From martial arts sects to immortality sects

Chapter 148 The Path of Domination
The martial arts tournament has come to a successful conclusion, but the excitement at Qingxiao Sect continues.

The Imperial Spirit Hall posted notices announcing the rewards for the top 64, top 10, and top three winners, including money, spirit stones, and Dao opportunities. The top three even received cave dwellings.

What is a cave dwelling?

This became a topic of discussion among many disciples. On that day, news about the cave dwelling spread that it was actually a place for personal cultivation, where one could live and practice martial arts, and its spiritual energy was comparable to that of the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land.

The news sent shockwaves through the entire sect.

The top ten disciples were filled with regret, wondering if they would have had a chance to break into the top three if they had cultivated harder back then.

It is foreseeable that Xu Ning, Xue Jin, and Zhao Zhen will continue to widen the gap between themselves and the other disciples by relying on their cave dwellings.

Wouldn't it be difficult to surpass them in the next martial arts tournament?

The next morning, news spread that the Tournament of Magic would be held every ten years, and starting from the next tournament, the top ten would all receive a cave dwelling. Moreover, the top three from each tournament would be barred from participating in the next tournament.

This news excited many disciples. Although ten years is a long time, for the vast majority of disciples, it is just the right opportunity for them to train and grow. After all, it is difficult to catch up with those geniuses in a year or two.

The rule that the top three finishers are not allowed to participate in the next tournament, in particular, gave them more hope.

While the disciples were still immersed in their anticipation for the next martial arts tournament, the Qingxiao Sect's high-level council convened once again.

This time, they were not discussing matters in the Lingxiao Courtyard, but in the Xuanxin Hall.

Not only did the hall master arrive, but the deputy hall masters and elders of each hall also gathered here. Dozens of people stood in front of the steps, chatting about the martial arts competition and congratulating each other.

When Li Qingqiu led Yuan Qi and the three Xiao brothers into the hall, they all quieted down and made way for him.

This was the first time the three Xiao brothers had participated in such a meeting, and they were very excited. Although they had been eliminated early in the martial arts competition, it now seemed that they had surpassed the vast majority of disciples, which made them even more grateful to Li Qingqiu.

Not only them, but also the higher-ups of other sects were quite surprised to see Li Qingqiu with them.

It seems the sect leader is truly preparing to cultivate them, and is aiming to develop them towards power. It's worth noting that neither Zhao Zhen nor Ji Ya have ever been involved in such discussions.

Li Qingqiu walked to the front, stepped onto the steps, and looked down at everyone. At Yuan Qi's signal, the three Xiao brothers stood opposite the hall masters.

As the main hall of Qingxiao Sect, Xuanxin Hall has been under renovation, and its furnishings have become increasingly grand. The floor gleams, and Li Qingqiu stands on the steps looking at all of this, feeling happy.

Tiangongtang didn't just eat for free!

Li Qingqiu spoke up: "Everyone, trouble has come for the Qingxiao Sect again!"

These words caused an uproar in the main hall. The high-ranking officials were furious, as they believed that the sect leader would not lie.

"Who dares to cause trouble for our Qingxiao Sect?"

"Our Qingxiao Sect is focused on its own development and has not gone out to compete for supremacy, yet someone still dares to cause us trouble. It's truly despicable."

"This is the world of martial arts. As long as Qingxiao Sect exists, trouble will never end."

"Who is so audacious, Sect Master? This time, please don't take action yourself. Give us a chance to make our mark."

"Yes, Qingxiao Sect is powerful enough now. Even if the sect leader doesn't take action, we can wipe out all troubles."

After four months of intense competition, the higher-ups have gained a full understanding of Qingxiao Sect's strength, and everyone is full of confidence.

Not only them, but the mindset of disciples at all levels also changed as a result.

Without comparing them, I would never have known that Qingxiao Sect had so many geniuses.

Any one of their true disciples is enough to make them famous throughout the martial arts world!
Upon hearing Li Qingqiu's words, the higher-ups' first reaction was fury, followed by excitement, as they felt their opportunity had arrived.

After the establishment of Daoyuan, the martial arts techniques and secret manuals in the Scripture Pavilion had a clear value. Ordinary martial arts techniques were easy to exchange, but the secret manuals on the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion were not easy to exchange. The most expensive ones even reached tens of thousands of Daoyuan. This made the higher-ups very curious about just how powerful those secret manuals were.

With Shen Yue, Jiang Zhaoxia, Zhao Zhen, and others present, new secret manuals appear in the Sutra Repository every few days, and Li Qingqiu is already planning to build the fifth floor.

Li Qingqiu raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then gave Zhang Yuchun a look.

Zhang Yuchun stepped forward and recounted the story of the refugees and the rumors circulating in the martial arts world and among the common people. A few high-ranking officials knew about this, but most of them did not. When they heard the rumors circulating in the martial arts world, they all found them absurd.

"If the sect leader hadn't intervened, wouldn't this world be a living hell? How could anyone use this to slander the sect leader? They're simply insane."

One of the elders couldn't help but speak, his face filled with disbelief. His words were echoed by the other high-ranking members, who believed that Li Qingqiu's killing of the emperor was the most glorious and chivalrous act of the Qingxiao Sect.

Yang Jueding was furious. He volunteered to lead a group to the martial arts world to shut those people up.

