Chapter 5: Activating Fortuitous Fate
“Martial Uncle, I don’t need the manual. If this martial art is truly powerful, it may bring me misfortune. If you truly feel burdened, why not gift me that small knife instead, how about it?”
Li Qingqiu turned his gaze toward the martial manual in Jiang Kuotian’s hand and spoke earnestly. As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed toward the small knife that emanated with faint spiritual energy.
Hearing his words, Jiang Kuotian frowned. It wasn’t that he was reluctant to give away the knife—he was simply pondering Li Qingqiu’s reasoning.
He had thought that merely reminding Li Qingqiu not to spread the manual would be enough, but any martial art that one practiced could eventually be exposed. It wasn’t something that could be hidden for a lifetime.
He felt a bit ashamed. His own consideration of matters was not as thorough as this youth’s.
No wonder that fellow Lin Xunfeng often descended the mountain alone. With this boy guarding the sect, he truly could rest easy.
After some thought, Jiang Kuotian raised his hand, picked up the small knife, and handed it to Li Qingqiu. He then said, “Alright, we’re all men of the martial world. No need to be overly polite. If you ever find yourself in trouble, come to the White Emperor Manor to find me. Even if it means braving boiling water or being crushed to dust, your Martial Uncle will come to help you!”
Li Qingqiu accepted the knife joyfully and said, “Many thanks, Martial Uncle!”
His expression of heartfelt gratitude made Jiang Kuotian feel quite pleased.
Li Qingqiu tucked the knife into his chest, then called the other disciples out of the house to meet Jiang Kuotian. With more people around, the courtyard quickly became lively.
At first, the disciples were a bit intimidated by the burly Jiang Kuotian and acted rather restrained, but as he began sharing tales of the martial world, their attention shifted.
Before long, they were chatting cheerfully and occasionally asking questions.
Half an hour passed.
The rain had stopped.
Jiang Zhaoxia also emerged from the forest.
Ever since he began cultivating immortality, this fellow had preferred to train alone.
Since Li Qingqiu could see his cultivation and loyalty, he allowed him to train in secret.
Geniuses always had their own little secrets.
When Jiang Kuotian saw Jiang Zhaoxia, he was stunned, circling around him and praising him as a once-in-a-century martial prodigy, strongly inviting him to join the White Emperor Manor.
Unfortunately, Jiang Zhaoxia remained unmoved. His words even carried a hint of doubt toward the White Emperor Manor, which made Jiang Kuotian quite angry.
Li Qingqiu noticed that Jiang Zhaoxia clearly didn’t take Jiang Kuotian seriously, not the least bit afraid of conflict.
The confidence brought by cultivation was simply too overwhelming.
Although Jiang Zhaoxia was still at the first layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, his Vital Energy was undoubtedly the strongest within the Clear Sky Sect—Li Qingqiu could feel it.
He was quite curious about just how great the difference was between a first-layer Nourishing Vital Energy Realm cultivator and an ordinary martial artist.
One night passed.
Jiang Kuotian slept until noon before waking.
After eating and drinking his fill, he bid farewell to Li Qingqiu and the others.
Before leaving, he still left behind a martial manual, stuffing it into Wu Man’er’s hands.
“If you ever wish to descend the mountain, remember to visit me at the White Emperor Manor—before I grow old!”
Jiang Kuotian laughed heartily as he departed, waving with his back turned toward them, his bearing graceful and unrestrained.
Li Qingqiu watched him go, only withdrawing his gaze once Jiang Kuotian disappeared into the woods. His junior brothers and sisters began discussing Jiang Kuotian and the White Emperor Manor.
Li Qingqiu turned back toward the courtyard, and Jiang Zhaoxia followed.
Once they had distanced themselves from the others, Jiang Zhaoxia leaned closer and asked in a low voice, “Senior Brother, did Jiang Kuotian give you some treasure imbued with spiritual energy?”
