Are you playing on Earth/Heavenly/Story difficulties or cheating? Cuz there are several attacks that are unavoidable if you don't use Qi, and even sometimes if you DO use Qi, or pass the stat check, and you can't be spending Qi on techniques if you're playing on mortal you need every stat increase u can get your hands on.
And yes some stuff still uses Qi even with Martial Sovereign. Infusion, golden barriers, qi infused punches, regeneration, etc. Only space/body/elemental attacks dont consume qi with that trait.