Chapter 332 : Talent of a General, the More the Better
Chapter 332: Talent of a General, the More the Better
“Is this an illusion?”
Shen Yue cautiously looked around, his right hand gripping the hilt at his waist, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
The world had dimmed. Ancient swords in all directions appeared eerie and terrifying. An indescribable pressure spread through the air, making him increasingly uneasy.
He could still feel his blood essence and vital energy. He could even condense sword intent. This proved that everything before him was not an illusion.
At that moment, the ancient swords around him began to tremble, startling him into drawing his sword.
One after another, the ancient swords rose from the ground, hovering in midair. Their tips lifted in unison, all pointing straight at Shen Yue.
Shen Yue glanced around and realized there was no escape.
His instincts told him that his sword intent could not withstand these ancient swords.
His heart sank to the bottom. He realized his desperate situation had arrived—this time, he could no longer fight his way out as before.
Yet he was not in despair. He had long anticipated that such a day might come.
At least he would die in battle, not in disgrace.
“Not bad. Even in the face of an unbeatable force, you remain fearless. Why are you seeking the Myriad Yin Sect?”
The voice of the white-clad man echoed across heaven and earth, like the voice of a divine being, reverberating endlessly.
Shen Yue looked up, yet he could not find the white-clad man no matter how hard he searched. Shock filled his heart.
What realm was the other party in?
Could he be an immortal or a god?
Shen Yue could not comprehend such power. Even when facing Li Qingqiu, he had never felt so powerless. He felt as though he had reverted to being a mere mortal.
“If you refuse to speak, you will die.”
The white-clad man’s voice sounded again, increasing the pressure on Shen Yue. His throat moved as he struggled to speak.
……
After noon.
Li Dongyue and Li Sijin walked into Lingxiao Courtyard together, chatting about cooperation between their two halls.
They saw Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Wu Man’er, and Li Sifeng already seated. They quickened their steps and sat down on either side of Li Qingqiu.
“Everyone’s here—hurry and speak, Senior Brother. Why did you call us here?” Li Sifeng asked impatiently.
His cultivation had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, and he had recently touched upon the feeling of a breakthrough. He was eager to advance.
The others also turned their gazes toward Li Qingqiu, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Li Qingqiu revealed a mysterious smile. He then took out five small jade bottles from his Storage Pouch and placed them on the table.
“This is Tendon-Refining Liquid. After consuming it, it will strengthen your tendons and bones and may even improve your cultivation aptitude. Each of you take one and drink it now,” Li Qingqiu said.
The Tendon-Refining Liquid was primarily refined from the blood of the Prison Qilin. It was not named after the Qilin to avoid bringing trouble to it in the future.
He Jinshu was highly capable. He could now use the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth along with special medicinal materials to maintain the vitality of the Qilin blood and even regenerate it. This meant he no longer needed to continuously request fresh blood from the Prison Qilin.
At present, the Tendon-Refining Liquid could not be mass-produced. However, it had been verified to improve the aptitude of Immortal Cultivators—though not as dramatically as Vermilion Bird Blood.
For the first batch, Li Qingqiu naturally gave it to his junior brothers and sisters. He was not afraid of gossip, and Chu Jing and He Jinshu certainly would not dare to object.
Especially He Jinshu—he did not care who benefited. He simply enjoyed creating. If he could earn praise from the Sect Master, that was enough.
After hearing this, Zhang Yuchun and the others were stunned. They had not expected such a treasure to exist within the sect.
Li Dongyue hesitated before asking, “Has anyone else taken it?”
Li Qingqiu glared at her and said, “Don’t be so selfless. Other high-ranking members—and even ordinary disciples—will seek benefits for themselves. You think the sect is ours and that we must always consider others, but you cannot treat that as your top priority. Only by striving for your own benefits can you have more time to contribute to the sect.”
“Exactly!”
Li Sijin echoed. As she spoke, she reached out first, picked up a jade bottle, opened it, and poured it into her mouth.
Li Sifeng followed closely behind. Seeing this, Wu Man’er also drank his.
Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue exchanged a glance before each picking up their own bottle.
Before drinking, Li Dongyue looked at Li Qingqiu and asked, “Senior Brother, have you taken it?”
Li Qingqiu smiled. “I don’t need it.”
Hearing this, Li Dongyue also smiled and drank the liquid in her bottle.
After consuming the Tendon-Refining Liquid, the five began carefully sensing its effects.
Li Qingqiu continued, “In the future, there will be more treasures that improve aptitude. When I give them to you, consume them immediately. The stronger you become, the more responsibility you can bear.”
Zhang Yuchun nodded, then asked, “Will the position of Hall Master change?”
Within the Clear Sky Sect, the Hall Master position was the highest authority below the Sect Master. For ambitious disciples, it was naturally something they sought.
At the very least, within the Free Spirit Hall, Zhang Yuchun had already seen many capable disciples—ambitious individuals striving to climb higher.
In any force, no one could hold the same position forever.
Zhang Yuchun occasionally wondered when he himself would step down.
At present, he did not resist the idea. Stepping back to focus on cultivation could also be a good thing.
