After Xia Feng returned to Kunlun Mountain, Xia Lin and her group were all diligently cultivating.
For Xia Lin to participate in the Global Martial Arts Tournament, relying solely on her cultivation wouldn't suffice; she also needed to prepare for actual combat and develop moves for fighting others.
Of course, in the face of absolute strength, all flashy techniques were considered unorthodox.
However, for Xia Lin at this moment, that level was still out of reach.
"Zhou Gangyi," Xia Feng called out to Zhou Gangyi.
"Grand-teacher," Zhou Gangyi scurried over obediently.
"Starting today, you are responsible for sparring with Lin'er every day," Xia Feng instructed Zhou Gangyi.
"Huh?"
Zhou Gangyi froze upon hearing this. Sparring with Xia Lin?
Fists and feet had no eyes. More importantly, Xia Lin was a young lady, a pampered darling. If he accidentally struck her, who knew how long she would cry.
Zhou Gangyi hesitated to accept this task but also dared not refuse Xia Feng.
This was a difficult situation.
Xia Feng had been very clear: sparring, not being beaten.
If it were about being beaten, he wouldn't mind at all.
"Grand-teacher, isn't this somewhat inappropriate?" Zhou Gangyi asked softly.
He genuinely felt it was inappropriate, as sparring between males and females could be awkward.
Xia Lin wasn't just anyone. If it were another girl sparring with him, he would have gladly engaged in both fighting and teasing.
"She's much more capable than you imagine. I'll place a protective barrier on her, so you won't be able to hurt her," Xia Feng said, knowing Zhou Gangyi's thoughts, and directly reassured him.
"That's more like it," Zhou Gangyi nodded, fearing he might make Xia Lin cry with a single punch.
As for Xia Feng's claim that Xia Lin was formidable, Zhou Gangyi remained skeptical.
"Then it's settled. I'll teach Lin'er for a few days, and then you can spar," Xia Feng confirmed.
"Understood, Grand-teacher," Zhou Gangyi nodded.
Subsequently, Xia Feng found Xia Lin and began personally teaching her martial arts moves, how to evade enemy attacks, and how to defend herself.
Meanwhile, in another corner by the lake, Penguin Ma, holding a vine, commanded Jack Ma, who was kneeling on the ground, "Hurry up and pluck all the feathers off these rabbits. Lin'er doesn't like rabbit meat with feathers."
Beside Jack Ma lay five wild rabbits, two of which he had already cleaned thoroughly.
"Haha..."
Old Wang and the others watched from the side, amused. These wild rabbits were what they had caught that day after a long chase.
Behind Jack Ma, several deep vine marks were visible, and the area around his eyes was bruised and purple, indicating he had been thoroughly tormented by Penguin Ma.
Jack Ma was on the verge of tears from humiliation, cursing Penguin Ma's entire ancestry in his heart.
"What? Do you seem to look down on me?" Penguin Ma lightly tapped Jack Ma's back with the vine he held.
"No, no. Look at my pure smile, look at my sincere expression. You've misunderstood," Jack Ma quickly defended himself.
*Slap...*
Penguin Ma struck him hard on the back, causing Jack Ma to jump and quickly hop away.
"I didn't say anything, why did you hit me?" Jack Ma, in pain, his eyes bulging, questioned Penguin Ma.
"No reason. I just didn't like the look on your face and wanted to vent. Hurry up and pluck the feathers. If you're not faster, don't think I won't whip you to the ground."
Penguin Ma gestured and pointed at Jack Ma with a fierce expression.
"Teacher Ma, there are still over sixty days left, and this has just begun. It's best to admit fault and lower your head. A man can bend and stretch."
Lei Ming advised the pitiful Jack Ma.
They had only been here a few days. If he clashed with Penguin Ma now, how would he survive the coming days?
Jack Ma gritted his teeth, secretly vowing not to be human if he didn't get his revenge.
"Alright, I'll pluck the feathers immediately."
Jack Ma shouted, putting on the most imposing front to say the most pathetic words.
The others couldn't help but burst into laughter at Jack Ma's demeanor.
Jack Ma, with tears in his eyes, plucked the feathers, telling himself this was enduring hardship for future success and that he must persevere.
After much effort, Jack Ma single-handedly prepared lunch for everyone.
Taking advantage of the lunch break, Jack Ma quietly approached Xia Feng.
"Young Master Xia, I want to cultivate. Is there any way you can let me cultivate too?" Jack Ma asked Xia Feng.
"I have a way, but if you cultivate, you'll have to come with me to the Immortal Realm," Xia Feng said.
"Can I come back after going to the Immortal Realm?" Jack Ma was somewhat reluctant to leave his family situation.
"It's not certain yet. There's a fifty percent chance of returning. A thousand years in the Immortal Realm is only three years on Earth. Perhaps when I return, Earth will still be unchanged."
Xia Feng gave a general explanation about Earth and the Immortal Realm. After all, he still had twelve elixirs.
Xia Feng was quite pleased with the idea of Jack Ma and the others accompanying him to the Immortal Realm; he was counting on them to help build the Empty City.
If only he could travel back and forth between Earth freely. He would take the time to properly discuss this matter with the Eastern Emperor Bell.
Jack Ma's interest was immediately piqued upon hearing Xia Feng's explanation.
A thousand years in the Immortal Realm corresponded to only three years on Earth, and Xia Feng had just mentioned a fifty percent chance of returning.
Jack Ma, being a businessman, would undertake any venture with a success rate exceeding thirty percent.
"Alright, Young Master Xia, I want to cultivate, and I want to go to the Immortal Realm with you," Jack Ma readily agreed.
He silently added to himself: I will get revenge and crush Penguin Ma.
"Good," Xia Feng nodded, taking out a Hunyuan Pill and handing it to Jack Ma.
Jack Ma, having prior experience with taking elixirs, immediately swallowed it.
Moments later, Jack Ma asked, "Young Master Xia, is that all? I don't feel anything."
"Come here," Xia Feng beckoned Jack Ma.
As Jack Ma approached, Xia Feng touched his glabella. Instantly, a cultivation system appeared in Jack Ma's mind.
"This... Young Master Xia, I can feel it now," Jack Ma exclaimed with joy.
"Mm, once you digest it, you can begin cultivating," Xia Feng nodded.
"When can I start cultivating?" Jack Ma was eager to redeem himself.
"You can start tonight," Xia Feng replied.
"Great, thank you, Young Master Xia," Jack Ma said, then excitedly ran off.
As he passed by Penguin Ma, he remained low-key, as he hadn't started cultivating yet and needed to endure for two more days.
"Old Ma, Lin'er wants to eat fish tonight. You're responsible for netting fish in the lake this afternoon," Penguin Ma said, sitting on the grass and picking his teeth with a blade of grass.
"Understood, I guarantee the task will be completed. Do you have any other instructions, Brother Ma?" Jack Ma asked with a cordial smile.
This sudden change in demeanor confused Penguin Ma.
Had this guy taken medication?
Or had he damaged his brain?
"Not for now. I'll let you know if I think of anything else," Penguin Ma replied nonchalantly.
"Alright," Jack Ma said, his smile creasing his face.
When the day of my great success arrives, that will be the day you, Penguin Ma, eat shit.