"Sect Master, how do you keep discovering monstrous geniuses like this? You haven't actually opened a heavenly eye, have you?"
In the forest, Yang Jueding, who had just received a punch from Zhao Zhen, couldn't help but turn to look at Li Qingqiu, asking with confusion.
His right palm was slightly hot and numb—a sensation he found utterly absurd.
This kid was only five years old?
How?
At five, Yang Jueding hadn't even been literate, yet this child had already developed true internal energy...
After asking, Yang Jueding turned back to watch the panting Zhao Zhen, his expression complex. Once the shock subsided, however, it was replaced by anticipation.
Azure Firmament Sect's future was secured!
In his view, the next generation's talent far surpassed their own. How powerful would Azure Firmament Sect become in twenty years?
Five-year-old Zhao Zhen braced his hands on his knees. Though this wasn't his first time sparring with full effort, after learning the Great Solar Yang Skill, his confidence had soared—only to find he couldn't budge his opponent at all.
He felt Yang Jueding was even more formidable than the Imperial Protective Guard experts.
He had definitely made the right choice coming to Azure Firmament Sect.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "You've discovered my secret. So you see, Elder Yang, staying at Azure Firmament Sect—you can rest assured. As long as new disciples keep joining, I'll always be able to pick out geniuses. As the Martial Arts Transmission Elder, you just need to wait for me to deliver these prodigies to your doorstep. From now on, Zhen'er will frequently seek you out for training—don't hold anything back."
Yang Jueding nodded, sighing emotionally, "I estimate he'll master all my martial arts in just a few years. I can sense his internal energy technique is extraordinary—far stronger than anything I practiced before. And it feels familiar, like I've seen it somewhere. The stronger the internal art, the harder it is to cultivate; it requires time to accumulate. That he's already entered the gate at only five years old... it's truly unbelievable..."
Li Qingqiu's lips curved upward, but he didn't respond further. He walked over, crouched before Zhao Zhen, and began wiping the boy's sweat as he said, "You're still young. There's no need to push yourself so hard. Martial arts can't be rushed—understand?"
Zhao Zhen looked up at his master and nodded seriously.
Then Li Qingqiu scooped him up with one arm and headed toward the distant mountain path, waving as he went. "Elder Yang, remember to make time for your own cultivation despite your busy schedule. I sense you're not far from the second layer."
Hearing this, Yang Jueding's face lit up with surprise. He didn't doubt Li Qingqiu's judgment. The second layer of Nourishing Origin—he longed for it desperately.
Forget the Martial Arts Myth's divine techniques—Azure Firmament Sect's Chaos Genesis Scripture was the strongest!
Yang Jueding shook off his daze and turned, striding energetically in another direction.
...
Approaching noon.
Chai Yunshang and Gu Dubao finally reached the foot of Azure Firmament Mountain. After recent renovations, a stone stele now stood at the mountain's base, carved with the characters "Azure Firmament."
Standing beside the official road, they could see figures ascending and descending the winding mountain path above. Nearby, carriages were parked in an open area, with attendants standing watch.
Gu Dubao, carrying a bundle on his back, sighed emotionally, "Azure Firmament Sect truly is unrecognizable now. They say ten years ago, the sect only had Lin Xunfeng—that it was less a sect and more just his residence."
Chai Yunshang gazed upward. Lofty Azure Firmament Mountain rose among the peaks, thick fog encircling it, appearing even more majestic than the mountains where the Seven Peaks Alliance resided. Anyone standing here would feel their own insignificance.
"It might not be so bad to spend one's life in such a magnificent natural setting," Chai Yunshang murmured softly.
Gu Dubao shook his head. "People in the martial world can never truly escape. The Taikun Mountain Range may be far from the mundane world, yet still, martial factions come seeking trouble."
"True enough. Let's go up and have a look. Success or failure aside, just experiencing the scenery of Azure Firmament will make this journey worthwhile."
Chai Yunshang replied, then headed toward the mountain path. Gu Dubao followed close behind.
