After all the disciples heading out for the expedition had gathered, Li Qingqiu did not deliver any speech to boost morale. In the previous days, the sect had already assigned leaders—10 in total. They stepped forward one by one to report to Li Qingqiu on the attendance of the disciples under their charge.
After confirming that everyone was present, Li Qingqiu said, "Depart!"
As he spoke, the Tianhong Sword left its scabbard. With a light leap, he stepped onto the sword and soared into the sky. The others drew their Qingxiao Swords in succession and followed him, riding their swords through the air.
Over 1,000 disciples flew on swords—what a magnificent sight. They split apart the snowy mist between the mountains, their momentum vast and awe-inspiring.
The disciples standing on the cliffs along the way watched figure after figure pierce through the clouds and fog, all stirred with excitement.
"They're so fast. I heard that everyone participating in this operation is a True Disciple."
"Since the sect was established, this is the largest expedition ever."
"Before I joined Qingxiao Sect, I heard stories of the Sect Master leading disciples down the mountain to eliminate demons. Now I've witnessed such a grand feat myself. It's a pity my cultivation isn't high enough. If I had known, I would have cultivated even harder."
"I wonder what kind of malevolent entity could draw so many people to confront it."
"Look, it's Senior Brother Jian Du—he's going too!"
…
Flying amid wind and snow, Li Qingqiu did not move at excessive speed, mainly considering the disciples' vital energy. The journey to Cangzhou was not short. They could not fly the entire way without pause; they would have to alternate between flying and resting. There were still 15 days before year's end—enough time to arrive.
Jiang Zhaoxia and Shen Yue flew behind him. Though they appeared calm, their hearts were equally surging.
It was not that they had never gone out on missions before, but such grandeur was a first.
The vast tide of vital energy behind them gave them immense confidence. In the past, they had always felt they were sheltering the sect's disciples. Now, with so many disciples accompanying them on this mission, they felt no burden—only boundless courage and anticipation.
They were already imagining leading this multitude into battle against a ghost army.
If even they felt this way, how much more so the other disciples.
The disciples had long known that the sect had many members, countless experts, and innumerable geniuses. Yet truly gathering over 1,000 True Disciples to fly on swords together gave them an entirely different sensation.
Shock!
Excitement!
Every direction was filled with figures riding swords. The vast convergence of vital energy was so immense that even the most gifted disciple felt their own vital energy was insignificant by comparison. Under such circumstances, a powerful sense of expectation and pride toward the sect surged within their hearts.
Yun Cai flew among the crowd, gazing at Li Qingqiu at the very front, her eyes filled with reverence.
Such a powerful Qingxiao Sect had been built by Li Qingqiu's own hands. How could such a figure not inspire awe and fervor among the disciples?
Li Qingqiu could sense the gazes behind him. He spoke, "Have the 10 Command Disciples pass down all currently gathered intelligence on malevolent ghosts. Every disciple is to hear it."
The Command Disciples had been appointed temporarily by Li Qingqiu, responsible for leading combat. It was impossible for 1,000 disciples to simply charge forward in a single mass.
In Li Qingqiu's vision, in the future he would also arrange disciples according to their strengths, forming balanced teams.
Not every disciple was adept at ghostly Dao spells or healing techniques. Gathering those with different specializations together could yield greater effectiveness.
"Yes!"
Behind him, Xiao Wuqing immediately turned and flew toward the 10 Command Disciples to relay the Sect Master's order.
…
On a snow-covered wasteland, a vast army pressed forward against wind and snow.
Qin Ye rode at the front on horseback, holding a golden staff in his hand. It reflected bright light amid the flying snow, dazzling to the eye. His expression was stern, his gaze sharp.
Years of warfare had long since stripped away his youthful immaturity. He had become a true pillar of the realm.
At 30 years old, he was now the foremost general under Liu Jing, commanding the three armies. This time, he led 300,000 troops northward.
Beside him, half a horse-length behind, rode a young general—Li Yuzhong.
Li Yuzhong held a halberd, his features handsome. Clad in heavy silver armor, he drew even more attention than Qin Ye.
On Qin Ye's other side rode a strategist named Jia Guang, dressed in ordinary armor. Looking ahead, he stroked his beard and smiled. "After traveling day and night for several months, we've finally reached Cangzhou. The scenery of the northern lands is truly vast and desolate. Personally, I still prefer the rivers and narrow alleys of Southern Chu."
Qin Ye replied, "We didn't come to Cangzhou for sightseeing. Once we step into Cangzhou's territory, we must remain vigilant and on strict guard. Several months have passed—perhaps the Northern Barbarians' demonic entities have already entered Cangzhou."
After hearing this, Jia Guang asked, "Great General, you are a disciple of the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect. You must have cultivated methods to deal with ghosts, right?"
When he heard Qingxiao Sect mentioned, Li Yuzhong could not help but listen closely.
Li Yuzhong had already arranged for his wife and children to stay at Qingxiao Sect—first for his son's future, and second to protect them.
Deep in his heart, he too yearned for immortal cultivation. He had even considered whether, once the chaotic era ended, he should go to Qingxiao Sect to cultivate immortality.
"Qingxiao Sect naturally has methods for dealing with ghosts, but I have not cultivated them," Qin Ye replied.
Having been away from the mountain for so many years, he truly missed his days in the sect. Yet at the same time, he felt a trace of fear about returning.
Over the years, he would occasionally encounter Qingxiao Sect disciples. As the Sect Master's second disciple, he would naturally receive them well. Through them, he also learned of the sect's development.
