Recaps

Li Qingqiu approved Zhang Yuchun’s plan to have Jiang Zhaoxia recruit a skilled fighter, then promised to take Yuan Li as his disciple once the boy was old enough to read. After waking to a commotion, Li Qingqiu learned that Xu Ning had caught the King of Thieves stealing food and wine from Qingxiao Sect.

• Li Qingqiu agreed to Zhang Yu’s higher teaching fee, and the disciples later praised Zhang Yu’s entertaining lessons and knowledge.
• Li Qingqiu approved Zhang Yuchun’s request for Jiang Zhaoxia to confront a skilled fighter in the Tai Kun Mountain Range.
• Li Qingqiu promised Yuan Qi that he would take Yuan Li as his disciple once the boy had grown up and could read.
• Li Qingqiu woke at night to find Xu Ning holding the bruised Cheng Canghai after catching him stealing a roast chicken and two jars of wine.
• Yang Jueding identified Cheng Canghai as the King of Thieves, scolded him for stealing from Qingxiao Sect, and heard Cheng Canghai claim Xu Ning was stronger than him.

After catching the Thief King Cheng Canghai, Li Qingqiu made him teach lightness skill at Qingxiao Sect, where his stories won over the disciples. Zhang Yuchun later brought the formidable Wu Baoyu to the sect, and Yang Jueding warned Li Qingqiu that the newcomer might have come for Qingxiao Sect’s grandmaster.

• Li Qingqiu sentenced Cheng Canghai to stay at Qingxiao Sect for a year and teach the disciples lightness skill instead of sending him to Black Stone County.
• Cheng Canghai told the disciples stories about his past over dinner and soon became popular, though he continued avoiding Xu Ning.
• Zhang Yuchun and Jiang Zhaoxia returned with Wu Baoyu, an expert who had defeated Jiang Zhaoxia before Jiang won their rematch.
• Wu Baoyu joined Qingxiao Sect, offered the disciples martial arts guidance, and earned their respect with his skill.
• Yang Jueding cautioned Li Qingqiu that Wu Baoyu might be targeting Qingxiao Sect or its grandmaster, while Li Qingqiu noted Wu Baoyu’s loyalty was above sixty.

Li Qingqiu let Yang Jueding choose to stay at Qingxiao Sect and continued building the sect while raising a young hawk with Origin Energy. When Black Stone County magistrate Feng Dai arrived to find Cheng Canghai, a confrontation with Wu Baoyu ended with Feng accusing him of being a notorious Demonic Sect enforcer.

• Li Qingqiu told Yang Jueding he was free to leave, but Yang decided to stay and help Qingxiao Sect grow across the Tai Kun Mountain Range.
• A month later, Li Qingqiu watched the disciples develop fields, a fishpond, and other resources while caring for a young hawk he hoped to raise into a demon pet.
• Li Sifeng warned Li Qingqiu that the county yamen was coming to search for Cheng Canghai, and Li Qingqiu told him to hide Cheng.
• Feng Dai introduced himself as the magistrate of Black Stone County and said he was pursuing the Thief King; Li Qingqiu offered to let his men search the sect.
• Feng Dai challenged Wu Baoyu and was badly injured, prompting his runners to demand that the sect answer for it.
• Li Qingqiu offered to treat Feng Dai, but Feng accused Wu Baoyu of being a notorious Demonic Sect enforcer who had deceived the sect.

Feng Dai accused Wu Baoyu of being a notorious Demonic Sect criminal, but Wu Baoyu claimed he was an Imperial spy who had avenged his family and exposed the emperor’s role in the Demonic Sect. After the Qingxiao Sect continued to grow, Li Qingqiu overheard Wu Baoyu offer to teach Qin Ye a staff technique and received a Legacy System reward notification.

