Chapter 191: The Strongest Physique
“Is he really that impressive? What is his name?”
Li Qingqiu saw Xiao Wuqing speak with such exaggeration and could not help but smile as he asked.
Although the number of disciples in the sect had been steadily increasing, Li Qingqiu still set aside time every day to check the panels of new disciples, to avoid overlooking anyone.
Registered disciples were also recorded in the register, so they would appear on the Dao Lineage panel.
However, Li Qingqiu had not discovered anyone with exceptionally outstanding aptitude, nor had he seen any special Fate Traits that truly caught his eye.
Of course, lacking special Fate Traits did not mean lacking talent.
Just like Ming Guang and Wu Xingyue—neither of them possessed special Fate Traits, yet their value to the sect had already surpassed the vast majority of genius disciples who did.
Seeing that Li Qingqiu was willing to try believing him, Xiao Wuqing immediately revealed a smile and said, “His name is He Jinshu. He is sixteen this year. He has not yet cultivated the Primordial Unity Scripture. I discovered that he likes to study the physical bodies of wild creatures, and he has his own understanding of the Body Cultivation Path.”
“Oh? What kind of understanding? Tell me,” Li Qingqiu asked.
Xiao Wuqing chose to start from the beginning.
The first time he met He Jinshu was when he happened to pass by the courtyard where He Jinshu lived.
He witnessed He Jinshu mutilating a rabbit.
Finding it rather strange, he stopped outside the courtyard wall to observe, only to discover that He Jinshu was transplanting one of the rabbit’s front legs onto a small dog.
He found the matter far too absurd and jumped out to stop He Jinshu.
He Jinshu then explained that the small dog he raised had been bitten on its front paw by a poisonous insect.
He had sought a physician within the sect for treatment, but in order to save its life, the bitten forelimb had no choice but to be amputated.
This matter caused He Jinshu great pain.
Every time he saw the small dog forced to walk on only three legs, he felt deeply guilty.
Thus, the idea of transplanting a rabbit’s leg was born.
The rabbit he chose was a domesticated meat rabbit that was going to die anyway, which he had bought with money.
Xiao Wuqing originally thought He Jinshu was a madman, but when he discovered that the small dog was actually able to move using the rabbit’s leg, he was greatly shocked.
Later on, he often went to visit He Jinshu.
As their conversations grew deeper, he brought many medical books for He Jinshu.
He discovered that He Jinshu learned at an astonishing speed.
Not only that, He Jinshu was also researching the Dao of Alchemy.
He used all of his contributions and monthly stipends to exchange for alchemy manuals.
In his own words, before coming up the mountain, he already knew he was not a martial arts prodigy, so he did not want to waste time and resources.
“Sect Master, He Jinshu’s aptitude in medical arts is something the sect sorely lacks. Moreover, he is devoted to using human effort to alter innate talent. He wants to research the strongest possible physique. Although it sounds like a fantasy, after spending a long time with him, I have come to feel that he might actually be able to accomplish it.”
The more Xiao Wuqing spoke, the more excited he became, causing Li Qingqiu’s expression to grow somewhat strange.
This He Jinshu really knew how to sway people—he had actually managed to talk Xiao Wuqing into this state.
Li Qingqiu remembered that he had seen He Jinshu’s personal panel before.
His aptitude was indeed poor.
Although he lacked special Fate Traits, he still had Fate Trait entries.
He immediately began to search and quickly found He Jinshu.
【Name: He Jinshu】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 16】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 90 / 76 (Maximum 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Extremely Low】
【Comprehension: Good】
【Fate Traits: Curiosity, Persistence】
【Curiosity: Filled with curiosity toward all things, enjoys researching and observing new matters】
【Persistence: Once he decides on something, he will certainly do it and never give up】
……
No wonder Li Qingqiu had an impression of him.
He Jinshu’s aptitude was far too poor, but his comprehension could indeed be considered genius-level.
Still, such a panel was not enough for Li Qingqiu to specially cultivate him.
