Chapter 96 : Sword Sect

Chapter 96: Sword Sect Hall

The weather had turned cool, yet the sky remained bright and clear.

Inside the Lingxiao Courtyard.

Li Sifeng retreated to the wall, tightly clutching the Emperor Mystic Sword.

He shouted angrily, “So what if he’s the Sword God? Make it clear—he provoked our Clear Sky Sect first! He’s already an enemy. If we don’t kill him, fine, but now he even wants to touch my treasured sword? Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, and Li Sijin blocked his way, leaving him no escape.

“Sixth Junior Brother, you’re part of the sect’s upper ranks—you can’t be so petty. You must think on a larger scale. Surely you understand how beneficial it is for the Sword God to join our Clear Sky Sect. He only wishes to examine your sword. Just lend it to him for a day—we’ll assign someone to watch him. We won’t let him leave the mountain.”

Zhang Yuchun spoke earnestly, though he was somewhat helpless toward Li Sifeng’s attitude.

Why hadn’t this kid grown up yet?

Li Sijin put her hands on her hips and said, “You’ve got some nerve talking back. If you hadn’t brought that sword back, would our Clear Sky Sect have faced so much trouble? Third Senior Brother’s disciples still haven’t returned—they’re all looking for you! Tell us clearly—is this Emperor Mystic Sword yours, or does it belong to the sect? If it’s the sect’s sword, what right do you have to refuse orders?”

Being reproached by his own younger sister, Li Sifeng’s face alternated between red and pale.

He gritted his teeth and said, “Fine! I’ll give it to him—but I have to personally watch over him!”

“That’s more like it.” Zhang Yuchun smiled.

Indeed, sometimes only the little junior sister could handle him.

Thus, the three of them dragged Li Sifeng out of the Lingxiao Courtyard and headed toward the guest courtyard where Shen Yue was staying.

On the other side.

Li Qingqiu was cultivating within the subterranean Spiritual Lake, accompanied only by Ji Ya.

Ji Ya sat on the opposite shore of the lake, occasionally glancing at his master, hesitating to speak.

Li Qingqiu, eyes closed, said calmly, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Ji Ya had many virtues—he was diligent, courteous, and never arrogant despite being the Sect Master’s disciple.

His only flaw was being somewhat introverted.

Except for sparring, he rarely interacted with others.

Since joining the sect, Ji Ya still preferred spending time with the five people who had escaped the underground palace with him.

He didn’t even mingle much with Zhao Zhen or Yuan Li.

Those five had ordinary talent—truly average.

Only three had managed to become inner disciples; the remaining two were still registered disciples.

Without Ji Ya speaking, Li Qingqiu could already guess the matter concerned those five.

“Master, I heard that Seventh Martial Uncle’s Medicine Garden is recruiting disciples. Could you give Yang Lin a chance?” Ji Ya asked carefully.

Yang Lin was one of the two girls who had been imprisoned in the same underground palace as Ji Ya.

Among the five, her talent was the best, though still far inferior to Ji Ya’s.

Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and looked at Ji Ya.

“Do you think she’s suitable?” he asked.

“Ah?”

Ji Ya froze, not knowing how to answer, for he had never thought about that question.

“Whether she’s suitable or not—it’s not up to me to say,” Ji Ya replied.

Seeing his nervousness, Li Qingqiu smiled.

“I’m not blaming you. It’s human nature to care for one’s friends. Everyone has people they hold dear. Just like me—I care most about your martial uncles. Whatever they desire, I do my best to fulfill it. I don’t mind that you look after your companions, but I hope you learn to think like someone in power. You’re my disciple; one day, you’ll hold authority. So, think objectively—does Yang Lin truly fit to be a disciple of the Medicine Garden? If not, we can arrange something else for her.”

Ji Ya fell into thought.

Li Qingqiu wasn’t in a hurry, letting him ponder slowly.

While waiting, Li Qingqiu opened the Dao Lineage panel and noticed that the number of disciples had changed again.

Since the beginning of this month, some disciples’ portraits had vanished.

He couldn’t determine whether they had died or defected from the sect.

Because information spread slowly, Zhang Yuchun hadn’t learned of it yet.

Li Qingqiu worried that some force might be targeting the Clear Sky Sect, ambushing disciples who were out training.

Once a sect reached a certain scale, unexpected incidents became inevitable—deaths among disciples could not be avoided.

That was why Li Qingqiu had begun to look forward to the path of artifact forging.

If he could create a token imbued with communication, positioning, and life-sensing functions, that would be ideal—that would make the sect a true Immortal Cultivation Sect.

There were already people working hard in spirit plant cultivation and alchemy, but no one yet in artifact forging.

Even he himself didn’t know where to start.

To forge magic implements, one had to first study prohibitions—their runic restrictions were the key to activating spells, and different implements required different prohibitions.

“She’s indeed unsuitable,” Ji Ya finally said, remorseful.

“She’s careless and inattentive. Seventh Martial Uncle’s Medicine Garden is crucial to the sect. I was foolish—only thinking about helping her.”

He was only fourteen, and had not thought so deeply before.

Li Qingqiu closed the Dao Lineage panel and said, “Soon, the sect will establish a Sword Sect Hall. Go and ask her—and your other four companions—if they’d be willing to join.”

“Sword Sect Hall? What is the Sword Sect Hall? What are its duties?” Ji Ya asked curiously.

“The Sword Sect Hall’s duty,” Li Qingqiu explained, “is to defend the sect with the sword—to protect our disciples and safeguard all the sect’s interests.”

