Hearing Guo Ziyan call out Li Qingqiu's name directly, the disciples of Qingxiao Sect were instantly enraged. Standing beside Zhang Yuchun, Li Sifeng was about to step forward when Zhang Yuchun raised a hand and stopped him.
"How dare you claim to represent the martial world of Zhongtian Prefecture?" Zhang Yuchun asked calmly.
Guo Ziyan let out a cold snort. "Why shouldn't I? The number-one martial expert of Zhongtian Prefecture was defeated by me last August. Tell me—on what grounds can I not represent them?"
In this isolated world where news traveled slowly, few in Guzhou knew much about the affairs of Zhongtian Prefecture. Unless it was a matter that shook the entire realm, such stories rarely spread.
The disciples of Qingxiao Sect and the onlookers didn't know who the so-called number-one expert of Zhongtian's martial world was, but if this man had defeated that person, then his strength was beyond question.
For a moment, everyone was left in awe of Guo Ziyan.
The official standing behind him stayed silent. It was clear that before they came, he already knew Guo Ziyan's real intention—to challenge the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect.
"To deal with you, our Sect Master doesn't even need to act," said a calm voice from behind Zhang Yuchun. "If you've defeated Zhongtian's top martial artist, that means you're the true number-one of Zhongtian. As for me, I'm only ranked second in Guzhou. Let's see if Zhongtian's number-one can defeat Guzhou's number-two."
The disciples' faces instantly brightened at the sound of that voice.
They parted to make way as Jiang Zhaoxia walked forward leisurely.
The crowd began to murmur among themselves. Before the battle at the prefectural capital, Jiang Zhaoxia had been Qingxiao Sect's most powerful fighter on the surface—the one who had earned their sect its current reputation.
Guo Ziyan frowned as he looked at him. His instincts screamed danger.
'So this Qingxiao Sect really isn't simple,' he thought to himself, secretly alarmed.
He had come here just to test Li Qingqiu's strength. Even if he lost, it wouldn't matter. With an imperial decree in his possession and so many witnesses, Li Qingqiu wouldn't dare kill him.
But he hadn't expected someone else to appear halfway through.
Jiang Zhaoxia's words were unbearably arrogant, igniting his pride. He decided to forget his earlier plan—he'd first teach this man a lesson.
Even if Jiang Zhaoxia was dangerous, he felt no fear.
"Fine then," Guo Ziyan said, lifting his hand. "Let's find a place and see whose martial arts are stronger."
His eyes locked onto Jiang Zhaoxia's, full of challenge.
"Our Qingxiao Sect has rules," Jiang Zhaoxia replied indifferently. "If you want to spar, go to the Martial Platform. It's wide and open, so everyone can witness our fight."
His expression didn't change at all. The last great battle at the prefectural capital hadn't satisfied him. Though he'd killed many, none had been true opponents.
Today, to face Zhongtian's so-called number-one—even if the title was false—he looked forward to it.
He planned to go all out, to use the strength he'd once shown against the Demon Emperor himself. It was the perfect chance to display Qingxiao Sect's might.
"Good!" Guo Ziyan agreed immediately. Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze only fueled his excitement.
He loved nothing more than crushing proud geniuses like this.
Meanwhile, in the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was sparring with Zhao Zhen.
Though still a child, Zhao Zhen's talent for martial arts was exceptional. Across the entire sect, no one possessed greater potential.
Since joining Qingxiao Sect, Zhao Zhen had learned many techniques. His moves in battle changed endlessly, but against Li Qingqiu, he found himself completely helpless. Every strike he threw hit nothing but air.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "That's why I told you not to rush. You're too young. No matter how refined your techniques are, if your speed and strength aren't enough, they're useless."
He had noticed Zhao Zhen's problem long ago—the boy relied too much on his natural talent. He loved learning new martial arts and showing off.
That wouldn't do.
Cultivation methods were the foundation. External techniques were only tools for battle.
Zhao Zhen frowned. "But I'm not slacking. I spend two hours every day practicing inner cultivation. I've never skipped once."
"Then make it three hours, or four," Li Qingqiu said with a laugh, easily sidestepping the boy's next strike. "You're still young. I haven't given you any other duties yet."
Zhao Zhen pouted but moved his hands even faster.
Just then, Yuan Li's older brother, Yuan Qi, hurried into the courtyard. His voice trembled with urgency. "Sect Master, something bad's happened! Elder Jiang was sparring with someone and… it looks like he killed them!"
Zhao Zhen froze and turned toward him.
Li Qingqiu, however, didn't seem surprised. He said casually, "As long as it wasn't one of our disciples, don't bother me."
It wasn't that he didn't care—he simply couldn't show it. If he stayed uninvolved, he could later claim ignorance and let the matter cool down naturally.
'That third junior brother really doesn't hold back,' he thought inwardly. Though he didn't know who Jiang Zhaoxia had killed, there was definitely a reason behind it.
Despite his cold and proud personality, Jiang Zhaoxia had never bullied a disciple. He even offered them guidance now and then, earning great respect from everyone in the sect.
Yuan Qi scratched his head when he saw that Li Qingqiu wasn't angry. Without saying more, he turned and ran out again.
Li Qingqiu looked at Zhao Zhen and chuckled. "If you want to see the commotion, go ahead."
Zhao Zhen, not even six years old yet, couldn't suppress his curiosity at the mention of a death.
"Goodbye, Master!" he shouted, dashing off at full speed, afraid he'd miss all the excitement.
