In the courtyard of the Heavenly Works Hall, inside the Vice Hall Master's residence.
Su Xiling sat at a table, gazing at Zhu Yan with a sigh. "I always felt that disciple named Xue Jin was unusual, but I didn't expect him to become famous so quickly. Since Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning, another peerless expert has emerged from Qingxiao Sect. Incredible. Isn't the martial arts of Qingxiao Sect getting a bit too outrageous?"
A single talented disciple might be a coincidence, but when the sect continued to produce one prodigy after another, it meant that Qingxiao Sect's martial heritage was truly extraordinary.
Zhu Yan replied, "That Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra is indeed beyond imagination. Even I suspect that Qingxiao Sect has inherited the true teachings of some ancient martial legend. But judging from Yang Jueding, that doesn't seem likely. Could it be that he's so selfless that he'd pass on such power without cultivating it himself?"
Su Xiling chuckled. "His martial arts aren't weak either. Maybe he practiced it, but his natural talent simply isn't enough."
"Perhaps," Zhu Yan said softly.
She wasn't particularly interested in martial techniques. Lately, her focus had been on the Foundational Array Compendium Li Qingqiu had given her. The text fascinated her.
She had studied formations before—both military battle formations and the tactical arrays used by martial sects. Those relied heavily on human coordination. The essence of such formations was in people.
But Li Qingqiu's arrays were completely different. His formations revolved around the array itself—they didn't even need human operation. That discovery astonished her and sparked her curiosity even more.
Su Xiling suddenly asked, "Miss, what do you think of the Sect Master?"
Zhu Yan set down the book in her hand, her expression thoughtful. "He's both righteous and ruthless. Hard to define. Judging from how Qingxiao Sect treats common folk, he could be called benevolent. But when it comes to power struggles, he's merciless. I can't say whether his actions are right or wrong—but one thing's certain: with him leading, Qingxiao Sect will only continue to rise."
Su Xiling sighed. "True. I thought after the battle at the prefecture, Qingxiao Sect would be bound by its new reputation as the top sect. I didn't expect Sect Master Li to act so decisively—wiping out an entire sect without hesitation, completely ignoring public opinion."
That ruthless confidence was what she admired most.
Zhu Yan smiled faintly. "That's fine. The martial world is the martial world. The common world is the common world. Since ancient times, how many people who walk the martial path have remained truly pure?"
She spoke casually, unconcerned. Deaths in the martial world never stirred pity in her heart.
Su Xiling's eyes brightened suddenly. "Miss, could you recommend me to learn that Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra?"
Zhu Yan lifted her gaze, slightly amused. "Didn't you once say your martial arts had already reached their limit—that you couldn't advance any further in this lifetime?"
"That was before," Su Xiling said with a smile. "Now I think Qingxiao Sect's secret art might help me reach a new level."
"I'll find a chance to ask the Sect Master," Zhu Yan replied. "But you focus on your duties first."
"Thank you, Miss!" Su Xiling said happily.
Su Xiling's situation was only a reflection of a larger trend.
After Xue Jin and the others rose to fame, more and more people realized that Qingxiao Sect's strength was not merely due to individual talent. Its martial heritage—its Dao Lineage—was something truly profound.
Soon, countless people came to seek apprenticeship. Even within the sect, disciples grew more eager than ever to learn the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra.
As a result, Qingxiao Sect officially introduced a new disciple hierarchy system. Beneath the rank of True Disciple, there would now be three stages: from lowest to highest—Registered Disciple, Outer Disciple, and Inner Disciple.
Those who first joined the sect would become Registered Disciples. Their names would be recorded, and they could cultivate only the basic external techniques. Through labor and contributions, they could earn promotion. After a certain number of years, they would face an assessment. Those who failed to advance to Outer Disciple would be dismissed from the mountain—cutting all ties with Qingxiao Sect.
Outer Disciples were permitted to cultivate internal techniques and enjoy the sect's protection. They could travel the martial world under the name of Qingxiao Sect.
Inner Disciples could formally apprentice under a True Disciple and gain access to the sect's secret arts—including the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra. Even if they achieved nothing great in life, they would still be allowed to remain in Qingxiao Sect for the rest of their days.
When this three-tier system was announced, it caused a stir across the entire sect. Disciples flocked to the Spirit Management Hall to register their new ranks. Aside from those who had joined the sect within the last month, everyone else was classified as at least an Outer Disciple.
With a visible hierarchy—lower ranks serving as motivation, higher ranks as goals—the morale within Qingxiao Sect soared once again.
The clearer structure also made it easier for the Seven Halls to manage affairs efficiently.
Within twenty days, the total number of Qingxiao Sect disciples surpassed 600. During this period, Li Qingqiu discovered several disciples with decent Cultivation Aptitude and Comprehension. He personally recorded their names and handed the list to various Hall Masters for special attention.
That day, Zhang Yuchun came to find Li Qingqiu.
"Menial disciples?" Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
At that time, he was in a forest, instructing Xu Ning in spell techniques. When Zhang Yuchun arrived, Xu Ning quietly stepped aside, playing with the Thunder Summoning Banner in her hands while waiting.
Zhang Yuchun nodded. "Yes. They won't be entered into the official registry, nor allowed to learn Qingxiao Sect's martial arts. They'll handle general labor and chores. It may sound harsh, but I guarantee people will sign up. After all, they'll get food, shelter, and safety. As long as they remain within Qingxiao Sect, they'll always have the chance to rise."
Li Qingqiu immediately understood the concept of menial disciples, though he felt the move was a bit premature.
