Chapter 107: The Chaotic World Arrives
The five-tier ranking system was swiftly conveyed to all True Transmission Disciples, stirring great excitement among them.
Within the Clear Sky Sect, the True Transmission Disciples had already formed distinct circles.
Each one brimmed with confidence, believing themselves to be geniuses who might yet rise above others.
Their vigorous cultivation inspired the Inner Disciples, Outer Disciples, and Registered Disciples alike, igniting a fierce spirit of diligence throughout the sect, and as a result, the number of disciples going down the mountain for tempering decreased.
The establishment of the Martial Discussion Platform made more and more disciples realize that the so-called Martial World was not as formidable as they once believed — the martial arts of the Clear Sky Sect stood unrivaled, and Sword God Shen Yue was the most convincing proof of this truth.
Because of the existence of the menial disciples, even though more time was devoted to cultivation, the sect’s operations were not hindered.
On the contrary, it allowed the menial disciples to earn money and strive for opportunities to learn martial arts.
Li Qingqiu was not a cold-hearted man; he did not allow menial disciples to work in vain.
He had Zhang Yuchun assign essential chores for them to complete, and once done, those willing could perform additional tasks to accumulate personal contributions.
In the Clear Sky Sect, everyone held hope — and thus, everyone was filled with fighting spirit.
Zhang Yuchun borrowed disciples from the Sword Sect Courtyard and began traveling around the Ancient Great Mountain Range, promoting the Clear Sky Sect among the commoners, telling them that if they ever encountered trouble, they could seek aid from the sect.
This was Li Qingqiu’s strategy — to serve the people first, and only after earning their goodwill, consider requesting their support in return.
During this process, the sect also eradicated two bands of mountain bandits, spreading its chivalrous reputation once again.
In the eighth month.
The King of Weizhou, Zhao Qi, climbed high to proclaim his cause — he raised his army to punish evil, to cleanse the Crown Prince Zhao Lan’s name, to avenge him, to bring peace to the people, and to deliver justice for the countless bereaved families.
That same month, the Li and Cai Clans of Linchuan joined Zhao Qi’s ranks.
By the end of the month, the Pei, Wang, and Lu Clans of Zhenyang led their retainers to seize control over the imperial capital.
At the beginning of the ninth month, His Majesty regained control of the Zhenyang Imperial City.
Before the gathered masses, he executed the officials of the Pei, Wang, and Lu Clans along with their families — blood flowed through the streets of the capital.
Signs of chaos deepened.
Under the blazing summer sun, Li Sifeng, who had reached the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, came to see Li Qingqiu.
“Senior Brother, I’m going down the mountain to avenge myself against the Pei Clan! I’ve reached the Fifth Layer and mastered the Emperor Sword. I’ll make the Pei Clan pay in blood!”
Zhang Yuchun happened to be discussing sect affairs with Li Qingqiu. Hearing this, he interjected, “Shouldn’t we delay it a bit? The Pei Clan is now rebelling against the imperial authority and is hailed by the world as a loyal and courageous family. Wouldn’t it look bad to take revenge now?”
Li Sifeng frowned. “What? Just because they claim to be rebels for justice, we can’t avenge our fallen brothers? Are we to let their deaths go unavenged?”
Zhang Yuchun tried to persuade him. “It’s not that we won’t take revenge — we just need to choose the right time. Right now, the Pei Clan has no intention of retaliating against us.”
Li Sifeng disagreed and turned to look at Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu glanced down at the disciple register in his hands. “Yuchun, pick seven True Transmission Disciples who have yet to go on any tempering experience. They must each have reached the Third Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.”
Zhang Yuchun’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth, hesitated, then finally said, “Alright.”
Li Sifeng shot him a proud look before assuring Li Qingqiu, “This time, I won’t act recklessly. I’ll ensure the disciples are safe and return after avenging the fallen.”
“Very well. Go prepare. You’ll depart tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
Li Sifeng left in excitement.
Zhang Yuchun looked at Li Qingqiu anxiously. “Senior Brother, is this really the right time?”
Li Qingqiu replied, “If the Clear Sky Sect deems it the right time, then it is. Don’t worry — the fall of one Pei Clan won’t change the course of the world.”
“Really?” Zhang Yuchun still seemed uncertain.
“In times of chaos, heroes emerge. And to be a hero, one must have renown. The other clans are busy crafting their heroes; they won’t allow a destroyed Pei Clan to dominate public attention.”
Li Qingqiu’s words enlightened Zhang Yuchun, who nodded in agreement.
He then asked, “Will the Forbidden Martial Guards target Sixth Junior Brother’s Emperor Mystic Sword? According to Third Brother, the Guards are filled with experts.”
“Perhaps they will, perhaps they won’t. There are always variables when descending the mountain. Enough — focus on sect matters. Sifeng has grown up; have some faith in him.”
Li Qingqiu’s calm response made Zhang Yuchun mutter to himself.
Li Sifeng’s temperament — could one really trust it?
Little did he know, Li Qingqiu’s trust was not in Li Sifeng, but in the sword soul within the Emperor Mystic Sword.
Zhang Yuchun suddenly realized he was falling into his old habit again — shouldering all the sect’s burdens and worrying over things that hadn’t even happened yet.
“Note these disciples — we’ll need to observe them closely.”
Li Qingqiu’s words made Zhang Yuchun immediately straighten up. He picked up a brush and paper, ready to take notes.
He had unwavering faith in his Senior Brother’s insight — though in truth, he believed it wasn’t because Li Qingqiu had a keen eye for people, but because he possessed divine sight.
After all, wasn’t it reasonable for someone guided by immortals in dreams to see through mortal hearts?
