Not Competing for Number One Under Heaven, Competing for Eternal Life

Li Yang was injured and was temporarily staying at Qingxiao Sect. This did not affect Li Qingqiu's life; things went on as usual.

He did not visit Li Yang. However, on his way down the mountain, he encountered Zhao Linglong. After learning that he was the Sect Master, Zhao Linglong first apologized to him and then expressed her gratitude. This gave Li Qingqiu a good impression of her.

Although Li Yang was being treated by Li Dongyue with the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle, his injuries were too severe. He wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least ten days to half a month.

The disciples of Qingxiao Sect were very interested in this Martial Champion, often peeking into his room. Only Jiang Zhaoxia was dismissive.

Having been severely injured by Wu Man'er in one move, Jiang Zhaoxia believed the Martial Champion had gotten his position through connections and naturally had no interest in him.

Half a month later, on the day Li Yang could finally walk again, Zhang Yuchun and the other three finally returned. They also brought thirteen people, both male and female. The youngest was twelve years old, and the oldest was already twenty.

These were all new disciples they had recruited. Their return made Qingxiao Sect lively again.

In the courtyard, Zhang Yuchun had the thirteen new disciples kneel and pay respects to Li Qingqiu together.

These disciples were all very excited, and there were no troublemakers. This was because they had already been impressed by Li Sifeng. If the young Li Sifeng was so formidable, the Sect Master must be even more so.

Li Qingqiu said a few polite words, then asked Yang Jueding to arrange accommodations for the new disciples. He, along with Zhang Yuchun and Li Sifeng, returned to the room for a private talk.

"Wait, I'll go call Third Senior Brother first."

After saying this, Li Sifeng rushed out of the room.

Li Qingqiu looked at Zhang Yuchun and said, "It seems your journey did not temper his personality."

Zhang Yuchun sighed helplessly, "He's a little tyrant, and with his martial arts prowess, who can temper his personality?"

Li Sifeng feared Li Qingqiu and Jiang Zhaoxia, but not his second senior brother. On this journey, Li Sifeng had angered him several times, and each time Li Sifeng would come to appease him, leaving him unable to vent his frustration.

Li Qingqiu smiled, then inquired about the origins of these disciples. He had already taken a quick look. The aptitude and comprehension of these disciples were not outstanding, nor did they possess any special Destiny. He was not disappointed. Qingxiao Sect needed labor, and his desire for geniuses was not strong.

With Jiang Zhaoxia and Wu Man'er around, Qingxiao Sect's reputation was secured. Xu Ning and Yuan Li represented the future of Qingxiao Sect.

Especially Yuan Li, Li Qingqiu was very interested in his Indestructible Hegemon Body.

These disciples were not orphans. Zhang Yuchun had recruited them from a county town. It was thanks to Li Sifeng's punishing evil and displaying Qingxiao Sect's martial arts that they were able to recruit them.

After chatting for a while, Li Sifeng pulled Jiang Zhaoxia into the room. He closed the door, a smile of excitement on his face.

"What is it that requires you to drag Third Senior Brother along?" Li Qingqiu asked Li Sifeng with a smile.

This kid was growing fast; his head had already surpassed Jiang Zhaoxia's shoulders.

Jiang Zhaoxia looked impatient. He sat beside Li Qingqiu and glared at Li Sifeng. "If you can't tell me something important, I'll deal with you."

He was now cultivating with all his might, determined to reach the fourth layer of the Yangyuan Realm before Xu Ning.

Li Sifeng stood before the three senior brothers, his fists clenched, unable to hide his excitement. "The martial arts tournament is about to begin! We'll be competing for the title of the number one martial artist in Guzhou. This is a great opportunity for Qingxiao Sect to make a name for itself!"

Li Qingqiu glanced at Zhang Yuchun. Zhang Yuchun nodded slightly in response.

"Guzhou is vast, filled with countless experts. Such a martial arts tournament only happens once every ten years. Third Senior Brother, don't you want to know where you stand among the martial artists of Guzhou? You must participate! We brothers will go together and tell the martial world of Guzhou that times have changed!"

Li Sifeng spoke with passion. His words indeed stirred Jiang Zhaoxia.

Jiang Zhaoxia was naturally competitive, and the martial arts tournament held an irresistible allure for him.

He did not agree immediately but looked at Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu was also contemplating the matter.

Actually, he did not want Qingxiao Sect to become too famous. However, he also felt that being too low-key was not good, as his growth rate was influenced by the development of Qingxiao Sect.

The faster Qingxiao Sect developed, the greater his chances of obtaining and replicating Destinies would be.

Of course, once they became involved in martial disputes, their peaceful days would become increasingly scarce.

"Senior Brother, it's a once-in-a-decade opportunity. If we want fame later, we'll have to wait another ten years. How many decades does a person have in their life?" Zhang Yuchun said in a low voice.

Ten years was too long for him.

Li Qingqiu suddenly realized something. He was cultivating immortality, but his junior brothers were focused on martial arts.

He pursued eternal life, with the Dao Lineage as his backing, but his junior brothers could not.

If Qingxiao Sect did not develop before his junior brothers' lifespans ran out, it would be difficult for them to achieve longevity.

The stronger Qingxiao Sect became, the more inheritance rewards and good fortune he would gain, perhaps compensating for the aptitude gap between his junior brothers and sisters.

After thinking it through, Li Qingqiu said, "We can participate, but try to avoid getting entangled in the grudges of other sects. Qingxiao Sect only seeks fame. When recruiting disciples, you must inquire clearly about their backgrounds."

