In the early morning, Xu Ning, Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, and Ji Ya arrived at Lingxiao Courtyard one after another. They had learned the previous night why their master had summoned them today—they were to meet their sixth junior brother.
Regarding Hu Yan, the three of them were full of curiosity and rather excited. At last, they would have a little junior brother they could bully.
Ahem—it was to take care of!
Li Qingqiu had also come to the courtyard early. Times were different now, and circumstances had changed. Taking a disciple required proper ceremony. This did not merely represent him, but also the solemn dignity of the Qingxiao Sect.
Becoming Li Qingqiu's disciple meant one was destined to shoulder certain responsibilities for the sect.
Whenever the sect encountered a major mission, Xu Ning was the first person they thought of.
Zhao Zhen was the top contributor to the Scripture Pavilion.
Yuan Li's path of body cultivation had already influenced half of the disciples.
As for Ji Ya, in the past 2 years he had begun moving about within Guzhou, resolving troubles that ordinary disciples found difficult to handle.
In the future, Li Qingqiu would assign them further duties and define their authority.
Li Dongyue, Li Sijin, and True Person Qingxiao were also in the courtyard. They were quite interested in Li Qingqiu's newly accepted disciple.
"Without us even noticing, Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li are already 18 years old. Time truly passes quickly," Li Sijin remarked with emotion.
Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li exchanged a glance, both noticing that they had grown much taller.
The 25-year-old Ji Ya was even more steady. A smile hung on his face. Though he spoke little, as his vital energy grew stronger, the aura about him could no longer be concealed. Sitting there, he resembled a calm male lion.
Li Dongyue looked at Li Sijin and smiled. "You've grown up as well."
Li Sijin would also be turning 25 this year. In the eyes of Li Qingqiu and the others, she would always be the youngest junior sister, a child. But in the eyes of the sect disciples, she was the imposing Hall Master of the Cultivation Hall.
Seated in his chair, Li Qingqiu listened to their reflections and suddenly felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
After their master departed, he had protected his junior brothers and sisters well.
He hoped that 100 years from now, the seven of them would still be together. Li Qingqiu would strive toward that goal.
The group chatted and laughed, reminiscing about the past.
No matter who it was, they could all sense the tremendous changes within the Qingxiao Sect.
According to the sect's current rate of development, the number of registered disciples this year would exceed 20,000. That was no small figure.
After a while, Hu Yan arrived.
The disciple escorting him only brought him to the gates of Lingxiao Courtyard. Hu Yan entered cautiously. As he stepped inside, everyone's gaze fell upon him.
Hu Yan felt immense pressure.
He had already met Xu Ning, whose aura was powerful.
Now, the ones who pressured him the most were Zhao Zhen and Ji Ya.
Zhao Zhen's spirit soared to the heavens; the bearing of a heaven's favored son rushed toward him. Ji Ya stared at him with a serious expression. If Hu Yan had not sensed any malice, he might have suspected Ji Ya had some grievance against him.
Bracing himself, he approached Li Qingqiu, gathered his robe, and knelt to the ground.
"Hu Yan greets Master."
Li Qingqiu smiled. "Rise. Find a seat and sit."
Hu Yan stood. After a moment's hesitation, he chose to sit beside Yuan Li.
Yuan Li turned his head to look at him and offered a kind smile. That smile greatly reduced the pressure Hu Yan felt.
Li Qingqiu then instructed, "From eldest to youngest, introduce yourselves in order."
Xu Ning nodded and took the lead in introducing herself. Yuan Li followed immediately after, which surprised Hu Yan.
He had not expected Yuan Li to be Third Senior Brother. The two who seemed the least approachable were actually the youngest.
"My name is Zhao Zhen, your Fourth Senior Brother," Zhao Zhen said with a smiling gaze toward Hu Yan.
So this was Zhao Zhen!
Though Hu Yan had only entered the Qingxiao Sect less than 3 days ago, he had already heard of Zhao Zhen's name.
The number one genius of the Qingxiao Sect!
