Chapter 230: Qilin Fear
Li Qingqiu glanced at Zhu Yan and said casually, “Isn’t your Zhu Clan entangled in trouble, even occupying a large amount of sect resources for it? What, you managed to extricate yourselves so quickly and already have time for other matters?”
Zhu Yan could clearly hear the mockery in his tone. She said helplessly, “This was indeed my oversight. I have already warned them.”
She was the Hall Master of the Heavenly Works Hall and had her own matters to attend to. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for her to keep an eye on the Zhu Clan at all times.
When she learned that the Cultivation Hall had expanded its disciple recruitment, she investigated the matter and discovered what the Zhu Clan had been doing. This made her furious. She wrote a letter harshly reprimanding the clan elders and, at the same time, stopped the Zhu Clan disciples within the sect from purchasing large quantities of Spiritual Energy Pills.
This matter had weighed on her heart ever since, leaving her feeling guilty, so she wanted to find an opportunity to reflect on herself before the Sect Master.
“Such a thing will not happen again in the future,” Zhu Yan said seriously.
Li Qingqiu revealed a smile and said, “Everyone has emotions. I can understand that. I do not demand that you completely eliminate such matters, but remember, you must grasp the proper limits. It must not threaten the sect. Otherwise, I will regard it as malicious intent. If not for your diligence over the years, I would have already swung my sword at the Zhu Clan.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan hurriedly bowed in thanks to Li Qingqiu.
“All right, it’s the New Year. Let’s not mention these things,” Li Qingqiu said as he caught her arm, not allowing her to kneel.
“Then the matter of the Zhu Clan assisting Liu Jing…”
“Let them do as they please. However, you should remind them not to harbor ambitions that do not belong to them.”
“I understand.”
Zhu Yan nodded. A wave of lingering fear surged in her heart. She truly feared that the clan elders might attempt to control Liu Jing. That absolutely would not do.
She could tell now that the Sect Master truly intended to support Liu Jing. Anyone who dared to scheme against Liu Jing would be tantamount to provoking the Sect Master. It was just that the Sect Master preferred to watch from the mountain, waiting for those people to jump into the pit themselves.
Zhu Yan no longer disturbed Li Qingqiu. She rose, walked around the long table, and went to speak with Chai Yunshang.
Li Qingqiu’s mood was very good, a smile hanging on his face the entire time.
The main reason was that Zhao Zhen’s fate calamity had finally passed, and he had even obtained one Fate Trait Selection Opportunity.
He now had two Fate Trait Selection Opportunities. He could use one, but he would keep the other to prevent missing out on a peerless genius in the future.
At present, Li Qingqiu was very interested in Jiang Zhaoxia’s “Red Dust True Dragon” and Yun Cai’s “All-Law Spiritual Eyes,” yet he was still somewhat hesitant. He always felt that there would be something even stronger.
This New Year, many people noticed that Li Qingqiu was in quite a good mood.
After the New Year, Li Qingqiu began wandering around the Ancient Great Mountain Range, inspecting various places, and he even made a trip to Xunxian Town along the way.
Only after seeing it with his own eyes did he realize just how prosperous the Clear Sky Sect currently was.
At the end of the first month of the New Year, Liu Jing ascended to the pinnacle of power within the Liu Group. Liu Lin was forced to step down, and this process was naturally filled with bloodshed and carnage.
Rumors of Liu Jing carrying a coffin on his back to kneel and beseech the Clear Sky Immortal quickly spread as well. His story was deeply moving, and his rise carried an aura of mystery. Li Qingqiu had long been regarded by the world as a living immortal. When these two figures were placed into the same story, Liu Jing’s reputation skyrocketed.
More and more voices claimed that Liu Jing was the one destined by heaven.
Southern Chu Province, within the state capital.
Liu Jing sat in the main hall, listening to officials report on the money, grain, weapons, and warhorses sent by various great families. His expression was dazed.
