Chapter 8: Absolutely a Monster |
“The Innate Bone-Nourishing Technique is indeed powerful. I’ll find a suitable time to pass it on to Master.”
Ning Qi had no intention of keeping it to himself.
Daoist Longshan’s kindness to him was as heavy as a mountain. If he had the ability, he would definitely repay him. If Zhenwu Sect acquired the Innate Bone-Nourishing Technique, its foundation would surely deepen over time. If the right disciples were found, geniuses would emerge continuously—prosperity would be just a matter of time.
To Daoist Longshan, revitalizing the Zhenwu Sect was his greatest aspiration.
“But, cultivating the Innate Bone-Nourishing Technique isn’t easy. It requires a sufficiently strong innate source and high enough comprehension.”
“When the time comes, I’ll revise the technique and try to lower its difficulty of understanding.”
There was no other way.
The methods Ning Qi created were all tailor-made for himself. Just because he understood them didn’t mean others would.
Not everyone was born with knowledge like Ning Qi.
Not to mention the Innate Fetal Breath Technique—that was nearly impossible.
Thoughts swirled in Ning Qi’s mind as he stretched lazily. Despite his young body, his joints and bones cracked in unison.
He looked into the distance and walked forward a few steps.
A sturdy figure in a grey robe came striding over, holding a bundle of herbs in his hands.
Second Senior Brother, Xiong Shi.
Just like his name—built like a bear. Sometimes Ning Qi thought his Second Senior Brother didn’t look like a Daoist at all, but more like a butcher.
“Little Nine, First Senior Brother’s busy today, so I came to bring you these.”
A deep voice rang out as Xiong Shi scratched his head. Then, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
“Little Nine, how’d you know I was coming?”
Ning Qi grinned:
“Second Senior Brother, you’re so loud I can hear you from inside the house.”
Xiong Shi set the herbs down to the side and said, “Don’t try to trick me. I might look big, but the Turtle Spirit Steps I train in are especially agile. Not even Inner Origin Realm experts can hear me move, let alone you.”
He had a goofy smile like he’d seen through Ning Qi’s tricks.
But Ning Qi wasn’t lying.
At the moment his Bone Foundation formed, he’d developed a faint connection with the world and detected Xiong Shi’s presence. But now that connection had begun to fade, seemingly lying dormant in his body, waiting for a special moment to be awakened again.
“I’m not tricking you. I just felt really great when I woke up this morning. I really did hear your footsteps.”
Ning Qi “got anxious.”
Xiong Shi chuckled, about to tease his little Junior Brother.
But then, as if something clicked in his mind, a flicker of doubt and surprise flashed through his eyes.
Xiong Shi reached out and placed a hand on Ning Qi’s shoulder.
In the next instant—
He jumped back like he’d been shocked by lightning, a look of disbelief on his face.
Taking a couple deep breaths, he reached out again to probe Ning Qi’s shoulder, his expression growing more and more shocked—until it turned into visible joy.
“Little Nine, your Bone Foundation has formed?!”
Ning Qi smiled inwardly, showing an excited look on his face.
“Senior Brother, are you saying I can start practicing martial arts?”
After all, he was only three years old. He needed a good opportunity to reveal that his Bone Foundation had formed—he didn’t expect Second Senior Brother to deliver it so soon.
Xiong Shi’s eyes were filled with excitement. He nodded repeatedly but then quickly said:
“No, no. We still need Master to take a look, just in case I misread it and got excited over nothing.”
He took deep breaths to suppress his shock and joy.
What just happened was beyond anything he could comprehend.
Ning Qi was only three years old!
By the True Martial Emperor—he’d lived for decades and had never heard of anyone forming their Bone Foundation so early. It was simply unbelievable.
Even the Eighth Junior Brother, known for being a once-in-a-generation talent, had only formed his Bone Foundation at seven.
To form it at three? That was downright monstrous!
Xiong Shi had no time for words.
He picked Ning Qi up and placed him on his shoulder, then stepped forward using Turtle Spirit Steps and headed toward Mingwu Pavilion.
Along the way, they drew countless surprised glances.
Outer Sect Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples alike offered greetings, but Xiong Shi ignored them all.
Inside Mingwu Pavilion.
Daoist Longshan and Luo Wentian sat facing each other.
“Wentian, in a few days, I may need to go into seclusion for a while. During that time, you’ll need to handle all the matters within the sect,” Daoist Longshan instructed.
Luo Wentian nodded, eyes filled with delight.
“Master, are you about to break through to the Heaven-Man Realm?”
He looked at Daoist Longshan expectantly.
The Heaven-Man Realm—anyone at that level was a top-tier expert across the land. If Daoist Longshan reached it, Zhenwu Sect could become a dominant force in Qingzhou. It would finally have real depth, and centuries to develop and flourish.
Daoist Longshan shook his head slightly:
“I’ve only had a bit of insight—it’s uncertain. To firmly step into the Heaven-Man Realm, it might still take a few more years.”
Luo Wentian said with admiration:
“With Master’s extraordinary talent, reaching Heaven-Man Realm is only a matter of time!”
A Heaven-Man’s lifespan reached 800 years. Most considered it remarkable to break through before turning 100. And Daoist Longshan was just over eighty.
His talent was indeed outstanding—otherwise he wouldn’t have been worthy of receiving the Zhenwu inheritance or rebuilding the sect from scratch.
He smiled slightly, eyes full of confidence.
The master and disciple discussed many sect affairs. Daoist Longshan instructed Luo Wentian to start preparing for recruiting a batch of Outer Sect Disciples. Even the older True Disciples could begin taking in disciples of their own.
As they spoke, both their eyes turned simultaneously toward the entrance.
They saw Xiong Shi burst in, panting.
Daoist Longshan frowned, initially ready to scold him. But when he saw the figure on Xiong Shi’s shoulder, his expression softened. He simply said:
“Panicking like this—what kind of conduct is that?”
Luo Wentian chuckled and tried to smooth things over:
“Second Senior Brother, Master was just telling me we could start looking for disciples of our own. We’ll need to watch our manners, or we’ll end up setting a bad example.”
Xiong Shi set Ning Qi down and bowed to Master and First Senior Brother.
Taking a deep breath, he said:
“Master, I wasn’t being reckless. There’s something that needs your decision.”
“It concerns Little Nine.”
As soon as he said that, Daoist Longshan’s expression turned serious.
Luo Wentian was also a little surprised.
Could it be that their little Junior Brother got into trouble? But he’d always been smart, knew his boundaries, and was sensible—it didn’t seem likely.
“What’s the matter?” Daoist Longshan asked.
“You’ll know once you try it yourself.”
Xiong Shi gently pushed Ning Qi forward.
Ning Qi stepped up respectfully and saluted.
Daoist Longshan looked kindly at the child before him, who seemed more like five or six years old. For some reason, his heart suddenly skipped a beat as a wild guess flashed through his mind. Smiling, he reached out his right hand and placed it atop Ning Qi’s head.
In the next moment—
Daoist Longshan’s body stiffened. Though his face remained calm, a storm was already brewing in his heart.
He stared blankly at the young disciple before him, almost doubting his own senses.
But the mysterious reaction in his own Core—there was no way it could be wrong.
Luo Wentian saw his Master hesitate to move his hand and asked anxiously:
“Master, is Little Junior Brother...?”
“His Bone Foundation has formed.” Daoist Longshan said softly.