383: Task

Outside Tianning City.

A man and a woman walked side by side, heading towards the Tianning Peaks.

According to Zhou Nanfeng's current cultivation, she could have flown with Xu Zhiyi.

But she didn't do so.

Xu Zhiyi hesitated to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.

His gaze unconsciously fell upon the woman beside him, who was as refreshing as a spring breeze and as graceful as a Fairy.

Xu Zhiyi admitted that he was a coward.

He was a person utterly devoid of courage, who dared not take that small step and only ever thought of escaping.

If he hadn't heard about a treasure in the Ming Pavilion that was beneficial for his cultivation this time, he wouldn't have run into Zhou Nanfeng head-on.

Fortunately, it truly was what he needed.

However, he didn't expect the price to be so much higher than his estimation.

In the end, Zhou Nanfeng paid a portion, allowing him to successfully acquire it.

"I'll need some time for the Spirit Stones."

The two had walked in silence all this way.

Xu Zhiyi thought for a long time, but only this one sentence came to mind.

"As you wish."

Zhou Nanfeng didn't care.

"But if you try to renege on the debt, then I'll show you how hard my fists are."

Then, as if threatening, she waved her snow-white, jade-like fist.

"How would I dare..."

This remark brought back memories for both of them.

From the moment they met, he had never gotten the better of her.

"That's right."

Zhou Nanfeng was smug.

After this interruption, the relationship between the two drew a little closer to how it used to be.

Zhou Nanfeng opened up, chattering on about many things.

For all these years, although they had met occasionally, they had never truly conversed.

Until today.

By a fortunate Opportunity, this chance was created.

Influenced by Zhou Nanfeng, Xu Zhiyi gradually let go of himself.

The two talked and laughed along the way.

Their clear laughter echoed through the mountains and streams.

Kingfishers sang in harmony, and fish and shrimp swam freely.

After an unknown period of time, Xu Zhiyi stopped.

"I've arrived."

Looking at a peak not far ahead, Xu Zhiyi said to Zhou Nanfeng.

This was Mogan Peak, on the outskirts of the Tianning Peaks.

After the Zhou Family arrived here, they developed this peak to plant star origin fruit trees.

Because this place was far from Qingyang Peak, which was in the center of the Tianning Peaks, Xu Zhiyi took on the task of guarding a section of star origin fruit trees here.

He had been here for three years.

Zhou Nanfeng always knew Xu Zhiyi was stationed here, but she never thought of taking on a task to guard star origin fruit trees here herself.

After all, one can never catch up to a person who is determined to escape.

She merely paid attention from time to time.

"So fast..."

Zhou Nanfeng mumbled.

Then she lifted her face, adorned with a beautiful smile, and waved her right hand, which was behind her back, at Xu Zhiyi.

"Goodbye!"

Zhou Nanfeng said with a smile.

Her smile was as bright as sunshine, yet not overly hot or dazzling.

"Goodbye."

Xu Zhiyi was lost in thought.

Somewhat absentmindedly, he waved back.

Zhou Nanfeng didn't linger; after bidding farewell, she soared into the sky and flew towards the center of the Tianning Peaks.

"Hoo~"

After Zhou Nanfeng had departed, Xu Zhiyi exhaled and came back to his senses.

He turned and headed up Mogan Peak.

On Mogan Peak, Xu Zhiyi swept his right hand.

From his Storage Pouch, he took out a fist-sized stone block, permeated with a faint yellow glow.

"This way, I can get a little closer to you..."

Xu Zhiyi whispered.

This stone was a supreme treasure for Qi Refining Stage Cultivators with earth-attribute talents, aiding their cultivation.

It could support his cultivation all the way to Foundation Establishment.

This was also why his grandfather had specifically obtained an invitation to the Ming Pavilion for him.

His grandfather had also prepared a large sum of Spirit Stones for him, and with Zhou Nanfeng's assistance, he finally managed to get his hands on this treasure.

Xu Zhiyi did not waste time.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

His talent, in fact, was not bad among the Zhou Family Disciples.

He was even more outstanding than most Zhou Family Disciples.

His cultivation was also extremely diligent.

It was just that the gap between him and Zhou Nanfeng was quite large.

After all, Zhou Nanfeng not only possessed astonishing natural talent but also had the blessing of the ancestral stele.

Moreover, her Comprehension Ability and Heart-Nature were both excellent.

This allowed her to advance like a broken bamboo, leaving many Disciples of the 'Nan' generation behind.

Several days later, Xu Zhiyi awoke.

Feeling the increase in his internal magical power, his face showed clear joy.

It was worth the great cost.

He put away the yellow stone block.

Xu Zhiyi stood up and went into the star origin fruit tree forest.

He carefully checked the growth of each star origin fruit tree.

He took out the special spiritual liquid he had received from the Clan.

He applied different amounts according to the different star origin fruit trees.

And he cleared away the spiritual insects attracted by the fruit trees.

At night, he performed the Secret Star Attraction Art.

He drew in starlight and poured it into the star origin fruit forest.

This completed one cycle of fruit tree maintenance.

On Mogan Peak, the other Zhou Family Cultivators, whether from the main Family or external Disciples stationed there, all did the same.

Methodically, it wasn't difficult.

Two months later, on Mogan Peak, within a wooden pavilion enveloped in a faint spiritual glow, a crane's cry startled Xu Zhiyi, who was cultivating diligently inside.

"A Family Spirit Crane..."

Xu Zhiyi stood up.

He opened the Formation that enveloped his surroundings.

Then he walked out.

A white Spirit Crane, about a zhang in size, descended from the sky.

Seeing Xu Zhiyi's figure, it opened its mouth and dropped a Jade Slip it held.

"Thank you, Fairy Crane."

Xu Zhiyi reached out, took the Jade Slip, and bowed in thanks.

"Caw!"

The white Spirit Crane, a zhang in size, let out a high cry, seemingly displeased.

"Ah, it turns out you're not a Fairy..."

Xu Zhiyi was embarrassed.

He gave an awkward smile and quickly apologized.

The white Spirit Crane nodded, accepting Xu Zhiyi's apology.

It then rose and flew away.

Xu Zhiyi placed the Jade Slip in his hand against his forehead.

Buzz~

Light flowed.

Information appeared in Xu Zhiyi's mind, one message after another.

"Experience mission..."

Xu Zhiyi's face showed some confusion.

This was a mission issued by the Task Hall.

In the Task Hall, basically every year, a batch of younger Zhou Family Disciples would be selected, and experience missions would be issued.

It was both an experience and an assessment.

If one could complete it to Perfection, there would not only be the mission's own rewards, but it would also relate to the monthly stipend thereafter.

This was a method for selecting outstanding Family Disciples.

It's just... "Hasn't this year's experience mission already happened once...?"

"However, this is a good thing..."

Xu Zhiyi thought to himself.

He squeezed the Jade Slip in his hand.

Xu Zhiyi headed to the other side.

After inquiring with several Zhou Family Cultivators who were also stationed there, Xu Zhiyi felt relieved.

Although not everyone had received the notification for this experience mission, there were two others who had.

Both of them were overjoyed.

However, they did not reveal their respective missions.

After all, this concerned their own future, and no one could afford to be careless.

"I need to go back and inform my father and mother."

"This mission is a bit far, and I'm afraid it will take some time before I can return."

Xu Zhiyi pondered.

As for the star origin fruit forest, Family Cultivators would naturally come to take over.

Xu Zhiyi tidied up and went down the mountain.