Desperate Realm Experts

Dragon Subduing Great Hero?

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged a glance. They had actually heard of him—Jiang Kuotian had told them. Jiang Kuotian had been in such a hurry to leave the mountain because he wanted to see Dragon Subduing Great Hero and Sea Sword Saint face off.

He had mentioned it just before leaving, so he hadn't said much about Dragon Subduing Great Hero.

There were countless famous figures in the martial world. Li Qingqiu and the others hadn't paid him much attention.

They never expected the Dragon Subduing Great Hero Jiang Kuotian had spoken of to show up at the foot of Qingxiao Sect's mountain.

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

Yang Jueding smiled wryly. "It's obvious. I came here to hide from my enemy. You don't need to worry; he left a long time ago. I used my internal cultivation to hold my breath for seven days, and never saw him."

Hold his breath for seven days?

That powerful?

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun were amazed, but they didn't blindly trust Yang Jueding's words.

Yang Jueding continued, "From the way you're going up and down the mountain, you don't seem like villagers. You're disciples of Qingxiao Sect, right? 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 martial arts. I have a palm technique that can send mountains tumbling and seas surging. It'll make you famous throughout the martial world."

Hearing him mention Lin Xunfeng put Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun somewhat at ease.

I didn't realize Master wasn't just bragging all this time. He's actually quite renowned in the martial world, Li Qingqiu thought to himself.

He didn't agree immediately, instead weighing the pros and cons.

Yang Jueding continued, "After this injury, I think I'll retire from the martial world. Qingxiao Sect seems like a good place, far removed from worldly affairs. If you need someone to do odd jobs, I can help. Just give me a meal and a straw mat to sleep on."

Zhang Yuchun was tempted. He looked to Li Qingqiu.

An idea suddenly came to Li Qingqiu. "If you want to join Qingxiao Sect, there's a formality you need to go through. Kneel facing Qingxiao Sect and swear three oaths."

"First, never harm a fellow disciple."

"Second, never damage Qingxiao Sect's interests."

"Third, you're willing to give everything for Qingxiao Sect's growth."

Zhang Yuchun was baffled. Since when had they made up rules like these?

Though confused, he kept quiet, his expression betraying nothing.

Yang Jueding found the oaths rather interesting. They didn't go against his principles, so he struggled to his feet and knelt in the direction Li Qingqiu had indicated.

He raised one hand and began to swear, repeating the three oaths Li Qingqiu had given him.

Li Qingqiu immediately opened the Legacy System to check. Sure enough, the number of disciples had increased by one. He tapped into the list and found Yang Jueding's profile.

[Name: Yang Jueding]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: 35]

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

[Cultivation Talent: Good]

[Comprehension: Good]

[Fate: Righteous Gallantry, Desperate Realm Expert]

[Righteous Gallantry: Willing to sacrifice himself for others and live by the principles of loyalty and righteousness. A drop of kindness must be repaid with a flood.]

[Desperate Realm Expert: In desperate circumstances, can unleash even greater strength.]

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

He was curious about the Desperate Realm Expert fate.

Could Yang Jueding have escaped by fighting his way out of a situation where he was certain to die?

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 followed his order.

Yang Jueding was helped to his feet. Grinning, he asked, "What are your names, young sirs?"

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

Li Qingqiu answered. The words "Righteous Gallantry" sounded so kindhearted that even Yang Jueding's face seemed different to him now.

It seemed this man's reputation as a great hero hadn't come out of nowhere.

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

"Sect leader? Then what about Lin Xunfeng?" Yang Jueding asked in surprise.

"My master went off to seek immortality. He didn't want us anymore."

Zhang Yuchun's voice brimmed with resentment as he said this.

Ever since Lin Xunfeng had brought him back to Qingxiao Sect, Li Qingqiu had been the one looking after him. He had barely spoken to Lin Xunfeng, and now Lin Xunfeng had abandoned him. How could he not feel resentful?

"Seek immortality?"

Yang Jueding clicked his tongue in wonder, but said nothing more.

The three chatted casually as they walked.

A full hour passed before they returned to Qingxiao Sect.

Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and Li Sifeng gathered around. Seeing that they had brought back someone new, they were all curious.

Li Qingqiu had them clear out their master's room for Yang Jueding to stay in.

There were no treasures in Lin Xunfeng's room. Li Qingqiu had already searched it. It was even more bare than his own; "impoverished" was an understatement.

Yang Jueding didn't stand on ceremony. Before moving in, he asked Zhang Yuchun to prepare two jars of aged wine. If they had a chicken, that would be even better.

Zhang Yuchun didn't indulge him. He gave him just one jar of wine. For the next half day, Yang Jueding stayed in his room, circulating his energy to heal his injuries.

Seeing that he could tend to his wounds himself, Li Qingqiu felt relieved. After all, none of them knew how to treat the injured.

If a junior brother or junior sister was ever hurt, Yang Jueding could help. Thinking of it that way, Yang Jueding was quite a catch.

By dusk, Jiang Zhaoxia came out of the woods with Wu Man'er. Wu Man'er's robe was torn, and he had a wound on his face.

