I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World-Chapter 71 - 61: Changes for Each One

Heavenly Full Peak, Inner Affairs Hall.

Jiang Yuebai waits in the Outer Sect; after a moment, an Inner Sect male disciple completes his task and is personally escorted out by a miscellaneous disciple.

Stationed at the Inner Affairs Hall, the disciples handling trivial matters are all miscellaneous disciples. Although they differ only by one character from servant disciples, the miscellaneous disciples are still Outer Sect disciples.

"Take care, Senior Brother."

A twenty-year-old miscellaneous disciple, Ma Feng, waits for the Inner Sect disciple to leave the courtyard before straightening up and arrogantly scanning Jiang Yuebai.

"Why aren’t you wearing servant gray robes? Do you know that only Inner Sect disciples can dress freely in the sect?"

Jiang Yuebai smiles peacefully, "I just returned to the sect and was in a hurry to submit my task, so I forgot."

Ma Feng is displeased, "Come inside."

"Is Manager Hong here?"

Ma Feng walks behind the counter, chuckling lightly, "Manager Hong is incredibly competent; he is highly relied upon by Elder Gongsun at the Inner Affairs Hall. Do you think you can meet him just because you want to?"

Jiang Yuebai presents her token, which Ma Feng casually takes to inspect.

Jiang Yuebai looks around. It’s now 11:00 AM, and the Inner Affairs Hall lobby is quiet, with only Ma Feng and another miscellaneous disciple organizing task directories.

"You’re back from the Yin Mountain Mine? The task you picked up five years ago?"

"Indeed."

"You actually managed to return, really impressive." Ma Feng mutters, "Mine labor earns you a thousand Contribution Points a year, totaling five thousand Contribution Points."

"Thank you. By the way, I want to ask about the Spiritual Cultivation Master examination..."

"Wait a moment."

A flying sword comes in from outside, landing in Ma Feng’s hand.

"It’s Song Zhi’ang again. His body is weak, yet he insists on learning Artifact Refining. He frequently needs strong servants to help with forging, but one leaves after another, and now he’s asking for another. Where will I find someone strong enough... Hmm?"

Ma Feng glances at Jiang Yuebai, "You’ve been mining for five years, you must be strong, right?"

Jiang Yuebai shakes her head, "I still want to..."

"Anyway, you’re just back, you surely don’t have a place planned. Song Zhi’ang is a notable figure in the Inner Sect; he’s third in battle power during the Qi Refinement Realm, only behind Lu Nanzhi and Xie Jingshan, and has been chosen by True Monarch Cang Huo. If True Monarch Cang Huo and Sword Lord Guanghan weren’t still stuck in the array, the apprenticeship ceremony would have been held long ago."

"He resides on Heavenly Hero Peak, where spiritual energy is abundant. Serving him, you’ll greatly benefit; I’ll register you for service right now. No matter who you serve, it’s all the same; you’ll profit from this matter."

Jiang Yuebai quickly refuses, "Wait, I want to partake in the Spiritual Cultivation Master examination; I’m not planning to take on any tasks yet."

"Spiritual Cultivation Master is not easy to pass; if you fail, you’ll still need an assignment. By the way, what’s your Qi Cultivation level? You’ve hidden it well."

Ma Feng unconcernedly attempts to register Jiang Yuebai’s token.

Jiang Yuebai’s gaze turns cold, "I said, I’m not going!"

Ma Feng’s expression darkens, "You’re a servant, you must accept whatever task the Inner Affairs Hall assigns you. I’m giving you a better task than mining, don’t be ungrateful."

"Why such a fiery temper at midday?"

A blue-robed cultivator walks out from the back hall, smiling and looking at Jiang Yuebai.

"Manager Hong, I apologize for disturbing you." Ma Feng quickly bows to Hong Tao.

Jiang Yuebai raises a smile and bows, "Master Hong, I’m back."

Ma Feng’s eyes dart between Hong Tao and Jiang Yuebai, realizing something’s off and slapping himself.

"Oh dear, forgive my mouth, I apologize for my dog’s eyes underestimating people; I didn’t know you were a Senior Sister..."

"Get lost."

Hong Tao shoos him away, takes Jiang Yuebai’s token, and walks outside, "I overheard earlier; are you ready for the Spiritual Cultivation Master examination?"

Jiang Yuebai nods, "Yes."

Hong Tao closely inspects Jiang Yuebai, puzzled, "What’s your Qi Cultivation level? Why are you hiding it?"

Jiang Yuebai candidly replies, "Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer."

With her words, Ma Feng is left astounded; such a high cultivation at such a young age rivals the Inner Sect talents; he’s likely offended someone he shouldn’t have.

Hong Tao’s eyes light up, "Impressive, indeed it’s you; it just so happens I’m free, I’ll take you to the Ten Thousand Laws Hall for the examination."

