The Way of Concealment!
No wonder Mo Jiuhong had been able to infiltrate the Qi Clan, gather so much intelligence, and even slay seven Divine Sons.
Li Qingqiu found the Fate [Way of Concealment] rather interesting. Still, he couldn't help but wonder—did Mo Jiuhong joining the Qingxiao Sect mean that this Fate had started to take effect?
Even so, this Fate looked quite useful. Li Qingqiu had long planned to establish an intelligence network belonging solely to Qingxiao Sect, rather than continuing to rely on the influence of noble families.
Depend too long on such families, and the line between truth and deception in information becomes blurred.
Until Mo Jiuhong's Loyalty reached 90, Li Qingqiu wouldn't dare let him lead the sect's intelligence network.
Fortunately, things still looked promising. There was no deep hatred between Mo Jiuhong and Qingxiao Sect, and his actions so far had been reasonable. Storming the imperial palace, trying to stop Jiang Zhaoxia and the others from needless killing—on the surface, that did carry a trace of chivalry.
Though he seemed like a man who bent whichever way the wind blew, Li Qingqiu could understand him. To survive, it wasn't shameful to let go of pride, as long as one didn't harm others for personal gain.
After Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning returned, Li Qingqiu finally felt at ease enough to focus on cultivation again.
At present, it was clear that dealing with the demonic tree would fall mainly on him, since he was the one closest to stepping into the Awakening Spirit Realm.
He rose and walked back toward his cave dwelling.
…
With Jiang Zhaoxia and Xu Ning leading fifty True Disciples back, Qingxiao Sect was bustling for days.
During this time, Mo Jiuhong grew more familiar with the sect—and the more he learned, the more astonished he became.
Not only was he not the only cultivator in the world, but his own cultivation was practically insignificant here.
One day, he watched two True Disciples dueling on the Sparring Platform. Within moments, he was utterly dumbfounded—their spells and techniques were far stronger than his own.
Every single day afterward, his understanding of reality was shaken again and again.
It wasn't just Qingxiao Sect's overwhelming strength that shocked him, but also its ethos.
Here, it was normal for the strong to help the weak. Those who bullied others were despised.
Every day, commoners came up the mountain seeking healing, and the sect rarely asked for much in return. He even saw someone pay for a cure with a pair of handmade straw sandals.
This kind of sect stirred deep curiosity in Mo Jiuhong. He soon learned that Qingxiao Sect's rise had begun when Li Qingqiu took over. Before that, it had been exactly as he'd heard in his youth—a tiny martial sect with only a handful of members, barely worth mentioning.
Yet in just eleven years, Li Qingqiu had recruited so many disciples, taught them immortal cultivation, and now dozens of them already surpassed Mo Jiuhong in realm.
He couldn't comprehend it. It felt as though heaven itself favored Li Qingqiu.
An uncontrollable sense of admiration grew within him—for this young man who stood at the peak.
After stepping onto the immortal path himself, Mo Jiuhong had come to understand destiny. Even relying on a spiritual tree, after years of effort, he had only reached the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm. Yet Qingxiao Sect had disciples at the seventh layer, and Li Qingqiu's cultivation was unfathomable.
The difference was so vast it crushed any thought of defiance.
No!
I must take root here!
Determined, Mo Jiuhong began taking internal sect missions as an Inner Disciple to earn Dao Fate.
He realized Dao Fate was not only used to exchange for cultivation resources—it was also a measure of contribution within the sect. The more Dao Fate one had, the greater their worth.
He was determined to accumulate as much as possible.
…
By early June, sunlight bathed Mount Qingxiao, and more and more people gathered on the mountain. The martial world now widely regarded Qingxiao Sect as the number one sect under heaven, attracting countless visitors and hopeful disciples daily.
Yang Jueding had even built two more Sparring Platforms, yet the area around all three was constantly crowded.
That morning, Mo Jiuhong—dressed in a neat blue sect robe—walked along the mountain path. His hair was tied up, his face freshly washed. He looked completely different from the ragged man who had first arrived, now radiating confidence. He was thinking about how to acquire his own spiritual herb field.
Back when he was in seclusion, he had cultivated many medicinal herbs. Now, he planned to buy land within Qingxiao Sect itself. He'd heard the Cultivation Hall was selling spiritual plants, and he saw great potential in that.
All he wanted now was to grow and contribute. As for the threat of the Qi Clan—he'd long tossed that out of his mind. If the sky fell, Li Qingqiu would hold it up. As an Inner Disciple, he had no need to shoulder such burdens.
Looking up, he noticed someone walking toward him. He didn't pay much attention at first, but when his eyes landed on the man's face, he froze in shock.
"True Person Qingxiao… is that you?" Mo Jiuhong blurted out, his voice trembling with excitement.
The old man, holding a wine jar, squinted in confusion. "No manners at all. You should address me as Grandmaster."
Mo Jiuhong stepped forward quickly, bowing deeply. "It's me—Mo Jiuhong! Years ago, in Cangzhou, you joined the martial competition and saved my life! Your courage inspired me so much that I later challenged the imperial palace myself—and almost lost my life for it!"
True Person Qingxiao's eyes widened. "What nonsense are you spouting? You got yourself into trouble, and now you're blaming me? You little brat, no conscience at all! And you even claim I saved you?"
Mo Jiuhong waved his hands hurriedly. "No, no, I'm not blaming you! I mean your spirit, your example—it moved me deeply! But that's not the point! You're my savior, Grandmaster! How could I not be grateful?"
Then, overcome with emotion, he suddenly dropped to his knees before True Person Qingxiao. His voice cracked as tears streamed down his face.
True Person Qingxiao froze, completely stunned. The wine jar slipped from his grasp, and the alcohol smell faded as sobriety rushed back.
