Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

It wasn’t until they reached Jade Void Peak that the Kunlun disciples alighted from their Sword Light, faces filled with the anxious relief of one who has just survived a calamity.

“Senior Brother Qiu is truly remarkable!” It took a moment before someone spoke up with genuine sincerity, “Had it not been for Senior Brother Qiu accompanying us this time, our fates would surely have been grim!”

Thinking it over, everyone indeed felt the same. Considering that Qiu Changtian hadn’t really gained any substantial benefit from this journey, they hastened to flatter him with a babble of voices, fearing he might refuse to come along on the next mission:

“Senior Brother Qiu’s life-saving grace, we will never forget for as long as we live!”

“Senior Brother Qiu’s virtue reaches the sky. We will etch it in our hearts!”

“Senior Brother Qiu’s great kindness is difficult to repay; I am willing to dedicate my life to you!”

“Go away, go away!” Soon, the female disciples on the scene pushed the woman who had spoken out to the edge of the circle, preventing her from continuing to embarrass herself.

Qiu Changtian, with an awkward but polite smile, coped with the pupils’ sycophantic praise.

Ignores by all, Xu Yinglian stood silently at the edge of the circle, staring blankly at Qiu Changtian, who was surrounded by others, her thoughts obscure.

After returning to Golden Ridge, Qiu Changtian continued to practice the Thunder Method for several days.

Drawing upon the combat experience within the Earth Vein relics, he had confirmed the biggest drawback of Jade Pivot Thunder:

Its power was too great!

The advantage of this Thunder Method lay in its fast release, substantial True Qi consumption, and immense destructive capability. It was a high-burst offensive technique.

But it was this very power that prevented him from controlling it with ease and flexibility.

In the Earth Vein relics, when he first blasted the ceiling, the flying debris nearly smashed his own face.

The second time he blew up the passage, Qiu Changtian deliberately tried to control the power of the Thunder Method.

However, he discovered that he couldn’t control it at all. Hilarious.

A palm-sized bundle of Thunder Light, when condensed to its minimum, was still the size of a seal, yet the power remained overwhelmingly destructive.

If it exploded within a step’s distance, the shockwaves could even injure him… Don’t ask Qiu Changtian how he came to know this.

This was precisely why the information about Jade Pivot Thunder needed to be kept as confidential as possible.

If too many people knew about it, it would be easily targeted and countered.

For example, if an opponent were to shoot out a Flying Sword the moment the Thunder Light was released.

Because the Flying Sword moved much faster than the Thunder Light, striking it the instant it was released would set it off prematurely, backfiring on Qiu Changtian himself… That would be too ridiculous.

Shouting “Jade Pivot Divine Thunder” and then blowing up on the spot, covered in blood—if there were spectators, the Invincible Character Setting’s Synchronization Value would probably plummet through the floor.

In conclusion, Jade Pivot Thunder was suitable for use as a trump card, and only as a trump card.

That morning, Qiu Changtian was teaching his junior brothers and sisters the “Nine Heavens Clear Entrance True Mantra” as usual in his cave dwelling.

After the lecture, it was time for questions.

“Senior Brother Qiu.” Yan Zhitui suddenly asked, “I’ve heard that you’ve recently mastered a very powerful Daoist Technique. Could you tell us about it?”

“Ahem.” Qiu Changtian cleared his throat a few times, his mind quickly spinning.

First and foremost, he should keep Jade Pivot Thunder as secret as possible.

Junior Sister Xu was too familiar with him, so there was no hiding it from her; but he preferred that the others stay uninformed.

Next, he couldn’t just flat-out refuse.

An Unbeatable Character Setting is not one that deliberately conceals its trump card, acting secretive and refusing to share with others.

After thoughtful consideration, Qiu Changtian replied with a smile:

“Junior Brother Yan, let me ask you first: do you know what the ‘Two Techniques and Two Spells’ are?”

“The so-called ‘Two Techniques’ refer to the Qi Refining Technique and the Daoist Technique; the ‘Two Spells’ are the Magic Sword and Magical Treasure,” Yan Zhitui cautiously responded, “Is what I said correct?”

“Exactly,” Qiu Changtian nodded and started to explain to his junior brothers and sisters:

“The Two Techniques hold the Qi Refining Technique in the highest regard because it is the Qi Refining Technique that determines the most critical Cultivation Realm.”

“Without a sufficient Cultivation Realm, no matter how powerful a Daoist Technique is, it’s nothing but a castle in the air.”

“Among the Two Spells, the Magic Sword is held in the highest esteem because it can be sealed with Daoist Magic, refined and ready for immediate use.”

“If you don’t employ the Magic Sword and instead cultivate Daoist Techniques yourself, it will undeniably occupy the time you would spend on Qi refinement.”

“If Qi refinement is slow, the Cultivation Realm will progress slowly, subsequently affecting life extension.”

“Common folks live for just over a hundred years, successful Marrow Cleansing can extend it to two hundred, attaining Golden Core can extend it to eight hundred, Nascent Soul can extend it to five thousand, and beyond that lies Feather Transformation and ascension to immortality.”

“Compared to the time needed for cultivation progression, this extension of lifespan can be said to be completely insufficient, so…”

Before Qiu Changtian could finish, he heard Guan Zhan laugh coldly and say:

“So rather than enquiring about Daoist Techniques, it’s better to focus on Qi Refinement and improve one’s cultivation level.”

