From martial arts sects to immortality sects

Chapter 170 The Calamity of Demons
As night fell, Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Wu Man'er, Li Sijin, Yang Jueding, Zhu Yan, Zhang Yu, Chai Yunshang, Shen Yue, and Xu Ning gathered in Lingxiao Courtyard.

After challenging Xu Ning, Jiang Zhaoxia went to Yuan Tie Fudi to replace Shen Yue.

He preferred seclusion to teaching Sword Sect disciples how to cultivate.

The draw with Xu Ning did not satisfy him, because he vaguely felt that Xu Ning was saving face for him.

At this moment, everyone except Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun was holding a piece of paper with a legend recorded on it.

After everyone finished reading, their expressions turned serious.

Zhu Yan spoke first: "The Ji surname is indeed one of the ancient imperial surnames. The Dayan Dynasty was so powerful back then. If it weren't for internal and external troubles and frequent natural disasters, it would never have been replaced by the Great Wei Dynasty. Even so, there are still doubts about the collapse of the Dayan Dynasty. If this legend is true, then everything makes sense."

Nangong E and Chu Jing floated behind Li Qingqiu, quite dissatisfied with this statement, but they remained silent, and even if they did speak, Zhu Yan wouldn't hear them.

Shen Yue said, "I've heard some rumors before that the reason the Dayan Dynasty was overthrown was mainly because it offended the heavens, incurring divine wrath, causing constant natural disasters and widespread public resentment, which gave other ambitious people an opportunity."

Zhang Yu clicked his tongue in amazement and said, "According to this legend, the invasion of demons caused the Dayan Dynasty to pay an extremely heavy price. If this is true, it is understandable that the Dayan Dynasty entered a period of weakness and exhaustion and was overthrown. However, the legend does not explain where the demons came from."

Li Dongyue frowned and asked, "Could it be the demon raised by the Qi family?"

The group discussed the legends of the Dayan Dynasty, but they couldn't avoid mentioning the Qi family, because the Qi family was raising a terrifying demon that ate human flesh and blood.

After letting them discuss for a while, Li Qingqiu finally spoke, "Regardless of whether this legend refers to the Qi clan demons, it foreshadows an even greater crisis hidden in this land. We must be prepared to deal with it. In addition to building up the sect, we also need to focus on the disciples' cultivation. We can't let all the disciples devote themselves to construction. Apart from the true disciples, I plan to select a group of disciples and provide them with spirit stone resources, blessed lands, and time to cultivate, to help them break through to the true disciple level. From now on, the threshold for true disciples will be raised to the fourth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm."

After hearing this, no one objected. Although the third level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm was enough to make one roam the martial world freely, their goals were much grander.

Chai Yunshang asked, "Will you select this batch of disciples, or will we select them in batches?"

She asked the key question, and everyone looked at Li Qingqiu with eager eyes.

Li Qingqiu replied, "The Seven Halls and the Sword Sect will each select twenty people, and I will personally select the twenty people for the Demon Control Hall."

Twenty people per session may not sound like much, but this is for those aiming to break through to the fourth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. Later, there will be one hundred and eighty more people at the fourth level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. This force is not simple; it would be no difficult task to sweep away the mortal lords.

Everyone was delighted. They didn't think it was too little; in fact, they thought it was a bit too much. After all, last year, a cultivator at the fourth level of the Qi Refining Realm had a chance to compete for a place in the top ten of the Battle Tournament.

Li Qingqiu gave some more instructions, mainly about guarding against an attack from the Qi family. As the Qingxiao Sect disciples' activity range expanded, the area that needed to be patrolled also increased. Everyone expressed their opinions and continuously formulated strategies.

……

As autumn fades into winter, heavy snow blankets the Taikun Mountains, plunging the world into a white expanse.

In a courtyard on Ziyang Peak, a man wearing a straw raincoat walked in. He took off the raincoat and placed it on the railing of the corridor.

Three children ran out of the house and surrounded him, jumping and skipping.

"Father, Father, did you bring back anything delicious?"

"Father, where is my wooden sword?"

"Father, play with us."

Jia Yi looked at his two sons and daughter with a smile. He squatted down, looked at them, and said with a smile, "I've been very busy lately. After I'm done with work, I'll fulfill your wishes and take some time to play with you every day, how about that?"

Having lived in Qingxiao Gate with his wife and children for several years, this former guardian of the heavens has grown accustomed to his current life. Although it is very ordinary, he feels fulfilled and much more at ease than when he was in Zhenyang Imperial City.

He was especially filled with anticipation as he watched his children grow up.

He can cultivate immortality and has a wife and children by his side, what more could he ask for?

At this moment, his wife, Zhen, came out of the house, called the three children away, and then led him into the house, where she poured him some hot wine.

Jia Yi took out a land deed from his pocket and placed it on the table.

Zhen picked it up and looked at it, then asked curiously, "Where is Lone Crane Peak?"

"It's in the north, quite far, about two hundred miles from Ziyang Peak."

"So far? Are we going to move there in the future? These are chaotic times. Even though Taikun Mountain is Qingxiao Sect's territory, there's no guarantee that thieves won't sneak in."

Zhen frowned, looking worried.

