Chapter 136 : Descendants of the Martial Legend

Chapter 136: Descendants of the Martial Legend

Clear Sky Daoist did not expect Zhang Ping to be so unyielding.

This lad looked obviously ordinary—by all logic, he should have seized the chance to cling to him, the Sect Master and Patriarch, to climb upward.

“You’re quite good.”

Clear Sky Daoist looked at Zhang Ping for a long while before forcing out such a line, then flicked his sleeve and left.

Zhang Ping did not take it to heart.

He only wished to finish today’s task quickly and return to his cultivation.

A few days later—

A new stele was erected along the Forging Path in front of Profound Heart Hall, carved with Zhao Zhen’s great merit in creating the Great Sun Pure Yang Art for the sect.

The news spread rapidly, and many disciples grew curious about how powerful this Great Sun Pure Yang Art was.

Although Zhao Zhen was only nine years old, the Merit Stele on the Forging Path was no trivial matter.

Many prodigies within the sect had once created their own cultivation arts and martial techniques, yet only Zhao Zhen had been honored with a stele.

Several True Transmission Disciples, relying on their own contributions, went to the Scripture Repository to borrow and study the Great Sun Pure Yang Art, wanting to see if it truly deserved such recognition.

At dusk—

Li Qingqiu returned to Lingxiao Courtyard.

His junior brothers and sisters were already seated at the table.

Unlike before, they no longer chatted idly but discussed problems each of their halls encountered, exchanging advice.

Zhang Yuchun seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

He had cooked personally.

Seeing Li Qingqiu, he laughed and said, “Senior Brother, stop making the Tianhong Sword float around all day. Senior Shen has been driven mad by you—he clutches a wooden sword all day, thinking of nothing else, neither tea nor food.”

Li Qingqiu casually replied, “Why don’t I see you becoming like him, then?”

As he walked toward the kitchen, Zhang Yuchun sighed helplessly.

“I don’t have his comprehension, and besides, I don’t have the time to study such things. The sect’s affairs are overwhelming right now—I can hardly keep up.”

Though he said so, a smile filled his face.

To him, this busy life was the best expression of his value.

Li Qingqiu shook his head slightly and sat down at his usual seat.

As soon as he sat, Li Sifeng leaned over and said, “Senior Brother, there’s a disciple in my hall who created a new leg technique. Do you have time tomorrow to take a look?”

“Just a leg technique? What’s so special about that?”

“He’s definitely a genius!”

“You’ve used that word to describe several of your disciples already.”

Li Qingqiu brushed him off casually.

As he spoke, he opened the Dao Lineage panel, habitually checking the new disciples’ aptitude and fate traits.

Every day, more than a dozen new disciples joined—and that didn’t even include the labor disciples.

Those labor disciples were not recorded in the Dao Lineage panel, which frustrated Li Qingqiu; he couldn’t even find a loophole to include them.

But there was no helping it—he couldn’t just accept anyone he met, then expel them later for poor aptitude.

That would be too cruel.

Li Sijin also started recommending disciples of her own.

People had emotions; everyone wanted to help those close to them.

Li Qingqiu understood this—it was just like how he did his best to care for his junior brothers and sisters.

He merely listened without agreeing easily.

If they acted behind his back, he couldn’t be bothered to investigate.

There was the Enforcement Hall for that; if they were caught, he would deal with them strictly.

Suddenly—

Li Qingqiu’s eyes changed.

A disciple’s panel had caught his attention.

【Name: Xiao Wudi】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 17】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 91 / 12 (Full: 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Average】

【Fate Traits: Born Body Cultivator, Survival from Desperation】

【Born Body Cultivator: Born with a physique stronger than ordinary people, suited for the path of body cultivation; possesses extraordinary comprehension toward body-tempering spells.】

【Survival from Desperation: Each time one escapes death, one’s comprehension in body cultivation will improve.】

…

Not bad—dual special fate traits, and excellent aptitude.

Definitely a true genius.

