Chapter 15: The Guardian of the Dao |
After receiving the Zhenwu inheritance all those years ago, he had tried many times. But no matter how much he racked his brain, it was all to no avail. He had thought maybe once he broke through to the Heaven-Man Realm, there might be a sliver of hope—though most likely it would end with nothing. Perhaps only a Martial Saint could pull it off.
But he never expected this.
After a month in seclusion, this Zhenwu Stance had appeared before his eyes in this very form.
When he saw Ning Qi cultivating this stance, Daoist Longshan’s first reaction was that a peerless expert from the Zhenwu Sect had returned, which was why he had asked those earlier questions.
But now he realized—it was actually the little disciple who had created it himself.
He looked at the manual in his hands.
Gradually, he became immersed in it.
“So that’s how it is!”
“Marvelous!”
He sat on the stone stool nearby, slapping his leg now and then.
It was fast work when you had the answer key.
He was, after all, a top-tier expert in the Qi Origin Realm and extremely familiar with the Nine Sons of Zhenwu. He had tried many times to deduce their ultimate meaning, and though he’d come up with a few vague leads, seeing this stance now, he could immediately grasp its brilliance.
Such ingenious ideas left him in awe.
Finally.
Daoist Longshan let out a long sigh and closed the manual, his gaze slightly complex as he looked at Ning Qi.
He had once thought that if Ning Qi followed his plan, there was a very high chance he would become a Martial Saint.
But now, he believed—
Ning Qi becoming a Martial Saint was already set in stone. It wouldn't even be surprising if he surpassed that realm one day.
This level of comprehension was simply too monstrous!
He could no longer predict Ning Qi’s limits.
In that moment.
Daoist Longshan recalled the day Ning Qi asked him about immortality.
A phrase suddenly surged into his mind.
How could sparrows understand the ambition of swans?
He couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.
“As Master once said, should this stance be called the Zhenwu Stance?”
Ning Qi’s curious question pulled Daoist Longshan back to the moment.
He smiled and patted the stone stool beside him. Once Ning Qi sat down, he continued:
“Little Nine, do you remember Master once told you that all stances in the world are divided into upper, middle, and lower ranks?”
“I remember.”
“But now let me tell you, besides the upper, middle, and lower stances, there is actually another type, extremely rare and unknown to most—called peerless stances!”
“Across the entire world, the number of forces that possess a peerless stance can be counted on one hand. At least from what I know, only two are guaranteed—the imperial family of the Great Yan has one, and the Demonic Sect has one. As for others, places like Dajue Temple and Wanjian Pavilion at most have what could be considered half a step into the peerless realm.”
Hearing Daoist Longshan begin to speak of the secrets of the world, Ning Qi’s eyes lit up at once.
“And during the peak of our Zhenwu Sect, we too had one peerless stance.”
Looking into Ning Qi’s bright eyes, Daoist Longshan smiled.
“That’s right—it’s the Zhenwu Stance!”
“The Nine Sons of Zhenwu I passed on to you all actually originated from the Zhenwu Stance. It’s the master key, and also peerless. Those who train in it can forge a peerless foundation and stand a greater chance of reaching Martial Saint. But sadly, when I received the Zhenwu inheritance, I only got the Nine Sons of Zhenwu, not the master key. It has always been a regret of mine.”
“Who would’ve thought—you would be the one to comprehend it.”
“Perhaps… it is the will of heaven.”
Daoist Longshan smiled and patted Ning Qi’s head.
“Master, are you saying the True Dragon Stance I created is the Zhenwu Stance?”
“Exactly. The Zhenwu inheritance contains a description—cultivating the Zhenwu Stance can grant the Divine Intent of the True Dragon. The stance you created may not be identical, but it’s definitely not far off. However, since it was your own creation, from now on let it be known as the True Dragon Stance.”
“Honestly, I think the name True Dragon Stance suits it better—just like the Bi’an Stance grants the Divine Intent of Bi’an. Since yours grants the True Dragon’s Divine Intent, it naturally should be called the True Dragon Stance.”
Daoist Longshan had great respect for Ning Qi.
He chuckled warmly, clearly in a great mood.
Ning Qi also smiled. He had finally resolved a long-standing question in his heart—above the Nine Sons of Zhenwu, there really was a stronger stance. He only felt a bit regretful that his Master didn’t possess it, so they couldn’t compare notes.
Hearing Daoist Longshan’s words, Ning Qi shook his head and said:
“Since it was called the Zhenwu Stance in ancient times, then it shall remain the Zhenwu Stance. Master, keep it safe. In the future, if there are suitable Junior Brothers or Sisters, you can pass it on to them.”
As for his Senior Brothers and Sisters, they had all already entered the Inner Origin Realm and couldn’t retrain it.
Ning Qi didn’t care what the stance was called—that was a minor detail.
Daoist Longshan looked at Ning Qi and laughed heartily.
The name really was a small matter, but in it, he saw Ning Qi’s sincerity.
He didn’t take the manual, only said:
“This Zhenwu Stance will have to be practiced by your future disciples and their disciples.”
Ning Qi asked in surprise:
“Why?”
Daoist Longshan’s gaze turned distant.
“Do you remember when I said the Nine Sons of Zhenwu could rival a Martial Saint?”
“I remember.”
“In fact, in the old Zhenwu Sect, aside from the Nine Sons of Zhenwu, there was another even stronger and more secretive existence—the Guardian of the Dao! A Guardian doesn’t protect just one person—they protect the Zhenwu inheritance itself!”
“The Guardian of the Dao practiced the Zhenwu Stance. Although a peerless stance is powerful, it comes with high demands. There is only one Guardian per generation—and they are almost always Martial Saints!”
Ning Qi was surprised.
“So back in the heyday of the Zhenwu Sect, didn’t that mean there were two Martial Saint-level powers?”
“Exactly!”
“With such strength, how did the Zhenwu Sect vanish from the pages of history?”
Ning Qi was puzzled. He now understood that becoming a Martial Saint was no easy feat. Looking at ancient history, there were times when only one Martial Saint reigned. Even in eras when martial cultivation flourished, there were rarely more than a handful.
Logically, with such a foundation, the Zhenwu Sect should have endured.
Daoist Longshan shook his head slightly.
“Maybe it was internal strife, maybe an accident—no one knows anymore. The inheritance I received back then made no mention of it.”
Ning Qi pushed down his own speculations, then heard Daoist Longshan speak solemnly:
“Ning Qi, are you willing to become this generation’s Guardian of the Dao for the Zhenwu Sect?”
There was a hint of expectation in Daoist Longshan’s eyes.
Without the Zhenwu Stance, he never considered the Guardian role. But now—was there anyone more suitable than Ning Qi?
As long as Ning Qi grew strong, the Zhenwu Sect’s future would be secure.
In that moment, Ning Qi instantly understood why Daoist Longshan said the Zhenwu Stance should only be passed on to future disciples.
So he had already made up his mind.
Ning Qi didn’t hesitate.
He stood up, expression solemn.
“Your disciple is willing!”
One must know gratitude. Daoist Longshan had saved his life, protected him, and guided him with care. His Senior Brothers and Sisters doted on him endlessly. Even without the title of Guardian, he would never let anything happen to the Zhenwu Sect.
This wasn’t even a conflicting responsibility. Now it was just a matter of formalizing it.
Daoist Longshan laughed heartily.
“Good! Very good!”
“Little Nine, keep this manual yourself. If in the future you meet a suitable Guardian candidate, then pass it on to them. As for the others, don’t tell them.”
“Yes, your disciple will remember.”
Master and disciple exchanged smiles.