Chapter 272: An Outrageous Sect Master
Li Qingqiu let numerous thoughts flash through his mind before silently choosing to inspect.
【Name: Sun Moxing】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 62】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 2 / 36 (Maximum: 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Average】
【Comprehension: Good】
【Fate Traits: Fickle-Minded, Exploratory Fate Reading】
【Fickle-Minded: Easily swayed by what he sees and hears; lacks firm conviction】
【Exploratory Fate Reading: Enjoys and excels at exploring unknown places; gains a measure of good fortune when visiting somewhere for the first time】
……
The panel was ordinary at a glance—clearly not a peerless genius.
This “Fickle-Minded” Fate Trait seemed to carry the possibility of incitement.
Li Qingqiu did not make a hasty judgment. He would have to meet this Sun Moxing first.
He memorized Sun Moxing’s appearance but did not act immediately. Since the man had come as a spy, he certainly would not act rashly. He would take root within the Clear Sky Sect for the long term.
Li Qingqiu continued watching Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin cultivate, preparing to approach Sun Moxing the following day.
The Clear Sky Sect now possessed five Spirit Perception Realm cultivators. It was no longer what it used to be. He had the confidence to face anything.
As the sun set and the moon rose, another night passed.
At dawn the next day, the mountain below grew lively once more.
Within a newly built disciple courtyard, Sun Moxing stepped out of his room and stretched lazily.
Dressed in a sect robe, he did not stand out. His face could only be described as fair and refined. He appeared very young—barely in his early twenties.
“That was truly a comfortable sleep.”
Sun Moxing sighed sincerely. Having crossed the sea alone, he had always remained vigilant in the wilderness. Yet last night, he had shed all defenses and slept soundly.
The reason he dared to lower his guard lay in his understanding of the Clear Sky Sect.
This Immortal Cultivation Sect’s rise had become unstoppable.
During the past two days, he had sensed its vitality—the driving spirit of a sect in the midst of rapid development. It was a fighting spirit that Ziyang Island did not possess.
Ziyang Island had stood for a thousand years. Its order was long established, and its atmosphere had grown stagnant with age. That was precisely why Sun Moxing preferred wandering abroad.
He had not expected that this northern journey would uncover such an Immortal Cultivation Sect.
Thirty years ago, he had visited the Nine Provinces and found no Immortal Cultivation Sect. Now, upon returning, the changes were earth-shattering.
He intended to remain in the Clear Sky Sect for a period—first to probe its foundations, and second to relax.
Afterward, he would continue northward to pursue his true objective.
Other new disciples in the courtyard emerged one after another. Seeing Sun Moxing, they greeted him warmly. During yesterday’s assessment, he had offered them guidance, leaving a strong impression. They all felt this elder brother was capable and kind.
Sun Moxing liked these new disciples. Mainly because they were young and simple-minded.
“Brother Sun, shall we go watch the Dao Duel today?” a sturdy youth called out loudly from across the courtyard as he adjusted his clothes.
Sun Moxing smiled. “Sure.”
The others eagerly chimed in, and in the end, the entire courtyard decided to go together.
They first ate, then descended the mountain.
Although Sun Moxing was already at the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm and no longer needed food, he concealed it perfectly, revealing not the slightest flaw.
The Clear Sky Sect had Spirit Perception Realm cultivators. He did not dare expose himself.
Half a day passed quickly.
In the afternoon, Sun Moxing and his fellow courtyard disciples stood beneath the Dao Duel Platform, watching the matches. From time to time, they joined the surrounding disciples in exclaiming. The atmosphere was lively.
“This small sect is no simple matter. It has quite a number of spells,” Sun Moxing thought to himself.
Now that he had truly entered the Clear Sky Sect, he realized he had underestimated it.
Its foundation ran far deeper than he had imagined.
Spells, magic implements, talismans, spiritual plants, elixirs—none of these paths had been neglected. They were advancing in parallel, and the number of geniuses within the sect was somewhat astonishing.
Take Li Yang on the platform at this moment. Sun Moxing felt that even if this youth were placed on Ziyang Island, he would still make a name for himself.
If allowed to continue growing, the Clear Sky Sect would inevitably threaten Ziyang Island.
Though geographically distant, on the map of Immortal Cultivation Sects they were close—without any other sect between them to serve as a buffer.
At this thought, Sun Moxing frowned, worry filling his eyes.
Just then, a wave of commotion erupted nearby. Turning his head, he saw a group of people approaching the Dao Duel Platform.
He heard disciples exclaim that the Sect Master had arrived.
The Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect!
Sun Moxing had long been curious about him. Li Qingqiu was someone he had to investigate.
Almost everyone believed that the sect’s strength was inseparable from Li Qingqiu.
Though not its founder, before he took over, the Clear Sky Sect could not even be considered a martial arts sect.
Merely hearing others’ evaluations of Li Qingqiu made Sun Moxing feel the man’s prestige was astonishing—almost absurd.
He did not believe Li Qingqiu was truly as mystical as rumored.
This was his first sight of Li Qingqiu.
