Chapter 309: Benevolence and Hegemony
Regarding the roster given by his Master, Yuan Li had not raised any doubts. Any disciple chosen by his Master must certainly be a one-in-ten-thousand genius. However, if he were to accept disciples, he would still have to see whether there was eye affinity.
After Yuan Li withdrew, Li Qingqiu rose and went to stroll around the Sword Sect.
Recently, several more geniuses had emerged within the Sword Sect, and he had to go take a look.
Although no special fate traits that made his eyes light up had appeared in the sect for the time being, every disciple was the future of the Clear Sky Sect. Those who should be seen still had to be seen.
A few days later.
Wei Tianxiong returned.
He was extremely excited. Removing the two high-grade storage pouches from his waist, he placed them down. Each of these high-grade storage pouches could contain two small mountains. He had crafted them with all his effort. Due to the scarcity of materials, they could not yet be manufactured on a large scale.
“That Demon Lord’s Immortal Palace was truly extraordinary. It actually hid so many heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Where exactly did you obtain the information? From what I saw, that Demon Lord’s Immortal Palace was hidden very deeply—ordinary people would find it difficult to discover.” Wei Tianxiong sat down and asked excitedly.
Instead of answering, Li Qingqiu countered, “Can the teleportation formations be advanced?”
“Yes. It is estimated that eight teleportation formations can be constructed. Although we cannot spread them across all under Heaven, using them for long-distance transmission toward the borders will not be difficult.”
A smile appeared on Wei Tianxiong’s face. Ever since he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the construction of the Clear Sky Sect, his mindset had been changing.
In the past, he had only wanted to nurture the Clear Sky Sect and avenge the Divine Origin Sect. Now, he had begun to regard the Clear Sky Sect as his own child.
Whenever the Clear Sky Sect progressed in matters he had personally participated in, he felt a strong sense of achievement.
“Besides the teleportation formations, the progress of the Grand Formation to Mend the Heavens can also be advanced. I will further ponder the Clear Sky Token. It feels as though some of its abilities can be preliminarily realized.” Wei Tianxiong continued.
Li Qingqiu sighed, “Your joining has truly been a blessing for the Clear Sky Sect. Thousands of years from now, future generations of disciples will surely remember your contributions.”
These words made Wei Tianxiong feel exceedingly comfortable. He had originally been a prisoner under Li Qingqiu’s control. To receive such treatment and status far exceeded his expectations. It caused him to increasingly acknowledge Li Qingqiu.
Wei Tianxiong also began to look forward to the future of the Clear Sky Sect. Li Qingqiu enjoyed discussing this matter most of all, because the stronger the Clear Sky Sect became in the future, the more face he would have.
After a long while.
Li Qingqiu assigned Wei Tianxiong another task, concerning the ghost ship outside Source Iron Harbor Town.
Upon hearing this, Wei Tianxiong grew interested and said, “In truth, the sea holds not only immortal cultivation sects, but also many unknown matters. Perhaps that ghost ship is not necessarily a calamity. I will finish arranging the formation tasks in these few days and then make a trip.”
Li Qingqiu nodded. He was not in a hurry regarding this matter.
…
Following Li Yang and Lu Qing, the Clear Sky Sect seemed to usher in an outbreak of Spirit Perception Realm breakthroughs. One after another, disciples stepped into the Spirit Perception Realm.
Yang Dong, Zhu Xunyang, Xiao Wudi, Xiao Wuming, Yang Xuan, and Han Lang entered the Spirit Perception Realm over the next three months. Their tribulations overlapped so closely that the disciples felt as though someone was undergoing heavenly tribulation every few days. Even the new disciples witnessed the vast heavenly might of the Heavenly Tribulation.
Under such circumstances, the cultivation morale of the Clear Sky Sect disciples grew even higher.
As the number of Spirit Perception Realm disciples increased, Li Qingqiu also felt more at ease. At the very least, when mobilizing Spirit Perception Realm experts, he no longer had to be as cautious as before.
