They traveled by day and rested by night.
On the very first night of their return journey, Li Qingqiu quietly passed on the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra's first-layer mental technique to Ji Ya, the boy with the Hundred-Refined Demon Body. The two went some distance away from the main group—Li Qingqiu didn't want the other disciples to feel slighted or jealous.
Just as he expected, Ji Ya, with his Excellent cultivation aptitude, succeeded in producing a faint trace of vital energy after only half a night.
Li Qingqiu noticed that when Ji Ya drew in spiritual energy, the movement of heaven and earth's qi around him was far greater than that of ordinary disciples. That discovery stirred his curiosity even more.
The next morning, as the group made their way through the mountain path, a glowing line of text suddenly appeared before Li Qingqiu's eyes:
[ Since you have, for the first time, led over half of your disciples to destroy a hostile power and achieved total victory with no casualties, this feat bears great significance. You have earned 1 Fate Selection Opportunity. ]
It had come!
Another Fate Selection Opportunity!
Together with the unused one from before, Li Qingqiu now had 2 chances to select fate.
He decided to keep observing Ji Ya. If the boy truly possessed vital energy a hundredfold greater than others of the same realm, then this fate must be copied.
In combat between equals, the side with a hundred times the vital energy would hold absolute advantage. And beyond fighting, greater energy meant greater potential—more could be achieved, more could be created.
Each night that followed, Li Qingqiu took Ji Ya away from camp to cultivate in secret.
He never mentioned it aloud, yet many disciples noticed. They quietly guessed that their Sect Master intended to take the boy as a personal disciple.
Though some felt a twinge of envy, none dared to question it. Ji Ya had endured unspeakable suffering—they pitied him. And in any case, who the Sect Master chose as disciple was not for them to decide.
It took more than half a month for them to return from Guzhou Prefecture to Qingxiao Mountain.
Ji Ya trained nightly. Though he hadn't reached the second layer of Nurturing Essence, the sheer quantity of his vital energy was already nearing that of the third layer, an astonishing result.
Of course, different realms couldn't be compared directly. A single thread of energy from a third-layer cultivator could easily crush that of a first-layer one.
Still, Ji Ya's performance proved that the Hundred-Refined Demon Body truly allowed one's vital energy to multiply a hundredfold within the same realm.
After returning to Qingxiao Mountain, Li Qingqiu sent Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, and the others to lead the disciples up the mountain while he went alone to the Underground Spiritual Lake.
It was time to begin—
to replicate the Hundred-Refined Demon Body!
The moment he made his selection, the spiritual energy within the lake began to surge violently, flooding toward him from all directions.
At the same time, a massive influx of memory poured into his mind, forcing his eyes shut.
He didn't know how long had passed when he suddenly gasped awake, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
The Hundred-Refined Demon Body was indeed not an innate fate—it was forged afterward. He had just relived Ji Ya's torment in full.
'Those Demonic Sect fiends… truly damned.'
He had merely experienced it like a dream, but Ji Ya had actually endured it in flesh and blood.
This tempering method originated from the Purple Cloud Art, yet Wei Daozhang had refined it blindly without understanding. He hadn't even bothered to measure the herb ratios correctly. And yet, by sheer accident, he had created a Hundred-Refined Demon Body.
Even in death, Wei Daozhang would never have imagined that.
After obtaining the Demon Body, Li Qingqiu's vital energy surged severalfold. He could feel vast space within his body, capable of storing much more qi. So he continued drawing in energy without rest.
For two full days and nights, he cultivated, refining his energy to its utmost limit.
When he finally emerged from the Underground Spiritual Lake, sunlight washed over him. For a moment, he truly felt reborn.
His entire being brimmed with strength—not just vital energy, but raw, inexhaustible power.
He now understood firsthand the terror and magnificence of the Hundred-Refined Demon Body.
As he walked through the forest, passing through layers of underbrush, he eventually reached a mountain path built by Qingxiao Sect disciples. There, he happened to see Chai Yunshang descending the trail.
Upon noticing him, Chai Yunshang immediately stopped and offered a respectful salute.
