Chapter 216 – Complete Submission

At dusk the hall Masters gathered, and Yandao Sect also arrived.

After Li Qingqiu entered the courtyard his expression was grave; no one dared jest and all eyes turned to him.

He sat in his chair, swept his gaze across the room, and lingered a moment on Yandao Sect, making the latter’s heart sink.

“Fellows, a major event occurred recently, and I’ve learned of a looming crisis facing Qingxiao Sect and the entire realm—one graver than any past calamity.”

Li Qingqiu’s first words weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts.

He then began with Elder of Sword Cultivation’s plot against Zhao Zhen; Yandao Sect’s face paled and the others glanced at him.

It turned out Tianxuan Mountain had courted death.

The crowd secretly exhaled; they paid Tianxuan Mountain no heed. But when Li Qingqiu reached Ancestor Su Xing, no one could stay seated.

A mysterious Cultivator intending to possess Zhao Zhen?

This was earth-shattering. If Zhao Zhen now faced Possession, might they be next?

Most crucially, did this Cultivator belong to a larger power?

Qingxiao Sect’s smooth rise owed everything to the absence of other Cultivator Schools in these lands.

Yandao Sect was equally shocked; he had never imagined Elder of Sword Cultivation colluding with a Cultivator.

No wonder Elder of Sword Cultivation had been so fixated on Zhao Zhen; he had assumed the Elder merely wanted to recruit him to secure Tianxuan Mountain’s future.

He did not doubt Li Qingqiu. After so long together he knew the man’s character, and with Qingxiao Sect’s strength Li Qingqiu had no need to invent such a tale.

Learning that Zhao Zhen’s mother, two attendants, and Elder of Sword Cultivation had all died, Yandao Sect closed his eyes, heavy-hearted.

Though he and Elder of Sword Cultivation had often quarreled, the Elder was dear to him.

At this moment he shared Zhao Zhen’s sorrow.

From this day forward he had no kin left in this world.

Li Qingqiu continued. When they heard Jiang Zhaoxia had nearly been possessed by Ancestor Su Xing, the listeners grew even more alarmed—Jiang Zhaoxia was a Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Origin Realm expert they all looked up to.

How powerful must Ancestor Su Xing be?

Li Dongyue and Li Sijin frowned, more worried for Jiang Zhaoxia’s safety.

Fortunately Li Qingqiu said both had escaped, easing the women’s minds.

Li Qingqiu raised the soul refining banner and released Ancestor Su Xing’s soul. It flew out, showing only its upper body; hair disheveled, it looked like a vengeful ghost, terror written across its face.

“D—demon… demon…”

Seeing this neither-man-nor-ghost Ancestor Su Xing, everyone recoiled in fright.

Yandao Sect too stared wide-eyed; it was his first glimpse of a ghost, a sight that shattered his understanding.

Li Qingqiu stuffed Ancestor Su Xing back into the soul refining banner and tossed the banner into his Storage Pouch.

He did this only to convince Yandao Sect and to impress upon the hall Masters the gravity of the matter.

“Through Ancestor Su Xing I learned of the Demon Land to the north. Those demons may strike south at any time, so our sect’s construction must be accelerated, especially Tiangong Hall’s tasks. I hope every hall will lend full support and place no obstacles.”

Li Qingqiu swept his gaze over them and continued.

Yang Jueding asked, “Does Ancestor Su Xing belong to a Cultivator School?”

He voiced the concern of everyone present.

“No. He was a Loose Cultivator who came to the Nine Provinces Land with a friend to seek treasure. His companion betrayed him, and he hid on Tianxuan Mountain to recuperate. But the fact he reached the Nine Provinces Land means others can come as well.”

Li Qingqiu’s answer let the crowd breathe easier.

None here had ever fought a Cultivator to the death, and since Qingxiao Sect had risen from nothing, they instinctively feared other Cultivator Schools.

Li Qingqiu turned to Zhu Yan. “Are the qingxiao swords ready?”

Zhu Yan quickly replied, “Three thousand have been forged.”

Li Qingqiu nodded. “From this month’s end, first issue them to True Disciples; after autumn, to Inner Sect Disciples.”

Ordinary Disciples who had yet to condense Origin Qi would waste the weapons.

No one objected; none dared demand distribution by merit, for they all felt the crisis.

Li Qingqiu then assigned tasks to each hall, and everyone listened attentively, not daring to slack.

Half an hour later.

Li Qingqiu regarded them. “Fellows, speak of the Demon Land to no one. Focus on your duties. As long as Qingxiao Sect grows strong enough, we can face any trouble.”

All answered in unison. Li Qingqiu flicked his sleeve to dismiss them, keeping Yandao Sect behind.

Yandao Sect sat, complexion ugly, unable to meet Li Qingqiu’s eyes; for the first time he felt guilt.

Li Qingqiu had treated him so well, yet his Junior Brother had schemed against Li Qingqiu’s Disciple, grievously wounding both Disciple and Junior Brother—he could not bear to face Li Qingqiu.

“Do you need to return and explain?” Li Qingqiu asked.

