Chapter 89: Mortal Ghost and God
The yearâs end had finally passed, and the New Year arrived.
Clear Sky Mountain was adorned with lights and decorations, spreading from the foot of the mountain to its peak, coloring the pure white earth with festive hues.
Within a grove, there stood a medicine gardenâLi Sijinâs medicine gardenâwhere she cultivated spiritual plants of her own creation.
At this moment, Li Sijin was squatting at the edge of the medicine field, staring intently at a spiritual herb.
Snow still lingered upon the soil beneath it.
Even though she sent people daily to clean it, the snow could never be completely cleared away, as the disciples were afraid of harming the herbs.
She could sense the faint spiritual energy within the herb, and her heart was tense.
She had tried many times before.
Many herbs, even after nurturing spiritual energy, would quickly lose it the moment they were removed from the soilâit could never be preserved.
Today, she would try once more.
When she judged that the time was right, she took a deep breath and carefully plucked the herb.
She placed it gently on her palm and began to wait anxiously.
As time passed, her nervousness grew stronger.
âExcuse me, may I ask which way to go if I wish to join the Clear Sky Sect?â
A voice suddenly sounded from behind her, startling her so much that she nearly jumped.
Turning her head, she saw a scholar standing outside the garden fence, watching her.
The scholar looked around twenty to thirty years old, with clean clothes and slightly sallow skin.
Though his looks were unremarkable, the smile on his face carried a friendly warmth.
Li Sijin replied impatiently, âFollow the mountain path; there are signposts along the way.â
The scholar didnât leave immediately but instead asked curiously, âMiss, what are you doing? Do you need my help?â
âNo need, go quickly!â
Her tone held a hint of displeasure.
The scholar hurriedly bowed before turning to ascend the mountain at a brisk pace.
Li Sijin kept her eyes fixed on the herb in her palm.
After a while, a smile appeared on her faceâbut she restrained her excitement.
âWait a little longer, donât be happy too soon.â
Her heart was full of joy.
Her senior brother had said before that spiritual plants were crucial to the development of the Clear Sky Sectâthey were of utmost importance.
She lacked Zhang Yuchunâs management ability and Jiang Zhaoxiaâs martial talent, but she too wanted to contribute to the sectâshe wanted to make her senior brother proud.
She waited patiently.
Only after half an hour did she stand up, walk to a wooden table nearby, and place the herb into a prepared wooden box.
When she was done, she couldnât suppress her excitement and jumped for joy on the spot.
She had finally succeeded!
After hopping a few times, she took the wooden box, left the medicine garden, and hurried up the mountain.
Along the way, she couldnât help but use the Wind Sprint Technique, stirring up snow mist as she sped upward.
When she arrived at the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was nowhere to be seen, so she could only wait.
After the establishment of the Seven Halls, the Lingxiao Courtyard had become rather quiet during the day.
Even Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen were rarely there.
Feeling bored, she began cultivating the Mountain Lord Divine Incantation.
Originally, she hadnât been interested in this spellâafter all, she rarely had the chance to fightâbut after witnessing Ji Ya use it, she was awed by the manifestation of the Mountain Lord and began her own practice.
As she cultivated, time passed swiftly.
By dusk, Li Qingqiu finally returned with Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen, followed by Li Yang.
Li Yang had stepped into the First Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
Today, he had trained with Li Qingqiu and even sparred with Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhenâs talent had astonished him, refreshing his understanding of genius.
Yet rather than feeling discouraged, he was even more motivated, for his own progress was rapid as well.
Li Qingqiu was willing to personally cultivate him not only for his talent and fate traits but also for his rapidly increasing loyalty, which had now reached 96.
He had observed that loyalty below 90 was prone to fluctuation; he had even seen a discipleâs loyalty drop from 89 to 71.
But none with loyalty above 90 had ever fallen.
It was no exaggeration to say that Li Yang could already be nurtured as a trusted aide.
Li Qingqiu had already planned his role within the sectâhe would become a Guardian, dedicated to protecting the Clear Sky Sect, focusing solely on cultivation and growing stronger.
Li Yangâs temperament was that of a martial fanatic, and his future achievements would certainly be high.
At least within the sect, Li Qingqiu believed he could compete among the top three.
When talent and comprehension were comparable, it was diligence that decided who went further.
âSenior Brother, youâre finally here! Come quickly and look!â Li Sijin stopped her movements, placing her hands on her hips in mock complaint as she walked toward the long table.
Li Qingqiu walked over with a smile.
Seeing the wooden box, he raised his brows and asked expectantly, âYou succeeded?â
Li Sijin lifted her chin proudly without speaking.
Li Qingqiu opened the box and saw the herb inside.
Joy immediately filled his face, for he could sense the spiritual energy within it.
She had truly succeeded!
Though this herb was an ordinary grass without any special medicinal effect, it marked a great beginning.
In the future, Li Sijin could cultivate herbs into spiritual plants, and Chen Huilan could refine them into pillsâordinary medicines would become cultivation elixirs.
Li Qingqiu praised Li Sijin delightedly, arousing the curiosity of Yuan Li and the others, though neither he nor Li Sijin explained anything.
The three could only watch from the side.
During dinner that evening, Li Qingqiu had Li Sijin sit beside him, constantly serving her food.
It was clear to everyone how happy he was.
He didnât hide the news of her success from the sectâs senior members, who were all greatly excited.
