The three hundred and eighty-sixth time.
Amid the endless clamor and mental torment, Su Ling'er felt herself gradually growing numb.
Only when Senior Disciple Brother's footsteps drew near did her numb nerves prick like they had been jabbed with a needle, and she tensed instinctively.
The soreness and exhaustion from repetitive labor were instantly overwhelmed by a much stronger sense of wariness.
She turned around and forced a smile even uglier than a grimace.
"Senior Disciple Brother, is there something else you need?"
The deafening noise only made her feel more lonely and helpless.
Senior Disciple Brother's figure, riding on the wind, cast a shadow over Su Ling'er.
His gaze settled on the strands of hair stuck to her cheeks with sweat.
"Junior Sister, are you tired?"
he asked with concern,
"Should I have them put in a little more effort?"
"Are they not shouting loudly enough for you to feel the strength they're passing on to you?"
"Would you like me to tell them to give it their all?"
Su Ling'er shuddered at his words.
Senior Disciple Brother!
Bro!
Can I just call you Bro?
Don't make them shout anymore!
And you want them to shout louder?
Are you trying to kill me faster?!
I'm practically dead already. I feel like I can't take it anymore!
The best way you could show me some concern would be to make them shut up!
The noise that she had almost grown used to now seemed even more grating after Senior Disciple Brother's words.
Su Ling'er hurriedly replied:
"I'm not tired! Thank you for your concern, Senior Disciple Brother! Serving the sect is my duty!"
"Mm."
Lin Qingfeng nodded slightly, his expression approving, though his words took a different turn.
"Duty is important, of course, but cultivation is even more about using the right methods."
"You possess the Myriad Transformations Return to Origin True Manual, but using it to strengthen your foundation is only the first step."
"If you could begin cultivating our sect's Sword Refining Art as well, using your body as a furnace to temper your bones, flesh, and blood, your body would grow resilient, and your Spiritual Power would flow without obstruction."
"How could chores like sweeping leaves and carrying water possibly tire you then?"
Good heavens!
You recommended this cultivation art just so I wouldn't get tired of sweeping and carrying water?!
When will these days of sweeping and carrying water ever end?!
I'd take any other job at this point!!!!
Heavens!
Earth!
Heavenly Dao!
When will this life ever end?!
And Senior Disciple Brother was once again telling her in that "I'm only doing this for your own good, for your future" tone that the reason she was suffering now was entirely because she hadn't practiced that cruel, demonic cultivation art.
If only she was willing, then these little hardships would be nothing.
He was using the promise of future strength to justify the torment she was enduring now.
Su Ling'er added a hint of guilt to her expression at just the right moment.
"Senior Disciple Brother is right.
"But I feel that cultivation is like building a high wall, and the foundation matters most.
"I've only just reached Qi Refining Great Perfection, and my foundation is still unstable.
"Besides... I watched that Senior Brother die right in front of me. It's been difficult to calm myself, and I wanted to use these chores to temper my mind and steadily solidify my foundation.
"When my mind is free of flaws and my foundation is firm, I will certainly choose to cultivate the Sword Refining Art."
She raised her head and looked at Lin Qingfeng with sincere eyes.
"Senior Disciple Brother needn't rush me. We agreed on three to five days, and within that time, I will certainly give you a satisfactory answer.
"By then, I'm sure I'll get twice the results with half the effort and won't let down the sect, Senior Disciple Brother, or the hopes of the Senior Brother who passed away!"
"All... right."
Lin Qingfeng nodded, seeming to accept her explanation.
"By the way, Junior Sister,"
"You only need to do this task another one hundred and fourteen times, and then you'll be able to take on new tasks. The rewards then will be even more generous than the ones you're getting now."
He glanced at the "cheer squad" over there.
"Are you sure you don't need those Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to put in a little more effort for you?"
Junior Sister hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no need!
"Junior Sister understands how hard the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are working. I'm deeply moved that they're encouraging me so tirelessly!
"They... really don't need to do any more.
