Chapter 181: Offer Up the World
“Oh? What results? Let your master have a look.”
Li Qingqiu sat before the long table, pouring tea as he smiled and asked.
He deliberately pretended not to know, though there was a trace of anticipation in his heart.
Yuan Li walked to the center of the courtyard, planted his feet in a horse stance, clenched his fists, and drew them back to his waist.
He took a deep breath, and in that instant, his physique actually grew a bit stronger.
Compared to other disciples, it could not be called robust, yet compared to his usual thin frame, he had indeed grown sturdier.
His robe began to flutter slightly, and an indescribable momentum spread out from his body.
Li Qingqiu raised his brows.
He discovered that within Yuan Li’s body, besides vital energy, there was an additional special power.
This power originated from his sinews, bones, and flesh, and vital energy could stimulate it to grow stronger.
Sure enough, being able to trigger a prompt was not simply about mastering some technique, but about creating something.
“What is this?” Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
After mobilizing that special power within his body, the twelve-year-old Yuan Li’s expression turned sharply murderous, completely different from before.
“Master, I call this power Gang Essence. While cultivating the Heavenly Gang Golden Body Art, I discovered that the human body itself holds boundless mysteries, even possessing the wonder of a cycle akin to heaven and earth. Vital energy is transformed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so I wanted to stimulate the potential of the fleshly body, and thus created Gang Essence. Gang Essence can also be empowered by vital energy. Although my cultivation realm has not increased, my strength has risen greatly.”
Yuan Li answered.
As he spoke, his expression was cold and stern, and his hair began to float as well.
Li Qingqiu did not know if it was an illusion, but he always felt that after activating Gang Essence, Yuan Li seemed to have lost his emotions.
Li Qingqiu grew interested.
He stood up, walked around the long table, came before Yuan Li, and said, “Punch your master. Use all your strength.”
Although Yuan Li was only at the second layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, upon hearing his master’s suggestion, his brows furrowed and he hesitated slightly.
“Come on now, kid, you don’t actually think that just because you comprehended Gang Essence, you can beat me to death, do you?”
Li Qingqiu teased him with an exaggerated tone, making Yuan Li’s small face flush red.
Yuan Li no longer hesitated.
He spread his stance, his body bending like a drawn bow.
His rear foot rotated, his hips twisted, and he poured all his Gang Essence and strength into his right fist, then struck out with a single punch.
A burst of fierce wind rushed straight at Li Qingqiu, even kicking up a cloud of dust.
Pa!
Li Qingqiu raised his hand and caught Yuan Li’s fist, his long hair fluttering along with it.
Yuan Li felt that his master’s palm was incomparably solid.
His Gang Essence struck against his master’s palm and immediately dispersed.
He let out a sigh of relief.
His robe stopped fluttering, his expression returned to normal, and his body shrank back by a size.
He revealed a smile and exclaimed in admiration, “Master, you’re amazing.
I’m completely no match for you.”
Li Qingqiu withdrew his hand and smiled.
“Your Gang Essence is quite good. That punch just now—if a disciple at the fifth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm were caught off guard and took it head-on, they would likely suffer extremely severe internal injuries.”
Hearing this, Yuan Li was overjoyed and began hopping excitedly on the spot.
“Tomorrow, I will have someone erect a stele for you. This path shall be known as the Body Cultivation Path. In the future, you will be permitted to establish an academy within the sect to teach the Body Cultivation Path,” Li Qingqiu continued.
Yuan Li was instantly delighted and hurriedly bowed to thank his master.
Erecting a stele was an immense honor.
He would not be falsely modest and refuse it, and he felt that the Gang Essence he created truly deserved such recognition.
Li Qingqiu told him to go rest, and he immediately saluted and took his leave.
After the boy left, Li Qingqiu finally raised his right hand and shook it slightly.
“What domineering strength… this kid…”
Li Qingqiu was secretly alarmed.
His hand had actually gone a bit numb from the blow.
