"A divine ability? You comprehended a divine ability?"
Li Qingqiu's expression turned strange. He even suspected he had misheard.
How difficult were divine abilities? His own had come from the Dao Lineage Inheritance of the Dao lineage panel. Jiang Zhaoxia's divine ability had relied upon his own fortune opportunity.
And Zhao Zhen, at 16 years old, could create a divine ability purely through his own Comprehension?
"Previously, when I watched Third Martial Uncle undergo tribulation, I gained some insight. I felt that heavenly thunder is an immensely powerful force of heaven and earth. If it could be transformed for one's own use, that would be ideal. I followed that line of thought and gradually attained some understanding."
As Zhao Zhen spoke, he recalled the experience.
Li Qingqiu listened with deep emotion.
Truly worthy of being the one who contributed the most to the Scripture Pavilion.
Setting aside their master-disciple relationship, though Zhao Zhen was young, his contributions to the sect were no less than Mingguang and Wu Xingyue. He had created countless techniques and spells, all of which he had selflessly contributed to the sect, laying the foundation for the current flourishing of Dao arts within Qingxiao Sect.
Precisely because of this, Zhao Zhen had delayed himself by several years.
Zhao Zhen had erred once in matters of family affection—that was the only mistake he had ever made. Yet from his perspective, it had not been wrong. Overall, his merits far outweighed his faults.
"Do you require your master's help?" Li Qingqiu asked.
Zhao Zhen shook his head. "Master, I need no assistance. I must undergo this tribulation myself. When you helped Third Martial Uncle through his tribulation, the heavenly tribulation's might clearly intensified. That shows heavenly tribulation does not permit outside interference. It was only because you were strong enough, and Third Martial Uncle's fortune was abundant, that there was no backlash."
"Backlash? You can perceive even that?" Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
Zhao Zhen replied seriously, "Though I cannot clearly describe the feeling, these are indeed the insights I have gained."
Li Qingqiu suddenly felt that Zhao Zhen's Comprehension had already begun to transform.
Once the transformation completed, the fate [Fragile Destiny] might very well disappear.
The master and disciple discussed divine abilities for some time. Upon learning that his master had also mastered a divine ability, Zhao Zhen was greatly invigorated. Li Qingqiu shared his own experience in controlling divine abilities, granting Zhao Zhen further inspiration.
…
Two days before year's end, Zhao Zhen ascended the Tribulation Platform. The news quickly spread, astonishing many disciples. Had Zhao Zhen already reached the 9th layer of Nurturing Essence?
Only later did the disciples learn that Zhao Zhen intended to create a divine ability.
Creating a divine ability required undergoing heavenly tribulation!
What exactly was a divine ability? The disciples became filled with curiosity.
Zhao Zhen meditated upon the Tribulation Platform for an entire day and night. Above Lixue Peak, thunderclouds began to gather.
"There truly is heavenly tribulation."
Standing upon a cliff and gazing at the Tribulation Platform, Li Qingqiu sighed softly.
Though his cultivation exceeded Zhao Zhen's, in terms of insight, he truly did not match Zhao Zhen.
The techniques and spells Zhao Zhen created leaned toward martial arts. The fate [True Martial Body] enhanced his Comprehension in that aspect, making his displayed Comprehension far stronger than the Excellent grade.
Shen Yue, Xu Ning, and Jiang Zhaoxia gradually appeared beside Li Qingqiu, curious about why Zhao Zhen was undergoing tribulation.
Not only them—above the forest below the mountain, figures of True Disciples continuously appeared, all arriving to observe.
Under everyone's gaze, a small sun actually condensed behind Zhao Zhen's head. It slowly rose, continuously expanding, with swirling currents encircling his body.
"As expected of the Great Sun Pure Yang Art. He has elevated this technique to a new height."
Li Qingqiu sighed inwardly. The Great Sun Pure Yang Art was originally a technique of the Zhao imperial family. After Zhao Zhen learned it, he had never neglected it, even developing several versions of it.
Heavenly might began to gather. Though it was not as terrifying as when Jiang Zhaoxia underwent tribulation, it still made one feel oppressed and stifled.
