Chapter 123: Journey To The High Heavens, Epiphany On A Rainy Night
True Martial Mountain.
Numerous disciples gathered, making it very lively, as Li Ling’s apprenticeship ceremony was being held.
Li Ling knelt respectfully on the ground and kowtowed, then offered the tea of respect to his master:
“Master, please drink the tea!”
After learning that he was about to join the True Martial Sect, he was overjoyed. What he had seen and heard recently made him very envious of the True Martial Sect, especially the camaraderie among the many True Disciples, which made him very envious. In the past, in the Wang Clan manor, he had actually been very lonely.
Those royal children were close to him more because of King Zhenbei’s status.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled and took a sip of tea:
“Stand up. From now on, you are the Eleventh True Disciple of the True Martial Sect. Our True Martial Sect has no rigid rules, only seeking to act without shame in your heart. You must remember this.”
His mood was also quite good.
Recently, he had consecutively accepted two disciples with excellent aptitude, feeling that the enthusiasm from back when he taught Ye Qinghe and the others had returned once again.
“Disciple will keep it in mind!” Li Ling nodded vigorously.
Everyone laughed happily and offered words of congratulations.
Li Ling paid respects to his senior brothers and senior sisters. Ning Qi and the others also smilingly gave gifts. Zhuang Chen was very excited; he had originally gotten along well with Li Ling, and unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the two had become senior brothers. The ways of the world were truly wondrous.
King Zhenbei saw this scene and smiled contentedly.
He felt that his choice was correct.
After witnessing Li Ling’s apprenticeship ceremony, he went down the mountain and left. Before departing, he spoke again with Dragon Mountain Daoist about exchanging Sword Dao with Heavenly Sword True Person, promising that only Li Ling would view it and that he himself would absolutely not touch it.
In addition, he also informed Dragon Mountain Daoist that he would arrange several masters near the True Martial Sect. If there was any need for help, they could contact them without hesitation, and the resources Li Ling needed for cultivation would also be prepared.
This made Dragon Mountain Daoist sigh deeply.
A few days later.
Dragon Mountain Daoist formally began teaching Li Ling the True Martial Inheritance. He planned to teach him the Bi An Stance.
On the training ground.
Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi were watching. Seeing this scene, they both felt endless emotions in their hearts. Six or seven years ago, when Ning Qi had just stepped into the Martial Way, Dragon Mountain Daoist had taught him the Bi An Stance right here. Now the scene was repeating, though the recipient of the teaching had changed.
Li Ling could be considered a prodigy, but compared to Ning Qi’s monstrous talent, he was far inferior.
The two exchanged a smile, both recalling their own wretched state from back then.
They were somewhat astonished that Dragon Mountain Daoist was teaching Li Ling the Bi An Stance, but they soon understood.
Li Ling, on the other hand, was somewhat excited.
In the past few days, he had heard Zhuang Chen mention the True Martial Nine Stances and the beautiful aspiration of nine Heavenly Human Realm Battle Martial Saints several times. He had originally thought he might have no hope of learning the True Martial Nine Stances, but unexpectedly, his master was teaching it to him.
But after the excitement, he still couldn’t help but hesitate and ask:
“Master, doesn’t Ninth Senior Brother cultivate the Bi An Stance? If I also practice this stance…”
He felt it was somewhat inappropriate, as if he were taking Ninth Senior Brother’s thing. Although it wasn’t explicitly stated that the True Martial Nine Stances could only be one stance per person, all the disciples thought that way in their hearts.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled and said:
“No harm. Little Nine has his own path. If you encounter anything you don’t understand with the Bi An Stance in the future, you can go ask him. Little Nine’s Bi An Stance is even more powerful than your master’s.”
His choice to teach Li Ling the Bi An Stance was naturally not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a plan after deep thought.
The True Martial Nine Stances were the foundation of the True Martial Inheritance. Originally, Qin Yun’s departure had pained him and dealt a blow in this regard, but afterward, Divine Sword Elder’s dying entrustment to take in Zhuang Chen had instead resolved his heart knot.
Since that was the case, he might as well gather the nine stances again.
Ning Qi was the Protector of the Way of True Martial and practiced the True Martial Stance, so this Bi An Stance was naturally vacant.
If there were no accidents.
He probably wouldn’t accept any more disciples afterward.
Li Ling was somewhat shocked. He hadn’t expected Ninth Senior Brother to be so formidable. In these days, he had heard Zhuang Chen mention some of Ninth Senior Brother’s marvels, but he hadn’t thought that his Bi An Stance was even more profound than the master’s.
“Come, continue practicing.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist explained the essence of the Bi An Stance. Li Ling lived up to being King Zhenbei’s son, understanding at a glance, allowing him to fully enjoy the pleasure of being a master.
A moment later.
He had Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi practice with Li Ling, while he himself walked toward the Seeker’s Courtyard.
In the Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi was still comprehending the Heavenly Thunder Saber. After King Zhenbei went down the mountain, he relaxed much more and didn’t need to be so vigilant. From time to time, he would activate Saber Intent and swing Thunder Dragon Saber Qi, savoring the changes within. He was waiting for sufficiently violent thunderstorm weather. If it really didn’t work, he planned to go take a look above the High Heavens.
