Chapter 48 Unexpected Gains

Flying towards Li Qingqiu were two black eagles, one large and one small. The large one was his pet, Little Eight, and the smaller one was raised by Li Sijin, named Little Nine, naturally named after Little Eight.

Originally, Li Qingqiu wanted to test the thousand spirit tree with chickens or pigs, but it so happened that Little Nine fell ill with a strange disease and could only be kept alive by the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle. Li Sijin was heartbroken, so Li Qingqiu thought of trying a desperate remedy and brought Little Nine.

After consuming the thousand spirit tree, Little Nine not only survived but also became lively and energetic. According to Li Qingqiu’s observations, its Qi and blood greatly improved, and its bones were slowly strengthening.

The thousand spirit tree could be considered a holy medicine for healing and could also enhance physical fitness. As for how many fruits would reach the limit, it was temporarily unknown.

After consuming the thousand spirit tree, Little Nine also successfully embarked on Little Eight’s path, able to better absorb Li Sijin’s Origin Qi.

Previously, Li Qingqiu had asked his Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters to emulate him by infusing Origin Qi into wild animals, but none of them managed to cultivate their own Origin Qi like Little Eight.

This also indicated Little Eight’s extraordinary talent.

The two black eagles landed in front of Li Qingqiu. Little Eight stood with its wings folded, almost as tall as he was. Although Little Nine was much smaller, its head reached his waist.

Little Eight affectionately rubbed against Li Qingqiu’s head, while Little Nine flapped its wings, very lively.

The two little fellows already possessed nascent intelligence, especially Little Eight. Li Qingqiu felt that it already had the intelligence of a several-year-old child.

“What did you steal to eat again?”

Li Qingqiu noticed blood and flesh hanging from Little Eight’s beak and couldn’t help but ask.

Little Eight spread its wings, nearly three zhang wide. It chirped, and although it didn’t speak human words, Li Qingqiu could understand.

This kind of telepathy even Li Qingqiu couldn’t explain, perhaps it was due to his Origin Qi within Little Eight’s body.

“A snake? How big was the snake?”

“Chirp— coo coo—”

“That big? Then you two need to drive them away. Don’t let them get close to this area.”

“Chirp chirp—”

Li Qingqiu smiled with satisfaction upon hearing its assurance, reaching out to pat its head.

Then, the two black eagles leaped up, stirring up a gust of wind that rustled Li Qingqiu’s robes. He watched as the two eagles disappeared into the dense fog.

Now, Li Qingqiu had arranged for the two eagles to be here, responsible for driving away beasts in the dense fog and guarding the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land.

Of course, he would inspect the thousand spirit tree every time to prevent the two eagles from stealing food. Fortunately, when he wasn’t there, the two eagles didn’t dare to approach the thousand spirit tree, because the tree’s vines were aggressive.

It was strange to say, the thousand spirit tree was only close to Li Qingqiu. No one else had been touched by the thousand spirit tree’s vines, perhaps because Li Qingqiu was the first person to see it.

There were quite a few human skeletons in the fog outside, but no one could reach here. This dense fog seemed like a test set by the thousand spirit tree, and Li Qingqiu was the first to pass it… The vast white snow covered a thousand miles of mountains and rivers, and the winter in the Taikun Mountain Range was still so cold.

Zhu Yan, with a light veil covering her face, sat on a cliff. Her guqin was placed in front of her. She wore a large robe made of animal fur. Snowflakes drifted, and the sound of the zither wafted, creating a unique Concept.

Su Xiling, dressed in a green robe, stood not far away, looking down the cliff. She was not dressed warmly, with not much difference from her summer and autumn attire.

After finishing a piece, Zhu Yan withdrew her hands and asked, “Xiling, what are you looking at so intently?”

Su Xiling replied without turning her head, “I’m watching the Qingxiao Sect Disciples practice their sword formation. Those Disciples are called the Thirteen Sword厉. That name is really awkward, ‘Li’ as in fierce ghosts in swords? Don’t tell me, the sword formation they’re practicing looks quite decent.”