Hong Tao controls the flying sword, carrying Jiang Yuebai, maintaining a height halfway up the mountain.

Even though he manages the Inner Affairs Hall, he’s still an Outer Sect disciple, unable to surpass the height of the Main Peak.

Jiang Yuebai observes everywhere, sensing a change in the Heavenly Interence Sect’s atmosphere.

Appropriate Sword-Controlled cultivators carrying bamboo scrolls chant aloud; down the mountain path, running children while practicing hand-signs, and teenagers refining their bodies in the woods shouting loudly.

"Barbarian Bull Fist one hundred fifty times, if I don’t hit two hundred times, no resting today, ha!"

Though it’s just six months till the sect-wide comparison, must they work so hard?

Jiang Yuebai feels an urgency, eager to go to the Library to read books.

"Do Lu Nanzhi and Xie Jingshan know you’re back?" Hong Tao asks.

Jiang Yuebai snaps back and shakes her head, "I haven’t sent a message to them yet; I plan to wait till after the examination, sorting out affairs then gathering."

"They’re currently outside the sect, accepted a demon hunting task half a month ago, and may detour to Yin Mountain to find you when returning."

Jiang Yuebai laughs, "No problem. Once they reach Yin Mountain, they’ll naturally learn I’ve returned to the sect; I’ll wait for them to come back."

"These five years, they’ve constantly strived ahead, making a spectacular show in the Inner Sect, causing several Inner Sect disciples to gnash their teeth in envy."

"Oh? What’s the reason for this?"

Hong Tao couldn’t help but chuckle twice at this mention.

"They simply exerted too much effort, diligently cultivating and practicing swordsmanship without slack, waking early, sleeping late, holding books even during meals; hence, each peak Monarch uses them as benchmarks, urging their disciples not to fall behind."

"This trend now spreads to the Outer Sect, sect disciples lament and cry. The Sect Master and the others are pleased, even publicly praising them, invigorating the sect, everyone striving forward, generating many outstanding seedlings."

"Thanks to you, I’ve interacted with them a couple of times. I’ve asked them, being top-tier Inner Sect disciples, why push themselves so hard; guess what their reply was?"

Jiang Yuebai shakes her head, Hong Tao looks at her."

"Lu Nanzhi’s exact words were, ’Jiang Yuebai is ten times more diligent than me,’ and Xie Jingshan said, ’I want Jiang Yuebai to calmly call me Senior Brother when she returns.’ They highly regard you; now it seems justified; these five years you’ve not relaxed at all, even I admire you."

Jiang Yuebai slightly raises her brows, with a hint of pride and seven parts bashful, "I’m just ordinarily hardworking."

Hong Tao laughs, the flying sword speeds downward; Gourd Valley, where the Ten Thousand Laws Hall is, appears.

"Wait here, I’ll go announce your arrival."

Just as Jiang Yuebai wants to say she has the token given by Lii Jiuchuan, a tiger’s roar is heard; a massive white tiger leaps out from nowhere, heavily landing before them.

Hong Tao trembles in fear; Jiang Yuebai nearly draws her blade.

Mountain Lord Qionglin recognizes Jiang Yuebai, its tiger eyes brighten, joyfully circles Jiang Yuebai twice, then nudges her with its nose.

Though the rank of demons is never higher than humans, only Lii Jiuchuan shows Mountain Lord Qionglin much respect; it, consequently, cherishes Jiang Yuebai, whom Lii Jiuchuan favors.

This time Jiang Yuebai stands firm like a tree, unmoving; Mountain Lord Qionglin squints, doubtful, increasing the nudge force.

Jiang Yuebai firmly holds the tiger’s head; Mountain Lord Qionglin cannot move forward, its head buzzing.

Roar?

Five years vanished; the little girl who fell with a slight push isn’t fun anymore?

"Mountain Lord, stop; I’m not a child anymore."

Hong Tao, amazed by Jiang Yuebai and Guardian Valley Lord’s closeness, maintains polite courtesy, "Humbly request Mountain Lord to announce; Manager Hong Tao from the Inner Affairs Hall brings servant disciple Jiang Yuebai to attend the Spiritual Cultivation Master examination."

Roar!!

Mountain Lord Qionglin unleashes the might of a Golden Core Stage tiger demon, saliva sprays onto Hong Tao, watching his face pale a bit, then strides over with imperial feline steps, opening the Great Array for passage.

Hong Tao, paled, expresses thanks and enters the valley first; Jiang Yuebai follows behind, seeing Mountain Lord Qionglin disheartened.

Reaching into her belt, Jiang Yuebai retrieves a gourd of Autumn Drunk.

"I brewed this; have a taste."

The girl’s eyes curve with cheer; the tiger monarch beams with joy at the valley front.