Chapter 16: Scripture Pavilion |
“Master, I have something else for you.”
Daoist Longshan looked over curiously and saw Ning Qi hand over a prescription.
An improved version of the Body Tempering Powder.
“In my spare time, I felt that the original Body Tempering Powder still had room for improvement, so I made some adjustments. The effect is now more than twice as strong as before.”
Daoist Longshan was stunned, then overjoyed.
He didn’t doubt Ning Qi’s words.
With the Zhenwu Stance as proof, Daoist Longshan accepted it easily.
The Zhenwu Stance was already a huge surprise, and this improved Body Tempering Powder was something that could visibly benefit the Zhenwu Sect. It would allow disciples to grow more quickly—truly a peerless treasure that could deepen the sect's foundation!
Daoist Longshan’s gaze toward Ning Qi was full of gratification.
He genuinely felt—
Taking Ning Qi to Zhenwu Mountain back then might’ve been the wisest decision of his entire life.
With a disciple like this, what more could he ask for?
“Little Nine, if you need anything, just tell Master. Now that you’re the Guardian of the Dao for Zhenwu Sect, all sect resources are at your disposal.”
Daoist Longshan said seriously.
The Guardian of the Dao remains hidden in the shadows, the sect’s absolute trump card, and is treated accordingly.
Not to mention Ning Qi’s contributions to the Zhenwu Sect.
At this point, Daoist Longshan had completely let go of his earlier thoughts. Just after exiting seclusion, he had considered planning a path to Martial Saint for Ning Qi to avoid wasting his talent. But after witnessing such monstrous aptitude, he changed his mind.
For a genius like this, the best teaching method was to provide ample resources and let him grow freely.
No need for interference elsewhere.
Otherwise, if he led Ning Qi astray, Daoist Longshan would never forgive himself.
Ning Qi was a little excited—he hadn’t expected being the Guardian of the Dao would come with such perks.
What did he yearn for the most?
That would surely be the Scripture Pavilion of the Zhenwu Sect.
It didn’t just contain various martial arts manuals—it was also home to many Daoist classics, works on geomancy, and medical treatises.
Even though Daoist Longshan doted on him deeply, in the past he could only access part of it. Rules were rules. Even True Disciples with better treatment needed to earn contribution points. Otherwise, if everyone could take whatever they wanted, the sect would surely decline or even perish over time.
“Master, may I live in the Scripture Pavilion in the future?” Ning Qi asked hopefully.
Each time he had to borrow a book took time. Why not just move in directly?
Although the True Dragon Stance was already a peerless stance, Ning Qi wasn’t satisfied. If he used the Scripture Pavilion’s many martial arts as a foundation, maybe he could create an even more powerful stance.
If he could turn the entire Scripture Pavilion into his own foundation, Ning Qi’s path to growth would become much smoother.
Full-level comprehension was powerful, but it still needed continuous refinement.
Daoist Longshan paused—he hadn’t expected Ning Qi to make such a request.
After some thought, he said:
“Living in the Scripture Pavilion might not be too convenient. There’s not much room to train. How about this—Master will have a new residence built for you near the Pavilion. It’ll be quiet and undisturbed. You can go read anytime, and practice in your own space.”
Ning Qi was overjoyed—this was even better.
“Thank you, Master!”
“But the Scripture Pavilion holds countless classics—you must not get lost in them. You must learn to distinguish what’s important.”
Daoist Longshan smiled faintly.
“No other requests?”
“None for now.”
“Then we’ll talk if something comes up later.”
He motioned for Ning Qi to sit.
“Since you’re here today, let me share with you some thoughts on martial cultivation stages—just a bit of experience I’ve gathered over the years.”
“There are eight stages of Body Tempering. Skin, flesh, tendons, and bones are the outer four. Organs, marrow, blood, and spirit are the inner four. When the inner and outer are in harmony, one achieves perfection…”
“Among the outer four stages, Bone Tempering is the most crucial. It serves as the bridge connecting inner and outer…”
“Among the inner four stages, Spirit Tempering is the most dangerous and requires the most patience…”
Daoist Longshan spoke in detail.
He only shared experience, nothing more. Whether it could be applied depended on Ning Qi himself.
Ning Qi listened, utterly captivated.
This was unreserved teaching. For him, this kind of martial cultivation insight was exactly what he needed—it could help him avoid many detours.
At that moment, sparks of inspiration were already lighting up in Ning Qi’s mind. He immediately realized a few imperfections in the Zhenwu Stance he had created.
As the setting sun cast its golden light, master and disciple sat across from each other discussing the Dao.
Like a scene from a painting.
…
Time passed gently.
Ning Qi had already reached mastery in the Flesh Tempering stage. With a single-arm wave, he could exert eight hundred jin of strength. For a three-year-old child, that was quite exaggerated. But thinking it over, it made sense—the Flesh Tempering Realm was all about increasing strength. Coupled with the peerless foundation built by Ning Qi’s Zhenwu Stance, it became even more astonishing.
And today.
Ning Qi was packing his things.
His residence by the Scripture Pavilion was finally ready.
Third Senior Sister Ye Qinghe, Fourth Senior Brother He Yan, and Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan all came to help.
“Tut tut tut, Little Nine, come clean—are you Master’s illegitimate son?”
Ye Qinghe teased as she helped pack, pinching Ning Qi’s cheek.
Ning Qi rolled his eyes and swatted her hand away.
“Third Senior Sister, go say that to Master’s face if you’ve got the guts.”
He Yan and Jiang Baishan exchanged looks and gave bitter smiles.
If it were them, they’d never dare say such a thing.
As the only female among the nine True Disciples, Ye Qinghe was deeply doted on by Daoist Longshan. But joking in private was one thing—saying it to his face would definitely get her punished with scripture copying and standing in the corner.
She wrinkled her nose and spoke what He Yan and Jiang Baishan were both thinking.
“Hmph! Then why else would Master let you be the only one to live near the Scripture Pavilion and tell us not to disturb your training?”
The three of them were clearly a little jealous.
They felt like Master was playing favorites—but more than anything, they just wanted to tease Ning Qi.
Ning Qi’s eyes gleamed as he smiled.
“You guys really wanna know?”
Three pairs of eyes turned toward him.
“Because I’m a peerless genius!”
Ning Qi hoisted his bundle and left the three of them with the back view of a classic dragon-protagonist.
Ye Qinghe and the others were speechless, their teeth itching—then they looked at each other and laughed.
“Cocky Little Nine.”
Though they were a little envious, it wasn’t enough to make them feel unbalanced. Ning Qi’s talent was obvious to all. Among the many True Disciples, they had already started to see him as the future of the Zhenwu Sect.
Besides, they had watched Ning Qi grow up—he was like a real little brother.
Soon.
The four of them arrived at Ning Qi’s new home.
After another round of teasing and a few reminders, the three seniors took their leave.
“Little Nine, cultivate well. If you need anything, come find us anytime.”
Ning Qi watched them go, then looked around his new home, joy in his heart.
The courtyard was spacious and quiet, located just behind the Scripture Pavilion. Normally, no one would come disturb him.
He looked off into the distance at the Scripture Pavilion, eyes gradually lighting up with excitement.
To him, that was the foundation of immortality.