"I never said I was going to steal the divine art. I only wanted to trade for it before."
The black-robed woman's voice was plaintive as she stared at the gray-robed elder. Unfortunately, the elder remained unmoved.
She took a deep breath, her tone softening. "Uncle Gu, accompany me one last time. If it doesn't work out, I'll accept my fate and go back to being a chess piece for family alliances. This time, I won't let you get into conflicts with anyone. If we fail, it means this is simply my destiny."
The gray-robed elder, addressed as Uncle Gu, sighed along with her. Helplessly, he said, "Miss, this old man once had a reputation in the martial world. Twenty years ago, when people heard my name—Gu Dubao—they trembled in fear. But the martial world always has newcomers. Fame in these circles is fleeting. What allows noble clans to pass down through generations isn't temporary fame, but accumulated heritage. Even if you learn a divine art and change your family's view of you, how much benefit can your martial arts truly bring them?"
There was one thing he left unsaid: even if you become as strong as me, you'll still end up as a dog for your family.
Chai Yunshang fell silent.
She was from the Chai family of Jiang Prefecture, and she understood their heritage well. The Chai family had lasted three hundred years. After the current dynasty's founding, their fortunes had declined, yet they persistently sought to break into Zhongtian Prefecture. To this end, they cultivated connections with all factions, and the women of the Chai family could never escape arranged marriages. Previously, her father had even tried to betroth her to Lü Dou of the Seven Peaks Alliance, drawn by their martial influence—which was why she had gone to the Seven Peaks alone.
"What if I could become as powerful as the Martial Arts Myth?" Chai Yunshang stared at Gu Dubao, asking intently.
Gu Dubao smiled bitterly. Becoming a Martial Arts Myth was hardly so easily achieved.
Chai Yunshang continued, "My eldest sister already married a Commandant in Jiang Prefecture. My father is still seeking a suitable match for my younger sister to complete his network of connections. I refuse to accept this. Please, Uncle Gu, help me one last time."
Gu Dubao sighed resignedly. "Fine. But this is the last time, agreed? Don't be too pessimistic either—who knows, you might still marry an ideal husband."
An ideal husband?
Chai Yunshang smiled disdainfully. She didn't believe it at all.
...
Two months had passed since the great battle ended, and Azure Firmament Sect was finally experiencing an explosion of fame. Every day, people came to the mountain seeking apprenticeship.
That afternoon, Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun sat in a room discussing the sect's development.
Zhang Yuchun had already delegated the task of accepting new disciples to Zhang Yu, who had formally joined Azure Firmament Sect that very morning.
As Li Qingqiu listened to Zhang Yuchun's report, he simultaneously checked Zhang Yu's panel.
Cultivation aptitude and comprehension were decent enough—both reached the Mediocre level.
In Li Qingqiu's eyes, Mediocre aptitude actually counted as talented, considering the lower tiers of Unranked and Extremely Low.
Previously, Li Qingqiu had repeatedly invited Zhang Yu to join the sect, but Zhang Yu had always refused, saying he just wanted to earn money and wouldn't stay at Azure Firmament Sect long.
Today, when Zhang Yuchun once again invited Zhang Yu, he finally agreed.
Li Qingqiu was quite satisfied with Zhang Yu. Although this fellow drew a considerable monthly salary, he was very diligent in his work.
Unfortunately, Zhang Yu possessed no special Destiny.
"Starting next month, the number of people coming up the mountain to seek apprenticeship will explode. Fortunately, Third Junior Brother seized quite a lot of wealth when he conquered the Azure Cult. Still, we need to find ways to open up more revenue streams," Zhang Yuchun said excitedly.
Jiang Zhaoxia and the Thirteen Sword Ferocities hadn't just plundered substantial wealth from the Azure Cult—they had also packed up all the martial arts manuals from the Azure Cult's headquarters. In response, Li Qingqiu had directly rewarded the other twelve members of the Thirteen Sword Ferocities with permission to cultivate the Chaos Genesis Scripture.
Currently, construction had begun on a Scripture Depository, expected to be completed next month.
The Scripture Depository concerned the sect's heritage and had to be built properly—no carelessness allowed. At the same time, Li Qingqiu was contemplating who should guard it.
