Chapter 33: Nine Deaths In The Great Dream, Advancing To Inner Essence
Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi was slowly practicing the Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance. Although his physical body had now reached perfection without any flaws or deficiencies, arriving at the limit, he still needed to use “spirit” to stimulate the physical body, thereby continuously generating inner strength.
Just like at this moment.
The inner strength within Ning Qi’s body was no longer mere wisps and strands as before; instead, it had gradually condensed into a mass, only needing a few more days to fully condense into an inner yuan “fruit,” thereby nourishing back the physical body and causing his lifespan to surge once again.
This was the true promotion to the Inner Yuan Realm.
For Ning Qi, this day was not far off; another twenty days or so would suffice.
During this time.
Ning Qi’s understanding of the essence of inner strength had become even more profound.
“Inner strength is formless and imageless, a ‘virtual thing.’ Whether it was the wisps perceived by the senses before or the current condensation into a mass, they are actually just the physical body’s feedback to my perception; they may not truly exist within the body.”
“But the cultivation of the Inner Yuan Realm is to condense the virtual into the real. After reaching a profound realm in the Inner Yuan Realm, the inner strength is roughly in a ‘half-real’ state. Not only can it amplify the physical body, but it can also attach to fists, palms, and weapons, enhancing their power.”
“How to condense the virtual into the real?”
Ning Qi lightly swung his fist, feeling the physical body gently “shedding” and “squeezing” out strands of inner strength.
Spiritual insights continuously rose in his mind.
The various stacked strength techniques and secret techniques he had browsed in these days kept surfacing in his mind, providing an answer to this question.
“Each stacking of strength is actually making the inner strength merge with the physical body once again, thereby allowing the physical body to generate stronger and more ‘real’ inner strength. After nine times, it can fully metamorphose into gang yuan!”
“For this reason, all stacked strength techniques in the world can be divided into two steps.”
“The first step is to establish a connection between inner strength and the physical body, merging them again to enhance the physical body’s strength. The second step is to squeeze out new inner strength from the enhanced physical body!”
“In other words, the physical body plays the role of ‘reinforcing’ and ‘compressing’ the inner strength in this process. The prowess of a stacked strength technique lies in whether it can utilize the physical body to the extreme in this process. For example, Ice Silkworm Strength involves nine times of breaking the cocoon and rebirth, which is actually squeezing the physical body to an extremely high degree, even surpassing the four superior stacked strength techniques of my True Martial Sect by a notch.”
“But I think this is not the true limit!”
Ning Qi had forgotten he was practicing the stance technique; his entire being had entered a wondrous state of enlightenment.
Spiritual insights surged in Ning Qi’s mind like a spring.
“To make the physical body reach the true limit each time in this process, it must ‘die,’ then be reborn. Not only can this squeeze out stronger inner strength, but it can also allow the physical body to metamorphose again—this is the true breaking of the cocoon and rebirth!”
“However, the physical body dying is a very dangerous act. If not done well, vitality will be completely severed, leading to real death. Therefore, ‘feigned death’ can be used as a substitute: nine deaths and nine rebirths, thereby reaching the true limit of the physical body!”
In his mind, heavenly thunder vaguely rumbled.
Unbeknownst when.
Ning Qi had stopped practicing the stance technique. He closed his eyes, standing like a sculpture in the courtyard.
Fine rain began to pour from the sky.
Seeing this, the White Ape quickly stopped the Ape King Stance, fetched an oil-paper umbrella from the storage hut, and carefully walked to Ning Qi’s side to hold it over him. Throughout the process, he tried to be as quiet as possible, afraid of disturbing Ning Qi.
Reverence filled his eyes.
After living with Ning Qi, he realized just how formidable Ning Qi was, and he treated him extremely well. Although Ning Qi had not acknowledged him as a disciple, in the White Ape’s heart, he had long regarded Ning Qi as his master.
One man and one ape stood silently in the rain.
Until the rain stopped late at night.
Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes, genuine joy in them.
“Tian Sheng, go rest.”
He said mildly.
The White Ape respectfully bowed and returned to his own courtyard.
Ning Qi gazed at the faint rain threads in the sky and smiled.
Having browsed seventy-six stacked strength techniques, using the Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance as the foundation, taking the essence of Ice Silkworm Strength’s breaking the cocoon and rebirth, and obtaining the essence of Dreaming Gluttony, he had gained insight.
Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength.
This was the result of Ning Qi’s efforts during this period, a stacked strength technique tailored for himself.
“In the dream of sleep, the physical body dies; upon awakening, it is reborn. Each stacking of strength can reach the true limit—this is the Great Dream Nine Deaths!”
“Each breakthrough can be replaced with prolonged sleep, eliminating any danger. One only needs to intake sufficient energy before sleeping. Fortunately, I have optimized the absorption issue for the physical body’s metamorphosis, so it won’t turn into a little fatty like Zhuang Chen.”
Ning Qi smiled faintly.
He stretched lazily, feeling very satisfied.
