From martial arts sects to immortality sects

Chapter 34 Not vying to be the best in the world, but vying for immortality.
Li Yang was injured and temporarily stayed at Qingxiao Gate. This did not affect Li Qingqiu's life, and life continued as usual.

He didn't visit Li Yang, but he met Zhao Linglong on his way down the mountain. After Zhao Linglong learned that he was the sect leader, she first apologized to him and then expressed her gratitude, which made Li Qingqiu have a good impression of her.

Although Li Yang was treated by Li Dongyue with the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle, his injuries were too severe, and he would not be able to get out of bed for at least ten days to half a month.

The disciples of Qingxiao Sect were very interested in this martial arts champion and often went to his window to look at him, but Jiang Zhaoxia only paid him no attention.

Having been severely injured by Wu Man'er in one move, Jiang Zhaoxia believed that this martial arts champion had gotten the title through connections, so he naturally had no interest in her.

Half a month later, on the day Li Yang was able to get out of bed, Zhang Yuchun and the other three finally returned, bringing with them thirteen people, both men and women, the youngest being twelve years old and the oldest being twenty.

These are all newly recruited disciples, and their return has brought life back to Qingxiao Sect.

Inside the courtyard, Zhang Yuchun had his thirteen new disciples kneel and pay homage to Li Qingqiu.

The disciples were all very excited, and there were no troublemakers among them, because they had been impressed by Li Sifeng. If the young Li Sifeng was so powerful, then the sect leader must be even more powerful.

Li Qingqiu exchanged some pleasantries and then asked Yang Jueding to arrange accommodations for the disciples. He then went back to his room with Zhang Yuchun and Li Sifeng to talk.

"Wait, I'll go call my third senior brother first."

After saying this, Li Sifeng rushed out of the house.

Li Qingqiu looked at Zhang Yuchun and said, "It seems that your journey has not tempered his character."

Zhang Yuchun said helplessly, "He's a little tyrant, and with his superb martial arts skills, who can temper his temper?"

Li Sifeng was afraid of Li Qingqiu and Jiang Zhaoxia, but not of his second senior brother. Along the way, he was angered by Li Sifeng several times, and each time Li Sifeng would coax him, leaving him unable to vent his anger.

Li Qingqiu smiled and then inquired about the origins of these disciples. He had already glanced at them and found that their talent and comprehension were not outstanding, nor did they have any special destiny. He was not disappointed, as Qingxiao Sect needed manpower and his desire for geniuses was not strong.

With Jiang Zhaoxia and Wu Man'er around, Qingxiao Sect can maintain its prestige, while Xu Ning and Yuan Li represent its future.

Li Qingqiu was particularly interested in Yuan Li's indestructible body.

These disciples were not orphans, but were recruited by Zhang Yuchun from a county town. Thanks to Li Sifeng for punishing evil and showcasing the martial arts of the Qingxiao Sect.

After chatting for a while, Li Sifeng pulled Jiang Zhaoxia into the house. He closed the door and smiled excitedly.

"What's the matter that you have to involve your third senior brother?" Li Qingqiu asked Li Sifeng with a smile.

This kid is growing so fast; his head is already taller than Jiang Zhaoxia's shoulders.

Jiang Zhaoxia looked impatient. He sat down next to Li Qingqiu, glared at Li Sifeng, and said, "If you can't say something important, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

He is now putting all his effort into cultivation, determined to reach the fourth level of the Nourishing Essence Realm before Xu Ning.

Li Sifeng stood before his three senior brothers, his fists clenched, unable to hide his excitement, and said, "The martial arts tournament is about to begin, and we will compete for the title of the number one martial arts master in Guzhou. This is a great opportunity for Qingxiao Sect to make a name for itself!"

Li Qingqiu glanced at Zhang Yuchun, who nodded slightly in response.

"Guzhou is so vast, and there are countless masters. Such a martial arts gathering is held only once every ten years. Third senior brother, don't you want to know what level of martial artist you are in the martial arts world? You must participate. Let's go together and tell the martial arts world of Guzhou that the world has changed!"

Li Sifeng spoke with great passion, and his words truly moved Jiang Zhaoxia.

Jiang Zhaoxia was naturally competitive, and the martial arts tournament held an irresistible attraction for him.

He did not agree immediately, but looked at Li Qingqiu instead.

Li Qingqiu was also thinking about this.

Actually, he didn't want Qingxiao Sect to be too famous, but he also felt that being too low-key wasn't good either, because his growth rate was affected by the development of Qingxiao Sect.

The faster Qingxiao Sect develops, the greater his chances of obtaining a replicated destiny.

Of course, once you get involved in the conflicts of the martial arts world, you'll have fewer and fewer peaceful days.

“Senior brother, this is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Even if we want fame in the future, we’ll have to wait another ten years. How many decades does one have in a lifetime?” Zhang Yuchun said in a low voice.

Ten years is too long for him.

Li Qingqiu suddenly realized something: he was cultivating immortality, but his junior brothers were thinking about practicing martial arts.

He pursued immortality, backed by the established tradition, but his fellow disciples couldn't.

If they cannot develop their skills before their junior brothers' lives come to an end, it will be difficult for them to achieve immortality.

The stronger Qingxiao Sect becomes, the more inheritance rewards and blessings he will receive, which may be able to make up for the difference in aptitude among his junior brothers and sisters.

After thinking it through, Li Qingqiu said, "You can participate, but you should try to avoid getting involved in the grudges of other sects. Qingxiao Sect only cares about its reputation. When recruiting disciples, you must find out their backgrounds."

