Chapter 57: The Rising of Fortune
Facing Zhu Yan’s question, Yan Lan turned his gaze toward Qin Ye, who was practicing with his staff, and said softly, “Since ancient times, whenever a great calamity was about to descend upon the mortal world, auspicious omens would first appear to warn the people. This qilin appeared in Dongling Province, but soon vanished without a trace. The reason the noble clans and sects of Zhongtian wish to find it is because they covet the blood treasure within its body.”
“The qilin is one of the ancient auspicious beasts—and one of the few that have ever been hunted by mortals. Its flesh and blood can greatly enhance a martial artist’s vitality, allowing them to be reborn anew. Its hide can be forged into divine weapons and blades. It’s said that within its body lies a neidan, an inner core—something that magi and sorcerers seek for a lifetime.”
Zhu Yan showed no interest in the qilin’s blood treasure. She asked in surprise, “Your Excellency said auspicious omens appear before great calamities, but haven’t the uprisings everywhere already been pacified?”
Yan Lan’s eyes deepened, like a dark, fathomless well. His voice took on a strange tone as he said, “That only means the true calamity has yet to begin.”
Zhu Yan fell silent.
Normally, she delighted in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, disinclined to involve herself in worldly matters. From Yan Lan’s words, it was clear that this so-called calamity was not a natural disaster but a man-made one.
To bring disaster upon the entire realm, the person responsible must hold immense power. She did not wish to inquire further.
The two spoke no more, each lost in their own thoughts.
On the other side—
Li Qingqiu entered the highest hall of Lingxiao Courtyard. He had come looking for Li Sijin, only to find her sitting at a table with Zhang Yuchun, the two of them discussing something. There were no others in the courtyard.
When Li Qingqiu approached, Zhang Yuchun turned his head toward him and spoke first. “Senior Brother, you’ve come at just the right time. I have something to discuss with you.”
Li Qingqiu took a seat and noticed that Li Sijin’s expression was rather displeased. He couldn’t help but smile and ask, “What’s wrong? Did you two have an argument?”
Li Sijin glared at him. “Senior Brother, you must do something about Second Brother! I want my disciple to become a true disciple, but he refuses to agree no matter what.”
She had brought seven disciples with her, all focused on the arts of talismans and planting.
Later, she took one of her female disciples as a direct pupil, and with Li Qingqiu’s permission, taught her the first-layer heart method of the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Li Qingqiu asked, “Has she reached the First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm?”
The Dao Lineage panel could show a disciple’s aptitude, comprehension, fate traits, and loyalty, but it could not display their cultivation level. He did not regret that—it only made him more expectant, looking forward to the surprises his disciples might bring.
“She has!” Li Sijin’s voice rose loudly as she spoke, giving Zhang Yuchun a pointed glare afterward.
Zhang Yuchun smiled helplessly. Turning to Li Qingqiu, he said, “Senior Brother, I simply think the threshold for true disciples should be raised. The First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm is difficult, yes—but with hard work, anyone can reach it in a year or two. The title of True Disciple carries great weight; it comes with responsibility. We must impose some limits.”
“Why is it that when it’s my disciple, the threshold suddenly needs to be raised?” Li Sijin said angrily.
Although the Clear Sky Sect had yet to formally distinguish treatment among its disciples, true disciples would, in the future, be able to cultivate in the Blessed Land of a Thousand Spirits.
Naturally, Li Sijin wanted to fight for this chance for her disciple.
Zhang Yuchun had the Seven Sons of Clear Sky, Jiang Zhaoxia had the Thirteen Sword Fiends, Li Dongyue had Liu Yan under her command.
Even Li Sifeng, though he had no personal disciple, often brought students down the mountain. Naturally, Li Sijin didn’t wish to fall behind; she too wanted to nurture a disciple who could greatly contribute to the sect.
