Chapter 246: Evil Spirits Plague the North

In the early morning, Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, and Ji Ya arrived one after another at the Lingxiao Courtyard. They knew last night why Master had summoned them today: they were going to meet their Sixth Junior Brother.

Regarding Hu Yan, the three of them—Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, and Ji Ya—were full of curiosity and quite excited; finally, they had a Junior Brother they could bully.

Cough, cough, take care of!

Li Qingqiu had also arrived early at the courtyard. Times have changed, and conditions are different. Taking on a Disciple truly requires etiquette; this represents not just him, but also the solemnity of the Qingxiao Sect.

Becoming Li Qingqiu’s Disciple meant one was destined to bear certain responsibilities for the School.

Xu Ning: Whenever the sect faced a major mission, she was the first person they thought of.

Zhao Zhen: The top contributor to the Scripture Pavilion.

Yuan Li: The path of the Body Cultivator has already influenced half of the Disciples.

Ji Ya: In the last two years, he also began operating within Guzhou Prefecture, resolving troubles that ordinary Disciples could not handle.

In the future, Li Qingqiu would also arrange duties for them and determine their authorities.

Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and True Man Qingxiao were also in the courtyard; they were very interested in Li Qingqiu’s newly accepted Disciple.

“Unknowingly, Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li are already eighteen years old. Time flies so fast,” Li Sijin sighed.

Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li glanced at each other, noticing they had both grown quite a bit taller.

Ji Ya, at twenty-five, was even more composed. A smile hung on his face. Although he spoke little, as his Origin Qi grew stronger, the Aura of his entire being could not be concealed; sitting there, he resembled a calm lion.

Li Dongyue looked at Li Sijin and chuckled, “You’ve grown up too.”

Li Sijin was also about to turn twenty-five this year. In the eyes of Li Qingqiu and the others, she was always the youngest Junior Sister, a child. But in the eyes of the sect Disciples, she was the dignified head of the Cultivation Hall.

Li Qingqiu sat in his chair, listening to their reminiscing, and suddenly felt a great sense of accomplishment.

After Master left, he had protected his Junior Brothers and Sisters very well.

Li Qingqiu hoped that after a hundred years, all seven of them would still be around, and he would strive toward that goal.

Everyone chatted and laughed, recalling the past.

No matter who it was, they could feel the tremendous changes within the Qingxiao Sect.

According to the current development trend of the Qingxiao Sect, the number of enrolled Disciples this year was set to exceed twenty thousand, which was no small figure.

After a while, Hu Yan arrived.

The Disciple who received him only escorted him to the gate of the Lingxiao Courtyard. He cautiously entered the courtyard, and as he did, everyone’s gaze fell upon him.

Hu Yan felt immense pressure.

Xu Ning, he had already met; her Aura was powerful.

Currently, the greatest pressure came from Zhao Zhen and Ji Ya.

Zhao Zhen was brimming with spirit, his Aura as a favored son of heaven rushing towards him. Ji Ya stared at him seriously; if he hadn’t felt any malice, he would have suspected Ji Ya held a grudge against him.

He braced himself and approached Li Qingqiu, pulled up the edge of his robe, knelt, and bowed, saying, “Hu Yan pays respects to Master.”

Li Qingqiu said with a smile, “Rise. Find a seat.”

Hu Yan stood up. After hesitating for a moment, he chose a seat next to Yuan Li.

Yuan Li turned his head to look at him and showed a kind smile. His smile greatly reduced the pressure Hu Yan felt.

Li Qingqiu followed up by instructing, “From oldest to youngest, introduce yourselves in order.”

Xu Ning nodded and took the lead in introducing herself, followed closely by Yuan Li. This surprised Hu Yan.

He hadn’t expected Yuan Li to be the Third Senior Brother. The two who seemed the hardest to mess with were actually the youngest ones.

“My name is Zhao Zhen, your Fourth Senior Brother,” Zhao Zhen said, looking at Hu Yan with a smile.

So he was Zhao Zhen!

Although Hu Yan had been in the Qingxiao Sect for less than three days, he had already heard the name Zhao Zhen.

The number one Genius of the Qingxiao Sect!

