[Name: True Person Qingxiao]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 72 years old]
[Loyalty (to Sect Master/Sect): 97/99 (maximum value: 100)]
[Cultivation Aptitude: Fair]
[Comprehension: Fair]
[Fate: Living Asura, Master of Fortune]
[Living Asura: Once his killing intent awakens, it cannot be stopped. He becomes a human Asura, fighting until his strength is exhausted before regaining sanity.]
[Master of Fortune: Always capable of showing kindness to those blessed by great fortune, earning their deep trust.]
…
'Does he not have a real name?'
That was Li Qingqiu's first thought after opening True Person Qingxiao's profile. He didn't dwell on it, scrolling further down instead. The more he read, the better his mood became.
With Fair aptitude and Fair comprehension, True Person Qingxiao wasn't exactly a decorative elder. More importantly, his Fate traits were truly special.
The "Living Asura" explained why he had been able to dominate the Taikun Mountain Range single-handedly. But what really intrigued Li Qingqiu was "Master of Fortune."
That was no simple Fate.
From the moment he had discovered the Xiao brothers, Li Qingqiu realized this trait was constantly at work.
He even began to suspect that the appearance of the three Xiao brothers might itself be proof of the "Master of Fortune" effect.
After officially taking up his new role as Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, True Person Qingxiao sat down comfortably and ordered Zhang Yuchun to pour him tea.
Xiao Wuqing was in good spirits. Since he and his brothers had been brought to the sect by True Person Qingxiao, he naturally hoped that their benefactor could find firm footing within Qingxiao Sect.
"You may leave us," Li Qingqiu said to Xiao Wuqing.
Upon hearing that, Xiao Wuqing bowed respectfully and exited the hall.
Once he was gone, Li Qingqiu asked, "Those three brothers—do they have a special background? You seemed unusually cautious around them earlier."
Hearing this, True Person Qingxiao's playful smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.
Zhang Yuchun handed him tea, unable to hide his curiosity, while everyone else turned their attention toward him.
True Person Qingxiao took a deep breath and said, "All three are descendants of the legendary martial hero Xiao Xuanzun. I was close friends with their grandfather—my dearest brother in arms. He was Xiao Xuanzun's direct grandson. When I heard that Zhao Zhi had consumed Xiao Xuanzun's inner core, I grew worried that the Xiao family descendants might be in danger. On the way back, I asked Feng Dai and the others to help me find my old friend, but by the time we arrived, he was already dead. Only his three grandsons remained, relying on each other to survive."
"The village they lived in was on the edge of Guzhou. My friend had concealed his identity, living as an ordinary hunter. Decades ago, when I was gravely injured, he was the one who saved my life. I never thought that so many years later, he would enter the earth before me. To repay the debt of saving my life, I could only bring his three grandsons back to Qingxiao Sect."
"The descendants of a martial legend?"
Everyone—Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, and the others—were visibly surprised. None of them had expected the Xiao brothers to have such a remarkable lineage.
Li Qingqiu suddenly asked, "Do you know their father?"
True Person Qingxiao shook his head. "No. When I left that village, their father hadn't even been born. According to Xiao Wudi, their father left the village when they were still young to wander the world. No one has heard from him since."
Li Qingqiu's thoughts turned to Xiao Wuming's Fate, "Poison Flood-Dragon Evil Heart." The origin of such a Fate likely came from his father, who had once survived being swallowed by a venomous flood-dragon before conceiving him.
In that case, Xiao Wuming's father must have inherited part of the martial legend's legacy—but why he disappeared remained a mystery.
"For the past hundred years, the martial world has seen countless bloody massacres sparked by the inheritance of the Martial Legend," True Person Qingxiao warned solemnly. "Their identities must remain secret. And none of you are to use them as a means to seek that legacy. Their grandfather was my sworn brother."
Jiang Zhaoxia gave a dismissive snort. "What martial legend? If he lived today, he might not even qualify for that title. We wouldn't care for his legacy anyway."
