After reaching the ninth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, Li Qingqiu's Awakening Spirit had completely formed. Even with his eyes closed, he could clearly perceive everything around him in every direction, a full 360-degree view without blind spots. This kind of perception was extraordinary—far sharper and more insightful than the naked eye.
His spiritual sense could even see through rock and cave walls, distinguishing different materials and life forms as if they were transparent. Compared to so-called "clairvoyance," this was a far greater power.
With such a divine sense, Li Qingqiu's awareness as a cultivator grew stronger than ever. Martial practitioners, no matter how powerful, could only strengthen their vitality and physical body—their essence would always remain bound to mortal flesh.
But even with this newly developed sense, Li Qingqiu was still some distance away from the Awakening Spirit Realm. According to the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra, the Awakening Spirit Realm was when spiritual sense could be refined and used as a weapon—when spells were no longer driven by vital energy alone, but by the combined force of both spiritual sense and energy, increasing their power exponentially.
As Li Qingqiu consolidated his cultivation, his mind grew clearer. The knowledge and insights about the Awakening Spirit Realm within the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra became more detailed and precise.
The Sutra was immense—it wasn't transmitted into his mind all at once. Instead, each time his cultivation improved, it released new, deeper layers of understanding.
This was why Qingxiao Sect disciples often felt that every level of the Sutra's inner method could stand as an independent scripture on its own. That alone made it far superior to any mortal martial art.
Having the Hundred-Refined Demon Body, Li Qingqiu required far more time than others at the same realm to fill his body with vital energy. It was troublesome—but the kind of trouble one gladly welcomed.
During these days, Chu Jing, Nangong E, and Lin Chuan found it difficult to meditate in peace, as the aura within the Underground Spiritual Lake was in a constant state of agitation.
Lin Chuan and Nangong E snuck out to play, while Chu Jing stayed by the lakeside, carefully observing Li Qingqiu's condition.
His intuition told him that Li Qingqiu wasn't just undergoing a breakthrough.
The spiritual disturbance was far too intense—truly frightening!
Before they knew it, five days had passed.
When Li Qingqiu finally opened his eyes, faint wisps of spiritual light rippled within them, giving his presence an overwhelming aura.
With the Hundred-Refined Demon Body, Li Qingqiu's vital energy was a hundred times greater than ordinary cultivators of the same realm—he was practically a walking spiritual lake.
He could clearly sense that the aura within the Underground Spiritual Lake had thinned, as though half of it had been drawn into his body.
Then a troubling thought struck him. As his disciples grew stronger, the sect's need for spiritual energy would only increase. Eventually, the available aura might no longer be enough. If they couldn't discover more Blessed Lands, relying solely on the Taikun Mountain Range would never sustain his ever-expanding sect.
Clearly, recruiting disciples recklessly was not the right path.
Mortal sects needed wealth to survive, and they couldn't feed too many mouths—certainly nothing like an army.
But immortal sects had to consider aura. Vital energy didn't appear out of nowhere—it was drawn from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. That meant aura itself was the most critical strategic resource of all.
Thus, the Heaven-Mending Grand Formation became an essential part of his plans. It could extract spiritual energy from deep underground, dramatically increasing the aura within Qingxiao Sect's domain.
Li Qingqiu stood up and stretched his limbs.
Chu Jing floated over, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Master, which layer of the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra have you reached now?"
"The ninth layer," Li Qingqiu answered directly.
Chu Jing inhaled sharply.
After reaching the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, he had already begun to feel how difficult the Sutra was to cultivate. The progress slowed to a crawl. He couldn't even imagine what it was like to stand at the ninth layer.
After loosening his body, Li Qingqiu left the Underground Spiritual Lake.
By then, night had already fallen.
Chu Jing followed closely behind, controlling the Tianhong Sword, while Nangong E and Lin Chuan soon returned, trailing a short distance behind.
Along the mountain path stood rows of stone pillars topped with oil lamps. Under their flickering light, Qingxiao Mountain no longer looked as gloomy as it had years ago.
As Li Qingqiu made his way up the mountain trail, he noticed several disciples training in the forest, while others were secretly meeting under the trees.
Whether romance among disciples was a blessing or a curse was a topic Li Qingqiu often discussed with the Hall Masters. They had agreed it had both pros and cons. For that reason, the sect had established detailed rules regarding such relationships. So far, there hadn't been any serious issues.
Using his spiritual sense, Li Qingqiu observed everything along his path as if it were broad daylight. His vision stretched more than a hundred zhang away—he could see every person, every leaf clearly.
When he reached the upper half of the mountain path, he suddenly stopped.
About fifty zhang away, Zhang Ping was practicing a sword technique. It was one created by Jiang Zhaoxia—not particularly advanced, but solid.
It seemed Zhang Ping was preparing for the upcoming Grand Dao Combat Tournament.
Chu Jing drifted beside him and asked, "Master, you know that kid?"
He had once worked in the Spirit Management Hall and had been on friendly terms with Zhang Ping, so he remembered him well.
In his memory, Zhang Ping had always been ordinary but honest. Chu Jing had befriended him out of habit—he liked keeping good relations with people.
He had no idea that now, Zhang Ping regarded him like a nightmare, terrified of ever meeting him again.
"Mm. I have a good impression of him," Li Qingqiu replied quietly. "He seems to have potential."
"Potential? Him?"
Chu Jing was stunned, his tone filled with disbelief. He didn't dare question Li Qingqiu's judgment but couldn't help wondering what hidden strengths Zhang Ping might have.
"His future achievements might surpass that descendant of the Nangong clan," Li Qingqiu said casually, withdrawing his gaze and continuing up the path.