Next, he just needed to wait to fully step into inner yuan strength. The subsequent second and third stacks could then try the prowess of the Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength.
Looking across the world, completing the Inner Yuan Realm in twenty years was already heavenly talent, but Ning Qi felt he would be much faster.
“However, strictly speaking, the current Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength still lacks the latter half of its content.”
“After reaching major accomplishment in the Inner Yuan Realm, arriving at the ‘half-real’ state, inner strength can be imbued with various attributes. For example, Ice Silkworm Strength can condense Ice Silkworm inner strength in the palm, freezing to the bone, with immense power, and it even relates to the true gang cultivation method of the subsequent Gang Yuan Realm.”
“But no need to rush for now. Reaching major accomplishment in the Inner Yuan Realm will take at least over a year. I need to ponder it.”
Ning Qi suppressed the thought.
From now on, he would strive in this direction.
…
Autumn gradually faded, cold winds howled fiercely.
True Martial Mountain gained a bit more icy chill. The commotion from the Divine Sword Sect’s visit up the mountain gradually subsided. That day, Ning Qi had easily suppressed the little fatty Zhuang Chen, which had stirred quite some attention within the True Martial Sect. Many gained a clear cognition of Ning Qi, the Ninth True Disciple’s talent for the first time.
Some curious disciples inevitably used borrowing books from the Scripture Depository as an excuse to get close to Ning Qi.
However.
Ning Qi had always been mysterious, rarely interacting with other disciples. Slowly, the buzz faded, and the Scripture Depository gradually became quiet again.
After all, most disciples focused on their own cultivation advancement.
Third Senior Sister Ye Qinghe and Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan came one after another to see how Ning Qi was doing. After teasing the White Ape for a bit, Ye Qinghe told Ning Qi some news.
Ye Qinghe told Ning Qi.
After descending the mountain from the Divine Sword Sect, Qin Yun had been ordered by Dragon Mountain Daoist to go down the mountain for experience.
Ning Qi only sighed softly.
Qin Yun had not come to the Seeker’s Courtyard for a long time.
To this, he could only feel helpless.
Ning Qi still remembered how the former Qin Yun had told him that he wanted to become the world’s number one, making the True Martial Sect the foremost Daoist sect in the world again.
But today.
The Seeker’s Courtyard was undisturbed, not even the White Ape was there. Besides diligently practicing stance techniques, the White Ape sometimes went within the sect to play with young disciples, and occasionally Ye Qinghe would take him along. The White Ape’s status in the True Martial Sect was fairly good.
Rarely, Ning Qi sat cross-legged on his own bed.
His five centers facing heaven, his expression solemn yet with some anticipation.
Within his body.
Astonishing changes were occurring.
His robust physical body foundation made the inner strength generated in Ning Qi’s body immensely vast, probably over ten times that of an ordinary person.
And at this moment.
The inner strength born from the physical body was about to fully form the “fruit.”
Ning Qi could feel that the dantian area within his body seemed filled with something formless, presenting a state of primordial unity.
“Condense!”
In a certain instant after.
The last strand of “sweet dew” was squeezed from the physical body, and the inner strength fully condensed into fruit. Ning Qi felt his spirit jolt, his entire state elevating.
At the dantian within his body, the inner strength could be freely mobilized. Condensed on his right arm, he suddenly felt as if his right arm could shatter a great mountain—this was the illusion brought by the immense increase in power.
Inner strength empowering the physical body could erupt with far greater power than the physical body alone.
The current Ning Qi was terrifyingly powerful.
His physical body had originally far surpassed others; now with even more vast inner strength added, it was even stronger than before. He had just broken through to the Inner Yuan Realm, yet ordinary Sixth Layer Realm or Seven Stacks Realm experts might not be his match.
But what delighted Ning Qi most.
Was the subtle elevation of the physical body.
After condensing the inner strength fruit, his lifespan increased again, now reaching two hundred years.
Ning Qi was currently only five years old, meaning he could live a full one hundred ninety-five years, or even more. His physical body was overly powerful, reaching an unprecedented realm; perhaps his lifespan would exceed the norm.
At this moment.
He was full of vigor, his physical body relaxed and comfortable.
Ning Qi felt his thinking speed had elevated another notch, with occasional spiritual insights even surpassing before.
“This is the Inner Yuan Realm? Truly wondrous.”
Ning Qi smiled faintly.
Cultivation was indeed an interesting thing; the feeling of step by step climbing to the peak fascinated him greatly. Now, he was one step closer to longevity.
After immersing for a moment.
Ning Qi began attempting the Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength.
In an instant, he entered the cultivation state and immediately found the knack. For others, reaching this step would take considerable time.
Ning Qi controlled the inner strength fruit, step by step establishing a deeper connection with the physical body.
Once the connection was established, he could attempt to have the physical body absorb the inner strength, transforming it into even stronger inner strength.
“However, this process of establishing the connection is purely grinding work. Even heavenly talents need one or two years.”
