As the end of the year approached, Qingxiao Sect no longer possessed the liveliness of previous years. A tense atmosphere hung over the sect, as though a storm were about to descend.
It had already been some time since the Sect Master had led 1,000 True Disciples northward. Although everyone knew the journey was long and that even if all went smoothly it would still take time to return, the disciples could not help but worry.
Qingxiao Sect had developed to the point where its power structure was fully established. It could continue operating even if anyone left. But Li Qingqiu was different. He was the key figure who had led Qingxiao Sect onto the path of immortal cultivation. He had never made a mistake, never suffered defeat. The disciples harbored an almost blind reverence for him. They simply could not imagine how terrifying a ghost or monster would have to be if even the Sect Master could not overcome it.
In a forest blanketed with snow, Hu Yan was cultivating the Grand Demon-Repelling Golden Hand. A golden phantom hand condensed around his right hand, moving in unison with his motions, fierce and imposing.
A small figure stepped out from the nearby woods—it was 5-year-old Li Shouzheng.
Though young, Li Shouzheng possessed sharp brows and bright eyes. His temperament was gentle and kind, making him well loved among the disciples.
"Junior Brother Hu Yan, how did you manage that?" Li Shouzheng stopped and asked curiously.
Hu Yan had entered the sect later than him, so Li Shouzheng addressed him as Senior Brother. Hu Yan did not mind. Within the sect, age was no longer the primary measure of seniority.
Hearing the question, Hu Yan halted his movements and asked, "You mean the spell? Practice more and you'll manage."
Li Shouzheng shook his head. "I'm asking about your state of mind. You don't seem troubled by anything. You're always able to focus entirely on what you're doing."
Hu Yan smiled. "Maybe it's because I've thought things through. I believe Master and the others will return with a great victory, so I have no worries in my heart. That lets me focus on cultivation."
He had a very good impression of Li Shouzheng. Though still young, the boy's Comprehension in spells was extremely high. The two of them had once discussed the Divine Curse of the Mountain Lord, and Li Shouzheng had given him considerable inspiration.
Li Shouzheng seemed to enjoy spending time with him. Having grown up without anyone to rely on, Hu Yan naturally did not reject the child's enthusiasm.
"To hold absolute confidence in others—that's not easy," Li Shouzheng said earnestly.
Hu Yan walked over and rubbed his head, laughing. "You're always observing people. What are you trying to do?"
Hu Yan could sense malice from others, but he had never felt any from Li Shouzheng. That was why he allowed the boy to watch him so freely.
Tilting his head, Li Shouzheng replied, "I'm not trying to do anything. I just like watching people and guessing what they're thinking. Junior Brother Hu Yan, I think your state of mind is your greatest advantage. Senior Brother Ji Ya also has extraordinary Cultivation Aptitude, but he once struggled to calm his mind, which caused his realm to lag behind Senior Brother Zhao Zhen."
Ji Ya had spoken to Hu Yan about this before. Ji Ya believed that aptitude was one thing, but the ability to focus on cultivation was another.
Hu Yan himself did not know why he could devote himself to cultivation so single-mindedly. He simply could.
Uncomfortable with constant praise, he changed the subject and asked about Li Shouzheng's cultivation.
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin had been cultivating for some time. Although Li Qingqiu had not invested spirit stones or spirit pills into them—after all, they were too young—even so, the two boys had already reached the 2nd layer of the Nurturing Essence realm. Their heaven-defying talent could not be concealed.
Hu Yan was inwardly shocked. How old were these two?
When he had been Li Shouzheng's age, he had not even known how to read, let alone cultivate.
The two chatted for quite a while. Before leaving, Li Shouzheng encouraged him to maintain his focus and said he looked forward to the day Hu Yan would become the strongest in the sect.
Hu Yan watched Li Shouzheng's departing figure, feeling puzzled.
It always felt as though that child was plotting something.
'What am I thinking? He's only 5 years old.'