"I'm grateful all the same. Their cultivation is more important, so let them hurry back to their caves and cultivate."
"Don't worry about it, Junior Sister."
Lin Qingfeng waved his hand grandly.
"Let them carry on as they are, then. We won't ask them to step it up. Just keep up the good work.
"I've seen how hard you're working for the sect, Junior Sister.
"Besides, as long as you cultivate diligently, our sect's Gui Xi Secret Realm will be opening soon.
"It's the greatest opportunity our sect has to offer, and it's never opened to outsiders. When the time comes, I'll make sure you get a spot."
A secret realm?
A secret realm belonging to the sect?
Could it be one of those legendary places where you can explore, have adventures, and obtain all sorts of opportunities?
Even the inner disciples of Qing Xu Temple never got that kind of treatment!
Even Qing Xu Temple's direct disciples rarely had the chance to enter a secret realm.
And after exploring one, you'd have to hand over part of your gains to the superior sect. If you found a treasure the superior sect liked, they'd force you to trade it away.
For the disciples of Qing Xu Temple, inner or outer, that was something they wouldn't even dare dream about.
After all, were they even worthy?
Was an outer disciple who'd once been at the third level of Qi Refining worthy?
Even to get a taste, you'd have to be a direct disciple of Qing Xu Temple to have a chance at getting so much as a sip.
And this Demonic Sect was actually willing to let me into its secret realm?
I was a brand-new disciple, and this kind of opportunity could actually fall to me?
Unbelievable!
The word "opportunity" held an irresistible allure for every cultivator.
But what... was this "Gui Xi Secret Realm," anyway?
"Junior Sister is ignorant and has never heard of the Gui Xi Secret Realm. Could Senior Disciple Brother tell me what kind of secret realm it is, and when it will open?"
Here it comes. She's asking for specifics.
Lin Qingfeng kept his expression unchanged, but inwardly he was grumbling like mad.
Doesn't it all depend on when this Junior Sister fills up those five hundred thousand Contribution Points?!
Whenever you fill them up, that's when it opens!
How am I supposed to know when it'll open?!
It all depends on you!
You're the only native NPC in our sect!
I can't just say, "Once you've finished ten thousand sect tasks, it'll open on its own," can I?
First, that wouldn't make any sense. Second, what would happen to my lofty, enlightened-master persona?!
So once again, he clasped his hands behind his back and gazed into the distance, his expression becoming inscrutable.
"The Gui Xi Secret Realm is the foundation on which our sect was established. It contains a world of its own and is filled with extraordinary mysteries."
"Only those with great fortune may enter."
"As for when it will open..."
"Heaven's secrets must not be revealed."
"Just remember this: opportunity favors the prepared."
"When you've done enough for the sect, when your own 'Dao' is firm enough, the secret realm's gates will open for you."
The corner of Junior Sister's mouth twitched.
Well, that was the same as saying nothing!
What does "done enough for the sect" mean? Isn't that just telling me to keep working like a beast?
And what does "your own Dao is firm enough" mean? Isn't that just waiting until they've ground down every last bit of my spirit and I've completely given in?
And "open for you"?
Do I really have that much pull?
Will a secret realm really open just for me?
Why don't you say the entire Cultivation World will sparkle for me while you're at it!
Senior Disciple Brother was drawing another big promise.
This Demonic Sect had an endless supply of sinister ways to exploit its low-ranking disciples.
With one empty promise, it squeezed every last bit of value out of them in the present.
Su Ling'er stopped holding on to any hope. All she could do was focus on what Senior Disciple Brother had said earlier.
I—I only have to do this one hundred and fourteen more times!
Then it's over!
At least I won't have to carry water and sweep anymore!!!!
Maybe the tasks after that will even offer rewards like spirit stones.
With that in mind, she didn't hesitate. She began to rein in her Spiritual Power output, trying to control it more precisely as she handled chores like sweeping and carrying water.
She had to make sure she didn't drain herself dry before finishing those last one hundred and fourteen tasks!
Before you continue