The Mystic Heart Hall—this was the very first main hall built by Qingxiao Sect. It could hold over a hundred people and was located beneath the new courtyard. More buildings would be constructed below it in the future.
The hall had taken several months to complete. It wasn't grand or luxurious, even a bit crude, since only two craftsmen had been hired. Most of the labor came from the disciples themselves.
Li Qingqiu's only requirement was simple—it shouldn't collapse and should at least keep out wind and rain.
After the new spring, Zhang Yuchun went down the mountain again to recruit more disciples. Including Li Qingqiu, there were now ninety-three members in total across the entire sect.
Today, for the first time, Li Qingqiu gathered all disciples inside the hall.
The Mystic Heart Hall was sparsely furnished. Li Qingqiu stood on the top step at the center, flanked by Zhang Yuchun, Jiang Zhaoxia, Wu Man'er, Li Dongyue, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin.
In front of them stood Yang Jueding, Cheng Canghai, Xu Ning, and Qin Ye, while the rest of the disciples were lined up in six rows. Every one of them looked at their sect's leaders with excitement.
It was the disciples' first time attending such a solemn assembly. Many of them were curious, while others could feel that Qingxiao Sect was becoming more organized and disciplined. Even the youngest disciple could sense that the sect was changing.
Standing on the steps, Li Qingqiu gazed down at everyone. From this height, he could see every single face clearly. It was the first time he had looked at all of his disciples like this. A feeling he couldn't quite name stirred in his chest.
He thought—it must be responsibility.
In the past, he had treated Qingxiao Sect as a way to strengthen himself. Though he had always been kind to his disciples, in truth, he had never really asked what they wanted.
He spoke slowly. "Everyone, this is Qingxiao Sect's very first grand assembly. It will be recorded in our sect's history because Qingxiao Sect will live on for a thousand years, ten thousand years, or even longer. Perhaps one day, all of you will become the legendary seniors that future disciples look up to."
His voice wasn't loud, but every disciple heard it clearly.
They were all young. Hearing such bold words didn't make them feel awkward—it made their blood boil.
Qingxiao Sect was still developing, but Jiang Zhaoxia was already ranked second in the martial world. The sect had well-known figures like the Dragon-Subduing Hero and the King of Thieves. Xu Ning, Li Dongyue, Wu Man'er, and others were also powerful, even if not yet famous.
No matter how one looked at it, Qingxiao Sect had limitless potential.
Yang Jueding slightly curled his lips, thinking, 'A thousand years, ten thousand years—what arrogance.'
Li Qingqiu went on. "I've named this hall Mystic Heart. It means keeping our hearts pure. 'Mystic/Xuan' represents the Daoist path, and 'Mystic Heart/Xuanxin' represents the Daoist heart. I'll have Mister Zhang Yu write down Qingxiao Sect's sect rules and Daoist principles. From now on, everyone must remember them carefully."
Zhang Yu was the only one not in the hall. Since he hadn't officially joined Qingxiao Sect yet, he was waiting outside, pacing back and forth, feeling a little uneasy.
Inside, the disciples all responded in unison.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu had Zhang Yuchun report on the sect's current holdings and finances.
"After more than two years of effort, Qingxiao Sect now owns one hundred acres of fertile land, two horse farms with one hundred and two horses, and two fish ponds with over one thousand fish fry…"
Zhang Yuchun explained everything clearly. The disciples listened with wide eyes, astonished. They had all worked in different areas, and after their daily chores, most spent the rest of their time training. Few of them knew just how large the sect's holdings had become.
They hadn't expected this at all.
Once the shock passed, excitement spread through the crowd. Except for those from the Qin family, most disciples had come from poor backgrounds. To them, even having enough to eat used to be a luxury. Now, they ate meat every day—it felt like a dream.
Among them, Yang Jueding's feelings were the most complex. When he had first joined, Qingxiao Sect was in ruins. Looking back now, even he found the change unbelievable.
