Chapter 26: Divine Sword Elder |
Zhenwu Mountain was originally called Divine Sword Mountain.
Divine Sword Elder was the master of Divine Sword Mountain.
Decades ago.
Daoist Longshan traveled here and met Divine Sword Elder. Divine Sword Elder had a fiery temper, and the two of them somehow got into an argument. Later, Divine Sword Elder personally proposed a bet: if he lost, he would hand over Divine Sword Mountain.
Unexpectedly, he really did lose by a narrow margin, defeated by Daoist Longshan.
Daoist Longshan tried to decline.
But Divine Sword Elder honored his promise, voluntarily leaving with his followers.
In the end, Daoist Longshan simply rebuilt Zhenwu Sect atop Divine Sword Mountain.
But the matter did not end there.
If he won, he could reclaim Divine Sword Mountain.
Thus the connection between the two sects was forged.
However, it was clear.
Daoist Longshan was more talented by far. Decades ago, Divine Sword Elder had only lost by a slight margin, but now Daoist Longshan had reached Full Circle in the Core Formation Realm, half a step into the Heaven-Man Realm, while Divine Sword Elder had only recently broken into Core Formation.
In the past ten-year duels.
Divine Sword Elder had left in frustration each time.
But he always showed up on time.
Thinking of these matters, Ning Qi couldn't help but smile.
In his view, his Master and Divine Sword Elder were probably once close friends, but Divine Sword Elder’s explosive temper made him unable to back down in front of others.
Now that Divine Sword Elder was once again coming to fulfill their agreement, as one of Zhenwu Sect’s true disciples, Ning Qi naturally needed to show up.
Ning Qi walked steadily and briskly, his hands behind his back like a little adult.
Following behind him was White Ape, dressed in a Daoist robe. His snowy white fur and lively eyes made him look extraordinary, which in turn made Ning Qi appear even more remarkable.
At this moment, Zhenwu Sect disciples had gathered, and all the true disciples were present.
"Is that Ninth Martial Uncle?"
"Didn't expect Ninth Martial Uncle to be so young, probably only seven or eight years old. I wonder if he’s started practicing martial arts yet?"
Some newly admitted third-generation disciples were curiously discussing.
They were surprised to see the usually mischievous White Ape behaving so obediently behind Ning Qi.
Some second-generation disciples greeted them with cheerful smiles.
Calling out, Ninth Senior Brother.
Ning Qi smiled and nodded to each.
The whole Zhenwu Sect was united, with very few dirty intrigues.
Thanks to Ning Qi’s improved Body Tempering Powder, Zhenwu Sect’s foundation was now beginning to show. Each body tempering disciple’s cultivation had surpassed their peers.
"Greetings to Master and all Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."
Ning Qi walked to the front and bowed respectfully.
White Ape did the same.
Daoist Longshan stroked his beard with a smile.
Luo Wentian and the others, seeing Ning Qi, all showed smiles. In the past year, except on special days, they rarely saw Ning Qi and missed him dearly.
"Little Nine, you've grown taller again!"
Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan said.
"Yeah, that little rascal from back then has really grown up."
Everyone sighed with emotion; time passed so quickly.
It felt like just yesterday when Ning Qi had been brought to Zhenwu Mountain, and now five years had gone by in a flash, and Ning Qi had grown so much.
After a while.
Eighth disciple Qin Yun arrived.
He first apologized to Daoist Longshan, then cheerfully greeted his fellow senior and junior brothers.
In the past two years, Qin Yun had practiced martial arts with even greater intensity, almost becoming a martial maniac.
His gaze landed on Ning Qi, and he smiled:
"Little Nine, you're here."
He was somewhat astonished inside, completely unable to see through Ning Qi’s cultivation level.
Ning Qi nodded and smiled:
"I thought I was already diligent enough, but I didn’t expect Eighth Senior Brother to arrive even later than me."
Qin Yun said helplessly:
"Can’t be helped. My talent is lacking; I can only make up for it with hard work."
