by EkkoTheDemon
After the excitement of the Spring Festival, life in the Clear Firmament Sect returned to its former tranquility—those pursuing the path of immortality continued their cultivation, while those following martial arts practiced their forms.
A month later, Li Qingqiu finally broke through to the second level of the Essence Nurturing Realm within the subterranean Spirit Lake. Feeling the Spirit Essence within his body grow several times stronger than before, he couldn't help but marvel at the vast disparity in aptitude between himself and Jiang Zhaoxia.
Although the disciples visited the subterranean Spirit Lake in rotation, he actually visited the most frequently. The other disciples had no objections to this; Jiang Zhaoxia even hoped he would visit every day, as he had nothing else to do.
The junior brothers and sisters had been raised by Li Qingqiu. Now that it was time for Li Qingqiu to enjoy the benefits, they did not feel it was unfair; on the contrary, they felt it was his well-deserved reward.
Furthermore, only if the Sect Leader grew stronger could the Clear Firmament Sect go further.
"Eldest Brother, did you just break through?"
Li Dongyue, who was sitting cross-legged across the lake, looked at Li Qingqiu and asked curiously.
She had clearly felt the spiritual energy in the air rush toward Li Qingqiu just now, even affecting her own breath-taking.
Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and smiled. "Mhm, I have indeed broken through. Next, I can begin training in the second level of the Great Purity Primordial Scripture."
Li Dongyue showed an envious expression and asked, "By the way, Eldest Brother, I heard Senior Yang say that the martial world has a hierarchy for the strength of fighters. Do you think the second level of the Essence Nurturing Realm counts as a first-rate expert, or perhaps even beyond that?"
The scene of Jiang Zhaoxia killing Luo Lie in a split second was still vivid in her mind. Although it was a sneak attack, Yang Jueding had said that Luo Lie was a first-rate expert; to be able to kill him, even by ambush, meant that the killer’s level was not far from being a first-rate expert themselves.
"I can't say for certain. Besides, we practice to strengthen ourselves; we shouldn't always be thinking about comparing ourselves to others," Li Qingqiu said with deep meaning.
For those on the path of immortality, the most important thing was cultivating the heart. What mattered was not a single day's gain, but the long years ahead.
Li Dongyue nodded. "I understand. I was just curious."
The two chatted while they practiced, and after a few words, they both fell silent.
Two hours later, they left together and returned to the Clear Firmament Sect.
By the time they arrived back at the sect, it was nearly twilight. Most of the disciples had already gathered in the courtyard where they usually lived, which was also where they ate their meals.
Li Qingqiu saw Xu Ning standing alone outside the kitchen, waiting to bring out the dishes, while the other disciples were already gathered around the table, discussing what they had learned today.
Aside from practicing the Great Purity Primordial Scripture, the disciples spent most of their time following Yang Jueding to practice martial arts. Although their physical skills hadn't improved as rapidly as Li Sifeng’s, their bodies were visibly stronger.
Xu Ning had not yet begun practicing the Great Purity Primordial Scripture. Without Li Qingqiu’s orders, Li Dongyue and Zhang Yuchun would not take it upon themselves to teach the disciples, and even Yang Jueding had not practiced it.
Naturally, Yang Jueding was not interested in the internal arts of the Clear Firmament Sect. For a martial artist, changing one's internal arts without permission was a major taboo, unless the new art far surpassed the old one.
Changing arts meant having to re-cultivate internal qi, which was not something that could be done in just a month or two.
Li Qingqiu walked up behind Xu Ning and asked, "Do you want to practice?"
Xu Ning was startled by him and turned to look at him, asking cautiously, "Is it internal arts?"
She was already learning physical techniques, and she was more diligent than the other disciples, often receiving praise from Yang Jueding.
However, Yang Jueding clearly favored boys over girls. His focus was on nurturing Li Sifeng, while the martial arts moves he taught the other disciples were quite ordinary.
"Naturally, and it is the unique internal art of the Clear Firmament Sect."
Li Qingqiu said with a smile, looking like a profound and mysterious master. His words also brought joy to Xu Ning, who had seen Yang Jueding demonstrate his internal qi—it had deeply impressed her, and she had long wanted to learn.
"I do! I want to very much!" Xu Ning nodded her head frantically like a chicken pecking at grain, her eyes shining. This was the first time she had shown such an excited expression.
Li Qingqiu asked with a smile, "If I teach you the internal arts, what should you call me?"
