Chapter 98: The Sect Leader’s Direct Lineage

“Is the martial arts myth really that mysterious? So much so that the Martial Forest and the Imperial Court are so crazy about it?”

Li Qingqiu asked with a frown. He began to wonder if this martial arts myth wasn’t a cultivator.

The Supreme Sword Control Art was found by Yang Jueding in the underground palace left by the martial arts myth. This sword technique was indeed a Spell, but it was hard to tell if the martial arts myth had obtained a cultivator’s Legacy, or if he himself was a cultivator.

Zhu Yan shook her head and said, “I’m not sure either, but you’ve seen Shen Yue’s martial arts. He can be considered the best in the world, yet no one has ever called him the martial arts myth.”

“Then do you know why the Emperor is looking for the Martial Tomb? Is it for martial arts, or something else?” Li Qingqiu continued to ask.

Zhu Yan hesitated for a moment, then said, “You should have seen Zhao Linglong, who is by Li Yang’s side. She is so powerful because she cultivated the Profound Yin Art of the Liyin Cult. Profound Yin Art cultivators can transfer their internal Qi to others. If they don’t transfer their power before death, their internal Qi will condense into an inner core in their Dantian. The reason the martial arts myth has such a status is because the Three Founding Sects once shared his martial arts, including the Profound Yin Art. This means that the martial arts myth also cultivated the Profound Yin Art, and his cultivation might have already formed a core.”

“Obtaining this core would allow one to become the next martial arts myth. Even the current Emperor would find it hard to resist its allure.”

“The Great Li Dynasty values martial arts greatly. Princes and nobles all practice martial arts, and the Son of Heaven also practices martial arts, even to the point of being a martial arts fanatic. Martial Dao can no longer satisfy him, so he wants to pursue the Immortal Dao.”

She looked up at Li Qingqiu and said seriously, “I can uncover information, and other Aristocratic Families certainly can too. This Martial Tomb will definitely cause a big stir, and various Jianghu Schools will go to fight over it. Many Jianghu Schools are tools in the hands of Aristocratic Families. Aristocratic Families are greedy; they even dare to contend with the Son of Heaven for treasures. Our Qingxiao Sect must not get involved.”

The reason she hesitated just now was that she was afraid Li Qingqiu would be tempted.

After hearing this, Li Qingqiu shook his head and chuckled, saying, “That martial arts myth might not be as powerful as me. I trust the cultivation I’ve developed myself more.”

Zhu Yan didn’t refute, because she also felt that Li Qingqiu might not be inferior to the martial arts myth. However, martial artists would not dislike increasing their cultivation. If they could directly obtain the cultivation of the martial arts myth, who would refuse?

“How far is the Martial Tomb from the Qingxiao Sect?”

“It’s seven or eight hundred li away. We just need to guard against anyone fleeing here.”

“Hmm, your information is very important. I will remember your contribution.”

“It’s what I should do.”

After Zhu Yan finished speaking, she stood up, bowed to Li Qingqiu, and then left.

After she closed the door, Li Qingqiu tapped the table with his fingers, thinking about whether to impart his cultivation to Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan’s loyalty was actually already very high, both breaking through 85, but as a member of an Aristocratic Family, her heart could not completely abandon her Family.

Li Qingqiu then thought that he was overthinking.

Many Disciples in the sect already came from Aristocratic Families, and Zhao Zhen was even the Crown Prince’s own son. Born in such a world, he could not prevent the infiltration of Aristocratic Families.

Aristocratic Families were a double-edged sword; it depended on how he used them.

He was not on the path of a martial arts overlord, but the path of longevity, and should not be timid.

When the Sword Sect is established, if anyone leaks the Hunyuan Scripture in the future, it will be a good thing for the Sword Sect Disciples to do.

After the matter of the Martial Tomb settles, if the Qingxiao Sect is not harmed, he will guide Zhu Yan and Su Xiling onto the path of cultivation… The matter of the Martial Tomb did not spread, and the Qingxiao Sect continued to develop in an orderly manner.

As the number of Disciples grew, the Qingxiao Sect could do more things. All Seven Halls operated at full capacity, with none idle.

