Chapter 15: The Young Sect Master’s Strength
After meditating before the mountain gate for an hour, Yang Jueding walked out from within the sect.
After several months of recuperation, his injuries had fully healed, his spirit and vitality had returned to their peak. His gaze was sharp, his stride like a dragon and tiger—imposing and full of vigor.
He walked over and sat down beside Li Qingqiu, his eyes sizing him up from head to toe.
Without opening his eyes, Li Qingqiu asked calmly, “What is it?”
“You people really have some bizarre cultivation methods,” Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in amazement. “The movement of drawing upon the world’s energy is enormous, and the qi you absorb feels different from the heaven and earth energy I know. Though martial arts boasts hundreds of schools, I’ve never seen an inner cultivation art that yields results so quickly.”
Even if Li Qingqiu and the others cultivated immortality in front of him, he would still be unable to understand it.
In martial training, one also absorbed the world’s energy to nurture inner energy—but it differed greatly from immortal cultivation.
In martial arts, inner energy was formed by stimulating acupoints and the dantian, with the world’s qi merely acting as a catalyst.
In contrast, immortal cultivation used the body as a vessel, refining the spiritual qi of heaven and earth into vital energy—this was a process of transformation.
There were countless kinds of qi in the world; spiritual qi was the origin of all creation, omnipresent yet the hardest for mortal beings to grasp.
“What’s wrong? You want to learn it?” Li Qingqiu opened one eye and glanced at him, his tone light.
Yang Jueding chuckled. “Can I?”
He hadn’t wanted to before, unwilling to abandon the inner power he had cultivated for over twenty years. But after seeing the results achieved by the Clear Sky Sect disciples, he could no longer suppress his curiosity.
After all, his martial power could hardly improve any further. Better to seek a new path.
“Of course. I’ll teach you later.”
Li Qingqiu didn’t hesitate.
He had observed Yang Jueding’s conduct these past days—the way he earnestly instructed the second-generation disciples—and was quite satisfied.
Yang Jueding brightened immediately.
It seemed Li Qingqiu was not a cold-hearted man. As long as one gave effort, he would repay it.
Yang Jueding then brought up something he had been mulling over for the past two days. His expression turned serious as he asked, “Sect Master, don’t you think the Clear Sky Sect’s development is too slow?”
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and turned to him. “You have an idea?”
Yang Jueding continued, “I noticed that that kid Jiang and Zhang Yuchun have gone down the mountain again. Clearly, we’re short on money. With enough wealth, we can buy more grain, forge more weapons, and build more houses. Then, the Clear Sky Sect will naturally grow faster.”
He glanced at Li Qingqiu, then continued without suspense.
“Have you considered cooperating with noble families or wealthy merchants? That way, we can gain both money and additional support—just by teaching them martial arts, or giving up a small portion of authority.”
Yang Jueding stopped there, waiting for Li Qingqiu’s response. If Li Qingqiu disagreed, saying more might be seen as overstepping.
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. “You have a connection?”
In truth, he had long considered this possibility. He didn’t reject the idea of working with noble families or merchants.
In this world, similar to ancient Huaxia, such families held most of the resources—especially books.
If he could cooperate with them, he could attract all kinds of talents.
Even an immortal sect couldn’t rely solely on disciples cultivating behind closed doors—talent recruitment was necessary.
The future Clear Sky Sect would need master blacksmiths, physicians, scholars, even tailors.
They couldn’t keep going down the mountain every time they needed new robes.
He even wanted to build a city under the sect’s name, forming a complete system. Of course, that would take time.
“I’ve roamed the martial world for many years and have no shortage of acquaintances,” Yang Jueding said, his spirits rising as he straightened his back. “If you don’t mind, I’ll make a bold suggestion.”
“For our Clear Sky Sect, we mustn’t associate with noble houses tied to government power—they’re easily exploited. Nor should we partner with families with deep martial connections, as conflicts could arise that are hard to resolve later. The best partners are newly risen families without deep roots, or wealthy merchants who’ve suddenly become rich. They lack strong protection and need martial power to guard their wealth—our existence would be crucial. Without their own martial force, they would be wary of us and not dare act rashly.”
Li Qingqiu looked at Yang Jueding with newfound respect. He had thought Yang Jueding was just a straightforward warrior, but his analysis was surprisingly thorough.
Yang Jueding offered, “In Plum Mountain Town near the Ancient Great Mountain Range, there’s such a family—the Qin Family. Their ancestors once produced a top scholar. Thirty years ago, during the upheaval and dynastic change, they hid in Plum Mountain Town to escape disaster. I met their patriarch years ago—we got along well. The Qin Family wishes to reemerge; they’ve been in trade and have a thriving household. They’re well-suited to our Clear Sky Sect.”
Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes. “They might also bring trouble. Even if the Clear Sky Sect grows strong, we can’t resist the imperial court’s armies.”
The Qin Family had hidden for a reason. If accused of being remnants of the previous dynasty, things would become troublesome.
“This is already the closest and most suitable family,” Yang Jueding said seriously. “Other options are either too far or entangled with the martial world around the Taikun Mountains—too chaotic.”
He added, “Every choice carries risk. It depends on whether you dare to take the gamble.”
Li Qingqiu found his words reasonable and fell into thought. Yang Jueding didn’t rush him, instead admiring the grand mountain scenery ahead.
