"Dangerous?"
Li Qingqiu was surprised. Fortune Opportunities were supposed to be free of danger, weren't they? But then he realized—right, they were only harmless to him. Shen Yue's strength wasn't on the same level.
Thinking about it that way, it did seem careless of him to hand a Fortune Opportunity to a disciple without going himself.
He looked at Shen Yue and smiled. "Seems like I'll have to make a personal trip after all."
Shen Yue frowned instantly. "You? What's the point of being Sect Master if you run around doing everything yourself? Just tell me what to do—I'll take care of it."
Li Qingqiu had been waiting for that. He grinned. "Then let's name that place Source Iron Blessed Land. I'll send a group of True Disciples to go with you. They'll cultivate there. The spirit stones and Ancient Geng Metal Source Iron are strategic resources of the sect—disciples aren't allowed to touch them."
Shen Yue's brows furrowed. "So that means I'll have to guard the place full-time?"
Although the spiritual energy there was abundant, he'd rather stay in Qingxiao Sect than live in a mine.
"Of course not," Li Qingqiu replied. "You just need to set the rules. Among the disciples I send, there'll be someone in charge of oversight."
"You trust your disciples that much?"
"I can see through people's hearts with these eyes."
"Oh yeah? Then can you see through me?"
"Of course. You've already submitted to me—you just refuse to admit it out loud."
"Bullshit!"
Shen Yue shouted, though his heart skipped a beat.
Could the rumors be true—that Li Qingqiu could not only judge people's character, but also tell loyalty from deceit?
Though Shen Yue genuinely respected Li Qingqiu for his generosity—forgiving him again and again, teaching him personally—it still stung to have it pointed out so bluntly.
"Alright, enough talk," Li Qingqiu said, standing with a grin. "Come down the mountain with me. Let's watch the Grand Dao Combat Tournament."
It was Qingxiao Sect's first time holding such a grand event. He knew countless disciples were eager to prove themselves before the higher-ups. As Sect Master, he had to show up and motivate them.
Shen Yue, however, wouldn't drop it. He insisted he hadn't "submitted," and that he'd challenge Li Qingqiu again sooner or later.
Li Qingqiu only smirked. "When you do, I'll still beat you in one move."
The two bickered all the way down the mountain.
The tournament's opening day went smoothly. The disciples fought fiercely, thrilling both their peers and the many nobles and guests watching.
Everyone already knew Qingxiao Sect's disciples were strong—but no one expected this strong.
Nearly every disciple on stage displayed their own unique mastery. In the martial world, each one could've been counted among first-class experts.
After just one day, the spectators—nobles, patrons, and martial wanderers alike—could clearly sense the vast gap between Qingxiao Sect and the other sects of the world.
Since all the True Disciples except those guarding low-level demon realms were participating in the tournament, Li Qingqiu wasn't in a hurry to send anyone to the Source Iron Blessed Land.
The preliminaries would last until June, with battles every day until dusk.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
That day, Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue visited Li Qingqiu at Lingxiao Pavilion to discuss sect matters.
"Senior Brother," Zhang Yuchun said, impressed, "this tournament has really worked wonders. It's brought in a ton of wealth for the sect. Training Hall's commission tasks have doubled, and aristocratic families and officials from every province are spending money to win our favor. Every day, carts full of gifts arrive at the gates. If I didn't have eyes watching outside, I'd think this was an age of peace and prosperity."
Li Dongyue nodded. "It's only halfway through the month, and our income has already surpassed last month's total. Grains, fruits, herbs—anything we put up for sale, someone pays a high price for."
Li Qingqiu wasn't surprised. Qingxiao Sect's growing reputation wasn't just due to its strength—it was the rumor of immortality that drew people in.
The idea that Qingxiao Sect practiced immortal cultivation had spread throughout the mortal world. For nobles and officials, the allure of the immortal path was impossible to resist.
"At this rate," Li Qingqiu mused, "the Sword Sect will have some business soon."
He knew the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra would eventually spread. But he didn't fear that. In fact, he looked forward to it. Once it spread, the Sword Sect could step in and assert dominance.
After all, the scripture was transmitted layer by layer. No one could ever obtain the complete version.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue exchanged a look—they understood perfectly. They'd already discussed this matter before.
"Senior Brother," Zhang Yuchun asked, "should we make the later rounds—Top 64, Top 10—a grand spectacle? Build better viewing platforms for the guests? We could earn a fortune."
Li Qingqiu glanced at him. "The tournament's for disciples to test their progress, not for nobles to be entertained. Letting people watch shows our magnanimity—but using our disciples to make money? That cheapens them."
Zhang Yuchun's expression turned guilty.
Li Dongyue spoke next. "Senior Brother, when will the Demon-Subjugation Hall be officially established?"
Li Qingqiu smirked. "Why? You planning to stuff your people in there too?"
"The hall's compound is already finished," Li Dongyue sighed. "It's not just me—everyone's curious. They've been asking me nonstop when it'll open."
As the Scripture Repository filled with more techniques and manuals, contribution points had become more valuable than money. And disciples working under the main halls could earn far more contribution points than ordinary ones.
"When the Grand Dao Combat Tournament ends, I'll finalize the candidate list. Of course, I'll allow each of you to recommend two people."