Jiang Zhaoxia could sense that there was an object on Li Qingqiu’s person that emitted faint spiritual energy—though weak, such an item was exceedingly rare.
Li Qingqiu gave him a glance and said, “Yes. Once I’ve studied it thoroughly, I’ll find a way to get you one too. Junior Brother, you must understand, your Senior Brother’s cultivation speed isn’t as fast as yours. I need to keep some means of protection. If one day you’re not around, I’ll need a way to save my own life.”
These words made Jiang Zhaoxia’s mood soar; he couldn’t help but grin. “How could I ever not be around? Don’t worry—while I’m here, no one can threaten our Clear Sky Sect.”
He was naturally arrogant.
Ever since he began cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture and embarked upon the path of immortality, his pride had only grown stronger. He believed himself invincible.
The two brothers chatted as they walked back toward the courtyard.
Once back, Li Qingqiu returned to his room, while Jiang Zhaoxia—as usual—went to the back mountain forest to train alone.
Closing the door, Li Qingqiu sat on the bed and took out the small knife, beginning to examine it carefully.
A weapon containing spiritual energy… could it be a magical artifact?
The Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture was not merely a simple Qi-gathering method—it also contained foundational teachings on alchemy, artifact refinement, formations, and talisman arts.
Following the methods described, he began his attempts.
The simplest way was to inject Vital Energy into the artifact to see if it bore a binding restriction.
Immediately, his body trembled, his right hand loosened, and the knife fell to the ground.
There was indeed a restriction!
Li Qingqiu looked down at his trembling right hand, which felt slightly numb, as if shocked by lightning.
It seemed this really was a magical artifact!
“My cultivation is still too weak. I’ll try again once I break through to the second layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.”
He thought to himself silently.
That one attempt had drained more than half of his Vital Energy—he couldn’t afford to waste more.
Carefully, he picked up the small knife and considered where to hide it.
After some thought, he buried it in the soil beneath his bed, barely managing to conceal its spiritual aura.
Satisfied, Li Qingqiu left his room.
Next, he planned to focus on Wu Man’er, helping him step into the first layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm—then he could activate another Fortuitous Fate.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but look forward to it.
Would the entire sect stepping into the cultivation realm also grant him a Dao Lineage reward?
…
To the Clear Sky Sect, Jiang Kuotian’s visit was but a small interlude.
Li Qingqiu arranged for the disciples to take turns teaching their fifth junior brother, Wu Man’er.
Although Wu Man’er was mentally slow, through repeated guidance he gradually formed muscle memory and became accustomed to the Qi-gathering method.
Finally, before winter arrived, he stepped into the first layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
【Considering that your Dao Lineage has all disciples entering the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm for the first time, marking a milestone for the Clear Sky Sect, you have obtained a Dao Lineage Inheritance Reward.】
While meditating atop the mountain, a line of text suddenly appeared before Li Qingqiu’s eyes.
Even with his eyes closed, he could still see it.
Delighted, he thought, so there really was an inheritance reward!
He shifted a bit backward, ensuring he wouldn’t fall off the cliff, then immediately activated the inheritance reward.
【Receiving Inheritance Reward】
【Activating Dao Lineage Inheritance】
【You have obtained the spell—Wind Sprint Technique】
【Accept Inheritance?】
Inheritance!
A torrent of memories surged into Li Qingqiu’s mind as his eyes closed.
Cold wind howled, thick fog enshrouded the mountains, and snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, falling upon his shoulders. Yet, he remained unmoved.
After the time of one incense stick, Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, joy flickering within them.
The Wind Sprint Technique truly lived up to being a spell—it surrounded his body with swift spiritual wind, allowing for low-altitude gliding and enhancing physical reaction speed. Such a spell would be extremely convenient in the mountain forests.
The first thought that crossed his mind was that descending the mountain would now be far easier.
He stood up, eager to begin cultivating the Wind Sprint Technique.
