When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 49 – Isn't cultivation just a piece of cake for me, Mu Xiaochuan?

Over the past three days, the air inside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion seemed to be tinged with a faint sense of parting sorrow.
Lin Yue continued to attend to Mu Xiaochuan with meticulous care, brewing tea, setting dishes, massaging, and tidying clothes. Every action was gentler and more attentive than usual, as if she wanted to imprint these last days of companionship deeply into their memories.
Mu Xiaochuan noticed all of this, and his heart was not without its own waves. Living day and night with two vibrant young women, Su Yao and Lin Yue, enjoying their meticulous care and the feelings that gradually developed, to say there were no emotions would be self-deceptive.
However, this was ultimately a good thing. Lin Yue was quiet and meticulous by nature, and she had the fortune of being chosen by Mu Qingyao to further her alchemy studies in the Elixir Hall, with limitless prospects.
Moreover... thinking about how in three days, the seductive and fiery little witch Ye Lingxuan would replace Lin Yue, moving into the Listening Bamboo Pavilion to become his personal maid, Mu Xiaochuan felt a strange anticipation and an uncontrollable restlessness, as if a kitten's paw had gently scratched his heart.
During this time, Mu Xiaochuan did not remain idle. He took the opportunity to visit Purple Mist Peak and spar with Liu Ruyan.
Liu Ruyan was astonished to learn that Lin Yue was to become a disciple under Mu Qingyao, as Mu Qingyao's standards were notoriously high, and ordinary disciples rarely caught her eye. Naturally, she playfully teased Mu Xiaochuan about his "boundless charm," even managing to tame the little witch, her words tinged with a hint of jealousy, which made Mu Xiaochuan both proud and amused, leading to a deeper exchange to soothe her.
Time flew by, and the third day arrived in the blink of an eye.
That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the weather was pleasant. Outside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, Su Yao's respectful voice announced the visitors.
"Elder Mu, Hall Master Mu and Sister Ye have come to visit."
Mu Xiaochuan understood and stood up, tidying his robe. He said to Su Lin Yue beside him, "Let's go, what must come will come."
The three of them went to the courtyard entrance, where they saw Mu Qingyao in her usual elegant, plain palace attire, her demeanor as graceful as a lotus. Beside her, Ye Lingxuan had changed into a simple blue disciple's robe, her usual flamboyance and nobility subdued, her head lowered in silence, a stark contrast to her former unruly self.
"Hall Master Mu," Mu Xiaochuan greeted with a smile and a cupped fist.
Mu Qingyao nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Lin Yue with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Lin Yue, are you ready?"
Lin Yue took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed gracefully to Mu Qingyao. "Disciple Lin Yue, greets Master!" Though she was only a named disciple, this address of "Master" signified a new beginning.
"Very well." Mu Qingyao nodded and then looked at Mu Xiaochuan. "Elder Mu, I'll be taking her with me. As for Lingxuan, though she's a bit mischievous, her nature isn't bad. From now on... I'll leave her in your capable hands."
When she mentioned "capable hands," Mu Qingyao's tone was somewhat nuanced, and her eyes glanced at Mu Xiaochuan with a subtle look.
Mu Xiaochuan chuckled inwardly but maintained a serious demeanor. "Rest assured, Hall Master Mu, since Sister Ye is here at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, I will take good care of her."
Mu Qingyao said no more and left with Lin Yue.
In the courtyard, only Mu Xiaochuan, Su Yao, and the timid-looking Ye Lingxuan remained.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward.
It was Su Yao, quick-witted as ever, who took Ye Lingxuan's hand and said with a gentle smile, "Sister Ye, we're family now. Come in, I'll show you around your new home."
Ye Lingxuan allowed Su Yao to lead her into the adjacent room.
Mu Xiaochuan watched the two women walk away, his fingers gently stroking his chin, a deep smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
In the days that followed, Ye Lingxuan began her life as a maid at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
It must be said, this daughter of the Peak Master had exceptional talent in cultivation, but when it came to serving others, she was utterly clueless.
On her first day of brewing tea, she either boiled the water until it was scalding, causing the tea to bubble over, or she filled the pot with so many tea leaves that the brew was bitter, making Mu Xiaochuan frown and shake his head repeatedly.
On the second day, tasked with cleaning the courtyard, she either wielded the broom with such vigor that she nearly poked herself, or she mistook the precious spirit herbs for weeds and pulled them out.
On the third day, while preparing spirit fruit snacks, she either cut her finger while peeling, causing it to bleed, or nearly started a small kitchen fire, flames bursting everywhere...
Su Yao watched with a mix of amusement and exasperation, yet she patiently taught this clumsy senior sister step by step.
Of course, what interested Ye Lingxuan the most were the evening sparring sessions.
