Chapter 79: Duplicated Fate Trait
Traveling by day, resting by night.
On the first night of their return journey, Li Qingqiu quietly taught the First Layer Mental Formula of the Primordial Unity Scripture to Ji Ya, who possessed the Hundred Refinements Demon Body.
The two kept away from the main group; he feared other disciples would think it unfair.
As expected, Ji Ya, whose cultivation aptitude was excellent, succeeded in cultivating a wisp of Vital Energy after only half a night.
When Li Qingqiu noticed Ji Ya drawing in Vital Energy, the movement of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy surging into his body was far greater than that of ordinary disciples.
That made him even more expectant toward Ji Ya.
The next morning, as Li Qingqiu led his disciples along a mountain path, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
【In light of your first time leading over half your disciples to annihilate a power hostile to your Dao Lineage—achieving total victory with no casualties—its significance is great. You have obtained one Fate Trait Selection Chance.】
It came!
Another Fate Trait Selection Chance!
Including the one he hadn’t used before, Li Qingqiu now had two Fate Trait Selection Chances.
He decided to continue observing Ji Ya.
If Ji Ya truly possessed a hundredfold Vital Energy of those in the same realm—then it must be duplicated.
When two of the same realm fought, if one side possessed a hundred times the Vital Energy, the chances of victory would be overwhelming.
Moreover, the more Vital Energy one had, the more one could accomplish.
Over the next few nights, Li Qingqiu secretly brought Ji Ya out to cultivate.
Though he said nothing, many disciples saw this scene and guessed that their Sect Master was about to take the new disciple as his personal pupil.
They envied him, yet dared not question it—because Ji Ya had suffered greatly, and their hearts could not bear to complain.
Besides, who the Sect Master accepted as a disciple was not theirs to decide.
It took another half a month to return from the State Capital to Clear Sky Mountain.
Ji Ya trained every night.
Though he had not yet reached the Second Layer of Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, in terms of Vital Energy reserve, he was almost comparable to the Third Layer—an astonishing feat.
Of course, Vital Energy of different realms could not truly be compared.
Even if both strands of Vital Energy were as fine as a hair, the Vital Energy of the Third Layer of Nourishing Vital Energy Realm could easily destroy that of the First Layer.
Nevertheless, Ji Ya’s performance proved that the Hundred Refinements Demon Body allowed his Vital Energy to reach a hundredfold of others in the same realm.
Upon returning to Clear Sky Mountain, Li Qingqiu let Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, and the others escort the disciples uphill, while he alone went to the Subterranean Spiritual Lake.
—Begin duplication!
Hundred Refinements Demon Body!
As soon as he made the selection, the Spiritual Energy within the lake instantly went wild, surging toward him madly.
At the same time, a massive influx of memories drilled into his mind, forcing him to close his eyes.
No one knew how much time passed before Li Qingqiu suddenly awoke, drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
As expected, the Hundred Refinements Demon Body was not an innate Fate Trait—it was acquired afterward.
He had experienced Ji Ya’s pain firsthand.
"That Demonic Cult truly deserves damnation————"
Li Qingqiu thought to himself darkly.
He had only dreamed the process, but Ji Ya had truly endured it.
This body-tempering method originated from the Purple Cloud Art, yet Daoist Wei had practiced it recklessly, without any certainty—he hadn’t even precisely adjusted the herb ratios.
And yet, through such blind experimentation, he had somehow created one possessing the Hundred Refinements Demon Body.
The deceased Daoist Wei would never have imagined such an outcome.
After attaining the Hundred Refinements Demon Body, Li Qingqiu’s Vital Energy multiplied several times.
He sensed that his body still had immense capacity for more, so he continued absorbing Vital Energy.
Two full days and nights passed before he refined the Vital Energy within his body to its limit.
Satisfied, he walked out from the Subterranean Spiritual Lake.
Sunlight spilled over him; he felt as if he had been reborn.
At this moment, his entire body brimmed with power—not just Vital Energy, but inexhaustible physical strength as well.
He had experienced firsthand the might of the Hundred Refinements Demon Body—on Ji Ya’s behalf.
Walking into the forest, he passed through a patch of grass and followed the path for a li before arriving at the mountain road constructed by the Clear Sky Sect.
There, he happened to see Chai Yunshang descending the mountain.
When Chai Yunshang saw him, she immediately raised her hand in greeting.
Li Qingqiu nodded slightly. Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped and asked, "Why didn’t you bring me along when you went to the State Capital before?"
Li Qingqiu turned to her with a smile.
"Someone had to guard the Clear Sky Sect. The Enforcement Hall needed at least one disciple to remain. I thought you were most suitable—you could uphold the Sect’s order well.Besides, I felt you needed time to train."
Chai Yunshang still minded being left behind last time.
She felt she had been underestimated.
"Do the other disciples not need time to train, then?"
"After all, there is only one Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall. My disciple is merely acting in that position for now.
I think you are better suited—but you’ve only joined recently, so it would be hard for others to accept immediately."
Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall?
Chai Yunshang froze, surprise blooming in her heart.
Anyone could see that the Clear Sky Sect was rising swiftly.
Such a position would one day hold tremendous authority.
Even her Chai Family would have to treat her with respect.
If she became Hall Master, her father would no longer dare to control her fate.
"Why me?" Chai Yunshang couldn’t help but ask.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Don’t overthink it. I simply value your talent—and your attitude toward fellow disciples. I heard you dislike the idea of marriage and believe yourself not inferior to men. That’s good. The Clear Sky Sect is a place of pure cultivation—dedicate yourself to the Dao. Don’t disappoint me."
Hearing this, Chai Yunshang nodded solemnly, deeply moved that someone would value her so sincerely.
Li Qingqiu said no more and continued on his way.
