From a Martial Arts Sect to an Immortal Cultivation Sect-Chapter 37 : The Benefits Brought by Fame

Chapter 37: The Benefits Brought by Fame
Although Jiang Zhaoxia returned injured, it did not frighten the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect, for Li Sifeng vividly recounted his feats, quickly spreading the tale among everyone.
Battle against the Fifth Alliance Leader of the Seven Peaks Alliance — victory in five moves!
Battle against the True Person Xuan Dang — victory in seven moves!
Battle against the Divine Monk of the Zen Serenity Temple — victory in twenty-three moves!
Battle against the Enforcement Elder of Iron Mountain Peak — victory in twenty-five moves!
Battle against the Martial World’s Number One, Yu Zhiyi — narrow defeat after two hundred moves!
Each of those battle records stirred the blood of the Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Jiang Zhaoxia’s prestige within the sect reached its peak; aside from Xu Ning, every disciple admired him.
Li Sifeng even shamelessly declared Jiang Zhaoxia to be the second strongest under heaven.
“The martial world is treacherous — it’s never been an empty saying. Even scholars pursuing fame and fortune face sinister hearts,”
In the new courtyard, Zhang Yu gently fanned himself with a bamboo fan as he spoke leisurely.
There were thirty disciples seated in the courtyard, listening to his lecture.
This was at Li Qingqiu’s instruction, for on his own, Zhang Yu could never have gathered so many people.
Even Li Sifeng was made to sit there by Li Qingqiu.
The Clear Sky Sect was far from the secular world, and its way was serene and detached.
There was no struggle for authority for now, so the disciples were simple-minded.
Li Qingqiu felt it necessary to give them some lessons in thought and awareness.
“That deceased Xi Niang’s case was full of suspicion. Elder Li was too young and overlooked much. Today, we shall review it.”
“First, as the ordinary innkeeper she was, how could she be certain she would not poison the wrong person? In the presence of two martial experts, she would surely have been nervous attempting poison for the first time — yet she showed no flaws.”
“Second, Elder Jiang’s internal energy is deep, his hearing exceptional. Even through a wall, he could catch others whispering — yet that woman gave not a hint beforehand.”
“Third, upon ascending the mountain, she sought her own death. What did she intend? If she truly wished to die, why not descend the mountain and end her life elsewhere? Why insist on dying before us? Could it be that she was certain we would save her?”
Zhang Yu posed question after question.
Even Li Sifeng, who had been somewhat impatient, fell into deep thought upon hearing them.
The more he pondered, the more he felt something was wrong about Xi Niang.
Afterward, Zhang Yu began recounting stories he had heard from the martial world.
So many masters of martial arts had perished through ambush or the treachery of petty men.
Those who died in fair duels of strength were actually the minority.
Being too powerful sometimes became a weakness.
The disciples listened intently, for even Jiang Zhaoxia — the man now hailed as the second strongest under heaven — had nearly lost his life, which deeply moved them.
Li Qingqiu also came to listen for a while.
Once he confirmed that Zhang Yu’s teachings carried no hidden agendas and were indeed excellent, he quietly left.
The fame Jiang Zhaoxia gained from the Martial Arts Tournament brought benefits beyond Li Qingqiu’s expectations.
A month after Jiang Zhaoxia and the others returned, Zhang Yuchun went down the mountain to recruit — and for the first time, he recruited sixteen people at once, all drawn by Jiang Zhaoxia’s reputation.
Among them was one person with notably good cultivation aptitude, whom Li Qingqiu secretly noted for special observation.
To be taught the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture required two things: aptitude and contribution.
Li Qingqiu would also give chances to those of poor aptitude, for he firmly believed that diligence could change one’s fate.
As autumn arrived, other martial sects came to visit — not with schemes or demands, but purely to make friendly ties.
Li Qingqiu received them warmly, and they got along pleasantly.
This visiting sect was the White Crane Sect, a second-rate sect in Guzhou.
Its sect master had also participated in the Martial Arts Tournament and befriended Jiang Zhaoxia.