• Feng Dai identified Wu Baoyu as the Qu Bei Guardian and accused him of massacres and stealing disaster-relief supplies.
• Wu Baoyu said he was Xiao Ji, the sole survivor of the Xiao family, and explained that he had infiltrated the Demonic Sect for the Imperial Court before the Crown Prince fell from power.
• Wu Baoyu revealed that the emperor had founded the Demonic Sect and used its crimes to conceal his pursuit of immortality, so Feng Dai left to investigate rather than arrest him.
• At dinner, Wu Baoyu said the emperor had slaughtered households to hide an evil art that required the blood of virgin boys and girls.
• After autumn passed, Wu Baoyu offered to teach Qin Ye a staff technique at midnight, and Li Qingqiu decided to watch over his second disciple.
• Li Qingqiu received a Legacy System notification granting him a legacy reward opportunity because someone in the Qingxiao Sect had created a spell.

Li Qingqiu celebrated Yang Jueding’s fusion of the Primordial Scripture and Nine Heavens Divine Palm, then secretly watched Wu Baoyu teach Qin Ye the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff. Months later, Qin Ye learned that Wu Baoyu had died after attacking the Imperial Palace, leaving his fate and the staff art’s future uncertain.

• Yang Jueding demonstrated his strengthened Nine Heavens Divine Palm, and Li Qingqiu praised him and announced that the art would become a Qingxiao Sect inheritance.
• Li Qingqiu told Jiang Zhaoxia how Yang Jueding had adapted the Primordial Scripture, hoping it would inspire him to create a spell of his own.
• Wu Baoyu secretly began teaching Qin Ye the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff, and Li Qingqiu watched without interfering.
• Seven days later, Wu Baoyu left the mountain, and Zhang Yuchun told Li Qingqiu that recruiting fifty disciples by year’s end seemed impossible.
• Two months later, Qin Jue visited with gifts and reported that Wu Baoyu had attacked the Imperial Palace and been killed by Heavenly Protection Guard experts.
• Qin Ye dropped his broom and stared at his father in shock upon hearing Wu Baoyu’s fate.

After Wu Baoyu died storming the Imperial Palace, Li Qingqiu comforted his grieving disciples and focused on strengthening the Qingxiao Sect, eventually breaking through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer. The chapter ended with Feng Dai and nine constables kneeling before Li Qingqiu as Feng Dai confessed responsibility for Senior Xiao’s death.

• Qin Jue told Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun that Wu Baoyu had died after attacking the Imperial Palace, and Qin Ye quietly mourned him while sweeping snow.
• Zhang Yuchun blamed himself for bringing Wu Baoyu to the Qingxiao Sect, but Li Qingqiu reassured him and urged the sect to grow stronger.
• Li Qingqiu declined Qin Jue’s offer to send more disciples, celebrated New Spring with the sect, and taught Qin Ye the first layer of the Primordial Scripture.
• Half a month later, Li Qingqiu broke through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer, while Jiang Zhaoxia created the Sword Control Technique and taught it to him.
• Li Qingqiu helped Li Sijin work through difficulties with the Earth Talisman Treasure Codex and later found Feng Dai and nine constables waiting on the mountain.
• Feng Dai knelt before Li Qingqiu and confessed that he had caused Senior Xiao’s death, asking the sect leader to punish him.

Feng Dai resolved to uncover the truth about Wu Baoyu and clear Senior Xiao’s name, while the Qingxiao Sect continued to grow stronger. The chapter ended with Martial Champion Li Yang arriving to challenge the sect, and Li Qingqiu wondering whether Li Yang belonged to his lineage.

• Feng Dai reported that his investigation confirmed Xiao Ji had served the former Crown Prince and that records of the Imperial Guards’ mission into the Demonic Sect had disappeared, then vowed to reveal the truth despite the danger.
• The nine yamen runners followed Feng Dai as he set out to clear Senior Xiao’s name, while Xiao Ba watched them leave.
• Wu Man'er and Li Sifeng reached the second layer of the Yangyuan Realm, and Zhang Yuchun took Li Sifeng, Huang Shan, and Yu Lin down the mountain to recruit disciples.
• Wu Man'er and Yang Jueding sparred, demonstrating strength that impressed the Qingxiao Sect’s disciples and convinced Li Qingqiu they could face the Seven Peaks Alliance.
• Li Qingqiu stopped the sparring when he sensed a visitor, and Li Yang arrived at the mountain gate, declaring himself the Martial Champion and challenging the Qingxiao Sect’s foremost expert.
• Li Qingqiu sent Yang Jueding and Wu Man'er to receive Li Yang, then wondered whether the visitor shared his lineage.

