Though there wasn't yet a disciple whose Fate he particularly wished to copy, Li Qingqiu still felt a pleasant satisfaction knowing he held one Fate Selection Opportunity in his grasp.
Beside him, Chu Jing, Nangong E, and Lin Chuan were all cultivating the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra. Chu Jing's cultivation aptitude showed its superiority—his progress far outpaced the other two. Li Qingqiu found this very satisfying.
From now on, these three ghostly subordinates would each become a vital part of his power.
Lin Chuan would handle intelligence gathering, Nangong E would help him clean up battlefields, and Chu Jing would fight alongside him directly.
Li Qingqiu preferred to understand an opponent's strength thoroughly before taking action. Once he determined someone to be weaker than himself, he would strike without hesitation—cold, precise, and absolute—ensuring that his enemies experienced true despair before their end.
Drawing his gaze back, he began cultivating the Grand Demon-Repelling Golden Hand.
The Grand Demon-Repelling Golden Hand was an offensive spell technique. It required the practitioner to first inscribe restrictive seals upon their own flesh. Once completed, it could be unleashed without chanting or movement—striking an opponent by sheer will alone, leaving them no time to react. The true power of the technique, however, would have to be tested in real combat.
It was one of the three Dao Lineage Inheritance Rewards he had recently unlocked. The other two were Five Elements Mystic Heart Flame and the Jade Purity Restrictive Codex.
Both were exceptional inheritances that would greatly advance Qingxiao Sect's growth.
The Five Elements Mystic Heart Flame could be used for battle, forging weapons, or refining pills. The Jade Purity Restrictive Codex detailed a wide variety of spiritual restrictions used in artifact refinement. Mastering it would grant formidable combat ability, providing tremendous benefit both to individuals and to the sect as a whole.
Li Qingqiu had already transcribed all three teachings. He entrusted the Jade Purity Restrictive Codex to Zhu Yan and Mingguang—the latter being the disciple who had created the Spirit-Gathering Array. Both were delighted. Mingguang's loyalty even shot up to ninety-six.
Chu Jing's Heaven-Mending Grand Array was also recorded and stored. The array could draw upon the earth's spiritual veins, inspiring a long-term vision in Li Qingqiu—to one day use it to encompass the entire Taikun Mountain Range.
Within that vast formation, he could later embed even more arrays, building a comprehensive system of protection for Qingxiao Sect.
After killing Zhao Zhi, Li Qingqiu's fighting spirit had not diminished—in fact, it grew even stronger. There was far too much yet to be done.
After spending two days cultivating by the Underground Spiritual Lake, he finally left. The Tianhong Sword floated quietly behind him, unsheathed. He made no effort to conceal it. If disciples happened to see it, so much the better—it would gradually shift their perception of their Sect Master and of Qingxiao Sect itself.
Lin Chuan and Nangong E floated after him, discussing cultivation insights along the way.
As Li Qingqiu strolled along the mountain paths, he admired the scenery while reflecting on current projects.
The sect had recently begun expanding the mountain roads, planning to build a broad new path suitable for carriages and supply wagons. The funds came from the vast wealth he had brought back from Zhenyang City using Immortal Master Jiang's storage pouch. Zhang Yuchun had been overjoyed. With that amount of silver, building one road—or even ten—was no issue at all.
Li Qingqiu hadn't emptied the entire palace treasury. He'd left a portion behind. Whoever found it later would simply be blessed by fortune.
After some time, his thoughts drifted toward the idea of building cultivation caves.
Within Chu Jing's Heaven-Mending Grand Array were instructions on crafting cave dwellings. It was worth attempting, especially since Qingxiao Sect already had its own Spirit-Gathering Array.
Once enough caves were established, disciples could spread out from Qingxiao Mountain across the entire Taikun range. This would expand the sect's influence—and its intelligence network—over time.
Ideally, caves should be built beside mountains and rivers to easily draw upon the surrounding spiritual energy. If two were too close together, their aura flows would interfere, reducing cultivation efficiency.
