Chapter 41: Sword Pointed at the First
The Profound Heart Hall — this was the very first council hall established by the Clear Sky Sect, capable of accommodating over a hundred people.
It was built beneath the new courtyard, and in the future, the Clear Sky Sect would continue to expand downward with more buildings.
This council hall, which took several months to complete, was not grand; in fact, it was somewhat simple and crude.
Only two craftsmen had been hired for the construction, while most of the labor came from the disciples themselves.
Li Qingqiu’s only requirements were that it did not collapse and could shelter from the wind and rain.
After the New Year, Zhang Yuchun descended the mountain again to recruit a new batch of disciples.
Counting everyone, including Li Qingqiu, there were now ninety-three people in the sect.
Today marked the first time Li Qingqiu had summoned all disciples into the hall.
There were not many furnishings inside the great hall.
Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, Wu Man’er, Li Dongyue, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin stood shoulder to shoulder upon the dais, with Li Qingqiu in the center.
In front of all the disciples stood Yang Jueding, Cheng Canghai, Xu Ning, and Qin Ye.
The rest of the disciples were lined up in six neat rows, gazing with excitement at the sect’s upper echelons before them.
It was the disciples’ first time experiencing such a solemn assembly, and though curious, they also felt a newfound sense of order within the Clear Sky Sect.
Even the youngest among them could sense the sect’s transformation.
Li Qingqiu stood upon the dais, overlooking the disciples gathered below.
He could see every single face, and as he looked upon them for the first time in this way, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.
He thought to himself — this must be responsibility.
Before, he had treated the Clear Sky Sect as a means for his own growth.
Though he had always been kind to his disciples, thinking carefully, he realized he had never truly asked them what they desired.
“Everyone,” Li Qingqiu began, his voice not loud but clear enough for all to hear, “this is the first grand assembly of the Clear Sky Sect. This day shall be recorded in our sect’s history, for the Clear Sky Sect will endure for a thousand years, ten thousand generations — perhaps even longer. One day, you may well become the legendary forebears whom future disciples look up to.”
The disciples, being young, did not find such bold words embarrassing — instead, their blood surged with pride and excitement.
Indeed, though the Clear Sky Sect was still developing, Jiang Zhaoxia was already ranked second in the martial world.
The sect also housed renowned figures such as the Dragon-Subduing Hero and the Thief King, while Xu Ning, Li Sifeng, and Wu Man’er were all exceptional in martial arts — only lacking public fame.
From any angle, the Clear Sky Sect’s future seemed limitless.
Yang Jueding slightly curled his lips — a thousand years, ten thousand generations, what an arrogant claim.
Li Qingqiu continued, “I name this hall ‘Profound Heart.’ May we all maintain our original hearts. The Profound Path is the Dao, and the Profound Heart is the Dao Heart. I shall have Mr. Zhang Yu inscribe the sect’s rules and Daoist doctrines. From this day on, all of you must remember them well.”
Zhang Yu was the only one absent from the hall, for he had not yet formally joined the sect.
At this moment, he was pacing outside, feeling quite uneasy.
The disciples responded in unison, their voices ringing in harmony.
Next, Li Qingqiu had Zhang Yuchun report on the sect’s current assets and finances.
“After more than two years of accumulation, the Clear Sky Sect now possesses a thousand acres of fertile land, two horse farms with one hundred and two horses, and two fish ponds with over a thousand fry…”
As Zhang Yuchun spoke at length, the disciples exchanged astonished looks.
Since each was responsible for different duties and spent their free time training, few truly knew the scale of the sect’s holdings.
They hadn’t realized until now — and upon hearing it, they were utterly shocked.
But shock soon turned into joy.
Except for the Qin Family disciples, most had come from poor backgrounds.
To them, even eating their fill had once been a luxury.
Now, they ate meat daily — what greater happiness could there be?
Yang Jueding’s emotions were the most complex.
When he had first arrived, the Clear Sky Sect had been in utter decline.