When the first bolt of heavenly thunder struck, the sun behind Zhao Zhen had already expanded to over 3 zhang in diameter. The thunder fell upon it—and was dissolved.
No, not dissolved—absorbed!
Li Qingqiu sharply noticed strands of lightning appearing across Zhao Zhen's body. He was enduring the power of heavenly thunder.
Not merely enduring—he was also circulating the Heavenly Gang Golden Body Art, using the heavenly thunder to temper his body.
This boy…
He truly was formidable!
Even Jiang Zhaoxia was startled by Zhao Zhen's performance and suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis.
Xu Ning and Shen Yue felt the same.
After this year, Zhao Zhen would be considered fully grown. From then on, he would likely become unstoppable.
Ever since Zhao Zhen entered the sect at the age of 6, everyone had seen his talent. All acknowledged him as the sect's number one genius. He was Qingxiao Sect's future.
Yet now that he was truly growing up, Jiang Zhaoxia and the others felt a sense of daze.
Time had passed so quickly. That spirited child was about to take on the bearing of a true powerhouse.
Another bolt of heavenly thunder fell and was likewise absorbed by Zhao Zhen's sun. His body began to tremble, his specially tailored robes billowing violently as if about to burst apart.
Blood began to flow from his seven orifices, yet he did not utter a sound. His lips remained tightly sealed.
Bolt after bolt of heavenly thunder descended. The sun above his head grew larger and larger, and the might it contained rapidly increased. Everyone could sense the terrifying power within that sun.
The winds between heaven and earth grew scorching.
After 9 bolts of heavenly thunder, Zhao Zhen had become a blood-soaked figure, yet he maintained his meditative posture.
This time, Li Qingqiu chose to trust him and did not interfere with his tribulation.
The heavenly thunder continued.
It did not cease until the 16th bolt struck, after which the heavenly might finally dissipated.
Zhao Zhen did not fall. He continued sitting cross-legged upon the Tribulation Platform. The sun above his head now exceeded 6 zhang in diameter. Golden flames burned across its surface, interspersed with patches of crimson fire, forming a magnificent sight.
At that moment, a line of notification suddenly appeared before Li Qingqiu's eyes:
[In light of Qingxiao Sect's first disciple creating a divine ability and opening the path of divine abilities for the Dao Lineage Inheritance, you have obtained 1 Fate Selection Opportunity.]
A Fate Selection Opportunity!
Li Qingqiu was overjoyed. It had been many years since he had triggered a Fate Selection Opportunity reward.
His years of cultivating Zhao Zhen had finally yielded an immense return.
He immediately brought up Zhao Zhen's panel.
[Name: Zhao Zhen]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 16]
[Loyalty (to Sect Master/Sect): 95/94 (Maximum 100)]
[Cultivation Aptitude: Exceptional]
[Comprehension: Exceptional]
[Fate: Divine Ability Shakes the World, True Martial Body]
[Divine Ability Shakes the World: By creating a divine ability through his own Comprehension and gaining the recognition of heaven and earth, he obtains extraordinary fortune. His divine ability will receive assistance from heaven and earth.]
[True Martial Body: Enters the Dao through martial arts and can transform martial arts into immortal Dao techniques.]
…
[Fragile Destiny] had finally disappeared, replaced by the new fate [Divine Ability Shakes the World]!
Assistance from heaven and earth?
It sounded immensely powerful.
Most crucially, Zhao Zhen had transformed into dual Exceptional-grade talent.
At present, the only person Li Qingqiu had encountered with such a panel was Chu Jing—and Chu Jing was already dead.
Without exaggeration, from this day forward, Zhao Zhen had completely become Qingxiao Sect's number one genius!
Li Qingqiu gazed deeply at Zhao Zhen, then turned and descended the mountain.
Xu Ning and Shen Yue departed one after another. Jiang Zhaoxia, however, stood upon the cliff with tightly furrowed brows.