Li Yang challenged the Qingxiao Sect and was decisively defeated by the fifteen-year-old Wu Man'er, whom he suspected was descended from the Lishan Wu Clan. After waking from his injuries, Li Yang learned that Wu Man'er was only fifteen and lamented that he had brought shame upon the name of Martial Champion.

• Li Yang and Zhao Linglong arrived at the Qingxiao Sect, where Li Yang challenged its disciples to spar.
• Yang Jueding sent Wu Man'er to face Li Yang, and Wu Man'er caught Li Yang's spear and hurled it back with overwhelming strength.
• Wu Man'er struck Li Yang with the Nine Heavens Divine Palm, blasting him into a room and leaving him badly injured.
• Li Dongyue treated Li Yang, and Yang Jueding hurried to check on him while Wu Man'er worried that he had hit too hard.
• After waking, Li Yang told Zhao Linglong he suspected Wu Man'er was a survivor of the Lishan Wu Clan connected to Lin Xunfeng.
• Li Sijin told Li Yang that Wu Man'er had just turned fifteen, and Li Yang lamented his defeat.

Li Qingqiu agreed to let Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng represent Qingxiao Sect at the once-in-a-decade Martial Arts Tournament, hoping the sect’s growth would help its disciples pursue immortality. As the pair set off, Li Yang joined them, while Li Qingqiu stayed behind to keep training and guide the sect.

• Zhang Yuchun returned with thirteen new disciples, who paid their respects to Li Qingqiu and joined Qingxiao Sect.
• Li Sifeng urged the sect to enter the Martial Arts Tournament, and Li Qingqiu approved Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng’s participation while warning them to avoid other sects’ grudges.
• Yang Jueding told the disciples about the tournament and the Demonic Sect’s Four Great Protectors, while Li Qingqiu reflected on the sect’s future and his pursuit of immortality.
• Five days later, Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng left for the tournament, and Li Yang persuaded Zhao Linglong to let him travel with them.
• Li Dongyue told Li Qingqiu that Li Yang had left three gold bars for repairing the mountain gate, and Li Qingqiu coaxed her into sparring with him.

Li Qingqiu learned that Li Sijin had grown a spirit plant and gained an opportunity to select a Fate as Qingxiao Sect earned renown. When Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng returned, Jiang was gravely wounded after a Heavenly Saber Sect ambush, and a woman in yellow revealed the coercion behind the attack before attempting suicide.

• Li Sijin showed Li Qingqiu a medicinal herb that had absorbed spiritual energy, confirming that spirit plants could be cultivated by the underground Spirit Lake.
• Li Qingqiu received an opportunity to select a Fate after Qingxiao Sect made its name in the martial world, and decided to save it for Yuan Li.
• Cheng Canghai taught the disciples lightness skills while Li Qingqiu supervised the sect's growing activities.
• Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng returned with Jiang gravely wounded, and Li Sifeng said the Heavenly Saber Sect had ambushed them in the Tai Kun Mountain Range.
• Li Sifeng explained that Jiang had defeated the Heavenly Saber Sect's master and many other experts, but the woman in yellow said Cheng had forced her to help the attackers by holding her younger brother hostage.
• The woman in yellow said Cheng had killed her younger brother and tried to dash into a pillar to end her life.

Li Qingqiu refused to save the woman in yellow after she poisoned Jiang Zhaoxia, then rallied the Qingxiao Sect to answer the Heavenly Saber Sect’s attack while letting Jiang Zhaoxia choose his own revenge. Meanwhile, Lu Fuhu learned that Li Yang had arrived to challenge the Heavenly Saber Sect.