Looking back now, he could hardly believe the transformation.
His gaze turned to Li Qingqiu.
Though much had been organized by Zhang Yuchun, the true decisions had all been made by Li Qingqiu.
He would never forget that stormy night — when Li Qingqiu pursued and slaughtered the disciples of the Seven Peaks Alliance.
From that night onward, Yang Jueding had known — the Clear Sky Sect’s greatest foundation was not its fame, but Li Qingqiu himself.
Jiang Zhaoxia was merely the sword on the surface.
When Zhang Yuchun finished his report, Li Qingqiu announced the sect’s goals for the coming year.
First came the plans for development — with clear targets for every aspect of the sect.
Next came personal cultivation.
“Before the year’s end,” said Li Qingqiu, “Elder Yang shall test each of your martial skills one by one. Those who fulfill their duties and show true progress in martial arts will be allowed to inherit the sect’s supreme teaching — the Primordial Unity Scripture.”
These final words ignited the disciples’ spirits.
Everyone knew that the Primordial Unity Scripture was the Clear Sky Sect’s most powerful martial art — one that could greatly accelerate progress.
To become a true prodigy, one had to first inherit this scripture.
The disciples all raised their hands in salute, bowing in gratitude to Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu spoke no more.
With a wave of his sleeve, he dismissed the assembly.
After the disciples left the Profound Heart Hall, Li Qingqiu turned toward Yang Jueding.
“Elder Yang, from this day onward, the Clear Sky Sect has officially entered its proper course. In speech and conduct, we must now have discipline. The burden ahead is heavy — I’ll be counting on you.”
Yang Jueding caught the unspoken meaning in his words.
Bowing deeply, he smiled and said, “Sect Master, rest assured. I shall give my utmost.”
Li Qingqiu nodded.
Yang Jueding wisely took his leave, leaving the hall to Li Qingqiu and his junior brothers and sisters.
Li Qingqiu then began assigning tasks one by one — even Wu Man’er received his.
Though Wu Man’er was still immature, he was capable of caring for himself and communicating with others.
He was assigned to patrol the mountains, training in different spots each day, and to slay any beasts he encountered.
……
After the Profound Heart Hall meeting, the entire sect became busy.
Even those who had been lazy by nature felt embarrassed to slack off when they saw everyone else working so diligently.
After all, who did not yearn to become a master of the martial world?
Spring and summer passed swiftly.
The mountain roads, stretching for hundreds of li, had been paved; now the remaining work was reinforcing them to prevent landslides.
One day, shortly after noon — deep within the forest.
Qin Ye, wearing the blue robe of the sect, swung a heavy iron staff with a steady rhythm.
His movements were vigorous and powerful.
This iron staff had been forged by Zhang Yuchun during his last trip down the mountain.
It weighed thirty catties and measured nine feet long — longer than Qin Ye’s own height.
Each swing stirred up a fierce wind.
He had wielded this iron staff for half a month.
At first, it had been difficult even to lift, but now it felt much lighter, and his physique had grown stronger as a result.
He had practiced the Ten Directions Demon-Subduing Staff Technique countless times, yet even now, he felt he had not grasped its full essence.
Just as Qin Ye immersed himself in his practice, footsteps approached.
He glanced sideways and saw someone coming toward him.
Instantly, he drew back his staff and sank his breath into his dantian.
It was none other than the foremost of the Thirteen Sword Fiends — Xue Jin.
Since becoming Jiang Zhaoxia’s disciple, Xue Jin had displayed astounding talent, becoming the fastest to progress among the thirteen — news that had already spread through the sect, earning even more respect for the Sect Master’s discerning eye.
Qin Ye remembered him well.
Once, when passing by the sword training grounds, he had seen Xue Jin’s fierce swordplay — his strength far surpassed that of the others.
“Senior Brother Qin, your staff technique has become truly formidable — awe-inspiring to watch,” said Xue Jin as he approached.
