Chapter 369 Opportunity for Breakthrough

After a brief moment of panic, Chen Huilan hurriedly took out a magical artifact from her Storage Pouch.

It was a long red silk ribbon.

She infused Vital Energy into it before throwing one end into the cauldron.

“Grab it quickly!”

Chen Huilan shouted anxiously.

Although Yin Jingxing had already been burned beyond recognition, she had no time to think. Even if there was only the slightest hope, she had to save him.

Within the sea of fire, Yin Jingxing actually lowered his head and avoided the red silk ribbon.

Space restrictions had been placed inside the cauldron, making the interior incredibly vast. Yin Jingxing was like someone diving into the depths of the sea, while the red silk ribbon could not penetrate the Five Elements Profound Heart Flame.

Thus, Chen Huilan could only watch helplessly as Yin Jingxing was burned within the sea of fire.

His skin split apart, while his flesh rapidly melted away under the flames. Watching Yin Jingxing’s face gradually carbonize, Chen Huilan became so frightened that she stumbled backward.

The scorching red silk ribbon retracted and fell onto the ground.

Chen Huilan collapsed onto the floor. Her face turned deathly pale as her body trembled uncontrollably, unable to accept this reality.

The Sect Master’s disciple had died inside her cauldron.

How could she explain this to the Sect Master?

How could she explain this to the sect?

She might even bring disaster upon the Cultivation Hall.

Amid her terror and despair, she suddenly thought of someone and immediately rushed off to find him.

Meanwhile—

Inside Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu was listening to Shen Yue’s report.

Zhang Yuchun, Wei Tianxiong, Jiang Zhaoxia, Clear Sky Daoist, and Yuan Li were also present. Their expressions all carried surprise, because Shen Yue and the Sword Demon’s operation had gone too smoothly.

The Sword Demon and Lin Lingzhou sat nearby without speaking.

“Besides being interested in the Primordial Unity Scripture, Ziyang Island also feared us. They did not wish for us to continue growing stronger, so they sent people into the Land of the Nine Provinces to recruit disciples training outside the sect. Their offers were extremely generous, so it was inevitable some people would be tempted.”

Shen Yue explained Ziyang Island’s motives.

There was no grudge involved.

Ziyang Island simply did not feel at ease with the Clear Sky Sect.

Li Qingqiu was not surprised, nor was he angered by the disciples’ betrayal.

No matter how much he did or how well he treated others, there would always be people dissatisfied and unwilling.

As long as the problem was resolved, that was enough.

Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “Well done. Next, we can annex Ziyang Island’s sea region.”

Wei Tianxiong then said, “Going back and forth like this will consume too much time. Circumstances will inevitably change. Our conflict with Ziyang Island will continue, so we cannot be careless.”

Li Qingqiu nodded before looking at Wei Tianxiong.

“You’ll lead the team?”

Wei Tianxiong had not yet recovered his peak cultivation, but his current abilities were already sufficient. Compared to restoring his Heaven-Connecting Radiance Realm cultivation, Li Qingqiu hoped more that he would display his talents in other areas.

After all, the current Clear Sky Sect already possessed three great cultivators of the Heaven-Connecting Radiance Realm.

They did not lack Wei Tianxiong alone.

Wei Tianxiong glared at him.

“Whenever you need someone, you shove me toward the task? Am I an ox or a horse?”

Li Qingqiu replied helplessly, “Isn’t it because we lack available people? Shen Yue still needs time to accumulate cultivation. The Sword Demon is a great weapon—we can’t always make him handle matters beneath his status. Besides, he may soon encounter an opportunity for breakthrough.”

Opportunity for breakthrough?

Wei Tianxiong froze.

The others were the same.

They knew Li Qingqiu absolutely was not talking about a small realm breakthrough.

Even the Sword Demon was stunned.

How did Li Qingqiu know he might break through at any moment?

A trace of emotion rose within his heart.

From Li Qingqiu’s perspective, one should naturally not wish for him to break through, lest he become uncontrollable.

Yet Li Qingqiu actually intended to leave him enough time to break through.

This breadth of spirit alone made the Sword Demon feel inferior.

Little did he know—

Li Qingqiu merely thought that the Sword Demon had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Heaven-Connecting Radiance Realm, so the next step should naturally be a breakthrough into a greater realm. That was why he said it.

