To any cultivator, an ImmortalEmperor'sTreasure was beyond measure — a supreme artefact even among emperors' sects.
When Immortal Emperor Mingren founded the Washing‑Dust Sect, he left such treasures to guard it for eternity.
Yet after millions of years, his sect now possessed not a single one.
Li Qiye understood then that this decline was not without cause: the loss of Imperial Arts, the disappearance of the sacred treasures, and the absence of a leader fit to revive its glory — no sect could endure such fate.
"Senior Brother, are you choosing a Longevity Treasure, a Life Weapon, or a True Artifact?"
Nan Huairen's voice broke his thoughts.
Li Qiye shook his head after scanning the entire third floor — nothing caught his eye.
Nan Huairen was puzzled. Even the third‑tier collection contained items that made disciples drool with envy. He himself had long wished for one but had never earned enough credit to claim it.
Still, he knew better than to question Li Qiye's choices and simply followed him downstairs.
### Jeers in the Hall
The same disciples who had mocked Li Qiye earlier were still there.
"Oh look, our great Senior Brother returns empty‑handed. It seems the entire third floor was too low for his refined taste."
"Ha! You don't understand — he only seeks Immortal Emperor treasures. Ordinary artifacts can't enter his eyes! A shame the Elders spoiled him with that token in the first place."
"Such a fool — put an Emperor's weapon before him and he'd think it scrap iron!"
Their sarcasm filled the hall. Nan Huairen frowned, but Li Qiye merely cast them a sideways glance.
"It seems you are quite dissatisfied with me," he said evenly.
"A worthless fool like you doesn't deserve to be our sect's Senior Brother!"
"Pity," Li Qiye replied calmly. "I still am. Since you dare disrespect your senior, it seems I'll have to break a few legs to remind you of your manners."
The disciples straightened with mocking grins.
"Oh? Our Senior Brother wishes to discipline us? Please, show us that 'brilliance'!"
Laughter echoed through the corridors. To them, Li Qiye was a triple‑mortal waste — one they could crush with a single blow.
"Huairen, throw them out," Li Qiye ordered without looking back.
Nan Huairen understood at once. He had seen how Du Yuangguang, Xu Hui, and Protector Xu's disciples had met their ends — torn apart by this seemingly calm boy.
If Li Qiye raised a hand himself, these fools would be corpses within moments.
"With apologies," Nan said softly — then moved.
Bang—bang—bang!
In three swift blows the loudest disciple sailed across the floor and crashed into a pillar.
"Your tongue's too long. It'll get you killed one day."
Another step, a gesture.
"The rest of you may attack together. Better that than claim I bully the weak."
Rage and fear mixed as they charged — and were sent sprawling seconds later.
He was merciful; only bruises marked them. Had Li Qiye acted, none would draw breath again.
The guards at the entrance barely twitched an eyebrow — such spats were beneath their concern so long as no treasures were damaged.
### The Choice
"I want those two short blades clutched in the Divine Crow's talons," Li Qiye said quietly.
The gatekeeper blinked.
"The two rusted knives beneath the statue? Those ordinary iron blades?"
"Yes," Li Qiye nodded. "I practice Qimen knife arts. Their shape suits my hands."
The words left everyone staring as though at a madman.
Two worthless relics, common iron gone to rust — even the lowest first‑floor weapons were superior!
To reject the treasures of the third floor for such scrap metal was lunacy … or genius beyond understanding.
Nan Huairen's heart tightened.
He remembered the incident in the Ancestral Hall — the old fire poker Li Qiye had chosen back then that had turned Xu Hui, the so‑called genius, into a mangled heap.
If Li Qiye wanted these blades, there was a reason.
Outside, one of the beaten disciples still shouted hoarsely:
"Nan Huairen, you'll regret this — I'll speak to the Elders—"
"Slap him," Li Qiye said without raising his voice. "Until he shuts up."
Nan Huairen bowed slightly.
"Forgive me." Then crack—crack—crack! A string of sharp blows rang out until silence fell.
He knew his senior's temper. This was mercy.
When it was over, Li Qiye addressed the watching law‑keeper:
"The Elders' token allows me to choose one weapon. Surely these two won't be a problem."
The man hesitated, then nodded.
"As you wish." Two rusty knives — who would covet them?
He recorded the selection while thinking to himself that the boy must be mad.
Li Qiye lifted the two iron blades from the Divine Crow statue and left the pavilion.
At the door, he glanced at the groaning disciples on the floor.
"You should thank Huairen for saving your lives. If you disapprove of me, you're welcome to lodge a complaint with the Elders. But if I handle it myself next time … it won't end so kindly."
Nan Huairen chuckled awkwardly, while the others shivered, seeing not a boy of thirteen but a smiling executioner.
Li Qiye ignored them and walked away — back toward the lonely peak where he cultivated.