“But fortunately, the Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength I created can greatly shorten this process—two or three months suffice.”
Ning Qi smiled confidently.
He slowly ceased cultivation, deciding to find his master.
Previously, Dragon Mountain Daoist had said that if Ning Qi broke through to the Inner Yuan Realm, he should come find him, as there was something important to tell him. Thus, Ning Qi never hid his cultivation progress from Dragon Mountain Daoist; there was no need.
Ning Qi rose, circulating the Misty Dragon Step he created. Inner strength silently integrated into it, and his speed surged instantly. In just a short moment, he had familiarized himself with the use of inner strength in various martial arts.
By analogy, the martial arts he created easily adjusted with his cultivation.
But in the future, he could create a few more powerful martial arts.
One, to enrich his own foundation of protective Dao; two, to give to Dragon Mountain Daoist, enriching the Scripture Depository’s collection. Currently, the Scripture Depository already held many techniques created by Ning Qi. Sometimes when idle, he would secretly observe True Martial Sect disciples practicing and create suitable martial arts for them.
Hands behind his back, Ning Qi’s figure exuded an indescribable air of elegance.
But upon arriving at Mingwu Pavilion.
He saw the pavilion tightly closed.
Ning Qi was stunned in place. Behind him came Senior Disciple Brother Luo Wentian’s voice:
“Little Nine, you’ve come at a bad time. Master entered closed-door cultivation yesterday. He originally wanted Tian Sheng to inform you but hasn’t had the chance yet. Is there something with Master? Senior Disciple Brother will handle it for you!”
Looking at Senior Disciple Brother’s concerned expression, Ning Qi smiled:
“It’s not anything important. Since Master is in closed-door cultivation, I’ll come find him after he comes out.”
He thought for a moment but still did not tell Luo Wentian that he had promoted to the Inner Yuan Realm.
Although Senior Disciple Brother was a good person, better fewer troubles than more.
The two chatted idly for a moment before Ning Qi left.
Watching Ning Qi’s back, puzzlement flickered in Luo Wentian’s eyes. He felt that compared to two months ago, Ning Qi seemed to have undergone some change, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.
Ultimately, he shook his head, erasing a certain absurd guess from his heart.
“Little Junior Brother is only five years old; how could it be?”
He shook his head with a wry smile, then bowed to the tightly closed Mingwu Pavilion before striding away. With Dragon Mountain Daoist in closed-door cultivation, he needed to manage more True Martial Sect affairs.
Luo Wentian was now nearly fifty, yet only at Inner Yuan Realm Nine Stacks. Across the world, it was decent, but not top-tier. Though True Martial Sect affairs had held him back somewhat, his talent was indeed not the foremost among the True Martial Nine Sons.
For instance, fifth disciple Jiang Baishan had now surpassed others and also reached Inner Yuan Realm Nine Stacks, poised to become the first among the True Martial Nine Sons to step into the Gang Yuan Realm.
To this, Luo Wentian had no particular thoughts.
He just felt gratified.
Luo Wentian thought that if his junior brothers and sisters had strong talent and advanced fiercely, then sacrificing some cultivation time to handle logistics for them was no issue.
…
Dragon Mountain Daoist had entered closed-door cultivation, and Ning Qi was not overly entangled.
He continued cultivating methodically.
Browsing classics in the Scripture Depository, cultivating the Nine Deaths Great Dream Strength in the Seeker’s Courtyard—his days were incredibly fulfilling.
During this period.
Ning Qi tried whether he could use inner strength to explore the White Ape’s bloodline and physique, but ultimately failed.
Inner strength was still too “virtual.”
Perhaps only on the day he stepped into gang yuan could gang yuan probe into the White Ape’s body to explore its mysteries.
Like Zhuang Chen’s innate sword bone, Ning Qi was equally curious about the White Ape’s physique.
After these days of Ape King Stance cultivation, Ning Qi had discovered that the White Ape showed no special traits.
There were two possibilities.
Either the heavenly beast bloodline in the White Ape was minuscule, impossible to activate, insufficient to make him an exotic beast or amplify strength through bloodline.
Or the heavenly beast bloodline in the White Ape was overly powerful, with excessively high activation difficulty.
Ning Qi leaned toward the latter. He felt that mere red fruits wouldn’t make the White Ape this intelligent. He had also asked the White Ape, and before consuming the red fruits, his wisdom had already surpassed ordinary wild beasts.
Ning Qi could only suppress his desire to explore.
He would slowly explore when his strength grew stronger later.
Time passed leisurely.
In the blink of an eye, year end approached.
Ning Qi’s cultivation progressed extremely smoothly. He had once again fully established the connection between the inner strength and physical body within him. The next step was to let the physical body “die,” achieving metamorphosis.
Using the Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength method required falling into a brief slumber.
For Ning Qi’s first attempt, he was uncertain how long the slumber would last. Just as he hesitated.
The White Ape brought news.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had come out of closed-door cultivation.
