Xuanxin Hall was the first assembly hall established by Azure Firmament Sect. It could accommodate over a hundred people and was located below the new courtyard. In the future, Azure Firmament Sect would continue building structures further down the mountain.
This assembly hall, which took several months to complete, wasn't particularly grand—in fact, it was somewhat simple. Only two craftsmen had been hired during construction; most of the labor was provided by the disciples themselves.
Li Qingqiu's only requirements were that it not collapse and that it could shelter them from wind and rain.
After the New Year, Zhang Yuchun had gone down the mountain again and recruited another batch of disciples. Now, counting Li Qingqiu himself, the entire sect numbered ninety-three people.
Today, for the first time, Li Qingqiu gathered all the disciples into the hall.
The hall had minimal furnishings. Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, Wu Man'er, Li Dongyue, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin stood side by side on the steps, with Li Qingqiu in the center.
Yang Jueding, Cheng Canghai, Xu Ning, and Qin Ye stood at the front of all the disciples, while the other disciples formed six rows. Looking up at the sect's high-ranking members, their hearts were filled with excitement.
This was the first time the disciples had experienced such a formal meeting. They couldn't help but feel curious, while also sensing that Azure Firmament Sect was moving toward order and structure. Even the youngest disciples could recognize the changes in the sect.
Standing on the steps, Li Qingqiu looked down at the disciples gathered in the hall. He could see every face clearly. This was the first time he had looked upon all the disciples like this, and he felt an indescribable emotion stir within him.
He thought it must be a sense of responsibility.
In the past, he had regarded Azure Firmament Sect as a channel for his own growth. Though he treated the disciples kindly, looking back, he realized he had never truly asked what they wanted.
"Everyone, this is Azure Firmament Sect's first full-sect assembly. This day will surely be recorded in the annals of Azure Firmament Sect's history, because our sect will endure for a thousand years, ten thousand years, or even longer. Perhaps some of you will become legendary predecessors that future disciples look up to."
Li Qingqiu spoke. His voice wasn't loud, yet every disciple could hear him clearly.
The disciples were all young. Hearing such bold words from Li Qingqiu, they didn't feel embarrassed—instead, their blood boiled with excitement.
Azure Firmament Sect was still developing, true, but Jiang Zhaoxia was already Second in the martial world. The sect also had established experts like the Dragon Subduing Hero and the King of Thieves. Xu Ning, Li Sifeng, Wu Man'er, and others were also highly skilled in martial arts, even if their reputations weren't yet widely known.
By any measure, Azure Firmament Sect had boundless prospects.
Yang Jueding curled his lip slightly, thinking to himself, *A thousand years, ten thousand years—quite arrogant indeed.*
Li Qingqiu continued, "I have named this hall Xuanxin, hoping that we may always maintain our original intent. Xuan refers to the Daoist gate; Xuanxin means the Dao heart. I will have Mr. Zhang Yu write out Azure Firmament Sect's rules and Daoist principles. From now on, you must all earnestly commit them to memory."
Zhang Yu was the only one not in the hall, as he had not yet formally joined Azure Firmament Sect. At this moment, he was pacing outside, feeling quite unsettled.
Upon hearing this, the disciples naturally responded in unison with approval.
Then Li Qingqiu had Zhang Yuchun report on Azure Firmament Sect's current properties and finances.
"After more than two years of accumulation, Azure Firmament Sect now possesses a thousand mu of fertile farmland, two horse ranches with one hundred and two horses in training, two fish ponds with over a thousand fingerlings..."
Zhang Yuchun recounted the details steadily. The disciples looked at each other in surprise. Since they were each responsible for different areas—after finishing their chores, they had to rush to practice martial arts—they weren't clear on the specific scale of Azure Firmament Sect's holdings.
Hearing it now was an eye-opener.
After the initial shock, they all felt excited. Apart from the Qin family members, the other disciples all came from impoverished backgrounds. For them, having enough to eat had once been a luxury. Now they had meat every day—what happiness!