• Li Qingqiu stopped Yang Jueding from intervening as the woman in yellow died, then explained why the Qingxiao Sect should not spare someone who had harmed them.
• Li Qingqiu treated Jiang Zhaoxia, and he and the disciples agreed the Heavenly Saber Sect would have to pay for its attack.
• Jiang Zhaoxia woke briefly and asked Li Qingqiu to let him take revenge himself, which Li Qingqiu accepted.
• Li Dongyue told Li Qingqiu she worried about the pressure he carried, and he reassured her before going to train.
• Lu Fuhu discussed his plot against the Qingxiao Sect with the woman in purple, then received word that Li Yang had arrived to challenge the sect.

Jiang Zhaoxia’s fame brought recruits and friendly visitors to the Qingxiao Sect, while Xu Ning broke through to the Yangyuan Realm Fourth Layer. The chapter ended as Jiang Kuotian encountered Qin Ye on the mountain and challenged him to spar.

• Zhang Yu taught the Qingxiao Sect disciples to recognize schemes by reviewing suspicious details in the dead bride’s attendant’s actions and recounting tales of ambushes.
• Jiang Zhaoxia’s reputation attracted sixteen recruits and a friendly visit from the White Crane Sect, while he vowed to take revenge on the Heavenly Saber Sect after reaching the Yangyuan Realm Fourth Layer.
• Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun discussed ways to guide visitors to the sect and earn money, including building a mountain path, treating illnesses, and selling game.
• Xu Ning became the Qingxiao Sect’s second cultivator at the Yangyuan Realm Fourth Layer, and Li Qingqiu taught her the next layer of the Taiqing Primordial Scripture.
• Qin Ye practiced the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff and secretly resolved to kill the dog emperor to avenge Wu Baoyu.
• Jiang Kuotian of the White Emperor Mansion met Qin Ye, recognized his staff technique, and challenged him to spar using one hand.

Li Qingqiu welcomed Jiang Kuotian to Qingxiao Sect and heard about famine-driven rebellions spreading across four provinces, while Jiang Kuotian insisted the unrest would soon be suppressed. As winter arrived, Jiang Zhaoxia reached the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer and decided to train thirteen disciples as a sword unit to protect Qingxiao Sect.

• Li Qingqiu welcomed Jiang Kuotian, who praised Qin Ye after losing their spar and credited Qin Ye’s skill to instruction from a peerless expert.
• Jiang Kuotian told Li Qingqiu that rebels were exploiting famine across four provinces, and he warned Zhang Yuchun not to join the campaign against them.
• Jiang Kuotian shared martial-world news, then stayed at Qingxiao Sect for two more days before descending the mountain five days after his arrival.
• Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer and demonstrated his powerful sword intent to Li Qingqiu.
• Jiang Zhaoxia proposed personally training thirteen disciples as the Qingxiao Thirteen Sword Arts to eliminate threats to Qingxiao Sect.

Li Qingqiu expanded Qingxiao Sect’s training and services while guiding Qin Ye away from revenge and advancing to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fifth Layer. The chapter ended as a merchant brought his mysteriously ill daughter to Li Dongyue’s new medical practice.

• Li Qingqiu had Jiang Zhaoxia choose the final member of the Thirteen Swords, Xue Jin, and decided Li Dongyue and Li Sijin should also lead groups of disciples.
• Li Dongyue selected nine disciples, while Zhang Yuchun returned from recruiting with twenty-three new disciples, including the lucky Bai Ninger.
• Li Qingqiu challenged Qin Ye’s desire to avenge Wu Baoyu and explained that Qingxiao Sect should protect those who supported it, prompting Qin Ye to reconsider his hatred.
• Jiang Zhaoxia taught the Thirteen Swords to put Qingxiao Sect’s interests first as the disciples trained through the winter.
• Li Qingqiu secretly broke through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fifth Layer and resolved to stay out of the spotlight.
• Li Dongyue opened her medical practice, and a merchant brought his daughter to seek treatment for her strange illness.

Li Qingqiu welcomed the wealthy merchant Liu Fanzhou after Li Dongyue cured his daughter, and Liu Yan later joined the Qingxiao Sect as Li Dongyue’s disciple. Li Qingqiu mastered the Flying Fish Blade and, by spring, Liu Fanzhou returned with workers to build a road up the mountain.