Yet, with a sword in hand, he hardly seemed like one who had come merely to admire.
Qin Ye smiled.
“Just diligent practice, that’s all. Junior Brother Xue’s talent far surpasses mine.”
Xue Jin stopped about ten paces away, smiling warmly.
“Senior Brother Qin, I’ve made some new insights into my swordsmanship lately. I wish to spar and exchange skills — and after some thought, I could only think of you. Would you grant me this wish?”
As expected!
Qin Ye narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Of course. But tell me — to what extent shall we spar?”
“As fellow disciples, we mustn’t go overboard. Whoever drops his weapon first shall lose. How about that?” Xue Jin’s gaze burned with intensity.
Among the second-generation disciples, Xu Ning was publicly acknowledged as number one, Qin Ye as number two — with no third contender yet.
Xue Jin’s ambition was clear: his sword pointed at the first.
Qin Ye raised his iron staff and pointed it at Xue Jin, the aura of a Sect Master’s disciple radiating from him.
“Very well.”
Xue Jin’s eyes hardened.
He bent slightly, drawing his sword — then dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant.
Qin Ye reacted instinctively, swinging his staff, but the iron rod only brushed past Xue Jin’s head.
Sword light flashed as Xue Jin slashed at Qin Ye’s chest — swift as lightning.
Qin Ye stepped back, one hand gripping his staff like a dragon, wrist trembling as internal energy burst forth.
Xue Jin’s movements were exquisite; he dodged the blow — but just as he moved to press forward again, he felt a tremendous force strike his face.
The next moment, his whole body was sent flying to the side.
……
Under the bright sun, Jiang Zhaoxia descended the mountain in high spirits.
That day, he had conceived a new idea regarding his Sword Controlling Technique, and after teaching his disciples, he planned to test it.
He arrived at the cliffside where the Thirteen Sword Fiends usually trained — only to see them gathered together.
“Master is here!”
A young female disciple whispered, and the others immediately dispersed, forming a straight line — too fearful to be slow, which showed how high Jiang Zhaoxia’s prestige stood among them.
Jiang Zhaoxia stepped before them, sweeping his gaze across the group — only to frown as his eyes fell on Xue Jin’s turned face.
“What happened to your face? Why is it so swollen?”
Half of Xue Jin’s face was red and puffed up, strikingly obvious.
Confronted with his master’s question, he looked utterly embarrassed, wishing he could sink into the ground.
“I… was injured while sparring…”
Xue Jin mumbled.
At that, Jiang Zhaoxia’s expression turned cold.
“With whom did you spar? Xu Ning?” he pressed.
“Senior Brother Qin Ye…”
At that name, Jiang Zhaoxia fell silent.
His good mood instantly vanished.
He could understand if Xue Jin lost to Xu Ning — but to Qin Ye?
Though Qin Ye had learned from top experts, his talent was mediocre.
Even Li Qingqiu himself had once been reluctant to teach him.
And such a person defeated my prized disciple?
Jiang Zhaoxia’s eyes grew dark, and Xue Jin dared not meet his gaze.
Elsewhere, Qin Ye entered the sect compound, placed his iron staff on the ground, and knelt before Li Qingqiu.
At that moment, Li Qingqiu was scolding Li Sifeng, who, at fifteen, stood being punished.
Seeing Qin Ye kneel, Li Sifeng glanced over curiously.
“Master, please punish me,” Qin Ye said in a deep voice, lowering his forehead to the ground.
Li Qingqiu looked puzzled.
“Why should I punish you?”
“I accidentally injured Junior Brother Xue Jin.”
“What happened? Tell me everything, in full detail.”
Li Qingqiu frowned.
Xue Jin was not only Jiang Zhaoxia’s prized disciple but also one of the few he anticipated might one day step onto the path of immortality.
Li Sifeng turned toward Qin Ye, a mischievous smile spreading across his face — clearly, he had guessed something.