Chapter 87: Heaven’s Net, Earth’s Judgment
In the courtyard of the Heavenly Works Hall, inside the Deputy Hall Master’s residence.
Su Xiling sat at the table, gazing at Zhu Yan, and said with emotion, “Although I felt earlier that the disciple named Xue Jin wasn’t simple, I didn’t expect him to become famous across the martial world so quickly. After Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning, the Clear Sky Sect has produced yet another peerless powerhouse. Incredible! Isn’t the martial prowess of the Clear Sky Sect a bit too astonishing?”
A single disciple rising to fame could be attributed to talent—but when disciple after disciple did so, it was undeniable that the Clear Sky Sect’s martial inheritance was extraordinary.
Zhu Yan spoke, “That Primordial Unity Scripture is indeed unimaginably powerful. Even I suspect that the Clear Sky Sect has obtained the true inheritance of the Martial Legend. But looking at Yang Jueding, he doesn’t seem that formidable. Surely he wouldn’t be so selfless as to not practice it himself and let others do so?”
“His martial arts aren’t weak either. Perhaps he practiced it, but his aptitude is lacking.”
“Maybe so.”
Zhu Yan replied casually.
She wasn’t particularly interested in martial arts.
Recently, she had been studying the foundational array manuscripts that Li Qingqiu had passed to her, and she found them fascinating.
She had dabbled in formations before—whether the battle arrays used in warfare or the martial formations of sects—they all emphasized coordination, focusing on people.
But Li Qingqiu’s formations were completely different.
Their focus lay in the array itself, not the people.
This astonished her greatly and sparked deep interest.
Su Xiling asked, “Miss, what do you think of the Sect Master?”
Zhu Yan put down the book in her hands, pondered, and said, “Both righteous and evil—hard to define. Judging from the Clear Sky Sect’s attitude toward the common folk, he’s benevolent and just. But when it comes to power struggles, he’s ruthless. I can’t say whether what he does is right or wrong, but I must admit, with him around, the Clear Sky Sect will surely go further.”
Su Xiling sighed.
“Indeed. I thought that after the battle at the State Capital, the Clear Sky Sect would be constrained by that so-called number-one sect. Unexpectedly, Sect Master Li still acted with thunderous means, unrestrained by reputation, directly annihilating the enemy sect without mercy.”
The Clear Sky Sect’s domineering actions naturally invited criticism—perhaps even condemnation—but Li Qingqiu still acted thus.
That was what Su Xiling admired most.
“Good. The martial world is the martial world, the commoners are the commoners. Since ancient times, how many who’ve roamed the martial world have truly kept their hands clean?”
Zhu Yan spoke with indifference.
She never pitied those who died in the martial world.
Su Xiling’s eyes darted, and she asked, “Miss, could you perhaps introduce me to the Primordial Unity Scripture?”
Zhu Yan looked up at her and asked, “Didn’t you say that your martial skill has reached its lifetime limit and can’t improve further?”
“That was before. I think the Clear Sky Sect’s supreme art might help me reach a new height.”
“I’ll ask the Sect Master about it when there’s a chance. For now, focus on your own duties.”
“Many thanks, Miss!”
……
Su Xiling was just one example.
As Xue Jin and the others gained fame, more and more people realized that the Clear Sky Sect was far more than just a group of talented disciples—their supreme inheritance must be extraordinary.
More people came to seek apprenticeship, and disciples’ desire for the Primordial Unity Scripture grew stronger by the day.
Thus, the Clear Sky Sect formally introduced a new system—below the True Transmission Disciples, there would be three levels: from lowest to highest—Registered Disciples, Outer Disciples, and Inner Disciples.
Upon first joining the Clear Sky Sect, one became a Registered Disciple.
Their name was entered into the records, and they could cultivate basic external arts.
Through labor and contribution over time, they would face assessments.
Those who failed to become Outer Disciples after years of effort would be asked to leave the mountain—cutting all ties with the Clear Sky Sect.
Outer Disciples could cultivate the sect’s internal arts, enjoy the protection of the Clear Sky Sect, and travel under its name.
Inner Disciples could apprentice under True Transmission Disciples and cultivate the sect’s supreme art, the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Even without great achievements, they could remain in the sect for life.
When this three-tier system was announced, the Clear Sky Sect was shaken.
One after another, disciples went to the Free Spirit Hall to reaffirm their status.
Except for those who had joined that month, all others were at least Outer Disciples.
With lower-ranked disciples as contrast and higher-ranked ones as goals, the sect’s morale surged once again.
With clearer ranks, the Seven Halls could now manage affairs far more smoothly.
Twenty days later, the Clear Sky Sect’s disciples exceeded six hundred in number.
During this time, Li Qingqiu discovered several disciples with decent aptitude and comprehension for cultivation.
He wrote down their names and handed them to various Hall Masters for special attention.
That day, Zhang Yuchun came to see Li Qingqiu once again.
“Servant Disciples?” Li Qingqiu raised his brow.
At that moment, Li Qingqiu was in the forest, instructing Xu Ning in spell cultivation.
Upon seeing Zhang Yuchun arrive, Xu Ning stepped aside, playing with the Thunder Flag in her hand, not disturbing them.
Zhang Yuchun nodded.
“That’s right. They won’t be entered into the records nor allowed to learn any Clear Sky Sect martial arts. They’ll handle miscellaneous chores. Though it sounds harsh, people will sign up. At least they’ll have food, shelter, and safety—and as long as they stay in the sect, they’ll have a chance to climb upward.”
