Evening had arrived. In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a table, shelling peanuts to eat. These peanuts were grown by Azure Firmament Sect themselves, and after being stir-fried, they gave off a rich aroma.
Xu Ning sat across from him, looking somewhat dejected.
Li Qingqiu chuckled inwardly. This girl had said she could never surpass him, yet the moment she lost, she became gloomy.
The human heart—unfathomable, truly unfathomable.
Cheng Canghai came over and sat down beside Li Qingqiu. He lowered his voice and said, "Sect Master, you asked everyone to pool their ideas on how to generate income. What do you think about me robbing the wealthy and influential?"
Li Qingqiu shot him a look. "What do you think? Isn't that just asking for trouble? I'm talking about legitimate means—creating wealth through our own efforts."
Hearing this, Cheng Canghai was quite frustrated. "If creating wealth were that easy, farmers would be the richest people."
"Exactly. You're not even as good as a farmer."
Insulted, Cheng Canghai rose and stalked off.
Li Qingqiu paid him no mind. Azure Firmament Sect didn't necessarily have to be a righteous sect in the conventional sense, but it certainly couldn't engage in shameful, underhanded dealings.
He hoped Azure Firmament Sect would become a Daoist cultivation sect—not beholden to the secular world, yet revered by all living beings. In peacetime, they would practice chivalry; in times of crisis, they would have the power to turn the tide.
Of course, such a goal was still far off. Azure Firmament Sect first needed to survive.
About fifteen minutes later, the disciples began bringing out the dishes. Just then, Qin Ye returned, bringing someone with him—none other than Jiang Kuotian of White Emperor Hall.
Li Qingqiu and Xu Ning had passed by the two of them on their way up the mountain. Seeing Jiang Kuotian arrive, Li Qingqiu wasn't surprised, but he deliberately feigned delight, rising and saying, "Uncle-Master Jiang, what brings you here? Please, come and sit with us!"
Xu Ning and the surrounding disciples turned to look, curiosity in their eyes. This person was actually the Sect Master's uncle-master?
Jiang Kuotian's expression was somewhat subtle. He wasn't as bold and unrestrained as during his last visit; in fact, he seemed a bit ill at ease.
Following Qin Ye to the table, he barely managed a smile. "Martial Nephew Li, in the two years since we last met, Azure Firmament Sect has completely transformed! Has your grandmaster returned?"
Before Li Qingqiu could answer, Xu Ning couldn't help but speak up. "What do you mean by that? Couldn't it be my master's achievement?"
The other disciples also looked at Jiang Kuotian with displeasure. It wasn't that they had anything against the Azure Firmament True Lord—it was that they were all young and often looked down upon by outsiders. Li Qingqiu, as Sect Master, was equally young. Jiang Kuotian's words clearly belittled him. How could they tolerate that?
Although Li Qingqiu didn't personally teach the disciples martial arts, he treated them kindly and was witty in conversation, deeply loved by his disciples. How could they allow an outsider to disrespect their revered Sect Master?
This wasn't just looking down on the Sect Master—it was also looking down on them!
The Sect Master had said that every disciple had contributed to Azure Firmament Sect's present state!
Choked by Xu Ning's retort, Jiang Kuotian felt somewhat embarrassed. However, he didn't argue with a little girl. Instead, he asked in surprise, "The Azure Firmament True Lord hasn't returned?"
"No. For as long as I can remember, I've never seen this grandmaster, nor has my master returned. Azure Firmament Sect's current state is the result of the efforts of our entire sect, from top to bottom." Li Qingqiu replied. He wasn't angry. In his view, Jiang Kuotian's reaction actually proved how successful Azure Firmament Sect's development had been. He felt a sense of accomplishment.
Not wanting to embarrass Jiang Kuotian further, he warmly invited him to sit down and began making small talk.
Qin Ye didn't stay. He placed his wooden staff against the wall and began splitting firewood. He was always like this—quiet and silently working.
After chatting with Li Qingqiu for a while, Jiang Kuotian finally felt less awkward. By nature bold and straightforward, he didn't hide what had happened earlier. He said with emotion, "That boy Qin Ye is truly remarkable! I was overconfident and sparred with him using only one hand, yet I lost to him. I hear he's your disciple. How did you teach him?"
Although Jiang Kuotian was from White Emperor Hall, he wasn't a top-tier expert. Losing with one hand to Qin Ye, who had diligently cultivated the Ten Thousand Army Demon-Subduing Staff, didn't surprise Li Qingqiu too much.
