Chapter 263: Divine Art Disciples, the Ten True Lords
In the early morning of the beginning of March, the Lingxiao Bell at the summit of Clear Sky Mountain rang.
The upper ranks of each hall walked into Lingxiao Courtyard, chatting and laughing. Since the start of this year, good news had been coming from every hall. The battle in Cangzhou seemed to have brought the Clear Sky Sect a stroke of good fortune, so everyone was in high spirits.
After taking their seats, and while Li Qingqiu had yet to arrive, they began exchanging thoughts with one another.
“Hall Master Zhu, you have to allocate a few spirit boats to our Sword Sect. That way, when we head down the mountain, it’ll better display the Clear Sky Sect’s majesty.” Shen Yue looked at Zhu Yan and spoke.
He had never liked handling Sword Sect affairs, but now Jiang Zhaoxia was busy in seclusion, and Han Lang had come to him for help. He had no choice but to step in.
Once he spoke, the other hall masters followed, making requests of Zhu Yan as well.
The spirit boats had already been flight-tested. When disciples of the Heavenly Works Hall took a spirit boat to circle the Ancient Great Mountain Range, every disciple had been thrilled.
Although it was still “flying,” just like sword flight, the visual impact of a spirit boat was completely different—and it could carry many people.
The introduction of the spirit boat added fuel to the new year’s excitement. After that, the Cultivation Hall launched a series of pills and talismans, including ones with remarkable effects against ghosts, further igniting the disciples’ enthusiasm.
Even if a disciple’s comprehension was lacking, they could still rely on pills and talismans in battle. This allowed more disciples to devote their minds entirely to cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Faced with the hall masters’ requests, Zhu Yan could only say, “The requirements for manufacturing spirit boats are rather harsh. Our plan is to prepare three spirit boats for each hall before Year’s End. In addition, we will set aside ten spirit boats for sale. This is the Sect Master’s requirement—there must be a certain number of Magic Implements that flow into the disciples’ hands.”
Hearing that the Sect Master had already set the rules, no one could say much more. They could only praise the Heavenly Works Hall disciples for their ingenious ideas, which greatly advanced the sect’s development.
After a while…
Li Qingqiu strolled in from the back mountain. As soon as he arrived, everyone immediately rose and saluted.
It was not only the upper ranks whose mood was good—Li Qingqiu’s mood was good as well, because today another new disciple with outstanding aptitude had entered the sect.
After sitting down, Li Qingqiu placed both hands on the table, swept his gaze across the room, and said, “Starting today, a new level will be established above True Transmission Disciples, called Divine Art Disciples. Their monthly resources will be doubled, and they will enjoy certain special authority. Only True Transmission Disciples who have mastered a Divine Art may be promoted to Divine Art Disciples.”
The moment these words fell, everyone’s eyes lit up.
They had long been anticipating Divine Arts.
At present, there were already six Divine Arts within the Clear Sky Sect: Ji Emperor Dharma Form Divine Art, True Martial Supreme Yang, Extreme Movement Technique, Moving Mountains to Suppress Gods, Immortal Severing Three Swords, and Transformation into a Magpie Technique. In terms of Dao Fate, each one was priced outrageously high, far beyond what ordinary disciples could even dream of.
Li Qingqiu had set such high prices because he did not want to delay disciples’ cultivation.
Not only were Divine Arts extremely difficult to cultivate, they also consumed tremendous Vital Energy. Disciples below the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm could easily suffer the opposite effect if they tried to use a Divine Art.
Among the upper ranks present, aside from Zhao Zhen, none had mastered a Divine Art. They felt the threshold for becoming a Divine Art Disciple was somewhat too harsh.
“Sect Master, requiring mastery of a Divine Art to become a Divine Art Disciple is too strict. How about changing it so that any True Transmission Disciple who is cultivating a Divine Art can become a Divine Art Disciple?” Zhang Yuchun proposed.
Quite a few people nodded at this suggestion.
Chu Jing, however, said, “For now, we don’t need disciples to become Divine Art Disciples. We need to give them a cultivation goal. If Divine Art Disciples have no real difference from True Transmission Disciples, then establishing Divine Art Disciples has no meaning.”
Shen Yue and Xue Jin nodded in agreement. Although they had not yet mastered Divine Arts, they were confident they could.
Li Qingqiu continued, “That’s right. Divine Art Disciples will not only see a significant increase in treatment, their status will be different as well. We’ll discuss the details later. My hope is that every Divine Art Disciple becomes a reliable backbone of the sect—once they appear, other disciples will immediately have their confidence bolstered.”
With that description, everyone felt Divine Art Disciples were extraordinary. This was clearly aligned with disciple ranks on par with Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia.
“Also, in ten years, the sect will select the Ten True Lords of Clear Sky. A True Lord’s status will be equal to a Hall Master’s. The Enforcement Hall and the Sword Sect may not investigate them without my command. The Ten True Lords must be the ten strongest people in the sect and the ten with the greatest contributions. The number will not increase. People may be replaced—those with ability and virtue shall hold the seats.”
Li Qingqiu’s words were like a bombshell, changing everyone’s expressions.
Xu Ning, Shen Yue, Xue Jin, Yan Daozong, Chai Yunshang, Li Sifeng… anyone with ambition toward strength found their breathing quicken.
The Ten True Lords!
Just hearing it sounded imposing.
This time, no one questioned it—there was only anticipation and longing.
“Can a Hall Master compete for a True Lord seat?” Li Sifeng asked.
“Yes.”
“Who will determine the Ten True Lords?” someone asked.
“Naturally, I will. But after the selection is determined, there will be an anonymous vote across the entire sect. If more than half oppose it, the True Lord seat will be revoked.”
