My Portable Spirit Farm: Rise of the Humble Servant

Chapter 203: Request to Leave the Sect

A week later, the dust finally settled on the competition.

Unsurprisingly, the Tianling Sect secured the first place in total points. Of course, their victory was largely a formality to claim the predetermined Sect Rewards.

Chen Ping thought of the Bodhi Seed once more.

If there were another competition like this in the future, with rewards of such caliber, he would participate again without hesitation.

With a total of twelve points, the Qingyun Sect ranked third among the Eight Sects!

This meant that for the next sixty years—a full cycle—the Qingyun Sect would only need to pay twenty percent of its income as tribute to the Tianling Sect!

When Li Lingfeng accepted the jade plaque symbolizing third place from the presiding Violet Palace Elder, Zhao Yuanqi was so overcome with excitement that his wrinkled face flushed red, and his hands trembled visibly.

He understood all too well what this signified.

Sixty years ago, the Qingyun Sect had ranked sixth, requiring a tribute of thirty percent. Now, it was only twenty percent.

One should not underestimate this ten percent difference.

The Qingyun Sect’s annual income from various industries, mineral veins, and Marketplaces combined amounted to over thirty million Spirit Stones. Ten percent of that was a staggering three million Spirit Stones!

Saving three million Spirit Stones annually, accumulated over sixty years, would result in an astronomical sum.

These Spirit Stones were enough to significantly increase the monthly stipends and cultivation resource allocations for both Outer Disciples and inner sect members. They could fund the repair or construction of more Spirit Gathering Pagodas, Transmission Halls, Pill Halls, and Artifact Refining Rooms. They could even purchase more powerful mountain-protecting Formations!

Most importantly, the Sect could focus on nurturing more core disciples with high Potential. The high-level cultivators would also have more ample resources to purchase Pills to aid in breakthroughs or acquire powerful Dharma Treasures.

The foundation and development speed of the entire Sect would ascend to a new level because of this victory.

“It’s done! It’s really done!”

Zhao Yuanqi muttered to himself, his eyes sparkling with manic excitement.

With the Sect’s finances becoming ample, his “unorthodox” theories regarding Talisman and Formation improvements might finally receive funding for verification! Furthermore, he could potentially purchase slaves to serve as test subjects for his theoretical knowledge regarding cultivation experiments!

Perhaps he could truly develop something revolutionary!

At this thought, Zhao Yuanqi’s face turned even redder, and he once again cast a look of heartfelt gratitude toward Chen Ping.

The clamor in the main peak square gradually subsided.

Li Lingfeng summoned Chen Ping, Bai Yue, and Zhao Long before him.

Bai Yue hung her head, her face still pale and her eyes vacant. She had not yet recovered from the successive blows to her confidence. A Sword Heart was not something that could be healed in a short time.

Seeing Bai Yue’s gaunt and lonely appearance, Li Lingfeng decided that upon returning to the Sect, he would summon the Grand Elder of the Bai family to help solidify her Sword Heart. This girl had lived too smoothly for the past few decades; she needed guidance to overcome this hurdle.

Zhao Long, on the other hand, stood with his back straight. Although conceding in the team battle left him frustrated, the joy of the Sect achieving its best historical result diluted his unwillingness to admit defeat.

Chen Ping’s gaze remained as calm as ever.

“In this Grand Competition, the three of you have made the greatest contributions.”

Li Lingfeng’s gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Bai Yue with a trace of imperceptible regret before finally settling on Chen Ping. His tone turned solemn.

“Especially Elder Chen. You possess both wisdom and courage, and you have rendered great service to the Sect. Upon our return, the Sect will surely bestow generous rewards.”

After offering a few words of encouragement, he prepared to lead everyone to bid farewell to the Tianling Sect’s Headmaster and begin the journey back to the Qingyun Sect.

“Headmaster!”

Chen Ping stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute.

“This disciple has a request.”

“Oh? What is it?” Li Lingfeng looked at him.

“After stepping into Foundation Establishment, this disciple has deeply felt that my knowledge is shallow and my temperament requires tempering. Therefore, I wish to request leave from the Headmaster for a period of time to travel outside, broaden my horizons, and experience worldly affairs. It will be short, perhaps a month, or at most half a year, but I will definitely return to the Sect.”

