The Delayed Punishment

The next morning, Ling Tian woke up from his formation cultivation early and, after cleaning himself up and preparing some things, headed to Qingdie Peak.

Qingdie Peak in the morning was a scene of gentle mountain breezes, chirping birds, overflowing floral scents, and dancing butterflies – a true earthly paradise.

However, Ling Tian was in no mood to admire the picturesque scenery. He hurried to the plaza in front of the Great Hall on Qingdie Peak. A few figures could already be seen faintly there.

"Brother Ling Tian, over here!" Even from a distance, Hua Min'er waved to him.

Seeing this, Ling Tian said nothing, only quickening his pace. With a few light leaps, he appeared before Hua Min'er.

"Min'er, have you all arrived?" Ling Tian glanced around and asked softly. He noticed everyone was looking at him with a hint of annoyance, though he didn't know why.

"Mm, we were just waiting for you. Hehe, Brother Ling Tian is late. Keeping girls waiting isn't a good habit," Hua Min'er explained with a light smile, clarifying their slight displeasure.

"Uh, alright, I was wrong." Ling Tian felt a bit awkward. He had been late when meeting Hua Min'er before and knew the terrifying consequences.

"Okay, everyone's here, let's go," Yun Ying said, glancing at everyone. Seeing that they had all gathered, she spoke.

Yun Ying must be the leader for this trip, Ling Tian thought to himself. When Yun Ying's gaze swept over him, he felt like a mouse being looked at by a cat, sending a chill down his spine. But he had no choice but to brace himself.

"Mm," everyone replied in unison.

"Ascend!"

With Yun Ying's soft command, a green, ship-like Magic Artifact was summoned. It grew rapidly in the wind, instantly reaching several zhang in size.

"Let's go!" Yun Ying said as she leaped onto the artifact, sitting at the front, presumably to control it.

The others followed suit, jumping aboard and finding empty spaces to sit. Ling Tian held Hua Min'er's small hand, they exchanged a smile, and gracefully leaped onto the artifact, sitting together.

"Go!"

With another soft command from Yun Ying, a green light streaked south.

"Whoa, this Magic Artifact is amazing. Its speed is only a little slower than flying on a sword," Ling Tian marveled, unable to help but praise it.

Hua Min'er chuckled and introduced, "Brother Ling Tian, this is the 'Green Spirit Flying Boat' our master bestowed upon us this time. It's a ninth-grade Magic Artifact, quite a good treasure. It can carry dozens of people at once."

"Oh, I see. Your master is quite generous," Ling Tian nodded in understanding, saying casually.

"Mm, there are many people going on this training mission, and some don't know how to fly on a sword yet, so this is more convenient," Hua Min'er chimed in.

"Indeed. There are eighteen of us in total this time, so this flying boat is quite suitable," Ling Tian's sharp eyes quickly assessed the number of people present.

"Besides our leader, Senior Sister Yun Ying, who is at the Qi Solidification Stage, Senior Sister Yao Yu and the other five are also at the Qi Solidification Stage. The rest are only at the Qi Condensation stage," Hua Min'er pointed to Yao Yu and the others, indicating they were the Qi Solidification stage cultivators.

"Mm, Senior Sister Yun Ying is at level thirty-four of the Qi Solidification Stage, Senior Sister Yao Yu is at level thirty-two, and the other four senior sisters are at level thirty. This force makes the journey quite safe," Ling Tian's Mental Cultivation was very high, nearing the Golden Core Realm, so he could discern their cultivation levels at a glance.

"Brother Ling Tian's Mental Cultivation is so high! Then yours must be at least level thirty-four of the Qi Solidification Stage, Brother, you're amazing!" Hua Min'er said enviously.

Only those with higher Mental Cultivation than others could detect their cultivation levels. Most people's Mental Cultivation was similar to their own cultivation level. Seeing that Ling Tian could easily know the cultivation levels of Yun Ying and the others, his Mental Cultivation must surpass theirs.

"Heh, since I can't cultivate Spiritual Energy, I naturally focus more on Mental Cultivation. It's nothing to be proud of," Ling Tian said with a hint of self-deprecation.

"Okay, Brother Ling Tian, don't be sad. I believe you'll be able to cultivate Spiritual Energy," Hua Min'er quickly comforted him when she saw his dejected expression.

