Chapter 32: Dream Devourer, Divine Sword Descends the Mountain |
Ning Qi’s eyes lit up slightly.
“Divine Sword Sect’s secret technique?”
The chubby one nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
“That’s right.”
“Ning Qi, I have three hobbies.”
“Which three?”
“I like practicing the sword the most, second is eating, third is sleeping. Eating and sleeping are because of the secret technique I practice.”
Zhuang Chen looked incredibly proud.
Ning Qi was now fully intrigued.
“This secret technique is called Dream Devourer.”
“Dream Devourer devours the heavens and earth, draws upon the essence of all things, and transforms it into power during sleep…”
Zhuang Chen’s childish voice began to speak.
One sentence after another, causing Ning Qi’s amazement to deepen the more he listened.
This Dream Devourer technique was no ordinary thing!
After hearing Zhuang Chen’s explanation, the intricacies and creativity of it made Ning Qi feel incredibly refreshed. It was a secret technique independent of stance methods and Fold Energy Techniques, yet it could support and enhance them.
Which in turn accelerated cultivation.
By devouring large amounts of food or even rarer treasures, it drew out the essence within, and used the special state during sleep to digest it.
Gotta admit, whoever created this method was a genius.
“Ning Qi, this Dream Devourer is seriously amazing. I’m telling you, one reason I reached the Muscle Refinement Realm so quickly is because of this secret technique.”
“My master said, if you cultivate this to a high level, you can even eat things like iron chunks or crystal stones, changing both the body and internal energy. It’s super powerful. Too bad I can only eat food for now.”
“Don’t think I’m dumb, okay? I’m the only one in Divine Sword Sect who’s learned this technique—not even my master did!”
The chubby one puffed up his chest proudly, then seemed a bit guilty.
“But Ning Qi, don’t worry. You’re so smart, you’ll definitely be able to learn it.”
Seeing Ning Qi stay silent, the chubby one panicked:
“Ning Qi, I already told you the secret technique. You’re not going to refuse to teach me the sword technique, right?”
He wasn’t trying to trick Ning Qi, he had just forgotten how hard Dream Devourer was to learn. Now that he remembered, he was afraid Ning Qi might not be able to master it and decide not to teach him in return.
Ning Qi came back to his senses and smiled. The chubby one had a bit of scheming in him—but not too much.
For an average person, learning this secret technique would be difficult. It might even require a special constitution.
But for Ning Qi.
It was easy.
He could take the essence of it and refine it into a technique suitable for himself.
What mattered most to him was the idea and the inspiration.
Still, having a ready-made path saved him a lot of time.
He hadn’t expected Zhuang Chen to bring him such a surprise.
Ideas were already bubbling up in his mind.
But of course, Ning Qi wouldn’t take advantage of him.
“Don’t worry, I said I’d teach you, and I will.”
Zhuang Chen nodded rapidly, his face full of joy.
“Then I’ll tell you a few more times, so you don’t forget.”
“No need, I’ve memorized it all.”
Zhuang Chen scratched his head in shock:
“Ning Qi, you’re so smart. It took me forever to memorize it, but you got it so fast.”
But he didn’t dwell on it.
He figured that even if Ning Qi memorized it quickly, he still wouldn’t master it right away.
Ning Qi gave a slight smile, offering no explanation.
“Stand up. Show me your sword technique.”
Since he’d taken the secret technique, he was going to teach properly in return—Ning Qi wasn’t one to be sloppy.
His expression was calm, yet he exuded a certain authority.
Zhuang Chen, who had still been goofing around, immediately straightened up. A trace of fear appeared instinctively on his face—it felt like he was seeing a shadow of his master in Ning Qi.
Within the entire Divine Sword Sect, only the Divine Sword Elder made him tremble like this during training.
“Yes!”
The chubby one answered respectfully, then took a deep breath and slowly drew his wooden sword from behind his back.
His gaze suddenly sharpened.
With a shout, Zhuang Chen’s chubby body moved fluidly. He swung his sword, unleashing an advanced technique with surprising ease.
Zhuang Chen held nothing back, giving it his all.
Within the Seeking Dao Courtyard, sword light flew in all directions, sweeping up fallen leaves. Occasionally, when a sword light passed, it would split a leaf cleanly in half, showing his powerful control over the Way of the Sword.
This level of skill—many seasoned sword cultivators who trained for ten or twenty years might not even achieve it.
Zhuang Chen’s sword was at times as light as drifting leaves, at times as heavy as a mountain. The balance of lightness and heaviness was perfectly controlled. Later, there was only the sound of his sword, no sight of the man—not because he’d vanished, but because his skill was so refined that it eclipsed his physical presence.
“The state of Unity of Man and Sword is becoming more refined. In just a few days, Zhuang Chen has made more progress. Just how mysterious is this congenital sword physique?”
A hint of curiosity flashed through Ning Qi’s eyes. He even had a fleeting urge to ‘dissect’ the chubby one—if he could observe the congenital sword physique up close, he might be able to gain incredible insights.