Yang Jueding's emotions were the most complex. When he first came up the mountain, Azure Firmament Sect had been so desolate. Looking back now, he found it hard to believe.
He couldn't help but look at Li Qingqiu. Though Zhang Yuchun handled many arrangements, it was Li Qingqiu who made the final decisions.
He would never forget that rainy night when Li Qingqiu pursued and killed the disciples of the Seven Peaks Alliance.
After that night, he knew that Azure Firmament Sect's greatest foundation was Li Qingqiu. Jiang Zhaoxia was merely the visible sword.
After Zhang Yuchun finished his report, Li Qingqiu announced the tasks Azure Firmament Sect must accomplish in the coming year.
First, the sect's development—setting construction goals in various areas.
Second, individual martial arts progress.
"Before year's end, I will have Elder Yang examine each of your martial arts skills. On the basis of fulfilling your own responsibilities, those who have made progress in their martial arts may inherit the sect's true learning—the Chaos Genesis Scripture."
Li Qingqiu's final words excited the disciples.
Everyone knew that the Chaos Genesis Scripture was Azure Firmament Sect's most powerful art. It could make martial arts advance by leaps and bounds. If one wanted to become a young prodigy, one first needed to receive the Chaos Genesis Scripture.
The disciples all raised their hands in salute, thanking Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu said no more and waved his sleeve to dismiss them.
After the disciples left Xuanxin Hall, Li Qingqiu turned to Yang Jueding. "Elder Yang, from now on, Azure Firmament Sect has officially embarked on the right path. From now on, our speech and actions must have rules. In the coming period, your burden will be heavy. I appreciate your hard work."
Catching his implication, Yang Jueding immediately raised his hand in salute and smiled. "Sect Master, rest assured. I will give my utmost."
Li Qingqiu nodded. Yang Jueding took the hint and departed, leaving Xuanxin Hall to Li Qingqiu and his junior brothers and sisters.
Li Qingqiu began assigning tasks to each junior brother and sister, even Wu Man'er.
Though Wu Man'er's mental faculties weren't fully mature, he could now manage daily life and communicate with others. Li Qingqiu put him in charge of mountain patrols, with different practice areas each day, and tasked him with killing any fierce beasts he encountered in the mountains.
...
After the assembly in Xuanxin Hall, the entire Azure Firmament Sect became busy. Those disciples who were naturally lazy, seeing how enthusiastic everyone else was, felt too embarrassed to slack off.
Besides, who didn't aspire to become a martial arts expert?
Spring and summer passed swiftly. The mountain path was now complete, stretching a full hundred li. Only maintenance work remained to prevent collapses.
One day, after noon, in the mountain forest.
Qin Ye, wearing the blue disciple robe, wielded an iron staff. His movements were agile, his strikes powerful and heavy.
This iron staff had been forged for him by Zhang Yuchun on his last trip down the mountain. It weighed thirty jin and was about nine feet long—taller than Qin Ye himself. Each swing stirred up fierce gusts of wind.
He had received this staff half a month ago. At first, lifting it was very difficult; now, it seemed effortless, and his physique had grown considerably stronger as a result.
He had practiced the Ten Thousand Army Demon-Subduing Staff countless times, yet even now, he felt he hadn't fully grasped the essence of this staff technique.
Just as Qin Ye was immersed in the Ten Thousand Army Demon-Subduing Staff, footsteps approached. He glanced sidelong and saw someone walking toward him. He stopped his staff and sank his qi into his dantian.
The approaching figure was none other than Xue Jin, the leader of the Thirteen Sword Ferocities.
Since joining Jiang Zhaoxia's tutelage, Xue Jin had rapidly revealed his talent, becoming the fastest-improving among the thirteen disciples. This fact had already spread, causing more disciples to trust the Sect Master's judgment.
Qin Ye had a deep impression of this disciple his master favored. He had once passed by the place where the Thirteen Sword Ferocities practiced swordsmanship; Xue Jin's sword techniques were sharp and formidable, clearly on a different level from the others.
"Senior Brother Qin, your staff technique grows more formidable by the day. It's truly awe-inspiring."
