I have a high-risk profession in the cultivation world.

Actually, this wasn't the way to teach his apprentice, but since the system's task wasn't completed, Chu Chenmu couldn't leave this tiny cave, and he couldn't let Luo Suichen leave either, so he could only come up with another clumsy excuse.

Luo Suichen remained calm as always, accepted the jade tube, and continued his cultivation.

……

Chu Chenmu felt he should send a message to Tian Yige. A year ago, he had instructed Tian Yige to teach Su Chengdian. How are the two of them doing now?

A paper crane carrying a message landed in Tian Yige's courtyard, and soon another one flew back.

"Greetings, Master. Master, both my junior brother Cheng Dian and I are well. Cheng Dian has already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, with a solid foundation. I think he will break through to the tenth level of Qi Refining soon. I have already taught him fourteen of the seventy-two basic sword moves, and I have also consolidated my mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation. Perhaps when Master comes out of seclusion, I will be able to break through to the late-Foundation Establishment stage."

We await the arrival of our master and junior brother from seclusion.

Chu Chenmu felt both gratified and guilty. He could sense the reverence in Tian Yige's words. He had taken over the original owner's body but failed to fulfill the original owner's responsibilities as a teacher. He hadn't even inquired about where the original owner had gone. He feared that his arrival had displaced the original owner's soul, and he was even more afraid that even if he knew, he would be unable to repay the debt.

But what could he do? According to the plot, he would die in a few years... He just wanted to finish the plot as soon as possible and return to the real world.

Aside from essential tasks, it's best to avoid getting too involved with other people...

……

Two years passed in the blink of an eye, and the system reminded Chu Chenmu in his mind that he could leave seclusion.

Since the day he handed the jade tube to Luo Suichen and left him enough fasting pills, he hadn't opened his eyes again and had been cultivating. Now, upon hearing the system's words, he suddenly realized that another year had passed.

Chu Chenmu opened his eyes and saw the young man sitting cross-legged not far away. As if sensing Chu Chenmu's gaze, the young man slowly opened his eyes as well, "Master."

"You've already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining." Chu Chenmu was a little surprised, but also felt it was only natural. This was the author's favorite character, and he had spent two years in a place like the training ground where spiritual energy was abundant.

"Let's go, come with me out of seclusion. The sect competition is in three months, we should start preparing for it."

Just now——

[Ding! Key plot point triggered: Get Luo Suichen to participate in the sect competition. Please complete the task.]

Chu Chenmu reviewed the plot. This scene also appeared in the original story. At that time, Luo Suichen only had a few teachings from Tian Yige and barely reached the fourth level of Qi Refining by his own exploration. After Chu Chenmu came out of seclusion, he insisted that Luo Suichen participate in the competition, and as expected, he did not achieve a good ranking.

The book says this:

Seeing that Luo Suichen had been defeated in the third round, Chu Chenmu's face was terribly gloomy. How could his disciple, the disciple of Venerable Xuanxiao, be so incompetent?

Therefore, during the sparring session at the end of the competition, Chu Chenmu asked Luo Suichen to challenge the number one Qi Refining disciple, who was already at the ninth level of Qi Refining at the time.

Luo Suichen realized that he had disappointed his master. Knowing that he was no match for his master, he still tried his best to persist. In the end, he was seriously injured but did not receive a single caring look from his master.

Before losing consciousness, Luo Suichen only noticed that Chu Chenmu's expression grew even more grim before he turned and left.

This isn't just about participating in a competition; Chu Chenmu needs to figure out what level he needs to achieve. [What do I need to do for this task?]

[The host needs to get Luo Suichen to participate in the sect competition and challenge the top Qi Refining stage cultivator in the final round, but you leave with a gloomy expression at this moment.]

Chu Chenmu thought about it and realized that it wasn't impossible to find a loophole. The key was that the male lead was already at the eighth level of Qi Refining, so making him challenge someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining might not be considered excessive torture.

The male lead probably won't hold a grudge against him because of this.

……

The two stood up, and Chu Chenmu noticed that the person who was thin and pale two years ago, and only reached his chest, had grown taller and was now about his chin.

For two years, no one had lived in Mu Chao Courtyard, and a thin layer of dust had settled inside. Chu Chenmu cast several dust-removing spells, and the room instantly became clean. He then gestured for Luo Suichen to sit down and sent a telepathic message to Tian Yige, asking her to bring Su Chengdian up.

The three of them arrived and stood before Chu Chenmu. They chatted for a few moments, learning that Tian Yige had broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, and that Su Chengdian had successfully broken through to the tenth level of Qi Refining three months prior, having learned half of the basic sword techniques and some commonly used spells. It was clear that although Tian Yige was aloof, she was an extremely responsible senior sister. How could she have been resented by Luo Suichen in her past life, leading to such a tragic end?

Chu Chenmu glanced at Su Chengdian, whom she hadn't seen for two years. He was now even taller than her senior sister. A gentle smile graced his face, and his eyes brightened slightly, as if he had finally met someone he had been waiting for. Tian Yige had a similar expression; both of them held the original owner of this body in high esteem.

"Look at you, Xiaoyuan, that's real vision. If I treated that kid Luo Suichen like this, he'd probably be planning how I'd take care of the grass on my grave."

The small circle emitted a few crackling sounds like electricity, but did not respond.

I knew you were also indignant on my behalf, but you don't need to be so angry you can't speak. I appreciate it.

Xiaoyuan: ……

The sizzling sound grew even louder.

Chu Chenmu sold a batch of swords and was satisfied.

"The sect competition is in three months. All three of you should give it a try. Don't feel pressured, just do your best." After finishing the important business, the group chatted casually for a while. Suddenly, Tian Yige looked at Chu Chenmu and said, "Master, it will be New Year's Eve in less than a month. My two junior brothers have been in the sect for two years, and we haven't had a get-together yet."

The New Year is almost here... The New Year means reunion and happiness for everyone, but Chu Chenmu doesn't like it, you could say he hates it. But he still has some expectations for the New Year's Eve in this world, after all, the core inside him is only just over twenty years old.

"Go tell the disciple who is in charge of purchasing that he can bring back some firecrackers and fireworks for us from the foot of the mountain."

Are we not going down the mountain this year?

Chu Chenmu smiled and said, "This year, your teacher will cook the New Year's Eve dinner for you."

……

It snowed, and it was a heavy snowfall covering the mountains, which lasted for two days before gradually stopping. Chu Chenmu looked at the white expanse as far as the eye could see. A good snowfall is a sign of a bountiful year, and he hoped that everything would go smoothly in the coming year.

On New Year's Eve, Chu Chenmu woke up early and called his three disciples to his courtyard to start cooking. He had considered that the original owner had never said in front of others that he couldn't cook, so it couldn't be considered out of character (OOC), and Xiao Yuan had tacitly approved of his behavior of taking advantage of another loophole.

Chu Chenmu can cook. In his previous life, he had to take care of himself from a young age, and his cooking skills were quite good. According to his roommate who had tasted his cooking, he must have secretly studied at the New Western Culinary School.

He was confident that the New Year's Eve dinner would be a piece of cake.