Unexpected Gains

Two black eagles flew toward Li Qingqiu, one large and one small. The larger was Xiao Ba, the one he had raised; the smaller belonged to Li Sijin and was named Xiao Jiu, naturally in imitation of Xiao Ba.

Li Qingqiu had originally wanted to test the Thousand Spirit Fruit on a chicken or pig, but Xiao Jiu happened to come down with a strange illness. He could only keep it barely alive with the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle, and Li Sijin was heartbroken. So Li Qingqiu decided to treat a dead horse as if it were still alive and brought Xiao Jiu over.

After eating the Thousand Spirit Fruit, Xiao Jiu not only recovered, but became lively and vigorous. According to Li Qingqiu's observations, its blood and vitality had increased considerably, and its bones and muscles were slowly growing stronger.

The Thousand Spirit Fruit could be considered a miracle cure for injuries, and it could also strengthen the body. As for how many one could eat before reaching the limit, that remained unknown.

After eating the Thousand Spirit Fruit, Xiao Jiu had also successfully followed Xiao Ba's path and could absorb Li Sijin's Origin Energy more effectively.

Previously, Li Qingqiu had asked his junior brothers and sisters to imitate him by infusing wild animals with Origin Energy, but none had managed to raise their own Origin Energy the way Xiao Ba had.

That also showed Xiao Ba had extraordinary talent.

The two black eagles landed in front of Li Qingqiu. Xiao Ba stood with its wings folded, already almost as tall as he was. Xiao Jiu was much smaller, but its head nearly reached his waist.

Xiao Ba rubbed its head affectionately against Li Qingqiu's, while Xiao Jiu flapped its wings, full of energy.

The two little fellows had already developed a rudimentary intelligence. Xiao Ba in particular seemed to Li Qingqiu to have the intelligence of a child several years old.

"What have you been sneaking off to eat this time?"

Li Qingqiu noticed blood and flesh clinging to Xiao Ba's beak and couldn't help asking.

Xiao Ba spread its wings, nearly three zhang wide, and let out a Jiujiu call. It clearly couldn't speak, yet Li Qingqiu could understand it.

Even Li Qingqiu couldn't explain the understanding between them. It might have been because Xiao Ba carried his Origin Energy inside it.

"A snake? How big was it?"

"Jiu—gugu—"

"That big? Then you need to drive them away. Don't let them come near this area."

"Jiujiu—"

Hearing its promise, Li Qingqiu smiled in satisfaction and reached out to rub its head.

Then the two black eagles leaped into the air, kicking up a gust that stirred Li Qingqiu's robes. He watched them disappear into the dense fog.

Li Qingqiu had stationed the two eagles here to drive away the beasts in the fog and, while they were at it, guard the Thousand Spirit Blessed Land.

Of course, he always checked the Thousand Spirit Tree whenever he came, to make sure the two eagles hadn't stolen any fruit. Fortunately, when he wasn't around, they didn't dare go near it at all, because the Thousand Spirit Tree's vines could attack.

Strangely enough, the Thousand Spirit Tree was only affectionate toward Li Qingqiu. It had never touched anyone else with its vines. Perhaps that was because he had been the first person to see it.

There were quite a few human bones in the fog outside, but not a single person had made it here. It was as if the fog had been set up by the Thousand Spirit Tree as a trial, and Li Qingqiu was the first to pass.

Endless white snow blanketed the mountains and valleys for a thousand li. Winter in the Tai Kun Mountain Range was as cold as ever.

Zhu Yan, her face veiled, sat on a cliff with her guqin set before her. A heavy cloak made from animal hide hung over her shoulders. Snow drifted down as the music soared, creating a scene of singular beauty.

Su Xiling, dressed in blue, stood not far away, looking down over the edge of the cliff. She was dressed lightly, not much differently from how she had dressed in summer and autumn.

After finishing her song, Zhu Yan lowered her hands and asked, "Xiling, what are you looking at so intently?"