However, a loyalty level of ninety was indeed worthy of trust.
Li Qingqiu pondered and said, “Although He Jinshu’s ideas are somewhat absurd, since he has unique insight into the medical Dao and the Dao of Alchemy, he is indeed worth cultivating. However, before he achieves anything, I cannot promote him exceptionally. You should use your own resources to nurture him.”
Xiao Wuqing revealed a smile and hurriedly bowed in thanks to Li Qingqiu.
Although Li Qingqiu did not promise anything, as long as he remembered He Jinshu, Xiao Wuqing felt it was enough.
“Cases of disability are no longer rare. Many disciples are injured during their trials and find it difficult to restore their bodies. If He Jinshu succeeds in the future, he could save many disciples. If he can even research a postnatal method to enhance aptitude, that would be a great blessing to the sect,” Xiao Wuqing added.
Li Qingqiu nodded.
On this point, he agreed.
Whether it could succeed or not was still uncertain.
One could only say that the vision was beautiful.
Xiao Wuqing truly believed in He Jinshu and continued speaking without end, praising He Jinshu to the skies.
In the end, Li Qingqiu really could not take it anymore and chased him away.
After Xiao Wuqing left, Li Qingqiu once again revealed a look of reflection.
Xiao Wuhui’s death had not been concealed from the Xiao clan’s three brothers.
Li Qingqiu had even handed his severed head to them for burial.
He had originally thought this matter would affect their loyalty, but it had not.
Unfortunately, more than seven days had passed since Xiao Wuhui’s death.
Li Qingqiu could not restrain his soul even if he wanted to; otherwise, he could have let the Xiao brothers see him one last time.
Although Xiao Wuhui had taken the initiative to provoke the Clear Sky Sect, and Li Qingqiu had warned the Xiao brothers in advance, he still felt that such an outcome was somewhat cruel to them and thus wanted to make amends.
Starting this year, aside from Xiao Wuqing, Li Qingqiu would also assign Xiao Wudi and Xiao Wuming different responsibilities, allowing them to grow rapidly.
After sitting and thinking for a while, Li Qingqiu finally rose slowly and returned to his cave dwelling.
……
The winter snow covering the Ancient Great Mountain Range had completely melted away, and all things welcomed new life.
Below Clear Sky Mountain, in front of the mountain gate, Shen Yue sat alone in meditation to one side, holding a wooden sword in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.
On the other side of the mountain gate, five disciples stood in a row, looking at Shen Yue with curiosity in their eyes.
Shen Yue had been punished to stand guard at the mountain gate, causing quite a stir.
During the first month, disciples often came to admire the Sword God’s bearing, leaving the mountain gate anything but quiet.
Even now, there were still disciples who deliberately came down the mountain each day to see him.
The five disciples noticed that Shen Yue had been staring at the wooden sword for three days straight, without eating, drinking, sleeping, or resting, as if possessed.
This made them somewhat worried and unsure whether they should inform the sect.
Shen Yue was the Sword God.
His actions were certainly different from ordinary people.
If they rashly disturbed the sect, they feared they might make fools of themselves.
Seeing that Shen Yue’s complexion still looked fine, the disciples could only continue waiting.
A figure walked down the mountain path—it was Xu Ning.
Xu Ning had changed into a fitted cyan robe with a cinched waist, wore a bamboo hat on her head, and carried a bundle on her back, looking like a wandering martial artist.
The five disciples on guard had entered the sect less than a year ago and did not recognize Xu Ning.
However, Xu Ning’s cold beauty and outstanding temperament still drew their gazes.
The five disciples only glanced once before withdrawing their eyes.
On Clear Sky Mountain, there were many female disciples with outstanding looks and temperament.
At most, they would admire briefly; staring continuously would be disrespectful.
Xu Ning passed by beneath the mountain gate.
She stopped, turned around, and looked at Shen Yue, saying, “If you only focus on comprehending the sword, you will never catch up to me.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Yue’s gaze changed as he lifted his head to look at her.