Though not quite Zhao Zhen’s level, he could at least become a core member like Xue Jin.

That Survival from Desperation trait even made Li Qingqiu’s heart stir.

However, he disliked doing things without certainty, so he didn’t plan to copy this trait.

Later, he might try creating false desperate situations to see if Xiao Wudi’s comprehension could indeed grow.

If it could—then Xiao Wudi’s value would be extraordinary.

Li Qingqiu memorized the name Xiao Wudi and continued looking.

The next disciple made his eyebrows lift.

【Name: Xiao Wuqing】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 16】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 75 / 65 (Full: 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Excellent】

【Fate Traits: Insightful Eye for Talent, Loyal Right Hand】

【Insightful Eye for Talent: Possesses an exceptional ability to recognize capable individuals.】

【Loyal Right Hand: Once one serves a master, they will devote themselves entirely to assisting them, never betraying until the master’s death.】

…

Dual excellence—remarkable.

His aptitude rivaled Li Yang and Ji Ya, though lacking combat or cultivation-type traits, so his accomplishments might not reach their level.

Still, his fate traits were extremely appealing to Li Qingqiu.

A support-type genius!

Xiao Wudi and Xiao Wuqing—could they be brothers?

Looking closely, Li Qingqiu found their facial features indeed similar.

Wait—this next disciple’s portrait also bore resemblance to the two of them.

Could it be…?

Li Qingqiu immediately clicked on the next profile.

【Name: Xiao Wuming】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 16】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 81 / 72 (Full: 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Good】

【Fate Traits: Poison Jiao’s Evil Heart, Oath Till Death】

【Poison Jiao’s Evil Heart: Because his father was once swallowed by a Poison Jiao, the creature’s venomous nature was inherited by him. His blood is extremely toxic and incurable; only his own heart’s blood can neutralize it. He carries a naturally sinister aura that repels others.】

【Oath Till Death: Once he makes a promise, he will fulfill it at all costs—even unto death.】

…

Good heavens—three excellent-aptitude geniuses in a row, and clearly brothers!

Could their father have been an unparalleled expert, to produce such exceptional offspring?

Li Qingqiu noted the description of Poison Jiao’s Evil Heart and thought that Xiao Wuming’s father must have been formidable.

To be swallowed by such a fearsome creature and still live—astonishing.

He continued scanning the list, but no fourth genius with the surname Xiao appeared.

Both Loyal Right Hand and Oath Till Death were worth nurturing.

Li Qingqiu was in high spirits.

Even if no more geniuses appeared, his mood remained unshaken.

“All right, enough quarreling. If they’re truly geniuses, they’ll shine sooner or later. I’ll personally uncover more talents soon—you’ll see what true genius means.”

Li Qingqiu slapped the table.

Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were not angry but instead had their eyes light up.

“Senior Brother, if you find a real genius, let me have one! I don’t ask much—someone like Xue Jin will do,” Li Sifeng said, rubbing his hands.

Li Qingqiu smacked the back of his head, telling him to scram.

Then Li Sijin pouted and clung to his arm, pleading for a genius disciple of her own.

Li Qingqiu sighed with a helpless smile.

“Fine, fine. Who told you to be my little junior sister?”

Li Sifeng’s eyes widened; he almost fainted from anger.

“Senior Brother is the best!”

Li Sijin cheered, shaking his arm happily.

Zhang Yuchun came out with dishes, smiling.

“What’s got you all so happy?”

“Senior Brother promised to find me a genius disciple,” Li Sijin said proudly.

Hearing that, Zhang Yuchun coughed lightly.

“Senior Brother, I want one too.”

Li Qingqiu ignored him completely, leaving Zhang Yuchun embarrassed.

Seeing this, Li Sifeng burst out laughing, teasing Zhang Yuchun that the Free Spirit Hall was too busy—sending a genius there would only waste their talent.

Zhang Yuchun had no comeback.

Dinner went as usual—lively whenever Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were present.

