Chapter 65: The New Seven Great Sects
“Master, how do you always manage to find these monstrous geniuses? Don’t tell me you’ve really opened your Heavenly Eye?”
In the forest, Yang Jueding—who had just taken a punch from Zhao Zhen—couldn’t help turning his head to look at Li Qingqiu in confusion as he asked.
His right palm was slightly burning and numb, and that made him feel absurd.
This brat was only five years old?
Why!
When he was five, he hadn’t even learned to read—yet this little one had already cultivated true power...
After asking, Yang Jueding turned to look at Zhao Zhen, who was panting heavily.
His expression grew complicated.
After the initial shock passed, it was replaced with anticipation.
The future of the Clear Sky Sect was secured!
In his eyes, the next generation of the Clear Sky Sect possessed talent far superior to their own.
In twenty years, how powerful would the sect become?
Five-year-old Zhao Zhen was propping himself up with his hands on his knees.
Although this wasn’t his first time sparring with all his strength, after learning the Great Sun Pure Yang Art, his confidence had risen tremendously.
Yet, he hadn’t expected that he couldn’t shake his opponent at all.
He thought Yang Jueding was even stronger than the experts of the Imperial Guardian Army.
He had truly come to the right place by joining the Clear Sky Sect.
Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “So you’ve noticed. That’s why, Elder Yang, you can rest easy staying in the Clear Sky Sect. As long as new disciples continue to join, I’ll always be able to pick out geniuses. As the Elder of Martial Transmission, you just need to wait for me to send them to you.
In the future, Zhen’er will often come to you to learn martial arts—don’t you dare hold back your teachings.”
Yang Jueding nodded with emotion.
“I reckon it won’t take him many years to master all my martial arts. I can sense that his inner power isn’t simple—it’s even stronger than the internal arts I practiced before. Moreover, it feels familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere before. The stronger the internal power, the harder it is to cultivate; it takes time to accumulate. For him to have entered the threshold at only five years old—it’s truly unbelievable…”
Li Qingqiu’s lips curved upward, but he didn’t respond.
He stepped forward, crouched down before Zhao Zhen, and while wiping the boy’s sweat, said gently, “You’re still young; there’s no need to exhaust yourself like this. Cultivation must not be rushed. Do you understand?”
Zhao Zhen looked up at his master and nodded earnestly.
Then, Li Qingqiu lifted him effortlessly with one arm and walked toward the mountain path in the distance, waving as he said, “Elder Yang, no matter how busy you are, remember to practice. I feel that you’re not far from reaching the Second Layer.”
Hearing this, Yang Jueding’s eyes lit up in delight.
He had no doubt about Li Qingqiu’s judgment, and his desire for the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm was intense.
Forget about so-called Martial Legends and their mystical arts—the Clear Sky Sect’s Primordial Unity Scripture was the strongest!
Revived in spirit, Yang Jueding turned and strode off in another direction.
……
Near noon.
Chai Yunshang and Gu Duba finally arrived at the foot of Mount Clear Sky.
After its renovation, a stone stele stood at the base, upon which the two characters “Clear Sky” were engraved.
Standing by the official road, they could see the winding mountain path where people were going up and down.
There were also carriages parked on the open ground nearby, with attendants keeping watch.
Gu Duba, with a bundle on his back, sighed with emotion.
“The Clear Sky Sect truly isn’t what it used to be. I heard that ten years ago, there was only Lin Xunfeng left. Calling it a sect back then—it was really just his residence.”
Chai Yunshang lifted her gaze.
The majestic Mount Clear Sky stood amidst the mountains, surrounded by heavy mist.
It appeared even more imposing than the mountain where the Seven Peaks Alliance resided.
Anyone standing here would feel their own insignificance before its grandeur.
“It feels like living out one’s life in such a magnificent place wouldn’t be so bad,” Chai Yunshang murmured softly.
Gu Duba shook his head.
