I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 28: Chapter 19: Junior Brother Jingshan

The world was vast, wrapped in silver, snow flying everywhere, thousands of trees adorned in white blossoms.

In front of the Cultivation Room, snow accumulated up to knee height. The gray robes on her body shielded her from the cold and heat, yet Jiang Yuebai’s little face was painfully whipped by the harsh northern wind.

She struggled to walk out from the courtyard; the heavy snow had sealed the mountain, leaving no path out.

”I arranged to meet Grandpa in three days, why hasn’t he come?”

The cold wind howled. Standing at the door, Jiang Yuebai exhaled into her hands, unsure how to return to Huaxi Valley. With snow this thick, she would be buried halfway there.

Turning back to look into the courtyard, she saw the old man in charge of this place, sitting under the eaves on a rocking chair, eyes closed and resting.

”Senior Brother, with snow like this, how am I supposed to get back to Huaxi Valley?”

The old man opened his eyes, ”It’s you, you little lass. Tao Fengnian is quite something, breaking through at Qi Cultivation First Layer and needing to use the Cultivation Room for closed cultivation, really has Spirit Stones to spare. Let me see what breakthrough you have achieved in these three days.”

The old man remembered Jiang Yuebai well. Besides the wealthy Inner Sect Disciples, no one would retreat into the Cultivation Room at Qi Cultivation First Layer.

He stared closely and gasped in surprise.

”Oh my, are you at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer or Fifth Layer? Your Spiritual Light is abundant and not weaker than that girl Lu Nanzhi.”

Jiang Yuebai had just broken through, her Spiritual Light not yet retracted. Coupled with the ample Spiritual Energy from her Five Spirit Roots, the old man misunderstood.

”Report to Senior Brother, I have Five Spirit Roots, and now I’ve just reached Qi Cultivation Third Layer.”

”That’s impressive too, such a fierce burst from accumulated potential? Although cultivating in Early Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation is child’s play, your speed is truly...”

”Senior Brother, you still haven’t told me how to return to Huaxi Valley?”

”Cough cough, Tao Fengnian did visit two days ago, but since last night’s unusual snow, the Spirit Plants in every valley were damaged. As the steward of Huaxi Valley, he surely can’t come to pick you up, and neither can I leave my post...”

The sound of an Immortal Crane’s cry drifted in from outside the courtyard, Jiang Yuebai quickly saluted and left to find the crane.

Just as Jiang Yuebai departed, the door of the Cultivation Room behind the old man opened. A tall figure, Hong Tao, emerged with vibrant Spiritual Light, eyes focused intently on a fleeting silhouette in the distance.

Indeed, he had heard Jiang Yuebai’s voice from inside.

Upon hearing her claim to be at Qi Cultivation Third Layer, Hong Tao thought it impossible. She had only registered as having reached Qi Cultivation First Layer at the Miscellaneous Task Hall half a month ago. How could she break through two layers in half a month?

Among the disciples this term, only Lu Nanzhi had managed such a feat.

But upon calm reflection, Hong Tao realized this little lass must have broken through Qi Cultivation First Layer earlier on, hiding her cultivation level.

Considering Tao Fengnian’s temperament, it’s not surprising.

From her entry level until today, no matter when she broke through Qi Cultivation First Layer, reaching Qi Cultivation Third Layer in a month and a half, even that speed can’t compare to Xie Jingshan.

If she has no fortuitous encounters, then she possesses exceptional perseverance. With this realization, Hong Tao felt ashamed, having shown her a sour face at the Miscellaneous Task Hall last time, and now feeling embarrassed to meet her.

”Manager Hong, is this his Great Perfection with a final step left?” The old man’s sharp gaze studied Hong Tao.

Hong Tao nodded, indeed he had reached Late-Stage Qi Cultivation Great Perfection, ready to retreat for Foundation Establishment, but before that, there was still a hurdle.

”Recently, heavy snow has likely made disciples focus on winter cultivation, and there’s little to do in the Inner Affairs Hall, perfect for Manager Hong to explore worldly matters, eat, and do as he wishes. Once Foundation Establishment is achieved, one truly enters the Dao, worldly ties severed, karma of Heavenly Dao binds, and disturbing mortal fates isn’t easily permissible, many matters require careful consideration.”

Things he wants to do...

Hong Tao’s gaze drifted afar, beyond the vast mountains, unsure if Wanniang was still waiting for him to return home.

Outside the courtyard.

Xie Jingshan watched Jiang Yuebai, almost losing his marble eyes.

”You—you—you... despicable!”

Xie Jingshan gritted his teeth. He had specifically learned the Heavenly Eye Technique to constantly perceive others’ Spiritual Light and discern their cultivation levels. Three days ago, this insolent girl was still at Qi Cultivation First Layer.

