Chapter 164: Xunxian Town
The Way of Infiltration!
No wonder Mo Jiuhong had been able to infiltrate the Qi Clan, investigate so much intelligence, and even kill seven Divine Sons.
Li Qingqiu felt that the Fate Trait “The Way of Infiltration” was very interesting, yet he also could not help but wonder—Mo Jiuhong entering the Clear Sky Sect, did that mean “The Way of Infiltration” had begun to take effect?
Still, this Fate Trait really did look excellent.
Li Qingqiu had long wanted to establish an intelligence system belonging solely to the Clear Sky Sect, rather than always relying on the power of great clans.
If one relied on great clans for too long, it would become easy to lose track of whether intelligence was true or false.
Before Mo Jiuhong’s loyalty reached 90, he would not dare to build an intelligence system centered on him.
Fortunately, there was still hope for now.
The Clear Sky Sect did not share a deep blood feud with Mo Jiuhong, and Mo Jiuhong’s actions had no problems for the time being.
Storming the imperial palace and stopping Jiang Zhaoxia and the others from continuing to kill—at first glance, it carried quite a chivalrous spirit.
Although he looked like a fence-sitter, Li Qingqiu could understand.
For the sake of survival, disregarding face was normal and did not make him a bad person.
After all, he had not harmed others just to keep himself alive.
Once Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning returned, Li Qingqiu would be able to cultivate with greater peace of mind.
From the current situation, dealing with that demonic tree would still mainly rely on him, because he was the one closest to the Spirit Perception Realm.
Li Qingqiu stood up and walked toward his cave dwelling.
……
After Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning returned with fifty True Transmission Disciples, the Clear Sky Sect became lively for a long time.
During this period, Mo Jiuhong was also learning about the Clear Sky Sect, and the more he learned, the more alarmed he became.
Not only was he not the only Immortal Cultivator, his cultivation did not even rank high within the Clear Sky Sect.
He saw two True Transmission Disciples sparring on the Martial Arena, and before long, he was left dumbfounded, because the spells of those two True Transmission Disciples were even stronger than his.
From then on, every single day brought him cognitive shock.
Aside from the strength of the Clear Sky Sect, its conduct also deeply impacted him.
Within the Clear Sky Sect, it was common for the strong to help the weak, while those who bullied the weak were instead met with disdain.
Every day, secular commoners came up the mountain seeking medical treatment, and the Clear Sky Sect did not charge much.
He even saw someone exchange a pair of handwoven straw sandals for the complete cure of a severe illness.
Such a Clear Sky Sect made Mo Jiuhong deeply curious.
He also learned that the true rise of the Clear Sky Sect began when Li Qingqiu took over as Sect Master.
In the past, the Clear Sky Sect had been just as he had heard in his youth—only a few people in the sect, hardly worthy of being called a martial sect.
In just eleven short years, it had recruited so many disciples and even led so many of them onto the path of Immortal Cultivation.
There were even dozens whose cultivation was higher than his.
Mo Jiuhong could not understand it and only felt that Li Qingqiu was aided by heaven itself.
Uncontrollably, he developed curiosity toward this young man, along with admiration.
After cultivating immortality, he finally understood destiny.
Relying on the spirit tree, cultivating bitterly day after day, he had only reached the fourth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Yet within the Clear Sky Sect, there were already those at the seventh layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, and Li Qingqiu himself was even more unfathomable.
Such a gap left him without the slightest thought of resistance.
No!
He had to take root in the Clear Sky Sect!
Mo Jiuhong began taking on internal sect tasks for inner disciples, accumulating Dao Affinity for himself.
He felt that Dao Affinity was not only used to exchange for cultivation resources, but also served as a standard by which the sect measured a disciple’s contributions.
The more, the better—at the very least, it could not be lacking.
……
In early June, under bright sunshine, there were more and more people on Clear Sky Mountain.
Now the martial world beneath the heavens had begun to recognize the Clear Sky Sect as the Number One Sect Under Heaven, causing sects from all directions to come and visit, while even more people wished to join the sect.
