Chapter 337 ·Ice-Attribute Spiritual Root
Chapter 337: Ice-Attribute Spiritual Root
“Where are the bodies?”
Li Qingqiu asked in a deep voice. He had a good impression of Duan Xiaojuan. Even without considering Hu Yan, he still felt pain over her death.
Xiao Wuqing replied, “They are still being searched for. However, their Clear Sky Tokens have lost their life restriction, so we can confirm their deaths. The incident occurred in Southern Chu Province.”
The life restriction was a binding restriction brought by Wei Tianxiong, involving the path of the soul. Once the owner died, the life restriction within the Clear Sky Token would dissipate. This was also an important method used by the Clear Sky Sect to determine whether a disciple was alive or dead.
Li Qingqiu instructed, “Find their bodies within seven days.”
“Yes!”
Xiao Wuqing immediately accepted the order and left.
This matter was no small issue. It indicated that a powerful immortal cultivator or force was targeting the Clear Sky Sect. Of course, it could also be related to the northern Land of Demons and Devils. No matter the cause, it meant trouble for the sect.
Li Qingqiu’s expression was grim. He thought of the worst-case scenario—that both the Land of Demons and Devils and the Myriad Yin Sect would act against the Clear Sky Sect simultaneously. He hoped it would not be so bad.
“Martial Uncle, you should handle these matters first. I will come again another day,” Li Shouzheng said as he stood up.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and asked, “Do you want to participate?”
Li Shouzheng’s heart quickened. He replied solemnly, “Yes!”
Though still young, he already knew what he wanted.
Li Qingqiu nodded and raised his hand, signaling him to ring the Lingxiao Bell.
Li Shouzheng had long known the importance of the Lingxiao Bell. Now that he finally had the chance to ring it himself, he felt excited. Yet, when he thought of Duan Xiaojuan’s death, his mood turned heavy again.
The Lingxiao Bell rang, its sound long and resounding.
Before long, the sect’s high-ranking members arrived one after another. Li Sifeng was surprised to see Li Shouzheng present.
As Li Shouzheng grew older, the relationship between father and son had not become closer. Li Shoumin often provoked him, so seeing Li Shouzheng participating in discussions at the Lingxiao Courtyard made Li Sifeng feel both gratified and somewhat bitter—as if he had been surpassed.
And surpassed in every aspect.
Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, and Li Sijin were delighted to see Li Shouzheng here. In their eyes, he was truly one of their own. It was better for someone of their own to take on more authority and responsibility than to hand it over to aristocratic clans.
Clear Sky Daoist, upon seeing Li Shouzheng, burst into laughter, praising him for finally growing up and showing promise.
Everyone knew that although Li Qingqiu liked to nurture the younger generation, not everyone could participate in discussions at the Lingxiao Courtyard. Yun Cai, Ji Ya, and Hu Yan had yet to gain such an opportunity.
This was a signal—indicating that Li Shouzheng was about to enter the power structure of the Clear Sky Sect and might even threaten their positions.
Even so, none of them, including the hall masters, felt uneasy. After so many years together, they believed Li Qingqiu would not simply dismiss them. Even if they had to relinquish their positions, they would be assigned higher roles.
Once everyone had gathered, Li Qingqiu directly announced the deaths of Duan Xiaojuan and the other six, shocking everyone.
Without giving them time to discuss, Li Qingqiu immediately began issuing orders.
This matter not only required investigation, but also immediate precautions.
The Clear Sky Sect would notify all disciples outside to remain vigilant against attacks from unknown forces.
After the time it takes to burn one incense stick, the high-ranking members gradually left. Li Shouzheng also withdrew, leaving Li Qingqiu to speak with his junior brothers and sisters.
“Senior Brother, how should we tell Hu Yan about this?” Li Dongyue asked with a frown. Hu Yan held a position in the Spirit Finance Hall and was regarded by her as a disciple. She often saw him and Duan Xiaojuan joking together—in her eyes, they were a match made in heaven.
Yet before they could marry, one of them had already died.
How cruel.
Li Qingqiu said expressionlessly, “Tell him directly. There’s no need to hide it, nor to soften it.”
He thought of Hu Yan’s Fate Trait—Turbulent Fate. It seemed that even within the Clear Sky Sect, Hu Yan could not escape his destiny.
He reopened the Dao Lineage Panel, found Hu Yan’s profile, and examined the Fate Trait:
【Turbulent Fate: A life full of hardships, destined to suffer betrayal and separation, achieving great enlightenment in despair, elevating his Righteous Qi to a higher realm】
Betrayal and separation…
Duan Xiaojuan did not count as betrayal. This implied that Hu Yan would face even greater troubles in the future.
For now, Li Qingqiu could not imagine how Hu Yan would encounter betrayal under his protection. But he would keep a close watch on him to prevent his fate from becoming too tragic.
Li Dongyue thought for a moment and said, “This time, let me tell him.”
Previously, Li Qingqiu had informed Yuan Li about Yuan Qi. In her view, the pain was not only Yuan Li’s—delivering such news was also cruel and difficult for Li Qingqiu.
“No need. This is something I should do as his master,” Li Qingqiu shook his head.
Li Sifeng remained silent. Thinking of his own wife and children, he suddenly felt a fear of losing his loved ones.
