Li Qingqiu held an unshakable position in the hearts of his six junior brothers and sisters. Even the proud Jiang Zhaoxia didn't dare anger him. His prestige only grew stronger as they matured.
Zhang Yuchun wanted to ease the tension, but one glance at his senior brother's expression made him lose all courage to speak.
Li Qingqiu regained his composure and noticed his disciples all staring at him nervously. He realized he had momentarily lost control.
He smiled and said, "You all go ahead and continue your discussion. I was just thinking about something else."
Li Dongyue followed with, "Senior Brother, you should make the decision. Everyone listens to you, and since it's Sixth Junior Brother's marriage matter, it should be up to you to decide."
The others nodded in agreement. They had already voiced their opinions and trusted Li Qingqiu to weigh everything and choose the best solution.
"In that case," Li Qingqiu said calmly, "let's observe Pei Miao for one year first. The world is in turmoil right now—perhaps the Pei clan will bring about their own destruction."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and Li Sifeng finally exhaled in relief.
Later that night, when everyone returned to their rooms, Li Qingqiu heard Li Sifeng and Jiang Zhaoxia arguing inside.
Jiang Zhaoxia firmly believed that the Pei clan was plotting something and insisted they should eliminate them completely. But Li Sifeng's heart was with Pei Miao, and he defended her with full conviction.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Li Qingqiu listened to their argument and felt a faint sense of understanding arise within him.
He possessed the Dao Lineage panel—he could see his disciples' loyalty and their fates. For a long time, he believed he could control their destinies. But at that moment, he realized he was wrong.
A "Fate" might only represent the possibility of destiny. He could break it, or he could follow it.
But there was one thing that could override his will and stop him from interfering with fate.
That was the human heart.
Li Qingqiu realized how arrogant he had become. He could pursue immortality only because of his ability to replicate fates—but he shouldn't make those around him follow his path.
If he forced Li Sifeng to give up Pei Miao, and one day Li Sifeng failed to attain immortality and lay dying—would he come to hate him for it?
Perhaps it was better to respect Li Sifeng's will and help him pursue what he truly desired. Clearing every obstacle on his disciple's chosen path—that was the best kind of care.
Once that thought settled, a sense of relief washed over Li Qingqiu.
He decided to let things take their natural course. If two people could walk through life together, that was fate. If they could also seek immortality side by side, that was fortune. If not, then cherish this lifetime's bond.
…
Pei Miao's arrival didn't disrupt Qingxiao Sect. The disciples of the Training Hall only noticed that their Hall Master often had a woman by his side. The two always seemed cheerful, laughing and talking closely together.
When the New Year arrived, it marked the start of a new chapter for the sect.
Xue Jin did not disappoint expectations—he became the first True Disciple to reach the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
This news spread quickly among the inner disciples. It was said that the Sect Master himself had summoned Xue Jin for personal commendation. The story inspired all the disciples greatly.
Li Qingqiu truly felt happy about Xue Jin's breakthrough.
It meant that apart from his seven core disciples, Qingxiao Sect had now produced another cultivator capable of standing independently. Xue Jin wasn't like Yang Jueding or Shen Yue, who had joined midway—he was a disciple fully raised by Qingxiao Sect, a true heir of their lineage.
Under Li Qingqiu's arrangement, Xue Jin became the Vice Hall Master of the Training Hall, and the Thirteen Swords of Qingxiao's Might were merged into the hall under his leadership.
Li Sifeng was thrilled about this. Finally, a powerful expert was stationed at the Training Hall, meaning he could safely go down the mountain to temper himself.
After Xue Jin reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, Zhao Zhen and Ji Ya were greatly motivated and began training diligently as well.
Soon after, Chai Yunshang, Li Yang, Liu Yan, and Han Lang followed closely behind. Beyond them, Li Qingqiu saw dozens of other gifted disciples quietly preparing, waiting for their chance to rise to fame and make a name for themselves.
At the beginning of the second month, Zhao Zhen reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm too, instantly stealing Xue Jin's spotlight.
