On the way back, the names on the Rankings Board still kept surfacing in his mind. The gap was far too great. Even with the spirit crystals provided by the system, he had little confidence that he could rank among the best.
"Xu Qingqing is actually at the Qi Martial Fourth Level. That is truly terrifying. But even more terrifying is that yellow-surnamed youth beside her. No, not Huang—the Imperial Clan!"
"Even a prince of Feng Country had to begin as a labor disciple after joining the Sun Moon Sword Sect..."
At that moment, the Sun Moon Sword Sect became even more mysterious in Yang Chen's eyes.
Feng Country's territory was vast, spanning tens of thousands of miles from north to south and just as many from east to west. The Imperial Clan was the royal family that ruled over a billion people of Feng Country.
This showed just how powerful the Imperial Clan was.
Yet a prince from such an unfathomably powerful royal family had actually joined the Sun Moon Sword Sect and begun as a labor disciple. This proved that the Sun Moon Sword Sect was far stronger than he had imagined.
At that moment, Yang Chen felt as if a corner of this vast, surging world was slowly lifting its veil before him.
He was uneasy and fearful, thrilled and expectant, wishing he could plunge headlong into that blazing, radiant age like a moth flying into a flame.
Only after reaching the spirit field area did Yang Chen calm his emotions.
He knew full well that no matter how much he thought about it now, it would all be empty. Only by constantly improving his strength and raising his cultivation could he gain a firm foothold in this brilliant age.
Arriving at Spirit Field No. 8, he carefully inspected it once, then used his token to activate the formation and release the spiritual energy gathered within the field.
After finishing all this, he eagerly entered the wooden hut and began cultivating.
The days passed one after another. The life of a labor disciple was dull and monotonous, yet Yang Chen reveled in it, enjoying the pleasure brought by the growth of his strength.
When the eighth day arrived, Yang Chen's cultivation had risen to the Qi Martial Third Level. But this was only a minor interlude, and he continued his steady, low-profile cultivation life.
Time flowed on once more. Before he knew it, half a month had passed since the day the cultivation Rankings Board had opened.
At Spirit Field No. 8, Yang Chen stood on the ridge between the fields, carefully examining the spirit rice. "Judging by the time, the day for harvesting the spirit rice should not be far off."
He clearly remembered what Senior Brother Luo had said before leaving: when the spirit rice matured, senior brothers and sisters from the Outer Sect would come down to arrange the harvest.
So far, he had not heard the slightest bit of news. He guessed it was because his status was too low; even if there were rumors, they would never reach his ears.
But he did not care. He only needed to ensure that nothing went wrong before the spirit rice harvest.
Meanwhile, on the mountainside of a towering peak thousands of miles away, a stern-faced man in red robes, his entire body carrying a faint aura of immortality, was making his way unhurriedly toward the foot of the mountain.
Beside him stood a man and a woman. Both also wore red robes, and the auras they occasionally gave off were as terrifying as an abyss or sea.
The three appeared to move slowly, yet each step carried them dozens of zhang. In the blink of an eye, they had crossed several hundred zhang.
After about a quarter of an hour, the three arrived outside a magnificent, resplendent hall at the foot of the mountain.
"Welcome, Uncle-Master Liao, Uncle-Master Du, and Aunt-Master Chen!"
The moment the three appeared outside the hall, deep and steady voices rang out one after another.
Below the hall's steps stood several dozen white-robed disciples with astonishing presences.
The stern-faced man in red robes nodded slightly, then strode into the hall beneath the escort of the white-robed disciples welcoming him from both sides.
The instant before the red-robed woman stepped into the hall, her calm voice spread out. "All of you, come in."
Having received the red-robed woman's approval, the white-robed disciples standing guard on both sides filed inside.
Upon entering the hall, they saw an enormous meeting chamber large enough to accommodate over a thousand people.
The stern-faced man was called Uncle-Master Liao. He took a seat in the center, while Uncle-Master Du and Aunt-Master Chen sat on either side of him. The remaining white-robed disciples took their seats in order around the three.
Under everyone's watchful gazes, Uncle-Master Liao said in a deep voice, "The spirit fields of the Sixteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-Third, and Twenty-Fifth Labor Peaks are about to mature. By order of True Disciple Senior Brother, Liao has been assigned to oversee this spirit field harvest."
"You ninety will divide into five teams. Junior Brother Du will coordinate all matters concerning the Sixteenth and Nineteenth Labor Peaks, while Junior Sister Chen will coordinate the remaining three peaks."
Uncle-Master Liao was decisive and efficient. With a few words, he had divided the ninety Outer Sect disciples present into five teams. He continued, "The harvest will take place ten days from now. Harvesting spirit rice is an important matter for Hidden Sword Peak and must not be delayed. Until the harvest is complete, Liao will remain here to oversee matters. Report anything immediately!"
"Dismissed."
With a sweep of Uncle-Master Liao's hand, he slowly closed his eyes like an old monk entering meditation.
The red-robed man known as Uncle-Master Du was the first to rise and head outside the hall. Before long, everyone had left the hall.
Once outside, Uncle-Master Du said coldly, "Until the spirit rice harvest is completed, no one is to approach the council hall."
"Yes!"
Uncle-Master Du looked toward Aunt-Master Chen, dressed in red and possessing peerless beauty. "Junior Sister Chen, choose your people first."
Aunt-Master Chen's gaze was like a blade as she swept it across the ninety people present. Then she flicked her finger, and an irresistible invisible force separated the ninety people into two clearly distinct groups.
Aunt-Master Chen looked toward the larger group and said calmly, "You will come with me. This is my first time overseeing a spirit rice harvest, and there are certain matters that require your cooperation."
Very soon, the group of several dozen departed first.
Looking at the remaining thirty-six people, Uncle-Master Du pointed at two of them. "You two will each lead a team. Each team will be responsible for one peak."
The two who had been selected revealed delighted expressions and answered in unison, "Yes!"
This was a rare chance to distinguish themselves. Inner Sect Disciples lived high upon the mountainside and rarely came down the mountain. Even when they did, unless one deliberately paid attention, no one would notice them.
If the two handled this matter beautifully, won Uncle-Master Du's appreciation, and caught his eye, their paths in martial cultivation would surely become far smoother.
"You two remain. The others may disperse. Remember to stay in contact at all times."
Uncle-Master Du's words carried absolute authority. Though the remaining thirty-six wanted to show themselves a little more, none dared defy his command.
This was an Inner Sect Disciple. Not only was his status exalted, but his strength was earth-shaking. Every one of them had cultivation above the Transcendent Realm, peerless figures capable of flying through the heavens and burrowing into the earth, splitting mountains and severing rivers with a single palm.
After everyone had left, Uncle-Master Du glanced at the two somewhat restrained disciples. "Later, arrange for people to deliver a message to the two peaks. Tell the stewards of both peaks to come see me at the Wu Ding Grand Restaurant in Hidden Sword City."
"I need you to prepare all the supplies and personnel needed for the spirit rice harvest within three days. You may discuss this matter with the managers of the two peaks."
"For the spirit rice harvest ten days from now, I do not want to see a single mistake. If any team causes an error in this harvest, I will hold you accountable."
A white-robed young man said respectfully, "Please rest assured, Martial Uncle. We will certainly complete the task perfectly!"
"Mm. If anything arises, come find me at the Wu Ding Grand Restaurant."
As soon as he finished speaking, Uncle-Master Du shot into the air. He stood suspended in the void, then transformed into a streak of rainbow light and vanished beyond the horizon in an instant.
The two Outer Sect disciples exchanged a glance, each seeing the envy and longing in the other's eyes.
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