As expected, the reputation was well deserved. That confidence was simply overwhelming.
Ji Ya smiled and said, "My name is Ji Ya, your Fifth Senior Brother. We'll interact more in the future."
His temperament differed from Zhao Zhen and Yuan Li. It was difficult for him to fully mesh with them in daily life, so he was somewhat looking forward to Hu Yan's arrival, hoping they might become like-minded friends.
"My name is Hu Yan. Greetings, Senior Sister and Senior Brothers!"
Hu Yan hurriedly stood and bowed to them all.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu introduced Li Dongyue and Li Sijin to Hu Yan. The two women had prepared gifts in advance, both stored within storage bags, leaving Hu Yan overwhelmed with gratitude.
Just as Hu Yan was about to say something, Xiao Wuqing strode quickly into the courtyard, interrupting his thoughts.
Xiao Wuqing approached the table and bowed to Li Qingqiu.
"Sect Master, something has happened again in the northern region!"
At those words, the smile on Li Qingqiu's face vanished. The others also frowned.
Xiao Wuqing's gaze flicked briefly toward Hu Yan, making a judgment in his heart.
All three brothers had wanted to take Li Qingqiu as their master, but unfortunately, Li Qingqiu had not taken a liking to them. Thus, when they learned that Li Qingqiu had accepted a new disciple, they felt somewhat uneasy.
Of course, they bore no hostility toward Hu Yan. They simply wanted to know what qualified him for such an honor.
"What has happened?" Li Qingqiu asked.
At the mention of the northern region, the first thing that came to his mind was Ghost King Ridge.
Could it be that the evil ghosts who sought to escape Ghost King Ridge had moved south?
Xiao Wuqing spoke quickly, "Beiting has sent someone to pay you a visit, saying the northern region needs the Qingxiao Sect's aid. As for the specifics, he insists on speaking to you in person."
"Beiting has sent someone? What is his surname and name?"
"He calls himself Fang Tianshu."
"Let him in."
Li Qingqiu pondered. He had not expected Beiting to seek his help.
Xiao Wuqing immediately accepted the order and left. Li Qingqiu did not dismiss his disciples; instead, he allowed them to face this matter together.
Hu Yan immediately grew tense. He had just taken a master, and now he was to face such a major event.
He knew of Beiting—the northern barbarian dynasty. Beiting and the lands of Jiuzhou had long-standing enmity. News that the Qingxiao Sect had dispatched disciples to drive back the northern barbarians had spread across the world. Under such circumstances, for what reason would Beiting request Li Qingqiu's help?
Soon, Xiao Wuqing returned, bringing Fang Tianshu into the courtyard.
Fang Tianshu had disguised himself as a martial artist from Jiuzhou. His build was robust, his face fierce. Even though he tried his best to conceal it, the imposing aura of a northern barbarian grand general still showed.
When he saw Li Qingqiu, delight appeared on his face.
The battle at Xuanji Mountain had etched Li Qingqiu's visage into his memory.
He strode forward quickly, knelt behind Xu Ning, and looked at Li Qingqiu with agitation.
"Sect Master Li, please save Beiting. Beiting is willing to worship you and the Qingxiao Sect for generation after generation."
Li Qingqiu looked at him. "Should you not first explain your purpose?"
Fang Tianshu took a deep breath and said, "Ever since you left, evil entities have once again brought calamity to the northern region. One malevolent ghost even broke into the imperial palace… committing all manner of atrocities. The current Beiting—no, not only the common people are suffering. Even the Son of Heaven lives every day in constant fear."
"How many evil entities are there?"
"It is difficult to determine. Among the common folk of Beiting, ghost soldiers have even emerged. They move at night, and their numbers continue to grow. If this continues, the entirety of Beiting will become a ghostly army. They will certainly march south. If the Qingxiao Sect intervenes now, you will not only be saving Beiting, but also saving the future lands of Jiuzhou."
He spoke rapidly. Seeing Li Qingqiu deep in thought, he began detailing the specific atrocities those evil entities had committed.
