Chapter 187: Moving Mountains to Suppress Gods
After chatting with Yun Cai for a while, Li Qingqiu continued up the mountain.
Along the way, he encountered Yuan Li again.
Since Yuan Li had opened up the Body Cultivation Path, he had focused entirely on developing Gang Essence.
Although his cultivation realm had not improved, his strength had been steadily increasing.
When Yuan Li saw Li Qingqiu, he was just as excited.
He was also very curious about what kind of transformation Li Qingqiu had undergone after transcending the tribulation.
Toward this treasured disciple, Li Qingqiu did not conceal anything.
Whatever Yuan Li asked, he answered, doing his best to satisfy Yuan Li’s curiosity.
In the end, Li Qingqiu gave Yuan Li a great deal of encouragement, saying that he believed Yuan Li would become the strongest disciple in the sect in the future.
Even the usually steady Yuan Li was stirred into excitement.
After returning to the cave dwelling, Li Qingqiu sat down on the stone bed and stretched his body.
Nangong E emerged and asked curiously, “Master, in your heart, who exactly is the strongest disciple of the sect’s future?”
Lin Chuan and Chu Jing floated over as well, equally curious.
Following Li Qingqiu, they had heard him praise many disciples, to the point that they could no longer tell which words were true and which were not.
However, they had to admit that there were indeed many geniuses within the Clear Sky Sect.
Once those geniuses fully matured, how powerful the Clear Sky Sect would become was beyond their imagination.
“They all are. ‘The strongest’ is not eternal. Even if only for a moment, they are still the strongest,” Li Qingqiu replied.
After hearing this, the three ghosts looked at one another.
They were actually unable to refute it.
Li Qingqiu no longer paid them any attention.
He summoned the Dao Lineage panel and opened the Divine Art inheritance.
【Claim Divine Art Inheritance Reward】
【Opening Dao Lineage Divine Art Inheritance】
【You have obtained the Divine Art — Moving Mountains to Suppress Gods】
【Accept inheritance】
Moving Mountains to Suppress Gods?
It sounded incredibly powerful!
Inheritance!
With anticipation in his heart, Li Qingqiu accepted the inheritance.
……
The news that the Clear Sky Sect Master had transcended the Heavenly Tribulation and used his physical body to withstand lightning spread rapidly down the mountain, propagating throughout the areas surrounding the Ancient Great Mountain Range.
Tribulation transcendence was far too mysterious for mortals.
Not to mention secular people—even the Clear Sky Sect disciples were shocked.
Their Sect Master constantly produced earth-shattering feats.
After the shock, they all became excited and proud.
In such a world, Li Qingqiu’s tribulation transcendence was destined to ferment for several years.
In the years to come, this matter would be mentioned by people across the world, just like Li Qingqiu’s beheading of Zhao Zhi—some people were only now learning of it and were astonished.
Early the next morning, having just completed the inheritance of the Divine Art 【Moving Mountains to Suppress Gods】, Li Qingqiu descended the mountain in a cheerful mood.
After striving for so long, he had finally broken through.
Naturally, he needed to take some time to look over the sect’s situation.
As Sect Master, staying in seclusion for too long would inevitably cause major problems.
Once a sect grew large, dark matters would always breed.
He liked to stroll around the sect from time to time, giving the disciples a chance to see him.
However, just as he stepped out of Lingxiao Courtyard, he saw three people waiting outside the courtyard below the stone steps.
Xu Hong of Chan Meditation Temple, and the Xu mother and son.
They were pacing back and forth.
When they saw Li Qingqiu, their eyes immediately lit up.
Madam Xu held her child and stepped forward, directly kneeling on the ground.
Li Qingqiu strolled down and asked, “What are you doing?”
Madam Xu clenched her teeth and said, “Sect Master Li, ever since my son was abducted by the Yellow Springs Army, he has contracted an incurable illness. No matter what we do, it cannot be cured. I heard that Sect Master Li is proficient in medical arts, so I could only come to you.”
“The Clear Sky Sect has a medical hall. Why did you not go there?”