Zhang Yuchun continued, "Big Senior Brother, I want to build a town at the foot of the mountain. It could generate income, gather intelligence on the martial world, and even serve as a buffer zone if conflict breaks out. But this is definitely not a one- or two-year project."
Li Qingqiu thought of the Seven Peaks Town at the foot of Seven Peaks Mountain. He felt such a town was indeed necessary.
"Why not go to Huang Shan's village and help the villagers develop their hometown? Consider it repaying them for all their help over the years," Li Qingqiu suggested.
Zhang Yuchun frowned. "If we do that, who will the village ultimately belong to?"
Li Qingqiu replied, "Us, naturally. We must hold absolute authority. In the early stages, this will be difficult—you'll have to persuade the villagers. It'll be good training for you. Eventually, you'll face conflicts between the sect's interests and personal relationships. You need to learn how to handle such problems."
Zhang Yuchun nodded thoughtfully, feeling Big Senior Brother's words made sense.
Li Qingqiu told Zhang Yuchun to observe the disciples closely in his daily work. Whenever he found someone worth cultivating, he could report the name.
Now that they had the spirit stone mine, Li Qingqiu had no intention of just sitting on the treasure. He wanted to begin vigorously training disciples in cultivation.
The spirit mine was over three hundred li from Azure Firmament Sect. Even with Jiang Zhaoxia stationed there, Li Qingqiu feared unforeseen variables. So he planned to start utilizing it immediately. Perhaps even before the mine was half-depleted, the sect would already be strong enough to protect it.
The two continued their discussion until someone knocked at the door.
"Sect Master, Second Uncle-Master, someone claims to be from the Chai family of Jiang Prefecture and wishes to meet the Sect Master."
The voice outside belonged to Liu Yan, Li Dongyue's disciple.
Zhang Yuchun raised an eyebrow. "The Chai family of Jiang Prefecture isn't simple. Jiang Prefecture borders Guzhou, and I often hear about them. They're very active in both righteous and unorthodox circles. Big Senior Brother, let me handle this. These days, not just anyone can meet you whenever they want."
Since the day Li Qingqiu killed the Demon Sect's Seven Evils, Zhang Yuchun and the disciples' attitudes had begun shifting.
They truly believed Li Qingqiu had received revelations from an immortal in his dreams—that he was no ordinary mortal. From top to bottom, except for new disciples who had joined in the past two months, everyone in the sect harbored an almost fanatical reverence for Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu nodded and watched Zhang Yuchun leave the room.
He thought for a moment. Since he had to wait for Zhang Yuchun to return anyway, he rose, walked to the desk, took up brush and ink, and began writing.
Nearly half an hour later, Zhang Yuchun finally returned.
"That difficult to handle?" Li Qingqiu returned to the guest table, asking with slight surprise.
Zhang Yuchun sat down, smiling helplessly. "Big Senior Brother, you'll never guess. The Chai family of Jiang Prefecture wants a marriage alliance with Azure Firmament Sect. And their target is you."
Li Qingqiu was amused. He shook his head with a laugh. "I have no intention of marrying. You didn't agree on my behalf, did you?"
"Of course not. Leaving aside you, I can't decide on marriage matters for our junior brothers and sisters either. But their attitude is very persistent—they'll definitely trouble me again in the coming days."
"Haha, matters like this will only become more frequent."
"Let's get back to discussing treatment for disciples at different levels. This can't be handled carelessly."
"Mm."
...
Spring passed into summer. On Azure Firmament Mountain's paths, figures ascending and descending could be seen everywhere. In less than half a year, the influence of that battle at the end of last year began bringing continuous benefits to Azure Firmament Sect.
Noble clans invested, officials and merchants sought connections, and people streamed up the mountain to take apprenticeship. Even Li Dongyue and her disciples grew busy, with people coming daily seeking medical treatment.
Under Li Qingqiu's firm insistence, Li Dongyue had to curb her compassionate nature and allocate substantial time to continue her cultivation. Those seeking treatment now had to wait several days unless they were critically ill.
Given Azure Firmament Sect's current reputation, no matter how dissatisfied the patients felt, they dared not cause trouble.
One day, as Li Qingqiu returned to Lingxiao Courtyard, Yuan Qi found him, saying someone from the imperial capital had come to deliver a letter. Hearing this, Li Qingqiu immediately had Yuan Qi bring the person in.
