Chapter 264: Innate Spiritual Root
In early June, the Clear Sky Sect publicly announced that Zhao Zhen had become the first Divine Art Disciple. As for Jiang Zhaoxia, because he held the position of an elder in the Sword Sect, he was not counted as a disciple.
The disciples had long been mentally prepared for this. Even if they were not surprised, they still began chasing after the status of Divine Art Disciple with fervor.
The Three Xiao Brothers and Yun Cai went to Li Qingqiu, all wanting to cultivate Divine Arts, but Li Qingqiu refused them.
First enter the Spirit Perception Realm, then cultivate Divine Arts!
This requirement of Li Qingqiu’s also spread throughout the sect, and it made more and more disciples sober up, placing their attention back on cultivation.
At the end of June, Zhao Zhen successfully underwent tribulation and became the sect’s fourth Spirit Perception Realm cultivator.
Zhao Zhen withstood a full forty-two bolts of heavenly lightning, making Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia leave in silence.
Through Zhao Zhen, Li Qingqiu gained a deeper understanding of Heavenly Tribulation.
Zhao Zhen had used pills, arrays, and talismans to undergo tribulation, yet Heavenly Tribulation did not produce any abnormal changes because of it. This proved that crossing tribulation could be approached methodically.
Once he understood that, Heavenly Tribulation no longer felt so terrifying.
In the early stages of sect development, Spirit Perception Realm cultivators were scarce. The sect could provide enormous resources to disciples crossing tribulation, helping them succeed smoothly.
At nineteen, Zhao Zhen achieved the Spirit Perception Realm, fulfilling his talent and not disappointing the expectations of the entire sect. At the same time, he set the benchmark for top-tier geniuses.
For instance, twenty-year-old Sword Solitary was clearly inferior. Even if he had entered the sect late, it still made other disciples feel that he was more than a little behind Zhao Zhen.
This year, Sword Solitary had only barely reached the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, still far from the Spirit Perception Realm.
At present, only Hu Yan, Li Shouzheng, and Li Shoumin had hope of breaking Zhao Zhen’s record.
Zhao Zhen became the most talked-about disciple in the Clear Sky Sect.
The youngest Spirit Perception Realm disciple, and the only Divine Art Disciple.
Zhao Zhen’s name even spread across the entire world. More and more people knew that the Clear Sky Sect had a Zhao Zhen.
Liu Jing even sent people to deliver congratulatory gifts to Zhao Zhen.
In mid-July, Beiliang Province announced its submission to Liu Jing. At this point, the Nine Provinces were unified, all under the Liu clan, and the world erupted in cheers.
Peace had finally arrived. The people of the world were just waiting for Liu Jing to found the new state.
On this day, after midday—
Li Qingqiu sat on a chair within Lingxiao Courtyard, resting as he flipped through the Dao Lineage Panel.
The number of registered disciples had already exceeded twenty thousand. Even as the entry threshold grew higher and higher, the number of new disciples registered each day was still considerable—let alone the menial disciples.
The Clear Sky Sect’s menial disciples had already surpassed one hundred thousand. It was a staggering number.
Li Qingqiu suddenly raised his brows and let out a doubtful sound. A disciple’s panel appeared before his eyes.
【Name: Bai Yan】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 66】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 69/72 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】
【Comprehension: Excellent】
【Fate Traits: Martial Path Prodigy, Lingering Obsession for Longevity】
【Martial Path Prodigy: Always possesses extraordinary insights on the Mortal Martial Path】
【Lingering Obsession for Longevity: Becomes stronger for longevity; can abandon everything for longevity】
……
Bai Yan?
Could it be Clear Flame Daoist of Fengxia Mountain?
Li Qingqiu had heard Shen Yue mention that among the three people most likely to enter Dao through martial arts, Clear Flame Daoist was one.
He continued to look further down, and then he saw the one Zhang Yuchun had previously mentioned—a genius from Fengxia Mountain.