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

Jiang Zhaoxia didn't seem bothered. "How can you practice martial arts without getting hurt? They're just superficial wounds. Nothing to worry about."

Wu Man'er scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

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

Wu Man'er smiled honestly. "It doesn't hurt. I want to protect Eldest Senior Brother and my junior brothers and sisters. I'll get stronger."

Li Qingqiu was touched, but also felt a little sorry for him. Wu Man'er was only thirteen, even if his build made him look much older.

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

Forget it.

Third Junior Brother meant well, too. I'll give up my own chicken leg instead.

Li Qingqiu had them sit around the long table and talk about their afternoon training.

Jiang Zhaoxia still hadn't explained what kind of external martial arts Wu Man'er was practicing, saying he wanted to surprise them. Trusting Jiang Zhaoxia, Li Qingqiu hadn't gone to peek.

When Zhang Yuchun finished cooking, Yang Jueding followed the smell over.

"Who are you?" Jiang Zhaoxia asked coldly, frowning at Yang Jueding.

Zhang Yuchun hurriedly introduced Yang Jueding, afraid Jiang Zhaoxia would attack. After all, Jiang Zhaoxia had even dared to talk back to Jiang Kuotian.

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

This young man was not much older than a boy, yet he made Yang Jueding feel extremely threatened.

Li Qingqiu sat on a stool and watched without showing a hint of his thoughts. He was quite pleased with Jiang Zhaoxia.

His Third Junior Brother wasn't just a bully at home; he was tough with outsiders, too. Li Qingqiu liked that temperament more and more.

For a sect to establish itself, it needed someone forceful. Zhang Yuchun was steady in his actions, but still a little softhearted. Jiang Zhaoxia was just the right person to back him up.

"No matter how famous you are in the martial world, you're in Qingxiao Sect now. If you dare cause trouble, I'll make you regret it."

After hearing Zhang Yuchun's introduction, Jiang Zhaoxia issued a threat, then sat down.

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

He had been worried about Li Qingqiu becoming sect leader. The whole of Qingxiao Sect seemed to be made up of children, but it seemed the sect still had some tricks up its sleeve!

After sitting down, Yang Jueding helped himself to the food without hesitation, observing the other disciples as he ate.

Wu Man'er especially caught his eye.

That boy was clearly a martial arts prodigy!

Li Qingqiu noticed Yang Jueding's gaze and said, "Yang Jueding, once your wounds have healed, you'll help Yuchun and 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's training with me," Jiang Zhaoxia cut in, refusing him outright.

Yang Jueding looked at Jiang Zhaoxia and chuckled. "Kid, my palm technique is a legendary art renowned throughout the world."

Jiang Zhaoxia refused to back down. "How about this? Once you've healed, spar with Man'er. Use that legendary art of yours."

Even Yang Jueding's patience had its limits. His smile turned cold. "Fine. I'd like to see how skilled you are, to make a boy think he can surpass my twenty years of hard work."

Li Dongyue glanced at Li Qingqiu with concern. Seeing him calmly watching the scene unfold, she could only hold back.

Li Sifeng and Li Sijin were too young to understand how to behave in company. They started shouting, guessing who would win, making the dinner table lively.

That night, the other disciples returned to their rooms on edge, wary of Yang Jueding.

Li Qingqiu, on the other hand, felt quite at ease. Besides, he no longer needed to sleep and spent every night training.

Early the next morning, Li Qingqiu took Jiang Zhaoxia down the mountain. Zhang Yuchun was nervous; he felt the burden of keeping an eye on Yang Jueding alone was too much.

Unfortunately, Li Qingqiu wouldn't listen to his advice and told him not to worry.

When they reached the underground Spirit Lake, Jiang Zhaoxia was thrilled. After the two of them trained there for half a day, Li Qingqiu gave him a few instructions, then dragged him back to the sect by force.

The next day, Jiang Zhaoxia would bring Li Dongyue to train.

Just like that, half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

All seven of them had taken turns visiting the underground Spirit Lake, reminding one another to keep its existence a secret.

Yang Jueding hadn't noticed anything unusual. He assumed they had gone out hunting or doing farmwork.

Then, one day, something happened that hit Li Qingqiu hard. Jiang Zhaoxia had reached the second layer of the Yangyuan Realm first. He had expected it, but when the day finally came, he still felt a little down—his talent was inferior to someone else's.

To vent, he excitedly grabbed Jiang Zhaoxia and ruffled his hair until it was a complete mess. Jiang Zhaoxia was too happy to notice his senior brother's little scheme.

That night, Li Qingqiu returned to his room and sat on the bed, still reflecting on Jiang Zhaoxia's breakthrough at noon.

"It's like you're afraid your brother's life will be hard, but also afraid he'll drive a fancy car."

Li Qingqiu laughed at himself. He had already adjusted his mindset and was happy for Jiang Zhaoxia's achievement.

Suddenly.

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

"Yang Jueding! As Dragon Subduing Great Hero, are you really going to hide behind a bunch of children? Come out and face your death, or I'll slaughter everyone in Qingxiao Sect!"

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