Without turning her head, Su Xiling replied, "I'm watching the Qingxiao Sect disciples practice their sword formation. They're called the Thirteen Sword Wraiths. What an awkward name. Does it mean fierce ghosts of the sword? Still, their sword formation looks quite impressive."

"The Thirteen Sword Wraiths—are they Jiang Zhaoxia's disciples?" Zhu Yan asked.

"That's right. Jiang Zhaoxia is down there too, but he's meditating on a rock. He's been at it for half an hour, and I haven't seen him practice his sword once."

Su Xiling answered, her voice growing puzzled toward the end.

Zhu Yan didn't think much of it. "A peerless genius like him isn't someone ordinary people can understand. Just like Xu Ning—have you ever seen her practice martial arts?"

"True. Oh, what astonishing Sword Qi!"

Su Xiling had just agreed when she suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Following her gaze, the one who had unleashed the Sword Qi was Xue Jin, leader of the Thirteen Sword Wraiths.

Xue Jin's slash left a five-zhang-long mark in the snow. After striking, he dropped to one knee, somewhat drained.

The twelve disciples around him immediately gathered close, all of them excited.

"What domineering Sword Qi, Senior Brother Xue! You did it!"

"This Sky Net Sword Formation really is marvelous. We're the feint, and Senior Brother is the real attack. Who could withstand Sword Qi unleashed like that?"

"Senior Brother, you're amazing! We've all been practicing our swords for the same amount of time, but forget Sword Qi like that—I'd burn incense to thank the heavens if I could even produce a trace of it."

"That's right. Without Senior Brother, the sword formation we perform would be a complete joke."

As the disciples chattered, Xue Jin raised his head at their words and gave a wry smile, though he was happy inside.

The Primordial Scripture was truly incredible!

At that moment, he was filled with gratitude toward Li Qingqiu. Without the Primordial Scripture, his martial skills wouldn't have been much better than those of his junior brothers and sisters.

He struggled to his feet and said, "There's still time. Let's try to have everyone produce Sword Qi before New Spring."

Jiang Zhaoxia had already told them that after New Spring, they would descend the mountain for trials. Every one of them might face danger, so they were both excited and keenly aware of the urgency.

Far away,

Jiang Zhaoxia glanced at Xue Jin, privately pleased. He couldn't help admiring Li Qingqiu once again.

The twelve men he had selected hadn't satisfied him. Instead, the disciple Li Qingqiu had insisted on recommending had brought him a pleasant surprise.

He already considered Xue Jin a True Disciple. He knew that the future achievements of the Thirteen Sword Wraiths would depend on how skilled Xue Jin became.

He closed his eyes again and continued pondering sword techniques.

Over the past two months, his exchanges with Li Qingqiu had given him many ideas. The Sky Net Sword Formation was one he had created. He still wasn't satisfied; he wanted to create more sword techniques for the Qingxiao Sect and, in doing so, establish the sect as a sword sect.

Elsewhere,

Inside Lingxiao Courtyard, above the mountain gate, Li Qingqiu was listening to Zhang Yuchun recount what had happened at the foot of the mountain.

As the Qingxiao Sect gained more and more courtyards, Li Qingqiu had named the original three Lingxiao Courtyard. Ordinary disciples were not allowed to enter without permission. It was a rule Yang Jueding and Zhang Yu had insisted on.

Some time ago, Zhang Yuchun, who had broken through to the Yangyuan Realm Second Layer, had led another group down the mountain. This time, he hadn't taken the Qingxiao Seven Sons, but rather some of the older disciples. On this trip, they had recruited eight more disciples.

"The rebels in Guzhou have been put down. I saw the Imperial Court's army in the county. They've posted notices everywhere, saying they'll wipe out the rebels root and branch. They've also issued some disaster-relief measures. Senior Brother, it looks like peace is finally coming to the realm."

Zhang Yuchun was quite excited. Once they left the Tai Kun Mountain Range, it was easy to run into warfare. Under those circumstances, most of the disciples he recruited were orphans, and their numbers remained limited.