Of course, he valued his life greatly and absolutely wouldn’t go deep.
When Dragon Mountain Daoist stepped into the Seeker’s Courtyard, he happened to see Ning Qi slash out with a saber. The Thunder Dragon roared, then annihilated the void.
He was somewhat amazed.
If Ning Qi weren’t standing there real and tangible, he would have thought the Thunderous Blade Venerable had arrived.
It was just one battle, and he had learned someone’s supreme art. This was too astonishing.
Ning Qi turned and smiled:
“Master.”
With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Thunder Saber flew back into the room. If it were anyone else coming, the Heavenly Thunder Saber would have been put away long ago. But since he knew it was Dragon Mountain Daoist, and he had just had a bit of new insight, he hadn’t stopped.
He invited Dragon Mountain Daoist to sit, then brewed tea.
Dragon Mountain Daoist took a slight sip of tea and felt refreshed, his mind clearing up a bit. His eyes lit up as he asked:
“This tea is good. Where did it come from?”
Ning Qi pointed to the Enlightenment Tea Tree beside him, which had already grown to waist height, and smiled:
“It’s not the tea leaves’ merit. This Enlightenment Tea Tree seedling condenses dew every morning, which I have Tian Sheng collect. If Master wants some, from now on I’ll have Tian Sheng send some over to you.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked over and couldn’t help but sigh:
“The dead seed that Wang Quan sent back then was actually revived by you. If he knew, he’d probably be so angry he’d come back to life.”
Back then, the Demonic Sect had not only attacked the True Martial Sect but also the rebuilt Wang Clan.
Several Heavenly Human Realm experts had fallen together, Wang Family Old Ancestor was nowhere to be found, and Dragon Mountain Daoist assumed he was dead.
Ning Qi smiled faintly.
“Master came this time for something?” Dragon Mountain Daoist rarely came to disturb him when there was nothing.
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded and got to the point:
“It’s King Zhenbei. He hopes to exchange with Heavenly Sword True Person.”
He clearly explained King Zhenbei’s request and promises one by one.
Then he asked:
“Do you think it’s feasible? If not, I’ll send a letter to refuse him.”
Ning Qi fell into thought.
What Li Ling wanted to learn was naturally the Heavenly Sword Technique, but Li Ling truly couldn’t learn the Heavenly Sword Technique. It wasn’t that Ning Qi underestimated him; the Heavenly Sword Technique required mastering the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique, which was extremely difficult in itself. Additionally, it had high requirements for Gang Qi and Sword Intent. This was a peerless secret technique that could slay Heavenly Human Realm experts at the Gang Yuan Realm stage.
But Ning Qi could adjust it.
Turn it into a Sword Dao secret technique usable only at the Heavenly Human Realm. The key was to teach Li Ling Sword Intent.
As for the issue of Ning Qi not being convenient to teach, that was easy to solve.
The Formless Gang Body could substitute.
Thinking this way.
Ning Qi felt it was feasible. It would just take him a bit of time to adjust it, create some prerequisite Sword Dao martial arts, have Li Ling progress step by step, and finally master a weakened version of the Heavenly Sword Technique at the Heavenly Human Realm stage.
His eagerness wasn’t because he coveted King Zhenbei’s Heaven Suppressing Fist.
Rather, he valued King Zhenbei’s influence.
Ning Qi thought that perhaps he could obtain some information about the Martial Saint Realm through King Zhenbei. King Zhenbei was the seventh on the current Heavenly Human Ranking, a peerless expert who might himself be at Heavenly Human Realm Perfection, very close to the Martial Saint Realm. Moreover, as a royal member, he should know some Martial Saint secrets.
This was more worthwhile to him than any inheritance.
But it depended on whether King Zhenbei was willing.
Ning Qi slowly said:
“Teaching Little Eleven Sword Dao is naturally no problem. Little Ten, Little Eleven, and I are all senior brothers. In the future, when their realms advance, I’ll teach them. However, for King Zhenbei’s side, I hope to obtain some intelligence from him.”
“Information about the Martial Saint Realm.”
Upon hearing this.
Dragon Mountain Daoist perked up.
He instantly understood Ning Qi’s intentions. This was already preparing for a rainy day.
He nodded and said:
“No problem. In a few days, I’ll send a letter telling King Zhenbei your conditions. If he agrees, I’ll tell you immediately.”
After all, King Zhenbei had just gone down the mountain, and saying Heavenly Sword True Person agreed right now would seem suspicious and not fit Heavenly Sword True Person’s reclusive cultivation persona.
Then he added:
“I’ll also pay more attention and, when I have time later, help you ask some old friends.”
In the past, he hadn’t paid much attention to Martial Saint Realm matters, as they were too difficult. Just reaching the Heavenly Human Realm required exhausting one’s life, and the Martial Saint Realm was legendary in every era.
But thinking about it.
