Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 86: Chapter 21 Junior Sister Xu’s Observation Diary
Qiu Changtian felt that something was amiss.

He couldn’t put his finger on it, but it seemed as if someone was watching him.

Could it be that my spy identity has been discovered by the big shots of the Kunlun Sect?!

Impossible!

I have no backing force, and I joined the Kunlun Sect as a mortal. My background is clean without any flaws, how could I have possibly attracted the attention of the higher-ups in the sect?

He rode his Flying Sword to the Extreme West, the edges of Congling, to continue his study of the Five Thunder True Law.

Among the four Thunders he had at his disposal: Jade Pivot Thunder was the most handy to use, consuming less True Qi than the other three, yet its power was not much inferior.

Tai Yi Thunder consumed the most True Qi and had a vast range of attack, suitable for casting once and then taking advantage of the chaos to escape.

Polar Thunder came with a chilling effect. Its overall power was less than Tai Yi Thunder’s, but it was superior in terms of burst power, exceeding the Jade Pivot Thunder, and could be used for attacking formidable enemies.

Immortal Capital Thunder was the fastest, striking instantly and even too quick for a Flying Sword to catch up, making it suitable for sneak attacks or frontal assaults.

As for the properties like special attacks on yin spirits and the Dragon Clan, he didn’t need them for now.

In any case, each Thunder had its characteristics, and Qiu Changtian needed to master them all to use them as countermeasures at critical moments.

Hm?

He suddenly turned his head, but saw no one.

“Ah Jing, tell me, is someone watching me?” Qiu Changtian asked vigilantly.

“Yes,” the Kunlun Mirror answered leisurely.

“Who is it?” Qiu Changtian asked with a frown.

“Someone who likes you,” the Kunlun Mirror said calmly.

God damn someone who likes me!

Qiu Changtian flew into a rage, to hell with riddle mirrors!

All of Kunlun knows how beloved I am by my fellow sect members. There are plenty who like me, how am I to know which one it is?

“And it’s the one who is usually closest to you.” As if detecting his thoughts, the Kunlun Mirror added.

“Oh, Junior Sister Xu eh.” Qiu Changtian pondered, “What is she spying on me for?”

The Kunlun Mirror was speechless.

Just hearing “likes you” and “closest to you” and you can spontaneously deduce it’s Xu Yinglian—aren’t you a bit too narcissistic?

The coating of the Kunlun Mirror was ultimately too thin. It didn’t dare contemplate the face-smashing words further, so it decisively chose not to dwell on them and instead asked:

“She is on the mountain peak right behind you, watching you intently right now. What do you plan to do?”

“Not much,” Qiu Changtian responded, “If I were to catch her in the act, she’d definitely deny it to her last breath with her thick skin, and even less could be gotten out of her.”

“Better to pretend I haven’t noticed for now, and see what she’s up to.”

He continued practicing the Five Thunder True Law, casting a few Divine Thunders, stopping to recover his True Qi, and casually asking the Kunlun Mirror if Junior Sister was still watching from behind.

Then he cast a few more Divine Thunders, took a rest, and slowly meditated on the profound truth within the Thunder Method that “Yin and Yang clash, generating fierce peeling energy.”

Xu Yinglian on the mountaintop gazed down from afar, beginning to ponder as well.

Senior Brother has been practicing the Thunder Method here for almost half an hour.

Compared to my practice of the Great Bright Fire, the frequency of his Daoist Magic casting is much slower.

Meaning that casting Daoist Magic more doesn’t necessarily lead to mastering it faster.

Practice isn’t the ultimate goal, deepening the understanding of Daoist Magic through practice is where the true meaning lies.

Hmm, worthy of being Senior Brother, I was still too naive.

[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]

Qiu Changtian: ?

Wait a minute, what did I do? Why did my Synchronization Value increase?

He was quite puzzled in his heart, and subconsciously stopped practicing the Thunder Method for a moment.

Xu Yinglian saw this and was secretly shocked:

Why did Senior Brother suddenly stop? Could it be that he has had a realization?

So that’s how it is! How could Senior Brother have so much time to practice multiple Qi Refining Techniques, Daoist Magic, and Sword Control Technique? It turns out it’s all thanks to sudden insights!

Under this state of sudden enlightenment, like receiving an infusion of wisdom, barriers swiftly lifted, and naturally, the efficiency of cultivating the Dao increased exponentially compared to the ordinary.