Chai Yunshang went down the mountain.
Earlier, she had sent Gu Duba back to the Chai Family, hoping they would ally with the Clear Sky Sect.
If possible, she wished for the family to contribute some strength.
It wasn’t for her own sake—but for the family’s.
The future Clear Sky Sect would far surpass the Seven Peaks Alliance at its height.
Though she resisted political marriages, she was still born of the Chai Family.
She wanted them to regain their former prosperity.
In a dark underground palace, figures in brocade robes wearing Evil Ghost Masks knelt on one knee.
Ahead stood a wall carved with ancient characters, flanked by lamps that cast flickering light.
Before the wall stood a black-robed man, his back to the kneeling subordinates.
"The Demon Emperor was truly useless… And those generals in Guzhou who betrayed at the last moment—they were seeking death."
The black-robed man’s voice was cold.
He slowly turned around—he too wore an Evil Ghost Mask.
But he was not of the Demonic Cult.
He was Xuan Gong, the Chief of the Forbidden Martial Division.
Kneeling before him were the Forbidden Martial Guards.
"All four great sects of the Guzhou Martial World attacked the State Capital to resist the Demonic Cult.Among them, the Clear Sky Sect played the most crucial role.The Demon Emperor died at the hands of the Clear Sky Sect Master.It is said————" one guard reported nervously, his voice trembling slightly.
The underground palace was dim; firelight cast Xuan Gong’s shadow long upon the ancient wall, like a ghost.
"It is said—what?"
"It is said the Demon Emperor was killed by the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect—with a single palm————"
"A single palm?"
"Yes. This Sect Master is said to be an extraordinary man.He even raised a demonic eagle—its wingspan exceeding five zhang.Such a giant eagle has never before been seen in this world."
"What is his name?"
"Li Qingqiu."
Upon hearing that, Xuan Gong fell silent.
The guards bowed their heads, not daring to disturb him.
Autumn passed, and winter came.
Snow began to fall.
The world’s temperature dropped, yet the Clear Sky Sect remained ablaze with activity.
All across Clear Sky Mountain, craftsmen could be seen at work.
"The mountain gate at the foot will surely satisfy you all.We’re even building a statue of an eagle. I heard the Sect Master raised a divine eagle—it can ward off evil and display the grand spirit of the Clear Sky Sect————"
A middle-aged man wearing a cloth hat said cheerfully beside Zhang Yuchun.
The two stood at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the new compound being built below.
The Battle of Guzhou State Capital had spread everywhere.
Though the Eastern Tomb Army was officially recognized as the main contributor, in both the martial and secular worlds, the Clear Sky Sect gained immense fame.
The tale of the Clear Sky Sect Master slaying the Demon Emperor of the Demonic Cult spread throughout the land.
Since winter began, noble families, merchants, and clans continuously came to befriend the Clear Sky Sect.
Even the White Emperor Manor, Profound Heart Hall, and Chan Meditation Temple sent emissaries in gratitude for the Sect’s aid—each bearing lavish gifts.
After that battle, though no decree was made, the Clear Sky Sect’s status soared—faintly showing signs of becoming Guzhou’s Number One Sect.
Listening to the Chai Family man’s introduction beside him, Zhang Yuchun nodded slightly.
"Your proposal sounds good. Thank you for your efforts."
"We’re all on the same side—no need for thanks. Miss Chai Yunshang is a disciple of the Enforcement Hall of the Clear Sky Sect, and the Sect has great merit in saving the people.Our Chai Family should naturally assist." The man from the Chai Family said with a warm smile.
The two exchanged polite words, each enjoying the courtesy.
At the same time—
On the mountain, within Lingxiao Courtyard.
Ji Ya knelt before Li Qingqiu, performing the ceremony of becoming a disciple.
Xu Ning, Qin Ye, Yuan Li, and Zhao Zhen stood to the side, curiously watching Ji Ya.
Ever since they left the State Capital, Ji Ya had followed Li Qingqiu in cultivation.
Though he hadn’t formally taken him as a disciple, everyone in the Sect knew it was only a matter of time.
They were curious—why was he so valued by the Sect Master?
But Ji Ya had never displayed his true talent before others, as Li Qingqiu had instructed.
He currently lived in the same courtyard as the five disciples who had been imprisoned with him in that underground palace.
All six had lost their families, shared the same past, and now depended on one another, forming close bonds.
"From now on, you are my fifth disciple. Any martial art I teach you must never be passed to others without my consent. Do you understand?"
Li Qingqiu spoke sternly, and Ji Ya immediately agreed.
He was full of gratitude toward Li Qingqiu—his loyalty had already reached 95 points, utterly obedient.
After giving a few more instructions, Li Qingqiu left, allowing the five children to bond more closely.
Zhao Zhen, intrigued by Ji Ya, asked about his past.
Ji Ya did not hide it.
Upon hearing his tragic experiences, Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li both felt sympathy for him.
Xu Ning and Qin Ye already knew—what interested them more was Ji Ya’s talent.
Qin Ye proposed a friendly spar.
He knew Ji Ya had already begun cultivating and surely had a solid martial foundation.
Ji Ya agreed readily—he had long wanted to spar with someone, but Li Qingqiu had forbidden it until today.
Xu Ning, Yuan Li, and Zhao Zhen moved aside to observe the match.
However—
The result shocked them all.
Qin Ye was completely outmatched by Ji Ya.
"Second Layer of Nourishing Vital Energy Realm? No—that Vital Energy… how could it be so vast————"
Xu Ning’s face turned solemn as she looked at Ji Ya, her heart filled with astonishment.
She was confident she could easily defeat him—yet how could someone who had cultivated for such a short time possess such immense Vital Energy?
And why hadn’t she sensed it before?