The messenger was a young man dressed as a wandering hero, carrying a sword on his back and wearing a bamboo hat, his expression serious. Li Qingqiu led him inside to talk.
Once indoors, the young man produced the letter and handed it to Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu began reading. It was indeed a letter from Feng Dai, detailing his current situation and major events in the imperial capital.
Under Jia Yi's arrangements, Feng Dai was now serving under the imperial capital's Magistrate. Everything was fine.
In the month since establishing himself in the capital, sect masters and faction leaders from various martial schools had continuously streamed into the city, making the imperial capital very lively—scenes of sparring and friendly competition everywhere. It was said the Emperor planned to host a banquet inviting all martial factions, filling martial artists with pride.
After reading the letter, Li Qingqiu looked up at the young man. "What's your name? What's your relationship with Feng Dai?"
The young man replied, "My name is Ma Yu. Lord Feng saved my life—he redeemed me from servitude. I will serve him for the rest of my life."
Li Qingqiu said, "Rest at Azure Firmament Sect for a few days before returning. Tell Feng Dai to take care of himself."
"No need. I must hurry back. The imperial capital is chaotic now—all kinds of people are mixed together—I'm worried about Lord Feng. Farewell!"
Ma Yu finished speaking, raised his hands in a respectful salute to Li Qingqiu, then turned and left without hesitation.
Li Qingqiu didn't insist further. He walked out of the room and watched Ma Yu depart.
Li Sijin approached from nearby, asking curiously, "Big Senior Brother, who was that?"
"Magistrate Feng's man. He brought me a letter."
Li Qingqiu explained briefly. Li Sijin's curiosity satisfied, she grabbed his arm. "Big Senior Brother, I successfully made a talisman! Come on, I'll show you in the woods."
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Does it have offensive effects?"
"Of course! Otherwise, why would I ask you to come see?"
Li Sijin said proudly. Li Qingqiu felt delighted and was about to respond when Qin Ye ran into the courtyard from outside.
"Master, Senior Ku Yi and Senior Ku Er have arrived. They brought a child with them."
Qin Ye reached Li Qingqiu and reported quickly.
Li Qingqiu immediately said to Li Sijin, "Rest a while. I'll find you after I see them."
Li Sijin pouted, somewhat dissatisfied, but didn't obstruct Li Qingqiu from attending to important matters.
Li Qingqiu had Qin Ye bring them in while he sat at the long table in the courtyard to wait.
He had been eagerly anticipating Yan Lan's son for quite some time.
"Don't disappoint me."
Li Qingqiu murmured to himself. His anticipation stemmed from Yan Lan having praised his son to the skies.
Yan Lan was quite sincere in his dealings and kept his word. Just a few days ago, the new Guzhou Prefectural Governor had dispatched trusted subordinates to convey goodwill.
Soon, Qin Ye led four people into the courtyard. Li Qingqiu's gaze immediately fell upon the young boy, only five or six years old.
Though the child was young, he carried himself with considerable presence as he walked.
Whether it was Li Qingqiu's imagination, he felt this boy didn't resemble Yan Lan at all. Yan Lan's features were gentle; this boy's brows held a certain fierceness.
The boy reached Li Qingqiu first and asked, "Are you my master?"
Standing, he wasn't even as tall as the seated Li Qingqiu, but his tone was bold.
Li Qingqiu smiled genially. "That's right. Are you willing to take me as your master?"
The boy immediately knelt and raised his hands in salute. "Disciple Zhao Zhen pays respects to Master!"
Li Qingqiu promptly opened the Destiny Selection panel and eagerly searched for Zhao Zhen's portrait, then clicked on it.
[Name: Zhao Zhen]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 5]
[Loyalty (Sect Master/Sect): 75/21 (Max 100)]
[Cultivation Aptitude: Outstanding]
[Comprehension: Excellent]
[Destinies: Doom-Bound Destiny, True Martial Physique]
[Doom-Bound Destiny: Fate is full of hardships; before the age of sixteen, he will continuously experience difficulties. After sixteen, this Destiny will disperse, and his Comprehension will increase by one rank.]
[True Martial Physique: Enables cultivation through martial means, capable of transforming martial arts into immortal cultivation methods.]