Chapter 281: Sect-Guardian Divine Sword
Survived Great Calamity!
Grandmaster of Formations!
Cherishes Talent!
A proper talent indeed!
Li Qingqiu looked at Wei Tianxiong’s panel, and his impression of him rose sharply.
The Clear Sky Sect did not currently lack geniuses; what it lacked were research talents in various paths. In terms of formations, the Clear Sky Sect was especially deficient. Ming Guang’s comprehension in this area was clearly insufficient.
No wonder Wei Tianxiong had not immediately executed Shen Yue and the other two—so he possessed the fate trait [Cherishes Talent].
With these two fate traits combined, it meant that Wei Tianxiong could still create many formation talents for the Clear Sky Sect.
“The relic palaces left behind by the Supreme Sword Sect are filled with mechanisms. Even with my cultivation at its peak, it was difficult to traverse them completely. The three of you only reached halfway. The truly dangerous places lie deeper within.”
Wei Tianxiong adjusted his mindset and spoke.
Shen Yue frowned. They had only gone halfway.
Now that he thought about it, the palace where they had revived Wei Tianxiong had another door.
Li Qingqiu’s gaze toward Wei Tianxiong had already changed, making Wei Tianxiong feel uncomfortable.
What was going on?
Noticing his confusion, Li Qingqiu asked, “Why did the Supreme Sword Sect construct such a dangerous relic palace?”
Wei Tianxiong replied, “Of course it was to conceal their Sect-Guardian Divine Sword. Back then, the Supreme Sword Sect knew it was doomed, so they constructed such a palace in advance. It both preserved their inheritance and protected their Sect-Guardian Divine Sword. It is said that those palaces are actually a city—a massive city buried beneath the earth.”
“During the hundreds of years I was sealed, I occasionally heard certain sounds. I suspect something even more terrifying is hidden inside. Though you defeated me, you are ultimately only at the Spirit Perception Realm. If you force your way in, you will have a nine-in-ten chance of death. You might even bring calamity upon this land.”
“The Supreme Sword Sect was not as upright as our Divine Origin Sect. They were, in fact, a heretical sect.”
Sealed for hundreds of years?
Only at the Spirit Perception Realm?
Divine Origin Sect?
Zhu Yan listened with a solemn expression, her heart filled with shock.
What exactly was this man’s background?
In truth, it was not only Li Qingqiu who was wary of other Immortal Cultivation Sects. The other upper ranks of the Clear Sky Sect felt the same. They did not wish for everything they currently controlled to be taken away.
The Zhu Clan had long since bound itself to the Clear Sky Sect. Zhu Yan’s perspective had already shifted toward the overall development of the sect.
She realized that what Li Qingqiu had allowed her to hear was indeed more important than the matter she had originally come for.
At the same time, she felt invigorated. She felt that she had drawn closer to Li Qingqiu.
As the Clear Sky Sect grew larger and larger, the upper ranks appeared ever more towering in the hearts of the disciples. Yet only they themselves knew that within the upper ranks, there were distinctions of closeness and distance.
The great authority of the Clear Sky Sect had always been held by Li Qingqiu and his junior brothers and sisters. Aside from them, Zhu Yan’s authority was among the most significant.
The Zhu Clan had always hoped that Zhu Yan would advance further, even wishing for her to marry Li Qingqiu. Zhu Yan had firmly stopped that suggestion. Yet sometimes, she could not help but wonder—if she and Li Qingqiu were to marry, would it not be better?
Reason told her she could not do that. If she did, it would only ruin the Clear Sky Sect.
Now, she had extinguished such improper thoughts and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the sect.
Wei Tianxiong continued describing his understanding of the Supreme Sword Sect.
A thousand years ago, the Supreme Sword Sect had dominated the Nine Provinces. It had even been capable of threatening the Immortal Cultivation forces of the Heavenly Nether Sea. As a result, it had provoked a joint siege from the Heavenly Nether Sea, suffering severe damage to its vital energy. Later, demons from the north advanced southward, bloodwashing the Nine Provinces, and the Supreme Sword Sect was completely annihilated.
In the Heavenly Nether Sea, descendants of the Supreme Sword Sect still remained. They feared the Nine Provinces like a tiger and did not dare set foot there to this day.
Li Qingqiu and the other two learned more and more about the Supreme Sword Sect.
Massacring sects, refining ghost artifacts, even enslaving other Immortal Cultivation Sects.
A sect like that would certainly have left behind mechanisms that were dangerous and vicious.
“Do they not covet the inheritance of the Supreme Sword Sect? As descendants, they should understand best how formidable that inheritance is,” Zhu Yan could not help but ask.
Wei Tianxiong glanced at her and snorted. “Precisely because they are descendants of the Supreme Sword Sect, they know that the so-called inheritance is a trap.”
