The Feeling of Cultivating Immortality

In the blink of an eye, the white-haired old man planted his right foot and unleashed his Internal Energy, wrenching his wrist free from Li Sifeng's grasp. His body lurched backward, but even so, Li Sifeng's dagger still pierced his chest, sending blood spraying into the air.

The white-haired old man staggered back more than a dozen steps before steadying himself. He looked down at his chest and touched it with his right hand. The wound wasn't deep, and he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he looked at his right hand. His sleeve had been torn to shreds, and three bloody gashes had even appeared on his wrist. The sight sent a shiver through him, and he looked at Li Sifeng with fear in his eyes.

That kid was incredibly strong!

And so fast!

Jiang Nian was dumbfounded. Even though dust covered his face, he could no longer spare it a thought.

What had he just seen?

Grandpa Du, the most skilled martial artist in his eyes, had actually been wounded by a boy his own age?

He had seen it clearly just now. Li Sifeng hadn't launched a sneak attack. Grandpa Du had struck first; Li Sifeng was simply faster.

The white-haired old man, Du Xuanfeng, drew a deep breath. Watching Li Sifeng, he asked in a low voice, "Impressive skills. Who is your master?"

Li Sifeng gritted his teeth. "Get off the mountain now. Don't make me kill you!"

Though he admired the way Jiang Zhaoxia fought his enemies, now that he himself was facing one, he was terribly nervous.

Normally, he wasn't so bloodthirsty, but when Qingxiao Sect was involved, he couldn't suppress his murderous intent.

Jiang Zhaoxia was the strongest person in Qingxiao Sect. If he left and the Seven Peaks Alliance and Azure Cult launched a massive invasion, Qingxiao Sect would be finished.

Hearing Li Sifeng's words, Du Xuanfeng couldn't help laughing. His laugh was icy, and killing intent flashed in his eyes. He began circulating his energy; his robe and strands of hair fluttered, and his presence grew more terrifying by the moment.

"I've roamed the martial world for years. I've heard words like yours countless times. No one has ever managed it!"

Du Xuanfeng had changed the way he referred to himself, calling himself "this old man." His face had also become imposing, making him seem like an entirely different person from the old man he had been moments ago.

Du Xuanfeng frightened Li Sifeng, but the moment Li Sifeng drew on the Origin Energy within his body, his courage surged, and his face twisted into a fierce expression.

If Du Xuanfeng was an aged, savage tiger, then Li Sifeng was a sinister, vicious lone wolf. Their confrontation sent Jiang Nian stumbling backward again and again.

"Sifeng, what are you doing?"

A voice rang out, and Li Sifeng's expression changed drastically. Fear spread across his face as he turned to look.

Jiang Zhaoxia stood atop a nearby tree. The branch beneath his feet was slender, and in his shabby cloth clothes, he somehow looked like an immortal who had descended from the heavens.

Jiang Zhaoxia's face was expressionless. He wasn't looking at Li Sifeng but staring at Du Xuanfeng.

For some reason, under Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze, Du Xuanfeng felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

He had roamed the martial world for so many years, and everyone who could make him feel afraid with a single glance was a peerless expert renowned throughout the world. Yet this person looked so young, which astonished him.

When had Qingxiao Sect acquired two peerless geniuses?

It was unbelievable!

Li Sifeng had already made him feel threatened, while the young man who had just arrived made him feel utterly outmatched.

His instincts told him that if he attacked, he would die a horrible death.

"Third Senior Brother, I..." Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Li Sifeng had no choice but to speak.

"Third Senior Brother?" Du Xuanfeng asked in astonishment. "Are you Jiang Zhaoxia?"

"Big Brother!" Jiang Nian cried out in delight. Jiang Zhaoxia's bearing filled him with admiration. His big brother was even more impressive than he had imagined.

However, Jiang Zhaoxia wasn't distracted by the way Jiang Nian addressed him. He kept staring at Du Xuanfeng and said, "Sifeng, I asked you a question. Does what your Third Senior Brother says mean nothing to you now?"