• Li Dongyue cured Liu Fanzhou’s daughter with the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle, and Liu Fanzhou told Li Qingqiu about an official whose residence was haunted by nightly deaths among animals.
• Liu Yan insisted on joining Li Dongyue, and Li Qingqiu accepted her despite her mediocre aptitude and lack of special Fate.
• Li Qingqiu broke the restriction on the Flying Fish Blade, claimed it as his own, and tested its control and range in the woods.
• Li Qingqiu spotted Xue Jin secretly practicing an unfamiliar sword style but left without confronting him.
• A month later, Liu Fanzhou returned with more than a hundred workers to build a road to Qingxiao Sect, while promising to recommend the sect to people seeking treatment.

At the Qingxiao Sect’s first full assembly, Li Qingqiu formalized the sect’s rules, reviewed its growth, and set goals for its disciples. Months later, Qin Ye defeated Xue Jin in a spar, prompting Qin Ye to seek punishment from Li Qingqiu and leaving the master to hear the full story.

• Li Qingqiu gathered the sect in Profound Heart Hall, announced that Zhang Yu would write its rules and Daoist precepts, and had Zhang Yuchun report on its assets.
• Li Qingqiu set development goals and promised that disciples who made progress could inherit the Primordial Scripture after Elder Yang tested them.
• Li Qingqiu assigned responsibilities to his junior brothers and sisters, while the sect’s disciples became busier and the mountain road reached a hundred li.
• Xue Jin challenged Qin Ye to a spar, but Qin Ye struck him in the face with his iron staff and sent him tumbling away.
• Jiang Zhaoxia learned that Qin Ye had injured Xue Jin and reacted with displeasure.
• Qin Ye knelt before Li Qingqiu and asked to be punished for injuring Xue Jin, so Li Qingqiu asked him to explain what had happened.

Qin Ye faced Li Qingqiu’s advice after injuring Xue Jin in a spar, while Li Qingqiu corrected Li Sifeng for mistreating disciples. Later, Bai Ninger escorted Zhu Yan and Su Xiling to Qingxiao Sect, where Li Qingqiu agreed to shelter them and recognized their formidable hidden strength.

• Qin Ye told Li Qingqiu that he had injured Xue Jin, and Li Qingqiu warned him to control his staff technique and watch out for Xue Jin’s retaliation.
• Li Qingqiu kicked Qin Ye away when he insisted on apologizing to Third Junior Uncle, then punished Li Sifeng for making Qin Ye teach his class and bullying disciples.
• Bai Ninger finished recording the courtyard’s daily supplies and led Zhu Yan and Su Xiling up the mountain after they asked to meet the sect master.
• Su Xiling offered gold, silver, and jewels in exchange for Zhu Yan staying at Qingxiao Sect for two years, and Li Qingqiu accepted after hearing that she sought refuge from the Imperial Court’s campaign against the rebels.
• Li Qingqiu sensed that Zhu Yan and Su Xiling possessed extraordinary Internal Energy concealed by a secret technique, and Zhu Yan’s zither playing later drew attention from the disciples.

The Qingxiao Sect prepared to establish worship of the Five Primordials while its disciples continued to grow and serve the surrounding people. The Juesheng Sect arrived in the Tai Kun Mountain Range and demanded that Qingxiao stay south of the Xi River, prompting Li Qingqiu to send Yang Jueding and a group of disciples to investigate as the rival sect planned to use Qingxiao to build its reputation.

• Xu Ning reached the fifth layer of the Nurturing Origin Realm, and Li Qingqiu celebrated her breakthrough.
• Li Qingqiu chose the names Taiyi, Taichu, Taishi, Taisu, and Taiji for the Five Primordials, and Zhang Yuchun arranged for their statues to be carved.
• Li Qingqiu gave Liu Yan a Spirit Stone to help with her cultivation.
• A messenger reported that the Juesheng Sect had established itself a hundred li away and ordered the Qingxiao Sect not to cross the Xi River.
• Li Qingqiu sent Yang Jueding, his two disciples, and twenty other disciples to investigate, while Zhu Yan allowed Su Xiling to accompany them and told her she could save Qingxiao if it fell into danger.
• Yan Wujin and Tang Ziqi discussed using the Qingxiao Sect to make the Juesheng Sect famous, with Yan Wujin prepared to challenge Jiang Zhaoxia himself if he did not come.