Inside the Training Hall, Vice Hall Master Xue Jin was sorting through task records when Zheng Yunqiao—one of the Thirteen Swords—stood before his desk and said admiringly, "Zhao Zhen is truly terrifying. Such talent at only nine years old… I can't imagine how strong he'll be when he grows up."
Without looking up, Xue Jin chuckled. "Naturally. After all, he's the Sect Master's disciple. Not just anyone can become that. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
"You shouldn't say that, Senior Brother. Look at Yuan Li—his aptitude is terrible. I think you could take his place." Zheng Yunqiao spoke with indignation on Xue Jin's behalf.
Xue Jin glanced up sharply and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense. Without the Sect Master's guidance, I wouldn't have achieved anything today. As for Yuan Li—don't underestimate him. If you pay attention, you'll notice the Sect Master dotes on him the most. He takes Yuan Li out more often than Zhao Zhen. Perhaps one day, Yuan Li will shock us all."
"Really?" Zheng Yunqiao sounded doubtful.
Xue Jin's tone turned thoughtful. "Yuan Li may not show talent in cultivation, but he's far wiser and more composed than Zhao Zhen. I, for one, look forward to seeing his future."
Zheng Yunqiao fell silent, deep in thought.
Their conversation reflected the overall sentiment within Qingxiao Sect. Whenever people marveled at Zhao Zhen's frightening talent, Yuan Li's name inevitably came up in comparison.
The two were similar in age and often trained together under the Sect Master's supervision, yet their cultivation progress was vastly different.
That noon, as Li Qingqiu walked along the mountain path toward the Sword Sect, he happened to meet Yuan Li coming from the opposite direction.
The nine-year-old wore a neatly fitted blue robe, his features handsome and eyes bright. His spirited demeanor filled Li Qingqiu with satisfaction.
"Master," Yuan Li greeted, hurrying forward to bow respectfully.
Looking at him, Li Qingqiu smiled. "Where are you coming from?"
"I just went to deliver lunch to Senior Brother."
"Yuan Qi really is something. Even when he's busy, you still have to look after him."
"He just wants to do his part for the sect too."
"Alright, go back and continue cultivating then."
Li Qingqiu reached out and rubbed Yuan Li's head, then continued walking toward the Sword Sect.
Yuan Li turned around and watched his master's back fade into the distance. His bright eyes glimmered with determination, but his heart felt heavy with the gossip he had overheard along the way.
The Sect Master's favor and his fellow disciples' doubt weighed down on him so much that he could hardly breathe. There were even moments when he thought about asking his master to give up on him. Yet every time he saw Li Qingqiu's gentle smile, he knew he couldn't.
Even if not for himself, he had to persevere—for his master's sake. He had to prove through his own strength that his master had never misjudged anyone.
With that thought, Yuan Li's eyes grew firm and resolute. He didn't notice that a faint golden pattern appeared on his forehead, almost like a third eye about to open.
Turning away, he headed toward the forest behind Lingxiao Courtyard to continue his training.
…
Meanwhile, Li Qingqiu arrived at the Sword Sect. There, fifty Sword Sect disciples were sitting cross-legged, refining their sword qi.
At the front sat Shen Yue, a sword hovering beside him, his posture calm and dignified like that of an immortal swordsman.
Though already aged, Shen Yue's excellent cultivation aptitude and exceptional comprehension allowed him to progress swiftly. He had now reached the third layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
Li Qingqiu could clearly sense his growing strength—the transformation of his sword intent was becoming more refined through his vital energy.
He also noticed Li Sifeng seated at the edge of the first row, cultivating quietly with the Emperor Xuan Sword resting beside him.
Li Qingqiu didn't disturb the disciples. He stood in silence, observing. Thanks to his Born Sword Maniac Fate, his insight into sword techniques was unparalleled—he could see straight through the disciples' method of refining sword qi.
This particular method was unfamiliar to him. He guessed it must have been Shen Yue's own creation. Although Jiang Zhaoxia held the title of Sword Sect Elder, he rarely came here in person.
