Chapter 224: Shen Yue Who Came from Behind
Guarding the Heavenly Mountain Spirit Pool was not troublesome. One only needed to stay at the edge of the spirit pool.
The Heavenly Mountain Spirit Pool was rich in spiritual energy, making this assignment a highly sought-after post. Before anything was finalized, rumors had already spread, drawing many disciples to exert themselves.
When a sect grew large, it was always like this. As long as it was not something personally decided by Li Qingqiu, once there was a buffer period, such a situation would inevitably form. As for this, Li Qingqiu took it in stride and allowed such gray areas to exist.
Spring passed and summer arrived, and Clear Sky Mountain once again took on new scenery.
As the main mountain of the Clear Sky Sect, Clear Sky Mountain had been under constant renovation. The main road was wide and imposing, and many of the buildings on the mountain had been rebuilt into palace courtyards. The Profound Heart Hall, in particular, grew larger and taller by the day—so much so that its outline could already be seen from halfway up the mountain.
More and more people came up the mountain to burn incense. The Innate Five Supreme that Li Qingqiu had created had spread ever more widely among the populace, drawing worshippers from all across the Nine Provinces. Incense money had also become a major source of income for the Clear Sky Sect.
At the mountain peak, Li Qingqiu sat in meditation facing the blazing sun, his palms turned upward.
He was comprehending the Immortal Severing Three Swords taught to him by Jiang Zhaoxia.
The Immortal Severing Three Swords possessed large-scale destructive power and was an attack method Li Qingqiu urgently needed, so he devoted time to cultivating it.
Relying on [Innate Sword Maniac] and [Tempered Through a Thousand Trials], although he could not grasp it directly like Jiang Zhaoxia, his rate of comprehension was extremely fast—far beyond what Xu Ning or Shen Yue could compare to.
Now, he spent most of his time on absorbing energy cultivation, setting aside some time to practice divine arts. As for sect affairs, he had already let go of them.
He had established the Eight Halls, the Sword Sect Hall, the Dark Hall, the Immortal Protection Guard, and other power structures precisely to restrain one another and drive sect development through rules. At present, there were no issues, allowing him to cultivate with peace of mind.
Of course, the systems and rules of a power could never remain unchanged; they could only be adjusted as problems arose.
A figure flew up from the cliff ahead and landed beside Li Qingqiu. It was none other than Li Sijin.
With the distribution of the Tianhong Sword, sword flight had already become a commonly used technique among Clear Sky Sect disciples. Now, even in the martial world, one could see the speed of Clear Sky Sect disciples flying on swords—an event that caused a tremendous shock to the martial world.
Going to the Clear Sky Sect to cultivate immortality had become something all martial youths yearned for.
For this reason, the Free Spirit Hall had also set up recruitment locations in Xunxian Town. Now, there was no longer any place on Clear Sky Mountain to test new disciples.
“Senior Brother, why hasn’t my application been settled yet? Can it be done or not? Just give me a definite answer.”
Li Sijin spoke resentfully, like a little tiger—cute yet fierce.
Li Qingqiu kept his eyes closed and asked, “What application?”
“I want to arrange for a batch of disciples to go to various places across the Nine Provinces to search for heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Didn’t Lord Jing tell you?”
“Such a matter still needs to go through me?”
“Once they go down the mountain, it’ll be a long time before they return. I need to equip them with Spiritual Energy Pills and spirit stones. This is contributing to the sect—surely the Cultivation Hall can’t be made to pay for it?”
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu could not help but open his eyes. He looked at Li Sijin with a surprised gaze.
Under his gaze, Li Sijin felt guilty. Her eyes darted away, and the momentum she had earlier vanished. Bracing herself, she asked, “Am I wrong?”
Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “You’re not wrong. It seems there are capable people around you offering advice. I approve it. Go discuss it with your Fourth Senior Sister.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Li Sijin excitedly hugged Li Qingqiu, patted his back hard, then hurried off.
Li Qingqiu found it amusing and felt quite gratified.