Yang Jueding’s group confronted Juesheng Sect, where its formidable master Yan Wujin threatened Xu Ning after Tang Ziqi revealed his strength. Back at Qingxiao Sect, Li Qingqiu received a second Fortune Inheritance opportunity for creating the first mythological statue and opening the incense inheritance path.

• Li Qingqiu reassured Zhang Yuchun that Yang Jueding and Xu Ning could handle Juesheng Sect without Jiang Zhaoxia.
• Yang Jueding led the Qingxiao Sect disciples to Juesheng Sect and challenged its leaders.
• Yan Wujin descended from the waterfall, and Tang Ziqi introduced him as Juesheng Sect’s master and himself as its vice sect master.
• Tang Ziqi revealed that Yan Wujin had defeated Zhu Wuliang, making Yang Jueding and the Qingxiao Sect disciples wary.
• Xu Ning stepped forward with her sword and identified herself as Li Qingqiu’s disciple, prompting Yan Wujin to approach her.
• Li Qingqiu received a Fortune Inheritance opportunity after Qingxiao Sect created its first mythological statue, then told Zhang Yuchun to protect the statues.

After Xu Ning defeated Yan Wujin, Li Qingqiu received a Fortune Inheritance that guided him to a towering tree deep in the mountains. He followed the vision into the fog and encountered Yan Wujin, Tang Ziqi, and a disheveled old man.

• Yang Jueding reported that Xu Ning had driven off the Juesheng Sect after defeating its master, Yan Wujin.
• Xu Ning told Li Qingqiu that she wanted to focus on researching her Internal Energy, and he supported her choice to find her own path.
• Li Qingqiu activated the Fortune Inheritance, dreamed of a huge tree in the eastern wilderness, and decided to set out before dawn.
• Yan Wujin and Tang Ziqi became trapped in thick fog after fleeing the Qingxiao Sect, then found Li Qingqiu in the forest.
• Yan Wujin sensed someone nearby, and a disheveled old man emerged from the fog.

Li Qingqiu killed Mad Old Freak and spared Yan Wujin and Tang Ziqi after learning Yan Wujin was the former Crown Prince’s son. He left them a route out of the mist and continued toward the giant tree, reflecting on his childhood and the emperor’s child abductions.

• Mad Old Freak recognized Yan Wujin’s Great Sun Yang Gong, revealed he had once served the former Crown Prince, and attacked Li Qingqiu before Li killed him with a steel needle.
• Li Qingqiu threatened Yan Wujin and Tang Ziqi, and Tang begged for their lives while explaining Yan Wujin’s claim to the throne and their cause.
• Li Qingqiu criticized Tang Ziqi for failing to investigate the Qingxiao Sect, then pointed the two men toward a path through the mist and let them go.
• Yan Wujin gave Li Qingqiu a copy of the Great Sun Yang Gong before he and Tang Ziqi disappeared into the mist.
• Li Qingqiu recalled that his parents had abandoned him at the Linchuan Li Clan’s demand and suspected the emperor had been behind the demonic priest’s actions.
• Li Qingqiu followed a faint path toward the giant tree, passing human skeletons as morning light filled the mist.

Li Qingqiu discovered a giant spirit tree and established the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land, where Jiang Zhaoxia advanced his cultivation and sparred with him. The chapter ended with Jiang Zhaoxia preparing to take Thirteen Sword Li down the mountain after New Spring, while two dark figures flew toward Li Qingqiu.

• Li Qingqiu found a massive tree producing abundant spiritual energy and sensed powerful life force within it.
• Li Qingqiu named the tree the Thousand Spirit Tree and brought Jiang Zhaoxia to cultivate beneath it, reserving the blessed land for disciples with his permission.
• After six days of cultivation, Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fifth Layer, and he and Li Qingqiu sparred repeatedly over the following two months.
• Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Zhang Yuchun advanced to the Yangyuan Realm Second Layer, while Xue Jin reached the Yangyuan Realm Layer 1 after Li Qingqiu taught him the Primordial Scripture.
• Jiang Zhaoxia asked to take Thirteen Sword Li down the mountain after New Spring, and Li Qingqiu agreed on the condition that none of them be lost.
• After Jiang Zhaoxia went to meditate, Li Qingqiu whistled, and two dark figures flew out of the eastern woods and swooped toward him.