Although Zhao Zhen's heavenly tribulation had not been as terrifying as his own, Zhao Zhen had not been undergoing an Awakening Spirit heavenly tribulation—and he had relied entirely upon himself.
"This kid…"
Jiang Zhaoxia decided that from now on, he would treat Zhao Zhen as a rival as well.
In the days that followed, the news of Zhao Zhen creating a divine ability and undergoing heavenly tribulation rapidly spread.
Just after year's end, Zhao Zhen stepped down from the Tribulation Platform. He did not return to his cave dwelling but instead walked toward the Scripture Pavilion. Along the way, disciples questioned him, and he answered them one by one.
The divine ability he had created was named [True Martial Supreme Yang].
He would write down the cultivation method of [True Martial Supreme Yang] and store it within the Scripture Pavilion for the disciples to cultivate!
This greatly invigorated many disciples, and his prestige soared accordingly.
Even when the New Year festivities arrived, this matter remained a topic of heated discussion among the sect's disciples.
Within Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was not cultivating. He had arrived early to celebrate the festival. The courtyard was lively and bustling.
Seated in a chair, Li Qingqiu watched Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin playing and chasing each other. Li Dongyue and Yun Cai sat on either side of him, personally peeling fruit for him.
Zhao Zhen sat at the corner of a long table. The three Xiao brothers, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Yang Jueding, and Cheng Canghai surrounded him, discussing divine abilities.
Jiang Zhaoxia sat opposite Li Qingqiu, drinking sullenly. Wu Man'er tried to speak with him, but he ignored him.
Xu Ning stood upon the eaves, admiring the snowy scenery.
True Person Qingxiao and Shen Yue were boasting to each other, with the former faintly at a disadvantage.
Scene after scene entered Li Qingqiu's eyes. It felt so beautiful—he truly hoped every year could be like this.
"Senior Brother, when do you plan to let Shouzheng and Shoumin begin cultivating immortality? And who will teach them?"
Looking at the two children, Li Dongyue suddenly asked.
At just over 3 years old, Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin had already displayed intelligence and quick wit. Their speech was articulate and structured, completely unlike ordinary children of the same age. Everyone was curious whether they possessed talent for immortal cultivation.
Li Qingqiu answered, "Whenever Sifeng returns, that is when they will begin cultivating. Of course Sifeng will teach them."
He had considered this for Li Sifeng's sake.
If Li Sifeng continued to ignore these two boys, he might not be able to control them in the future.
Compared to Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin, Li Qingqiu still cherished Li Sifeng more.
No matter how many flaws Li Sifeng had, he had been raised by Li Qingqiu's own hand. In his eyes, Li Sifeng would always be a child.
"Can he even teach children cultivation? Don't let him delay Shouzheng and Shoumin," Li Dongyue asked worriedly.
"We'll see when the time comes," Li Qingqiu replied casually. He was not worried at all.
It was not that he believed in Li Sifeng, but that he believed in Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin.
Ever since Zhao Zhen had grown up, the title of genius youth would soon pass to these two boys.
Li Qingqiu had no intention of suppressing them. He would let them fully display their talent. It was also a way of telling the disciples—and telling the world—that Qingxiao Sect did not lack geniuses. Each generation would surpass the last.
Yun Cai sat silently to one side, her gaze also resting upon Zhao Zhen.
She was 5 years older than Zhao Zhen and had to admit that his talent far surpassed hers. At the very least, she still could not create a divine ability.
Now, she regarded Zhao Zhen as the target she must chase.
As for the three Xiao brothers, she no longer placed them in her eyes.
While the courtyard buzzed with individual conversations and laughter, people continued to enter without end—some to offer New Year greetings, others to report affairs.
Chai Yunshang, Chu Jing, Zhu Yan, and Li Sijin entered the courtyard one after another.
Li Dongyue was soon pulled aside. The operation of each hall required funds and resources, all of which had to pass through her.
Zhu Yan looked at Li Qingqiu with hesitation.
After thinking it over, she steeled herself, walked over, and sat beside Li Qingqiu, speaking softly, "Sect Master, the Zhu clan is willing to support Liu Jing. They have already begun taking action."