"What in the heavens are you doing?" he stammered.
"I'm just… too moved," Mo Jiuhong said, choking up. "I never thought I'd live to see you again…"
His voice trembled with sincerity, and the emotion in his tone made even True Person Qingxiao's eyes soften.
For a moment, the old man felt proud.
After all these years wandering the martial world—though few still remembered his name—it turned out that someone he'd once helped still did. And that… was enough.
"Ah, come now, child, get up and talk. You're already in your middle years—if other disciples saw this, wouldn't it turn into a joke?" True Person Qingxiao bent down and helped Mo Jiuhong to his feet.
Mo Jiuhong wiped his tears away, his expression earnest. "I'm not afraid of being laughed at. This isn't something to mock. Anyone who values loyalty and gratitude would understand."
True Person Qingxiao patted him heavily on the shoulder and sighed from the heart. "Good boy. Truly a good boy."
Mo Jiuhong grinned, his face bright with genuine joy.
…
By late June, in a quiet forest clearing, Li Qingqiu stood observing Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Xiao Wudi practicing the Heavenly Gang Golden Body Technique. Nearby, Xiao Wuqing, Xiao Wuming, and Yun Cai trained in different arts.
Li Qingqiu preferred to have them cultivate together. It strengthened their bonds and made future cooperation during missions smoother.
Zhang Yuchun walked into the forest, approaching Li Qingqiu. He paused first to observe the seven disciples' progress, then sighed with admiration. "Senior Brother, if you keep training them like this, the next Dao Combat Tournament's top three spots will definitely all belong to your disciples."
Li Qingqiu wasn't just stronger than the others—he had been teaching longer, and his disciples had far superior talent and comprehension. How could the rest possibly catch up?
Zhang Yuchun had long since given up competing in that regard. His mindset was now peaceful—so long as his disciples gave their best, that was enough.
With that perspective, he found himself far more relaxed.
"Don't underestimate the others," Li Qingqiu replied casually.
Still, he knew in his heart that most of the sect's most gifted disciples were under his tutelage. Even Human Dao Patriarch Yang Xuan, compared to Zhao Zhen and the others, was slightly lacking in comprehension.
Everyone had private motives. Though Li Qingqiu had delegated authority within the sect, he still cultivated his own circle of power—for the sake of Qingxiao Sect's long-term stability and future.
Zhang Yuchun added with a chuckle, "By the way, Junior Brother Jiang brought back that Mo Jiuhong fellow. He's been following Grandmaster around like a shadow."
"Oh?" Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
"They say the Grandmaster saved him when he was younger. Don't know if that's true, but now Grandmaster has him running errands everywhere—he doesn't go anywhere without him."
"Has he done anything inappropriate?"
"Not at all. Grandmaster hasn't asked for anything on his behalf. He's just… ordering him around every day. Honestly, I think Grandmaster's just toying with him."
Zhang Yuchun couldn't help but laugh. Their Grandmaster was known to be carefree and flamboyant, but also measured. He loved to brag yet never made promises, which often left the disciples fuming—but that very trait made life easier for Li Qingqiu and the others.
After all, if disciples started demanding things in the Grandmaster's name, it would be difficult for them to refuse.
"Well, Grandmaster's an old fox," Li Qingqiu said, smiling. "Getting the better of him won't be easy."
"Exactly! Mo Jiuhong's been fetching water, cleaning latrines, serving tea… he really can endure hardship. I don't think any disciple has ever gone that far."
"Don't worry. Grandmaster won't be moved. He'll just get more smug."
Li Qingqiu smirked. He thought Mo Jiuhong had chosen the wrong approach trying to win favor through True Person Qingxiao.
Zhang Yuchun then said, "Oh, right—about the underground palace you told me to build. The location's set, and the craftsmen are ready. Any special instructions?"
Half a month ago, Li Qingqiu had ordered the construction of an underground palace beneath Mount Qingxiao. Though Zhang Yuchun hadn't understood the purpose, he had begun preparations immediately.
"No. Go ahead with it," Li Qingqiu replied.
Zhang Yuchun nodded. "Also, Senior Brother, I've been thinking of building a town at the foot of the mountain. It's chaotic times, but I've already convinced the villagers. No more resistance. Please give it a name."
Li Qingqiu thought for a moment and said, "Call it Seeking Immortal Town."
"Seeking Immortal Town? Hmm, that's perfect! Seeking Immortality—what could fit us better? Brilliant name, truly fitting of your vision, Senior Brother."
Zhang Yuchun's flattery brought a faint smile to Li Qingqiu's face.
Afterward, Zhang Yuchun went on to praise the three Xiao brothers and Yun Cai, saying that Li Qingqiu had chosen four disciples of extraordinary potential—future pillars of the sect, much like Xu Ning.
In the end, Zhang Yuchun managed to coax a funding grant from Li Qingqiu and left happily with the Sect Master's Token to collect it from the Spiritual Treasury Hall.
Once he left, Yun Cai approached Li Qingqiu. "Sect Master, I'd like to take on a mission."
Li Qingqiu glanced at her. "Why?"
"The Divine Curse of the Mountain Lord is no longer enough for my cultivation. I want to learn other arts, so I need Dao Fate."
"No need. I'll teach you."
"That wouldn't be fair to the others, Sect Master—and besides, I'm not one of your disciples."
"Then owe me for now. You'll work missions for free until the debt's repaid."
"This…"
Yun Cai hesitated, unable to argue. Her heart was moved by his generosity.
Li Qingqiu's eyes glinted as an idea struck him. "There's a secret technique for beekeeping—interested? Once mastered, you can control demonic bees in battle. Their uses are endless."