The people nearby glanced at them briefly but showed no curiosity about their identities—many martial artists had been coming to Azure Firmament Mountain lately.
Meanwhile.
Li Qingqiu, having just finished his meal, was listening to Zhang Yuchun report on various matters within the sect.
The number of disciples was steadily increasing, soon to break two hundred. Add to that the pilgrims, those seeking medical treatment, and the craftsmen, friction was inevitable—forcing them to refine the sect rules further.
For Li Qingqiu, these were merely trivial details. The specifics of refining the rules could be left to Zhang Yuchun and Zhang Yu to devise; his role was simply to approve or reject.
Even trivial matters, gathered together, took time to formulate.
After nearly half an hour of discussion, the matter of sect rules was finally settled. Zhang Yuchun shifted topics. "Big Senior Brother, I think we should send disciples down the mountain for training again—like Sixth Junior Brother did, performing chivalrous deeds and building reputation. But in the future, Sixth Junior Brother doesn't need to lead personally; we can let the younger disciples shoulder the responsibility."
Li Qingqiu nodded. "I agree. But when they go down, the teams must be properly composed—someone strong enough in combat, and someone level-headed enough."
"I'll handle the arrangements personally. Right now, the disciples are very enthusiastic about training down the mountain; they all want to win glory for Azure Firmament Sect. Lately, people coming up have been telling them tales of our prestige—these little rascals want their names spread through the martial world too."
Zhang Yuchun smiled, his face full of satisfaction.
Thinking back a few years, Azure Firmament Sect had been desolate beyond words. Though he had fantasized about its future back then, he never imagined it would grow this quickly.
He didn't credit himself for this growth. Though he held great authority, the true key figure was Big Senior Brother.
He couldn't forget the image of Big Senior Brother standing atop Xiao Ba, slaughtering the Demon Sect's Seven Evils. And Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning—both had cultivated Big Senior Brother's Chaos Genesis Scripture to reach such heights.
Big Senior Brother might seem lazy ordinarily, but he was Azure Firmament Sect's true foundation. He even helped perfect the sect's planning, offering insights that cleared Zhang Yuchun's confusion.
Li Qingqiu picked up brush and paper, writing three names. "These three—you can focus on cultivating them. I've observed them; their talent is quite good."
Zhang Yuchun took the paper and looked at the three names. He didn't recognize them. He chuckled. "Big Senior Brother, in my opinion, Zhang Yu's physiognomy skill is fake. No one reads faces better than you."
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Spend more time cultivating the Chaos Genesis Scripture. Once your cultivation is higher, you'll also be able to perceive talent in others that goes unnoticed."
"Really?"
Zhang Yuchun was skeptical.
Li Qingqiu stood, not lingering to chat further. He needed to cultivate as well.
Though sect development was important, personal advancement couldn't be neglected.
Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia would soon reach the sixth layer of Nourishing Origin. Naturally, he needed to push toward the seventh layer to maintain his advantage.
Leaving the room, Li Qingqiu called to Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen, who were playing in the courtyard. The two were the same age and, as fellow disciples, were practically inseparable. When Zhao Zhen went to Yang Jueding for martial training, Yuan Li would watch from the sidelines.
Seeing Zhao Zhen accompanying Yuan Li, Yuan Qi felt completely at ease and focused on his own martial cultivation.
...
The scorching summer arrived. After this period of development, Azure Firmament Sect's disciple count had broken two hundred. True successor disciples had increased by three—meaning three more had reached the first layer of Nourishing Origin, officially becoming cultivators.
On this day, Xu Ning broke through to the sixth layer of Nourishing Origin. Overjoyed, she specially came to Lingxiao Courtyard to find Li Qingqiu and inform him.
Li Qingqiu had just returned from the underground spirit lake, Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen following behind.
Hearing of Xu Ning's successful breakthrough, Li Qingqiu feigned surprise. "So impressive? Ning'er, you truly are a one-in-ten-thousand genius."