Yandao Sect looked up, startled. “Explain? Are you telling me to leave the mountain?”

Li Qingqiu shot him a glare. “Your Junior Brother is your Junior Brother; you are you. I’ll judge for myself what sort of man you are. I simply think Tianxuan Mountain is headless right now and needs you back to take charge. Once you’ve set things in order, you’d better return and keep serving as my Martial Hall Elder.”

Yandao Sect was moved; he actually felt the impulse of a warrior dying for one who understood him.

At Tianxuan Mountain he had never been trusted like this—not even his own Master had shown him such faith.

Yandao Sect drew a deep breath. “I’m not going back. My Junior Martial Uncles are still there; they’ll take control. I’ve decided to give my heart wholly to the Qingxiao Sect from now on. I only ask that the Sect Leader spare Tianxuan Mountain and not wipe out its dao lineage.”

As he spoke he stood, stepped aside, and lifted his robe to kneel, but an invisible force caught his knees and kept him from going down.

Startled, he looked up and saw Li Qingqiu raising his right hand—no Origin Qi being used.

This… Yandao Sect was stunned by Li Qingqiu’s casual display.

Li Qingqiu gave him a reproachful look. “When did I ever say I would destroy Tianxuan Mountain? Yandao Sect, do you really see me as utterly evil, someone who kills without blinking?”

Yandao Sect hastily straightened. “No, I was only worried…”

“You truly chill my heart.”

Li Qingqiu sighed, his expression dimming, which only flustered Yandao Sect further.

“Sect Leader, I never thought that—I only feared others in the School might have designs and that you’d be caught in the middle. I—” The more Yandao Sect spoke, the more frantic he became; he felt utterly despicable.

“Enough. Time reveals a man’s heart—watch and see.”

Li Qingqiu cut him off and walked toward his Immortal Cave.

Yandao Sect watched Li Qingqiu’s retreating back, words stuck in his throat. In that silhouette he glimpsed exhaustion, and shame filled his heart.

He could only raise a hand in salute, then turn and leave.

On the way back to the Martial Hall, Yandao Sect swore inwardly that he would train its Disciples well to repay Li Qingqiu.

Putting himself in Li Qingqiu’s place, Yandao Sect knew he could hardly be so magnanimous if someone’s Junior Brother had schemed against his own pupil.

For the first time he felt there was something in Li Qingqiu worth learning from.

Perhaps that was why he had never been able to lead Tianxuan Mountain to greatness.

Meanwhile, after leaving Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu’s mood lifted—Yandao Sect’s loyalty had risen again.

He had spoken as he did moments ago only because that loyalty hadn’t dropped; he seized the chance to win Yandao Sect over once more.

He admitted to himself it was a rather despicable move.

Yet for the sake of the Qingxiao Sect, he was willing to be despicable… Half a month flew by, and Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning and the others finally returned.

The moment Zhao Zhen saw Li Qingqiu, he dropped to his knees to confess his guilt.

Li Qingqiu did not blame him. “No one is free from mistakes; a Master’s role is to guide you toward better after you err. I don’t demand that you grow mighty or contribute greatly to the School—only that you place a little more trust in me. Had you told me your thoughts then, I might not have stopped you.”

“Of course, your Master was also at fault; I shouldn’t have pressed you with fate. One day you’ll be a Master yourself—do better than I did.”

Those words broke Zhao Zhen’s last defenses; he threw himself into Li Qingqiu’s arms and sobbed aloud.

Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning and Shen Yue did not mock him. Shen Yue saluted Li Qingqiu and left; Xu Ning followed suit.

Li Qingqiu let Zhao Zhen cry his fill without stopping him.

When the tears were spent, Li Qingqiu patted his back. “Go back and heal first.”

Zhao Zhen looked up. “Master, I won’t make you worry again, and I won’t cry anymore.”

Li Qingqiu smiled and rubbed his head.

Zhao Zhen rose, saluted, and walked away.

Jiang Zhaoxia stepped to the table, unfastened a Storage Pouch at his waist, and said, “This holds that man’s Magical Artifact.”

Li Qingqiu eyed the bandaged right arm. “Your arm…?”

“Ruined—but it’s fine; it might heal someday.” Jiang Zhaoxia spoke with easy cheer.

“Eldest Senior Brother, sorry. I didn’t handle this mission well; I disappointed you.”

Unease crossed his face as he said it.

He truly felt he had failed.

Li Qingqiu glared. “Where did you fall short? I only asked you to bring Zhao Zhen back alive—you did brilliantly.”

Chu Jing had told Li Qingqiu that even without his help, Jiang Zhaoxia could have resisted Ancestor Su Xing’s Possession by sheer will.

There was an Aura about Jiang Zhaoxia that baffled Chu Jing; it had even condensed into a Dragon—utterly bizarre.

The praise did not console Jiang Zhaoxia. “I inherited a Divine Ability; once I recover, I’ll teach it to you. Your Comprehension Ability in sword Dao is greater than mine—you’ll Master it.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Li Qingqiu watched him go, a proud smile on his face. The once-troublesome youth had finally grown into someone he could trust and rely upon.