Indeed, the reputation was well-deserved; that confidence was overwhelmingly strong.

Ji Ya smiled and said, “My name is Ji Ya, your Fifth Senior Brother. Let’s communicate more in the future.”

His temperament was different from Zhao Zhen’s and Yuan Li’s, making it difficult for them to get along normally. Therefore, he held some anticipation for Hu Yan, hoping they could become like-minded friends.

“I am Hu Yan, greetings to Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers!”

Hu Yan quickly stood up and saluted everyone.

Afterward, Li Qingqiu introduced Li Dongyue and Li Sijin to Hu Yan. The two ladies had prepared gifts in advance, all placed in Storage Pouches, which left Hu Yan overwhelmed by the favor.

Just as Hu Yan was about to say something, Xiao Wuqing hurried into the courtyard, interrupting his thoughts.

Xiao Wuqing walked to the table, bowed to Li Qingqiu, and reported, “Sect Leader, something has happened in the Northern Territory again!”

Hearing this, Li Qingqiu’s smile vanished, and the others frowned as well.

Xiao Wuqing subtly glanced at Hu Yan, making a judgment in his mind.

All three of their brothers wanted to become Li Qingqiu’s Disciples, but Li Qingqiu didn’t favor them. Thus, when they learned Li Qingqiu had accepted a Disciple, they felt quite displeased.

Of course, they weren’t hostile towards Hu Yan; they just wanted to know what qualifications Hu Yan possessed to receive such great honor.

“What is it?” Li Qingqiu asked.

When the Northern Territory was mentioned, he first thought of Ghost King Ridge.

Could it be that those malevolent ghosts trying to escape Ghost King Ridge had moved south?

Xiao Wuqing quickly stated, “Someone from the Northern Court has come to visit you, saying the Northern Territory needs the Qingxiao Sect’s help. As for the specifics, he said he must tell you in person.”

“Someone from the Northern Court? What is his name?”

“He calls himself Fang Tianshu.”

“Let him in.”

Li Qingqiu pondered. He hadn’t expected the Northern Court to come seeking his help.

Xiao Wuqing immediately took the order and left. Li Qingqiu did not dismiss the Disciples but instead had them face this matter together.

Hu Yan immediately became nervous; he was facing such a major event right after becoming a Disciple.

He knew of the Northern Court and the Northern Barbarians’ Dynasty. The Northern Court and the Nine Provinces Land were constantly at odds. The news that the Qingxiao Sect sent Disciples to expel the Northern Barbarians spread throughout the world. Under these circumstances, why would the Northern Court request help from Li Qingqiu?

Soon, Xiao Wuqing brought Fang Tianshu into the courtyard.

Fang Tianshu had already disguised himself as a Martial Artist from the Nine Provinces Land. His build was imposing, and his face fierce. Even though he tried hard to conceal it, the imposing Aura belonging to a Great General of the Northern Barbarians still showed through.

When he saw Li Qingqiu, his face showed pleasant surprise.

The battle at Xuanji Mountain had made him unable to forget Li Qingqiu’s appearance.

He quickly stepped forward, knelt down behind Xu Ning, looked at Li Qingqiu, and said emotionally, “Sect Leader Li, please save the Northern Court. The Northern Court is willing to worship you and the Qingxiao Sect for generations to come.”

Li Qingqiu looked at him and said, “Shouldn’t you state your purpose first?”

Fang Tianshu took a deep breath and said, “Since you left, malevolent spirits have caused chaos in the Northern Territory again. An evil ghost even broke into the Imperial Palace… committing countless wicked deeds. The current Northern Court is not only suffering among its common people, but even the Son of Heaven lives in constant fear.”

“How many malevolent spirits are there?”

“It’s hard to judge. Ghost Soldiers have even emerged among the common people of the Northern Court. They move at night, and their numbers are constantly growing. If this continues, the entire Northern Court will turn into a Ghost Army and will certainly march south. If the Qingxiao Sect acts now, it will not only save our Northern Court but also save the future Nine Provinces Land.”

He spoke quickly. Seeing Li Qingqiu contemplating, he then recounted the specific evil deeds committed by those malevolent spirits.