As for fearing the Sword Demon’s breakthrough—

He genuinely did not have such thoughts.

First, the Sword Demon’s loyalty was increasing.

Second, Li Qingqiu felt the Sword Demon would find it very difficult to break through within a short period of time.

If he truly could break through at any moment, how could he possibly still be suppressed beneath Li Qingqiu?

Li Qingqiu simply did not wish for the Sword Demon to become overly exhausted, lest resentment form within his heart.

In Li Qingqiu’s mind, the Sword Demon would forever belong to the Clear Sky Sect.

Wei Tianxiong, however, thought much further.

If the Sword Demon broke through into an even higher realm…

His breathing became hurried.

Immediately, he said, “Fine, I’ll deal with Ziyang Island. I guarantee they’ll submit completely. However, I want to bring several disciples with me.”

Li Qingqiu reminded him, “Yuan Li is out of the question. He needs time to grow and cannot delay his cultivation.”

Sitting at the corner of the long table, Yuan Li looked toward his master with gratitude filling his eyes.

Although he would not refuse battle, he truly wished to focus upon cultivation now.

He was no longer satisfied with merely being invincible within the Spirit Sense Realm.

He wanted to challenge higher realms.

“Naturally. I want Zhao Zhen, Ji Ya, and Hu Yan.”

Wei Tianxiong answered.

Good fellow, you want three of my disciples in one breath?

Li Qingqiu reconsidered.

Those three disciples truly did need tempering. Following Wei Tianxiong might allow them to gain even greater improvement.

Thus, he nodded in agreement.

Zhang Yuchun then said, “Eldest Senior Brother, this southward campaign can entirely make use of the sect clans’ strength. With our current manpower, we still cannot completely swallow Ziyang Island.”

The Clear Sky Sect currently had over ten thousand disciples exploring and tempering themselves within the Western Region Perilous Land and even farther areas.

Now preparing to head south as well placed enormous pressure upon them.

In the past, Zhang Yuchun had opposed Li Qingqiu recruiting too many disciples. Now, however, he instead felt the sect lacked disciples.

Clear Sky Daoist agreed.

“Indeed. There are countless clans connected to the Clear Sky Sect. Their manpower is considerable. This strength should be mobilized. Otherwise, if they continue remaining within the Land of the Nine Provinces, problems will eventually arise.”

The Zhu Clan, Qin Clan, Gu Clan, and many other famous sect clans had already begun expanding outward.

Besides relying upon the Clear Sky Sect, they themselves had also begun accumulating immortal cultivation power.

The Sword Sect and Dark Hall constantly monitored the clans.

If anyone privately spread the Primordial Unity Scripture, Li Qingqiu would absolutely show no mercy.

After thinking briefly, Li Qingqiu said, “Come up with a plan. Organize the clans’ southern expansion and let me review it afterward.”

Zhang Yuchun acknowledged the order, while Clear Sky Daoist stroked his beard and smiled.

No matter how powerful Li Qingqiu became, he could still listen to advice.

This was what Clear Sky Daoist admired most about him.

Although many voices already claimed Li Qingqiu was overly domineering and often refused to give the upper ranks opportunities to make decisions, Clear Sky Daoist believed every domineering act Li Qingqiu committed was correct.

Li Qingqiu’s methods were simply more efficient.

If matters were not urgent, he would still allow others opportunities to offer suggestions.

After finishing these matters, Li Qingqiu looked toward Lin Lingzhou.

“In the future, cultivate properly. Don’t leave the sect again until you possess sufficient strength.”

Lin Lingzhou nodded shamefully.

Although Li Qingqiu could tell he had suffered greatly, he would not avoid criticizing him simply because their brotherly relationship was not deep enough.

At that moment—

A figure suddenly appeared within the courtyard.

It was Xiao Wuqing.

Ignoring formalities, he urgently said, “Sect Master, Yin Jingxing jumped into Deputy Hall Master Chen’s pill cauldron. He…”

The moment these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked.

Shen Yue and Lin Lingzhou especially shot to their feet.

Shen Yue moved the fastest, instantly vanishing from the spot.

Li Qingqiu also froze briefly.

Although he had guided Yin Jingxing toward paying more attention to flames, he had never expected Yin Jingxing to jump directly into a pill cauldron.