He brought five disciples to visit, stayed two days, and then took his leave.
Li Qingqiu, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Zhang Yuchun personally escorted them down the mountain.
“Master Li, you must come to our White Crane Sect as a guest someday. I’ll be sure to treat you with the utmost hospitality,” said the White Crane Sect Master, already nearly fifty years old, smiling kindly as he clasped Li Qingqiu’s hand and spoke at length before letting go.
Faced with such warm invitation, Li Qingqiu naturally agreed repeatedly — whether he would actually go was another matter.
As he watched the six figures of the White Crane Sect depart, Li Qingqiu sighed emotionally, “Third Brother, you truly became famous with one battle.”
In this world where information spread slowly, Li Qingqiu had always thought reputation took years to build.
Yet Jiang Zhaoxia’s fame spread across the martial world after just one tournament.
Jiang Zhaoxia said expressionlessly, “Don’t mention it. I returned gravely injured again. To me, that Martial Arts Tournament was a failure.”
As he spoke, the fists hidden within his sleeves tightened.
He truly felt that being manipulated by the Heavenly Blade Sect was an unbearable humiliation.
Li Qingqiu patted his shoulder with a smile.
“Don’t overthink it. The martial world is perilous. No matter how much you prepare, experience must be gained firsthand.”
Even the veteran Dragon-Subduing Hero Yang Jueding had once been poisoned.
Poison was something martial experts could never guard against completely — it was bound to happen someday.
Zhang Yuchun laughed.
“Indeed. To escape the Heavenly Blade Sect’s encirclement and plots alive — in all of Guzhou, how many could claim such a feat?”
Comforted by the two, Jiang Zhaoxia’s mood improved slightly.
Still, in his heart, he vowed this matter was not over.
Once he reached the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he would take revenge!
With only the Third Layer, he had already defeated Lü Taidou of the Heavenly Blade Sect.
Once he reached the Fourth Layer, he believed he could storm the sect itself and send Lu Fuhu down the same path as Lü Taidou of the Seven Peaks Alliance!
After chatting for a while, the three brothers went their separate ways — Jiang Zhaoxia to train, while Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun discussed how the Clear Sky Sect might generate income.
First, they needed to erect a stele at the foot of the mountain, to guide visitors to the sect.
If possible, they would also construct a simple mountain path.
Ordinary people found it hard to locate the Clear Sky Sect.
Even farmers and hunters from nearby villages often lost their way.
Li Dongyue wished to contribute to the sect, so she had Zhang Yuchun spread word that she could treat difficult illnesses among the common folk.
A group of disciples also planned to hunt and sell wild game in the future.
Regarding the disciples’ contributions, Li Qingqiu believed everything must be recorded.
In time, he would reward them with spirit stones and spiritual herbs.
……
Autumn deepened; it was now late October.
Xu Ning was the first to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, becoming the second person in the Clear Sky Sect to reach that level.
Within the Subterranean Spiritual Lake, Li Qingqiu personally witnessed her breakthrough.
As someone who also possessed the Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Root, he deeply understood how extraordinary it was.
Moreover, Xu Ning’s cultivation aptitude was of an exceptional grade — the highest among all Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Combined with her habit of rarely descending the mountain, devoting nearly all her time to cultivation, she had thus surpassed Jiang Zhaoxia.
Even though Li Qingqiu understood why she advanced so quickly, he could not help but marvel.
She was only eleven years old!
An eleven-year-old at the Fourth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm!
Li Sijin, Li Dongyue, and Yang Jueding were still at the Second Layer — such was the immense gap in cultivation aptitude.
After consolidating her realm, Xu Ning stood up, quickly approached Li Qingqiu, and bowed.
She spoke softly, “Master, I’ve broken through to the Fourth Layer.”
Though she appeared calm, Li Qingqiu could feel she was restraining her excitement.
He took her wrist and gently pulled her closer, saying with heartfelt admiration, “Ning’er, you’re truly remarkable. At this rate, you’ll surpass your master someday.”
He said it casually, for he himself was already on the verge of touching the Fifth Layer.