Hu Yan shook his head with a self-mocking smile. He had his own goal as well.
He wanted to become the disciple Master was most proud of—to become the strongest in the sect. Now that Master had led people down the mountain, what he needed to do was cultivate diligently and waste no time.
…
The end of the year passed, and the New Year festival arrived. Zhang Yuchun still organized celebrations among the various halls, keeping Qingxiao Sect's mountains lively and festive.
Seeing that the sect's upper echelon remained so confident, the disciples' worries gradually dissipated.
Shortly after noon—
A series of sharp, tearing sounds pierced the air as figures streaked across the sky into Qingxiao Sect. One disciple after another rode flying swords between the mountains, heading toward Qingxiao Mountain. At the forefront was Sect Master Li Qingqiu.
Boom—
The mountains erupted in commotion. Disciples who witnessed the scene ran to spread the news.
The Sect Master had returned with the team!
The message spread rapidly, stirring excitement among disciples across all peaks.
Li Qingqiu flew all the way into Lingxiao Courtyard. After landing, he instructed Xiao Wuqing to strike the Lingxiao Bell.
The True Disciples who had returned from the campaign dispersed to their respective courtyards. The moment they arrived, they were surrounded by other disciples, who eagerly pressed them for details about the battle.
Battling corpse-ghosts and clashing with malevolent spirits—when the True Disciples recalled that battle even now, their hearts still pounded with lingering fear. They recounted everything they had seen and heard one by one, drawing repeated gasps from the disciples within the sect.
After the time it takes to burn an incense stick—
The upper echelons of the various halls gathered in Lingxiao Courtyard. Li Qingqiu had Xiao Wuqing briefly recount the overall situation of the expedition.
When they heard that disciples had fallen in battle, the expressions of the assembled leaders grew solemn. But upon learning that Li Qingqiu had slain Great Demon Luo and that the others had killed several malevolent ghosts, they finally let out sighs of relief.
With Great Demon Luo dead, the plan of the Ghost Court had collapsed. The remaining malevolent ghosts might still cause chaos, but they would not be capable of overturning the entire world of Jiuzhou.
"I made a trip to the Northern Court. The Son of Heaven of the Northern Court is dead. The ghost that had possessed him had already escaped. The Northern Court will support a new Son of Heaven and will formally send envoys to pay respects to us. From now on, the Northern Court will also be a vassal dynasty of Qingxiao Sect."
As Li Qingqiu spoke, everyone's eyes lit up.
Although the northern lands were barren, they spanned vast territory. Who knew whether they might conceal treasure lands like the Spirit Copper Mountain Range?
"Once Liu Jing unifies Jiuzhou, this world will usher in an unprecedented era of peace. Sect Master, your achievements surpass even those of the emperors of past dynasties," Yang Jueding praised.
The others followed with heartfelt agreement.
The founding emperor of the Great Li Dynasty had endured countless hardships merely to unify Jiuzhou. Yet even then, the dynasty had suffered annual harassment from the barbarians.
Now that the Northern Court had submitted to Qingxiao Sect, and Liu Jing had been supported by Li Qingqiu, the enmity between the two sides would naturally come to an end. Looking across history, there had never been such a peaceful era.
"The Northern Court is too far away. For the time being, I do not plan to establish a branch city there. If the Northern Court encounters trouble in the future, they may come to Qingxiao Sect to commission tasks."
With those words, Li Qingqiu finalized the matter.
He feared that if the disciples' range of activity expanded too far, they might inadvertently wander into Ghost King Ridge or even travel farther north and alarm the Demon and Monster Lands.
The others had no objections. Jiuzhou alone was already vast enough for Qingxiao Sect. Before fully controlling the land of Jiuzhou, there was indeed no need to dispatch disciples to the northern territories.
"Senior Brother, hurry and tell us—just how powerful was Great Demon Luo?" Li Sifeng finally found an opportunity and asked excitedly.
