Chapter 271: Immortal Cultivation Spy
Seeing that Yun Cai and Ji Ya were evenly matched, Hu Yan widened his eyes, his face filled with shock.
Ji Ya’s greatest strength was his Vital Energy!
Yet in a contest of Vital Energy, Ji Ya had actually failed to suppress Yun Cai?
He had long known that Yun Cai’s aptitude and comprehension were far from ordinary, but he had never expected her to catch up to Ji Ya’s greatest advantage.
Compared to Ji Ya’s increasingly grave expression, Yun Cai remained calm, as though she had already anticipated this outcome.
With Hu Yan present, Ji Ya did not want to lose.
He continuously increased the output of his Vital Energy. The winds and waves he generated grew stronger and stronger, until gradually, the cliff beneath their feet began to tremble.
“Enough. Let’s end it here. I’ve lost.”
Yun Cai suddenly spoke. After saying that, she was the first to withdraw her palm.
Ji Ya’s expression changed drastically. He forcefully dragged back the Vital Energy he had already released, preventing it from injuring Yun Cai.
Yun Cai, meanwhile, turned lightly and walked down the mountain as if nothing had happened.
Ji Ya let out a breath of relief. If he had injured Yun Cai, he would have had a hard time explaining it to his Master.
Only…
Was her Vital Energy truly inferior to his?
Ji Ya looked at her departing back, always feeling that she had not used her full strength, merely leaving him some dignity.
“How did her Vital Energy grow so quickly…”
Ji Ya could not make sense of it. In his heart, Yun Cai’s aptitude had already surpassed Zhao Zhen, making her the strongest among their fellow disciples.
After Yun Cai left, Hu Yan walked over and sighed with emotion, “Senior Sister Yun Cai is truly formidable.”
Many people called him the number one genius, yet he was able to remain humble—no easy feat.
Only he knew that staying among people like Yun Cai and Ji Ya made it truly difficult for his ego to swell. He even felt somewhat insecure.
“Yes. The first place in this Grand Dao Tournament might be uncertain now.”
Ji Ya stared in the direction Yun Cai had left and spoke solemnly.
He was not afraid to discuss it. He was competing for first place, but he had always known that first place was not something he could claim simply because he wanted it.
Moreover, besides him and Yun Cai, there were other variables.
After hearing this, Hu Yan could only sigh. “There are simply too many geniuses in the sect. By the time the next Grand Dao Tournament begins, Shouzheng and Shoumin will rise as well. Who knows—other geniuses may emerge too.”
Ji Ya looked at Hu Yan with sympathy in his eyes.
So it was not just him who felt pressure. Hu Yan did as well—indeed, Hu Yan’s pressure was even greater, because he understood Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin’s aptitude too clearly.
Those two boys were practically replicas of Zhao Zhen—two replicas.
……
After finishing his sparring session with Ji Ya, Yun Cai went to find Li Qingqiu and informed him of her gains and breakthrough.
“As expected, if I continue delving into the Primordial Unity Scripture, it can bring me even greater surprises. It seems plain and unremarkable on the surface, but in truth, it is unfathomable.”
Yun Cai spoke sincerely, which surprised Li Qingqiu.
She had really done it?
Because he had directly inherited the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture, Li Qingqiu usually did not study the technique deeply; he merely cultivated it step by step.
Hearing Yun Cai’s words, he suddenly realized that he might have overlooked something.
If studying the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture could double one’s Vital Energy, then combined with his Hundred-Refinement Demonic Body, how terrifying would his Vital Energy become?
Li Qingqiu’s heartbeat began to quicken.
The way he looked at Yun Cai changed. This girl truly was talented.
“Not bad. Since you’ve succeeded, continue. You are the only one in the sect researching the Primordial Unity Scripture. If you truly comprehend something profound from it, I will be very gratified.”
This time, his praise was sincere.
Upon hearing this, Yun Cai’s cheeks flushed red with excitement. She looked at Li Qingqiu and asked, “If I win first place in this Grand Dao Tournament, can you reward me?”
“What reward do you want?”
Li Qingqiu asked, feeling rather helpless inside.
Yun Cai was excellent in every way—except her intentions were not entirely upright!
In truth, her appearance and figure were outstanding. After beginning immortal cultivation, she seemed reborn. In the hearts of many disciples, she was the most beautiful female disciple in the sect.
Unfortunately, Li Qingqiu had never harbored romantic feelings toward her.
Perhaps it was because of preconceived notions; for the time being, he could not develop other feelings for her.
Setting that aside, Yun Cai was the most useful disciple he had. Not only was she highly talented and decisive in killing, her loyalty to him was as high as 99—she could be entrusted with anything.
Yun Cai noticed the look in Li Qingqiu’s eyes and immediately felt displeased.
Was she that kind of person?
Alright, she was—but only toward Li Qingqiu.
“We’ll talk about it then. Just promise me first,” Yun Cai said sullenly.
“As long as it’s not offering yourself in marriage, everything else is negotiable,” Li Qingqiu said with a grin, making Yun Cai want to hit someone.
Of course, she could not bear to hit Li Qingqiu. She wanted to hit Ji Ya and Xiao Wudi instead.
The two chatted a while longer. When Li Qingqiu mentioned that he would also begin studying the Primordial Unity Scripture, Yun Cai was overjoyed.
That meant her discovery truly had value.
“I’m going back to cultivate. Before the Grand Dao Tournament ends, I’ll make my Vital Energy surpass Ji Ya’s.”
With that, she left in high spirits.
