Zhang Yuchun suddenly froze mid-sentence, as if realizing something, and his expression changed. "Senior Brother, don't tell me something happened to Sifeng. Last time he was in danger, the Prison Qilin went down the mountain to find him."
Zhu Yan had always been curious about the sect's Qilin, though she had never seen it in person—mainly to avoid suspicion. She worried that if she showed too much interest in the beast, the Sect Master might misinterpret her intentions.
Although Li Qingqiu always appeared kind and easygoing, Zhu Yan secretly thought of him as a smiling tiger—someone whose expression could change without warning.
"Let's see if the Prison Qilin has gone down the mountain," Li Qingqiu said calmly, though inside he felt a chill run down his spine.
Thinking carefully, it wasn't impossible. Ling Tian Sect had slaughtered the Jiang Clan, threatened to wipe out the Li Clan, and had their eyes on Li Sifeng next—it was entirely within reason.
But Li Sifeng had already reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, and with the aid of his Millennium Sword Soul, it shouldn't be easy for Ling Tian Sect to capture him.
"Should I send someone to check?" Zhang Yuchun asked, visibly uneasy.
Even though Li Sifeng often ignored him and never followed his advice, he had practically watched the boy grow up.
Li Qingqiu nodded. "Send someone, but choose a True Disciple at least at the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm."
"Got it!"
Without another word, Zhang Yuchun rose and hurried off.
Zhu Yan looked at Li Qingqiu and said softly, "Sect Master, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."
"Speak."
Li Qingqiu lifted a cup of tea, blew gently across the surface, and took a slow sip.
After organizing her thoughts, Zhu Yan began, "Sect Master, you're twenty-seven years old this year. Have you ever considered starting a family and having heirs? It would make the sect more stable."
Li Qingqiu glanced up at her and replied, "You're thirty-two, aren't you? Why haven't you considered it?"
Zhu Yan stiffened, caught off guard. "My heart isn't set on that," she said awkwardly.
"Neither is mine."
"But you and I are different," she pressed on. "I'm just a woman, hardly important. But you're the Sect Master, the backbone of the Qingxiao Sect. If you had children, the entire sect would feel more secure."
She nearly said the unspoken thought—'in case something ever happens to you.'
Li Qingqiu didn't take offense. In fact, he began to wonder if he should ask his junior brothers and sisters whether any of them had someone they cared about.
As for himself, marriage was the last thing on his mind. He was a cultivator walking the path toward immortality and longevity—how could he afford such distractions?
"One day, when we've discovered more and more blessed lands," Zhu Yan continued, "we'll need to establish branch sects and outposts. You'll need people you can trust completely to govern them. And only your own heirs can truly be trusted."
Li Qingqiu gave her a faint, amused look. "What's this? Did the Zhu Clan send you here to propose an alliance?"
Zhu Yan met his gaze squarely. "The Zhu Clan does hope to build a closer relationship with you, Sect Master. We don't ask for the position of main wife—even as a concubine, it would be acceptable."
Li Qingqiu almost asked, 'What about you, would that be acceptable?'
But he restrained himself. Zhu Yan wasn't someone to joke with. A careless word might sour their working relationship—and worse, she might misunderstand his intent.
He spoke seriously instead. "Since you already know we are walking the path of cultivation, you should learn to detach yourself from worldly concerns. The things mortals cling to aren't necessarily what cultivators must pursue."
Zhu Yan was struck by his words.
Even as a respected scholar, she had endured endless gossip and pressure from her clan for remaining unmarried. She had joined Qingxiao Sect precisely to escape such worldly constraints. As the sect grew in strength, those burdens had indeed faded—now, even without marriage, no one in her family dared look down on her.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized how right he was. She bowed her head respectfully. "Sect Master, now I see why the immortals chose you. You truly are the most suited for the cultivation path—to abandon worldly desires and remain free from mortal control."
Abandon?
What abandonment?
I just don't feel like it right now!
Li Qingqiu muttered silently to himself, though outwardly he only smiled serenely, pretending to be a man who had seen through all earthly attachments.
Satisfied with his answer, Zhu Yan took her leave.
After drinking tea for a while longer, Li Qingqiu returned to his cave dwelling. He didn't start cultivating right away. Instead, he opened his Dao Lineage Inheritance Reward.
He had yet to claim the reward granted when one of his disciples established the harbor.
[ Claim Inheritance Reward ]
[ Activate Dao Lineage Inheritance ]
[ You have obtained a Body Tempering Technique — Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art ]
[ Accept Inheritance? ]
'Oh? A body-tempering art? Interesting!'
Without hesitation, Li Qingqiu accepted the inheritance. Instantly, an immense flood of memory surged into his mind.
…
April arrived, and the air grew steadily warmer.
In the end, the Prison Qilin did go down the mountain.
Li Qingqiu also sent Xiao Ba to look for Li Sifeng. Within two days, Xiao Ba returned with news—Li Sifeng was unharmed for now, stationed in a military camp, accompanied by ten True Disciples personally assigned by Zhang Yuchun.
All ten were at the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. Even if the Ten Divine Servants themselves appeared, their combined strength should be enough to resist.
That morning, at dawn, Li Qingqiu led Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Xiao Wudi into a secluded mountain forest.
Li Qingqiu stopped and turned to the four standing behind him. His expression grew serious. "Today, I'll teach you a technique. This is an art not yet recorded in the Scripture Pavilion—a supreme martial cultivation method. You must train diligently. Set aside time every single day to practice it. Once mastered, this art will let you sweep aside anyone at the same cultivation level."
At those words, the eyes of Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Xiao Wudi all lit up.
Zhao Zhen asked excitedly, "Really? Can I modify it?"
Li Qingqiu shot him a glare. "Learn it first, then we'll talk."
