Jun continued his arduous cultivation to breakthrough to tier 1, it's been 3 Months since he started his cultivation and everyday he follows a strict routine, every morning when he wakes up he washes up then eat his breakfast after that he starts training his body by doing simple exercises and lifting some weights, after his morning exercises he eats his lunch then proceed to cultivate after a couple hours of cultivation he clears his mind and starts studying the manuals given to them, and after his studying session, he stakes his dinner and proceed to cultivate the whole night, cultivating at night replaces his sleep but this does not make him tired or sleepy instead it feels better than sleep and In the whole Spirit Garden Peak only Jun does this kind of training since hus cultivation technique takes twice as long compared to others.
"It's been months, but I am still far away from tier 1," said Jun as he prepares to start his daily routine.
...
"So how was the kid I asked you to watch?" Elder Lucille asked a male disciple; he is the same disciple that guided Jun to his living quarters and the one who brought the bottles of spirit pills.
It turns out he is one of Elder Lucille's unofficial disciples, since the elder does not take in personal disciples.
"Nothing has changed; he still works hard in his cultivation by strictly following his own daily routine," the disciple replied.
"Mmmhhhmm, that's good to hear," Elder Lucille replied.
"Elder, may I ask why you pay great attention to him? He has below-average talent; other than being hardworking, nothing stands out about this kid," the disciple asked.
"I have my own reasons for doing so," the elder simply replied and gestured for the disciple to leave.
Elder Lucille then went back to tending to the spirit plants he was growing.
...
Alchemy peak.
"She definitely is talented," a female elder said to an old man beside her, and the old man nodded.
"Although she has a three-element attribute spirit root, her comprehension and personality are definitely suited to be an alchemist," the old man praised.
The one they are praising is Minnie, who came from the same village as Jun; she is now cultivating surrounded by red fiery flames.
This is a special opportunity only those from Alchemy Peak can enjoy, and not just a normal disciple; only those worthy of being groomed by Alchemy Peak can enjoy this privilege.
...
From the protector peak and other smaller departments of the Thousand Pill Pavilion, similar occurrences are happening, the elders guiding their precious seedling to prepare them for the competition. Although there are nine months left, they cannot lower their guard, since this competition is not just about the disciples but also for the peak that they represent, since the winners will not only receive generous awards, but the peak and department they belong to will also receive an increase in resources. Who wouldn't want more cultivation resources?
And from the past years, out of the three main peaks, the Spirit Garden is always placed at the bottom; they are only slightly better than the smaller departments, since their cultivation techniques and training are not focused on combat, and their attributes are also not suitable for combat.
The other smaller departments are eyeing their resources, aiming to replace them.
...
Back at the Spirit Garden Peak
"Hey Jun, I rarely see these past months," a male disciple called out to Jun as he walked towards the dining hall.
"Oh hey, Braun," Jun greeted the boy.
They are from the same batch of disciples and are also the same age; that is why Jun and Braun became quite close with each other.
"What have you been up to these days?" Barun asked as they walked together.
"Well, as usual, I have been working hard on cultivation. What else?" Jun answered.
"Why do you work so hard? It's not like we will be able to get a good ranking in the competition," Braun said dejectedly. He is the kind of guy to not bring his everything to the things he does, but he is a good kid.
"Well, I enjoy cultivation, so even if I don't get a good ranking, it's fine," Jun answered.
Braun just gave him a disgusted look. Jun laughed when he saw Braun's face; clearly he's been used to Braun's personality.
Back at his room, Jun is now studying after his lunch; being able to talk to a friend really helped clear out his mind. His study session went smoothly, and he proceeded to his afternoon cultivation.
A month has passed since, and everyone from the Spirit Garden Peak is startled by news delivered to them by one of the elders managing the peak.
"A week from now we will conduct a test to see the progress you all have made this past few months. This test is not only to test your current cultivation but also your knowledge in spirit plants and spirit plant nurturing." The elder quickly left after dropping a bomb.
A lot of groans and complaints could be heard from the disciples since some of them disregarded their studies and put all their effort into training.
And one of the disciples who disregarded their studies is Braun, not because he is focused on cultivation but because he is just too lazy to do multiple things at a time.
"Why do we have to study? I am here to become a cultivator for Pete's sake," Braun complained to Jun.
"Well, cultivators must not only train their bodies but also must temper their minds to gain a better comprehension," Jun replied.
Braun didn't argue with him; he just made a face again.
After a week inside the testing hall.
Jun and the others are now undergoing a test on spirit plants; they are presented a spirit plant, and they must identify its name and uses.
One by one, spirit plants are presented, and Jun quickly recognized them; he swiftly wrote down their names and uses.
To Jun, who didn't ease in his studies, this test is just a piece of cake, but to others it is torture.
The next test came, and it is about nurturing techniques.
They are given a spirit plant and a corresponding issue, and they must offer a solution to resolve these issues.
This test, unlike the first one, posed quite a challenge. Jun, he recalled everything he had studied; he just answered every scenario, and when the time limit came, he had just finished answering.
While the others completely failed to finish the test.
The last test is about their cultivation. Although Jun is quite confident about the first two tests, the final test is not something he can easily pass just because he works hard every day.
Not only is his talent not that great with four-attribute spirit roots, but he also cultivated a technique that requires double the effort.
And just as Jun expected, his result is below average; while the others are halfway to tier one, he is still quite far away. Even Braun is a little bit better than him.
"Don't worry, Jun, I am sure you passed the other two tests with flying colors," Braun said.
The two quickly left the testing area and waited for the overall results of the test.
The one to announce the result is none other than Elder Lucille; one by one he called out the names of the disciples and gave them their results and a few encouraging words.
"Jun, come over here," Elder Lucille called out.
Jun quickly walks toward the elder; he looks at the old man apologetically since his cultivation results are nothing desirable, and he is afraid that it will make the elder mad.
"Good work on the theoretical tests, young man. Although you are quite behind in your cultivation, you must work hard to keep up," he said. Jun nodded, surprised that the elder was not mad, and then he heard Elder Lucille whisper somei.
'Why aren't you using the pills I provided you?' Jun gave Elder Lucille a surprised look, while the elder just smiled at him and then proceeded to call the next disciple.
"How could I forget about the pills?" Jun knocked his own head, realizing how stupid he is.
'I haven't used a single pill since I started cultivating, and with twelve bottles I am sure that my cultivation level would rise significantly, and even a breakthrough to tier 1 is within reach,' Jun said in his mind as he walked back.