Li Qingqiu pondered for a long time and concluded that the newly built harbor was most likely the work of disciples from the Source Iron Blessed Land, since that region bordered the sea.
He was curious about the harbor, but before Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning returned, he could not leave the Qingxiao Sect.
After chatting with Li Sijin for a while, Li Qingqiu returned to his cave dwelling to cultivate.
He needed to make full use of every moment to become stronger.
He had always preferred to overestimate his enemies—that was the safest way to survive.
Ever since he established his own cave dwelling, Li Qingqiu had begun to truly feel like a cultivator. He often entered secluded meditation for several days at a time.
The world outside was in turmoil, and the movements of the Qingxiao Sect had shocked the entire martial world.
Many people had expected the sect to retaliate eventually, but no one imagined Qingxiao Sect's counterattack would be this ruthless. Under the joint command of Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning, the sect's disciples were sweeping across every province, eradicating the Ling Tian Mansions one after another.
Before Li Qingqiu had slain both the Demon Emperor and the Human Emperor, Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning had already been the face of the Qingxiao Sect—peerless prodigies whose names had once shaken the martial world. Just as people were beginning to forget them, the two returned to prominence with a terrifying display of strength.
The powerful experts of the Ling Tian Sect—who had once dominated north and south—could not even withstand a single coordinated assault from the pair. Since most Ling Tian Mansions were established within major cities, countless martial artists witnessed the brutal clashes firsthand.
For a time, rumors spread like wildfire. Qingxiao Sect's reputation soared to the heavens. Some even claimed that their disciples could fly through the air on their swords.
The tales grew increasingly exaggerated, and no one could tell truth from fiction anymore. But one fact remained certain—Ling Tian Sect was utterly outmatched.
Ling Tian Sect had sought to unify the martial world under their banner, but Qingxiao Sect had proven to be a mountain they could never climb. Once the two forces collided, everyone finally understood—they weren't even on the same level.
The martial world across every province erupted in astonishment. Once again, the title of "Number One Sect Under Heaven" returned to the lips of every cultivator—and this time, the consensus leaned heavily toward Qingxiao Sect.
Even before Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning had returned, word of their victories had already reached Qingxiao Mountain, igniting a surge of excitement throughout the sect.
The Training Hall was busier than ever. Countless disciples lined up, all eager to descend the mountain and contribute to the sect's rise to the top of the martial world.
By late March, the fervor had not waned.
Shortly after noon, Zhang Ping walked through the gates of the Training Hall. Seeing the long line of disciples stretching across the courtyard, he frowned.
"Why are there still so many people?"
He was genuinely puzzled. It wasn't that he'd been inspired by Jiang Zhaoxia or Xu Ning's achievements—he simply wanted to earn more Dao Fate.
Ever since the Sect Master had slain the emperor and wiped out the Demonic Sect, the world's balance of power had shifted. Now that Qingxiao Sect was openly battling Ling Tian Sect, Zhang Ping felt it was a good time to act. Even if Chu Jing were still alive, he wouldn't dare to interfere with him now.
Working in the Spirit Management Hall, Zhang Ping had a clear understanding of the sect's internal hierarchy. More and more disciples were surpassing him in cultivation, and that fact left him deeply unsettled.
He realized that he needed a large amount of Dao Fate to exchange for a high-level inheritance from the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion.
He had already learned the upper section of the Earth Talisman Codex and the Secret Technique — Rejuvenation Ghost-Immortal Needles, but his aptitude for both was lacking. At best, he had only managed to grasp the basics.
Years spent in the Spirit Management Hall had made him aware of his limits—and it was precisely that awareness that terrified him. He wanted to change his fate.
But seeing such a long line, Zhang Ping grew worried that all the good missions might already be taken.
"Junior Brother," a cheerful voice called from behind him, "you look like someone who wants to take a mission but is afraid all the good ones are gone, right?"
Zhang Ping turned around and saw a young man smiling warmly at him.
