About half an hour later, they were out of the Exchange Hall, having received their rewards.
As they headed towards the chain bridge, Zheng Xiang smiled and said, "I am quite surprised nothing unexpected happened this time. Unlike the other two places from before, the resource Hall and the Martial book pavilion, this place was quite calm."
Ye Tian Yun nodded in agreement and replied, "Yeah, even I was half-expecting to encounter an annoying brat who would push his way through the line to get his rewards without waiting in the queue. And all this will happen when it's our turn to get the rewards. And then one of us will get to knock some sense into him."
"Uh… isn't that too specific?"
"I don't know; I just had a hunch that something like this might happen."
Zheng Xiang could only give a wry smile in response.
…
Soon they reached the Chain Bridges. The flow of disciples coming and going forth the Second Peak was quite dense; most of them were new Inner Court disciples coming here for the rewards, while a few of them were also the older Inner Court disciples arriving here to exchange the mission points for cultivation resources after coming back from sect missions.
It took a while for Ye Tian Yun, and Zheng Xiang's turn to get on the Chain Bridge came. When they finally got on the chain bridge, on which only they were present, Zheng Xiang asked, "So Brother Fang, are you going to Heaven's Grace Banquet for which Yuan Shuchun has invited us earlier?"
Ye Tian Yun nodded his head and replied, "Yes, I want to understand the situation among the disciples and gauge the strength of the new Inner Court disciples from other peaks."
Zheng Xiang frowned, "Why do you need to do that? Didn't you say earlier in the morning that you're not interested in the politics of the sect?"
Ye Tian Yun shrugged as he replied, "Well, I did say something like that, but now circumstances have changed, and I must make use of the current situation."
Zheng Xiang was even more confused, "Circumstances have changed? I don't see anything going on, nor did I come across anything weird. And what is this situation that you are talking about?"
Ye Tian Yun sighed at his words, "What do you make out of the current situation between the Leagues? Don't you see the current power struggle? Don't you see the significance behind Yuan Shuchun personally inviting top disciples? Also, don't you wish to get more resources?"
Zheng Xiang still had a confused expression over his face, "So, you're saying that you will understand the situation of the leagues, gauge cultivation of new Inner Court disciples, and make use of the current predicament to get more cultivation resources? Are you trying to fish in these troubled waters?"
Ye Tian Yun nodded, "Well, this is a part of the plan. Tell me one thing, are you willing to wait for five years to take part in the next grand Spirit Hunt? Or do you wish to cultivate at your best capabilities in these six months and qualify for the upcoming Grand Spirit Hunt, so you don't waste your growth phase?"
Zheng Xiang stared at Ye Tian Yun and asked, "Growth phase? What is this about now?"
Ye Tian Yun looked at Zheng Xiang as if he was looking at an idiot, "What? Don't you know the importance of the growth phase among cultivators?"
Zheng Xiang just shrugged at him, "This is the first time I hear these words together. Explain it to me; we still have a long way to go."
Ye Tian Yun replied, "Well, you see, normally we start cultivating between the age of six to eight, depending on the circumstances of our clans. Rich clans usually have their younger generation start cultivation early by strengthening their foundations, while other clans tend to make their children focus more on the physical aspect."
"And after a few years, once they start cultivating and get closer to Qi Condensation Realm, the first growth phase begins. This time period is not dependent on our cultivation but rather on our age. This first-growth phase comes at age fourteen and goes on till one turns sixteen. These two years are the best time period for anyone to cross the Tri-Qi Stages which are the Qi Refining, Qi condensation, and Qi Stabilisation."
Zheng Xiang was shocked to hear this, "Crossing the Tri-Qi Stages!? Are you kidding me? Don't you know that most of the outer court elders are still in this stage, and here you're saying that this can be crossed before we turn sixteen? Even Yuan Shuchun doesn't dare to proclaim this. She is already sixteen years old and is in the Qi Stabilisation realm; this is already no less than a miracle."
Ye Tian Yun just shrugged at him, "I am just stating facts; it's up to you if you wish to believe me or not."
Zheng Xiang sighed at this and said, "I don't have any reason to disagree but what you're proclaiming is just too absurd. Even the number one genius of our Xin Kingdom, Young Master of the Sighing Cult, Wang Ming,(1) is in the Tri-Qi stages, and he will turn sixteen by Grand Spirit Hunt."
Ye Tian Yun frowned when he heard this name. He remembered very clearly that Wang Ming was mentioned more than once at the Crimson Pavilion tavern, which he visited to collect information and understand the Lower Heavens situation. What confused him was the part that Wang Ming was never mentioned in the report by his informants. He had no idea who this guy was and why he wasn't among the four figures of the younger generation of the Lower Heavens.
Putting his thoughts at the back of his head, he just replied, "Brother Zheng, it's up to you if you wish to believe me.
…
Soon they reached the First Peak. This peak was still bustling with disciples as usual, but now with the sun setting on the horizon, lanterns had started to lit, giving it a picturesque look.
Standing at the base, Ye Tian Yun scrutinized the peak from top to button and asked Zheng Xiang, "Why don't I see a way to go up?"
"Huh?" Zheng seemed quite stumped at this question, "What? Why do you want to go up?"
"Of course, for our Inner Court cultivation abodes." Ye Tian Yun shrugged at this question.
"Well, who told you we have our abodes up there?"
"Then where will be the abodes? The other peaks are for the Outer Court disciples, and this peak is the only place where I don't see any Outer court disciples abodes, and I did here this is the place where we will be cultivating."
"No, this is not the place where we will cultivate now."
"Then where are we supposed to cultivate?"
A/n: Don't forget to comment if you find any typos or errors. We are resuming daily updates from now on, and it will be one chapter every day at this time.
P.s. Updated a new cover for the book.
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