Yang Jueding built two more Martial Arenas.
Even so, there were always crowds gathered around the three Martial Arenas.
That morning, Mo Jiuhong, wearing a blue sect robe, walked along the mountain path.
His hair was neatly tied, his face freshly washed, and his entire demeanor was completely different from when he first went up the mountain—full of presence.
He was pondering how to open his own medicine field.
During his previous seclusion, he had planted quite a few medicinal herbs, so he planned to buy a plot of land within the Clear Sky Sect as well.
It was said that the Cultivation Hall was selling spiritual plants, and he felt the prospects were very good.
At present, his mind was wholly set on development.
As for the threat from the Qi Clan, he had already cast it aside.
If the heavens collapsed, Li Qingqiu would hold them up.
He was merely an inner disciple and should not bear so much.
Mo Jiuhong raised his head and saw someone approaching from the opposite direction.
At first, he did not pay much attention and only glanced casually—then his eyes widened.
“Clear Sky Daoist, is that you?” Mo Jiuhong asked excitedly.
The Clear Sky Daoist, who was carrying a jar of wine, looked at him hazily and said, “No manners. You should call me Ancestor.”
Mo Jiuhong stepped forward and hurriedly said, “It’s me, Mo Jiuhong. Back then, when you went to Cangzhou for a martial contest, you even saved me. Your spirit deeply influenced me. Later, after my martial arts reached great accomplishment, thinking of your deeds, I went to the imperial palace and nearly died.”
The Clear Sky Daoist glared and said, “What nonsense are you spouting? You courted death yourself and now you want to blame it on me? You brat have no conscience at all, and you even dare say I saved you?”
“No, no, I only meant that my motivation was influenced by you. Aiya, that’s not important anymore. The key point is—you are my lifesaving benefactor! I must thank you!”
Mo Jiuhong directly knelt before the Clear Sky Daoist as he spoke, growing more and more emotional.
His eyes quickly turned red, and tears burst forth uncontrollably.
The Clear Sky Daoist was stunned.
His drunkenness faded rapidly as he asked in a fluster, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m just too excited, too moved. I never thought that in this lifetime I would still be able to see you…”
Mo Jiuhong choked with genuine emotion.
Hearing this, the Clear Sky Daoist was somewhat moved and even felt proud.
After roaming the martial world for so many years, although few people still remembered his former prestige, there were still those he had saved who were grateful to him—and that was enough.
“Ai, you child, get up and speak. You’re already middle-aged. If other disciples saw this, wouldn’t it become a joke?”
The Clear Sky Daoist bent down and helped Mo Jiuhong up.
Mo Jiuhong wiped away his tears and said seriously, “I’m not afraid of becoming a joke, and this isn’t a joke either. Any person who values loyalty and righteousness would understand me.”
The Clear Sky Daoist heavily patted Mo Jiuhong on the shoulder and sincerely sighed, “Good child, good child indeed.”
Mo Jiuhong grinned broadly, revealing a brilliant smile.
……
In late June, within the forest, Li Qingqiu watched Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Xiao Wudi cultivate the Heavenly Gang Golden Body Art, while Xiao Wuqing, Xiao Wuming, and Yun Cai trained other spells in different directions.
Li Qingqiu liked to gather them together for cultivation.
This was also to strengthen their bonds, making it convenient for them to act together and carry out missions in the future.
Zhang Yuchun entered the forest and walked all the way to Li Qingqiu’s side.
He first observed the cultivation of Yuan Li and the others, then could not help but sigh, “Senior Brother, if you keep nurturing them like this, the top three of the next Grand Dao Tournament will be completely swept by us.”
Li Qingqiu was not only stronger than them, he also spent more time teaching disciples.
His disciples’ aptitude and comprehension were also higher than those of others.
How could anyone catch up?
Zhang Yuchun had already given up on that thought, adjusting his mindset and feeling that it was enough for his disciples to do their best.
Thinking this way, he instead felt much more relaxed.
