My Master Knows It All

80: Chapter 76 Rushing Against Time_1 80: Chapter 76 Rushing Against Time_1 Three days passed by swiftly.

[Ghost-Cutting] was far more complex than Cao Zhen had imagined, and it took Yan Yourong two full days to barely understand what Ghost-Cutting was, and she would need a long period of cultivation to truly master it.

Apart from teaching the disciple, all his remaining time was devoted to researching these relics he had collected.

With Zhang Daoling’s cultivation experience, he quickly mastered the basic usage of these artifacts.

Especially the water and fire rings, a treasure which could now be used normally but consuming too much energy.

Even when not exerting full power, he could only use them five times before needing a day’s rest to continue.

“I’m too tired from these last two days, let’s get some sleep,” Cao Zhen said, “After a good rest, we’ll continue practicing.”

“Disciple isn’t tired,” Yan Yourong said, her face full of vigor.

Having learned Ghost-Cutting, she was in an excited state, planning to take advantage of this time to cultivate diligently.

Cao Zhen had initially wanted to offer a few words of encouragement, which would essentially mean an easy win in mastering [Ghost-Cutting] himself, but then he remembered that his disciple must be weary as well.

If he continued to encourage her, it wouldn’t be quite humane of him as a master, so he swallowed the words of encouragement.

A paper crane flew into the cave mansion, drawing their attention.

“Master, this is a paper crane letter from big sister disciple,” Yan Yourong said as she plucked the paper crane from the air and presented it with both hands respectfully.

Cao Zhen infused a bit of spiritual energy into the paper crane, and the full-body hologram of his bosom disciple, Ling Xi, who hadn’t been seen for days, appeared in the cave mansion.

“Master…

Ah!

No, that’s not right!” Ling Xi suddenly took a half-step back and knelt on the ground, saying, “It’s been many days since I’ve seen you, and I forgot to greet master properly.

Please punish your disciple.”

Cao Zhen instinctively wanted to help Ling Xi up, but was still a beat slower than the holographic Ling Xi inside.

To think a Core Formation Stage cultivator was still slower than a disciple in the Magic Duel Arena stage.

“This is really one hundred percent…” Cao Zhen sighed, wondering just what level of cultivation he would need to be faster than this disciple.

“Disciple greets you,” Ling Xi completed the greeting with utmost respect again, and then her face revealed a happy smile, “It’s been many days since I last saw you, Master.

I imagine your time at Hidden Dragon Observatory has been very smooth.

Being the first disciple of Four Treasures Peak, I have also not neglected the development of our Four Treasures Peak in these days.”

Development?

Cao Zhen thought.

Apart from Yan Yourong winning a free laborer in a magic duel to make talismans for Four Treasures Peak, earning some extra money, it seemed there wasn’t much development in Four Treasures Peak.

“There was a minor Spiritual Tide a few days ago, so the sect decided to advance the selection of disciples,” Ling Xi continued earnestly, “Now, with the reputation Master has earned from dueling, in order to better develop our Four Treasures Peak, not only have I registered to take part in the disciple selection, but I’ll also try to recruit as many disciples as possible to bolster Four Treasures Peak’s prestige…”

Ling Xi spoke more and more passionately about recruiting disciples.

At first, Cao Zhen was able to keep track of what his disciple was saying, but soon lost the inclination to listen any further.

Why recruit so many disciples?

Cao Zhen wondered, baffled as he watched the projection.

Weren’t four disciples enough to keep him busy?

And now there’s talk of adding more?

Although an Ancient Immortal Body was extremely rare and known as the unfortunate body that appears once in a century, who can count on luck?

All four disciples of Four Treasures Peak were of that type!

What if, by some stroke of luck, they hit the jackpot with a fifth one?

Who could handle that?

Wouldn’t that just mean an increase in massive expenses?

And for disciples with ordinary aptitude, they would still need resources, wouldn’t they?

That would also cost money, right?

“Today seems to be the day of accepting disciples!” Cao Zhen stood up, put on his shoes, and swiftly walked out of the cave mansion, leaving behind a sentence before disappearing outside, “No, I must go back and stop your big sister disciple.

