The Grand Dao Combat Tournament had concluded perfectly, yet Qingxiao Sect's excitement hadn't faded in the slightest.
The Demon-Subjugation Hall soon posted a public notice, announcing the rewards for the Top 64, Top 10, and Top 3 disciples. The rewards included money, spirit stones, and Dao Fate—but most shocking of all, the Top 3 each received their own cave dwelling.
What exactly was a cave dwelling?
That became the hottest topic among disciples. Soon, rumors spread throughout the sect—cave dwellings were personal cultivation sanctuaries, places to both live and train, their spiritual energy as dense as that of a Thousand Spirits Blessed Land.
The moment this news spread, the entire Qingxiao Sect was shaken.
Many of the Top 10 disciples were filled with regret. If only they had cultivated harder—wouldn't they have had a chance to fight into the Top 3 and claim such a reward?
It was easy to imagine what came next—Xu Ning, Xue Jin, and Zhao Zhen, each possessing a cave dwelling, would now pull even further ahead of the others.
How could anyone surpass them in the next tournament?
By the following morning, more announcements spread through the sect. The Grand Dao Combat Tournament would henceforth be held once every ten years. Starting from the next tournament, the Top 10 disciples would all be awarded cave dwellings. Furthermore, those who ranked in the Top 3 would be forbidden from participating in the following tournament.
This news caused a wave of excitement across Qingxiao Mountain.
Ten years was a long time, yes—but for the majority of disciples, that was the perfect period to grow stronger through cultivation. After all, catching up to geniuses within a single year or two was nearly impossible.
And with the rule barring the Top 3 from joining the next tournament, others now saw a real chance to shine.
While the disciples were still buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the next Grand Dao Combat Tournament, the sect's high-level council convened once more.
This time, however, the meeting was not held at Lingxiao Pavilion but within the grand Mystic Heart Hall.
Not only were all the Hall Masters present, but every Vice Hall Master and Elder had also gathered—dozens of figures standing in neat rows before the dais, chatting cheerfully about the recently concluded tournament and congratulating one another.
When Li Qingqiu entered the hall accompanied by Yuan Qi and the Xiao brothers, the room immediately fell silent. Everyone stepped aside to clear a path.
It was the Xiao brothers' first time attending such an important council meeting. Their hearts raced with excitement. Though they had been eliminated early in the tournament, being summoned here by the Sect Master himself meant they were already far ahead of most disciples. Gratitude toward Li Qingqiu welled up in their hearts.
And they weren't the only ones surprised—the other senior members exchanged glances, astonished that the Sect Master had brought them along.
It seemed Li Qingqiu truly intended to nurture them—and not merely as disciples, but as future leaders. After all, even prodigies like Zhao Zhen and Ji Ya had never been permitted into such meetings.
Li Qingqiu strode to the front of the hall and climbed the steps, standing above them all with calm authority. The Xiao brothers, following Yuan Qi's signal, took their place opposite the Hall Masters.
The Mystic Heart Hall, Qingxiao Sect's main ceremonial chamber, had recently been renovated. Its interior now gleamed with a magnificent brilliance; the marble floors reflected light like a mirror. As Li Qingqiu looked over the refined hall, a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"The Heavenly Works Hall hasn't been eating for free after all," he murmured approvingly.
Then his voice rang clearly through the hall. "Everyone—Qingxiao Sect's troubles have arrived once again."
The instant those words fell, the hall erupted like thunder.
The senior members' expressions hardened in anger. They knew Li Qingqiu never spoke lightly.
"Who dares cause trouble for Qingxiao Sect?"
"We've focused entirely on our own growth and avoided outside conflicts. And yet, there are still fools looking for death?"
"That's the martial world for you. As long as Qingxiao Sect stands tall, trouble will always find its way here."
"Who's bold enough to provoke us, Sect Master? This time, don't step in yourself—give us a chance to earn merit!"
"Yes, exactly! Qingxiao Sect is strong enough now. Even if the Sect Master doesn't act, we can crush any enemy who comes our way!"
Four months of the Grand Dao Combat Tournament had shown everyone just how powerful their sect truly was. Confidence surged among them.
And not just among the high-ranking members—every disciple in Qingxiao Sect now carried that same pride.
Without comparison, they might never have realized how many geniuses their sect truly had.
Any single True Disciple of Qingxiao Sect could now shake the martial world on their own!
The moment Li Qingqiu mentioned "trouble," anger had flared—but now, excitement replaced it. They saw this as their chance to prove themselves.
Ever since Dao Fate had been established, the value of the Hidden Scripture Pavilion's manuals had skyrocketed. Common martial techniques were easy to exchange for, but the scrolls on the fourth floor were different—the rarest ones cost over 10,000 Dao Fate. Many elders couldn't help wondering just how powerful those top-tier techniques were.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Shen Yue, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Zhao Zhen, the Pavilion had been steadily expanding its collection. New manuals appeared every few days, and Li Qingqiu was already planning to construct a fifth floor.
He raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down, then gave a slight nod toward Zhang Yuchun.
Zhang Yuchun stepped forward and began to explain. He detailed the incident with the refugees and the rumors spreading through both the martial world and the political court. Some of the higher-ups already knew the story, but most didn't—and when they heard the wild accusations circulating outside, their faces twisted in disbelief.
"If the Sect Master hadn't acted, this world would've become a living hell!" one elder burst out angrily. "How could anyone use such a noble act to slander him? Madness!"
His outburst drew murmurs of agreement. To them, Li Qingqiu's slaying of the emperor had been the sect's greatest and most righteous deed—a symbol of true heroism.
Yang Jueding, the Dragon-Subduing Hero, clenched his fists and said coldly, "Sect Master, allow me to take men into the martial world. I'll make those fools eat their words."
