The weather had turned cool, though the sky remained bright and clear.
Inside the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Sifeng stood pressed against the wall, clutching the Emperor Xuan Sword tightly in his arms. His face flushed with anger as he shouted, "So what if he's a Sword God? Don't forget—it was he who provoked our Qingxiao Sect first! He's our enemy! Not killing him is already mercy enough, and now he wants to touch my sword? Are you kidding me?"
Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, and Li Sijin blocked his way, leaving him no room to escape.
"Sixth Junior Brother," Zhang Yuchun said patiently, "you're part of the sect's core. You can't be so narrow-minded—you need a broader perspective. Having the Sword God join Qingxiao Sect is a huge advantage. And all he wants is to look at your sword. Just lend it to him for a day. We'll have people watch over him. He's not leaving the mountain."
Zhang Yuchun sighed inwardly. This kid still hadn't grown up.
Li Sijin crossed her arms, glaring. "You've got a lot of nerve to talk like that. If you hadn't brought that sword back, would the sect be facing this much trouble? Third Senior Brother's disciples still haven't returned—they're out looking for you! So tell me clearly—is the Emperor Xuan Sword yours or the sect's? If it belongs to the sect, then who are you to refuse orders?"
Hearing his own little sister scold him, Li Sifeng's face flushed between red and green.
He ground his teeth. "Fine! I'll let him hold it—but I'm watching him myself!"
"That's more like it," Zhang Yuchun said with a relieved grin.
As expected, sometimes only the little sister could handle him.
And so, the three of them pulled Li Sifeng out of Lingxiao Courtyard and headed toward the guest courtyard where Shen Yue was staying.
Meanwhile, far below the mountain, deep within the Underground Spiritual Lake, Li Qingqiu was cultivating, accompanied only by Ji Ya.
Ji Ya sat quietly across the shimmering blue waters, occasionally glancing at his master, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Without opening his eyes, Li Qingqiu said, "If you've got something to say, just say it."
Ji Ya had many good qualities—hardworking, humble, polite, and never arrogant despite being the Sect Master's disciple. His only flaw was his shyness; apart from sparring, he barely socialized.
Even after so long in the sect, Ji Ya still preferred spending time with the five youths who had escaped the same underground palace with him. He didn't get along much with Zhao Zhen or Yuan Li.
Those five were ordinary in every sense of the word—truly ordinary. Only three had become inner disciples; the other two remained registered disciples.
Li Qingqiu didn't need Ji Ya to say it; he already knew this had to do with them.
"Master," Ji Ya asked carefully, "I heard that Seventh Martial Aunt's medicine garden is recruiting disciples. Could you give Yang Lin a chance?"
Yang Lin was one of the two girls who'd escaped the underground palace with Ji Ya. Among the five, her talent was the highest—but compared to Ji Ya, it was still a world apart.
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, gazing at him calmly. "Do you think she's suitable?"
"Eh?" Ji Ya blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't considered that question at all.
"I… I don't know if she's suitable," he stammered.
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly. "I'm not blaming you. It's human nature to want to help friends. Everyone has people they care about. I care about your senior uncles and aunts; whatever they want, I'll try to fulfill it. I don't mind you looking after your companions. But I want you to think like someone who'll hold power one day. You're my disciple, and that means you'll be in charge someday. So think objectively—do you truly believe Yang Lin is fit to be a disciple of the medicine garden? If not, we can find another role for her."
Ji Ya fell silent, lost in thought.
Li Qingqiu didn't rush him. He simply waited quietly.
While he waited, he opened the Dao Lineage Interface again. He noticed something that made his expression darken slightly—the number of disciples had changed.
Since the start of the month, he'd seen several portraits disappear from the roster. He couldn't tell if those disciples had died or abandoned the sect.
Because the information network wasn't fast enough, even Zhang Yuchun hadn't noticed.
Li Qingqiu feared that some hidden force was targeting Qingxiao Sect, hunting disciples who were out training.
It was inevitable; when a sect grew large enough, accidents and deaths would follow.
That was why he'd recently grown more and more interested in the art of forging. If he could create a spiritual token that could transmit messages, locate its bearer, and detect life signs—it would be a true step toward becoming a cultivation sect.
The sect already had progress in spiritual herbs and alchemy, but in forging—none. Not even Li Qingqiu could make headway.
To forge an artifact, one had to first understand seals and restrictions. Those restrictions were the keys that activated a tool's magic. Every type of artifact had its own pattern.
Just then, Ji Ya spoke up again. "You're right, Master. She really isn't suitable. She's careless, always rushing things. Seventh Martial Aunt's medicine garden is vital to the sect—I wasn't thinking straight before. I only wanted to help her."
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly. "You're still young—fourteen, right? It's good that you can reflect."
He closed the interface, looking at his disciple seriously. "The sect will soon establish a new branch—the Sword Sect. Go and ask Yang Lin, and the rest of your five companions, if they're willing to join."
"Sword Sect?" Ji Ya's eyes brightened with curiosity. "What's the Sword Sect? What will it do?"
"The Sword Sect will defend the sect with the sword," Li Qingqiu explained. "Its duty is to protect our disciples and guard everything that belongs to Qingxiao Sect."
The moment he heard that, Ji Ya's eyes lit up. "Then that's perfect! I'll tell them right away—they'll definitely agree. They've always wanted to repay you, Master. They only felt too weak to be of help. Yang Lin wanted to join the medicine garden just so she could see you more often."
