miserable shrieks echoed endlessly, his voice rising and falling in a melodious cadence, sounding exactly like a wailing ape.

"..."

Yun Qingyao and Ning Fan exchanged a glance. It appeared that Chief Disciple Miao had actually been holding back against them just now. When chasing Li Yunqi, Miao Tian's speed had surged by more than half, far surpassing the pace he used against the two of them.

Before they could rest for more than a breath, Miao Tian returned to stand before them.

The moment he raised his hand.

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao dodged on pure instinct.

One pursued, two evaded.

They were chased forcefully for more than half a lap around the base of Changming Peak!!

Eventually, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao collapsed onto the ground.

They gasped heavily for air.

They were drenched in sweat from head to toe, their robes thoroughly soaked.

"Not bad. You two have a solid foundation."

"Tomorrow, I will arrange a cultivation regimen tailored to your current conditions. Look forward to it."

The corners of Miao Tian's mouth curled upward.

Ning Fan: "..."

Yun Qingyao: "..."

They had to undergo this cultivation again tomorrow?

No wonder.

No wonder Li Yunqi, Lin Yu, and the others reacted like mice spotting a cat whenever they saw Miao Tian. With a Chief Disciple like this, even Ning Fan felt a lingering fear!!

Paying no further heed to Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao, Miao Tian's figure flickered and dissolved into the boundless night.

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao rested for a long while before finally pushing themselves up.

However, just as they rose to their feet.

Ning Fan suddenly detected a trace of anomaly...

88.181.249.5

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