Chapter 7 The Strongest in Desperate Situations

“Dragon-Subduing Hero?”

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged glances. To their surprise, they had indeed heard of him—from Jiang Kuotian. Jiang Kuotian had been in a hurry to descend the mountain precisely because he wanted to witness the duel between the Dragon-Subduing Hero and the Sea Sword Saint.

He had only mentioned this information before he left, so he hadn’t elaborated much on the Dragon-Subduing Hero.

There were countless prominent figures in the Jianghu, and Li Qingqiu and the others hadn’t paid much attention.

They hadn’t expected the Dragon-Subduing Hero, whom Jiang Kuotian had spoken of, to arrive at the foot of Qingxiao Sect mountain.

“Why are you here?” Li Qingqiu asked cautiously.

Yang Jueding smiled bitterly, “It’s obvious. I came here to escape my enemies. You needn’t worry; my enemy has long since departed. Relying on my internal martial arts, I held my breath for seven days and didn’t see him.”

Held his breath for seven days?

That powerful?

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun were greatly enlightened, but they didn’t easily believe Yang Jueding’s words.

Yang Jueding continued, “Seeing you ascend and descend the mountain, you must not be villagers. You are Disciples from Qingxiao Sect, aren’t you? I’ve met your Master, Lin Xunfeng, a few times. I quite like his temperament. Why don’t you take me back? Once my injuries heal, I’ll teach you martial arts. I have a set of palm techniques; one strike can move mountains and seas, allowing you to shake the Jianghu.”

Hearing him mention Lin Xunfeng, Li Qingqiu and the other relaxed slightly.

“I didn’t expect Master’s reputation in the Jianghu to be quite resounding, not just empty boasting,” Li Qingqiu thought to himself.

He didn’t agree immediately but began to weigh the pros and cons.

Yang Jueding continued, “After this injury, I want to retire from the Jianghu. Qingxiao Sect is good, far from worldly affairs. If you need someone to do odd jobs, I can do it. Just give me a meal and a straw mat.”

Zhang Yuchun was somewhat tempted. He looked at Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu suddenly had an idea and said, “Since you wish to join Qingxiao Sect, the necessary procedures must be followed. Now, kneel in the direction of Qingxiao Sect and make three vows.”

“First, never harm fellow Disciples.”

“Second, never damage the interests of Qingxiao Sect.”

“Third, for the development of Qingxiao Sect, you are willing to dedicate everything.”

Zhang Yuchun was surprised. When were these rules established?

Although he was puzzled, he didn’t utter a sound, and his face remained impassive.

Yang Jueding found these three vows very interesting. They didn’t violate his principles. So, he laboriously got up and knelt in the direction Li Qingqiu indicated.

He raised one hand and began to swear, repeating the three vows Li Qingqiu had spoken.

Li Qingqiu immediately pulled up the dao lineage panel to check. Sure enough, one person had been added to the Disciple count. He clicked in and found Yang Jueding’s avatar.

【Name: Yang Jueding】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 35 years old】

【Loyalty (Sect Leader / Sect): 50 / 50 (Max 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Good】

【Comprehension Ability: Good】

【Fate: Chivalrous and Righteous, Strong in Desperation】

【Chivalrous and Righteous: Willing to sacrifice oneself for others, takes righteousness as a life principle, repays even the smallest kindness with a gushing spring】

【Strong in Desperation: In desperate situations, can erupt with greater strength】

…Seeing the four characters “Chivalrous and Righteous,” Li Qingqiu immediately felt at ease.

He was very curious about the “Strong in Desperation” fate.

Could it be that Yang Jueding escaped death by fighting his way out of a certain-death situation?

Li Qingqiu didn’t think much further. He closed the dao lineage panel and said, “Yu Chun, help him up. Let’s go.”

Zhang Yuchun hesitated but still obeyed his command.

Yang Jueding was helped up and grinned, “What are your names, young sirs?”