Upon hearing Li Qingqiu's agreement, Li Sifeng jumped up excitedly, then pounced on Li Qingqiu, hugging him and boasting that he could make those martial arts experts flee in disarray without Third Senior Brother's help.

Although Jiang Zhaoxia remained silent, the smile on his face showed that he was already looking forward to the start of the martial arts tournament.

Li Qingqiu looked at him, sighing inwardly.

Third Junior Brother, cultivating immortality is all about one's state of mind. Whoever can endure loneliness will go further.

Although Xu Ning had a competitive spirit, she was not eager to show herself. She would definitely surpass Jiang Zhaoxia in the future.

That evening, Zhang Yuchun announced the matter during dinner.

With more disciples, not everyone could gather here. Therefore, those eating in this courtyard were the ones with a certain seniority.

Hearing that Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng would represent Qingxiao Sect in the martial arts tournament, the disciples were very excited and began discussing it animatedly.

Yang Jueding, chewing on a wooden skewer, sighed, "The martial arts tournament, it's truly something to look forward to. Ten years ago, my martial arts weren't as high as they are now, and I was just a nobody. That scene was truly magnificent. Tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes me excited."

Li Sijin looked at him and asked curiously, "Did you earn your spot in the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking at the martial arts tournament?"

The others also looked at Yang Jueding, all showing great interest in the martial arts tournament.

Yang Jueding gave a fake cough and said, "Of course not. The martial arts tournament is for first place, there's no such thing as top ten. The Heavenly Ranking is set by the provincial government. Besides having strong martial arts, one must also have a reputation for chivalry."

Everyone listened and felt disappointed.

Qin Ye, sitting in the corner, couldn't help but ask, "Senior Martial Brother Wu, have you participated in the martial arts tournament before?"

Yang Jueding looked at him and nodded, "I have, but it wasn't Guzhou's martial arts tournament. He was once the number one person in the martial world of Northern Liang Province. Back then, the four Guardians of the Demonic Sect were all incredibly powerful and arrogant. Even though Guzhou wasn't persecuted by the Demonic Sect, we martial world figures often heard of their exploits. The four Guardians each held the top spot in their respective provinces, making the Demonic Sect famous throughout the land. No sect had ever reached such a peak of prosperity."

"A hundred years ago, the Nine Regions were ruled by nine great dynasties. However, the previous dynasty unified the Fourteen Provinces of the Nine Regions. So, it's no exaggeration to say that being the number one in a province back then was equivalent to being the number one in the world."

He began to recount the past of the Demonic Sect. The disciples listened intently, even forgetting to eat.

Although Li Qingqiu didn't stop using his chopsticks, his attention was also captivated by Yang Jueding's words.

The martial world, with its swift justice and heroes appearing one after another, was truly captivating.

Li Qingqiu, however, felt no longing for it. Because whether righteous or evil, all paths ultimately led to death.

He wasn't striving for the title of number one in the world, but for immortality.

Unless a dangerous situation like the Seven Peaks Alliance arose, Li Qingqiu would not easily descend the mountain.

As the Sect Master, he didn't need to handle every matter personally. He only needed to preside over the mountain gate and guide the overall direction of the Qingxiao Sect.

Listening to Yang Jueding tell stories of the martial world, Li Qingqiu's thoughts drifted, contemplating the future of the Qingxiao Sect.

Five days later, Jiang Zhaoxia and Li Sifeng packed their belongings and headed down the mountain. A group of disciples cheered them on as they accompanied them.

Upon arriving at the new courtyard, they happened to encounter Li Yang and Zhao Linglong. When the two heard the Qingxiao Sect disciples mention the martial arts tournament, they exchanged glances.

"Wait, are you going to participate in the martial arts tournament?" Li Yang couldn't help but ask.

Li Sifeng stopped and turned to look at the Martial Champion, retorting, "Is there a problem?"

"Take me along, I'm very interested too," Li Yang said with a smile. He twisted his wrist; although it hadn't fully healed, he felt that traveling wouldn't be difficult.

Li Sifeng hesitated, but Jiang Zhaoxia didn't stop. He didn't even glance at Li Yang.

Seeing his Third Senior Brother walking further and further away, Li Sifeng had no choice but to chase after him.

"Cousin, leave the money, and let's get going!" Li Yang turned to Zhao Linglong and said. His eyes had returned to their original state from when he first arrived at the Qingxiao Sect.

Zhao Linglong could only comply helplessly.

Half an hour later.

In the forest, Li Qingqiu was practicing the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle. He held four silver needles and swung them forward. The needles flew rapidly, changing direction along the way like streams of curved light, weaving around trees and piercing a large tree a hundred paces away.

Upon closer inspection, all four needles were stuck in a moth, which was still trembling.

Li Qingqiu retracted his hand, and the four needles detached from the moth, flying back in reverse before finally landing in his hand.

He smiled with satisfaction. His Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle was becoming increasingly potent, and he had already memorized the acupuncture points of the human body. In combat, the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle could be used for a swift and decisive kill.

At that moment, Li Dongyue walked into the forest and came to his side, saying, "Senior Brother, Li Yang and the other have already left. They left behind three gold ingots, saying they admit defeat in the bet and want us to repair the mountain gate."

Li Qingqiu smiled, "Since they are willing, then we shall accept. Junior Sister, shall we spar with the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle?"

Li Dongyue immediately waved her hands upon hearing this, "How could I possibly be Senior Brother's opponent?"

"It's fine, Senior Brother doesn't mind."

"Forget it, I'm afraid I'll be discouraged."

"No, this is Senior Brother's order, you must do it!"

Li Dongyue didn't listen and turned to leave. Li Qingqiu had to switch from a stern attitude to coaxing and tricking her until she finally agreed.