My Monster-Derived Skills Are the True Power
Chapter 26: The Scholars Will Debate the Scriptures

With Shi Xiang and the others helping, Cao Bin quickly gathered ten people. Following Li Ye’s suggestion, Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou were added to the group.

Gongsun Jie hesitantly announced the formation of the Xuanguang Sect Club in front of the crowd. Almost immediately, he felt a strange change in his body.

He abruptly stood up from his chair. “This... this...”

Li Ye merely smiled without saying a word.

Wei Mingze and the others were utterly baffled by what was happening.

Zhong Wenhao and Zhu Zhirou’s expressions were equally bewildered.

“Senior Brother, why has my internal energy suddenly sped up? Even my eyesight seems sharper,” Zhu Zhirou blurted out.

“I... I feel the same,” Zhong Wenhao stammered, his face blank with confusion.

Both turned to Gongsun Jie. “Senior Gongsun, what’s going on?”

But Gongsun Jie wasn’t paying them any attention. He stared straight at Li Ye and asked in a trembling voice, “So, everything you said is true?”

Li Ye smiled. “Of course. Why would I lie to you?”

“Why didn’t you say this earlier?” Gongsun Jie demanded.

“Didn’t Cao Bin tell you? Did you believe him?” Li Ye retorted mockingly. “Even when I spoke to you on the field, you didn’t believe me. Some people are so self-assured that it takes a harsh blow to change their minds.”

Gongsun Jie’s face flushed red with embarrassment. He gave a bitter smile and clasped his hands in apology. “I was wrong to doubt you, Master Li.”

“And yet, you still won’t address me as Li Ye?” Li Ye asked with a smile.

“Li Ye,” Gongsun Jie hesitated briefly, his face still red, but he finally relented and called him respectfully. After all, the man had shared a divine method with him, akin to bestowing him immense wealth. Calling him "Li Ye" was a small price to pay.

The more he had disliked Li Ye before, the more grateful he was now. For years, he had been stuck below the Grandmaster level due to his physique. Now, with spiritual energy, he saw hope for a breakthrough.

Magistrate Wei Mingze, unable to contain his curiosity, finally asked, “Master Li, could you explain what exactly you’re doing? What is spiritual energy?”

“Magistrate Wei, let me finish discussing matters with Master Gongsun first. Then, I’ll explain everything to you,” Li Ye replied with a smile.

Wei Mingze nodded, sipping his tea and refraining from further questions. As the magistrate of an entire prefecture, he maintained his composure, listening carefully to glean information from their conversation.

“Li Ye,” Gongsun Jie repeated, the words coming more naturally now. Feeling the changes in his body, he bowed deeply. “Please, teach me how to cultivate spiritual energy.”

“Focus on building your Xuanguang Sect Club and making a name for yourself on the field. As your reputation grows, so will your spiritual energy,” Li Ye explained. “Take Shi Xiang, for example. His fame is currently limited to Weining City, but it has already helped him break through to the Innate Level. When his reputation spreads across the entire Chu Kingdom, he’ll likely reach the Grandmaster level in no time.

“Spiritual energy rivals the power of immortals, and just as immortals rely on faith and incense offerings, spiritual energy thrives on admiration and influence.”

“Build a reputation?” Gongsun Jie hesitated. “I already have some renown in the martial world.”

“Only fame on the field counts,” Li Ye replied with a glance. “The cultivation method I’ve shared with you is unique—an unconventional path that requires the framework of competitions to function.”

Wei Mingze, mid-sip of his tea, spat it out in shock. He didn’t even bother to clean up as he stared at Li Ye in disbelief.

“An unconventional path?” Gongsun Jie was also stunned.

“Yes, an unconventional path,” Li Ye said with a smile. “What’s wrong, Master Gongsun? Are you having second thoughts? Maybe Cao Bin didn’t tell you—I used to be an interstellar bandit, wanted by the Galactic Federation. I ended up on this planet by accident.”

Interstellar bandit? Wanted?

Wei Mingze’s throat went dry as he processed the startling revelation.

Gongsun Jie, too, was dumbfounded.

Li Ye chuckled. “If you’re afraid, you can always disband your club and return to being the leader of Xuanguang Sect. Who knows, perhaps a legitimate immortal might descend one day and teach you proper cultivation methods.”

The soccer club’s emblem relied on its association with competitions to emit Demonic Energy. It didn’t look legitimate at all.

Why not embrace the label of an unconventional path from the start? Once everyone experienced the benefits, even the unconventional would be deemed orthodox.

Gongsun Jie gave a bitter laugh, finally understanding why Li Ye operated so unconventionally. It all made sense now.

Having tasted the advantages of spiritual energy, Gongsun Jie couldn’t bear to let it go. He straightened up and said righteously, “Li Ye, I must disagree with you. Martial arts, whether orthodox or unconventional, are neutral tools. What matters is how they are used. The distinction lies only in the method.”

Shi Xiang rolled his eyes silently at Gongsun Jie’s sudden moral stance.

“Once we cross the frontier, great scholars will debate the scriptures for you,” Li Ye murmured, suddenly understanding the saying. He clapped lightly. “Master Gongsun, you’re absolutely right. When your spiritual energy reaches its peak, I’ll personally take you to the Galactic Federation to carve out a name for yourself.”

Ascension!

Gongsun Jie’s eyes lit up. He quickly responded, “Thank you for your guidance, Li Ye.”

Having chosen this unconventional path, Gongsun Jie saw himself as part of Li Ye’s faction and was determined to serve him loyally.

It’s no wonder he’s the leader of Xuanguang Sect, Li Ye thought with a shake of his head before steering the conversation back. “Master Gongsun, your club was formed hastily, and the members lack skill. To make it thrive, you’ll need to select your players carefully.”

“Yes,” Gongsun Jie nodded. “I hope you’ll continue to advise me, Li Ye.”

“At present, there are only two clubs: the Fun Seekers Club and Xuanguang Sect Club. No matter how much we stir things up, our reach is limited,” Li Ye said, glancing at Gongsun Jie before turning to Wei Mingze. “That’s why I proposed the Planet Cup League—to expand the stage and get more clubs involved.

“The more people participate, the greater the league’s influence. By the time it peaks, the champion team’s reputation will soar to unprecedented heights.”

“More participants?” Gongsun Jie instinctively hesitated, reluctant to share the benefits.

“Of course,” Li Ye replied with a smile. “The unconventional path thrives on natural selection. The stronger and more creative you are, the more rewards you’ll reap.

“So, in the match five days from now, don’t hold back against my Fun Seekers Club. Play to win. If you go easy, your club will be the one to lose.”

“I understand,” Gongsun Jie said thoughtfully, bowing again. “Please explain the league rules.”

“Clubs can’t rely on a single team. Players will vary in skill, but only eleven can play at a time. I plan to divide players into two tiers: the Premier League and the Second Division. Matches will be held separately...”

As Li Ye elaborated on the league’s rules, the attendees were left astounded.

Finally, he turned to Wei Mingze. “Of course, organizing such an event requires official approval. I’ll need your support, Magistrate Wei.”