Li Qingqiu had been meditating at the mountain gate for an hour when Yang Jueding emerged from the sect. After several months of recuperation, his injuries had fully healed. His spirit and energy had returned to their peak state—his gaze was piercing, and he moved with the powerful, deliberate strides of a tiger. His presence was formidable.
He walked over and sat down beside Li Qingqiu, looking him up and down appraisingly.
Without opening his eyes, Li Qingqiu asked, "What is it?"
"That cultivation method of yours is truly strange. The way it stirs the energy of heaven and earth is quite dramatic. And I feel that the energy you absorb is different from the heaven-earth energy I'm familiar with. Martial arts has a hundred schools of thought, but I've never seen an internal energy technique with such rapid results." Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in wonder.
Even though Li Qingqiu and the others were cultivating immortality right in front of him, he couldn't perceive it for what it was.
Martial arts training, while also absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to nurture internal energy, was fundamentally different from immortality cultivation.
Martial internal energy was generated by stimulating acupoints and the dantian. Heaven-earth energy served as a catalyst. But the spiritual energy of immortality cultivation used the physical body as a vessel—like refining a pill—transforming the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into a purer form. It was a process of conversion.
There were countless types of energy between heaven and earth. Spiritual energy was the primordial source of all creation, omnipresent, yet the most difficult for ordinary mortals to perceive.
"What? Interested in learning?" Li Qingqiu cracked open one eye to glance at him, his voice light.
Yang Jueding grinned slyly. "Can I?"
He hadn't been interested before, unwilling to abandon the internal energy he'd spent twenty years accumulating. But watching the progress of these Azure Firmament Sect disciples, he couldn't hold back any longer.
His own cultivation had plateaued anyway. It was time to seek a new path.
"Of course. I'll teach you later."
Li Qingqiu agreed without hesitation. He'd seen Yang Jueding's efforts over this period—his attitude in teaching the second-generation disciples martial arts was quite good. He was satisfied.
Seeing his agreement, Yang Jueding was delighted.
So Li Qingqiu wasn't heartless after all. As long as you contributed, he would repay you.
Encouraged, Yang Jueding decided to raise a matter he'd been pondering for the past two days. His expression grew serious. "Sect Master, don't you feel the Azure Firmament Sect is developing too slowly?"
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and turned to look at him. "You have a suggestion?"
Yang Jueding continued, "I see Jiang and Zhang Yuchun going down the mountain again. That tells me we're short on money. With enough funds, we can buy more food, forge more weapons, build more houses. The Azure Firmament Sect will naturally grow quickly."
He glanced at Li Qingqiu, then pressed on without leaving him in suspense.
"Have you considered partnering with some prominent families or wealthy landowners? It would bring in money and add to our strength. All we'd need to do is teach them martial arts or share some authority."
Yang Jueding paused there, waiting for Li Qingqiu's reaction. If the Sect Master disagreed, saying more would be overstepping.
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. "You have connections?"
Truth be told, he'd considered this long ago. He had no objection to partnering with prominent families or wealthy landowners. In this world, reminiscent of ancient China, such families controlled most of the resources—especially books.
If he could collaborate with them, he could gain access to all kinds of talent.
Even an immortal cultivation sect couldn't rely solely on its disciples burying their heads in training. Bringing in outside talent was necessary.
The future Azure Firmament Sect would need master weapon forgers, physicians, scholars, tailors. They couldn't keep going down the mountain to hire someone every time they needed new robes. He even dreamed of building a city for the Azure Firmament Sect, creating a complete, self-sustaining system. Of course, such ambitions would take time.
"I've walked the martial world for many years and made no small number of friends. If you're open to it, I have a bold proposal." Yang Jueding perked up, his back straightening.
"For a sect like ours, first, we should avoid families with official connections—too easy to be swallowed up. Also avoid families entangled with other martial artists—future conflicts would be hard to resolve. What suits us are newly risen families without deep roots, or wealthy landowners who struck it rich. They lack sufficient strength and need martial power to protect their holdings. Our role becomes crucial. Since they have no martial power of their own, they'll be wary of us and won't dare cause trouble."
Li Qingqiu looked at Yang Jueding with new respect. He'd originally thought Yang Jueding was just a rough-and-tumble martial artist. He didn't expect such thorough, insightful thinking.
Yang Jueding provided the answer: "Near the Taikun Mountain Range, in Meishan Township, there's such a family. Surname Qin. An ancestor once achieved the top scholar title. Thirty years ago, when the world upheaved and dynasties changed, they took refuge in Meishan Township. I passed through a few years ago and had a pleasant talk with their patriarch. The Qin family is looking to re-emerge. They've been in commerce, and their clan is flourishing. They'd suit our Azure Firmament Sect well."
Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes. "They might bring us trouble too. The Azure Firmament Sect, no matter how strong, couldn't stand against the court's thousand armies."
The Qin family had hidden for a reason. If labeled remnants of the previous dynasty, that would be trouble.
"This is the closest and most suitable family. Any other choice would be either too far away or already entangled with the martial world. There are plenty of martial sects near the Taikun Mountain Range—a mixed bag."
Yang Jueding spoke seriously, then added, "Every choice carries risk. It depends on how you choose, and whether you dare to take the gamble."
Li Qingqiu found this reasonable. He sank into thought, and Yang Jueding didn't rush him, instead admiring the magnificent mountain scenery ahead.
After a while.
Li Qingqiu spoke. "How about this: you go invite their patriarch to the mountain for a talk. I'll negotiate with him personally. What do you think?"
