Chapter 43: The Innate Statues, the Absolute Saint Sect
Each day, the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect were accompanied by the melodious sounds of the scholar’s zither.
As they practiced martial arts and worked, their moods greatly improved, which caused Li Qingqiu’s impression of the two women, Zhu Yan and Su Xiling, to change for the better.
It had to be said—scholars truly were scholars.
Having lived two lifetimes, Li Qingqiu had long grown accustomed to the popular music of the mortal world.
Yet, when he heard the sound of the guqin again, he found it remarkably pleasant—so pleasant that he wanted to listen to it again once it ended.
The sound of the zither echoed through the mountains and valleys, like a cool breeze brushing through one’s heart, soothing the mind and dispelling impatience.
It was worth mentioning that Li Qingqiu noticed Bai Ning’er growing close to Su Xiling, and it even seemed that Su Xiling intended to give Bai Ning’er some guidance.
So this was what being lucky looked like?
Impressive.
The addition of another scholar did not hinder the Clear Sky Sect’s growth in the slightest.
Once the mountain path had taken shape, people began to ascend the mountain seeking medical aid.
Li Dongyue, kindhearted as she was, would charge the wealthy directly, but for the poor, she allowed them to pay according to their ability—or to work for the sect in exchange for treatment.
Such deeds soon built a fine reputation at the foot of the mountain, spreading within just a few months.
It was autumn.
Xu Ning had achieved the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
She immediately went to inform Li Qingqiu, who was resting in his quarters, and the news greatly delighted him.
As master and disciple conversed, Zhang Yuchun arrived.
Xu Ning bowed and excused herself.
“Senior Brother, the incense matter should begin. I’ve already invited the craftsmen.”
Zhang Yuchun smiled, his expression burning with enthusiasm.
They had discussed this before.
Zhang Yuchun had sought advice from Liu Fanzhou, suggesting that since the Clear Sky Sect carried the air of a Daoist order, why not erect divine statues to attract worshippers and earn some incense offerings? The idea suited Zhang Yuchun perfectly.
Li Qingqiu said softly, “This can be done—but we mustn’t flaunt it.
Let it be for those fated to come, to fulfill their hearts’ wishes.”
“I’ll be careful,” Zhang Yuchun nodded.
“But the statues must be approved by you. We’ll design them ourselves to avoid offending other temples or monasteries. You name them—I’ll have Zhang Yu write the stories. Think of a few first.”
Li Qingqiu rose and walked to his desk.
He picked up a brush and, on a blank sheet, wrote five names.
“Taiyi, Taichu, Taishi, Taisu, Taiji…”
Zhang Yuchun softly repeated the five names as he looked at the paper.
Li Qingqiu said, “These five are Daoist Venerables. Their faces need not be carved too clearly.”
These were the Five Primordial ‘Tai,’ recorded in the ancient Liezi of his past life’s Huaxia—the five great phases from nothingness to existence, before the universe’s formation.
His Dao Lineage had just been established, not yet fully realized.
By commemorating them, each time he saw the Five Primordials, he would recall these early days.
Zhang Yuchun murmured the five names repeatedly, growing more satisfied with each recitation.
He immediately put away the paper and hurried off.
Li Qingqiu, too, did not remain indoors.
Xu Ning’s breakthrough had lifted his spirits, and he decided to inspect the other disciples’ progress.
It was still early in the evening; few disciples were in the courtyard.
He followed the stone path out of the mountain gate and walked down.
From the steps, looking downward, he could see courtyards half-hidden among the woods.
Some disciples led horses, hauling supplies; others chased chickens and ducks—everywhere teemed with life.
The sight made him smile.
After passing three courtyards, Li Qingqiu stopped.
His gaze landed on a young woman meditating under a tree not far away.
That woman was Liu Fanzhou’s daughter—Liu Yan.
Ever since her loyalty had risen to ninety points, Li Qingqiu had taught her the first layer of the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture.
She had cultivated for ten days but had yet to reach the First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Li Qingqiu hesitated for a moment, then walked toward her.
Though Liu Fanzhou was plump and plain, his daughter Liu Yan was delicate and lovely.
Having been frail and sickly for years, her slender frame always reminded Li Qingqiu of Lin Daiyu from Dream of the Red Chamber.
He approached her and took from his robe a thumb-sized blue crystal.
“Hold this.”
His voice startled Liu Yan, who opened her eyes wide.
When she saw it was him, she exhaled in relief.
She gave him a resentful glance, hurriedly rose, and bowed.
“Sect Master, what is this?”
Li Qingqiu said mysteriously, “This is a rare treasure of the world. It will aid your cultivation. Don’t be fooled by its size—it is condensed from the world’s spiritual energy over thousands of years. When you cultivate, hold it in your palm. Remember, do not tell others, lest they accuse me of favoritism. I don’t have enough of these for everyone.”
Hearing this, Liu Yan accepted the spirit stone.
Li Qingqiu turned to leave.
She looked up and asked, “Sect Master, why are you so kind to me?”
Li Qingqiu waved his hand without looking back.
“Because you have a good father.”
…
When the moon fell and the sun rose, the disciples finished morning practice.
Just as they were dispersing, one suddenly said the sect was preparing to erect divine statues, drawing the others’ curiosity.
The news spread quickly.
More and more disciples gathered at the newly built courtyard beneath the mountain gate, watching the craftsmen carve the stone figures.
“‘The Five Tai reside within the heart; incense gathers from eight directions. Clear Sky rises like the sun, heaven and earth float upon its light.’”