"Mm, I'm not sad, just a little uncomfortable. Seeing all of you improve your cultivation so quickly makes me a bit envious," Ling Tian smiled slightly, his dejection vanishing.

"That's not entirely true. Brother Ling Tian, your formation cultivation has progressed marvelously. Even Elder Yuan Ming praises you highly," Hearing Ling Tian say he was fine, Hua Min'er's mood also improved significantly.

"Hehe, you're progressing even faster. In just one year, you've gone from level twenty-four of Qi Refining to level thirty-six of Qi Condensation. You could enter the Qi Solidification Stage at any time. Your progress is truly divine. A congenital Wood Spirit Physique, your talent is indeed extraordinary," Ling Tian couldn't help but praise.

"Hehe, it's all thanks to your 'Spirit Gathering Formation'. My cultivation speed inside the formation is more than ten times faster," Hearing the person she loved praise her, the little girl was quite pleased, but still said humbly.

If outsiders heard this, it would likely cause a huge stir. Going from level twenty-four of Qi Refining to level thirty-six of Qi Condensation in just one year was something others might not achieve even after decades of cultivation. Even though Yun Ying and Yao Yu reached the Qi Solidification Stage at a young age, around twenty years old, each of them had cultivated for at least twenty to thirty years. Seeing Hua Min'er's cultivation speed, they were all envious.

"Hehe, it's the result of your own hard work," Ling Tian felt a little proud hearing Hua Min'er mention the effectiveness of his 'Spirit Gathering Formation'.

"Hehe, that's right, I'm a genius!" Hua Min'er couldn't help but joke, making Ling Tian laugh heartily.

The others watched them chatting and laughing, and joined their conversation. Thus, everyone chatted and laughed happily all the way, creating a lively atmosphere. No one was particularly worried, as if they weren't going on a monster-slaying training mission but a picnic.

After about an hour, Yun Ying controlled the 'Green Spirit Flying Boat' to descend. It seemed they had reached their destination for this training mission. Everyone disembarked, and Yun Ying put away the flying boat. Ling Tian and the others carefully observed their surroundings.

It was a small village. Due to a zombie biting incident, the surviving villagers had been evacuated. The place was a ruin, with broken walls and collapsed buildings. A faint stench of decay wafted through the air, and the occasional mournful cries of crows only amplified the desolate and ruined atmosphere.

"Hmm, the Corpse Qi is much denser than a few days ago. I guess another corpse has undergone Corpse Transformation," Yun Ying murmured to herself after a moment, her brow furrowed slightly.

She had been here a few days prior and knew the situation, but the Corpse Qi hadn't been this strong then.

"It's probably one of the villagers bitten a few days ago who underwent Corpse Transformation. It's no big deal, just a newly formed low-level zombie. It'll be a good training opportunity for the junior sisters," Yao Yu said dismissively.

"Mm, that's likely it. Clear out a space, and let's set up camp. We'll be staying here for a few days," Yun Ying said, feeling somewhat relieved after Yao Yu's words, and then gave instructions.

"I'm not doing that dirty work. Don't we have the only male in our team? Hehe, let him do it. We might as well use him," Yao Yu said, looking at Ling Tian, who was chatting with Hua Min'er, with a mischievous grin.

"Hehe, that's true, we might as well use him," Yun Ying also chuckled lightly. She glanced at Ling Tian, who was unaware of his impending fate, and snorted, "Hmph, he dared to be late when coming out with us, making a group of ladies wait for him. Let's see what we do to him. This gives us a reason to make him work."

"Ling Tian, come here for a moment," Yao Yu said, her mischievous grin widening after hearing Yun Ying's words.

"What is it, Senior Sister?" Ling Tian asked, confused.

"Go clear out a space. We're setting up camp here today," Yao Yu commanded unceremoniously.

"Uh, aren't we here to catch zombies? Why aren't we going now?" Ling Tian asked, bewildered.

"You're not aware of this, but zombies come out at night. We naturally can't go now. Besides, we don't know how many days we'll be here, so we need to set up camp first," Yun Ying explained, playing along with Yao Yu.

"Oh, then..." Ling Tian wanted to say something else after hearing that.

"You don't expect us girls to do all the work, do you?" Yao Yu looked at Ling Tian with feigned disdain.