Li Qingqiu spoke calmly. This was something he had already decided—using the open positions in the Demon-Subjugation Hall as rewards for outstanding disciples.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
"Thank you, Master Brother!"
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue spoke in unison, then exchanged smiles, each clearly aware that the other was holding back their true thoughts.
Li Qingqiu didn't bother to call them out. He knew they weren't acting for personal gain, merely helping those who had sought their recommendation.
"By the way," Li Qingqiu said suddenly, "don't you think the name contribution points sounds a bit plain? This will become Qingxiao Sect's paper currency in the future—it needs a proper name."
They had discussed this topic before but never settled on anything concrete. For now, they'd kept the straightforward name so disciples could get used to the system.
Zhang Yuchun replied, "This is something only you can decide, Senior Brother. It wouldn't be right for any of us to name it."
Li Dongyue nodded. She agreed completely.
Li Qingqiu thought for a moment, then said, "Calling it 'contribution' sounds too distant. Calling it 'money' sounds too vulgar. How about... Yuan—let's call it Dao Fate."
"Dao Fate?" Zhang Yuchun exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "That's a good name."
Li Dongyue glanced sideways at him, suspicious. He'd agreed too quickly—it sounded a bit like flattery.
"You two discuss the monthly Dao Fate stipends for each disciple rank," Li Qingqiu instructed. "Bring me the proposal tomorrow."
Both nodded immediately.
Li Qingqiu stood, noticing that the sun had yet to set. He decided to visit Mingguang and inspect the progress on his new cave residence.
...
By the end of April, deep in the forest behind Lingxiao Hall, Mingguang stood nervously beside Li Qingqiu, excitement written all over his face.
Before them, carved into the mountainside, stood a solid stone gate—the entrance to Mingguang's newly completed cave residence. It was also the first cave dwelling ever built for Qingxiao Sect.
Li Qingqiu had already scanned the interior with his Awakening Spirit, and he nodded in approval. "Not bad at all. You didn't disappoint me. Tell me, how many more of these can you make?"
Hearing his Sect Master's praise, Mingguang finally exhaled in relief. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The materials for the Spirit-Gathering Array are costly and hard to find. Not counting the spiritual flora, artificial lakes, and spirit stones required, the sect can probably afford to build only five more caves."
"Five?" Li Qingqiu nodded. "That's good enough. I'll have you construct three more first. They'll be given as rewards to the top three winners of the tournament."
Mingguang's heart jolted.
As someone who personally forged the cave, he knew how vital such a place was for cultivation. The Sect Master's generosity stunned him—he didn't reserve the best for the elders but chose to reward the disciples first.
Respect welled up in his heart as he watched Li Qingqiu step forward toward the stone gate.
"Be careful," Mingguang said quickly. "There's a restriction seal on the door. Once you bind it, no one else can enter. If anyone forces their way in, the mountain will tremble—it'll serve as an alarm."
Following Mingguang's guidance, Li Qingqiu completed the ownership imprint. With a light push, the stone gate rumbled open.
The moment he stepped inside, a wave of pure spiritual energy rushed to meet him.
The cave's aura was nearly on par with that of the Underground Spiritual Lake—rich and dense.
As he walked along the winding tunnel, he noticed that the walls were inlaid with spirit stones—not haphazardly, but arranged in accordance with a hidden array pattern. The placement allowed the stones' energy to circulate continuously, forming a self-sustaining ecosystem within the cave.
Even if the entrance remained sealed, the spiritual energy and living vitality inside would never dissipate—unless the stones themselves were depleted.
After walking about three zhang deep (around 10 meters), Li Qingqiu emerged into a spacious inner chamber. A small pond, about one zhang wide, gleamed softly beside the wall. On the opposite side were a stone table, several chairs, and a neatly carved bed.
Mingguang hadn't done it all alone—he'd hired several craftsmen to assist. But in his heart, the true credit belonged to the Sect Master, who had conceived the entire design. When he'd first heard Li Qingqiu describe it, he'd thought—what a genius idea!
'The Sect Master really is a man of many talents.'
"I'm satisfied," Li Qingqiu said finally. "You can return now."
Mingguang bowed deeply. "Yes, Sect Master." Then he turned and left the cave.
Once he was gone, Chu Jing, Nangong E, and Lin Chuan appeared one after another.
"So this is a cave dwelling?" Chu Jing murmured in awe. "It's perfect for cultivation. That Mingguang kid is truly impressive."
He was genuinely surprised that such a masterpiece had been built by a Qingxiao Sect disciple. Clearly, the sect's strength extended far beyond mere martial talent—it had genius craftsmen too.
"From now on," Li Qingqiu said, "you three can cultivate here. But don't disturb the other disciples' training."
Across Qingxiao Mountain, disciples were secluded in meditation throughout the forests. Yet Chu Jing and the other three souls often wandered aimlessly, spooking others. Rumors of ghosts had begun circulating among the disciples, leaving many uneasy.
Nangong E pouted. "It's all Lin Chuan's fault. He loves standing on people's heads."
Lin Chuan glared but couldn't argue.
Li Qingqiu chuckled as he sat down. "Once the disciples' cultivation grows deeper, they'll eventually sense spirits. When that time comes, you won't need to hide anymore. You can interact with them openly."
The three souls' eyes lit up instantly.
"Then doesn't that mean we'll be alive again?" Nangong E exclaimed in delight.