Since this was Qingxiao Sect, Zhang Ping wasn't afraid of being tricked, so he replied honestly, "Yeah, there are way too many people today."
The man chuckled—it was Bai Ning'er, a disciple blessed with the Lucky One fate. At twenty-two, he was three years older than Zhang Ping and thus could indeed call himself senior brother.
Hearing Zhang Ping's words, Bai Ning'er's grin widened. "My name's Bai Ning'er," he said. "I used to follow Hall Master Li Sifeng down the mountain for missions, but lately, I've been stationed in the spiritual mines. I just accepted a new task and was looking for someone to accompany me. If you're willing, come with me—when it's done, we'll split three hundred Dao Fate evenly."
Three hundred Dao Fate!
Zhang Ping's eyebrows shot up. His current monthly allowance was only forty Dao Fate. To earn one hundred fifty in a single mission—how could he not be tempted?
"May I ask, Senior Brother Bai, what kind of task is it? And how far do we have to go?" he asked cautiously.
Bai Ning'er slung an arm around his shoulder and said enthusiastically, "Let's talk somewhere quieter. If you agree, we'll return to the Training Hall and register it properly. If not, we'll just part as friends."
Hearing that they would still have to register the task, Zhang Ping relaxed. The Law Enforcement Hall strictly forbade direct Dao Fate transfers between disciples. While many still traded in secret, doing so openly was forbidden. Registering the mission meant Bai Ning'er couldn't go back on his word later.
"Alright," Zhang Ping said with a nod.
It was strange—normally, he was wary of strangers. But for some reason, he felt an odd sense of trust toward Bai Ning'er, as if they were naturally compatible.
…
Meanwhile, in the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat listening to a True Disciple report on the harbor.
"The harbor is not far from the Source Iron Blessed Land," the disciple explained. "We built it because we discovered a whirlpool in the nearby shallows. It emits a dense concentration of spiritual energy. Elder Shen once spotted a massive fish—about two zhang long—swimming near it. He tried to catch it, but the creature dove straight into the whirlpool and vanished. Elder Shen believes there's something unusual about it—possibly another hidden blessed land—so he ordered us to build a pavilion nearby and disguise the area as a trading port."
After hearing the disciple's report, Li Qingqiu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. 'Old Shen still lives up to his reputation—he's got experience and good instincts.'
He was almost certain that the whirlpool contained some form of spatial transmission array, perhaps connected to a small-scale demonic realm or low-tier monster domain.
As for where it led, that remained unknown.
Still, since it was located near the Source Iron Blessed Land, it posed no immediate threat to Qingxiao Sect.
After all, this was a blessed land chosen for him by the Dao Lineage system.
Of course, Li Qingqiu would never grow careless. The so-called "no threat" came with no guarantee of time. What had been harmless yesterday might not remain so tomorrow—and who knew what dangers the future held?
"You go back and tell Elder Shen and the others not to act rashly," Li Qingqiu said seriously. "If there's some evil creature hidden inside that whirlpool, and it hurts any of you—or worse, escapes—it would be disastrous."
The Taikun Mountain Range stretched all the way to the eastern seas. If a powerful demon emerged from there, the Qingxiao Sect would be the first to suffer.
The True Disciple nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Sect Master. We know our limits. Elder Shen just thinks our craftsmanship isn't up to standard. He hoped you could send some disciples from the Heavenly Works Hall to help construct the harbor. The coastal region is rich in resources, and it's said the Xi River flows directly into the sea. In the future, we might even open a river channel to supply the sect with all kinds of marine creatures."
Li Qingqiu nodded approvingly. "A fine idea. I'll remember you for this. Do your work well. Go rest for now, and come to the Heavenly Works Hall tomorrow morning. I'll arrange a group of disciples to accompany you."
"Yes, Sect Master!"
The True Disciple's face lit up with joy. He quickly bowed, then turned and left, a spring in his step. After being away from the sect for so long, he had people he wished to see again.