But then he reconsidered. Qingxiao Sect employed many craftsmen and laborers—each costing money. Establishing a class of menial disciples would cut those expenses while also ensuring greater loyalty. These workers would serve more diligently, knowing their future could change.
It looked like exploitation—but in truth, it offered many commoners a path forward.
"Fine," Li Qingqiu said at last. "Go ahead. It'll give your Spirit Management Hall more work to do anyway."
Since the formation of the Seven Halls, his burden had lightened considerably. He no longer needed to oversee every sect enterprise himself and could dedicate more time to cultivation.
Zhang Yuchun's eyes lit up with joy at the approval. He bowed and hurried off.
Once he was gone, Xu Ning walked over. "Master, I may be Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, but I'm not doing anything at all. Isn't that inappropriate? Should I give the position to someone else?"
Li Qingqiu smiled. "It's fine. Even if you don't handle anything, you've already done much for the Law Enforcement Hall."
Among the Seven Halls, the Law Enforcement Hall was the most dominant—not only because of its authority but also because its Hall Master was Xu Ning.
Xu Ning ranked among the top three experts of Qingxiao Sect and was the Sect Master's personal disciple. Her prestige was unmatched. Whenever disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall inspected other halls, none dared offend them.
Hearing this, Xu Ning seemed to understand her master's meaning.
"Master," she asked, "it's so hard to reach the seventh layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. How long did it take you to get from the sixth to the seventh?"
Li Qingqiu replied, "If you can reach the seventh layer within two years, then you'll be faster than I was."
"Alright!"
Xu Ning's fighting spirit flared instantly—unaware that Li Qingqiu had just made that up on the spot.
Then, Li Qingqiu told her to demonstrate the spell she had created herself.
Xu Ning stepped into the snow-covered field, holding Daoist Wei's Thunder-Summoning Banner, and began to channel her energy.
The Thunder-Summoning Banner was a unique artifact—it required no restriction-breaking nor any prior formation setup. It could summon lightning even without infusing it with vital energy.
Of course, without vital energy, it could only draw lightning during a thunderstorm. On clear days, summoning lightning required converting one's own vital energy.
Xu Ning possessed a Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Root, making the Thunder-Summoning Banner perfect for her—it greatly amplified her power.
Raising the banner high with one hand, she looked as if wielding a long blade. Bolts of lightning surged along the fabric, crackling with blinding intensity. She swung it forward, and the lightning burst out like a spreading net, radiating in all directions. The crackling arcs illuminated the snow, forming a fan-shaped clearing that stretched nearly ten zhang across.
"I've named it the Heaven's Net and Earth's Judgment Technique," Xu Ning explained. "Anyone struck by it—if they're weak, they'll die instantly. If they're strong, they'll still be paralyzed, losing all combat strength, as if bound by the earth and trapped beneath a celestial net."
Her words made Li Qingqiu nod in satisfaction.
A fine technique indeed.
"I'm very pleased," he said. "Write it down when you have time, and we'll add it to the Scripture Pavilion."
Xu Ning nodded. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Master, I named it in your style, but… I really want to ask—are we truly just practicing martial arts?"
Even she had begun to doubt it. The Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra no longer felt like an ordinary martial art the more she cultivated.
Li Qingqiu couldn't help but laugh. "If we're not practicing martial arts, then what—cultivating immortality?"
"I think it's possible," Xu Ning said seriously.
"Then live a few hundred years first, and we'll see."
"That's true," she said with a grin. "If lifespan doesn't increase, it's still just martial arts."
The two chatted a bit more before sparring. Li Qingqiu told her to unleash all her techniques at full strength. Xu Ning, thrilled, complied without hesitation.
At first, Li Qingqiu moved easily—like a stroll through a courtyard—but before long, he had to get serious.
Something wasn't right.
She was too strong—almost beyond expectations!
Without his Hundred-Refined Demon Body, Li Qingqiu wasn't sure he could defeat her despite being at the sixth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
'A copy weaker than the original?' he thought. 'Impossible. I'm the master—I can't lose!'
After a full stick of incense worth of time, the spar ended.
Li Qingqiu led Xu Ning down the mountain. Her hair was disheveled, her expression dazed, and the hand holding the Thunder-Summoning Banner trembled slightly.
As the year drew to a close, Xue Jin and his group finally returned. Each of them carried large packs on their backs.
Li Qingqiu let the others rest while he summoned Xue Jin for a private conversation.
Their mission to the Nine Absolutes Sect had been a complete success. They had slain the sect master, scattered the disciples, and burned the sect's mountain gate and pavilions to the ground, collecting all their martial manuals along the way.
They had even encountered experts from other Dongling Prefecture sects but had managed to fend them off without a single defeat.
"Sect Master," Xue Jin said, taking out a letter from his robe, "we found this among the remains. It's from the Dongling Prefecture Inspector to the Nine Absolutes Sect. Turns out, the new Inspector of Guzhou wanted to move against us and sought Dongling's help. The Dongling Inspector then struck a deal with the Nine Absolutes Sect—offering them official favors in exchange for the attack."
Li Qingqiu opened the letter and read it carefully. Xue Jin wasn't lying.
"Well done," he said, looking up. "I'm very pleased. Aside from your spirit stone reward, I'll allow you to enter the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion and study one high-grade technique for ten days."
The third floor contained spell techniques—not something any disciple could access without the Sect Master's personal approval.
Xue Jin didn't react with excitement. Instead, he remained calm, his aura carrying a faint killing intent. The mission had hardened him, stripping away the last of his youthful inexperience.
He looked at Li Qingqiu, hesitated, then finally spoke.
"Is there something else?" Li Qingqiu asked.
Xue Jin took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "Yes. It's about Hall Master Li Sifeng."