Hearing this, Ji Ya’s eyes immediately lit up.

“That’s perfect! Let them join the Sword Sect Hall—they’ll definitely agree! They’ve always wanted to repay you. Their martial skills are weak, and Yang Lin only wanted to join the Medicine Garden so she could see you more often.”

Li Qingqiu was slightly surprised.

The reason he had agreed to Ji Ya’s request was precisely because of those five’s extreme loyalty—he was willing to bend the rules for disciples like them.

As the number of disciples grew, not everyone could see Li Qingqiu in person.

He couldn’t wander around the sect every day either.

He suddenly realized that loyalty wasn’t just a cold number—it was a warm, sincere heart.

That realization made him even more determined to establish the Sword Sect Hall.

He could not let his disciples fall into danger so easily—nor could he allow them to die in vain.

“Good. Tell them the Sword Sect Hall answers only to me. Its status is equal to the Seven Halls, and its future prospects are boundless,” Li Qingqiu said seriously.

Hearing this, Ji Ya grew even more excited, immediately bowing in gratitude.

It was rare for Ji Ya to ask Li Qingqiu for something.

After seeing his master agree, he felt their relationship grow closer, becoming less restrained as he started talking about the daily lives and funny stories of Yang Lin and the others.

Li Qingqiu listened attentively.

Through these five, he could truly understand the lives of ordinary disciples.

After chatting for a while, master and disciple resumed their cultivation.

……

After noon, within the Lingxiao Courtyard.

“Sword Sect Hall?”

Shen Yue sat across from Li Qingqiu, frowning slightly.

Li Qingqiu poured him a cup of tea.

“That’s right. From now on, you’ll be the Sword Sect Hall’s elder, responsible for teaching sword techniques. I’ll personally select the disciples. Your treatment will be equal to that of the Seven Hall Masters, and I’ll also pass to you our sect’s supreme art.”

Shen Yue’s brow relaxed.

“Just teaching sword techniques? You won’t assign me a pile of administrative work, will you? I don’t have the patience for that.”

He was used to freedom, uninterested in management—but teaching swordsmanship, that he enjoyed.

“Once the Sword Sect Hall is formed, I’ll appoint two more elders to handle affairs. You’ll simply cooperate with them,” Li Qingqiu said with a smile.

It was named the Sword Sect Hall precisely because Shen Yue and Jiang Zhaoxia possessed extraordinary comprehension and creativity.

Giving them formal positions was appropriate.

Shen Yue was satisfied with that answer.

He asked, “Will the Clear Sky Sect’s supreme art extend my lifespan?”

Li Qingqiu said mysteriously, “You’ll know once you cultivate it. Today, I’ll first teach you the First Layer of the Heart Technique.”

Shen Yue nodded.

Having already examined the Emperor Mystic Sword, his mind was calm once more.

Staying in the Clear Sky Sect suited him just fine—he wanted to see what made Li Qingqiu so powerful.

If possible, before he died, he wished to spar with Li Qingqiu once again.

Li Qingqiu’s Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect was indeed formidable, yet Shen Yue felt he had lost only because of inferior cultivation.

It was truly incredible—his own power once dominated the martial world, yet before Li Qingqiu, it had seemed insufficient.

Li Qingqiu chatted casually with Shen Yue, asking his thoughts on the sect.

“It’s young and full of vigor. I like the atmosphere here,” Shen Yue said.

“But your sect is too relaxed. There are too many patrons staying on the mountain—it’s not good. You should concentrate the guest courtyards together, so the Enforcement Hall disciples can guard them easily. Also, the number of Enforcement Hall disciples should be increased…”

He trailed off, realizing he was speaking as if he already belonged, and quickly stopped.

Li Qingqiu, however, thought he was quite talented—what a waste to only have him teach swordsmanship.

At that moment, Yuan Qi rushed into the courtyard.

Li Qingqiu looked at him.

“Another major incident?”

Yuan Qi came before him and replied, “Not exactly, Sect Master. The Thirteen Sword Fiends have returned. Senior Brother Xue Jin requests an audience.”

Finally, they were back!

“Let him in,” Li Qingqiu said immediately.

Yuan Qi hurried off to deliver the message.

Watching the energetic fifteen-year-old run off, Shen Yue’s thoughts drifted, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Soon after, Xue Jin entered, still in his travel clothes, dusty and exuding a faint killing aura.

Shen Yue glanced at him—his expression subtly changed.

“This one’s no ordinary boy,” Shen Yue thought.

“Why does this Clear Sky Sect have so many prodigies?”

Xue Jin stepped forward and bowed.

He looked at Shen Yue, hesitating to speak.

“This elder is one of us. Speak freely,” Li Qingqiu said directly.

Hearing that, Shen Yue almost wanted to leave immediately.

Li Qingqiu reminded him too much of his late senior brother—always pushing him to shoulder responsibilities.

Xue Jin nodded and began, “Sect Master, in search of Martial Uncle Li’s whereabouts, we questioned members of the Pei Clan. Things turned sour, and we were forced to kill dozens of them. Later, we heard the Emperor Mystic Sword had appeared in the Clear Sky Sect—then we knew Martial Uncle Li had returned. On our way back, we discovered something else.”

“A large army has entered the territory of Guzhou. Their purpose and destination are unknown. I feel something isn’t right. Guzhou already has its own garrison; forces from other regions shouldn’t enter without cause. Yet they did—and there were no public notices in the cities. Only people in the martial world happened to glimpse their movements.”