After the lively New Year, life at Qingxiao Sect returned to its usual calm. Those who cultivated immortality continued cultivating, and those who practiced martial arts kept training as before.
One month later, Li Qingqiu finally broke through to the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm within the Underground Spiritual Lake. Feeling the vitality in his body grow several times stronger than before, he couldn't help sighing at the difference in cultivation aptitude between himself and Jiang Zhaoxia.
Although the disciples took turns coming to the Underground Spiritual Lake, in reality, Li Qingqiu came the most. The others had no complaints—Jiang Zhaoxia even hoped he would come every day, since he himself had nothing else to do.
After all, their senior brother had raised them all. Now that Li Qingqiu was enjoying the fruits of cultivation, none of them felt it was unfair. In fact, they believed he fully deserved it.
Moreover, the stronger their Sect Master became, the further Qingxiao Sect could rise.
"Senior Brother, did you just have a breakthrough?"
From across the lake, Li Dongyue, who was meditating, looked curiously at Li Qingqiu.
Just moments ago, she had clearly felt the spiritual energy around them surge rapidly toward him, even disrupting her own breathing rhythm.
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and smiled. "Mm, yes, I did. I've now stepped into the second layer. Next, I can begin cultivating the second layer of the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra."
Li Dongyue's face showed envy. "By the way, Senior Brother," she asked, "Senior Yang said there are ranks among martial artists in the jianghu. Do you think someone at the second layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm would count as a first-class master—or above first-class?"
The scene of Jiang Zhaoxia killing Luo Lie in a single instant was still fresh in her mind. Though it had been a sneak attack, Yang Jueding had said that Luo Lie was a first-class expert. Even if it was by surprise, anyone capable of killing him couldn't be far from that realm.
Li Qingqiu shook his head and said earnestly, "I can't say for sure. But remember, we cultivate not to compare ourselves with others, but to strengthen ourselves. That's what matters most."
For those who sought immortality, the most important thing was to cultivate their hearts. What mattered wasn't brief success but long-term perseverance through endless years.
Li Dongyue nodded. "I understand. I was just curious, that's all."
They chatted a little while cultivating, but soon quieted down again.
After about two hours, they left together and returned to Qingxiao Sect.
By the time they arrived, dusk had already fallen. Most of the disciples were gathered in the courtyard where they usually ate together.
Li Qingqiu noticed Xu Ning standing alone outside the kitchen, waiting to serve the dishes, while the other disciples were already sitting at the table discussing what they had learned that day.
Aside from practicing the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra, most of their daily time was spent learning martial arts from Yang Jueding. Though none of them had improved as rapidly as Li Sifeng, their bodies had clearly grown much stronger.
Xu Ning had not yet begun cultivating the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra. Without Li Qingqiu's instruction, neither Li Dongyue nor Zhang Yuchun dared to teach it privately. Even Yang Jueding hadn't tried cultivating it.
Of course, Yang Jueding had no interest in Qingxiao Sect's internal cultivation methods. For martial artists, changing one's inner energy cultivation technique at will was taboo—unless the new technique was far superior to the old.
Switching techniques meant rebuilding one's internal energy from scratch, something that couldn't be done in just a month or two.
Li Qingqiu walked up behind Xu Ning and asked, "Do you want to learn cultivation?"
Xu Ning jumped in surprise and turned around carefully. "You mean… internal cultivation?" she asked cautiously.
She was already learning fist and sword techniques and practiced harder than the others, often earning Yang Jueding's praise.
However, Yang Jueding clearly favored men over women. His main focus was training Li Sifeng, while the moves he taught the other disciples were far simpler.
"Of course," Li Qingqiu said with a mysterious smile. "And not just any technique—Qingxiao Sect's exclusive internal cultivation art."
His tone carried a calm confidence that immediately excited Xu Ning. She had once seen Yang Jueding use his inner energy—it had amazed her deeply. She had long dreamed of learning such a skill herself.