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu suddenly felt that Yun Cai was gradually overtaking Ji Ya.
Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li could rely on their comprehension to maintain their unique positions. Xu Ning possessed Heavenly Thunder Vital Energy, while Hu Yan had the Righteous Qi of Vast Integrity.
“Perhaps the Hundred-Refinement Demonic Body has more potential as well. I should remind him.”
Li Qingqiu thought silently.
The Hundredfold Strength of the Hundred-Refinement Demonic Body was based on one’s physique—the stronger the foundation, the greater the amplification.
Moreover, Ji Ya could use its endurance capacity to rapidly strengthen his body.
As a Master, Li Qingqiu could also help Ji Ya think it through carefully.
After all, he himself possessed the Hundred-Refinement Demonic Body.
……
By the end of the entire month of February, the Grand Dao Tournament of the Clear Sky Sect had astonished everyone, including the upper ranks.
The higher they stood, the more their understanding of disciples came from written records. Yet disciples were living people. Their combinations of spells, their combat wisdom, their adaptability—these made every duel unpredictable.
They even discovered overlooked talents within their own halls.
On this day, Pei Miao returned to her courtyard and found Li Sifeng.
“Husband, Xue Jin is truly impressive. It feels like he has a real chance to claim first place this time.”
Pei Miao spoke with admiration. Li Sifeng was the Hall Master of the Tempering Hall, while Xue Jin was the Deputy Hall Master. The competition between them had grown increasingly obvious.
Li Sifeng was also participating in the Grand Dao Tournament. He did not seek anything in particular—he simply wanted to test his strength.
He was practicing swordsmanship at the moment. After hearing his wife’s words, he did not stop.
“As long as it’s not a life-and-death duel, I’m no match for Xue Jin. He truly is formidable. His aptitude and comprehension aren’t the most outstanding, yet he always manages to move ahead and maintain his competitiveness.”
His tone was full of admiration. He did not resent Xue Jin for the pressure he brought. On the contrary, the stronger Xue Jin was, the more he appreciated him. It meant the Tempering Hall was on the right path.
His Eldest Senior Brother had more than once told him to broaden his perspective beyond that of a Hall Master. The Clear Sky Sect had been established by the seven of them; their vision should encompass the entire sect, not just one hall.
Li Sifeng also knew that his Eldest Senior Brother believed he could not suppress Xue Jin—and that was true.
“Husband, what do you plan to do next? If you’re unwilling to give up the Hall Master position, why not consolidate your authority?” Pei Miao asked curiously.
She did not value status or power for his sake. She was simply curious about his thoughts. No matter his choice, she would support him, as long as he was happy.
With Li Qingqiu as their Eldest Senior Brother, she was not worried that losing the Hall Master position would cause Li Sifeng’s life to plummet.
“I plan to go help my younger sister in the Cultivation Hall,” Li Sifeng finally revealed his thoughts.
“That’s wonderful! Sijin has often asked me to persuade you. I didn’t expect you to come to the conclusion yourself.”
Pei Miao was delighted. She liked Li Sijin very much and believed the Cultivation Hall had greater prospects than the Tempering Hall.
Everyone knew that the Cultivation Hall and the Heavenly Works Hall were the two halls most valued by the Sect Master, and their benefits were the highest.
“Even if I go to the Cultivation Hall, I’ll still head down the mountain often to search for rare herbs and spiritual plants. You know me—I can’t sit still. If not for Eldest Senior Brother holding me back, I would have gone down long ago.”
Pei Miao shot him a glare. “Didn’t you promise to stay and raise Shouzheng and Shoumin?”
“Don’t mention those two brats. They don’t even respect their father. And once they grow up, I’m afraid I’ll lose to them. I can’t accept that.”
Li Sifeng snorted. He could accept being inferior to Xue Jin, but he could not accept being inferior to his own sons. Just imagining Li Shoumin’s expression after defeating him made his scalp tingle.
“That’s impossible. They respect you in their hearts. It’s just that you always put on airs. Why not learn from Eldest Senior Brother? Look at how he treats his disciples—he never puts on airs.”
“I’m trying to change. It’s just that the things they say are infuriating. They don’t talk to others like that.”
“You father and sons truly are fated rivals.”
As they spoke of their sons, their emotions shifted. Though Li Sifeng was complaining, he was proud of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin.
After all, they were his sons.
……
As March began, renowned disciples such as Xue Jin, Yuan Li, Li Yang, and Han Lang once again stirred the winds, their dominant performances announcing that they were still here.
The Three Xiao Brothers also maintained strong momentum, especially Xiao Wudi. True to his name, his domineering and expansive style in duels won him many admirers.
Lu Qing, who had been specially cultivated by Li Qingqiu, also displayed his brilliance, making many see him as a strong contender for first place.
Yang Xuan, who was destined to become the Mortal Dao Ancestor, also began to emerge—though among so many geniuses, he was not yet particularly outstanding.
At the end of March.
Li Qingqiu was instructing Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin in cultivation in the forest before his cave dwelling when a prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes:
[Given that your Dao Lineage has encountered, for the first time, infiltration by a spy from another immortal cultivation sect, this represents your Dao Lineage formally entering a higher level of conflict. Would you like to view this spy’s personal panel?]
Li Qingqiu froze.
A spy?
If it triggered a prompt, it likely was not a small sect like the Azure Cloud Sect, but a true immortal cultivation sect.
Li Qingqiu frowned, his good mood shattered.
Had the Clear Sky Sect been discovered after all?