Li Dongyue and Li Sijin both chimed in gently, trying to reassure the old man, while Wu Man'er remained in his usual corner, silent as ever.
Zhang Yuchun, however, seemed lost in thought.
True Person Qingxiao immediately turned his gaze toward him. "You're the one I worry about most, boy," he said with a glare.
Zhang Yuchun sighed. "Grandmaster, after hearing all that, how could I go looking for trouble? I was just wondering why their father left in the first place. There might be an unresolved grudge behind it."
"Who cares?" True Person Qingxiao waved his hand. "A man who'd abandon his own sons isn't worth remembering—alive or dead."
Li Qingqiu stood up with a faint smile. "Enough. Now that everyone knows the Xiao brothers' background, keep it to yourselves. Don't tell anyone else, not even your own disciples. Yuchun, take Grandmaster to register his name in the sect's rolls, then escort him to the Law Enforcement Hall."
With that, he turned and left toward the back mountain.
Jiang Zhaoxia rose to follow. In one smooth motion, he leapt into the air, his sword flashing free from its sheath with a sharp whistle, carrying him upward until both he and his blade vanished into the clouds.
True Person Qingxiao's eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn't expected Jiang Zhaoxia to be so strong. The rumors were true—Qingxiao Sect's Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning truly had the power to vie for the title of second strongest under heaven.
That made him even more curious.
Where exactly had Li Qingqiu's inheritance come from? How could he make both his disciples and junior brothers so powerful, and build Qingxiao Sect into something this formidable?
He had to admit—Jiang Zhaoxia was right.
This Qingxiao Sect really had no need for the so-called inheritance of the Martial Legend.
Zhang Yuchun urged him onward, breaking his train of thought. True Person Qingxiao collected himself and quickly stood up.
Now that he was officially part of the sect, True Person Qingxiao's curiosity burned brighter than ever. He wanted to truly understand just how powerful Qingxiao Sect had become.
…
Heavy snow blanketed the world.
In the courtyard of the Sword Sect, Shen Yue sat on the roof's edge, a wooden sword gripped loosely in his hand. Snowflakes fell onto his shoulders and hair, melting into silence. He didn't move—his eyes distant, his thoughts unfathomable.
"How long has he been like this?"
True Person Qingxiao furrowed his brow as he turned to Han Lang.
When he had first heard that the Sword God himself was now part of Qingxiao Sect, True Person Qingxiao had been beyond thrilled. In his youth, Shen Yue had already stood at the pinnacle of the martial world—the number one under heaven. To him, Shen Yue was the true Martial Legend.
Now, that very legend sat within his own sect. Naturally, he had to come and pay respects. Yet what he found was the Sword God sitting motionless under the eaves, lost in thought, as if his spirit had drifted far away.
After learning that True Person Qingxiao was none other than his master Jiang Zhaoxia's grandmaster, Han Lang dared not be negligent and received him personally.
When asked about the situation, Han Lang sighed helplessly. "Marial Uncle's Tianhong Sword has gained a spirit of its own. Ever since Elder Shen learned of it, he's been in this state—holding his wooden sword every day, ignoring everyone. It's been several months now. We're all worried about him. Grandmaster, could you perhaps ask Marial Uncle to talk to him? If this continues, I fear Elder Shen might suffer a qi deviation."
Shen Yue had always been diligent in instructing the Sword Sect disciples, teaching them with care and sincerity. Every one of them respected him deeply from the heart. None could bear to see him in such a state.
"That kid's doing again?" True Person Qingxiao's eyes widened, his voice rising a few octaves.
Han Lang noticed the tone and quickly nodded, thinking perhaps the elder could indeed handle the situation. "Yes. Elder Shen has lost to Marial Uncle twice. In the entire sect, he's probably the only one who can talk sense into him."
"Oh."
"Uh…?"
Han Lang blinked in confusion. After that single grunt, True Person Qingxiao said nothing more.
On the way here, the old man had spoken with admiration and reverence about Shen Yue—how could he suddenly go quiet now?
