From martial arts sects to immortality sects

Chapter 85 Dragon Soul Protection
It's another beautiful day.

Li Qingqiu, along with Yuan Li and Zhao Zhen, faced the rising sun on the mountaintop and absorbed its energy. The purple aura coming from the east brought peace to the minds of the three of them.

As Li Qingqiu was about to get up after his morning cultivation session, he heard Yuan Li ask, "Master, am I really suited for cultivation?"

His face was filled with confusion. Zhao Zhen, sitting on the other side of Li Qingqiu, looked at him but didn't know how to comfort him.

"Of course, no one in this world is absolutely unsuitable for cultivating the Hunyuan Scripture. I can see your potential, but you need an opportunity to break free from your shackles. At that time, you will be able to soar to the sky and become the most dazzling existence in the entire Qingxiao Sect, and even in the whole world."

Li Qingqiu said earnestly, thinking to himself, "My good disciple, don't give up. Your master is still waiting to replicate your talent."

He could understand Yuan Li's self-doubt. Yuan Li's treatment already surpassed that of most true disciples, and he always followed Li Qingqiu in cultivation. Compared to Zhao Zhen's exaggerated progress, Yuan Li's cultivation growth rate could be described as slow.

If Yuan Li hadn't already cultivated Yuan Qi, he would have truly despaired.

But that's all; Yuan Li sees no hope of reaching the second level of the Nourishing Essence Realm.

Hearing his master's words, Yuan Li found it hard to believe, and he forced a smile.

Li Qingqiu slapped him across the face and said irritably, "Silly disciple, what are you worried about? You're only six years old now. When we were six, we were far inferior to you. Don't even mention us, look at the sect. How many disciples have cultivated for years and still haven't reached the Nourishing Yuan Realm?"

These words improved Yuan Li's mood.

"Shackles..."

Yuan Li muttered to himself, sometimes he could indeed feel an invisible barrier suppressing his cultivation, preventing him from advancing.

Li Qingqiu said no more and led him down the mountain.

Zhao Zhen asked his master if he could go to the martial arts arena to compete.

He has already reached the second level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm. A six-year-old reaching the second level of the Nourishing Yuan Realm is too dazzling.

"Let's wait a bit longer. You're still too young. Focus on building a solid foundation first," Li Qingqiu replied softly, worried that Zhao Zhen might become complacent and slack off if he got too caught up in the thrill of beating weaker opponents.

He realized that Zhao Zhen's only flaw was that he liked to show off.

This is not a good thing; it needs to be refined!
"At what age is it okay?"

"Twelve years old, I guess."

"Huh? There are still six years."

"Six years from now, wouldn't it be better for you to directly compete for the title of the number one martial arts master?"

"Hmm, this seems pretty good."

The three of them strolled down the mountain and arrived at Lingxiao Academy. Li Qingqiu once again instructed Zhao Zhen to study the martial arts techniques before descending the mountain alone.

Yesterday, the new mountain gate and eagle statue at the foot of the mountain were completed. At dinner, Zhang Yuchun asked him to go and take a look and give some pointers. If there were no problems, Zhang Yuchun would let the craftsmen in charge of the matter go down the mountain.

As he walked down the mountain path, people greeted Li Qingqiu along the way, and he simply smiled and nodded in response.

As he walked, he suddenly realized that he looked a lot like Zhao Zhen.

He also likes to pretend, but he's quite restrained.

As Li Qingqiu passed by a guest house, he stopped and turned his head. He could see a figure wielding a long spear inside the half-open room. It was Li Yang.

Li Qingqiu had never spoken to Li Yang since he came up the mountain. The two of them understood each other implicitly and did not reveal the awkward relationship between them.

"It seems that losing to Chai Yunshang has been a great blow to him."

Li Qingqiu thought to himself, Li Yang has been with Qingxiao Sect for so long, fought alongside them twice, and occasionally even guided disciples in martial arts. He can already be considered half a disciple of Qingxiao Sect.