This method of selection made everyone nod. They trusted Li Qingqiu’s character, but establishing rules that could better convince the masses was a good thing. What if Li Qingqiu stepped down one day?
There was no Sect Master who lasted forever. As sect upper ranks, they had to plan for the future.
They then discussed the Ten True Lords. These would be the sect’s strongest ten. For the moment, only Xu Ning, Jiang Zhaoxia, Shen Yue, and Zhao Zhen seemed relatively secure. But there were still ten years—too many variables. The new generation’s geniuses had fierce momentum, filling them with expectation.
After about half an hour, the meeting ended.
That very day, the Free Spirit Hall went to every peak and major courtyard to post notices, laying out the conditions related to the Ten True Lords of Clear Sky and Divine Art Disciples.
The entire Clear Sky Sect was shaken.
No one had expected the sect to make such a grand move. Everyone was drawn in by the title of the Ten True Lords.
It was simply too domineering, stirring the blood of young disciples.
Sword Sect.
The moment Sword Solitary entered the courtyard, a large number of Sword Sect disciples surrounded him, asking whether he had confidence in competing for the Ten True Lords ten years from now.
Sword Solitary froze and asked in surprise what the Ten True Lords were.
After the disciples explained, his eyes immediately shone, and his fighting spirit was ignited.
“I will definitely become one of the Ten True Lords!”
Sword Solitary boasted without hesitation. After all, there were still ten years—he had confidence he could catch up.
His words spread rapidly throughout the sect by word of mouth.
Yang Dong of the Free Spirit Hall, Zhu Xunyang of the Heavenly Works Hall, Lu Qing and Gu Changping of the Enforcement Hall, Yang Chengyu of the Cultivation Hall, Yang Xuan of the Spirit Finance Hall, and many other already-famous genius disciples all declared their ambitions. Competition among the halls ignited on the spot, plunging the entire sect into an unprecedented bustle.
A few days later, Xiao Wudi and Xiao Wuming returned from missions outside. Upon learning of it, they were equally excited and began seclusion cultivation that very day.
The Ten True Lords were destined to be seats only the top geniuses could contend for. After that wave receded, disciples began focusing on Divine Art Disciples.
Divine Arts were priced far too high. To become a Divine Art Disciple, wouldn’t they have to complete massive numbers of sect missions to accumulate Dao Fate?
For a time, disciples began asking their masters and families whether there were other ways to obtain Divine Arts.
The Cultivation Hall began issuing more exploration missions. After all, within the Nine Provinces there was no power capable of threatening the Clear Sky Sect, so only exploration missions could be issued to distribute more Dao Fate.
……
Spring passed into summer. In the southern part of the Nine Provinces, the world was already at peace. Every region resumed development, flourishing in a thriving posture.
Southern Chu Province, in a mountain forest, two Daoists were resting by a small stream. They wore identical Dao robes. One looked to be in his thirties, while the other looked only a little over ten.
They came from Fengxia Mountain. The older one was called Clear Flame Daoist, and the younger one was called Bai Yutian.
Bai Yutian was only eleven this year. His eyes were bright like gemstones. Though young, he carried a steady, composed aura completely mismatched with his age and appearance.
“Master, didn’t you say Fengxia Mountain’s Dao Lineage inheritance is the orthodox line beneath the heavens, the branch with the deepest historical roots? Why are you taking me to the Clear Sky Sect to seek immortality?” Bai Yutian looked at Clear Flame Daoist and could not help asking.
Like Lin Xunfeng and Lin Lingzhou, master and disciple traveled together, purely to seek immortality.
The difference was that they knew where immortal methods existed.
Clear Flame Daoist opened his eyes. His brows and gaze carried authority, as though he could see through human hearts. With a calm expression, he answered, “Fengxia Mountain’s ‘beneath the heavens’ is only the Nine Provinces. The Clear Sky Sect’s Dao Lineage comes from a far more vast heaven and earth.”
“If I learn immortal methods at the Clear Sky Sect, can I return to Fengxia Mountain in the future?”
“Of course. But you must not bring the Clear Sky Sect’s inheritance back to Fengxia Mountain. You may only take what you comprehend, combine it with Fengxia Mountain’s Dao methods, and recreate something new—to benefit Fengxia Mountain.”
That answer made Bai Yutian frown. It sounded troublesome.
He then asked, “I come from Fengxia Mountain. Will the Clear Sky Sect accept me?”
“They will. I have already spoken with Hall Master Zhang of the Clear Sky Sect. He welcomes us to join. However, once we go this time, for twenty years, you cannot return to Fengxia Mountain whenever you please.”
After speaking, Clear Flame Daoist looked up through the gaps in the trees, calculated the time, then stood.
“Let’s go. Keep moving. We should reach a town before nightfall.”
Hearing that, Bai Yutian snapped out of it and stood as well.
“Master, I heard the Clear Sky Sect is already the number one sect beneath the heavens. Is that true?”
“Whether in prestige or foundation, it is indeed number one.”
“Is Li Qingqiu of the Clear Sky Sect really an immortal reincarnate?”
“That, as your master, I do not know. You can observe it yourself later.”
“Master…”
“Why do you have so many questions? Back on the mountain, you weren’t like this.”
“To be honest, I’ve always been very curious about the Clear Sky Sect’s Sect Master, Li Qingqiu.”
“You brat—if your grandmaster found out, he’d be furious.”
Master and disciple chatted as they advanced.
They did not notice that behind them, on a large tree, a black hand appeared.
This black hand had a small amount of red fur. It paused on the trunk for a moment, then leapt forward again and again, drawing closer to the two ahead.
“Clear Sky Sect? Perfect—I’ll go take a look. Perhaps there, I can obtain an opportunity that surpasses Great Demon Luo.”
The black hand stopped, and an extremely faint human voice came from it, its gender indistinguishable.