Li Qingqiu nodded slightly and was about to pass by when she suddenly halted and asked, "Why didn't you take me with you on the mission to Guzhou Prefecture?"
Li Qingqiu turned to her with a smile. "Someone had to stay behind to watch over Qingxiao Sect. The Law Enforcement Hall needed at least one disciple in charge. I thought you were well suited for the task—you'd maintain order in the sect. Besides, I believe you could use more time to train."
Chai Yunshang frowned. She had taken it to heart when she was left behind before. To her, it had felt like being dismissed, looked down upon.
"Don't the other disciples also need time to train?" she pressed.
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "True—but there's only one Law Enforcement Hall Master. My disciple is only temporarily filling the position. I think you're the better fit. You've got the right sense of discipline. It's just that you joined recently, so it might be hard to command authority yet."
"Law Enforcement Hall Master?"
Chai Yunshang froze, her eyes wide with disbelief and joy.
Anyone could see Qingxiao Sect was rising rapidly. In the future, the hall masters would hold enormous influence—even her own Chai family would have to treat such figures with respect. If she became the Law Enforcement Hall Master, her father would no longer be able to control her fate.
"Why me?" she finally asked softly.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Don't overthink it. I chose you for your talent—and your attitude toward your peers. I've heard you don't wish to marry, that you believe yourself the equal of any man. That's good. Qingxiao Sect is a place of pure cultivation, not worldly attachments. Dedicate yourself to the Dao—don't disappoint me."
Chai Yunshang nodded solemnly, deeply moved. It was rare for someone to place such trust in her.
Li Qingqiu said nothing more and continued up the mountain path, the morning sun glinting faintly through the trees.
Chai Yunshang continued down the mountain path. Earlier, she had sent Gu Dubao back to the Chai family to convey her message—she wanted her clan to build ties with Qingxiao Sect and, if possible, contribute their strength to its development.
She wasn't doing this for her own sake but for her family's future. She could already see that Qingxiao Sect's rise would soon surpass even the Seven Peaks Alliance at its prime.
Though she disliked the clan's forced marriages, she was still a daughter of the Chai family. She wanted to see her clan regain the prosperity it once had.
…
In a dim underground palace, several figures in embroidered robes knelt upon one knee, each wearing a hideous ghost mask.
Before them stood a massive stone wall engraved with ancient script. Flickering torchlight from either side cast long shadows upon the wall, stretching the silhouette of the man in front—tall, black-robed, and cold as death.
"The Demon Emperor was a useless fool," the man's icy voice echoed. "And those generals from Guzhou who dared betray him midway… they were simply courting death."
He turned slowly. His face, too, was hidden behind an evil ghost mask.
This man was not of the Demonic Sect—he was Xuan Gong, the Grand Director of the Bureau of Martial Prohibition.
Kneeling before him were his personal Martial Enforcement Guards.
"Reports say the four great sects of Guzhou's martial world joined forces to attack the Demonic Sect. Among them, Qingxiao Sect played the most decisive role. The Demon Emperor was slain by Qingxiao Sect's Sect Master himself, and according to rumor…" one of the guards said carefully, his voice trembling slightly.
The torches wavered, and Xuan Gong's long shadow stretched across the wall like some monstrous spirit.
"What?" His tone turned frigid. "According to rumor—what?"
"They say," the guard swallowed, "the Demon Emperor was killed by a single palm strike from Qingxiao Sect's Sect Master."
"A single palm?"
"Yes, sir. This Sect Master is said to be an extraordinary man. He even keeps a demonic eagle, one whose wings reportedly span over five zhang—more than five meters wide. Such a creature has never been seen in this world."
"What is his name?"
"Li Qingqiu."
Xuan Gong fell silent. The guards bowed lower, none daring to speak further. The flickering light dimmed again, swallowing the chamber in oppressive quiet.
…
Autumn faded, and winter came. Cold snow began to fall.
The temperature across the land plummeted, yet Qingxiao Sect remained lively and bright. All across Qingxiao Mountain, craftsmen bustled about—hammering, sawing, and shouting directions.
