Chapter 93: Investment Master
In Ning Qi’s conception, this ‘False Core’ was somewhat similar to an ‘amplifier’, which could greatly amplify his ability to control the power of heaven and earth.
“It can be considered a kind of secret technique, but it also requires an exotic beast inner core of the level of a beast king inner elixir, and moreover, one must possess the ability to communicate with the power of heaven and earth.”
“How can the power latent within the beast king inner elixir be brought into play?”
“First, it must be straightened out.”
Ning Qi could perceive that within this inner core existed not only the power of heaven and earth, but also strands of resentment. The Flying Thunder Tiger was of course already dead beyond death, but as a beast king comparable to the Heavenly Human Realm, it naturally possessed some divine wonders that human experts could not comprehend.
Ning Qi released his hand.
The inner core hovered in front of his chest, rising and falling.
He employed the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique, touching it with the power of heaven and earth. In an instant, thunder light blazed forth, piercing the void, and the inner core at his chest abruptly turned into a thunderball covered in thunder spikes.
Not only that, Ning Qi could even feel a fierce tiger roar resounding through his mind. In a daze, he seemed to see a Thunder Tiger with wings on its ribs standing above a great marsh, roaring toward the sky, with rolling baleful aura and apparent resentment.
Ning Qi’s expression was calm:
“Since it is already dead, it might as well be used by me and thoroughly put to rest.”
He controlled the intensity of the power of heaven and earth, carefully scouring the inner core over and over. During this, he also applied some techniques from the Heaven and Earth Millstone Gang Tempering Method, finding them to have miraculous effects.
Thus.
An hour later.
He visualized once more.
There was still a great tiger with thunder wings standing over the great marsh, majestic and fierce, but it no longer had the previous baleful aura and resentment.
But Ning Qi frowned slightly.
He discovered that after the beast king inner elixir became pure, it had also lost the divine charm of the Thunder Tiger.
However, this did not stump him.
“Perhaps I can try drawing inspiration from the Overlord Tiger True Intent Diagram.”
Ning Qi slowly closed his eyes.
Glimmers of spiritual insight continuously surged into his mind.
One difficulty after another emerged, only to be resolved by him one by one.
The conceived False Core Method was naturally excellent, but creating it quickly was not so easy. This was a completely new attempt, with far too many difficulties involved—not only the mysteries of the power of heaven and earth, but also the treasures of the human body. Replacing the core elixir with a ‘False Core’—how easy was that?
However, Ning Qi was confident he could resolve it, and it would not take too much time.
This was already the fastest method he had thought of to elevate his own combat power.
Next.
He devoted most of his energy to creating the False Core Method, with gratifying progress. He felt that in about a month’s time, it should be accomplished.
Of course.
Ning Qi also did not neglect his own cultivation. Every day, he operated the Heaven and Earth Millstone Gang Tempering Method to the limit, and his own cultivation was likewise advancing at a speed of a thousand li per day.
……
True Martial Mountain was calm and peaceful.
The spring sun gradually rose.
During this period, True Martial Sect disciples were all very low-key, and few went down the mountain. Luo Wentian understood well the principle that the tree that stands out in the woods will be torn down by the wind. He strictly restrained the sect disciples. During this time, True Martial Sect’s limelight had been too strong; it was best to remain dormant for a while to avoid attracting too much unnecessary attention.
The martial world was full of ups and downs. In just a short time, martial artists would be drawn to other matters.
But with True Martial disciples not descending the mountain.
There were still others who came to visit. Although many knew that True Martial Sect was now being watched by the Demonic Sect, and visiting carried some danger, from another perspective, the fact that fewer people were coming to visit now made it the best time to establish connections with True Martial Sect.
Otherwise, when visitors crowded in another day and the sect gates bustled like a marketplace, they might not get their turn.
However, today.
There was a group of special guests arriving.
Daoists from True Profound Sect.
They had brought the Daoist Canon.
Luo Wentian personally led the various true disciples to welcome them. Ning Qi had also come along. He was quite looking forward to the Daoist Scriptures that True Profound Sect had gifted. He had already perused the True Martial Sect Scripture Depository, and only a small portion of the classics needed careful study. He required new provisions.
Luo Wentian laughed loudly:
“Fellow Daoists from True Profound Sect have come from afar; you must be tired.”
The people from True Profound Sect were all clad in white Daoist robes, with flowing cloud gold patterns on the cuffs. At first glance, they appeared disorganized, but upon closer inspection, they contained some profound mystery. This was the mark of True Profound Sect. The middle-aged Daoist at the lead also made a Daoist salute:
“Daoist Luo is too polite. We should have arrived earlier, but due to some mishap, we were delayed. Please forgive us.”
Luo Wentian waved his hands repeatedly:
“Daoist Ye is too serious. My master has always been grateful for True Person White River’s goodwill.”
