Chapter 84: Dragon Soul Protection
It was yet another fine day.
Li Qingqiu led Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen to the mountaintop, where they faced the morning sun to absorb its energy.
The purple qi came from the east, and their minds entered a tranquil state.
When their morning cultivation ended, Li Qingqiu was just about to rise when he heard Yuan Li ask, “Master, am I truly suited for cultivation?”
His face was filled with confusion, and Zhao Zhen, who sat on Li Qingqiu’s other side, looked at him helplessly, unsure how to comfort him.
“Of course. In this world, there is no one completely unfit to cultivate the Primordial Unity Scripture. I can see your potential. You only need an opportunity to break free from your shackles. When that moment comes, you will soar into the heavens and become the most dazzling existence in the Clear Sky Sect—no, in all the world.”
Li Qingqiu spoke earnestly.
In his heart, he thought, Good disciple, don’t give up.
Your Master is still waiting to copy your talent.
He understood Yuan Li’s self-doubt.
Yuan Li’s treatment already surpassed that of most true disciples, and he always cultivated by Li Qingqiu’s side.
Compared to Zhao Zhen’s exaggerated progress, Yuan Li’s cultivation advancement could only be described as slow.
If Yuan Li hadn’t already cultivated Vital Energy, he would have truly despaired.
But that was the limit—Yuan Li still saw no hope of reaching the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Listening to his Master’s words, Yuan Li still found it difficult to believe.
He forced a smile.
Li Qingqiu directly smacked him on the head and said impatiently, “Foolish disciple, what are you even worried about? You’re only six years old. When we were six, we couldn’t compare to you at all. Forget us—look at the sect. How many disciples have cultivated for years and still haven’t stepped into the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm?”
Those words did improve Yuan Li’s mood.
“Shackles, huh…”
Yuan Li murmured to himself.
Sometimes, he truly felt as though an invisible barrier suppressed his cultivation, keeping him from advancing.
Li Qingqiu said no more and led him down the mountain.
Zhao Zhen then asked his Master if he could go to the Martial Discussion Platform to spar.
He had already reached the Second Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm—six years old and already at the Second Layer.
Far too dazzling.
“Wait a bit longer. You’re still too young. Build a solid foundation first,” Li Qingqiu replied softly.
He feared Zhao Zhen might get too addicted to the thrill of crushing weaker opponents and grow complacent.
He had noticed—Zhao Zhen’s only flaw was his love for showing off.
That wasn’t a good thing.
It must be refined away!
“Then how old do I have to be?”
“Twelve.”
“Ah? Another six years?”
“Six years later, you can compete for Number One Under Heaven. Isn’t that good?”
“Eh, that does sound good.”
The three of them strolled down the mountain.
After returning to Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu once again reminded Zhao Zhen to study his cultivation method carefully before leaving the mountain alone.
Yesterday, the new mountain gate and eagle statue at the foot of the mountain had been completed.
During dinner, Zhang Yuchun had asked him to inspect it and make corrections if necessary.
If all was well, Zhang Yuchun would dismiss the craftsmen in charge.
As Li Qingqiu descended the mountain path, many people greeted him.
He responded only with a polite smile and a nod.
As he walked, he suddenly realized he and Zhao Zhen were quite alike.
He liked to show off too—just that he was more restrained.
When passing a guest courtyard, Li Qingqiu stopped.
Turning his head, he saw through a half-open door the silhouette of a man practicing with a spear—Li Yang.
Li Yang had been on the mountain for quite some time, yet Li Qingqiu had never spoken to him.
The two shared a silent understanding, never breaking that layer of awkwardness between them.
“It seems losing to Chai Yunshang struck him hard.”
Li Qingqiu thought to himself.
Li Yang had been with the Clear Sky Sect for a while, fought alongside them twice, and even occasionally instructed disciples in martial arts.
He was practically half a disciple of the sect.
In truth, Li Qingqiu didn’t dislike Li Yang.
He simply didn’t want too many entanglements with the Li Family.
But seeing Li Yang’s persistence, he felt he should let it go.
Setting other things aside, for Li Yang to become the top martial champion, he was undoubtedly gifted—perhaps even possessed a special Fate Trait.
The reason he lost to Chai Yunshang was likely that his cultivation method was far inferior to the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Having thought that, Li Qingqiu called out, “Li Yang.”
Hearing this, Li Yang, who was practicing his spear in the courtyard, froze.
Turning his head, he saw Li Qingqiu standing at the doorway, watching him.
He immediately tensed up.
“Master Li…” Li Yang replied nervously.
After being in the Clear Sky Sect for so long, this was the first time Li Qingqiu had spoken to him.
Unlike when he had first come up the mountain, Li Yang could no longer treat Li Qingqiu as a mere clan junior.
He now believed what the sect disciples said—
The Sect Master was an immortal descended to the mortal world.
How else could he be so powerful?
Thinking back now, perhaps Li Qingqiu’s fortune had been too extraordinary, frightening those Daoists into thinking he was an ill-omened person.
The Li Family truly had no blessing—they had missed out on such a great opportunity.
Li Qingqiu waved at him through the gate.
Li Yang hesitated for a moment before taking up his spear and walking over to him.
“Walk down the mountain with me?” Li Qingqiu asked with a smile.
Li Yang instinctively replied, “Alright.”
Li Qingqiu continued down the path, Li Yang following behind him.
Watching his back, Li Yang’s heart was complicated—filled with excitement, nervousness, and a hint of shame.
“You seem lost,” Li Qingqiu said ahead, without turning around.