At these words, Xu Ning's lips curved upward, her heart dancing with joy. Her gaze flicked briefly, almost imperceptibly, over Zhao Zhen before she replied, "Master treats me so well—how could I possibly disappoint him?"
Just then, Yang Jueding strode quickly into Lingxiao Courtyard, his expression excited.
"Sect Master! Great news! Great news!"
Yang Jueding, who had broken through to the second layer of Nourishing Origin just yesterday, announced himself before he arrived, his voice booming.
Li Qingqiu and the others turned to look at him. When Yang Jueding reached them, Li Qingqiu asked, "Elder Yang, what matter has you so excited?"
Yang Jueding didn't catch the subtle reproach in Li Qingqiu's tone. He excitedly said, "White Emperor Hall sent someone with an invitation—they're hosting a gathering of Guzhou's seven great sects to discuss important matters."
"Seven great sects?" Li Qingqiu asked, surprised.
Yang Jueding nodded vigorously. "Exactly! White Emperor Hall has announced that Azure Firmament Sect replaces the Azure Cult as one of the new seven great sects. From now on, our status in the martial world will change dramatically—we've made it!"
Li Qingqiu's reaction was calm. He didn't place much importance on the so-called seven great sects, though he understood this development benefited Azure Firmament Sect.
In a world similar to ancient China, reputation mattered immensely. The people heard countless tales—many might be embellished—and Azure Firmament Sect's previous achievements wouldn't be sung forever. But the status of a "seven great sect" would endure.
Li Qingqiu suspected Jiang Kuotian had exerted influence. Azure Firmament Sect had no prior connection to White Emperor Hall; logically, other sects should be wary after Azure Firmament destroyed the Azure Cult. This invitation, then, was White Emperor Hall extending goodwill.
"What important matters need discussion?" Li Qingqiu asked.
Though he guessed White Emperor Hall was showing friendship, he remained vigilant. Trust but verify—White Emperor Hall was a major faction, not a one-man show. Even with Jiang Kuotian mediating internally, some might harbor ill intentions.
Yang Jueding replied, "The messenger said the Demon Sect is about to reemerge—it will certainly endanger the entire martial world."
Regarding the Demon Sect, Yang Jueding no longer felt the previous dread. After all, even the Seven Evils had been slain by Li Qingqiu. Even if the Demon Sect reestablished itself, their strength would surely be diminished.
"Do you think Azure Firmament Sect should attend?" Li Qingqiu asked. His calm expression dispelled some of Yang Jueding's excitement.
After calming down for a moment, Yang Jueding looked up at Li Qingqiu and said seriously, "We should go. I don't think White Emperor Hall would set a trap. They've already aligned with the authorities; using such underhanded tactics would damage their reputation. That said, whether complications arise during the gathering itself is uncertain. But as long as we attend, we secure our place among the seven great sects—the benefits far outweigh the risks."
"Sect Master, let me go."
Yang Jueding knew Azure Firmament Sect needed Li Qingqiu to remain at its helm. Privately, he also worried about the consequences if Li Qingqiu attended.
The disciples all thought their Sect Master mild-tempered. Only Yang Jueding knew Li Qingqiu was the most ruthless person in Azure Firmament Sect. He couldn't forget that rainy night. He feared the other six great sects might scheme, provoking Li Qingqiu into slaughter.
If White Emperor Hall itself was destroyed, Azure Firmament Sect would surely draw the imperial court's attention.
"Master, let me go instead," Xu Ning suddenly spoke up.
Li Qingqiu turned to look at her, guessing her thoughts—this girl wanted to test herself against the Demon Sect.
After a moment's consideration, Li Qingqiu said, "Very well. Take my Tianhong Sword with you."
The Tianhong Sword—equivalent to the Sect Master's token!
Xu Ning nodded, her expression unchanging, but Yang Jueding's excitement surged anew.
A gathering of the seven great sects surely wouldn't be just sitting around drinking. In the martial world, competitions of skill were inevitable.