The Daoist surnamed Ye smiled:
“This time, our True Profound Sect has brought a total of one thousand eight hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures. Please, Daoist Luo, verify the count.”
Luo Wentian was stunned.
Wasn’t it one thousand two hundred volumes? How had it become one thousand eight hundred?
He looked toward the Daoist surnamed Ye, only to see the other smiling without speaking. Realization dawned in his heart, and he hurriedly expressed thanks before leading the group to the main hall to receive them.
Ning Qi listened from the side, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
But he also understood that these six hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures had naturally not appeared out of thin air. It was likely that True Person White River, after seeing the strength of this Heavenly Sword True Person, had the thought of befriending them.
“No wonder these Daoist Scriptures only arrived now. They were probably waiting for the last six hundred volumes to catch up.”
After all, it would not do to split a congratulatory gift into two batches sent up the mountain—that would seem too deliberate.
Ning Qi shook his head with a wry smile:
“I didn’t expect this True Person White River to be an investment master as well?”
This reminded him of angel investors from his previous life.
What he did not know was that True Person White River had secretly added to the investment twice. At the very beginning, the congratulatory gift had only been eight hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures. It was only after successively witnessing True Martial Sect’s potential and foundation that he had changed his mind.
Ning Qi watched Luo Wentian and the others depart. He did not follow, but instead helped several disciples sort the Daoist Scriptures. There was some heat in his eyes.
The disciples nearby respectfully called out ‘Ninth Martial Uncle’ and then got to work.
Ning Qi casually picked up a volume of Daoist Scripture not present in True Martial Sect and began reading intently.
The Daoist Scriptures recorded insights into heaven and earth sensed by Daoist Sect experts, experiences in the mortal world, or enlightenments gained from observing exotic beasts—principles that provided Ning Qi with much inspiration and could give him plenty of ideas.
For example, the Myriad Manifestations True Gang he had created—many of its ‘manifestations’ had not been internalized from other martial arts, but came from numerous Daoist Scriptures.
Ning Qi immersed himself.
Absorbing the nourishment within, he felt great gains.
An old Daoist with wild grass stuck in his hair sidled over, grinning as he asked:
“Little kid, do you understand this Daoist Scripture?”
Ning Qi glanced sideways.
He saw that the old Daoist was also wearing a True Profound Sect Daoist robe, but the pure white worn by the other disciples had turned into a nearly yellowed white on him, wrinkled and shabby. Even the Daoist hairpin on his head was askew.
Ning Qi withdrew his gaze and said indifferently:
“Naturally, I understand it.”
The old Daoist grinned, revealing his front teeth: “Then let this old Daoist test you.”
“No.”
Ning Qi’s unscripted response choked the old Daoist.
“Hey now, you little kid—earlier I heard those little Daoists call you Ninth Martial Uncle, so you must be the little disciple of True Person Dragon Mountain. How come you don’t know to respect your senior?” The old Daoist was indignant.
Ning Qi ignored him.
The old Daoist scratched his ears and cheeks. He had finally found someone pleasant to chat with, but the other wouldn’t engage.
Seeing Ning Qi immersed in the Daoist Scripture, he rolled his eyes:
“Little kid, you really like Daoist Scriptures?”
“Mm.”
“Then how about I take you to find even more Daoist Scriptures?”
“Where?”
Seeing Ning Qi finally lift his head with a trace of interest on his face, the old Daoist hurriedly patted his chest:
“Naturally, Dao State!”
“To tell the truth, this old Daoist also likes Daoist Scriptures, but True Profound Sect’s ones are especially boring to read. If you’re going to read them, read other sects’. Little kid, you like True Profound Sect’s Daoist Scriptures so much—must be that you’re tired of True Martial Sect’s, heh heh. Looks like we’re kindred spirits.”
“Six or seven out of ten Daoist Sects in the world are in Dao State, especially the top ten Daoist Sects—six of them are there. The world’s top three Daoist Sects are all there.”
“Think about it: if we robbed all those Daoist Sects clean, you’d have enough Daoist Scriptures to read for ten lifetimes!”
He patted his chest with resounding thuds, his eyes shining as if recounting some great feat.
Ning Qi was speechless.
He knew this unserious old Daoist had nothing good in mind; he shouldn’t have held any expectations.
Go rob those Daoist Sects?
He actually had the nerve to say it.
Ning Qi had perceived that this old Daoist’s strength was not weak—possibly almost at the edge of stepping into the Heavenly Human Realm, somewhat similar to Dragon Mountain Daoist before his breakthrough. But so what? Even True Profound Sect, ranked fifth, had three Heavenly Humans.
Let alone the top three Daoist Sects?
Ning Qi slanted him a glance.
The old Daoist slanted one back:
“Little kid, you don’t believe in this White Mountain Daoist’s strength?”
Ning Qi snorted through his nose:
“What is your relationship with True Person White River?”