The rapid development of Qingxiao Sect even shocked him. He sometimes felt that what he had accomplished was meaningless. Compared to his master, it was too shallow, too childish. He also felt that he had already fallen behind the sect's pace—too many disciples had surpassed him.
Qin Ye's thoughts began to drift, and upon hearing that he had not cultivated ghost-slaying techniques, Jia Guang also fell into silence.
A premonition told Jia Guang that this northern campaign would likely end in more misfortune than fortune.
Li Yuzhong wanted to ask Qin Ye more about Qingxiao Sect, yet he did not know how to begin.
Their relationship was not particularly good; there was even a measure of rivalry between them in private. However, they both held each other in high regard. Their competition was open and aboveboard—they never resorted to schemes.
Behind them, the 300,000-strong army advanced in silence. Years of constant warfare had made them indifferent to where they were going. All they cared about was surviving until the next day.
The wind and snow grew heavier, and the road ahead became increasingly obscured.
As evening approached, Qin Ye suddenly spotted a swaying figure in the distance.
Li Yuzhong noticed it as well and immediately tightened his grip on the halberd.
Though 300,000 troops stood behind them, encountering a lone traveler in the wilderness demanded caution.
In this world, human hearts were unpredictable.
As the figure drew closer, Jia Guang also sensed something was wrong.
"Who goes there ahead?"
Jia Guang called out. Anyone who dared approach a great army head-on was certainly not simple—either they sought something, or they plotted something.
In troubled times, who would dare seek out an army?
Most likely the latter.
Facing Jia Guang's question, the figure gave no response and continued walking toward them.
Qin Ye did not order the army to halt. How could 300,000 troops be frightened off by a single person?
Still, to guard against mishap, he flicked his whip, urging his horse forward and taking the lead.
Li Yuzhong immediately followed, adjusting his grip on the halberd, ready for battle at any moment.
When they drew near, the two finally saw the figure clearly.
It was a middle-aged man in tattered clothes, with disheveled hair. His legs were twisted at an unnatural angle, his hands curled into claws. His head hung crooked, his face a sickly green. His eyes were vacant, and black blood dripped from his mouth.
Seeing his grotesque appearance, Qin Ye and Li Yuzhong immediately understood that he was no longer human.
The middle-aged man's gaze met Qin Ye's. His face suddenly twisted into a ferocious snarl as he lunged straight at the two of them.
…
Departing from Qingxiao Mountain, they flew by sword during the day and rested at night to absorb vital energy. After a total of 6 days, they finally arrived at Cangzhou.
Upon entering Cangzhou, Li Qingqiu slowed their pace and dispatched Jiang Zhaoxia to scout for intelligence.
Jiang Zhaoxia quickly located the movements of Liu Jing's army. Li Qingqiu then maintained a distance of several dozen miles, following behind Liu Jing's forces.
Another 4 days passed.
Night fell. Li Qingqiu led the disciples to halt upon the snowy plains. The disciples were not clustered too tightly. Shen Yue, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, Li Yang, and Xue Jin were positioned along the outer edges in various directions.
Li Qingqiu sat cross-legged before a campfire. Jin Lang practiced blade techniques at his side, while Yun Cai absorbed vital energy, occasionally glancing at him.
Nangong E suddenly emerged from the ground and came to Li Qingqiu's side, speaking in a low voice. "Master, we've found 2 more corpses. They're the same as the previous corpse ghosts."
After entering Cangzhou's territory, they had witnessed corpse ghosts wreaking havoc. A single corpse ghost could devastate an entire village. Aside from those they had personally slain, they had also encountered corpses of corpse ghosts. Li Qingqiu suspected Qin Ye was responsible.
Li Qingqiu responded, "Go and rest."
Nangong E nodded and slipped back into his body.
Yun Cai, now at the 6th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm, could already see ghosts. She had heard Nangong E's words and turned to Li Qingqiu.
"Sect Master, those corpse ghosts don't seem very strong. They're only at the level of first- or second-rate martial artists. Shouldn't an army be able to suppress them?"
Li Qingqiu replied, "What you saw were farmers and hunters transformed. If ordinary people suddenly gain the strength of someone who has practiced martial arts for 10 or 20 years, do you think that threat is still insufficient?"
Yun Cai continued, "I saw a strange force within their bodies, almost like poison. It surged from their hearts. Do you think that might be a fatal weakness of corpse ghosts?"
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu opened his eyes. He had not expected Yun Cai's Myriad-Law Spirit Eyes to possess such an effect.
"Good. If you discover anything further, report to me at once," Li Qingqiu praised. He beckoned to Xiao Wuqing and relayed this detail to him.
"Inform the Command Disciples. When encountering corpse ghosts next, try piercing their hearts and see if it is a weakness."
"Yes!"
Xiao Wuqing accepted the order and departed immediately.
Ordinary corpse ghosts could be dealt with by hacking them to pieces. But if they encountered a powerful corpse ghost, achieving that would not be easy.
Seeing that Li Qingqiu was willing to adopt her suggestion, Yun Cai felt delighted.
Although she was close to Li Qingqiu, in matters of such gravity she lacked seniority. She had feared that her voice would carry little weight.
She stopped disturbing him and continued cultivating.
After a while.
Jiang Zhaoxia descended from the sky, landing beside Li Qingqiu, and said in a low voice, "There's something wrong with the provincial capital. I'm afraid it's a trap set for Liu Jing's army."