The Dragon Subduing Hero?
Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged a glance. As a matter of fact, they *had* heard of him—from Jiang Kuotian, just before he left. Jiang Kuotian had been in such a hurry to get down the mountain because he wanted to witness the duel between the Dragon Subduing Hero and the Sword Saint of the Canghai Sea. He hadn't had time to elaborate on who the Dragon Subduing Hero actually was.
There were simply too many legendary figures in the martial world for Li Qingqiu and the others to keep track of.
They never expected that the very man Jiang Kuotian had mentioned would show up at the foot of the Azure Firmament Sect's mountain.
"What are you doing here?" Li Qingqiu asked cautiously.
Yang Jueding gave a bitter smile. "Obviously, I'm here hiding from my enemies. You don't need to worry. My pursuers are long gone. I used my internal arts to mask my aura and hold my breath for seven days. They never found me."
Hold his breath for seven days?
That was incredible?
Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun were impressed, but they didn't take his word for it.
Yang Jueding continued, "Seeing you two going up and down the mountain, you're clearly not villagers. You must be disciples of the Azure Firmament Sect. I've met your master, Lin Xunfeng, a few times. I liked his temperament. How about you take me back with you? Once my wounds heal, I'll teach you to train. I have a palm technique—a single strike can move mountains and overturn seas. It'll make you legends in the martial world."
Hearing him mention Lin Xunfeng, the two relaxed slightly.
"So Master wasn't just bragging all those years. He actually has a decent reputation in the martial world," Li Qingqiu thought to himself.
He didn't agree immediately. He weighed the pros and cons.
Yang Jueding pressed on, "After this injury, I'm thinking of retiring from the martial world altogether. The Azure Firmament Sect seems nice—far from the mundane world. If you need someone to do odd jobs, I can handle it. Just give me a meal and a straw mat to sleep on."
Zhang Yuchun was tempted. He looked to Li Qingqiu.
A sudden idea struck Li Qingqiu. "Since you want to join the Azure Firmament Sect, there are procedures to follow. Kneel now, facing the sect, and swear three vows."
"First: Never harm your fellow disciples."
"Second: Never damage the interests of the Azure Firmament Sect."
"Third: Dedicate yourself completely to the development of the Azure Firmament Sect."
Zhang Yuchun was puzzled. When had these rules been established?
Despite his confusion, he kept his face neutral and said nothing.
Yang Jueding found this amusing. These three vows didn't violate any of his principles. So, with difficulty, he struggled to his knees and faced the direction Li Qingqiu indicated.
He raised one hand and began to swear, reciting the three vows exactly as Li Qingqiu had stated them.
Li Qingqiu immediately summoned the Daoist Legacy panel to check. Sure enough, the disciple count had increased by one. He clicked through and found Yang Jueding's portrait.
[Name: Yang Jueding]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 35]
[Loyalty (Sect Master/Sect): 50/50 (Max 100)]
[Cultivation Aptitude: Fair]
[Comprehension: Fair]
[Destiny: Chivalrous Heart, Peak Performer in Desperation]
[Chivalrous Heart: Willing to sacrifice self for others. Lives by a code of honor and righteousness. Returns kindness manifold.]
[Peak Performer in Desperation: When pushed into a corner, can unleash far greater strength than usual.]
...
Seeing the words "Chivalrous Heart," Li Qingqiu immediately relaxed.
He was also curious about the "Peak Performer in Desperation" Destiny.
Had Yang Jueding fought his way out of a certain-death situation to escape alive?
Li Qingqiu didn't dwell on it. He dismissed the panel and said, "Yuchun, help him up. Let's go."
Zhang Yuchun hesitated but obeyed.
Yang Jueding leaned on him as they walked, grinning. "What are your names, young brothers?"
"I'm Li Qingqiu, current Sect Master of the Azure Firmament Sect. He's Zhang Yuchun, my second junior brother."
Li Qingqiu replied. The words "Chivalrous Heart" radiated such goodwill that he now saw Yang Jueding's face in an entirely different light.
This man's reputation as a hero was clearly not unfounded.
His only regret was that he couldn't see exactly how strong Yang Jueding was.
"Sect Master? What about Lin Xunfeng?" Yang Jueding asked in surprise.
"Our master went off to seek immortality. He abandoned us."
Zhang Yuchun's voice was thick with resentment.
Ever since Lin Xunfeng had brought him to the Azure Firmament Sect, it was Li Qingqiu who had really raised him. He rarely even spoke with Lin Xunfeng. Now, being abandoned by him—how could he not feel bitter?
"Seeking immortality?"
Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in wonder but didn't comment further.
The three chatted casually as they walked, never stopping.
A full hour later, they finally returned to the Azure Firmament Sect.
Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Li Sifeng gathered around, curious about the newcomer.
Li Qingqiu had them prepare their master's old room for Yang Jueding to stay in temporarily.
Lin Xunfeng's room held no treasures. Li Qingqiu had checked long ago. It was even barer than his own—"completely destitute" wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Yang Jueding was unceremonious. Before moving in, he asked Zhang Yuchun to prepare two jugs of old wine. A chicken would be even better.
Zhang Yuchun didn't indulge him. He gave him only one jug. For the rest of the afternoon, Yang Jueding stayed in his room, circulating his energy to heal his wounds.
Seeing that he could treat himself, Li Qingqiu was somewhat relieved. After all, they had no medical skills.
If any of his junior siblings got hurt in the future, they could call on Yang Jueding. From that perspective, he was a valuable addition.
By evening, Jiang Zhaoxia emerged from the forest with Wu Man'er. Wu Man'er's robes were torn, and his face was bruised.
