The Young Sect Master's Strength

After Li Qingqiu meditated at the mountain gate for an hour, Yang Jueding walked out from the sect. After several months of recuperation, his injuries had healed completely. His spirit, energy, and demeanor had returned to their peak, his gaze was sharp, and he walked with the stride of a dragon, exuding confidence.

He walked to Li Qingqiu's side and sat down, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Li Qingqiu, without opening his eyes, asked, "What is it?"

"Your cultivation technique is truly peculiar. It stirs up a great commotion when drawing upon the world's energy. Moreover, I feel the world's energy you absorb is different from what I understand. While the Martial Dao has myriad schools of thought, this is the first time I've seen internal energy cultivation that yields such rapid results," Yang Jueding exclaimed in wonder.

Even if Li Qingqiu and his disciples were cultivating immortality before him, he wouldn't understand.

Martial Dao cultivation, while also absorbing the world's energy to foster inner energy, is vastly different from cultivation of immortality.

Martial Dao inner energy is generated by stimulating acupoints and the dantian, with the world's energy serving as a catalyst. In contrast, the Origin Energy of immortality uses the physical body as a vessel, akin to refining pills, to transform the spiritual energy of the world into Origin Energy.

There is an immense amount of energy in the world. Spiritual energy is the origin of all creation, ubiquitous yet the most elusive for mortals.

"What? Want to learn?" Li Qingqiu opened one eye, glanced at him, and asked softly.

Yang Jueding chuckled, "Can I?"

He hadn't learned before because he was reluctant to give up the internal energy cultivation he had accumulated over twenty years. However, seeing the results achieved by the Qingxiao Sect disciples, he could no longer hold back.

His own power was unlikely to increase further anyway, so he might as well seek a new path.

"Of course, I'll teach you later."

Li Qingqiu agreed without hesitation. He had observed Yang Jueding's actions during this period and was very satisfied with his attitude towards teaching the second generation of disciples martial arts.

Yang Jueding was delighted when he agreed.

It seemed Li Qingqiu was not an unfeeling person; he rewarded those who put in the effort.

Yang Jueding immediately brought up something he had been contemplating for the past two days. His expression turned serious as he asked, "Sect Master, don't you think the Qingxiao Sect's development is too slow?"

Li Qingqiu opened his eyes, turned to look at him, and asked, "What are your insights?"

Yang Jueding continued, "I saw young Jiang and Zhang Yuchun go down the mountain again, which indicates we are short on funds. If we have enough money, we can have more food, forge more weapons, and build more houses. The Qingxiao Sect will naturally develop rapidly."

He glanced at Li Qingqiu and, without keeping him in suspense, continued.

"Have you considered cooperating with noble families and wealthy merchants? This way, we can obtain money and gain an additional force. We would only need to teach them martial arts or cede some authority."

Yang Jueding paused here, awaiting Li Qingqiu's reaction. If Li Qingqiu disagreed, saying more would be an offense.

Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you have connections?"

In truth, he had considered this long ago. He was not opposed to cooperating with noble families and wealthy merchants. In this world, which resembled ancient Huaxia, noble families controlled most of the resources, especially books.

If he could cooperate with noble families, he would gain various talents.

Even an immortal cultivation sect could not rely solely on disciples burying their heads in cultivation; the introduction of talent was essential.

The future Qingxiao Sect would surely need master weapon smiths, physicians, scholars, and even tailors. They couldn't possibly have to go down the mountain to hire someone every time they needed to change their robes. He even envisioned building a city for the Qingxiao Sect, forming a complete system. Of course, these things would take time to achieve.

"I've roamed the martial world for so many years, so I naturally have many friends. If you don't mind, I'll make a bold suggestion," Yang Jueding became animated, his back straightening.

"For a sect like ours, we first cannot associate with noble families that hold official power, as we could be easily exploited. Nor can we associate with families that have connections within the martial world, as resolving future conflicts would be difficult. Suitable partners for us would be new noble families without deep roots, or newly wealthy merchants. They lack sufficient power and need martial force to protect their businesses. Our existence would be crucial, and since they lack their own martial force, they would be wary of us and wouldn't dare to act recklessly."

Li Qingqiu looked at Yang Jueding with newfound respect. He had initially assumed Yang Jueding was a rough, unrefined martial man, but he hadn't expected him to consider matters so thoroughly.

Yang Jueding provided his answer: "In Meishan Township, near the Tai Kun Mountain Range, there is such a family, the Qin family. An ancestor of theirs was once the top scholar in the imperial examinations. Thirty years ago, when the world underwent drastic changes and dynasties shifted, they hid in Meishan Township to escape the turmoil. I passed by a few years ago and had a pleasant conversation with their family head. The Qin family intends to re-emerge. They have been involved in business and have a prosperous lineage. They are very suitable for the Qingxiao Sect."

Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes and asked, "They might also bring us trouble. No matter how strong the Qingxiao Sect is, we cannot withstand the might of the imperial court's army."

The Qin family had their reasons for hiding. If they were branded as remnants of the previous dynasty, it would be troublesome.

"This is the closest and most suitable family. Other options are either too far away or already entangled with the martial world. There are quite a few martial sects near the Tai Kun Mountain Range, and the situation is quite mixed."

Yang Jueding said earnestly, adding, "Any choice carries risks. It depends on how you choose and whether you dare to gamble."

Li Qingqiu found his words reasonable and fell into thought. Yang Jueding did not rush him and began to admire the magnificent mountain scenery before them.

After a while.

Li Qingqiu spoke, "How about this? You go and invite their family head up the mountain for a chat. I'll speak with him personally. What do you say?"

"Of course, no problem!" Yang Jueding clapped his hands and laughed, very pleased.