As Li Qingqiu pondered, disciples he passed gawked in astonishment. Seeing the Tianhong Sword floating behind him, several even rubbed their eyes, convinced they were hallucinating.
But none dared interrupt him—his brows were furrowed, his mind clearly deep in thought.
The battle at Zhenyang City had raised his prestige to an all-time peak. Of course, there were still skeptics—those who hadn't seen it with their own eyes—but within Qingxiao Sect, no one dared question him aloud.
By the time Li Qingqiu returned to the Lingxiao Courtyard, news of the Tianhong Sword's autonomous flight had already spread through the mountain. Disciples debated whether it was some new sword technique or whether the Tianhong Sword had developed spiritual awareness.
When Shen Yue heard, he rushed over immediately and asked Li Qingqiu to demonstrate.
Li Qingqiu glanced toward the sword resting on the table. Instantly, the Tianhong Sword lifted into the air by itself. Shen Yue's eyes widened—it shocked him even more than the day he was defeated by Li Qingqiu.
There was no sword intent, no trace of vital energy—the blade was truly moving on its own.
'How is this even possible?' Shen Yue thought, frozen.
Li Qingqiu said calmly, "That battle at Zhenyang helped me comprehend the sword on a deeper level. My Tianhong Sword and I have since formed an indescribable connection."
He spoke as if it were something profound and ineffable.
Shen Yue took a deep breath, clasped his fists respectfully, then turned and left without another word.
From that day forward, disciples of the Sword Hall often saw Shen Yue sitting alone, holding a wooden sword, lost in thought for hours at a time.
…
In Dongling Prefecture, within the main hall of the Absolute Saint Sect, Sect Master Yan Wujin sat cross-legged on the high platform, his black robe rippling faintly as waves of inner energy distorted the air around him.
Hurried footsteps approached.
Vice Sect Master Tang Ziqi rushed up the steps, face flushed with excitement. "Sect Master! Wonderful news—truly incredible news!"
Yan Wujin slowly opened his eyes, their depths carrying the weight of years gone by. "What news could be so wonderful?"
He was no longer the fiery man of his youth.
When he first founded the Absolute Saint Sect, he had suffered a crushing defeat. If not for Li Qingqiu's mercy, he would have died that day. Later, after rebuilding the sect in Dongling Prefecture, he had hoped to make his mark—but he couldn't even unify the local martial world, much less challenge imperial power.
He had once encountered a master of the Demonic Sect and barely escaped with his life. Since then, doubt had taken root in his heart—could he ever avenge his father? Could he ever pull Zhao Zhi from his throne?
He appeared to be cultivating in seclusion, but in truth, he was simply running from reality.
"Li Qingqiu, Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect, stormed Zhenyang City alone and beheaded the emperor. The Great Li Dynasty has completely fallen into chaos!"
Tang Ziqi's voice trembled with excitement as he spoke. Every time he mentioned Li Qingqiu's name, his tone carried reverence.
He remembered meeting Li Qingqiu years ago—back then, he only thought of him as a profound man with a heart for the world. He never imagined that Li Qingqiu would one day accomplish something so earth-shattering.
When the Seven Provinces Allied Army was annihilated and the world was gripped by fear, Li Qingqiu went alone into the imperial capital, cutting through tens of thousands of troops and personally slaying the emperor. It was beyond belief.
At first, when Tang Ziqi heard the news, he didn't believe it. But after asking around repeatedly and hearing the same report from every source, he could no longer contain his excitement.
"You're certain?" Yan Wujin's eyes widened in shock.
He had always known Li Qingqiu was strong—but not this strong.
Tang Ziqi nodded eagerly. "I've already sent letters to confirm it, but I'm almost certain it's true. The towns and cities below the mountain are all talking about it. If the emperor were still alive, who would dare spread such rumors?"
A rush of joy surged in Yan Wujin's chest. His hands, hidden within his sleeves, clenched tightly. In his mind's eye, he saw Li Qingqiu's calm yet unshakable presence—like an immortal walking among mortals.
Tang Ziqi said excitedly, "We should make preparations at once. If this is true and the empire has fallen into chaos, then our chance has come. The Absolute Saint Sect must step out of the martial world and onto the stage of the lords!"
