Chapter 158: Ancient God, Divine Attendants

Hearing Xue Jin’s words, the youth smiled bitterly, “What value do I have? They cultivated nine Divine Sons, and I was the one with the worst aptitude. I just managed to survive by chance.”

Xue Jin did not respond further, focusing on recovering from his injuries.

Seeing that he refused to abandon him, the youth felt deeply moved.

“Senior, could you tell me what the Qingxiao Sect is like? Although I’ve heard them mention it, they only said the Qingxiao Sect is very powerful and dangerous. I don’t know the specifics,” the youth asked again.

He hugged his arms with both hands, leaning forward, clearly feeling the cold.

Xue Jin closed his eyes and said softly, “To me, the Qingxiao Sect is not just a School, but a home. I have never seen a School that can guarantee all its Disciples have adequate food and clothing. Regardless of martial skill or background, the basic human rights of everyone are equal. Even those in power cannot casually bully Disciples. Treatment may vary, but dignity does not.”

“When I first joined the Qingxiao Sect, I just wanted a meal to eat. But the Sect Leader said I possessed a talent others couldn’t see and insisted on recommending me to his Third Junior Brother, who became my Master. I remember some Disciples from Aristocratic Families looking at me with envy at the time. I will never forget that feeling.”

He spoke slowly and softly, but every word touched the youth’s heart.

The youth, born into the Qi Clan, couldn’t believe such a place existed in the world.

Dignity?

What a strange word.

Listening to Xue Jin’s description, the youth began to harbor fantasies about the Qingxiao Sect.

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. A cold breeze blew through the woods, causing the bonfire flames to flicker incessantly.

After an unknown amount of time, the youth gradually grew sleepy.

He lay on the ground, murmuring, “Senior, how far is the Qingxiao Sect…”

Xue Jin opened his eyes. The firelight shone on his cold face, and his gaze was profound. He muttered to himself, “It turns out saving someone is truly harder than killing someone.”

…With Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning having descended the mountain, and Shen Yue remaining at the Source Iron Blessed Land, Li Qingqiu suddenly felt the School needed more top-tier combat power.

Therefore, he summoned the Masters of the Seven Halls, instructing them to each select one Disciple whose cultivation was at the Nourishing Origin Realm Fourth Layer, preparing to send them to the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land for secluded Cultivation.

The Masters of the Seven Halls were all excited. After all, not everyone could continuously Cultivate in the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land. The Spiritual Qi of the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land was not inexhaustible; it was produced by the thousand spirit tree. If too many Disciples absorbed the Qi, the Spiritual Qi in the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land would become sparse, so the number of Disciples allowed at any one time had to be controlled.

After arranging this matter, Li Qingqiu continued to focus on the practice of the Soul-Snatching Flying Sword.

Although a group of core Disciples had left the Qingxiao Sect, the School remained lively, with new Disciples joining every day.

By February, the atrocities and declaration of war by the Lingtian Sect reached the Qingxiao Sect. The relationship between the Jiang Clan and Jiang Zhaoxia also spread widely within the School. Everyone in the School was furious, and many Disciples went to the Experience Hall, asking if there were any missions to conquer the Lingtian Sect.

In the past two years, the Lingtian Sect had gained great notoriety. They had unified the northern Martial Forest and were moving south—a powerful School unprecedented in centuries.

In the past, the Demonic School had only caused chaos in various states and had not unified the Martial Forest.

However, before this, the Qingxiao Sect Disciples only treated it as entertainment. No matter how strong the Lingtian Sect was, they believed it couldn’t threaten the Qingxiao Sect.

The Qingxiao Sect not only practiced martial arts but also Cultivated Immortality. How could a mundane Martial Forest School compare to the Qingxiao Sect?

This sentiment was held by more than just a few, which is why they were extremely angry upon hearing that the Lingtian Sect dared to challenge the Qingxiao Sect.

This day.

Li Qingqiu, who was Cultivating inside his Immortal Cave, heard Yuan Qi’s voice:

“Sect Leader, Senior Brother Xue Jin has returned.”

