From a Martial Arts Sect to an Immortal Cultivation Sect Chapter 63
“I never said I wanted to steal the divine art. I just wanted to exchange for it earlier.”
The black-clad woman spoke faintly.
Her gaze was fixed upon the gray-robed old man, but unfortunately, he remained unmoved.
She took a deep breath, her tone softening as she said, “Uncle Gu, please accompany me one last time. If it doesn’t work, I’ll accept my fate and return home to obediently become a pawn in the family’s game of profit and marriage. This time, I won’t let you clash with others. If it fails, then it proves this is the fate I deserve.”
The gray-robed old man called Uncle Gu sighed and said helplessly, “Miss, this old man once had a name in the martial world. Twenty years ago, when people mentioned me, Gu Duba, who wouldn’t tremble in fear? But the martial world always welcomes new heroes. Fame in the martial world is fleeting. What allows aristocratic families to endure for generations isn’t temporary fame, but heritage. Even if you master the divine art and change the family’s view of you, how much benefit can your martial prowess truly bring to the clan?”
There was one thing he didn’t say aloud — even someone as strong as he still had to serve her family like a dog.
The black-clad woman fell silent.
Her name was Chai Yunshang, from the Chai Family of Jiangzhou.
She was well aware of her clan’s heritage — a family that had lasted three hundred years.
After the rise of the new dynasty, the clan had declined.
The Chai Family had long sought to break into Zhongtian Province, forming alliances with various powers.
The women of the Chai Family could never escape arranged marriages.
Her father had once tried to marry her off to Lü Taidou of the Seven Peaks Alliance, desiring that alliance’s martial power.
Thus, she had traveled alone to the Seven Peaks Alliance.
“What if I become as powerful as the Martial Legend?” Chai Yunshang stared at Gu Duba and asked.
Gu Duba smiled bitterly.
Achieving the status of a Martial Legend was easier said than done.
Chai Yunshang continued, “My elder sister has already married a military official in Jiangzhou, and my father is still seeking a marriage alliance for my younger sister to expand his network of influence. I refuse to live like that. Uncle Gu, please help me one last time.”
Gu Duba sighed helplessly.
“Alright, one last time as promised. Don’t be too pessimistic. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find an ideal husband after all.”
An ideal husband?
Chai Yunshang sneered in disdain.
She didn’t believe that at all.
──
Two months had passed since the great battle.
The Clear Sky Sect finally experienced a surge of fame, and people came daily to seek apprenticeship.
That afternoon, Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun sat inside a room, discussing the development of the sect.
The recruitment of disciples had been handed over to Zhang Yu, who had officially joined the Clear Sky Sect earlier that morning.
While listening to Zhang Yuchun’s report, Li Qingqiu checked Zhang Yu’s information panel.
Cultivation aptitude and comprehension were decent — both of average level.
In Li Qingqiu’s eyes, “average” aptitude was already considered talented, for beneath it were the ranks of incompetent and extremely poor.
He had invited Zhang Yu to join the sect several times before, but Zhang Yu only wanted to make money and said he wouldn’t stay long in the Clear Sky Sect.
It wasn’t until today, when Zhang Yuchun invited him again, that Zhang Yu finally agreed.
Li Qingqiu was quite satisfied with Zhang Yu.
Although this fellow received a considerable monthly salary, he worked diligently.
Unfortunately, Zhang Yu had no special Fate Trait.
“Starting next month, the number of disciples coming to apprentice will surge explosively. Thankfully, when Third Senior Brother campaigned against the Azure Sect, he seized quite a bit of wealth. Still, we must find more sources of income,” Zhang Yuchun said excitedly.
Jiang Zhaoxia and the Thirteen Sword Fiends not only looted many treasures from the Azure Sect but even carried off the sect’s martial arts manuals.
Because of this, Li Qingqiu rewarded the remaining twelve members of the Thirteen Sword Fiends by allowing them to cultivate the Primordial Unity Scripture.
Currently, the Clear Sky Sect was constructing a Library Pavilion, expected to be completed next month.
The Library Pavilion concerned the sect’s heritage and could not be built carelessly.