Li Qingqiu was slightly surprised after hearing Ji Ya's words. The only reason he had agreed to let Ji Ya plead on behalf of his companions was that those five disciples showed him exceptional loyalty. For such followers, Li Qingqiu never minded giving special treatment.
As the sect grew, it was no longer possible for every disciple to see the Sect Master personally, nor could he wander the sect grounds every day as he once did.
But at this moment, Li Qingqiu realized that loyalty was not just a cold number on a panel—it was the embodiment of sincere hearts.
That realization made him even more determined to establish the Sword Sect. His disciples must no longer die needlessly or fall into danger without protection.
"Good," he said firmly. "Tell them this—the Sword Sect answers only to me. Its rank will be equal to the Seven Halls, and its future is limitless."
Li Qingqiu's tone was serious, and Ji Ya's face lit up with joy. He immediately stood up and bowed deeply in gratitude.
It was rare for Ji Ya to make a personal request, and now that Li Qingqiu had granted it, he visibly relaxed, his shyness fading. He began talking more freely—sharing small stories about Yang Lin and the other four, their daily life, and the little things they did.
Li Qingqiu listened quietly. Through these small tales, he came to understand what life was really like for ordinary disciples.
After chatting for a while, master and disciple returned to their cultivation.
…
Later that afternoon, back at Lingxiao Courtyard, Shen Yue sat across from Li Qingqiu, frowning slightly.
"Sword Sect?" he asked.
Li Qingqiu poured him a cup of tea and nodded. "That's right. From now on, you'll be the Elder of the Sword Sect, in charge of teaching swordsmanship. The disciples will be chosen by me personally. Your position will be equal to that of a Hall Master, and I'll also pass on to you one of our sect's supreme techniques."
Shen Yue's frown eased a little. "So I just need to teach swordsmanship? You're not going to pile on a bunch of other duties, right? I'm not interested in managing anything."
He'd lived freely for too long to tolerate burdensome work. But teaching swordsmanship—now that was something he found enjoyable.
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "The Sword Sect will have two more elders in the future. They'll handle administration. You just focus on your part."
The Sword Sect, in truth, had another purpose—it was a way to give both Shen Yue and Jiang Zhaoxia formal positions, since the two of them possessed extraordinary comprehension and creative talent in the sword.
Hearing that, Shen Yue looked satisfied. Then he asked, "Can your sect's supreme technique really extend my life?"
Li Qingqiu's expression turned mysterious. "You'll know once you start cultivating it. I'll teach you the first level of the heart method today."
Shen Yue nodded. Having already touched the Emperor Xuan Sword, his mind had become calm again. Staying in Qingxiao Sect didn't sound so bad anymore. He was curious to see what made Li Qingqiu so powerful.
And if possible, before he died, he wanted to have another duel with him.
Li Qingqiu's Ten Thousand Swords Return to One had indeed been astonishing—but Shen Yue still believed he'd lost because his internal energy was inferior.
It was an absurd thought. His internal power was unrivaled in the martial world, yet when facing Li Qingqiu, it simply hadn't been enough.
The Sect Master continued speaking in a casual tone, as though chatting over tea. "What do you think of Qingxiao Sect?"
Shen Yue sipped his tea. "It's young—full of life and vigor. I actually like that about it. But your sect is too relaxed. You let too many visitors stay on the mountain. That's not good. You should centralize the guest courtyards so the Law Enforcement Hall disciples can watch over them more easily. Also, you'll need to increase the number of those disciples—"
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he was talking too much.
Li Qingqiu, however, only smiled faintly. Inwardly, he thought this man is talented—it would be a waste to use him only for sword instruction.
Just then, Yuan Qi rushed into the courtyard.
Li Qingqiu turned to him. "Another emergency?"
Yuan Qi bowed quickly. "Not exactly, Sect Master. Xue Jin of the Thirteen Swords has returned. He asks to see you."
Finally.
Li Qingqiu's eyes brightened. "Let him in."
Yuan Qi hurried away to deliver the message.
Watching the lively fifteen-year-old rush off, Shen Yue couldn't help but smile faintly, his thoughts drifting elsewhere.
A moment later, Xue Jin entered, still covered in dust from travel, his clothes unwashed and the faint scent of blood clinging to him. He hadn't even taken time to rest.
Shen Yue gave him a brief glance—and his expression changed slightly.
This boy isn't ordinary, he thought. Just how many geniuses does this Qingxiao Sect have?
Xue Jin bowed respectfully to Li Qingqiu, then looked at Shen Yue, hesitating.
"This senior is one of us," Li Qingqiu said calmly. "Speak freely."
Shen Yue nearly stood up and walked out right then. Li Qingqiu reminded him too much of his own long-departed senior brother—the same way of assigning responsibility without asking.
Xue Jin nodded and began his report. "Sect Master, in order to find Uncle Li's whereabouts, we went to question the Pei Clan. It didn't go well. We ended up killing a few dozen of them. Later, when we heard that the Emperor Xuan Sword had appeared in Qingxiao Sect, we knew Uncle Li had returned. But on the way back, we discovered something strange."
"A large army has entered Guzhou's territory. Their movements and purpose are unknown. Guzhou already has its own garrison, and troops from other regions aren't allowed to cross its borders. Yet these soldiers entered anyway. What's more, there are no public notices about it—only rumors circulating among martial artists who've seen them."