Chapter 266: Studying the Primordial Unity Scripture
“I withstood forty-three bolts of Heavenly Tribulation lightning—one more than Zhao Zhen.”
Shen Yue took a deep breath and spoke solemnly. Although Li Qingqiu was even better at putting on an act than he was, he still had to make this matter clear. He could not let it be buried.
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow and looked Shen Yue up and down, increasingly feeling that this old man was far from simple.
Judging from the Dao Lineage Panel, Shen Yue had not been as strong as Zhao Zhen, and he had begun cultivating immortality later as well. Yet once he stepped onto the path, his momentum had been the fiercest of all.
Li Qingqiu could not help but sigh sincerely. “Shen Yue, you are truly impressive. As expected of the one I regard as the second person in the sect. I have always felt that you are my only opponent.”
Those words made Shen Yue inwardly delighted, though his expression remained composed. He snorted lightly. “You have probably said that to quite a few people.”
“Not just anyone can bear such words. Think about it carefully—if I said this to others, how many would believe it?”
Li Qingqiu countered, his expression serious, his eyes fixed on Shen Yue.
The corners of Shen Yue’s lips lifted, but he restrained himself. “I am not a child. I will not be fooled by you. I came today to tell you these things because if the sect has any major missions coming up, you may consider me. These old bones of mine should move a little.”
So proactive?
Li Qingqiu’s intuition told him that Shen Yue was aiming for the Ten True Lords of Clear Sky.
The Ten True Lords were not selected based on strength alone; contribution to the sect also mattered.
Of course, even if he saw through this, he could not say it aloud. As Sect Master, it was basic conduct not to dampen the disciples’ enthusiasm to contribute.
After some thought, Li Qingqiu said, “Recently, I already sent Third Junior Brother down the mountain to eliminate ghosts. For now, there are no major missions requiring you. If you wish to do something, you might focus on nurturing the disciples of the Sword Sect.”
Upon hearing that Jiang Zhaoxia had gone down the mountain, Shen Yue raised his brows and immediately replied, “Very well. Then I shall properly instruct the Sword Sect disciples and strive to make them stronger than the Eight Halls’ disciples.”
With that, he stood up, saluted Li Qingqiu, and turned to leave.
“You have not even had your tea!”
“I will skip it. I will drink it next time I come.”
Watching Shen Yue’s departing figure, Li Qingqiu curled his lips. Drink tea next time?
As if he would brew any for him!
Once the stone gate of the cave dwelling closed again, a smile appeared on Li Qingqiu’s face.
The sect having one more Spirit Perception Realm cultivator was a great joy.
Although the Clear Sky Sect had no immediate danger, Ghost King Ridge and the Land of Demons and Devils farther north remained latent threats. They could not wait until a great enemy stood before them before forcing the disciples to grow stronger.
Li Qingqiu hoped that in ten years, all Ten True Lords would be Spirit Perception Realm existences. The Spirit Perception Realm would become the core combat unit of the Clear Sky Sect.
…
Shen Yue’s successful tribulation and advancement into the Spirit Perception Realm shook the sect, inspiring all disciples.
Speaking of Shen Yue, he was truly a legendary figure. His story could motivate the disciples. When he first entered the Clear Sky Sect, he had already been advanced in age. It had been assumed that he would constantly be surpassed by younger disciples, yet that was not the case. Instead, he displayed a cultivation speed even faster than youthful geniuses.
As the disciples marveled at Shen Yue’s greatness, they also wondered who would be the next to step into the Spirit Perception Realm.
In late autumn, the Ancient Great Mountain Range was blanketed in withered yellow, presenting another kind of beauty.
On a cliff.
Li Qingqiu practiced swordsmanship by the edge, while Jin Lang practiced his blade technique at his feet.
Behind them on the slope, Yun Cai, the Three Xiao Brothers, Hu Yan, Li Shouzheng, and Li Shoumin each sat in meditation, cultivating.
As Li Qingqiu swung his sword, he contemplated the Immortal Severing Three Swords.
This Divine Art had helped him slay the Great Demon Luo, and he had grown quite fond of it. He decided to continue advancing it. With the Tempered Through a Thousand Trials Fate Trait, his efforts would not be wasted.
Suddenly—
Yun Cai approached from behind and said, “Sect Master, I have something I wish to ask you.”
Without turning his head, Li Qingqiu replied, “Speak.”
“I have realized that although the Primordial Unity Scripture does not have any particularly domineering traits, it can accommodate Vital Energy of various attributes. Moreover, the Vital Energy cultivated through the Primordial Unity Scripture is the purest. The technique I created myself cannot compare to it.”
As she spoke, her brows furrowed.
When cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture, one did not feel anything especially remarkable. Yet upon cultivating other techniques afterward, the difference became obvious.
“Nonsense. How could the technique I passed down to you be inferior? The Primordial Unity Scripture is the foundation of the Clear Sky Sect. That will not change, no matter how much time passes.”
Li Qingqiu answered casually. In his heart, the Primordial Unity Scripture was the most perfect technique.
In the early stages, it had no inherent spells nor special Vital Energy attributes, but it laid the most solid foundation.
He had also discovered something else—no matter how poor one’s aptitude was, as long as one continued cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture, one would eventually cultivate Vital Energy. That alone was terrifying. He believed that even the immortal cultivation sects of the Azure Dragon Domain did not possess such a technique.
The Primordial Unity Scripture’s original name was not merely those three words, but the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture.
As one’s realm rose, the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture became increasingly complex. Even now, each minor breakthrough required Li Qingqiu to spend time digesting the newly unlocked layer of the mental method.
“Could the Primordial Unity Scripture be the most powerful technique?” Yun Cai pressed.
