Chapter 86: Innate Sword Body
Nightfall.
The moon and stars were sparse, cold winds whistled, with heavy snow slowly drifting down.
Disciples continuously patrolled around True Martial Mountain, preventing anyone from descending the mountain at night.
True Martial Sect had never accommodated so many outsiders overnight, especially with no small number of Gang Yuan Realm experts among them. Although all Core Elixir Realm experts had left, there were plenty of White Mist Realm and Jade Liquid Realm cultivators, keeping Luo Wentian and the others on high alert, worried that someone might cause trouble in True Martial Sect under cover of night.
Fortunately.
For now, these people were cooperative, each staying within their guest quarters without wandering about.
Ning Qi sat cross-legged in the Scripture Depository, his entire body merging with heaven and earth, silently circulating the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique. His perception, amplified to the extreme under the support of vast Gang Yuan, meant that with so many disciples patrolling, he could sense any disturbance immediately and rush over.
He thought about the events of the day.
That Wang Family Old Ancestor had risked offending everyone to reveal the Martial Saint Token, clearly not an act of madness or lost reason.
“There is only one possibility: the Great Yan Dynasty promised him benefits compelling enough to move him.”
“Either a Longevity Treasure that could let Wang Family Old Ancestor live longer, or something that could produce another Heavenly Human for the Wang Clan.”
Ning Qi leaned more toward the latter.
Previously, when his master had stormed the Wang Family gates, Wang Family Old Ancestor had endured it, but now he did not hesitate to offend so many people, evidently because the Wang Clan had found a path forward.
If the Wang Clan produced a new Heavenly Human expert afterward, the family could prosper for another few centuries, backed by the Imperial Court, and could even gradually relocate to Yan Province. Their future development path would differ from ordinary Martial Arts Sects, so offending these sect experts would not be a big issue.
The only thing Ning Qi could not figure out was how the Wang Clan had connected with the Great Yan Dynasty. If they had this relationship earlier, they would have used it long ago, not waited until now.
Unable to figure it out, Ning Qi stopped thinking about it.
He simply silently noted Wang Family Old Ancestor in his heart.
“If Master has any mishap, I definitely won’t let you off later.”
Ning Qi slowly exhaled, dispersing the various stray thoughts.
Considering so much now was pointless; he could only wait.
The only thing he could do was ensure no chaos erupted in True Martial Sect.
Then, cultivate diligently.
He began circulating the Heaven and Earth Millstone Gang Tempering Method he had just created that day.
In an instant.
Not particularly dense heaven and earth power continuously gathered at Ning Qi’s side, forming a ceaselessly rotating great millstone that enveloped him, with faint rumbling sounds audible.
Then.
The vast Gang Qi like a sea within Ning Qi’s body began to circulate, White Mist surging into the great millstone. The rumbling sound only Ning Qi could hear immediately intensified.
Rumble!
The great millstone turned, and the re-surging White Mist Gang Qi was a trace purer than before.
Ning Qi’s mind gradually calmed. The effect of this Heaven and Earth Millstone Gang Tempering Method seemed even better than he had anticipated, finally easing his mood somewhat.
…
The next day.
The guests awoke, gradually accepting this reality.
The deed was done.
Now they could only hope everything proceeded smoothly to the end.
They realized that this was likely just one part of the extermination plan. Even without Wang Family Old Ancestor stepping forward, other Dynasty experts would have come with a Martial Saint Token. However, the congregation felt no sympathy for Wang Family Old Ancestor or the Wang Clan because of this.
Since they had stuck their necks out, they had to be prepared for the consequences.
Especially those forces whose Core Elixir Realm members had been taken away—their anger had not subsided.
After one night, they grew angrier the more they thought about it.
Thus.
The current scene unfolded.
“Wang Qingshan, I’ve long heard of your unrivaled iron fists. Today, I, Wang Bu’er of Sleepless Blade Sect, would like to exchange pointers.”
A swordsman from Sleepless Blade Sect issued a cold challenge.
Originally, everyone staying on True Martial Mountain these past few days was for exchanging martial arts, so challenging you was perfectly reasonable, right?
Under the watchful eyes of the surrounding crowd.