Of course, that was just a thought.
He wasn’t that kind of person.
At some point, Zhuang Chen had already stopped. Seeing Ning Qi’s gaze, he shivered and asked timidly:
“Ning Qi, was there something wrong with my sword technique just now?”
Ning Qi snapped out of it and smiled:
“Not bad at all.”
With his insight, it was easy to tell—Zhuang Chen walked the path of dominance.
Dominant Sword Intent was a powerful branch of sword intent.
Now he understood why the chubby one was so eager to learn his sword technique.
It was because Ning Qi’s sword intent wasn’t just one type. That strike he made that day combined several sword intents into one.
Having observed all phenomena in heaven and earth, what Ning Qi gained went far beyond creating the Origin of All Phenomena Stance—it was a lifetime’s worth of insight, available to draw from anytime.
That day’s strike had been executed subtly. He was confident that not even the Divine Sword Elder or his own master could tell.
He hadn’t expected the chubby one to instinctively sense something strange.
Now he knew how to teach him.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Qi said solemnly:
“Watch this sword strike carefully.”
Zhuang Chen’s eyes widened.
Ning Qi casually waved, and the wooden sword in Zhuang Chen’s hand flew uncontrollably into his own.
Then.
Ning Qi moved.
Left hand behind his back, right hand lightly swinging the sword.
Zhuang Chen’s eyes grew even wider.
In his view.
Ning Qi had vanished.
That ordinary-looking sword swing made him feel as though an ancient mountain was crashing down, or a divine elephant of old was roaring to the skies, or even a blazing sun was rising in the east.
He stood dumbfounded.
Until Ning Qi’s voice called out:
“What did you see?”
Zhuang Chen shuddered and snapped back to reality, looking at Ning Qi with worship in his eyes.
“I saw an ancient mountain, a divine elephant, and a big golden sun.”
He gulped unconsciously.
Ning Qi nodded calmly:
“Your comprehension isn’t bad.”
“Keep watching.”
Ning Qi swung the sword again.
Zhuang Chen watched intently.
Then Ning Qi asked again.
Zhuang Chen answered truthfully.
Over and over.
Until Zhuang Chen’s desire to try it himself grew stronger and stronger, Ning Qi finally said:
“Now you try.”
Zhuang Chen swung the sword.
Compared to before, it was already somewhat different.
Ning Qi nodded to himself.
This congenital sword physique really was remarkable. His comprehension of swordsmanship far surpassed normal people. Ning Qi had only seen a learning speed like this once before—with the White Ape training the Ape King Stance.
Everyone else couldn’t compare to this man and ape.
Ning Qi let Zhuang Chen practice the sword, occasionally correcting him. He kept at it until the boy was drenched in sweat and pale-faced before letting him stop.
Comprehending sword intent also required a strong body and spirit to support it.
Zhuang Chen was still raring to go, excitement all over his face:
“Ning Qi, I felt it, I really felt it!”
“You’re amazing!”
He felt that under Ning Qi’s guidance, it was like he had divine help. Every word saved him countless detours.
He even thought to himself, not even his master, the Divine Sword Elder, taught this well.
Zhuang Chen’s eyes were full of admiration.
But Ning Qi only smiled lightly:
“For the next few days, come here at noon for half an hour of sword practice. Don’t come at any other time.”
Before this.
The chubby one might’ve clung on and pestered him.
But now, he had a kind of unexplainable respect for Ning Qi.
Although he was reluctant, he still responded respectfully:
“Yes!”
In the days that followed.
Every noon, the chubby one came as scheduled to the Seeking Dao Courtyard for sword practice.
Ning Qi occasionally gave pointers. He had already created a custom-fit sword move for the boy—so long as he kept practicing, comprehending Dominant Sword Intent would come naturally.
In fact, the Dominant Sword Intent even contained traces of other mystical elements.
While the chubby one practiced his sword, the White Ape sat nearby watching. After a few days, Zhuang Chen became much more humble, and the White Ape’s anger faded. The two, man and ape, had started out fighting—but now had formed a decent friendship.
However, when the chubby one was around, the White Ape never practiced his stances. This was Ning Qi’s rule—never reveal stance training in front of outsiders.
As for Ning Qi, other than giving Zhuang Chen occasional pointers, he focused on studying the newly acquired Dream Devourer technique.
It really was remarkable—but Ning Qi also discovered a flaw.
If one kept cultivating it, the body would become increasingly obese. Eventually, one might even become a literal mountain of flesh. Ning Qi couldn’t tolerate that.
“In the end, it’s because Dream Devourer can’t fully digest the energy taken in. So it stores the excess as fat.”
Ning Qi planned to extract the essence and refine it, blending it into his envisioned Fold Energy Technique.
He already had an idea.
And so.
Seven days passed in a flash.