Chu Jing hurried after him. "Master, when will you start cultivating Nangong Yu yourself?"
Nangong E also turned to look at Li Qingqiu, her eyes full of expectation.
"When he's able to appear before me," Li Qingqiu replied casually.
Chu Jing sighed softly.
In the end, it all came down to Nangong Yu's talent—it simply wasn't strong enough. If his ability could compare to the three brothers of the Xiao clan, Li Qingqiu would have already summoned him personally.
The mention of the Xiao brothers made Chu Jing's emotions twist into something complicated.
After his defeat at the hands of Xiao Xuanzun, he had always dreamed of surpassing him. But he had never dared to challenge Xiao Xuanzun again. Only after Xiao Xuanzun's death did he finally dare to act freely in the martial world—yet unexpectedly, three more prodigies emerged among Xiao Xuanzun's descendants.
He even suspected that all three brothers of the Xiao clan might one day reach the same terrifying level of power as Xiao Xuanzun himself, because their natural talent had already begun to show.
...
Li Qingqiu didn't tell anyone about his recent breakthrough—not even his junior brothers or sisters.
By the time March arrived, the Broad Relations Hall had opened the registration for the Grand Dao Combat Tournament, drawing an overwhelming crowd of disciples eager to sign up.
Enrollment required the deduction of one month's contribution points. Contribution points were separate from monthly stipends, but every disciple understood their importance—they were far more valuable than monthly pay. Contribution points could be exchanged for techniques, martial arts, weapons, and even traded privately for money.
This entry cost naturally discouraged many who just wanted to join for fun, yet the Broad Relations Hall still grew lively. Every day, more disciples came to register.
News of Qingxiao Sect's Grand Dao Combat Tournament quickly spread throughout the Guzhou martial world and the circles of noble families.
Since Li Qingqiu's name now shook the entire world, even aristocrats began to acknowledge the supremacy of Qingxiao Sect's martial teachings. Whenever they hired bodyguards or martial instructors, Qingxiao Sect disciples were now their first choice. Some even sought to build closer ties with the sect's young geniuses.
Already, a number of disciples had gone down the mountain to teach martial arts to the sons of noble families. These were commissions formally approved by the Training Hall.
By mid-March, a richly dressed group ascended the mountain.
At their head was Prince Zhao Qi of King Wei, the very man who, just last year, had led the Seven Provinces Allied Army in rebellion against the imperial court. Though the rebellion failed, his reputation had soared, and he was now widely respected across the realm.
Walking beside him was Patriarch Pei Zhangzhi of the Pei family.
Behind them followed the younger members and retainers of both the Zhao and Pei clans.
As they climbed, they admired the scenery along the path. They saw menial disciples and registered disciples tending to daily labor, outer and inner disciples training, and even others sparring within the forest.
Zhao Qi could feel the sheer vitality of Qingxiao Sect with every step he took. No other sect in the martial world possessed such a vibrant atmosphere. Every scene on the mountain radiated strength, order, and deep foundation.
"No wonder they're called the number one sect under heaven," Zhao Qi said with genuine admiration.
The group behind him quickly echoed his words, even those elite retainers with great martial skill. Many of the disciples' movements left them shocked.
These disciples possessed strength that, anywhere else in the jianghu, would bring them immense fame. Yet here in Qingxiao Sect, they were merely ordinary disciples.
What impressed Zhao Qi the most was their youth—all of them were still so young. That meant Qingxiao Sect hadn't just recruited strong warriors; it had raised them from the ground up.
Pei Zhangzhi smiled. "Qingxiao Sect doesn't participate in power struggles within the martial world. They focus entirely on their own development. That kind of vision and restraint is beyond what any other sect can match."
Zhao Qi nodded, then asked, "Will we be able to meet Sect Master Li today?"
Though he bore royal blood and held high rank, he dared not act arrogantly before Li Qingqiu. His tone was humble, his posture low.
After all, Li Qingqiu had slain Zhao Zhi—the former emperor. If he could kill a sovereign, killing Zhao Qi would be effortless. No noble in the world dared provoke such a man.
"It's hard to say," Pei Zhangzhi replied. "But the Hall Master of the Spirit Management Hall, Zhang Yuchun, will meet us. He's the Sect Master's second junior brother. Don't be fooled by his title—though called a hall master, his authority is immense. He's effectively the deputy sect master of Qingxiao Sect."
A trace of regret flashed across Zhao Qi's eyes, though he didn't voice it.
The Zhao clan descendants behind him didn't dare show any dissatisfaction either. Even if they felt slighted, they hid it deep in their hearts. After all, this was Qingxiao Sect—no one could afford to act carelessly here.
Before long, they reached the area around the Martial Discussion Platform, where two disciples were currently sparring.
One of them was none other than Xiao Wudi.
After several months of cultivation, Xiao Wudi had already reached the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. His opponent was a True Disciple, also at the third layer.
Neither of them used weapons. They fought hand-to-hand, fists meeting flesh with powerful, echoing strikes that made the spectators cheer from time to time.
Zhao Qi stopped walking, his eyes drawn to the intense battle on stage. Pei Zhangzhi stopped as well to watch alongside him.
The speed and power of the two fighters' movements made the guards and retainers behind them tense up.
'Such fast footwork!'
'Such heavy strikes!'
The more Zhao Qi watched, the more he liked it. He pointed toward Xiao Wudi and asked, "Who is that young man? Does he have any background?"
Pei Zhangzhi shook his head, about to answer, when a passing disciple smiled and replied, "That's Xiao Wudi, a genius personally nurtured by the Sect Master. He only joined last year, but his progress has been terrifying. His talent is truly extraordinary. Oh, and he has two younger brothers—their martial skills are no weaker than his. They also joined the sect last year."