Chapter 261: A Spirit Tower That Could Fly
As Year’s End approached, the Clear Sky Sect no longer had the liveliness of previous years. A tense atmosphere enveloped the sect, as though a storm were about to descend.
It had already been some time since Li Qingqiu had led one thousand True Transmission Disciples northward. Although everyone knew the journey was long and that even a smooth return would take time, the disciples within the sect could not help but worry.
After years of development, the Clear Sky Sect’s power structure had become complete. It could continue to function even if any single person were absent. But Li Qingqiu was different. He was the key figure who had led the sect onto the path of immortal cultivation. He had never made a mistake, never failed. The disciples held an almost blind reverence toward him. They could not even imagine what kind of ghostly terror could defeat their Sect Master.
In a snow-covered forest, Hu Yan was cultivating the Great Demon-Smiting Golden Hand. A golden phantom hand condensed over his right hand, moving in tandem with his strikes, fierce and razor-sharp.
A small figure walked out from the trees nearby—it was five-year-old Li Shouzheng.
Though still young, Li Shouzheng had sword-like brows and bright, starry eyes. His temperament was gentle and warm, and he was deeply beloved by the disciples.
“Junior Brother Hu Yan, how did you manage to do that?” Li Shouzheng stopped and asked curiously.
Hu Yan had entered the sect later than him and thus had to call him Senior Brother. Hu Yan did not mind. Within the sect, age was no longer the key measure of seniority.
Hearing the question, Hu Yan stopped his movements and asked, “You mean the spell? Just practice more and you’ll manage it.”
Li Shouzheng shook his head. “I’m asking about your state of mind. You don’t seem troubled by anything. You can always focus entirely on whatever you’re doing.”
Hu Yan smiled. “Maybe I’ve just figured things out. I believe Master and the others will definitely achieve a complete victory. Since I don’t have worries in my heart, I can concentrate on cultivation.”
He had a very good impression of Li Shouzheng. Though young, the boy possessed astonishing comprehension in spells. They had once discussed the Mountain Lord Divine Incantation, and Li Shouzheng had given him considerable inspiration.
Li Shouzheng seemed to enjoy spending time with him. Hu Yan, who had grown up without support or family, naturally did not reject the boy’s warmth.
“To have absolute confidence in others—that’s not easy,” Li Shouzheng said seriously.
Hu Yan walked over and ruffled his hair, smiling as he asked, “You’re always observing people. What are you trying to do?”
Hu Yan could sense malice in others, yet he had never felt any from Li Shouzheng. So he allowed the boy to observe him freely.
Tilting his head, Li Shouzheng replied, “I’m not trying to do anything. I just like watching people and guessing what they’re thinking. Junior Brother Hu Yan, I think your state of mind is your greatest advantage. Senior Brother Ji Ya also has extraordinary cultivation aptitude, but he used to struggle to calm his mind. That’s why his realm once lagged behind Senior Brother Zhao Zhen.”
Ji Ya had once spoken to Hu Yan about this matter as well. Ji Ya believed that aptitude was one thing, but the ability to focus on cultivation was another.
Hu Yan himself did not know why he could concentrate so single-mindedly. He simply could.
Uncomfortable with continued praise, he changed the topic and asked about Li Shouzheng’s cultivation.
Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin had been cultivating for some time. However, Li Qingqiu had not given them Spirit Stones or Spiritual Elixirs, as they were still too young. Even so, the two boys had already reached the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. Their heaven-defying talent could not be concealed.
Hu Yan was secretly astonished. How old were they?
At their age, he had not even recognized basic characters, let alone cultivated.
After chatting for quite a while, Li Shouzheng encouraged him before leaving, urging him to maintain his focus and expressing his hope that one day he would become the strongest in the sect.
Hu Yan watched his departing figure and felt something strange.
It always felt as though that boy was plotting something.
“What am I thinking? He’s only five years old.”
Hu Yan shook his head and laughed at himself. He too had his own goal.
He would become the disciple Master was most proud of. He would become the strongest in the sect. Now that Master had gone down the mountain, what he needed to do was cultivate diligently and waste no time.
……
Year’s End passed, and the New Year Festival arrived. Zhang Yuchun continued to organize celebrations across the various halls, filling the mountains of the Clear Sky Sect with festivity.
Seeing that the sect’s upper ranks remained so confident, the disciples’ worries gradually dissipated.
After midday, streaks of air-splitting sounds echoed through the sect. Disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were seen riding flying swords through the mountain ranges toward Clear Sky Mountain. At the front was Sect Master Li Qingqiu.
Boom—
All the mountains erupted in excitement. Disciples who witnessed the sight rushed to spread the news.
The Sect Master had returned with the expedition!
The news spread rapidly, invigorating disciples across the peaks.
Li Qingqiu flew all the way into Lingxiao Courtyard. After landing, he instructed Xiao Wuqing to ring the Lingxiao Bell.
The True Transmission Disciples who had returned from the campaign dispersed to their respective courtyards, only to be immediately surrounded by other disciples eager to hear about the battle.
Battling Corpse Ghosts and confronting Evil Entities—when recalling the fight, the True Transmission Disciples still felt their hearts tremble. They recounted everything they had seen and heard, drawing gasps of astonishment from the sect members.
After one incense stick’s time, the upper ranks of the various halls gathered in Lingxiao Courtyard. Li Qingqiu had Xiao Wuqing briefly recount the journey.
Upon hearing that some disciples had fallen, the expressions of the upper ranks grew solemn. But when they learned that Li Qingqiu had slain Great Demon Luo and that others had killed several Evil Ghosts, they finally let out a sigh of relief.
