Chapter 13

(First, let's get two chapters done. I'm asking for your valuable recommendation votes on Monday. It's a critical time for the rankings, and there will be more updates during the day!)

Wang Meng stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.

Wang Meng casually put it into his Bag of Holding.

Zhao Lingxuan's nut fell to the ground. ...Is this even possible?

She rubbed her eyes, "Xiao Ling, is this real?"

The Nine Heavens Fire Phoenix also widened her eyes, as shocked as if a sparrow demon had suddenly turned into a Fire Phoenix.

...Luck...

"This luck is too outrageous, right?" Zhao Lingxuan muttered. Even if it were possible, it shouldn't happen so quickly.

"Wow, Brother Meng, the ground has softened up. I think we can finish in ten days!" Zhang Xiaopang swung his hoe, which easily pierced the ground.

"Ten days? We'll finish in three days, then you can go do your mission."

"Long live Brother Meng! I knew it, following you is definitely the right choice!"

Zhang Xiaopang's flattery flew freely.

The two of them got to work immediately, one pulling weeds and the other loosening the soil, battling the spirit field with great enthusiasm.

With the excitement over, Zhao Lingxuan stomped her foot, pouted, and said, "No fun, Xiao Ling, let's go home!"

The Fire Phoenix followed her master, puzzled as a spirit beast. Could this person have some hidden talent?

How did he choose her from among so many sparrow demons back then?

In three days, Wang Meng kept his word. Zhang Xiaopang was responsible for pulling weeds, and Wang Meng for loosening the soil. Without the Life Grass, the weeds put up some resistance, but it was minimal. After all, Zhang Xiaopang was at the fourth level of Life Mark, and when he got serious, he was quite formidable. Without the weeds hindering them, the spirit soil wasn't as stubborn.

Qiu Qiu was responsible for transportation and helping to level the land, which was quite helpful. This made Wang Meng think of the irresponsible Baizhe, but he had a feeling they would meet again eventually.

On the fourth morning, Zhang Xiaopang was already prepared, pulling a large sword out of his Bag of Holding with both hands, "Brother Meng, this sword is pretty good, it's for you."

Wang Meng took the large sword but didn't say much. He guessed it was traded with some third-generation disciples. Even if it wasn't worth much, there was no choice given the circumstances.

To go outside, a weapon was essential. Within the Holy Hall's territory, there was generally no danger, as neither demons, beasts, nor demon cultivators would easily provoke the Holy Hall. But once you left the Holy Hall's territory, it was a different story.

Wang Meng swung the large sword, "It's okay, just a bit light."

Zhang Xiaopang's mouth dropped open, "Are you serious? This sword is really heavy."

"Is it? I don't feel it. Maybe I've just gotten stronger from the farming these past two days." Wang Meng clenched his fist, but he really didn't feel it.

"Brother Meng, I bought two life-saving talismans, a guidance talisman, oh, and a speed talisman, as well as bait to lure Tiger Eagles, our food, and two life-prolonging pills. I spent all the money and items my father gave me. It's a do-or-die situation."

Zhang Xiaopang said pitifully, his requirements were low; he just wanted to pass the test.

"Don't be so pessimistic. We can definitely do it. How's Hu Jing? Did you see her?"

"No, Hu Jing is in the area where the elders and senior disciples stay. We're just commoners, we can't get in."

The fat boy was a bit envious. Hu Jing's talent and background determined a fundamentally different fate from theirs. From the beginning, it was like this, but her personality and friendship made them forget this.

"Let's go!"

Wang Meng glanced at his spirit field, feeling a bit attached. Zhang Xiaopang activated the guidance talisman, which turned into a ball of fire floating in front of them.

Each of them had a speed talisman, which were low-level talismans specifically designed for beginners like them, but they were very practical.

The two immediately experienced the feeling of rapid movement. Zhang Xiaopang was about to speak but was immediately choked by the wind, forcing him to close his mouth.

From Thunderlight Peak to Thunderclap Peak was several hundred miles. For cultivators at the elder level, it was nothing, but for beginners, even with the help of speed talismans, it would take a few days.

The scenery of the Small Thousand World was captivating to the two young men, and they quickly forgot about the danger.

"Zhang Xiaopang, are we on the right path? My legs are about to give out. Where is Thunderclap Peak? We've been running for three days, and we're both part of the Thunder generation."

Zhang Xiaopang wiped the sweat from his forehead. This long journey was not suitable for him, "The guidance talisman shows this way, it's correct."

"Could the senior brother have made a mistake with the guidance talisman?"

Wang Meng looked at the dense forest around them, feeling frustrated. To save time, they had been traveling day and night, and by now, they should have arrived.

"It shouldn't be. He said this task is common for bow cultivators, but..." Zhang Xiaopang also looked around, feeling a sense of unease.

"Do you think this looks like Thunderclap Peak? The guidance talisman is still leading us forward, something's not right. Let's stop!"

Even if they weren't at Thunderclap Peak, they should at least be able to see it. Instead, they felt they had entered an unknown dense forest. The eerie atmosphere made him uneasy.

As if in response to their suspicions, a low roar like thunder came from deep within the forest, causing the ground to tremble.

The two looked at each other. The sky was gradually darkening, and the path ahead was unclear. Following the guidance talisman further would lead them who knows where.

"Zhang Xiaopang, how did you get these things?"

Wang Meng asked. The fat boy also felt something was wrong, "I used the money and some good items my father gave me, but they said it wasn't enough and demanded my spirit stones..."

"Did you give them to them?"

"No, I'm not that stupid. The seller was Zhou Qian, a third-generation disciple who specializes in trading small items. I needed these things, so I found Senior Brother Zhao Guang to be a witness. If we complete the task, I'll give him the spirit stones. If we don't, it's off."

"Where are the spirit stones?"

"...At Zhao Guang's place. Damn, could they be setting us up? Seriously, we're fellow disciples, they don't have to be so ruthless, right???"

The fat boy looked at Wang Meng with teary eyes.

"It's not setting us up, it's setting you up. This is a good lesson!"

"Brother Meng, it looks like they want us to go in and never come back. What should we do?"

Zhang Xiaopang looked around, feeling even colder.

Wang Meng licked his lips, "Fatso, remember this. This is the rule in the cultivation world, even more shameless than the outside world. Learn from your mistakes, and besides, we're not done yet!"

Cultivation is about seizing the power of heaven to extend one's life and strength. Resources are limited, so competition is fierce. While holy cultivators aren't as ruthless as demon cultivators, they aren't playing house either.

Being deceived means you're too naive. Newcomers always have to pay a price.

For the two of them, this price was indeed heavy.

"Brother Meng, what should we do? Should we turn back?" Zhang Xiaopang felt something was watching him.