Chapter 133: Number One Under Heaven! Fate Trait Selection!
According to Grandmaster Jiang’s memories, Li Qingqiu found that Immortal Cultivator’s cave mansion less than half an hour after entering the mountain.
It was not particularly well hidden—just that the mountain was far from the mortal world, with the nearest village more than two hundred miles away, so almost no one ever came here.
Passing through the winding tunnel, Li Qingqiu stepped into a stone chamber and frowned.
The chamber was completely empty!
The Tianhong Sword emitted ghostly qi, which condensed into Chu Jing’s form.
He frowned and said, “Someone has beaten us to it. Then again, Grandmaster Jiang had stayed within the Imperial City for over twenty years without ever leaving Zhenyang City, let alone returning to check.”
Li Qingqiu glanced around.
His expression remained calm as he said, “It seems another Immortal Cultivator has emerged in this world.”
He did not feel regretful.
Grandmaster Jiang had already examined everything in this cave; the most valuable treasure had been the Soul Refining Banner.
What remained were merely pill formulas, medicinal records, talisman papers, and secret manuals.
Grandmaster Jiang had been a sinister man.
The manuals he left behind had several pages torn out—whoever obtained them might end up like Zhao Zhi; failing to master the techniques would be the best outcome, while their temperament might grow increasingly violent until they fell into madness.
“Let’s go. Time to return.”
Li Qingqiu turned toward the cave entrance.
Chu Jing reentered the Tianhong Sword, controlling it to float ahead.
Nangong E and Lin Chuan said nothing and immediately followed after Li Qingqiu.
After leaving the cave, Li Qingqiu whistled to summon Little Eight.
Leaping into the air, he landed on the black eagle’s back and sped toward Clear Sky Mountain.
…
Outside the Lingxiao Courtyard, before the old mountain gate, Li Sijin stood on the cliff’s edge, gazing into the distance with a furrowed brow.
Zhang Yuchun emerged from within the courtyard.
He had been preparing to head to the Free Spirit Hall but, seeing her silhouette, walked over.
“Don’t worry. Your Senior Brother will definitely return today,” Zhang Yuchun said reassuringly.
Li Sijin turned to him and asked softly, “And if he doesn’t?”
At first, she had complete confidence in Li Qingqiu.
But as the third day arrived, unease grew stronger within her.
The thought that he might have perished made her panic uncontrollably.
She couldn’t imagine life without her Senior Brother—what would they do then?
“He’ll return. There’s no ‘if’,” Zhang Yuchun said firmly.
His resolute tone calmed her heart considerably.
He continued, “Think about it. Since childhood, has Senior Brother ever failed to do something he promised us? Besides, his martial arts are now unfathomable—even the Sword God couldn’t defeat him. The Emperor and Xuan Gong surely couldn’t either. Honestly, bringing the Clear Sky Sect disciples might have even slowed him down.”
Li Sijin nodded earnestly.
“You’re right. Senior Brother is the strongest person in the world. He’ll definitely return safely.”
Caw—
A sharp, resounding cry echoed through the mountains.
Everyone in Clear Sky Mountain heard it.
The disciples and pilgrims beneath the sun all turned to look.
A massive black eagle was soaring toward them.
All but the newly arrived disciples recognized the creature immediately.
“The Sect Master has returned!”
On the Martial Arena, a Sword Sect disciple shouted excitedly.
His opponent also turned, his expression full of excitement.
The entire Clear Sky Sect erupted with cheers.
Li Sijin turned around, her face blooming with a radiant smile.
Zhang Yuchun secretly sighed in relief—he too had been worried, though he hadn’t dared show it.
Little Eight circled Clear Sky Mountain several times, allowing many disciples to see Li Qingqiu’s figure.
The disciples rushed about joyfully, spreading the news like wildfire.
An incense stick’s time later—
Zhu Yan strode quickly into the Lingxiao Courtyard.
She saw that several Hall Masters had already arrived.
Li Qingqiu was sitting in his usual seat, chatting and laughing with Li Sijin.
She exhaled softly in relief.
She had staked her future on the Clear Sky Sect and could not afford for Li Qingqiu to fall.
