Translator: AnubisTL
Li Qing wasn't particularly picky about his cave abode. The density of spiritual energy was roughly the same everywhere, being within the Spirit Vein Land claimed by a Cultivation Sect. Even the worst cave abode here would surpass most rogue cultivators' rented dwellings outside.
His only requirement was seclusion.
He hadn't made many friends within the sect. Besides Wu Chong, the only familiar faces were the three other immortal seeds who had achieved Foundation Establishment around the same time.
"This mountain peak will do. It's secluded and quiet. Only two cave abodes on the entire mountain have been activated, with the rest remaining vacant. It's an excellent place for quiet cultivation."
Li Qing stood on a leaf-shaped Magic Artifact, surveying the desolate mountain before him with satisfaction.
Having chosen his future residence, where he would spend many years, Li Qing retrieved a small sand table from his storage pouch. His fingertip landed on a raised area on the sand table labeled "Wild Cloud Peak." He then randomly selected a cave abode and placed the sand table at its entrance.
Once Li Qing selected his cave abode, the information would quickly be synchronized with the sect. From that moment on, the cave abode would be considered claimed territory.
As long as Li Qing didn't die, betray the sect, or encounter any other unforeseen circumstances, he could live there until his natural death.
Once a cave abode was claimed, no one could enter without permission. The consequences for unauthorized entry were severe, with the sect's rules prescribing harsh punishments.
When Li Qing arrived at the cave abode, it was overgrown with weeds and thorny vines, clearly untouched for a long time. He even suspected that no one had ever lived there since its creation.
"Some more meticulous cultivators would consult feng shui experts or hire feng shui masters before choosing a cave abode. I don't know much about that, so I didn't bother with such formalities."
As he spoke, Li Qing flicked his fingertip, sending a wisp of crimson Innate True Fire shooting forth. In an instant, the wild weeds and thorny vines in front of the cave abode were reduced to ashes.
With a wave of his sleeve, a sudden gust of wind materialized out of thin air, scattering the ashes into the distance.
After finishing all this, Li Qing casually set up a few simple Restrictions in front of his cave abode and added some measures to block divine sense detection.
Of course, if he had a formation plate on hand, Li Qing wouldn't have hesitated to set up a complete formation here.
Next came a long period of arduous cultivation. During this time, he would definitely visit the World of Eternal Night to see if he could scavenge any Immortal Path cultivation manuals or secret techniques that had been discarded into the ancient paper stacks, fully utilizing the resources there.
"Alright, that settles it."
Clapping his hands, Li Qing stepped inside, simultaneously releasing his divine sense to scan the cave abode's interior.
Besides the main hall, there were four hidden chambers. If Li Qing found it insufficient, he could always carve out more himself.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, splitting mountains and cracking stones to expand their cave abode was a trivial matter.
However, Li Qing had no such plans. After sensing the spiritual energy here, he was more than satisfied.
Immediately, he unleashed several large-scale Purifying Water Techniques, effortlessly washing away all the accumulated dust inside the cave abode.
Once Li Qing reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, these minor spells became effortless for him. Moreover, with the enhancement of liquid mana, their power had grown considerably.
Even when casually cast, they far surpassed the capabilities of cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm.
"Come out, you big lug. From now on, you'll be the gatekeeper tiger here."
Li Qing smiled faintly and released Fan Tong from his spirit beast pouch.
Fan Tong remained at the late First-Tier, having yet to break through to Second-Tier Demon Beast.
However, its aura was now remarkably condensed, and its fur had deepened in color. Its heterochromatic tiger eyes, in particular, radiated an extraordinary aura.
"Arooo!"
Fan Tong roared skyward, its earth-shattering bellow echoing throughout the cave abode.
Had Li Qing not previously set up Restrictions to isolate noise and divine sense detection, this roar would undoubtedly have disturbed the other two Foundation Establishment Elders on Wild Cloud Peak.
"Alright, alright. I had no choice but to keep you in the spirit beast pouch for so long. I was being hunted so desperately not long ago, and after joining the sect, I got swamped with trivial matters. I simply didn't have time to let you out for some fresh air."
"You'll be staying here from now on," Li Qing said with a smile, patting Fan Tong's thick, sturdy back. "This is the Spirit Vein Land of the sect, where the spiritual energy is incredibly dense."
Fan Tong soon sensed the extraordinary concentration of spiritual energy, far surpassing even the Heavenly River Market and Azure Radiance Pool. It was the most potent spiritual environment it had ever experienced since joining Li Qing.