At the same time, Li Qingqiu was considering who would guard it.
Zhang Yuchun went on, “Senior Brother, I want to build a town at the foot of the mountain. It can generate income, gather intelligence from the martial world, and even serve as a buffer zone during wars. But this isn’t something that can be done in just a year or two.”
Li Qingqiu thought of the Seven Peaks Town beneath the Seven Peaks Alliance and agreed such a settlement was indeed necessary.
“How about going to Huang Shan’s village instead? Help the villagers rebuild their homes and repay them for their years of support,” Li Qingqiu suggested.
Zhang Yuchun frowned.
“If so, then who would that village belong to?”
Li Qingqiu replied, “Naturally, it would belong to us. We must hold absolute authority. This will be difficult in the early stages, and you’ll have to convince the villagers. Think of it as tempering your abilities. Eventually, you’ll have to face conflicts between sect interests and personal emotions — you must learn to handle such matters.”
Zhang Yuchun nodded.
He felt that Senior Brother was right.
Li Qingqiu told Zhang Yuchun to observe the disciples regularly.
If he found any promising individuals, he could report their names.
Now that the sect possessed a Spiritual Ore Vein, Li Qingqiu didn’t intend to merely guard it.
He would begin cultivating immortal disciples in earnest.
The ore vein was over three hundred li from the Clear Sky Sect.
Even with Jiang Zhaoxia stationed there, Li Qingqiu feared possible accidents, so he decided to use it immediately.
Perhaps when half of the ore vein was exhausted, the sect would already be strong enough to protect it.
The two continued chatting until someone knocked on the door, interrupting their discussion.
“Sect Master, Second Uncle-Master, someone claiming to be from the Chai Family of Jiangzhou wishes to visit the Sect Master.”
The speaker outside was Liu Yan, disciple of Li Dongyue.
Zhang Yuchun raised a brow.
“The Chai Family of Jiangzhou? That’s no ordinary clan. Jiangzhou is right next to Guzhou. I’ve heard plenty about them. They’re active in both righteous and underworld circles. Senior Brother, let me take a look first — you’re not someone just anyone can meet these days.”
Ever since the day Li Qingqiu slew the Seven Fiends of the Demonic Cult, Zhang Yuchun and the disciples’ attitudes had completely changed.
They truly believed Li Qingqiu had received guidance from an immortal, and was no ordinary man.
Throughout the entire sect — except for the new disciples who had joined in the past two months — everyone harbored a fanatical reverence for him.
Li Qingqiu nodded, watching Zhang Yuchun leave the room.
Thinking he still had time before Zhang Yuchun returned, he went to the desk, picked up his brush, and began writing.
After half an hour, Zhang Yuchun finally came back.
“So hard to deal with?” Li Qingqiu asked curiously as he returned to the table.
Zhang Yuchun sat down and smiled wryly.
“Senior Brother, you’ll never guess — the Chai Family of Jiangzhou wants to form a marriage alliance with our Clear Sky Sect. Their target is you.”
Li Qingqiu laughed and shook his head.
“I’ve no intention of taking a wife. You didn’t agree for me, did you?”
“Of course not. Even if it were for you, I have no right to decide anyone’s marriage in our sect. But their attitude is firm. They’ll surely come bother me again in the next few days.”
“Haha, such things will only become more frequent in the future.”
“Let’s instead talk about the disciples’ treatment. This matter can’t be handled carelessly.”
“Mm.”
──
Spring passed and summer came.
On the mountain paths of Clear Sky Mountain, figures constantly went up and down.
In less than half a year, the influence from last year’s battle had brought the Clear Sky Sect endless benefits.
Aristocratic families were investing, officials and merchants forming ties, and countless people climbed the mountain to seek apprenticeship.
Even Li Dongyue and her disciples had become busier — each day, people came to seek medical treatment.
Under Li Qingqiu’s strict orders, Li Dongyue had to curb her compassion and spare more time for cultivation.
Anyone not in a critical condition had to wait several days for treatment.
In face of the sect’s current prestige, none of the patients dared complain.
