Chapter 61: Bestowing Treasures |
This time, Daoist Longshan had slain several Qi Origin Realm experts during his descent from the mountain, and naturally, the spoils he obtained were abundant.
Even Ning Qi couldn’t help but show a rare look of anticipation.
That night, during the ambush by the Three Fiends of Iron Ridge, only Iron Eagle was left behind. From him, Ning Qi obtained the Dominant Tiger True Intent Diagram, which benefited him greatly. But failing to acquire the other two diagrams had always been a regret.
This time, however, Daoist Longshan had chased the remaining two fiends all the way to Cangzhou and killed them both.
Perhaps this time, he could collect the complete set of three True Intent Diagrams.
Seeing his disciples' expressions, Daoist Longshan couldn’t help but smile.
He didn’t keep them guessing. With a wave of his hand, a red sandalwood box trimmed with gold appeared before the disciples. Everyone’s eyes lit up, their hearts racing.
News that the Wang Clan had used a Condensed Qi Pill as compensation had already spread to Zhenwu Mountain.
The wooden box was opened.
Its glossy surface shimmered, and it exuded a strange fragrance that made people instinctively swallow.
“This is a Condensed Qi Pill. You all know what it does,” Daoist Longshan said calmly. He already knew in his heart who it was meant for.
The disciples’ eyes burned with desire.
Then Luo Wentian stepped forward. A flash of longing passed quickly through his eyes before he said:
“Master, your disciple dares to speak—please grant this Condensed Qi Pill to Second Senior Brother. His cultivation has already reached the Nine-Fold Inner Origin Realm. With this pill, there’s a high chance he’ll break through to the Qi Origin Realm. As for the others, their realms are still lacking.”
Xiong Shi grew anxious when he heard Luo Wentian’s words.
“Senior Brother, aren’t you trying to shame me with that?!”
“No one in Zhenwu Sect works harder than you. If not for the burden of sect affairs, you would've broken through to the Qi Origin Realm long ago. Now that the Condensed Qi Pill is before us, it’s the perfect way to make up for lost time. How could I, your Junior Brother, have the face to take it for myself?”
Ye Qinghe chimed in:
“He’s right. This Condensed Qi Pill should go to Senior Brother.”
Jiang Baishan nodded in agreement:
“Senior Brother, don’t decline. Master will be holding the Heaven-Man Ceremony soon, and you’re our First Senior Brother. You’re the face of the Zhenwu Sect. If you’re not at the Qi Origin Realm, people coming to the ceremony might look down on us.”
With that, everyone nodded.
Luo Wentian immediately hesitated. His initial refusal was meant to set an example, so the other juniors wouldn’t have any objections. After all, there was only one Condensed Qi Pill.
But he hadn’t expected that all the juniors and juniors sisters would insist on giving it to him.
This moved him deeply.
Watching his disciples yield to one another, Daoist Longshan felt gratified.
The matter with Qin Yun had made him question his ability to teach, but now it seemed that everyone had their own nature.
“Enough. The Condensed Qi Pill goes to Wentian,” Daoist Longshan said. “You’ve indeed sacrificed a lot in these years due to sect responsibilities. As the Senior Brother of Zhenwu Sect, you must be able to hold the line.”
Both emotionally and logically, this pill should go to Luo Wentian. Everyone had seen his contributions over the years.
Though some still felt envy in their hearts, they genuinely felt happy for Luo Wentian.
Daoist Longshan smiled:
“You don’t need to be discouraged. While the Condensed Qi Pill is rare, I’ll go search for a few more for you all in the future.”
Everyone quickly bowed and apologized, saying they wouldn’t dare.
Only Ning Qi kept staring at the Condensed Qi Pill. Suddenly, he said:
“Master, may I study this Condensed Qi Pill for a bit?”
Everyone was startled, and all eyes immediately turned to Ning Qi.
Luo Wentian paused, then said:
“If you want it, Little Nine, it’s yours.”
Ning Qi smiled and replied:
“Senior Brother, you misunderstand. I don’t want to take the pill. I just want to see if I can reverse-engineer the formula from it. If so, we can gather the ingredients ourselves and maybe even refine Condensed Qi Pills on our own. Then, all of you could have one.”
In recent years, Ning Qi’s medical skills had progressed rapidly, and he’d also dabbled in alchemy. However, most of the pills he made were auxiliary, meant to support rather than replace cultivation. He didn’t want to waste too much time refining pills.
But the Condensed Qi Pill was different. Its effect was massive, which made it especially interesting to him.
Everyone exchanged confused glances, nearly doubting their ears.
Instead, Daoist Longshan’s heart skipped a beat. A trace of excitement rose within him. He stared intently at Ning Qi and asked:
“Little Nine, are you confident?”
Ning Qi humbly replied:
“It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll need a month at best, three at worst. Though the pill might be consumed in the process.”
Daoist Longshan stroked his beard and laughed loudly:
“No matter. If you can deduce the formula for the Condensed Qi Pill, I’ll get you two more if I have to!”
Though rare, the Condensed Qi Pill wasn’t impossible to find.
But if they had the recipe, Zhenwu Sect’s foundation would dramatically improve.
The chances of producing Qi Origin Realm disciples would skyrocket, and they could even attract Peak Inner Origin experts to join them.
Across the Great Yan Dynasty, only a handful of forces could produce such a pill.
Many begged for it and even had to prepare their own ingredients.
Seeing that Luo Wentian and the others were still stunned, Daoist Longshan chuckled in delight and added:
“Your Little Junior Brother’s knowledge in medicine and alchemy isn’t shallow. The improved Body Tempering Powder we’ve been using was developed by him.”
Luo Wentian’s body jolted, stunned.
“That improved Body Tempering Powder was made by Little Nine?”
He managed all internal sect affairs and knew how greatly the improved powder had boosted the Zhenwu Sect.
He’d thought their Master had gotten it from elsewhere.
Everyone’s eyes widened and turned to Ning Qi.
Ning Qi only gave a faint smile.
Some things could never be hidden forever. Now that his wings were growing, it was time to reveal a little.
Everyone here was close—they could be trusted.
“Little Nine, you really had us fooled!”
Everyone burst out laughing in amazement. Their eyes soon lit up with excitement and anticipation.
Although they had all agreed to give the Condensed Qi Pill to Luo Wentian, who wouldn’t be tempted by such a treasure?
Everyone dreamed of climbing to new heights on the Martial Path.
And now they had a chance.
If Ning Qi could reverse-engineer the pill formula, the Zhenwu Sect would never be short of Condensed Qi Pills again.
Luo Wentian stuffed the wooden box into Ning Qi’s hands and patted his chest, saying:
“Little Nine, if you need anything, just tell your seniors!”
Ning Qi nodded with a smile.
Reverse-engineering the Condensed Qi Pill would indeed require many tests, which would consume a lot of medicinal herbs.
Even with full-level comprehension, without support from the sect, he’d have nothing to work with.
Everyone was energized.
Daoist Longshan waved his hand again, and several treasures floated before the disciples.
There were treasured blades and swords, protective armor, and several other artifacts with different functions.
Some were obtained during Daoist Longshan’s recent journey, others were accumulated from before—enough to ensure everyone received something.
Daoist Longshan never intended to favor one over another.
Ning Qi’s eyes lit up when he saw two True Intent Diagrams—
The Sky Eagle True Intent Diagram and the Crazy Dragon True Intent Diagram!