The internal investigation storm in Qingxu Temple was like a quenching fire. The flames burned away impurities, leaving behind stronger, purer fine steel.
When the last investigation report was presented to Sect Master Master Xuanxuan and Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, both simultaneouslybreathed a sigh of relief, then an irrepressible excitement appeared in their eyes. The report showed that apart from the few bad apples already dealt with, the vast majority of the sect's thousands of disciples, stewards, and elders had passed this test of loyalty and character. Especially when facing the "Bright Heart Mirror" and Yuan Ying cultivators' divine sense probing, that sense of belonging to the sect, trust in fellow members, and determination to resist external enemies were clear and unmistakable, impossible to fake.
This internal investigation triggered by the assassination not only failed to cause division and panic as some had initially feared, but in an unexpected way, bound the entire sect into one rope.
The changes were subtle yeteverywhere.
The first was in the leadership. In the past, in the Council Hall, there would occasionally be differing voices on issues such as resource distribution and disciple cultivation guidelines, especially from several very senior elders with relatively conservative views, who had privately harbored reservations about Tang Xiaoqi's rapid rise and the "changes" he brought. They believed Xiaoqi was too young, his actions, though achieving great merit, also easily invited disaster, and worried he would disrupt the sect's established balance.
However, this incident completely changed their views.
Elder Lin, the white-bearded elder who had once advocated "the interior should not be too turbulent," was now playing chess with Transmission of Techniques Elder in a stone pavilion outside the scripture library. He picked up a black piece, contemplating for a long while without placing it, and instead sighed. "This old man... was indeed somewhat pedantic before."
Transmission of Techniques Elder held the white pieces, smiling faintly upon hearing this. "Why would Senior Brother Lin say such things?"
"Observe a person by their actions, not just by their words, much less by clinging to one's own opinions." Elder Lin gently placed the piece back in the jar, sighing. "During this investigation, True Lord Xiaoqi's 'lenient heart examination' strategy investigated the hidden dangers while preserving the sect's dignity, and also considered the difficulties of those coerced disciples, balancing kindness and severity with appropriate tension and relaxation. Hisvision, his methods, are far beyond what the four characters 'young genius' candescribe. What is even rarer is that his cultivation has reached Yuan Ying, yet when facing us old ones, he still shows great courtesy, and when offering suggestions, he remembers the proper respect for seniority. This person is truly the sect's fortune."
He paused, looking toward the misty Main Peak, his gaze complex. "Recalling the past, we were worried he was too sharp, fearing it might not be fortune for the sect. Now seeing that without his several moments of saving the day and his sharp detection of internal spies, how could Qingxu Temple have today's stability? This old man... is ashamed."
Transmission of Techniques Elder stroked his beard, nodding. "Senior Brother Lin thinking this way is the sect's fortune. True Lord Xiaoqi is indeed extraordinary. The path he walks, though seemingly radical, has solid foundations, and his heart is set on the sect. Having him is our fortune, and also the guarantee for Qingxu Temple's future."
Similar words circulated among the other elders who had previously harbored doubts. Though they might still differ with Tang Xiaoqi on cultivation philosophy, their faith in his character, ability, and loyalty to the sect had become complete. This faith transformed into support during deliberations and wholehearted dedication when executing decisions. The estrangement and suspicion among the leadership melted away after weathering this difficulty together, truly achieving unity of purpose.
The leadership's unity, like the brain commanding the body, suddenly improved the sect's operational efficiency. The changes at the grassroots level were even more direct and passionate.
That thrilling rain-night assassination and the subsequent swift yet everywhere-showing "human warmth" internal investigation made all disciples truly feel that the sect was not a cold administrative institution but a big family that truly sheltered them and was worth their struggle.
The prestige of the Law Enforcement Hall was not weakened by the "lenient investigation" but instead won more disciples' awe and trust because of its fairness and principle of "punishing the past to warn the future, healing the wounded to save the patient." Third Sister Liu Yun, beneath her iron-faced exterior, also had a merciful heart that protected disciples and gave opportunities. When this spread, her prestige among disciples rose instead of falling.
Tang Xiaoqi's image became even more well-rounded and noble. He was not only the "Junior Grandmaster" and "Purification True Lord" who was gifted with extraordinary talent and repeatedly created miracles, but also a magnanimous elder who was considerate of juniors, handled matters fairly, and was willing to intercede for the coerced. Although he was not actually old, many disciples, during the "Heart Examination," felt his peaceful yet powerful divine sense, carrying comforting and guiding meaning rather than crude probing, which made them grateful and reverence.