Once peace came to the realm, they wouldn't need to worry about war. He would be able to lead the disciples around and spread the word about the Qingxiao Sect. He was confident their numbers would double.

As he listened, Li Qingqiu carved a piece of wood with the Flying Fish Blade.

"Senior Brother, the livestock pens, fields, horse ranch, fishponds, hunting grounds, and everything else are all running smoothly now, but we still need people. The rebels have just been suppressed, but there are still plenty of bandits and outlaws around. I'd like Li Sifeng to lead a group down the mountain to wipe them out and make the Qingxiao Sect's name known. That's the only way we'll attract more people to join us," Zhang Yuchun said earnestly.

Li Sifeng was already fifteen and would turn sixteen in half a year. He had reached the Nourishing Yuan Realm Third Layer. At that age, Jiang Zhaoxia had already begun killing enemies.

Li Qingqiu said, "Have Cheng Canghai go with him. Sifeng has been out several times and experienced quite a bit, but he still hasn't fully grown up."

"Cheng Canghai? That works. He's done very well since joining the sect. Then I'll have Man'er go with them too," Zhang Yuchun said after thinking it over.

Wu Man'er had also reached the Nourishing Yuan Realm Third Layer, but in terms of strength, Li Sifeng was no match for him.

Li Qingqiu said, "You make the arrangements. They can start by operating around the Tai Kun Mountain Range and return before New Spring."

"No problem!"

With Li Qingqiu's approval, Zhang Yuchun immediately got up to make arrangements.

"Wait. Have them take Bai Ninger with them," Li Qingqiu suddenly said.

Zhang Yuchun looked surprised and turned to ask, "The disciple who's close to Miss Su?"

He didn't have much of an impression of Bai Ninger, but he paid considerable attention to Zhu Yan and Su Xiling.

"Yes, him."

Though puzzled by Li Qingqiu's answer, Zhang Yuchun nodded and agreed before hurrying away.

In fact, Li Sifeng had been the one to ask to go down the mountain. So when Zhang Yuchun told him the Eldest Senior Brother had approved, he was overjoyed.

That very day, the two of them began choosing disciples and packing supplies, then hurriedly headed down the mountain.

Li Sifeng, Wu Man'er, and Cheng Canghai took nine disciples down the mountain to deal with bandits. The disciples of the Qingxiao Sect discussed it among themselves, feeling fired up and looking forward to the day the sect assigned them a mission like that too.

Doing what was right and helping others was something most martial artists yearned for. It let them show their strength while earning a good name.

A month passed in the blink of an eye. Inside Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was feeding Yuan Li a Thousand Spirit Fruit, while Li Dongyue stood on the eaves, gazing into the distance.

Snow swept down in thick flurries, and the world stretched vast and hazy. The flakes melted as soon as they neared her.

Li Qingqiu saw Yuan Li pick up the Thousand Spirit Fruit herself. He smiled, then looked at Li Dongyue and asked, "Junior Sister, come down. They'll be fine."

Li Dongyue turned to look at him, frowning. "Tomorrow is New Spring, and there's less than an hour until nightfall. If they haven't returned, should we go down the mountain to look for them?"

Li Qingqiu was just about to answer when he suddenly sensed something. He turned to look into the distance and said, "They're back."

At his words, Li Dongyue was overjoyed. She didn't doubt him at all. She leaped over the courtyard wall and rushed toward the mountain gate.

Li Qingqiu didn't get up. He turned his head to watch Yuan Li eat the Thousand Spirit Fruit.

Yuan Li sat on a little stool, holding the Thousand Spirit Fruit in both hands, perfectly well-behaved.

After a while, a commotion sounded. Li Sifeng was the first to run into the courtyard. His robes were slightly torn, but he was full of energy.

He came to Li Qingqiu, grabbed his arm, and said proudly, "Eldest Senior Brother, come see what we brought back! You'll never guess!"