Chapter 160: Demonic Soul and Devil Fetus
Atop the cliff, Li Qingqiu stood alone on the precipice, a vortex of air swirling around him.
He opened his eyes and raised his right hand.
As his palm spread open, countless tiny silver sword shadows spiraled out, circling in the air.
Soul-Seizing Flying Sword!
After his intensive study, the Soul-Seizing Flying Sword had finally reached a whole new realm.
The number of Soul-Seizing Flying Swords in his hand kept increasing, numbering in the dozens, swirling like a swarm of insects.
The Soul-Seizing Flying Sword was not merely a sword technique—it was also a soul-related spell.
Even Jiang Zhaoxia might not be able to grasp it swiftly.
Yet Li Qingqiu, relying on his Innate Sword Prodigy, Human Ghost-God, and Tempered Through a Thousand Trials, had further perfected the art.
He waved his hand, and dozens of Soul-Seizing Flying Swords shot out from his palm, expanding as they spun in the sky ahead.
They became dozens of silver arcs flowing like rainbows, creating a spectacular sight.
A smile appeared on Li Qingqiu’s face.
Though he had yet to perfect the technique to its pinnacle, reaching this level already qualified it as a supreme art.
The speed and soul-suppressing power of the Soul-Seizing Flying Sword had undergone a metamorphosis.
With just a thought, it could pierce through anything and deliver a thunderous strike upon his foes.
Li Qingqiu could not help but recall the Ancient God raised by the Qi Clan—he wondered whether he could defeat it now.
The only good news was that the Ancient God could not move.
That was precisely why the Qi Clan dared not act recklessly.
Without the Ancient God, the Qi Clan was not worth worrying about.
He planned to wait for Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning, and the others to return after eradicating the Lingtian Sect.
Until then, he would take the time to cultivate further.
“This land has auspicious omens, demonic beings, and ancient gods. What strange things might appear next?”
As such thoughts crossed his mind, the Clear Sky Sect had indeed grown powerful—but not yet enough.
He could not afford to relax.
He raised his hand and recalled the Soul-Seizing Flying Swords, then leapt off the cliff.
Zhongtian Province, Luo City.
On a long street, Jiang Zhaoxia strode forward with his sword in hand.
Behind him lay corpses upon corpses, blood dripping from his sword tip.
Looking to the sides, one could see the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect fighting.
Some were even flying on swords, casting spells ceaselessly.
The screams echoing from all directions shrouded the city in terror.
Ahead stood a man glaring angrily at Jiang Zhaoxia—the Lord of Lingtian Residence in Luo City.
“You’ve killed so many—how dare your Clear Sky Sect still claim to be righteous?” the Lord barked, gripping his blade tightly.
The blade aura scattered across the street, forming wisps of white mist.
Jiang Zhaoxia’s expression was emotionless.
The breeze ruffled his hair as his cold eyes fixed on the man.
He gave a faint snort and said, “When did the Clear Sky Sect ever claim to be righteous?”
“You—!”
The Lord’s chest heaved violently with fury as he roared, “Are you not afraid of the condemnation of the world?”
“When your people exterminated the Jiang Clan, did you ever think of that?”
“Jiang Clan? What Jiang Clan? I know nothing of this!”
“When you die, you’ll know.”
Hearing the man’s words, Jiang Zhaoxia lost all interest in continuing the conversation and quickened his pace.
Seeing him rapidly closing in, the Lord could no longer contain his anger.
He raised his blade and swung, his strikes fierce as crescent-shaped blade auras surged forth like a storm.
Yet, with a single flash of sword light, the Lord froze in place.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
The next moment, his head flew high into the air.
Blood gushed like a fountain, soaking his body.
Jiang Zhaoxia did not stop.
He continued slaughtering the martial artists of the Lingtian Sect throughout the city.
By the time dusk fell, fifty True Transmission Disciples had gathered before the gates of Lingtian Residence, wiping blood from their weapons.
“This Lingtian Sect is far too weak. How dare they provoke our Clear Sky Sect with such pitiful strength?”
“This is merely the level of a first-rate sect in the martial world. It’s just that our Clear Sky Sect is too strong. Those who haven’t witnessed the Sect Master slay an emperor naturally wouldn’t believe it.”
“But why did the Lingtian Sect kidnap so many people and send them to Cangzhou?”
“Could they also be trying to refine an Elixir of Immortality?”
“I say, we should distribute the wealth of Lingtian Residence among the commoners. The officials here are useless anyway.”
The True Transmission Disciples discussed among themselves.
They showed no hesitation toward killing.
The more they encountered the Lingtian Sect, the deeper their disgust grew.
They claimed to “unify the martial world and bring peace to the people,” yet in truth, they amassed power, plundered the commoners, and even kidnapped townsfolk to send north for unknown reasons.
Just then, Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning descended from the sky and landed.
“All that should be slain has been slain. Those who should be spared have been spared,” Xu Ning said softly.
This time, she had fully followed Jiang Zhaoxia’s lead.
Jiang Zhaoxia nodded.
“Next, we head to Cangzhou. I’m thinking… should we visit the Qi Clan while we’re at it?”
Xu Ning frowned.
“If Master hasn’t ordered it, we shouldn’t act recklessly. You and I have already failed when working together before. If we fail again, it’ll be a laughingstock.”
Jiang Zhaoxia’s face stiffened at that.
He and Xu Ning ranked among the top four in the sect.
Excluding Shen Yue, they were second only to Li Qingqiu—representing the sect’s killing force.