Li Sifeng trembled all over, terrified. He hurriedly explained the conflict that had just taken place.

I'm done for!

Third Senior Brother is definitely going to beat me up!

Li Sifeng wailed inwardly. Attacking Third Senior Brother's family was no trivial matter.

After hearing him out, Jiang Zhaoxia's expression remained unchanged. He snorted. "You did well, but not well enough. You should've killed them outright."

At those words, Du Xuanfeng was stunned, to say nothing of Jiang Nian. Even Li Sifeng hadn't expected it.

"But they came looking for you, and that boy is your younger brother..." Li Sifeng swallowed and cautiously continued.

Jiang Zhaoxia said expressionlessly, "I have only two younger brothers: you and Man'er."

Li Sifeng fell silent, deeply moved. At the same time, a sadness he couldn't put into words stirred in his heart. Still so young, he couldn't understand why he felt sad.

Du Xuanfeng immediately spoke up. "Jiang Zhaoxia, things back then weren't as you think. Your father had no choice but to have Xunfeng take you up the mountain."

Jiang Zhaoxia replied coldly, "I don't want to know what he was thinking. I only believe what I saw and what I remember."

He drew his sword from his waist and pointed it at Du Xuanfeng. "I'll give you one last chance."

Du Xuanfeng's expression turned grim. He could only grit his teeth and say, "Young Master, let's go!"

Jiang Nian hurried over to him. Master and servant didn't linger; they quickly left.

Jiang Zhaoxia sheathed his sword and leaped down, landing lightly in front of Li Sifeng. As he descended, Li Sifeng saw wind swirling around him.

"Gale Technique?"

Li Sifeng asked curiously.

Jiang Zhaoxia simply raised a hand and smacked him on the head. "Your cultivation is shallow, and your body hasn't fully matured yet. The next time you encounter a powerful enemy, make sure to kill him with one strike. Don't drag things out."

Li Sifeng rubbed his head, puzzled. "Third Senior Brother, you really wanted me to kill them?"

What a ruthless Third Senior Brother!

For the first time, Li Sifeng felt admiration for Jiang Zhaoxia. He wanted to become someone like him, too.

"Of course."

Jiang Zhaoxia turned and walked away, and Li Sifeng hurried after him.

In the distance, Jiang Nian looked back as Du Xuanfeng led him away. He couldn't help feeling that Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng seemed more like real brothers. Sunlight streamed through the trees, and the figures of Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng soon disappeared from view.

In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a table, writing. Li Dongyue stood nearby, fanning him to keep him cool. Though sweat drenched her, she showed no sign of fatigue, and she never took her eyes off him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Li Qingqiu noticed Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng return, but he paid them little attention. He was busy writing the Primordial Scripture.

Jiang Zhaoxia walked straight over and told him what had happened.

After listening, Li Qingqiu glared at Li Sifeng and scolded him. "Well, aren't you a bold one? You actually went ahead and acted first, then reported it afterward!"

Li Dongyue also regarded Li Sifeng with new respect. She hadn't expected her little junior brother to be so ruthless; you'd never have guessed it from the way he usually acted.

Li Sifeng said aggrievedly, "I was afraid Third Senior Brother would leave with them."

Jiang Zhaoxia snorted. "There was no misunderstanding back then. My father drove my mother to her death so he could marry a woman from an Aristocratic Clan, and he wanted to abandon me as well. If Master hadn't shown up in time, his disciples would probably have disposed of me already. There's no way I'm going back. Eldest Senior Brother, don't worry. I'll support you for the rest of my life."

The Jiang Family was also a martial household, but, like many sects in the martial world, it wanted to wash its hands of its past.

Back when Lin Xunfeng had first brought Jiang Zhaoxia up the mountain, Li Qingqiu had overheard Lin Xunfeng discussing the matter with a friend who had accompanied him. It had indeed happened just as Jiang Zhaoxia said.