“So the world is obtained this easily…”
Liu Jing’s emotions were complicated. He felt both exhilarated and fearful.
Once obtained, one would naturally fear losing it. He began to worry that he might not do well.
He took a deep breath and cast aside distracting thoughts. What he needed to do now was to swiftly seize power and then sweep across the world. Within three years, he must unify all under heaven.
No!
He had to do even better!
Liu Jing’s gaze became firm, and his entire bearing began to undergo a transformation.
…
At the beginning of the second month, under Li Qingqiu’s arrangements, Jiang Zhaoxia went down the mountain for training and experience, bringing along the Sword Sect’s number one genius, Sword Solitary.
Jiang Zhaoxia had been unwilling to descend the mountain, but Li Qingqiu insisted that he go out to train for half a year, under the pretext of investigating the uninhabited regions of Southern Chu Province and Yuzhou, while also helping him temper Sword Solitary’s temperament.
After creating a divine art, Zhao Zhen began seclusion cultivation, his goal pointing directly at the ninth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Clear Sky Sect disciples began spreading across the various peaks of the Ancient Great Mountain Range, and the grand construction plan continued unabated.
At the beginning of the fourth month, Li Qingqiu brought Jin Lang to Source Iron Harbor Town, taking the opportunity to visit Bai Zhi as well.
Bai Zhi’s cultivation aptitude was not outstanding, and its cultivation speed was far inferior to Jin Lang’s. Thus, it was greatly astonished by Jin Lang’s growth rate, and at the same time, it finally set its heart at ease.
Jin Lang’s cultivation level proved that Li Qingqiu truly treated them sincerely.
After meeting Bai Zhi, Li Qingqiu arrived within Source Iron Harbor Town. This harbor town had already been constructed for several li along the coastline. One pavilion after another stood at the edge of the sandy beach, and ships of various sizes docked by the sea, making the place extremely lively.
Besides Clear Sky Sect disciples, Li Qingqiu also saw mortals and martial world figures, proving that Source Iron Harbor Town had already begun trading with the secular world.
This was also at Li Qingqiu’s instruction. After all, the development of the Clear Sky Sect required vast sums of money and materials, and with more than five hundred disciples active in Source Iron Harbor Town, there was no fear of anyone causing trouble.
Yu Lin, who was responsible for Source Iron Harbor Town and the Source Iron Blessed Land, was extremely excited upon seeing Li Qingqiu and enthusiastically reported the situation.
It turned out that some disciples had tried diving into the seabed and discovered a mysterious type of ore in the sea. This ore contained a special kind of spiritual energy and was as hard as ancient Geng Metal Source Iron. He believed it would be an important resource.
Very soon, a disciple brought this ore before Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu picked it up and examined it carefully, feeling that this stone was indeed extraordinary.
“I’ll take it back to the Heavenly Works Hall for research. Yu Lin, you’ve done well. You did not disappoint my expectations of you,” Li Qingqiu praised.
Hearing this, Yu Lin became even more excited and hurriedly expressed humility, saying that it was all the disciples’ merit and had nothing to do with him.
Afterward, he went to the mysterious whirlpool and had Nangong E and Lin Chuan go down to investigate. Once again, there were no results.
However, having no results was the best possible news, as it meant that Source Iron Harbor Town was temporarily free of danger.
…
The Northern Barbarians’ territory.
The night sky was filled with brilliant stars, bright as a painting, while the earth was submerged in darkness, where one could not see their own hand in front of them.
On a stretch of mountainous plains, Li Sifeng, Zheng Yunqiao, and more than ten disciples from the Tempering Hall sat around a campfire.
The Prison Qilin lay sleeping behind Li Sifeng. Even while lying down, it was like a wall.
Li Sifeng was playing with his Emperor Mystic Sword, his thoughts drifting.
Zheng Yunqiao, who was closest to Li Sifeng, turned his head to look at him and asked, “This land is far too vast, boundless without end. To completely annihilate the Xuanji Sect is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Why don’t we return?”
