Chapter 16: Powers on All Sides

The leader of Azure Dragon Stronghold laughed and said, “Master Li, why concern yourself with these petty squabbles? The rise of Shengjing Sect is just around the corner, and we are all pillars supporting it.”

Li Qingming cast him a cold glance and replied indifferently, “Xue, how is it that you’re running Azure Dragon Stronghold now? Where’s Li Shougou?”

The “Li Shougou” in Li Qingming’s words was, of course, Li Anshan, whom Li Jiansan had rescued.

At the mention of “Xue,” the stronghold leader’s expression flickered with displeasure, but he quickly masked it and forced a smile. “My elder brother passed away not long ago. Now, I’m in charge of Azure Dragon Stronghold.”

A hint of doubt flashed in Li Qingming’s eyes. Li Shougou was his peer; how could there be no news at all, and suddenly he’s dead? Still, it was an internal affair of Azure Dragon Stronghold, not something Li Qingming wished to probe further.

After a pause, Li Qingming set down his teacup and said coolly, “Since you’re here to apologize, it would be best to show some sincerity.”

The leader of Azure Dragon Stronghold gritted his teeth. “Very well. I’m willing to offer a third of our spirit stones to aid the rise of Shengjing Sect.”

The representative from the Qingcheng Mo Clan smiled faintly. “Since Master Li has spoken, naturally we shall show good faith as well.”

The envoy from the Jade Heaven Sect chimed in, “We are of the same mind…”

With the Azure Dragon Stronghold leader’s concession, the other factions quickly echoed their agreement.

“Excellent.” Li Qingming smiled in satisfaction, knowing full well this was their limit.

At Li Qingming’s audacious demand, the faces of the various powers immediately turned cold. Yet their anger lasted only a moment.

This was spirit stone they were talking about!

Spirit stones—resources worth fighting to the last drop of blood over. Even with Shengjing Sect now boasting the fiancée of the Martial Prodigy, Li Qingming’s rudeness merited at least a flash of outrage… Yet now, a mere frown and they let it pass.

It was almost unbelievable.

Spirit stones—condensed from spiritual energy itself—were extremely scarce cultivation resources. They represented the lifeblood of any sect; to lose them was to lose their foundation.

Ordinarily, none of them would surrender such stones so easily. Yet now, under the pressure of Shengjing Sect, they had no choice but to yield a vast share.

Li Qingming’s demand for a third of their spirit stones was tantamount to skinning them alive; it would take years for them to recover.

Li Qingming, meanwhile, sipped his tea unperturbed, paying no mind to their resentment. With a Martial Prodigy allied to Shengjing Sect, the rise of his sect was inevitable; he had no need to concern himself with these rival powers.

Seeing this, their gazes grew even colder.

They had already prepared themselves for territorial concessions and reparations, but had not expected Li Qingming to be so brazen.

Sensing the unrest, Li Qingming swept his gaze across the hall and spoke coolly, “There’s no need for me to expound on the talent of a Martial Prodigy. Once my daughter-in-law Churan matures, do you really think Shengjing Sect will remain as it is today?”

The others exchanged glances, their expressions uneasy. Indeed, Jiang Churan’s innate talent guaranteed she would one day become a figurehead. By then, with her connection to Li Jiansan, Shengjing Sect would ascend together, perhaps even dominating the region.

“Heh, when that time comes, Shengjing Sect will not forget those who helped us along the way. Consider carefully where your loyalties lie. If you choose to become our enemies… well…”

To think Li Qingming would use the Martial Prodigy as a threat!

Hearing his words, representatives of the various factions gritted their teeth in frustration, but could only sit down quietly.

Watching these once-arrogant sects yield, Li Qingming’s expression grew even more smug. His gaze drifted to the elegant figure below, excitement welling in his heart.

He knew perfectly well that the reason he could suppress these powerful factions today was all thanks to his “good fortune”—his daughter-in-law, the Martial Prodigy who summoned the Divine Thunder—Jiang Churan!

“The Chu family of the Imperial Capital has come to bear witness.”

