63: Tiezhu Returns to the Sect

Li Qingfeng's gaze swept over the three children as he asked, "So, what do you think of Youfu and little Luo'er?"

"Li Youfu?"

Wang Tiezhu looked at the naive eight-year-old boy. "He's from your own clan, right? He looks a bit slow and he's still young... but with a Yellow Grade Low Grade Spiritual Root, the foundation is there. If you're willing to throw a few bottles of Qi Nurturing Pills at him, I'd estimate... in about a year and a half, he should reach Qi Ling First Layer."

"As for our nephew Lin Luo..." His eyes lit up.

"This kid's head is definitely sharp! With a Yellow Grade High Grade foundation, if you were to give him our Blade Path Peak's Golden Halberd Spirit Induction Art..."

He stopped mid-sentence and glanced at Li Qingfeng.

Li Qingfeng's eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly shook his head:

"The Golden Halberd Spirit Induction Art is the core introductory Cultivation Technique of Blade Path Peak; it cannot be lightly passed on to anyone who isn't an official Disciple of our peak. Although Master values us, he never said we were allowed to teach it to outsiders. We cannot make such a foolish mistake."

Wang Tiezhu also set aside his joking demeanor and nodded:

"Yeah, that makes sense. Then we'll still give him the Qingxuan Qi Nurturing Art. However," he chuckled, "if we give him a few more bottles of Medicinal Pills and have that kid Stone guide him in actual combat (by beating him up) whenever he's free, this kid has good Comprehension Ability. I reckon he could do it in half a year! Don't worry, Stone and I know where to draw the line when it comes to teaching our nephew!"

"As long as you know where to draw the line."

Li Qingfeng nodded, his gaze turning toward the north, seemingly piercing through layers of mountains.

"Pillar, you've been stuck at Spirit Awakening Stage Perfection for quite a while now. When do you plan to return to the Sect to Breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Stage?"

Wang Tiezhu was taken aback, then grinned and said:

"What's the rush, Brother Feng? If I'm not in a hurry, why are you? Let's talk about it after the New Year!"

"New Town is just starting up, and there's a pile of things over at Black Mountain Town. Stone can't handle it all by himself."

"If I leave, wouldn't you be worked to death alone? Besides, Stone..."

His voice lowered, his tone carrying a hint of sighing and guilt:

"With his Aptitude, he'll likely spend his whole life spinning around the Spirit Awakening Stage. If he hadn't followed us back then and stayed in the Sect to slowly endure, grinding through the years, there might have been a chance to reach the Qi Refinement Stage and live for another several decades or a hundred years."

"Now that he's followed us out here where the Spiritual Qi is thin, I'm afraid it's really uncertain."

Li Qingfeng patted his shoulder, his tone firm and beyond doubt:

"Don't worry. With us brothers here, even if it's a pig, the two of us working together could feed it up to the Qi Refinement Stage! Let alone Stone? Medicinal Pills, resources—smash them in! We must smash him up there! We can't let his time following us out here to venture be in vain!"

"Hahahahaha! I like the sound of that! If Stone heard us talking about him like this, he'd probably be jumping up and down cursing our mothers!"

After the laughter, Li Qingfeng's expression became even more solemn as he lowered his voice:

"Pillar, this is no joke. I've received more definite news from Zhao Tianbao and from the refugees fleeing from further north."

"The Barbarians on the Vast Grasslands at the northern foot of the Black Mountains, especially the 'Blood Wolf Tribe,' are indeed moving their range of activity south at a rapid pace!"

"Their Wolf Cavalry have already been seen hunting Yao Beasts on the outskirts of the Black Mountains! This isn't an isolated incident; it's a sign of the entire tribe migrating south!"

"The Barbarians coming south to pillage is likely not a matter of 'if,' but 'when'!"

Wang Tiezhu's smile instantly froze on his face, and his gaze became sharp:

"Is the news reliable?"

"Zhao Tianbao has no reason to lie to me about this; if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. The refugees saw it with their own eyes, and their panic cannot be faked."

