Chapter 197 : Heaven-Mandated Emperor

Chapter 197: Heaven-Mandated Emperor

Since the experience of the previous mission, Zhang Ping had made up his mind to stay far away from Bai Ning’er.

However, the Dao affinity Bai Ning’er offered this time was simply too abundant, making him deeply tempted.

Most importantly, Bai Ning’er revealed the name Li Yang, saying that Li Yang would also participate in this mission.

Who was Li Yang?

One of the Top Ten of the Grand Dao Tournament, a genius known to everyone in the sect!

To disciples, Li Yang was a master among masters.

With such a formidable person accompanying them, the success rate of the mission should be very high.

Thus, Zhang Ping was once again persuaded by Bai Ning’er and agreed to the matter.

Only after returning to the Free Spirit Hall did he suddenly come to his senses and could not help but slap himself.

“How did I get bewitched again?”

Zhang Ping’s wariness toward Bai Ning’er instantly reached its peak, surpassing even his caution toward Chu Jing.

He became convinced that this person was absolutely not simple.

The mission had already been accepted, so Zhang Ping could no longer refuse.

Fortunately, the task would only begin after the New Year, so he still had time to prepare.

He planned to go to the Cultivation Hall to buy some spirit talismans and pills in case of emergencies.

He had to treat every mission as one fraught with danger.

Even if the talismans and pills proved useless, he could still keep them for future use.

The year’s end was always the liveliest time for the Clear Sky Sect.

Disciples returned, gathered with friends, and chatted about the gains and losses of the year.

Some were joyful, others sorrowful.

Xu Ning and Jiang Zhaoxia had returned, and even Li Sifeng had come back on this rare occasion.

Li Sifeng had not returned alone.

He brought Pei Miao with him, each of them holding a baby in their arms, which immediately drew Li Dongyue and Li Sijin over.

Li Qingqiu sat on a chair, looking at Li Sifeng, inwardly startled.

It really was two children.

He could not help but think of Pei Miao’s Fate Trait.

【Twin Dragon Empress: Possesses the fortune of becoming the mother of a nation, will give birth to two Heaven-Mandated Emperors, with extraordinary Fate Traits】

What exactly was a Heaven-Mandated Emperor?

This had always been something Li Qingqiu was very curious about.

Li Sifeng brought his wife and children before Li Qingqiu and said, “Senior Brother, these are my two children. They were just born, both boys, and we haven’t named them yet. We were hoping you could name them.”

Pei Miao followed up, saying, “Yes. An elder brother is like a father. Sifeng was raised by you when he was young, so it is only right for you to name them.”

Li Qingqiu smiled.

He stood up and took the two infants, holding one in each arm.

The two babies had rosy little faces, their eyes tightly shut, their small hands clenched into fists.

Their brows and features reminded Li Qingqiu of Li Sifeng and Li Sijin when they were young, and he immediately felt affection for the two little ones.

By personally naming them, he would inevitably give the two children an additional layer of identity behind them.

Presumably, this was also Pei Miao’s intention, but he did not mind.

Li Qingqiu fell into thought.

The others also quieted down, waiting for him to choose names.

After a few breaths, Li Qingqiu first raised his right arm and said, “He shall be called Li Shouzheng.”

As his words fell, he raised his left arm and continued, “He shall be called Li Shoumin.”

“Shouzheng, Shoumin…” Li Sifeng pondered the two names.

The others were also thinking about the meaning behind Li Qingqiu’s choices.

At this moment, Zhang Yuchun entered the courtyard.

Seeing Li Sifeng, he could not help but laugh loudly and say, “You brat, you still remembered to come back!”

Everyone’s thoughts were interrupted, and they each resumed chatting.

Li Qingqiu sat down holding the two little ones, looking at their small faces and finding it quite amusing.

More and more people entered the courtyard.

Zhao Zhen, Yuan Li, Ji Ya, Yun Cai, and others arrived one after another, making Lingxiao Courtyard increasingly lively.

