by EkkoTheDemon
"Uncle, I don't need the manual. If it's truly powerful, it might only bring me trouble. If you really want to help, why not give me this small knife instead?"
Li Qingqiu looked at the manual in Jiang Kuotian’s hand and spoke seriously, pointing toward the small blade that radiated Spirit Essence.
Hearing his words, Jiang Kuotian frowned. He didn't care about the knife; he was just considering Li Qingqiu’s logic.
He had thought it would be fine as long as Li Qingqiu kept it secret, but as soon as a technique was practiced, there was a risk of exposure. One couldn't hide it forever.
He felt a bit ashamed; his own foresight wasn't as sharp as this young boy's.
No wonder Lin Xunfeng could wander the world alone; with this boy guarding the sect, he really could rest easy.
After thinking it over, Jiang Kuotian picked up the knife and handed it to Li Qingqiu, saying, "Fine. We're men of the world; I won't be sentimental. If you ever run into trouble, come find me at the White Emperor Manor. Even if it means going through fire or breaking my bones, I will help you!"
Li Qingqiu took the knife, delighted. "Thank you, Uncle!"
He looked deeply moved, which made Jiang Kuotian feel very satisfied.
He tucked the knife away and then called the other disciples out to meet Jiang Kuotian. With more people, the courtyard became lively.
The younger disciples were a bit intimidated by the burly Jiang Kuotian at first, but as he began to tell stories of the world, they were captivated and began to pepper him with questions.
Half a double-hour later.
The rain stopped.
Jiang Zhaoxia also emerged from the forest. Since he started cultivation, he had preferred solitary practice. Li Qingqiu could see his progress and loyalty, so he let the boy be.
Geniuses always had their little secrets.
As soon as Jiang Kuotian saw Jiang Zhaoxia, he was stunned. He walked around the boy, calling him a once-in-a-century martial arts talent and trying his best to recruit him for the White Emperor Manor.
However, Jiang Zhaoxia remained unmoved. His words even hinted at a certain skepticism toward the White Emperor Manor, which nearly made Jiang Kuotian explode with frustration.
Li Qingqiu noticed that Jiang Zhaoxia clearly didn't hold Jiang Kuotian in high regard and wasn't afraid of a confrontation.
The confidence brought by cultivation was simply too strong. Although Jiang Zhaoxia was still at the first level of the Essence Nurturing Realm, his Spirit Essence was definitely the strongest in the sect; Li Qingqiu could feel it.
As for the gap between a first-level Essence Nurturing practitioner and a mundane martial artist, Li Qingqiu was actually quite curious himself.
A night passed.
Jiang Kuotian slept until noon. After eating his fill, he finally bid farewell to Li Qingqiu and the others.
Before leaving, he still left a manual behind, stuffing it into Wu Man’er’s hands.
"If you ever want to see the world, remember to come to White Emperor Manor before I get too old!"
Jiang Kuotian laughed and walked away, waving at Li Qingqiu and the others without turning back.
Li Qingqiu watched him until he disappeared into the forest. Only then did he turn back, as his siblings discussed Jiang Kuotian and the White Emperor Manor.
Li Qingqiu went back to the courtyard, and Jiang Zhaoxia followed. Once they were away from the others, Jiang Zhaoxia leaned in and asked, "Brother, did Jiang Kuotian give you a treasure that contains spiritual energy?"
Jiang Zhaoxia could feel that Li Qingqiu was carrying something with a faint spiritual aura. Though weak, such objects were rare.
Li Qingqiu glanced at him. "Mhm. Once I've studied it, I'll find one for you too. Junior Brother, you have to understand; I'm not as fast as you at cultivation, so I need some extra help. If you're ever not around, I'll need a way to protect myself."
These words made Jiang Zhaoxia’s mood soar, and he couldn't stop a grin from spreading across his face. He snorted, "How could I not be around? Rest easy; with me here, no one will threaten our sect."
He was arrogant by nature, and since starting the Primordial Scripture and stepping onto the path of immortality, he had become even more self-assured.
The brothers chatted as they walked back to the courtyard.
Once there, Li Qingqiu went to his room alone, while Jiang Zhaoxia, as usual, slipped back into the forest to practice.
Closing the door, Li Qingqiu sat on his bed and took out the small knife. He began to fiddle with it carefully.
'A weapon containing spiritual energy... could this be a Dharma Treasure?'
The Great Purity Primordial Scripture wasn't just a simple breathing technique; it also involved basic alchemy, artifice, arrays, and talismans. He began to try several methods mentioned in the manual.
The simplest way was to inject Spirit Essence into the tool to see if there were any owner-recognition restrictions.
Immediately, his whole body shuddered, and his right hand went limp, letting the knife fall to the floor.
There was a restriction!
Li Qingqiu looked down at his trembling right hand, which felt as if it had been shocked.
It really was a Dharma Treasure!
"My cultivation is still too low. I'll try again once I reach the second level of Essence Nurturing."
Li Qingqiu thought to himself. That one attempt had drained more than half of his essence; he really couldn't afford the cost.
He stood up, carefully picked up the knife, and thought about where to hide it.
After some effort, he buried the knife in the earth beneath his bed, which managed to mask its spiritual aura.