Li Sijin asked, “Can we have the Heavenly Works Hall add more restrictions to the Clear Sky Token, so that when disciples are attacked, the information can be transmitted back immediately?”
Zhang Yuchun shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Even if transmission succeeds, with so many disciples, handling such matters in the future would become troublesome. We would face difficult choices. If we are not fair enough, it would damage the sect’s reputation.”
Li Qingqiu said nothing. He raised his eyes to the sky—dark clouds were gathering, beginning to obscure the sun.
At that moment, Xiao Wuqing hurried into the courtyard again and said in a deep voice, “Sect Master, five more disciples have died!”
Li Qingqiu’s eyes turned cold. Zhang Yuchun and the others also frowned deeply.
……
Night fell.
Hu Yan was cultivating spells in the courtyard. Although he already had his own cave dwelling, he would return here when practicing spells.
Of course, there was another reason—he was waiting for Duan Xiaojuan to return.
From the initial worry when she first went down the mountain, he was no longer concerned about her safety.
He had once suggested accompanying her on missions, but she refused, saying he had a better future and should not compromise for her—and that she needed to rely on herself.
“This set of spells is good. It consumes little Vital Energy and activates faster—very suitable for Xiaojuan.”
Hu Yan thought to himself, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
At that moment, footsteps approached. Hu Yan turned his head and saw his master. His expression changed, and he quickly bowed.
Li Qingqiu walked up to him. Under the cool moonlight, as Li Qingqiu spoke, Hu Yan felt as though struck by lightning—his entire body froze.
A leaf fell from an old tree in the courtyard. It swayed as it descended, but just before touching the ground, a night wind lifted it again, carrying it beneath the alchemy furnace, where it fell into the flames and turned to ash.
After Li Qingqiu left, Hu Yan remained standing in place. His hands clenched tightly within his sleeves, and his body began to tremble.
……
The next morning, the Free Spirit Hall sent a warning notice through all Clear Sky Tokens, announcing the deaths of more than ten disciples, causing tension to spread throughout the sect.
At dawn, Hu Yan came to find Li Qingqiu, his eyes red. He asked to join the investigation into Duan Xiaojuan’s death. Li Qingqiu agreed and summoned Xiao Wuqing to take him along.
Li Qingqiu was not worried about Hu Yan’s safety. Hu Yan was already in the Spirit Perception Realm, and suppressing his emotions would only be harmful.
By noon, Xiao Wuqing returned to report that the bodies of Duan Xiaojuan and the others had been found—but their souls had already dissipated, leaving only empty shells.
By evening, Xiao Wuqing came again with further news. A letter had been found on one of the disciples’ corpses—left by the killer. It declared that he would continue to hunt and kill Clear Sky Sect disciples until they were all exterminated.
Li Qingqiu immediately ordered the Free Spirit Hall to investigate the locations of the recent deaths.
Upon learning that they occurred in Yu Province, Li Qingqiu personally descended the mountain.
He planned to use his spiritual sense to conduct a carpet-like search across Yu Province.
Night fell once more.
In a forest, the black-clad man who had previously slaughtered Duan Xiaojuan’s group was dragging a Clear Sky Sect disciple forward.
In the darkness, he looked like a vengeful ghost, his disheveled hair wild, the black runes on his face writhing as if alive.
The disciple he dragged—a young man—was on the brink of death. His eyes could barely open, blood bubbling continuously from his mouth. It was hard to imagine what he had endured.
Reaching a clearing, the man stopped and released his grip.
He turned to look down at the disciple and said, “Tell me—what is the cultivation realm of Li Qingqiu of the Clear Sky Sect?”
The disciple lay in a growing pool of blood. With great difficulty, he opened his eyes and forced a smile.
“Our Sect Master… will avenge me…”
The black-clad man’s gaze turned cold. “If not for your rare ice-attribute spiritual root, I would have already searched your soul. It seems you’re not suffering enough—I’ll make you regret still being alive.”
He slowly crouched down.
“AHHHHH—!”
A piercing scream echoed through the forest, startling flocks of birds and adding to the terror of the night.
Soon, the screams abruptly stopped.
The moon set, and the sun rose.
A new day arrived.
The black-clad man dragged the Clear Sky Sect disciple—his limbs grotesquely twisted—out of the forest and toward a small river. Above his head floated an oil lamp, its flame burning even in daylight.
He released the disciple and crouched by the river, washing the blood from his hands.
The disciple behind him was still alive, but his eyes were hollow, as if his soul had been stripped away.
“I didn’t expect the Clear Sky Sect to have a disciple as resolute as you. I truly don’t wish to kill you. Very well—I respect your resolve. Once I finish this matter, I’ll take you with me.”
The black-clad man spoke softly, his tone devoid of emotion.
The disciple felt no joy. He no longer had the strength to speak, his consciousness fading.
A gust of wind suddenly swept along the river.
The black-clad man, who was washing his hands, suddenly stopped. He tilted his head slightly, glancing sideways. Sunlight pierced into his eyes, causing his pupils to constrict.
A figure floated behind him, bathed in the blazing sun, looking down upon him—so radiant that he could not clearly see the person’s face.
A short blade appeared in his left hand. He twisted his body and slashed backward, aiming to kill.
Boom!
Blood splattered, and the river exploded, water spraying several zhang high. The black-clad man’s left arm was sent flying into the air—his hand still gripping the short blade, its edge reflecting a cold gleam.