Yun Cai came to Li Qingqiu’s side and curiously looked at Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin in his arms.

“Sect Master, whose children are they?” Yun Cai squatted down and asked softly.

Li Qingqiu lifted his chin and smiled.

“They are Hall Master Li Sifeng’s children.”

Yun Cai turned her head to look.

This was her first time seeing Li Sifeng.

Although Li Sifeng had not been in the sect for many years, his name was often mentioned.

The fact that the Hall Master of the Tempering Hall was always out on expeditions had become a frequent topic of jokes.

Could it be that this hall master had returned because he needed something from the sect master?

Yun Cai let her thoughts wander.

Her gaze then shifted back to Li Qingqiu.

Seeing the smile on his face as he looked at the children, she felt that such a smile looked really nice.

Pei Miao walked to Li Qingqiu’s other side and asked in a low voice, “Senior Brother, Sifeng has been fighting outside all year long. I’m afraid it might affect the children. Could these two children stay in the sect?”

Her mood was somewhat uneasy.

Li Qingqiu’s vigilance toward noble families was no secret.

The Zhu Clan had been warned repeatedly.

She feared that her actions might make Li Qingqiu think too much.

“They were originally children of the Clear Sky Sect. If you’re willing to let them stay, I naturally won’t refuse. But if they get bumped or bruised, don’t feel heartbroken. I’m the one raising them. Sifeng knows how I am—I’m not that delicate,” Li Qingqiu said with a hearty smile.

Upon hearing that Li Qingqiu intended to personally raise the two children, Pei Miao was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks to him.

“Go chat with them.”

Li Qingqiu said casually, sending Pei Miao away.

Yun Cai, who was squatting nearby, asked curiously after hearing this, “Sect Master, you’re going to personally raise them?”

Li Qingqiu replied offhandedly, “What else? If I hand them to other disciples, I won’t be at ease, and the disciples would also feel pressured.”

He pulled up the Dao Lineage panel and scrolled to the very end, where he indeed found the portraits of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin.

【Name: Li Shouzheng】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: Under 1 year old】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 0/0 (Max 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Excellent】

【Comprehension: Outstanding】

【Fate Traits: Innate Imperial Aura, Sage Heart of Civil Governance】

【Innate Imperial Aura: Born with the imperial aura of heaven and earth, a Heaven-recognized emperor. As cultivation grows, the imperial aura will form divine arts, excelling at winning people’s hearts】

【Sage Heart of Civil Governance: Possesses unique insight in civil governance, with a heart devoted to the common people】

……

【Name: Li Shoumin】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: Under 1 year old】

【Loyalty (to Sect Master / Sect): 0/0 (Max 100)】

【Cultivation Aptitude: Outstanding】

【Comprehension: Average】

【Fate Traits: Emperor of a Thousand Ages, Ambition Over All Under Heaven, Tyrant】

【Emperor of a Thousand Ages: Desires to become the greatest emperor and ruler of all time, and will carry this belief through to the end of his life. Possesses extremely strong comprehension of the ways of emperors】

【Ambition Over All Under Heaven: Wherever his gaze reaches will become part of his ambition. As his territory expands, his bearing will continuously grow, forming a momentum】

【Tyrant: Innate dominance makes him prone to extremity, allowing no one to oppose him】

……

Good heavens!

Both possessed Outstanding-tier aptitude or comprehension!

And they even had special Fate Traits.

Truly worthy of being Heaven-Mandated Emperors!

Li Qingqiu was very curious.

If Li Sifeng failed to conquer the world, how would these two become emperors?

He did not wish to interfere with their fates.

As long as the two did not oppose the Clear Sky Sect in the future, that would be enough.

Their Fate Traits clearly had a certain influence on their personalities.

Even if Li Qingqiu deliberately guided them or tried to stop them from becoming emperors, it would likely backfire.

But then again, judging from their Fate Traits, how should one interact with them in the future?