Hearing this, Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and said, “Bring him to the Lingxiao Courtyard.”

“Yes!”

As Yuan Qi’s voice faded, his footsteps receded into the distance.

Li Qingqiu stood up and walked toward the stone door of the Immortal Cave. During this time, he had been pondering a question.

Why did the Qi Clan and the Lingtian Sect dare to oppose the Qingxiao Sect?

What was the conflict of interest?

The Qi Clan was still very far from the Qingxiao Sect, and there was no immediate conflict regarding world affairs. The same went for the Lingtian Sect; the Martial Forest was vast, and they had a long way to go before they could reach the Taikun Mountain Range.

After much thought, he felt that there might be other people or forces involved behind this.

Of course, there was another reason: the Qingxiao Sect possessed something that forced them to take risks. The Qilin was one, but it definitely wasn’t the only thing.

Now that Xue Jin had returned, perhaps he could provide some answers.

He walked all the way into the Lingxiao Courtyard, sat down at the long table, and waited patiently.

After a while, Yuan Qi led Xue Jin into the courtyard. Li Qingqiu turned his head to look, and his brow furrowed.

Xue Jin had not yet changed his clothes. He was wearing dirty, torn black robes, his hair was slightly messy, and he looked travel-worn, even carrying a faint Killing Intent.

Li Qingqiu could tell at a glance that he had suffered severe internal injuries.

Was there someone in the Qi Clan who could injure Xue Jin?

Xue Jin had the cultivation of the Nourishing Origin Realm, Fifth Layer. Even the former Zhao Zhi or Celestial Master Jiang were certainly no match for him.

Of course, if Celestial Master Jiang had successfully forged the Soul Refining Banner, then Xue Jin wouldn’t have been able to do anything to him either.

One thing was certain: as long as the Qi Clan had no Immortal Cultivators, it would be difficult to injure Xue Jin.

“Sit down and let’s talk.”

Li Qingqiu said. Xue Jin came to the table, saluted him, and then sat down.

As soon as he sat down, three silver needles were inserted beneath his throat. He did not struggle, but he was astonished inwardly.

As expected of the Sect Leader, he had no time to react against the Sect Leader’s Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle.

Yuan Qi quickly left. Only after Xue Jin caught his breath did Li Qingqiu ask him to recount the situation.

“I spent three months finding the Qi Clan Ancestral Clan. Experts were as numerous as clouds within the Qi Clan Ancestral Clan. I even saw martial artists from the Northern Barbarians. The Qi Clan had long colluded with the Northern Barbarians, but I must admit, the Qi Clan is very powerful. In the city where the Ancestral Clan is located, there is actually an elite army where everyone practices martial arts. This army is stronger than any I have ever seen; perhaps only the former Divine Martial Soldiers could surpass them.”

“The Qi Clan is indeed nurturing a god—a true god, an Ancient God. They have worshipped this Ancient God for nearly a hundred years. I was injured by this Ancient God. That Ancient God is a demonic tree, even larger than our thousand spirit tree. I saw its vines wrapping around the corpses of many common people; the Qi Clan uses flesh and blood to sustain it.”

“I also discovered that the Demonic School and the Qi Clan were once in collusion. When helping the Emperor capture young boys and girls, they would also seize others and send them to Cangzhou.”

Xue Jin said with a solemn expression. When mentioning the Ancient God, his eyes were filled with apprehension.

Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow slightly. Chu Jing, floating beside him, quickly said, “Master, I was unaware of this matter. The Qi Clan must have bribed the Demonic School. They have always colluded with Zhao Zhi, and Zhao Zhi was very wary of me, so there are many things I don’t know.”

After speaking, he lamented, “No wonder Zhao Zhi deeply believed in the elixir of immortality. He might have known about the existence of that Ancient God long ago. Whenever I suggested suppressing the Qi Clan, Zhao Zhi would always brush it off.”