“My name is Li Qingqiu, and I am the current Sect Leader of Qingxiao Sect. His name is Zhang Yuchun, my Second Junior Brother.”

Li Qingqiu replied. The four characters “Chivalrous and Righteous” were too kind; he now felt that Yang Jueding’s appearance had changed.

This man’s reputation as a Great Master seemed not to be unfounded.

The only pity was that he couldn’t know how strong Yang Jueding’s abilities were.

“Sect Leader? What about Lin Xunfeng?” Yang Jueding asked in surprise.

“My Master went to seek immortals; he abandoned us.”

When Zhang Yuchun spoke these words, his tone was full of resentment.

Ever since he was brought back to Qingxiao Sect by Lin Xunfeng, it was essentially Li Qingqiu who looked after him. He rarely spoke with Lin Xunfeng, and now that he had been abandoned by Lin Xunfeng, how could he not harbor resentment?

“Seeking immortals?”

Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in wonder but said nothing more.

The three chatted casually, their steps not stopping.

It took a full hour before they returned to Qingxiao Sect.

Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Li Sifeng gathered around. Seeing an extra person, they were all very curious.

Li Qingqiu told them to tidy up Master’s room for Yang Jueding to stay in temporarily.

Lin Xunfeng’s room contained no treasures; Li Qingqiu had already checked. It was even simpler than his own room; describing it as utterly destitute would not be an exaggeration.

Yang Jueding was not polite. Before moving in, he asked Zhang Yuchun to prepare two jars of old wine for him. If there was a chicken, that would be even better.

Zhang Yuchun didn’t indulge him, only giving him one jar of wine. For the next half-day, Yang Jueding cultivated in the room to heal his injuries.

Seeing that he could heal himself, Li Qingqiu felt much more relieved, as they certainly couldn’t save people.

If Junior Brother or Junior Sister were injured in the future, Yang Jueding could still help. Thinking this way, Yang Jueding was indeed a talent.

It wasn’t until dusk that Jiang Zhaoxia and Wu Maner emerged from the forest. Wu Maner’s robe was torn, and he had injuries on his face.

“What happened?” Li Qingqiu asked with a frown.

Jiang Zhaoxia said indifferently, “How can one practice martial arts without getting hurt? These are all superficial injuries; it’s nothing.”

Wu Maner scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.

Li Qingqiu looked at him and said, “If it hurts too much, tell me, and I’ll tell your Third Senior Brother to go easy.”

Wu Maner laughed honestly, “It doesn’t hurt. I want to protect Senior Brother, protect Junior Brother, and Junior Sister. I will become stronger.”

Li Qingqiu was both touched and a little pained. After all, Wu Maner was only thirteen years old this year, though he looked burly.

He decided to give Jiang Zhaoxia’s chicken leg to Wu Maner later.

Forget it.

Third Junior Brother also meant well. I’ll give him my own chicken leg instead.

Li Qingqiu had them sit at the long table to discuss their afternoon training.

Jiang Zhaoxia had never explicitly stated what external martial art Wu Maner was practicing, saying he wanted to give them a surprise. Based on his trust in Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Qingqiu hadn’t secretly peeked.

When Zhang Yuchun finished cooking, Yang Jueding arrived, drawn by the smell.

“Who are you?”

Jiang Zhaoxia frowned at Yang Jueding and asked in a cold voice.

Zhang Yuchun quickly introduced Yang Jueding to him, fearing that Jiang Zhaoxia would make a move. One should know that Jiang Zhaoxia even dared to contradict Jiang Kuotian.

Facing Jiang Zhaoxia’s gaze, Yang Jueding also narrowed his eyes.

This boy was not old, yet he could make him feel extremely dangerous.

Li Qingqiu sat on the stool, watching this scene calmly. He was very satisfied with Jiang Zhaoxia.

Third Junior Brother was not only strong within the sect but also very tough externally. He liked this temperament more and more.

For a School to establish itself, it must have strong individuals. Although Zhang Yuchun was steady in his actions, his personality was still a bit soft. It was just right to have Jiang Zhaoxia to cooperate with him.

