Chapter 155 : Terrifying Vital Energy

Chapter 155: Terrifying Vital Energy

After staying at the Enforcement Hall for half an hour, Li Qingqiu went to other halls and wandered around the mountain for most of the day before returning to the Lingxiao Courtyard.

On the way, he encountered Yun Cai and called out to her, asking her to come up the mountain with him.

Yun Cai quickly bade farewell to her seven companions and followed Li Qingqiu.

The two walked along the mountain path, one ahead and one behind.

Watching Li Qingqiu nodding and greeting disciples along the way, Yun Cai was filled with curiosity.

This kind of Sect Master was completely different from the “God of Slaughter” image the disciples spoke of.

When she had been rescued by Li Qingqiu from the Cui Residence, all she saw were corpses along the way—she hadn’t witnessed him make a move himself.

Now that she had gained some understanding of cultivation—and since she could see certain things—she became curious about just how strong Li Qingqiu truly was.

“How has your cultivation been lately?” Li Qingqiu asked, turning his head.

Yun Cai came back to her senses and replied, “It’s been going smoothly. My vital energy keeps growing, but…”

“But what?”

Yun Cai hesitated for a moment before saying, “My eyes seem to have changed. I can see more things…”

“Oh? Tell me more.”

Although Li Qingqiu knew about the All-Law Spiritual Eyes, he was still quite curious about their exact effects.

Yesterday, he had copied Yun Cai’s other Fate Trait, “Tempered Through a Thousand Trials.”

If the All-Law Spiritual Eyes were even stronger than Tempered Through a Thousand Trials, he wouldn’t mind copying it again—after all, he still had one Fate Trait selection left.

“I can see the meridians inside other disciples’ bodies, every blood vessel, and even the traces of their vital energy flow…” Yun Cai described the scenes she saw.

“Not only the flow of vital energy—I can even tell the difference in strength between each disciple’s energy.”

As she spoke, Yun Cai’s gaze grew fervent as she stared intently at Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu looked at her with a smile and asked, “Then, can you see my vital energy?”

“Yes,” she replied earnestly.

“Your vital energy is boundless. No disciple in the sect has such vast energy. You’re like the bright sun in the heavens, while even the True Transmission Disciples are but grains of light before you.”

She couldn’t help but marvel.

It was precisely because she could see Li Qingqiu’s vital energy that she was curious about how powerful he truly was.

She couldn’t comprehend how a mortal body could contain such immense vital energy—it was utterly inconceivable.

It could only be described as terrifying!

Li Qingqiu praised, “It seems I underestimated your talent. Others who cultivate can’t see such things. It means your eyes are very special. Remember—never reveal the ability of your eyes to anyone. Only speak of it to me.”

Yun Cai nodded happily, feeling delighted that she had another secret bond with the Sect Master.

They continued chatting as they walked toward the Lingxiao Courtyard, stopping their conversation whenever other disciples appeared.

Only when no one was around did they resume discussing the All-Law Spiritual Eyes.

Upon entering the courtyard, Li Qingqiu saw that Xu Ning was already waiting there.

As soon as Yun Cai saw Xu Ning, she froze.

Such powerful vital energy!

Though not as overwhelming as the Sect Master’s, it was far beyond that of any other disciple.

In the entire sect, aside from the Sect Master, this was the first time she had seen someone with such immense energy.

“Master, I’ve reached the Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm!” Xu Ning stood up and announced directly.

She didn’t avoid Yun Cai’s presence, and Li Qingqiu didn’t ask her to conceal her cultivation either.

Xu Ning rarely interacted with others, so few knew her true strength.

The Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm!

Yun Cai’s eyes widened; her scalp tingled.

She had heard that reaching the Third Layer allowed one to dominate the martial world, and the Fifth Layer meant one could contend for the top three spots in the Grand Dao Tournament.

The Eighth Layer…

She hadn’t even heard of any disciple reaching the Sixth Layer!

What shocked her even more was that this woman, despite possessing such cultivation, still fell far short of the Sect Master—his vital energy was hundreds of times greater, perhaps even more.

“Not bad. You’re the first person in the sect, aside from me, to reach the Eighth Layer. As expected of my most promising disciple.” Li Qingqiu praised sincerely.

The Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm was akin to a nuclear weapon—it could help the Clear Sky Sect accomplish countless tasks.

Hearing her Master’s praise, Xu Ning showed a proud smile, brimming with confidence.

She only ever showed such expression before Li Qingqiu; before others, she was cold and aloof.

Disciple?

So she was the legendary Xu Ning!

Yun Cai looked at her and felt a sense of inferiority rise within.

The confidence she had built over these days vanished instantly.

She didn’t think she could reach the Eighth Layer by the age of twenty.

“Right, let me introduce you,” Li Qingqiu said, turning to Xu Ning.

“This girl is Yun Cai. She’s quite talented and will be cultivating under my guidance. Though she hasn’t formally apprenticed under me, the two of you should get along well.”

Yun Cai came back to her senses, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully to Xu Ning.

When Xu Ning’s gaze fell on Yun Cai, her smile faded.

It wasn’t that she disliked her—she was like this toward everyone.

“Since Master says so, if you ever need help, come find me on Ziyang Peak,” Xu Ning said.

Her cave dwelling was built on Ziyang Peak, as Li Qingqiu had arranged.

She was to preside over the peak.

Zhao Zhen and Xue Jin’s cave dwellings were farther away.

Zhao Zhen, being younger, was training at the Blessed Land of a Thousand Spirits, and his cave dwelling was temporarily given to Li Yang to enjoy.