But it couldn’t be practiced atop the peak—what if he fell to his death?
How could a future Immortal Lord of the Upper Heavens die in such a place!
The sun set and the moon rose; snow fell thicker through the night.
That evening, everyone in the Clear Sky Sect gathered to celebrate Wu Man’er’s success in cultivating Vital Energy.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue slaughtered a chicken for the occasion and even brought out their Master’s twenty-year-old wine.
Wu Man’er, though only thirteen, already had a sturdy, broad build.
Sitting between Li Sifeng and Li Sijin, he looked like a grown man, his shoulders nearly as wide as the two of theirs combined.
Jiang Zhaoxia sat beside Li Qingqiu, smiling proudly. “Though our fifth junior brother’s a bit slow, his martial aptitude is undoubtedly the best among us. Give me ten years—no, five—and I’ll make him a first-class expert of the martial world.”
Pouring wine, Li Qingqiu chuckled. “You say that so easily. What about you? Are you a first-class expert yourself?”
Had he stayed quiet, it would’ve been fine—but as soon as he said that, Jiang Zhaoxia’s pride flared.
“Don’t joke—I might already be one! I must admit, Senior Brother, your inner cultivation method is truly powerful. In the martial world, it would absolutely be regarded as a divine art!”
For once, he even praised Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu only laughed silently.
Brother, this isn’t some divine martial art—it’s a cultivation scripture!
He didn’t plan to expose the truth.
For now, all his junior brothers and sisters still believed the energy they cultivated was inner energy.
Everyone was cheerful, speaking of the future with bright spirits.
Fueled by wine, Zhang Yuchun looked at Li Qingqiu and said, “Senior Brother, I think we should recruit disciples early. Everyone’s busy cultivating, and the sect chores are falling on me alone. I’m stretched too thin.”
He also wanted to become a true expert!
He knew well that in the future Clear Sky Sect, seniority alone wouldn’t command respect—only strength would.
Li Qingqiu was pleased with Zhang Yuchun’s recent efforts and agreed that his second junior brother had indeed been overworked.
“Then let’s recruit seven. You’ll handle it. Go down to the village and find them—male or female, it doesn’t matter. Offer food and shelter, no payment needed. Tell them it’s our way of repaying kindness. After ten years of training, if they wish to return home, we won’t stop them.”
Zhang Yuchun was initially delighted, but when he heard the last part, his brow furrowed.
“Senior Brother, if we let them leave, wouldn’t all our effort in training them go to waste?” he advised.
Li Qingqiu waved his hand. “You can’t think like that. They’ll have worked for us for ten years, and if Clear Sky Sect can’t keep people, that only means we’re not doing well enough.”
Zhang Yuchun thought it over and found it reasonable, feeling even more admiration for his senior brother.
Such a broad vision!
No wonder the Master had chosen him as Sect Master. Compared to him, Zhang Yuchun realized he was still too fixated on immediate gain.
As the two discussed the sect’s future, the other disciples chatted about cultivation and the martial world.
Their laughter and conversation filled the courtyard with warmth—no winter snow could dim their vitality.
When the banquet ended, Li Qingqiu asked his junior brothers and sisters to clean up while he returned to his room.
Jiang Zhaoxia also didn’t help—but aside from Li Qingqiu, no one dared to complain.
Li Qingqiu placed a brazier filled with charcoal before his bed, then sat cross-legged atop the bed.
Summoning his Dao Lineage panel, he activated Fortuitous Fate.
【Claiming Fortuitous Fate Reward】
【Activating Fortuitous Fate】
【Commencing Detection of Fortuitous Fate】
【Fortuitous Fate Detected: A Subterranean Spiritual Lake Found. Accept Guidance?】
A subterranean spiritual lake?
Li Qingqiu raised his brow. It seemed he had truly struck gold this time.
Perhaps this would become the foundation for the Clear Sky Sect’s rise!