Time came to May.
Li Qingqiu finally reached the Seventh Layer of the Spirit Perception Realm. Having just broken through, he was in an excellent mood. On that very day, Wei Tianxiong happened to return.
Li Qingqiu arrived at Lingxiao Courtyard. Wei Tianxiong, who had long been waiting, impatiently beckoned to him.
“Good news?” Li Qingqiu asked with a smile, walking over to his chair and sitting down.
Wei Tianxiong said, “That ghost ship indeed has a background. It should be a magic implement. The reason it cannot be touched is because the ship’s shadow around Source Iron Harbor Town is merely a projection. The actual ghost ship should be trapped somewhere in a certain sea region. This vessel is no simple matter. I observed carefully—it is a superior-grade dharma ship. If we can obtain it, leaving aside the treasures left aboard, its restrictions and formations alone would be worth studying. Moreover, possessing such a ship would give the Clear Sky Sect a solid beginning in conquering the Heavenly Nether Sea.”
The vast sea was boundless. Immortal cultivators could not remain airborne indefinitely; they would eventually need to land and restore their vital energy. Thus, dharma ships, spirit vessels, and other maritime tools were indispensable.
The waves of the Heavenly Nether Sea were terrifying and concealed countless demons and ghosts. Ordinary mortal ships were insufficient for crossing the sea. Therefore, Li Qingqiu had already instructed the Heavenly Works Hall to assign some disciples to research such vessels.
“Trapped? Then it should not be easy to obtain, right?” Li Qingqiu asked hesitantly.
Wei Tianxiong quickly replied, “Its projection can appear near Source Iron Harbor Town, so its true body cannot be far from there. As for danger, that is hard to say. But opportunities in this world must be fought for. There can never be absolutely no risk.”
After hearing this, Li Qingqiu fell into contemplation.
“I can lead a team to search for the ghost ship, but I will need you to assign five Spirit Perception Realm disciples to assist me,” Wei Tianxiong continued.
Five?
That many?
Li Qingqiu grew even more hesitant.
Wei Tianxiong explained, “If we encounter special heavenly restrictions, I will need manpower to help overcome them. Additionally, activating that ghost ship will require a massive amount of vital energy. It will not be easy for a single person to control it.”
“Very well. I will arrange it. When do you plan to depart?”
“Three days from now. I need to return to the Heavenly Works Hall to inspect the situation. I hope those disciples have not made any mistakes.”
“Good.”
After reaching an agreement, Wei Tianxiong rose, performed a salute, and departed.
Watching him leave, Li Qingqiu thought of Yang Jueding from the past. Wei Tianxiong was now truly diligent, giving himself no time to rest.
As for whether there was anything suspicious about this matter, Li Qingqiu chose to trust Wei Tianxiong, mainly because Wei Tianxiong’s loyalty had not decreased.
This time, Yuan Li would still have to make the trip. The Undying Overlord Body could ignore heavenly restrictions. With him present, the matter would be easier to handle.
Speaking of Yuan Li, over the past few months he had already accepted seven disciples. Three of them were from the list of geniuses Li Qingqiu had provided, each possessing excellent cultivation aptitude. The other four were chosen by Yuan Li himself from within the sect, all with average aptitude. Li Qingqiu did not expose this fact.
He had to let Yuan Li understand that his Master’s eye was not mere boasting.
Three days later, Wei Tianxiong led Yun Cai, Yuan Li, Xiao Wudi, Lu Qing, and Yang Dong toward Source Iron Harbor Town.
From this lineup alone, one could see how much importance Li Qingqiu attached to this matter.
Their movements were swift. In less than half an incense stick’s time, they arrived at Source Iron Harbor Town and finally set out aboard a spirit ship.
Though called a spirit ship, it was in fact a larger spirit vessel, equipped with only two layers of restrictions: acceleration and a protective barrier.
Yun Cai, Xiao Wudi, Lu Qing, and Yang Dong stood at the stern, watching Wei Tianxiong at the bow being exceedingly attentive to Yuan Li. All of them fell into silence.