After a while—
Li Qingqiu spoke. “Very well. Invite their patriarch to the mountain for a discussion. I’ll speak to him personally.”
“Of course!” Yang Jueding clapped his hands and laughed, delighted.
What pleased him wasn’t that his suggestion was accepted, but that the young Sect Master possessed the courage and vision to engage with outside powers.
With such leadership, the Clear Sky Sect’s future was promising.
After chatting a bit more, Yang Jueding went to make simple preparations and descended the mountain that very day.
At most five days—he would return with their guests.
After Yang Jueding’s departure, Li Qingqiu remained meditating before the mountain gate.
Until sunset approached, he saw Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Xu Ning emerge from the forest, each carrying a bamboo basket filled to the brim.
Zhang Yuchun even led three little pigs, snorting all the way.
Li Qingqiu smiled, thinking that his Second Senior Brother truly had skill—able to secure so many supplies from the villagers, especially now that Guzhou was in chaos with mutinies and refugees.
He waited for them to climb the mountain, and they walked back into the sect together, chatting as they went.
Li Qingqiu soon learned that most of these goods had been gifted by the families of Huang Shan and Yu Lin, changing his impression of disciples who brought offerings from home.
Hmm, quite sensible—worth nurturing in the future.
That night, Li Qingqiu assigned two disciples to care for the pigs.
He chose two because the children were still young—they needed to help each other.
For now, the Clear Sky Sect was still a sect of children; most tasks had to be done in teams.
——
Five days later, before Jiang Zhaoxia and the others returned, Yang Jueding arrived with the Qin Family’s representative.
This was the Qin Family’s Young Master, Qin Jue, who bore the air of a wealthy noble.
At twenty-five, he was warm and gracious, traveling alone with Yang Jueding since his father was occupied with other affairs.
Li Qingqiu received him in the courtyard, with Yang Jueding accompanying.
As Qin Jue sat down, Yang Jueding poured tea—this alone made Qin Jue more curious.
How could this young sect master command such respect from the renowned Dragon-Subduing Hero?
As they exchanged pleasantries, Qin Jue also observed the disciples in the courtyard.
Wu Man’er was practicing fists with three young disciples, while Li Sifeng stood on the eaves practicing sword techniques—all performed quite properly.
Especially Li Sifeng—his swordsmanship was sharp and fierce, entirely unlike a child’s. His stance on the roof was steady, his skill clearly profound.
After their greetings, Qin Jue moved to the main topic.
He first inquired about the Clear Sky Sect’s strength and how much aid they could provide the Qin Family.
“If the Qin Family faces danger,” Li Qingqiu said with a light smile, “I can send at least three experts on par with Yang Jueding to assist—and we can even help train your younger generation. The Clear Sky Sect’s martial arts are far from simple.”
Qin Jue looked toward Yang Jueding, who nodded. “I’ve already joined the Clear Sky Sect. As long as the Sect Master commands, I’ll go through fire and water if needed.”
Then he turned to the roof. “Sifeng, show him your skill.”
At once, Li Sifeng turned, tossing his sword into the air.
He had rehearsed this move before, channeling his vital energy.
The sword shot forth like lightning, straight toward Qin Jue’s face.
They were less than five zhang apart—the sword was upon him in the blink of an eye.
Too fast!
Though Qin Jue was trained in martial arts, he couldn’t react in time.
He froze in terror.
Fortunately, a hand appeared beside his head, two fingers pinching the flying blade.
The sword trembled, letting out a clear metallic hum.
Qin Jue turned instinctively—and saw it was not Yang Jueding who caught the sword, but Li Qingqiu.
He was utterly stunned.
The gentle-looking young sect master possessed such terrifying skill!
Yang Jueding was shocked as well.
Even he hadn’t expected such a fierce strike from Li Sifeng—he only meant for the boy to demonstrate a few sword moves, not to attack so ruthlessly.
But what surprised him even more was Li Qingqiu’s speed—faster than his own!
Could Li Qingqiu’s strength already rival Jiang Zhaoxia’s?
Li Qingqiu tossed the sword aside.
The blade quivered where it stuck in the ground. He glared at Li Sifeng and scolded, “Presumptuous! I told you to demonstrate, not to attack! Hurry and apologize!”
Li Sifeng immediately jumped down from the roof, running over to bow and apologize to Qin Jue.
Qin Jue forced a smile and waved it off, saying it was nothing.
Though startled at first, his fear quickly turned into excitement.
This Clear Sky Sect truly had power!
After kicking Li Sifeng lightly on the rear, Li Qingqiu resumed the discussion with Qin Jue.
The rest of the negotiations went smoothly—they clarified the Qin Family’s needs and soon entered direct terms of benefit.
An hour later, Qin Jue hurried to descend the mountain, escorted by Yang Jueding.
From then on, the Qin Family would annually provide the Clear Sky Sect with a large sum of wealth and supplies.
In return, the sect would take in six of the Qin Family’s children under the age of twelve for martial training—among them, Li Qingqiu would personally choose one as his direct disciple.
At the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu watched them depart.
At that moment, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
【As the Clear Sky Sect has received external patronage for the first time, and the Sect Master’s authority remains undivided, you have earned one Inheritance Reward Opportunity.】