Li Qingqiu nodded, then glared at Li Sifeng again. "Remember, whatever you do, you have to ask me first. Whether I support your decision or not, you still have to let me know. I'm the sect leader of Qingxiao Sect, not just your Eldest Senior Brother."

Li Sifeng had already begun to show the signs of his destined path, so Li Qingqiu would have to keep a closer eye on him from now on.

It wasn't that Li Qingqiu feared Li Sifeng would betray him. His loyalty was unquestionable. He was afraid Li Sifeng would mean well, make a mess of things, and get himself hurt.

He was cultivating immortality, but he also wanted to lead his junior brothers and sisters into immortality with him. Not one of them could be left behind.

He had raised every one of these junior brothers and sisters, changed their diapers, and soothed them to sleep. In his heart, they were already family.

"I know," Li Sifeng muttered, pouting. In front of his senior brother and senior sister, he acted like a docile kitten, looking utterly harmless.

"Go play."

Li Qingqiu waved him away. Just looking at Li Sifeng made him angry, and he was afraid he might lose control and hit him.

Li Sifeng could tell that his Eldest Senior Brother was truly angry, so he immediately turned and ran off.

Jiang Zhaoxia looked at Li Qingqiu and frowned. "Senior Brother, the Jiang Family came looking for me, but I don't think they came just for me. They're after Qingxiao Sect, too."

Qingxiao Sect was small, but its territory was extensive, making it an easy target for others to covet.

"Mm, I know. We'll meet soldiers with generals and floods with earth. Let's take things as they come."

Li Qingqiu nodded, then changed the subject. "Tomorrow, take Huang Shan and Yu Lin down the mountain to the nearest town to buy cloth. While you're there, invite a tailor to come up the mountain. I'm planning to have robes made for Qingxiao Sect. Don't be stingy with the money."

Everyone in Qingxiao Sect wore old clothes. They didn't look like disciples of a sect at all, but more like a family of farmers.

Jiang Zhaoxia nodded. "I'll also see if I can find another way to earn some money."

"Take good care of those two boys. You can let them train a little, but don't let them lose an arm or a leg," Li Qingqiu instructed.

Huang Shan and Yu Lin were the two oldest among the second-generation disciples. Li Qingqiu cared a great deal about their future, so he wanted to start training them early.

"I'll be careful."

After saying that, Jiang Zhaoxia turned and left.

Li Qingqiu turned to Li Dongyue and said, "Take a break. Your senior brother isn't that hot."

Li Dongyue smiled. "I'm not tired, Senior Brother. Will all the sect robes be the same? Will there be a difference between the robes for the male and female disciples?"

As she spoke, beads of sweat rolled down her cheeks, and her hair stuck to the side of her face.

Li Qingqiu felt a little helpless about her and could only let her continue. He replied, "There'll be some differences, but overall, people should be able to tell that they come from the same sect."

"That's wonderful, Senior Brother. Tomorrow, Second Senior Brother is planning to take me to the village to trade for seeds, too. I want to bring Sijin and Ninger along. Is that all right?"

"Of course. If there's work to do, let Yuchun handle it. The two of you can help him carry a few things at most."

"Mm-hmm, I'll remember."

The two chatted casually as sunlight poured down, stretching their shadows long.

The sun set, the moon rose, and day gave way to night. A new day arrived.

With Zhang Yuchun and Jiang Zhaoxia each leading a group down the mountain, Qingxiao Sect grew much quieter.

Li Qingqiu didn't go to the underground Spirit Lake. He had to stay at Qingxiao Sect in case anything unexpected happened.

At noon, after lunch, Li Qingqiu went alone to the mountain gate to meditate and practice, while waiting for Zhang Yuchun and the others to return.

A breeze swept past, stirring the hair at his temples. Li Qingqiu's heart settled into stillness. He had found the feeling of cultivating immortality.

Peaceful, free, with no worries in his heart.