This finally dispelled the lingering resentment from being confined in the spirit beast pouch for so many days. Content, it burrowed into a dark chamber near the cave abode's entrance and closed its eyes to sleep.
After settling Fan Tong, Li Qing took a tour of the cave abode, casually placing a few Brilliant Night Pearls as decorations. He then retrieved a set of tables, chairs, and bedding from his storage pouch, completing the cave abode's furnishings.
"Next, I should head to the Hall of Technique Transmission to see if I can find a suitable cultivation manual or secret technique," Li Qing mused. This was a perk of becoming an Elder, one he wouldn't miss out on.
Though he had an entire World of Eternal Night to explore, the sect's inheritance was equally crucial. If he could find a suitable cultivation manual, that would be ideal.
At the very least, he could seek out a Second-Tier body refinement secret technique to elevate his physical body to the level of a Foundation Establishment body cultivator. This would greatly aid his exploration of the World of Eternal Night.
After all, his next destination was Tianliang Mountain in the World of Eternal Night, once the leading Cultivation Sect in the Black Wind Domain.
Li Qing naturally coveted the abandoned immortal dao heritage within this sect, which had once boasted multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Without hesitation, he hung the token symbolizing his elder status at his waist and strode confidently toward the sect plaza where the Hall of Technique Transmission was located.
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
"Greetings..."
Along the way, every Qi Refining disciple who encountered Li Qing bowed respectfully, their posture exceedingly humble.
On the surface, Li Qing merely nodded indifferently, but inwardly, he couldn't help but feel a slight sense of self-satisfaction.
In this realistic cultivation world, Li Qing used to walk the streets without anyone even glancing at him. Now that he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, every disciple lowered their gaze respectfully when they saw him.
Feeling a touch of smug satisfaction, Li Qing even entertained a mischievous thought: should he deliberately seek out those disciples who had previously asked him to buy Foundation Establishment Pills and parade before them, just to see the expressions on Zheng Donghe's and the others' faces?
Of course, this was just a fleeting impulse. He certainly wouldn't waste his time actually doing it.
Arriving at the island where the Hall of Technique Transmission was located, Li Qing dismounted his flying magic artifact of his own accord. He would have to walk across the plaza to reach the hall.
The sect had some minor rules, prohibiting flight over certain important Floating Islands unless there was an urgent matter.
However, these trivial regulations held little sway over Elders, mainly restricting Qi Refining Realm disciples.
But Li Qing had just reached Foundation Establishment and had only recently become an Elder. He had no intention of flaunting his status by deliberately violating sect rules to assert his authority.
He wouldn't do something so foolish.
As he walked, disciples along the path continued to greet him.
But soon, an angry shout erupted from the right:
"Li Xiaotong, get over here! I challenge you to a duel to the death!"
From the right side of the sect plaza, a Mid Qi Refining Realm disciple strode forward with bloodshot eyes, glaring fixedly at a male disciple who had just emerged from the Hall of Technique Transmission.
Li Xiaotong frowned, his hands clasped behind his back. He sneered, "Yang Shan, I advise you not to humiliate yourself. Shu Hua and I are deeply in love. Are you trying to interfere?"
Yang Shan roared furiously, "Who knows what bewitching potion you gave Shu Hua? Today, I challenge you. Do you dare accept?"
"Why would I accept your challenge for no reason? Do you think winning will make Shu Hua want to be with you?" Li Xiaotong scoffed.
Yang Shan's emotions were unstable. He cursed, "You coward! Shu Hua and I grew up together, entering the sect at the same time. You must have deceived her feelings!"
The commotion between the two disciples immediately drew the attention of many others. Several disciples gathered around, pulling up small stools, ready to enjoy the drama unfold.
Though they had declared a duel, Yang Shan's chances of winning were slim. Li Xiaotong had already reached the Late Qi Refining Realm, a full level above him.
But Li Xiaotong wasn't in a hurry to accept the challenge. He remained unfazed by Yang Shan's insults, saying casually, "I have no interest in dueling over a woman. But if you're willing to put up a wager, I might consider it."
"I heard you recently acquired a Profound Ice Leaf and an Eight-Cornered Grass. How about we use those as the stakes?"
At this point, Li Qing had a pretty good idea of the real reason behind the conflict between the two disciples.
He instinctively started to walk away, intending to avoid getting involved in the dispute and avoid unnecessary trouble.
But he quickly stopped.
