Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Even Elder Jian was beginning to doubt his own judgment.

Nearly half the allotted time had passed, yet Yun Jin was still swinging her sword.

This wasn't a swordsmanship competition. It was a planting technique trial.

Ye Cheng had been working non-stop with full focus, and even then, he hadn't managed to till half the field. It was clear now that the two-hour limit had been set according to Ye Cheng's ability.

And Ye Cheng's Earth Control Technique was already level three. Even with that, he had to race against time.

But Yun Jin?

She'd had the manual for only ten days, at most. Even if she had begun practicing immediately, could she really surpass level three in ten days?

No matter how you looked at it, that seemed impossible.

So... was this match truly Yun Jin's way of conceding?

Elder Jian continued watching, still unwilling to believe it, though a part of him couldn't help but start to accept it.

All eyes were on this moment. Since Yun Jin entered Tianxing Sect, she had created miracle after miracle. She had become synonymous with the word itself.

But even miracles had limits.

Perhaps, after this, the miracle she represented would finally fade.

A quiet frustration crept into many hearts.

If even Yun Jin was giving in...

Then what could the rest of them possibly do?

Tianxing Sect really was a stagnant pool after all. Ma Hongyu cast a calm glance at Yun Jin. His expression remained neutral. He had already expected this outcome. A sword cultivator simply couldn't master planting arts.

Sword cultivation demanded sharpness and aggression. Planting required peace and intimacy with nature. Those two traits couldn't exist in the same person.

There wouldn't even be a need for a second round. This one alone would be enough to settle the match. He offered a mild reminder, "Half the time has passed. Please make the most of what remains."

Ye Cheng redoubled his efforts.

Yun Jin sighed again.

"Another hour left?

Fine. More sword practice it is!"

At least she could grind some proficiency points.

The incense burned slowly.

Finally, only fifteen minutes remained.

Yun Jin glanced at it.

"At last!

Time to begin!"

Over these two hours, she had actually harvested a decent amount of Emotional Value—likely from the crowd's disappointment.

But to her, all emotions were worth collecting.

Now…

Showtime.

Yun Jin stretched lazily and said, "Hmm, only a quarter-hour left. If I don't start now, it'll be too late."

Ma Hongyu nearly laughed out loud.

As if starting now would make a difference?

Even he, a Five-Star Planting Master, wouldn't dare claim he could till such a large field in fifteen minutes!

Zhao Wuji, sipping tea, watched like one would a clown.

Yun Jin stowed her sword and raised her hands, assuming the Earth Control Technique's starting stance.

Disciples who knew the technique recognized it immediately.

"That's the opening motion!"

"What's the point now? There's no way she can finish in time!"

"And how could a swordsman master planting techniques? She's just putting on a show."

Amid the murmurs, spiritual energy began gathering.

The crowd paused.

Huh?

Did she actually learn it?

Even if she had, it would only be the basic level—nowhere near Ye Cheng's…

Before they could finish the thought—

BOOM.

"Earth Control Technique!" Yun Jin suddenly shouted.

Then—

RUMBLE—

The ground beneath her half of the field heaved violently, as if a dragon were churning the earth! Even the spectators' feet trembled from the vibrations!

????

What the hell was this?

Earth Control Technique?!

This had to be an illusion!

Compare this to Ye Cheng's method—

Small sections, meticulously tilled—THAT was Earth Control Technique!

This? This was a damn earthquake spell!

Yun Jin wasn't done.

She amplified the effect, chanting dramatically:

"Earth Control Technique—RISE!"

"Earth Control Technique—ULTIMATE MYSTERY!"

"Earth Control Technique—SUPER SECRET ART!"

Si Wanning facepalmed.

She had told Yun Jin she didn't need to shout the names!

But clearly, her advice had been ignored.

Under Yun Jin's enthusiastic incantations, the field rolled and churned, resembling a leviathan breaching the earth.

The previously noisy crowd fell dead silent.

Ye Cheng, busy tilling, suddenly felt something off.

Was the ground shaking?

Huh?

Was he imagining things?

He glanced at Ma Hongyu, who was staring at Yun Jin's side, mouth agape, utterly speechless.

Then he looked at Zhao Wuji—

The sect master's earlier composure was gone, replaced by a murderous glare fixed on Yun Jin.

Ye Cheng's heart pounded.

What the hell was Yun Jin doing?!

He couldn't see her side at all.

Forcing himself to focus, he poured everything into his work.

But unease gnawed at him.

When the incense finally burned out, he still had a small patch left untilled.

Wiping his sweat, Ye Cheng exhaled.

Continuous use of the Earth Control Technique was exhausting—both physically and spiritually.

He had given it his all.

But what about Yun Jin?

He couldn't see her results yet.

The moment the incense died, Yun Jin stopped perfectly on time.

Her field had been churned so thoroughly that the soil was fluffier than clouds—ideal for Soul-Soothing Fruits.

Dusting her hands, she said lazily, "Perfect timing."

Elder Jian chuckled at her nonchalance.

This girl was still the same one who had declared her path of invincibility on the dueling stage.

Everyone had assumed she was throwing the match.

But now?

She had clearly come prepared.

"Martial Uncle Ma, shall we proceed to the second round?" Yun Jin urged. "It's almost dark, and I still need to eat. Can we speed things up? These rounds take too long—I'm bored."

Ma Hongyu's face darkened.

Planting was meticulous work.

How could it be rushed?

Then, Zhao Wuji's icy voice echoed in his mind:

"Ma Hongyu. You said she couldn't possibly learn planting techniques. You said Ye Cheng would win."

If the first round was any indication, Ye Cheng had already lost.

Wiping cold sweat, Ma Hongyu quickly replied via mental transmission:

"Sect Master, please remain calm! This is only the first round! I've heard Elder Ming favors her—he must have given her an enhanced version of the Earth Control Technique. But even he couldn't have modified all three spells! Ye Cheng's strongest element is water, and his Minor Cloud-Rain Technique is his best skill. The second round will turn the tide."

"It had better." Zhao Wuji's voice was venomous before fading away.

Ma Hongyu took a deep breath and announced:

"Let the second round… begin."