Chapter 111 : Contest of Geniuses

Chapter 111: Contest of Geniuses

Li Qingqiu held an extremely high status in the hearts of his six junior brothers and sisters.

Even the proud Jiang Zhaoxia dared not provoke his anger.

This prestige had only continued to grow as they matured.

Zhang Yuchun wanted to ease the tense atmosphere with a few words, but upon seeing his senior brother’s expression, he simply could not muster the courage.

Li Qingqiu came back to his senses and noticed that all his junior brothers and sisters were looking at him nervously.

He realized that he had just lost his composure.

He smiled and said, “Continue your discussion. I was merely thinking about something else just now.”

Li Dongyue followed up, saying, “Senior Brother, you should make the decision. Everyone listens to you, and besides, Sixth Junior Brother’s marriage is something that should be decided by you.”

The others nodded in agreement.

They had already voiced their opinions and believed Li Qingqiu could weigh all perspectives and choose the best course of action.

“In that case, let’s observe Pei Miao for a year first. The world is in chaos right now—perhaps the Pei Clan will bring about its own downfall.”

Li Qingqiu spoke calmly, and everyone nodded.

Li Sifeng let out a quiet sigh of relief.

After everyone had gone back to their rooms, Li Qingqiu heard an argument erupting between Li Sifeng and Jiang Zhaoxia.

Jiang Zhaoxia believed firmly that the Pei Clan was scheming and that the best course would be to annihilate them entirely.

But Li Sifeng, with his heart set on Pei Miao, insisted on trusting her.

Seated cross-legged on his bed, Li Qingqiu listened to their quarrel.

Somehow, their words stirred a faint realization in his heart.

He possessed the Dao Lineage Panel, which allowed him to see his disciples’ loyalty and fate traits.

For a long time, he had felt as though he could control others’ destinies—but now, suddenly, he felt otherwise.

Perhaps what was called fate traits were merely the possibilities of destiny—something that could be broken, or something that could be followed.

Yet there existed something that surpassed his will and obstructed his interference in destiny.

That was the human heart.

Li Qingqiu realized that he had been too arrogant.

He pursued immortality relying mostly on his ability to replicate fate traits, but he could not make those around him walk the same path as himself.

If Li Sifeng missed his chance with Pei Miao and later failed in his pursuit of immortality, would he, on his deathbed, resent him?

Perhaps he should respect Li Sifeng’s will instead—help him pursue what he desired, and clear away every obstacle that stood in his path.

That would be the best form of care.

Once he understood this, Li Qingqiu felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart.

Let nature take its course.

To share a lifetime together was already fate.

To pursue immortality together would be a blessing.

If not, then cherish this bond in this lifetime.

——

Pei Miao’s addition did not affect the Clear Sky Sect in any way.

The disciples of the Tempering Hall merely noticed that there was now a young woman beside their Hall Master, and the two often chatted and laughed, appearing quite close.

The New Year Festival arrived, signaling the start of a new year.

Xue Jin did not disappoint expectations, becoming the first True Transmission Disciple to reach the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.

The news spread quickly among the True Transmission Disciples.

It was said that the Sect Master personally summoned Xue Jin for commendation, greatly boosting the morale of all disciples.

Li Qingqiu genuinely felt happy for Xue Jin’s achievement.

It signified that aside from the seven brothers of the Clear Sky Sect, the sect had finally nurtured another disciple capable of standing on his own.

Unlike Yang Jueding and Shen Yue, who had joined later, Xue Jin had been raised entirely by the Clear Sky Sect—he was a true core disciple.

Under Li Qingqiu’s arrangement, Xue Jin became the Deputy Hall Master of the Tempering Hall, with the Thirteen Sword Fiends merging into the hall.

Li Sifeng was delighted, believing that the Tempering Hall finally had a powerful cultivator to oversee it, allowing him to venture out for training without worry.

After Xue Jin reached the Fifth Layer, Zhao Zhen and Ji Ya were both inspired and began cultivating even more diligently.

Behind them, Chai Yunshang, Li Yang, Liu Yan, Han Lang, and others also worked hard, refusing to fall behind.

