Desperate Realm Expert

Dragon Subduing Great Hero?

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged a glance. As it happened, they had heard of him—from Jiang Kuotian. Jiang Kuotian had rushed down the mountain specifically to watch the duel between the Dragon Subduing Great Hero and the Sea Sword Saint.

That bit of information was mentioned before he left, so he hadn't elaborated much on the Dragon Subduing Great Hero.

With so many legendary figures roaming the jianghu, Li Qingqiu and the others hadn't paid it much mind.

They never expected that the Dragon Subduing Great Hero Jiang Kuotian spoke of would show up at the foot of Qingxiao Sect's mountain.

"What are you doing here?" Li Qingqiu asked cautiously.

Yang Jueding smiled bitterly. "Clearly, I came here to hide from my enemies. Don't worry—those enemies are long gone. I relied on my internal arts to hold my breath for seven days, and never saw them."

Hold his breath for seven days?

That impressive?

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun were astounded, but they didn't take Yang Jueding's words at face value.

Yang Jueding continued, "Seeing you go up and down the mountain, you're no villager. You must be disciples of Qingxiao Sect. I've met your master, Lin Xunfeng, a few times—I like his temperament. Why not take me back with you? Once I've recovered, I'll teach you some techniques. I have a palm technique—one strike and it can overturn mountains and seas, making you famous across the jianghu."

Hearing him mention Lin Xunfeng, the two relaxed a little.

"So Master wasn't just boasting after all—his reputation in the jianghu is actually quite solid," Li Qingqiu thought to himself.

He didn't agree immediately but began weighing the pros and cons.

Yang Jueding went on, "After this injury, I'm thinking of retiring from the jianghu. Qingxiao Sect is a good place—far from the mundane world. If you need a hand with odd jobs, I can do that. Just give me a meal and a straw mat to sleep on."

Zhang Yuchun was tempted. He looked to Li Qingqiu.

A sudden idea struck Li Qingqiu. "Since you want to join Qingxiao Sect, there are necessary formalities. Now, kneel facing the direction of Qingxiao Sect and swear three vows."

"First: never harm your fellow disciples."

"Second: never damage the interests of Qingxiao Sect."

"Third: for the development of Qingxiao Sect, you are willing to dedicate everything."

Zhang Yuchun was taken aback. Since when was this a rule?

Though confused, he kept silent, his face betraying nothing.

Yang Jueding found it amusing. These three vows didn't violate his principles, so he struggled to his feet and knelt in the direction Li Qingqiu indicated.

He raised one hand and began to swear, reciting the three vows Li Qingqiu had laid out.

Li Qingqiu immediately called up the Legacy System to check. Sure enough, the disciple count had increased by one. He clicked in and found Yang Jueding's avatar.

[Name: Yang Jueding]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 35]

[Loyalty (Sect Leader/Sect): 50/50 (Max 100)]

[Training Aptitude: Above Average]

[Comprehension: Above Average]

[Destiny: Righteous Gallantry, Desperate Realm Expert]

[Righteous Gallantry: Willing to sacrifice self for others, lives by righteousness, repays the smallest kindness with great gratitude]

[Desperate Realm Expert: When pushed into a corner, can unleash even greater strength]

Seeing the words "Righteous Gallantry," Li Qingqiu immediately felt at ease.

He was curious about the "Desperate Realm Expert" destiny.

Could it be that Yang Jueding escaped certain death by fighting his way out of a hopeless situation?

Li Qingqiu didn't dwell on it. He closed the Legacy System and said, "Yuchun, help him up. Let's go."

Zhang Yuchun hesitated but still obeyed.

Yang Jueding was helped to his feet, grinning as he asked, "What are you two young lads called?"

"I'm Li Qingqiu, the current Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect. He's Zhang Yuchun, my second junior brother."

Li Qingqiu replied. The words "Righteous Gallantry" were too virtuous—he now felt even Yang Jueding's face looked different.