One day, Tang Xiaoqi, at the invitation of Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, lectured on the deep application of "Basic Purification Technique" and the tempering of mindset for the many inner and outer sect disciples in the sect square.
On the square, the crowd surged yet order was maintained. Thousands of disciples sat cross-legged, their gazes burning as they looked at the blue-robed figure on the high platform.
Xiaoqi did not speak of profound Yuan Ying Dao principles but began from the most basic purification principles, combining his actual combat experience in secret realms and against demon cultivators. He expounded on what seemed like an ordinary auxiliary technique, revealing its infinite uses, pointing directly to the essence of "purifying evil, protecting the heart."
His voice was calm yet carried a certain strange Dao charm, clearly reaching each disciple's ears, profound yet accessible, engaging.
"...Therefore, purification is not rejecting and destroying all foreign energy but understanding, discriminating, and ultimately guiding it back to order, either to be absorbed for one's own use or dissipating into nothingness. Cultivating this technique requires a clear heart and good intentions above all else. If the heart harbors filth, even with supreme cultivation, one cannot fully manifest its true power, and may even suffer backlash..."
When he reached a crucial point, he casually demonstrated. A soft white light bloomed from his fingertips, covering a disciple below the stage whose spiritual energy had become slightly restless due to being too eager for quick results. That disciple felt a cool energy flood into his limbs, his originally restless spiritual energy quickly calming, his heart becoming extremely peaceful, and even his understanding of the technique became clearer. His face instantly showed ecstatic joy as he stood and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Junior Grandmaster, for your guidance!"
A wave of low exclamations and envy spread below the stage.
Xiaoqi nodded slightly and continued his lecture. He often quoted classics, and humorously included some funny mistakes from his own early cultivation days, drawing knowing laughter from the disciples below, creating a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere.
The lecture continued for a full two hours. When it ended, many disciples still felt it was not enough. They stood up one after another, sincerely bowing toward the high platform, their voices united. "Thank you, Junior Grandmaster, for transmitting the Dao and teaching!"
The wave of voices surged, carrying deep gratitude and respect.
Mu Qingfeng stood in the distance, watching this scene, a gratified smile appearing on his face. He turned to Third Sister Liu Yun beside him and said softly, "Do you see? This is cohesion. Not forced by power, but drawn by the people's hearts."
A rare trace of softness appeared on Liu Yun's stern face as she nodded. "After this, spies have been eliminated, and hearts have returned. Now Qingxu Temple is truly a solid iron block. No matter how the external storms rage, the interior is as steady as a rock."
Not only in lectures, but in daily sect life, this cohesion was visible everywhere. When disciples sparred or discussed Dao, the past hostility was reduced, replaced by harmony where they pointed out each other's shortcomings and progressed together. When executing sect missions, cooperation became more tacit, efficiency multiplied. Even the servant disciples responsible for miscellaneous tasks worked especially hard, because they knew they were part of this powerful sect, and only when the sect prospered would they prosper.
A sense of "sharing weal and woe, sharing honor and disgrace" permeated every corner of Qingxu Temple.
Night fell again.
Tang Xiaoqi stood alone outside his cave dwelling, overlooking the bustling, brightly lit sect below. The mountain breeze brushed past, bringing the fragrance of grass and trees, and also the sounds of disciples painstakingly cultivating on the training ground, and the bustling atmosphere from the scripture library, alchemy room, and refiner's workshop.
His divine sense spread like mercury, gently covering the entire sect's core area. He could clearly feel that the thousands of auras, strong and weak, were now tightly connected, forming an invisible yet incredibly tough net, like rivers converging to the sea, gathering into a majestic and upward-rising force.
This force was called "unity," called "faith."
"A solid iron block..." Xiaoqi softly repeated Third Sister's words, a slight smile curving his lips.
He knew Shadow Snake Pavilion was not destroyed, the mysterious "divination cultivator" Tianjizi's purpose was unclear, and future challenges would only become more severe. But at this moment, looking at Qingxu Temple, which had become more united and vibrant after weathering these trials, his heart was full of confidence.
A single chopstick is easily broken; ten chopsticks bundled together cannot be broken. Now Qingxu Temple was those ten, hundred, thousand chopsticks bundled together!
This unprecedented powerful cohesion was the strongest foundation for weathering all future storms. It let Tang Xiaoqi understand that he was not fighting alone. Behind him was the entire Qingxu Temple, and thousands of hearts willing to live and die with him, to protect the sect and righteousness.
This force was enough to shake mountains and rivers, and also... to cleanse the world.