Li Qingqiu naturally understood what “Servant Disciples” meant but thought the timing a bit soon.
Then he reconsidered—the sect hired many craftsmen and commoners for labor, costing a lot of silver.
Establishing Servant Disciples could reduce expenses, and these disciples would likely work more diligently.
Though it seemed exploitative, it actually offered many at the bottom a chance.
“Alright. You handle it. It’ll also add some work for your Free Spirit Hall.” Li Qingqiu agreed.
Since the establishment of the Seven Halls, much of his burden had lightened.
He no longer needed to oversee every industry and had more time to cultivate.
Zhang Yuchun was delighted by the approval, nodded, and left immediately.
Xu Ning approached and asked, “Master, I’m the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, yet I don’t manage anything. Isn’t that inappropriate? Should I give my position to someone else?”
Li Qingqiu laughed.
“It’s fine. Even if you do nothing, your presence benefits the Enforcement Hall.”
Among the Seven Halls, the Enforcement Hall was the most powerful—not only for its authority but because its Hall Master was Xu Ning.
Xu Ning was among the sect’s top three experts and the Sect Master’s direct disciple.
Her prestige was overwhelming.
When Enforcement Hall disciples visited other halls to investigate, no one dared offend them.
After hearing this, Xu Ning grew thoughtful, understanding her master’s meaning.
“Master, this Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm is so hard to reach. How long did it take you to advance from the Sixth to the Seventh?” Xu Ning changed the topic, uninterested in politics.
Li Qingqiu replied, “As long as you reach the Seventh Layer within two years, you’ll be faster than I was.”
“Alright!”
Xu Ning’s fighting spirit was roused, unaware that Li Qingqiu had spoken casually.
Then, Li Qingqiu told her to demonstrate her self-created spell.
Xu Ning stepped onto the snow, holding the Thunder Flag once owned by Daoist Wei, and began to channel her vital energy.
The Thunder Flag was a unique magic implement—it required no restriction-breaking or vital energy infusion to summon lightning.
Of course, without vital energy, it could only call lightning during storms.
When the sky was clear, one had to rely on converting vital energy into lightning.
Xu Ning possessed the Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Root—the Thunder Flag suited her perfectly, allowing her to unleash greater power.
Raising the Thunder Flag high with one hand like a blade, she drew lightning along its edge.
With a single sweep, the lightning spread out like a net—its might sweeping across ten zhang, the snow before her exploding upward, leaving a fan-shaped clearing.
“I’ve named it Heaven’s Net, Earth’s Judgment. Those struck are either killed instantly or paralyzed—unable to fight, trapped by the earth, ensnared by heaven’s net.”
Xu Ning explained.
Li Qingqiu nodded in satisfaction.
A fine technique indeed!
Li Qingqiu said, “I’m very pleased. Write it down when you have time—it’ll be included in the Scripture Repository.”
Xu Ning nodded, hesitated for a moment, and asked, “Master, I named it following your style, but… are we really still practicing martial arts?”
Even outsiders were shocked, and after long cultivation, she herself began to doubt.
The Primordial Unity Scripture truly didn’t resemble martial techniques anymore.
Li Qingqiu chuckled and said, “If not martial arts, what then—cultivation of immortality?”
“I think it’s possible.”
“Then live a few hundred years first before saying that.”
“True. Without longevity, it’s still martial practice.”
After chatting for a while, master and disciple began sparring.
Li Qingqiu instructed Xu Ning to unleash all her techniques in full force.
She was thrilled.
At first, Li Qingqiu moved with ease, as if strolling leisurely.
But later, he had to get serious.
Something’s off with this girl.
She’s too strong!
Without his Hundred Refinements Demon Body, he doubted that his Sixth Layer self could defeat her.
Could the replica surpass the original?
As her master, he couldn’t allow that!
After one incense stick’s time, Li Qingqiu descended the mountain with Xu Ning.
Her hair in disarray, Xu Ning followed behind, dazed, her hand holding the Thunder Flag trembling.
……
As the year’s end approached, Xue Jin and the others finally returned, each carrying large packs.
Li Qingqiu let the others rest while he spoke with Xue Jin alone.
They had gone to the Nine Absolute Sect and completed their mission flawlessly—slaying the Nine Absolute Sect’s Master, driving their members down the mountain, and burning their sect grounds and buildings.
During this, they also encountered experts from other sects in Eastern Tomb Province, but they were never defeated.
“Sect Master, we found a letter written by the Inspector-General of Eastern Tomb Province to the Nine Absolute Sect. It turns out the new Inspector-General of Guzhou intends to move against us, so he asked Eastern Tomb’s Inspector for help. The latter contacted the Nine Absolute Sect’s Master, trading favors for official power.”
Xue Jin took out a letter from his robe and handed it to Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu opened it and read carefully, confirming that Xue Jin spoke the truth.
Looking up at him, he said, “Well done. I’m very pleased. In addition to your spirit stone reward, I permit you to borrow one supreme art from the third floor of the Scripture Repository for ten days.”
The third floor contained spells.
The Clear Sky Sect’s spells weren’t something disciples could learn at will—they required his personal approval.
Xue Jin showed no surprise, remaining composed.
This mission had hardened him, his youthful aura replaced by killing intent.
He looked at Li Qingqiu, hesitating.
“Is there something else you wish to say?” Li Qingqiu asked.
Xue Jin took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said, “Yes—about Hall Master Li Sifeng!”