As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look at Li Qingqiu, including Jiang Zhaoxia and Shen Yue, who had accompanied him to Cangzhou.
More than half of the malevolent ghosts had been slain by Li Qingqiu. Without him, none of them would have been able to contend with those ghosts.
They had asked about it on the way back, but Li Qingqiu had said they would speak after returning.
"Very strong—and very cunning."
Li Qingqiu slowly recounted the course of his battle with Great Demon Luo.
When they learned that the one stationed at the prefectural residence had only been a clone, everyone inwardly marveled. These ghosts appeared arrogant, yet in truth their schemes ran deep.
Li Qingqiu also described the abilities of the ghost flood dragon, broadening their knowledge.
"Tsk tsk, from now on we'll have to be more cautious whenever the weather turns strange," True Person Qingxiao remarked in amazement, and the others nodded in agreement.
The malevolent ghosts of Ghost King Ridge possessed a variety of abilities—devouring souls, splitting into clones, burrowing underground, turning into blood mist, summoning wind and rain, and more. If ordinary cultivators encountered them, they would surely be terrified.
Li Qingqiu said, "I will have people record the abilities of these malevolent ghosts, including the process by which we slew them, to broaden the disciples' combat awareness. The ghosts that escaped remain hidden dangers, but we can hunt them down gradually in the future. For now, everyone may enjoy a happy New Year."
A smile appeared on his face, filling the others with delight. They all rose and offered him New Year greetings.
Li Qingqiu waved his sleeve, signaling that they could attend to their own affairs.
After the crowd dispersed, Li Dongyue looked at Li Qingqiu as he stood and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, may all your wishes come true in the new year."
Li Qingqiu smiled and nodded, returning a blessing in kind.
After returning to his cave dwelling, Li Qingqiu sat cross-legged on the stone bed and immediately began to receive a Divine Ability Inheritance.
In dealing with Great Demon Luo this time, Divine Abilities had played an enormous role. Without the Immortal Severing Three Swords, eliminating Great Demon Luo would have been far more troublesome, and he might even have escaped.
Moreover, Divine Ability Inheritances from the Dao Lineage Interface allowed him to directly master them, unlike spell inheritances, which required time to cultivate.
[Receive Divine Ability Inheritance Reward]
[Opening Dao Lineage Divine Ability Inheritance]
[You have obtained Divine Ability — Sparrow Transformation Art]
[Do you accept the inheritance]
Sparrow Transformation Art?
It did not sound like a combat-type Divine Ability.
Puzzled, Li Qingqiu chose to accept the inheritance.
…
With the malevolent ghosts of the northern lands eliminated and the Sect Master returning with his team, the atmosphere within Qingxiao Sect surged at once. The disciples displayed renewed enthusiasm, spreading the news everywhere. The sounds of gongs and firecrackers rose one after another, and the martial platforms across the mountains became lively once more.
On the second day after returning, Li Qingqiu went to take a look at Heavenly Works Hall.
He had heard that Wu Xingyue had crafted a rather impressive artifact, and he wanted to see it for himself.
Zhu Yan, Wu Xingyue, and the elders of Heavenly Works Hall were already waiting. They led Li Qingqiu to a separate courtyard.
The moment he arrived, Li Qingqiu's attention was drawn to a redwood boat in the yard.
Upon seeing Li Qingqiu, Wu Xingyue's eyes lit up. She immediately saluted him and eagerly introduced, "Sect Master, this is a spirit vessel I created. It can fly through the sky. With sufficient spirit stones, traveling 3,000 miles in a single day is no difficulty at all."
Zhu Yan added, "It's quite convenient for transporting various resources."
Li Qingqiu examined it carefully and nodded in approval. "Indeed, it's quite good. You can think further along these lines. Is it possible to build a spirit tower that can fly? Or even a spirit city? That way, the next time the sect goes on campaign, it will be far more convenient."
Hearing this, Wu Xingyue fell into deep thought.