Yao Pet

"Alright, enough about him. Let's talk about you. Do you plan to stay at Qingxiao Sect permanently?"

Li Qingqiu turned his head to look at Yang Jueding, his expression becoming serious and his tone earnest.

Yang Jueding paused, then retorted, "What do you mean? Are you trying to drive me down the mountain?"

Li Qingqiu shook his head. "You joined Qingxiao Sect because you were severely injured and we saved you. It wasn't your original intention to join us. Now that your injuries have healed and your strength has improved, you can do whatever you wanted to do before."

Yang Jueding frowned and pressed, "You taught me your ultimate skills, and you're willing to let me leave?"

"You've also taught many martial arts to the Qingxiao Sect disciples, even teaching your inherited palm techniques to Man'er. What is there for me to be unwilling about? You don't owe us, and we don't owe you. We've spent so much time together, we're practically friends. Isn't it natural to wish your friends well?"

Li Qingqiu answered calmly, his gaze shifting back to the scene below.

Hearing this, Yang Jueding fell into silence.

Li Qingqiu didn't rush him. Watching the disciples spar below, he nodded slightly. The progress of these martial arts disciples was quite good. With another ten years of training, they should be able to stand on their own.

His plan was to make Qingxiao Sect the top sect in the martial world before transitioning it into a cultivation sect. Until then, he would only secretly train disciples with high talent and contributions as cultivators.

Such a plan required time, and they were still young, not lacking in time.

Yang Jueding took a deep breath and said, "Even if I go down the mountain, I'll just be wandering aimlessly. Although I'm known as the Dragon Subduing Great Hero, I can only help those right in front of me, and I might even leave them with future troubles. It's better to stay at Qingxiao Sect and watch it grow from a sapling into a towering tree. That's quite meaningful. If Qingxiao Sect eventually becomes a major sect like the Seven Peaks Alliance, I'll be able to help even more people."

His tone was filled with emotion, clearly hinting at untold stories.

Li Qingqiu accessed the Legacy System and saw that Yang Jueding's loyalty had both surpassed ninety. He was instantly satisfied.

Although loyalty wasn't a stat that only increased, an increase indicated a strengthened sense of belonging.

Li Qingqiu stood up, turned, and looked down at Yang Jueding, smiling. "Since you've decided to stay, then let's make great strides. Qingxiao Sect is still in its early stages of establishment, and we need people in all aspects. My goal is to have Qingxiao Sect cover the entire Tai Kun Mountain Range, with disciple residences and training grounds spread throughout the mountains."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jueding also stood up, saying helplessly, "The Tai Kun Mountain Range is so vast. There isn't a sect that large in the martial world yet. At most, they can only govern such a territory."

He understood Li Qingqiu's meaning. If Qingxiao Sect reached that level, the number of disciples would be terrifying. Even an army would find it difficult to use such a large area as a training ground.

If Li Qingqiu could truly achieve this, Qingxiao Sect might be able to shake the foundations of the Great Li Dynasty.

Although it seemed unrealistic, it was incredibly exciting to hear.

"It's just setting a goal," Li Qingqiu waved his hand.

Yang Jueding's eyes became firm, and he responded earnestly, "Then I will accompany you in developing towards this goal."

Li Qingqiu smiled and left after saying, "Let's wait and see."

He walked towards the sect, preparing to go to the back mountain forest to practice.

Yang Jueding turned and watched Li Qingqiu disappear around the corner of the mountain path behind the mountain gate. He couldn't help but mutter, "He's young but cunning, trying to win me over."

The corners of his mouth turned up. He didn't dislike Li Qingqiu's little tricks. Li Qingqiu's ambition genuinely interested him.

As the number of Qingxiao Sect disciples increased, Li Qingqiu was able to dedicate more time to cultivation. Currently, besides him, only Jiang Zhaoxia and Wu Man'er had such privileges. Even Xu Ning had to perform duties.

The autumn colors deepened, and the temperature in the world began to drop.

Another month passed.

One day, after noon, Li Qingqiu stood on a hillside, overlooking the farmland below. Zhang Yuchun and the Qingxiao Seven Sons were plowing the fields alongside two farmers.

These two farmers were the fathers of two disciples and came from a village down the mountain at Zhang Yuchun's invitation. Qingxiao Sect was preparing to cultivate its own farmland. This area was located halfway up the mountain, about a forty-minute walk from Qingxiao Sect, not too far.

Zhang Yuchun had also dug a fish pond, but the fish fry were difficult to transport up the mountain in large quantities and would need to be delivered in batches.

In addition to farmland and a fish pond, there was also a stable. When the Seven Peaks Alliance attacked before, they had brought many horses. Yang Jueding had led disciples to retrieve many of them, and now they occasionally encountered the lost horses in the mountains.

Not only that, but Li Qingqiu also encouraged disciples to raise pets and hunt. Besides martial arts, they could also learn other skills. Every month, he would have Zhang Yuchun invite different masters up the mountain from the village below.

"Screech—"

A shrill cry descended from the sky. Li Qingqiu raised his arm, and a small black eagle swooped down, landing on his arm.

He turned his head and began to tease the little black eagle.

There were three small eagles and two eagle eggs in the nest Zhang Yuchun had brought back. Two had already flown away, leaving only this one. The remaining two eggs had just hatched, and the chicks couldn't fly yet.

Li Qingqiu suspected that this one remained because he had been infusing it with Origin Energy, causing it to develop a dependence.

He wanted to see if he could raise the little eagle into a demon pet this way. Currently, it looked promising.

"I wonder when you'll become sentient."

Li Qingqiu looked at the little eagle and murmured to himself, growing fonder of it the more he looked.