Massacring villages and tribes, gouging out hearts and pulling out intestines—all sorts of horrific incidents were unfolding daily. The entire Northern Court was in chaos. Officials and generals everywhere were preoccupied with their own survival. Forget about marching south to contend for the world; they couldn’t even protect the Son of Heaven.

Hearing how tragic the Northern Court’s situation was, everyone’s expression changed drastically.

Hu Yan’s understanding suffered a huge shock. He never expected the Northern Territory to be suffering such a terrifying disaster. Evil ghosts truly existed in this world, and their methods were extremely cruel.

After listening, Li Qingqiu confirmed that what he had been worried about had indeed happened.

He admitted that Fang Tianshu was right; if those malevolent spirits were allowed to run rampant, they would sooner or later threaten the Qingxiao Sect. However, this matter could not be taken lightly.

Li Qingqiu had learned about the might of the Ghost King Jiming. He might be able to deal with it, but that didn’t mean the other Disciples could.

After Fang Tianshu finished speaking, Li Qingqiu said, “The Qingxiao Sect needs to discuss this matter. You can stay here for a few days first.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Tianshu immediately became anxious, but upon meeting Li Qingqiu’s gaze, he dared not object and finally could only agree.

Li Qingqiu gave Xiao Wuqing a look, signaling him to take the visitor away.

After the two left, Li Qingqiu looked at his Disciples and said, “Did you hear that? The Qingxiao Sect is flourishing in the Nine Provinces Land, but there are still many hardships awaiting us in this world. The stronger we become, the more enemies and tribulations we will face; this is unavoidable. If we were just an ordinary Martial Forest School, those malevolent spirits might not have marched south within decades, and our lives wouldn’t have encountered these things. But we are not an ordinary School. The pursuit of the path to eternal life is inherently a Heaven-Defying path.”

Xu Ning, Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Hu Yan fell silent, their moods somewhat heavy.

Li Dongyue and Li Sijin were relatively fine, as they were in charge of internal affairs. They had learned how to manage their mindset: do their own jobs well and trust the School.

Li Qingqiu looked at Hu Yan and said, “Come find me tomorrow morning. I will transmit the sect’s ultimate technique, the Hunyuan Scripture, to you.”

Just as Hu Yan was about to speak, Ji Ya interjected, “Master, why bother you with such a minor matter? Why don’t I transmit the Hunyuan Scripture to him?”

Hearing this, Li Qingqiu’s gaze fell upon Ji Ya, his eyes filled with gratification.

This young man had finally taken that step, no longer just clinging to his little friends.

“Fine,” Li Qingqiu agreed.

Ji Ya smiled, while Hu Yan became somewhat nervous, afraid that his performance wouldn’t be good enough and might anger this Senior Brother.

Afterward, Li Qingqiu personally explained the sect rules and his expectations for his Disciples to Hu Yan. It lasted a full half an hour before he finally let them leave.

Regarding the Northern Court’s request for aid, he did not immediately convene the sect’s high-ranking members, planning instead to enjoy a few leisurely days first.

The next morning, Ji Ya proactively came to Hu Yan’s courtyard to teach him the Hunyuan Scripture.

Hu Yan discovered that this Senior Brother was not as difficult to get along with as he appeared; his temper was much better than he had imagined.

Possessing outstanding Cultivation Aptitude, Hu Yan’s cultivation process was naturally very smooth. In fact, Ji Ya was also a bit nervous, worried he couldn’t teach well. As a result, in less than the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, Hu Yan managed to Cultivate Origin Qi.

“Genius!”

This was Ji Ya’s immediate evaluation of Hu Yan. He was secretly startled. Junior Martial Uncle Zhang was right; the Master’s judgment was indeed terrifying. Yesterday, he truly hadn’t noticed Hu Yan’s extraordinary talent.

He looked at Hu Yan sitting in the courtyard, meditating and absorbing Qi, and could sense some kind of Aura Awakening within the younger Disciple.

He even had an absurd thought.

This Junior Brother’s Aptitude might be even higher than his own, Yuan Li’s, or Zhao Zhen’s!