After letting everyone vent their emotions, Li Qingqiu slowly spoke, "Next, the Training Hall will continuously increase sect missions. Qingxiao Sect does not want to get involved in the conflicts of the martial world, but it will not sit idly by and wait to be killed. Everyone, we are about to start a bloodbath, so please be prepared." Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

They almost forgot that the sect leader was the most bloodthirsty person in the sect.

After discussing this matter, Li Qingqiu began to discuss the construction of other peaks with the senior members, allowing each hall to establish branch halls on other peaks. This indicated that the seven halls would continue to recruit disciples, and their power would become increasingly greater, which would be a good thing for everyone in the hall.

Of course, the most important thing is the future prospects of Qingxiao Sect.

The sect leader seems to have grand ambitions, which has generated their expectations.

The high-level meeting lasted for nearly an hour. After it ended, rumors about the martial arts world and secular society targeting the Qingxiao Sect spread within the sect, and all the disciples who heard about it were furious.

In an instant, the attention of the Qingxiao Sect shifted from the martial arts tournament to the secular world. Faced with threats from all sides, the Qingxiao Sect disciples were eager to fight, and many disciples had already gone to the training hall to await the release of sect missions.

Night falls.

Inside Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a long table, writing his name, while Yuan Qi and the three Xiao brothers stood behind him watching.

Li Qingqiu not only wrote down the names, but also drew the faces of these disciples. With his current control over his physical body, he could draw the portraits in the Daoist panel perfectly without making any mistakes.

They were very curious as to why Li Qingqiu would do this. They had seen some of the disciples before and had a fairly good impression of them.

Li Qingqiu drew the faces of twenty-three people in one go and said, "Yuanqi, tomorrow, take these portraits to the Enforcement Hall and let them question these disciples."

These twenty-three people have all lost all loyalty to Li Qingqiu and Qingxiao Sect; they are most likely spies.

Every so often, Li Qingqiu would purge the disciples whose loyalty was zero. At first, the Enforcement Hall was puzzled, but as they investigated each time, they became full of admiration for Li Qingqiu, feeling that their sect leader was truly an immortal.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Qi immediately put away the portraits without asking any questions.

The three Xiao brothers were curious about this, but they didn't question it. They trusted Li Qingqiu completely and believed that their sect leader must have a reason for doing this.

Li Qingqiu gestured for Yuan Qi to step down, and then had the three Xiao brothers sit opposite him.

They had been together for more than half a year, and the three Xiao brothers were no longer awkward in front of Li Qingqiu. They were very curious about what Li Qingqiu was going to say next.

"In the next martial arts tournament, you must make it into the top ten. I will do my best to cultivate you for this."

Li Qingqiu's first words invigorated them. After their defeat in this martial arts competition, they were full of fighting spirit for the next competition and were determined to achieve a good ranking. Even without the sect leader's permission, they would work hard. They were still very excited to be able to receive the sect leader's full support.

“However, if I show you such favoritism for too long, my disciples will definitely have complaints. Therefore, I will assign you tasks every year from now on. Every task will be very dangerous, so be prepared,” Li Qingqiu said seriously.

Xiao Wudi was the first to reply: "Sect Master, please give your orders. We are not afraid at all and will definitely be able to complete the mission!"

Xiao Wuqing nodded and said, "Now that we have so many resources, we should take on more dangerous missions. That would be fair."

Xiao Wuming didn't speak. His expression was gloomy, making him seem extremely shrewd. In reality, he wasn't thinking about that much at all. He didn't care what task the sect leader would assign him; he just wanted to know when it would begin.

Li Qingqiu was very satisfied with their attitude, and after offering a few more words of encouragement, he let them leave.

After they left, Li Dongyue came out of the house and came to Li Qingqiu, saying, "Senior Brother, would you have time to teach me the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle tomorrow?"

The martial arts tournament also greatly stimulated her. She had already reached the fifth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm, but she felt that she was not confident in defeating any of the top ten disciples, which made her feel a sense of crisis.

Li Qingqiu nodded and said, "Alright, come to my cave early tomorrow morning."

A smile appeared on Li Dongyue's face. She didn't bother Li Qingqiu any longer, said a few simple words, and left.

……

After August ended, as the disciples eagerly awaited, the Training Hall finally presented a sect mission for the secular world.

To wipe out the Golden Serpent Sect in Jiangzhou, twenty-five disciples are needed, with a minimum cultivation level of the third level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. The reward for the mission is fifty to two hundred Dao Fate and five hundred to three thousand Strings of Cash, depending on their performance.

This task was withdrawn by the Training Hall in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, because the quota was already full.

This caused many disciples to beat their chests in frustration, and at the same time, the name of the Golden Serpent Sect spread. Many disciples were hearing this name for the first time and were very curious about how the Golden Serpent Sect had provoked their Qingxiao Sect.

In a grove of trees, Li Qingqiu was instructing Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Li Yang, and the three Xiao brothers on their cultivation when Zhang Yuchun came to Li Qingqiu's side.

"Senior Brother, isn't posting the quest like this too conspicuous?" Zhang Yuchun asked worriedly.

Li Qingqiu calmly said, "I just want to make a show of it. Qingxiao Sect will take the path of tyranny. If they can get the news in advance, then they are amazing. It will also be a test of our disciples' speed of execution."

(End of this chapter)