Although some Disciples died during their Experience, the Qingxiao Sect did not restrict travel. However, every Disciple was informed of this when accepting missions at the Experience Hall, so that they could clearly consider whether they dared to take the risk of being attacked by unknown forces.

Such a reminder did indeed reduce the number of people going down the mountain for Experience, but there were still confident Disciples who went down the mountain for Experience. They longed to become famous in the Jianghu like Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning, and Xue Jin, bringing glory to the Qingxiao Sect.

Autumn colors deepened.

A month passed quickly.

On this day, Xu Ning broke through to the Nourishing Origin Realm Seventh Layer, a step ahead of Jiang Zhaoxia.

She immediately told Li Qingqiu this news and asked about Jiang Zhaoxia’s cultivation progress. When she learned that Jiang Zhaoxia had not yet entered the Nourishing Origin Realm Seventh Layer, a smile appeared on her face, but it quickly vanished.

Li Qingqiu found it amusing. Not only did Xu Ning care about Jiang Zhaoxia’s cultivation progress, but Jiang Zhaoxia would also occasionally ask him about Xu Ning’s situation.

Xu Ning reaching the Nourishing Origin Realm Seventh Layer was a great thing; the Qingxiao Sect essentially gained another best in the world.

Li Qingqiu praised Xu Ning for a while. After Xu Ning bid farewell and left, Zhang Yuchun came to his courtyard to find him.

Being a Sect Leader had this disadvantage: one had to set aside time every day to deal with sect affairs, unlike Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia, who could cultivate in seclusion as they pleased.

“Something big happened at Black Wolf Ridge. Many people reportedly died, including Imperial Court soldiers and Jianghu individuals. It turns out that large army really came for the Martial Tomb.”

Zhang Yuchun came to Li Qingqiu’s side and said with emotion.

Black Wolf Ridge is located in the northern part of Guzhou Prefecture. Black wolves often appear in the mountains, hence the name Black Wolf Ridge. It’s a place where even hunters rarely go. Legend has it that Black Wolf Ridge has lonely spirits and wild ghosts. When he was a child, Li Qingqiu heard Lin Xunfeng talk about Black Wolf Ridge like this.

“Who succeeded?”

Li Qingqiu, who was writing a Secret Manual, asked. He was writing his understanding of Soul-type Spells. He wanted to write a basic Spell that would allow Disciples to study the Dao of the Soul.

As a cultivator, how could one not be able to distinguish ghosts and monsters?

Of course, even if he wrote it, he wouldn’t put it in the Scripture Pavilion for anyone to read. One would need a certain amount of contribution and loyalty to learn it.

Zhang Yuchun replied, “It should be the Imperial Army that succeeded, because that army has already left Guzhou Prefecture. If they had failed, they would surely continue to investigate.”

Li Qingqiu thought it made sense. He then said, “Have your people gather more information; don’t slack off.”

Zhang Yuchun nodded. He didn’t stay long and soon left.

Li Qingqiu could tell that Zhang Yuchun was in a good mood.

Zhang Yuchun was very suitable for management but not for being a Sect Leader. When encountering a force stronger than himself, he would generally choose to avoid it. Just like this matter, although he didn’t say it explicitly, Li Qingqiu could feel that he was very afraid of confronting the Imperial Army.

Li Qingqiu was not disappointed in him for this. Everyone has shortcomings. As a Sect Leader, one’s job is to place different talents in appropriate positions. The pressure directly faced by the Qingxiao Sect should be borne by the Sect Leader.

Li Qingqiu continued to write the Secret Manual.

However, not long after, Li Qingqiu sensed an extremely sharp Sword Intent.

Sword God Shen Yue!

He also sensed another Aura, coming from Xu Ning.

“This girl…”

Li Qingqiu shook his head and chuckled. Competitiveness is both a strength and a weakness. He didn’t get up to stop them. He believed that these two could stop at the right moment… Late at night, inside the Spirit Mine.

Jiang Zhaoxia was meditating and cultivating in a cave chamber. The candlelight on the cave wall stretched his shadow, flickering occasionally.

A young man quickly entered and bowed to him.

