Mount Qingyun, Big Bamboo Peak.
Gentle sunlight bathed the main peak, illuminating stone steps that bore the rustic, weathered charm of countless ages.
Inside the Hall of Quiet Virtue:
"That rebellious wretch! Wandering about again. If he's not loitering in the Black Bamboo Grove, he's idling away in the Library Pavilion with those useless books."
"He hasn't the slightest inclination toward diligent cultivation!"
Seated in the high chair at the front of the hall was a short, stout man with a somewhat affluent-looking face. This was the Head of Big Bamboo Peak, Tian Buyi.
His face was a mask of fury as he vented his frustrations to his wife beside him.
With great effort, he had recruited a disciple with decent aptitude—one who had broken through to the first level of the Jade Essence Realm in less than half a year. Tian Buyi had believed that with hard work and a bit of luck, this boy might actually revitalize Big Bamboo Peak.
Instead, he had inherited a slacker. Ever since reaching the first level six months ago, the boy had, for some unknown reason, completely abandoned his training to wander aimlessly!
"Xiao An has only been on the mountain for a year," Su Ru said softly. "I've always found him to be quite opinionated; surely he knows what's important."
"What does he know? He started late as it is. He should be working twice as hard to catch up to his peers, yet he relaxed the moment he hit the first level."
Tian Buyi's voice was thick with disappointment. "Worse yet, the Seven Peaks Tournament is only six years away. I was counting on this kid to win some prestige for our Big Bamboo Peak."
"Fine, then," Su Ru said, catching her husband's eye and offering a small smile. "When the time comes, I'll take charge of instructing all seven disciples personally, under the guise of preparing for the tournament."
The Black Bamboo Grove.
The "slacker disciple" in question, Lucian Qing, was currently fast asleep in a secluded, shaded corner.
A light breeze brushed past, causing the bamboo leaves to sway and rustle with a soothing shashasound.
"Refreshing!"
Having slept his fill, Lucian Qing stood up and stretched his limbs, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"A perfect mood for a perfect day; idling like this truly makes one feel like an immortal!"
This feeling of "slacking off" was simply too divine. In his mind, it was perhaps only surpassed by the unique thrill of napping during class back in high school. Lucian Qing, who had attended a mediocre university in his previous life, looked at his surroundings with a sense of irony.
As a transmigrator, he had slacked off too much in his past life, which had led to a harsh beating from society. However, those past events weren't worth dwelling on; he had been an orphan then, with no attachments to leave behind.
Five years ago, Lucian Qing had found himself in the body of an eleven-year-old in this world. Perhaps as a parting gift from Mother Earth, he had encountered Lu Xueqi shortly after his arrival, which clued him into the fact that he was in the world of Zhu Xian. A year ago, he had finally hitched a ride with her to join the Qingyun Sect.
Naturally, as a transmigrator, he possessed his own "cheat." This particular advantage had only manifested once he broke through to the first level of the Jade Essence Realm.
[Name]: Lucian Qing [Location]: The Central Plains, Qingyun Sect [Realm]: Taiji Pure Essence Path – Second Level of the Jade Essence Realm [Techniques]: Qingyun Evasion, Big Bamboo Sword Style, Big Bamboo Basic Daoist Arts[Work-Rest Balance]: When you adhere to a balance of work and rest, the longer you rest, the stronger your cultivation efficiency becomes. Current Rest Duration: 66 Days and 12 Hours.
Looking at the sole function of the panel in his mind—Work-Rest Balance—Lucian Qing felt a wave of helplessness.
It wasn't that he didn't want to work hard; it was just that hard work couldn't compete with a cheat!
The "cultivation effect" provided by the balance included boosts to comprehension, cultivation speed, and overall state of mind. Back then, Lucian Qing had converted a single day of rest into roughly 2.4 hours of active cultivation.
Good heavens!
Those two-plus hours were worth four days of normal training. More importantly, the insights gained from his heightened comprehension were permanently etched into his mind, making all subsequent cultivation smoother. Furthermore, every book he read and every landscape he observed during his downtime became "accumulated potential" that fueled his progress when he finally chose to train. If he gathered enough potential, he might even be able to create his own unique techniques.
From that moment on, Lucian Qing knew his days of "rotting away" had officially begun.
"Aha! Lucian Qing, hiding here and slacking off again!"
"I just saw Sixth Senior Brother on the road looking all over for you."
A crisp, youthful voice reached his ears. Lucian Qing turned toward the source to see a spirited, charming girl with a hint of baby fat on her cheeks walking toward him.
