Night descended over Lingxiao Courtyard, the mountain winds cold and still. Inside, Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Wu Man'er, Li Sijin, Yang Jueding, Zhu Yan, Zhang Yu, Chai Yunshang, Shen Yue, and Xu Ning were all gathered together.
After Jiang Zhaoxia's duel with Xu Ning, he had gone to the Source Iron Blessed Land to replace Shen Yue, preferring secluded cultivation to instructing disciples of the Sword Sect.
The draw against Xu Ning hadn't satisfied him. He suspected she had held back on purpose.
At this moment, everyone except Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun held a piece of paper in their hands—each one describing a legend.
When they finished reading, every face turned grave.
Zhu Yan spoke first. "The Ji surname truly was one of the ancient imperial lines. The Great Yan Dynasty was once unimaginably powerful. If not for internal strife, foreign wars, and years of natural disasters, it would never have fallen to the Great Wei Dynasty. Even so, the exact cause of Great Yan's collapse has always been in doubt. But if this legend is real, then everything makes sense."
Behind Li Qingqiu, Nangong E and Chu Jing hovered silently. They were clearly displeased by Zhu Yan's remarks, but said nothing—Zhu Yan, after all, couldn't hear them.
Shen Yue said calmly, "I've heard similar rumors. They say Great Yan was destroyed because it offended the heavens—provoking divine wrath. Floods, droughts, and famines followed one after another, leading to rebellion and unrest. That gave ambitious men the chance they needed."
Zhang Yu clicked his tongue in amazement. "If this legend is true, the Great Yan Dynasty was attacked by demons and paid an unimaginable price. After that, they would've been too weakened to defend themselves, so losing the throne makes sense. But the legend doesn't say where those demons came from."
Li Dongyue frowned. "Could they be the same kind of demons the Qi Clan is nurturing?"
The conversation shifted entirely toward the Qi Clan, for that family was rumored to be raising a terrifying demon that fed on human flesh and blood.
After letting the others discuss for a while, Li Qingqiu finally spoke. "Whether this legend refers to the Qi Clan's demon or not, it's a warning. It means this land still hides an even greater crisis. We must prepare.
Aside from expanding the sect, we must strengthen our disciples' cultivation. Not everyone can be tied up in construction work. Besides the True Disciples, I plan to select a group of promising disciples to receive spirit stones, Blessed Land cultivation time, and direct resources to help them advance to the rank of True Disciple.
From this day on, the minimum requirement for a True Disciple will be the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm."
The others had no objections. Though even the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm was enough to dominate the martial world, their ambitions far exceeded that.
Chai Yunshang raised her hand slightly. "Will you be selecting these disciples personally, Sect Master, or shall each hall choose their own candidates?"
She had asked the question everyone was thinking. All eyes turned to Li Qingqiu.
He replied calmly, "The Seven Halls and the Sword Sect will each select twenty disciples. As for the Demon-Subjugation Hall, I will personally choose its twenty."
Each hall receiving twenty disciples didn't sound like much, but that meant nine halls, totaling one hundred eighty disciples—all aiming to reach the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. That level of power would be enough to sweep across any mortal principality with ease.
The room stirred with excitement. None of them felt the number was too few—in fact, it was ambitious. Just a year ago, a fourth-layer Nurturing Essence cultivator would've been strong enough to rank among the top ten in the Dao Combat Tournament.
Li Qingqiu went on to issue additional orders. The main concern was preparing for possible attacks from the Qi Clan. As Qingxiao Sect's disciples expanded their presence across the Taikun Mountain Range, their patrol range had to grow as well. Everyone offered their opinions, devising detailed patrol routes and defense plans.
…
Winter came. Snow blanketed the mountains, turning the Taikun peaks into a boundless sea of white.
Within a courtyard on Ziyang Peak, a man in a straw raincoat stepped in from the snow. He hung the wet garment over the corridor railing.
Three children ran out of the house to greet him, their laughter bright and lively.
"Father! Father! Did you bring us something tasty?"
"Father, where's my wooden sword?"
"Father, come play with us!"
The man—Jia Yi—smiled at his two sons and one daughter. He crouched down and said warmly, "Father's been busy lately. Once I finish this task, I'll make it up to you. I promise to play with you every day after that, all right?"
It had been several years since Jia Yi, once a Heaven-Guardian Officer, had settled in Qingxiao Sect with his family. Though his new life was plain, he found it fulfilling. Compared to the tense days he'd spent in Zhenyang Imperial City, this peaceful mountain life felt like true contentment.
Watching his children grow day by day filled him with a sense of happiness he had never known before.
He could cultivate the Dao, protect his family, and live in peace. What more could he ask for?
His wife, Madam Zhen, came out of the house, calling the children back inside. Once they left, she poured him a cup of hot wine and sat beside him.
Jia Yi reached into his robe and pulled out a land deed, placing it on the table.
Madam Zhen picked it up curiously. "Guhe Peak? Where's that?"
"It's to the north—about two hundred li from Ziyang Peak."
"So far? Are we moving there? It's a chaotic world right now. Even if the Taikun Mountain Range is under Qingxiao Sect's protection, that doesn't mean bandits can't slip through."
Her brows furrowed, worry flickering in her eyes.
Jia Yi waved his hand with a smile. "Of course not. The farther we live from Qingxiao Mountain, the less chance our children will have to build their future here. I'm going to hand that land to others to manage. There are plenty of disciples willing to tend herb fields and gardens in exchange for a share of the profits.
I plan to buy some Spirit-Nurturing Grass from the Cultivation Hall, to prepare for when our children begin their own cultivation. With a solid foundation, they won't fall behind others."