The Wang Clan’s Gang Yuan Realm expert’s face flushed pig-liver red. Neither refusing nor accepting worked, so he gritted his teeth and met the challenge.
After an intense exchange.
The Wang Clan expert lost by a few moves.
The Sleepless Blade Sect man did not mock him, merely snorted coldly, but this silent disdain made Wang Qingshan feel even worse. Before he could speak, another voice said indifferently:
“I also wish to challenge a Wang Clan disciple.”
The Wang Clan disciples looked up, seeing figures standing with arms crossed all around, their faces turning pale.
The Wang Clan had incurred public wrath. Though the crowd dared not kill, they could vent in other ways.
Luo Wentian watched from afar without intervening, only stopping them if real fury erupted.
It was not as if they only targeted Wang Clan disciples; they fought among themselves too, just with a slightly higher frequency against Wang Clan disciples.
Exchanging martial arts without hands-on combat would just be empty talk, right?
…
In the Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi listened to Zhuang Chen vividly describing the miserable state of the Wang Clan disciples and could not help but smile knowingly.
Zhuang Chen chuckled:
“Ning Qi, you didn’t see it—you don’t know that scene. Tsk tsk, the Wang Clan disciples were all bruised and swollen. In the end, they didn’t dare to fight back and turned into turtles hiding in their shells. It was hilarious!”
He laughed heartily, gloating.
If not for his Senior Disciple Brother Dong He holding him back, he would have gone up to challenge a same-realm Wang Clan disciple to vent for his master.
“If I went up, I’d definitely beat that guy into a pig head.”
Ning Qi just shook his head slightly.
This was already the limit of what the crowd could do. Like this, that Wang Family Old Ancestor could not pursue it later. But if a Wang Clan disciple died, things would be different.
Just like with Dragon Mountain Daoist before—someone stormed True Martial Mountain to seize the True Martial Inheritance, giving him cause. Otherwise, wanton killing by force would not be ignored by the Great Yan Dynasty. Order still held, and it must be upheld.
“We’ve rested well today. Let’s continue.” Ning Qi said indifferently.
He had originally planned to find an excuse after the Heavenly Human Ceremony to keep Zhuang Chen a few more days to study the mysteries of his Innate Sword Bone, but with this turn of events, no excuse was needed.
Zhuang Chen’s face fell:
“Ning Qi, how many more times?”
“At most, no more than three.”
Ning Qi had confidence in himself.
“Come on!” Zhuang Chen went to it like facing death unflinchingly.
Ning Qi did not hold back, placing his palm on Zhuang Chen’s shoulder as vast Gang Qi surged in.
In an instant.
The Seeker’s Courtyard rang with Zhuang Chen’s gasps of cold air.
…
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
In True Martial City, whispers of suspicion gradually arose.
By reason, after a Heavenly Human Ceremony generally ended, the various experts would disperse, spreading news of what they had seen. Many now waited in True Martial City precisely for this firsthand information.
But now.
Two days had passed since Dragon Mountain Daoist’s Heavenly Human Ceremony, yet not a single person had descended the mountain.
Someone boldly went to the edge of True Martial Mountain to peer, learning that the various experts were staying on True Martial Mountain for martial arts exchange and would not descend for now.
“But even for martial arts exchange, surely not everyone would stay up there, right?”
“And… they didn’t say how long the exchange would last.”
“True Martial Mountain is now in lockdown—not even the disciples who previously relayed messages are coming down!”
This scene was abnormal.
For a time, all sorts of guesses arose.
Martial Artists were all curious about what had happened, but some cautious ones chose to flee far away, sensing something amiss.
In a restaurant private room.
A white-haired youth could not help looking toward True Martial Mountain, murmuring to himself:
“Could it be… something happened on True Martial Mountain?”
His heart inexplicably tightened. He had planned to leave, but now chose to stay a few more days.
At this time on True Martial Mountain.
Luo Wentian and the others also knew of the guesses and discussions below the mountain. People occasionally peered from afar. They knew this news could not be concealed long, but dragging it out a day shortened the Demonic Sect’s reaction time by a day.
“Two days have passed; there shouldn’t be any big issues.”
Those remaining on True Martial Mountain all quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
At the speed of Core Elixir Realm and Heavenly Human Realm experts going all out, they should have nearly arrived, or perhaps even started fighting.
