Chapter 70: Night Talk With Master And Disciple
This day.
True Martial Disciples all descended the mountain, riding fast horses toward various places in Qingzhou and even nearby other states.
Afterward, Qingzhou was shaken once again.
“Dragon Mountain True Person is finally holding the Heavenly Human Ceremony!”
“I wonder which Heavenly Human Experts will come this time. This is a supreme opportunity. If one could be favored by a Heavenly Human Expert, even if not taken as a disciple, just being kept by their side as a servant would be a tremendous opportunity!”
“What I yearn for most is the Heavenly Humans discussing the Dao. If one could comprehend even a bit, it would benefit them for life. Unfortunately, for us scattered martial artists without sect or school, it’s too difficult to obtain an invitation.”
“Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. Even if one cannot ascend True Martial Mountain, staying nearby longer is still good. What if one is favored by some Gang Yuan Realm Expert?”
“Such a grand event must be witnessed firsthand. It’s a perfect chance to see the foundation of the True Martial Sect.”
…
Discussions like these echoed throughout Qingzhou.
Those who received invitations were naturally thrilled beyond measure, beginning to prepare gifts. At that time, experts would gather like clouds, all coming to offer congratulations. If the gifts were too meager, it would invite ridicule. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase one’s connections.
Those without invitations had not entirely given up either, also converging on the True Martial Sect. Most were scattered martial artists with low cultivation, harboring a sliver of hope to seize a chance opportunity in this place where winds and clouds gathered.
Fortunately, the city beneath True Martial Mountain had already been greatly expanded, and by Dragon Mountain Daoist’s decree, it was named True Martial City.
It could be foreseen.
In the future, True Martial City would inevitably develop into another great martial city in Qingzhou.
The True Martial Sect became the center of countless gazes.
Meanwhile, Dragon Mountain Daoist was pondering matters concerning Ning Qi.
Late at night.
He stood with hands behind his back by the window of Mingwu Pavilion, gazing at the night.
Over this period, he had first descended the mountain to pursue traces of Qin Yun, then entered closed-door cultivation to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm. After emerging, upon hearing his disciples had been bullied, he swiftly descended again and killed a round. Upon returning to the mountain, he hurriedly entered seclusion once more to digest the gains from this breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm.
After this cycle of busyness, nearly two years had passed, with almost no spare time midway to attend to his disciples.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was not worried about Luo Wentian and the others, as they were already adults capable of looking after themselves. Only Ning Qi, being too young at just eight years old, carried blood vengeance yet wielded great power. Dragon Mountain Daoist feared that after gaining such power, Ning Qi’s thoughts of revenge would grow ever more urgent, affecting his state of mind.
One who carries a sharp weapon naturally harbors killing intent. It was human nature to seek revenge upon acquiring power.
“A year ago, Little Nine already had the strength to suppress the White Mist Realm. I wonder what level he has reached now?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist mused.
He alone in the entire True Martial Sect knew that the one who killed the Flying Eagle was this youngest disciple.
Even now, when he occasionally recalled the matter, he still found it somewhat unbelievable. A year ago, Ning Qi, only seven years old, had already been able to easily slay a White Mist Realm Expert—a feat no one would believe if spoken aloud.
Luo Wentian and the others had not guessed wrong; it was indeed the True Martial foundation at work. But they could never have imagined that the True Martial foundation was their own little junior brother.
“With my current strength, suppressing Blood Rain Tower is no issue. But I cannot alert them prematurely and let them get wind of it, lest those four—Wind Rain Thunder Lightning—flee first. Moreover, to uncover the truth of the clan extermination back then, this matter requires careful planning.”
Rumors held that those four—Wind Rain Thunder Lightning—had a record of safely escaping before a Heavenly Human Realm Expert when joining forces. For safety’s sake, it was best to strike them down one by one.
“Perhaps I can take the initiative to discuss this with Little Nine, lest his state of mind remains unsettled.”
With this thought, Dragon Mountain Daoist resolved himself and headed toward Seeker’s Courtyard.
Not long after.
He had already arrived outside Seeker’s Courtyard, a look of astonishment involuntarily appearing in his eyes.
Outside the courtyard, peach trees stood tall. Though no peach blossoms bloomed and they seemed somewhat desolate, with his discerning eye, it was not hard to see that the positions where these peach trees were planted were somewhat extraordinary, faintly echoing the small courtyard before him, giving a feeling even he could not quite describe.
Gazing at the three words “Seeker’s Courtyard,” he smiled knowingly, as if discerning his little disciple’s aspirations from them.
He stepped slowly inside, where Ning Qi was already waiting, having perceived Dragon Mountain Daoist’s arrival.
“Master.”
Ning Qi smiled and bowed.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Ning Qi, filled with boundless emotion. At eight years old, Ning Qi’s height already matched that of a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old youth. Draped in a blue Daoist robe, he exuded an indescribable Dao Rhyme—a demeanor cultivated from years of enlightenment and scripture reading.
“Qi’er, you’ve grown up.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed deeply. He had to admit that even after stepping into the Heavenly Human Realm, he still could not see through his little disciple. In his heart, there was a profound sense that the waves behind drove on those before, across the Yangtze River.
He recalled the scene when Ning Qi, at half a year old, had asked him about longevity. In just over seven years, he had grown to such an extent. If not for it all happening right before his eyes, he would never have dared believe it.
Ning Qi said earnestly:
“Were it not for Master, Ning Qi would not have grown so smoothly.”
He did not ask why Dragon Mountain Daoist had visited late at night.
Dragon Mountain Daoist did not say.
Master and disciple, one large and one small, two figures casually left the courtyard and wandered aimlessly on True Martial Mountain.
They spoke of recent events, of interesting tales from cultivation, of the True Martial Peach Gathering that the disciples had enthusiastically organized, and of the impending Heavenly Human Ceremony.
This feeling was very comfortable.
It was a rare opportunity for master and disciple.
Ning Qi had always been deeply grateful to Dragon Mountain Daoist, not only for saving him from the brink of death but also for teaching him with utmost care. Though later there was little more to impart, he had still done everything to create the best conditions for him, never interfering.
In the world, such a master was likely impossible to encounter a second time.
He saw the hesitation in Dragon Mountain Daoist and chuckled lightly, taking the initiative:
“Master, you’re thinking about the matter of Blood Rain Tower, aren’t you?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist was taken aback, then smiled helplessly. He realized he was not even as decisive as an eight-year-old child—perhaps influenced by the earlier matter with Qin Yun.
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded solemnly:
“Master once told you that he would surely help you seek revenge in the future. Now, as your master, I have reached the Heavenly Human Realm, and destroying Blood Rain Tower is no longer an issue. I do not wish for this matter to trouble you for too long.”
Ning Qi felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
In truth, he had indeed considered when to seek revenge.
Previously, while still in the Inner Yuan Realm, though he had combat power to rival the Gang Yuan Realm, it was not stable enough. After promoting to the White Mist Realm, he felt he could already easily suppress the Core Elixir Realm, and these thoughts had gradually become active.
He had not forgotten the events from eight years ago, right after transmigrating.
That “Lord Feng” had been immensely fearful of Dragon Mountain Daoist, who was then at the Core Elixir Realm. Now, eight years later, even if there had been breakthroughs, at most it would be the Core Elixir Realm.
Ning Qi felt that killing him would be no problem.
