Chapter 23 - This Person Must Die, to put Hearts at Peace

This incident came and went quickly, but its impact lingered for a long time.

Once the disciples dispersed, nearly everyone began memorizing the sect’s rules.

On the way back to Heavenly Lightning Peak, Li Nanting asked softly, “Why did you think that person had to die? Didn’t many disciples believe that he showed genuine remorse?

“And considering the old woman’s situation, if we had done as that disciple suggested, perhaps it wouldn’t have been so bad.”

Li Guanqi shook his head. Even before opening his heart’s eye, he had long understood that many people could not withstand the test of human nature.

As a child, he had already witnessed the ugliest aspects of humanity.

He calmly shared his perspective on the matter, saying, "That disciple didn’t think he did anything wrong. He believed that he had a noble status since he was from an immortal sect.

“He thought that taking a liking to that girl was her good fortune. He even left behind a hundred taels of silver, which was enough to ensure a lifetime of comfort for the common folk below the mountain. So, in his mind, he did nothing wrong.”

Li Nanting was intrigued. “Go on.”

Li Guanqi hesitated briefly before continuing, “What he did was against that girl’s will. To her, that disciple of the Daxia Sword Sect was no different from a ruthless bandit. She was about to be married, but now she had lost her purity. In her heart, that disciple was simply evil.

“As for her grandmother, how could she ever accept the man who ruined her granddaughter’s life, even if he served her for ‘atonement’? Moreover, with that disciple’s temperament, he surely would’ve sought revenge and silenced the witnesses if we’d let him go today!”

A sharp glint flashed in Li Nanting’s eyes. “Indeed! That old woman would’ve probably been in danger if we had let that disciple go.”

Li Guanqi continued, “Even if we planted a curse in his heart to prevent him from doing evil and forced him to serve the old woman like a slave, she would still have to see her enemy daily. How could she ever be at peace?

“That is why I said that he had to die!

“He also had to serve as a warning. The rules and traditions of the Daxia Sword Sect must not be broken. The sect master even punished the peak master of Heavenly Metal Peak, which is a powerful deterrent to the other disciples.”

Li Nanting smiled in satisfaction.

It seemed like Li Guanqi was not only exceptionally talented but also had sound judgment. He had analyzed the situation from every perspective.

Li Nanting had also learned about Li Guanqi’s childhood from their conversation the previous day. It made him feel a deep sense of compassion for Li Guanqi. Also, he was mature for his age.

But that very maturity only made Li Nanting feel even more sorrowful—because it meant Li Guanqi had endured even more hardship.

Li Nanting placed a hand on Li Guanqi’s wrist. Surprised, he said, “You just reached the first level of the Qi Refinement Realm, yet it’s already this stable?”

Li Guanqi scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. “Master, I was actually about to ask you about this. Why is the qi whirlpool in my dantian only the size of a thumb?”

Li Nanting was at a loss for words.

When ordinary people break through to the first level, they have just started the qi absorption process. Li Guanqi had just initiated his qi absorption, but the qi whirlpool in his dantian had already stabilized.

At this rate, it wouldn’t take long before he filled his dantian completely and broke through to the second level.

Li Nanting took a deep breath and explained softly, “This is the foundation of your dantian! It might just be the size of a thumb now, but it will be the foundation for your cultivation. As you refine and fill it with vital force, your dantian will naturally expand.

“Your dantian.. wait, what is this?!”

This time, Li Nanting was genuinely shocked. He hadn’t paid much attention to Li Guanqi’s dantian earlier, as he’d been focused on the qi whirlpool. But now, he realized that Li Guanqi’s dantian was the size of a water tank.

Li Guanqi panicked slightly, thinking he might have cultivated incorrectly. “Master, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?”

Li Nanting took several deep breaths before calming down.

He looked at Li Guanqi and asked, “You don’t feel any discomfort in your dantian, do you?”

He shook his head, and Li Nanting felt reassured. Perhaps Li Guanqi had been born with an exceptionally large dantian. If so, not only was his cultivation speed astonishingly fast, but even his dantian was far larger than most.

Li Nanting made a silent vow in his heart. The resources needed for his disciple’s cultivation would surely be astronomical. However, he would never let the boy worry about such things.

A warm smile appeared on Li Nanting’s face as he said gently, “It’s fine. It’s actually very good!

“Since you have had a successful qi absorption and your dantian’s core is already refined, your next step is to visit the Scripture Pavilion on the Heavenly Pillar Peak and choose a cultivation technique that suits you. Only with a proper cultivation technique can you actively absorb the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth, and the purer spirit qi from spirit stones.

“That way, you can absorb the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth and convert it into your own usable vital force.”

As they ascended the mountain, Li Nanting continued explaining the details of cultivation. He spoke about the changes that would occur when breaking through to the second and third levels of Qi Refinement.

With each breakthrough, the Spirit Qi of Heaven and Earth cleansed the cultivator’s bones and marrow and eliminated some impurities.

When they returned to the courtyard, Li Guanqi packed up briefly before heading to the Heavenly Pillar Peak.

The Heavenly Pillar Peak was the tallest mountain within a ten-li radius of the Daxia Sword Sect. Its unique shape resembled a towering dragon reaching toward the heavens, standing over five hundred zhang tall. As such, it was known as the Heavenly Pillar Peak.

Li Guanqi had learned some information about the Heavenly Pillar Peak through the jade slip.

The sect’s Artifact Hall, Alchemy Tower, Scripture Pavilion, Mission Pavilion, and other important locations were all situated there. These places were spread throughout the mountain, from the base to the summit.

Traversing the peak daily was enough to temper one’s body. However, once Li Guanqi reached the Foundation Building Realm, he would be able to fly on his sword, making travel far easier.

As he walked toward the Heavenly Pillar Peak, Li Guanqi pondered his master’s teachings. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the mountain’s base.

A sect disciple stopped him with a friendly smile. “Please show your identification jade slip.”

Li Guanqi smiled slightly and handed it over. “Li Guanqi, disciple of Heavenly Lightning Peak. Thank you.”

Upon confirming his identity, the disciple’s expression changed instantly. Smiling, he said, “Ah, so it’s Junior Brother Li. You’ve been quite the talk of the sect lately. Where are you headed?”

Li Guanqi, unused to such enthusiasm, quickly replied, “Senior Brother, I’m heading to the Scripture Pavilion. How do I get there?”

“

Haha

, looking for a cultivation technique, huh? The lightning-based techniques are on the south side of the first floor. You can check there.”

Li Guanqi thanked him and was about to start climbing when the disciple called him back and pointed to several platforms behind him. “If you’re going to the summit, why not use the transport array?”

Li Guanqi hesitated.

There’s quite a lot of interesting things in this sect.

He was curious as he had not taken a transport array before. He didn’t reject the offer, stepping onto the transport array towards the Scripture Pavilion.

The senior held out his hand. “That’ll be five contribution points. Can Junior Brother hand over his jade slip for payment?”

Li Guanqi’s face darkened, and he stepped off the array. “Thank you for the offer, Senior Brother, but I’ll use the transport array when I’m richer. I’m poor now and can’t afford these five contribution points. I will definitely use it next time.”

Li Guanqi proceeded to leave, while the senior didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Carrying the five-hundred-jin sword coffin on his back, Li Guanqi dashed toward the peak.

At the summit, an old man rocking in a chair and sipping wine chuckled.

“Interesting little fellow,

haha.

”