“We went. They were also at a loss.”
Madam Xu’s eyes reddened as tears streamed down her face.
The child in her arms slightly turned his head.
His complexion was pale, his breath weak.
When he looked toward Li Qingqiu, he could not even fully open his eyelids.
Li Qingqiu walked over and raised his hand, applying three needles that pierced into the back of Li Huaizhen’s small hand.
Seeing this, Madam Xu hurriedly looked up at Li Qingqiu.
“Do not move these three needles. Take him down to rest. Once he has recovered, then leave the mountain.”
Li Qingqiu brushed past Madam Xu, his words echoing by her ear, leaving her stunned.
She had not expected Li Qingqiu to be so easygoing.
Before coming, she had already heard about Li Qingqiu’s relationship with her husband.
She had even heard that Li Qingqiu also knew of this and harbored resentment.
Yet…
Li Qingqiu looked at Xu Hong and smiled, saying, “Since you are here, you may exchange properly with my sect’s disciples. I have spoken with your abbot before. The Clear Sky Sect and Chan Meditation Temple share friendly relations. Do not be too restrained.”
Xu Hong was overwhelmed by the favor and quickly bowed to Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu continued down the mountain.
He said this not to curry favor with Xu Hong or Chan Meditation Temple, but because he genuinely admired Chan Meditation Temple.
Back when the Demonic Cult wreaked havoc, Chan Meditation Temple had dared to oppose it at the risk of sect annihilation.
That was worthy of Li Qingqiu’s respect, and Xu Hong even more so.
He still remembered the scene of Xu Hong holding a wooden staff, fighting to the death without retreat.
Li Qingqiu judged people not by strength, but by conduct and character.
Xu Hong watched Li Qingqiu descend the mountain, then came to Madam Xu’s side and said, “Benefactor Xu, I told you earlier. Sect Master Li’s breadth of mind is not as narrow as you feared. No matter what past grievances exist between your Li family and him, he would not stand by and watch you die. Your request ends here. I will stay a few days more before returning.”
With that, Xu Hong raised his hand in salute and turned to leave.
Madam Xu rose while holding Li Huaizhen.
She noticed that her son’s complexion was visibly recovering at a speed discernible to the naked eye, and a smile appeared on her face.
Li Huaizhen slowly opened his eyes and softly asked, “Mother… I feel a bit… better… Was that person just now the… uncle they talked about…”
Madam Xu said softly, “You will recover. He is indeed your uncle, but this matter cannot be told to anyone. This is a secret, understand?”
Confusion filled Li Huaizhen’s weak little face.
At three years old, he did not understand the affairs of adults, but he still obediently nodded.
On the other side.
Li Qingqiu descended the mountain, frequently encountering disciples who greeted him excitedly, which slowed his pace.
Xu Hong caught up to him.
Seeing the scene of disciples’ admiration for Li Qingqiu, his heart was filled with emotion.
He discovered that although the Clear Sky Sect had strict hierarchies, there were no rigid barriers between people of different status.
In Chan Meditation Temple, ordinary disciples could not casually speak with the abbot.
He grew increasingly curious about Li Qingqiu, feeling that this person was truly extraordinary—not only was his strength absurdly high, but his mindset and conduct were also different from most people.
……
Without noticing, time reached October.
Li Qingqiu’s tribulation transcendence was still frequently mentioned by many disciples.
On a cliff, Zhao Zhen faced Ziyang Peak, sitting in meditation as he practiced the Heavenly Gang Golden Body Art.
Ku Yi and Ku Er came behind Zhao Zhen.
Over these years, the two had benefited from Zhao Zhen and also cultivated immortality, but their aptitude was average.
To this day, they were only at the second layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
“Your Highness, a letter has come from below the mountain,” Ku Yi said softly.
Zhao Zhen kept his eyes closed and said, “How many times have I said it—do not call me ‘Your Highness.’ I am no longer a member of the imperial family. I am now a Clear Sky Sect disciple. My past has nothing to do with me.”
Ever since Yuan Li opened the Body Cultivation Path, Zhao Zhen had sought him out for sparring.
