Just as Liu Jing was contemplating, a civil official spoke up. "My lord, should we inform Qingxiao Sect of this matter?"
The moment these words were spoken, many civil and military officials immediately voiced their agreement.
To deal with malevolent entities, one naturally had to seek out an immortal cultivation sect. Otherwise, relying solely on ordinary mortals like them, the casualties would be incalculable.
Liu Jing snorted coldly. "Do you think Qingxiao Sect would learn of this matter slower than we would? What event in this world can escape Qingxiao Sect's eyes?"
The great hall fell silent. Everyone was subdued, for they knew Liu Jing spoke the truth.
Qingxiao Sect's informants were spread across the land. The world could not tell whether it was merely vast influence or truly divine ability.
There had once been an official under Liu Jing who had rashly criticized Qingxiao Sect and even prepared to incite unrest. Before the matter could even reach Liu Jing, that official had already been slain by Qingxiao Sect disciples. From the letters he left behind, the scheme had indeed been real.
After that incident, civil and military officials felt as though eyes were watching them wherever they went. It was deeply unsettling.
"Regardless of Qingxiao Sect's attitude, we must have our own course of action. Prepare to reinforce Cangzhou and take control of it in the process. Even if it leaves us attacked from both front and rear, we must still do it."
Liu Jing spoke in a low, decisive voice, setting the tone without hesitation.
The officials exchanged glances, but none dared to object.
…
In order to deal with the Great Demon Luo, Li Qingqiu began cultivating diligently.
Through the memories of the Soul-Seizing Black Demon's true body, he had learned of the Great Demon Luo's strength. The Great Demon Luo was far stronger than other malevolent ghosts, though not yet to the extent of easily exterminating them.
This battle would certainly carry risks for Li Qingqiu.
But there was no alternative. If time favored Qingxiao Sect, he would have delayed.
Yet the corpse-ghost assimilation under the Great Demon Luo was progressing far too quickly and already threatened Qingxiao Sect.
If any Qingxiao Sect disciple were to be transformed into a corpse ghost, the trouble would be immense.
The vast majority of True Disciples were also training intensely. They had gathered some knowledge of the coming campaign and were racing to improve their cultivation in hopes of being selected.
However, the world was too vast. Finding the Great Demon Luo was no easy task.
By mid-September, Zhao Zhen and Shen Yue had, one after the other, broken through to the 9th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm. Ji Ya and Xue Jin followed closely behind, filling the vacancies at the 8th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm.
At present, Qingxiao Sect had more than 10 disciples who had reached the 7th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm, and over 50 who had reached the 6th layer. There were also some disciples outside the sect or in seclusion, who had not yet gone to the Spirit Management Hall to update their cultivation records.
If not for the threat of the Great Demon Luo, within at most 10 years, Qingxiao Sect would enter yet another new stage. Unfortunately, the times did not allow people to prosper without interruption.
Time advanced to early October.
Within Lingxiao Courtyard, Zhang Yuchun, Zhu Yan, and Chu Jing sat opposite Li Qingqiu. On the table lay stacks of letters recording intelligence.
"It's truly strange. If there were signs of vegetation withering across dozens of miles, it should be easy to locate. Disciples have been investigating all across the northern regions, yet no such place can be found," Zhang Yuchun said, frowning deeply.
Zhu Yan said, "Perhaps the place he resides in was already barren land, or somewhere without abundant vegetation. It might even be within a city?"
Li Qingqiu pondered. Zhu Yan's reasoning was sound, but such places were everywhere in the northern territories. Narrowing it down would not be easy.
The northern lands were vast, and desolate regions were even larger than Jiuzhou itself. Finding the Great Demon Luo was truly like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Even the Soul-Seizing Black Demon did not know the Great Demon Luo's exact location. The Great Demon Luo preferred to meet other malevolent ghosts through corpse ghosts. He was clearly different from the others and extremely wary of the secular world.