Wei Tianxiong was usually extremely arrogant, not even placing these geniuses in his eyes. The key point was that Wei Tianxiong was indeed very strong; they were no match for him, so they could understand his arrogance.
However…
The scene before them dealt quite a blow to their confidence. It was obvious that in Wei Tianxiong’s eyes, they were not at the same level of genius as Yuan Li.
“Senior Brother Yuan Li’s blood essence is truly terrifying. Just standing there gives me immense pressure,” Xiao Wudi suddenly remarked.
At these words, Lu Qing and Yang Dong also sighed in agreement. Having entered the sect earlier, they were more familiar with Yuan Li. They could not comprehend his transformation, yet they had to admit that his current strength was visibly formidable.
Yun Cai remained silent. She looked at Yuan Li and contemplated her own cultivation.
If she continued to delve into the Primordial Unity Scripture, could her vital energy and blood essence reach a level comparable to Yuan Li’s?
“No. This is not caused by a cultivation technique. It is more innate. Whether it is him or the Sect Master, their physical bodies are entirely different from others.”
Yun Cai rejected her own speculation inwardly.
A bold thought suddenly arose in her mind.
Could Yuan Li be the Sect Master’s illegitimate son?
The Sect Master knew how powerful his bloodline was, so he had always held expectations for Yuan Li. No matter how many people questioned it, he remained firm in his belief.
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Her gaze toward Yuan Li changed.
Although Wei Tianxiong was busy attending to Yuan Li, he continued to control the spirit vessel. The vessel advanced swiftly, and before long, mist appeared on the sea horizon ahead.
Yun Cai stopped her wandering thoughts. Opening her All-Law Spiritual Eyes, she carefully observed the surroundings in case of enemy ambush.
…
“Grand Martial Uncle! Grand Martial Uncle!”
A voice shouted outside Li Qingqiu’s cave dwelling. It was Li Shoumin.
Li Qingqiu opened the stone gate of his cave dwelling, and Li Shoumin quickly rushed in.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and felt slightly dazed.
Thirteen-year-old Li Shoumin looked exactly like Li Sifeng—almost identical.
“Grand Martial Uncle, you must uphold justice for me. I want to join the Tempering Hall, but my father disagrees!” Li Shoumin said indignantly.
Though only thirteen, relying on his outstanding cultivation aptitude, he had already reached the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. His existence caused all current geniuses to pale in comparison, just like Zhao Zhen back in the day.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and smiled. “Why do you wish to join the Tempering Hall?”
Li Shoumin answered, “I want to descend the mountain to temper myself. I want to expand the map of the Clear Sky Sect. I feel that the Nine Provinces are somewhat small.”
Li Qingqiu said, “When you come of age, or when you reach the Spirit Perception Realm, I will agree to let you join the Tempering Hall and descend the mountain.”
Upon hearing this, Li Shoumin did not throw a tantrum. Instead, his eyes lit up. “Truly?”
“Truly.”
“Thank you, Grand Martial Uncle. You treat me the best.”
“If you join the Tempering Hall, what about your elder brother?”
Li Qingqiu had noticed that over the past two years, Li Shoumin had stopped clinging to Li Shouzheng. The two seemed to be deliberately distancing themselves.
Sure enough.
When Li Qingqiu mentioned Li Shouzheng, Li Shoumin’s smile vanished. He curled his lips and said, “How would I know what he thinks?”
Li Qingqiu asked, “Did you two quarrel?”
“No. We just talked about the future and found that our ideals differ. We made a wager—to follow our respective paths and see in the future who is right.”
Li Qingqiu grew interested. “What future?”
Li Shoumin hesitated for a moment before saying, “We plan to head west and each establish a dynasty. He wants to rule through benevolence and righteousness. I want to rule through hegemony. When the time comes, we will see whose dynasty is stronger.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu was stunned.
How old were these two boys to already think so far ahead?