Li Qingqiu felt as if he had found something interesting and began to look forward to the futures of Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin.

As the other hall masters arrived one after another, the topic in the courtyard shifted to the various halls, with everyone praising each other’s achievements and the talented disciples under their halls.

Li Sifeng and Pei Miao were also very interested and listened attentively.

Upon hearing that several disciples in the sect had already reached the sixth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, Li Sifeng’s expression became subtle.

After descending the mountain for so many years, his cultivation had barely grown.

Relying on the fifth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm and the Emperor Mystic Sword, he rarely encountered trouble.

Even when he suffered defeats, it was because the soldiers could not hold out, forcing him to retreat.

Without exaggeration, Li Sifeng felt that he was invincible on the battlefield, and his mentality naturally changed as a result.

Before this, he had guessed that the Clear Sky Sect was developing rapidly, yet he was still shocked by its current foundation.

If even he felt this way, it went without saying for Pei Miao.

Jiang Zhaoxia came over and sat beside Li Sifeng, looked at the crowd, and softly asked, “Do you regret it?”

Li Sifeng was stunned for a moment, looked at him, and asked, “Regret what? I didn’t leave the Clear Sky Sect.”

“I’ve already reached the eighth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm.”

“Eighth layer… then what about Xu Ning?”

Li Sifeng was shocked and subconsciously pressed the question.

Jiang Zhaoxia fell silent, stood up, and walked to the other side of the long table to sit down, waiting for the meal to begin.

Li Sifeng’s heart surged like a stormy sea.

From Jiang Zhaoxia’s reaction, Xu Ning’s cultivation was certainly higher than his, and by no small margin.

Could it be that Xu Ning had already reached the ninth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm?

Cultivating the Primordial Unity Scripture and stepping into the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, three layers were enough to roam the martial world freely, four layers made one invincible under heaven, and five layers could contend with tens of thousands of troops.

Li Sifeng could not imagine how strong the ninth layer would be.

Li Sifeng noticed the Three Xiao Brothers standing in a corner.

Seeing their imposing bearing, he could not help but walk over to ask about their cultivation.

After learning that they had already reached the fourth layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, Li Sifeng silently returned to his seat.

An unprecedented sense of crisis arose in his heart!

This year’s New Year Festival made Li Qingqiu feel even livelier than in previous years.

Li Sifeng had originally planned to stay for only one day before going back down the mountain, but later changed his mind and decided to stay a few more days.

His two sons were also completely entrusted to Li Qingqiu.

With the Clear Sky Sect having developed to its current state, disciples marrying and having children was nothing unusual.

Finding someone to feed Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin was not difficult.

On the third day after the New Year, Mo Jiuhong returned.

Li Qingqiu held Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin as he entered Lingxiao Courtyard.

Seeing him carrying two infants, Mo Jiuhong could not help but freeze.

“Judging by your expression, the mission failed?”

Li Qingqiu asked casually.

He walked to a long bench and sat down, holding one baby in each arm, not feeling tired at all.

Mo Jiuhong’s expression was ugly.

Gritting his teeth, he said, “Sect Master, Tianxuan Mountain is indeed not simple. I encountered their sect master, Yan Daozong. This person’s martial arts were extremely high. I was completely no match for him. He did not kill me and had me bring a message back, saying that Tianxuan Mountain has no intention of opposing the Clear Sky Sect.”

“Describe your exchange in detail,” Li Qingqiu said.

His expression did not change, and his tone carried curiosity, as if he were not angry at all.

Hearing his mood, Mo Jiuhong secretly let out a sigh of relief and then began to recount the process of his clash with Yan Daozong.

The entire encounter had not been intense.

Yan Daozong saw through his disguise and forced him to act.

The result was that his first two consecutive attacks were dodged by Yan Daozong.

When he unleashed his third move, during the moment they passed each other, Yan Daozong shattered his arm.

Even now, he still could not figure out how his arm had been broken.