“Senior Brother Qiu has attained Daoist Heart Clarity, and the rate at which he enhances his cultivation level has always far surpassed that of ordinary people. When he first opened his Qi Sea, it took him merely half a day! That’s why he’s had the leisure to delve into a Daoist Technique.”

“Yan Zhitui, how long did it take you to break through the three barriers back in the day? A full half month! What makes you think you’re entitled to covet Daoist Techniques?”

[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]

Qiu Changtian:

Ah, although this Junior Brother Guan always looks like an icy judge and often speaks too bluntly and without regard for others’ feelings, he’s actually quite adorable, isn’t he?

While he was comforting himself with these thoughts, Chen Zhen and Zhong Tianhuai felt somewhat indignant. Yan Zhitui, however, was not angry but simply bowed and said:

“Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Guan. I have learned a lot.”

“Junior Brother Guan isn’t wrong, but his statement is a bit too absolute,” Qiu Changtian said with a smile. “It would be fine if everyone planned to never leave the sect for their whole lives.”

“But if you’re going out into the world to gain experience, it’s quite necessary to learn a few Daoist Techniques for self-protection.”

“After all, the Daoist Magic of a Flying Sword often harmonizes with the Flying Sword’s own attributes. If you encounter an enemy who counters the attributes of your Flying Sword and you have no other means to turn the tables, that would be dangerous.”

“Senior Brother Qiu speaks the truth!” Chen Zhen and Zhong Tianhuai chimed in purposefully.

Guan Zhan’s expression changed slightly (feeling as though he’d been slapped in the face), but he admittedly lacked experience in venturing out, and since Senior Brother Qiu was already at a king-level in that regard, Guan Zhan could only bow his head in silence.

“Alright,” Qiu Changtian said, clapping his hands. “In summary, everyone should focus on Qi Refinement to elevate our realms for now. Those who want to increase their self-protection methods can follow me out for experience in private. I’ll look into where the deficiencies and inadequacies in your actual combat lie, then give targeted advice to compensate.”

Everyone nodded in thanks and then got up and left one after another.

Only Xu Yinglian remained seated on the meditation mat, quiet and unmoving.

When he saw that everyone else had gone, Qiu Changtian smiled and said:

“Junior Sister, what’s on your mind?”

“I want to practice a Daoist Magic,” Xu Yinglian declared succinctly.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Changtian did not respond immediately but fell into thought for a moment before asking:

“Is it because you see that I have mastered a Daoist Magic, so you wish to emulate your Senior Brother?”

Xu Yinglian scoffed and said:

“If Senior Brother fears that I will catch up with you, you can choose not to guide me.”

Qiu Changtian laughed heartily:

“Junior Sister Xu, what kind of person do you take your Senior Brother for? Hmm, with your aptitude, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to practice Daoist Magic, but the specific choice of which Daoist Magic depends on what your purpose is…”

“My goal is to surpass your Thunder Method!” Xu Yinglian blurted out without hesitation.

“Why are you always fixating on me?” Qiu Changtian said, torn between laughter and tears. “Can’t you focus on ‘perfecting yourself’ instead?”

Xu Yinglian fell silent for a moment before suddenly laughing:

“Didn’t Senior Brother once say: ‘On the path of cultivation, walking alone is truly lonely. Having a Junior Sister accompany me, there would be no regrets.’?”

“If my strength is far inferior to yours, how could you allow me to accompany you?”

“Cough cough,” Qiu Changtian caught off guard by her radiant smile, quickly turned his head to compose his expression, and then said with a bitter smile, “Ying Lian, why are you suddenly confessing to your Senior Brother, you gave me quite a fright…”

“I didn’t confess to you!” Xu Yinglian jumped up, frustrated, and said, “I’d rather chase after you than be left behind by you!”

Having said that, she realized that there was still ambiguity in her statement and hastily added:

“Of course, catching up to you is just the first step. The second step is to surpass you! And then… the one being left behind will be you, Qiu Changtian!”

“Then I shall wait and see, Junior Sister,” Qiu Changtian said with a smile.

Xu Yinglian clenched her teeth in frustration.

The Kunlun Mirror, which had been observing the two of them all this time, could not stand to see him tease Junior Sister like this and quietly opened a corner of the Mirror Flower Water Moon.

It diminished the Invincible Character Setting while also releasing his own true temperament.

And the mental suggestion was lifted!

Seeing that her Senior Brother was indifferent to her challenge and was even sporting a mocking and arrogant smile, Xu Yinglian felt her blood boiling with rage, almost rushing to her head.

Suddenly, though, she noticed that her Senior Brother’s temperament seemed to have changed.

No longer was he the aloof, arrogant and cold ‘Heavenly God’, always looking down on her.

The gentle smile he now wore resembled more of a childhood friend from next door, carrying expectations for their future together and a fond promise that she had to “surpass me, okay?”…

The blood that had been rushing to her head suddenly ebbed away, and her body began to feel a peculiar warmth.

To hide the inexplicable slight fluttering in her heart, Xu Yinglian turned her head and said in a voice almost too faint to hear:

“Hmph, just you wait and see. Qiu Changtian!”