Ning Qi’s internal energy grew stronger day by day. At the same time, he revisited various Fold Energy Techniques—especially the Ice Silkworm Force. He thought it had a solid foundation, maybe not even inferior to Dream Devourer, and worthy of learning from.
One day.
The chubby one stood outside the Seeking Dao Courtyard, but didn’t enter.
His face looked a bit downcast:
“Ning Qi, Yuan Tiansheng, I’m leaving.”
Today was the day Divine Sword Sect departed. After these days of interaction, it was indeed time to go.
The White Ape leapt out, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
Though he’d been annoyed by the chubby one’s disrespect at first, after spending time together, he’d come to see he wasn’t a bad guy.
“Do you not want to say goodbye to me?”
Zhuang Chen’s eyes lit up as he looked at Yuan Tiansheng.
The White Ape turned his head away proudly.
Zhuang Chen chuckled and looked toward the courtyard, reverence rising in his eyes.
“Ning Qi, I’ll miss you guys.”
Ning Qi smiled.
“Go home and train hard.”
Zhuang Chen nodded rapidly:
“I’ll work super hard—ten years from now, I’ll surpass you!”
Saying that.
The chubby one ran off.
Ning Qi looked at his back and shook his head with a smile. Surpassing him? Not likely.
His emotions wavered slightly—but quickly settled.
With the chubby one’s talent, barring accidents, he would at least reach the Heaven-Man Realm and live a long life. They’d have plenty of chances to meet again. No need to rush.
He turned his gaze back to the sheepskin parchment in his hand.
“Ice Silkworm Force, breaking through the cocoon and rebirthing nine times—that’s nine folds of internal energy. Each transformation is drastic. But rebirthing isn’t easy. Each one demands a trial. Maybe... there’s another way…”
Ideas sparked in Ning Qi’s mind.
Meanwhile, outside Zhenwu Mountain.
The Divine Sword Elder and Daoist Longshan also said their goodbyes.
“This time, I owe you,” said the Divine Sword Elder, a rare admission.
They said they’d study the Heaven-Man secrets together, but in truth, it was mostly Daoist Longshan sharing. At best, the Divine Sword Elder could occasionally offer a different perspective. Even if he wasn’t guaranteed to reach the Heaven-Man Realm now, at least he had hope—and a clearer path forward.
Daoist Longshan laughed:
“It’s rare to hear those words from you.”
The Divine Sword Elder turned his head in irritation and huffed:
“Daoist Longshan, don’t think just because I owe you now that I’ll go easy on you next time. Ten years from now, be ready—or my disciple might wipe the floor with yours!”
Daoist Longshan only smiled.
The Divine Sword Elder then burst out laughing himself:
“Off I go. See you in ten years!”
The Divine Sword Sect disciples bowed with their sword salute, then activated their sword steps and sped off.
On the way.
The chubby one seemed distracted, often wanting to speak but holding back.
Seeing his youngest disciple like this, the Divine Sword Elder felt a pang in his heart. He pulled Zhuang Chen to the front, out of sight of the other disciples, then asked gently:
“Chen’er, is there something you want to tell me?”
Zhuang Chen cautiously replied:
“If I tell you, will you not spank me?”
The Divine Sword Elder froze for a moment, then chuckled and said:
“Go on.”
“I… I told Ning Qi about Dream Devourer.”
The chubby one braced himself.
The Divine Sword Elder stood there in a daze.
He knew his silly disciple had been hanging out with that Zhenwu Sect genius—but never thought the boy would actually pass on such a supreme secret technique. Still, he didn’t get angry. His feelings were complicated.
“Longshan shared his Heaven-Man insights with me. And Chen’er gave Dream Devourer to Ning Qi. Could this be… fate?”
He felt the world was strangely poetic.
Seeing his master stay silent for so long, Zhuang Chen thought he was mad and quickly said:
“Master, don’t be angry. Ning Qi didn’t take it for free. He taught me a sword move in return.”
The Divine Sword Elder’s eyes lit up.
Moments later.
Watching Zhuang Chen swing the sword, he stood like a statue, waves of shock crashing in his heart.
“In just a few days, Chen’er’s already begun to grasp sword intent?!”
At that moment.
He understood—the ninth true disciple of Zhenwu Sect was far more monstrous than he’d imagined.
“Longshan… has really taken in an extraordinary disciple!”
He sighed deeply, feeling both envious and happy for his old friend.
Then he solemnly brushed Zhuang Chen’s head and said seriously:
“Chen’er, from now on, don’t tell anyone that sword technique came from Ning Qi. If anyone asks, say I taught you. Got it?”
Zhuang Chen had never seen his master this serious before.
But he still respectfully answered:
“Yes! I understand, Master!”
The Divine Sword Elder smiled in relief. No matter how monstrous other people’s disciples were, he still preferred his own silly disciple.
…
Time passed quietly.
It had been a month since the Divine Sword Sect left. The Zhenwu Sect returned to peace once more.
And for Ning Qi, the creation of his own Fold Energy Technique had reached a critical juncture.
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