It seemed the man's reputation as a great hero wasn't unfounded.

The only pity was that he couldn't tell just how strong Yang Jueding really was.

"Sect Master? What about Lin Xunfeng?" Yang Jueding asked in surprise.

"My master went off seeking immortality and abandoned us."

Zhang Yuchun's tone was thick with resentment as he spoke.

Ever since Lin Xunfeng brought him back to Qingxiao Sect, it was mostly Li Qingqiu who looked after him. He rarely got to speak with Lin Xunfeng, and now being abandoned by him—how could he not hold a grudge?

"Seeking immortality?"

Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in wonder but didn't say much more.

The three chatted idly as they kept walking.

A full hour later, they finally returned to Qingxiao Sect.

Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Li Sifeng gathered around, curious when they saw the extra person.

Li Qingqiu told them to clean out the Master's old room for Yang Jueding to stay in.

Lin Xunfeng's room had no treasures—Li Qingqiu had already checked it. It was even sparser than his own, utterly bare to the point of poverty.

Yang Jueding didn't stand on ceremony. Before moving in, he asked Zhang Yuchun to prepare two jars of aged wine, and if there happened to be a chicken, even better.

Zhang Yuchun didn't indulge him and only gave him one jar. For the rest of the half-day, Yang Jueding stayed in his room circulating his energy to heal his injuries.

Seeing that he could treat himself, Li Qingqiu felt much more at ease—after all, none of them knew how to heal others.

If any junior brothers or sisters got hurt in the future, they could have Yang Jueding handle it. Thinking that way, Yang Jueding was actually a valuable asset.

It wasn't until dusk that Jiang Zhaoxia led Wu Man'er out of the forest. Wu Man'er's robes were torn, and there were bruises on his face.

"What happened?" Li Qingqiu asked with a frown.

Jiang Zhaoxia waved it off carelessly. "How can you practice martial arts without getting hurt? It's just superficial wounds. Nothing serious."

Wu Man'er scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

Li Qingqiu looked at him and said, "If it hurts too much, tell me. I'll have your Third Senior Brother go easier on you."

Wu Man'er gave a simple, honest smile. "It doesn't hurt. I want to protect Eldest Senior Brother, protect my junior brothers and sisters. I'll get stronger."

Li Qingqiu was both moved and a little pained. After all, Wu Man'er was only thirteen this year—he just happened to look burly.

He decided he'd give Jiang Zhaoxia's chicken leg to Wu Man'er later.

Never mind.

Third Junior Brother meant well, too. He'd just give up his own chicken leg instead.

Li Qingqiu had them sit down at the long table to talk about their afternoon training.

Wu Man'er's external technique remained a mystery—Jiang Zhaoxia never said what it was, claiming he wanted to surprise them. Trusting Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Qingqiu didn't sneak a peek either.

By the time Zhang Yuchun finished cooking, Yang Jueding followed the scent straight over.

"Who are you?"

Jiang Zhaoxia frowned at Yang Jueding and asked coldly.

Zhang Yuchun quickly introduced Yang Jueding, afraid Jiang Zhaoxia might start a fight—after all, Jiang Zhaoxia had even dared to talk back to Jiang Kuotian.

Meeting Jiang Zhaoxia's gaze, Yang Jueding narrowed his eyes.

This kid wasn't old, yet he could sense extreme danger from him.

Li Qingqiu sat on the stool, watching the scene without changing his expression. He felt very satisfied with Jiang Zhaoxia.

Third Junior Brother wasn't just tough at home—he was firm with outsiders too. Li Qingqiu liked that temperament more and more.

For a sect to stand on its own, it needed someone forceful. Zhang Yuchun was steady and reliable, but his nature was a bit too soft. Jiang Zhaoxia was the perfect complement.

"No matter what reputation you have in the martial world, if you dare cause trouble here at Qingxiao Sect, I'll make you regret it."

After hearing Zhang Yuchun's introduction, Jiang Zhaoxia delivered his threat and sat down.

