"Grandpa Lin? You know each other?" Li Qingqiu asked curiously.
Xiao Wudi nodded. "It was Grandpa Lin who brought us up the mountain."
That only made Li Qingqiu more intrigued. True Person Qingxiao had been imprisoned for thirty years, and from the moment he left Zhenyang Imperial City until his return to Qingxiao Mountain, barely two months had passed. For him to just happen to find the descendants of the Martial Legend by coincidence? Impossible. There was clearly something deeper behind this.
True Person Qingxiao's mouth twitched when he heard Xiao Wudi speak so freely.
Li Qingqiu could tell the old man didn't want to say more, so he didn't press. It didn't matter—these three brothers were already under his wing.
"Come. I'll take you to train."
With that, Li Qingqiu rose and headed toward the forest behind the mountain.
True Person Qingxiao wanted to follow, but Yuan Qi stepped in front of him.
"The Sect Master didn't call for you," Yuan Qi said seriously.
That single sentence made True Person Qingxiao's chest tighten with frustration. He could only watch the three excited brothers follow Li Qingqiu away, their faces full of anticipation and admiration. Letting out a long sigh, he turned and left.
Within half a day, all three—Xiao Wudi, Xiao Wuqing, and Xiao Wuming—proved their exceptional aptitude by successfully condensing a thread of vital energy and stepping into the first layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
Through Chu Jing, Li Qingqiu also learned the full story of the Martial Legend, Xiao Xuanzun.
At just over twenty years old, Xiao Xuanzun had roamed the martial world. In only eight years, he swept across the martial world of the Nine Provinces. By thirty, he had already reached a level of martial mastery beyond mortal comprehension.
Chu Jing, upon hearing of his reputation, once went to challenge him—but was nearly slain in the attempt. Since that day, Chu Jing had withdrawn completely from the martial world, dedicating himself to secluded cultivation.
That single battle had left a scar on his very soul. He didn't dare show his face again until after Xiao Xuanzun's death.
"Could it be that Xiao Xuanzun wasn't just a martial artist, but a cultivator?" Nangong E asked curiously.
Chu Jing shook his head. "I don't know for sure. But his martial arts were far beyond ordinary techniques. Facing him… I felt the same kind of pressure I feel from my master."
'He may indeed have been a cultivator,' Li Qingqiu thought silently. 'His underground palace contained spell formations and techniques—Elder Yang Jueding once obtained one from there.'
Hearing that, Chu Jing smiled faintly. "If that's the case, then I can finally let it go."
Li Qingqiu didn't voice his last thought: even if Chu Jing and Xiao Xuanzun had both pursued cultivation, it was doubtful Chu Jing could have defeated him. Judging from the extraordinary talents of the Xiao brothers, Xiao Xuanzun's own potential must have been monstrous—likely bearing a combat-type fate.
The more Li Qingqiu learned, the more he understood why even someone as powerful as Shen Yue was never called a Martial Legend.
Xiao Xuanzun's strength defied comprehension. Throughout his life, he never lost a single battle. He had fought entire armies alone—tens of thousands of soldiers meant nothing before him. And one-on-one, no one had ever survived more than a single strike.
When Li Qingqiu asked Chu Jing whether he was certain Xiao Xuanzun had died, the ghost had hesitated.
If Xiao Xuanzun had truly stepped onto the path of cultivation… could he still be alive?
As Li Qingqiu watched the three brothers train, that thought lingered in his mind.
By sunset, he finally called a halt and brought the Xiao brothers back with him to dine at the Lingxiao Courtyard.
When the other hall masters arrived, the three young men sat stiffly in the corner, too nervous to move.
Before the meal began, Li Qingqiu introduced them to everyone, explaining that he would personally guide their cultivation and that they would assist him in sect affairs.
Zhang Yuchun studied the trio curiously. It was the first time he'd seen Li Qingqiu take disciples so seriously—these three must be truly extraordinary.
