Chapter 284: Hidden Dangers of Ziyang Island
After accepting the task from Li Qingqiu, Yun Cai eagerly went down to make preparations. She did not act alone; she brought along her seven sisters. The lowest cultivation among those seven female disciples had already reached the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
In Li Qingqiu’s view, Yun Cai did not truly need assistance. Rather, she wished to secure merit and Dao opportunities for those seven female disciples, so he directly agreed.
The Northern Border was vast and sparsely populated. If Yun Cai searched for demonic creatures alone, she would likely have to search for a long time.
Several days later.
Night fell.
Li Qingqiu arrived at the Lingxiao Courtyard. The Hall Masters had all gathered there; even Wei Tianxiong had come.
After three years of getting along, Wei Tianxiong’s recognition of the Clear Sky Sect had grown increasingly high. His loyalty had already reached ninety, though his personal loyalty toward Li Qingqiu still fluctuated around eighty.
Li Qingqiu would occasionally have him attend discussions on sect development in the capacity of an Executive of the Heavenly Works Hall.
When they saw Li Qingqiu arrive, the Hall Masters all rose to salute. Wei Tianxiong did the same. After all, his life was held in Li Qingqiu’s hands, and he dared not show the slightest negligence.
Li Qingqiu walked to his chair, raised his hand to signal everyone to sit, then sat down first. The others followed.
He looked at Wei Tianxiong and Zhu Yan and asked with a smile, “How is the research progress on the Clear Sky Token? When can it gain the tracking ability I want?”
At the mention of this matter, Wei Tianxiong could not help but pour out his complaints. “The Clear Sky Sect’s foundation is far too shallow. I still have to teach the Heavenly Works Hall disciples the basics of restriction techniques. Restrictions that, in my view, they could directly grasp—I must first dismantle them and explain the principles. The tracking ability you want will take at least another year.”
Founding a sect in this barren land was far more difficult than he had imagined.
In the Heavenly Nether Sea, if one wished to establish a teaching, one could simply throw money and resources at other immortal cultivators, quickly forming a system.
Only now did he truly understand why Li Qingqiu had created the Heavenly Works Hall. In the Divine Origin Sect, every disciple had some understanding of formations, alchemy, artifact refinement, planting, and so on. The sect only needed to purchase or seize more manuals and inheritances. But that would not work in the Clear Sky Sect. Even if they produced superior formations, the disciples would not understand them.
To put it plainly, the immortal cultivation soil of the Heavenly Nether Sea was far superior. Every new disciple had already been immersed in the ways of immortal cultivation before entering a sect.
Precisely because he understood this, Wei Tianxiong greatly admired Li Qingqiu.
The Clear Sky Sect had truly transitioned from a mortal martial sect into an immortal cultivation sect. Aside from him, very few were outside immortal cultivators.
Over the past year, Wei Tianxiong had continuously guided the Heavenly Works Hall and clearly understood what it lacked. It was not only the Heavenly Works Hall—other halls were the same.
What the Clear Sky Sect lacked was a foundational understanding of the immortal cultivation path. The vast majority of disciples possessed cultivation but had not yet truly become immortal cultivators.
Popularizing the basic knowledge of immortal cultivation throughout the Clear Sky Sect—this was the most difficult hurdle.
He had heard that ten years ago, the Clear Sky Sect had still been trying to teach disciples literacy. Wei Tianxiong simply could not understand why Li Qingqiu had chosen to establish a sect here.
Although the Land of the Nine Provinces contained hidden resource lands, they were few and far between, utterly incomparable to the Heavenly Nether Sea. The spiritual energy of any random island in the Heavenly Nether Sea could rival the Clear Sky Sect’s Blessed Land. Moreover, north of the Land of the Nine Provinces lay the Land of Demons and Devils as a looming threat.
“One year? That’s acceptable.”
Li Qingqiu smiled in satisfaction. His response made Wei Tianxiong hesitate to speak, but he ultimately held back.
In Li Qingqiu’s view, one year was not long.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu looked at the others and began discussing the development issues of each hall one by one.
At present, the Clear Sky Sect had established three Branch Cities and had purchased estates in the prefectural capitals of each state to serve as strongholds.
The best-developed was Central Heaven Immortal City. More than a thousand disciples remained there daily. Those training outside preferred to rest there, where they could purchase pills, magic implements, talismans, and so on.
As the number of Branch Cities increased, the sub-halls of each hall also expanded. Each hall adjusted its development plans according to actual conditions and passed them down. Under such circumstances, mistakes were inevitable.
Wei Tianxiong did not speak again. Though he appeared distracted, he was actually listening.
The Divine Origin Sect was gone, and now he had come to such a newly founded sect. In the unseen currents of fate, he felt as though Heaven was guiding him.
Though he verbally criticized the Heavenly Works Hall disciples for lacking foundational immortal cultivation concepts, in truth he admired them greatly. That eagerness to learn, that tireless fighting spirit—such qualities were rare in the Divine Origin Sect.
He had been pondering a question.
How to take revenge.
Relying on himself alone to seek vengeance was undoubtedly a fool’s dream.
If he could cultivate a powerful sect, gradually erode and replace the hegemon of the Heavenly Nether Sea—that would be true revenge.
Yet to develop the Clear Sky Sect to such a level would by no means take merely one or two hundred years. Could he afford to wait?
Thus, Wei Tianxiong felt deeply conflicted. He did not know whether he should fully commit himself to aiding the Clear Sky Sect’s development.
“West of Yu Province and South Chu Province lies a perilous region—steep mountains and endless ranges. I believe we should explore that dangerous land in advance, as aristocratic families have already begun entering it.”
Xue Jin spoke. As Hall Master of the Training Hall, he had access to information from across the world.
