Chapter 117: Daoist Master Jiang, Yin Ghost Elixir
Finally, someone opened the Clear Sky Sect’s Formation Dao, which made Li Qingqiu very pleased, so he decided to give these black-clad men a quick death.
His gaze shifted, and his sword moves became even more fierce.
He still did not cast spells—he killed entirely by speed and technique.
One strike per kill!
It did not take long before everyone died beneath Li Qingqiu’s sword.
Director knelt before Li Qingqiu, one hand still gripping the blade of the Tianhong Sword.
Li Qingqiu lifted his throat with his sword tip, preventing him from collapsing.
Immediately after, Li Qingqiu cast the Soul Restraining Curse upon Director, and Lin Chuan and Nangong E emerged from his body.
Ghost slaves could not fully detach from their master, so whenever Li Qingqiu traveled far, he had to bring them along.
Ordinarily, they lived inside Li Qingqiu’s body, nourished by Vital Energy.
Li Qingqiu had many ideas regarding his ghost slaves and was testing them one by one.
Director’s memories surged into Li Qingqiu’s mind.
He saw Xuan Gong, and he also saw Emperor Zhao Zhi.
The Cui Family was indeed being used by the emperor.
After they offered up Martial God Elixirs, the emperor was greatly delighted, and the Cui Family received promotion because of this.
They were also tasked with military logistics; the Cui Residence in Pan City was one of the bases supplying Martial God Elixirs.
Within his memories, Li Qingqiu also saw a Daoist who called himself Daoist Master Jiang—a mystic responsible for refining the Elixir of Immortality for the emperor.
It was said that he also mastered spells, though in Director’s memories there was no scene of Daoist Master Jiang actually casting any spell.
Director’s memories gave Li Qingqiu a deeper understanding of Xuan Gong and the Forbidden Martial Guards.
The emperor also had several key figures under him—these individuals restrained one another and possessed powerful martial strength.
However, in terms of martial prowess, the strongest was still Xuan Gong.
After reading all the memories, Li Qingqiu allowed Lin Chuan and Nangong E to devour souls freely.
These Forbidden Martial Guards had blood-stained hands and committed countless evil deeds—they more than deserved death.
The first step to becoming a Forbidden Martial Guard was to personally execute one’s closest kin—utterly cruel.
They all willingly became demons.
Li Qingqiu turned and walked toward the cliff edge, overlooking the Martial God Pass below.
Martial God Pass had already been breached; the terrain behind the gate had become a battlefield.
Endless waves of imperial troops were rushing over, preparing to wage a world-shaking battle unseen since the founding of the dynasty.
Time slowly passed.
When the sun was about to set, the battle below came to an end.
The imperial army had retreated, and the Seven Provinces Coalition Army occupying Martial God Pass did not pursue.
Instead, they began to rest and fortify.
Li Qingqiu saw a dark shadow appear in the sky far away.
He immediately whistled, and Little Eight heard him and flew over at once.
……
Night descended.
Hall Masters entered Lingxiao Courtyard one after another.
Shen Yue also came and, as usual, sat at the edge of the long table.
Li Qingqiu walked in from the rear forest.
All the Hall Masters rose and saluted him.
Even his junior brothers and sisters did the same.
As Zhang Yu said, the Sect Master’s authority represented the sect’s prestige—everyone must salute the Sect Master.
Li Qingqiu took his seat, scanned the group, and then described everything that had happened during the past two days.
When they heard that Wu Man’er had killed Chang Wu in three moves, everyone became delighted.
Shen Yue sighed and said: “That boy’s bones truly were unusual. No wonder he was the war-weapon the Wu Clan forged over a hundred years.”
Wu Man’er’s background was no longer a secret; the Wu Clan had been wiped out, most likely by the emperor.
Li Qingqiu continued: “The emperor is preparing to make his move against us. He has issued a death order—Clear Sky Sect must be destroyed this year.”
Jiang Zhaoxia said disdainfully: “Does the imperial court still have time to gather troops just to deal with us?”
The others were equally dismissive—not only because of the world’s current state, but also because of the Clear Sky Sect’s growth.
Even Shen Yue had to admit that Clear Sky Sect was already the number one sect under heaven.
The Three Founding Sects of the Great Dynasty could not compare—Clear Sky Sect only lacked reputation and time.
“The emperor has ordered the Three Founding Sects and the Forbidden Martial Guards to act together against us. They may very well use Martial God Elixirs and Yin Ghost Elixirs.
Martial God Elixirs can cause one’s martial strength and physical power to surge.
Chang Wu held the pass alone because of Martial God Elixirs.
Yin Ghost Elixirs, however, transform a person into a fierce ghost—feeling no pain and moving at speeds beyond human limits.”
All of this intelligence came from Director.
“Yin Ghost Elixir? Created by Chen Huilan?” Zhu Yan asked with a frown.
The others were also hearing of the Yin Ghost Elixir for the first time.
Li Qingqiu shook his head: “It was created by a Daoist called Daoist Master Jiang. Aside from rare medicinal ingredients, it requires the blood of a young girl—specifically one bled while filled with resentment. Thus, before dying, those girls suffered inhuman torment.”
That Daoist Master Jiang had clearly inherited a cultivation legacy.
Whether he himself possessed cultivation, Li Qingqiu was still unsure.
Based on the information gathered so far, Daoist Master Jiang was very likely the same as Perfected Wei: someone who had not stepped onto the path of immortal cultivation and could only rely on his own fortuitous opportunity to gain favor from the emperor.
“What kind of sinister prescription is this? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Yang Jueding frowned.
He suddenly felt that the emperor’s mystics might not be mere charlatans.