Li Qingqiu left the room satisfied. Next, he planned to focus his energy on Wu Man’er, helping him reach the first level so he could activate the Karmic Blessing.
At the same time, he was full of anticipation.
'Will there be a special reward once every single disciple has stepped into the realm of immortality?'
...
Jiang Kuotian was just a minor episode for the Clear Firmament Sect. Li Qingqiu arranged for his siblings to take turns teaching the fifth brother, Wu Man’er.
Though Wu Man’er was mentally deficient, after repeated guidance, he finally developed muscle memory for the breathing methods. Just before winter arrived, he finally reached the first level of the Essence Nurturing Realm.
[In light of your Sacred Heritage having all disciples reach the first level of the Essence Nurturing Realm for the first time, a milestone has been achieved. You have gained one Inheritance Reward.]
Sitting cross-legged on the mountain peak, Li Qingqiu saw the prompt even with his eyes closed.
He was instantly overjoyed. There really was a reward!
He shuffled back about a zhang to make sure he wouldn't fall off the cliff and immediately opened the inheritance.
[Claiming Inheritance Reward...]
[Opening Sacred Heritage...]
[You have obtained a spell—Stormstride Art.]
[Do you accept the inheritance?]
'Inherit!'
Memories flooded his mind, and his eyes drifted shut.
The cold wind whistled, and the mountains were shrouded in thick fog. Snow began to fall, landing on Li Qingqiu, who remained motionless and unaffected.
After the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, which were full of joy.
The Stormstride Art was indeed a spell. It allowed one to wrap their body in spiritual wind, enabling low-altitude gliding and significantly enhancing physical reaction speed. Such a spell was incredibly convenient in a mountain forest.
Li Qingqiu’s first thought was how much easier it would be to descend the mountain once he mastered it.
He stood up, eager to practice the Stormstride Art.
He couldn't practice it on the peak; what if he fell and died?
A future titan of the immortal world couldn't afford to die here!
The sun set and the moon rose as the snow grew heavier.
That night, everyone at the sect celebrated Wu Man’er’s success. Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue slaughtered chickens, and they even brought out some twenty-year-old wine their master had hidden away.
Though Wu Man’er was only thirteen, he already had the frame of a bear. Sitting between Li Sifeng and Li Sijin, he looked like an adult; his shoulders were nearly as wide as the two of them combined.
Jiang Zhaoxia sat beside Li Qingqiu, looking at Wu Man’er and laughing proudly. "The fifth brother might be a bit slow, but his talent for martial arts is the strongest among us. Give me ten years—no, five—and I can make him a first-rate expert of the world."
Li Qingqiu poured wine and smiled. "Sounds easy. What about you? Do you consider yourself a first-rate expert yet?"
As soon as he said that, Jiang Zhaoxia became even more smug.
"Don't laugh, but I might actually be one already. I have to say, Brother, that internal technique of yours is incredible. If word got out, it would be considered a divine art of the world!"
Jiang Zhaoxia finished with a rare word of praise for Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu chuckled inwardly.
'Brother, this isn't some martial arts divine art. This is a god-damned immortal cultivation technique!'
Li Qingqiu had no plans to reveal the truth. So far, his siblings all thought the energy they were refining was internal qi.
Everyone was in high spirits, looking forward to the future.
Emboldened by the wine, Zhang Yuchun looked at Li Qingqiu. "Brother, I think we should start recruiting disciples early. My siblings all need to practice, and I'm struggling to handle all the chores on my own."
He wanted to become an expert too!
He knew that in the future of the sect, seniority wouldn't be enough to command respect; strength was the only true foundation.
Li Qingqiu was very satisfied with Zhang Yuchun’s performance and agreed that the second brother was overworked.
"Then let's recruit seven people for now. You handle it. Go to the villages at the foot of the mountain. Male or female, it doesn't matter. We'll provide food and housing for free; tell them it's a way of giving back. Once they've trained for ten years, if they want to go home, we won't stop them."
Zhang Yuchun had been happy at first, but his brow furrowed at the last part.
"Brother, if we let them go, won't our efforts in training them go to waste?" Zhang Yuchun advised.
Li Qingqiu waved it off. "You can't look at it that way. They'll have worked for us for ten years. Besides, if the Clear Firmament Sect can't keep its people, it means we haven't done enough."
Zhang Yuchun felt there was wisdom in those words and felt a surge of admiration for Li Qingqiu.
His brother had a grand perspective; no wonder the master chose him as leader. In contrast, he was too focused on petty gains.
As the two talked about the sect’s development, the others chatted about cultivation and the world. Their laughter filled the courtyard, and even the winter snow couldn't dampen the vibrant life within.
Once the feast ended, Li Qingqiu had the others clear the table while he returned to his room.
Jiang Zhaoxia also skipped the work, but other than Li Qingqiu, no one dared to say anything to him.
Li Qingqiu placed a brazier full of charcoal in front of his bed and then sat down. He called up the panel and activated the Karmic Blessing.
[Claiming Karmic Blessing...]
[Activating Blessing...]
[Scanning for opportunities...]
[Opportunity caught: Discovered a Subterranean Spirit Lake. Do you accept the guidance?]
'A Subterranean Spirit Lake?'
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. He felt he had just hit the jackpot.
Perhaps this would be the foundation for the rise of the Clear Firmament Sect!