Seeing Li Sijin begin to seek greater benefits for the Cultivation Hall, Li Qingqiu knew she had truly grown up—at least, her thinking was no longer so simple.
He did not dislike this. After all, whenever other halls went down the mountain, they had to apply to him or Lord Jing for such treatment. The Cultivation Hall was instead the hall that troubled the sect the least.
However, Li Qingqiu was somewhat puzzled. Chu Jing had a very good relationship with Li Sijin. Since Chu Jing came to power, he had intentionally or unintentionally given convenience to the Cultivation Hall. In his words, when he first joined the Clear Sky Sect, it was Li Sijin who guided him, and he had a very favorable impression of her.
Of course, the most important point was that Li Sijin resembled his daughter. Every time he saw her, he could not help wanting to make up for and please her.
Then why had Chu Jing not agreed to Li Sijin this time?
Li Qingqiu decided to ask Chu Jing in the evening.
The sun set and the moon rose.
After cultivating divine arts for half a day, Li Qingqiu returned to Lingxiao Courtyard full of energy. Chu Jing happened to be discussing matters with Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuqing.
These three had already become the working leaders under Li Qingqiu. Each held their own authority, and they occasionally exchanged views to keep communication open.
Seeing Li Qingqiu arrive, they immediately stood up and saluted.
Li Qingqiu sat down and asked directly, “Lord Jing, why did you not agree to Sijin’s application? And why didn’t you tell me?”
Hearing this, Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuqing both looked at Chu Jing in surprise.
Chu Jing acted with rigor, and there were many aspects they admired. They were now learning from him, and they had not expected Chu Jing to make a mistake in this matter.
Who did not know of Li Qingqiu’s affection for Li Sijin? Calling her the apple of Li Qingqiu’s eye would not be an exaggeration.
Chu Jing replied helplessly, “I only wanted to delay the process a bit and have her send disciples down the mountain later. Recently, the sect’s demand for Spiritual Energy Pills has been growing. If she arranged for a batch of disciples to go down the mountain now, I was worried there would be a shortage of pills.”
This was something Li Qingqiu had not expected. He asked in surprise, “Isn’t the Cultivation Hall’s output of Spiritual Energy Pills quite high?”
“Someone is purchasing Spiritual Energy Pills in large quantities.”
“Who has such capability?”
Li Qingqiu asked curiously. Spiritual Energy Pills could not be bought with money alone; they also required Dao affinity.
Chu Jing looked at Li Qingqiu and said, “The Zhu Clan.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu was no longer puzzled.
Because of Zhu Yan’s merits, the Zhu Clan had already become the number one force within the sect. They indeed had the influence to mobilize large numbers of disciples to purchase Spiritual Energy Pills. Although Dao affinity could not be transferred, it could be acquired through private barter, achieving the purpose of purchasing Dao affinity.
Li Qingqiu had not expected the Zhu Clan to have reached the point where they could shake the sect in certain aspects.
“According to my investigation, the Zhu Clan has encountered trouble in the secular world. They need Spiritual Energy Pills to prepare for battle. In addition, I believe the core issue is that the Cultivation Hall doesn’t have enough disciples, so I didn’t reprimand them.”
Chu Jing said seriously. Only then did Li Qingqiu understand.
So this was where he had been waiting for him!
Li Qingqiu rolled his eyes at him and said, “If you wanted to help Li Sijin expand her disciples, you could’ve just said so. Why beat around the bush?”
Chu Jing replied helplessly, “Master, I wasn’t deliberately scheming. It’s just that the halls can’t expand recruitment at will; there must be demand. Without the Zhu Clan’s actions, the Cultivation Hall wouldn’t need to expand.”
Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuqing exchanged glances, both astonished.
It could be operated like this?
They had thought Chu Jing made a mistake, but looking at it now, Chu Jing was entirely acting for Li Sijin’s sake—something that would surely align with Li Qingqiu’s intentions.
Li Qingqiu pondered and said, “Let the Cultivation Hall recruit another fifty disciples.”
“Sect Master is wise!”
Chu Jing immediately said. When dealing with official matters, he addressed Li Qingqiu as Sect Master.
