Chapter 270: The Way of Combat

In early February, the Dharma Battle Assembly officially began, and the decade-long suppressed enthusiasm of the Qingxiao Sect fully blossomed.

Sitting in the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu could vaguely hear the clamor from the foot of the mountain; such liveliness put him in a very good mood.

From a small mountain sect with only seven people to a righteous cultivation sect that now dominated the Nine Provinces Land, it had taken him twenty years.

The development speed of the Qingxiao Sect had now fully gained momentum; a hundred years from now, it would surely be an entirely different scene.

The larger the sect grew, the more internal affairs there were; he had to be cautious and could not afford a single misstep.

While Li Qingqiu was deep in thought, a Disciple walked in quickly.

It was Ming Guang from Tiangong Hall.

Ming Guang and Wu Xingyue could meet Li Qingqiu directly; such treatment already surpassed that of a Hall Master.

“Sect Leader, regarding the Message-Transmitting Magical Artifact you requested, I have achieved some success,” Ming Guang said respectfully as he approached Li Qingqiu, though his tone could not hide his excitement.

Li Qingqiu’s thoughts returned to reality as he turned to look at him.

Ming Guang presented a dark golden token with both hands. Li Qingqiu took it and examined it carefully.

“This token can be used for long-distance communication, but exactly how far it reaches still needs to be tested,” Ming Guang introduced.

Li Qingqiu could see detailed and complex Restrictions within the token, and its material was related to spirit copper.

He praised, “Not bad, at least it’s a start. You can arrange for Disciples to test the distance later. This matter must not be handled carelessly; it must be tested thoroughly, otherwise, it might lead Disciples into danger in the future.”

Ming Guang nodded, also knowing the importance of this Magical Artifact.

“Additionally, you can think about whether there could be a Master artifact to connect these tokens, or even find the tokens through the Master artifact,” Li Qingqiu proposed an idea he had long held. He hadn’t mentioned it before for fear of giving Ming Guang too much burden and interfering with his research.

Ming Guang nodded and said, “I will try.”

Regarding this Magical Artifact, he wasn’t the only one researching it. He had over a hundred Disciples under him who would occasionally create new Restrictions and help each other. Every day brought many new ideas. It was precisely because of so many like-minded Disciples that he felt nothing was impossible.

Not just him, Wu Xingyue had also formed her own team, no smaller than his. In Tiangong Hall, these two teams competed fiercely, giving Zhu Yan a massive headache.

As the sect’s Disciples grew in number, many resources could not be supplied to Tiangong Hall indefinitely. Zhu Yan had to consider things carefully, while Ming Guang and Wu Xingyue wouldn’t think that much; they would certainly fight for their own teams.

Li Qingqiu then showed concern for the Formation issues. The Heaven Mending Grand Array remained a vital development direction for the sect, and he had to supervise it.

The Heaven Mending Grand Array could pull up Spiritual Qi from underground. His goal was to use the Taikun Mountain Range as the foundation for the array to elevate the Spiritual Qi of the entire range. At that time, the Taikun Mountain Range would become the cultivation Holy Land of the Qingxiao Sect.

Ming Guang also knew the importance of the Heaven Mending Grand Array and answered Li Qingqiu’s inquiries one by one.

After a long while.

Ming Guang took his leave.

Li Qingqiu did not stand up, continuing to sit in the courtyard and think… As soon as the Dharma Battle Assembly started, it generated many topics. On the very first day, there was a duel between True Disciples of the Nourishing Origin Realm Sixth Layer. It was spectacular, making the pilgrims think they were watching a battle between immortals.

Spectators from the Martial Forest were trembling with fear. The gap between the Martial Forest and the Qingxiao Sect was truly too vast, filling them with awe and dread.

As the Dharma Battle Assembly progressed, more and more spectators and pilgrims chose to apply to join the Qingxiao Sect after watching the battles. Unfortunately, wanting to directly become a Qingxiao Sect Disciples was no easy task.