Xue Jin glanced toward Li Qingqiu’s side. He felt someone staring at him, but his naked eye couldn’t see a third person.

Li Qingqiu did not explain Chu Jing’s presence. It was a good thing that Xue Jin could already sense the existence of ghosts.

“Continue,” Li Qingqiu said softly, picking up the teapot on the table.

Xue Jin took a deep breath and said, “It is said that the Ancient God can bestow extraordinary power upon people. The previous Family Head of the Qi Clan obtained such power, sweeping across the land for Emperor Gaozu and establishing immortal achievements. Not only him, but ten Divine Attendants also received the Ancient God’s power. The ones chasing me were precisely the Ten Divine Attendants. They teamed up against me, and I found it difficult to fend them off, though I made them suffer quite a bit too.”

“I rescued a child from the Qi Clan Ancestral Manor. He is called a Divine Son. The Qi Clan raised nine Divine Sons. These Divine Sons are all vessels prepared for the Ancient God, so that the Ancient God can possess them in the future, walk the world, and help the Qi Clan achieve their great ambition.”

“Before I arrived, someone caused a huge disturbance at the Qi Clan Ancestral Manor and killed seven Divine Sons. I temporarily don’t know who this person is, and that Divine Son is also unaware of the situation.”

Divine Attendants, Divine Sons?

Li Qingqiu became increasingly interested in this Ancient God. The so-called Possession should be Possession.

He asked curiously, “Isn’t the Qi Clan afraid of the Ancient God retaliating against them?”

Xue Jin shook his head, saying, “It is said that the Qi Clan discovered the Ancient God during a time of crisis and relied on it to survive near-extinction and reach where they are today. They trust the Ancient God and are willing to help it.”

He took a deep breath and said, “Sect Leader, that Ancient God is extremely strange. The entire tree looks too demonic, and its strength is unfathomable. If I hadn’t been far away, I probably would have died beneath the tree. Even two li away, I was severely wounded by one of its leaves.”

Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes upon hearing this.

Judging by this, the Ancient God is indeed not simple.

However, Li Qingqiu never underestimated his opponents. Even if he were to personally deal with the Qi Clan, he would first figure out their background.

Now, his target had become the Ancient God.

“What is the relationship between the Qi Clan and the Lingtian Sect?” Li Qingqiu continued to ask.

Xue Jin shook his head, saying, “I’m not sure. I only know that they are indeed very close to the Lingtian Sect, and the Qi Clan is very polite toward the Lingtian Sect’s people.”

Polite?

Li Qingqiu was deep in thought.

Things are indeed not that simple.

“You should go down and rest first. Have Yuan Qi take that Divine Son to the Spirit Control Hall to register, tentatively as a Named Disciple, and then have Yuan Qi bring him to see me,” Li Qingqiu instructed.

Xue Jin was stunned for a moment and asked, “Sect Leader, aren’t you going to investigate him first?”

Li Qingqiu smiled, “You didn’t tie him up and drag him here, which shows you trust him greatly. I also trust you greatly. Since he has come, he will be a Qingxiao Sect Disciple from now on.”

Xue Jin was deeply moved upon hearing this. He immediately stood up, bowed, and saluted Li Qingqiu.

“You’ve worked hard during this time. Rest and recuperate well on the mountain from now on. I permit you to Cultivate at the Spirit Mine until you reach the Nourishing Origin Realm Seventh Layer,” Li Qingqiu continued.

Xue Jin said excitedly, “Sect Leader, the School sustains me. How can this be considered hard work for me? This is what I should do.”

“Enough. There’s no need for such formality between us. You know I’ve always valued you highly. I hope you become stronger; I don’t want to see you injured again.”

Listening to Li Qingqiu’s words, Xue Jin’s heart surged with emotion, and he felt like kneeling down.

“Do I have to escort you out now!”

Li Qingqiu glared at Xue Jin, causing Xue Jin to smile. He saluted again before turning and leaving.

Chu Jing, floating nearby, sighed inwardly, “It’s a pity that Master is only the leader of a School.”