That day, when Li Qingqiu returned to Lingxiao Courtyard, Yuan Qi came to find him, saying that someone from the Imperial Capital had come to deliver a letter.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu immediately told him to bring the messenger in.
The messenger was a young man dressed like a swordsman, carrying a sword on his back and wearing a bamboo hat.
His expression was solemn.
Li Qingqiu brought him into the house to talk.
Inside, the young man took out a letter and handed it to Li Qingqiu.
Opening it, Li Qingqiu saw that it was from Feng Dai, who wrote about his situation and current events in the Imperial Capital.
Under Jia Yi’s arrangement, Feng Dai was now working under the County Magistrate of the Imperial Capital, all going well.
During his month in the capital, many sect leaders and gang masters had entered the city, making it bustling with duels and exhibitions.
Rumor had it the Emperor planned to host a grand banquet for all sects, causing the martial world to brim with pride.
After reading the letter, Li Qingqiu looked up at the young man and asked, “What’s your name, and what is your relationship with Feng Dai?”
The young man replied, “My name is Ma Yu. Lord Feng once saved my life and even redeemed me from servitude. I will serve him faithfully for the rest of my days.”
Li Qingqiu said, “Rest at the Clear Sky Sect for a few days before returning. Tell Feng Dai to take good care of himself.”
“No need. I must return as soon as possible. The capital is chaotic these days, full of dangerous people. I can’t rest easy leaving Lord Feng there. Farewell!”
After speaking, Ma Yu clasped his hands in salute, turned, and left decisively.
Li Qingqiu didn’t stop him.
He stepped out of the house and watched as Ma Yu departed.
Li Sijin walked over curiously and asked, “Senior Brother, who was that?”
“Someone from County Magistrate Feng, delivering me a letter.”
Li Qingqiu explained briefly.
Li Sijin, hearing this, lost her curiosity.
She pulled on his arm and said, “Senior Brother, I successfully created a talisman! Come, let me show you in the forest.”
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow.
“Does it have an attack effect?”
“Of course! Why else would I ask you to see it?”
Li Sijin said proudly.
Li Qingqiu smiled with delight, just as Qin Ye ran in from outside the courtyard.
“Master, Seniors Ku Yi and Ku Er have arrived — and they’ve brought a child with them!”
Qin Ye hurriedly reported.
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu immediately said to Li Sijin, “Rest for a bit. I’ll come find you after I meet them.”
Li Sijin pouted, somewhat dissatisfied, but didn’t stop him from handling official matters.
Li Qingqiu told Qin Ye to bring them in, while he sat at the long table in the courtyard to wait.
He had long anticipated meeting Yan Lan’s son.
“Don’t let me down,” Li Qingqiu muttered under his breath.
His anticipation stemmed from Yan Lan’s constant praise of his child.
Yan Lan was an honest man, true to his word.
A few days ago, the new Inspector-General of Guzhou had already sent envoys to express goodwill.
Soon, Qin Ye entered with the three guests.
Li Qingqiu’s eyes immediately landed on the boy, no older than five or six.
Though young, the boy carried an imposing air as he walked.
Li Qingqiu couldn’t help but feel the boy didn’t resemble Yan Lan at all — Yan Lan had gentle features, while this child’s brows carried a natural fierceness.
The boy stepped forward first and asked, “Are you my Master?”
Standing, he was still shorter than Li Qingqiu seated — yet his tone was full of confidence.
Li Qingqiu smiled.
“Indeed. Are you willing to acknowledge me as your Master?”
The boy immediately knelt and saluted.
“Disciple Zhao Zhen greets Master!”
Li Qingqiu instantly opened the Dao Lineage Interface, eagerly searching for Zhao Zhen’s profile and clicking it open.
【Name: Zhao Zhen】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 5】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master/Sect): 75/21 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Outstanding】
【Comprehension: Excellent】
【Fate Traits: Fragile Destiny, True Martial Body】
【Fragile Destiny: A life filled with hardship — before age sixteen, he will face continuous trials. After sixteen, this Fate Trait dissipates, and his comprehension increases by one grade.】
【True Martial Body: One who enters the Dao through martial arts, capable of transforming martial cultivation into the path of immortality.】