The Nine Peaks continued discussing the courses of action that Jiuyang Sect should take.
Shortly after, an order went out to seal the sect's gates. Disciples were also prohibited from venturing out of the sect, and disciples who were training outside were summoned back to the sect.
…
On Chuyang Peak.
Jiang Ming could not have cared less about the commotion outside.
He used his mana to turn the paddy he and Linglong had harvested into rice-flour noodles, rice noodles, rice noodle rolls, rice cakes, and glutinous rice balls. He made several other varieties of noodles as well.
Linglong undoubtedly had the feast of life.
"You're amazing, Senior Brother! The food is delicious!" Linglong exclaimed. She asked curiously, "Where did you learn to make these?"
She wondered inwardly, "Where did he learn how to cook? Why is he so interested in farming? Is it because my cultivation base is too profound? Is that why he feels there's no need to work hard?"
"When you were cultivating at Taiyang Peak, I was quite bored. Hence, I spent time looking through the books in the library and somehow started studying how to cook. I wanted to prepare delicious food for you when you return," Jiang Ming explained with a smile, "In the future, I'll grow and cook all the things you want to eat!"
"You're so nice to me, Senior Brother!" Zi Linglong's eyes reddened as she threw herself into Jiang Ming's arms.
"That's only natural." Jiang Ming ruffled her long hair. "Alright, you're not a kid anymore. Why are you crying?"
"I don't care!" Linglong rubbed her face on his chest.
Jiang Ming looked at her helplessly.
…
When Gu Hai returned in the afternoon, he recounted the things he had heard to his two disciples.
Jiang Ming did not have much of a reaction, but Linglong was greatly shocked.
'Ge Changqing and Mu Lei died? Luo Hou the devil? They discovered the devils' base and battled intensely? All I did was awaken my phoenix bloodline ahead of time. How did it lead to this chain of events?' Linglong was shocked and confused. However, it did not bother her. To her, the most important thing was to protect her senior brother. She could not care less about other matters.
The situation at Chuyang Peak remained the same even after receiving the explosive news.
After dinner, the trio sat on the rooftop and admired the moon as they drank tea.
Gu Hai said emotionally, "Ming, I didn't expect you to have such a huge improvement in your cultivation in just a few years by farming and tempering your character. You're now at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Since this method is beneficial to your cultivation, why don't you use the lands on the neighboring mountains as well?"
"I'm tempering my heart, character, and will. I will put my heart and soul into working hard. Before this, I tried to gain insights by pondering on how the seeds germinate, grow roots, shoots, flowers, and fruits before they mature and wither away. Before I knew it, my heart was one with nature and I gained insight into several wonderful truths. As a result, my cultivation improved as well. Moreover, Junior Sister's Foundation Establishment Pills helped me reach the Foundation Establishment Realm in one go," Jiang Ming said.
"This is the path of sincerity!" Gu Hai said as his eyes lit up, "Wonderful! Who would have thought that farming would help your heart be one with nature? It's a Grand Path as well!"
Linglong nodded silently.
Jiang Ming smiled. Inwardly, he thought to himself, 'F*ck the path of sincerity! Well, at least they bought this nonsense.'
Swoosh!
The Human Path Records flipped open.
Jiang Ming wanted to check on Yue Cheng to see if he was up to no good.
Name: Yue Cheng
Gender: Male
Cultivation base: Dao Seed Realm.
Background: First Seat of Zhiyang Peak (Note: He's actually an Elder of Yinmo Sect)
Relationship: -12
Status: He's puzzled by Ge Changqing and Mu Lei's deaths that were supposedly the work of the devil sect's Luo Hou. He did not know who Luo Hou was. When he learned that one of their bases had been discovered and a big battle had taken place, he was struck with fear. He contemplated fleeing the sect since it would be too late once he's exposed. He continues to anxiously wait for updates.
A confused expression appeared briefly on Jiang Ming's face. Their relationship value was now -12. This meant that Yue Cheng was slowly forgetting about a minor character like himself.
To the current Jiang Ming, Yue Cheng was no longer someone he feared. All he needed to do was keep an eye on Yue Cheng.
…
Over the next few days, Jiang Ming and Linglong did not cultivate.
The two of them plowed and tilled the land.
This time, Jiang Ming was only given one reward: the Life and Death Disillusionment Formation Plate. It was an extremely powerful Dao Vessel. After it was cultivated, he could set up a Grand Formation. It would be able to maintain itself by absorbing spiritual qi and could also be boosted with spiritual crystals. This reward was undoubtedly useful.