Jiang Zhaoxia turned to Li Qingqiu and asked: “After taking a Yin Ghost Elixir, what level of cultivation would one need to handle its user?”
Everyone returned their attention to Li Qingqiu, tension rising.
They did not question his intelligence, nor did they ask how he obtained it—they trusted Li Qingqiu’s methods and thoroughness.
“The Yin Ghost Elixir’s user’s strength depends on their strength before taking it.
In my view, at least Third Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm would be required to have some certainty.”
Li Qingqiu’s answer made everyone’s expression turn grim.
Yang Jueding followed up: “How many people have taken the Yin Ghost Elixir?”
“That is unclear, but it will certainly not be just a handful.”
These words increased the pressure on the Hall Masters.
Unknown enemies always generated unease.
Li Qingqiu continued: “Soldiers will block the soldiers; earth will stop the flood. Just strengthen patrols. The emperor will not send only a small group—they are unlikely to infiltrate Clear Sky Mountain.”
Shen Yue spoke: “The Sword Sect Hall disciples’ swordsmanship has already stepped across the threshold. I now have little to do. Why don’t I take charge of patrols? I can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Ancient Great Mountain Range—I’ve been here this long and still haven’t gone down the mountain.”
Everyone looked at him, surprised that he volunteered.
Ever since joining the Clear Sky Sect, Shen Yue had always maintained a detached attitude.
Facing everyone’s gaze, Shen Yue cleared his throat and said: “I am a Clear Sky Sect member after all. Is it a problem if I help defend the sect?”
Zhang Yuchun laughed: “No problem at all—that would be wonderful. gggI really don’t feel at ease letting disciples handle patrols.”
Xu Ning stared at Shen Yue and said: “In my opinion, you just want to see how strong you’ve become.”
Shen Yue looked down at the table and stroked his beard silently.
Only then did everyone realize that Shen Yue had been cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture for quite some time—his current strength must be terrifying.
Jiang Zhaoxia frowned and said: “I’ll patrol as well. We’ll cover different directions, and we’ll see who encounters an enemy first.”
Even though he had reached the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he still could not see through Shen Yue at all—this agitated him.
Li Qingqiu smiled: “If you’re willing to take initiative, all the better.”
He was already imagining the scene of the Three Founding Sects and Forbidden Martial Guards attacking, only to be intercepted by either Shen Yue or Jiang Zhaoxia.
Those who took evil elixirs would surely crumble.
The others also felt the pressure lifting—they trusted Shen Yue and Jiang Zhaoxia’s strength.
Zhu Yan, seeing the matter settled, spoke: “Sect Master, a disciple from Heavenly Works Hall has created the Spirit Gathering Formation you once mentioned. I have tested it—it truly can gather Spiritual Energy, making cultivation easier.”
Everyone looked toward her, intrigued by this so-called Spirit Gathering Formation.
Li Qingqiu had been waiting for her to bring this up.
He asked with curiosity: “Who created it?”
“A disciple named Mingguang,” Zhu Yan replied.
Mingguang?
Li Qingqiu did not have a deep impression of this disciple—clearly average aptitude and comprehension, and no special Fate Trait.
Zhang Yuchun suddenly realized: “I remember this disciple. He was an orphan and had no surname back then. I gave him his name. I didn’t expect he’d have such comprehension.”
Because Li Qingqiu had seen the prompt earlier, confirming that the Spirit Gathering Formation truly worked, he said directly: “From today onward, Mingguang is promoted to True Transmission Disciple. In addition, Heavenly Works Hall shall erect a monument for him, engraving his contribution, and place it along the roadside before Profound Heart Hall. From now on, any disciple with major contributions may have their achievements recorded, allowing future generations to remember them.”
Upon hearing this, everyone praised the idea.
Li Sijin’s eyes lit up: “If so, then could I have a monument if I successfully cultivate Spiritual Plants?”
“Of course—but not yet. Work harder.”
Hearing Li Qingqiu’s reply, Li Sijin pouted, and the others began asking what counted as a contribution worthy of a monument.
Li Qingqiu explained that it must contribute to the sect’s development in a foundational, transformative way.
Ordinary secret techniques did not count—the evaluation standard rested with him.
Shen Yue seemed thoughtful, and Jiang Zhaoxia noticed his look and also began pondering.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu asked several more matters before dismissing the Hall Masters.
Li Dongyue did not leave.
She sat beside Li Qingqiu and asked: “Senior Brother, with the emperor holding Martial God Elixirs and Yin Ghost Elixirs, Zhenyang Imperial City must be extremely dangerous. Will Fifth Senior Brother and Sixth Senior Brother be in danger? Should we send more people to help them?”
Li Qingqiu answered: “Naturally it is dangerous, but this is also part of their trial. Believe in their strength—even if they cannot win, they can at least protect themselves.”
Hearing this, Li Dongyue felt it reasonable and did not press further.
Li Qingqiu stood and said: “Fourth Junior Sister, accompany me somewhere tomorrow morning.”
“What place?” Li Dongyue asked curiously.
“You will know tomorrow.”
Li Qingqiu did not elaborate.
He walked straight toward his residence.
It was not that he intended to hide it—he simply had not yet activated his Fortuitous Fate, so he did not know what fortune it would be.
Returning to his room, he closed the door, sat in meditation on his bed, and summoned the Dao Lineage panel.
Lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[Receive Fortuitous Fate Reward]
[Activate Fortuitous Fate]
[Beginning Fortuitous Fate Detection]
[Fortuitous Fate Detected. Low-Level Monster Realm found. Accept Fortuitous Fate Guidance?]