Beyond these, Li Qingqiu saw dozens of other prodigies gathering their strength, waiting for the right moment to make their names known to the world.

In early February, Zhao Zhen achieved the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, instantly stealing Xue Jin’s spotlight.

Within the Tempering Hall, in the Deputy Hall Master’s quarters, Xue Jin was organizing training missions.

Among the Thirteen Sword Fiends, Zheng Yunqiao stood before the table and exclaimed, “What a terrifying talent that Zhao Zhen is! He’s only nine years old—imagine how strong he’ll be as an adult…”

Without looking up, Xue Jin chuckled, “Of course. After all, he’s the Sect Master’s disciple. Not everyone gets to be the Sect Master’s disciple—even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.”

“You can’t say that, Senior Brother. Look at Yuan Li—his aptitude is far worse. In my opinion, you could easily replace him,” Zheng Yunqiao said, defending Xue Jin.

Xue Jin lifted his head and glared at him.

“Don’t speak nonsense. Without the Sect Master’s guidance, I would never have achieved what I have today. As for Yuan Li, don’t underestimate him. If you observe carefully, you’ll notice that the Sect Master favors him most—he takes him along even more often than Zhao Zhen. Perhaps one day, Yuan Li will shock everyone.”

“Really?” Zheng Yunqiao looked unconvinced.

Xue Jin smiled meaningfully.

“Yuan Li may not have shown great talent in cultivation yet, but in dealing with people, he’s clearly wiser than Zhao Zhen. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing what he becomes.”

Zheng Yunqiao pondered this.

Their conversation mirrored the atmosphere of the entire Clear Sky Sect.

When everyone marveled at Zhao Zhen’s terrifying talent, it was inevitable that Yuan Li’s name would be brought up as well.

The two were of similar age and often accompanied the Sect Master in training, but their cultivation achievements were worlds apart.

At noon that day, Li Qingqiu walked along the mountain path toward the Sword Sect Hall when he happened to meet Yuan Li coming from the opposite direction.

The nine-year-old wore a well-fitted blue sect robe.

His features were delicate and handsome, his eyes bright and clear.

His energy and demeanor instantly lifted Li Qingqiu’s spirits—he felt proud of how well he had raised this disciple.

“Master.”

Upon seeing Li Qingqiu, Yuan Li immediately quickened his pace and bowed politely.

Li Qingqiu smiled and asked, “Where are you coming from?”

“I just went to deliver lunch to my elder brother.”

“Ah, Yuan Qi really… even when he’s busy, he still needs you to look after him.”

“Brother just wants to contribute to the sect.”

“Alright, go back and continue your cultivation.”

Li Qingqiu gently ruffled Yuan Li’s hair before continuing toward the Sword Sect Hall.

Yuan Li turned to watch his master’s departing back, his eyes bright though his heart felt heavy with the gossip he had overheard along the way.

His master’s affection and his fellow disciples’ doubts were crushing him.

He had even considered asking his master to give up on him—but every time he saw that gentle smile, he knew he could not.

Even if not for himself, he had to persevere for his master’s sake.

He had to achieve something great, to prove to the entire Clear Sky Sect that his master’s judgment had never been wrong.

At that thought, determination flashed in Yuan Li’s eyes.

Unbeknownst to him, a faint golden mark surfaced on his forehead—like a hidden third eye on the verge of opening.

He turned and headed for the forest behind the Lingxiao Courtyard to train.

——

Meanwhile, Li Qingqiu arrived at the Sword Sect Hall, where fifty disciples were meditating, refining their sword energy.

At the front sat Shen Yue, with a sword floating beside him, exuding the grace of a sword immortal.

Though aged, Shen Yue’s extraordinary cultivation aptitude and keen comprehension allowed his progress to remain astonishingly fast—he had already reached the Third Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.

Li Qingqiu could sense his growing strength; his vital energy was transforming his sword intent.

He noticed that Li Sifeng was also there, sitting at the edge of the front row, cultivating with the Emperor Mystic Sword standing upright beside him.

Without disturbing them, Li Qingqiu observed silently.

With his innate “Sword Maniac” fate trait, his perception of sword techniques was exceptional—he could see through the sword energy refinement method they were using.

