Running! Fetching Water!

Time passed quickly, and more than half a year went by like this.

Ling Tian still ran three laps every day, but now he didn't need to stop and rest. He could run without even a hint of breathlessness. His handsome young face didn't even show a single bead of sweat. The little guy now carried an air of heroism in his every move, blending perfectly with nature.

On this day, just as Ling Tian finished his daily training, Lingyun called out to him.

"Tian'er, I heard you've even started running backward now." Lingyun's eyes hid a hint of slyness.

"Yeah, it was quite easy to finish," Ling Tian replied without suspicion.

"Good, good!" Before Ling Tian could even smile, Lingyun changed the subject. "Then, starting tomorrow, you'll carry water uphill from the foot of the mountain. Three times a day is still fine."

"Uh..." Ling Tian's unbloomed smile immediately died in its cradle.

"Not a single drop of water can be spilled," Lingyun said, now like an old fox who had achieved his wicked plan.

"Sigh, I know, Daddy. I guess I shouldn't get too cocky," the latter half was muttered by Ling Tian, who didn't dare let Lingyun hear it. Who knew if his Daddy Lingyun would come up with even more demands.

"It looks like the mountain path is overgrown with weeds again. You'll carry water in one hand and use a knife to clear the weeds with the other," Lingyun added as if suddenly remembering something.

Ling Tian, who had just reached the doorway, immediately fell to the ground. He quickly got up and fled as fast as lightning.

"Hahaha..." After Ling Tian fled, a burst of triumphant laughter echoed.

"Alas, the ancients said, 'Don't show off, or you'll be in trouble.' The ancients truly did not deceive me," Ling Tian sighed.

The next day, Ling Tian ran the mountain path carrying water, but he either spilled it or forgot to clear the weeds.

Lingyun's requirement was to clear one weed every three steps. Ling Tian often couldn't manage both, sometimes spilling water all over himself, looking quite pathetic. Even his friends among the ape-like beasts mocked him, which greatly embarrassed him and made him furious. However, the moment he got distracted by anger, he became even less able to manage carrying water and clearing weeds.

For a time, Ling Tian's mood was at its absolute worst. By the end of the day, he hadn't brought a single bucket of water up the mountain, though he had run more than five laps.

During dinner that night, Ling Tian's face was full of resentment, which caused Lingyun to laugh heartily. Ling Tian quickly finished his meal and went to bed.

"Hmph, I don't believe I can't do it. I'll continue tomorrow," Ling Tian grumbled in bed, full of defiance. Then, his eyes closed, and he fell into a deep sleep. He was exhausted today.

The second day, not a single drop of water was left in the bucket.

The third day, half a bucket of water ended up on Ling Tian.

A month later, Ling Tian could barely manage to not spill a single drop of water, but he forgot to clear half the weeds.

Three months later, Ling Tian finally managed Lingyun's requirement of "carrying water and clearing weeds simultaneously." However, he could only complete one lap per day.

Half a year later, Ling Tian's ability to multitask greatly improved. He could now complete two laps a day.

A year later, Ling Tian could barely meet all of Lingyun's requirements.

"Alas, so Daddy was training my multitasking skills. In just two years, my mental cultivation has significantly increased," Ling Tian suddenly understood Lingyun's painstaking efforts after completing his daily task.

The path of cultivation required Alchemy and artifact forging later on, both of which tested mental control. Being able to do many things at once, multitasking was the most basic skill.

"Hmm, I'm still barely managing it. I should continue cultivating for a while longer."

Since he understood Lingyun's good intentions, Ling Tian no longer resisted. He strived for perfection in his tasks and became more convinced of Lingyun's various "schemes," accepting them with a "come what may" attitude.

Thus, Ling Tian carried water for another half a year. He could now perfectly complete Lingyun's requirements, even doing so with ease and surplus energy.

"I wonder what difficult task Daddy will give me next? Also, Daddy said someone would bring me a Cultivation Method, why hasn't it arrived yet?" Ling Tian clearly hadn't forgotten Lingyun's mysterious smile at the time.

"I wonder what kind of Cultivation Method it is. Even Daddy praised it so highly, it must be quite good. I really want to see it soon," Ling Tian's face was full of anticipation.

"Tian'er, come here." Lingyun called out from the end of the ancient path as he saw Ling Tian reach the mountain summit.

"Yes, Daddy, what is it?" Ling Tian hurried to Lingyun's side and asked.

"Not bad, not bad. You've grown taller, become more agile and strong, and your eyes are even more spirited," Lingyun replied, not directly answering the question. Looking at the handsome and upright Ling Tian, he was quite satisfied.

Ling Tian was now thirteen years old. At thirteen, his "training" of three to four years made him appear even more radiant. He had a tall stature and bright, clear eyes. Standing there, he was like a drawn sword, exuding a subtle aura.

"Starting today, you'll have a piece of clothing to wear. Wear this when you go up the mountain from now on." Lingyun gestured with his left hand, and a dark-colored upper garment appeared out of thin air.

"Oh, I understand." Ling Tian hurriedly took the clothes.

"Ah."

As soon as he received the clothes, Ling Tian suddenly let out a cry of surprise. His receiving hand sank, and he quickly exerted force to avoid falling, but his body bent like a lobster.

"This, this outfit weighs at least twice my body weight..." Ling Tian's voice trembled slightly. Although Ling Tian was now tall and slender with well-defined muscles, they weren't bulging.

His weight was at least a hundred catties, not at all like a child of ten-odd years. That outfit would weigh over two hundred catties.

"Hehe, it's made of Black Iron, but it has 'soft steel' added. It's as soft and comfortable as silk clothes, and its toughness is excellent. Very durable and wear-resistant," Lingyun said with a smile.

"Daddy, you're too cruel." Ling Tian rolled his eyes.

"It's just a small matter for you, haha." Seeing Ling Tian flustered, Lingyun burst into laughter.

"Alright, sigh!" Ling Tian could only accept it.

"You have to wear it when you sleep at night too," Lingyun added as Ling Tian was about to go back and rest.

Ling Tian stumbled, his face a wry smile.

That night, Ling Tian slept wearing the "Black Iron Clothes." He tossed and turned, unable to sleep, finally understanding what it meant to "toss and turn" and "be unable to sleep through the night."

(Some content has been omitted due to content policy conflicts)