He could tell that with that punch, almost all of the Gang Essence within Yuan Li’s body had been expended.
Being able to unleash all of one’s strength in a single punch was no simple feat.
Worthy of being the future number one of the sect he had his eyes on!
Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Li Yang were all outstanding, yet in Li Qingqiu’s eyes, the one he looked forward to most was still Yuan Li.
Not only because of the Undying Overlord Body, but also because of his extraordinary comprehension, unmatched within the sect.
Looking across the entire sect, perhaps only Yun Cai with All-Law Spiritual Eyes and Tempered Through a Thousand Trials could compare with Yuan Li.
No matter what, these two symbolized the future of the Clear Sky Sect.
Li Qingqiu would definitely nurture them well, and he would not assign them to the Eight Halls or the Sword Sect.
He would keep them firmly in his own hands.
As the sect continued to grow larger, factions within it would inevitably increase, and strife would be unavoidable.
Li Qingqiu would not be blindly arrogant.
While expanding the authority and foundation of each hall, he would also develop the strength of the Sect Master’s own faction.
Yuan Li had not yet awakened the Undying Overlord Body, yet he had already given Li Qingqiu such a great surprise.
This made him extremely pleased.
That very night, he instructed Yuan Qi to go to the Heavenly Works Hall to create a stele for Yuan Li.
Upon learning of this, Yuan Qi was first stunned, then overjoyed.
He even questioned Li Qingqiu repeatedly, asking whether he had mistaken the person, only to be scolded away by Li Qingqiu.
Late at night.
After completing all of his tasks for the day, Yuan Qi returned to his own courtyard.
This courtyard belonged only to the two brothers.
He saw that Yuan Li was still practicing his punches and hurried over.
“Brat, you really opened up the Body Cultivation Path?” Yuan Qi asked excitedly.
Yuan Li withdrew his fist and nodded.
“That’s right. I call it Gang Essence.”
“That’s great! Why do you think your brother has been working so hard all this time? Isn’t it all for you? The Sect Master’s disciples keep increasing, and to preserve your standing, I could only work even harder.
Now you’ve shown your own potential, and with me backing you up, you’ll definitely become the Sect Master’s most valued disciple in the future.
Zhao Zhen? Ji Ya? They can’t compare to you.
Of course, don’t compete with Xu Ning for favor—she’s different.
She’s the eldest disciple and made tremendous contributions in the early days of the sect.”
Yuan Qi spoke excitedly.
These words deeply moved Yuan Li.
Although Yuan Li had no intention of competing for favor, he saw clearly the hardship his brother had endured.
Many people privately questioned his talent, but none dared say it openly, not only because he was the Sect Master’s disciple, but also because Yuan Qi was a favored figure before the Sect Master.
The more Yuan Qi spoke, the happier he became, even shedding tears.
Back then, when he had been imprisoned within the Seven Peaks Alliance while holding Yuan Li, still wrapped in swaddling clothes, those days remained unforgettable, filled with fear and anxiety.
Yuan Li had no memory of that time, but Yuan Qi remembered it deeply.
He not only felt gratitude toward Li Qingqiu, but also swore to become strong and never again fall into captivity.
Yuan Li being questioned placed heavy pressure on him as well, yet he had never spoken of it.
After so many years, days as joyful as this night could only be compared to that night when Li Qingqiu held the two brothers and slaughtered his way out of the Seven Peaks Alliance.
He looked at Yuan Li and smiled.
“Brother, come, show me. Your brother here is at the third layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, stronger than you.”
Yuan Li smiled and said, “Brother, how much strength should I use?”
“What? You want to beat your brother to death? Or are you looking down on me? Just throw the punch!” Yuan Qi laughed loudly.
Yuan Li had previously thrown a full-force punch at his master, leaving him with little Gang Essence remaining, so he did not think much and prepared to expend what was left.
As Yuan Li mobilized his Gang Essence and Yuan Qi watched the changes in his younger brother, his expression became unnatural.
