Ch 24 - Main Bedroom

Soon after Xu Ming woke up, he prepared his bed and fed Siwi. Xu Ming usually meditated for about half an hour each morning, as he'd been taught by Elder Qin in order to train his mental strength and just to temper his ego.

After that, as usual, he would cultivate for two hours straight. It was no different today, as he marked his consistency as one of his strengths. After strengthening his cultivation which was at the 9th level of Qi Refining, Xu Ming felt hunger seep into his stomach, and prepared to make his way towards the Peak Bar.

Xu Ming didn't hurry and took the time to greet all the disciples he met along the way. His status as an elder wasn't public yet, and still had to be processed for another two weeks before it could be made official news.

After changing his status, he would probably have to move to the Elder's Peak, and then he wouldn't have the chance to interact like this most of the time.

His duty as an elder was special, since he wasn't at the appropriate cultivation level. Elders in the sect were usually either at the completion of Foundation Establishment or at the beginning of Core Formation. Peak Leaders were at the later stages of Core Formation, and the Sect Leader was a renowned Enlightened Being who was at the Peak of Golden Core, only one step away from Nascent Soul.

Therefore, he had no elderly obligations to fulfill until he could reach the appropriate level of cultivation. He had been informed that he would occasionally have to present his face at some events but aside from that, he was free to cultivate as he wished.

Upon reaching the pub, he noticed that it was still filled to the brim by the very people who inhabited their peaks without leaving for years at a time.

It turned out that only an event like this could bring out the reclusive Longevity Peak disciples out of their shells.

Xu Ming placed his order at the counter and looked around for any familiar faces. Seeing his friend Cao Feng there, he sat next to him and greeted him.

"Oh, it's Xu Ming. Good morning.", Cao Feng greeted back, cupping his fists.

"What's going on with the tournament right now? I'm afraid I'm not caught up on it yet.", Xu Ming asked.

Cao Feng looked at Xu Ming with a weird face and said, "You must be the only person in the face who can say that and I would genuinely believe you. Everyone else can't wait to watch and discuss this event, but you're actually skipping it for cultivation."

Xu Ming smiled and said, "Watching these events can't help me grow stronger quite like cultivation can."

Cao Feng muttered something in return but then replied, "The preliminary stages are almost about to end. The major sects and their disciples have all shown themselves, save for Hu Shang, the disciple of the Shang Monasteries. Nobody even knows what he looks like till now."

Xu Ming finally looked intrigued and inquired, "What about Lin Feng? Did he make his debut too?"

Cao Feng, this time, looked even more aggrieved.

"You don't even know about Lin Feng? He's my idol!", the lady sitting next to Cao Feng exclaimed.

"Oh, it's Senior Ling.", Xu Ming greeted.

Cao Feng said, "Lin Feng is probably the most famous of them all at this point. He went head to head with the rest of the geniuses and dominated them all. He even battled one of the four heavenly kings and didn't end up losing to them."

Senior Ling also exclaimed, "He's simply incredible. He's only about 12 years old, but his temperament and appearance are top notch! And despite being so young, he's actually at the completion of Foundation Establishment, and is about to form his core soon."

Cao Feng teased, "Isn't 12 years old too young for you? Better make sure you don't end up in the court after courting that boy."

Senior Ling directly flared up and retorted, "Well, even if he's a child , he still looks way better than you. Despite, he looks like an adult anyways."

Cao Feng simply giggled, and replied back again to Senior Ling.

Xu Ming didn't pay attention to their squabble and instead looked outside, towards the Golden List Rankings.

" Golden List Rankings

1. Hu Shang - 1270 Points.

2. Fang Xi - 1090 Points.

3. Cao Ge - 1010 Points.

4. Lin Feng - 970 Points.

5. Ling Zhiyun - 950 Points.

6. Kong Mi - 910 Points.

7. Ling Shang - 900 Points.

8. Lang Mu - 880 Points.

9. Ge Zhong - 860 Points.

10. Zheng Mu - 850 Points. "

This reclusive monk named Hu Shang was actually at the forefront. Looking down, he saw Lin Feng's name, which filled him with a sense of nostalgia and pride.

