The fifth-layer ranking system quickly spread among all True Disciples, filling them with excitement and motivation.
In today's Qingxiao Sect, the True Disciples had already formed their own circle. Each one was confident, believing themselves to be a genius capable of surpassing their peers.
This enthusiasm to improve spread rapidly through the sect. The Inner, Outer, and Registered Disciples were all inspired by the competition among the True Disciples, and the overall morale for cultivation soared. As a result, fewer disciples were leaving the mountain for worldly training.
The establishment of the Martial Arena also made more disciples realize that the so-called "martial world" wasn't as powerful as they once believed. In truth, Qingxiao Sect's martial arts stood at the pinnacle of the world, and Sword Saint Shen Yue was living proof of that.
Because of the laboring disciples' contributions, even with so many devoting their full time to cultivation, the sect's daily operations remained unaffected. On the contrary, it created more opportunities for menial disciples to earn coin and accumulate contribution points to one day learn martial arts themselves.
Li Qingqiu wasn't a cold or heartless master. He didn't treat the menial disciples as expendable. Instead, he instructed Zhang Yuchun to set specific daily duties for them. Once those were completed, they could voluntarily take on extra tasks to earn more contribution credits.
In Qingxiao Sect, everyone had hope—so everyone fought hard for their future.
Under Zhang Yuchun's direction, a group of disciples from the Sword Sect began traveling around the Taikun Mountain Range, spreading word of Qingxiao Sect's name. They told the local people that if they ever found themselves in trouble, they could seek help from Qingxiao Sect.
This was Li Qingqiu's strategy—to help the common people first, to serve them sincerely, and only afterward, when trust was built, to ask for their support in return.
During these travels, the sect's disciples wiped out two groups of bandits, and Qingxiao Sect's name for chivalry spread once more throughout the land.
By August, the winds of rebellion had begun to stir.
In Weizhou, Prince Zhao Qi of Wei climbed a high platform and publicly called his banners, declaring that he would raise an army to punish the wicked, clear the Crown Prince Zhao Lan's name, avenge his death, and fight for peace and justice on behalf of the common people.
That same month, the Li clan and Cai clan of Linchuan joined under Prince Zhao Qi's command. By the end of the month, the Pei clan, Wang clan, and Lu clan had taken control of the royal city, seizing political dominance.
At the beginning of September, the Emperor retook control of Zhenyang City, the imperial capital. He ordered the immediate execution of all officials and family members of the Pei, Wang, and Lu clans. Rivers of blood flowed through the royal streets.
Signs of a chaotic age grew stronger with each passing day.
That summer, beneath the blazing sun, Li Sifeng, who had reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, came to find Li Qingqiu.
"Senior Brother, I want to descend the mountain and take revenge on the Pei clan," he said firmly. "I've reached the fifth layer, and I've mastered the Dominant Sword. I'll make them pay in blood for the lives they took!"
Zhang Yuchun happened to be there, discussing sect affairs with Li Qingqiu. When he heard this, he immediately spoke up. "Shouldn't we wait a bit longer? The Pei clan is now openly rebelling against imperial authority. The people call them loyal and righteous. Would it look bad for us to strike now?"
Li Sifeng frowned. "What, just because they call themselves 'righteous rebels,' we can't take revenge anymore? What about our fallen disciples—do they get no justice?"
Zhang Yuchun sighed. "It's not that we won't avenge them—it's about choosing the right time. The Pei clan isn't thinking about revenge against us right now."
Li Sifeng refused to yield and turned to Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu set aside the disciple register he had been reviewing and said, "Yuchun, select seven True Disciples who haven't yet gone on worldly training. They must all be at least at the third layer of Nurturing Essence. They'll accompany him."
Zhang Yuchun's eyes widened in disbelief. He opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, then managed to say one word. "Alright."