"That, no, really not," Ling Tian's forehead broke out in a cold sweat as he hastily replied. He really couldn't afford to offend this group of women.

"Then why aren't you going? Plus, you're late today. You made us wait, and you know what you have to do. Hmph." Yao Yu said, lightly biting her teeth, showing signs of an impending outburst.

"Yes, yes, I'm going now." Ling Tian didn't dare to say anything more and hastily agreed, then went to start tidying up.

"Hee hee..." After Ling Tian left, a sound like tinkling bells rang out.

"Senior Sister, you're bullying Brother Ling Tian, hmph." Hua Min'er walked over at this moment, her small mouth pouting slightly.

"Junior Sister Min'er, we, we..." Seeing Hua Min'er's slightly angry expression, Yao Yu was at a loss for words for a moment. She doted on this junior sister very much and couldn't bear to see her suffer even the slightest grievance.

"Hee hee, this is a great idea! Who told him to be late and make me wait?" In an instant, Hua Min'er revealed a mischievous, devilish smile.

"Alright, you dare to trick me? Watch me get you back, hmph." Saying this, Yao Yu pounced viciously at Hua Min'er and started tickling her.

Hua Min'er couldn't stand it and quickly counter-attacked. For a moment, their bell-like laughter echoed in this desolate place, adding a touch of liveliness.

Meanwhile, let's talk about our protagonist—Ling Tian.

"Sigh, I knew I shouldn't have come. Being with a group of women is just asking to be bullied," Ling Tian grumbled in a low voice, not daring to let the women hear him.

"Sigh, girls really are the most vengeful creatures. They didn't mind when I first arrived, and I thought they'd forgotten. I didn't expect... Oh well, who told me I wanted to come out and see the world? Besides, I don't want Min'er to be in any danger, so I feel more at ease following along." Ling Tian sighed and began to find reasons to comfort himself.

"Let's tidy up. It's been a while since I did this. Fortunately, my father used to make me clear Qingyou Peak. What a nostalgic feeling." Ling Tian began to recall his days cleaning mountain paths on Qingyou Peak. With that thought, he took out a long saber from his Storage Ring and headed towards the weeds and bushes nearby.

Ling Tian hadn't done this kind of work in a long time, but he wasn't unfamiliar with it. The long saber in his hand danced rapidly, emitting a few wisps of saber energy. Weeds and bushes fell with a swish. Getting into the mood, he even activated the Illusory God Phantom Shadow Movement Technique. His movements were naturally agile, creating numerous afterimages. Tidying up this miscellaneous work actually made him seem leisurely and carefree, possessing an otherworldly elegance. In a moment, he had cleared a large area.

"Wow, such cool moves! So elegant and agile!" At this moment, a female disciple noticed Ling Tian's movement technique and couldn't help but exclaim.

Yun Ying and Hua Min'er were drawn by the exclamation and followed the disciple's gaze. Instantly, their eyes were captivated by Ling Tian's masterful movement technique, unable to tear themselves away.

"Wow, I didn't expect this kid to be so handsome," Yao Yu couldn't help but praise.

"Exactly. I doubt even Master's movement technique is any better than this," Yun Ying couldn't help but sigh.

"Hmph, letting him clear the area, and he's showing off. How annoying." Hua Min'er watched as many female disciples stared at Ling Tian like infatuated fools. She immediately became jealous, letting out a cold snort of complaint.

"Ooh, such a sour smell. Looks like someone's jealous, hee hee." Hearing Hua Min'er's complaint, Yao Yu couldn't help but tease her.

"Heh heh, Ling Tian has attracted so much attention from the girls, Junior Sister Min'er is naturally jealous!" Yun Ying also teased Hua Min'er.

"I'm not jealous at all. Senior Sister Yao Yu, you're making fun of me. I'm not talking to you anymore." Hua Min'er said with a slight pout. Although she claimed not to be jealous, who could believe her expression?

"Hee hee." Yao Yu and Yun Ying said nothing, only looking at Hua Min'er with amused smiles.

"Alright, alright, I am jealous, so what? Brother Ling Tian is mine, and none of you can try to snatch him from me, hmph." Hua Min'er couldn't stand Yao Yu and the others' teasing, pouted her lips, and blurted it out.

"Haha..." A burst of laughter erupted from everyone, causing Hua Min'er's face to flush crimson, shaming countless beautiful flowers.