When the other disciples heard this, they all looked toward Li Sifeng, their eyes filled with anticipation.
They had slaughtered their way here from Cangzhou. They could no longer calculate how far they were from Clear Sky Mountain. Everyone felt exhausted and wanted to return to the sect to rest for several months.
Li Sifeng came back to his senses and looked at the other disciples. Taking in their expressions, he pondered for a moment before saying, “All right then. We’ll return first thing tomorrow morning!”
As soon as these words fell, the disciples erupted into cheers. Some even jumped up, waving their arms in delight.
They excitedly discussed their achievements on this journey, each showing off in turn.
Li Sifeng looked at them, his heart filled with emotion as well.
This group of disciples was simply too formidable, to the point that most of the time he did not even need to make a move. This also made him look forward to the future of the Clear Sky Sect.
Just how strong had the Clear Sky Sect become now?
Simply listening to the Tempering Hall disciples’ discussions made him want to return, because he felt pressure.
As the Hall Master of the Tempering Hall, how could he lag behind in cultivation?
Of course, he also missed his wife and children.
Zheng Yunqiao laughed and said, “Once we return, it will be time to prepare for the Grand Dao Tournament.”
At the mention of the Grand Dao Tournament, Li Sifeng also became interested and chatted with Zheng Yunqiao.
A meteor streaked across the night sky. No one saw it, but they had already witnessed such scenes many times, so it was nothing unusual.
After some time.
The Prison Qilin, which had been sleeping, suddenly opened its eyes. It slowly raised its head, its gaze fixed on the distance.
Li Sifeng noticed its movement and could not help but turn his head to look. Seeing it staring into the distance, he immediately stood up and followed its line of sight.
At the end of the earth, it was pitch black. Aside from the undulating outlines of the terrain, nothing could be seen.
Zheng Yunqiao stood up as well and asked, “Could there be an enemy?”
He was not nervous. Along their entire journey, they had been victorious in every battle, cultivating immense confidence and fearing no challenge or danger on this land.
“I’m not sure, but the Prison Qilin’s senses are stronger than ours. It must have discovered something,” Li Sifeng replied softly.
The other disciples also quieted down and stood up, taking out their respective weapons.
The Prison Qilin stepped forward, its body slightly leaning down, emitting a low, rumbling roar. This left everyone puzzled, including Li Sifeng.
In the past, whenever they encountered enemies, the Prison Qilin would only raise its head and let out a long howl. It had never displayed such an irritable and vigilant posture.
What was going on?
Everyone stared into the darkness ahead. Unfortunately, they could see nothing and could only wait patiently.
Li Sifeng could sense the unease in the Prison Qilin’s heart, which left him confused. Could there be someone within the Xuanji Sect even stronger than the Prison Qilin?
“An auspicious creature is this tense. What you have encountered is likely not human.”
An aged voice sounded within Li Sifeng’s mind, causing him to frown.
“Not human? Could it be ghosts or monsters?” he asked in his heart.
“This old one is also unsure, but there are always malevolent entities between heaven and earth. This old one advises you to withdraw immediately.”
This aged voice originated from the Thousand-Year Sword Soul within the Emperor Mystic Sword.
Hearing such a judgment, Li Sifeng’s expression changed drastically. He immediately ordered, “Everyone pack up and retreat at once!”
Upon hearing this, although the disciples were shocked, they reacted extremely quickly.
In less than five breaths of time, they followed Li Sifeng and ran southward.
Li Sifeng let out a sharp whistle. The Prison Qilin immediately turned around and ran together with him.
They ran faster and faster, occasionally looking back. The Prison Qilin did the same. Its roars grew increasingly urgent, making everyone even more tense.
What kind of existence could make a qilin this nervous?
A chill ran down every disciple’s spine. The unknown was the most terrifying thing. They even felt as if something was chasing them.
There was no sound at all, yet they had precisely this sensation.