If one day he could fly with it, that would be amazing.

He stood there, supporting the little eagle, and admired the work below.

He realized that compared to fighting and killing, he preferred the current peaceful and leisurely life. Watching his sect grow little by little gave him a sense of accomplishment.

"Eldest Senior Brother! Eldest Senior Brother!"

A voice came from the side, startling the little eagle into flying away. Li Qingqiu turned his head and frowned.

He saw Li Sifeng approaching rapidly with a bamboo basket on his back. This fellow made no effort to conceal his abilities, using the Gale Technique to rush over, kicking up a trail of dust.

Li Sifeng stopped in front of Li Qingqiu, hands on his knees, panting heavily.

Li Qingqiu reprimanded him, "You're a senior now, why are you always so rash and careless? Can't you have some dignity?"

Li Sifeng looked up and said, "There are people from the yamen coming up the mountain, heading straight for our Qingxiao Sect."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu immediately said, "Go tell Cheng Canghai to hide."

"Okay!"

Li Sifeng immediately ran up the mountain, like a small whirlwind.

Li Qingqiu suddenly realized that every time Li Sifeng ran towards him like this, it brought bad news.

He didn't think much of it and continued to stand there watching Zhang Yuchun and the others work. The Qingxiao Sect now had some confidence to deal with trouble.

About half an hour later, just as Li Qingqiu was preparing to leave, he saw a group of people emerge from the distant mountain forest. Leading them was a man in a fitted official robe, a saber at his waist and an official hat on his head. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a piercing gaze, surveying Zhang Yuchun and the others as he advanced.

Behind him were nine yamen runners in uniform, also carrying sabers.

The man in the official robe approached Li Qingqiu and said, "I am Feng Dai, the County Magistrate of Black Stone County. I am here to investigate the Thief King Cheng Canghai. May I ask who you are from the Qingxiao Sect?"

Li Qingqiu's sect robe was more impressive than those of other disciples. Feng Dai and his men had encountered several Qingxiao Sect disciples on their way, so they immediately felt that Li Qingqiu was no ordinary disciple.

"My name is Li Qingqiu, and I am the Sect Master of the Qingxiao Sect. I have never heard of the Thief King. If the Magistrate doesn't believe me, you can bring your men up the mountain to investigate. The Qingxiao Sect will absolutely cooperate," Li Qingqiu replied with a smile.

Sect Master?

Feng Dai was surprised. The other yamen runners exchanged glances. The seventeen-year-old Li Qingqiu looked too young to be the head of a sect.

"Has your master, Lin Xunfeng, truly retired from the martial world?" Feng Dai couldn't help but ask. Although he didn't frequent the martial world, the county yamen held many martial artists, so he had some understanding of its affairs.

Hearing this, Li Qingqiu's face immediately showed a hint of grievance. He replied, "Retired from the martial world? He was bewitched and insisted on seeking immortality. My junior brothers and sisters and I can't even get enough to eat or wear. Look, I have to find my own way. What kind of martial sect farms its own land?"

His words were so sincere that Feng Dai couldn't help but sympathize with him.

"I see. Then we'll go up the mountain to take a look and try not to cause you any trouble," Feng Dai said and headed up the mountain.

Li Qingqiu didn't stop him. He walked down the mountain, preparing to find a place to cultivate.

When he wasn't spending time at the underground Spirit Lake, he could cultivate wherever he pleased, and so could the other disciples. The vast mountain forest was full of places for cultivation.

As dusk approached, Li Qingqiu, Zhang Yuchun, and the Qingxiao Seven Sons, along with two farmers, ascended the mountain to prepare a banquet to thank them and invite them to stay the night.

As soon as they passed the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu saw many disciples gathered in front of the courtyard gate, forming a dense crowd.

Did something happen?

Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow but didn't quicken his pace.

As the Sect Master, he had to remain calm and composed!

Zhang Yuchun didn't have the same composure and directly rushed forward.

"Make way!"

Zhang Yuchun called out. The disciples turned to see the Sect Master arrive and all bowed to Li Qingqiu.

As they parted, Li Qingqiu saw Feng Dai in the center of the courtyard. Feng Dai was meditating and circulating his energy, while the nine yamen runners surrounded him, warily scanning the Qingxiao Sect disciples.

"Master is here!"

Qin Ye saw Li Qingqiu and immediately shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the courtyard.

Li Qingqiu strolled leisurely into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping across the area. He saw Yang Jueding, Wu Baoyu, and Zhang Yu all present, but Cheng Canghai was nowhere to be seen.

"What's going on?"

Zhang Yuchun, walking ahead of Li Qingqiu, asked.

Li Sifeng, perched on the eaves of the roof, grinned and said, "This guy doesn't know his limits and insisted on challenging Grandpa Wu. He was heavily injured in one move. His subordinates claimed it was our fault and demanded to arrest us and take us to the yamen."

Li Qingqiu looked at Wu Baoyu, who was chopping wood by himself and didn't stop at his arrival.

Yang Jueding stood nearby, a look of schadenfreude on his face.

Zhang Yu, however, frowned, looking at Wu Baoyu, lost in thought.

Li Qingqiu walked up to the yamen runners and, through the human wall, asked with concern, "Magistrate Feng, are you alright? I know a little bit about medicine and can help you."

Feng Dai's face was pale. Hearing Li Qingqiu's words, he opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Li Qingqiu, and gritted his teeth, "Sect Master Li, this person is a Guardian of the Demonic Sect who has slaughtered the martial world for twenty years! You've been deceived by him. He is full of evil and commits all sorts of wicked deeds!"