Chapter 90: The Body of Four Fate Traits
After much thought, Li Qingqiu finally decided to replicate the Fate Trait Human Ghost-God.
Just the fact that it granted extraordinary comprehension toward soul-related techniques, spells, and divine arts was already enough for him to copy—it was equivalent to enhancing his natural talent.
Moreover, this Fate Trait came with an innate ability that could prevent possession and guard against attacks aimed at the soul.
Since other cultivators existed in this world, Li Qingqiu had to stay cautious.
If a powerful cultivator suddenly appeared one day and tried to seize his body, that would be disastrous.
He forced himself to calm down and continued accompanying his two junior sisters on their stroll, yet his thoughts could never stray far from Chu Jing.
At the same time, he pondered the purpose behind Chu Jing’s arrival on the mountain.
Was it merely to learn martial arts?
Li Qingqiu was not worried about the Primordial Unity Scripture leaking—there was no such manual in the Scripture Repository.
Even if Chu Jing sought it, he would have to search layer by layer through the disciples, which would not be an easy task.
Chu Jing’s Fate Trait, Traitorous Minister and Traitor, made Li Qingqiu reluctant to harm him.
Keeping him alive might serve as a scourge to the current emperor.
However, he had to be cautious.
If Chu Jing showed signs of acting recklessly, Li Qingqiu would not hesitate to strike him down.
The festival bustled with liveliness, and every face on the mountain was filled with smiles.
Near noon, Li Qingqiu was pulled away by the various halls to drink, and he drank until nightfall, unable to extricate himself.
It was only deep into the night that he quietly slipped into the forest behind Lingxiao Courtyard.
After listening for a while and confirming that no one was nearby, he began selecting the Fate Trait to replicate.
He had only one chance left to choose a Fate Trait.
Originally, he had intended to save it for Yuan Li’s Undying Overlord Body, but since that body had yet to awaken, he could wait no longer.
If Chu Jing were to cause trouble the next day, Li Qingqiu might have to kill him—by then it would be too late to replicate.
Besides, it was uncertain whether Chu Jing, should he cause chaos within the Clear Sky Sect, would still be considered a sect disciple.
No such precedent had yet occurred.
Within Lingxiao Courtyard were Wu Man’er, Li Dongyue, and others, and Jiang Zhaoxia also resided in a new courtyard below.
Thus, Li Qingqiu had no fear of being ambushed.
Once he confirmed his choice, an immense stream of memories surged into his mind.
Just like before, he felt as if he had entered a vivid dream.
In that dream, he saw countless ghosts and monsters trying to approach him, only to vanish into ashes.
He even witnessed grand and majestic scenes that seemed to belong to the Nether Abyss—gloomy and terrifying.
When the inheritance ended, he opened his eyes.
Seeing that dawn had not yet arrived and no one was around, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
He stood up and stretched his limbs, noticing no apparent changes to his body.
He began recalling the Soul Restraining Curse, and suddenly, all the parts he once found difficult to comprehend became crystal clear.
He could now understand the curse from an entirely new perspective.
He cast the Soul Restraining Curse—it flowed from him effortlessly, smoother than he had ever imagined possible.
He even began forming new insights, thinking of ways to create derivative spells from the Soul Restraining Curse.
The idea thrilled him deeply.
Now, he possessed four distinct Fate Traits.
Even he himself felt powerful.
He did not linger in the forest.
With a cheerful mood, he descended the mountain.
Over the following days, he used the Hundredfold Tempered Demon Body to conceal his aura and frequently observed Chu Jing.
Since becoming a registered disciple, Chu Jing had shown no suspicious behavior.
He had not even approached the Scripture Repository.
Instead, he practiced martial arts and worked diligently like any other registered disciple—and even made friends.
Though he asked other disciples about the Clear Sky Mountain, that was something every new disciple did.
After observing him for ten days, Li Qingqiu stopped monitoring him.
Perhaps Chu Jing was simply interested in the Clear Sky Sect.
Since he could not use the Soul Restraining Curse on Chu Jing, he decided to continue watching him and perhaps find a way to turn Chu Jing into his pawn instead.
After the New Year Festival, the Seven Halls of the Clear Sky Sect became busy once again.
As more sect disciples descended the mountain for training, their fame spread to noble families and government offices, leading more people to visit the mountain to commission tasks.
The Training Hall became livelier than ever.
Adventuring in the martial world while earning money—why not?
The number of labor disciples in the Clear Sky Sect began to surge.
They could only reside in the new courtyards below the Martial Platform, working on chores during the day.
Zhang Yuchun even planned to build residences at the mountain’s base for them to live in, so that in times of danger, those areas could serve as a defensive buffer.
One month later.
The Qin Family ascended the mountain, bringing Chen Huilan’s father, Chen Yu.
Though Li Qingqiu did not personally meet him, he still checked the Dao Lineage panel with a glance.
Extremely low cultivation aptitude, mediocre comprehension, and no special Fate Traits—no wonder his family declined to such a state, unable even to protect his daughter.
However, Li Qingqiu did meet with Qin Jue, father of Qin Ye.
The Qin Family wished to commission a task from the Clear Sky Sect.
Their younger generation had passed the provincial examination and was to travel to Zhenyang Imperial City for the next stage.
The journey was long, and with the borders of various provinces unstable, the Qin Family hoped to hire two True Transmission Disciples as escorts.
Over the years, the Qin Family’s financial support to the Clear Sky Sect had steadily increased.
They had also provided clues regarding Chen Huilan’s whereabouts.
Thus, Li Qingqiu held a favorable impression of them and readily agreed.