“Don’t underestimate the other disciples,” Li Qingqiu replied casually.
In his heart, he also knew clearly that the batch of disciples with the highest aptitude in the sect were all under him.
Even if the Mortal Dao Ancestor Yang Xuan were compared with Zhao Zhen and the others, there was still a slight gap.
Everyone had private intentions.
Although Li Qingqiu had dispersed power, he would still cultivate his own strength.
This too was for the better development of the Clear Sky Sect.
Zhang Yuchun continued, “By the way, Senior Brother, that Mo Jiuhong whom Junior Brother Jiang brought back is now sticking to the Ancestor every day.”
“Is that so?”
“I heard that the Ancestor saved him when he was young. I don’t know if it’s true, but in any case, the Ancestor is now ordering him around every day, bringing him wherever he goes.”
“Has he done anything out of line?”
“Not at all. The Ancestor hasn’t fought for anything on his behalf for the time being. He’s just been using him relentlessly. To be honest, I feel like the Ancestor is playing with him.”
Zhang Yuchun could not help but smile.
Their Ancestor appeared carefree and flamboyant, but in reality he was very measured.
He liked to boast in all kinds of ways, yet he never made promises to anyone, making many disciples grind their teeth in frustration.
This behavior, however, made Li Qingqiu and the others feel much more at ease.
After all, if a disciple came demanding something on the basis of a promise from the Clear Sky Daoist, it would really be hard for them to refuse.
“After all, the Ancestor is an old hand of the martial world. It won’t be easy to take advantage of him,” Li Qingqiu said with a smile.
“Yes. Mo Jiuhong often carries manure for the Ancestor, serves tea, and pours water. He really is able to endure. No disciple has managed to do it to his extent.”
“Don’t worry. The Ancestor won’t be moved. He’ll only become even more pleased with himself.”
The corners of Li Qingqiu’s mouth lifted.
He felt that Mo Jiuhong treating the Clear Sky Daoist as a breakthrough point was a mistaken move.
Zhang Yuchun then said, “By the way, Senior Brother, the underground palace you asked me to build has already had its location selected, and the craftsmen are in place. Do you have any special instructions?”
Half a month ago, Li Qingqiu had asked him to begin constructing an underground palace on Clear Sky Mountain.
Although he did not understand it, he still began preparations.
“No. Go ahead,” Li Qingqiu replied.
Zhang Yuchun nodded and continued, “Senior Brother, although it’s a chaotic era, I’m preparing to build a town at the foot of the mountain. Those villagers have already been persuaded by me and are no longer an obstacle. Please grant a name to this town.”
Li Qingqiu thought for a moment and said, “Call it Xunxian Town.”
“Xunxian Town? Oh, that name is good. Seeking immortals, seeking immortals—aren’t we immortals? It’s very directional. As expected of Senior Brother, such grand vision.”
Zhang Yuchun praised him, leaving Li Qingqiu in high spirits.
Afterward, Zhang Yuchun also praised the three brothers of the Xiao Clan and Yun Cai, saying that the four disciples Li Qingqiu had unearthed were peerless geniuses who would surely become pillars of the sect like Xu Ning in the future.
In the end, he pried a sum of funding out of Li Qingqiu and, carrying the Sect Master Token, headed to the Spirit Finance Hall.
After Zhang Yuchun left, Yun Cai came before Li Qingqiu and said, “Sect Master, I want to carry out missions.”
Li Qingqiu asked, “Why?”
“The Mountain Lord Divine Incantation can no longer satisfy me. I want to cultivate other spells, so I need Dao Affinity.”
“No need. I’ll teach you.”
“That won’t do. That would be unfair to the other disciples. Moreover, I am not your disciple.”
“Then consider it a debt. You’ll do tasks for free in the future until it’s repaid.”
“This…”
Yun Cai did not know how to refute him and felt deeply moved.
Li Qingqiu’s eyes turned slightly as he suddenly asked, “There’s a secret art of raising bees. Do you want to learn it? Once mastered, you can control demonic bees in battle, with endless marvelous uses.”