Chapter 81: The Alchemy Family
Hearing Guo Ziyan directly call out Li Qingqiu’s name, the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect immediately grew furious.
Li Sifeng, who stood beside Zhang Yuchun, was just about to step forward, but Zhang Yuchun raised a hand to stop him.
“Sir, how dare you claim to represent the Martial World of Zhongtian?” Zhang Yuchun asked.
Guo Ziyan snorted.
“Why can’t I? The number one martial artist in Zhongtian Province was defeated by my hand last August. Tell me—why shouldn’t I represent it?”
In this closed-off world of poor communication, people of Guzhou knew little of the affairs of Zhongtian Province.
Only world-shaking events could spread far.
The disciples of the Clear Sky Sect and the onlookers did not know who Zhongtian’s number one martial artist was, but anyone capable of defeating such a figure was certainly formidable.
For a moment, everyone was awed by Guo Ziyan’s presence.
The official standing behind Guo Ziyan remained silent.
It was clear he had already known that Guo Ziyan intended to challenge the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect.
“To deal with you, there’s no need for our Sect Master to take action,” Zhang Yuchun said.
“If you could defeat the number one in Zhongtian, that means you’re truly Zhongtian’s strongest. As for me, I’m only second within Guzhou’s martial world. Let’s see if Zhongtian’s first can withstand Guzhou’s second!”
A voice came from behind, and upon hearing it, the disciples’ faces brightened.
The disciples behind Zhang Yuchun parted, and Jiang Zhaoxia walked forward leisurely.
The pilgrims and visitors began whispering among themselves.
Before the great battle at the state capital, Jiang Zhaoxia had been the strongest figure on the surface of the Clear Sky Sect.
It was he who had laid the foundation of the sect’s growing fame.
Guo Ziyan frowned as he looked at Jiang Zhaoxia.
His instincts screamed that this man before him was dangerous.
The Clear Sky Sect truly wasn’t simple!
Guo Ziyan was secretly startled.
He had come this time merely to test Li Qingqiu’s martial ability.
Even if he lost, since he had come with an imperial decree before so many witnesses, Li Qingqiu certainly would not kill him.
But now another man had appeared midway, catching him completely off guard.
Jiang Zhaoxia’s words were arrogant—too arrogant—and they ignited his fighting spirit.
Ignoring his earlier plan, he decided to teach this man a lesson first.
Even if this man seemed troublesome, he felt no fear!
“Then come! Let’s find a place to spar!”
Guo Ziyan raised his hand and said, his gaze locking with Jiang Zhaoxia’s—both unwilling to yield.
“Our Clear Sky Sect also has its rules. If you want to spar, go to the Martial Platform. The view there is broad, and more people can witness our exchange,” Jiang Zhaoxia said coldly.
The previous battle at the state capital had left him unsatisfied.
Though he had slain many, none could truly be called his match.
Today, he could face Zhongtian’s number one—even if the title might not be real, he was looking forward to it.
He resolved to treat Guo Ziyan with the same level of strength he had used against the Demon Emperor.
It would be the perfect chance to display the might of the Clear Sky Sect!
“Good!”
Guo Ziyan readily agreed.
Jiang Zhaoxia’s gaze made his blood boil with excitement.
He loved defeating arrogant geniuses like this!
Within the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was sparring with Zhao Zhen.
Although Zhao Zhen was young, his talent for martial arts was truly exceptional—within the entire sect, none could rival his natural aptitude in combat.
After joining the Clear Sky Sect, Zhao Zhen had learned many martial techniques.
His moves in battle were ever-changing, yet before Li Qingqiu, he felt utterly stifled—every strike missed its mark.
Li Qingqiu smiled.
“That’s why I told you not to be impatient. You’re still too young. No matter how refined your techniques, without sufficient speed and strength, it’s all in vain.”
He noticed that Zhao Zhen relied too heavily on his innate talent, constantly eager to learn new martial arts to show off.
That wouldn’t do!
Cultivation methods were the foundation; external techniques were merely tools for battle.
Zhao Zhen complained, “But I haven’t been lazy. I’ve spent two hours every day practicing inner energy without slacking off.”
“Then spend three hours, or four. You’re still young, and your teacher hasn’t given you any tasks.”
Li Qingqiu laughed as he dodged Zhao Zhen’s attacks.
Zhao Zhen pouted, but his movements grew even faster.
At that moment, Yuan Li’s elder brother, Yuan Qi, hurried into the courtyard.
“Sect Master, something bad has happened! Elder Jiang was sparring with someone—he might have killed the man!”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen froze and turned to look at Yuan Qi.
Li Qingqiu, however, didn’t seem concerned.
He casually said, “As long as the one killed isn’t a fellow disciple, don’t bother me.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t care—it was that he couldn’t step in personally.
Only by staying uninvolved could he later claim ignorance and let matters settle on their own.
That Third Junior Brother of his—he really struck hard.
Li Qingqiu sighed inwardly.
Though he didn’t know who Jiang Zhaoxia had killed, there must have been a reason.
Despite Jiang Zhaoxia’s cold and proud demeanor, he had never bullied the disciples.
Occasionally, he even guided their cultivation.
In private, the disciples held him in high regard.
Hearing Li Qingqiu’s response, Yuan Qi scratched his head and quickly ran back out of the courtyard.
Li Qingqiu looked toward Zhao Zhen and chuckled.
“If you want to see the commotion, go ahead.”