When night fell and dawn rose again—

The next morning, Li Qingqiu, for once, did not cultivate.

He descended the mountain to stroll among the halls and courtyards.

Chu Jing followed behind him, smiling.

“Master, it’s rare to see you not cultivating—making an inspection of the sect?”

Ghostly voices were inaudible to mortals unless one was a highly accomplished cultivator.

“After all, I’m the Sect Master. I should observe the sect’s state. If a disciple suffers injustice and can’t find me, wouldn’t that be tragic?”

Li Qingqiu spoke softly, but his words struck Chu Jing’s soul.

Afraid disciples couldn’t find him?

Chu Jing realized he still didn’t truly understand Li Qingqiu.

For the entire day, he watched Li Qingqiu wander around.

He didn’t do anything special, nor meet anyone special.

Li Qingqiu was merely maintaining appearances.

Fortunately, no disciple came to seek redress—proof that the Clear Sky Sect was presently just.

Two days later—

At noon, Li Qingqiu instructed Yuan Qi to summon Xiao Wudi and his brothers.

Half an hour later, Yuan Qi brought the three into the courtyard.

Li Qingqiu was secretly pleased—it wasn’t easy to find three unfamiliar Outer Disciples so quickly in Clear Sky Mountain.

Xiao Wudi, Xiao Wuqing, and Xiao Wuming stood before him, nervous and excited.

Though they had only joined three days ago, they had long heard of Li Qingqiu’s feats before entering the sect.

They revered the Number One Under Heaven and had never dreamed the Sect Master himself would summon them.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

Xiao Wudi spoke first, motioning his two younger brothers to bow together.

Xiao Wuqing and Xiao Wuming quickly followed suit.

Yuan Qi observed them curiously.

To be summoned by the Sect Master—their talent must be exceptional.

Chu Jing floated silently behind Li Qingqiu, examining the trio with a peculiar expression.

“Why do they look so familiar…” Chu Jing murmured to himself.

Li Qingqiu smiled.

“I saw you three the afternoon before yesterday. Do you remember?”

Xiao Wudi was startled.

“Sect Master, you remembered us after only one glance from afar?”

Sitting before the long table, Li Qingqiu set down his teacup and smiled.

“I trust my intuition. You three left me with a good impression. Though I cannot take you as my personal disciples, I wish for you to work under me. I’ll teach you cultivation arts—how about it?”

Although the sect had been divided into seven halls, Li Qingqiu still wanted his own small cadre to carry out tasks and relay his commands.

The Xiao brothers seemed perfect for that.

Hearing this, the three brothers were thrilled.

At Xiao Wudi’s gesture, they knelt with one knee and cupped their fists.

“Wait!”

A voice suddenly rang out.

Clear Sky Daoist rushed into the courtyard, coming to Xiao Wudi’s side, looking nervously at Li Qingqiu.

“What have they done wrong?”

He had heard the three brothers were summoned and followed out of worry.

Just as he arrived, he saw them kneeling and panicked.

Li Qingqiu chuckled.

“They’ve done nothing wrong. I merely intend to nurture them.”

Hearing that, Clear Sky Daoist sighed in relief—but remained puzzled why Li Qingqiu valued them so highly.

“Could it be—they’re his descendants?”

Chu Jing suddenly exclaimed, his tone filled with shock.

Li Qingqiu asked in his mind, “Whose descendants?”

Chu Jing’s expression turned complex.

“Of the Martial Legend, Xiao Xuanzun.”

Martial Legend?

Li Qingqiu was stunned, then came to realization.

No wonder the three brothers possessed such outstanding talent—they had such an illustrious lineage!

“You… why do you favor them so?” Clear Sky Daoist asked awkwardly.

Li Qingqiu smiled.

“They seem congenial to me. I wish to nurture them—is that not allowed?”

Xiao Wudi quickly said, “Grandpa Lin, the Sect Master didn’t blame us. He said the same thing to us just now.”

Xiao Wuqing and Xiao Wuming both nodded.