Compared to being the vice sect master of a martial sect, what Tang Ziqi truly desired was to become a statesman—perhaps even a prime minister. The Absolute Saint Sect was merely a façade; their true ambition was to raise an army and seize control of the realm.
Yan Wujin took a deep breath. "Do it. And prepare a congratulatory gift to send to Qingxiao Sect. Tell Sect Master Li that we thank him for his righteous act."
"Understood!"
Tang Ziqi clasped his fists and quickly departed.
Left alone, Yan Wujin sat cross-legged in silence, lost in thought.
He had once faced a master of the Demonic Sect and nearly died. He knew firsthand how terrifying such powers could be. And rumor had it that the emperor had possessed the inner core of a legendary Martial Saint.
'Could Qingxiao Sect's martial arts truly surpass the Great Sun Pure Yang Art?' he wondered.
…
The story of Li Qingqiu slaying the emperor continued to spread like wildfire. Some were awestruck; others remained skeptical. But no matter what anyone believed, one thing was certain—Li Qingqiu's name now echoed across the entire world.
From provincial officials to common peasants, everyone was talking about him.
In a small mountain town, Feng Dai and Ma Yu sat outside an inn, sipping tea as they listened to the chatter of wandering martial artists nearby.
The people of the martial world had no doubts at all. They revered Li Qingqiu as though he were a living deity—an immortal of the sword, unmatched under heaven.
Feng Dai set his cup down and said with admiration, "If we hadn't left early, we might have seen the Demon Emperor's head fall from his shoulders with our own eyes."
Ma Yu frowned. "Master, is Sect Master Li really that powerful?"
He had lived in Zhenyang City long enough to understand the sheer might of the imperial forces—the forbidden guards, the divine soldiers, and the emperor's personal martial power. The idea that one man had cut through all of that and slain the emperor sounded absurd. In all of history, nothing like it had ever happened.
Even the Martial Legends of old had never achieved such a feat.
Feng Dai laughed. "I find it hard to believe too. But the entire world is talking about it. Surely it can't all be fabricated?"
He was already itching to head for Qingxiao Mountain to pay Li Qingqiu a visit. There were too many questions he wanted to ask that man.
Ma Yu fell silent. He had been to Qingxiao Sect before. Thinking back on it, he realized the sect truly wasn't ordinary. Every time he visited, it seemed to have grown stronger, its disciples more numerous, its aura deeper and more refined.
A sect that could rise with such speed—its leader had to be extraordinary.
"Master," Ma Yu asked suddenly, "what are your plans from here?"
Feng Dai gazed into the distance and spoke slowly. "If the emperor truly is dead, the age of chaos has begun. Soon, warlords and princes will rise across the land. I'll go to Qingxiao Sect for now—observe how the world changes. And if possible, I'll seek out a wise ruler to serve, to help restore peace to the realm as soon as we can."
Ma Yu smiled in relief. He had feared that Feng Dai might lose his will to continue.
Though loyal to Feng Dai, he also longed to see his master rise again—glory for his master meant prosperity for himself.
Just then, a voice interrupted them.
"You're heading to Qingxiao Mountain too?"
A gray-robed old man walked over and took a seat beside Feng Dai.
Ma Yu immediately frowned and gripped the hilt of his blade on the table. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The gray-robed man smiled faintly. "No need for alarm. I'm from Qingxiao Sect as well. I was just planning to return there myself. Perhaps we could travel together?"
"You don't know the way?" Ma Yu asked suspiciously.
"Indeed, I've forgotten the path."
"Heh, what kind of nonsense is that?"
The old man sighed. "I'll be honest—I am True Person Qingxiao. The late Emperor of Great Li imprisoned me thirty years ago. My disciple's disciple has now slain that emperor. He still has matters to handle, so he sent me back first. But it's been so long… I truly don't remember the way to my own mountain."
"Li Qingqiu is your disciple's disciple?"
Ma Yu froze in disbelief, and even Feng Dai's eyes widened in shock.