【Name: Bai Yutian】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 11】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 89/77 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】
【Comprehension: Outstanding】
【Fate Traits: A Once-in-a-Millennium Genius, Innate Spiritual Root】
【A Once-in-a-Millennium Genius: A Dao Lineage nurtures for a thousand years; formed from fortune; protected by the world’s luck and not harmed by inner demons】
【Innate Spiritual Root: The purest cultivation Spiritual Root; even without immortal cultivation methods, can rely on one’s own comprehension】
……
Well, damn!
Outstanding-level comprehension!
And the Innate Spiritual Root Fate Trait—an absolute immortal cultivation genius.
It was just a pity that these two came from Fengxia Mountain. If he wanted to draw them fully into the Clear Sky Sect, he would need to use some strategy.
Clear Flame Daoist had the Lingering Obsession for Longevity Fate Trait, which would make him easy to recruit.
As for Bai Yutian, his loyalty to Li Qingqiu was already quite high. As long as Li Qingqiu raised it above 90, he would dare to invest heavily in cultivating him.
“Why do I feel like it’s still a bit lacking, not enough to excite me?”
Li Qingqiu began examining himself.
He was happy, but not excited. Ultimately, the Clear Sky Sect’s foundation had risen. The aptitude of Clear Flame Daoist and Bai Yutian still was not enough to shake the Clear Sky Sect.
After seeing so many geniuses of this level, Li Qingqiu’s sense of surprise had naturally diminished.
After thinking it through, he decided not to personally cultivate the two of them, leaving opportunities for the other hall masters.
Of course, he was also doing this to leave his own disciples some competitors.
In Li Qingqiu’s view, Bai Yutian still had a slight gap compared with Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Yun Cai, and Hu Yan.
Compared to these two, Li Qingqiu even looked forward more to how Yan Daozong would perform after stepping into the immortal path.
While Li Qingqiu was thinking, Zhang Yuchun walked into the courtyard.
He came before Li Qingqiu and said, “Senior Brother, Clear Flame Daoist and Bai Yutian of Fengxia Mountain have entered our sect. Do you want to see them? With your status, even if you don’t promise anything, meeting them is enough to show the Clear Sky Sect’s sincerity.”
Because the birth of immortal cultivation forces could not be completely suppressed, Li Qingqiu had already established a series of plans, and Fengxia Mountain was an important link in those plans.
Li Qingqiu nodded. “Bring them to the banquet tonight.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yuchun immediately grew delighted and turned to make arrangements.
Thinking of Yan Daozong, Li Qingqiu decided to go see him.
Back then, the two Martial Legends had both entered the Clear Sky Sect. The Clear Sky Sect would display the bearing of an immortal sect to the entire martial world and all under heaven, making the world understand that what the Clear Sky Sect sought was not secular profit, but something farther.
He rose and went to the Martial Sect.
……
Inside a side courtyard, Zhang Ping and Murong Xi were entertaining two members of the Murong clan.
They were Murong Tiancheng and Murong Tianxuan.
Back then, when Li Qingqiu had headed north to search for Li Sifeng, he had saved these two along the way. Today, the two had entered the Clear Sky Sect.
Listening to Murong Tianxuan recount the story of how the two siblings had met the Sect Master, Zhang Ping and Murong Xi both felt emotional.
They had also heard of the Silent Nether Ghost King’s strength. For these two to have survived in his hands, they truly had great fortune.
“I originally thought the Clear Sky Sect wouldn’t accept a cripple like me. I didn’t expect them to not discriminate against me at all. They let me take the assessment—and I actually passed.” Murong Tiancheng said with a smile from his wheelchair.
He had come to the Clear Sky Sect not only to seek immortal cultivation, but also to express thanks to Li Qingqiu. If the sect refused him, he would not have regretted it—he would have simply come to witness the bearing of the number one sect beneath the heavens.
Zhang Ping said, “When the Clear Sky Sect accepts disciples, it has never only looked at physical condition. Besides, a broken body like yours may not be impossible to treat within the sect.”
