Chapter 4: New Mission, Lesser Yang Dao Examination

Li Yinsheng chuckled. "That's why practicing mortal martial arts leaves you exhausted the next day, but after practicing the Qingxuan Scripture, a good night's sleep will inevitably leave you full of vigor.

"However, the Qingxuan Scripture is not a Body Cultivation Technique. Once your foundation is solid and your Primordial Energy is abundant, you can begin cultivating Magical Power. As for Qi Blood itself, it's not all that important."

"Does that mean I can just meditate then, without having to practice martial arts and stance training?" Mu Xiaoyu's eyes lit up.

"You could say that," Li Yinsheng nodded.

"Then when will I reach that step?" Mu Xiaoyu quickly pressed.

"You will begin cultivating Magical Power at the Second Layer of the Qingxuan Scripture, but you will still need to supplement it with methods to temper the body, nourish energy, and build blood. It isn't until you reach the Fourth Layer that this Magic Technique will no longer be of use.

"Junior Sister Mu, considering your aptitude... you will need to put in considerable effort. To reach the Second Layer with my guidance, it should take about a year or two."

Li Yinsheng rubbed his chin. "As for the Fourth Layer... if you are diligent enough, I think there's a fair chance you could master it in ten years."

In truth, he was already giving a conservative estimate.

With Junior Sister Mu's aptitude, reaching the Second Layer within two years was indeed possible.

But the Qingxuan Scripture was easy at first and grew harder later. Given her talent, if she had no external help, taking twenty years to progress from the Second Layer to the Fourth Layer would be completely normal.

"Ah? That long?!" Mu Xiaoyu's eyes widened instantly.

Before Li Yinsheng could answer, she seemed to think of something. Hopping down from the long desk, she gazed up at him with wide, watery eyes and spoke with a face full of hope.

"Since I can practice other things from the Second Layer anyway, can I just start meditating exclusively from then on? If I practice fewer things, maybe I can progress even faster."

Li Yinsheng's eyes immediately bulged wider than hers. Without a second thought, he delivered a sharp knock squarely onto the top of her head.

"Do you have a death wish? How dare you casually alter a Cultivation Technique!"

"WAA!" Accompanied by a resonant THUNK that sounded like someone striking a wooden fish block, Mu Xiaoyu squatted down, clutching the top of her head.

"Every Cultivation Technique has been meticulously refined by countless predecessors. Altering even a single word carries the risk of qi deviation, and you dare suggest skipping an entire section?" Li Yinsheng's expression darkened completely. "It seems I really will have to keep a close eye on you from now on!"

"SOB..." Squatting on the ground, Mu Xiaoyu looked up at Li Yinsheng. "Senior Brother, I'll practice normally, but can I take a day off today?"

"This is your second day on the mountain," Li Yinsheng replied, staring down at her expressionlessly.

"But... I practiced for four hours yesterday. I was constantly doing stance training, boxing, and Breathing. I'm really so tired..." Mu Xiaoyu looked incredibly wronged. Her eyes grew moist, as if she were on the verge of bursting into tears at any moment.

"I already told you, the Qingxuan Scripture doesn't overdraw your body's limits. The exhaustion from cultivation will disappear after just one sleep—"

Li Yinsheng suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He looked at the tears shimmering in Mu Xiaoyu's eyes, and then at the empty golden text on the scroll.

After he completed his task and claimed the reward last night, his cheat had returned to its original state. Currently, there were no new tasks.

"Never mind. Consider it a reward for becoming a Beginner in the Qingxuan Scripture in less than half a day. I'll give you a day off. Get some good rest," Li Yinsheng said.

Since his cheat didn't have any tasks at the moment anyway, and the little girl looked to be only fifteen or sixteen, he figured she was probably used to living a life of luxury. Having suddenly left her parents to undergo bitter cultivation on the mountain, she needed some time to adapt.

The tearful glint in Mu Xiaoyu's eyes instantly transformed into a joyous sparkle.

"Besides, you are currently in the foundation-building stage, so there's truly no need to rush. Since you are only a Beginner now, you won't be able to make it in time for next year's Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination anyway.

"It's better to focus on your cultivation for now. Once you reach the Second Layer or even the Third Layer, you can participate in the Lesser Yang Field Examination four years from now..." Li Yinsheng added casually.

The familiar resonant chime of Huang Zhong and Da Lv echoed in Li Yinsheng's ears. The scroll unfurled before his eyes, and new golden text emerged.

[Cultivation Aspiration: Lesser Yang Dao Examination — Since the Master of the Cave Heaven has already joined the Sect, you ought to stand out in the Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, which tests the potential of disciples, to earn the Sect's attention and nurturing!

Please make every effort to obtain a high-tier evaluation in the Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination.

Once the Master of the Cave Heaven exceeds twenty years of age or achieves an A Class evaluation in the Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, this Cultivation Aspiration will unlock the Zhengyang Field Dao Examination phase.

Every time the Master of the Cave Heaven obtains an evaluation, the rewards for all lower-tier evaluations will be issued together. However, each type of reward can only be claimed once and cannot be collected repeatedly.

Cultivation Rewards:

Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, obtain an E Class evaluation: Reward one year of Cultivation;

Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, obtain a D Class evaluation: Reward ten years of Cultivation;

Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, obtain a C Class evaluation: Reward twenty years of Cultivation;

Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, obtain a B Class evaluation: Reward fifty years of Cultivation;

Lesser Yang Field Dao Examination, obtain an A Class evaluation: Reward one hundred years of Cultivation]

Staring at the new task floating before him, Li Yinsheng fell into a surprised silence, followed by a thoughtful contemplation.

"Really? Can I really rest today?" Mu Xiaoyu cheered, bouncing up from the ground.

"Of course not!" Li Yinsheng's face instantly turned stern. "Studying the Dao is like guarding a forbidden city; one must defend against the six thieves by day and remain ever vigilant by night! You want to rest after just one day of practice?

"You must understand that cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you are not moving forward, you are falling behind! Fishing for three days and drying nets for two is already the absolute epitome of laziness, and you want to fish for one day and dry your nets for the next?

"Forget about resting! Come, Junior Sister, come practice with me! The most important part of the day is the morning! Since you've already missed your morning practice, you'll just have to double your efforts to make up for it!"

Mu Xiaoyu froze, seemingly unable to process Li Yinsheng's words right away.

A few breaths later, her delicate face flushed red at a visible speed, and a crystalline gleam once again brimmed in the corners of her eyes.