Actually, he didn't dislike Li Yang, but he just didn't want to have too much to do with the Li family.

Seeing how persistent Li Yang was, he felt he should let go.

Putting everything else aside, Li Yang's ability to become the martial arts champion must be due to his exceptional talent and likely his special destiny. He is not as good as Chai Yunshang simply because his martial arts techniques are far inferior to the Hunyuan Scripture.

After thinking for a moment, Li Qingqiu spoke up: "Li Yang."

Upon hearing this, Li Yang, who was practicing shooting in the courtyard, froze. He turned his head and saw Li Qingqiu standing outside the door looking at him. He immediately became nervous.

"Sect Leader Li..." Li Yang replied awkwardly.

Having been at Qingxiao Sect for so long, this was the first time Li Qingqiu had spoken to him.

Unlike when he first joined the Qingxiao Sect, Li Yang could no longer regard Li Qingqiu as a cousin; he believed the descriptions given by the sect's disciples more.

The sect leader is an immortal descended to earth; otherwise, how could he be so powerful?

Looking back now, perhaps it was because Li Qingqiu's luck was so special that it frightened those evil Taoists, causing them to mistakenly believe that he was an ominous person.

The Li family is truly unlucky; they missed such a great opportunity.

Li Qingqiu waved to Li Yang through the courtyard gate. Li Yang hesitated for a moment, then picked up his gun and left the courtyard, walking all the way to Li Qingqiu's side.

"Want to come down the mountain with me for a walk?" Li Qingqiu asked with a smile.

Li Yang subconsciously replied, "Okay."

Li Qingqiu continued along the mountain path, with Li Yang following behind. Looking at his back, she felt a mix of emotions: excitement, trepidation, and a touch of shame.

"You seem confused?" Li Qingqiu asked without turning her head as she walked ahead.

Li Yang took a deep breath and said, "I am indeed confused. I have practiced martial arts since I was a child. I want to serve the dynasty and sweep away foreign enemies for Dali. I want to become a general that everyone admires. But now I find that the dynasty I am defending is not as wonderful as I imagined. I don't know whether I should continue to join the army. My cousin told me that I should change all of this, but how easy is that?"

"Sect Leader Li, what is your view of the world?"

He has already felt the urge to join the Qingxiao Sect, and doesn't even want to return to his family.

Li Qingqiu replied, “The world is indeed dark now, and everyone is in danger. I don’t have a better way, but I believe one thing: those evil people will eventually be taken away by God. I can’t tell you what to do or how to think about your path. This is a question that will guide you through your life.” “The only thing I can say is that since you can’t see through it, don’t think about it. Focus on practicing martial arts, and your gun will eventually give you the answer.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yang's face darkened, and he said in a dejected tone, "I have diligently practiced martial arts... I have never slacked off, but I..."

"Then do you want to join the Qingxiao Sect?"

"Join the Qingxiao Sect?"

Li Yang was stunned for a moment, her heart suddenly racing.

The Qingxiao Sect is no longer what it used to be. Many aristocratic families want to send their children to it. He felt that he was qualified to join the Qingxiao Sect, but he dared not even think about being personally invited by Li Qingqiu.

Since his defeat to Chai Yunshang, Li Yang has stopped calling himself a genius.

He knew how good Li Qingqiu's judgment was. Just like Xue Jin, if Li Qingqiu hadn't specifically named him to join the Thirteen Swords, Jiang Zhaoxia wouldn't have even looked down on Xue Jin.

"You can go down the mountain to pursue your ambitions in the future, and you can come back whenever you want, as long as you don't forget where you belong."

Li Qingqiu spoke softly, then smiled and nodded to the two disciples who were bowing to him from the nearby woods.

Li Yang stopped, lifted his robe, and knelt on the steps. Looking at Li Qingqiu's back, he said in a deep voice, "Disciple Li Yang is willing to join the Qingxiao Sect! Thank you for your appreciation, Sect Master!"