Li Qingqiu had indeed been looking for opportunities to promote Li Sijin. This matter had come at just the right time. The other halls would certainly not dare to voice objections toward the Cultivation Hall—at most, they would be dissatisfied with the Zhu Clan.
Being dissatisfied with the Zhu Clan was a good thing. It would give the Zhu Clan more restraints.
“The Zhu Clan has crossed the line. They still need to be warned. Lord Jing, if something like this happens again and you don’t handle it promptly—even if you have good reasons—I will punish you severely.”
Li Qingqiu said sternly. Hearing this, Chu Jing immediately gave his assurance.
This was done for Yuan Qi and Xiao Wuqing to see, and through them, to convey his stance to the entire sect.
Of course, in private, Li Qingqiu and Chu Jing did not have so many twists and turns.
Chu Jing was already his sword soul. With a single thought, Li Qingqiu could make him dissipate into nothingness. Combined with the loyalty shown on the Dao Lineage panel, he had no worry that Chu Jing would betray him.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu rose and left, allowing the three of them to continue discussing sect affairs.
……
In June, Zhao Zhen and Shen Yue successively broke through to the eighth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. When the news reached Li Qingqiu, he directly had Yuan Qi post an announcement to inform the entire sect.
As expected, the cultivation atmosphere within the sect was once again ignited by the two of them.
Zhao Zhen breaking through to the eighth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm did not greatly surprise Li Qingqiu. The current Zhao Zhen cultivated like a madman—if Li Qingqiu did not summon him, he would not leave his cave dwelling at all.
Shen Yue, on the other hand, left Li Qingqiu unable to understand him.
Although Shen Yue only had excellent-grade cultivation aptitude, his cultivation speed was far too exaggerated—it had already caught up to Zhao Zhen, who possessed outstanding-grade aptitude.
Li Qingqiu could not help but summon Shen Yue to ask the reason.
“It’s related to my sword soul and sword intent. I infused my sword intent into the sword soul, allowing the sword soul to cultivate alongside me. The energy it absorbs transforms into vital energy and enters my body.”
Shen Yue sat before Li Qingqiu, lifted his hot tea, and spoke calmly.
Good heavens!
How was this any different from cheating?
Giving himself a separate cultivation cheat?
Was this the bonus from [Sword Dao Grandmaster] and [Number One Under Heaven]? Shen Yue’s comprehension in sword dao truly had no equal. Others wouldn’t even think of such a method, let alone achieve it.
Li Qingqiu once again checked Shen Yue’s panel.
[Number One Under Heaven: Achieve the title of Number One Under Heaven in the mortal martial path, gain enlightenment from heaven and earth, sword intent undergoes transformation, becoming a true Number One Under Heaven. If one becomes the Number One Under Heaven in the immortal cultivation world, one’s sword intent and sword dao comprehension will undergo another transformation.]
Becoming Number One Under Heaven in the mortal world had already elevated Shen Yue’s sword intent to such a degree. When he became Number One Under Heaven in the immortal cultivation world, just how strong would his sword intent and sword dao comprehension become?
This old fellow’s potential had still not been fully squeezed out—truly formidable!
Li Qingqiu’s view of Shen Yue changed, and his interest was piqued. “Teach me?”
“Sure!”
Shen Yue agreed without hesitation, the corners of his mouth lifting.
It was finally his turn to teach Li Qingqiu!
He felt immensely satisfied. If Li Qingqiu were not present, he would have surely pumped his fist and laughed out loud.
Thus, Shen Yue began teaching the method of cultivating the sword soul.
However, Li Qingqiu—who possessed [Innate Sword Maniac]—could not understand it.
Why would injecting sword intent into a sword soul allow it to cultivate autonomously?
If he did not know Shen Yue’s character, he would have suspected Shen Yue of teaching nonsense.
He had to admit that in the sword dao, there was indeed a gap between him and Shen Yue.
But it didn’t matter—I still have [Tempered Through a Thousand Trials]!
Li Qingqiu grabbed Shen Yue and had him teach personally.