He couldn't help glancing at Li Qingqiu. Although many things were managed by Zhang Yuchun, the one making the real decisions had always been Li Qingqiu.
He would never forget that rainy night when Li Qingqiu had chased and killed the Seven Peaks Alliance disciples.
From that night onward, Yang Jueding understood—the true backbone of Qingxiao Sect wasn't anyone else. It was Li Qingqiu himself. Jiang Zhaoxia was merely the sword that shone in front of him.
When Zhang Yuchun finished his report, Li Qingqiu announced the sect's goals for the coming year.
First, the sect's development. Targets were set for every area.
Next, individual martial progress.
"Before the year's end," Li Qingqiu said, "Elder Yang will personally test each of your martial skills. As long as you fulfill your duties and show clear improvement, you'll have the chance to inherit our sect's true art—the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra."
His last words filled the hall with excitement.
Everyone knew that the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra was Qingxiao Sect's strongest technique. It could help one's martial strength soar rapidly. Anyone hoping to become a prodigy first needed to earn the right to learn it.
All disciples bowed deeply, thanking Li Qingqiu.
He didn't speak further. With a wave of his sleeve, he dismissed the meeting.
After the disciples left Mystic Heart Hall, Li Qingqiu turned to Yang Jueding and said, "Elder Yang, from today onward, Qingxiao Sect is officially on the right track. From now on, every word and action must follow proper rules. You'll carry a heavy burden from here on out. I'll be counting on you."
Hearing the hidden meaning in his tone, Yang Jueding immediately cupped his hands and smiled. "Sect Master, please rest assured. I'll do everything within my power."
Li Qingqiu nodded. Yang Jueding, understanding that he was dismissed, politely excused himself and left the hall to Li Qingqiu and his junior brothers and sisters.
Li Qingqiu began assigning tasks one by one, even to Wu Man'er.
Although Wu Man'er wasn't fully mature yet, he was already capable of taking care of himself and communicating with others. Li Qingqiu put him in charge of patrolling the mountain, training in different places each day, and killing any wild beasts he came across.
…
After the meeting in Mystic Heart Hall, Qingxiao Sect became busier than ever. Even those disciples who were usually lazy started working hard when they saw everyone else being so diligent.
After all, who didn't dream of becoming a martial arts master?
Spring and summer passed quickly. The mountain road had been completely paved, stretching for over one hundred li, and only repair work remained to keep it from collapsing.
That afternoon, deep in the forest, Qin Ye, dressed in a blue sect robe, was swinging a heavy iron staff. His movements were sharp and steady, each strike carrying immense power.
The staff had been forged for him by Zhang Yuchun during his last trip down the mountain. It weighed thirty jin and measured nine chi long—longer than Qin Ye himself. Each swing sent gusts of wind rippling through the trees.
He had trained with this iron staff for half a month. At first, lifting it had been exhausting, but now he handled it with ease. His physique had grown noticeably stronger as a result.
He had practiced the Ten Thousand Armies Demon-Subduing Staff countless times. Yet even now, he still felt he hadn't mastered its essence.
Just as Qin Ye was lost in his training, footsteps approached. He glanced over and saw someone heading his way. He stopped swinging the staff, steadied his breath, and sank his qi into his dantian.
The newcomer was none other than Xue Jin, the foremost among the Thirteen Swords of Qingxiao's Might.
Since becoming Jiang Zhaoxia's disciple, Xue Jin had revealed remarkable talent, quickly becoming the fastest to improve among all thirteen. Word of his progress had spread throughout the sect, further proving the Sect Master's sharp judgment.
Qin Ye held a deep impression of this favored disciple. He had once passed by their sword training ground and seen Xue Jin's fierce swordplay—his skill was clearly beyond the rest.
"Senior Brother Qin, your staff technique grows more formidable by the day," Xue Jin said as he approached, admiration in his tone. However, the sword in his hand made it clear he hadn't come just to talk.