Calling it sparring was an exaggeration—it was actually Zhao Zhen unilaterally experiencing Gang Essence.
After being punched once by Yuan Li, he had lost all combat capability.
The shock from this ran deep.
If it had been a real life-and-death battle, he could have avoided Yuan Li’s attacks, but even so, he could not convince himself.
He had to admit that deep down, he had always felt Yuan Li was inferior to him.
Being surpassed by Yuan Li was something he could not accept.
It was not that he looked down on Yuan Li, but rather that he believed the gap between them objectively existed.
He was also afraid of placing pressure on Yuan Li, so he usually mixed with Li Yang instead.
And yet…
“The Body Cultivation Path… I also want to open one!”
Zhao Zhen’s heart brimmed with fighting spirit.
Unwillingness and admiration for Yuan Li intertwined, eventually transforming into resolve—he wanted to surpass Yuan Li once again.
Ku Er followed up, “It is news from your mother.”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhen suddenly opened his eyes and twisted his body around, asking in shock, “My mother? She is still alive?”
Ku Yi replied, “She has actually been alive all along. Back then, Your Highness sensed that His Majesty might harm both of you, so you arranged for your mother in advance and sent yourself to the Clear Sky Sect.”
“Where is she?” Zhao Zhen asked nervously.
“She is at Tianxuan Mountain in Beiliang. She is living very well now. Her second elder brother is already the Sword-Holding Elder of Tianxuan Mountain. She sent someone to bring a letter, hoping you can go to Tianxuan Mountain to see her,” Ku Yi answered.
Go to Tianxuan Mountain?
Zhao Zhen frowned and said, “I am still too young. I am afraid Master will not agree.”
“He indeed would not agree. You must not tell him about this matter. After much consideration, we think you are not suitable to go to Tianxuan Mountain right now. How about going two years later?” Ku Er added.
Hearing that he could go two years later, Zhao Zhen immediately agreed.
In two years, his cultivation would certainly be stronger.
At that time, Master might allow him to descend the mountain.
He had almost forgotten what his mother looked like.
Thinking that he could see her again filled his heart with excitement.
Ku Yi and Ku Er exchanged a glance, both letting out a sigh of relief—especially Ku Er, whose gaze shone with excitement.
“Do not tell the Sect Master about this matter in advance. There are many aristocratic families within the sect now, with factions standing everywhere. Your identity is too sensitive. You must not bring trouble to your mother,” Ku Yi reminded him.
After Zhao Zhi’s death, imperial descendants across the land had died one after another.
Zhao Zhen was already the purest-blooded imperial heir.
There were still many people in the world searching for him.
Over these years, some had begun contacting Zhao Zhen, wanting to help him reclaim the realm, but he had refused.
Compared to being emperor, he preferred cultivating immortality.
“I understand. Let us talk about this again two years later,” Zhao Zhen responded, then continued cultivating.
Ku Yi and Ku Er did not disturb him further and turned to leave the mountain.
……
Night fell.
Li Qingqiu returned to Lingxiao Courtyard and saw Zhang Yuchun pacing within the courtyard.
Upon seeing Li Qingqiu approach, Zhang Yuchun immediately went to meet him.
“We have discovered the whereabouts of Lingtian Sect!” Zhang Yuchun said in a deep voice.
Li Qingqiu asked, “Where?”
“Yuzhou. They are hiding in a city, living under assumed names. One of our sect’s disciples discovered it by chance. He did not act rashly and brought the news back. Who do you think we should send to eliminate Lingtian Sect?” Zhang Yuchun asked.
His implication was for Li Qingqiu not to go personally.
As Sect Master, Li Qingqiu personally descending the mountain at every turn was truly unfavorable to the sect’s development.
In his view, more opportunities should be given to other disciples, even if there were casualties.
Li Qingqiu pondered for a moment and said, “Let Shen Yue and Xue Jin lead people there. What do you think?”
Zhang Yuchun’s eyes lit up as he immediately replied, “Of course. With the two of them leading the team, it will certainly be foolproof.”