“Thank you, Mas—”

Yun Cai almost said “Senior Sister” but held her tongue just in time.

Xu Ning gave her a meaningful glance, then saluted Li Qingqiu and turned to leave.

“So soon?” Li Qingqiu asked quickly.

This girl was far too diligent, constantly in seclusion.

“The Eighth Layer isn’t enough. I’m afraid Third Martial Uncle will catch up to me—I must continue cultivating,” Xu Ning said, stopping briefly and glancing back.

Li Qingqiu smiled helplessly.

“Go, then. Don’t lock yourself in all the time. Visit your Master when you have time.”

“Yes, Master.”

With that, Xu Ning leapt lightly into the air, sword energy gathering beneath her feet.

Stepping upon it, she soared into the snow mist.

Yun Cai watched her departure, stunned by her grace, a yearning rising in her heart.

She suddenly felt she had found her goal.

Beyond staying by the Sect Master’s side, she needed her own pursuit.

She wanted to become as powerful as Xu Ning.

No—she wanted to surpass her!

Li Qingqiu then led Yun Cai to the forest behind the Lingxiao Courtyard and began teaching her the Mountain Lord Divine Incantation.

Yun Cai’s comprehension was average, so her spell cultivation was slow.

But as long as she worked hard, Tempered Through a Thousand Trials would ensure she mastered the spell—and even pushed it beyond its limits.

With Li Qingqiu personally instructing her, her cultivation speed naturally improved.

Her “average” comprehension only seemed so when compared to geniuses like Xu Ning and Zhao Zhen; within the Clear Sky Sect, she was still considered talented.

By dusk, the Lingxiao Courtyard became lively again.

Li Qingqiu returned with Yun Cai.

He had intended for her to stay for the festival, but she declined, saying she wished to celebrate with her sisters.

After Li Qingqiu sat down, Li Dongyue looked toward him with a smile.

“I heard that girl’s a once-in-a-century genius?”

Li Qingqiu replied, “Calling her once-in-a-century might even be underestimating her.”

After inheriting the Tempered Through a Thousand Trials Fate Trait, he knew just how terrifying Yun Cai’s potential was.

Zhao Zhen, Yang Xuan, Ji Ya, Yuan Li, and Yun Cai were the prodigies Li Qingqiu had chosen to represent the next decade’s generation.

He eagerly anticipated how strong they would become ten years later.

“Is she that amazing?”

Li Dongyue was surprised, then sighed emotionally.

“The geniuses in our Clear Sky Sect keep increasing. We don’t even need to recruit new disciples—talents just come knocking.”

“After all, ten years have passed,” Li Qingqiu said.

He looked toward Zhao Zhen, who sat opposite him writing secret manuals.

Zhao Zhen had been converting martial techniques into spells.

Though most weren’t advanced, they were indeed distinct kinds of spells—just as Li Qingqiu had instructed.

The Scripture Repository needed quantity right now.

Watching Zhao Zhen, Li Qingqiu thought of his Fragile Destiny Fate Trait.

He was about to turn eleven.

If he could survive past sixteen, his comprehension would soar even higher.

By then, Zhao Zhen would be a double-exceptional genius.

Combined with his True Martial Body, he might even catch up to Xu Ning or Jiang Zhaoxia.

At sixteen, the only one who could compare to him had been Chu Jing—but Chu Jing had already become a sword soul.

Zhang Yuchun came carrying dishes.

Removing his apron, he sat beside Li Qingqiu and said, “Senior Brother, Eastern Tomb Province has declared war on Guzhou. Both sides are mobilizing troops. When spring comes, a great war will likely break out. Li Sifeng and Qin Ye will probably meet on the battlefield.”

Li Qingqiu picked up a candied fruit and said softly, “It’s fine. Sifeng knows his limits.”

“I’m just worried they’ll become enemies.”

“This is their own choice. No one forced them. I believe they’ll hold their bottom line.”

Li Qingqiu wasn’t particularly concerned about the war.

Before leaving the mountain, Li Sifeng had already reached the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.

With the Emperor Mystic Sword’s sword soul assisting him, victory for Eastern Tomb Province was inevitable.

As long as their army didn’t stir up trouble in the Ancient Great Mountain Range, all would be well.

As for the Qin Family—once a fallen noble house—their rise to becoming a vassal lord had relied heavily on the Clear Sky Sect’s aid.

What came after was up to them.

If they couldn’t seize fate, then so be it—such was destiny.

Seeing Li Qingqiu unconcerned, Zhang Yuchun changed the subject.

“Another thing—Cangzhou has a new Inspector-General. His surname’s Qi. Seems the Qi Clan is resurfacing. I wonder how Xue Jin is doing.”

Li Qingqiu thought for a moment.

“If he hasn’t returned by early summer, I’ll send Xu Ning to check.”

“Xu Ning’s grown up now. She can handle things alone. By the way, what’s her current cultivation?” Zhang Yuchun asked with a smile.

The Clear Sky Sect had plenty of capable people now, making his administrative duties far easier.

He no longer needed to go down the mountain himself—no matter what happened, he could remain calm.

“The Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm,” Li Qingqiu answered casually.

At that, Zhang Yuchun’s eyes lit up, Li Dongyue gasped in astonishment, and Zhao Zhen lifted his head from his writing—suddenly losing the mood to continue.

Zhang Yuchun sighed.

“Now that I think about it, letting her compete in the Grand Dao Tournament was truly unfair to the others. Senior Brother, maybe your disciples shouldn’t participate anymore—especially Zhao Zhen.”

Across the table, Zhao Zhen’s eyes widened.

He quickly stood up and shouted, “No way! I haven’t gotten first place yet!”