"At the foot of the mountain, the new gatehouse will surely satisfy you all. We're also preparing to construct a grand statue of an eagle. I heard your Sect Master raises a divine eagle—its image will ward off evil and symbolize the Sect's greatness!"
A middle-aged man wearing a cloth hat spoke with enthusiasm as he stood beside Zhang Yuchun, both overlooking the construction below from a cliff.
The battle of Guzhou had spread far and wide. Though the Dongling army was officially recognized by the court as the main force responsible for victory, within the martial world and among the people, Qingxiao Sect had become the true legend.
News that the Sect Master of Qingxiao had personally slain the Demon Emperor with a single palm spread like wildfire throughout Jianghu.
Since the onset of winter, noble families, wealthy merchants, and countless martial factions had climbed Qingxiao Mountain, seeking friendship with the Sect.
Even the White Emperor Mansion, Xuan Dang Sect, and the Chanding Temple sent envoys to express gratitude for Qingxiao Sect's rescue efforts—each presenting lavish gifts in thanks.
Though there had been no official declaration, Qingxiao Sect's standing in Guzhou had soared dramatically. It was now recognized, openly or not, as the number one sect in the region.
Zhang Yuchun listened to the Chai family representative's introduction and nodded with satisfaction. "Your proposal sounds good. I appreciate your efforts."
The Chai clansman laughed warmly. "There's no need for thanks—we're all family now. Miss Chai Yunshang is a disciple of Qingxiao Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, and your Sect saved countless lives. It's only right that our Chai family offer our support."
They exchanged polite words, both smiling. The talk of alliances and cooperation went on easily, both sides clearly pleased.
Meanwhile—
On the upper slopes of the mountain, within the Lingxiao Courtyard, Ji Ya knelt before Li Qingqiu, performing the formal ceremony to become a disciple.
Xu Ning, Qin Ye, Yuan Li, and Zhao Zhen stood to the side, watching curiously.
Ever since leaving Guzhou, Ji Ya had been following Li Qingqiu closely. Even without an official ceremony, everyone already assumed he would soon be accepted as the Sect Master's disciple.
Now, witnessing it happen, the disciples were eager to know why Li Qingqiu valued him so much. Ji Ya, following his master's instructions, had never revealed his true talent to anyone.
He currently lived with the five other children who had been imprisoned with him in the underground dungeon. Having all lost their families, the six relied on each other deeply and shared a close bond.
"From this day forth, you are my fifth disciple," Li Qingqiu said solemnly. "Any martial art I pass down to you must never be shared with outsiders. You may only teach it with my explicit permission. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!" Ji Ya answered immediately, his voice firm.
Gratitude filled his eyes. His loyalty to Li Qingqiu had already reached 95 points—utter devotion.
After giving a few more instructions, Li Qingqiu rose to leave, wanting the six children to spend time together and strengthen their bond.
Zhao Zhen, ever curious, struck up a conversation with Ji Ya, asking about his past. Ji Ya didn't hide the truth. Hearing his tragic story, Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li were moved with sympathy.
Xu Ning and Qin Ye, who already knew of it, were more intrigued by Ji Ya's talent than his past.
Qin Ye, ever competitive, proposed a spar. He knew Ji Ya had been cultivating for some time, and his foundation should already be solid.
Ji Ya readily agreed—he'd long wanted to test himself, but Li Qingqiu had forbidden it until now. Today, he was finally allowed.
Xu Ning, Yuan Li, and Zhao Zhen moved aside to watch.
But what followed stunned them all.
Qin Ye couldn't even withstand Ji Ya's strikes. Within moments, he was completely overpowered.
"Second layer of Nurturing Essence… No, wait—his vital energy, it's…" Xu Ning's expression turned grave, her gaze fixed on Ji Ya, shock written across her face.
She could sense the truth—Ji Ya's energy was overflowing, vast beyond reason.
She was confident she could defeat him easily… but how could someone who had cultivated for such a short time possess such enormous vital energy?
And more importantly—why had she never sensed it before?