Chapter 307: Ghost Ship
As the year’s end arrived, the Clear Sky Sect had completely cast off the gloom brought about by the demonic disturbances, and the sect began preparing for the festival.
The demon creatures across the Nine Provinces had already vanished, though various regions still required disaster relief. To that end, the Clear Sky Sect instructed the tempering disciples to assist the common people of the secular world as much as possible. There were no special rewards for this task, and the disciples raised no objections. After all, once one acted for the sake of reward, the nature of the matter changed.
Ever since Wei Tianxiong learned that Yuan Li had awakened the Undying Overlord Body, the old fellow began to exert himself. He contributed a large number of spells, formations, and unorthodox techniques. From time to time, he went to visit Yuan Li. He even poured all the resources he had obtained into Yuan Li.
His enthusiasm made Yuan Li somewhat unable to bear it, forcing him to go seek his Master.
Li Qingqiu, however, told him to accept it.
If someone could establish an even closer relationship with Wei Tianxiong, then the likelihood of Wei Tianxiong betraying the Clear Sky Sect would be even lower.
As for what Wei Tianxiong sought, Li Qingqiu would not let Yuan Li shoulder it alone.
After experiencing this demonic calamity, Li Qingqiu clearly felt that the disciples’ enthusiasm for cultivation had risen even further.
He dispatched more disciples to various cities, Blessed Lands, and strongholds. The matter of reconstruction after the calamity had already been placed on the agenda.
It was worth mentioning that Liu Jing had proclaimed to all under Heaven the news of Yuan Li repelling the demon creatures across the land, allowing Yuan Li’s name to spread throughout the secular world.
When the New Year arrived, lanterns and decorations adorned every mountain of the Clear Sky Sect, welcoming the coming year with joy.
Jiang Zhaoxia had finally returned.
He brought news of the Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace.
“Senior Brother, the Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace is filled with countless treasures. There are many treasures I cannot recognize. Why not have Wei Tianxiong make a trip?” Jiang Zhaoxia said as he sat down and poured himself a drink.
Li Qingqiu asked, “Did you encounter any trouble?”
“Although there were mechanisms within the Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace, none of them injured me,” Jiang Zhaoxia replied.
Only after hearing this did Li Qingqiu feel at ease.
The Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace was a recently opened fortuitous opportunity. Judging from the level of his strength, its value must far exceed previous opportunities. Perhaps it even contained special materials required for formations.
Li Qingqiu then asked, “Why did you and Xu Ning separate?”
After Xu Ning went to the imperial palace and rescued Ji Ya, she had remained alone in Zhenyang Imperial City. Only after the demonic calamity ended did she depart.
Li Qingqiu had contacted her using the Clear Sky Token. She said she had discovered traces of certain demons and wished to investigate further.
Jiang Zhaoxia curled his lips. “On the way to the Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace, neither of us felt at ease. We both had the sense that something would go wrong. So we decided that one of us should leave. Unfortunately, the lot to depart fell to her.”
As expected.
Li Qingqiu could not help but laugh after hearing this.
Those two truly were ill-fated rivals.
“I heard that Yuan Li has undergone a complete transformation and is now extremely formidable. Is it true?” Jiang Zhaoxia raised his brows and asked.
Li Qingqiu smiled. “In a while, you can go test him yourself.”
“Why wait? I’ll go find him today!”
With that, Jiang Zhaoxia rose and left.
Li Qingqiu did not stop him. Everyone in the sect was still concerned about Yuan Qi’s death. Under such circumstances, their kindness toward Yuan Li instead caused him to frequently recall Yuan Qi.
Let Jiang Zhaoxia break this atmosphere and allow Yuan Li to return to a normal rhythm of life as soon as possible.
After Jiang Zhaoxia departed, Li Qingqiu instructed Xiao Wuqing to summon Wei Tianxiong.
When Wei Tianxiong arrived and learned of the existence of the Demon Sovereign’s Immortal Palace, he immediately developed a strong interest and directly agreed to the matter, stating that he would set off that very day.
Jiang Zhaoxia had brought two disciples back specifically to guide Wei Tianxiong.
