Chapter 156: Secret Technique
Zhang Yuchun’s suggestion made Zhao Zhen anxious.
He had always longed to become the strongest disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, even the strongest under heaven.
His failure at the Grand Dao Tournament had deeply stung him.
Losing to Xu Ning—he could accept that.
After all, she was his Senior Sister, having stepped into cultivation earlier than him.
But losing to Xue Jin—he truly couldn’t stand it.
Before the tournament, he had already lost to Xue Jin multiple times.
Back then, he could still excuse it by saying he was young.
Yet now he was already eleven years old, and that excuse wouldn’t hold for much longer.
In the Grand Dao Tournament ten years from now, he had sworn to take first place!
For that goal, he had even given up the rewards of the next tournament.
Just like Xu Ning, he wished to directly enter the Top Ten Duels, caring only for victory.
After much pleading, his Master finally agreed.
And now, when he had just resolved to work hard, Zhang Yuchun was trying to snuff out his dream?
That couldn’t be allowed!
Li Dongyue spoke up, “Second Senior Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? Other disciples are still disciples—why wouldn’t Senior Brother’s disciple count as one of the sect’s own?”
Zhang Yuchun laughed.
“I was only joking. I just feel that the Grand Dao Tournament is a good chance for disciples to fight for resources. Senior Brother’s disciples are already highly talented and well provided for—there’s no need for them to compete. As for Zhao Zhen, although he isn’t after rewards, if he participates, he’ll inevitably push other disciples out of the running—just like Xu Ning did.”
Li Sijin walked over carrying a dish and said crossly, “Second Senior Brother, you just want to get your disciple more benefits, dressing your words up nicely. Even if Zhao Zhen doesn’t join the tournament, your disciples and those of the Free Spirit Hall won’t win first place. Next time, Yang Dong will definitely lose to my Hall’s disciple, Yang Chengyu.”
Zhao Zhen grew even more anxious.
How did this conversation end up with his qualification to participate being canceled?
“Yang Chengyu is indeed good,” Zhang Yuchun said, looking at Li Sijin, “but my Hall’s geniuses are not limited to Yang Dong.”
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, Li Dongyue interjected, “Is it only Senior Brother’s disciples who have resources? Don’t yours have them too? If we’re talking about fairness and rewards, then by that logic, no disciples of any Hall should participate.”
Zhang Yuchun smiled helplessly.
“That’s true. I was just startled by Xu Ning—Senior Brother’s eye for talent is too sharp. Even if Zhao Zhen doesn’t participate, there’s still Ji Ya. To be honest, that kid’s Vital Energy is ridiculously strong—it baffles me. Forget my disciples, even yours would be eliminated if they met him.”
He admitted he was a little biased—he simply felt Senior Brother’s disciples had nothing left to prove.
After all, who didn’t know that being chosen as the Sect Master’s disciple meant possessing extraordinary aptitude?
Everything ordinary disciples could gain from the Grand Dao Tournament, a disciple of the Sect Master already gained the moment he was chosen.
Li Qingqiu tapped the table with his finger and said, “What are you all talking about? When did the Grand Dao Tournament become an arena for grabbing cultivation resources? Those rewards are just embellishments—the true purpose of the tournament is to test disciples’ cultivation results, to let them understand their strength. When you travel the martial world and encounter enemies, will you say, ‘You can’t attack me because you have better resources and a better background’?”
Zhang Yuchun’s face turned slightly red, and he didn’t dare to reply.
Li Sijin showed no shame from the scolding.
She leaned behind Li Qingqiu and said to Zhang Yuchun, “Exactly, exactly! Second Senior Brother, you’re too naïve!”
Zhang Yuchun fumed silently.
Isn’t there anyone more naïve than you?
But he realized that Senior Brother was right.
If everything were measured only by profit, the whole meaning would be lost.
Li Qingqiu continued, “It’s human nature to want to fight for benefits for your disciples, but don’t cross the line. For the sect, resources should naturally go to the more talented or more contributing disciples. Fairness? That’s only relative. The fact that I grant people a chance to begin cultivation is already the greatest mercy.”
His gaze landed on Zhang Yuchun—calm, yet enough to make Zhang Yuchun uneasy inside.
Li Sijin, seeing that Senior Brother was serious, immediately stopped joking around.
Zhao Zhen felt relieved as soon as his Master spoke.
He sat back down, looking up at him with admiration.
“Yuchun, don’t always stare down the mountain. Pay more attention to your own disciples. Don’t just take their words at face value. The Enforcement Hall will handle Qin Yue’s matter—that’s my decision.” Li Qingqiu continued.
No one was perfect; everyone had flaws.
In Li Qingqiu’s view, Zhang Yuchun was already doing very well.
But his energy was limited—while managing the Free Spirit Hall, he also had to deal with various noble families and handle intelligence matters.
With such a heavy burden, it was natural that he’d overlook his disciples.
Perhaps feeling guilty, Zhang Yuchun wanted to do something for them.
As Senior Brother, Li Qingqiu’s duty was to remind him in time.
As for any resulting tension—it didn’t matter.
They had quarreled plenty since childhood.
Li Qingqiu believed Zhang Yuchun and his other juniors would never harm the sect’s interests.
When Zhang Yuchun heard Qin Yue’s name mentioned, he tensed up and cautiously asked, “Senior Brother, what did he do wrong?”
“Tomorrow, you’ll find out,” Li Qingqiu replied coolly.
Zhang Yuchun immediately understood—Senior Brother was angry.
His heart grew restless, and he resolved to investigate the matter thoroughly the next day.