It would also give his disciples a chance to visit the Imperial City—to see what kind of situation and atmosphere it now held.
“Master Li, do you think my son Qin Ye should join the army?”
After a few rounds of toasts, Qin Jue asked again.
Li Qingqiu thought for a moment and replied, “With his martial skills, he will surely make a name for himself in the army. It depends on what he desires.”
After being defeated by Ji Ya, Qin Ye had taken a heavy blow and had been cultivating in the Spirit Mine ever since.
Li Qingqiu worried about his mental state—if Qin Ye wished to travel and temper himself, Li Qingqiu would not stop him.
“Then may I meet him?” Qin Jue pressed.
Though the Clear Sky Sect was flourishing, it was still, after all, a martial sect.
Only if Qin Ye could achieve military merit with the sect’s martial arts would the Qin Family truly rise again.
Grateful for Li Qingqiu’s open-mindedness, Qin Jue recalled his earlier worries—that Li Qingqiu might refuse to release his son.
But now he realized, with the sect full of experts and talents, losing one Qin Ye made little difference.
“Tomorrow, then. He’s training several hundred li away—I’ll have a disciple summon him back.”
“Many thanks, Sect Master!”
The two spoke for a while longer before Li Qingqiu excused himself.
Qin Jue stood before the guest courtyard gate, watching Li Qingqiu’s departing figure with emotion.
When he had first climbed this mountain, he could never have imagined that the Clear Sky Sect would one day grow to such a height.
……
At nightfall, Zhang Yuchun returned to Lingxiao Courtyard and found Li Qingqiu, who was sitting with Jiang Zhaoxia discussing sword techniques.
“Senior Brother, the Inspector-General sent a letter. He’s taking a concubine and hosting a banquet, inviting you to attend.” Zhang Yuchun sat beside Li Qingqiu, holding an invitation.
Li Qingqiu smiled and asked, “What do you think?”
“There must be a scheme. Besides, you are the Sect Master—how can you descend the mountain so easily? I suggest sending Third Junior Brother in your stead. With his abilities, the Inspector-General can do nothing to him.”
After speaking, Zhang Yuchun looked toward Jiang Zhaoxia.
Jiang Zhaoxia nodded.
“Very well.”
Li Qingqiu was also confident in Jiang Zhaoxia’s strength, so he agreed.
Then he asked, “How goes your arrangement regarding the Inspector-General?”
Zhang Yuchun replied, “I’ve already placed disciples within his mansion, and Hall Master Zhu is having her family investigate his background. So far, we only know he’s from Zhenyang Imperial City and once served as an official in court.”
“Hmm. Being able to plant spies there is already good progress. Keep watch—if he grows restless, make him obedient by force.”
Li Qingqiu spoke casually, not regarding Inspector-General Fan Xi as a threat at all.
Zhang Yuchun also did not see Fan Xi as a true enemy—merely troublesome to handle.
As the Hall Master of the Free Spirit Hall, he was fully aware of the Clear Sky Sect’s current strength.
Even if the provincial army attacked, they would not easily overrun Clear Sky Mountain.
Moreover, without proper justification, not even an Inspector-General could mobilize the army to suppress a martial sect.
“Oh right, Senior Brother,” Zhang Yuchun said, “about that registered disciple Chu Jing, whom Sixth Junior Sister recommended—do you remember him? I find him quite capable, with high martial aptitude and independent thought. I’d like to nurture him.”
Zhang Yuchun smiled; it was clear he had already interacted deeply with Chu Jing.
Li Qingqiu asked, “You may, but do you truly know his background?”
Zhang Yuchun nodded.
“He was born in Zhenyang Imperial City and later left with his father. He wishes to return someday. I think he could become an important agent for our sect in the Imperial City. Moreover, he’s well-learned—perhaps he could even become an official. If that happens, his value will be immense.”
Jiang Zhaoxia snorted coldly.
“If he wishes to be an official, why come to the Clear Sky Sect?”
He despised such disciples who were destined to leave the sect—what did they take the Clear Sky Sect for?
Zhang Yuchun chuckled.
“He believes the court is treacherous. The Great Li Dynasty now exalts martial prowess—without martial strength, he fears he cannot stand firm. Besides, he’s waiting for his father’s arrangements and cannot yet return to the Imperial City.”
Li Qingqiu said, “Do as you see fit, Junior Brother. But let me remind you—never underestimate anyone, and never trust too easily.”
Zhang Yuchun nodded, though it was uncertain whether he truly took the warning to heart.
The three brothers then turned the topic to Li Sifeng, who had yet to send word.
They could not ignore him any longer.
“Let Xue Jin go,” Li Qingqiu decided after some thought.
“This time, have the Thirteen Sword Fiends accompany him to further their renown.”
Since completing the Nine Absolute Sect mission, Xue Jin had proven himself to be a commander who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Zhaoxia.
Jiang Zhaoxia had no objection.
He no longer taught the Thirteen Sword Fiends, considering them already independent.
As the moon set and the sun rose, Jiang Zhaoxia departed early with the officials sent by the Inspector-General, heading to the State Capital.
By noon, the Thirteen Sword Fiends also descended the mountain, bound for Eastern Tomb Province in search of Li Sifeng.
From atop the mountain, Li Qingqiu could see disciples descending while pilgrims climbed upward—an unending flow of people.
The sight filled him with the realization that the Clear Sky Sect now had the power to influence the world itself.
Turning toward the opposite cliff, he leapt into the mist below.
The Tianhong Sword at his waist unsheathed itself, its sword qi spreading outward, wrapping around him as he soared through the forest.