Zhang Yu sat on a millstone, bamboo fan in hand, muttering leisurely.
He was in a great mood—having helped design the statues gave him a sense of accomplishment.
As he scanned the crowd, he suddenly saw two figures and immediately straightened, no longer daring to lounge about.
Zhu Yan and Su Xiling had entered the courtyard.
Zhu Yan still wore her veil, gentle and mysterious, and Zhang Yu was utterly entranced.
Su Xiling pulled the tiptoeing Bai Ning’er closer and asked curiously, “What god or immortal does your Clear Sky Sect worship?”
Bai Ning’er turned proudly.
“The Innate Dao Venerables. Have you heard of them?”
Su Xiling shook her head.
“Never. Your Sect Master must’ve made that up.”
“How could that be? Our Sect Master is incredible—he can dream of immortals.”
“Hah, only children would believe such tales.”
“Heh.”
Bai Ning’er only chuckled, too lazy to argue.
Zhu Yan’s gaze passed through the crowd and landed on Li Qingqiu, who stood beside the craftsmen, directing how to carve the forms of the Five Primordials.
“Not good! Something terrible has happened!”
A disciple burst into the courtyard, drenched in sweat, panting heavily with hands on his knees.
Everyone turned to make way so that Li Qingqiu could see him.
Zhang Yuchun and Yang Jueding were present as well.
Seeing the disciple so frantic, they were puzzled—he was not usually so reckless.
“What’s wrong? Speak slowly,” Zhang Yuchun frowned.
The disciple caught his breath before saying, “A sect from the Ancient Great Mountain Range has arrived… They’re establishing their sect a hundred li away. They sent word—Clear Sky Sect must never cross the Xi River.”
The Xi River flowed through the Ancient Great Mountain Range.
The Clear Sky Sect’s foothills sat along its banks.
Since the sect wasn’t located at the mountain range’s center, such a division would reduce their territory to a mere corner of the range.
“Outrageous! What kind of sect dares such arrogance?” Yang Jueding roared.
The messenger quickly replied, “They call themselves the Absolute Saint Sect.”
Zhang Yuchun frowned.
“Do they not know who we are? That Jiang Zhaoxia belongs to our sect?”
“They know,” the disciple answered carefully, “but they did not mention Elder Jiang.”
Yang Jueding snorted.
“Then it’s clear—they’re using Jiang’s name to make their fame rise faster.”
He turned to Li Qingqiu.
“We cannot yield. The Ancient Great Mountain Range was already under Clear Sky’s domain since the days of Immortal Qingxiao—no one may divide it.”
Li Qingqiu nodded.
“Elder Yang, take my two disciples and twenty others to investigate. Don’t be hasty to fight. Ask first. If they refuse to reason—drive them away.”
Hearing this, Qin Ye gripped his iron staff tightly, and many disciples grew eager to follow and watch.
Xu Ning, who had been watching, vaulted over the courtyard wall to fetch her weapon.
Her movement made Su Xiling raise a brow.
She had long heard that this girl was no ordinary one; seeing her lightness skill today confirmed it.
“What if we can’t drive them away?” Yang Jueding asked.
Li Qingqiu shot him a glare.
“Never killed anyone before?”
Yang Jueding froze, then turned to choose the disciples.
At the mention of killing, tension filled the air—but martial disciples couldn’t help feeling a surge of anticipation.
Li Qingqiu’s expression softened again as he turned to the craftsmen.
“Let’s continue.”
Su Xiling looked toward Zhu Yan, smiling ingratiatingly.
“Miss, may I go see the excitement?”
Zhu Yan’s eyes remained calm as she softly said, “Mm. But do not intervene.”
Her voice was gentle and airy, sounding youthful and serene.
Su Xiling grinned and stood beside her, waiting for Yang Jueding to finish picking the disciples.
“If the Clear Sky Sect falls into danger,” Zhu Yan’s quiet voice followed, “you may save them.”
Su Xiling turned her head, surprised.
She hadn’t expected her lady to allow her to aid the Clear Sky Sect.
She didn’t ask further—she rather liked the sect’s atmosphere herself.
Soon, Yang Jueding had chosen twenty disciples.
They fetched their weapons and descended the mountain together.
Since Su Xiling wished to accompany them, Yang Jueding didn’t refuse.
Laughing heartily, he said he’d let her witness the valor of the martial world.
Meanwhile—
A hundred li away, beside a waterfall in the mountains, dozens of people were erecting buildings.
Two figures stood by the lake—Sect Master Yan Wujin and Vice Sect Master Tang Ziqi of the Absolute Saint Sect.
Yan Wujin wore a wide black robe and a hair crown.
His long hair was streaked with white, his eyes cold and stern, his beard likewise flecked with gray.
Even silent, he radiated immense pressure.
Tang Ziqi’s presence was clearly weaker; dressed in azure, refined and handsome, he resembled a scholar.
“By now, the message should’ve reached the Clear Sky Sect. Senior Brother, do you think Jiang Zhaoxia will come to fight?” Tang Ziqi asked softly.
Yan Wujin watched his disciples, expressionless.
“If he doesn’t, I’ll go up the mountain myself. The Absolute Saint Sect must rise upon the Clear Sky Sect’s name. Though bullying a group of youths is shameful, for the sake of our grand cause, they must be sacrificed.”
Tang Ziqi sighed.
“I heard Jiang Zhaoxia once exchanged two hundred moves with Yu Zhiyi. With such talent, in ten more years, his strength will be unimaginable.”
Yan Wujin snorted.
“That was only because Yu Zhiyi went easy on him. He always enjoyed playing such childish games.”