“No matter what reputation you have in the Jianghu, if you dare to cause trouble in Qingxiao Sect, I will make you regret it.”

After listening to Zhang Yuchun’s introduction, Jiang Zhaoxia uttered a threat and then sat down.

Yang Jueding, however, was not angry. Instead, he looked at Jiang Zhaoxia with an appreciative gaze.

He had initially been very worried about Li Qingqiu becoming the Sect Leader, wondering why Qingxiao Sect was full of children. Now, it seemed Qingxiao Sect still had some tricks up its sleeve!

After Yang Jueding sat down, he unceremoniously picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, while also observing the other Disciples.

Wu Maner truly attracted his attention.

This kid was clearly a martial arts prodigy!

Li Qingqiu noticed Yang Jueding’s gaze and said, “Yang Jueding, after your injuries heal, besides assisting Yu Chun, you will also have to teach the Disciples martial arts, specifically the set of palm techniques you mentioned.”

Yang Jueding raised an eyebrow and asked, “Can Wu Maner also Cultivate with me?”

“No need, he Cultivates with me,” Jiang Zhaoxia preemptively refused.

Yang Jueding looked at Jiang Zhaoxia and chuckled, “Boy, this set of palm techniques of mine is a world-renowned unique skill.”

Jiang Zhaoxia, not to be outdone, said, “Then how about this: once your injuries heal, you spar with Maner, using your world-renowned unique skill.”

Even Yang Jueding’s good temper was provoked. He smiled somewhat coldly and said, “Alright, I’d like to see how capable you are, to have a child surpass my twenty years of arduous Cultivation.”

Li Dongyue looked at Li Qingqiu worriedly. Seeing Li Qingqiu’s expression of watching a show, she could only hold back.

Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were too young to understand social etiquette. They started to cheer, making the dinner table very lively.

That night, the other Disciples were very nervous after returning to their rooms, wary of Yang Jueding.

Li Qingqiu, however, was very at ease, and he no longer needed to sleep, Cultivating every night.

Early the next morning, Li Qingqiu took Jiang Zhaoxia down the mountain, which made Zhang Yuchun very nervous. He felt that watching Yang Jueding by himself was too much pressure.

Unfortunately, Li Qingqiu didn’t listen to his advice, telling him to relax.

Upon arriving at the underground spiritual lake, Jiang Zhaoxia was very excited. After the two Cultivated there for half a day, Li Qingqiu gave a few instructions and then forcibly dragged him back to the School.

Tomorrow, Jiang Zhaoxia would bring Li Dongyue to Cultivate.

Just like that, half a month quickly passed.

All seven of Li Qingqiu’s Disciples had already been to the underground spiritual lake, and they had to remind each other not to spread the word.

Yang Jueding didn’t notice anything unusual, thinking they had gone out hunting or working.

On this day, something that dealt a blow to Li Qingqiu occurred: Jiang Zhaoxia was the first to step into the Nourishing Origin Realm, Second Layer. Although it was expected, when this day truly arrived, he still felt somewhat upset, upset that his Aptitude was inferior to others.

To vent, he excitedly hugged Jiang Zhaoxia, messing up Jiang Zhaoxia’s hair, while Jiang Zhaoxia was only focused on his happiness and didn’t see through his Senior Brother’s little thoughts.

That evening, Li Qingqiu returned to his room. He sat on the bed, thinking about Jiang Zhaoxia’s Breakthrough at noon, still feeling a bit emotional.

“I’m afraid my brother is suffering, and I’m also afraid my brother is driving a Land Rover.”

Li Qingqiu just gave a self-deprecating smile. He had already adjusted his mindset and was happy for Jiang Zhaoxia’s achievement.

Suddenly.

A voice came from outside the window, loud and clear, echoing under the night sky.

“Yang Jueding, as the Dragon-Subduing Hero, are you going to rely on a bunch of children for protection? Come out and die, or I will slaughter Qingxiao Sect!”