He then looked at Shen Yue. “You think I was hunting you down. In reality, I was saving you. If I had not pierced the restriction and lured you to escape, who knows what would have happened afterward.”
Shen Yue frowned. He carefully recalled the situation. It did seem to be so. That collapsed path of survival had indeed been inexplicable—it turned out Wei Tianxiong had done it.
Li Qingqiu had not expected that the Supreme Sword Sect had left behind such a great hidden danger.
Wei Tianxiong seemed to perceive Li Qingqiu’s concern and said, “As long as no one enters, nothing will happen. After all, a thousand years have passed, and the Supreme Sword Sect has caused no trouble.”
Li Qingqiu nodded and said, “From now on, you will remain in the Clear Sky Sect. There is one thing I must tell you—within a hundred years, the Clear Sky Sect will not take the initiative to contact the Heavenly Nether Sea. Your great vendetta will have to wait.”
Wei Tianxiong rarely revealed a smile. “Your thinking is correct. Your sect’s foundation is not strong enough yet. If the sects of the Heavenly Nether Sea learn of you, you will certainly be devoured entirely. As for my vengeance, it does not lie with one person, but with an entire faction. I am in no hurry.”
Zhu Yan finally understood. This man bore a blood-deep vendetta and had been recruited by the Sect Master.
Li Qingqiu began introducing Zhu Yan to Wei Tianxiong and, in passing, explained the responsibilities of the Heavenly Works Hall.
Wei Tianxiong had not expected that the Clear Sky Sect had established a hall specifically to research side paths. This greatly intrigued him regarding the sect’s structure.
“From now on, you will work in the Heavenly Works Hall,” Li Qingqiu said directly.
He did not require Wei Tianxiong to create anything in particular. He trusted that the fate trait [Cherishes Talent] would take effect.
Wei Tianxiong had no objection to the arrangement. He only wanted to find a place to rest.
Li Qingqiu looked at Zhu Yan and said, “You will arrange for him to settle in. Remember, his identity must not be revealed to anyone, including the other Hall Masters. Anyone who wishes to know about him must first go through me.”
Zhu Yan rose excitedly and said, “I understand. I will absolutely protect his identity.”
Wei Tianxiong clearly had a significant background. For Li Qingqiu to place such a person under her authority meant he trusted her. How could she not be excited?
Li Qingqiu waved his hand, signaling that they could leave.
Thus, Zhu Yan led Wei Tianxiong down the mountain.
After they departed, Shen Yue looked at Li Qingqiu and frowned. “Is it really appropriate to let him stay in the Heavenly Works Hall?”
The Heavenly Works Hall had no Spirit Perception Realm expert stationed there. Shen Yue feared that Wei Tianxiong might play tricks.
In his eyes, Wei Tianxiong was absolutely a demonic cultivator. No matter how upright Wei Tianxiong claimed the Divine Origin Sect to be, he did not believe it.
Li Qingqiu smiled. “I think the Heavenly Works Hall will allow Wei Tianxiong to integrate into the Clear Sky Sect more quickly.”
Shen Yue raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So it was not because Zhu Yan happened to be here?”
“Of course not.”
Li Qingqiu shot Shen Yue a glare. What did this fellow take him for?
Was he really that unreliable?
Shen Yue stood up and said, “We can temporarily set aside the matter of the Supreme Sword Sect. But the commotion from your battle was too great. I fear it may attract others and cause unnecessary trouble. Why not let me personally stand guard?”
Li Qingqiu shook his head. “There is no need. Did you forget Wei Tianxiong’s words? Even if I went in, it would be courting death.”
After hearing this, Shen Yue found it reasonable and said no more.
Li Qingqiu added, “You must continue striving to grow stronger. In daily matters, I will not trouble you too much. I have always positioned you as the sect’s sharpest sword.”
These words lifted Shen Yue’s mood considerably. The dejection from today’s defeat faded greatly.
“Hmph. I will become stronger. One day, I will challenge Wei Tianxiong.”
With a faint smile at the corner of his lips, Shen Yue turned and left after saying this.
Li Qingqiu watched his departing figure, a smile also appearing on his face.
This old fellow was still easy to coax.
Once only Li Qingqiu remained in the Lingxiao Courtyard, he began to ponder deeply.
The Heavenly Nether Sea had already entered his field of vision. Though he had said he would not provoke it, doing nothing was not an option.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.
When dealing with enemies, Li Qingqiu preferred to first gather intelligence and only act once he had absolute confidence.
Perhaps he could assign certain tasks to the Dark Hall—especially to Mo Jiuhong, who possessed the fate trait [Path of Infiltration].
However, Mo Jiuhong’s cultivation was too low. If he were sent out to sea and died along the way, it would be too unjust.