Half an hour later, Shen Yue opened his eyes. He had long noticed Li Qingqiu's arrival but hadn't expected him to watch for such a long time. Glancing toward the corridor, he was startled to see Li Qingqiu standing there, eyes closed, surrounded by an aura of sword qi.
'What? How can he…' Shen Yue was secretly shocked.
Ever since cultivating the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra, Shen Yue had realized that his defeat hadn't been because of the Ten Thousand Swords Return to One technique, but because of vital energy itself. Li Qingqiu wasn't just a swordsman—he was something far beyond that.
And now, it seemed Li Qingqiu's comprehension of the sword was no less profound than his or even Jiang Zhaoxia's.
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, meeting Shen Yue's gaze and nodding from afar. Then, seeing Li Sifeng also glance his way, he waved for him to come over.
As the other disciples gradually opened their eyes, they noticed Li Sifeng standing and walking away. Their gazes instinctively followed him—until they saw the figure waiting beyond the corridor.
"The Sect Master!" someone gasped.
Excitement rippled through the Sword Sect.
"When did the Sect Master arrive?"
"No idea. Judging from the sword qi still surrounding him, he must've been cultivating with us for a while!"
"You think the Sect Master noticed my potential? Maybe he'll take me as his disciple!"
"Keep dreaming. You'd be lucky if he even lists you as a disciple worth watching."
"If I'd known the Sect Master would be here, I'd have been more focused just now…"
The disciples whispered among themselves, their admiration clear. This was the influence Li Qingqiu commanded in Qingxiao Sect. Even though he rarely flaunted authority, no one carried greater prestige.
Li Qingqiu led Li Sifeng away, and the two of them walked side by side until they reached a quiet cliff overlooking the vast mountains.
Perhaps it was because of love, but lately Li Sifeng had become more diligent in cultivation. He hadn't indulged in romantic distraction, but Li Qingqiu could tell there was a deeper reason for his change.
"Marrying the daughter of the Pei clan won't lead to a peaceful future," Li Qingqiu said softly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Have you truly thought it through?"
Li Sifeng also looked into the distance and replied, "I have. The Pei clan is indeed ambitious. They're marrying Miao'er to me because they want to use me to achieve their goals. But they underestimate my ambition. Who becomes whose blade—well, that's yet to be decided."
Li Qingqiu turned his head slightly, surprised by his answer.
"Senior Brother," Li Sifeng continued, "I've been thinking a lot. Why is it that our Qingxiao Sect always attracts conflict? Even after proving our strength, new enemies keep appearing. I thought about it for a long time and realized the real reason is that our power still isn't great enough."
A fierce glint appeared in his eyes, and a small smile played on his lips.
Li Qingqiu didn't argue.
"You must've noticed it too," Li Sifeng said. "Our sect's martial arts are unlike any other. What you told Shen Yue—that the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra could extend life—wasn't a lie. Your goal, like the Emperor's, is to seek immortality. You just walk a different path. So tell me, Senior Brother, do you want me to follow that same path—or do you want me to choose my own?"
Li Qingqiu looked at him seriously. He was leaving the choice entirely to Li Sifeng.
Li Sifeng turned toward him with a relaxed smile. "Senior Brother, immortality is an illusion. Even you can't be certain of it, can you? Instead of chasing something so distant, I'd rather live fully in the present. In a time of chaos, heroes rise. I want to walk the world—win or lose, I'll still always be your junior brother."
The two brothers faced each other, eyes meeting.
Li Qingqiu smiled too. "My little junior brother has finally grown up. Since you've made up your mind, then go. No matter what happens, Qingxiao Sect will always be your home. I'll always protect you. But there's one thing you must remember—never commit evil, and never become the kind of person you despise today."
Li Sifeng nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. I, Li Sifeng, have dreamed of being a hero since childhood. I'll never forget my original heart."
Li Qingqiu's mind flashed with the image of a young Li Sifeng waving a wooden sword, shouting that he was a great hero who punished injustice wherever he found it.