Wait a minute... I'm already an Elder of this Cultivation Sect! If I just walk away when disciples are fighting, that would be completely inappropriate!
Li Qing immediately feigned a stern expression and strode forward with a serious demeanor, bellowing, "What kind of behavior is this? The Hall of Technique Transmission is a sacred place of the sect, not a place for you to brawl and make noise!"
As he spoke, he released the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Feeling the pressure, the surrounding disciples scattered in all directions. Upon seeing Li Qing and the identity token on his waist, they all respectfully bowed and greeted him:
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
Li Qing merely nodded in acknowledgment before turning his grim gaze toward the two Qi Refining Realm disciples preparing to duel. He stared at them sternly.
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
"Greetings, Elder Li!"
Yang Shan and Li Xiaotong both bowed slightly in greeting, their expressions tense.
"Hmph! I heard everything from afar just now. You are disciples of the Lingyun Sect, yet you disregard the bonds of brotherhood and are about to duel over matters of the heart? Is this how you should behave?!"
"The sect didn't bring you here to squabble over romantic rivals and turn on each other!"
"Get back to your quarters, all of you! You will spend three days in closed-door reflection, pondering whether you entered the sect to pursue the Immortal Path or to engage in petty squabbles over women!"
"As cultivators, we should dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the Dao, braving heat and cold, seeking only diligent cultivation and constant improvement. I urge you all to reflect on your original aspirations when you first embarked on the Immortal Path!"
Li Qing's words resonated with conviction, even carrying a hint of divine sense power, making them deeply moving.
In just a few sentences, he struck Yang Shan, who had challenged another disciple to a duel, like a thunderclap. Yang Shan's face flushed crimson.
He immediately began to reflect on his actions, realizing he had acted too rashly. For the sake of a woman, he had risked the precious Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients he had painstakingly gathered, and he was about to duel a disciple with a higher cultivation realm.
The decision he had made in a moment of irrationality now filled him with regret. If he lost, he would undoubtedly spend his life consumed by remorse.
Moreover, even if he won, would Shu Hua truly return to his side?
Thinking of this, Yang Shan respectfully clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder!"
A hint of helplessness flashed in Li Xiaotong's eyes, but he also respectfully addressed Li Qing: "I will heed your teachings, Elder."
Hearing this, Li Qing's expression softened slightly. He said, "Your ability to join the sect proves your exceptional talent. Your cultivation conditions already surpass those of most rogue cultivators struggling outside."
"Remember to cherish these opportunities and not waste your time. Don't wait until your hair turns white in your youth to regret your wasted years."
"You are all Fellow Disciples now. You must live in harmony and support one another!"
With these words, Li Qing departed under the respectful gazes of the assembled disciples, softly chanting as he left: "Black hair knows not the difficulty of Foundation Establishment; white hair regrets the tardiness of bitter cultivation."
This modified verse from a previous life struck the disciples like a thunderbolt, reverberating in their minds.
Many disciples murmured the words to themselves:
"Black hair knows not... Indeed, what have I been doing lately? I've been too busy socializing with fellow disciples, and it's been months since I seriously practiced Qi Refining."
"Hiss, Elder Li truly deserves his reputation for achieving Foundation Establishment with a Four Spirit Root aptitude. His words were truly thunderous."
"Indeed, Elder Li's success in Foundation Establishment must be due to his extraordinary qualities. His dedication to cultivation and cultivation of his mind is truly admirable."
"..."
In an instant, the disciples' gazes toward Li Qing shifted to one of profound respect. No one would dare attribute his success to mere luck anymore.
News of the events that had unfolded in front of the Hall of Technique Transmission quickly spread throughout the sect. Moreover, Li Qing's final modified ancient poem left many pondering its profound meaning.
Within the main hall of Cloudsoar Island, Sect Leader Xu Yun, after listening to the details, narrowed his eyes and murmured in admiration, "Before the hair turns white, one doesn't know the difficulty of Foundation Establishment. Only in old age does one regret the wasted time in cultivation."
"Heh, Junior Brother Li is truly a remarkable individual. It makes sense, though. Only rogue cultivators, who understand the scarcity of sect resources and the preciousness of time, truly appreciate the importance of diligent cultivation."
After a moment of contemplation, Sect Leader Xu Yun personally picked up a brush and wrote a letter.
The content was simple: he ordered Li Qing's words from just now to be inscribed on a stone tablet in front of the Hall of Technique Transmission, serving as a constant reminder to all sect disciples.
(End of the Chapter)
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