Xu Ning hurriedly replied, “Master is the greatest. How could I possibly surpass you?”
Li Qingqiu smiled.
“I’ve asked you to conceal your cultivation, to avoid sparring and showing off. Do you feel dissatisfied?”
Xu Ning shook her head.
“How could I? You’re protecting me. Uncle Jiang became the Clear Sky Sect’s strongest on the surface, yet he’s been injured multiple times. The sect needs hidden strength. I’m willing to guard the foundation of the Clear Sky Sect together with Master.”
Many disciples knew Xu Ning was a prodigy, but only Li Qingqiu knew exactly how strong she was.
Even Li Sifeng, Yang Jueding, and the others merely felt her cultivation was unfathomable, unable to gauge it at all.
From now on, another person would join them in that feeling — Jiang Zhaoxia.
However, Li Qingqiu felt that Jiang Zhaoxia would soon reach the Fourth Layer as well.
That junior brother of his had revenge burning in his heart, barely suppressed.
The more Li Qingqiu looked at Xu Ning, the more he liked her.
Though young, she was obedient and sensible, never proud of her own talent.
Her competitiveness was inward — toward herself — and never outwardly displayed.
Moreover, when he had asked her before, Xu Ning said she came from no notable background.
Her late father had been a mere hunter, and she bore no blood feud to avenge.
Looking across the Clear Sky Sect, Li Qingqiu felt Xu Ning was the one who most resembled a true cultivator — the one who could accompany him the longest.
Afterward, Li Qingqiu imparted to her the Fifth Layer cultivation method of the Supreme Purity Primordial Unity Scripture.
That scripture was profound and vast; each minor realm had a different method of absorbing qi.
He would only pass on each stage one at a time.
Even Jiang Zhaoxia had to seek him personally for each new layer’s heart formula upon breakthrough.
They trained until near dusk before emerging from the Subterranean Spiritual Lake.
The master and disciple agreed to a small contest — to see who could reach the Clear Sky Sect first without being discovered by any disciples along the way.
At the mention of a contest, even if only a lightness skill challenge, Xu Ning was full of energy.
The two disappeared swiftly into the forest.
……
Halfway up the mountain, Qin Ye held a wooden staff, practicing the Ten Directions Demon-Subduing Staff Technique.
His movements were fierce and fluid, his body extending and coiling in rhythm, radiating a unique grace — man and staff as one.
With every hundred repetitions, he gained new insights; his body even began producing faint inner energy.
The power of the Ten Directions Demon-Subduing Staff Technique filled him with confidence — he believed that with enough effort, he could avenge Wu Baoyu.
He told no one, but a seed had already been planted deep in his heart — to slay the Dog Emperor.
Suddenly—
Qin Ye stopped mid-motion, frowning.
He had just faintly heard a rustling sound, as if something had darted past nearby — very swiftly.
With his current martial prowess, he was sure it wasn’t his imagination.
Could it be a beast?
Not long ago, Yuan Qi had mentioned glimpsing a black panther in the mountains — perhaps he hadn’t been mistaken.
Just as Qin Ye pondered, a man in plain robes wearing a bamboo hat appeared in the distance, a long flute tucked at his waist.
The man raised his head, revealing a weathered face beneath the hat — it was none other than Jiang Kuotian of the White Emperor Manor.
Jiang Kuotian looked at Qin Ye and smiled.
“Little brother, your staff technique is quite imposing. I could hear the wind of your strikes from afar. Are you a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect?”
Qin Ye eyed him cautiously.
“This mountain belongs to the Clear Sky Sect. Of course I am a disciple. May I ask which sect you belong to, and why you’ve come up here?”
At those words, Jiang Kuotian’s eyes lit up.
He loosened his wrist and approached slowly with a laugh.
“So, two years have passed — not only has that brat Jiang Zhaoxia made a name for himself, but now the Clear Sky Sect has birthed another talent like you. Interesting. Could it be that the Clear Sky True Person has returned? Little brother, how about a spar? I’ll only use one hand — let me see your skill.”