Chapter 52: Ten-Zhang Internal Energy |
The Qi Origin Realm was divided into the White Mist, Jade Liquid, and Core Formation stages, each vastly different from the next.
The Core Formation Realm was already the strongest below the Heaven-Man Realm, and its powerful Qi could even let someone briefly fly through the air.
Even Ning Qi didn’t think he could skip that many realms to take on a Core Formation Realm expert. He wasn’t that arrogant.
Luo Wentian’s expression was grave:
“There’s no such thing as coincidence in this world. This absolutely has something to do with the Purple River Sword Sect!”
“Ever since Master went into seclusion, rumors have been spreading in the martial world—some say he’s gravely injured and near death, others say our Zhenwu Sect holds an unrivaled legacy. The Three Fiends of Iron Ridge’s night raid on Zhenwu Mountain was likely influenced by such rumors.”
Everyone was shocked.
If others believed those rumors, then to those desperate enough to take risks, Zhenwu Sect would look like a juicy piece of meat. This incident with the Three Fiends of Iron Ridge might’ve just been a test.
“Then what should we do now?”
Luo Wentian’s eyes were resolute.
“I’m issuing a recall order—summon back all disciples currently training outside!”
“From today forward, Zhenwu Mountain is sealed. No disciple is to enter or leave without permission. We wait for Master to exit seclusion!”
Everyone shouted in unison.
“Yes!”
Their eyes held firm determination.
Because everyone in Zhenwu Sect knew that Daoist Longshan wasn’t injured—he was in death seclusion, attempting to break through the bottleneck of the Heaven-Man Realm. Once he emerged, and the sect had a Heaven-Man Realm expert, any crisis would resolve itself.
Ning Qi was calm inside.
He wasn’t needed for the surface patrols. If another Qi Origin Realm expert intruded, he’d step in again.
But he felt that the setback the Three Fiends of Iron Ridge suffered would serve as a deterrent. Those coveting Zhenwu Sect’s inheritance might not act again.
Zhenwu Sect officially entered lockdown.
Squads of disciples patrolled day and night, with intensity at least ten times higher than before.
The disciples training outside were recalled.
The Zhenwu Sect’s foundation was beginning to show.
A thousand disciples gathered atop Zhenwu Mountain. On the surface, they had Jiang Baishan, a White Mist Realm expert, which alone would make ordinary people think twice.
During this time.
There were also thieves trying to sneak up the mountain, but they were all detected and surrounded to death by Zhenwu Sect disciples.
Other than the Three Fiends of Iron Ridge, only one White Mist Realm expert had snuck in under a false identity, but was repelled by Jiang Baishan and the disciples.
However, they didn’t know—
That White Mist Realm expert had been quietly killed by Ning Qi.
But this time, he wasn’t as lucky—he didn’t get any treasures or secret manuals like the Dominant Tiger True Intent Diagram. Only the weapon the expert carried and a few pills, which Ning Qi identified and then stuffed into a wall corner.
Time flowed quietly.
In the blink of an eye, several months had passed.
After Zhenwu Sect fully locked down and endured the early chaos and probing, the rest of the martial world came to understand that Zhenwu Sect wasn’t easy to mess with. Jiang Baishan’s reputation also grew, and fewer dared to intrude.
Especially with Luo Wentian actively spreading word outside that Daoist Longshan was about to ascend to the Heaven-Man Realm. That alone suppressed many Qi Origin Realm experts.
Many began to believe it. You could say Zhenwu Sect had carved its way to peace with sword and blade.
During this period.
Ning Qi had only acted a handful of times.
He intercepted two Qi Origin Realm experts in secret.
He wasn’t needed publicly, so his training wasn’t affected much—he only needed to stay more alert.
In the past month.
No more intruders dared ascend the mountain.
The storm had pretty much settled.
Ning Qi gradually felt at ease.
In the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi felt the connection between his internal energy and his physical body reestablishing itself. His eyes flickered. Half a month ago, he had already been able to enter the seventh false-death state, but had held back due to the unstable situation.
Only after another half month, when he was sure there was no more danger, did Ning Qi make up his mind.
“Tiansheng, if anything happens in the sect, wake me up immediately.”
Ning Qi instructed.
The false-death state couldn’t be forcibly interrupted, or all his prior buildup would be wasted. But compared to wasting a few months, the safety of his Senior Brothers and Sisters mattered far more to him.
“Yes, Master.”
A deep, respectful voice replied.
It was White Ape speaking!
Golden threads had begun to form around the edges of his eyes, giving him a mystical appearance. A few days ago, he had perfected organ refinement and learned the art of ventriloquism. He could now communicate with Ning Qi through speech.
Ning Qi nodded slowly.
Then shut himself in.
By now, the seventh false-death state was familiar territory.
Hearing his breathing gradually fade behind the door, White Ape’s eyes flashed with determination. He was well aware of the recent affairs in Zhenwu Sect. A sense of helplessness rose in his heart—he felt useless and defeated.
He resolved to work harder in cultivation, to become a Zhenwu Sect powerhouse sooner.
White Ape was practicing the Ape King Stance.
This stance had evolved slightly from the original form Ning Qi had created. White Ape was trying to tailor it to his own traits for a more perfect fit.
His cultivation was progressing at breakneck speed as well.
While Ning Qi was in seclusion.
No one came to disturb him.
All the True Disciples were busy during this period, and few came by Ning Qi’s place.
Half a month later.
Ning Qi slowly awakened.
Sensing his strengthened body and solidified internal energy, joy flickered in his eyes—just as expected.
“Eighth Fold Realm!”
“Now, my internal energy can already extend ten zhang!”
That was astonishing.
Normally, even a martial artist who had perfected the Ninth Fold of the Inner Origin Realm could only extend their energy a bit over one zhang. Ning Qi had achieved ten times that!
And.
He was still just at the Eighth Fold Realm—not yet perfected at Ninth Fold.
It was unimaginable how strong Ning Qi would become once he perfected the Inner Origin Realm.
“My strength has taken another step forward. If I faced Iron Eagle again now, it’d be easy. Ten zhang of internal energy—even if it can’t be released from the body—would still be enough to instantly kill him if caught off guard.”
Ning Qi was quite satisfied.
He also had a hunch. Now that his internal energy had reached the Eighth Fold, it was solid enough—perhaps an unexpected gain was just ahead.
“Tiansheng, has anything happened in the sect while I was in seclusion for this half month?”
White Ape stood respectfully.
“Reporting to Master, all is well within the sect.”
“That’s good.”
Ning Qi slowly nodded, then the corner of his lips curled into a smile:
“This time, your teacher has made another breakthrough. Maybe I can finally figure out what’s going on in your body—want to give it a try?”
White Ape froze for a moment, then involuntarily shivered.
Then.
He closed his eyes, resigned to his fate.
“Master, go ahead!”