Li Qingqiu sat down at the long table and opened the Dao Lineage panel to check.
He urgently needed a disciple with talent in formations. The Foundational Array Compendium he had obtained from a previous Dao Lineage Inheritance Reward had yet to be successfully inherited by anyone.
He had already asked two disciples with extremely high loyalty to study it, but unfortunately, both had failed completely.
In the path of cultivation, even formations depended on innate aptitude.
Now that Qingxiao Sect had a strong foundation and no shortage of martial strength, Li Qingqiu cared more about finding other types of geniuses.
Formation arts and alchemy were currently the sect's weakest fields—yet both were essential pillars for any immortal sect.
Because these two paths were lacking, the Heavenly Works Hall had become the most idle of the seven halls. Weapons could simply be purchased, and craftsmen could be hired for construction. On most days, Zhu Yan had nothing to do but play music and paint.
Li Qingqiu reviewed every disciple's record, but still found no one suitable.
The number of disciples in Qingxiao Sect was rapidly increasing, yet true geniuses were still rare. A "mediocre" level of cultivation aptitude and comprehension was now enough to be called a prodigy.
He hadn't been sitting long when Li Dongyue entered the courtyard. She came straight to his side and sat down, proposing that non-hall disciples should be ranked into levels.
Since the number of hall disciples was limited, many who worked hard but didn't get chosen would lose motivation.
"It seems we'll need to introduce inner and outer sect divisions ahead of schedule," Li Qingqiu said thoughtfully.
If they did that, it wouldn't just be a matter of ranking—they'd also need to define privileges clearly, so disciples would have a reason to aim higher.
Li Dongyue smiled. "Senior Brother, you don't like trouble? Then don't recruit more disciples. Fewer people, fewer problems."
Li Qingqiu shook his head. "When you live in the martial world, you can't escape it. We can't stop now. Our future enemies will only grow stronger—perhaps even those lofty mortal saints. If we don't become stronger ourselves, we'll face total ruin."
Li Dongyue's smile faded. "Don't worry. The sect's finances are stable for now. I'm also looking for new income sources. The expected revenue from the Training Hall looks promising—many of our clients are rich nobles, even officials."
Li Qingqiu nodded. They spoke softly about sect affairs.
He felt comforted. The junior sister who used to follow him everywhere could now manage great responsibilities on her own.
Meanwhile, the Forbidden Martial Guard Guo Ziyan hadn't actually been killed by Jiang Zhaoxia—but he wasn't far from it. The official who had delivered the imperial decree looked grim as he descended the mountain. He didn't issue any threats, merely ordered his men to carry Guo Ziyan away.
This incident showed the onlookers just how powerful Qingxiao Sect truly was.
Some worried that the sect had offended the influential figures of Zhongtian Prefecture, while others dismissed it with disdain.
Not long after Guo Ziyan left, several noble families approached Zhang Yuchun, claiming they could help smooth things over and maintain Qingxiao Sect's relations with Zhongtian Prefecture.
When spring came, Qin Ye's father, Qin Jue, visited the mountain. Zhang Yuchun personally welcomed him.
Inside the Spirit Management Hall, Qin Jue looked around the room and exclaimed, "What fine taste in furnishings—very nice, very nice indeed."
Zhang Yuchun poured him tea with a smile. "They were all gifts from others. I actually think it's too old-fashioned, but those senior figures kept saying that a leader's room must have depth and gravitas."
Qin Jue sat down and sighed. "It's only been a few short years, yet compared to those noble families lined up on the mountain road, my Qin family is still insignificant. If not for Elder Yang's introduction, I probably wouldn't even have the right to meet you now."
"You can't say that," Zhang Yuchun replied, shaking his head. "Your son is our Sect Master's second disciple. That alone makes your Qin family's ties with Qingxiao Sect very close. As our sect grows, your family will prosper too."
Those words pleased Qin Jue greatly, and his face broke into a broad smile.
After a moment, he straightened up and said seriously, "To be honest, I came today to deliver an important message to Qingxiao Sect. Once you hear it, I'm sure you won't want to miss this opportunity."
Zhang Yuchun's curiosity was piqued. "What important matter?"
Qin Jue lowered his voice. "It's about the Elixir of Immortality."
"What? Brother Qin, don't tell me you believe in such ridiculous legends?" Zhang Yuchun chuckled, shaking his head.
The mention of the Elixir of Immortality immediately brought the emperor to mind.
How many people had the emperor killed in his obsession with it?
Qin Jue quickly added, "Don't be so quick to dismiss it. Listen first. The elixir itself may not exist, but there are people capable of refining it. You've probably heard some rumors—the current emperor himself is still pursuing the Elixir of Immortality. That's why this news must remain secret. If it spreads, His Majesty will go mad."
Zhang Yuchun frowned. "And which so-called warlock dares to claim he can refine such a thing?"
"Not a warlock," Qin Jue said, shaking his head. "An alchemy family—a clan with over a thousand years of history. They've created miraculous elixirs that could bring the dead back to life, turn children into martial prodigies, even restore youth to the old. Countless emperors have invited them to serve at court. Though they've been hunted and persecuted again and again, they've always survived—thanks, it's said, to their divine pills."
"Our Qin family trades along the great rivers. Not long ago, we rescued a gravely injured man by the riverbank. He insisted on meeting my father before revealing his identity—he was a descendant of that very alchemy family. He said his daughter was captured and begged us to save her. If we help him rescue her, he and his daughter will serve us for life, giving their all."
Qin Jue finished in one breath, finally relaxing his shoulders.