Yang Jueding wasn't angry. Instead, he looked at Jiang Zhaoxia with appreciation.

He had been worried when Li Qingqiu became Sect Master—Qingxiao Sect seemed full of children. But now, it looked like the sect had some real backbone!

Once seated, Yang Jueding unceremoniously picked up his chopsticks and started eating. At the same time, he observed the other disciples.

Wu Man'er drew his attention immediately.

This kid was clearly a martial prodigy!

Noticing Yang Jueding's gaze, Li Qingqiu spoke up. "Yang Jueding, once you've recovered, besides helping Yuchun, you'll also need to teach the disciples martial arts. Start with that palm technique you mentioned."

Yang Jueding raised an eyebrow. "Can Wu Man'er train with me too?"

"No need. He trains with me." Jiang Zhaoxia refused before Yang Jueding could finish.

Yang Jueding looked at Jiang Zhaoxia and chuckled. "Kid, this palm technique of mine is a world-renowned ultimate art."

Jiang Zhaoxia shot back without backing down. "Then how about this: once you're healed, spar with Man'er using that world-renowned ultimate art of yours."

Even Yang Jueding's good temper was provoked. His smile turned cold. "Fine. I'd like to see just how skilled you are, to think a child can surpass twenty years of my bitter training."

Li Dongyue looked worriedly at Li Qingqiu. Seeing his expression of someone enjoying the show, she held back.

Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were too young to understand social cues. They started chattering, guessing who would win, making the dinner table lively.

That night, the other disciples returned to their rooms on edge, keeping their guard up against Yang Jueding.

Li Qingqiu, however, was completely at ease. He no longer needed to sleep and spent every night training.

The next morning, Li Qingqiu took Jiang Zhaoxia down the mountain. This made Zhang Yuchun nervous—he felt the pressure of keeping an eye on Yang Jueding alone was too much.

Unfortunately, Li Qingqiu wouldn't listen to advice and told him to relax.

After arriving at the underground Spirit Lake, Jiang Zhaoxia was very excited. The two practiced there for half a day before Li Qingqiu gave a few instructions and forcefully dragged him back to the sect.

Tomorrow, Jiang Zhaoxia would bring Li Dongyue to train here.

And so, half a month passed swiftly.

All seven of Li Qingqiu's group had taken turns visiting the underground Spirit Lake, each reminding the others that this lake must not be disclosed to anyone.

Yang Jueding noticed nothing amiss, assuming they had simply gone out hunting or working.

Then came the day that dealt Li Qingqiu a blow: Jiang Zhaoxia stepped into the Yangyuan Realm Second Layer ahead of him. Though he had anticipated it, when the moment truly arrived, it still stung—the sting of knowing his own talent fell short.

To vent, he excitedly hugged Jiang Zhaoxia, messing up his hair into a tangled mess, while Jiang Zhaoxia, too busy celebrating, failed to see through his Senior Brother's little scheme.

That night, Li Qingqiu returned to his room. Sitting on the bed, he thought back to Jiang Zhaoxia's breakthrough at noon and still felt a twinge of emotion.

"Truly, you fear your brother's hardship, yet you fear your brother driving a luxury car even more."

Li Qingqiu let out a self-deprecating laugh. He had already adjusted his mindset, genuinely happy for Jiang Zhaoxia's achievement.

Suddenly.

A voice rang out from beyond the window, loud and clear, piercing the night sky.

"Yang Jueding, as the Dragon Subduing Great Hero, do you intend to hide behind a bunch of brats? Come out and die, or I'll slaughter the entire Qingxiao Sect!"

Thanks to the Little Overlord of Bamboo City for the 6666 starting point coin tip, the Blood God of the Brocade Guard for the 5000 starting point coin tip, book friend 20220508054249598 for the 500 starting point coin tip, and Xi Lei for the 500 starting point coin tip~

Thanks to the brothers who threw monthly tickets~