"Ling'er, this isn't slacking. This is resting. It's called 'Work-Rest Balance.' Anyway, what does Sixth Brother want with me?"
"Who knows what kind of sneaky business you two are up to?" Tian Ling'er noted as she looked at him lounging in the shade. "And you say this isn't slacking? Keep making excuses!"
"This is slander! Pure, unadulterated slander!" Lucian Qing stood up, protesting vigorously to salvage his reputation. "Besides, how can a cultivator's sleep be called slacking? It's a strategic rest."
He caught her eye with a grin, emphasizing his point once more.
"Hmph, go tell your twisted logic to my father then! You and the Senior Brothers are in for it," Tian Ling'er huffed as she stepped closer.
Lucian Qing sighed internally. Even when he told the truth, no one believed him. "Wait, why?"
Tian Ling'er widened her eyes and tilted her head slightly, looking at him without speaking, though her expression said it all.
"It's because of me, isn't it?" Lucian Qing's heart skipped a beat. Though he had only been on the mountain for a year, the humorless Tian Buyi placed a lot of pressure on him—he felt very much like a high school homeroom teacher. Lucian Qing didn't dare act too out of line in front of him, largely because he hadn't touched his cultivation in over two months. He felt like a student who had bombed an exam and was being summoned to the principal's office.
"It's because you're too lazy! Senior Brother and the others never went months without training; they practiced almost every single day."
"So, before I came here, Mother said we all have to start training seriously to prepare for the Seven Peaks Tournament in six years."
Lucian Qing facepalmed. Preparing six years in advance? If Shiniang (Mistress) was going to personally supervise them...
Senior Brother Song Daren and the others were likely going to be thrashed within an inch of their lives. And if he didn't escape this fate, he'd be right there with them. He had truly become the "source of calamity" for the disciples of Big Bamboo Peak. He could already imagine how Du Bishu and the others would grumble about him.
"And," Tian Ling'er added, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she recalled Su Ru's words, "Mother said she's going to personally 'guide' your cultivation."
Well, that was it. There was no escaping the coming storm.
Wait... I think I forgot to tell Master and the others that I broke through to the second level of the Jade Essence Realm a while back. Lucian Qing thought to himself. Reaching the second level in a year... that counts as a genius by any standard, right?
As for why he forgot? When you have a cheat, who treats a minor breakthrough as a big deal?
Relief washed over him. He was likely safe, but as for his senior brothers... he could only hope they fared well.
"Tell you what," Tian Ling'er said, circling him with a predatory grin, her small face inches from his. "If you call me 'Senior Sister,' I might say a few good words for you to the others tonight!"
"Otherwise, someone is going to get bullied by the Senior Brothers!"
"My head may fall, my blood may flow, but asking a grown man like me to call a little brat like you 'Senior Sister'? Impossible."
"Who are you calling a brat? I'm twelve! You're only sixteen—why can't you call me Senior Sister?"
"No," Lucian Qing replied simply.
"Really?" Tian Ling'er remained unperturbed. "I could also try to convince my mother to go a little easier on you during the 'guidance' sessions."
"Deal. Little Senior Sister. Senior Sister Ling'er."
Lucian Qing's face changed instantly. He turned and grabbed her hand to seal the bargain.
Startled, Tian Ling'er reflexively tried to pull her hand back, a flush of crimson creeping onto her cheeks. How can he be so bold?
Lucian Qing, oblivious to her inner turmoil, gave her hand a quick squeeze and let go. He was focused solely on the hope that she could sway Su Ru. Even if the chances were slim, it was better than nothing. More importantly, it gave him an excuse to use with his senior brothers.
Recognizing the trouble he'd caused, Lucian Qing sighed and rubbed his forehead.
Feeling her hand released, Tian Ling'er suppressed her complicated emotions. Hearing Lucian Qing call her "Senior Sister" so affectionately filled her with joy, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. She patted her flat chest, assuring him that everything was under control.
She didn't dwell on the physical contact; she was too young to understand the nuances of romance. All she knew was that she had wanted this newcomer to call her "Senior Sister" for a long time, and today, she had finally won.
"I'm counting on you tonight, Little Senior Sister."
Lucian Qing coaxed Tian Ling'er with the same practiced ease he used on Lu Xueqi, leaving the girl beaming with smiles.
It's time to use the cheat, he thought. He had no desire to be beaten black and blue by Su Ru; even if he reached the third level, he wouldn't stand a chance against her. Better to spend that time in the library, building up his potential.
While I'm at it, I can watch Du Bishu and the others get thrashed. Now that sounds like a plan.
Du Bishu and the others: "???"