Day after day passed.

Geniuses constantly rose to fame. Compared to those who were already famous, people looked forward more to new talents appearing out of nowhere. The Qingxiao Sect’s new Geniuses emerged in an endless stream, greatly satisfying the spectators’ expectations.

In the evening.

Qiu Dahu returned to his guest courtyard, his expression complex.

The Qingxiao Sect’s Dharma Battle Assembly had only been going on for ten days, and it would continue until June to determine the top sixty-four. What he had seen and heard during this time shocked him deeply.

He realized that if he were to step onto the stage, there wasn’t a single person he could defeat.

Just how big was the gap between the Qingxia Sect’s cultivation methods and the Qingxiao Sect’s Legacy?

Qiu Dahu suddenly realized that Li Qingqiu’s ability to make the Qingxiao Sect so large might not just be due to taking the initiative.

He sat at the wooden table in the courtyard, gazing at the setting sun with an utterly bewildered expression.

Not just him, people sent by other small cultivation sects felt similarly.

The disparity was so overwhelming that it made them feel their ambitions were laughable.

In contrast to their disappointment and confusion, the Qingxiao Sect Discipless were incredibly invigorated. Even those not participating in the Dharma Battle Assembly felt proud of the sect’s strength.

This was the significance of Li Qingqiu holding the Dharma Battle Assembly.

First, to let Disciples fight for resources.

Second, to let the outside world know of the Qingxiao Sect’s power and reduce unnecessary trouble.

Third, to Cultivate the Disciples’ cohesion and confidence, making them proud to be Qingxiao Sect Discipless.

The Qingxiao Sect’s Dharma Battle Assembly gripped the hearts of people across the land. The names of Disciples who rose to fame during the convention spread to the Martial Forest and the rest of the world. Their names constantly appeared on the registers in the manors of various Aristocratic Families and dignitaries… The weather was clear and the sun shone brightly.

Hu Yan and Ji Ya were Cultivating on a cliff. Hu Yan was practicing a Spell, but his gaze was drawn to Ji Ya.

Ji Ya stood at the edge of the cliff, practicing a set of palm techniques. This was the Nine Heavens Divine Palm created by Yang Jueding. In the current Qingxiao Sect, the Nine Heavens Divine Palm was no longer considered much, and few Disciples were willing to Cultivate it, but Ji Ya had always liked this set of palm techniques.

This palm technique was fierce and overbearing, very suitable for his majestic Origin Qi.

In Hu Yan’s eyes, Ji Ya’s Origin Qi was already overflowing. As his arms moved, it was as if he were churning the clouds and winds, a truly magnificent sight.

With Zhao Zhen announcing his non-participation in the Dharma Battle Assembly, Ji Ya had now become a strong competitor for first place.

Zhao Zhen possessed a Spiritual Consciousness Realm cultivation. If he were to participate in the Dharma Battle Assembly again, everyone would feel it was unfair. After experiencing those events, Zhao Zhen had become more mature and did not obsess over the matter.

Without Zhao Zhen, the Nourishing Origin Realm Eighth Layer Ji Ya was the person with the most massive Origin Qi below the Spiritual Consciousness Realm. He had already shown an unstoppable momentum on the Dharma Battle stage.

Having followed Ji Ya in Cultivation for so long, Hu Yan had also discovered Ji Ya’s special Physique.

“Compared to Fifth Senior Brother, what kind of Genius am I? I just Cultivate a bit faster,” Hu Yan thought helplessly.

He found that all his Senior Brothers had extraordinary qualities. In comparison, he had nothing special in actual combat.

Perhaps he should also think about his own combat methods; he had to carve out a path of his own.

Hu Yan pondered silently.

At that moment, a figure approached from behind him. He turned his head and saw it was Cloud Color, and he hurriedly bowed in greeting.

He was full of respect for Cloud Color.

Although Cloud Color hadn’t officially taken Li Qingqiu as her Master, she was taught personally by him. In Hu Yan’s heart, she was equivalent to a Senior Sister.