Li Qingqiu learned that the Thousand Spirit Fruit cured Xiao Jiu and strengthened it, while the Qingxiao Sect continued to grow and prepare for peace. After Li Sifeng and his companions went down the mountain to deal with bandits, they returned just before New Spring with something that excited him.

• Li Qingqiu gave Xiao Jiu a Thousand Spirit Fruit, and the young eagle recovered, grew stronger, and learned to absorb Li Sijin's Origin Energy more effectively.
• Xue Jin used the Sky Net Sword Formation to unleash powerful Sword Qi, earning Jiang Zhaoxia's approval and inspiring the Thirteen Sword Wraiths to train harder.
• Zhang Yuchun reported that the rebels in Guzhou had been suppressed, and Li Qingqiu approved sending Li Sifeng, Wu Man'er, Cheng Canghai, Bai Ninger, and nine disciples to deal with bandits.
• Li Sifeng and his companions set out that day, while the Qingxiao Sect disciples looked forward to receiving missions of their own.
• On the eve of New Spring, Li Qingqiu sensed the group returning, and Li Sifeng rushed into Lingxiao Courtyard to show him what they had brought back.

Li Qingqiu divided the bandit treasure between the disciples and aid for the people, then discovered a sleeping ghost inside an ancient mirror. As Qingxiao Sect trained disciples and grew its reputation, Liu Fanzhou warned Li Qingqiu that the emperor planned to summon martial arts sects to the Imperial Palace and assign them official duties.

• Li Sifeng returned with three chests of bandit treasure, and Li Qingqiu allocated two-thirds of it to buy grain and cloth for nearby communities while letting each disciple choose a reward.
• Li Qingqiu sensed yin-soul energy in an ancient bronze mirror and saw a white-clad woman inside it, but left the apparently sleeping ghost undisturbed.
• After New Spring, Li Qingqiu taught the Primordial Scripture’s first-layer mental method to nine promising disciples and set a goal of training a hundred first-layer cultivators within five years.
• Zhang Yuchun took charge of sect administration, while Qingxiao Sect’s reputation spread and people came up the mountain for medical treatment.
• Liu Fanzhou visited with his daughter Liu Yan, gave Li Dongyue a jade pendant after learning Liu Yan had become his disciple, and warned Li Qingqiu that the emperor planned to summon martial arts experts and appoint sects to protect the people.

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun rejected Liu Fanzhou’s offer to fund the Qingxiao Sect, which continued growing and attracting disciples. An Imperial Court envoy arrived with an order for Li Qingqiu to appear before the Emperor, then attacked Zhang Yuchun when he questioned whether the summons was compulsory.

• Liu Fanzhou told Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun that martial sect leaders could seek official titles, and praised Yan Wujin’s new Juesheng Sect and its support from the Linchuan Tang Clan.
• Liu Fanzhou offered his fortune and connections to support the Qingxiao Sect, but Zhang Yuchun and Li Qingqiu agreed not to accept his involvement.
• Over the next six months, Liu Fanzhou stayed at the sect, Li Sifeng took disciples on trips to gain experience, and Li Dongyue and Li Sijin trained more apprentices.
• By autumn, the Qingxiao Sect’s charitable reputation had brought aspiring disciples to the mountain, while Li Qingqiu worried about Jiang Zhaoxia’s fight against the Heavenly Saber Sect.
• Feng Dai brought Jia Yi of the Heavenly Protection Guard to the sect, where Jia Yi ordered Li Qingqiu to appear in the imperial city before spring and dismissed Zhang Yuchun’s objection that the summons was voluntary.
• Jia Yi used the Demon Capturing Skill to pull Zhang Yuchun toward him, but Zhang Yuchun resisted the force.