Chapter 34

"About this... forget it, you'll find out eventually. I'll give you a brief overview for now." Li Zong hesitated for a moment but did not refuse.

"The sect has a tradition of holding minor competitions annually and major trials every three years. The minor competitions are internal affairs of each branch, mainly to test the cultivation and mastery of spells and secret techniques of the disciples. Based on the results, elders will award certain rewards. Although the benefits are not substantial, the atmosphere is generally harmonious. However, the major trials held every three years are entirely different. All spirit disciples of the sect must participate in these true competitions, which will determine the top 100 core disciples. Their names will be inscribed on the Taiyin Stele within the sect for all disciples to admire. More importantly, these core disciples will receive specialized training from the sect for the next three years, with more rewards for those who rank higher. The comprehensive results of the major trials also directly determine the resources each branch can occupy within the sect. Even the spirit masters take the major trials very seriously. As far as I know, the Jiuying branch has been at the bottom of the rankings for several years. As a result, the resources the Jiuying branch receives from the sect are naturally the least, making it even harder to turn things around. Moreover, although the major trials are presided over by spirit masters, the actual struggles among spirit disciples can be extremely fierce. Injuries and even fatalities are not uncommon during the trials. Therefore, the major trials are life-and-death affairs, and some call them 'blood arenas.'" Li Zong spoke at length, and Liu Ming nodded repeatedly.

"Hmm, the minor and major trials are more or less what I expected. But what about the life-and-death trials? I've only heard the name mentioned occasionally." Liu Ming asked again.

"The life-and-death trials are not just an internal affair of our ManGui Sect but a joint trial held by the five major sects of the Great Xuan Kingdom. They are used to determine the strength of the sects and ultimately decide their rankings within the kingdom. Therefore, the trials are far more brutal and intense than we can imagine. While injuries and fatalities in the major trials are occasional, in the life-and-death trials, fewer than half of the disciples from each sect return alive. It is truly a matter of life and death. Over the past few hundred years, our sect has performed poorly in the life-and-death trials, often ranking last." Li Zong sighed.

"Given the dangers of the life-and-death trials, how are the disciples selected to participate? I doubt ordinary disciples would volunteer." Liu Ming couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

"Hehe, although the life-and-death trials are extremely dangerous, the benefits of surviving are unimaginable. Most of the senior disciples in each branch are those who have participated in the life-and-death trials. Therefore, ordinary disciples do not have the qualifications to participate. Only the top ten core disciples on the Taiyin Stele can participate. And as long as they secure a top ten position, any disciple will rise rapidly and receive the best possible training from the sect for the remaining year to help the entire sect gain more benefits in the Great Xuan Kingdom." Li Zong replied without hesitation.

"I see, thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Li." Liu Ming thought for a moment and then sincerely thanked him.

"Haha, no problem. I feel a strong connection with you, Junior Brother. By the way, when you go to receive your routine sect tasks, if you want a better one, you can mention my name and give the task assigner a little something. You'll get what you want." Li Zong laughed and winked at him, showing a bit of humor.

Liu Ming smiled, thanked Senior Brother Li again, and joined the long queue.

At this time, people were constantly entering and exiting the hall, and the queue moved very quickly. Soon, it was Liu Ming's turn.

In front of him was a middle-aged man in an attendant's uniform, slightly bald.

However, Liu Ming had no spirit stones to bribe the attendant and did not mention Li Zong's name. He simply handed over his nameplate and said honestly, "I am a new disciple, here to receive my routine sect task."

"Oh, a new junior brother. Let me see what tasks are available." The bald attendant was very kind, took the nameplate, and quickly flipped through a thick book.

"Currently, the only tasks suitable for new disciples are chopping wood on Tianzhu Peak and farming in Southern Spirit Valley. Which one would you like to choose?" The bald attendant paused, looked up, and asked.

"What, chopping wood, farming?" Liu Ming almost thought he had heard wrong.

He had expected the sect tasks to be something like standing guard or patrolling the mountains, not these two activities.

"I know you are puzzled, but you will understand once you take the task." The bald attendant was not surprised and even looked a bit mysterious.

"I'll choose farming." Liu Ming was still full of doubts but had to choose one.

After all, he had once planted half an acre of mixed grains on a dangerous island.

"Farming routine task, you must complete it within three days, or it will be considered a failure." The bald attendant took Liu Ming's nameplate, pressed it on a certain spot in the book, and said fluently.

Liu Ming took the nameplate and left the queue, puzzled. He then realized he didn't know where Southern Spirit Valley was.

He wanted to ask the attendant but saw that another disciple was already in front of him, and the queue was long again. He shook his head.

But when he turned his gaze, he saw Li Zong still lingering near the door. His eyes lit up, and he walked over.

"Junior Brother Bai, which routine task did you receive? Just make sure it's not feeding spirit beasts; that's the most troublesome task!" Li Zong greeted Liu Ming as soon as he saw him.

"Senior Brother Li, you haven't left yet, that's great. I didn't receive the task of feeding spirit beasts but farming. However, I don't know where Southern Spirit Valley is."

"Farming! Well, it's not the best task, but it's not the worst either. Southern Spirit Valley, here, I have a map of the sect that I drew years ago. It's no longer useful to me, so I'll give it to you, Junior Brother." Li Zong thought for a moment, took out a map drawn on animal skin, and threw it to Liu Ming.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I won't be polite. By the way, Senior Brother Li, what exactly is farming? Since we have spirit grains, does the sect still need ordinary food?" Liu Ming caught the map, felt happy, thanked him, and asked with some confusion.

"Hehe, when I first joined the sect and heard about this task, I was also puzzled like you. Don't worry, you'll understand once you get there. You might even get some benefits." Li Zong laughed but did not directly answer his question.

Seeing this, Liu Ming did not press further, thanked him again, and left.

Once outside, he cast a spell to form a small gray cloud and flew away.

Following the map, Liu Ming flew over several mountains and finally landed in a small valley.

In front of him was a large field, about a hundred acres in size, divided into square plots.

Some inner disciples were working in the fields, swinging silver-colored hoes, like ordinary farmers.

While Liu Ming was still in a daze, a light cough came from behind him.

Although the sound was not loud, it startled Liu Ming, who quickly turned around.

Behind him stood an old man with dark skin, slightly bent, holding a yellowish tobacco pipe, looking at him expressionlessly.

"A new disciple!"

"Yes, who are you, Senior?"

Although the old man was unremarkable, Liu Ming felt an inexplicable pressure and called him "Senior" without thinking.

"Hmph, why do those guys from the Attendant Hall keep sending newbies like you here? Do they think this place is a joke? Forget it, take this and be responsible for one of the plots. You must hoe the entire plot within three days, to a depth of half a foot, with no weeds. If you fail, get out and don't let me see you here again." The old farmer coldly said, reached into his waist, and pulled out a silver hoe, tossing it to Liu Ming.

Liu Ming was stunned.

"What are you looking at? Get to work. This is a storage talisman; you can't use it without being at least a spirit master." The old farmer said impatiently, turned around, and walked away. A black cloud appeared under him, carrying him into a nearby forest.

"Storage talisman."

At this point, Liu Ming knew the old man was a spirit master. He muttered to himself, picked up the silver hoe, and walked to an unoccupied plot without delay.

The plot, about an acre in size, was covered with weeds almost a foot tall, crowding every inch of the ground.

Liu Ming stretched his limbs, lifted the hoe with both hands, and brought it down forcefully.