Chapter 3: Investigation

Qingyun Peak, Outer Island of the Thousand Domains Archipelago.

Qingyun Peak has a long, sprawling terrain and is the area within the Outer Sect specifically designated for low-level disciples to establish their cave dwellings.

Every disciple is permitted to choose a location they prefer to establish their dwelling; this is one of the benefits afforded to sect disciples.

The entire Qingyun Peak possesses only a single first-tier spiritual vein, and the spiritual energy is relatively thin.

Spiritual veins are categorized by people according to their spiritual energy density into first-tier, second-tier, third-tier, fourth-tier, and so on, essentially classified based on the levels of cultivation they can support for practitioners.

The only fourth-tier spiritual vein in the entire Thousand Domains Archipelago is located on the Inner Island.

The Inner Island is the core of the Qianshui Yuling Sect, strictly laid out and equipped with countless defensive formations.

After an unknown period of slumber.

In a daze, Li Qing slowly awakened.

"You're awake."

A familiar voice echoed in the room.

Li Qing lifted his eyes and saw a slightly chubby young man wearing the outer sect robes of the Qianshui Yuling Sect sitting in the room.

Upon seeing him, Li Qing slightly lowered his guarded gaze.

Meng Ran is also an outer sect disciple of the Qianshui Yuling Sect and had a good relationship with Li Qing's predecessor.

The two share the same plight; his father was also a sect disciple who later died in battle, leaving him in the same difficult situation as Li Qing within the outer sect.

Their cave dwellings are right next to each other, and they usually keep in frequent contact.

"Just in time, the Law Enforcement Hall wants you to go over there."

Meng Ran looked at Li Qing with a worried expression.

To facilitate the cultivation of outer sect disciples, the outer island is organized into three halls and six peaks.

The three halls are: Law Enforcement Hall, Scripture Hall, and Internal Affairs Hall.

The six peaks are: Alchemy Peak, Spirit Forging Peak, Spirit Beast Peak, Sword-Holding Peak, External Affairs Peak, and Hundred Arts Peak.

Among them, the Law Enforcement Hall is primarily responsible for maintaining the sect's order and rules.

"I saw that person among the disciples who came," Meng Ran said with a worried look.

Upon hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Li Qing's eyes.

He knew exactly who Meng Ran was referring to, but now was not the time to worry about that; he had to survive the immediate crisis first.

"Mm."

After Li Qing nodded in agreement, he stood up and walked out of the cave dwelling.

Seeing Li Qing leave with a calm expression, a trace of doubt flashed in Meng Ran's eyes.

For some reason, starting a few months ago, Li Qing had become taciturn compared to before, his attitude toward him had become more distant, and he had begun to act mysteriously.

"Perhaps it is so as not to drag me down," Meng Ran comforted himself inwardly.

Outside the cave dwelling stood three young outer sect disciples.

All three were dressed in cyan robes, but they were embroidered with black mysterious patterns, adding a sharp, imposing air.

"Li Qing, by order of the Hall Master, we are taking you to the Law Enforcement Hall for investigation."

After the disciple on the left finished speaking, he looked at Li Qing with a cold, indifferent expression.

The Law Enforcement Hall is considered a lucrative post on the outer island; the minimum requirement for personnel is mid-stage Qi Refining strength, and many only get in through connections.

Naturally, these people looked down upon Li Qing.

In terms of both strength and status, they were far beyond what Li Qing could currently compare to.

Li Qing did not speak; he cast his gaze toward the young man in the middle of the three.

The youth in the middle was tall and thin, with a long, horse-like face.

At this moment, the youth was looking at Li Qing with a smile, yet his eyes revealed a look of mockery.

This person was exactly who Meng Ran had mentioned: Wei Xuan.

This was the first time Li Qing had seen this person.

A large part of the reason his predecessor had been driven to a desperate struggle was thanks to the person before him.

Wei Xuan's father is a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a deacon with real power in the Law Enforcement Hall, possessing great fame on the outer island.

For some reason, Wei Xuan had learned of the Foundation Establishment Pill left behind by Li Qing's parents.