Qin Ye smiled. "Just hard practice, nothing more. Junior Brother Xue's talent far surpasses mine."
Xue Jin stopped, keeping ten steps between them. With a faint smile, he asked, "Senior Brother Qin, I've recently gained some new insight into my sword technique. I wish to spar with someone, and after thinking about it, you're the only one I can ask. Would you honor me?"
As expected.
Qin Ye narrowed his eyes. "Of course. To what extent shall we spar?"
"As fellow disciples, we mustn't go too far," Xue Jin replied with a sharp gaze. "Whoever drops their weapon first loses. How about that?"
Among the second-generation disciples, Xu Ning was widely recognized as the strongest. Qin Ye ranked second—and there was no clear third. Xue Jin's ambition was great—his sword aimed for the first place.
Qin Ye lifted his iron staff, pointing it toward Xue Jin, his bearing that of the Sect Master's disciple. "Good!" he said firmly.
Xue Jin's eyes flashed. He bent his knees slightly and drew his sword, his body surging forward like a flash of lightning.
Qin Ye instinctively swung his staff. The iron rod whooshed through the air, brushing just above Xue Jin's head.
Sword light flared as Xue Jin slashed toward Qin Ye's chest, his attack swift as lightning. In that instant, Qin Ye stepped back, holding the staff in one hand as if gripping a dragon. His wrist trembled, releasing a burst of inner force.
Xue Jin's movement was exquisite, narrowly avoiding the staff's path—but just as he tried to advance again, he suddenly felt a heavy impact on his cheek.
The next moment, his body spun sideways and crashed into the ground.
…
The sun was bright that day, and Jiang Zhaoxia was in good spirits as he walked down the mountain. He had just gained a new understanding of sword control and planned to test it after finishing lessons with his disciples.
When he reached the cliffside where the Thirteen Swords usually trained, he found the disciples gathered in a circle.
"Master is here!"
A young female disciple whispered, and the others quickly stood straight in a neat line. None dared move slowly, which showed just how much authority Jiang Zhaoxia held.
He walked up to them, his eyes sweeping across their faces. Suddenly, his brows furrowed. His gaze landed on Xue Jin, who had turned his face slightly to the side.
"What happened to your face? Why is it so swollen?" Jiang Zhaoxia asked coldly.
Half of Xue Jin's face was red and swollen—it stood out at a glance. Confronted with his master's question, he looked utterly embarrassed, wishing he could crawl into a hole.
"I got injured during a spar…"
Xue Jin muttered, his voice faint.
Jiang Zhaoxia's expression instantly turned cold.
"With whom?" he asked. "Xu Ning?"
"Senior Brother Qin Ye…"
At that name, Jiang Zhaoxia fell silent.
His good mood vanished at once. Losing to Xu Ning, he could understand—but how could Xue Jin lose to Qin Ye?
Although Qin Ye had been personally instructed by Yang Jueding, his aptitude was only fair. Even Li Qingqiu hadn't taken much interest in teaching him before. Yet such a man had defeated his prized disciple?
Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze hardened, his expression sharp enough to make Xue Jin tremble and avert his eyes.
Meanwhile, Qin Ye returned to the sect's inner courtyard. He placed the iron staff on the ground and knelt before Li Qingqiu.
At that moment, Li Qingqiu was scolding Li Sifeng, who, at fifteen years old, was standing in punishment. Seeing Qin Ye kneel, Li Sifeng looked over curiously.
"Please punish me, Master!"
Qin Ye spoke in a deep voice, his forehead pressed to the floor.
Li Qingqiu looked puzzled. "Why should I punish you?"
"I accidentally injured Junior Brother Xue Jin."
"What happened? Tell me everything clearly."
Li Qingqiu frowned. Xue Jin wasn't just Jiang Zhaoxia's favorite disciple—he was also someone Li Qingqiu had high hopes for as a future cultivation disciple.
Li Sifeng glanced at Qin Ye, and as realization dawned, a mischievous grin spread across his face.