If it were a life-or-death battle, Qin Ye naturally wouldn't be Jiang Kuotian's match.
The Ten Thousand Army Demon-Subduing Staff was a staff technique specifically designed for combat. Coupled with its unique mental method for utilizing internal energy, its killing power was extremely strong.
Li Qingqiu shook his head. "I don't have that kind of ability. Previously, a supreme expert came up the mountain and stayed for a while. He gave Qin Ye some guidance."
"A supreme expert? Who?"
Jiang Kuotian's eyes widened. A supreme expert—how formidable were they? The gap between them and first-rate experts was like a chasm, let alone someone like him. He immediately felt relieved.
The martial world was full of such legendary encounters—receiving instruction from a supreme expert and making rapid progress in martial arts in a short time.
"That senior didn't wish to disclose his name, so we didn't feel comfortable asking," Li Qingqiu replied smoothly, his expression betraying nothing.
Jiang Kuotian clicked his tongue in wonder, remarking that Qin Ye's fortune opportunity was profound and that he would surely achieve great things in the future.
He then inquired about Jiang Zhaoxia, very curious about how Jiang Zhaoxia had made such a name for himself. When he visited Azure Firmament Sect two years ago, he'd felt that Jiang Zhaoxia was arrogant, but he hadn't expected the boy to actually have real ability.
"Third Junior Brother is in seclusion cultivating. I haven't seen him for several days. By the way, Uncle-Master Jiang, what made you think of visiting us?" Li Qingqiu explained before steering the conversation.
He had a favorable impression of Jiang Kuotian, after all, the man had given him a magic treasure.
Even having reached the fourth layer of the Nourishing Origin stage, Li Qingqiu still couldn't break the restriction on that magic treasure. Clearly, it was no ordinary item—definitely a treasure.
Jiang Kuotian replied, "Recently, there's been a military rebellion in Guzhou. The prefectural and county troops haven't been able to suppress the rebel forces; instead, they've lost one county after another. White Emperor Hall is situated within the prefectural capital, so naturally we must contribute to its defense. I've been dispatched to a nearby county to join the army and teach martial arts. Hearing about Jiang Zhaoxia's achievements, I decided to come up and see you all on the way. Seeing how well you're doing, I'm completely relieved."
Li Qingqiu was quite curious about this rebellion and asked a few more questions. Jiang Kuotian didn't hold back.
In fact, rebellions weren't limited to Guzhou—three other prefectures were also in turmoil. All four prefectures were suffering from famine. Villains were stirring up discontent, gathering refugees to serve as soldiers, attacking cities and seizing territory everywhere. After entering cities, they ran amok—looting, killing, and committing every conceivable evil, even publicly defiling innocent women on the streets. Two years had passed, and far from being contained, this disaster had only intensified.
Now the imperial court had issued reward notices throughout the land, calling upon martial arts heroes to join in suppressing the bandits. The rewards were generous.
"Senior Brother, why don't we join the suppression?" Zhang Yuchun suddenly approached Li Qingqiu, his face alight with excitement.
Before Li Qingqiu could refuse, Jiang Kuotian slapped the table. "Absolutely not! You're still young. Focus on your martial arts training. The realm won't descend into chaos. His Sagehood is already aware of the matter. At most six months, and the unrest in every region will be pacified!"
His Sagehood—this was the honorific title officials and commoners used for the Emperor.
Li Qingqiu also didn't want his disciples getting involved. They were still too young. Participating in such chaos might not be good for their mental development, and they'd have to deal with government authorities as well.
In the future, Azure Firmament Sect could go down the mountain in times of trouble to save the common people—but not the Azure Firmament Sect of today.
"Six months? That fast?" Zhang Yuchun asked in surprise.
Jiang Kuotian snorted. "Naturally. Previously, there were treacherous ministers in the court obscuring His Sagehood's vision, but they've already been executed. Our Great Li Dynasty was founded only thirty years ago; the true era of peace and prosperity has yet to arrive. You all just need to endure a few more years, and then you'll enjoy the blessings."
Li Qingqiu hadn't expected Jiang Kuotian to have such faith in the current Emperor.
Qin Ye, still splitting firewood, couldn't help but turn his head toward Jiang Kuotian, his eyes blazing with anger. He somewhat regretted going easy on the man earlier—he hadn't beaten some sense into him.