This young man looked only thirteen or fourteen years old, with clear eyes and a thin figure. He was Jiang Zhaoxia’s Disciple, named Han Lang. His cultivation Aptitude and Comprehension Ability were both quite good; he could be considered a rare Genius.

That he could become Jiang Zhaoxia’s Disciple was naturally also guided by Li Qingqiu.

Ever since Thirteen Sword厉 began to gain fame, Jiang Zhaoxia proactively approached Li Qingqiu, saying he wanted to cultivate new Disciples. Thus, Li Qingqiu recommended Han Lang, who was not outstanding at the time.

Han Lang was frail, and when practicing martial arts with other Disciples, he was easily overlooked.

“Master, today Senior Sister Xu Ning challenged Senior Sword God Shen Yue.”

Han Lang said softly. After speaking, he looked up, cautiously glancing at his Master.

Jiang Zhaoxia opened his eyes, startling him into quickly lowering his gaze.

“What was the result?” Jiang Zhaoxia asked.

“It was a draw. The Sword God praised Senior Sister Xu Ning as the most talented person he had ever seen, saying her future achievements would definitely surpass his. Senior Sister Xu Ning, in turn, marveled that he was indeed the God of Swords.”

Han Lang’s answer made Jiang Zhaoxia frown deeply.

Jiang Zhaoxia muttered to himself, “She must have reached the Nourishing Origin Realm Seventh Layer.”

Seventh Level?

Han Lang’s scalp tingled. He was only at the Nourishing Origin Realm, Second Layer cultivation level and temporarily saw no hope for the third. He heard that Xu Ning was only two years older than him.

Even with two more years, he might not reach the Nourishing Origin Realm Fourth Layer; he dared not even imagine the Seventh Level.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxia sighed.

Han Lang’s Aptitude and Comprehension Ability were indeed good, but compared to Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, and Ji Ya, they were not worth mentioning.

Besides competing with Xu Ning in cultivation, he also wanted to compete with Li Qingqiu in the achievements of their Disciples.

He suddenly felt that he shouldn’t have such a thought.

“The Sect Leader will establish a Sword Sect in the future. I will be a Sword Sect Elder. At that time, you will come with me to the Sword Sect. From today onwards, besides sword techniques, you are not allowed to cultivate any other external martial arts, understand?” Jiang Zhaoxia said seriously.

Han Lang nodded and replied, “Don’t worry, Master, I also like using swords myself.”

Jiang Zhaoxia closed his eyes and continued to cultivate.

Han Lang no longer disturbed him, bowed, and withdrew.

After leaving the cave chamber, he walked through winding tunnels and arrived at a section of a cave chamber leading to the exit. Another Disciple was cultivating here.

It was Bai Ninger.

Bai Ninger opened her eyes, saw it was Han Lang, and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “How was it? Your Master wasn’t angry, was he?”

Han Lang sat opposite him, glared at him, and said, “How could my Master be angry? He would only be happy for Senior Sister Xu Ning.”

“Really?”

Bai Ninger looked unconvinced. Han Lang didn’t bother to reply, because he really hadn’t seen his Master smile.

Han Lang looked at Bai Ninger and said, “Oh, right, my Master said the sect will establish a Sword Sect later. Are you going? If you want to go, I’ll speak for you.”

Bai Ninger quickly shook his head and said, “Please, I’m the Sect Leader’s person. What Sword Sect? I’m a direct descendant of the Sect Leader’s faction!”

“Cut it out. I haven’t seen the Sect Leader summon you either.”

“But I can stay here all the time, and I’ve participated in major operations. Can you?”

Bai Ninger said with a smug smile, making Han Lang feel deflated again.

Although he was Jiang Zhaoxia’s Disciple, he couldn’t stay in the Spirit Mine all the time. However, he couldn’t see what about Bai Ninger made him so valued by the Sect Leader.

Could Bai Ninger be relying on that smile that easily made people feel good?

Thanks to Qin Ke Ni Er for tipping 100 Qidian Coins~

Third update!

I went out during the day today, so I couldn’t do four updates. Please understand, it’s impossible to focus on writing code every day. Tomorrow will still be four updates~