Hearing this, Daoist Longshan’s heart faintly frowned.
These days, most of his energy had been spent on trying to break through to the Heaven-Man Realm. Sect affairs were left to his senior disciple Luo Wentian, and he hadn’t been able to oversee the other disciples as much. He had heard Luo Wentian mention Qin Yun’s almost maniacal cultivation.
Now seeing it firsthand, it seemed even more excessive than he had imagined.
The martial path required perseverance, balancing tension and relaxation.
He planned to find time to talk to Qin Yun.
With Qin Yun’s talent not inferior to his own, there was no need to be so anxious. Step by step, his future achievements would surpass even his own.
As for Ning Qi, he was different.
Daoist Longshan knew that this little disciple could not be measured by common sense.
While he was pondering this.
Movement came from the bottom of the mountain.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward it.
Figures in tight outfits carrying swords raced up like flying divine swords, extremely fast, treating the rugged mountains like flat ground, exuding a sharp aura.
"Is that the Divine Sword Step created by Divine Sword Elder? Truly extraordinary."
Ning Qi nodded silently.
Out of habit, he observed the subtle intricacies and gained some inspiration, adding to his growth and foundation.
Daoist Longshan laughed heartily and took the initiative to greet them:
"Brother Divine Sword, as always, you’re neither early nor late."
A cold snort rang out:
"Daoist Longshan, stop with the sarcastic remarks."
The disciples of Zhenwu Sect all looked displeased, but Daoist Longshan remained cheerful, knowing Divine Sword Elder’s temperament.
Ning Qi looked over.
He saw a sturdy, vigorous old man appear before the crowd. His eyes were sharp, and he carried a broad and long sword on his back, looking very domineering.
It was Divine Sword Elder.
Behind Divine Sword Elder were disciples of Divine Sword Sect.
Each one wore tight outfits, looking spirited and sharp like swordsmen. But their gazes toward Zhenwu Sect’s disciples were rather unfriendly.
Ning Qi found it familiar—much like how small children glared when bigger kids stole their toys and they couldn’t fight back.
But one person caught Ning Qi’s attention.
A fair, chubby little boy, also carrying a sword, was looking around absentmindedly with a runny nose—he didn’t look very smart.
When he met Ning Qi’s gaze, his eyes lit up and he grinned foolishly, before being pulled back by a senior brother from Divine Sword Sect.
Ning Qi smiled back at him.
"Brother Divine Sword, after ten years, your demeanor remains as splendid as ever."
Daoist Longshan said with emotion.
Divine Sword Elder’s face softened slightly.
He scrutinized Daoist Longshan, a flicker of awe in his heart—he could no longer fully discern the other’s strength.
Divine Sword Elder couldn’t help but ask:
"Have you taken that step?"
Daoist Longshan shook his head:
"Still a little short."
Divine Sword Elder fell silent, then muttered sourly:
"You old Daoist, living it up these years on Zhenwu Mountain."
Daoist Longshan smiled and said:
"Thanks to Brother Divine Sword’s blessing, Zhenwu Mountain is indeed a land of fortune."
Divine Sword Elder’s face darkened, feeling that the other’s words were insufferably annoying yet impossible to refute.
He could only snort coldly:
"Don’t get too cocky. Zhenwu Mountain is just temporarily in your care."
Daoist Longshan shook his head and laughed, sincerely saying:
"As long as Brother Divine Sword asks, I’ll return Zhenwu Mountain immediately and find another place."
"Enough, enough!"
Divine Sword Elder roared in anger.
"Don’t give me that crap! I’ve lived my whole life without being ordered around. Since I lost Zhenwu Mountain back then, I won’t break my word. But if I want to take it back, it must be through a fair and honorable fight!"
"Daoist Longshan, don’t tell me you think you’re no match for me and want to surrender first?"
"Let me tell you—impossible!"
"Have you already forgotten our ten-year agreement?"
Divine Sword Elder’s beard and hair bristled, his momentum fierce, and the disciples of Divine Sword Sect behind him stood tall and proud.
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