Forced by Circumstances, the Secret Exposed
The ten great sect leaders hadn't gathered so solemnly to deliberate like this since hundreds of years ago.
The cultivation world was unpredictable in fortune and misfortune. Though they were all profound cultivators, no one could say for sure if accidents might arise. Reuniting now, everyone felt a touch of feelings
"Senior Brother Liu, enough with the nonsense. You know why we're here. Why not just reveal the origins of these spiritual root seedlings so we can all share in the progress?"
"Exactly. The demonic path is still lurking outside, eyeing us hungrily. Drag this out too long, and those beasts might jump the wall in desperation."
"Indeed. As long as Brother Liu shares the truth, our sects won't stand idly by. We'll join forces to help Taiqing Sect repel the invaders!"
"Come on, Brother Liu. This benefits everyone. There are things even Taiqing Sect can't swallow alone..."
The sect leaders chimed in one after another, some threatening, some coaxing with kind words.
Liu Qinghui sneered inwardly, but he was indeed worried about the situation outside. He spoke up: "Very well, then. I won't beat around the bush. Taiqing Sect has indeed mastered a method to nurture high-grade spiritual root seedlings."
The crowd perked up, faces alight with excitement, eagerly awaiting his next words.
"Do you all know of a special constitution in this world? One where the kidneys store vast amounts of spiritual energy that can't be converted into cultivation, but when combined with a woman, it blesses the offspring with the strongest spiritual roots." Liu Qinghui said calmly.
The assembly was stunned and skeptical, struggling to believe it.
"Brother Liu, you're not joking, are you? There's really such a freakish person in the world?"
"I may not believe it myself, but I trust Brother Liu wouldn't deceive us on something like this. It wouldn't benefit him anyway."
Liu Qinghui scanned their faces and continued flatly: "Not only does this person exist, he's currently in Taiqing Sect's hands. He was originally a son-in-law of the Qin family. Later, the Qins discovered his ability and secretly paired him with various women to bear descendants..."
He recounted the whole story.
Everyone gasped in unison, their expressions a riot of shock and awe.
"Such a person really exists?!"
"I've lived over a thousand years and never heard of anything so outrageous!"
"No wonder so many genius female cultivators vanished during this grand competition. It was all because of him!"
"Where is he? I want to see him!"
The sect leaders were shocked, thrilled, and a bit fearful in retrospect.
Thank goodness they'd uncovered it early. Otherwise, in a few more centuries, not just Jing Kingdom—the entire cultivation world might have become Taiqing Sect's domain...
The matter wasn't settled yet, and Taiqing Sect hadn't fully seized control. Facing the nine other sect leaders, how could Liu Qinghui bring the man here now?
"He's right here in Taiqing Sect. Once we've driven off the demonic cultivators, I'll have my master ancestor escort you all to meet him. But first, we need to discuss how to fairly allocate the use of Qin Changqing's ability."
Liu Qinghui said.
Chu Tianlu said gravely: "That's obvious. Bihai Sect took first place in this grand competition. We should use him first!"
His words immediately riled up the others.
"Brother Chu, the disciples' matches were just child's play. How can we decide something this important so carelessly?"
"Precisely. Leijian Sect has the longest inheritance history. We should go first."
"Lei Wanhe, it's been over a century, and you're still as shameless as ever. Longest history? By that logic, I'm the oldest here, so my sect should go first!"
"Bullshit!"
These sect leaders, usually lofty immortals with ethereal grace, now tore off their masks to vie for Qin Changqing. They bickered like fishwives, faces flushed and necks bulging, spiritual power surging—on the verge of blows.
The grand hall buzzed like a mundane marketplace.
Liu Qinghui, however, sat there with a relaxed smile, utterly unhurried.
With Qin Changqing in Taiqing Sect's grasp, the final say was still his.
Sure enough, after endless squabbling with no resolution, all eyes turned back to Liu Qinghui.
Only then did he speak leisurely: "Everyone, bickering like this won't get us anywhere. Hear me out. From now on, Qin Changqing will reside permanently in Taiqing Sect. Each year, send over the women you've selected. We'll arrange things reasonably based on his physical condition. Rest assured, this includes Taiqing Sect itself—fair shares for all, no sect left out in the cold."
The other leaders bristled at once.
Chu Tianlu said sternly: "That's unacceptable. For fairness, each sect should hold custody in turn!"
"Right! Why keep him forever in your Taiqing Sect? I disagree!"
"Liu Qinghui, you sly old fox, still as slippery as ever!"
Liu Qinghui raised a hand to quiet them and said calmly: "Gentlemen, you all know what Qin Changqing's ability means. For Taiqing Sect to share this secret is already utmost benevolence. We discovered it first—claiming some initiative isn't too much, is it? Besides, shuttling him around yearly? What if an accident happens en route? You'd regret it forever! Qin Changqing must stay in Taiqing Sect. That's our bottom line. If you disagree, we're done here. Taiqing Sect will face the four great demonic sects alone. Whether Qin Changqing survives the battle... that's on him."
This was naked extortion, bluntly telling the sect leaders: Disagree, and I'll destroy Qin Changqing. We all lose.
The leaders' faces twitched, itching with fury at Liu Qinghui.
"Fine, we agree! He can stay in Taiqing Sect. But we'll send people over too. With the demonic path rampant now, he's too vital—no mishaps allowed!"
Chu Tianlu took a deep breath.
The others sighed in resignation and compromised, but all insisted on stationing representatives in Taiqing Sect.
Ostensibly for protection, in truth for oversight—they feared Taiqing Sect's tricks behind closed doors.
Liu Qinghui pondered briefly, then nodded: "That's fine. One more thing: spirit stones. For high-grade spiritual roots, he needs to absorb 100. Top-grade: 300. Earth spiritual roots: 3,000. Heaven spiritual roots: 30,000. And so on. Plus, he needs time to absorb them beforehand..."
Liu Qinghui wasn't polite; he doubled Qin Changqing's original rates outright. He was annoyed anyway—might as well squeeze extra spirit stones for comfort.
On this point, no one objected. Spirit stones were trivial compared to spiritual root seedlings. They all promised to prepare and deliver them soon.
Changing tack, Liu Qinghui said: "With matters settled, I won't keep you longer. After all, those demonic scum are still eyeing our Taiqing Sect's doorstep..."
Chu Tianlu and the others rose, fists clenched in righteous fury: "Exterminating demons and guarding the dao is our ten sects' duty. How can we let Taiqing Sect fight alone?"
"Exactly! Those demonic beasts slaughtered our disciples—this blood feud is irreconcilable. Perfect chance to wipe them out!"
"Brother Liu, rest easy. With us here, those demonic vermin won't touch a blade of grass or speck of dirt in Taiqing Sect!"