Li Qingqiu smiled. “Second Brother, you’re overthinking it. The threshold for true disciples will indeed rise over time, but it cannot change arbitrarily. It must follow a schedule. Even if our current true disciples are later surpassed by their juniors, their existence will still show that our sect cherishes old bonds, not just raw talent. Moreover, in the future, the position of True Disciple won’t be the highest rank.”
He already had a hierarchy planned in his mind—the disciples’ rankings would not only extend downward but also upward.
Furthermore, Zhang Yuchun underestimated his own aptitude. He believed his talent was poor, thinking that since he reached the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, others could too.
What he didn’t realize was that his cultivation aptitude was already extraordinary compared to most people—it just paled in comparison to his fellow disciples.
“Since Senior Brother already has a plan, then let San Feng become a True Disciple. I’ll record her name in the True Disciple Register,” Zhang Yuchun said with a nod.
Li Sijin’s face instantly lit up with joy.
She let out a cheer and dashed around the table, throwing herself into Li Qingqiu’s arms.
Zhang Yuchun smiled at the sight.
He wasn’t angry at her outburst; after all, no matter how important the sect’s development was, nothing outweighed the bond between their senior and junior siblings.
Li Sijin didn’t linger long. She couldn’t wait to bring the news to her disciple.
After she left, Li Qingqiu brought up his plan regarding the spirit stones.
When Zhang Yuchun heard it, his expression grew serious. “The spirit stones in the Subterranean Spiritual Lake look plentiful, but once we start distributing them among the disciples, the consumption will exceed our expectations. Senior Brother, we need to set a standard—cut them into fixed sizes, make things as fair as possible, and avoid waste.”
Li Qingqiu nodded.
The two then began discussing how large each spirit stone piece should be.
As they talked, a line of text suddenly flashed before Li Qingqiu’s eyes:
【Due to the Clear Sky Sect obtaining its first auspicious omen, fortune rises—you have gained one inheritance reward opportunity.】
Auspicious omen?
Could it be the qilin Yan Lan mentioned?
Li Qingqiu was surprised, curious as to who had obtained the omen—was it a disciple outside the sect or one within?
His thoughts were drawn toward the omen, so he quickly concluded his discussion with Zhang Yuchun and left.
……
Snow blanketed the vast land.
Endless mountain ranges were covered in white, with no hint of green to be seen.
Between two mountains stretched a wide snowy path upon which countless martial artists were advancing—at a glance, their number was no less than ten thousand.
At the very front rode men on horseback, carrying great banners embroidered with the names of three major sects:
Seven Peaks, Iron Mountain, and Azure.
Each sect brought four to five hundred people.
Behind them followed other sects and clans, forming over a dozen separate groups.
Carriages moved among them, though most traveled on foot, weapons in hand, marching through the snowstorm with overwhelming momentum—like an army on campaign.
The Seven Peaks Alliance’s leader, Guang Lantian, rode at the front.
Since Lü Taidou’s death, after months of internal struggle, he had risen from Second Alliance Leader to First.
This time, he had come for the Martial Legend’s divine technique.
He looked ahead, thinking about how he might seize it.
With so many sects united, even if Jiang Zhaoxia still guarded the Clear Sky Sect, they surely couldn’t stop them.
For the Seven Peaks Alliance, their true competitors were the Azure Sect and Iron Mountain Peak.
The Azure Sect’s leader was its Vice Sect Master, Bai He.
He wore a black robe, with a treasured sword at his waist. His sharp brows and eagle-like eyes gave him a deep and calculating air.
Iron Mountain Peak was led by one of its peak masters, Zhang Songjing—a burly man who, despite his white hair, was as fierce as a tiger. His blue robe was stretched tight against his powerful frame.
All three men were long-established masters of Guzhou’s martial world.
Each had attended the previous Martial Arts Tournament and knew well of Jiang Zhaoxia’s strength.
Now, the three remained silent, each harboring his own schemes.
“There’s someone ahead!”