"Sect Leader?"
"Mhm?"
"Master?"
Xu Ning tested the word nervously. She knew what the master-disciple relationship represented. In the martial world, the bond between a master and a disciple was often more important than that of a father and daughter or a father and son.
The corners of Li Qingqiu’s mouth curled up. "Kowtow to me three times. From today on, you will be my first disciple."
Zhang Yuchun, who was stir-frying vegetables, couldn't help but cast a curious glance.
"Eldest Brother, how can your first disciple be a girl?"
Jiang Zhaoxia’s voice drifted over as he walked toward them carrying a sword.
Since picking up a steel sword, he had become spirited and sharp-edged. Sometimes, even from dozens of zhang away, one could hear the whistling sound of him practicing in the forest.
Now, Jiang Zhaoxia was the undisputed strongest member of the Clear Firmament Sect.
At Jiang Zhaoxia’s words, the other disciples all turned to look, including Yang Jueding.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xu Ning’s small face turned red, but the look she gave Jiang Zhaoxia was one of dissatisfaction.
"What of it if she is a girl? She might even be more powerful than you in the future."
Li Qingqiu said nonchalantly. His words deeply moved Xu Ning, and tears began to well in her eyes.
Then, Li Qingqiu looked at Xu Ning and gestured for her to kowtow quickly.
Xu Ning immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Li Qingqiu three times.
Just like that, Li Qingqiu took on his first disciple.
He also breathed a secret sigh of relief. If he didn't start nurturing such a genius soon, his heart would truly itch.
But he was also afraid that once Xu Ning grew stronger, she might threaten his position as Sect Leader, so he had to use a bit of clever maneuvering.
This way, with her Obsessive Fate Token, Xu Ning would surely identify with him in the future and would not betray him.
As for Jiang Zhaoxia’s arrogant words, even if Xu Ning was dissatisfied, it wouldn't escalate to the point of hatred, as Jiang Zhaoxia had saved her.
"Alright, let's eat first."
Li Qingqiu pulled Xu Ning up, patted her knees, and said with a gentle smile.
The attitude toward ordinary disciples and personal disciples had to be different. Li Qingqiu even felt like he was raising a daughter, even though he was only seven years older than Xu Ning.
A Sect Leader taking a disciple was a major event, and for the rest of the meal, everyone discussed the matter.
Several mischievous and bold disciples took the initiative to ask Li Qingqiu to be their master, but they were all rejected. On the other hand, Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue each couldn't help but take a disciple for themselves.
As for Jiang Zhaoxia, he didn't pay any attention to these disciples. His cold face made them afraid to try and get close to him.
Yang Jueding set down his wine bowl and sighed. "Sect Leader, the status of the first disciple is not simple in any sect. Are you certain she can handle it?"
When Xu Ning heard this, she gritted her teeth.
There was nothing for it; she was not only young but also thin. To Yang Jueding, she looked like she could never achieve anything great—at least, she wasn't as strong as his precious Li Sifeng.
Unfortunately, Li Sifeng was of the same generation as Li Qingqiu, so he couldn't take him as a disciple.
"Even if she can't, it doesn't matter. Although the Clear Firmament Sect is also a martial sect, we are not following a path of being aggressive and competitive. I care more about her character and responsibility than the level of her martial arts. I believe this child will satisfy me."
Li Qingqiu said pretty words as he continued to win over Xu Ning.
He almost wanted to applaud Yang Jueding. He thought, 'I didn't even pay you any money, so why do you insist on being such a good foil?'
Li Dongyue couldn't help but speak up. "Alright, Ning’er has already become the Eldest Brother’s disciple. In the future, she will be our martial niece. Let's look toward the future."
"Martial niece! Ning’er, you are my martial niece now!"
The young Li Sijin laughed happily. She was a year older than Xu Ning, but when the two stood together, one would always feel that she was the younger sister, mainly because she was still innocent, while the silent Xu Ning appeared more steady.
Xu Ning’s small face finally softened into a smile. She liked Li Sijin’s liveliness, so she couldn't help but put more food into her bowl.
Li Qingqiu called up the Sacred Heritage panel and checked Xu Ning’s loyalty.
99/99!
Good heavens, it went straight to the top!
In Li Qingqiu’s eyes, this was already the highest possible loyalty. A loyalty of one hundred—was that something a normal person could have?
He could now nurture her with peace of mind!