He suddenly felt something was wrong, but the dignity of an elder brother did not allow him to take back his words.
He swallowed, set his stance, and prepared to respond.
……
Early the next morning, a new stele was added along the Forging Path, drawing passing disciples to stop and look.
The news spread rapidly.
The Sect Master’s third disciple had actually opened up the Body Cultivation Path!
This news spread like a whirlwind.
Because Yuan Li’s aptitude was too poor, his name was widely known, and many disciples privately called him a blemish on the Sect Master’s judgment.
He actually managed to open up the Body Cultivation Path?
Some were astonished, some curious, and others doubtful.
At noon, Yuan Li came to Lingxiao Courtyard, preparing to visit Li Qingqiu, with Yuan Qi following beside him.
Yuan Qi’s right arm was wrapped in white cloth, with three wooden boards sandwiched inside—clearly a fracture.
At this moment, the three Xiao brothers were also in the courtyard, accompanying Li Qingqiu in conversation.
Xiao Wudi saw Yuan Li, his eyes lighting up.
He immediately stood and said, “Senior Brother Yuan Li, I heard that you established the Body Cultivation Path. May I try your Gang Essence?”
After a night of rest, Yuan Li’s Gang Essence had recovered by more than half.
Hearing Xiao Wudi’s request, he hesitated slightly and glanced at Yuan Qi.
Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “Let him feel it. Don’t hold back. With me here, even if he’s left with just one breath, I can save him.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Yuan Li’s face.
Xiao Wudi was not angry at all.
Instead, he looked at Yuan Li with anticipation.
The two walked toward each other, their gazes colliding, sparks seeming to fly.
Yuan Li was usually humble, yet deep in his bones flowed the blood of a strong man.
He did not wish to lose to anyone.
……
In another courtyard, Li Yang was practicing with a spear.
His cousin Zhao Linglong stood to the side, and beside her was another person, a middle-aged man.
“Yang’er, say something already!” the middle-aged man said helplessly.
He was from the Li Clan, named Li Da, Li Yang’s second uncle.
Li Yang stopped his movements, gripped the long spear, and looked at Li Da.
“Since you insist on asking, then I’ll tell you. Those thoughts are best extinguished, otherwise they will bring catastrophic disaster upon the Li Clan. You must be clear about one thing.”
The four words “catastrophic disaster” made Li Da’s face change drastically.
Zhao Linglong’s expression also shifted slightly.
Thinking of that Sect Master’s methods, she felt that he truly was capable of such a thing.
Li Da asked instinctively, “Which point?”
“Within the Clear Sky Sect, no one is allowed to stand above the Sect Master. Clear Sky Daoist is the best example. Not only does the Sect Master not allow it, but the Eight Halls, the Sword Sect, and even those great families do not allow it either. The Li Clan must not bring trouble upon itself,” Li Yang said coldly.
Li Da instantly understood, cold sweat pouring down.
Once the relationship between the Li Clan and Li Qingqiu was exposed, as long as Li Qingqiu did not acknowledge it, there would be plenty of people eager to deal with the Li Clan.
Li Da followed up, “Of course, that’s correct. No one can stand above the Sect Master.”
“However, the Sect Master allows Li Clan disciples to enter the Clear Sky Sect, as long as they can pass the assessment,” Li Yang suddenly changed his tone and said seriously.
Li Da’s eyes lit up.
“That’s enough. That’s enough. The Li Clan does not need any other status. We are willing to devote ourselves to the Sect Master, to help the Sect Master check and balance the other great families— the Zhu Clan, the Pei Clan, the Qin Clan, the Cai Clan, and so on. Using them may not always be smooth for the Sect Master.”
Li Yang smiled and said, “If the Li Clan is willing to contribute to the sect, the sect will naturally treat Li Clan disciples well. Don’t think too much. We enter the sect by our own strength, understand?”
Li Da nodded and said, “What other families can give, our Li Clan can also give. Even…”
“Even what?”
“Even the world!”