Chapter 149: Nurturing the Spirit
Xiao Wuming pushed the blindfolded old man into the courtyard, then kicked his leg, forcing him to kneel.
Li Qingqiu walked around the long table and came before the blindfolded old man.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue also stepped forward.
“Speak. Why have you come?”
Li Qingqiu asked calmly.
Seeing that this man’s eyes were blinded yet he had still come up the mountain, he suspected there might be some misunderstanding.
If someone had sent him to kill or steal the Primordial Unity Scripture, it was far too inappropriate.
The blindfolded old man remained silent.
His refusal to speak displeased Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuming, but since Li Qingqiu was present, neither dared to act rashly.
When Li Qingqiu saw that he would not answer, he could not be bothered to waste more words.
Even if there was a misunderstanding, it was one of the man’s own making.
Just as Li Qingqiu was about to cast the Soul Restraining Curse, Chu Jing emerged from within the Tianhong Sword and said, “Master, I know this man. I think I know who sent him.”
Li Qingqiu halted his hand and asked, “Oh? Then tell me.”
Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuming froze, not knowing to whom Li Qingqiu was speaking.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue looked at Li Qingqiu in surprise.
Li Qingqiu offered no explanation, listening instead to Chu Jing’s introduction of the blindfolded old man.
“His name is Mo Li. In the martial world, he was known as the Dominating Blade. He also had ties to Shen Yue. One of Shen Yue’s friends inherited the Dominating Sword. Since ancient times, the Dominating Blade and Dominating Sword have always clashed. The last wielder of the Dominating Sword died by his hand.
“When he was young, Mo Li roamed the land challenging masters to restore the fame of the Dominating Blade. He made many enemies. His eyes were poisoned by one such foe, and his wife and child were also killed by them. It was the Qi Clan of Cangzhou that saved him and avenged his family. Afterward, he retired from the martial world. Some say he merely took on a new identity to serve the Qi Clan.”
Chu Jing recounted slowly, his tone tinged with recollection.
“Dominating Blade Mo Li? The Qi Clan?” Li Qingqiu murmured.
Upon hearing those words, the blindfolded old man suddenly raised his head.
Though his eyes were blind, his expression clearly showed shock.
Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Yuan Li, and Xiao Wuming were all puzzled as to how Li Qingqiu knew Mo Li’s identity.
“He likely came here under orders from the Qi Clan. The Qi Clan of Cangzhou has deep foundations. Even I, when holding power in the court, could not see through them. They’ve infiltrated the imperial bureaucracy—half the current officials are somehow tied to them. The Zhao Clan’s conquest of the realm would not have succeeded without their aid.
“Yet they refuse to move to Zhongtian, so their fame is not as great as the Eight Great Families. But in my eyes, the Qi Clan is the true number one clan under heaven.”
“I once sent agents to infiltrate the Qi Clan for investigation. They all vanished without a trace. Before disappearing, one sent word that the Qi Clan was ‘nurturing something.’ That thing required the blood essence of various rare beasts. I thought at the time they sought an Elixir of Immortality and so did not pursue it further. Now I suspect they sent Mo Li for the Qilin Blood.”
“In today’s martial world, few remember Mo Li’s name. Even if he fails, he would never betray them.”
Chu Jing sighed.
The Qi Clan’s schemes were impeccable.
Unfortunately for them, the Clear Sky Sect was no ordinary martial sect—Li Qingqiu had many means to make Mo Li reveal the truth, even if the man had resolved to die.
Li Qingqiu’s eyes flickered.
“For the Qilin Blood, is it? Just what are the Qi Clan trying to nurture?”
At those words, Mo Li’s body trembled.
Then blood trickled from his lips—he had bitten off his tongue, simultaneously destroying his own meridians with inner energy.
Thud!
He collapsed heavily to the ground.
Li Dongyue hesitated.
Her Ghostly Immortal Needle of Rejuvenation could have kept him barely alive.
But her Senior Brother’s needle was even stronger.
If he had wanted Mo Li to live, he would have acted.
Li Qingqiu saw no need to intervene.
He hadn’t forced the man to death; had Mo Li spoken truthfully, he might have lived.
What he despised most was hypocrisy!
“Watch closely. This is the Soul Restraining Curse. Even in death, one cannot escape it,” Li Qingqiu said.
As his words fell, his eyes turned a strange violet hue, making Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuming widen their eyes in shock.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue stepped forward and, seeing Li Qingqiu’s eyes, were equally stunned.
……
The night was as calm as water.
In a Blackstone County inn far away, Ye Nan tossed restlessly in bed.
He suddenly sat up, turning toward the moonlight outside the window.
His master had been gone for seven days.
Though there was still time before their one-month rendezvous, an unease weighed on his heart, as though something grave was about to happen.
Around Blackstone County, there was only one martial sect—the Clear Sky Sect.
Had his master gone to Clear Sky Mountain?
His mind was in turmoil.
Though he had been apprenticed for a year, he knew nothing of his master’s past or his true purpose.
A year ago, when he was ambushed by bandits and nearly died, it was Mo Li who saved him.
Awed by his martial prowess, Ye Nan had begged to become his disciple.
Mo Li had said he was heading south on business.
Ye Nan had followed without regret.
Over that year, master and disciple had traveled across the lands—through splendor and chaos alike.
The more turbulent the world became, the more Ye Nan cherished their days together.
“Could Master have gone to take revenge on someone from the Clear Sky Sect? Even if he’s powerful, he couldn’t possibly match that Li Qingqiu…”
The more Ye Nan thought, the more agitated he became, scratching his head in frustration.
