Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Qiu Changtian arrived once again at the entrance of the secret realm of the Western Queen Mother and saw Xu Yinglian speaking to herself at the doorway, her tone sounded as if she was arguing about something: "Is detonation really better than a long-lasting burn? I don't think so. Many high-rank cultivators have defensive means to counter attacks, but if you can maintain a great fire steadily, gradually intensifying it, it can also put enough pressure on the opponent's True Yuan consumption." "What do you mean by 'as long as the power is strong enough, it can disregard defense'? It's like saying if one's cultivation realm overwhelms another, victory can be easily secured... who doesn't know that? We're discussing how to deal with high-rank cultivators!" "Right, right, right, I know that even with a long-lasting burn, it's very difficult to have a chance of victory against high-rank cultivators, but isn't it about trying our best to strive for it?" Qiu Changtian quietly watched from the side, thinking to himself, when did his junior sister also have such a talkative side? Oh, she was conversing with the Phoenix residing in her Sea of Consciousness. Speaking of that Phoenix predecessor "resting its Divine Soul in the Sea of Consciousness", since the Ziwei Master deemed the entity harmless, Qiu Changtian couldn't object for the time being. Based on its condition, it was similar to the initial situation of Long Hu, both forced to seal their flesh for a long time for the sake of survival, quietly waiting for an opportunity... However, this Phoenix, without a body, was even more pitiable compared to the fox, probably similar to the existence of Ah Jing. "Junior Sister Xu," Qiu Changtian greeted her, "How's that Phoenix predecessor? Easy to talk to?" "Her temperament is fairly good," Xu Yinglian sighed and said, "It's just that she has a strange belief that 'high-rank bloodlines crush all', which tires me a bit." "If my opponent's cultivation level is lower than mine, why would I need to study how to defeat them?" "Hmm, I'll just ask for now," reflected Qiu Changtian, "The high-rank cultivator you're referring to as a sparring partner, it's not me as an example, is it?" Xu Yinglian's expression stiffened slightly as she quickly denied: "Not at all! Certainly, I have indeed used you as an example, but that was just for the convenience of explaining to the Phoenix predecessor. It's not like I was consulting her on how to defeat you!" "And what's wrong with that?" Qiu Changtian smiled, "I remember Junior Sister Xu always aimed to defeat me in the past, and never hesitated to declare a battle with me openly and squarely." Xu Yinglian fell silent for a moment, then turned her head and said: "If I were to seek ways to defeat you and discuss your many secret techniques in detail with someone else, wouldn't that equate to exposing you to the disadvantage of being thoroughly understood? Of course, I must defeat you eventually, but definitely not through such despicable means. Don't think so ill of me, Senior Brother, nor test me like this... Hmph!" Looking at Junior Sister Xu, who was almost a textbook definition of tsundere, Qiu Changtian couldn't help but scratch his head. Go ahead and say it! I don't mind; my trump cards are so numerous you can't even begin to imagine! Of course, these words couldn't be said directly to Junior Sister Xu. Otherwise, she would surely lose face and possibly even become embarrassed and enraged, with consequences far from pleasant. Therefore, Qiu Changtian gently smiled, showing a slightly moved expression: "It's just like Junior Sister Xu to think of my welfare." "What else?" Xu Yinglian turned around, not letting Qiu Changtian see her slightly heated and reddened cheeks, "Cut the sweet talk and hurry into Zhao Palace's secret realm to continue refining your Divine Sense, that's the proper matter at hand!" "That sounds good," Qiu Changtian knew if he continued to tease her, his thin-skinned junior sister might just blow her top, so he nodded in agreement. The two entered the secret realm of the Western Queen Mother once again, and this time, they saw that in the realm, there was now a Nascent Soul Elder guarding by the Cloud Platform cliff. "Changgeng pays his respects to Elder Dongzhang," Qiu Changtian greeted with scholarly courtesy, "Why is Elder guarding this secret realm here?" "Recently, word has spread that the trials within this Western Queen Mother secret realm can refine one's Divine Sense," Elder Dongzhang stroked his beard and said, "Nearly all of the Golden Core Realm, Soul Storing Rank true persons in the sect have come to participate in the trials, so the Sect Leader called on me to guard this place, to be of assistance in case of anything." He