A mounted Azure Sect disciple suddenly shouted. The crowd turned their eyes forward.
The wind drove flurries of snow toward them. Through the swirling white, they could barely make out a lone figure standing motionless—as if waiting for them deliberately.
Guang Lantian squinted, unable to discern the person’s features. He struck his horse with his whip; Bai He and Zhang Songjing did the same, quickening their pace.
Even if the opponent was Jiang Zhaoxia himself, the three of them were confident they could hold him off.
Seeing the three masters advance, the disciples behind also sped up.
None were afraid—after all, there was only one person ahead. Excitement rather than tension filled their hearts.
The Clear Sky Sect was not far now.
The legendary divine technique seemed to beckon them forward.
When Guang Lantian and the others drew close, they finally saw who blocked the path.
“Yang Jueding—you really are in the Clear Sky Sect!”
Guang Lantian recognized him at once. Narrowing his eyes, he spoke in a low voice, though excitement surged in his heart.
So the rumors were true!
He had only half-believed them before, thinking that even if they failed to seize the divine art, destroying the Clear Sky Sect would be worthwhile.
After all, the Seven Peaks Alliance had lost many disciples to the Clear Sky Sect, yet they had never found the time to take revenge.
Yang Jueding wore the Clear Sky Sect’s blue robes.
The cloth fluttered in the wind, his wide sleeves and pant legs rippling like flames. His tightly bound waist gave him an unshakable presence.
Facing the martial army before him, Yang Jueding was inwardly astonished.
He had expected trouble, but seeing so many sects united, he was still shocked.
Fortunately, he had already sent a disciple back to report.
Although Yang Jueding was still at the First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he was not far from the Second. His martial skills had never declined; even against a thousand troops, he still had some confidence.
“The Clear Sky Sect is but a small sect in the martial world. Why have so many of you come here? What is your intent?” Yang Jueding’s voice boomed like thunder, overwhelming even the howling wind and snow.
Guang Lantian, who had once shared some acquaintance with him, said, “Yang Jueding, you’re an old veteran of the martial world. You can’t protect that divine art. Hand it over, and we’ll spare the Clear Sky Sect.”
Yang Jueding sneered. “The Azure Sect says I possess the divine art, and you just believe them? So many people dove into Fuyang Lake that day—how can you be sure I was the one who obtained it?”
Vice Sect Master Bai He’s expression darkened. He snorted coldly. “Why waste words with him? Capture him alive—under torture, he’ll confess the truth.”
Iron Mountain Peak’s Zhang Songjing said nothing, but he was the first to draw the blade from his waist. Behind him, countless martial artists unsheathed their weapons in unison, and murderous intent instantly blanketed the snowy plain.
Yang Jueding stepped forward and laughed aloud. “Bai He of the Azure Sect—I’ve long wanted to see what you’re made of. For trash like you to become a Vice Sect Master… I’d say the Azure Sect won’t last much longer!”
A fierce light flashed in Bai He’s eyes. He leapt from his horse, soaring through the air like a hawk diving for its prey, drawing his sword mid-flight.
Yang Jueding did not retreat—he advanced, charging fearlessly toward the tens of thousands ahead.
At that same moment—
Over ten li away, two riders galloped through the storm, snow lashing at their faces. They were none other than the Martial Champion Li Yang and his cousin Zhao Linglong.
Zhao Linglong rode behind him, gripping her reins tightly. Her delicate face was flushed red from the cold. “Cousin, must we hurry so much?” she called out.
Li Yang, his long spear slung across his back, didn’t look back. “The tracks along the road are growing denser—it means those sects are just ahead. Cousin, you don’t need to follow so closely. Let me go ahead to scout first.”
“Hyah—!”
Li Yang spurred his horse forward, quickly widening the distance between them.
Zhao Linglong shouted, “Cousin, don’t be reckless!”
But her words met no response—Li Yang had already vanished from her sight.