As the Clear Sky Sect displayed increasing dominance, unwilling aristocratic families began migrating outward, seeking to cultivate beyond the Clear Sky Sect’s territory or to search for immortal cultivation resources. The perilous western land was their best target.
The western perilous land was filled with steep mountains, dense forests, and year-round miasma. Once someone entered, it was easy to lose direction. Throughout history, only fugitives had dared to venture inside.
All the Hall Masters present knew of the Azure Dragon Domain’s existence. They also feared encountering it prematurely. Yet as circumstances evolved, the Clear Sky Sect’s strategy had to change accordingly.
They did not wish to raise a pack of wolves and tigers encircling the Clear Sky Sect before the Azure Dragon Domain even attacked.
Li Qingqiu pondered and said, “We should indeed explore it. Let the Training Hall add related missions to explore the western perilous land.”
The Azure Dragon Domain was extremely distant from the Land of the Nine Provinces. Even after crossing the western perilous land, one would still have to traverse vast territories.
Previously, Li Qingqiu had not wished to step into the western perilous land too early. But now, even if the Clear Sky Sect did not go, others would drill their way in. Naturally, he had to change tactics.
After finishing the matter of the western perilous land, Xue Jin brought up internal disciple conflicts. Several incidents of fellow disciples killing one another had already occurred. These disciples had used their training excursions down the mountain as opportunities to engage in life-and-death battles in the secular world. If this trend were not curbed, more such cases would inevitably arise.
Where there were people, there was conflict. Within the Clear Sky Sect, harmony could not last forever. Grievances would inevitably emerge.
Li Qingqiu looked at Han Lang and said, “The Sword Sect can formulate more sect rules targeting such incidents. Bring them to me afterward. I have only one principle—be reasonable, and never shield those who take the initiative to cause trouble, no matter their background.”
Han Lang nodded, stating he would return and discuss it thoroughly with the Sword Sect elders.
Seeing it was his turn, Zhang Yuchun immediately spoke. “There is one matter we must seriously discuss. Sun Moxing confided in me—he comes from Ziyang Island in the Heavenly Nether Sea. I wonder if Senior Wei is familiar with this sect?”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to Wei Tianxiong.
They were all curious about him. They only knew he possessed unfathomable cultivation, came from a significant background, and was deeply trusted by the Sect Master.
Upon hearing the words Ziyang Island, Wei Tianxiong’s expression instantly darkened. He snorted coldly. “The people of Ziyang Island are despicable and shameless—unworthy of trust. In the Heavenly Nether Sea, Ziyang Island can only be considered third-rate. Otherwise, they would not have been squeezed to the sea region near the Nine Provinces Continent. If they discover the existence of the Clear Sky Sect, they will certainly dispatch a large number of cultivators to plunder.”
Everyone looked at one another, their expressions turning grave.
Zhang Yuchun looked at Wei Tianxiong and asked, “Is there no possibility of negotiation between us and Ziyang Island?”
Wei Tianxiong scoffed. “Negotiation requires comparable strength. Not all immortal cultivation sects are like you—speaking so much of benevolence and righteousness. And as the Clear Sky Sect grows, it will inevitably advance southward, threatening Ziyang Island. They will never allow a sect to threaten their position.”
Shen Yue looked at him and asked, “What exactly is Ziyang Island’s strength? How many are at the Spirit Recognition Realm? And how many surpass it?”
This question made everyone tense.
If the Spirit Recognition Realm were used as the standard of measurement, they could clearly sense the gap between themselves and Ziyang Island.
They also wished to know what tier of power the Clear Sky Sect would be considered within the immortal cultivation world.
“Before I was sealed, their Island Master had already surpassed the Spirit Recognition Realm. After so many years, perhaps a few more have broken through. As for their Spirit Recognition Realm cultivators—at least five hundred. Likely more.”
Wei Tianxiong’s answer made everyone feel the pressure crashing toward them.
More than five hundred Spirit Recognition Realm cultivators—what kind of terrifying force was that?
Zhang Yuchun frowned. This was not much different from what he had learned from Sun Moxing. It seemed Sun Moxing had not exaggerated.
Li Qingqiu remained expressionless, his thoughts unreadable.
Chu Jing looked at Zhang Yuchun and asked, “Sun Moxing previously lied that he was a wandering cultivator. Now he has revealed his identity as a cultivator of Ziyang Island. Since he came this time, he must have been executing a mission. Did Hall Master Zhang learn anything?”
Zhang Yuchun replied, “Ziyang Island does not yet know of our Clear Sky Sect’s existence. Sun Moxing merely accepted a mission to investigate the Northern Lands. Ziyang Island is also wary of the Land of Demons and Devils, so every few decades they dispatch disciples northward.”
These words allowed the Hall Masters to breathe a sigh of relief.
At least for now, they would not have to face Ziyang Island.
Zhu Yan asked, “If Sun Moxing does not return to report, Ziyang Island will likely send other cultivators. The hidden danger remains. How should we turn him? And even if we do, should we trust him?”
Li Qingqiu said, “I have my own decision on this matter. Since Ziyang Island has become a threat, we must prepare in advance. Next, vigorously develop Source Iron Port Town and turn it into a city. At the same time, the Heavenly Works Hall must research sea-crossing magic implements. Our disciples must possess the ability to fight in the ocean.”
Zhu Yan immediately accepted the order, and the other Hall Masters echoed in agreement.
Li Qingqiu swept his gaze across them and said, “Unless absolutely necessary, the Clear Sky Sect will not easily go to war with other immortal cultivation sects. But we must be ready to fight at any time. In the Land of the Nine Provinces, we are overlords—but looking at the world at large, we are still weak. I hope none of you grow complacent.”