“Perhaps. And what effect would knowing that have on you? Are you not already cultivating it?” Li Qingqiu asked in return.
“I intend to study the Primordial Unity Scripture in depth. Perhaps through it, I can comprehend spells. Sect Master, what do you think?”
Her expression was earnest.
As her cultivation progressed, she had gradually realized that her comprehension was extraordinary. Perhaps at the beginning she had not matched other geniuses in comprehension, but as long as she persevered, her gains would surpass theirs.
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu stopped his movements.
Applying Tempered Through a Thousand Trials to the Primordial Unity Scripture?
He glanced at Yun Cai, feeling that this girl had found a path whose limits were difficult to estimate.
“You may give it a try.”
A faint smile appeared on Li Qingqiu’s face.
Yun Cai nodded, raised her hand in salute, and returned to continue cultivating.
Next year would be the second Grand Dao Tournament. The young disciples of the entire sect were holding back their energy, and Yun Cai was among them.
She was currently at the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. In the first Grand Dao Tournament, she would have had a chance to contend with Xu Ning, but in the second, Li Qingqiu could not determine how far she would go.
At present, there were already twenty disciples within the sect who had reached the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. Several were geniuses cultivated intensively by aristocratic clans pooling their resources. Their competitiveness could not be underestimated.
In addition, five disciples had already reached the Eighth Layer. These five would undoubtedly be forces not to be ignored in the Grand Dao Tournament.
At that thought, Li Qingqiu began to look forward to next year’s tournament.
Meanwhile—
On the cliff behind the Sword Sect Hall, Shen Yue was instructing Sword Solitary.
Sword Solitary sat cross-legged at the edge of the cliff, Sword Intent emanating from him, his black hair drifting in the wind.
“When the Grand Dao Tournament begins, your cultivation will at most reach the Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. That does not guarantee you first place. The only thing you can rely on is your Sword Intent. Your Sword Intent is different from others. It is an innate power. There are still many powerful aspects yet to be unearthed. You must now think carefully about how to push your Sword Intent to its limits.”
Shen Yue stood behind him, hands clasped behind his back, displaying the bearing of a Sword God.
Although Sword Solitary was Jiang Zhaoxia’s disciple, he was also the number one genius of the Sword Sect. Shen Yue hoped he would bring glory to the Sword Sect at the Grand Dao Tournament. If they wanted glory, a Top Ten ranking would not be enough.
Sword Solitary did not respond, but his Sword Intent clearly intensified.
Following Shen Yue’s guidance, he forged a closer connection with his Sword Intent, attempting to let his consciousness enter the Sword Intent itself.
Not only Sword Solitary, but Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Zhang Ping, Lu Qing, Han Lang, Gu Changping, Zhu Xunyang, and others were actively preparing for battle.
Aside from the top three of the previous Grand Dao Tournament, the former Top Ten disciples all wished to prove themselves again.
Their existence also pressured those geniuses who had never participated before. After all, years of cultivation were a gap that could not be ignored.
Days passed.
Autumn departed and winter arrived. The Clear Sky Sect welcomed a major event.
The Heavenly Son Liu Jing would perform a sacrifice to Heaven at the mountainside of Clear Sky Mountain and establish a state name under the Kaiyuan era. This would be a momentous event beneath the heavens. Xunxian Town at the foot of the mountain had already become crowded. Aristocratic clans and high officials from various provinces arrived one after another to witness this historic occasion.
Li Qingqiu did not intervene, allowing Zhang Yuchun to coordinate with the imperial court officials. It suited Zhang Yuchun well; he delighted in such matters, savoring the subtle pleasure of authority.
Snow blanketed the land.
At the edge of a forest, Bai Yutian gazed toward the Martial Arena in the distance. On the stage, two disciples were engaged in a Dao duel with tremendous momentum, while two to three hundred spectators gathered below.
“So powerful…”
Bai Yutian stared wide-eyed, his mouth unconsciously open.
The two disciples were not particularly famous, yet the strength they displayed astonished him. He felt that everyone in Fengxia Mountain combined would not be a match for them.
“This Clear Sky Sect is indeed extraordinary. These disciples not only absorb Inner Energy but also cultivate spells. They can even wield Magic Implements. It is hard to imagine that the Clear Sky Sect stepped onto the path of immortal cultivation less than twenty years ago.”
The voice of Black Hand sounded by Bai Yutian’s ear, filled with emotion.
“I have noticed that your evaluation of the Clear Sky Sect grows higher and higher, Little Black.”
Bai Yutian chuckled softly, teasing in tone.
“I came precisely because I was curious about the Clear Sky Sect,” Black Hand replied.
“So what exactly is your purpose?”
Bai Yutian could not help asking again. Black Hand was far too mysterious. In appearance, it resembled a demonic specter, yet in conversation, it seemed like a normal person.
Perhaps some unavoidable reason had reduced it to such a state.
“The less you know, the better for you. Your Sect Master is proficient in Ghostly Path spells. He might search your soul and probe your memories. If you know my origins, you will be guilty then, and there will be no clearing yourself.”
Black Hand answered casually, his tone slightly lazy.
Bai Yutian pursed his lips. He felt Black Hand was right and turned his attention back to the Martial Arena.
After the duel ended, he was about to leave when he suddenly heard exclamations.
“Senior Sister Yun Cai has arrived!”
Yun Cai!
The top genius personally nurtured by the Sect Master. It was said that she had never been defeated by anyone of the same realm.
A surge of curiosity rose in Bai Yutian’s heart, and his gaze followed the direction of the crowd.
Soon, his eyes locked onto Yun Cai as she stepped onto the stage.
Suddenly—
Yun Cai turned her head.
Her gaze landed directly on Bai Yutian.
Their eyes met across the distance, and his heart trembled.