A faint smile rose to her lips as she walked gracefully forward.
Once all the Hall Masters were assembled, Li Qingqiu began to speak of serious matters.
“The Emperor Zhao Zhi, the Daoist Grandmaster Jiang, and Xuan Gong…”
Li Qingqiu swept his gaze across everyone, slowly reciting the names one by one.
Each name made their hearts tense.
“All have been slain by my sword. The Forbidden Martial Guards and those demonic soldiers are no more.”
Boom!
The courtyard instantly erupted in commotion.
Everyone leapt to their feet, their emotions blazing like fire.
“Sect Master, you truly did it! Please tell us—how did you slay them?”
“You didn’t go on a massacre, did you? Wiped out all the Forbidden Martial Guards and demonic soldiers?”
“Then the dark clouds over the Great Li are finally gone?”
“Sect Master’s martial arts are peerless—truly Number One Under Heaven!”
“Wonderful! That Demon Emperor is finally dead!”
They spoke excitedly, their faces alight.
Only Shen Yue remained calm—after all, he knew Li Qingqiu’s strength better than anyone.
Even so, he couldn’t help but wonder—was there truly anyone left in this world who could stand against Li Qingqiu?
He felt that even the so-called Martial Legends of old could not compare.
Li Sijin urged Li Qingqiu to tell them everything.
The crowd quickly sat down, eyes filled with eager anticipation.
Li Qingqiu didn’t dampen their spirits.
He briefly recounted the events, omitting the finer details.
As for the Soul Refining Banner and Chu Jing, he said nothing.
When everyone heard that Li Qingqiu had openly declared war and stormed through the South Gate, cutting down the Demon Emperor before the Forbidden Martial Guards, Imperial Army, and Divine Martial Soldiers, their blood boiled.
Even Shen Yue felt his chest surge with pride, and his gaze toward Li Qingqiu changed completely.
Li Qingqiu’s strength was something they had always known—but rarely had he displayed it so domineeringly.
“Excellent! It feels good to hear! Against such a wicked Emperor and demonic Daoist, they should indeed be defeated head-on and die in despair!”
Yang Jueding slapped the table, his eyes glowing with excitement.
He looked at Li Qingqiu and said, “Sect Master, next time something like this happens, take me along!”
Li Sifeng snorted.
“Yeah, right. If you went, would my Senior Brother have killed so freely? He’d have to protect you instead.”
Yang Jueding glared at him but couldn’t argue.
Zhang Yu, however, thought deeper.
Laughing excitedly, he said, “From what the Sect Master has said, he saved many people. Once this spreads, everyone beneath the heavens will know of our Clear Sky Sect’s astonishing deed.
Becoming the Number One Sect Under Heaven is only a matter of time!”
Zhang Yuchun nodded, just as thrilled by the thought.
Li Qingqiu’s expression turned solemn.
“Now that this matter is settled, the Clear Sky Sect will have no immediate troubles. Development remains our top priority.”
The crowd’s emotions gradually calmed.
Their gazes toward Li Qingqiu were filled with admiration and reverence.
To have accomplished such earth-shaking feats and yet remain so composed—his mental fortitude was something none of them could match.
“With the Emperor dead, the world will surely fall into chaos. That chaos brings both danger and opportunity. From now on, our sect will no longer limit recruitment numbers—anyone who passes the examination may join. The more, the better. But the thresholds for each disciple rank must not be lowered, especially for True Transmission Disciples—the standard must only rise.”
“I want the Clear Sky Sect to stand above the dynasty itself. If ever another Emperor proves unworthy, then the sword of our sect will strike once more. From this day forward, we shall be the heavens of this land. Understand?”
By the end, Li Qingqiu’s tone had turned domineering.
It was the first time they had ever seen him so forceful.
None dared refute him—nor did they wish to.
In fact, they began to look forward to it.
Zhu Yan silently thought, As expected.
She had long sensed Li Qingqiu’s great ambition, though he had always seemed to restrain himself.
After all, he had slain the Emperor with ease—who else under heaven could hinder the rise of the Clear Sky Sect?