Dishes were brought out one after another. Li Qingqiu invited Jiang Kuotian to join them for dinner and asked him to tell stories about the martial world. Compared to court affairs, the disciples were more curious about the latest developments in the martial world.
Jiang Kuotian began narrating one tale after another, growing more excited as he spoke.
He even brought up the Martial Arts Champion, Li Yang.
According to reports, when Li Yang challenged the Heavenly Knife Sect, he had spoken disrespectfully and was severely injured by them. This had incurred the wrath of the Linchuan Li clan. Now the Heavenly Knife Sect was facing difficulties from all sides—their days were not easy.
"Defeated by Jiang Zhaoxia, their reputation in tatters, and now suppressed by the Linchuan Li clan—the Heavenly Knife Sect will have a hard time holding onto its status as one of the seven great sects," Jiang Kuotian said with malicious glee.
This news excited the disciples, but because Li Qingqiu had warned them before, they didn't reveal the grievance between Jiang Zhaoxia and the Heavenly Knife Sect.
Jiang Kuotian's visit brought liveliness to Azure Firmament Sect. The next day, when Jiang Kuotian met Yang Jueding, he was even more astonished. The two felt a great sense of regretting not having met sooner, which led Jiang Kuotian to stay two extra days.
Five days later, Jiang Kuotian went down the mountain.
Because of the news Jiang Kuotian had brought, the Azure Firmament Sect disciples cherished their time training on the mountain even more.
Days passed like turning pages in a book.
Autumn gave way to winter. Winter snow began to fall.
On this particular day, Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the fourth layer of the Nourishing Origin stage. Far away on the mountainside, Li Qingqiu sensed a sword intent. Following this thread of intent, he traced it to Jiang Zhaoxia.
Jiang Zhaoxia stood on a lake. Beneath his feet, the unfrozen surface continuously rippled.
Sword intent was a mysterious thing—like aura, yet possessing a tangible, substantive power. Li Qingqiu, possessing the Sword Saint Destiny, sensed sword intent for the first time and could immediately recognize it as such.
Jiang Zhaoxia's sword intent was powerful. He made Li Qingqiu feel as though he himself was a treasured sword, his edge fully exposed.
*I've divided my attention cultivating the Resurrection Ghost Immortal Needle. Even with the same Destiny as Third Junior Brother, my attainments in the sword path fall short of his.*
Standing by the lake, gazing at Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Qingqiu thought this to himself, his face filled with gratification.
Jiang Zhaoxia had broken through not only in cultivation but also in his personal sword path.
Without any master's guidance, he had formed his own sword intent. His comprehension of the sword path was truly heaven-defying genius.
Snowflakes drifted down like blossoms, melting into wisps of white vapor before they could even land on Jiang Zhaoxia. At this moment, he appeared almost ethereal, as if he might transform into a flying immortal at any moment.
Suddenly.
Jiang Zhaoxia raised his hand, using his finger as a sword, and pointed toward Li Qingqiu. Sword energy shot forth from his fingertip, swift as lightning.
Li Qingqiu reacted instantly. With a flick of his right hand, he sent a silver needle flying. The needle streaked through the air, meeting Jiang Zhaoxia's sword energy mid-flight. The needle shattered into pieces, and the sword energy dissipated as well.
Jiang Zhaoxia narrowed his eyes, looking at Li Qingqiu. "Senior Brother, I can't tell whether your cultivation base is stronger, or whether your needle technique is more powerful than my sword energy."
Li Qingqiu shot him a look. "If my reactions had been slow, I'd have died just now from your sword energy."
"Impossible. My sword energy has reached the pinnacle—I can release and retract it at will. Even if it reached you, I could stop it instantly." Jiang Zhaoxia's tone carried a hint of pride.
The corners of Li Qingqiu's mouth lifted. "So, do you still want revenge now?"
Jiang Zhaoxia stared fixedly at him. After a long moment, he finally spoke. "Among the Heavenly Knife Sect experts who surrounded me, there was a group of knife-wielding disciples. They were highly skilled and fought with coordination, giving me considerable trouble. I plan to select thirteen disciples from within the sect. I will personally teach them the sword path. In the future, I will lead them to annihilate all enemies that threaten Azure Firmament Sect."
"I've already thought of the name: The Thirteen Sword Ferocities of Azure Firmament."