Each of the Xiao brothers had their own bearing. Xiao Wudi was tall and broad-shouldered, second only to Wu Man'er in physique. Xiao Wuqing had a calm, scholarly air that made him appear composed beyond his years. But Xiao Wuming… he was different.
Sitting to Xiao Wudi's right, Xiao Wuming's expression was dark, his gaze sharp and venomous. There was something cold-blooded about him—like a snake waiting to strike.
Not only Zhang Yuchun, but Li Sifeng, Li Sijin, Yang Jueding, and Zhang Yu all felt an instinctive discomfort looking at him.
"Eldest brother, which one are you assigning to me?" Li Sijin asked expectantly.
Li Qingqiu shook his head. "None of these three. I'll write down some names for you in a couple of days. These three will work directly under me—I'll need disciples I can rely on."
A genius like these three would be wasted anywhere else.
Li Sijin pouted but didn't argue. She knew that any disciple her eldest brother personally recommended wouldn't match the Xiao brothers' level.
For the three brothers, that meal was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. They knew that from this day on, their destinies had changed forever.
In the days that followed, Li Qingqiu took them everywhere—into the Underground Spiritual Lake, the Thousand Spirits Blessed Land, and even the spirit mines. The three of them witnessed wonders beyond imagination, and their loyalty to him grew rapidly.
Li Qingqiu had no doubts in trusting them. Xiao Wudi's admiration for him bordered on devotion, while Xiao Wuqing and Xiao Wuming's fates ensured absolute reliability.
Just as he expected, within half a month, the loyalty of all three brothers had reached 95.
Word spread quickly through the sect. Everyone knew the Sect Master now had three new young disciples constantly by his side—disciples who had joined the sect only recently yet were already receiving such favor.
Many were envious. Others were inspired.
After all, if the Sect Master himself had taken an interest, their talents must be exceptional.
Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, and Li Yang all eventually met the three, personally introduced by Li Qingqiu himself—a clear sign of his deep regard for them.
The Xiao brothers were stunned when they met Zhao Zhen. A child under ten years old with such incredible strength shattered their pride entirely. They realized that among the Sect Master's disciples, they were far from the most gifted.
And rather than jealousy, that realization only deepened their gratitude toward Li Qingqiu.
They knew all too well—this level of attention and guidance was something they had never dreamed of receiving in their previous lives.
Late autumn was approaching. Inside the Spirit Management Hall, Zhang Ping was helping two disciples with their errands while listening to their excited chatter about a duel that had taken place earlier that day on the Martial Arena.
A disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall named Lu Qing had challenged Zheng Yunqiao, the second-ranked of the Thirteen Swords of Qingxiao. Both were at the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. Lu Qing was a rising star, while Zheng Yunqiao was a senior who had rendered great service to the sect. The clash between old and new drew great anticipation among the disciples.
Zhang Ping's expression remained calm, but his heart was full of longing.
'When will I ever shine like Lu Qing and Zheng Yunqiao?'
The fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm still felt far away to him, stuck as he was at the second layer.
After finishing the errands for the two disciples and watching them leave, Zhang Ping sat down and picked up a book.
It was the upper volume of the Earth Talisman Codex, which he had just exchanged all his accumulated contribution points to obtain from the Scripture Pavilion. Though it had emptied his reserves completely, he felt no regret. The contents fascinated him deeply.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall.
The three Xiao brothers entered together, followed closely by True Person Qingxiao.
Xiao Wudi glanced around, then strode toward Zhang Ping's desk. "Are you Zhang Ping?" he asked.
Since stepping onto the path of cultivation, the three brothers had achieved astounding progress—reaching the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm in less than one month. Their auras were powerful and oppressive, making Zhang Ping tense instinctively.
"I am," Zhang Ping answered carefully. "And you are…?"