That night, he did not know when he finally fell asleep.
He only awoke when someone knocked on his door.
Blinding sunlight spilled into the room, forcing him to squint.
“Who is it?”
Irritated from being woken, Ye Nan called out.
“Water delivery.”
A man’s voice came from outside.
Ye Nan groggily got up and opened the door.
He froze.
Standing outside were not inn servants but two handsome men in blue robes.
“It’s him, no mistake,” said one, holding up a portrait.
The other immediately placed a hand on the door and said, “We are disciples of the Clear Sky Sect. Please come with us up the mountain.”
Clear Sky Sect!
Ye Nan’s mind exploded in panic.
Instinctively, he tried to flee, but a hand pressed onto his shoulder—he couldn’t move an inch.
“You’d best behave. We’re not necessarily here to harm you, only to invite you up the mountain,” the Clear Sky disciple said coldly.
At the third layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, restraining a youth with no inner power was effortless.
Ye Nan’s heart was full of fear.
He had thought his martial skills decent, yet he was subdued so easily.
Only now did he truly understand his master’s words:
Without cultivating inner strength, one could never become a true expert.
……
In the courtyard of the Heavenly Works Hall, Li Qingqiu and Zhu Yan stood side by side.
The Xiao brothers, Mingguang, and Su Xiling watched curiously as a young female disciple demonstrated her craft.
Under their gaze, the young woman was visibly nervous.
The sleeves of her sect robe were rolled up, revealing soot-stained arms.
She was thin, her face smudged with ash, yet her large bright eyes shone with spirit.
Her name was Wu Xingyue, a disciple of the Heavenly Works Hall, at the second layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
She held a bronze mirror in her hands, palms slick with sweat.
“Hurry and show the Sect Master your Mystic Fire Mirror,” Zhu Yan reminded her gently.
Wu Xingyue came back to her senses, instantly channeled her vital energy into the mirror, and a crimson wave of flame surged from its surface, spinning forward.
The fire expanded rapidly, stretching five zhang, nearly setting the nearby building ablaze.
The Xiao brothers gaped in awe at the sight.
Su Xiling, though she had seen it once before, was still amazed.
Wu Xingyue cut off her energy and turned to Li Qingqiu nervously.
“My vital energy can only drive it to this extent. If someone with stronger cultivation were to use it, its power would be far greater.”
“The Mystic Fire Mirror, is it? A fine name. How did you come up with it?” Li Qingqiu asked approvingly.
Seeing his smile, Wu Xingyue relaxed, her face breaking into a bright grin.
“While studying the Formation Fundamentals Record, I wondered if martial techniques could be engraved onto weapons, saving time in cultivation. So I delved into the study of restrictions. My family has long been blacksmiths, so I know a bit of forging. I decided to experiment. Though I failed many times, I began to feel hope that it might work…”
Li Qingqiu looked at her with emotion.
Wu Xingyue’s aptitude for cultivation was average, but her comprehension was quite good.
She had no special fate trait.
In the sect, such talent was unremarkable, so Li Qingqiu had not paid her much attention.
He had not expected her to surprise him.
This proved that fate was not everything—even without a special destiny, one could still create miracles and achieve greatness.
The more he looked at Wu Xingyue, the more pleased he became.
“You’ve done excellently. You have created a Magic Implement. To tell you the truth, the Clear Sky Sect possesses not only martial arts but also the path of immortal cultivation. The restriction you engraved is a method of the latter.”
Magic Implement!
Wu Xingyue’s eyes widened, and so did everyone else’s.
Yet upon reflection, the weapon’s might indeed fit the name.
Rumors had long said the Clear Sky Sect practiced immortal cultivation, but hearing it confirmed by the Sect Master himself filled them with awe.
“You have forged the first Magic Implement for the Clear Sky Sect. A monument shall be erected in your honor. I appoint you as Elder of the Heavenly Works Hall. May you forge more implements to fill the sect’s gap in the art of weapon refinement.”
Li Qingqiu spoke solemnly, and Wu Xingyue was overcome with emotion.
An Elder of the Hall—an honor greater than even a True Transmission Disciple!
She had ascended to the heavens in one step!
“Quick, pay your respects to the Sect Master!” Zhu Yan urged.
Wu Xingyue quickly bowed deeply, thanking Li Qingqiu for his grace.
Li Qingqiu continued to praise her, emphasizing the importance of Magic Implements, nearly saying the future of the Clear Sky Sect would depend on her.
Wu Xingyue was deeply moved.
Seeing her loyalty exceed ninety on his Dao Lineage panel, Li Qingqiu’s smile deepened.
“From now on, if you have any questions, you may come directly to me—just like Mingguang.”
Hearing this, Wu Xingyue instinctively looked at Mingguang, who returned a warm, encouraging smile.
Li Qingqiu did not linger further, leaving time for Wu Xingyue to savor her joy.
After he departed with the Xiao brothers, Wu Xingyue let out a cheer and hugged Zhu Yan tightly.
Zhu Yan did not push her away but patted her back, smiling with satisfaction.
Her heart was full of emotion.
She had taken Wu Xingyue in simply because the girl understood forging.
She had not expected such a magnificent surprise.
On another path.
Li Qingqiu walked along the stone walkway, the Xiao brothers behind him still excitedly discussing the Magic Implement.
Since Li Qingqiu had said that in the future every disciple of the Clear Sky Sect would have one, they were lost in fantasies.
Li Qingqiu, however, was no longer smiling—his thoughts had returned to Mo Li and the Qi Clan.
“Nurturing the Spirit, is it…? I shall see just what it is you’re nurturing.”