……
As autumn approached.
In the wilds, Chu Jing led five disciples toward Clear Sky Mountain.
As disciples of the Free Spirit Hall, they were carrying out Zhang Yuchun’s order to visit a nearby village and spread the Clear Sky Sect’s name.
“Senior Brother Chu, what do you think of the current world situation? Can King Zhao of Weizhou win?”
A plain-looking young man hurried to Chu Jing’s side, asking curiously.
His name was Zhang Ping. Having gained Zhang Yuchun’s favor, he became a disciple of the Free Spirit Hall.
Aside from Zhang Yuchun and the Sect Master, the person he admired most was Chu Jing.
Chu Jing was a scholar, deeply knowledgeable about worldly affairs and gentle in manner. Only around him did Zhang Ping feel at ease.
Chu Jing replied, “He cannot win.”
He gazed ahead, his thoughts drifting somewhere far away.
“So many support him — and he still can’t win? Even the villagers say King Zhao is a man of the people.” Zhang Ping frowned in confusion.
“Neither His Majesty nor the noble clans supporting him will ever allow him to win. He is but the chess piece that stirs the chaos,” Chu Jing said indifferently.
Zhang Ping fell silent, lost in thought. The world seemed far more complicated than he imagined.
Before joining the Clear Sky Sect, his only wish had been to rise above his humble origins and give his family a better life.
After joining, he met many disciples — some from villages like him, others from merchant families or noble households.
Each day in the sect broadened his horizons.
Listening to his peers talk about the martial world and worldly affairs deepened his understanding of human nature.
Chu Jing came back to himself and, seeing Zhang Ping’s silence, smiled. “Don’t think too much. The struggle between the throne and the clans is perilous, but it won’t touch you. Just think of it as a story.”
Zhang Ping was too innocent — Chu Jing didn’t wish to taint that purity.
Having witnessed the deceit and betrayal of the imperial court, he found a rare peace among the young disciples of the Clear Sky Sect.
He now lived with quiet enjoyment, not calculation.
Of course, in his long-term plans, the Clear Sky Sect was still a blade to be wielded — only, the time to unsheath it had not yet come.
“Senior Brother Chu, do you have any goals for the future?” Zhang Ping asked as they walked side by side.
Chu Jing smiled. “Naturally — to earn an official rank and perhaps do some good for the people. And you?”
Zhang Ping answered, “I joined the sect just to learn martial arts and find a way to earn a living later. But now I want to become a True Transmission Disciple. Their monthly stipend is higher than that of officials! I just don’t know when I’ll ever reach that level…”
He began talking endlessly about his family.
Chu Jing listened patiently, though inwardly he found Zhang Ping’s chances slim.
The Clear Sky Sect constantly raised the bar for its True Transmission Disciples.
With Zhang Ping’s current aptitude, he likely wouldn’t keep up with that rising standard.
Just then, Chu Jing suddenly stopped. Following his gaze, Zhang Ping saw a mysterious figure standing atop a distant ridge — a man wearing a bamboo hat, hand resting on his sheathed blade, dressed like a wandering swordsman.
Seeing this, Zhang Ping instinctively took a step back.
The four Free Spirit Hall disciples behind them quickened their pace to catch up.
……
On a grassy field between the mountains, Li Yang held his silver spear, eyes full of anticipation as he looked toward Li Qingqiu. Beside him stood Zhao Zhen.
That morning, Yuan Qi had told him the Sect Master would personally instruct him — and Li Yang could hardly contain his joy.
Having just broken through to the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm and mastered the Heavenly Thunder Step, he eagerly awaited Li Qingqiu’s teaching.
Li Qingqiu stood with his back to them, gazing into the distance. “We’ll do it here. Zhen’er, teach him the Divine Dragon Transformation. I want to see your ability as an instructor.”
“Understood!”
Zhao Zhen responded and stepped forward.
Li Yang froze. “He’s teaching me?”
Zhao Zhen glared. “Don’t underestimate me. I’m about to reach the Fifth Layer, and I’ve improved the Divine Dragon Transformation myself — it’s much stronger now! If you can master it, you’ll dominate the martial world!”
Li Yang didn’t know Zhao Zhen was the Crown Prince’s son, but he had heard of his talent — hailed as even greater than Xu Ning’s.
Hearing that Zhao Zhen was close to the Fifth Layer at only eight years old, Li Yang’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Eight years old — and already so monstrous?
He cast away his arrogance and asked earnestly, “Can you show me the Divine Dragon Transformation?”
The name alone sounded profound.
Zhao Zhen nodded and began circulating his energy.
As his Vital Energy surged, the force beneath his feet swirled upward, lifting grass and sending Li Yang’s robe fluttering.
Li Yang narrowed his eyes. He could already sense how extraordinary this technique was.
Zhao Zhen leapt high into the air, Vital Energy spiraling around him. It condensed into the form of a golden dragon enveloping his body.
The dragon stretched five zhang long, exuding divine majesty and golden brilliance — Li Yang was utterly stunned.
This was… martial arts?
Zhao Zhen, satisfied with his reaction, grinned proudly and directed the dragon forward.
The golden dragon shot across the grass like golden lightning, tearing the ground and filling the air with its roar. It circled Li Yang once, kicking up clouds of dust.
Li Yang spun around, but the dust in front of him suddenly burst apart as the golden dragon lunged — its claw larger than his head, stopping barely a foot away, the wind of its power whipping his hair backward.
The sudden scene almost made Li Yang summon his Dragon Soul for defense.
He saw Zhao Zhen within the dragon’s body, like a celestial being — his eyes instantly burned with passion.
Such a domineering move!
He wanted to learn it!