“Thirteen Sword厉, are they that Jiang Zhaoxia’s Disciples?” Zhu Yan asked.

“That’s right, Jiang Zhaoxia is also down there, but he’s been meditating on a rock for half an hour, and I haven’t seen him practice his sword at all.”

Su Xiling replied, her tone filled with confusion towards the end.

Zhu Yan, however, was unfazed and said softly, “A peerless Genius like him is not something ordinary people can understand. Just like Xu Ning, have you ever seen her practice martial arts?”

“That’s true, huh, what a powerful Sword Qi!”

Su Xiling had just responded when she suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Following her gaze, the one who unleashed the Sword Qi was Xue Jin, the leader of the Thirteen Sword厉.

Xue Jin unleashed his Sword Qi, leaving a five-zhang-long mark on the snow. After unleashing this sword, he half-knelt, somewhat exhausted.

The twelve surrounding Disciples immediately gathered around, all very excited.

“What overbearing Sword Qi, Senior Brother Xue, you succeeded!”

“This Sky Net Sword Formation is indeed exquisite. We are the void, and Senior Brother is the substance. With such Sword Qi unleashed, who can withstand it?”

“Senior Brother, you are truly amazing. We practiced swords on the same day, but let alone Sword Qi like this, if I could even produce a trace of Sword Qi, I’d be burning high incense.”

“Yes, without Senior Brother, the sword formation we perform would be a complete joke.”

The Disciples discussed, and Xue Jin, hearing these words, looked up and gave a wry smile, but he was very happy inside.

The Hunyuan Scripture is truly amazing!

At this moment, he was full of gratitude towards Li Qingqiu. Without the Hunyuan Scripture, his martial arts wouldn’t be much stronger than his other Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters.

He struggled to get up and said, “There’s still time. Strive to cultivate Sword Qi before the New Year.”

Jiang Zhaoxia had already told them that they would be going down the mountain for training after the New Year. Everyone might face dangers, so they were both excited and had a strong sense of urgency.

In the distance.

Jiang Zhaoxia glanced at Xue Jin, secretly satisfied. He couldn’t help but admire Li Qingqiu again.

The twelve people he chose did not satisfy him, but the Disciple Li Qingqiu insisted on recommending brought him a surprise.

He already regarded Xue Jin as a True Disciple. He knew that the future achievements of the Thirteen Sword厉 would depend on Xue Jin’s martial arts proficiency.

He closed his eyes again and continued to ponder sword techniques.

In the past two months, his sparring with Li Qingqiu had given him many ideas. The Sky Net Sword Formation was his creation, but he felt it wasn’t enough. He wanted to create more sword techniques for the Qingxiao Sect and, in turn, establish a Sword Sect for the Qingxiao Sect.

On the other side.

Inside the Lingxiao Courtyard above the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu was listening to Zhang Yuchun recount matters from down the mountain.

As the number of courtyards in the Qingxiao Sect grew, the original three courtyards were named Lingxiao Courtyard by Li Qingqiu. Ordinary Disciples were not allowed to enter without permission; this was a rule insisted upon by Yang Jueding and Zhang Yu.

Some time ago, Zhang Yuchun, who had Broken Through to the Nourishing Origin Realm, Second Layer, went down the mountain again with people, but he didn’t bring the Seven Sons of Qingxiao, but rather other older Disciples. This trip, they recruited eight more Disciples.

“The rebels in Guzhou Prefecture have been pacified. I saw the imperial army in the county town. They were posting notices everywhere, vowing to eradicate the rebels, and at the same time, they issued some disaster relief regulations, Senior Brother. It seems that the world is about to be peaceful.”

Zhang Yuchun was quite excited. It was easy to encounter warfare outside the Taikun Mountain Range. In such circumstances, most of the Disciples he recruited were orphans, and the number of Disciples was limited.