Yourong, practice well here until I get back.”

The Hidden Dragon Observatory has its own rules.

If there is an emergency that requires one to leave, procedures for temporarily halting cultivation can be facilitated.

Cao Zhen visited the Daily Affairs Hall and took leave from the overseeing Elder.

Once the procedures were completed, he rushed to the parking area outside the Hidden Dragon Observatory.

An institution like the Hidden Dragon Observatory naturally had its own fleet of communal Immortal Cloud Carriages.

“Peak Master Cao of Four Treasures Peak?”

Just as Cao Zhen was about to reach the parking area of the Hidden Dragon Observatory, he found his way blocked by a young cultivator.

The fist-sized “Heaven” character on his chest clearly indicated his identity.

“I’m in a hurry, let’s talk when I return,” Cao Zhen, anxious to get back, said as he tried to bypass the figure, adding, “I’ll be quick.”

“Disciple Zi Xuan of the 32nd peak of the Hundred Peaks Sect won’t delay Peak Master much,” Zi Xuan took a step to the side, blocking Cao Zhen’s exit route and continued, “According to the regulations of the Hidden Dragon Observatory, Peak Master Cao has yet to fulfill the customary obligations for newcomers.

I’ve specifically come to help you complete them, it’ll be very quick.”

Cao Zhen halted and looked displeased at Zi Xuan.

His affairs concerned the financial issues of Four Treasures Peak, so he couldn’t help but ask, “How quick can you be?”

“You’ll know if you try,” Zi Xuan confidently replied, having gathered information about the opponent before coming.

He had always disdained those fools in the stories who started a fight without understanding the strength and trump cards of their adversary.

Great Perfection, Perfect Fulfillment, Phenomenon Dao Platforms, and Immortal Bridges—all were phenomena during Core Formation!

If it came to a simple test of strength, Zi Xuan knew he had no chance to beat the opponent unless he himself stepped into the Golden Core Stage, but!

He had a trump card!

A treasure!

On his first day at the Hidden Dragon Observatory, he visited the Immortal Soldier Workshop and obtained the Micro Dust Star Light Mirror, a relic of the 16th generation Peak Master Shangguan Yi of the 45th peak, which immediately elevated him to the top tier of battle strength below the Golden Core Stage.

“I’m in a rush, let’s not go to the Magic Duel Arena, we can settle it here,” Cao Zhen took a deep breath.

Behind him, the Phenomenon Pill, Dao Platforms, and Immortal Bridges all shone brightly, enveloping the surroundings with powerful energy.

Upon seeing this, Zi Xuan felt an uncontrollable surge of envy.

If he had such a foundation, wouldn’t his cultivation base have already reached the peak of the Golden Core Stage by now?

He certainly wouldn’t be like this Peak Master, possessing such a promising foundation but failing to cultivate properly and mentor any disciples.

The more Zi Xuan thought about it, the more he felt that Cao Zhen lacked intelligence.

All those at Four Treasures Peak were Waste Immortal Bodies.

Instead of wasting energy on those wastes, why not use all the resources for oneself?

As for disciples?

Aren’t they plentiful?

As long as one’s individual strength is sufficient, what kind of disciple can’t be recruited later on?

Isn’t it easy to strengthen a mountain peak?

Wasting resources on worthless disciples?

That’s not smart!

For such an unintelligent person to have such fortunate foundational opportunities truly showed that the heavens were unfair!

Zi Xuan took a deep breath as his cultivation base surged to its limits.

Within the Perfect Fulfillment of the ten Dao Platforms, three were Phenomenon Dao Platforms.

Among the nine Immortal Bridges, one was a Phenomenon Immortal Bridge, coupled with nine white cores creating a powerful wave of energy.

“Be defeated!” With a full-power strike, Zi Xuan’s mirrored treasure shone like the sun in the sky, emitting a dazzling light and projecting a golden ray swirling with hundreds of profound talismans to envelop Cao Zhen.

Test first?

Study how much strength to use?

Zi Xuan had always despised this way of fighting.

To strike was to go all out.

With the attack launched, he prepared the life-saving healing pills.