glanced at Qiu Changtian and then at Xu Yinglian, smiling as he said: "Who would have expected that the ancient Divine Flame Path, with the collective aspirations forging three thousand Fire Mansions, would actually have the effect of refining the Divine Sense?" "In the Golden Core Realm's Soul Storing Rank, the most difficult aspect is to strengthen one's Divine Sense so that one can thoroughly permeate the Golden Core. Your discovery of this secret realm is indeed a great contribution to our sect," "I am ashamed." Qiu Changtian hastily stepped back, showing his unwillingness to accept the praise, and Xu Yinglian also followed her senior brother's lead, retreating slightly. "There's no need for such modesty," Elder Dongzhang waved his hand with a smile, "Go ahead, enter." Qiu Changtian and his junior sister then stepped into the midst of the Three Thousand Fire Mansion. This Trial Secret Realm of the Divine Flame Path, with its Three Thousand Fire Mansion, is divided into thirteen levels of challenges, each one more difficult than the last. The two of them are currently only at the Golden Core Realm's Soul Storing Rank, with cultivation realms not very high. Although their strength far surpasses others at their level, they could only get through up to the sixth level at most. As for the rewards of the levels, to the likes of Qiu Changtian and Xu Yinglian at present, they are hardly worth mentioning — what they value is the pervasive Red Lotus Karma Fire within this environment, which hones and tempers the cultivator's Divine Sense. Having just broken through the fifth level, they were about to proceed to the sixth when they suddenly saw several Kunlun True Persons hurrying from behind. The one leading them was Brother Zhao Jinghong, currently at the Obscure Weave Rank of the Golden Core Realm. He was second only to the chief sister Luo Baiyuan in strength and was also the strongest contender for the position of the next Golden Core chief disciple. "Changgeng, Qiong Ying," Zhao Jinghong greeted them cordially with a nod, "Are you two training here?" "Exactly," Qiu Changtian replied with a smile. Zhao Jinghong chatted briefly with them before leading the other two True Persons away, heading swiftly towards the entrance of the sixth level. "This True Person Yun Hong," Xu Yinglian suddenly said, "had once come to the Xu Family of Southern Heaven to seek a marriage alliance, but the clan leader didn't agree." "Seek a marriage alliance?" Qiu Changtian asked in surprise, "With whom?" Junior Sister Xu gave him a look that said "you know whom." "But at that time, weren't you yet to be under Kunlun Sect's discipleship?" Qiu Changtian laughingly said, dumbfounded. "It was merely because he coveted my Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart and the Phoenix Bloodline," Xu Yinglian said indifferently, "Even if he were looking for a Daoist Companion, he would only consider cultivation potential and the benefits it could bring him. I dislike such people." Hearing Xu Yinglian say this, Qiu Changtian no longer used her Daoist honorific but addressed her by her name: "I see, yet Zhao Jinghong has a good reputation among the Golden Core True Persons. Especially compared to the chief sister's straightforwardness, he seems more adept at conduct and affairs, hence why he is widely recognized as the likely successor to the Golden Core chief disciple position... To think that behind the scenes," "What's the use of being skilled in conduct and affairs? In this sect, after all, strength is what ultimately speaks," Xu Yinglian said coolly. "That may be true," Qiu Changtian mused. Like Zhao Jinghong, who gives equal importance to cultivation and social interaction, there is Sima Changyan from Shushan who does the same, but his issue lies in the fact that his own strength isn't very formidable; he would need to reach the level of Lin Duanshan and the others at the very least. As for Zhao Jinghong, he's almost like a luxurious, upgraded version of Sima Changyan. His strength is unquestionable, perfectly suited to be the next Golden Core chief disciple, and his prestige among his peers is also extremely high… No, it could be said he's somewhat like an upgraded version of the original Qiu Changtian. Of course, the current Qiu Changtian, due to his First Grade Golden Core, has a reputation that has broken beyond the confines of Kunlun, out of Zhao Jinghong's reach. "Senior brother," Xu Yinglian hesitated for a moment before suddenly saying, "Do not forget the matter of Song He." The matter of Song He? Qiu Changtian was slightly taken aback. Whether it's his current self or the Ziwei Master, neither has shown any intention of having him quickly ascend in rank to snatch the next Golden Core chief disciple position. But would Zhao Jinghong believe that?