Chapter 184 : Clear Sky Mountain Trembles
Chapter 184: Clear Sky Mountain Trembles
After introducing Bai Zhi to the harbor disciples, Li Qingqiu brought the three demons of Jin Lang back to the Clear Sky Sect.
He let Jin Lang and the Golden Monkey lie prone on his left and right shoulders, while one hand lifted the Black Panther as he flew on his sword.
This frightened the three demons badly.
Their bodies were taut, afraid they might fall.
He did not return directly to Lingxiao Courtyard.
Instead, he landed beside the Xi River at the foot of Clear Sky Mountain.
He put the Black Panther down, then led the three demons swaggering up the mountain.
The Black Panther’s fur was glossy, mysterious, and handsome, drawing the attention of disciples along the way.
The Golden Monkey following behind, however, was largely ignored.
“Sect Master, where did this leopard come from? Is it to be sent to the Demon Subjugation Hall?” a bold disciple stepped forward to ask.
“I found it outside. It will indeed join the Demon Subjugation Hall in the future.”
Li Qingqiu answered with a smile.
Seeing him smile, the other disciples grew bolder as well and crowded around.
When the disciples noticed that there was also a large mantis on Li Qingqiu’s shoulder, they were even more astonished.
Someone reached out, wanting to touch the Black Panther, startling it into shouting, “Get lost!”
Hua——
Hearing the Black Panther speak human words, the disciples were so frightened that they hurriedly retreated, surging back like a tide.
The Black Panther viciously glared at that disciple, then closely followed Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu continued up the mountain.
He did not forbid the three demons from speaking, taking the opportunity to let the disciples broaden their horizons.
The arrival of the three demons stirred up quite a commotion within the sect.
Li Qingqiu placed the Golden Monkey and the Black Panther into the Demon Subjugation Hall, attracting many disciples to go and watch.
As for Jin Lang, he intended to keep him by his side.
Inside the cave dwelling.
Li Qingqiu sat cross-legged on the stone bed.
He looked at Jin Lang standing at the edge of the spirit pool, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Chu Jing emerged from within the Tianhong Sword and asked in confusion, “Master, why did you choose this insect? That monkey and the black panther seem to have more potential.”
An insect, no matter how one looked at it, simply would not do.
At least, Chu Jing could not imagine what it would look like for it to cultivate and attain the Dao.
Searching through ancient and modern strange tales, he had never even heard of an insect spirit.
Of course, that was merely something he had never heard of.
Li Qingqiu, however, had heard of such things.
“Perhaps it is fate. I feel that keeping it with me is more convenient,” Li Qingqiu replied in his heart.
Hearing this, Chu Jing followed his line of thinking.
Such a mantis would indeed be easier to carry and could also be hidden, delivering a fatal strike to enemies at critical moments.
Thinking this way, admiration arose in his heart.
As expected of Master—he had thought things through thoroughly.
Li Qingqiu did not reveal Jin Lang’s talent.
The more people doubted, the better; only then could his own vision and nurturing ability be proven.
However, the most urgent matter was to raise Jin Lang’s loyalty.
It required heartfelt bonding!
……
The Golden Monkey was named Yue Shan, and the Black Panther was named Hei Li.
Because Li Qingqiu had given special instructions, Cheng Canghai treated them very kindly and did not dare to summon them casually.
The two demons were newcomers and very nervous.
But as time passed, they discovered that these people bore no malice toward them and were even very enthusiastic.
Gradually, they let down their guard and began to like the Demon Subjugation Hall.
The arrival of two demons capable of speaking human words at the Demon Subjugation Hall was a rare event indeed.
Although the Clear Sky Sect was already regarded as an Immortal Cultivation Sect, and tree demons existed in the world, neither disciples nor pilgrims had ever seen a living, talking demon.
The Demon Subjugation Hall became even more lively, with a large number of visitors every day.
The news also spread down the mountain.
The appearance of the three demons made Li Qingqiu appear even more mysterious in the eyes of the world.
The Sect Master of Clear Sky could slay demons, and he could also subdue demons.
After half a month of interaction, Li Qingqiu finally raised Jin Lang’s loyalty to 89, just one step away from 90.