"Of course! No problem at all!" Yang Jueding clapped his hands with delight.
His joy wasn't just that Li Qingqiu had accepted his proposal. It was that Li Qingqiu, despite his youth, had the courage to engage in diplomacy with outside powers. With this kind of vision and boldness, the Azure Firmament Sect's future was not to be underestimated.
They talked a few moments longer, then Yang Jueding went to pack a simple bag. He would head down the mountain today.
If all went quickly, he could bring someone back up within five days at most.
After Yang Jueding left, Li Qingqiu continued meditating at the mountain gate.
He waited until the sun was about to set. Then he spotted Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Xu Ning emerging from the forest, each carrying a bamboo basket loaded with goods. They were returning with a full haul.
Zhang Yuchun was even leading three little piglets, who trotted along grunting.
A smile crossed Li Qingqiu's face. His second junior brother really had some skill, to obtain so much from the villagers. Especially considering Gu Prefecture had recently fallen into turmoil—mutinies, refugees.
He waited for them to ascend the mountain, then they all entered the sect together, chatting as they walked.
Li Qingqiu learned that most of these goods were gifts from the families of Huang Shan and Yu Lin. This changed his opinion of the disciples whose families had sent presents.
Hmm. Smart. They could be nurtured further.
That evening, Li Qingqiu assigned two disciples to be responsible for raising the pigs. The reason for two was simple: the disciples were still young and needed to help each other.
The Azure Firmament Sect was still very much a "children's sect." Many chores had to be done in teams.
...
Five days later. Jiang Zhaoxia and his group still hadn't returned, but Yang Jueding arrived back first, bringing a member of the Qin family with him.
This Qin family member was their young master, Qin Jue. He had the unmistakable look of a wealthy household. At twenty-five years old, he was affable, warm, and generous. He had come alone with Yang Jueding; his father was tied up with other matters.
Li Qingqiu invited him into the courtyard for a discussion, with Yang Jueding accompanying.
After Qin Jue sat down, Yang Jueding began pouring tea. This made Qin Jue even more curious about Li Qingqiu.
What gave this youth the authority to make the renowned Dragon Subduing Hero so deferential?
As he exchanged pleasantries with Li Qingqiu, he observed the other disciples in the courtyard. Wu Man'er and three younger disciples were practicing fist forms. Li Sifeng stood on the eaves, practicing sword techniques. All looked quite accomplished.
Especially Li Sifeng. His sword forms were sharp and precise, nothing like a child's. His stance on the eaves was steady—clearly, his skill ran deep.
After the initial pleasantries, Qin Jue got down to business with Li Qingqiu. First, he inquired about the Azure Firmament Sect's strength—how much help they could actually provide the Qin family.
"If the Qin family encounters trouble, I can dispatch at least three experts as skilled as Yang Jueding to assist. We can also train your family's younger generation. The Azure Firmament Sect's martial arts are no simple matter." Li Qingqiu spoke with a calm smile.
Qin Jue glanced at Yang Jueding. Yang Jueding nodded. "I've joined the Azure Firmament Sect. Whatever the Sect Master commands, even if it means walking through fire, I'll do it."
He turned his head toward Li Sifeng on the eaves and called out, "Sifeng, show us a little something."
Hearing this, Li Sifeng turned and simply tossed his sword into the air.
He'd rehearsed this move. Using spiritual energy, the sword shot forward like lightning, aimed directly at Qin Jue's face.
They were less than fifty feet apart. In the blink of an eye, the sword was about to strike Qin Jue.
Too fast!
Qin Jue considered himself a martial artist, but he had no time to dodge. He froze, utterly terrified.
But then a hand reached out from beside his head, two fingers catching the flying sword mid-flight. The blade hummed and vibrated, letting out a clear ring.
Qin Jue turned his head instinctively and saw that the one who'd caught it wasn't Yang Jueding—it was Li Qingqiu.
He was stunned. This seemingly harmless young Sect Master possessed such skill!
Yang Jueding was equally shocked. Even he had been startled by Li Sifeng's sudden attack. His intention had been for Li Sifeng to demonstrate a sword form. He hadn't expected the kid to be so ruthless.
But what surprised him most was Li Qingqiu's speed.
His hand moved faster than Yang Jueding's!
Did Li Qingqiu have strength comparable to Jiang Zhaoxia?
Li Qingqiu tossed the sword aside. It stuck blade-first into the ground, wobbling. He glared at Li Sifeng. "How dare you! I said show a little something, not like that! Get over here and apologize!"
Li Sifeng quickly jumped down from the eaves and scurried over to apologize to Qin Jue.
Qin Jue forced a smile, murmuring that it was nothing.
Inside, his emotions churned—first shock and anger, then excitement.
This Azure Firmament Sect truly had skills!
After giving Li Sifeng a kick to the backside, Li Qingqiu continued negotiations with Qin Jue. The rest went smoothly. First, he understood what the Qin family sought, then cut to the chase about mutual benefits.
An hour later, Qin Jue was eager to head back down the mountain. Yang Jueding escorted him.
From now on, the Qin family would regularly provide the Azure Firmament Sect with a substantial sum of money and material goods. In return, the Azure Firmament Sect would take in six Qin family members under twelve years old to train in martial arts. Li Qingqiu would even select one to become his personal disciple.
Li Qingqiu accompanied them to the mountain gate and watched them descend. Just then, a line of text flashed before his eyes:
[For the Azure Firmament Sect's first receipt of support from an external faction, with the Sect Master's authority undiluted, you have received one Inheritance Reward opportunity.]