Qingyuan Sect

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Qingyuan Sect (青元门)
Affiliation	Affiliated force of the Tianxuan Holy Land; based in Qingzhou of the Great Zhou Dynasty 399
Occupation/Role	Cultivation sect; formerly Qingzhou's dominant force and collector of tribute from protected local powers 2
Status	Active; continues operating in Qingzhou while selected members prepare to enter Tianxuan Holy Land 622
First Appearance	1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qingzhou hegemon	2	Recognized as Qingzhou's strongest sect; local clans and aristocratic families sought its protection and paid annual tribute.
Unchallenged provincial dominance	26 75	Retaliated against Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and Nanhua Sword Sect after losing an Elder, killing six Internal Refinement Grandmasters before ultimately annihilating the Three Great Sects.
Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster-backed sect	337	Sect Master Liu Xuan advanced to the Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster realm, giving Qingyuan Sect top-tier combat power within the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Affiliated force of Tianxuan Holy Land	385 399	Retained Qingzhou as its base while gaining access to Tianxuan Holy Land's resources and opportunities; it must report major opportunities and provide support when required.

History

Qingzhou hegemony

Qingyuan Sect began as a Qingzhou-based cultivation power led by Sect Master Liu Xuan. By the start of the story, it was the province's strongest sect, supported by tribute from local forces under its protection and backed by Liu Xuan's reputation and ties to the Great Zhou imperial family. 2

Its authority rested on both protection and coercion. Affiliated forces that withheld tribute or defected could be targeted for annihilation, while the sect's control of resources made it a central power in Qingzhou. 7 39

War with the Three Great Sects

The Zhao Family of Anyu City and the Sanhe Gang of Qinghe County redirected their medicinal tribute to Lingyu Palace, exposing a challenge to Qingyuan Sect's authority. 7 After a Qingyuan Sect force was ambushed during an operation against the Zhao Family, the sect retaliated against Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and Nanhua Sword Sect. 25

Liu Xuan personally led the campaign. Qingyuan Sect killed six Internal Refinement Grandmasters from the three hostile sects—two from each—and pursued a policy of total annihilation rather than leaving surviving lineages or future rivals. 26 74 The Three Great Sects were destroyed, restoring Qingyuan Sect's control over Qingzhou. 75

Conflicts beyond Qingzhou

Qingyuan Sect later mobilized against the Wusheng Heresy, coordinating with other forces while investigating infiltrators and suspicious disciples within its own ranks. 98 124 During the turmoil in White Jade Capital, Qingyuan Pavilion was attacked by forces including the Tianshan Sword Sect; Senior Alchemist Yan Jinfeng and Hall Master Qi Yuansheng subsequently disappeared. 240 266

The losses in White Jade Capital weakened the sect's upper ranks, particularly its alchemy division, and prompted it to seek recompense from the Great Zhou imperial family and the Alchemist Alliance. 266

Taiyin Heaven and Tianxuan Holy Land

After Taiyin Heaven emerged near the Qingyuan River, Liu Xuan entered its surrounding opportunities and Qingyuan Sect gained spiritual herbs and an invitation connected to Tianxuan Holy Land. 381 The sect publicly framed its later affiliation as a return: its founder had originated from Tianxuan Holy Land and had wished for Qingyuan Sect to rejoin it. 391

Qingyuan Sect became Tianxuan Holy Land's affiliated force while remaining in Qingzhou as an independent operational base. Tianxuan Holy Land was to avoid interfering in its internal affairs apart from required tribute, reporting of major opportunities, and support obligations. 399

Liu Xuan led more than a thousand selected members to establish a new peak within Tianxuan Holy Land, while Gu An remained behind as Acting Sect Master to preserve Qingyuan Sect's foundation. 396 399

Recovery and continued operation

The sect later endured border pressure from the Great Zhou Dynasty, including demands for alchemical support. Gu An accepted limited arrangements to preserve the sect's core strength and prepared routes for key members to retreat to Tianxuan Holy Land if necessary. 442

Despite reduced manpower, Qingyuan Sect accumulated substantial spiritual resources through Taiyin Heaven and the Zixu Secret Realm. Gu An assessed that its Formal Disciple ranks could recover within one or two years, while rebuilding Elite and Personal Disciple ranks would require far longer. 608 610 620

Organization

Leadership

Position	Known holder(s)	Notes
Sect Master	Liu Xuan	Led Qingyuan Sect through the war against the Three Great Sects and became its first known Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster. He later departed for Tianxuan Holy Land to establish a new peak. 337 399
Acting Sect Master / later Sect Master	Gu An	Former Hall Master of the Hall of Medicine; managed Qingyuan Sect after Liu Xuan's departure and handled its internal recovery, resources, and external pressures. 396 428 610
Supreme Elders	Three unnamed Supreme Elders	Major decisions required the agreement of the Sect Master and Supreme Elders; the Sect Master was not an absolute authority. 146
Elders and Hall Masters	Various	Internal Refinement Grandmasters could become Elders, while Hall Masters managed major sect departments. 76 146

