Atop the summit of Tianjian Peak, a pale-faced man watched the scene unfold.
His eyes shone with unprecedented brightness.
Watching that figure soaring on a sword through the sky, he felt immense pride as well.
The entrance ceremony proceeded without a hitch.
With a wave of his hand, Li Guanqi borrowed dozens of ordinary black iron swords and had the newly recruited disciples step onto them.
Then, with a surge of origin power from within, he took them aloft on the swords!
Li Guanqi led the crowd of disciples on a circuit around the eight main peaks and beyond.
He also took them to Thousand Peaks Mountain to let them behold the Great Xia Sword Sect's three thousand wondrous peaks and eight hundred scenic waters.
The youths were overwhelmed with excitement. Fortunately, Li Guanqi's divine sense watched over them at all times, and a barrier formed of his origin power kept them well protected.
Just like that, after handing this group over to Senior Sister Gu Ran and the others, Li Guanqi returned to pick up the remaining disciples.
He likewise took them on a sword-flight circuit around the Great Xia Sword Sect.
All of this was just as Xu Zhengjie had once done, taking him soaring through the skies on a sword.
From their very first day in the sect, the resolve to cultivate diligently was planted in everyone's hearts.
Li Guanqi's actions prompted the elders of the various peaks to follow suit.
Soon, a novel sight appeared across the Great Xia Sword Sect.
The elders of the other seven peaks borrowed black iron swords, had all their new disciples step aboard, and guided them on a flight around the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Along the way, they introduced these new disciples to the various main peaks, ending with the three thousand wondrous peaks.
Quite a few elders even paused before Yuhu Peak, pointing to its summit and saying,
"Up there is your Senior Brother Li's cultivation peak, named Yuhu.
"Your Senior Brother Li has only been in the sect for a mere year and a half, and he succeeded in Qi Induction during his very first class."
Hearing this, the new disciples' eyes lit up as they gazed at the modest wooden cabin atop Yuhu Peak.
Some even began casting their gazes toward peaks that had not yet been claimed.
Seeing this, the elders smiled knowingly; it seemed this cohort of disciples would cultivate with extraordinary dedication.
The Great Xia Sword Sect had also recorded all the previous battles against Ziyang Palace onto shadow-casting stones.
And precisely because of Li Guanqi's actions today, sword-flight tours for new disciples would become an official part of future entrance ceremonies in the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Throughout the day, the atmosphere in the Great Xia Sword Sect was bustling and harmonious.
Partway through, Lu Kangnian also met with many of the disciples.
Toward this fiery sect master who led from the front, everyone harbored the deepest respect.
***
Having been busy until midnight, Li Guanqi went alone to Li Nanting's door.
After resting for the day, the old man sat at his doorway smoking a pipe, his eyes gazing blankly at the empty rocking chair.
His gaze was filled with reminiscence.
Only when the youth walked up to his side did he snap out of his reverie.
The old man shifted to the side and tilted his head, motioning for him to sit down.
Li Guanqi slowly crouched beside the old man, and like him, looked up at the star-filled sky.
*Puff, puff.*
The tobacco at the bowl of the pipe glowed with faint crimson embers, casting flickering light across the old man's face.
Li Nanting took several deep draws and exhaled a mouthful of blue-gray smoke.
He tapped the pipe against the floor tiles and said in a low voice, "You've got something on your mind, kid.
"Is there something you want to tell me?"
Li Guanqi lowered his head, staring at the blue bricks underfoot in silence for a long time.
The pipe tapped down firmly onto his head, and the old man grumbled testily, "If you have something to say, spit it out! What are you acting so bashful with me for?"
Li Guanqi scratched his head, looked at the scowling old man, and spoke softly.
"Master, I want to step out and see the world."
The youth distinctly felt the old man stiffen slightly beside him. Then, the old man's tone softened.
"Mm. All right."
Li Guanqi was somewhat surprised; he had assumed the old man would refuse.
Yet as though reading his thoughts, the old man chuckled and said, "What? Did you think I wouldn't let you go?"
Li Guanqi turned his head away, not daring to meet the old man's eyes, and whispered, "I thought Master would ask me why."
The old man lowered his head, pinched another bit of tobacco into the pipe, lit it with a small spark at his fingertip, took two puffs, and looked up, speaking softly:
"What would be the point of asking?
"Since you've already made up your mind, naturally, as your master, I support you."
Hearing these words, the youth fell silent.
Looking down at the blue bricks underfoot, he murmured, "It's not that I'm determined to leave... It's just that staying here, everywhere I look brings back grief."
Wisps of smoke drifted from the old man's lips. He spat out a bit of tobacco and said quietly,
"Mm... Going out to wander a bit... is good too.
"When are you leaving?"
Li Guanqi thought for a moment and answered softly, "In a while.
"I can't just leave while Sui'an is still unconscious. Otherwise, she'll resent me to death."
Li Nanting slowly pushed himself up, and Li Guanqi hurriedly supported him to his feet.
The old man turned and walked toward the room, saying softly, "Mm, since you're leaving...
"There are a lot of new disciples right now, and the peak is short-handed. You can teach in my stead."
Li Guanqi was taken aback and quickly protested, "Me teach? No, no... I myself haven't even..."
The old man waved a hand, cutting him off, and said in a firm voice, "What's 'no' about it? It's just teaching them Body Tempering and Qi Induction—it's hardly difficult.
"Just give them a brief overview of what to watch out for when starting cultivation. Once things settle down later, someone will naturally take over the rest of the lessons."
Helpless, Li Guanqi could only bite the bullet and accept for now.
***
After leaving the courtyard, Li Guanqi received a transmission from Ye Feng:
"Boss, I've already talked to my master.
"Starting today, I'm going into seclusion. Once I break into the Core Formation Realm, we'll leave together!"
Li Guanqi had just put down the jade slip when it flickered once more.
Sect Master Lu Kangnian's voice drifted out:
"All disciples who took part in the battle against Ziyang Palace, assemble in the Sect Main Hall!"
Stowing the jade slip, Li Guanqi transformed into a streak of flowing light and flew toward the Sect Main Hall.
The newly recruited disciples, having just received their sect robes, looked up at the sky filled with sword-riding figures, their hearts brimming with boundless yearning.
The disciple named Wei Li watched Li Guanqi's receding back and murmured under his breath, "One day, I will become a person like Senior Brother Li!"
By the time Li Guanqi reached the main hall, it was already packed to the brim.
No matter how vast the main hall was, it could hardly contain more than a thousand disciples crowding inside.
Lu Kangnian sat upright atop the raised platform. Looking down at the crowd below, he spoke in a measured voice:
"Where is Li Guanqi?"
Li Guanqi called out clearly, "Disciple is here."
"Come to the front."
*Whoosh!*
Lu Kangnian looked at the youth before him and slowly walked down from the dais.
Under the gaze of all the fellow disciples, Lu Kangnian gently patted his shoulder, then turned to face the assembly.
Then, to the astonishment of everyone present, the man gave them a deep bow!
Chapter 185