Chapter 49: Li Qing's Plan

Upon White Jade Island.

Li Qing and the others gazed into the distance, their faces filled with shock.

"Is this the might of the Golden Core stage!" Qin Geng murmured from the side, his expression one of awe.

"Sigh, this life is enough!" Meng Kan's voice drifted in from the side.

"I never expected that within my lifetime, I would actually witness the terrifying power of Golden Core level beings clashing with one another."

There was an indescribable sense of longing in Meng Kan's words.

As someone who had already lost his path to the Dao, he felt a profound connection to the legendary Golden Core realm.

Golden Core True Persons were the lifelong pursuit of countless low-level cultivators. Every Golden Core True Person stood high above, looking down upon all living beings.

"That level of power is truly terrifying; with a mere wave of a hand, one can alter the phenomena of heaven and earth!"

Li Qing stared into the distance.

Having witnessed the power of a Golden Core True Person with his own eyes, the conviction in his heart grew even firmer. Although he was currently like an ant before a Golden Core cultivator, it could not stop his heart's pursuit of the Dao.

On the path to longevity, every step taken reveals a different world.

"It seems the crisis on Yellow Jade Island has been resolved!"

After recovering from his trance, a hint of a smile appeared on Meng Kan's face.

"Why don't we head back to the spirit mines and wait for news from Yellow Jade Island?"

In an instant, the group hurried back to the spirit mines to await word from the sect. Since the crisis on Yellow Jade Island had been averted, they believed the sect would soon issue further instructions.

"I wonder, Fellow Daoist Meng, do you know the origin of that sword light on Yellow Jade Island?"

As the group sat quietly within the spirit mine cave, Li Qing could not help but ask out of curiosity. Meng Kan was the eldest among them, and his understanding of the sect's internal affairs was far beyond what the others could compare to.

"I cannot say for certain!" Meng Kan shook his head slightly. Golden Core cultivators were far too mysterious to them.

"However, I have heard something that I can share with you all!"

Seeing the curious gazes of the others, a smile played at the corners of Meng Kan's mouth. Compared to these newcomers who were just starting out, he had nearly completed the first half of his life.

"Decades ago, a person of extraordinary talent appeared within the sect!"

"This person was not only possessed of a Heavenly Spiritual Root, but was also a sword fanatic... It is said that from the moment they stepped into the sect, they never let go of their sword. Since then, they have displayed a talent for the Dao of the Sword that far exceeds the imagination of the world."

"Although their reputation is quite illustrious, they have lived in seclusion since entering the sect, acting as a true ascetic cultivator."

"The only news that has ever leaked is that after an internal sect competition, this person defeated another rising genius using only a single sword strike."

Li Qing and the others all showed expressions of envy as they listened. Being the center of attention from the moment they joined the sect—they likely wouldn't have to struggle through the Qi Refining stage as they were doing now.

Upon hearing the term "Sword Cultivator," Li Qing understood a little more.

In the vast and infinite immortal path, sword cultivators were a special existence. *No matter how many thousands of spells you possess, I shall break them all with my sword.* This sentence was the very heart of a sword cultivator's Dao.

Sword cultivators only practice sword techniques, seeking longevity through the blade. Among cultivators of the same rank, sword cultivators are almost without peer; the term "sword cultivator" was practically synonymous with "powerful."

Regarding this obsession with the path of longevity, Li Qing felt somewhat indifferent. In his heart, any method that could make him stronger was what he pursued. The path to longevity was merely for longevity; any other means were simply stepping stones beneath his feet.

*Buzz! Buzz!*

At that moment, a command token within the spirit mine cave began to vibrate.

The group stood up quickly; it appeared that news from Yellow Jade Island had arrived. They rapidly projected their divine sense into it.

"The crisis on Yellow Jade Island has passed. All personnel collecting spirit ores from the field must immediately return to Yellow Jade Island with the ores!"

Hearing the message from Yellow Jade Island, the group finally felt a sense of relief. This signified that the crisis had indeed been resolved.

"Fellow Daoist Li, sect orders cannot be disobeyed!"

"I suggest we finish counting the collected spirit ores now so we can depart promptly," Meng Kan stepped forward and said.

Li Qing nodded in agreement.

The group immediately began collecting the spirit ores from the storage area. The matter regarding Jiao Yujian had already been reported to the sect, so there was no need for them to say anything more. If the sect intended to investigate, someone would be responsible.

After collecting the warm jade excavated from Mine Cave No. 1, Meng Kan instructed the other three to collect warm jade from the other mine caves. He stayed behind to wait with Li Qing.

"Fellow Daoist Li, upon returning to Yellow Jade Island, Fellow Daoist Su and Fellow Daoist Sang Hai will return alongside you."

Li Qing looked up, a look of confusion on his face.

"It is like this: the term of duty for those two fellows has ended. The sect will arrange for new outer disciples to take over their duties later," Meng Kan explained.

"But isn't the duty rotation once every two years?" Li Qing continued, surprised. "If the other two have reached the end of their term, then your term should be up as well, Fellow Daoist Meng."

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Li, you do not know. My duty guarding Yellow Jade Island was my own request, so I only need to report the news to the sect!"

"With myself and Fellow Daoist Qin on duty, they can return to the sect early via the sect's spirit boats, and the sect will naturally send two new outer disciples in our stead."

Li Qing stood quietly in place. Although he appeared calm, his mind began to race. Having obtained the spoils of war from Jiao Yujian and Jue Hen, he no longer lacked cultivation resources. However, he desperately needed time.

While the sect offered more opportunities, it was also unavoidable that he would be disturbed. Meng Kan's words gave Li Qing an idea. Why not take this opportunity to apply to the sect to guard White Jade Island?

This way, he would have sufficient time for quiet cultivation. White Jade Island also possessed a Tier 1 spirit vein, and combined with the spiritual energy from the Sea-Suppressing Pearl, it would be enough for him to cultivate bitterly there.

Compared to returning to the sect, it was safer to deal with the remnants of Jue Hen and Jiao Yujian's treasures here. These resources were enough to sustain his cultivation for a long time.

Furthermore, there was another matter he cared about. The news of the Foundation Establishment Pill would not be known only by Wei Xuan and Mu Qing; returning to the sect might lead to even more trouble.

With this in mind, Li Qing made his decision. He had to seize the opportunity to hasten the increase of his strength so that he could face unknown dangers. The recent events on Yellow Jade Island had proven that the Thousand Realms Archipelago would no longer be as peaceful as before.

"Fellow Daoist Meng, may I ask how one applies to the sect to remain on guard at White Jade Island?" Li Qing asked Meng Kan.

"Fellow Daoist Li, surely you are not joking?" Meng Kan looked at Li Qing in surprise.

"I am not joking," Li Qing paused before continuing, "Fellow Daoist Meng, you may not know, but I have encountered some trouble within the sect..."