Li Qingqiu had seen Chen Huilan’s pill cauldron before.

Even through an entire room, one could still feel its terrifying heat. A normal child would definitely not dare approach it.

Did he accidentally fall inside?

Or did he intentionally do it?

Li Qingqiu knew Yin Jingxing had frequently visited the Cultivation Hall during this period.

If it was the former, then Yin Jingxing had gained fortune through disaster.

If it was the latter—

Then Li Qingqiu would need to reevaluate Yin Jingxing entirely.

The boy was only seven years old, yet already so daring.

Thinking carefully, Li Qingqiu realized Yin Jingxing had always acted obedient and restrained before him.

Perhaps that was not his true nature at all.

“What are you still sitting there for? Aren’t you going to check on him?”

Clear Sky Daoist stood up and urged Li Qingqiu.

Zhang Yuchun, the Sword Demon, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Yuan Li all looked toward Li Qingqiu, unable to understand why he remained unmoved.

Li Qingqiu raised his head.

He saw dark clouds gathering along the horizon.

Then he softly said:

“There’s no need to go over. Soon, all of you will see it.”

All of us will see it?

Everyone failed to understand his meaning.

Yuan Li, however, seemed to realize something, and his expression trembled.

……

Along a mountain path, Yan Qing walked with a complicated expression.

He had already heard about the Sword Demon and Shen Yue sweeping through Ziyang Island.

He came from the Spirit Sea. Compared to the Spirit Sea, Ziyang Island was not considered strong.

Yet no matter what, even the Spirit Sea would find it difficult to send merely two people to crush Ziyang Island.

Originally, Yan Qing believed the Clear Sky Sect merely possessed many geniuses.

Now it seemed the Clear Sky Sect also possessed many powerful experts.

Ever since being defeated by Song Qianxiang, Yan Qing had spent an entire year recovering before daring to leave his residence again.

Now, he genuinely no longer dared provoke people casually.

He even felt resistant toward visiting the Martial Platform, always feeling he would be defeated by some hidden genius disciple.

Today, after hearing about Shen Yue and the Sword Demon’s achievements, he developed interest in the Sword Dao and planned to visit the Sword Sect.

Suddenly, he saw two people walking toward him.

One was Li Shoumin, the son of Deputy Hall Master Li Sifeng and a genius personally nurtured by the Sect Master who had already stepped into the Spirit Sense Realm.

The other was the Sect Master’s eldest direct grand-disciple, Xu Yuqiong.

Xu Yuqiong was only sixteen years old this year, yet his fame had already risen rapidly. Among the younger generation, his momentum was currently the greatest.

He was already at the Eighth Layer of the Nourishing Origin Realm, and his cultivation speed was astonishingly fast.

Rumor said he had not heavily relied upon medicinal pills.

Otherwise, he could have cultivated even faster.

Yan Qing lowered his eyes and brushed past Li Shoumin and Xu Yuqiong.

Within the Spirit Sea, he had once been a genius renowned across the oceans.

Yet within the Clear Sky Sect, he truly felt somewhat inferior.

The talent of Li Shoumin and Xu Yuqiong was visible to the naked eye. Their cultivation speed was simply too fast, causing Yan Qing to feel their aptitude was no weaker than his own—

Perhaps even stronger.

“Wait, are you called Yan Qing?”

Li Shoumin’s voice suddenly rang out, startling Yan Qing into stopping his footsteps.

He turned around to look at Li Shoumin, frowning as he failed to understand why Li Shoumin had stopped him.

Li Shoumin had long paid attention to Yan Qing because Yan Qing had once achieved many victories upon the Martial Platform, and all his opponents had been Spirit Sense Realm cultivators.

This made Yan Qing extremely famous among the True Transmission Disciples.

Just as Yan Qing was about to answer—

The mountain path suddenly began trembling.

More accurately—

Clear Sky Mountain itself was shaking.

Li Shoumin and Xu Yuqiong were also greatly shocked and subconsciously turned around.

The mountain shook increasingly violently.

They raised their heads and saw that at some unknown time, dark clouds had already filled the heavens, churning violently while flashes of lightning began emerging within them.

“What’s going on?”

Xu Yuqiong frowned and asked.

He had never heard of earthquakes occurring within the Taikun Mountain Range.