Zhao Zhen could only modify martial techniques into cultivation methods. He wasn't yet capable of improving actual cultivation arts or spells.
Both Ji Ya and Xiao Wudi were thrilled. The sect had far too many geniuses, and they knew they weren't the top. Though they had never lost to anyone of the same realm in the Sparring Platform, the growing pressure from other disciples was undeniable. Both of them were born fighters—every match was a test of pride.
Only Yuan Li looked uneasy. He was still only at the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, and he worried that spending time on a new cultivation art might slow his progress.
But since it was his master's command, he dared not refuse.
Soon, Li Qingqiu began imparting the Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art.
The Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art consisted of five layers in total.
First Layer — Vital energy surges, and blood boils. One can tear tigers and leopards apart with bare hands.
Second Layer — Muscles and bones become harder than iron. The body itself becomes a weapon.
Third Layer — True Gang energy condenses within. The physical strength equals that of a dragon.
Fourth Layer — The body becomes indestructible like Vajra. One can block spells and magic artifacts alike.
Fifth Layer — Return to simplicity. The body looks ordinary, yet hides terrifying might. The blood energy harmonizes with heaven and earth, drawing upon spiritual qi for one's use.
This body-tempering art was overwhelmingly domineering—and Li Qingqiu himself intended to cultivate it as well.
Perhaps because of his Hundred-Refined Demon Body fate, he found the training surprisingly smooth. But body-tempering techniques were not things that could be mastered overnight. They required patience, relentless effort, and a mountain of resources. The longer one trained, the stronger one became. Theoretically, there was no limit to its power.
When Li Qingqiu finished explaining the cultivation principles of the Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art, the four disciples were all visibly exhilarated. Each of them had outstanding comprehension, and they could immediately sense how extraordinary this art was.
Among them, Yuan Li possessed the highest comprehension—indeed, the highest in the entire sect. Not even Shen Yue or Chu Jing could compare, for his comprehension level was ranked Transcendent.
So many years had passed, and Li Qingqiu had yet to see a second person in his sect display those two words—Transcendent Comprehension.
As Yuan Li silently reflected on the Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art, a strange sensation filled his heart. It was as if this technique had been made just for him.
That mysterious resonance stirred something deep within, giving him back the confidence he had long lost. He felt certain that he would achieve great things through this art.
Xiao Wudi, who bore the Born Body Cultivator fate, felt much the same. His excitement was palpable—he could hardly wait to start training.
"You may begin," Li Qingqiu said, standing up. He left them with that brief command before turning away.
The four exchanged glances, nodded to one another, and began cultivating the Heavenly Firmament Golden Body Art.
They said nothing aloud, but every one of them shared the same determination—not to be outdone by the others.
'We started learning on the same day,' Xiao Wudi thought fiercely. 'No way I'll be slower than them!'
Just imagining surpassing the Sect Master's three favorite disciples filled him with adrenaline.
He had always wanted to become Li Qingqiu's personal disciple. It wasn't about power or rank—he simply wanted to prove that he was no lesser than anyone.
…
Days passed quickly.
By mid-May, Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning finally returned with fifty True Disciples in tow. Their group was large and imposing. The moment they arrived, disciples on the mountain spotted them.
For the past two months, word of their victorious battles had spread throughout the sect, filling everyone with pride and admiration. Now that they were home, the mountain was alive with excitement.
The news reached Li Qingqiu's cave swiftly.
Yuan Li rushed to the entrance and called out, "Sect Master, they've returned!"
Li Qingqiu exhaled in relief, stood up, and made his way to the Lingxiao Courtyard.
He couldn't help but wonder—Xu Ning was already at the eighth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, and Jiang Zhaoxia was at the seventh layer. Each could easily handle an army alone. So why did he still feel uneasy when they traveled together?
In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu took a seat while Yuan Li went to prepare tea.
By the time an incense stick had burned down, Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning entered the courtyard. Behind them stood a disheveled man dressed in black, carrying an enormous blade—the width of its edge nearly as wide as his head.
The black-clad man's eyes met Li Qingqiu's, his dirt-smeared face showing curiosity.
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
'A cultivator?' he thought.
The man's aura revealed cultivation at the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm—even stronger than Jiang Tianshi had been.
Jiang Zhaoxia stepped forward and sat before him. "Senior Brother," he said, "let me introduce someone. This is Mo Jiuhong. Like us, he's a cultivator. He's been fighting against the Qi Clan and even tried to uproot Ling Tian Sect entirely. We met by chance in battle—didn't expect to become allies after crossing blades."
At that, Mo Jiuhong's expression turned awkward.
Allies?
He'd nearly been beaten to death!
Noticing Li Qingqiu's eyes on him, Mo Jiuhong coughed and said, "I am Mo Jiuhong—without sect or lineage. I once received inheritance from an immortal master. I had thought myself the only cultivator left in this world. I never imagined a sect of cultivators still existed."
'The only one?'
Li Qingqiu thought to himself, Hardly.
First there was Jiang Tianshi, now Mo Jiuhong. It seemed there were indeed others who had obtained ancient inheritances—people who, believing themselves alone, had secluded themselves from the mortal world.
"Why did you attack the Qi Clan?" Li Qingqiu asked.
Mo Jiuhong replied, "Because they are raising a demon creature they call an 'Ancient God.' Absurd nonsense! If I had the strength, I'd have wiped them out already to prevent the catastrophe they're about to unleash."
Li Qingqiu gave a faint smirk. "You seem so righteous. Then tell me—why didn't you deal with the Emperor or the Demonic Sect before?"
Mo Jiuhong sighed helplessly. "For the past ten years, I've been in seclusion in the Northern Region. I knew nothing of those events. I only came out because that so-called 'Ancient God' caused an earthquake that disrupted my cultivation."