Chen Ping’s tone was sincere.

Upon hearing this, Li Lingfeng pondered for a moment. He looked deeply at Chen Ping, as if trying to pierce through that calm exterior to discern his true thoughts.

He naturally understood Chen Ping’s background. This youth had risen from humble origins, cultivating arduously without pause, and had almost never left the vicinity of the mountain gate. Proposing to travel now seemed entirely reasonable.

“Hmm. You have been single-mindedly focused on arduous cultivation, and your progress is indeed faster than others. This can sometimes cause instability in one’s mental state. Traveling the world is of great benefit to the mind! Moreover, for the path of a cultivator, working behind closed doors is indeed not advisable.”

Li Lingfeng slowly nodded, agreeing to Chen Ping’s request.

“Granted. However…”

He shifted the subject, his tone carrying a deeper, heavier meaning.

“Traveling is good, but do not linger for too long. Remember, within the Sect, there are still people who care about you, eagerly awaiting your return.”

People who care!

As these words left the Headmaster’s lips, Chen Ping’s heart suddenly tightened!

His pupils abruptly contracted, and his muscles locked up instantly. He sharply raised his head, his gaze sharp as a blade, meeting Li Lingfeng’s eyes directly.

The only people he cared about were his parents!

Was this a blatant warning?

Just as he had guessed, the Sect indeed had a clear understanding of his background!

A chill spread down his spine.

Li Lingfeng took in Chen Ping’s momentary tension and wariness but revealed a helpless smile, carrying a hint of elder-like reproach.

“What? You thought I was threatening you with your parents?”

He shook his head, his tone frank.

“Chen Ping, ah, Chen Ping. If our Qingyun Sect—if I, Li Lingfeng—truly coveted your little Fated Chance, why would we wait until today? When you first showed promise, or when you established your Foundation, there were countless opportunities to easily erase you and seize everything. Why would we support you all this way, letting you become a Sect Elder, a pivotal figure in the Qingyun Sect?”

“You underestimate me too much…”

He paused, looking at Chen Ping’s still-tense expression. His tone shifted to a rare gentleness, even carrying a trace of imperceptible envy.

“Reminding you not to forget your return date is just… just reminding you not to be like many cultivators who, in pursuit of the elusive Great Dao, miss the people they should cherish most. You still have parents alive, and you are able to bring them joy and comfort in their old age. This is a great blessing. Do not wait until…”

For the last sentence, Li Lingfeng’s voice lowered. A faint trace of reminiscence and desolation flashed in his eyes, as if touching upon past events he was unwilling to revisit. His words cut off abruptly.

Chen Ping stood frozen in place.

Li Lingfeng’s words were like a heavy hammer striking against his mental defenses.

A threat?

No, it seemed more like advice from someone who had walked this path before—perhaps even genuine concern from an elder.

Considering that the Sect had never taken any adverse actions against him but had instead offered much protection, Li Lingfeng’s words did not seem false.

Was he being overly vigilant, measuring a gentleman’s heart with a petty man’s yardstick?

The wariness in his heart receded like a tide, replaced by a complex mix of emotions: relief, shame, and a touch of warmth.

Looking at the genuine desolation in Li Lingfeng’s eyes, Chen Ping took a deep breath. Facing the Qingyun Headmaster, he solemnly performed a deep bow, remaining bent for a long time.

This bow was to thank him for granting leave, to thank him for the enlightenment, and to thank the Sect for its protection, both overt and covert, over these years.

“This disciple… will remember the Headmaster’s teachings.”

Chen Ping’s voice carried a trace of imperceptible hoarseness.

Li Lingfeng waved his hand, his face returning to its usual composure.

“Go. Be careful on the road. Leave early and return early.”

Without saying more, he turned and walked toward Zhao Yuanqi and the others, preparing to depart.

Chen Ping straightened up. He took one last look at the retreating figures of Li Lingfeng and his fellow disciples. Then, he turned, summoned his flying sword, transformed into a streak of cyan light, and shot through the air toward the direction agreed upon with the Tianling Sect’s north gate.