"What happened?" Li Qingqiu frowned.
Jiang Zhaoxia shrugged. "You can't practice martial arts without getting hurt. It's just superficial. No big deal."
Wu Man'er scratched his head and grinned stupidly.
Li Qingqiu looked at him. "If it hurts too much, tell me. I'll have your third senior brother go easier on you."
Wu Man'er replied with simple honesty, "It doesn't hurt. I want to protect you, Senior Brother. Protect our junior brothers and sisters. I'll get stronger."
Li Qingqiu was both touched and a little pained. After all, Wu Man'er was only thirteen—he just looked big and strong.
He decided he'd give Wu Man'er Jiang Zhaoxia's chicken leg later.
No, wait.
Third junior brother meant well. Better give up my own chicken leg instead.
He had them sit at the long table and talk about their afternoon training.
What external technique Wu Man'er was actually learning, Jiang Zhaoxia still hadn't revealed. He said he wanted it to be a surprise. Trusting Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Qingqiu hadn't gone to spy on them.
When Zhang Yuchun finished cooking, Yang Jueding followed the aroma right over.
"Who are you?"
Jiang Zhaoxia frowned at Yang Jueding, his voice cold.
Zhang Yuchun quickly introduced him, afraid Jiang Zhaoxia might start something. After all, Jiang Zhaoxia hadn't hesitated to talk back to Jiang Kuotian.
Meeting Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze, Yang Jueding narrowed his own eyes.
This kid was young, but he gave off an extremely dangerous feeling.
Li Qingqiu, seated on his stool, watched this exchange impassively. Inwardly, he was quite pleased with Jiang Zhaoxia.
His third junior brother wasn't just aggressive at home—he was just as tough with outsiders. Li Qingqiu liked that more and more.
For a sect to establish itself, it needed strong-willed people. Zhang Yuchun, though steady in his work, was a bit soft. Jiang Zhaoxia balanced him perfectly.
"No matter how famous you are in the martial world, if you cause trouble here at the Azure Firmament Sect, you'll regret it."
After hearing Zhang Yuchun's introduction, Jiang Zhaoxia delivered this threat, then sat down.
Yang Jueding didn't get angry. Instead, he looked at Jiang Zhaoxia with something like appreciation.
He'd been worried about Li Qingqiu being Sect Master—the Azure Firmament Sect seemed full of children. But now he saw there was more to it than met the eye!
Yang Jueding sat down and unceremoniously picked up his chopsticks, digging into the food. At the same time, he observed the other disciples.
Wu Man'er in particular caught his attention.
This kid was obviously a martial arts prodigy!
Noticing Yang Jueding's gaze, Li Qingqiu spoke up. "Yang Jueding, once you're healed, besides helping Yuchun, you'll also teach the disciples martial arts. Start with that palm technique you mentioned."
Yang Jueding raised an eyebrow. "Can Wu Man'er train with me?"
"No need. He's with me." Jiang Zhaoxia cut in before Yang Jueding could answer.
Yang Jueding looked at Jiang Zhaoxia and chuckled. "Kid, this palm technique of mine is a legendary art known throughout the land."
Jiang Zhaoxia shot back without backing down. "Then how about this: once you're healed, you and Man'er have a spar. Use that legendary art of yours."
Even Yang Jueding's good nature was provoked. His smile turned cold. "Fine. I'd love to see just how skilled you are, that a mere child could overcome my twenty years of bitter cultivation."
Li Dongyue looked worriedly at Li Qingqiu, but seeing him watching the exchange with amusement, she held her tongue.
Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were too young to understand the undercurrents. They started shouting, guessing who would win, making the dinner table lively.
That night, the other disciples were tense after returning to their rooms, wary of Yang Jueding.
Li Qingqiu, however, was completely at ease. Besides, he no longer slept; he cultivated every night.
The next morning, Li Qingqiu took Jiang Zhaoxia down the mountain. This made Zhang Yuchun nervous—he felt immense pressure watching Yang Jueding alone.
But Li Qingqiu wouldn't listen to objections. He told Zhang Yuchun not to worry.
When they reached the underground spirit lake, Jiang Zhaoxia was ecstatic. They trained there for half a day, then Li Qingqiu gave some instructions and forcibly dragged him back to the sect.
Tomorrow, Jiang Zhaoxia would bring Li Dongyue to train.
And so, half a month passed quickly.
All seven of Li Qingqiu's group had taken turns at the underground spirit lake. They repeatedly reminded each other: this lake must never be revealed.
Yang Jueding noticed nothing unusual. He assumed they were just going out to hunt or do chores.
Then came the day that dealt Li Qingqiu a blow: Jiang Zhaoxia stepped into the second layer of the Nourishing Origin stage ahead of everyone else.
Though he'd expected it, when the day actually arrived, it still stung. It stung because it meant his own aptitude was inferior.
To vent, he hugged Jiang Zhaoxia excitedly and tousled his hair into a mess. Jiang Zhaoxia, too busy being pleased with himself, didn't see through his senior brother's little scheme.
That night, Li Qingqiu returned to his room and sat on his bed, still brooding over Jiang Zhaoxia's breakthrough at noon.
"Typical. You don't want your brother to struggle, but you also don't want him to suddenly get rich and drive a luxury car."
Li Qingqiu chuckled bitterly at himself. He'd already adjusted his mindset and was genuinely happy for Jiang Zhaoxia's achievement.
Suddenly.
A voice rang out from outside the window, clear and piercing, echoing through the night sky.
"Yang Jueding! The great Dragon Subduing Hero—do you really need a bunch of children to shield you? Come out and face your death, or I'll slaughter every last one in the Azure Firmament Sect!"