Of course, anyone who wished to replace him would need his approval.
Li Qingqiu replied, “It will change. But before that, I will establish a new position above the Hall Masters.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Li Sifeng grew curious and began asking about the nature and name of this new authority.
Naturally, Li Qingqiu did not answer. He maintained a mysterious air—though in truth, he had not yet decided.
After a while, Li Sijin felt her body heating up. Li Qingqiu told them not to worry; the medicinal effect was not violent.
The reason he had them consume it in Lingxiao Courtyard was to monitor them in case of any accidents.
Two hours later, Zhang Yuchun and the others finally fully absorbed the Tendon-Refining Liquid. They felt their blood essence had strengthened significantly, but whether their aptitude had improved would require further cultivation to confirm.
Through the Dao Lineage Panel, Li Qingqiu saw that their cultivation aptitude had indeed improved. Except for Wu Man’er, the other four had all advanced by one level—mainly because their original aptitude had been relatively low.
This made Li Qingqiu sigh in relief. He had finally managed to help his junior brothers and sisters.
In the following days, his mood remained pleasant.
As February arrived, the Ancient Great Mountain Range was filled with the vitality of spring, life flourishing across the mountains.
Li Qingqiu sat in Lingxiao Courtyard, sipping tea, while Yun Cai stood beside him, chattering endlessly about interesting happenings within the sect.
At that moment, a disciple arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. He hesitated, not daring to step inside.
Li Qingqiu noticed him and waved with a smile. “Jian Yungui, why are you standing there? Come in.”
Jian Yungui immediately hurried into the courtyard. He came before the long table and bowed respectfully to Li Qingqiu.
Yun Cai sized him up. She had never seen this disciple before. From what she could tell, his cultivation was not high—only the Seventh Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.
“Greetings, Sect Master.”
Jian Yungui spoke respectfully. He looked to be in his twenties, somewhat thin, not particularly handsome, but with refined and clean features.
Li Qingqiu smiled. “Sit.”
Jian Yungui hesitated briefly before sitting at the edge of the long table, keeping some distance from Li Qingqiu.
“How many years have you been in the sect?” Li Qingqiu asked gently.
Yun Cai grew even more curious at his attitude.
What background did this guy have?
Could he be a genius?
But reaching only the Seventh Layer at this age didn’t seem particularly impressive.
Then she thought of Yuan Li and no longer dared to underestimate Jian Yungui.
Her eyes could only see the present, not the future.
“Reporting to Sect Master, it has been seven years,” Jian Yungui answered respectfully.
Seven years to reach the Seventh Layer—not slow.
Yun Cai thought silently.
Li Qingqiu glared at him and said irritably, “How many times have I said it? When chatting privately, don’t be so restrained. I’m not going to eat you.”
Jian Yungui gave an awkward smile, took a deep breath, and nodded.
Li Qingqiu continued chatting casually with him. Yun Cai gradually understood—they had met many times before. It seemed Jian Yungui was a disciple personally cultivated by the Sect Master.
While chatting, Li Qingqiu could not help but call up the Dao Lineage Panel again to review Jian Yungui’s profile.
【Name: Jian Yungui】
【Gender: Male】
【Age: 25】
【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 96 / 90 (Max 100)】
【Cultivation Aptitude: Good】
【Comprehension: Good】
【Fate Traits: Talent of a General, the More the Better, Loyal and Courageous Heart】
【Talent of a General: Possesses the ability to command large armies and has extraordinary strategic vision】
【The More the Better: The more troops he commands, the stronger his military capability becomes, applicable to cultivation battlefields】
【Loyal and Courageous Heart: Once he acknowledges a master, he will never betray; inherently brave and willing to fight to the death】
……
His aptitude panel was not outstanding, but the three special Fate Traits were exceptionally eye-catching.
From the moment Jian Yungui entered the sect, Li Qingqiu had summoned him and personally trained him in secret. He provided him with cultivation pills, various military strategy manuals, and foundational methods of different cultivation paths—allowing him to develop a basic framework suited for cultivation warfare.
Jian Yungui was destined not to become a lone powerhouse like Zhao Zhen or Ji Ya. However, his talents could help the Clear Sky Sect gain greater benefits, which was why Li Qingqiu valued him highly.
For this reason, Li Qingqiu placed Jian Yungui in the Cultivation Hall under the care of Li Sijin.
The current Cultivation Hall was far from simple. It housed geniuses like Yang Chengyu and Jing Ziling, as well as alchemy prodigies like Chen Huilan.
Of course, the other halls had also developed strong foundations—possessing both outstanding geniuses and special talents like Jian Yungui.
After chatting for a while, Li Qingqiu’s smile faded. He looked at Jian Yungui seriously and said:
“Other Immortal Cultivation Sects have already begun investigating the Clear Sky Sect. In the future, conflicts may erupt—perhaps even full-scale war. I need your talent.”
At these words, Jian Yungui’s expression changed slightly. He was not afraid; instead, he spoke firmly:
“Please rest assured, Sect Master. I will do everything in my power!”
Seven years of accumulation had given him confidence. When it came to commanding warfare, he already had many ideas.