Li Qingfeng said in a deep voice:

"So, while the situation is still relatively stable, I need you to go back as soon as possible! Breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Stage! Then come back immediately!"

"When the Barbarians truly move south, or when a large-scale beast tide breaks out and the chaotic times truly arrive, with one more portion of strength from you, our parents, siblings, and the thousands of villagers under our rule will have one more chance of survival!"

He looked at Wang Tiezhu with burning eyes:

"I'll hold things down at the New Town and at home. I'll watch over the spirit fields, the Qingxuan Guards, the Disciples, and Stone."

"Your current task is to return as quickly as possible, break through the Bottleneck, and become a true Qi Refining Cultivator! Come back with even greater power! This is the foundation for us to establish ourselves and protect our home!"

The playful grin completely vanished from Wang Tiezhu's face, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.

He looked toward the somber silhouette of the Black Mountains to the north, as if he could feel the crisis surging on the grasslands behind those mountains. He nodded heavily, his voice resolute:

"Understood, Brother Feng! I'll go prepare right now! I'll set off for the Sect as soon as possible! I won't return until I've broken through to Qi Refinement!"

Above the spirit fields, the thin rain clouds had long since dispersed, and sunlight poured down once more, shining upon the vibrant seedlings.

But in the hearts of Li Qingfeng and Wang Tiezhu, a much heavier cloud from the north had cast its shadow.

The sense of urgency to become stronger had never been so intense.

Three days later, in the backyard of the New Town's Town Guardian Residence, the newly built Li family courtyard was quite lively.

The entire Li family was present: Li Dashan, Lady Zhang, Li Qinghshan and his wife with little Yuanzhu and little Yuan Bao, Li Qinglin and his wife, and even Li Qinghe, who usually stayed in the Black Mountains, and Zhang Shitou, who was responsible for the defense of Black Mountain Town, had specifically hurried back.

Today was the day to see Wang Tiezhu off to the Qingxuan Sect.

Wang Tiezhu's parents, an honest-looking elderly couple, had also been brought over and settled near the Town Guardian Residence. They were currently holding their son's hands, nagging him with instructions.

"Pillar, when you go back, listen well to the immortal Masters, don't be lazy, and Breakthrough early!" Old Father Wang patted his son's arm.

"That's right, Pillar, be careful on the road, and send word back once you reach the Sect!" Old Mother Wang's eyes were slightly red.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry! Your son will definitely do you proud!" Wang Tiezhu's voice was as loud as ever as he patted his chest in assurance.

After saying goodbye to his parents, Wang Tiezhu walked up to Li Qingfeng.

The two shared a firm hug. Li Qingfeng didn't say much, only patting his back heavily:

"Pillar, I've got things covered at home."

"Mhm!" Wang Tiezhu nodded heavily.

He then turned to Zhang Shitou, and the two rough men shared a solid bear hug.

"Stone, look after the house! Wait for my return!" Wang Tiezhu punched Stone's shoulder.

"Brother Iron Pillar, you can be completely at ease! Take care on the road!" Zhang Shitou grinned.

Finally, Wang Tiezhu's gaze swept over the Li family members, and he cupped his fists. "Uncle, Aunt, Big Brother, Second Brother, sisters-in-law, Brother Qinghe, I'm off!"

"Pillar, have a safe journey!" Li Dashan said on behalf of the whole family.

Li Qinghe also nodded to him.

Wang Tiezhu didn't delay any further. He walked to the open space in the courtyard and took out the green bamboo shuttle.

The shuttle's body flashed with green light and rapidly grew in size.

He flipped himself onto it and gave everyone a final wave.

"Brother Feng, I'll definitely deliver the letter!"

He shouted to Li Qingfeng, then formed a hand seal to activate the Flying Shuttle.

"Whoosh!"

The green bamboo shuttle transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and speeding south toward the Qingxuan Sect, quickly disappearing among the blue sky and white clouds.

With Wang Tiezhu gone, life had to go on.