It had to be said—little demons who had not seen much of the world were easy to placate.
That evening, Li Qingqiu walked out of his cave dwelling, the Tianhong Sword hanging at his waist, with Jin Lang perched on his shoulder.
Li Sijin and Li Dongyue were waiting in the courtyard.
The two women were holding bottles and jars, chatting excitedly.
Li Sijin turned her head, immediately waved, and said, “Senior Brother, come quickly and take a look—there’s good stuff!”
Li Qingqiu smiled and walked over, sitting down in front of the long table.
Li Sijin noticed Jin Lang on his shoulder and could not help asking, “Why do you bring it with you every time you come out?”
“What? Do you have an opinion?”
“It looks strange.”
“What’s strange about it? My Jin Lang is quite handsome.”
Hearing this, Jin Lang lifted his head, looking extremely proud.
Li Sijin rolled her eyes at Li Qingqiu, feeling that his aesthetic sense had problems.
She could not be bothered to dwell on it and picked up three small bottles from the table, pushing them in front of Li Qingqiu.
“These are three new pills refined by Chen Huilan: the Youth-Preserving Pill, the Divine Speed Pill, and the Blood-Burning Pill.”
“The Youth-Preserving Pill can keep one’s youth forever, leaving one’s appearance unchanged, even maintaining the skin in a youthful state.”
“The Divine Speed Pill can enhance the body’s reaction speed and is suitable for combat.”
“The Blood-Burning Pill is also a combat pill. It burns the blood to enhance strength, suitable for desperate fights or moments of dire peril.”
Li Sijin said proudly.
Over the past year, the achievements of their Cultivation Hall had exploded, raising her prestige within the sect higher and higher.
Even Chai Yunshang, who feared neither heaven nor earth, would proactively befriend her to secure pill-purchasing quotas for the Enforcement Hall disciples.
After hearing this, Li Qingqiu picked up the small bottle containing the Youth-Preserving Pill, poured one out, and tossed it directly into his mouth.
Li Sijin widened her eyes and said, “That’s the Youth-Preserving Pill—how can you just eat it like that?”
“Why can’t I eat it?”
Li Qingqiu savored the taste of the Youth-Preserving Pill.
It was very crisp.
After biting through the brittle outer layer, the pill dissolved directly, flowing down his throat and leaving a lingering fragrance in his mouth.
Li Sijin pouted and said, “Isn’t the Youth-Preserving Pill something women should pursue? Men should pursue maturity—the steadier, the better. Senior Brother, you already look young enough, and you still want to preserve your youth?”
“What kind of talk is that? Do you want your Senior Brother to turn into an old man like our Grandmaster?” Li Qingqiu glared at Li Sijin and said irritably.
“That’s true. You look best the way you are now.”
When Li Sijin thought of Clear Sky Daoist’s appearance and temperament, she immediately felt that Li Qingqiu’s words made sense.
Seeing Li Qingqiu take a Youth-Preserving Pill, Li Dongyue followed suit and took one as well.
Li Qingqiu carefully sensed his condition and did not detect any abnormalities.
He could not help questioning, “Could this Youth-Preserving Pill be fake?”
Li Sijin rolled her eyes at him and said, “If it has any effect, you’ll have to wait a few years.”
“All right.”
Li Qingqiu could only drop the matter.
Although he could not feel the effects of the Youth-Preserving Pill, he could sense the spiritual energy of the Divine Speed Pill and the Blood-Burning Pill through their bottles.
Chen Huilan truly had some skill.
It was not in vain that he had risked his life to save her back then.
Li Qingqiu looked at Li Sijin and said, “Your Cultivation Hall cannot focus only on research. Various academies and cultivation classes also need to be emphasized. This has long-term significance for the Cultivation Hall.”
Li Dongyue followed up, saying, “That’s right. In the future, the vast majority of disciples will have benefited from the Cultivation Hall. Its status will only grow higher, and you will benefit as well.”
Li Sijin said helplessly, “I want to, but we’re short on manpower.”
Li Qingqiu pondered for a moment and said, “In light of the Cultivation Hall’s remarkable achievements, I allow you to recruit another hundred people.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
Li Sijin immediately beamed with joy.