Xue Jin approached, praising him, but the sword in his hand made Qin Ye suspect this wasn't a chance encounter.
Qin Ye smiled. "Just diligent practice. Junior Brother Xue's natural talent far surpasses mine."
Xue Jin stopped, maintaining ten paces between them. He asked with a smile, "Senior Brother Qin, I've recently had some insights into my swordsmanship and want to find someone to spar with. After thinking it over, I could only come to you. I wonder if you'd grant my wish?"
Just as he thought!
Qin Ye narrowed his eyes. "Of course. To what extent should we spar?"
"Fellow disciples naturally shouldn't go too far. Whoever drops their weapon loses. How about that?" Xue Jin asked, his gaze burning.
Among the second-generation disciples, Xu Ning was recognized as the strongest, followed by Qin Ye. There was no clear third. Xue Jin's ambition was considerable—he was aiming for the top.
Qin Ye raised his iron staff, pointing it at Xue Jin, displaying the bearing of the Sect Master's disciple. He simply said, "Agreed!"
Xue Jin's eyes sharpened. He bent down, drew his sword, and closed in on Qin Ye, his footwork extremely fast as he charged beneath the iron staff.
Qin Ye instinctively swung his staff, but it merely passed over Xue Jin's head.
Sword light flashed. Xue Jin thrust his sword at Qin Ye's chest, his attack swift as lightning. In that instant, Qin Ye stepped back, retreating while gripping the staff with one hand as if holding a dragon. His wrist flicked, and internal energy burst forth.
Xue Jin's footwork was exquisite—he evaded the staff. But just as he tried to press forward again, he felt an immense force against his cheek. His entire body was sent flying sideways.
...
The sun was bright. Jiang Zhaoxia, in a good mood, strolled down the mountain. Today he'd had new ideas about sword control techniques and decided to try them out after teaching his disciples.
Arriving at the cliff where the Thirteen Sword Ferocities usually practiced, he saw his disciples gathered together.
"Master is here!"
A female disciple called out softly. The others quickly scattered and lined up, afraid of being slow—a testament to Jiang Zhaoxia's prestige.
Jiang Zhaoxia came before them, sweeping his gaze across the group. Suddenly, he frowned. Looking at Xue Jin, whose face was turned slightly away, he asked, "What happened to your face? Why is it so swollen?"
Half of Xue Jin's face was red and swollen, quite conspicuous. Facing his master's inquiry, he felt mortified and wished he could crawl into a hole.
"I got hurt sparring with someone..."
Xue Jin stammered. Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxia's expression turned cold.
"Sparring with whom? Xu Ning?" Jiang Zhaoxia pressed.
"Senior Brother Qin Ye..."
Hearing this name, Jiang Zhaoxia fell silent.
His good mood evaporated instantly. Xue Jin losing to Xu Ning—that he could understand. But losing to Qin Ye?
Though Qin Ye had received instruction from a supreme expert, his aptitude was mediocre. Li Qingqiu hadn't even bothered teaching him before. How could someone like that defeat his prized disciple?
Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze toward Xue Jin turned unfriendly, causing Xue Jin to dare not meet his eyes.
Elsewhere, Qin Ye arrived at the sect and found Li Qingqiu. He placed his iron staff on the ground, then knelt before Li Qingqiu.
At this moment, Li Qingqiu was disciplining Li Sifeng. The fifteen-year-old Li Sifeng was standing punishment. Seeing Qin Ye kneel, he looked over curiously.
"Please punish me, Master!"
Qin Ye said heavily, pressing his forehead to the ground.
Li Qingqiu asked, puzzled, "Why should I punish you?"
"I accidentally injured Junior Brother Xue Jin."
"What happened? Explain clearly from beginning to end."
Li Qingqiu frowned. Xue Jin was not only Jiang Zhaoxia's prized disciple but also a future cultivation disciple he had high hopes for.
Li Sifeng looked at Qin Ye in surprise. Seeming to realize something, a mischievous smile spread across his face.