Chapter 15: The Strength of the Youth Sect Leader

After Li Qingqiu had meditated before the sect gate for an hour, Yang Jueding walked out from the sect. After several months of recovery, his wounds had completely healed. His spirit had returned to its peak, his gaze was sharp, and he walked with a powerful, confident stride.

He walked all the way to Li Qingqiu’s side and sat down, his gaze looking Li Qingqiu up and down.

Li Qingqiu asked without opening his eyes, "What is it?"

"That technique of yours is truly strange. The commotion it makes while drawing in the energy of heaven and earth is quite large. And I feel that the energy you absorb is different from what I know. Although there are hundreds of schools of martial arts, an internal art with such rapid results is something I've never seen before," Yang Jueding said in wonder.

Even with Li Qingqiu and the others practicing cultivation in front of him, he couldn't understand it.

Martial arts also involved absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to nurture internal qi, but it was vastly different from cultivation.

Martial internal qi was generated by stimulating pressure points and the dantian; the energy of heaven and earth served as a stimulant. But for cultivation, Spirit Essence used the physical body as a vessel, like refining a pill, to refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into Spirit Essence—it was an effect of transformation.

There are many, many types of energy in the world. Spiritual energy was the source of all things, present everywhere, yet it was the most difficult type for a mortal spirit to capture.

"What? You want to learn?" Li Qingqiu opened one eye and glanced at him, asking softly.

Yang Jueding chuckled. "Is that okay?"

He hadn't learned before because he couldn't bear to lose the internal qi he had accumulated over twenty years. but after seeing the results of the Clear Firmament Sect's disciples, he couldn't hold back anymore.

In any case, it was difficult for his power to grow any further, so it was better to find another way.

"Naturally. I'll teach you later."

Li Qingqiu didn't hesitate and agreed directly. He had seen Yang Jueding’s actions during this period, and his attitude in teaching the second generation of disciples was very good; he was quite satisfied.

Seeing him agree, Yang Jueding immediately became happy.

It seemed Li Qingqiu was not a heartless person; as long as one contributed, he would provide rewards.

Yang Jueding immediately brought up something he had been considering for the past two days. His expression became serious as he asked, "Sect Leader, don't you feel the development of the Clear Firmament Sect is too slow?"

Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, turned to look at him, and asked, "What is your brilliant idea?"

Yang Jueding continued, "I see that kid Jiang and Zhang Yuchun have gone down the mountain again, which means we are very short on money. As long as we have enough money, we can have more grain, forge more weapons, and build more houses. The Clear Firmament Sect will naturally be able to develop rapidly."

He looked at Li Qingqiu and, not wanting to tease him, continued.

"Have you ever thought about cooperating with noble families or wealthy landowners? You can get money and a portion of their power. You only need to teach people martial arts or give up a portion of your authority."

Yang Jueding stopped there, waiting for Li Qingqiu’s reaction. If Li Qingqiu didn't agree, saying too much would be an offense.

Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you have a lead?"

Actually, he had already thought of this. He wasn't opposed to cooperating with noble families or landowners. In this world similar to ancient China, noble families also controlled most of the resources, especially books.

If he could cooperate with noble families, he could gain all kinds of talent.

Even an immortal sect could not rely solely on its disciples practicing in seclusion. The introduction of talent was necessary.

The future Clear Firmament Sect would surely need masters of forging, as well as doctors and scholars. They also needed tailors; they couldn't go down the mountain to invite someone every time they wanted to change their robes. He even wanted to build a city for the Clear Firmament Sect, forming a complete system. Of course, these things would take time to achieve.

"I have traveled the martial world for many years and have many friends. If you don't mind, I will make a bold suggestion," Yang Jueding said, his spirit rising as he straightened his back.

"For our Clear Firmament Sect, first, we cannot associate with noble families who have connections to official power—they will easily consume us. We also cannot associate with families who have other martial world connections; it will be difficult to resolve conflicts in the future. What is suitable for us are newly risen noble families without a foundation, or wealthy landowners who have suddenly become rich. They don't have enough strength and need military force to guard their family assets. Our existence would be crucial. Because they don't have their own military force, they will be wary of us and won't dare to act out."

Li Qingqiu looked at Yang Jueding in a new light. He had originally thought Yang Jueding was a rough-and-tumble warrior, but he hadn't expected him to think so clearly about the problem.

Yang Jueding gave his answer: "In Plum Mountain Township near the Taikun Mountain Range, there is such a family with the surname Qin. One of their ancestors once became a top scholar. Thirty years ago, the world underwent a great change and the dynasty was replaced. In order to seek refuge, they hid in Plum Mountain Township. I passed by a few years ago and had a pleasant conversation with their patriarch. The Qin family has intentions to re-enter the world. They have been in business and have a thriving population. They are very suitable for our Clear Firmament Sect."

After hearing this, Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes and asked, "They might also bring us trouble. No matter how strong the Clear Firmament Sect is, it cannot withstand the thousands of troops of the imperial court."

There was a reason why the Qin family was hiding. If they were labeled as remnants of the previous dynasty, it would be a problem.

"This is already the most suitable family nearest to us. Other choices are either too far or have long been tangled up with the martial world. There are quite a lot of sects near the Taikun Mountain Range, a mix of dragons and snakes."

Yang Jueding spoke seriously. He added, "Any choice carries risk. It just depends on how you choose and if you dare to gamble."

Li Qingqiu felt this was reasonable. He fell into thought, and Yang Jueding didn't rush him, beginning to enjoy the grand mountain scenery before him.

After a while.

Li Qingqiu spoke: "How about this? You invite their patriarch to the mountain for a talk. I will speak with him personally."