“He’s my junior brother!” White Mountain Daoist said proudly.
“Junior brother?” Ning Qi drew out the ending tone.
White Mountain Daoist understood Ning Qi’s implication and immediately grew anxious.
“Little kid, don’t you dare look down on this old Daoist. Don’t think that just because my junior brother is now in the Heavenly Human Realm, he’s solid—his foundation isn’t firm, and he’ll be stuck there for life. But this old Daoist is different. To tell the truth, this old Daoist cultivates a peerless secret technique, accumulating thickly before erupting thinly!”
“It won’t be long before this old Daoist steps into the Heavenly Human Realm, then soars to the skies, enters the Heavenly Human Ranking, and aims straight for Martial Saint!”
“When that time comes, this old Daoist will take you to rob Yin Yang Sect, rob Pure Serenity Sect, rob Heavenly Thunder Gate—rob all the world’s top ten Daoist Sects for you, take you flying!”
White Mountain Daoist grew more excited as he spoke, his face saying that if Ning Qi didn’t hug his thigh now, it’d be too late later.
Ning Qi lowered his head to read:
“Oh.”
By the time you’re a Martial Saint, who knows what realm I’ll be in? Still take me flying?
White Mountain Daoist was driven mad.
The several True Profound Sect disciples helping tally the Daoist Scriptures wore bitter smiles. Ten years ago, they had already heard White Mountain Daoist’s line about ‘it won’t be long before this old Daoist steps into the Heavenly Human Realm.’ But ten years later, White Mountain Daoist was still White Mountain Daoist, not having become True Person White Mountain.
Now he was even trying to fool a little kid, and crucially, the little kid wasn’t buying it.
They buried their heads low, feeling like they had lost face all the way to True Martial Sect.
Ning Qi chuckled inwardly. He closed the Daoist Scripture and asked:
“Why don’t you tell me about Dao State?”
Since this old Daoist was chattering endlessly beside him anyway, making it hard to focus, he might as well ask something practical. Later, True Martial Sect would enter the world Daoist Sect rankings, and dealings with Dao State were inevitable.
The old Daoist instantly became spirited.
“You’ve asked the right person!”
“This old Daoist started scouting decades ago. No one knows those Daoist Sects’ situations better than me. Dao State has numerous Daoist Sect experts—ranking among the top strong states even across Great Yan’s Thirteen Prefectures. Let’s start with the number one ranked Yin Yang Sect. This Yin Yang Sect cultivates the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, and it’s the Daoist Sect with the most female Daoists, heh heh…”
The old Daoist spoke with relish, spittle flying.
Ning Qi occasionally asked questions, feeling he benefited greatly. The old Daoist’s chatter even became pleasant to the ear.
He now had a general understanding of Dao State’s many Daoist Sects.
“Yin Yang Sect cultivating the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, Pure Serenity Sect excelling in pill refining, Spiritual Treasure Sect excelling in artifact forging, Heavenly Thunder Gate mainly cultivating the Way of Thunder?”
“Interesting.”
However.
During this, the old Daoist would also quietly inquire about True Martial Sect’s situation, his eyes sneakily darting about. Ning Qi couldn’t help but think.
This guy coming to True Martial Sect this time.
Wasn’t also for scouting?
……
In the days that followed.
White Mountain Old Daoist would occasionally come find Ning Qi. He said that in the entire True Martial Sect, Ning Qi was the only one he approved of, even quietly tempting Ning Qi to follow him back to True Profound Sect. Ning Qi thought, good thing my master doesn’t know about this, or he’d be after you.
Ning Qi perused the newly arrived Daoist Scriptures. Excluding duplicates, there were still over a thousand volumes of fresh provisions.
He felt the gains were enormous.
Especially some rare editions among them, which gave him much inspiration. He felt the time to create the False Core Method would be greatly shortened—perhaps accomplished in just a few days.
During this.
White Mountain Old Daoist saw the White Ape, his eyes gleaming as he exclaimed at its intelligence.
He felt he needed just such an exotic beast attendant by his side to display his status.
“Little White Ape, this old Daoist will soon step into the Heavenly Human Realm, then soar to the skies, enter the Heavenly Human Ranking, and aim straight for Martial Saint!”
“If you follow me away now, from now on you’ll be the top attendant under this True Monarch!”
His words were full of temptation, and he even produced spiritual fruits from who-knows-where as promises.
In response.
The White Ape bared its teeth, eyes fierce.
It held Ning Qi in utmost reverence and awe. If not for sensing it couldn’t beat this old Daoist, it would probably have manifested its Ape King True Body to fight.
Ning Qi burst out laughing. White Mountain Daoist looked chagrined.
He was even more intent on whisking Ning Qi away.
After all, this was buy one get two free.
Unfortunately.
Even until the day True Profound Sect departed, he did not succeed.
There will be another chapter later; I’ve been working hard on it since getting home!