"I want to! I really, really want to!" Xu Ning nodded rapidly like a pecking chicken, her eyes sparkling. It was the first time she had ever shown such excitement.
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "If I'm going to pass down this inner cultivation to you, what should you call me?"
"…Sect Master?"
"Hmm?"
"Master?"
Xu Ning hesitantly guessed. She understood what such a relationship meant—in the jianghu, the bond between master and disciple was often deeper than between parent and child.
Li Qingqiu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then kneel and bow three times. From today onward, you'll be my first disciple."
Zhang Yuchun, who was frying vegetables nearby, couldn't help glancing over curiously.
"Senior Brother," Jiang Zhaoxia's voice came from behind as he walked in with a sword in hand. "Your first disciple is a girl?"
Ever since he had picked up the iron sword, Jiang Zhaoxia's whole demeanor had changed—spirited, sharp, and brimming with confidence. Sometimes, even from dozens of meters away, they could hear the whistling sound of his blade cutting through the air in the forest.
By now, Jiang Zhaoxia was already recognized by everyone as the strongest person in Qingxiao Sect.
Hearing his words, all the disciples turned their heads, even Yang Jueding.
Under everyone's gaze, Xu Ning's face turned bright red. Still, she glared at Jiang Zhaoxia with clear dissatisfaction.
"So what if she's a girl?" Li Qingqiu said indifferently. "Maybe she'll surpass you one day."
His words deeply moved Xu Ning, her eyes growing misty with tears.
Then Li Qingqiu looked at her and gestured for her to kneel.
Xu Ning immediately dropped to her knees and kowtowed three times to him.
Just like that, Li Qingqiu accepted his very first disciple.
He secretly let out a sigh of relief. A talent like hers—if he didn't start training her soon, his hands would start itching from impatience.
But at the same time, Li Qingqiu was a little worried that once Xu Ning became too strong, she might threaten his position as Sect Master. So, he couldn't help but use a few small tricks.
This way, with her obsessive and loyal nature, Xu Ning would likely acknowledge him completely and never betray him.
As for Jiang Zhaoxia's arrogant comment, even if Xu Ning felt unhappy, it wouldn't turn into hatred—after all, Jiang Zhaoxia had saved her before.
"Alright, let's eat first."
Li Qingqiu helped Xu Ning up and gently patted her knees, smiling warmly.
His attitude toward a personal disciple was naturally different from that toward ordinary ones. In fact, he almost felt like he was raising a daughter—though he was only seven years older than her.
Accepting a disciple was no small matter for the Sect Master. During dinner, everyone was lively, discussing this event.
A few mischievous and bold disciples even volunteered to become Li Qingqiu's disciples too, but he rejected them all on the spot. Instead, Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue each couldn't resist and accepted a disciple of their own.
As for Jiang Zhaoxia, he didn't care about any of these disciples. His cold demeanor made them too nervous to approach him.
Yang Jueding set down his wine bowl and sighed. "Sect Master, the position of the First Disciple carries great weight in any sect. Are you sure she's capable of handling it?"
Hearing that, Xu Ning clenched her teeth tightly.
She couldn't blame him. She was young, thin, and delicate—no matter how Yang Jueding looked at her, she didn't seem like someone with potential. In his eyes, she was nothing compared to his prized student, Li Sifeng.
Unfortunately, Li Sifeng was of the same generation as Li Qingqiu, so Yang Jueding couldn't take him as a disciple.
"Even if she isn't capable, that's fine," Li Qingqiu said calmly. "Qingxiao Sect may be a martial sect, but we don't walk the path of rivalry or arrogance. What I value more than martial strength is her character and sense of duty. I believe she won't disappoint me."
His words were graceful and dignified—yet in truth, he was just deepening Xu Ning's loyalty.
He almost wanted to applaud Yang Jueding afterward. 'I didn't even pay you, yet you're helping me make myself look good?'
Li Dongyue spoke up. "Enough already. Xu Ning is now Senior Brother's disciple, which makes her our junior niece. Let's focus on the future."
"Junior niece, Xu Ning—you're my junior niece now!"