She could only hope Li Qingqiu would not become a tyrant, that he would always keep righteousness in his heart.
After discussing several more matters, Li Qingqiu dismissed the group.
Instead of resting, he took up the Tianhong Sword and headed toward the forest behind the mountain.
The three rounds of inheritance rewards—he could no longer wait to unlock them.
More than spells, he hoped to obtain inheritances such as the Earth Talisman Codex or Basic Array Manuscripts—something that could broaden the Daoist branches of the Clear Sky Sect.
After Li Qingqiu’s return, the sect disciples hurried up the mountain, eager to know whether the Sect Master’s venture to Zhenyang Imperial City had succeeded.
Zhang Yuchun, upon returning to the Free Spirit Hall, immediately ordered a proclamation to be written and posted across all the Clear Sky Sect’s halls and courtyards.
The Emperor and the Daoist have both been slain by the Sect Master’s sword!
The news spread like wildfire through the Clear Sky Sect.
The disciples, noble patrons, and visiting pilgrims were all left stunned.
Three days—how could he have done it so quickly?
Had he truly flown to Zhenyang Imperial City?
Members of great families rushed down the mountain to verify the news.
A storm unlike any before was brewing, ready to sweep across the Nine Provinces.
Li Qingqiu and the Clear Sky Sect were destined to shake the world.
…
Guzhou State Capital, Qin Residence.
Qin Jue sat in the main hall, sipping tea, his brows tightly furrowed.
Ever since the Coalition Army of the Seven Provinces had been defeated, he had felt restless day and night.
The Qin Family had already moved into Guzhou’s state capital, seized the Inspector-General’s authority, and stood entirely against the imperial court.
If the court’s army marched to Guzhou, the Qin Family would face total annihilation.
He could not help but ponder the worst possible outcomes.
Suddenly—
A purple-robed man rushed into the hall in a flurry, making Qin Jue frown.
“Master, the Emperor is dead!”
The purple-robed man stopped before Qin Jue, trembling with excitement, unable to contain himself.
Qin Jue froze, asking instinctively, “What? Say that again?”
“The Emperor is dead! Not only the Emperor—the Forbidden Martial Guards and Divine Martial Soldiers have all been wiped out! The Imperial Army in Zhenyang has lost its leaders and fallen into chaos! The Great Li Dynasty is now masterless! It’s said all the court officials have fled—they dare not remain in the Imperial City!”
The purple-robed man spoke quickly, his face flushed red with excitement.
Wild joy surged within Qin Jue.
Forcing himself to remain calm, he asked, “Who did this?”
“It wasn’t a faction—it was a single man! The Clear Sky Sect’s Sect Master, Li Qingqiu! He alone stormed Zhenyang Imperial City, slew the Emperor, executed the Daoist, and annihilated the Forbidden Martial Guards and Divine Martial Soldiers! He must be a sword immortal—truly Number One Under Heaven! It’s unbelievable! One man’s power could reach such heights!”
The man’s voice trembled, brimming with reverence and awe.
Qin Jue sat there, utterly stunned.
One man?
Li Qingqiu was that powerful?
And it wasn’t just Guzhou—word spread like wildfire across all the provinces, bombarding the world with the same shocking news.
Li Qingqiu’s name was spreading across the realm at a breathtaking pace.
Yet the man who had stunned the world remained low-key.
After returning to the sect, he kept to his usual rhythm, devoting most of his time to cultivation.
About half a month later—near noon one day—while cultivating beside the Subterranean Spiritual Lake, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
【In recognition of your first time obtaining the title of Number One Under Heaven and shaking the world, greatly advancing the rise of the Clear Sky Sect, you have received one Fate Trait Selection opportunity.】
It had finally come!
Li Qingqiu had long suspected that the fame from this campaign would trigger a Dao Lineage reward.
What he looked forward to most was precisely this—an opportunity to select a Fate Trait.
Not every cultivator of the Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm was as powerful as he was—his strength came from the Fate Traits he possessed.
He hoped to gain more and stronger Fate Traits, ensuring that within the Clear Sky Sect, he would forever remain unmatched.