The five disciples were stunned.
What a bold tone—who was this woman?
Wait!
Within the sect, there was only one female disciple qualified to say such words to Shen Yue.
They hurriedly bent down and saluted Xu Ning.
Xu Ning ignored them, her gaze fixed on Shen Yue.
Shen Yue looked at her and said, “What? Are you absolutely confident you can defeat me?”
Xu Ning replied, “After the eighth layer comes Spiritual Sense. The higher the realm, the more it also helps improve comprehension. Cultivation is the foundation. Once your foundation rises, your cultivation becomes easier. Do not forget Master’s tribulation scene—such lightning tribulation, when will you be able to withstand it?”
After speaking, Xu Ning turned and left.
Shen Yue frowned.
He actually felt that what Xu Ning said made sense.
Li Qingqiu’s vast Vital Energy alone was proof that he personally valued cultivation more.
Previously, Shen Yue had trained desperately.
After reaching the fifth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he felt it was enough and stopped absorbing energy, turning instead to sword comprehension.
He had opened up the path of sword cultivation, but his Sword Soul could not allow him to catch up to Li Qingqiu.
He looked at Xu Ning’s departing back and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Going down the mountain for two years of trials,” Xu Ning said without turning her head.
Hearing this, Shen Yue’s eyes lit up.
Going down the mountain for trials would certainly delay cultivation.
These two years were his opportunity!
Shen Yue immediately stood up, sheathed the wooden sword at his waist, and tucked it into his belt.
He decided that from now on, he would devote his time to absorbing energy and cultivating.
Although he was already old, he had great confidence in his cultivation speed and felt that the so-called geniuses in the sect might not necessarily be faster than him.
On the other side.
Zhang Yuchun walked into Li Qingqiu’s cave dwelling to visit him.
“Why did Xu Ning go down the mountain?” Zhang Yuchun could not help asking.
Xu Ning’s cultivation was second only to Li Qingqiu in the sect.
Keeping her within the sect would be more useful—or at least, that was what he thought, especially since Li Qingqiu went down the mountain from time to time.
Li Qingqiu sat in meditation on the stone bed and said, “I sent her to the Heavenly Mountain Spirit Pool. She is preparing to break through to the ninth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.”
Ninth layer!
Zhang Yuchun clicked his tongue in amazement.
Every time he heard of Xu Ning’s cultivation, he could not help but be astonished.
Not fearing Xu Ning’s high talent, but fearing Xu Ning’s diligence—how was his poor third junior brother supposed to catch up to her?
Zhang Yuchun walked to the table and sat down, saying, “The spies that Lingtian Sect planted within the sect have already been found—six people. They were the ones who leaked the information that the Xiao brothers were under your command. However, I think there are still deeper agents hidden within the sect.”
Ever since Xue Jin returned carrying Xiao Wuhui’s head, Zhang Yuchun had been investigating the matter.
The results had been fairly good.
Li Qingqiu responded, “Investigate slowly. They will eventually reveal themselves.”
Zhang Yuchun continued, “Senior Brother, my people also found something else that I find unsettling.”
“What is it?”
“It concerns Tianxuan Mountain. Tianxuan Mountain and Fengxia Mountain are jointly known as the Two Saints Under Heaven. Fengxia Mountain controls a secret art for sealing souls. I suspect Tianxuan Mountain has a similar secret art, so I sent people to investigate. The result was that Tianxuan Mountain has tightly closed its gates and receives no guests. My people could not infiltrate it.”
Zhang Yuchun frowned as he spoke.
His informants were not sect disciples but wandering martial artists.
After all, they handled dirty work—if something happened, he could distance himself and avoid implicating the Clear Sky Sect.
Li Qingqiu did not open his eyes and casually said, “It is fine. Tell your people to withdraw. I will have others investigate.”
Although Tianxuan Mountain and the Clear Sky Sect had no enmity, it could not be completely ignored.
Some intelligence still needed to be grasped.