How did she suddenly reach Qi Cultivation Third Layer!

Even grew half a head taller!

Too outrageous!

Always tailing Elder Lii, asking questions left and right, making him seem inferior when he failed to inquire.

Constantly claiming low aptitude and poor comprehension.

Xie Jingshan only realized today, this insolent girl was confusing him, lowering his vigilance, secretly cultivating, shocking everyone!

He cultivated all night, buried in books, waking earlier than Lu Nanzhi, practicing more, studying harder, even forcing himself to eat more than Lu Nanzhi’s half a bowl.

Bear in mind, Lu Nanzhi was so little, yet her food consumption rivaled that of an adult male cultivator, Innate Spiritual Body is indeed terrifying!

He believed deep accumulation would eventually surpass Lu Nanzhi, today he was just here to retreat and attempt Qi Cultivation Third Layer.

Who would’ve thought, before starting retreat, he was caught off guard by this inconspicuous insolent girl, dealt a blow!

Xie Jingshan felt deeply aggrieved, wanted to cry!

Jiang Yuebai puzzled over what she did to be called despicable? In mere days, how did Xie Jingshan seem shorter?

No, she had grown taller.

Jiang Yuebai straightened her back, glancing at the proud and elegant white crane beside Xie Jingshan, eyes filled with envy.

”Are you here for closed cultivation in the Cultivation Room?”

Xie Jingshan glared, inconspicuously stood on tiptoe with a straightened back.

”Cultivation Room? I never cultivate; I don’t need closed cultivation. My cultivation ascends naturally, unstoppable, driving me crazy, I’m here to play.”

”Given that, could you escort me to Huaxi Valley? Everyone says Inner Sect’s Xie Jingshan is most righteous. Last time when you helped us few servant disciples, I knew you were a person with heroic spirit and altruism. Surely you wouldn’t stand by and let someone perish, right?”

Jiang Yuebai’s eyes sparkled like stars, fixing Xie Jingshan with a gaze that made his cheeks blush.

”I don’t have... I don’t have all those merits you mentioned?”

”You do! You’re just too modest.” Jiang Yuebai affirmed decisively.

”Ahem~ well then, let’s go. Since I don’t need cultivation, there’s nothing to do, I’ll escort you.”

Xie Jingshan stepped onto the back of the white crane, extending a hand to Jiang Yuebai, palm with a distinctive red mole.

Jiang Yuebai glanced at it, didn’t take his hand, stepped back and ran forward, leaped and lightly landed next to Xie Jingshan.

The white crane’s back was wide, ample space for two children.

”Your movement technique is quite good.” Xie Jingshan tucked his hand into his sleeve, ”Hold on tight, Qingfong, go to Huaxi Valley.”

The white crane spread its wings, lifted its head, and chirped clearly, flying into the sky against the wind and snow.

At great heights the wind was fierce, almost forcing Jiang Yuebai to hold her breath, her body leaning backward, Xie Jingshan grabbed her sleeve, pulling her back.

The jade pendant at Xie Jingshan’s waist emitted a blue light, dispelling the cold wind, enveloping them in a bubble-like aura.

The white crane soared over mountain peaks, straight into the clouds.

Thousands of mountains and valleys, grand and magnificent.

”Indeed, only flying above the clouds shows the grandeur of Heaven and Earth! Grandpa’s paper crane is truly too shabby—”

Jiang Yuebai shouted towards the sky, glancing around, looking entirely inexperienced.

Xie Jingshan straightened his back, casually smirked, the earlier feeling of defeat slightly eased.

White crane’s speed was fast, landing at Huaxi Valley entrance in less than a cup of tea’s time.

The two hopped off the crane’s back, Jiang Yuebai bowed deeply in thanks.

Xie Jingshan raised his chin, ready to speak, as Jiang Yuebai lifted her body, her expression changing.

”Speaking of, aren’t you still at Qi Cultivation Second Layer?”

Xie Jingshan’s scalp tightened, sensing something amiss.

”So doesn’t that mean, you’ll have to call me Senior Sister in the future?”

Xie Jingshan:!!!

”Thanks for escorting me today, Junior Brother; Senior Sister’s off first, Junior Brother better retreat for closed cultivation, hahaha~”

Jiang Yuebai sprinted into the valley, completing ’defeat’ over Xie Jingshan in advance.

Xie Jingshan was furious, grabbing a bunch of snow and hurling it at Jiang Yuebai.

”You cunning, backstabbing, bridge-burning, ungrateful, shameless girl!!”

The snow fell silently, the figure faded.

”Qingfong let’s return, I’ll vow not to emerge until I break through Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer!”

The white crane cried, heading straight into the sky.

Rustling sounds.

Beside the path, a small mountain suffered an avalanche, the Guardian Valley Spiritual Toad shook off the white snow covering its body.

Croak～