Li Sifeng grinned smugly at Zhang Yuchun, then turned to Li Qingqiu. "I promise I won't act recklessly this time. None of the disciples will come to harm. I'll avenge the fallen and return immediately."
"Good. Go prepare. You leave tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
Li Sifeng left, visibly thrilled.
Once he was gone, Zhang Yuchun looked at Li Qingqiu, uneasy. "Senior Brother… is now really the right time?"
Li Qingqiu replied calmly, "Whenever Qingxiao Sect decides the time is right, then it is the right time. Don't worry. The fall of the Pei clan won't affect the grand course of the world."
"Really?" Zhang Yuchun still wasn't convinced.
"In chaotic times, heroes are born," Li Qingqiu said. "And what are heroes made of? Reputation. The other noble families are busy creating their own heroes right now. They won't allow the already-destroyed Pei clan to hold the world's attention."
Zhang Yuchun's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "That makes sense."
He then asked, "Will the Martial Enforcement Guard go after Sixth Junior Brother for wielding the Emperor Xuan Sword? Third Junior Brother said they're full of top-tier experts."
Li Qingqiu shook his head. "Maybe they will, maybe they won't. There are always risks when going down the mountain. Anyway, you should focus on sect matters. Sifeng has grown up—trust him."
Zhang Yuchun muttered under his breath. That temper of his? You trust that?
But Li Qingqiu's trust wasn't in Li Sifeng—it was in the sword spirit within the Emperor Xuan Sword.
Zhang Yuchun sighed, realizing he was falling back into old habits—shouldering every worry, fretting over problems that hadn't even happened yet.
"Write this down," Li Qingqiu said suddenly. "These disciples—keep special watch on them."
Zhang Yuchun straightened immediately, taking up brush and paper.
He never doubted Li Qingqiu's judgment. In his eyes, it wasn't that his Senior Brother had keen insight—it was that he was guided by divine vision itself.
After all, hadn't their Sect Master received guidance from immortals before?
…
Autumn arrived.
In the rolling hills, Chu Jing led five disciples toward Qingxiao Mountain. As members of the Spirit Management Hall, they were following Zhang Yuchun's orders to visit nearby villages and spread the name of Qingxiao Sect.
"Senior Brother Chu," asked a plain-looking young man walking beside him, "what do you think of the current chaos in the world? Do you think Prince Zhao Qi can win?"
The youth's name was Zhang Ping. Appreciated by Zhang Yuchun, he had been promoted to a disciple of the Spirit Management Hall. Other than the Sect Master himself, the two people he admired most were Zhang Yuchun and Chu Jing.
Chu Jing was a scholar—a learned man who understood the ways of the world and treated everyone with kindness. Whenever Zhang Ping traveled with him, he felt no pressure at all.
Chu Jing replied calmly, "He can't win."
He looked ahead, his gaze distant, his thoughts wandering to places only he could see.
"So many people support him, and he still can't win?" Zhang Ping asked in confusion. "Even the villagers praise Prince Zhao Qi, saying he's the people's choice."
"No matter if it's the Emperor or the great families backing him, none of them will let him win," Chu Jing said casually. "He's just the piece that started this age of chaos."
Zhang Ping fell silent, lost in thought. The world suddenly felt so complicated.
Before joining Qingxiao Sect, his only goal had been to make a name for himself, to give his family a better life. But after coming here, he met countless disciples—some, like him, from humble villages; some were merchant sons; others came from families of officials.
Every day in the sect broadened his understanding. Listening to his fellow disciples talk about the martial world and the affairs of the realm helped him better grasp the complexity of human nature.
Chu Jing noticed his silence and smiled. "Don't think too hard. The struggles between royal power and noble clans are deadly and unpredictable. They won't touch you. Just treat it like a story."
Zhang Ping was too simple and pure. Chu Jing didn't want to destroy that purity.