Once the disciple was gone, Li Qingqiu sat before the long table, lost in thought. He realized it might be time to start mapping the world—but in these early stages, such a map must remain a tightly guarded secret.
After thinking it through, he rose and headed toward the Heavenly Works Hall.
Both the Source Iron Blessed Land and the mysterious whirlpool were directly tied to the sect's future development. He decided to send Mingguang, who excelled in formation arts, and Wu Xingyue, who specialized in forging magical tools.
Perhaps the resources near the Source Iron Blessed Land and the coastline could drive Qingxiao Sect's crafting and formation paths to new heights.
That same evening, Li Qingqiu summoned Zhang Yuchun and Zhu Yan to the courtyard.
He laid out the details of the Source Iron Blessed Land and the whirlpool, then instructed, "I need people to build ships, plan sailing routes, and make accurate maps."
Zhu Yan responded first, "I'll contact the shipbuilders. As for the map, I'll draw it myself. This matter is too important to risk any carelessness."
Zhang Yuchun nodded. "I'll assign a group of disciples to follow the Xi River downstream. We'll see if it connects to the open sea and mark out possible routes along the coast."
He paused, then added thoughtfully, "If that whirlpool really connects to a low-tier demon realm, even ignoring the resources, it would still give us another cultivation ground. The disciples would be overjoyed."
Zhu Yan smiled. "Just in the Taikun Mountain Range alone, we've already discovered so many blessed lands. That must mean there are countless others hidden across this vast continent—waiting for us to find and claim them."
She had already realized one thing:
Right now, it seemed that only Qingxiao Sect practiced true immortal cultivation in this world. Only Qingxiao Sect could discover and harness the power of these blessed lands. For the next hundred years, the sect would enter an era of explosive growth.
No wonder the Sect Master disdained fighting over martial dominance in the world below—his goals were far greater.
Li Qingqiu turned to Zhu Yan and said, "Hall Master Zhu, you may begin recruiting skilled craftsmen from outside the sect. I grant the Heavenly Works Hall permission to take on Registered Disciples. It'll help us uncover more talent."
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Zhu Yan bowed deeply, visibly pleased. Such trust from the Sect Master was no small honor.
Zhang Yuchun, meanwhile, didn't ask for similar authority. The Spirit Management Hall and Heavenly Works Hall had very different functions, and his hall didn't require as many people.
Zhu Yan then added, "Oh, right, Sect Master—according to my family's latest reports, Ling Tian Sect has officially allied with the Qi Clan. Most of the Ling Tian Mansions scattered across the provinces were once Qi Clan estates. The Qi Clan plans to devour the entire realm. Ling Tian Sect is merely their blade. Once Ling Tian Sect unifies the martial world, the Qi Clan's army will march in, and the two will coordinate from within and without."
She paused, her expression serious. "Right now, the Qi Clan is invading Weizhou. Judging from the current battle, Weizhou won't last another six months."
She already knew about Ling Tian Sect's foolish decision to provoke Qingxiao Sect, and it baffled her. 'What were they thinking?' she wondered. 'Have they completely lost their minds?'
Li Qingqiu nodded calmly. "I understand. Keep watching the Qi Clan's movements, but don't take any action for now."
Zhang Yuchun then said, "I heard from a friend in the north—apparently, Cangzhou has produced a fierce general. They say he inherited the legacy of a martial legend, possessing the strength to face ten thousand men alone. His mount, they say, is an ancient beast—a Suanni."
"Suanni?" Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Zhu Yan frowned slightly. "Ancient records describe the Suanni as resembling a gigantic feline, with a mane like a lion, claws sharp as a tiger's, the body of a bear, and a dragon's tail. If such a beast truly exists, and that general rides it into battle, he could indeed tear through entire armies."
Zhang Yuchun nodded. "Speaking of beasts, I heard that the Prison Qilin has been restless lately. Sijin mentioned it's grown violent—ordinary disciples can't even get close to it anymore."