True Person Qingxiao came around from behind with a smug grin. "These are the three I recommended before! You refused to accept them—regretting it now, aren't you? They're already serving under the Sect Master. You must have heard of them—Xiao Wudi, Xiao Wuqing, and Xiao Wuming."
Zhang Ping froze. He had heard of the Xiao brothers, but he hadn't realized that he had once turned them away himself.
He silently cursed his luck. Comparing himself to others was enough to make anyone frustrated—he had been in the sect for so long and had never once spoken with the Sect Master. Yet these three had joined less than a month ago and were already serving directly under him. That was what people called rising smoothly through the clouds.
Xiao Wuqing stepped forward, smiling helplessly. "Senior Brother Zhang, don't listen to Grandpa Lin's teasing. You did the right thing. The Sect Master even praised your attitude. We're here on his behalf to deliver a gift."
"The Sect Master? A gift?"
Zhang Ping immediately stood, flustered.
Xiao Wuqing reached into his robe and pulled out a manual, handing it to him. "The Sect Master said that Qingxiao Sect needs dedicated disciples like you. This manual is for your eyes only. You are not to pass it to anyone else."
Zhang Ping took the book and read the title aloud. "Secret Technique — Rejuvenation Ghost-Immortal Needles…"
True Person Qingxiao, standing to the side, looked awkward. He hadn't known this was the reason the three brothers had come. He had just happened to run into them on the way and decided to tag along.
'These three little brats just joined, and they're already completely loyal to that kid Li Qingqiu,' he thought bitterly. But after a moment, he smiled inwardly. If Li Qingqiu was looking after them, then at least the brothers would have a firm footing in the sect. That was enough to set his mind at ease.
"Thank you… Sect Master!" Zhang Ping finally managed to say, his voice trembling with excitement.
Xiao Wudi and Xiao Wuming exchanged a glance, studying Zhang Ping. They saw nothing particularly special about him and assumed the Sect Master was simply rewarding his diligence.
But Xiao Wuqing thought differently. He couldn't explain why, but something about Zhang Ping felt unusual—something hidden beneath that ordinary exterior.
"Let's go," Xiao Wudi said, turning to leave first. Xiao Wuming followed silently.
Xiao Wuqing gave Zhang Ping a polite smile and a small bow before trailing after his brothers. True Person Qingxiao followed them out as well.
Zhang Ping watched their figures disappear, then looked down at the manual in his hands. His face lit up with a bright smile.
Far away in the Demon Subjugation Hall, Li Qingqiu saw through the Dao Lineage panel that Zhang Ping's loyalty had risen—and he smiled too.
The former King of Thieves, Cheng Canghai, who stood nearby, noticed the expression and asked eagerly, "Sect Master, does that mean you've agreed?"
The construction of the Demon Subjugation Hall was no secret. Many within the sect were eyeing the positions of Hall Master, Vice Hall Master, and Elder. Cheng Canghai, too, hoped to rise further.
Having reached the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, he believed himself capable of handling the role of Hall Master.
Li Qingqiu nodded. "You can have the position of Hall Master. But the Vice Hall Master will be chosen by me. As for your subordinates, you may select twenty disciples. The remaining slots will be reserved for others."
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Cheng Canghai exclaimed, bowing deeply with excitement.
From today onward, he would be a Hall Master—how could he not be thrilled?
After chatting with Cheng Canghai a while longer, Li Qingqiu left the Demon Subjugation Hall and went to the Training Hall.
Li Sifeng wasn't there, so he went straight to find Xue Jin.
Upon seeing the Sect Master, Xue Jin—who now carried the calm authority of a seasoned overseer—still appeared visibly nervous.
After a few words of greeting, Li Qingqiu said, "The Training Hall will have a new long-term task: searching for areas of unusual spiritual energy and for Treasures of Heaven and Earth. Even simple discoveries will earn rewards upon verification. Those who voluntarily offer what they find will be handsomely rewarded according to its value."