Li Yang took a deep breath and said, “Indeed, I am lost. Since childhood, I practiced martial arts to serve the dynasty, to drive away its enemies, to become a general admired by all. But now I’ve realized—the dynasty I vowed to serve isn’t as noble as I imagined. I don’t know if I should continue serving in the army. My cousin told me I should change all this—but how could it be so easy?”
“Master Li, how do you view this world?”
He was already tempted to join the Clear Sky Sect, even unwilling to return to his clan.
Li Qingqiu replied, “The world today is indeed dark, and everyone lives in fear. I don’t have a better solution. But I believe this much—evil people will eventually be taken by Heaven. I can’t tell you what you should do or how to walk your path. That is a question you must answer through your own life.”
“The only thing I can say is this: if you can’t see the truth, then don’t think about it. Train hard. Your spear will eventually give you the answer.”
Upon hearing this, Li Yang’s expression dimmed, and he said quietly, “Train hard… I’ve never slacked off, but I—”
“Then, do you wish to join the Clear Sky Sect?”
“Join the Clear Sky Sect?”
Li Yang was stunned, his heartbeat quickening.
The Clear Sky Sect was no longer what it used to be.
Many noble families wished to send their children here.
Though he felt himself worthy, he had never imagined receiving a personal invitation from Li Qingqiu himself.
Ever since losing to Chai Yunshang, Li Yang no longer dared to call himself a genius.
He knew just how discerning Li Qingqiu’s eye was—take Xue Jin for example.
If not for Li Qingqiu personally naming him to join the Thirteen Sword Fiends, Jiang Zhaoxia wouldn’t have given Xue Jin a second glance.
“In the future, you can go down the mountain to pursue your aspirations. Whenever you wish to return, you may. Just don’t forget where you belong.”
Li Qingqiu spoke softly.
He then smiled and nodded toward two disciples in the nearby forest who saluted him respectfully.
Li Yang stopped, lifted his robe, and knelt on the steps.
Staring at Li Qingqiu’s back, he said solemnly, “Disciple Li Yang wishes to join the Clear Sky Sect! Thank you, Sect Master, for your favor!”
Li Qingqiu turned to him and said with a small laugh, “Get up quickly. I’m not taking you as a personal disciple.”
Li Yang chuckled and stood, quickly catching up to him.
After Li Qingqiu’s personal invitation, his spirit seemed completely renewed.
Nothing could encourage him more—this meant he still had talent worth nurturing.
As they continued down the mountain, Li Qingqiu opened the Dao Lineage panel to look up Li Yang’s profile.
【Name: Li Yang】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 23】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 91 / 86 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】
【Comprehension: Excellent】
【Fate Traits: Dragon Soul Protection, Peerless Loyalty and Courage】
【Dragon Soul Protection: An ancestor once consumed the flesh of a true dragon and became bound to its soul, passing it down through generations. Upon stepping onto the path of immortality, the Dragon Soul gradually awakens, granting increasing dragon power with each major realm breakthrough.】
【Peerless Loyalty and Courage: To those who show him kindness, he is absolutely loyal and righteous. Once he sets his mind on something, no matter the terrifying foe or peril, he will never retreat.】
…
Good heavens!
Would it still be too late to accept him as a disciple now?
Though Li Qingqiu had long suspected that this martial champion’s profile was extraordinary, seeing it in full still stunned him.
Dual Excellent—the same level as Ji Ya.
Across the entire Clear Sky Sect, only Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning, and Zhao Zhen surpassed him slightly in aptitude or comprehension.
Most importantly—Li Yang possessed Dragon Soul Protection.
From its description, the Dragon Soul would grant him immense strength.
His combat power within the same realm would be immeasurable.
Li Qingqiu’s impression of Li Yang completely changed.
Forget going down the mountain—he should just stay in the Clear Sky Sect.
Li Qingqiu almost wanted to say that aloud.
He wasn’t that selfless.
When cultivating disciples, he naturally hoped they would remain within the sect.
For those with mediocre aptitude and no hope for immortality, he could let go—but not talents like this.
After officially joining the Clear Sky Sect, Li Yang became livelier, regaining the heroic vigor of the martial champion he once was.
Upon hearing that Li Qingqiu planned to pass the sect’s supreme technique to him, he was both moved and uneasy.
“I’ve just joined, and you’re already teaching me a supreme technique? How can you trust me so much?” Li Yang asked nervously.
“‘Just joined?’ How long have you been on the mountain already? Besides, I trust my own judgment. If I pass the supreme technique to you, I’m sure you’ll give back even more to the Clear Sky Sect.”
Li Qingqiu replied casually—but the calmer he sounded, the more moved Li Yang became.
During the rest of their walk, Li Yang seemed to release all the words he had bottled up for a year, making Li Qingqiu feel as though he were listening to Li Sifeng again.
An hour later.
They finally reached the foot of the mountain—even after quickening their pace.
Before the mountain gate, eight craftsmen hired from the Chai Family were resting.
When they saw Li Qingqiu and Li Yang coming down, they quickly stood up.
The gate stood at the end of the mountain path, with dense forest behind it and a wide clearing ahead.
To the side flowed the Xi River, its waters murmuring softly.
The massive eagle statue—nearly two zhang tall—was strikingly majestic, its wings spread in a domineering pose.
Li Qingqiu walked up to the statue.
From the front, he examined both it and the mountain gate, nodding in satisfaction.
The craftsmen’s workmanship was indeed excellent.
Li Yang approached, just about to speak, when his gaze suddenly locked onto something.
His eyes grew sharp.
“Mas—” Li Yang quickly shouted.
But before he could finish, he saw Li Qingqiu raise his hand and catch an arrow fired from behind—two fingers pinching its shaft as though he had foreseen its path.