Pretending not to notice Han Lang's questioning look, True Person Qingxiao gave a light cough and said, "Seems today's not the right time. I'll come back another day."
With that, he turned on his heel and left in haste, not even giving Han Lang a chance to stop him.
Han Lang stood there dumbfounded, unable to understand why True Person Qingxiao's attitude had changed so suddenly.
Meanwhile, still perched on the roof, Shen Yue lifted his gaze toward the vast, fog-shrouded sky and murmured, "Just a little more… What is it that I'm missing?"
Something within his soul felt close—just beyond reach. It was as if he had brushed against a revelation but couldn't grasp it fully.
His intuition screamed that once he understood it, his sword path would ascend to a new realm. At that moment, he would finally possess the qualifications to stand on equal ground with Li Qingqiu.
"The third duel…" he whispered, eyes flashing like drawn steel. "I won't lose to Li Qingqiu in a single move again."
…
Winter passed swiftly.
Li Qingqiu spent most of that season focused on cultivation, edging ever closer to the ninth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
As the year drew to an end, Qingxiao Sect began preparing once more for the grand New Year celebration.
One evening, Li Qingqiu returned from the Thousand Spirits Blessed Land. Just as he entered Lingxiao Courtyard, Zhu Yan came forward to greet him.
"Sect Master, I've received some news. I think it's important enough to tell you." Her tone was serious.
Li Qingqiu nodded and led her into his residence to speak privately.
"Go ahead."
He poured himself a cup of hot tea. Yuan Qi had already prepared everything as usual, never failing in his duties no matter the weather.
Zhu Yan took a seat and began, "Our Zhu clan has learned that a new sect has risen in the northern Cangzhou region. It's called the Ling Tian Sect. Their Sect Master is said to be an unmatched martial expert, and beneath him are five Guardians, all possessing profound, unfathomable strength. They claim to have inherited the true legacy of the Martial Legend. Now they're openly recruiting disciples and expanding their power southward, conquering one martial sect after another."
"The Martial Legend's inheritance, hmm? What's the Sect Master's name?" Li Qingqiu asked with mild curiosity.
"Ji Wuye," Zhu Yan replied. "The surname Ji is an ancient one—extremely rare now. In the past, it was the royal surname of the Dayan Dynasty. After Dayan was overthrown by the Great Wei Dynasty, the Ji family vanished completely."
"Among those five Guardians of Ling Tian Sect," Li Qingqiu asked, "is there anyone with the surname Xiao?"
"Yes," Zhu Yan said. "One of them is called Xiao Wuhui. It's said he has mastered the Martial Legend's signature technique—the Great Profound Heaven-Shocking Palm. Some even believe he's a direct descendant of the Martial Legend himself, since the Martial Legend also bore the surname Xiao."
As she spoke, a sudden thought struck Zhu Yan—Li Qingqiu's three Xiao brothers.
Could it be related?
Was Xiao Wuhui their father? Were those three brothers also of the Martial Legend's bloodline?
The idea didn't shock her much. After all, the Sect Master had already accepted disciples such as the Sword God and the former Crown Prince's son. Taking in the descendants of a Martial Legend was hardly surprising.
In her heart, Li Qingqiu himself was already the new Martial Legend.
"Xiao Wuhui…" Li Qingqiu murmured softly, his expression unreadable. So it was true—Ling Tian Sect had indeed obtained the Martial Legend's inheritance. After all, the father of the Xiao brothers was none other than Xiao Wuhui himself.
"Should we investigate Ling Tian Sect's situation?" Zhu Yan asked carefully.
"Do it," Li Qingqiu said, "but from the shadows. No open moves."
Zhu Yan nodded. "I have a feeling Ling Tian Sect is wary of us. Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to rise in Cangzhou instead of further south."
She smiled faintly.
By now, Qingxiao Sect stood as the undisputed number one sect under heaven within the Great Li Dynasty.
Even if some still refused to acknowledge it, not a single faction dared challenge Qingxiao Sect openly.