In fact, this was precisely what she had come to see Li Qingqiu about.
Although Li Qingqiu doted on her, he would not indulge her in major matters.
She could only present results first.
After obtaining Li Qingqiu’s approval, Li Sijin immediately got up and left, moving with great urgency.
Li Qingqiu smiled helplessly.
This girl had actually learned to beat around the bush.
He looked at Li Dongyue and asked, “Have there been any troubles in the Spirit Finance Hall recently?”
Li Dongyue indeed had a pile of grievances to vent.
Hearing his question, she no longer held back and recounted them one by one.
Li Qingqiu listened attentively.
During the rapid development of the sect, all kinds of problems were bound to arise.
He had anticipated this long ago.
Even though he was breaking through toward the Spirit Perception Realm, he still had to spare time to attend to these matters.
Even if he did not personally intervene, as long as he expressed his stance, Li Dongyue could resolve many issues.
……
The construction of the Clear Sky Sect made the sect change with each passing day.
All kinds of news flowed into the sect daily.
However, for the vast majority of disciples, what concerned them most were the geniuses of their own generation.
This year, many geniuses had emerged within the Clear Sky Sect, across all halls.
They displayed their talents on the Martial Arena, their reputations rising swiftly.
At the mid-mountain of Clear Sky Mountain, dozens of disciples gathered around the Martial Arena, cheering from time to time.
Bang!
Ye Nan fell miserably off the platform, his face turning pale as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Yang Xuan hurried to his side, supporting him and using his own Vital Energy to soothe the turmoil of his Blood Essence.
On the platform, a handsome young man stood with his arms crossed over his chest, smiling smugly as he said, “Ye Nan, this is already the ninth time you’ve lost to me, and you still refuse to admit defeat? I’m about to break through to the third layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. After that, there will be no chance to spar again. After all, the sect does not allow cross-realm duels.”
His name was Ning Shu.
He had joined the sect less than two years ago and already had some reputation.
During the entry assessment, he achieved the best results and was recruited early by the Tempering Hall.
The thresholds of the Eight Halls were now extremely high.
Some disciples at the third layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm could not even join.
For Ning Shu to enter the Tempering Hall immediately upon joining the sect naturally attracted controversy.
Hearing Ning Shu’s arrogant words, Ye Nan grew furious, causing the Vital Energy within his body to become disordered, and he began coughing violently.
Yang Xuan looked up at Ning Shu, frowned, and said, “Junior Brother, we are all fellow disciples. Why must you humiliate others like this?”
Although there was a group of disciples under the platform who were Ning Shu’s followers, the majority were merely there for the spectacle.
They too felt that Ning Shu had gone too far, and upon hearing Yang Xuan’s words, they voiced their agreement.
Ning Shu looked at Yang Xuan and asked, “And who are you?”
He had noticed earlier that Yang Xuan often came to watch Ye Nan’s matches, but the two had never interacted.
“Spirit Finance Hall, Yang Xuan,” Yang Xuan replied calmly.
He no longer looked like a hunter.
His skin had grown fairer, and he appeared more and more like an Immortal Cultivator.
Ning Shu frowned, feeling that this name sounded familiar.
It was not until he heard someone under the platform exclaim that Yang Xuan was a disciple of the Spirit Finance Hall’s Hall Master.
A Hall Master’s disciple!
Ning Shu looked deeply at Yang Xuan and stopped speaking harshly.
He turned around, preparing to leave the Martial Arena.
At that moment—
The Martial Arena began to tremble.
To be precise, the entire Clear Sky Mountain began to shake, startling the disciples into looking around.
“What’s going on? An earthquake?”
“Impossible. There’s never been talk of earthquakes in the Ancient Great Mountain Range.”
“Why does it feel like the vibration is coming from the mountain itself?”
“Don’t panic. This is the Clear Sky Sect—an Immortal cultivation land. Even if the heavens collapse, there’s nothing to fear.”
Yang Xuan turned his head to look.
He could feel Spiritual Energy surging upward, filling him with curiosity.
What exactly had happened?