Tonight, he couldn’t visit Qin Yue, lest he alert the enemy.
Between his disciple and his Senior Brother, he trusted his Senior Brother more.
He cared for his disciples because his Senior Brother had cared for him and the others since they were young.
He wouldn’t forget that.
In Zhang Yuchun’s heart, there was no Clear Sky Sect without Li Qingqiu.
Even if he had to abandon the sect for Li Qingqiu, he would.
“Senior Brother, it’s the New Year—don’t scare Second Senior Brother. He’s been working so hard. It’s precisely because he carries so much that you have the time to cultivate and teach disciples.” Li Dongyue said gently.
Li Qingqiu smiled, giving her a mock glare.
“I’d just built up my authority, and you went and ruined it.”
Zhang Yuchun laughed as well.
It was just like their childhood—whenever Senior Brother scolded or hit them, Li Dongyue would always step in to mediate.
Only Li Dongyue never angered Senior Brother, nor did she anger them.
Seeing the mood lighten, Li Sijin immediately smiled and said, “Senior Brother, I have an idea. Waiting ten years for each Grand Dao Tournament is too long. The disciples are enthusiastic right now—why not hold Outer Gate, Inner Gate, and True Transmission competitions every year? That way, there won’t be such huge gaps in cultivation.”
Zhang Yuchun’s eyes lit up.
“That’s a great idea!”
Li Dongyue sighed helplessly.
“What’s great about it? The expenses will be enormous.”
Li Qingqiu waved his hand.
“We’ll discuss it later. It’s New Year—let’s talk less about official matters.”
“Grand-disciples, got any good wine today?”
A loud laugh came from the courtyard gate.
The Clear Sky Daoist swaggered in.
Upon seeing him, Li Sijin rolled her eyes and immediately headed for the kitchen.
Li Qingqiu looked at her in confusion.
Li Dongyue whispered, “The Grandmaster has his eye on her disciple, Yang Chengyu, and wants to pull him into the Enforcement Hall. Sijin’s still mad about it.”
Li Qingqiu nodded in understanding.
Yang Chengyu was the most talented disciple of the Cultivation Hall, even achieving the Top Ten at the Grand Dao Tournament—it was only natural he’d attract attention.
Among the Seven Halls, the Cultivation Hall was the weakest on paper.
Most talented disciples wouldn’t choose it, thinking planting herbs had no future.
That gifted disciple named Yang Chengyu had actually been chosen by Li Qingqiu for Li Sijin to recruit back then—before his talent had even surfaced.
Many gifted disciples had poor martial aptitude before beginning their Immortal cultivation and were easily overlooked.
After all, cultivation and martial training were two entirely different things; the former tested innate potential more.
Li Qingqiu had no intention of interfering—such matters couldn’t be stopped.
Disciples weren’t possessions; they too had their own wills.
After the Clear Sky Daoist arrived, the Lingxiao Courtyard grew lively.
Seeing Zhao Zhen writing a secret manual, the old Daoist immediately leaned over and began lecturing him about how, at such a young age, he should focus on cultivation instead of wasting time on such things.
Zhao Zhen was unconvinced.
He believed he was contributing to the sect.
The two soon got into an argument.
After that, Wu Man’er, Yang Jueding, Zhang Yu, Zhu Yan, Shen Yue, and Chai Yunshang—all high-ranking members of the sect—arrived one after another.
Li Qingqiu glanced at Shen Yue.
This old man’s cultivation really advanced fast!
He was already at the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm!
Indeed, his outstanding aptitude and comprehension played a role—but the Blessed Land of a Thousand Spirits had also contributed greatly.
Li Qingqiu was curious: between Sword Cultivator Shen Yue and Xu Ning, who was stronger?
……
The lively Spring Festival passed, and the winter snow blanketing the Ancient Great Mountain Range gradually melted.
At the mountaintop, Li Qingqiu sat cross-legged by the cliff, a tiny silver sword shadow floating before him.
He was studying his self-created Soul-Seizing Flying Sword.
All this time, he had been pondering one question—what was the spell he was most skilled at?
He knew many, yet mastered none.
His victories came from his cultivation level being high enough.
After replicating 【Tempered Through a Thousand Hammers】, Li Qingqiu decided to forge a unique secret technique—one that, even if other cultivators practiced it, they could never reach his level.
With 【Innate Sword Prodigy】, he could swiftly comprehend the Dao of the Sword; paired with 【Tempered Through a Thousand Hammers】, it was the perfect match—allowing him to perfect a supreme secret art in the shortest time possible.
Again and again, he condensed the sword shadow of the Soul-Seizing Flying Sword, new insights constantly flooding his mind, leaving him unable to stop.
Suddenly—
A figure flew up from beneath the cliff—it was Zhang Yuchun.
He too had now learned to fly by sword, though his cultivation was still at the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
For him, that was enough; he didn’t have time to spend cultivating in a blessed land.
Landing beside Li Qingqiu, he said quietly, “Senior Brother, the Jiang Family is in trouble.”
Without opening his eyes, Li Qingqiu asked, “Which Jiang Family?”
“Our Third Junior Brother’s family. They were massacred by the Lingtian Sect—only one child escaped, his younger brother, Jiang Nian. He even visited our Clear Sky Mountain when he was little.” Zhang Yuchun said gravely.
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and looked at him.
“What was the reason?”
Zhang Yuchun hesitated, then said, “They were targeting Third Junior Brother. The attackers even told Jiang Nian to deliver a message—next will be the Li Family. Before June, they’ll exterminate every last one.”