Who wouldn't be proud to have someone so talented and so famous call them their friend? In comparison, Xu Ming was still far behind, and he had to work harder to catch up to Lin Feng.

Xu Ming finished his meal after a bit of looking at the names and watching the geniuses on screen battle the demons.

Xu Ming didn't reminisce for much longer and had an appointment to keep. Earlier today, in the morning, he recieved a letter from the Peak Leader's personal messenger bird asking for a meeting.

Xu Ming bid farewell to the two people who were still squabbling and joking around, and made his way towards the Peak Leader's residence.

"Senior Sister Mei Ji, are you there?", Xu Ming asked as he reached the peak.

Mei Ji popped her head from around the corner and smiled, "Where else would I be, silly? Come, the Peak Leader is expecting you."

Xu Ming entered the luscious garden once again. He hadn't been back here for quite a while now, but the vibes certainly didn't disappoint. The Peak Leader was even more disinterested in the tournaments going on, and was still lazing in her chair.

"Oh, you're here?", Peak Leader Bingyue opened her eyes and yawned.

"Greetings, Peak Leader.", Xu Ming cupped his fists and greeted.

"Well, I've summoned you here because I've heard that you're about to be appointed as an elder of our peak.", the Peak Leader spoke in the same disinterested tone.

However, Mei Ji's reaction wasn't quite the same.

"What?!!", she screamed as she didn't believe it.

"An elder? How is that even possible? Xu Ming doesn't even have hair in the area where his snake sleeps, so how can he be an elder?", Mei Ji questioned.

Xu Ming looked at Mei Ji with an exasperated look and jokingly slapped the top of her head, saying, "Don't be so rude, Mei Ji."

Peak Leader Bingyue chuckled and said, "I was surprised too, but there are reasons for everything. Just know that Xu Ming is really an elder now, and you'll have to start treating him with more respect."

Mei Ji still looked to be in shock, and Xu Ming reassured, "You don't really need to call me Elder Xu and all that, after all, we're friends."

Mei Ji could barely accept it and just said, "Well.....okay, then."

Peak Leader Bingyue said, "Since you're the newest elder of our Peak, you'll get more cultivation resources from now on. In addition, you'll have the right to cultivate in the Elder's Peaks. Take whichever abode you want, as long as it's not occupied."

"As for your responsibilities, we'll talk after you reach Foundation Establishment at least. Seeing from your progress, it might be only a few more years before that happens."

Peak Leader Bingyue closed her eyes, and looked tired.

"That's all for now. You can make the shift anytime you're free."

After saying this, she simply went back to her beauty sleep, and didn't bother with Xu Ming anymore.

Mei Ji signalled to Xu Ming with her eyes and took him outside the abode, where she spoke, "Well, Elder Xu, please take care of me in the future."

Xu Ming gave a wry smile and said, "I told you that's not necessary. Just call me by my name, I really won't mind."

Mei Ji laughed and escorted Xu Ming to Elder Qin's abode.

"Well, I'll see you off here. I still have to catch up on the Allsect Tournament news and compile it for the sect chronicles. See ya!", Mei Ji said as she left.

Xu Ming waved her off and made his way to the the abode's entrance, and sat down on the bench that Elder Qin used to fish from.

Xu Ming was planning to occupy this abode instead of claiming another abode in the Elder's Peak. Besides, this abode had been unoccupied for a while, and was well suited for his needs. Not only would Siwi be very happy to return back here officially, but all of Elder Qin's alchemy collection would be of a great help in his own alchemy journey.

Xu Ming grabbed a key, and entered Elder Qin's main bedroom, in one of the houses in his abode. He had never been here before, as he had no reason to come here before.

Now, he entered inside for the first time.