His first thought was: what exquisite youth-preserving technique!
Sun Moxing could only maintain a youthful appearance; he did not possess Li Qingqiu’s flawless features.
However, for his purposes, standing out was undesirable.
Li Qingqiu approached surrounded by True Transmission Disciples. His gaze casually swept around the platform, searching for Sun Moxing.
He had already visited three Dao Duel Platforms without finding him. But it was only the first day; he was not in a hurry.
Soon, Li Qingqiu’s gaze caught Sun Moxing. Yet he did not pause. His eyes swept past naturally, leaving no trace of anomaly.
“So fond of joining the excitement,” Li Qingqiu thought silently.
He moved toward Sun Moxing’s direction.
Seeing this, Sun Moxing tensed. He did not fear exposure—he simply did not wish to meet Li Qingqiu so soon.
Fortunately, Li Qingqiu stopped at the edge of the crowd rather than approaching him directly.
His gaze turned to the platform to watch Li Yang’s duel.
Li Yang’s opponent was at the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm—not weak, but unfortunate to face Li Yang. The reason Li Yang did not swiftly defeat him was to allow his opponent an opportunity to showcase his abilities.
The disciple understood the goodwill and displayed his skills to the fullest, thrilling the audience below.
During the remainder of the viewing, Li Qingqiu also observed Sun Moxing.
He noticed that Sun Moxing had integrated well with the new disciples. That actually reassured him.
If Sun Moxing lacked a long-term plan, he would not bother ingratiating himself so thoroughly.
At the same time, Li Qingqiu roughly judged Sun Moxing’s cultivation.
Though Sun Moxing possessed a commendable concealment method, it could not escape Li Qingqiu’s perception.
There was still a gap before the Spirit Perception Realm—but not a large one.
Such cultivation could not be ignored.
Li Qingqiu began contemplating how to turn Sun Moxing.
If persuasion failed, he would resort to force. First, he needed to restrict Sun Moxing’s movements, ensuring he had no opportunity to descend the mountain.
After Li Yang’s match concluded, he leapt from the platform and approached Li Qingqiu.
Seeing the two conversing and laughing, Sun Moxing finally relaxed.
So he had come for the sect’s genius.
Having joined only yesterday, he did not believe himself so unlucky as to immediately attract the Sect Master’s attention.
After a while, Li Qingqiu departed with Li Yang, and the next duel began.
Watching Li Qingqiu’s departing figure, Sun Moxing sighed inwardly:
“Though your methods may be extraordinary, it is ultimately futile. You should not have built your sect here. Ziyang Island will not allow your continued growth.”
The Clear Sky Sect had shocked him deeply, but he did not believe it could surpass Ziyang Island.
A thousand years of foundation could not be shaken by mere decades of development.
……
Several days later.
Disciples from the Free Spirit Hall arrived at Sun Moxing’s courtyard to recruit them to guard the Scripture Repository.
Sun Moxing was pleasantly surprised. He had not expected such an opportunity so soon after arriving.
The courtyard disciples were assigned to Clear Sky Mountain, tasked with guarding outside the Scripture Repository. Though they could not enter, Sun Moxing was already satisfied.
“The Grand Dao Tournament will last half a year. During this time, the sect is filled with a mixture of people, so we require you. For the sect, this is troublesome—but for you, it is a rare opportunity. Ordinary disciples rarely receive such a chance upon entry.”
A Free Spirit Hall disciple stood before them, speaking sternly.
Behind them loomed the Scripture Repository. After years of restoration, it had become a vast tower. In addition to them, other disciples guarded and patrolled. Security was tight.
Sun Moxing and the others immediately pledged vigilance.
The Free Spirit Hall disciple gave further instructions before leaving.
Once he departed, the new disciples excitedly discussed among themselves, astonished at being entrusted with responsibility so soon.
Sun Moxing gave it little thought. Even if he were exposed, he would not be placed in such a location.
Now he could seek opportunities to learn more about the sect’s inheritance.
……
Time passed into early April.
Jiang Zhaoxia finally returned. He had led five Sword Sect Disciples southward to Southern Chu Province, searching for undiscovered Blessed Lands.
Li Qingqiu held high expectations for him, given his “Red Dust True Dragon” Fate Trait.
Indeed—
Jiang Zhaoxia did not disappoint. He had truly discovered a Blessed Land.
“That valley was filled with spiritual plants, though heavy with miasma that easily induced illusions. A large toad guarded it. Those below the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm would easily be ensnared by its tongue and dragged into its belly.”
Seated at a long table, Jiang Zhaoxia swirled his tea bowl as he spoke.
“Could it be communicated with?” Li Qingqiu asked.
“I tried. It failed. So I killed it.”
Jiang Zhaoxia answered calmly, removing a Storage Pouch from his waist and placing it on the table.
“The remnants are inside. I sealed its blood essence with talisman paper.”
He drained his tea in one gulp.
Li Qingqiu opened the Storage Pouch and examined the corpse.
The toad was enormous—nearly the size of a mountain bear.