Chu Jing suddenly said, "Perhaps they will soon reveal themselves."
Zhang Yuchun and Zhu Yan looked at him in confusion.
Chu Jing continued, "Liu Jing has already dispatched troops north. A large number of martial-trained soldiers are gathering. For the Great Demon Luo, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The stronger one was in life, the stronger one becomes as a corpse ghost. If he keeps targeting ordinary commoners, this ghost army's combat power may not be high. He must be aware of that."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuchun and Zhu Yan's expressions changed.
Was Chu Jing suggesting using Liu Jing's elite army as bait?
Wasn't that far too risky?
Li Qingqiu asked, "How far is Liu Jing's army from Cangzhou?"
Chu Jing replied, "Judging by their marching speed, they should reach the Cangzhou provincial capital before year's end."
"Year's end…"
Li Qingqiu raised his head to look at the sky. Dark clouds were already gathering overhead.
Zhang Yuchun and Zhu Yan exchanged a glance. Both understood that a great battle would erupt at year's end.
…
On Ziyang Peak, within a courtyard, Hu Yan sat facing Duan Xiaojuan as she poured tea for him.
"I heard the sect is making a major move. Will you be going with them?" Duan Xiaojuan asked curiously.
An operation personally led by the Sect Master—how could it not attract attention?
However, the specifics of this operation had not spread. No one could tell whether it was good or bad news, though Duan Xiaojuan suspected it was most likely bad.
Hu Yan replied, "I asked Master as well, but he said I'm still too young. What I must shoulder are the sect's responsibilities 10 years from now, not the present. He told me to focus on cultivating well."
Duan Xiaojuan sighed in admiration. "The Sect Master truly plans far ahead. Cultivating under him must be very smooth, right?"
Hu Yan thought for a moment. In truth, most of the time it was Ji Ya who taught him. Li Qingqiu was preparing to personally guide him in cultivating spells, though the number of times was not many. But on second thought, all the cultivation resources he received came from Li Qingqiu. The reason Ji Ya could teach him was also because Ji Ya himself had been nurtured and guided by Li Qingqiu.
"It's indeed going very smoothly. Master is very good at teaching," Hu Yan said with a smile.
Duan Xiaojuan made a bitter face. "When I cultivate under Senior Sister Xu, it's very difficult. Although she hasn't blamed me, I always feel like I'm wasting her time."
Hu Yan comforted her. "Senior Sister is a straightforward person. If she had any objections to you, she definitely wouldn't keep them to herself. Since she hasn't said anything, it means she has no dissatisfaction with you at all. She probably just feels that cultivation cannot be rushed."
After hearing this, Duan Xiaojuan's expression improved, and she broke into a smile.
The two of them spoke and laughed as they imagined the future.
Looking at her smile, Hu Yan suddenly felt uneasy inside.
From childhood until now, his experiences had always made him feel that he was an unfortunate person. He was afraid of forming closer bonds with others because he did not want to lose them.
But then he recalled his master's words: one must always carry hope in one's heart. Despondency could not change anything; it would only bring oneself suffering.
Hu Yan forced himself not to dwell on such distracting thoughts. After finishing their discussion about sect matters, they began exchanging insights on cultivation.
They were merely a small reflection of the larger picture. Within Qingxiao Sect, many disciples were paying attention to the upcoming major operation, inevitably connecting it to their own futures.
…
Winter snow fell. It was mid-December.
Disciples of the Spirit Management Hall began running between the various peaks and courtyards. One disciple after another was summoned to gather before the mountain gate of Qingxiao Mountain at dawn the next day.
Li Qingqiu stood upon a cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of white snow. His gaze could see the disciples darting through the snowy mist below.
During this period, he had also been cultivating diligently, consuming a considerable number of the sect's finest spirit energy pills. His cultivation had finally reached the 4th layer of the Awakening Spirit realm.