But when they acted together, they had suffered repeated setbacks.
It would indeed be shameful if word got out.
“Fine. We’ll do as you say,” Jiang Zhaoxia replied gloomily.
Just then, a fierce gust swept down the street, rustling every Clear Sky Sect disciple’s robe.
Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning, and the fifty True Transmission Disciples all turned.
At the far end of the long street, a disheveled man was walking toward them, dragging a massive blade.
He wore tattered black clothes and was barefoot.
Golden rings clinked on his ankles as the blade scraped the ground, leaving a deep mark and a grating screech.
The man’s killing intent was impossible to hide.
Even from dozens of zhang away, the disciples could feel it.
Yet none panicked—they only stared at him with curiosity and amusement.
“From his clothes, he doesn’t look like someone from the Lingtian Sect,” a disciple behind Jiang Zhaoxia said.
Indeed, disciples of the Lingtian Sect dressed richly, flaunting their wealth.
Jiang Zhaoxia’s gaze was cold.
He didn’t even bother to put the man in his eyes.
Under their watch, the black-clad man began to accelerate—from walking to running, faster and faster.
His blade scraped the ground, sparks flying, his aura bursting forth like a caged beast unleashed.
“Don’t move!”
Jiang Zhaoxia ordered, stopping the disciples who were about to act.
He stepped forward to meet the man himself.
This person was no simple opponent.
If he let the disciples handle him, they might get hurt.
Beneath the clear blue sky, Li Qingqiu sat at a long table in Lingxiao Courtyard, writing with his brush.
He was composing a new secret manual.
It was a legacy reward triggered when Wu Xingyue first forged a magic implement.
Upon unlocking it, Li Qingqiu had received the inheritance of the Heart-Devouring Bee Refinement Method.
The Heart-Devouring Bee was a highly venomous demonic insect capable of burrowing into an enemy’s heart and tormenting them under its master’s command.
This was the first time Li Qingqiu had received such a legacy—it resembled a cultivation method for breeding rather than combat.
He had little interest in it and thus wrote it down to store in the Scripture Repository for any destined disciple who might find value in it.
After finishing, Li Qingqiu set down his brush and admired his handwriting.
After years of practice, his calligraphy had become elegant—at least, in his own opinion.
A while later, Li Sijin entered Lingxiao Courtyard and approached the table.
Li Qingqiu handed her the finished manual.
She glanced at it and curiously asked, “Is this an Immortal Technique or a secret method?”
Li Qingqiu replied, “A secret method. Its combat power depends entirely on how well one cultivates the Heart-Devouring Bees. Place it on the fourth floor of the Scripture Repository.”
Li Sijin smiled.
“Another manual for the fourth floor—many disciples will surely be intrigued.”
As time passed, more disciples realized that the manuals on the fourth floor of the Scripture Repository were on a completely different level from the lower three.
They began saving up Dao Fate instead of hastily exchanging for ordinary martial arts, all waiting for a chance to redeem the cultivation manuals on the fourth floor.
Li Qingqiu merely smiled faintly and changed the subject.
“How is Jing Ziling doing in the Cultivation Hall?”
Jing Ziling was the Divine Son brought back by Xue Jin from the Qi Clan, whom Li Qingqiu had arranged to stay in the Cultivation Hall.
Thinking of the boy, Li Qingqiu couldn’t help but summon his Dao Lineage interface to view Jing Ziling’s profile.
【Name: Jing Ziling】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 13】
【Loyalty (Sect Master / Sect): 79 / 66 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Good】
【Comprehension: Average】
【Fate Traits: Wood Spirit Body, Demonic Soul and Devil Fetus】
【Wood Spirit Body: Possesses exceptional understanding of wood-element Dao arts and acute sensitivity to wood-element Spiritual Energy.】
【Demonic Soul and Devil Fetus: A demonic soul has planted a devil fetus seed within the body. It cannot be removed—either the demonic soul will seize the host’s body, or the host will devour the demonic soul and become a half-demon, half-devil being.】
It was precisely because of the Wood Spirit Body that Li Qingqiu had assigned him to the Cultivation Hall to assist Li Sijin with spiritual planting.
However, the Demonic Soul and Devil Fetus left Li Qingqiu conflicted every time he thought about it.
If Jing Ziling were to be possessed by the demonic soul, it would be disastrous for the Clear Sky Sect.
No one could tell when it might happen.
But if he could overcome this tribulation, the sect might gain another prodigy.
Although the sect already had many disciples with special fate traits, Li Qingqiu never thought there could be too many geniuses.
“He’s doing quite well,” Li Sijin said with a smile.
“His temperament is gentle, almost like a girl’s. The disciples in the hall like him very much. He’s meticulous and patient, and I sense that his talent isn’t bad. Perhaps he’ll shine in the next Grand Dao Tournament.”
Though Jing Ziling was not as monstrous a talent as Yun Cai, compared to most disciples, his aptitude was quite good.
The Cultivation Hall needed such disciples to strengthen its foundation.
Li Qingqiu was about to respond when a system prompt suddenly appeared before him:
【As the Clear Sky Sect establishes its first port, pioneering a new path in exploring unknown realms for the Dao Lineage, you have received a legacy reward.】
A port?
Li Qingqiu’s expression turned strange.
Though the Xi River flowed below Clear Sky Mountain, there was no need for a port there.
Could it have been established by disciples outside the sect?
No—this port must hold deeper meaning.
After all, he had constructed many buildings before, yet none had triggered a legacy reward.