“Those who live in the martial world can’t act as they wish. Even though the Ancient Great Mountain Range is far removed from the mundane world, sects still come to trouble them.”
“That’s true. Let’s go up and have a look. Regardless of whether things work out, seeing the sights of Clear Sky will make the journey worthwhile.”
Chai Yunshang spoke softly and then began walking up the mountain road, with Gu Duba following close behind.
The nearby people only glanced at them without much curiosity about their identities.
After all, many martial world figures had been visiting Mount Clear Sky lately.
At the same time—
Having just finished his meal, Li Qingqiu was listening to Zhang Yuchun report on various sect affairs.
The number of disciples kept increasing and was about to surpass two hundred.
In addition, there were pilgrims, patients seeking treatment, and craftsmen on the mountain.
Frictions were inevitable, making it necessary to refine the sect rules.
To Li Qingqiu, such matters were trivial.
The details of the new regulations were left for Zhang Yuchun and Zhang Yu to handle; he merely needed to approve or reject them.
Even small matters, when accumulated, required time to finalize.
After half an hour of discussion, the new rules were settled.
Zhang Yuchun then changed the subject.
“Senior Brother, I think the Clear Sky Sect should also send disciples down the mountain for training—like Sixth Brother did—doing righteous deeds to build reputation. But next time, he doesn’t need to personally lead. We can let younger disciples carry that burden.”
Li Qingqiu nodded.
“I agree. But when they go down, the teams must be well-balanced—some strong in combat, others level-headed.”
“I’ll handle that personally. The disciples are eager to go out and make a name for the Clear Sky Sect. Recently, travelers coming up the mountain have been spreading tales of our exploits, and those little brats are all itching to become famous in the martial world.”
Zhang Yuchun smiled, his face full of contentment.
Recalling a few years ago, the Clear Sky Sect had been desolate.
Although he had dreamed of its revival, he hadn’t imagined it would grow this fast.
He didn’t credit himself for it.
Though he held authority, the true key figure was his senior brother.
He could never forget that rainy night when his senior brother rode Little Eight to slay the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Cult.
Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning had both become powerful only because they cultivated his senior brother’s Primordial Unity Scripture.
His senior brother might appear lazy, but he was the true foundation of the Clear Sky Sect—and his insights into sect planning had enlightened Zhang Yuchun time and again.
Li Qingqiu picked up a brush and paper, writing down three names.
“These three—you should focus on nurturing them. I’ve met them. Their talents aren’t bad.”
Zhang Yuchun took the paper and looked at the three names, but none seemed familiar.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
“Senior Brother, in my opinion, Zhang Yu’s art of physiognomy is fake. No one reads people better than you.”
Li Qingqiu smiled.
“Spend more time cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture. When your cultivation deepens, you’ll start seeing the potential in others that others can’t.”
“Is that so?”
Zhang Yuchun sounded doubtful.
Li Qingqiu stood, ending the conversation.
He too needed to cultivate.
While sect development was important, personal Dao cultivation could not be neglected.
Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia were both about to reach the Sixth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, and he naturally had to push toward the Seventh Layer to maintain his lead.
Leaving the room, Li Qingqiu called over Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen, who had been playing in the courtyard.
The two were of the same age and inseparable as fellow disciples.
When Zhao Zhen went to learn martial arts from Yang Jueding, Yuan Li would always watch by the side.
Seeing Zhao Zhen accompanying Yuan Li put Yuan Qi at ease, allowing him to fully focus on his own cultivation.
……
The scorching summer arrived.
After this period of growth, the Clear Sky Sect’s disciples had exceeded two hundred.
Three new true disciples had also emerged—meaning three had entered the First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, officially stepping into the path of immortality.
That day, Xu Ning broke through to the Sixth Layer.
Overjoyed, she went to Lingxiao Courtyard to inform Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu had just returned from the Subterranean Spiritual Lake, with Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen following behind.
Hearing of her breakthrough, Li Qingqiu feigned surprise.