The youngest, Li Sijin, grinned happily. She was a year older than Xu Ning, yet when they stood together, she somehow looked younger. Maybe it was her childish innocence, while Xu Ning's quiet, steady nature made her seem more mature.
Xu Ning's expression finally softened. She smiled and, fond of Li Sijin's cheerful energy, couldn't help reaching over to serve her another portion of food.
Meanwhile, Li Qingqiu quietly opened the Dao Lineage interface and checked Xu Ning's loyalty.
[ Loyalty: 99 / 99 ]
'Well, damn!' he thought, stunned. 'It's maxed out already!'
In his eyes, this was the absolute peak of loyalty. A full 100 would be unrealistic for any normal person.
'Good. I can safely train her now.'
…
Three days later, Li Qingqiu brought Xu Ning and Li Sijin to the Underground Spiritual Lake to cultivate. That day would be the first time he passed down the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra to Xu Ning, and she was full of anticipation.
The two young girls always chattered noisily when together, but Xu Ning was too eager to start. Her seriousness soon influenced the restless Li Sijin as well.
Sure enough, Xu Ning's cultivation speed was astonishing.
With the aid of the Underground Spiritual Lake, she condensed her first wisp of vital energy in just one hour.
Li Sijin was completely shocked.
Even Li Qingqiu, who had mentally prepared for her talent, was still taken aback.
He turned to Li Sijin and said, "Don't tell anyone about this. If someone asks, just say it took her a full day to develop inner qi."
"Why?" Li Sijin asked blankly.
"I'm afraid your Third Senior Brother will take it the wrong way."
The moment he said that, Li Sijin thought of Jiang Zhaoxia's perpetually sour expression and nodded in deep agreement.
She also thought her third brother was far too easily upset.
Despite Li Qingqiu's warning, the fact that Xu Ning had cultivated qi within a single day still stunned Zhang Yuchun and the others.
Cultivators were extremely sensitive to the presence of spiritual energy. Though Yang Jueding and the ordinary disciples didn't notice, Li Qingqiu's fellow senior and junior disciples immediately sensed it when they saw Xu Ning.
Their attitudes toward her quickly changed—and even Jiang Zhaoxia's as well.
However, Jiang Zhaoxia only adjusted his opinion slightly. In his mind, Xu Ning's success was thanks to the Underground Spiritual Lake. If she had cultivated outside, there was no way she could have been faster than him.
Xu Ning's breakthrough made Li Qingqiu even more optimistic about Qingxiao Sect's future.
In the days that followed, the seven disciples recruited from the village still couldn't form any qi. Li Qingqiu decided they should focus on martial arts training instead.
The Underground Spiritual Lake couldn't be exposed lightly—and with too many people, it would also disturb his own and his juniors' cultivation.
Days passed quickly.
Spring turned to summer. Li Qingqiu had just turned seventeen, though his fellow disciples all believed his birthday was in autumn. He never corrected them, since he didn't like making a big deal about his own birthday anyway.
That afternoon, Li Qingqiu sat on the grassy slope before the mountain gate.
In front of him lay nine swords, arranged neatly. He was meditating to establish a spiritual link with each one as part of his practice for the Supreme Sword Defense Technique.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
Following the mountain path downward, he spotted someone emerging from the forest.
The newcomer wore a fitted yellow robe and carried a sword on his back. His build was tall and powerful—clearly a martial artist.
When the yellow-robed man lifted his head and saw Li Qingqiu sitting before the mountain gate, his face broke into a broad, friendly smile.
He climbed the stone steps and asked loudly, "Excuse me, is this Qingxiao Sect?"
Li Qingqiu frowned and said irritably, "Can't you read the words above my head?"
The three large characters for Qingxiao Sect were carved right into the mountain gate. How could someone miss that?
The yellow-robed man didn't take offense. Still smiling, he said cheerfully, "Oh, I saw it, but I wanted to hear you confirm it yourself. Let me introduce myself—I'm your sect's new Sect Master. My name is Mo Jiujiao."