Villages and tribes massacred. Hearts torn out, entrails ripped free. All manner of gruesome acts unfolded daily. The entirety of Beiting had descended into chaos. Officials and generals in every region were too busy fending for themselves. Let alone marching south to contend for the world—they could not even protect their own Son of Heaven.
Hearing how tragic Beiting's situation was, everyone's expressions changed drastically.
Hu Yan's understanding was severely shaken. He had not expected the northern region to be suffering such a terrifying disaster. So evil ghosts truly existed in this world—and their methods were exceedingly cruel.
After listening, Li Qingqiu confirmed that what he had feared had indeed come to pass.
He admitted that Fang Tianshu was right. If those evil entities were allowed to run rampant, sooner or later they would threaten the Qingxiao Sect. However, this matter could not be handled carelessly.
Li Qingqiu had studied the strength of the Desolate Nether Ghost King. He could deal with it—but that did not mean the other disciples could.
When Fang Tianshu finished speaking, Li Qingqiu said, "Our Qingxiao Sect must deliberate on this matter. Go stay for a few days first."
Upon hearing this, Fang Tianshu grew somewhat anxious. Yet when his eyes met Li Qingqiu's gaze, he did not dare to argue and could only agree in the end.
Li Qingqiu gave Xiao Wuqing a look, signaling him to take Fang Tianshu away.
After the two left, Li Qingqiu looked at his disciples and said, "You heard it. The Qingxiao Sect now stands at the height of power in Jiuzhou. But throughout this world, many tribulations still await us. The stronger we become, the more enemies and calamities we will face. This is inevitable. If we were merely an ordinary martial sect, then for decades those evil entities might not march south, and our lives would never encounter such matters. But we are not a mere martial sect. To pursue the path of longevity is, in itself, to walk a path that defies the heavens."
Xu Ning, Yuan Li, Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Hu Yan fell silent, their moods heavy.
Li Dongyue and Li Sijin were comparatively calm. After all, they managed internal affairs. They had already learned how to steady their hearts—do their own duties well and trust the sect.
Li Qingqiu looked at Hu Yan and said, "Come to me early tomorrow morning. I will impart to you our sect's supreme art, the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra."
Just as Hu Yan was about to speak, Ji Ya said, "Master, why trouble yourself with such a small matter? Why not let me pass the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra to him?"
At those words, Li Qingqiu's gaze fell upon Ji Ya, his eyes filled with gratification.
This boy had finally taken that step, no longer merely revolving around his circle of companions.
"Very well," Li Qingqiu agreed.
Ji Ya smiled, while Hu Yan grew somewhat nervous, afraid that if he did not perform well, he might anger this senior brother.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu personally explained the sect rules and his expectations for disciples to Hu Yan. This lasted a full half hour before he dismissed them.
As for Beiting's plea for aid, he did not immediately convene the sect's upper echelons. Instead, he intended to enjoy a few days of peace first.
Early the next morning, Ji Ya took the initiative to come to Hu Yan's courtyard and teach him the Supreme Purity and Primordial Harmony Sutra.
Hu Yan discovered that this senior brother was not as unapproachable as he appeared—his temper was far better than Hu Yan had imagined.
With Exceptional-level Cultivation Aptitude, Hu Yan's cultivation progressed smoothly. In truth, Ji Ya had been somewhat nervous, afraid he might not teach well. Yet in less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, Hu Yan had already cultivated vital energy.
"Genius!"
That was Ji Ya's immediate evaluation of Hu Yan. He was inwardly astonished. Martial Uncle Zhang had been right—Master's eye for talent was indeed terrifying. Yesterday, he truly had not seen that Hu Yan possessed such extraordinary aptitude.
Watching Hu Yan sit cross-legged in the courtyard, drawing in qi, Ji Ya could sense a certain aura awakening within him.
He even had a rather absurd thought.
This junior brother's aptitude might very well surpass his own, Yuan Li's, and Zhao Zhen's!