After receiving the reward, Jiang Ming buried the Formation Plate under the pavilion. It silently fused with the original Grand Formation, leaving no traces nor ripples behind. With that, Chuyang Peak's defenses were greatly enhanced.
…
The carefree days continued to pass.
Jiang Ming was two days from reaching the third anniversary of him obtaining the system when Gu Hai brought back grim news.
"Qingyun Sect has issued a decree to all the sects and great families in the Eastern Region to send out disciples to annihilate the devils!" Gu Hai said with a sigh, "Our sect can't defy the decree. Our peaceful days are over, and we'll see blood again…"
"Can't Qingyun Sect deal with this matter on their own?" Jiang Ming asked.
"They can't if it's the Six Devil Sects we're dealing with. However, it seems like we're only dealing with the Yinmo Sect. It's unfortunate that its members are scattered everywhere so it's difficult for us to clean them up in one fell swoop. This is why the Qingyun Sect wants the other forces to join in this mission," Gu Hai explained, "A few great battles took place several days ago which resulted in a high number of casualties. Based on the situation, it's likely that Yinmo Sect is trying to make a comeback. I wonder what the devil sects are planning. I think chaos will descend on the world soon. This is really bad…"
After a brief pause, Gu Hai continued to say, "Each sect will have to send disciples to search the surrounding lands at least. However, since there are only three of us here at Chuyang Peak, and we only have the elderly and the young, the Sect Master exempted us from this mission. Both of you should stay put on the mountain, understand?"
Following that, Linglong hurriedly said, "Master, I want to participate in the mission!"
"No!" Gu Hai refused her decisively. "You're the hope of Chuyang Peak. You're the sect's future. I won't let you take this risk. Your current mission is to focus on your cultivation. You don't have to worry about anything else."
"I won't go far by just cultivating, Master! I won't grow without experiencing trials," Linglong argued, "Now that the devils are on the move, our peaceful days are over!"
"It's still a no! I'm going to the great hall to check on things. Look after your junior sister, Ming." Gu Hai waved his sleeve and left.
"Senior Brother!" Linglong held Jiang Ming's arm and shook it before saying in a soft voice, "I'm now a 9th Extreme Golden Core cultivator. I can easily suppress someone with Master's cultivation base. Moreover, I've also mastered spells and Special Abilities I inherited from my phoenix bloodline. They're really powerful so I can look after myself. Due to my phoenix bloodline, I can sense there's a huge opportunity waiting for me outside. If I can grasp it, I'll definitely experience another great boost in my strength!"
"You're so powerful now? I didn't know your bloodline came with those things." Jiang Ming was shocked. However, he shook his head and said, "You're too young. When it comes to cultivating, you should take one step at a time. Don't take risks when it's unnecessary. There'll always be other opportunities in the future."
"But I want to go, Senior Brother!"
"No!"
"Fine, I'll sneak out then!"
"If you dare, I'll spank you like when you were little!"
"I don't care!"
"Are you not going to listen to me anymore?"
"Please, Senior Brother. It's just this once. I'm worried I won't be able to protect you if the sect is under attack. What would I do at that time? Now that I have an opportunity, at least let me try. Don't worry, Senior Brother. I promise to leave if I encounter the devils!"
Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ming felt distressed. He hugged her and said, "Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong as long as I'm here. You're still so young, and yet, you're already worried about so many things. I feel distressed seeing you like this."
"Senior Brother," Linglong said softly, "The devil sects are already making their moves. It'll only become more dangerous from here on out. I'll have to venture out of the sect to kill the enemies sooner or later. Why can't I seize the opportunity now to improve my strength? Please, Senior Brother, just this once! I promise I'll listen to you in the future. With my strength, I'm confident I'll be able to escape from Dao Seed cultivators even if I can't kill them. Moreover, I have the protective Artifact that the Sect Master gave me. I'll be safe!"
Jiang Ming could sense Linglong's determination. He knew that even if he refused her, she would still sneak out. In the end, he had no choice but to nod. "Alright."
With her cultivation base at the 9th Extreme Golden Core Realm, she should be powerful enough to protect herself.
Jiang Ming thought to himself, 'Moreover, I'll be protecting her from the shadows. I should let her go. She's grown up, after all. She'll have to venture outside eventually…"
A surge of emotions welled up in Jiang Ming's heart when he thought about this. For some reason, he felt lonely.