Daily life of a cultivation judge

"Why does it always have to end like this? Where do they even get this energy.." thought Yang Qing.

"Seniors, please don't. Why don't everyone here come up with ideas they have and you can all vote on the best-sounding one?" Yang Qing said as he went over to grab his grandfather and his counterpart Yang Chen, whose eyes flashed with regret and disdain for Yang Qing interrupting.

Yang Qing clenched and unclenched his fists, resisting the urge to join them in the arena and giving them the beating of their lives.

Eventually, things settled down as they settled on a name. They went with leaping silver body forging fire. It wasn't the most creative name, but it was the safest. At least with it, they could get some poor mortals to try it compared to silver dragon spit.

"Is this really safe?" Once everything had settled, Yang Qing couldn't help but carefully ask, as he pointed to the eerie potion.

Even though he had no idea how they concocted that horror of a potion, he could tell from the ingredients used, that half of them were volatile like the blood-evaporating jujube, purple fire nettle, or the delirium longan fruit, with the growing list of ingredients matching them in properties reaching 14.

If someone without a cultivation base was to soak in that concoction, losing fifteen layers of skin and muscle was the least of their problems.

"Mmph, what do you know? Since when has cultivation never come with a cost? We are helping someone directly leap two stages in the body refinement realm in two weeks. It's a given that it would cost them something. Wasn't that the same with you.." Yang Qing's grandfather said as he threw a disdainful glance his way before turning to face the potion.

"As long as they bear with it for those fourteen days, the potion will not only enhance their bodies but temper their spirits too, which is something that will continue to support them long after they have passed the body refinement stage.

It is a test of one's character and a preparation for what lies ahead. That is the essence of the body refinement realm. Being broken down to your truest essence, so that your journey ahead can be filled with fewer doubts.." he added as he exuded a heroic spirit.

"So, why are you here? I doubt you came here because you wanted to hang out with your old grandfather here?"

Ignoring the ploy of emotional blackmail his grandfather was attempting to use, Yang Qing explained Ma Yuan's situation, before finally driving home what he needed from his grandfather.

"You have always been curious about reforging a cultivator's body even after they have broken past the body refinement realm, well, Grandpa, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Aren't you curious about the potential of body refinement? There is no better opportunity than this one. A shattered dantian, shattered core, with nothing to rely on but his body. If we forged his body to its utmost limits, what would we find at the end?" Yang Qing said with an impassioned gaze.

His grandfather stood there with a dazed look like time had gone still before it turned back on again.

"Good, Good, Good.. You're my grandson alright.." Yang Feng said as he laughed boisterously while smacking Yang Qing's shoulders with great enthusiasm.

"Let's DO IT!" he added as an unquenchable flame shone from his pupils spreading throughout his body.

He extended his hand to Yang Qing who was wearing the same crazy look as him.

"Let's do it.." Yang Qing said as he tightly clasped his grandfather's hands, exchanging a tight handshake.

"You two better not be thinking about leaving us out of something this interesting.."

"Yes... I have a few recipes I have been dying to try. They would be perfect for something like this.."

"I have a few ideas myself. Ol' Feng, Little Qing, don't think of leaving us out of it. Even if you are, we will shamelessly come and create a scene. You don't want a bunch of old geezers crying outside your abode, creating all sorts of tales do you.."

"These shameless fossils.."

"How would I dare to think that? All the achievements I have today are because I had your great shoulders to stand on. I will be relying on you seniors.." Yang Qing said as he smiled like a filial junior which did the trick as the shameless old men turned from threats to praises.

Owing to their eagerness, they wanted to charge into Yang Qing's abode then there but Yang Qing had to hold them back so that Ma Yuan could get the night to rest up. After tonight, knowing those old men and also what he had planned for him, tonight might be the only peaceful night he might get till the year was up.

They agreed to start the regimen program the next day at night which would give those old geezers plenty of time to refine their ideas. Their craziness aside, Yang Qing had to admit they were always thorough and meticulous in their work. A day was more than enough time for them to formulate a clear and concise workable plan within the timeframe.

With everything in place, Yang Qing gingerly made his way back to his abode after picking a few dishes here and there from both the Celestial Soup Herb Garden and the Thousands Flavors Restaurant.

He was whistling joyously out of tune of course before he paused in surprise when he saw someone standing outside his abode whilst wearing a dangerous smile.

"Someone seems to be in high spirits. What has gotten you in such a good mood, Yang Qing? Is it the Sacred Flame Swan you met?" the figure asked.

"How did she know? Who spilled? I have a traitor in my nest.."

With a fawning smile, he said,

"Mao Mao, what a pleasant surprise.."

"Pleasant is it? You've been here for more than a week and I had no idea. What happened to checking on your juniors? Or did that stop?" asked Mao Yunru, who was wearing a simple orange flowered dress that went perfectly with her delicate beauty.

Yang Qing was about to use a clever excuse to smoothen things out, however, after seeing the hidden sadness in her eyes, he decided to change tact.

"I am sorry Mao Mao.." he said with deep sincerity in his eyes.

Mao Yunru's eyes flickered in surprise as she had expected him to mouth off and try to weasel out like he always did. His direct admission and apology caught her by surprise.

She couldn't help but break out in pearly laughter when she saw how fidgety and anxious Yang Qing seemed to be as he warily looked at her reaction before quickly looking down.

"So how was your trip? Find anything interesting?" she asked with a lighter air about her which made Yang Qing sigh in relief as he felt like he had escaped an execution.

"As a matter of fact, I did.." Yang Qing smugly said as he produced voice-recording talismans that he had made when he visited the sacred graveyard of inheritance. The talismans contained the stories told by those spirit beasts entombed there.

As he expected, Mao Yunru was practically beaming with joy as she received those talismans.

"Did she just drool?" thought Yang Qing as he threw curious glances at Mao Yunru. When he handed her the talismans, he could have sworn he saw something crystalline slip out as she was smiling.

"What?" Mao Yunru ferociously asked like a beast protecting its kill.

"Nothing.."

Some things were better left unsaid and unknown.