"Naturally, no problem!" Yang Jueding clapped his hands and laughed, very happy.

He was happy not because Li Qingqiu had agreed to his suggestion, but because although Li Qingqiu was young, he was brave enough to engage in diplomacy with other forces. With this kind of perspective and courage, the future of the Clear Firmament Sect could not be underestimated.

The two chatted for a few more words, and Yang Jueding went to pack his things, preparing to descend the mountain today.

At the fastest, he could bring people back up in five days.

After Yang Jueding left, Li Qingqiu continued to meditate before the sect gate.

He waited until the sun was about to set, when he saw Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Xu Ning emerge from the forest. Each of them was carrying a bamboo basket, returning with a full load.

Zhang Yuchun was also leading three small pigs, who were grunting all the way.

Li Qingqiu smiled, thinking that his second brother was quite capable to be able to get so many supplies from the villagers. You had to know that the Gu Prefecture had recently fallen into turmoil, with mutinies and refugees.

He waited for Zhang Yuchun and the others to come up the mountain and then entered the sect together, chatting as they walked.

Li Qingqiu only then learned that most of these things were given by the families of Huang Shan and Yu Lin. This changed his opinion of the disciples who had gifts sent from home.

'Mhm. They are very sensible; I can nurture them more in the future.'

That night, Li Qingqiu arranged for two disciples to be responsible for raising the pigs. The reason he wanted two people was mainly because the disciples were too young and needed to help each other.

The Clear Firmament Sect was still a sect of children, and many tasks required a team.

...

Five days later, before Jiang Zhaoxia and the other two had returned, Yang Jueding brought the Qin family up first.

This member of the Qin family was the young master, named Qin Jue. He looked like he came from a wealthy family, was twenty-five years old this year, and was kind, warm, and generous. He followed Yang Jueding alone; the reason his father hadn't come was because he was tied up with other matters.

Li Qingqiu brought him into the courtyard for a talk, with Yang Jueding accompanying them.

After Qin Jue sat down, Yang Jueding began to pour tea, which made him even more curious about Li Qingqiu.

'Why is this youth Sect Leader able to make the world-famous Dragon-Subduing Hero so obedient?'

He chatted with Li Qingqiu while observing the other disciples in the courtyard. Wu Man’er and three young disciples were practicing their fists, and Li Sifeng was practicing his sword on the eaves; they all looked the part.

Especially Li Sifeng—his swordplay was sharp and he didn't look like a child at all. Standing on the eaves, his posture was steady; at a glance, his skills were very deep.

After the pleasantries, Qin Jue began to talk about serious business with Li Qingqiu. He first asked about the strength of the Clear Firmament Sect and how much help they could give the Qin family.

"If the Qin family runs into trouble, I can send at least three experts as powerful as Yang Jueding to help. I can also help you nurture the children of your family; the martial arts of the Clear Firmament Sect are not simple," Li Qingqiu said with a soft smile.

Qin Jue looked toward Yang Jueding, who nodded and said, "I have also joined the Clear Firmament Sect. As long as the Sect Leader gives the order, I am willing to go through fire and water."

He turned his head toward Li Sifeng on the eaves and called out, "Sifeng, show us a move."

At these words, Li Sifeng turned and immediately threw the sword in his hand.

He had practiced this move in advance. He used Spirit Essence, and the sword was as fast as a lightning bolt, stabbing straight toward Qin Jue’s face.

The two were less than five zhang apart, and in a blink, the sword was about to reach Qin Jue’s face.

It was too fast!

Qin Jue could be considered a martial artist, but he had no time to dodge at all; he was frozen in terror.

Fortunately, a hand reached out from beside his head and caught the flying sword between two fingers. The blade vibrated, making a clear ringing sound.

Qin Jue instinctively turned his head and found that the person who had moved was not Yang Jueding, but Li Qingqiu.

This shocked him greatly—this youth Sect Leader who looked harmless to humans and animals actually possessed such skills.

Yang Jueding was also startled. Even he was scared by Li Sifeng’s move. His intention was for Li Sifeng to show a routine of swordplay; he hadn't expected the boy to strike so ruthlessly.

The thing that surprised him most was Li Qingqiu’s skill.

'His strike was so fast!'

'Faster than mine!'

'Does Li Qingqiu possess strength not inferior to Jiang Zhaoxia’s?'

Li Qingqiu tossed the sword to the side, where it stuck into the ground, vibrating incessantly. He glared at Li Sifeng and scolded, "Presumptuous! I told you to show a move, not to show off like that. Come over and apologize!"

Li Sifeng hurried down from the eaves and ran over to Qin Jue to apologize.

Qin Jue forced a smile, saying it was no matter.

He was first angry, then his mood shifted to excitement.

the Clear Firmament Sect truly did have skills!

After giving Li Sifeng a kick to the rear, Li Qingqiu continued to negotiate with Qin Jue. The negotiation that followed went very smoothly, first understanding what the Qin family wanted, and then speaking frankly to enter the stage of profit exchange.

An hour later, Qin Jue was in a hurry to descend the mountain, with Yang Jueding escorting him back.

The Qin family would regularly gift the Clear Firmament Sect a large amount of money and supplies every year. In return, the Clear Firmament Sect would take in six children under the age of twelve from the Qin family to practice martial arts, and Li Qingqiu would choose one of them to be his personal disciple.

Li Qingqiu stood before the sect gate and watched them descend. At that moment, a prompt suddenly jumped up before his eyes:

[In light of the Clear Firmament Sect receiving external funding for the first time while retaining its autonomy, you have gained one Inheritance Reward.]