With Great Demon Luo dead, the Ghost Dynasty’s plan was effectively shattered. The remaining Evil Ghosts might cause trouble, but they would not overturn the Nine Provinces.
“I also went to the Northern Court. The Northern Court Heavenly Son is dead. The ghost that had possessed him had already fled. The Northern Court will support a new Heavenly Son and will formally send envoys to pay respects to us. From now on, the Northern Court will be a vassal dynasty of the Clear Sky Sect.”
Li Qingqiu’s words made everyone’s eyes light up.
Though the northern lands were barren, their vastness could not be ignored. Who knew whether they might conceal treasure lands like the Spirit Copper Mountain Range?
“When Liu Jing unifies the Nine Provinces, this world will usher in an unprecedented era of peace. Sect Master, your achievements surpass those of emperors throughout history,” Yang Jueding praised.
Others echoed his words, speaking from the heart.
Even the Imperial Ancestor Emperor of Great Li had only unified the Nine Provinces after countless hardships, yet the Great Li Dynasty still suffered harassment from northern tribes year after year.
Now that the Northern Court submitted to the Clear Sky Sect, and Liu Jing had been supported by Li Qingqiu, the mutual hatred between them would naturally come to an end. Looking through history, such a peaceful era had never existed.
“The Northern Court is too distant. For now, I do not plan to establish a branch city there. If they encounter trouble in the future, they may come to the Clear Sky Sect to commission tasks.”
Li Qingqiu finalized the decision.
He feared that if disciples ranged too far, they might inadvertently wander into Ghost King Ridge—or even further north into the Land of Demons and Devils.
No one objected. Even the Nine Provinces alone were vast enough. Before fully securing them, there was no need to expand northward.
“Senior Brother, tell us—how powerful was Great Demon Luo?” Li Sifeng finally found his chance, asking excitedly.
All eyes turned to Li Qingqiu, including Jiang Zhaoxia and Shen Yue, who had traveled with him to Cangzhou.
More than half of the Evil Ghosts had been slain by Li Qingqiu. Without him, they would not have been able to withstand those horrors.
On the way back, they had asked him before, but he had said he would speak of it after returning.
“Very strong. And very cunning.”
Li Qingqiu slowly recounted his battle with Great Demon Luo.
When they learned that the figure left in the Inspector-General’s Residence had only been an avatar, they were secretly astonished. These ghosts appeared arrogant, yet their schemes ran deep.
Li Qingqiu also described the abilities of the Ghost Flood Dragon, broadening everyone’s horizons.
“Tsk, tsk. In the future, we’ll have to be extra cautious when strange weather changes occur,” Clear Sky Daoist marveled.
The Evil Ghosts of Ghost King Ridge each possessed different abilities—soul devouring, avatars, earth burrowing, blood mist, wind-and-rain summoning, and more. If ordinary cultivators encountered them, they would surely be terrified.
“I will have someone record the abilities of these Evil Ghosts, including the process of how we slew them, to broaden the disciples’ combat awareness. The Evil Ghosts that escaped remain a hidden danger, but we will hunt them down gradually. For now, everyone may enjoy a happy New Year.”
A smile appeared on Li Qingqiu’s face, delighting everyone. They rose one after another to offer New Year greetings.
He waved his sleeve, signaling them to disperse.
After the others left, Li Dongyue looked at him and smiled. “Senior Brother, may the new year bring you everything you wish for.”
Li Qingqiu nodded and returned the blessing.
Back in his cave dwelling, he sat cross-legged on his stone bed and immediately began inheriting a Divine Art.
During the battle against Great Demon Luo, Divine Arts had played a tremendous role. Without the Immortal Severing Three Swords, slaying Great Demon Luo would have been far more troublesome—and he might even have escaped.
Moreover, the Divine Art inheritance from the Dao Lineage Panel allowed him to directly grasp it, unlike spell inheritance, which required time to cultivate.
【Claim Divine Art Inheritance Reward】
【Activating Dao Lineage Divine Art Inheritance】
【You have obtained the Divine Art — Transformation into a Magpie Technique】
【Accept inheritance?】
Transformation into a Magpie Technique?
It did not sound like a combat-oriented Divine Art.
Li Qingqiu felt puzzled, then chose to accept the inheritance.
……
With the northern Evil Ghosts eradicated and the Sect Master returning with the expedition, the atmosphere of the Clear Sky Sect surged with excitement. Disciples ran about spreading the news. The sounds of gongs and firecrackers rose and fell. The Martial Arenas across the mountains became lively once more.
On the second day after returning, Li Qingqiu wandered over to the Heavenly Works Hall.
He had heard that Wu Xingyue had forged a rather impressive Magic Implement, and he wished to see it.
Zhu Yan, Wu Xingyue, and the elders of the Heavenly Works Hall were already waiting. They led him into a side courtyard.
The moment he entered, Li Qingqiu’s gaze was drawn to a redwood boat resting within the courtyard.
Upon seeing him, Wu Xingyue’s eyes lit up. She immediately bowed, then eagerly introduced it.
“Sect Master, this is a spirit boat I created. It can fly through the skies. With sufficient Spirit Stones, traveling three thousand li in a single day is no problem.”
Zhu Yan added, “It’s quite convenient for transporting various resources.”
Li Qingqiu examined it carefully and nodded slightly. “It’s indeed not bad. You should think further along this line. Could you forge a spirit tower capable of flight? Or even a spirit city? That way, the next time the sect marches out, it would be far more convenient.”
Wu Xingyue fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
……