Li Qingqiu described to them the potential of spiritual plants, and since such things could enhance cultivation, their anticipation grew even stronger.
After this night, the New Year arrived.
The next morning, Li Qingqiu, unusually, didnât cultivate.
Instead, he took Li Dongyue and Li Sijin to stroll through the sect, leaving Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen behind, planning to spend a good day with his two junior sisters.
It had been a long time since Li Sijin had toured Clear Sky Mountain with her senior brother, and her heart was light with joy.
She clung to his arm all the way, while Li Dongyue, more reserved, followed on his other side with grace.
The three reminisced about their childhood, chatting endlessly.
When passing a courtyard, Li Sijin suddenly stopped.
She looked toward the scholar sweeping the ground at the gate and asked, âAre you the one who asked me for directions yesterday?â
The scholar looked up, recognized her, and smiled.
âYes, that was me.â
When he saw Li Qingqiu and Li Dongyue, his expression turned hesitant, as if trying to guess their identities.
âDid you pass the entry examination?â Li Sijin asked with a smile.
âNo, Iâm just a menial disciple for now.â
âYou witnessed my success yesterday, and Iâm in a good mood today. Iâll allow you to become a Registered Disciple!â
Li Sijin waved her hand grandly, and after speaking, she playfully leaned against Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu looked at the scholar, and a flicker of strangeness passed through his eyes.
He could sense hidden inner energy within the manâit was clear this fellow had cultivated some secret art to conceal it.
âAlright, as you wish.â Li Qingqiu smiled and agreed, causing Li Sijin to cheer in delight.
Li Dongyue covered her mouth and giggled, feeling that Li Sijin would never truly grow up.
Li Sijin turned toward the scholar and said, âMy senior brother agreedâheâs the Sect Master. Whatâs your name?â
âSect Master?â
The scholar was startled, hurriedly bowing deeply.
âMy name is Chu Jing. Greetings, Sect Master.â
Li Qingqiu nodded.
âSince Hall Master Li has spoken, from now on, you are a Registered Disciple. Work hard and strive for greater heights.â
âThank you, Hall Master Li,â Chu Jing replied respectfully.
Seeing his humble manner, Li Sijin immediately lost interest.
She tugged Li Qingqiu along to continue down the mountain.
Li Dongyue told Chu Jing, âGo to the Free Spirit Hall and inform Hall Master Zhang of this matter.â
âUnderstood.â
Chu Jing responded and bowed to her as well.
Li Dongyue caught up to the other two, and soon, the trio disappeared around the mountain path.
Chu Jing stood there for a moment before resuming his sweeping.
He did not hurry to the Free Spirit Hall.
Li Dongyue asked Li Sijin how she had met Chu Jing, and Li Sijin didnât hide it.
âI just felt bad for being rude to him yesterday. I was afraid the new disciple might hold it against our Clear Sky Sect, so I decided to make it up to him,â she explained.
Li Dongyue shook her head.
âJunior Sister, best not to do such things again. It might affect the sectâs atmosphere if word spreads.â
Li Sijin stuck out her tongue playfully.
âI know, Iâll think twice next time.â
Meanwhile, Li Qingqiu opened the Dao Lineage panel and searched for Chu Jingâs portrait.
Once he found it, he tapped it open:
ăName: Chu Jingă
ăGender: Maleă
ăAge: 192 yearsă
ăLoyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 24 / 51 (Max 100)ă
ăCultivation Aptitude: Outstandingă
ăComprehension: Outstandingă
ăFate Traits: Thousand-Year Ageless, Traitorous Minister, Mortal Ghost and Godă
ăThousand-Year Ageless: Having taken an elixir, lifespan extended by a thousand years, appearance forever youthful.ă
ăTraitorous Minister: For the sake of restoring his fallen kingdom, he misled the new emperorâeven if the people suffer and rivers run red, he remains merciless; skilled at beguiling hearts.ă
ăMortal Ghost and God: Immune to all human spells and divine arts targeting the soul; cannot be possessed; possesses exceptional comprehension toward soul-related techniques, spells, and divine arts.ă
âŠâŠ
Li Qingqiu nearly stopped in his tracksâthis was the most extraordinary disciple panel he had ever seen.
Double âOutstandingââunmatched thus farâand three special fate traits!
The man was actually one hundred and ninety-two years old!
The âThousand-Year Agelessâ explained his pastâthis unaging quality was something Li Qingqiu deeply envied.
âTraitorous Ministerâ revealed his nature, and his talent for beguiling hearts was not to be underestimated.
But the most terrifying was âMortal Ghost and Godâ!
It was far beyond the normâLi Qingqiu almost wanted to copy it immediately.
Not only could it directly change oneâs constitution, but it also enhanced comprehension in a specific domainâthis was even greater than the Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Root or the Innate Sword Genius!
Who was this man?
Li Qingqiu could not treat Chu Jing as an ordinary discipleâfor someone who had lived nearly two centuries was no mere mortal but a veritable old monster.
A man like this joining the sect surely had ulterior motives.
The âTraitorous Ministerâ fate suggested he had once been a high-ranking official of the current dynastyâand that he now stood opposed to the emperor.
Of course, the emperor might not even realize he was his enemyâperhaps he still regarded him as a trusted confidant.
Could it be that he was sent by the emperor to investigate the Clear Sky Sect?