Upon hearing Li Qingqiu's agreement, Li Sifeng jumped up excitedly, then pounced on Li Qingqiu, hugged him, and began to boast that he could beat those martial arts masters to a pulp without his third senior brother's help.

Although Jiang Zhaoxia remained silent, the smile on his face showed that he was already looking forward to the start of the martial arts tournament.

Li Qingqiu looked at him and sighed inwardly.

Third junior brother, cultivation is all about character; whoever can endure loneliness will go further. Although Xu Ning is competitive, he is not in a hurry to show off, and he will surely surpass Jiang Zhaoxia in the future.

That evening, Zhang Yuchun announced the news while having dinner.

With so many disciples, it's impossible for everyone to gather here, so those who eat in this courtyard are all people with certain seniority.

Upon hearing that Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng would represent Qingxiao Sect at the martial arts tournament, the disciples were very excited and began to discuss it animatedly.

With a wooden stick dangling from his mouth, Yang Jueding sighed, "The martial arts tournament is indeed something to look forward to. Ten years ago, my martial arts skills weren't this high; I was just a nobody. The scene was truly epic. Just thinking about it makes me excited."

Li Sijin looked at him and asked curiously, "Did you earn your place in the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking through the Martial Arts Tournament?"

The others also looked at Yang Jueding, all showing great interest in the martial arts tournament.

Yang Jueding coughed lightly and said, "Of course not. The martial arts tournament is about competing for first place. There is no such thing as the top ten. The Heavenly Ranking is determined by the state government. In addition to having high martial arts skills, one must also have a reputation for chivalry."

Everyone was disappointed upon hearing this.

Sitting in the corner, Qin Ye couldn't help but ask, "Senior Wu, have you participated in the martial arts tournament before?"

Yang Jueding looked at him and nodded, saying, "I participated, but not in the martial arts tournament in Guzhou. He was once the number one martial artist in Beiliang Prefecture. At that time, the four protectors of the Demonic Sect were all incredibly powerful and arrogant. Even though Guzhou was not persecuted by the Demonic Sect, we martial artists often heard about their achievements. The four protectors occupied the number one position in the martial arts world of the four prefectures, making the Demonic Sect famous all over the world. No sect had ever reached such a peak."

"A hundred years ago, the Nine Provinces were divided into nine dynasties. However, the previous dynasty unified the Nine Provinces and fourteen regions. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the number one martial artist in a province was the number one in the world in the past."

He began to recount the past of the Demonic Sect, and the disciples listened attentively, even forgetting to eat.

Although Li Qingqiu did not stop eating, her attention was drawn to Yang Jueding's words.

The martial arts world, a place of chivalry and revenge, where heroes take turns on the stage, is a place that captivates the heart and soul.

Li Qingqiu had no such desire, because whether righteous or evil, death was inevitable.

He wasn't vying to be the best in the world, but to achieve immortality.

Unless a dangerous situation like the Seven Mountains Alliance occurs, Li Qingqiu will not easily descend the mountain.

As the sect leader, he doesn't need to do everything personally; he only needs to sit at the mountain gate and control the general direction of Qingxiao Sect.

As Yang Jueding recounted tales of the martial world, Li Qingqiu's thoughts drifted, contemplating the future of the Qingxiao Sect.

……

Five days later, Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng packed their things and went down the mountain, surrounded by a group of disciples who cheered them on.

When they arrived at the new courtyard, they ran into Li Yang and Zhao Linglong. The two exchanged a glance when they heard the Qingxiao Sect disciples mentioning the martial arts tournament.

"Wait, are you going to participate in the martial arts tournament?" Li Yang couldn't help but ask.

Li Sifeng stopped and turned to look at the martial arts champion, asking, "Is there a problem?"

"Take me with you, I'm interested too," Li Yang said with a smile. He twisted his wrist, and although it wasn't fully healed, he felt that traveling wouldn't be too difficult.

Li Sifeng hesitated, but Jiang Zhaoxia did not stop walking; he didn't even glance at Li Yang.

Seeing his third senior brother walking further and further away, Li Sifeng had no choice but to chase after him.

"Cousin, leave the money and hurry on your way!" Li Yang turned to Zhao Linglong and said, his eyes returning to the way they were when he first came to Qingxiao Sect.

Zhao Linglong had no choice but to do as she was told.

Half an hour later.

Inside the forest, Li Qingqiu was practicing the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle Technique. He held four silver needles in his hand and swung them forward. These silver needles flew swiftly, constantly changing their course, like streaks of light that curved around the trees and finally struck a tree a hundred feet away.

Upon closer inspection, all four silver needles were embedded in a moth, which was still trembling.

Li Qingqiu then stopped, and the four silver needles actually detached from the moth, flew back backward, and finally landed in his hand.

He smiled with satisfaction. His Rejuvenating Ghostly Needle was becoming more and more powerful, and he had memorized the acupoints on the human body. In battle, the Rejuvenating Ghostly Needle could kill with a single blow.

At this moment, Li Dongyue walked into the woods and came to his side, saying, "Senior brother, Li Yang and the other two have left, leaving behind three gold bars. They said they were honoring their bet and asked us to repair the mountain gate."

Li Qingqiu laughed and said, "Since they are willing, then let's accept them. Junior sister, shall we spar with the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle?"

Upon hearing this, Li Dongyue quickly waved her hand and said, "How could I possibly be a match for my senior brother?"

"It's alright, Senior Brother doesn't mind."

"Never mind, I'm afraid of being discouraged."

"No, this is my senior brother's order, I have to come!"

Li Dongyue ignored him and turned to leave, so Li Qingqiu had to switch from a serious attitude to a conciliatory one, using a combination of coaxing and deception to finally get her to agree.

(End of this chapter)