…
Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi slowly released Zhuang Chen’s shoulder. Zhuang Chen’s gasps of acidic refreshment still sounded continuously as he asked weakly:
“Ning Qi, it should be done tomorrow, right? You said at most no more than three days…”
Before he finished.
He wisely shut his mouth.
Because he noticed that after finishing today’s examination, Ning Qi did not speak, instead closing his eyes. This was completely different from before—clearly, he had entered a state of contemplation.
“Could it be… it’s about to succeed?”
Excitement gleamed uncontrollably in Zhuang Chen’s eyes. These few days of suffering had not been in vain; he finally had a chance to learn the Sword Dao secret technique Ning Qi had promised!
For a moment.
Zhuang Chen did not dare speak.
Ning Qi was indeed enlightening.
At this moment.
Flashes of spiritual insight continuously arose in his mind.
After several days of probing, he now fully understood the special fluctuations and patterns in Zhuang Chen’s body—at least the surface level, not touching the essence.
“The so-called Innate Sword Bone is actually special fluctuations produced by the bones within the body, which can resonate with meridians, blood, and even organs—or rather, resonate with the entire body, thereby amplifying Sword Dao effects.”
“Whether comprehending sword or practicing sword, it is the same; even sword power is stronger than ordinary people.”
“I perused the classics: generally, those with Innate Sword Bone experience a leap after reaching Heavenly Human Realm, which is actually activating the Sword Bone after Heavenly Human Realm. Perhaps it can be attempted early. Even if not reaching the state at Heavenly Human Realm, it would still be better than now.”
…
“How to activate? How to let ordinary people achieve effects like Innate Sword Bone? The key lies in those special fluctuations.”
“Fluctuations… I need to simulate those complex fluctuations… find their intrinsic unified pattern, integrate them…”
…
Ideas continuously emerged in Ning Qi’s mind.
With the experience of creating Ape King True Body beforehand, this step was not difficult for him. In essence, the two were similar: one activated Heavenly Beast Bloodline, the other activated Innate Sword Bone—both endowments of physique.
Time passed.
The night sky gradually lit with stars and moon. Zhuang Chen went back to report safety to his senior brothers, then sneaked back to the Seeker’s Courtyard.
He was terribly anxious but saw Ning Qi still with eyes closed in thought and did not dare disturb.
Finally.
Just as Zhuang Chen was getting drowsy, Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes.
Success!
“Simulating the special fluctuations of Innate Sword Bone, combined with various Sword Dao secret techniques. Hopefully, it can reach the same heights in the future—let’s call it Innate Sword Body.”
A smile appeared at Ning Qi’s lips.
With Ape King True Body as precedent, creating this Innate Sword Body Secret Technique was actually easier this time.
This secret technique was very strong, no weaker than Ape King True Body, even surpassing it in some aspects.
“Though it cannot amplify comprehension of Sword Dao, it can amplify Sword Dao’s killing power. If I enter Innate Sword Body and Unity of Heaven and Man state, then execute Heavenly Sword Technique, it should be my current strongest sword!”
But Ning Qi felt some regret, as this secret technique had not fully reached the peak he envisioned.
Naming it Innate Sword Body represented his high hopes.
If one day it could even amplify comprehension of Sword Dao, it would be even more heaven-defying, perhaps creating one ‘Innate Sword Bone’ after another. But Ning Qi estimated this would require touching the essence of Innate Sword Bone.
“Ning Qi, how is it?”
Zhuang Chen looked on eagerly. These days, the chicken leg dangled before him had driven him mad; now he was finally about to eat it, and he could not help being excited.
Ning Qi did not break his word:
“Come, I’ll teach you.”
Moments later.
Looking at Zhuang Chen, stunned like a wooden chicken, Ning Qi smiled faintly. For others, comprehending this secret technique would be nearly impossible. Only Zhuang Chen, bearing Innate Sword Bone with those special fluctuations already in his body, could greatly reduce the difficulty of comprehending the secret technique.
Watching Zhuang Chen frown in deep thought, Ning Qi gazed at the night sky, his thoughts drifting far:
“Two or three days have passed already. I wonder if everything is going smoothly on Master’s side?”
