Chapter 154: The Sect Leader’s Luck

Li Qingqiu turned to look at Cloud Color, his expression surprised, and asked, “Is that true?”

In fact, he had long noticed that Cloud Color had cultivated Origin Qi, but she stopped immediately after producing it, seemingly afraid of being discovered.

It wasn’t until now that Cloud Color finally couldn’t help but speak up.

Cloud Color stood up, began to gather Qi, and then exhaled. A stream of white Qi shot out like an arrow, piercing the snow on the ground.

Yuan Qi stared, his eyes wide.

This group of women had only arrived on the mountain yesterday. He was the one who personally brought them before the Sect Leader. It wasn’t that the Sect Leader had discovered her Aptitude beforehand and then met with them.

What does this count as?

Luck?

Yuan Qi then thought of the origins of these women. They were originally saved by the Sect Leader and came to seek refuge.

Perhaps the reason the Sect Leader had such good Luck was that he was always doing good deeds. Since he had saved so many people, if Heaven truly had eyes, it would naturally favor him.

The more Yuan Qi thought about it, the more he admired Li Qingqiu. In his view, the prevalence of chivalry and righteousness in the Qingxiao Sect originated precisely from Li Qingqiu.

The conduct of a Sect Leader plays a huge role in determining the atmosphere of a School.

The other seven maidens were all shocked to see Cloud Color exhale Origin Qi. They had previously seen Ding Xuan use Origin Qi and knew how powerful it was.

After Cultivating all morning, none of them had felt a trace of Origin Qi. Yet Cloud Color had actually succeeded?

Among them, Cloud Color was usually the quietest and the least concerned with cleanliness, making her the easiest to overlook. They rarely asked for her opinion normally.

Unexpectedly, Cloud Color’s martial Aptitude was the highest among them?

Yuan Li did not stand up. He watched Cloud Color, his gaze calm, while the fist in his sleeve slowly relaxed.

While Li Qingqiu watched Cloud Color, he was also using his Spiritual Sense to observe Yuan Li.

Was this level of stimulation still not enough?

“Not bad. To be able to refine Origin Qi in half a day, you are a Genius rarely seen in a century,” Li Qingqiu praised. Hearing these words made Cloud Color feel relieved.

Cloud Color hadn’t shown her Origin Qi earlier because she was afraid of appearing too outstanding. Now she couldn’t help but display it because she was afraid of being too mediocre and missing the chance to improve her relationship with Li Qingqiu.

The Disciples who were delivering food and stood behind Yuan Qi didn’t know how long Cloud Color had been Cultivating. Now, hearing Li Qingqiu say she only used half a day, these Disciples widened their eyes, looking as if they had seen a ghost.

Cloud Color was not good at flattery. Faced with Li Qingqiu’s praise, she could only smile and stare steadily at him.

Li Qingqiu looked at her and smiled, “Eat first. I’ll chat with you privately this afternoon.”

Cloud Color was immediately overjoyed, her eyes sparkling.

Li Qingqiu noticed that her pupils were faintly flickering with silver-blue light.

Could the Myriad Laws Spirit Eyes be Awakening?

The other seven women recovered their senses and immediately surrounded Cloud Color, excitedly asking her how she managed it.

Having traveled together to get here, it was impossible for them to suddenly become jealous of Cloud Color. At most, they felt a little envious, but deep down, they were genuinely happy for her.

Yuan Qi instructed the Disciples to put down the lunch boxes, then bowed and withdrew.

Li Qingqiu picked up a lunch box and went to Yuan Li’s side to eat with him.

The eight women, including Cloud Color, were excited for a while before finally sitting down to eat.

While they were eating, a maiden who looked clever and mischievous looked at Li Qingqiu and bravely asked, “Sect Leader, given Cloud Color’s Aptitude, what kind of results could she achieve by the time the next Dharma Battle Assembly begins?”

As soon as she said this, everyone looked curiously at Li Qingqiu, and Cloud Color also felt a little nervous.

“In the entire School, there are no more than three people with higher Aptitude than her,” Li Qingqiu chuckled softly.

He wasn’t exaggerating. Above the “Excellent” level was “Outstanding,” and there were only three people whose Cultivation Aptitude reached the Outstanding level.

Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, and Chu Jing.

Of course, this was just based on Aptitude alone. The speed of cultivation is also related to destiny, Comprehension Ability, and resources.

Hearing Li Qingqiu’s evaluation of Cloud Color, the seven women exclaimed again. They immediately opened up the conversation, asking Li Qingqiu questions one after another, and he answered them all without any hint of annoyance.

Yuan Li quietly watched all this. He knew that in a year at most, he would be surpassed by that somewhat dirty-looking woman.

If Master focused on nurturing her, it might take less than a year.

“It’s a good thing that the School has more and more Geniuses.”

Thinking of this, Yuan Li smiled, genuinely happy for Cloud Color and Master.

An hour later, Li Qingqiu took Cloud Color to a distant grove for a private conversation.

Li Qingqiu turned to look at Cloud Color and said seriously, “Your Aptitude is extremely outstanding. I would only feel at ease if I personally instruct you. Are you willing to take me as your Master?”

Upon hearing this, Cloud Color showed no surprise or excitement. She bit her lip and hesitantly asked, “Sect Leader, can I not take you as Master? I can serve you like Senior Brother Yuan Qi.”

Li Qingqiu was astonished and asked, “Why don’t you want to take me as Master?”

The last person to refuse to take him as Master was Chai Yunshang. At first, he thought Chai Yunshang had improper thoughts about him, but later he realized that Chai Yunshang was strict with herself and genuinely felt she wasn’t qualified to be his Disciple, which was evident from her refusal to give Disciples special treatment.