After the world became peaceful, there would be no need to worry about war. He could lead Disciples to spread the word about the Qingxiao Sect everywhere, and he was confident that the number of Disciples would double.

Li Qingqiu listened while carving wood with a flying fish knife.

“Senior Brother, currently, farming, agriculture, horse ranches, fish ponds, hunting, and so on, have all gotten on track, but we still need manpower. The rebels have just been suppressed, but there are still many bandits and mountain brigands in various places. I want Li Sifeng to lead people down the mountain to suppress the bandits and spread the reputation of the Qingxiao Sect. This way, we can attract more people to join.” Zhang Yuchun said earnestly.

Li Sifeng was already fifteen years old, and in another half year, he would be sixteen. He was already at the Nourishing Origin Realm, Third Layer cultivation. Back then, Jiang Zhaoxia was already killing enemies at his age.

Li Qingqiu said, “Let Cheng Canghai accompany him. Although Sifeng has been out several times and experienced many things, he hasn’t fully grown up yet.”

“Cheng Canghai, hmm, that works. He has performed very well since joining the School. Then I’ll also have Maner go with them.” Zhang Yuchun mused.

Wu Maner also had the Nourishing Origin Realm, Third Layer cultivation, but in terms of strength, Li Sifeng was no match for him.

Li Qingqiu said, “You make the arrangements. You can let them operate around the Taikun Mountain Range first and return before the New Year.”

“No problem!”

Having received Li Qingqiu’s approval, Zhang Yuchun immediately got up to make arrangements.

“Wait, have them bring Bai Ninger.” Li Qingqiu suddenly said.

Zhang Yuchun was surprised and turned his head to ask, “Is it that Disciple who is very close to Miss Su?”

He didn’t have a deep impression of Bai Ninger, but he paid close attention to Zhu Yan and Su Xiling.

“Yes, it’s him.”

Upon hearing Li Qingqiu’s answer, Zhang Yuchun, though confused, still nodded in agreement and then quickly left.

In fact, it was Li Sifeng who actively requested to go down the mountain, so when Zhang Yuchun informed him that Senior Brother had agreed, he was overjoyed.

That day, the two began to select Disciples, then packed their things, and rushed down the mountain.

Li Sifeng, Wu Maner, and Cheng Canghai, along with nine Disciples, went down the mountain to eliminate bandits. This matter was privately discussed among the Disciples within the Qingxiao Sect. The Disciples were very excited and all looked forward to the day when the School would assign them such a task.

Acting heroically and upholding justice was something most martial artists yearned for. It could both demonstrate their strength and accumulate a good reputation… A month passed quickly. In Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was feeding Yuan Li the thousand spirit tree, while Li Dongyue stood on the eaves, gazing into the distance.

Snow flew, the world was vast and boundless, and the flying snow melted as soon as it approached her.

Li Qingqiu saw Yuan Li voluntarily pick up the thousand spirit tree, he smiled, then looked at Li Dongyue and asked, “Junior Sister, come down. They will be fine.”

Li Dongyue turned to look at him, frowning, “Tomorrow is the New Year, and it’s less than an hour until night. If they don’t come back, should we go down the mountain to look for them?”

Li Qingqiu was about to answer when he suddenly felt something. He turned his head to look into the distance and said, “They’re back.”

Hearing this, Li Dongyue was overjoyed. She did not doubt Li Qingqiu’s words. She leaped, clearing the city wall, and rushed towards the mountain gate.

Li Qingqiu did not get up. He turned his head to watch Yuan Li eat the thousand spirit tree.

Yuan Li sat on a small stool, holding the thousand spirit tree in both hands, very well-behaved.

After a while, a burst of clamor came. Li Sifeng was the first to run into the courtyard. His robes were slightly damaged, but he looked radiant.

He came to Li Qingqiu’s side, grabbed Li Qingqiu’s arm, and said proudly, “Great Master, come and see our harvest! You absolutely won’t believe it!”