Li Qingqiu turned to look at him, shook his head and chuckled, "Get up quickly, I'm not going to take you as my disciple."

Li Yang smiled, then got up and quickly followed in his footsteps.

After being invited to join Li Qingqiu's school, his spirits immediately lifted. Nothing could have encouraged him more than this, which showed that he still had talent.

Li Qingqiu continued down the mountain, while simultaneously bringing up the Daoist chart to search for Li Yang's portrait.

Name: Li Yang

【Sex: Male】

[Age: 23 years old]

Loyalty (Leader/Sect Leader): 91/86 (Maximum 100)

[Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent]

[Comprehension: Excellent]

[Destiny: Protected by the Dragon Soul, Unparalleled Loyalty]

[Dragon Soul Protection: One of their ancestors ate the flesh of a true dragon and was thus bound by its soul. This is passed down through generations. Once one embarks on the path of cultivation, the dragon soul will gradually awaken, and as the cultivation level increases, the dragon soul's power will be continuously acquired.]

[Unparalleled Loyalty: Absolutely loyal to those who have been kind to them; once they have made up their mind about something, they will not back down no matter how formidable the enemy or how dangerous the situation.]

……

Good guy!
Is it too late to change your mind and accept apprentices now?

Although Li Qingqiu had long guessed that this martial arts champion's stats were extraordinary, he was still amazed when he actually saw them.

Being "double excellent" puts him on the same level as Ji Ya. Looking across the entire Qingxiao Sect, only Jiang Zhaoxia, Xu Ning, and Zhao Zhen are a level above him in terms of aptitude or comprehension.

Most importantly, Li Yang also has the protection of the Dragon Soul.

Judging from this destiny description, the Dragon Soul can bring Li Yang stronger power, which makes it difficult to define his combat strength at the same level.

Li Qingqiu's impression of Li Yang changed completely.

Don't go down the mountain, stay at Qingxiao Gate from now on.

Li Qingqiu almost said those words aloud.

He wasn't that great. Naturally, he hoped his disciples would stay in Qingxiao Sect, but he would let go of those disciples who were mediocre and had no hope of becoming immortals.

After formally joining the Qingxiao Sect, Li Yang became lively and energetic, once again becoming the spirited martial arts champion he once was.

Hearing that Li Qingqiu was going to pass on the Qingxiao Sect's secret techniques to him, he was extremely moved, but also somewhat apprehensive.

"I just joined, and I've already received a unique skill. How can you trust me so much?" Li Yang asked nervously.

"You say you just joined, but how long have you been on the mountain? And I trust my judgment. If I pass on my secret techniques to you, you will surely repay Qingxiao Sect even more."

Li Qingqiu answered casually, and the more nonchalant he was, the more moved Li Yang became.

During the rest of the journey, Li Yang seemed to want to say everything she had kept bottled up for the past year, making Li Qingqiu feel as if she were facing Li Sifeng.

An hour later.

They had only just reached the foot of the mountain, even with their pace quickened.

Eight craftsmen hired by the Chai family were resting in front of the mountain gate. When they saw Li Qingqiu and his companion coming from the mountain, they quickly got up.

The mountain gate stands in front of the mountain path, with dense forest behind it and a flat area in front, beside which flows the Xi River, its waters gurgling.

The towering eagle statue, nearly two zhang tall, is very eye-catching, with its outstretched wings displaying a majestic presence.

Li Qingqiu arrived at the Divine Eagle statue and looked at the statue and the mountain gate from the front. He nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging the excellent craftsmanship of the artisans.

Li Yang walked towards Li Qingqiu. Just as he was about to speak, his eyes suddenly locked onto a direction, and his gaze became sharp.

“Little…” Li Yang quickly said.

He had barely uttered a word when he saw Li Qingqiu raise his hand and use two fingers to catch the arrow that was attacking from behind, as if he had anticipated its movement.

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(End of this chapter)