She knew that Lin Yue and Su Yao didn't return to the Outer Sect at night but stayed at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, living with Elder Mu.
As for what exactly they did... she wasn't entirely clueless.
The fifth night of her stay at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion arrived.
When Su Yao was about to enter the master bedroom to attend to Elder Mu, Ye Lingxuan stopped her out of curiosity.
"How effective is Elder Mu's guidance in your cultivation at night?"
"I was just an ordinary third-level Qi Refining Outer Disciple, but in this short time, I've already broken through to the fifth level. What do you think?"
"Oh, I didn't realize he was so capable. Can I join too?"
"Of course, I thought you only liked focusing on your cultivation?"
"Great, let's do it together. I want to improve too."
(This should be worth 50 Thrill Points.)
The next day, Mu Xiaochuan took some time to visit the Elixir Hall to check on Lin Yue. Lin Yue already had a talent for alchemy, and with Mu Xiaochuan's guidance and the Green Jade Glazed Cauldron, her alchemy skills were on par with the Inner Sect disciples of the Elixir Hall. Given time, she might even surpass Mu Qingyao.
Seeing Lin Yue's promising development, Mu Xiaochuan genuinely felt happy for her.
Back at the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, Ye Lingxuan seemed to have discovered a whole new world.
Compared to the fun and relaxed cultivation life here, her previous training and life felt utterly dull.
Since that day, Ye Lingxuan hardly ever returned to the Elixir Hall to stay.
Meanwhile, Mu Xiaochuan's Thrill Points accumulated unnoticed amidst this new, joyful life.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host, Lin Yue is doing well in the Elixir Hall, feeling happy, earning 30 Thrill Points!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host, Ye Lingxuan's strength has greatly increased, full of a sense of achievement, earning 40 Thrill Points!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host, the overall strength of the Hidden Heaven Pavilion has greatly increased, full of a sense of achievement, earning 30 Thrill Points!"
...
Time flowed like water, and a month passed just like that.
Mu Xiaochuan opened the Thrill System Panel, realizing that his Thrill Points had unknowingly reached 450!
At this time, news about the Sect Grand Tournament in a month and the once-in-a-decade "Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering" was becoming increasingly intense within the Qingling Sect, capturing the attention of all disciples and elders.
Rumors, ranking predictions, and analyses of geniuses were rampant, filling the entire sect with a tense yet expectant atmosphere.
Mu Xiaochuan was not particularly concerned about this, as according to Liu Ruyan, Outer Sect Elders were not eligible to participate in the final "Dao Discourse Gathering." He was more than happy to enjoy this rare leisure time.
However, that night, after another sparring session with Liu Ruyan in the cave abode on Purple Mist Peak, Liu Ruyan inadvertently remarked, "Even though I'm at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment now, with the high-tier spiritual artifact and cultivation technique you gave me, I still have a slim chance. It's a pity that you're such a prodigious talent, possessing an Earth-tier Spiritual Artifact, but only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, unable to step onto the stage of the Dao Discourse Gathering..."
Hearing this, Mu Xiaochuan's heart suddenly stirred!
First level of Foundation Establishment?
That's right! I'm currently just an Outer Sect Elder!
But... who said Outer Sect Elders couldn't participate in the elder-level competition of the Sect Grand Tournament?
Liu Ruyan had mentioned before that the Sect Grand Tournament selects participants based on the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Elixir stages! There was no distinction between Inner and Outer Sects! As long as one was in the Foundation Establishment Stage, theoretically, they could participate in the Foundation Establishment group competition!
And ultimately, those representing the sect in the "Dao Discourse Gathering" are chosen from the winners of the Sect Grand Tournament!
This means... as long as I'm strong enough! As long as I can stand out in the Foundation Establishment group of the Sect Grand Tournament!
The so-called "Outer Sect Elder" status is not a limitation at all!
"Hahaha! So that's how it is! I've been wise all my life, yet confused for a moment!" Mu Xiaochuan suddenly sat up, his eyes bursting with brilliant light!
"The Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering! Gathering the geniuses and strong from the entire dynasty? Such a great opportunity for a publicly funded trip... no, to make a name for myself and earn Thrill Points! How can I miss it?!"
"Training! I must immediately improve my strength!"
Liu Ruyan was startled by his sudden surge of energy. "Senior Brother, maybe you'll participate in the next one in ten years..."
"Don't worry, Junior Sister!" Mu Xiaochuan tightly held her hand. "I am definitely participating in this Sect Grand Tournament! And I will also venture into the Xiaoque Dynasty Dao Discourse Gathering!"
Liu Ruyan was a bit bewildered. "But you're only at the first level of Foundation Establishment?"
Mu Xiaochuan stood up abruptly, laughing heartily. "Hahaha! Cultivation is just a piece of cake for me, Mu Xiaochuan!"