It was one he had never seen before—likely created by Shen Yue himself, since Jiang Zhaoxia, though a Sword Sect Elder, rarely visited this place.

Half an hour later, Shen Yue opened his eyes.

He had noticed Li Qingqiu’s arrival long ago but hadn’t expected him to stay so long.

When he glanced over and saw Li Qingqiu standing quietly in the corridor, eyes closed, sword energy swirling faintly around him, his heart trembled.

“Hm? How could he possibly…” Shen Yue was secretly shocked.

Ever since cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture, he had realized that his defeat had not been due to the Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Sect, but to the essence of vital energy itself.

Li Qingqiu was not merely a swordsman.

Now, it seemed that Li Qingqiu’s sword comprehension was no less than his or Jiang Zhaoxia’s.

Li Qingqiu opened his eyes and nodded to Shen Yue from afar.

Then, seeing Li Sifeng looking toward him as well, he beckoned for him to come over.

As Li Sifeng rose, the other disciples also opened their eyes.

When they saw him leaving, their gazes naturally followed—and soon, they spotted the Sect Master’s figure.

Excitement spread among the Sword Sect disciples.

“When did the Sect Master arrive?”

“No idea, but it must’ve been a while. Look—the sword energy around him hasn’t dispersed yet. He must’ve been cultivating with us.”

“Do you think the Sect Master will discover my hidden talent and take me as a disciple?”

“Dream on. If he merely designates you as a focus disciple, you should be content.”

“Had I known the Sect Master was coming, I would’ve tried harder just now…”

The disciples chattered among themselves.

Such was Li Qingqiu’s influence within the Clear Sky Sect—no one commanded greater respect, even though he lived modestly.

Li Qingqiu led Li Sifeng away.

Together, they walked to a cliff where no one else was around and stood side by side, gazing at the magnificent mountains below.

Perhaps because he had found someone he loved, Li Sifeng had recently been training much harder.

Though not lost in romance, Li Qingqiu knew him well—such change surely had a reason.

“To marry a daughter of the Pei Clan means your future will not be peaceful. Have you truly thought this through?”

Li Qingqiu asked quietly, his eyes on the distant peaks.

Li Sifeng also looked ahead and replied, “I have. The Pei Clan is indeed ambitious. By marrying Miao’er to me, they surely hope I’ll aid their goals. But they underestimate my own ambition—who will become whose blade remains to be seen.”

Li Qingqiu glanced at him, somewhat surprised.

“Senior Brother, I often wonder—why does our Clear Sky Sect always draw the hostility of so many powers? We’ve shown our strength countless times, yet new enemies always arise. After much thought, I believe it’s because we are still not strong enough.”

Li Sifeng’s gaze sharpened, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Li Qingqiu did not argue.

“You must have noticed that the martial path of the Clear Sky Sect is unlike any other. When I told Shen Yue that the Primordial Unity Scripture could extend one’s life, it wasn’t a lie. My goal, like that of the Emperor himself, is to pursue immortality—but by a different road. What about you? Will you walk the same path as I do, or do you have another goal?”

Li Qingqiu asked earnestly, leaving the choice to his junior brother.

Li Sifeng turned to face him and replied with a carefree smile, “Senior Brother, immortality is an illusion. Even you, I suspect, aren’t completely certain of attaining it. Rather than chasing something so vague, I’d rather grasp the present. Heroes are born in troubled times—I want to test myself. Whether I succeed or fail, I’ll always be your junior brother.”

The two brothers faced each other, their eyes meeting.

Li Qingqiu smiled as well, saying with emotion, “My little junior brother has finally grown up. Since you’ve made your decision, then go. No matter what happens, the Clear Sky Sect will always be your home. I’ll always protect you. But remember one thing—you must never commit acts against heaven or morality, nor become the kind of man you despise today.”

Li Sifeng nodded solemnly.

“Senior Brother, rest assured. I, Li Sifeng, have always wanted to be a chivalrous hero. I will never forget my original heart.”

Before Li Qingqiu’s eyes, a memory surfaced—of a young Li Sifeng waving a wooden sword around, declaring himself a righteous hero who could not tolerate injustice.