Murong Tiancheng looked at him in surprise, not understanding.
Murong Tianxuan’s eyes lit up, and she asked, “Senior Brother Zhang Ping, what do you mean? Does the Clear Sky Sect have immortal medicine for Severed Limb Regeneration?”
Murong Xi shook her head. “Not for now, but the future may be different. There are already disciples specifically researching this. Some have even helped other disciples rebuild new arms and legs. You should understand—the Clear Sky Sect isn’t only cultivating immortality, it’s also exploring the path of immortal cultivation. The Sect Master values creation in all aspects.”
Those words made Murong Tiancheng and Murong Tianxuan exchange a glance, both feeling even greater anticipation for the future.
Afterward, they asked Zhang Ping and Murong Xi about the Clear Sky Sect, centering the conversation around Li Qingqiu.
Zhang Ping and Murong Xi were equally enthusiastic, and even introduced them to notable happenings within the sect.
This was a snapshot of how new disciples integrated after entering. More and more new disciples already knew someone in the sect, and through those acquaintances, they learned about the Clear Sky Sect and Li Qingqiu.
As years passed, more and more people regarded Li Qingqiu as a human immortal god.
Li Qingqiu was the Clear Sky Sect’s greatest banner.
……
Night fell.
Bai Yutian was inside his room organizing the clothes and books the Clear Sky Sect had issued. From these alone, one could see how deep the Clear Sky Sect’s pockets were.
Fengxia Mountain could not possibly provide new disciples with such treatment.
Knock, knock—
Someone knocked on the door. Bai Yutian immediately said, “Come in.”
Clear Flame Daoist pushed the door open and entered. He closed it behind him, then sat at the table and asked with a smile, “Today, you also met the Clear Sky Sect’s Sect Master. What was your impression?”
Bai Yutian paused what he was doing and pondered. “Kinder than I imagined. I couldn’t even feel the slightest pressure. From him, I can sense the Clear Sky Sect’s righteous aura. I can also believe the Clear Sky Sect aims for something farther, not simple power struggles.”
Clear Flame Daoist sighed. “Yes. I also didn’t expect him to be that kind of person. Perhaps that’s why the Clear Sky Sect rose so quickly. The Clear Sky Sect is willing to help other sects comprehend immortal cultivation methods—this breadth of mind is something other sects can’t compare to.”
Bai Yutian said calmly, “If this continues long-term, even if other sects cultivate immortality, ambitious people will still drift toward the Clear Sky Sect.”
“There is no such thing as perfect. If you were a sect master, would you refuse the Clear Sky Sect because of that concern?”
Facing his Master’s question, Bai Yutian shook his head.
He did not doubt the Clear Sky Sect’s grand bearing—he simply could see where the future would go.
Other sects could no longer surpass the Clear Sky Sect unless the Clear Sky Sect fractured from within.
Bai Yutian looked at Clear Flame Daoist and asked, “Master, will you return to Fengxia Mountain in the future?”
Clear Flame Daoist replied, “Of course I will. But I prefer the road the Clear Sky Sect is walking.”
Bai Yutian fell silent. He had not expected his Master to change his mind on the very first day at the Clear Sky Sect.
He had to admit that he too liked the Clear Sky Sect. Everything here was simply too wonderful.
Fengxia Mountain felt lifeless by comparison, and even Fengxia Mountain’s ideal of saving the world seemed less effective than what the Clear Sky Sect was doing.
“Rest well. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go familiarize ourselves with the sect again,” Clear Flame Daoist said as he stood.
Bai Yutian nodded and watched his Master leave.
After the door closed, Bai Yutian stared at the oil lamp in the room, his thoughts drifting.
“You see it now, don’t you? The Clear Sky Sect is terrifying. That Li Qingqiu has disguised himself perfectly—yet he hides the ambition to swallow the world.”
A cold laugh sounded out. Bai Yutian was not surprised. He turned to look toward the bed.
On the bed was actually a black hand with red fur, arched like a spider.
……