What was Cloud Color’s reason?

Cloud Color lowered her head and said, “I… I just don’t want to be your Disciple. It wouldn’t be good…”

Not good?

Li Qingqiu looked at Cloud Color, who was less than sixteen years old, feeling very confused. However, he considered that she was new here and might have something difficult to express.

“In that case, I won’t force you. You don’t need to be nervous; refusing me is not a big deal,” Li Qingqiu said with a gentle smile, trying his best to ease her tension.

In fact, that was exactly what he thought. As long as she didn’t betray the Qingxiao Sect, whether she became his Disciple or not didn’t matter.

Cloud Color breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up at Li Qingqiu and asked, “Can I still Cultivate under your guidance in the future?”

“Of course. You can come find me anytime in the future. Given your Aptitude, cultivating you into a talent early is good for the School. If you wish, I would even allow you to move out of the Outer Sect Disciple’s annex,” Li Qingqiu replied.

“That won’t be necessary. I need to live with them,” Cloud Color quickly said.

Li Qingqiu showed a look of gratification and said, “No matter what opportunities you encounter, do not let down those around you. Within the Qingxiao Sect, high or low Aptitude will indeed lead to differences in resources and status, but even the most capable Disciple must not look down on others.”

Upon hearing this, Cloud Color nodded solemnly. She was very happy that Li Qingqiu respected her choice.

This Li Qingqiu was even better than she had imagined.

Li Qingqiu continued, “When you go back tonight, clean yourself up a bit. In the Qingxiao Sect, you don’t have to worry that your appearance will cause trouble.”

Cloud Color’s small face flushed, and she nodded slightly.

Afterward, Li Qingqiu led her back.

Near evening, they finally left the grove. On the way back to the courtyard, the seven maidens asked Cloud Color what the Sect Leader had spoken to her about privately.

Cloud Color didn’t reveal that she had refused to take him as Master, fearing it would harm the Sect Leader’s dignity. She only said that the Sect Leader thought highly of her and instructed her not to let down those around her.

These words deeply moved the seven maidens, and their envy toward Cloud Color lessened.

In a School like this, even if their Aptitude wasn’t as high as others, they should still live well… After the end of the year came the Lunar New Year, and the Qingxiao Sect became lively again.

This year, the registered Disciples reached over 6,800 people. Counting Utility Disciples, craftsmen, and pilgrims, there were over ten thousand people on the mountain, and such a large number easily created a festive atmosphere.

From the summit of Qingxiao Mountain down to the base, even the nearby Ziyang Peak began hanging lanterns and decorations.

Li Qingqiu took a day to inspect the various halls.

He arrived at the Law Enforcement Hall, where Chai Yunshang personally welcomed him.

Sitting in the chair Chai Yunshang usually used, Li Qingqiu looked at her and asked with a smile, “Are the three people I arranged for you useful?”

He was referring to Bo Zhao and the two others. These three had escorted Cloud Color and the seven other women to the Qingxiao Sect, contributing greatly and proving their benevolence and courage. Such people were worth nurturing, so he assigned the three of them to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Although Chai Yunshang was somewhat reluctant, she was not so presumptuous as to refuse Li Qingqiu.

Hearing Li Qingqiu mention Bo Zhao and the two others, Chai Yunshang smiled and said, “They are very good. Although their strength is weak, their temperament and values are very suitable for the Law Enforcement Hall. Once their cultivation reaches the Nourishing Origin Realm, Second Layer, I will officially register them.”

She genuinely admired Li Qingqiu; his judgment was indeed as sharp as rumored.

Li Qingqiu enjoyed her gaze and then asked, “Have you encountered any troublesome matters recently?”

Chai Yunshang immediately replied, “There really is, and I’m hesitating whether to punish him severely.”

“Oh? Tell me, who has such great capability that even you hesitate?”

“Qin Yue, the Personal Disciple of the Hall Master of the Spirit Control Hall. He harassed several female Disciples, and they reported him to me. However, he didn’t commit any substantial harmful acts. Because he is Hall Master Zhang’s apprentice and the younger brother of the Sect Leader’s second Disciple, the Elders of the Law Enforcement Hall advised me to think twice.”

When Chai Yunshang said this, her gaze was fixed on Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu said without hesitation, “Why hesitate? Do what needs to be done. Must we wait until he actually harms a female Disciple before acting? Go ahead and do it. If the sky falls, I will support you.”

Chai Yunshang showed a bright smile and said, “It is indeed difficult to impose substantial punishment for his actions, but I wanted to post his conduct publicly to warn all Disciples of the School. However, doing so would inevitably damage the reputation of Hall Master Zhang and Qin Ye.”

“I agree.”

Li Qingqiu agreed immediately. In his eyes, the Disciples of the School were like his own children. Even if a female Disciple he barely knew was threatened, he would protect her, just like protecting his own daughter.

Not just female Disciples; he would do the same if a male Disciple were threatened.

The Qingxiao Sect has developed to this point, and temporarily no Disciple has committed a heinous crime. But as the population grows, many negative tendencies have begun to emerge, and he must curb them.

He might offend many people, but he was not afraid.

Seeing Li Qingqiu’s decisiveness, Chai Yunshang immediately raised her hands and bowed to him.

Afterward, Li Qingqiu asked her to report other matters, and she listed the things she found tricky one by one.

Li Qingqiu did not blindly indulge her. He also advised her that some matters didn’t need to be overly strict, and she should carefully consider the balance between law and emotion, rather than acting strictly according to the School rules and the Law Enforcement Hall’s regulations.