After witnessing the betrayals and bloodshed of the court, Chu Jing found peace in spending his days among the young disciples of Qingxiao Sect. For once, his heart was calm. Though Qingxiao Sect remained a blade within his long-term plans, it wasn't time to unsheathe it yet.
"Senior Brother Chu," Zhang Ping asked again as they walked side by side, "do you have a goal for the future?"
Chu Jing smiled. "Of course. I want to earn a scholar's title and see if I can do something meaningful for the people of the world. What about you?"
"I came to Qingxiao Sect just to learn martial arts," Zhang Ping said honestly. "So I could get a job that pays well someday. But now, I want to become a True Disciple. Their monthly stipend is higher than that of government officials. I just don't know when I'll qualify…"
He began rambling about his family and his dreams, his words filled with naive hope.
Chu Jing listened quietly but doubted that Zhang Ping could ever make it.
Qingxiao Sect's standards for True Disciples kept rising. With Zhang Ping's mediocre aptitude, he'd likely never catch up.
Just then, Chu Jing suddenly stopped walking.
Zhang Ping followed his gaze and froze. On the hill ahead stood a lone figure wearing a straw hat, hand resting on a sheathed blade. He looked every bit the wandering swordsman of the martial world.
Zhang Ping instinctively took a step back.
The four disciples from the Spirit Management Hall following behind quickened their pace, hurrying to catch up.
…
On a meadow deep within the mountains, Li Yang gripped his silver spear tightly. His eyes were filled with expectation as he faced Li Qingqiu, with Zhao Zhen standing beside him.
Earlier that day, Yuan Qi had told him that the Sect Master would personally instruct him in cultivation. Li Yang had been thrilled ever since.
He had just broken through to the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm and mastered the Heavenly Thunder Step. He was eager to receive guidance from Li Qingqiu himself.
Li Qingqiu stood with his back to them, gazing into the distance. "We'll do it here," he said evenly. "Zhen'er, you'll teach him the Divine Dragon Transformation. Let me see how well you can guide others."
"Got it!"
Zhao Zhen answered eagerly and stepped forward.
Li Yang blinked in surprise. "He's going to teach me?"
Zhao Zhen glared at him. "Don't underestimate me. I'll reach the fifth layer of Nurturing Essence soon. I've refined the Divine Dragon Transformation, made it even stronger. If you can master it, it'll make you unstoppable in the martial world!"
Li Yang didn't know that Zhao Zhen was the late Crown Prince's son, but he had heard of Zhao Zhen's reputation—a prodigy said to surpass even Xu Ning.
Hearing that Zhao Zhen was nearly at the fifth layer, Li Yang's eyes widened.
Eight years old—and already this monstrous?
His pride vanished instantly. "Then… can you show me what it looks like first?"
The name "Divine Dragon Transformation" sounded incredible.
Zhao Zhen nodded, then focused his energy. Vital energy surged from his feet, stirring the grass around him as power rippled through the air.
Li Yang narrowed his eyes. Even before the technique completed, he could sense its terrifying might.
Zhao Zhen suddenly leapt into the air. Power coiled around him, forming into a radiant golden dragon that wrapped around his body.
It was massive—five zhang long—its scales gleaming like molten gold, its aura fierce and majestic. Li Yang was stunned speechless.
Was this… a martial art?
Zhao Zhen smirked at his reaction and drove the golden dragon forward.
The dragon twisted like living lightning, racing across the grass. Wherever it passed, the ground exploded, and the sound of roaring dragon cries filled the air. Dust and wind swirled as Zhao Zhen circled Li Yang once before bursting through the haze toward him.
A massive golden claw tore through the dust, stopping less than thirty centimeters from Li Yang's face. The wind it carried blew his long hair straight back.
The sudden shock nearly made Li Yang summon his own spirit force in defense.
Through the dragon's golden glow, he could see Zhao Zhen inside—radiant, divine, and commanding like a celestial being.
Li Yang's eyes burned with excitement.
What a domineering move!
He wanted to learn it.