“So powerful? Ning’er, you truly are a one-in-ten-thousand genius.”
Hearing this, Xu Ning’s lips curved upward, her heart filled with delight.
Her gaze briefly swept over Zhao Zhen as she said softly, “Master treats me so well. Naturally, I cannot let Master down.”
Just then, Yang Jueding hurriedly entered Lingxiao Courtyard, his face full of excitement.
“Master! Great news! Great news!”
He had just broken through to the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm yesterday, and though his body hadn’t yet arrived, his booming voice had already echoed through the courtyard.
Li Qingqiu and the others turned to him.
When he came before them, Li Qingqiu asked, “Elder Yang, what has you so out of sorts?”
Yang Jueding failed to notice the subtle rebuke in Li Qingqiu’s tone and exclaimed excitedly, “The White Emperor Manor has sent an invitation! They’re hosting a gathering for the seven great sects of Guzhou—to discuss important matters together!”
“The Seven Great Sects?” Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
Yang Jueding nodded.
“Yes! The White Emperor Manor has already announced that the Clear Sky Sect will replace the Azure Sect as one of the new Seven Great Sects. From this day forth, our position in the martial world will change entirely. We’ve made it!”
Li Qingqiu’s expression remained calm.
He didn’t care much about the so-called Seven Great Sects, but he understood that this was beneficial for the sect.
In a world akin to ancient Huaxia, reputation held great power.
Tales spread across the land—many embellished—but while old victories faded, the title of one of the Seven Great Sects would endure.
He guessed that Jiang Kuotian had been working behind the scenes.
The Clear Sky Sect had no ties to the White Emperor Manor, and by logic, other sects should fear them for destroying the Azure Sect.
Thus, this was clearly a gesture of goodwill.
“What great matter is there to discuss?”
Li Qingqiu asked calmly.
Though he had guessed the intent, he stayed cautious.
The White Emperor Manor was a major sect—not a place ruled by one man’s will.
Even with Jiang Kuotian’s mediation, there would surely be dissenters harboring ill intent.
Yang Jueding replied, “They said the Demonic Cult is about to resurface, threatening all under heaven.”
Yang Jueding no longer feared the Demonic Cult as before.
After all, the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Cult had been slain by Li Qingqiu.
Even if the cult returned, its power could never be what it once was.
“Do you think the Clear Sky Sect should attend the banquet?” Li Qingqiu asked.
His calm demeanor gradually steadied Yang Jueding’s excitement.
Once calm, Yang Jueding thought for a while, then raised his eyes and said solemnly, “We should go. I don’t believe the White Emperor Manor would set a trap. They’re now close to the imperial court—stooping to underhanded tricks would only tarnish their name. However, whether unforeseen changes occur during the gathering is hard to say. Still, attending will make us one of the Seven Great Sects—the benefits far outweigh the risks.”
“Master, let me go,” Yang Jueding added.
He knew the Clear Sky Sect needed Li Qingqiu to remain behind and guard the sect.
Truthfully, he also feared what would happen if Li Qingqiu went.
Most disciples thought their master was gentle in nature, but Yang Jueding alone knew—Li Qingqiu was the most ruthless of them all.
He would never forget that rain-soaked night.
He feared that if the other six sects tried any tricks, Li Qingqiu would start a massacre.
If the White Emperor Manor was destroyed, the sect would surely draw the imperial court’s attention.
“Master, I’ll go too,” Xu Ning suddenly said.
Li Qingqiu turned to her, easily guessing her intent—this girl wanted to meet the Demonic Cult.
After a moment’s thought, Li Qingqiu said, “Very well. Take my Tianhong Sword with you.”
The Tianhong Sword—it was equivalent to the Sect Master’s token!
Xu Ning nodded, her expression unchanged, but Yang Jueding grew excited once again.
A gathering of the Seven Great Sects would surely involve more than drinking and conversation—martial practitioners were bound to cross swords.