To frequently enter the state of sudden enlightenment, aside from relying on one’s innate talent, it seemed that long-term practice and deep contemplation were also part of the secret.

Hmph, Senior Brother, you only know how to hide these tricks up your sleeve, but you never expected that I would see right through them, did you?

[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]

Qiu Changtian: ??

No, who is increasing my Synchronization Value? Could it be Junior Sister?

Has she become so adorable to the extent that she can increase my Synchronization Value even when I’m just standing still?

The more Qiu Changtian thought about it, the more he felt something was amiss, so he mounted his Sword Light and flew away.

Xu Yinglian hastily followed with her Sword Control Technique, silently taking notes in her heart:

[Senior Brother in the east of Congling, practicing the Thunder Method for an hour.]

[Although the time allocation is similar to mine, frequent states of sudden enlightenment can increase the efficiency of cultivation.]

She carefully followed Senior Brother all the way back to Golden Ridge, then saw Qiu Changtian enter his cave abode.

Following quickly into the cave abode, Xu Yinglian cautiously refrained from using her Divine Sense to explore, and after waiting outside the stone room for a long time, she quietly peeked in.

She saw Senior Brother Qiu sitting on the stone bed, with legs crossed and facing heavenward, his chest moving slightly as strands of white vapor rose from the top of his head, clearly cultivating the Nine Heavens Clear Entrance True Mantra, practicing Breathing and Qi Refining.

Xu Yinglian noted to herself:

[At the fourth quarter of the Earth Branch corresponding to approximately 1 to 3 p.m., Senior Brother Qiu returned to his cave abode to commence Breathing and Qi Refining.]

After cultivating for approximately two hours, Qiu Changtian finally reopened his eyes, slowly exhaling a long breath.

Xu Yinglian quickly retracted her head and again took note:

[Senior Brother practiced Breathing and Qi Refining for two hours.]

[The duration is similar to mine.]

Qiu Changtian rose from his meditation posture, seemingly preparing to leave, and Xu Yinglian quickly turned and walked away.

As she had just exited the entrance of the cave abode, she saw Jian Qingnan flying by on his sword, suddenly stopping in the air, staring dumbfounded at Junior Sister Xu emerging from the First Senior Brother’s cave abode.

Xu Yinglian promptly raised her right index finger to her lips, indicating that this matter was not to be disclosed.

Jian Qingnan’s face immediately turned pale: Is Ying Lian implying that I must not disclose this private meeting between her and Senior Brother, or she will tear apart my mouth?

He hastily shook his head as if he was playing a pellet drum, and Xu Yinglian seemed satisfied with the response, nodding her head and then hurriedly walked away.

Following which, Qiu Changtian came out of his cave abode and, upon seeing Jian Qingnan standing in the air, asked:

“Junior Sister, what are you doing here?”

“I was admiring the majestic and noble bearing of First Senior Brother outside his cave abode,” Jian Qingnan said, barely holding back her expression as she blurted out a fib.

“Ah?” Qiu Changtian was startled for a moment before he saw Jian Qingnan turn her Sword Light and hastily fly away.

[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]

Qiu Changtian: ……

Which Junior Sister increased my Synchronization Value? Come out, let me properly commend you!

As he walked down the mountain path, Xu Yinglian, hearing the footsteps, quickly hid inside her own cave abode.

After a moment, she heard Senior Brother Qiu’s voice resounding outside:

“Junior Sister Xu, today I was in high spirits and had a spark of inspiration; could you help me complete this piece of music?”

Xu Yinglian was silent for a moment before she quickly composed her expression, revealing a reserved and aloof demeanor. She then collected the Phoenix Tail Zither from the inner chamber and stepped out of the cave abode, answering:

“Okay.”

Qiu Changtian gave a faint smile and also took out the jade flute hanging from his waist.

The two began to play the zither and flute together, with the flute initiating a tune, and the zither subsequently joining in—a meld of call and response, resonating like the profound dialogue between mountains and flowing water, as if a musical kindred spirit was harmonizing.

The music, initially hesitant and sporadic, gradually became smoother, ultimately rendering a complete piece.

The Kunlun Mirror also showed tact, discreetly removing the aura of the Invincible Character Setting, making Qiu Changtian in his white robe, holding a flute, even more spirited and handsome, as gentle and refined as jade.

Xu Yinglian felt his change in demeanor, and it seemed as though Senior Brother was no longer so cold and distant, stirring up subtle emotions within her.

[Playing music together with Senior Brother for half an hour.]

[Feeling a little happy.]