Disciple ranks and advancement

Rank	Role and requirements
Steward Disciple	Performs menial work for the sect. Steward Disciples who cannot comprehend Inner Strength within the required period may be expelled, while many are eliminated and replaced each year. 1 3
Formal Disciple	Gains Qingyuan Sect's formal protection after passing an assessment and comprehending Inner Strength. Formal Disciples can access additional benefits, including literacy instruction and more complete cultivation methods. 7 8 9
Elite Disciple	Receives better treatment than Formal Disciples, greater access to techniques, and more effective use of contribution points. 77
Personal Disciple	An Elder's direct disciple; regarded as part of the sect's future backbone and often cultivated toward Internal Refinement. 26 353
Elder	A high-ranking sect figure, generally attained through advancement to the Internal Refinement Grandmaster realm. 76

Recruitment and discipline

• Qingyuan Sect recruits large numbers of Steward Disciples to identify talented and loyal candidates, including qualified cultivators from affiliated forces. 26
• Later recruitment became stricter: candidates who comprehend Inner Strength undergo investigation before being accepted as disciples, reflecting concerns over infiltration. 322
• Steward Disciples are evaluated through their work, conduct, and especially their progress in the Ox Demon Strength Fist; outstanding candidates receive supplementary medicines and better cultivation resources. 427
• The sect records and buries disciples who die without family, both honoring them and strengthening the loyalty of surviving disciples. 124

Cultivation System and Resources

Core cultivation methods

Qingyuan Sect maintains an integrated martial system in which techniques reinforce one another. Its principal methods include the Ox Demon Strength Fist, Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist, and Flood Dragon Breathing Technique; their cultivated Inner Strength is known for its ferocious aura. 37 337

• Ox Demon Strength Fist — A foundational technique used to temper the body and comprehend Raging Bull Strength, a requirement for many disciples seeking Formal Disciple status. 2
• Tiger Demon Bone Refining Fist — A stronger method available to Elite Disciples. 76 77
• Demon Subduing Sword Technique — A sword method designed to complement the Ox Demon and Tiger Demon cultivation paths. 37
• Peng Demon Marrow Cleansing Scripture — The scripture associated with Liu Xuan's Marrow Cleansing breakthrough; a complete version was later returned from Tianxuan Holy Land. 337 503

Halls and facilities

• Hall of Medicine — Oversees medicinal herbs, treatment, alchemy work, and alchemist training. 2 385
• Hall of Bestowing Merit — Distributes cultivation methods and sect rewards. 8
• Hall of Artifact Refining — Oversees artifact-related affairs; Qi Yuansheng served as its Hall Master before disappearing in White Jade Capital. 240 266
• Azure Jade Hall — Venue for high-level discussions involving the Sect Master, Elders, and Hall Masters. 98 146
• Qingyuan Pavilion — Qingyuan Sect's White Jade Capital base, operating as both an inn and restaurant. 204

Alchemy

Alchemy is central to Qingyuan Sect's strength. Intermediate and Senior Alchemists hold significant status because they handle valuable pill refinement and may know sensitive sect information. 98

Following the Taiyin Heaven period, the sect planned to use acquired spiritual herbs to refine pills for its disciples and resumed alchemist training under Xu Gaocen, with Yang Chan assisting. 385 Yang Chan later became Qingyuan Sect's Chief Alchemist, making him important enough that Gu An refused an imperial request to send him to the border without safeguards. 428

Relationships

• Tianxuan Holy Land — Parent Holy Land and affiliated partner. Qingyuan Sect rejoined it as an affiliated force, while retaining Qingzhou as its own base and sending selected disciples to cultivate there. 391 399
• Great Zhou Dynasty — Historically connected through Liu Xuan's imperial ties, but the relationship is cautious and politically strained; imperial demands have forced Qingyuan Sect into compromises. 2 442
• Lingyu Palace — Former rival whose attempt to undermine Qingyuan Sect's tribute system contributed to the war that ended in its annihilation. 7 75
• Taiyu Valley — Member of the Three Great Sects coalition destroyed by Qingyuan Sect. 25 75
• Nanhua Sword Sect — Member of the Three Great Sects coalition destroyed by Qingyuan Sect. 25 75
• Tianshan Sword Sect — Hostile rival that sought to replace Qingyuan Sect as Qingzhou's dominant power and participated in the White Jade Capital ambush. 240 331
• Alchemist Alliance — Its refusal to provide promised assistance during the White Jade Capital crisis became part of Qingyuan Sect's later demand for recompense. 266

Notable Members

• Liu Xuan — Former Sect Master; Qingyuan Sect's first known Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster and later Peak Master within Tianxuan Holy Land. 337 399
• Gu An — Hall Master of the Hall of Medicine who became Acting Sect Master and later managed Qingyuan Sect's recovery and survival strategy. 396 442
• Yang Chan — Former Steward Disciple who rose through the Hall of Medicine to become Qingyuan Sect's Chief Alchemist. 1 428
• Xu Gaocen — Intermediate Alchemist who led alchemist training after Qingyuan Sect's affiliation with Tianxuan Holy Land. 385
• Lu Zhenghai — Elder who investigated infiltrators, fought the Three Great Sects, and later represented Chiyu Peak in delivering support to Qingyuan Sect. 53 503
• Qi Yuansheng — Hall Master of Artifact Refining who defended Qingyuan Pavilion during the White Jade Capital attack before disappearing. 240 266
• Yan Jinfeng — Senior Alchemist whose disappearance in White Jade Capital created a major gap in Qingyuan Sect's alchemy division. 266