Upon hearing his words, Madam Zhen's frown softened. She looked at Jia Yi tenderly and said, "Husband, you've really worked hard."
"What nonsense," Jia Yi said with a grin. "Taking care of you and the children—that's what a man should do."
Madam Zhen hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "Have you run into any trouble lately?"
"There's been some," Jia Yi admitted with a hint of irritation. "I offended a young master from a noble family. But it doesn't matter. The brat actually dared to talk back to me. I'll make him regret it. I've served directly under the Sect Master—does he really think he can compare achievements with me? I'll have him expelled from Qingxiao Sect, just wait and see."
His tone grew sharp as he spoke, the heat of anger rising in his voice.
Madam Zhen's brows knitted again. "Husband, it's best not to cause trouble within Qingxiao Sect."
Jia Yi glared at her. "It's not me causing trouble. It's others picking fights with me first. And besides, my Cultivation Aptitude isn't bad. I've already reached the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. Once I become a True Disciple, dealing with them will be as easy as flicking dust off my sleeve."
Madam Zhen knew her husband's temper well. The fact that he now cared about their children was already a great improvement.
"Still," she said softly, "you must think carefully before acting. You have a wife and children now. Don't drag them into danger."
Jia Yi waved her off impatiently. "You women—long hair, short sight! Always talking about avoiding trouble. Hiding won't bring peace. Just focus on raising the kids. I'll take care of the rest and shield you from the wind and rain."
He lifted his wine bowl, downed it in a single gulp, and stood up. "Enough. You've spoiled my mood. I'm heading to Guhe Peak tonight. I'll be back tomorrow."
Madam Zhen tried to stop him, but Jia Yi didn't listen.
He stepped into the courtyard, pulling his straw raincoat over his shoulders. His three children ran to him again, giggling as they surrounded him.
Jia Yi crouched down and spoke to them gently, his impatience gone. After chatting for a bit, he tousled their hair and left into the night.
The snow was falling harder now, and soon his figure vanished into the white haze.
…
It took Jia Yi nearly two hours to reach Guhe Peak from Ziyang Peak.
The peak sat high among the mountains, its ridges shaped like a solitary crane—hence the name. The forests here were sparse, the hills blanketed in snow. From afar, Guhe Peak looked like a silent ancient deity hidden within the blizzard, its presence vast and oppressive.
Jia Yi looked up at the mountain, a trace of excitement flickering in his eyes.
"As long as I develop the herb fields well and stay on good terms with the Cultivation Hall, my children will have a secure place in the sect's future."
Though the cold wind cut at his face, his heart burned with warmth. He felt full of purpose, energy coursing through his limbs.
He quickened his pace, eager to see the land he had purchased.
Suddenly, he turned his head. A faint shadow was approaching from the west.
He hesitated briefly, then stopped walking, deciding to wait. This was Qingxiao Sect territory—no one would dare act recklessly here. And even if they did, he wasn't afraid.
He, Jia Yi, was no pushover!
As the figure drew closer, Jia Yi's vigilance faded.
It was a youth, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old, frail and thin, dressed in ragged white robes like a prisoner who had escaped from jail. But the most striking thing was his snow-white hair.
'A white-haired boy?' Jia Yi thought. 'Could he be sick… maybe coming to the sect for treatment?'
The boy walked up slowly. Jia Yi gestured down the path and said, "You heading for Qingxiao Mountain? You're going the wrong way. It's that way, behind me."
The white-haired youth smiled—but his smile was chilling.
In the blink of an eye, he lunged forward and clamped his hand around Jia Yi's throat. The movement was so fast that Jia Yi didn't even have time to react.
"You—!"
Jia Yi's words were cut off as his body was lifted into the air. He grabbed at the youth's wrist, trying to pry it off, but it was useless. The grip around his neck was like an iron vise. His face flushed red, veins bulging as blood vessels burst in his eyes.
The white-haired boy stared at him coldly and asked, "Is Li Qingqiu on Qingxiao Mountain?"
Fear surged through Jia Yi's chest. The boy's power was monstrous. His own third-layer Nurturing Essence strength meant nothing. He couldn't even struggle.
He wanted to answer, but hesitation seized him. The road to Qingxiao Mountain passed through Ziyang Peak. If he told the truth, it would doom everyone there.
"He… he's not there…" Jia Yi choked out.
"Not there?" The boy grinned, voice dripping with malice. "Even better. I'll slaughter my way through the mountain, and when I'm done, I'll sit upon a throne of bones and wait for Li Qingqiu to return."
His grin widened. "You'll be my guide. Every peak where Qingxiao Sect disciples dwell—you'll show me the way."
Jia Yi's pupils trembled violently. He stopped struggling. His hands went limp.
The white-haired youth carried him forward like a puppet.
Then suddenly—
Jia Yi's eyes flashed with resolve. His right hand shot up, two fingers swirling with vital energy, striking straight toward the youth's eyes.
There was a deafening crack.
A single motion—and Jia Yi's head flew from his shoulders, landing in the snow behind the boy. His wide eyes were frozen in a final glare of defiance and fury.
The white-haired youth didn't even glance back. He tossed the headless corpse aside, letting it fall lifelessly into the snow. Then he walked on toward Qingxiao Mountain, wiping the blood from his face with the sleeve of his robe.
The snowstorm showed no mercy, falling harder and harder. By the time the boy's silhouette vanished into the white haze, half of Jia Yi's face was already buried beneath the snow. His eyes—once fierce with will—were now forever still.