This northern journey would absolutely not be easy, but Li Qingqiu felt there was no avoiding it.
After so many years of development, Qingxiao Sect was due for a test.
That evening, Li Qingqiu convened a council in Mystic Heart Hall. All elders and those of higher rank rushed over. He announced that after his departure, Xu Ning and Zhang Yuchun would jointly oversee the sect's affairs. He also revealed the objective of this operation.
When they heard that the demonic entities of the northern lands intended to establish a ghost dynasty, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
Only then did they understand why the Sect Master was making such a large move. At the same time, they felt deep concern.
Li Qingqiu revealed this matter precisely to urge the sect's disciples to cultivate the Ghost-Identifying Technique more diligently.
Although his disciples had already stepped onto the path of immortal cultivation, compared to the cultivators he imagined, they still fell short. This was not the disciples' fault; Qingxiao Sect itself was still in the process of development and exploration.
Li Qingqiu was not afraid of having spies from the Great Demon Luo within the sect. Chu Jing roamed among the peaks daily and had not detected the presence of any unfamiliar ghosts.
That night, many were destined to find sleep elusive.
Early the next morning.
Li Qingqiu descended the mountain carrying the Tianhong Sword, with Jin Lang lying across his shoulder.
As he walked into Lingxiao Courtyard, Jiang Zhaoxia, Zhao Zhen, Shen Yue, Yan Daozong, Ji Ya, the three Xiao brothers, Yun Cai, and others rose in succession and followed him out of the courtyard.
They walked all the way down the mountain. True Disciples from the various courtyards joined one after another, and the group behind Li Qingqiu grew larger and larger.
Li Yang, Xue Jin, Han Lang, Lu Qing, Gu Changping, Zhu Xunyang, Yang Chengyu, and the other top 10 of the first Fighting Technique Assembly were also present.
The 19-year-old Jian Du had come as well. He had now reached the 6th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm.
Li Qingqiu had even specifically selected Bai Ning'er, hoping that Bai Ning'er's Lucky One Fate would bring them good fortune. The 29-year-old Bai Ning'er also possessed cultivation at the 6th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm.
This time, everyone Li Qingqiu brought was part of the sect's elite.
Zhang Ping stood upon a cliff, gazing at the elite forces below with a complicated expression.
Ever since successfully altering his fate, his cultivation had been rising steadily. He had now reached the 7th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm, and his reputation had begun to grow.
When he heard that the sect had a major operation, he had originally been somewhat worried that he would be selected. In the end, he was not.
Now, looking at the Sect Master's figure, he felt a sense of guilt.
He was not ashamed of cowardice; he felt guilty for not being strong enough. If he had already reached the Awakening Spirit realm, he would certainly have participated in this operation actively.
He looked at Jiang Zhaoxia, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, Li Yang, and the others behind Li Qingqiu. They were so spirited and heroic, like protagonists from a story, while he was merely a supporting character who could only look up to them.
Li Qingqiu led the group down the mountain. The lineup behind him caused disciples along the way to exclaim in astonishment.
The Sect Master's determination to eliminate ghosts was truly immense!
By the time Li Qingqiu and the others reached the foot of the mountain, several hundred True Disciples had already gathered before the mountain gate. Upon seeing Li Qingqiu, they all raised their hands in salute, forming a magnificent scene.
Among those present, the lowest cultivation was the 4th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm.
Yesterday, the Cultivation Hall had distributed various pills to them, so every one of them felt confident.
When they saw the prominent figures of the sect behind Li Qingqiu, their blood boiled with excitement. This battle was destined to be recorded in the sect's history. In the future, they would be able to boast about their participation.
Li Qingqiu came to a halt. The disciples behind him moved past him and stepped forward to join the formation.
Looking at the disciples ahead, Li Qingqiu's heart was filled with pride. This was the power he had cultivated over 18 years.
And beyond these people, there were still many geniuses remaining within the sect, growing vigorously.