Jia Yi waved his hand and said, "How could we move? The farther away from Qingxiao Mountain, the more bleak the children's future will be. I plan to hand over this land to someone else to manage. Some disciples in the sect are willing to manage the medicinal fields and gardens for others. As long as they are given a certain amount of compensation, that will be fine. I plan to go to the cultivation hall to buy some spirit-gathering herbs, so as to provide a good foundation for the children when they start cultivating, and so that they will not fall behind others."

Upon hearing this, Zhen's brows relaxed. She looked at Jia Yi and said softly, "Husband, you've really worked hard."

"What's the trouble? Taking care of you is what a man like me should do."

"Has my husband encountered any trouble lately?"

"There is some trouble. I have offended a young master from a prominent family, but it doesn't matter. That kid dared to talk back to me. I'll see how I deal with him. I have served the sect leader. In terms of merit, can he compare to me? I will definitely expel him from Qingxiao Sect."

Jia Yi's tone hardened as he said this.

Zhen said worriedly, "Husband, it's best not to cause trouble within the Qingxiao Sect." Jia Yi glared and said, "It's not that I cause trouble, but there are always people bullying me. Besides, my cultivation aptitude is not bad. I'm already at the third level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. Once I become a true disciple, dealing with them will be a piece of cake."

Lady Zhen knew her husband's temperament, and the fact that he valued their children was already a significant change.

"You must think carefully before you act. You still have children; don't let them get into danger," Zhen reminded her.

Jia Yi said impatiently, "You woman, you have long hair but short brains. Keeping back won't bring you peace for the rest of your life. Just focus on raising your child. I'll protect you from the wind and rain."

He raised his wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and then stood up.

"I'm not going to talk about it anymore. You've ruined my mood. I'm going to go check out Lone Crane Peak. I'll come back tomorrow."

After saying this, Jia Yi turned and left. Zhen Shi hurriedly tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen at all.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jia Yi had just put on his raincoat when the three children surrounded him again. He was noticeably more patient with his children; he squatted down and chatted with his daughters for a while before leaving.

The snowstorm intensified, and soon he disappeared into the vast expanse.

……

It took Jia Yi nearly two hours to get from Ziyang Peak to Guhe Peak.

Lone Crane Peak is located on a mountain and is named for its resemblance to a lone crane. The forests in this area are not dense, and the mountains and fields are covered with white snow. Looking around, Lone Crane Peak is like an ancient deity, hidden in the snow and mist, exuding a sense of oppression.

Jia Yi looked up at the majestic Lone Crane Peak, a look of anticipation on his face.

"As long as they develop the medicinal herb fields well and stick close to the Cultivation Hall, they will be able to gain a foothold in the sect in the future."

Despite being in the dead of winter, Jia Yi felt a surge of warmth in his heart and was filled with energy.

He strode forward, quickening his pace, eager to see what the land he had bought looked like.

He suddenly turned his head and saw a figure walking towards him from the west. He hesitated for a moment, then stopped and waited for the other person to get closer.

This is Qingxiao Sect territory, so no one should cause trouble here. Even if the other party has malicious intentions, he is not afraid.

He, Jia Yi, is also a villain!
As the other person drew closer, Jia Yi saw their appearance clearly and completely let down his guard.

The newcomer was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was thin and frail, dressed in tattered white clothes, as if he had just escaped from prison. The only strange thing was that he had a head of white hair.

Premature white hair?
Could it be that he has contracted a serious illness and wants to go up the mountain to seek medical treatment?

Jia Yi guessed what was going on in his mind as he watched the other person approach.

“You’re going to Qingxiao Mountain? You’re going the wrong way. Walk behind me,” Jia Yi said.

The white-haired boy smiled, but his smile was sinister.

He suddenly raised his hand and grabbed Jia Yi's neck. The movement was so fast that Jia Yi had no time to react.

"you……"

Jia Yi was lifted into the air by the white-haired boy. He tried to pry the boy's hands off but couldn't. He felt as if his throat was being held by iron clamps. His face quickly turned red and his eyes began to turn bloodshot.

The white-haired youth stared at Jia Yi and asked in a cold voice, "Is Li Qingqiu on Qingxiao Mountain?"

Jia Yi felt a sense of fear. The white-haired youth's strength was too terrifying; even he, at the third level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm, was unable to resist.

He instinctively wanted to answer, but when he thought that he would definitely pass by Ziyang Peak on his way to Qingxiao Mountain, he immediately dared not answer truthfully.

“He…he’s not here…” Jia Yi replied in a trembling voice.

"Not here? That's perfect. I'll slaughter my way through and then sit on piles of bones to wait for Li Qingqiu's return."

The white-haired youth sneered, "You'll be in charge of leading the way for me. Point out every mountain peak where Qingxiao Sect disciples live."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yi's pupils trembled, and he released his hands, ceasing his struggle.

The white-haired boy carried him forward like that.

Sudden.

Jia Yi suddenly raised his right hand, his two fingers swirling with vital energy, and stabbed directly into the white-haired boy's eyes.

Bang!
Jia Yi's head flew high into the air and landed in the snow behind the white-haired boy. His eyes were wide open, his face still contorted in a ferocious expression, and his eyes were filled with determination.

The white-haired youth didn't turn back. He carelessly tossed Jia Yi's body onto the snow and walked towards Qingxiao Mountain, wiping the blood from his face with his sleeve.

The snow fell relentlessly, refusing to lessen in the slightest. When the white-haired boy's figure disappeared into the snow mist, half of Jia Yi's face was covered by ice and snow, and his eyes had completely lost their luster.

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(End of this chapter)