Once the matter was settled, Li Qingqiu called forth the Dao Lineage Panel to examine the situation of the new disciples.
Yuan Li was the first disciple who, after fulfilling his Fate Trait talent, directly turned the tide.
Now, those within the sect not only marveled at Yuan Li’s strength but also sighed in admiration at the Sect Master’s discerning eye.
Li Qingqiu had praised Yuan Li for over twenty years, causing many to think he had misjudged. The facts proved otherwise. The Sect Master was still the Sect Master—he would never misjudge.
This matter caused a general rise in the disciples’ loyalty.
Such disciples brought Li Qingqiu immense satisfaction, and he began to look forward to the appearance of the next Yuan Li.
After looking for quite some time, Li Qingqiu noticed a new disciple with Excellent cultivation aptitude.
In the past, he would have regarded such talent as a treasure. Now, it felt slightly lacking, and he was too lazy to offer special attention.
He rose and walked toward his cave dwelling.
His current goal was to break through and reach the Tongtian Sunlight Realm as soon as possible.
He did not wish for every enemy he faced to possess a higher cultivation than himself. That was far too passive.
In truth, his cultivation speed was already extremely fast. It was simply that the Clear Sky Sect had cultivated immortality for too short a time. Compared to those demonic clan forces and immortal cultivation sects, their foundation was far too shallow.
…
With the arrival of the New Year, Lingxiao Courtyard grew lively.
While the other Hall Masters were busy preparing for the festival, Zhang Yuchun and Li Qingqiu were discussing how to guard against the Land of Demons and Devils.
The heavy casualties from before had deeply shaken Zhang Yuchun as well.
“Regarding the strongholds north of the Northern Border, my idea is to build them as large as possible—preferably a city. We should also dispatch powerful disciples to garrison it. If a demon tide attacks, we can at least delay it and buy time for the disciples to evacuate,” Zhang Yuchun said earnestly.
Having witnessed the casualties at Zhongtian Immortal City, he had not been frightened. On the contrary, he felt that the garrison strength should be further increased. Even if ordinary disciples could not contribute much in combat, they could still serve other purposes.
For example, activating formations or transmitting intelligence.
Li Qingqiu nodded. He thought the same. They would not grow timid because of the losses at Zhongtian Immortal City.
Most of the sect’s disciples were weak. But so long as formations were established, even the weakest disciple could contribute his own strength.
“The City Lord of this city…” Zhang Yuchun hesitated.
Unlike other cities, the one to be established north of the Northern Border was something no one wished to mention. Those nobles feared it like a tiger and dared not bring it up.
“I will make the arrangements,” Li Qingqiu said.
Hearing this, Zhang Yuchun let out a sigh of relief. With Li Qingqiu’s authority, no one should dare refuse. More importantly, he could mobilize the sect’s top combat power.
Zhang Yuchun was already equivalent to the sect’s second-in-command. Yet when it came to disciples of the Spirit Perception Realm, he did not have the authority to assign them. It was not only due to the disparity in cultivation but also because Li Qingqiu had granted those disciples certain privileges.
As the two were conversing, Li Dongyue approached the table with pastries and reminded them, “We agreed that on this day every year we would not discuss official matters. How have you forgotten?”
Zhang Yuchun looked at her and said, “The situation is special. We just experienced hardship not long ago.”
“That still doesn’t mean it has to be today. Relax for a day. Perhaps better ideas will come,” Li Dongyue said seriously.
Hearing this, Zhang Yuchun glanced at Li Qingqiu. Seeing the signal in his eyes, Zhang Yuchun could only reply, “Fine. I won’t talk about these matters anymore.”
Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun ceased discussing official affairs. For the remainder of the time, they spoke with other upper-level members about cultivation, amusing anecdotes of daily life, and strange tales from the martial world. Everyone was completely relaxed.
It was not until after midday that Xiao Wuqing approached Li Qingqiu and said softly at his side, “In the sea outside Source Iron Harbor Town, a ghost ship has been discovered. Whenever the sea surface grows foggy, it appears. But the disciples stationed there cannot make contact with it. The moment they enter the mist, the ghost ship vanishes without a trace.”