This Senior Sister was not simple; her combat talent was the best in the entire sect. Ji Ya was already strong enough, yet he had never beaten Cloud Color.

“Be serious in your Cultivation; don’t keep staring at others.”

Cloud Color reminded him as she passed by Hu Yan.

Hu Yan recalled Ji Ya’s evaluation of Cloud Color, saying she was like their Master and could see through others, a trait especially evident in combat.

“Senior Sister Cloud Color, I want to ask you something,” Hu Yan couldn’t help but speak up.

Cloud Color stopped, turned to look at him, and said dissatisfiedly, “Haven’t I told you? Don’t call me Senior Sister!”

Hu Yan was already used to her stubbornness. He said directly, “What kind of combat Dao do you think I should follow?”

Cloud Color looked at him and said, “Are you being stimulated by Ji Ya’s Origin Qi?”

Hu Yan nodded; he indeed envied Ji Ya’s Physique.

“Actually, an extraordinary power is hidden within your body. If this power is nurtured well, you will have the hope of surpassing your other Senior Brothers,” Cloud Color said seriously.

She could see the Vast Righteous Qi within Hu Yan, which was becoming increasingly fervent. In her view, this Vast Righteous Qi had immense potential, even more promising than Ji Ya’s massive Origin Qi.

Hearing this, Hu Yan fell into thought. He could also feel the existence of the Vast Righteous Qi, but he didn’t know how to help it grow stronger.

Currently, he had only figured out one way to enhance the Vast Righteous Qi, and that was to increase his cultivation.

If he focused on Cultivating and reached a certain Realm, would he be able to use the Vast Righteous Qi in battle?

Hu Yan suddenly saw the light, feeling he had found his own path.

He was about to thank Cloud Color, but she had already left.

“Hey, Ji Ya, come spar with Origin Qi.”

Cloud Color arrived behind Ji Ya and spoke.

Ji Ya retracted his palms, turned to look at her, and asked in surprise, “Spar with Origin Qi? How?”

His Origin Qi was far more than Cloud Color’s, but in battle, he always felt like he had nowhere to apply his strength, which was very frustrating. Now, he both feared sparring with Cloud Color and wanted to defeat her most.

“Collide with Origin Qi without dodging; see whose Origin Qi is stronger and more abundant,” Cloud Color replied.

Ji Ya’s expression became strange as he asked, “Are you serious?”

Cloud Color simply turned and walked away from the cliff’s edge, then signaled for Ji Ya to come over.

Ji Ya immediately became excited; this was a rare opportunity to defeat Cloud Color, and he couldn’t miss it.

The two of them put some distance between them and faced each other.

Hu Yan walked over, staring at them curiously.

He also felt that Cloud Color’s Origin Qi certainly couldn’t compare to Ji Ya’s.

The two locked eyes, raised their palms together, and struck out with surging Origin Qi. Two visible currents of powerful air crashed together, kicking up gusts of strong wind.

Hu Yan’s sideburns were blown, and his robes fluttered loudly. He was secretly alarmed; such a clash of Origin Qi allowed him to directly feel the gap between himself and these two.

Ji Ya clearly felt that Cloud Color’s Origin Qi was significantly more powerful than before, no wonder she dared to challenge him to such a spar.

Thus, Ji Ya began to increase his Origin Qi.

Cloud Color did the same.

As the Origin Qi they released grew, the grass around them churned like green waves.

Gradually, Ji Ya’s expression changed.

What was going on?

How did her Origin Qi become so much stronger?

And there was a sense of it being inexhaustible.

A sense of unease appeared in Ji Ya’s heart. He didn’t dare be careless and continued to increase his Origin Qi output.

However, no matter how much he increased his Origin Qi, Cloud Color could withstand it.

Thanks to ‘Zhi Xiao Xian Chu Du Ping Sheng’ for the 2000 Qidian coins reward~