Zhao Zhen, not yet six years old, couldn’t suppress his curiosity at the mention of someone dying.
“Goodbye, Master!”
Zhao Zhen bolted off, afraid he’d miss the excitement if he was late.
Li Qingqiu walked to the long table, sat down, and opened the Dao Lineage interface.
He was now in dire need of a disciple with aptitude in formations.
The foundational records on formations obtained from the inheritance rewards had yet to be successfully passed down to anyone.
He had even found two disciples with extremely high loyalty to learn it—but with no success.
In the path of cultivation, even formations depended on talent.
The Clear Sky Sect now had solid foundations and no lack of martial strength, so Li Qingqiu cared more about talents in other fields.
Formations and alchemy were what they lacked most—both were indispensable to an immortal sect.
Because of this deficiency, the Heavenly Works Hall was currently the most idle among the seven halls.
Ordinary weapons could simply be purchased; for construction, craftsmen could be hired.
Zhu Yan, its head, spent most days painting or playing the zither.
Li Qingqiu reviewed all his disciples again, but still couldn’t find a suitable talent.
Though the number of disciples was increasing rapidly, true geniuses remained rare.
Even those labeled “average” in aptitude and comprehension were considered gifted in comparison.
Before long, Li Dongyue entered the courtyard and sat beside him.
She suggested establishing ranks for non-hall disciples, as there were always diligent disciples who failed to be assigned to any hall, dampening morale.
“It seems the division between inner and outer sects must be introduced early,” Li Qingqiu mused.
Such a system would not only classify disciples but also differentiate treatment and rewards, giving everyone motivation to aim higher.
Li Dongyue smiled.
“Senior Brother finds it troublesome? Then we can stop recruiting disciples—fewer people, fewer troubles.”
Li Qingqiu shook his head.
“Once in the martial world, we can’t stop. Our future enemies will only grow stronger—perhaps even those lofty human sages. If we do not strengthen ourselves, we’ll face total annihilation.”
Li Dongyue’s smile faded.
“Don’t worry. The sect’s finances are still stable. I’m finding ways to expand our revenue. The expected income from the Training Hall looks promising—our clients include wealthy merchants, even government officials.”
Li Qingqiu nodded.
The two spoke softly, discussing sect affairs.
He felt a quiet sense of pride.
The junior sister who once followed him everywhere could now shoulder major responsibilities.
Guo Ziyan of the Forbidden Martial Guards had not been killed by Jiang Zhaoxia, but he was on the brink of death.
The official who had delivered the imperial decree descended the mountain with a dark expression.
He spoke no threats—only ordered men to carry Guo Ziyan away.
This incident made all who had witnessed the battle realize just how powerful the Clear Sky Sect truly was.
Some worried the sect had offended Zhongtian’s nobility; others dismissed the concern.
No sooner had Guo Ziyan left than numerous noble families approached Zhang Yuchun, offering to help the Clear Sky Sect smooth things over and maintain good relations with Zhongtian.
As spring arrived—
Qin Ye’s father, Qin Jue, came up the mountain to visit, and Zhang Yuchun personally received him.
Qin Jue looked around the Free Spirit Hall and exclaimed, “What refined taste—very impressive.”
Zhang Yuchun poured him tea with a smile.
“All gifts from others. I find it a bit old-fashioned, but the elders say that the dwelling of one in power must show heritage to command presence.”
Qin Jue sat at the table and sighed.
“How many years has it been? Compared to the great families queuing up the mountain, our Qin Family is nothing. If not for Senior Yang’s introduction, I might not even qualify to meet you now.”
“Don’t say that. Your son is our Sect Master’s second disciple. That alone makes our Clear Sky Sect and your Qin Family closely tied. As our sect grows, your family will prosper too,” Zhang Yuchun replied with a smile.
These words pleased Qin Jue greatly; his face lit up with delight.
He then straightened his posture, his tone turning serious.
“Let’s get to business. I came up the mountain today because I have an important matter to tell the Clear Sky Sect—something you won’t want to miss.”
Zhang Yuchun’s interest was piqued.
“What matter?”
Qin Jue lowered his voice.
“News about the Elixir of Immortality.”
“What, Brother Qin also believes in such absurd legends?” Zhang Yuchun chuckled.
At the mention of the Elixir of Immortality, he immediately thought of the emperor.
How many had died because of the emperor’s obsession with immortality?
Qin Jue continued, “Don’t rush to conclusions. Hear me out. The Elixir of Immortality may not exist, but there are people capable of refining it. You’ve likely heard rumors that His Majesty himself seeks such an elixir. That’s why this must not be leaked—if word spreads, His Majesty will go mad.”
Zhang Yuchun frowned.
“Which so-called Daoist dares claim to be able to refine the Elixir of Immortality?”
“It’s not a Daoist—it’s an alchemy family. A lineage with a thousand years of history. They’ve truly refined divine pills before—reviving kings from the brink of death, turning children into peerless masters, even reversing aging. Dynasties past have sought their aid. Though they’ve faced persecution many times, they always survived—thanks, it’s said, to their miraculous elixirs.”
“Our Qin Family has long traded along the great rivers. Recently, we rescued a grievously wounded man by the riverbank. He insisted on meeting my father before revealing his identity—he was a descendant of this alchemy family. He seeks help rescuing his daughter, and in return, both father and daughter are willing to serve whoever saves her for life, offering all they have.”
Qin Jue finished speaking in one breath and finally relaxed.