He was not happy simply because Li Qingqiu agreed to his proposal, but because Li Qingqiu, despite his young age, dared to engage in diplomacy with other forces. With such vision and courage, the future of the Qingxiao Sect was not to be underestimated.

They chatted for a few more sentences, and Yang Jueding went to pack briefly. He was leaving the mountain today.

If all went quickly, he could bring someone up the mountain in at most five days.

After Yang Jueding left, Li Qingqiu continued to meditate at the mountain gate.

He waited until the sun was about to set when he saw Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Xu Ning emerge from the woods, each carrying a bamboo basket laden with goods.

Zhang Yuchun was also leading three piglets, which were grunting along.

Li Qingqiu smiled, thinking that his second junior brother was quite capable of obtaining so many supplies from the villagers. It was known that Guzhou had recently fallen into turmoil, with mutinies and refugees.

He waited for Zhang Yuchun and the others to ascend the mountain, walking and chatting as they went.

Only then did Li Qingqiu learn that most of these supplies were given by the families of Huang Shan and Yu Lin, which changed his perception of the disciples whose families had given gifts.

"Hmm, they know how to play the game. I can cultivate them more in the future."

That evening, Li Qingqiu assigned two disciples to take care of the pigs. The reason for assigning two was mainly because the disciples were too young and needed to help each other.

The Qingxiao Sect is currently a fledgling sect, requiring many tasks to be done in teams.

Five days later, with Jiang Zhaoxia and his companions still not back, Yang Jueding led the Qin family members up the mountain first.

This member of the Qin family was the young master of the Qin family, named Qin Jue. He looked like he came from a wealthy family and was twenty-five years old this year. He was kind, enthusiastic, and generous. He had come alone with Yang Jueding because his father was tied up with other matters.

Li Qingqiu took him in for a talk, with Yang Jueding accompanying them.

After Qin Jue sat down, Yang Jueding began pouring tea, which made him even more curious about Li Qingqiu.

By what means could this young Sect Master make the renowned Dragon Subduing Great Hero so subservient?

While making small talk with Li Qingqiu, he observed the other disciples in the courtyard. Wu Man'er and three younger disciples were practicing punches, and Li Sifeng was practicing swordplay on the eaves of the house. They all looked quite professional.

Especially Li Sifeng, his swordsmanship was sharp and fierce, completely unlike a child's. Standing on the eaves, his posture was steady, and it was clear he had deep martial arts skills.

After the pleasantries, Qin Jue began to discuss serious matters with Li Qingqiu, first inquiring about the Qingxiao Sect's strength and how much help they could provide to the Qin family.

"If the Qin family encounters trouble, I can dispatch at least three experts as powerful as Yang Jueding to assist, and I can also help you cultivate your family's disciples. The martial arts of the Qingxiao Sect are not simple," Li Qingqiu said with a light chuckle.

Qin Jue looked at Yang Jueding, who nodded and said, "I have also joined the Qingxiao Sect. As long as the Sect Master commands, I will do anything, even go through fire and water."

He turned to look at Li Sifeng on the eaves and called out, "Sifeng, show us something."

Upon hearing this, Li Sifeng, who was standing on the eaves, turned around and directly threw the sword in his hand.

He had practiced this move beforehand, channeling his Origin Energy. The long sword moved like a swift thunderbolt, stabbing directly towards Qin Jue's face.

The two were less than fifty feet apart, and in the blink of an eye, the long sword was about to reach Qin Jue.

Too fast!

Qin Jue, who could be considered a martial artist himself, had no time to dodge and was frozen in fear.

Fortunately, a hand reached out from beside his head and caught the flying sword with two fingers. The blade trembled, emitting a crisp sword hum.

Qin Jue subconsciously turned his head to look and found that it was not Yang Jueding who had made the move, but Li Qingqiu.

This greatly shocked him; the seemingly harmless young Sect Master possessed such skill.

Yang Jueding was also startled. Li Sifeng's move had even frightened him. His intention was for Li Sifeng to demonstrate a set of sword techniques, not for the boy to be so ruthless.

What surprised him the most was Li Qingqiu's skill.

His move was so fast!

Faster than his own!

Could Li Qingqiu possess strength not inferior to Jiang Zhaoxia?

Li Qingqiu threw the long sword aside. The blade stuck in the ground, vibrating continuously. He glared at Li Sifeng and scolded, "Presumptuous! I asked you to show us something, not to do it like this. Come over here and apologize!"

Li Sifeng quickly jumped down from the eaves and ran to Qin Jue to apologize.

Qin Jue forced a smile, saying it was nothing.

In his heart, he first felt shock and anger, which then turned into excitement.

This Qingxiao Sect truly had capabilities!

After Li Qingqiu kicked Li Sifeng's backside, he continued to negotiate with Qin Jue. The subsequent negotiations went smoothly. They first understood what the Qin family sought, then got straight to the point and entered the stage of mutually beneficial transactions.

An hour later, Qin Jue was eager to descend the mountain, and Yang Jueding escorted him back.

The Qin family would annually provide the Qingxiao Sect with a large sum of money and abundant resources. In return, the Qingxiao Sect would take in six disciples from the Qin family under the age of twelve to learn martial arts. Li Qingqiu would also select one of them to be his personal disciple.

As Li Qingqiu saw them off at the mountain gate, watching them descend, a line of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:

[Given that the Qingxiao Sect has received funding from an external force for the first time, and the Sect Master's power has not been divided, you have obtained an opportunity for a legacy reward.]

This is the second update of the day. When I set the automatic update for midnight, I accidentally released the first update of the day QAQ.

What kind of spells do you think the Qingxiao Sect needs in the early stages?