From the Chu family’s group, a young man dressed in simple elegance cast a meaningful glance at Shengjing Sect.

At the sight of the Chu family, Li Qingming lost his composure.

Within the imperial capital of Jiang’s kingdom, the Chu family was in its prime, highly favored by the monarch and courted by all.

But why would the illustrious Chu family come to Shengjing Sect?

Li Qingming was surprised. The other factions had come to curry favor with Shengjing Sect, but the Chu family? Even with a Martial Prodigy, Shengjing Sect had yet to reach a level that could attract a power like the Chu family.

What, then, was their purpose in coming today?

Very soon, Li Qingming forced a smile, rose, and bowed respectfully to the Chu family. “Your presence honors us greatly. Please, take the seats of distinction!”

After all the guests were settled, Li Qingming surveyed the gathering with a smile.

…

“Begin the monthly trial!”

A purple-robed elder stepped onto the platform, swept his gaze over the disciples, and announced in a ringing voice.

With a wave of his hand, a jet-black monolith appeared at the center of the arena.

Ten dim halos were inscribed from top to bottom on the stone, within which faint spiritual energy swirled.

This was a Spirit-Testing Stele, capable of discerning the spiritual roots within a martial artist. Such devices were common among the great sects, used to assess the innate talent of their disciples.

“The first round will test your affinity with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Each of you, come forward. According to the number of halos you light, I will judge your talent.”

The purple-robed elder glanced at the crowd below and spoke languidly, “Very well, let the testing begin.”

Upon his words, one person walked slowly to the Spirit-Testing Stele, placed his palm upon it, and closed his eyes.

Soon, faint lights glimmered upon the stele’s halos. At last, the light stopped at the fourth halo and faded away.

“Xia Guan, spiritual root: fourth grade!”

Hearing this, the hopeful expression on the young man’s face turned to disappointment, and he walked back dejectedly.

“With such results, even if I perform well in the next rounds, I’ll never catch the elders’ attention…”

He had been in Shengjing Sect for over a month, his cultivation had barely advanced, and now with such a poor spiritual root, he was doomed to mediocrity.

A spiritual root signifies one’s control over spiritual energy. Typically, only those with a third-grade root or higher are admitted to Shengjing Sect. Control over spiritual energy grows with time, but after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, it stabilizes.

As expected, the elders on the observation platform shook their heads at this result and promptly lost interest in the disciple.

A fourth-grade root was nothing to them.

To gain their notice required at least a fifth-grade root.

Most disciples possessed a fourth-grade root, which was considered average. The elders wouldn’t give such students much thought.

Only those with a fifth-grade root or higher would draw their attention.

As for sixth-grade roots, those were the marks of true prodigies—candidates for personal discipleship.

Seventh grade or higher? None had ever witnessed such a thing.

“I’ll give it a try.”

A figure stepped onto the stage—it was Lin Feiyu.

“Ha!”

With a proud expression, Lin Feiyu placed his palm on the stele.

Instantly, the halos blazed with light, one after another.

The radiance soared, and Lin Feiyu’s smile grew ever more triumphant.

Boom!

At last, the light halted at the fifth halo.

“Lin Feiyu, spiritual root: fifth grade!” the purple-robed elder announced.

Lin Feiyu walked aside, his smugness undiminished.

The elders on the high platform nodded approvingly.

This youth had good potential; he was worth grooming for the inner sect.

Next, a string of disciples tested their roots, but few satisfied the elders.

Most had little innate talent, entering Shengjing Sect with only a fourth-grade root.

Geniuses were, after all, rare.

“There are only two left. Now, we will see how Jiang Churan performs.”

At the end of the testing, the purple-robed elder’s gaze lingered on Jiang Churan. As for Li Jiansan, their young sect master, he expected little—so long as he didn’t embarrass himself, that would suffice.

The elders on the viewing platform all watched Jiang Churan expectantly.

Leaders of the various factions also focused their attention on her, curious to see the performance of the Martial Prodigy.

But on the other side, the Chu family paid little heed to Jiang Churan, instead casting curious glances at Ye Que.

Only two remained.

Could it be him?