After Li Qingqiu let everyone vent their anger and excitement, he finally spoke calmly. "From here on, the Training Hall will issue more and more sect missions. Qingxiao Sect does not wish to take part in the petty struggles of the martial world—but we will never sit and wait for death. Everyone, prepare yourselves. We're about to begin a great slaughter."
The entire hall fell silent.
A chill ran down everyone's spine.
They almost forgot—the one with the heaviest killing intent in the entire sect was none other than their Sect Master himself.
Once that was said, the discussion turned to future plans. Li Qingqiu began outlining the construction of additional mountain peaks. Each hall would establish branch halls there, which meant the Seven Halls would soon recruit more disciples. Their authority would expand, and their resources would grow. To everyone present, that was undeniably good news.
But above all, it showed one thing clearly—Qingxiao Sect's development had only just begun.
The Sect Master's ambitions were vast, and that alone filled the high-level members with eager anticipation.
The meeting lasted nearly an hour. When it ended, word of the rumors spreading through the martial world and secular kingdoms quickly reached the sect's disciples.
The news enraged them.
Almost overnight, the entire Qingxiao Sect's focus shifted—from the recently finished Grand Dao Combat Tournament to the outside world.
Facing these unseen threats, the disciples grew restless. Many rushed straight to the Training Hall, waiting eagerly for the next sect missions to be announced.
That night, under the quiet glow of lanterns in Lingxiao Pavilion, Li Qingqiu sat at a long desk, brush in hand. Yuan Qi and the Xiao brothers stood behind him, watching closely.
He wasn't just writing names—he was sketching faces.
With his current mastery over his physical body, he could precisely reproduce the faces from the Dao Lineage Interface—flawless down to the smallest detail.
The three brothers watched curiously. Some of the faces they recognized, disciples they had even trained with. Most were familiar and friendly.
After drawing twenty-three faces, Li Qingqiu finally set his brush aside. "Yuan Qi," he said, "tomorrow, take these portraits to the Law Enforcement Hall. Have them question every single one of these disciples."
Each of the twenty-three had a loyalty level of zero toward both him and the sect—very likely spies or traitors.
Li Qingqiu made it a routine to purge disloyal disciples from the sect. In the early days, the Law Enforcement Hall had been confused by his instructions, but after many such investigations proved accurate, their reverence for Li Qingqiu had grown to near worship. To them, their Sect Master was no longer human—he was an immortal with divine foresight.
Yuan Qi said nothing, only bowed and carefully took the stack of portraits.
The Xiao brothers were curious, but they did not ask questions. Their trust in Li Qingqiu was absolute. They believed that everything he did had purpose and meaning.
Li Qingqiu motioned for Yuan Qi to leave, then gestured for the three brothers to sit opposite him.
After more than half a year together, they no longer felt nervous before him. Their curiosity now outweighed their restraint—they wondered what the Sect Master would say next.
"The next Grand Dao Combat Tournament," Li Qingqiu began, "you must make it into the Top Ten. I will personally see to your cultivation."
The first words stunned them, then filled them with fire.
After losing in the last tournament, all three had already resolved to train harder, determined to win glory next time. But to hear that the Sect Master himself would support them—how could they not be thrilled?
Li Qingqiu's expression hardened. "But showing favoritism will draw resentment over time. So each year, I will assign you missions. Dangerous ones. Be mentally prepared."
Xiao Wudi immediately replied, "Sect Master, don't worry. We aren't afraid of danger! Whatever mission you give, we'll complete it!"
Xiao Wuqing nodded firmly. "We've received so many resources—it's only fair that we take on the most dangerous tasks."
Xiao Wuming said nothing. His expression was calm, unreadable—his silence mistaken for depth. But inwardly, he wasn't thinking about fairness or danger. He only wanted to know one thing: When do we start?
Li Qingqiu smiled, clearly satisfied with their resolve. After a few more words of encouragement, he dismissed them.
Once they left, Li Dongyue emerged from the inner room. She approached Li Qingqiu and said, "Senior Brother, would you have time tomorrow to guide me on the Rejuvenation Ghost-Immortal Needles?"
The Grand Dao Combat Tournament had lit a fire under her as well. She had already reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, yet she still felt she couldn't match any of the Top Ten disciples. That sense of inadequacy gnawed at her.
Li Qingqiu nodded. "Fine. Come to my cave dwelling tomorrow morning."
Li Dongyue smiled with relief and gratitude, then quietly excused herself, leaving him to his work.
By the end of August, the long-awaited sect missions finally began appearing in the Training Hall.
The first mission was direct and brutal—Exterminate the Golden Snake Sect in Jiangzhou.
Requirements: 25 disciples, all with cultivation at or above the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
Rewards: between 50 and 200 Dao Fate, and 500 to 3,000 guan of money, depending on individual performance.
The task lasted less than a single incense stick's time before it was removed—every slot had been filled.
Many disciples who missed out beat their chests in regret. The name Golden Snake Sect quickly spread through the ranks, sparking curiosity. Few had ever heard of it before, and everyone wanted to know what offense it had committed to provoke Qingxiao Sect's wrath.
In a forest outside the mountain, Li Qingqiu stood surrounded by his disciples—Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Li Yang, and the Xiao brothers—teaching them combat techniques when Zhang Yuchun approached.
"Sect Master," Zhang Yuchun said hesitantly, "posting missions like this so publicly… isn't it a bit too flashy?"
Li Qingqiu didn't even look up from correcting a disciple's stance. "That's exactly the point. I want it to be flashy. Qingxiao Sect will walk the path of domination. If our enemies can learn of our moves ahead of time and still fail to stop us, that only proves their weakness. Besides—this is a good test of our disciples' execution speed."