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This stone tower is also known as Fan-Tower.
Its walls, mostly embedded into the cliffside, appear extremely sturdy.
According to Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao, this is a place where cultivators seclude themselves for training.
Once inside the stone tower, lowering the stone door ensures that even if the grand formation outside is breached, the tower can still protect the cultivators within.
And this stone tower is, in the entire Xiyue Pavilion, Xu Taiping's most satisfying place.
Back in Green Bamboo Residence, every cultivation session was fraught with anxiety, fearing someone might intrude.
Now with this stone tower, he no longer needs to have such concerns.
However, what excites Xu Taiping the most about Xiyue Pavilion, or rather Mugu Mountain, is the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth that one can sense with every breath.
"Although the Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect is quite petty, the layout of the Qingxuan Sect's mountain gate does have the grandeur of a major sect, with the Seven Peaks as the focal point, complemented by these smaller suspended mountains, forming a grand Spirit Gathering Array. Could it be that the founders of Qingxuan Sect were disciples from some major sect outside?"
Fairy Lingyue couldn't help but express her doubts.
"Do you mean, Fairy Lingyue, that the founders of Qingxuan Sect might be cultivators from other realms who came here through a transmission order?"
As Xu Taiping toured the dozen or so acres of medicinal gardens on Mugu Mountain with Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao, he consulted Fairy Lingyue in his mind.
"It's not impossible."
Fairy Lingyue did not deny it.
"Let's not worry about that for now. With the spiritual energy on this mountain, Taiping, you have enough to attempt breaking through to the Profound Realm. We can also prepare to burn seeds for the earth fruit, and then plant them on the cliffs of the Seventh Peak. Surely, we'll harvest some fine things. In short, you're going to be busy, Taiping."
Fairy Lingyue continued.
"Mhm."
Xu Taiping responded in his mind.
As Fairy Lingyue said, aside from his daily cultivation, he also had to prepare materials for refining elixirs and talisman scrolls for his breakthrough to the Profound Realm, as well as true fire talismans for burning the earth fruit seeds and materials for planting them.
He would certainly be extremely busy.
"These dozen acres of Immortal Fields and medicinal gardens, you can choose to cultivate them yourself or not. After all, you are now an Inner Disciple. Completing just one sect mission a year allows you to stay on the mountain. After the mission, you can also earn merit points by accepting bounty tasks in the bronze mirror."
After touring the Immortal Fields and medicinal gardens, Qingxiao introduced them to Xu Taiping.
"You can also ask Outer Disciples from the mountain base to help you manage them, but only after you've been a disciple for two years."
Zhao Linglong added.
"I'll start by cultivating them myself, whatever I can grow."
Xu Taiping nodded with a smile.
"That's good, but I still suggest you spend more time on cultivation."
Qingxiao advised Xu Taiping once more.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
Xu Taiping nodded.
"These Immortal Fields and medicinal gardens, I can bring Ping'an to help you manage them, so you don't have to worry."
Fairy Lingyue's voice rang in Xu Taiping's mind again.
"Wouldn't that delay your cultivation, Fairy Lingyue?"
Xu Taiping asked worriedly in his mind.
"Now that my soul is stable, to improve further, I need to wait for the third transformation of the earth fruit. Before that, I'm idle anyway."
Fairy Lingyue stretched lazily inside the gourd, speaking in a languid tone.
Hearing this, Xu Taiping didn't say much more, only thanking her in his mind.
"Taiping, this place might be small, but for a new disciple, it's quite decent. Live here for five or six years, and once you make a name for yourself in the Seven Peaks competition, you can move your residence to the main peak of the Seventh Peak."
Seeing Xu Taiping silent, Qingxiao thought he was dissatisfied with Xiyue Pavilion and immediately offered some encouragement.
"No, no, Senior Brother Qingxiao, this place is not small at all, it's much better than my original Green Bamboo Residence, I'm very satisfied."
Knowing that Senior Brother Qingxiao might have misunderstood, Xu Taiping immediately clarified.
Seeing Xu Taiping say this, Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao exchanged a smile.
"By the way, Senior Brother Qingxiao, isn't the Seven Peaks competition in half a year?"
Hearing Qingxiao mention the Seven Peaks competition, Xu Taiping became curious.
"Indeed, it's in half a year."
Qingxiao nodded, then continued, "But you've just joined the sect, so for this competition, you can just watch from the sidelines. Your Senior Brothers and I will handle the competition."
"And me!"
Zhao Linglong quickly added.
"Mhm, and your Senior Sister."
Qingxiao thought for a moment, then nodded.
He seemed somewhat reluctant to let Zhao Linglong participate.
"Alright, I'll observe and learn."
Xu Taiping nodded with a smile.
Although he was used to solitude, the harmonious atmosphere with his fellow sect disciples was still very comforting.
"Junior Brother, Linglong and my residence are not close to Mugu Mountain, so we might not be able to visit you often. If you need anything, you can summon a nearby Immortal Crane to send a message."
Qingxiao then handed Xu Taiping a Jade Flute.
"I can still come to see you every two or three months!"
Zhao Linglong giggled, adding her own comment.
"Don't come and disturb Taiping's cultivation."
Qingxiao immediately admonished Zhao Linglong.
"I know, Senior Brother. Do you think I have nothing to do? I need to prepare for the Seven Peaks competition in the next half year!"
Zhao Linglong retorted.
"As long as you know."
Qingxiao glared at Zhao Linglong.
"Screech!…"
Just as they were about to say goodbye to Xu Taiping, a crane's call suddenly came from the sky above Mugu Mountain.
Following that, an Immortal Crane spiraled down and landed with a "boom" at the entrance of Xiyue Pavilion.
"Xu Taiping, your initiation task has been assigned."
The Immortal Crane tossed a letter to Xu Taiping and spoke.
"Thank you."
Xu Taiping didn't rush to open the letter but bowed to the Immortal Crane.
Every disciple who ascends from the base of the mountain must complete a sect initiation task alone in their third month, which is the final test of Qingxuan Sect.
Xu Taiping had learned about this during his recovery period, so he wasn't too surprised.
"Prepare early!"
The Immortal Crane nodded, reminded Xu Taiping once more, then with a flutter of its wings, soared into the sky.
"Taiping, let me see what task you've been assigned."
Zhao Linglong, with sparkling eyes, curiously leaned in close to Xu Taiping.
"These tasks are usually not too difficult."
Qingxiao also moved closer to Xu Taiping's side.