Using his own strength and his father's influence, Wei Xuan began to constantly coerce Li Qing into handing over the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Li Qing's predecessor naturally refused; the Foundation Establishment Pill was his only hope on the path of immortality.

With his aptitude, he had no way to obtain another such important pill.

As a vital item within a sect, the Foundation Establishment Pill can be said to be the cornerstone of the sect; regardless of the quantity, it is strictly controlled by the sect.

To obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill within the sect, one must exchange sect contribution points, and the way to earn these points is by completing sect missions.

Sect contribution points can be circulated among members within the sect, which is intended to intensify internal competition.

"If you really think about it, this youth before me should be considered my benefactor," Li Qing thought to himself.

If his predecessor hadn't died, he might not have been able to be reborn into this body.

However, the moment this person intended to seize Li Qing's opportunity, he was already marked in the current Li Qing's heart.

"I wonder why the Hall Master is looking for me?" Li Qing asked, feigning ignorance.

"Don't talk nonsense, you'll know when you get there."

The youth beside him said coldly, then turned and left.

On the way to the Law Enforcement Hall, Wei Xuan deliberately let the other two junior brothers walk ahead, while he slowly moved to Li Qing's side.

The other two were sensible and immediately put some distance between themselves and Li Qing.

"Junior Brother Li, how have you considered the matter I spoke to you about before?"

Wei Xuan no longer hid his intentions, his face turning fierce.

"Senior Brother Wei, that is the only thing my parents left for me," Li Qing said, feigning hesitation.

"Besides, I also desperately need it. Without the Foundation Establishment Pill, how could I possibly step into the Foundation Establishment stage with my aptitude?"

After saying this, Li Qing deliberately lowered his head.

"Foundation Establishment?" Wei Xuan felt a trace of mockery in his heart.

A mere bottom-tier cultivator talking about Foundation Establishment here was truly laughable.

Cultivation requires not only spiritual roots but also vast resources.

However, seeing that Li Qing seemed to be softening, Wei Xuan felt a secret joy.

Not refusing him directly meant there was a turning point, so he wouldn't have to resort to the worst-case scenario.

"Junior Brother, Senior Brother advises you to be realistic."

"Never mind Foundation Establishment; at your current third level of Qi Refining, who knows how many years it will take to break through to the mid-stage."

"How about this, Senior Brother will take a step back. As long as you agree, Senior Brother won't let you suffer a loss; one thousand spirit stones will be offered immediately," Wei Xuan looked at Li Qing with a sincere expression.

Upon hearing this, Li Qing sneered inwardly.

The Foundation Establishment Pill is an important item within the sect, worth more than ten thousand spirit stones on the black market, and even then, it is priceless and unavailable.

Yet, Wei Xuan wanted to dismiss him with a mere one thousand spirit stones.

For now, in order to survive the immediate crisis, Li Qing did not rush to refute Wei Xuan.

"Senior Brother, give me some time to consider."

"You are right; even the mid-stage of Qi Refining has already made things difficult for me, let alone the peak of Qi Refining," Li Qing said with a dejected look.

"Fine."

Wei Xuan was secretly pleased; he didn't want to push him too hard right now.

"Junior Brother, think about it carefully. You know that for early-stage Qi Refining, the sect stipend is only three low-grade spirit stones a month; this is equivalent to several decades of your stipend."

After saying this, Wei Xuan quickened his pace to catch up with the junior brothers in front.

To cultivate disciples, the Qianshui Yuling Sect provides a monthly stipend of three low-grade spirit stones for early-stage Qi Refining disciples, five for mid-stage, and eight for late-stage.

Sect disciples are required to perform one sect mission every year to be evaluated.

The path of immortality is a bottomless pit, and the resources required are endless.

Wealth, companions, method, and land—wealth comes first.

The Law Enforcement Hall is located on a small spiritual peak on the outer island, which possesses a second-tier spiritual vein.

The peak where the Law Enforcement Hall stands is tall and upright, like a giant sword thrust into the ground, its sharp aura hitting one in the face, striking fear into the heart.

A majestic and enormous palace sits on the mountainside of the spiritual peak, the black palace standing solemn and grave.

Entering the majestic hall, Li Qing bowed in salute.

"Are you Li Qing?"

(End of chapter)