His disciple was already at such a realm before turning ten. Perhaps in less than ten years, he could touch the Martial Saint Realm. Preparing in advance was necessary. He secretly cursed himself for being negligent.
Ning Qi smiled and nodded.
The master and disciple chatted idly for a moment more, and Ning Qi saw Dragon Mountain Daoist off.
…
Time passed slowly.
Li Ling gradually integrated into the True Martial Sect. With his senior brothers’ help, he also built a small courtyard around Zhuang Chen’s and named it Obsessed Sword Courtyard.
He already knew that Zhuang Chen had Innate Sword Bone. While astonished, he felt great pressure, but soon this pressure turned into motivation. Both loved the sword, verified each other, and engaged in positive competition, which would lead to faster progress.
This was also the origin of the name Obsessed Sword Courtyard. Li Ling knew his Sword Dao talent was inferior to Zhuang Chen’s. If he wanted to keep pace with Zhuang Chen, he had to work hard, obsessed with the sword to the extreme.
At the same time.
He also learned of the existence of the True Martial Peach Gathering and only regretted not joining the sect early enough this year.
He thought that next year’s True Martial Peach Gathering, he had to get some fun things from the Wang Clan manor.
Li Ling occasionally consulted Ning Qi on the Bi An Stance. Ning Qi held nothing back, making Li Ling’s progress in stance technique extremely rapid. This made Li Ling even more aware of this Ninth Senior Brother’s extraordinary nature.
The uproar from Heavenly Sword True Person and Thunderous Blade Venerable’s great battle gradually subsided.
The True Martial Sect became even livelier than before.
The existence of the True Martial Sword Stele drew numerous top-tier swordsmen to come and comprehend Sword Dao. Fortunately, they were all sensible, with no disputes occurring. After the many True Disciples guarded for a while, they gradually felt at ease and again thought of going down the mountain for experience.
Jiang Baishan was the most enthusiastic, immediately drawing teasing from his numerous senior brothers.
“Fifth Brother, when Thunderous Blade Venerable challenged Heavenly Sword Senior before, a disciple told me he saw you chatting intimately with a girl. That girl was in white clothes, stunningly beautiful.” Fourth Disciple He Yan winked.
Li Ling giggled and said:
“Fifth Senior Brother, that wouldn’t be our future Fifth Senior Sister, would it?”
The True Disciples all burst into laughter.
Jiang Baishan blushed deeply. He gave Li Ling a glare:
“You three kids know nothing. Go play on the side.”
Seeing everyone still grinning, he simply threw caution to the wind:
“So what if it is! Her name is Lin Ruhua. We’ve gone through twists and turns, and we have mutual feelings. Hmph, you single dogs dare to laugh at me?”
Ye Qinghe raised her eyebrows, grabbed Jiang Baishan’s ear, and asked who the single dogs were, immediately making Jiang Baishan beg for mercy.
Everyone laughed even more merrily.
In the end.
Luo Wentian smiled and waved his hand, then asked seriously:
“Fifth Brother, since you’ve settled things with Miss Lin Ruhua, why not take this opportunity to bring her to meet Master and us? We’d like to get to know our future junior sister. You’re at the doorstep but not bringing her back—what if the girl thinks you have other ideas?”
“Senior Brother must remind you: once you’ve chosen a Dao Companion, you must be devoted and not start something you can’t finish!”
By the end, his voice had become somewhat stern.
He knew the story of how Jiang Baishan met this Miss Lin Ruhua. At first, this girl had nearly chopped off Fifth Brother’s hand. Unexpectedly, they were fated enemies turned lovers.
Jiang Baishan hurriedly protested his innocence:
“I absolutely have no other ideas. It’s just that Ruhua might still have some concerns. I’ll try to convince her and bring her back next year for the True Martial Peach Gathering!”
He vaguely sensed that Lin Ruhua’s identity was not simple, but he felt that as long as they loved each other, they could overcome any difficulty.
Everyone immediately gave thumbs up.
Ning Qi also smiled and said, “Fifth Senior Brother, go for it.”
They saw Jiang Baishan off down the mountain.
Afterward, a few more senior brothers went down for experience, while the rest cultivated on the mountain.
Ning Qi’s Seeker’s Courtyard returned to tranquility once more.
Now, aside from cultivation, White Ape often hung out with Zhuang Chen and Li Ling. If Ye Qinghe was there too, it was the three of them plus one ape, rampaging on True Martial Mountain and nearby areas. The surrounding exotic beasts suffered, like the former Iron Arm Ape. White Ape would from time to time lead them to freeload, this little guy held grudges very well, always remembering how it was bullied by the Iron Arm Ape back then.
Ning Qi was happy with this.
He enjoyed quiet cultivation alone, which had its own fun.
Now he had swallowed the fifth Blood Jade Pill, his strength advancing further. The Jade Liquid Sea would occasionally tremble, giving a sense of inexplicable vibration.
He was about to turn ten soon.
At this rate, stepping into the Core Elixir Realm next spring would be a natural progression.
Cultivation breakthroughs were a matter of steady effort; everything was as expected, and Ning Qi wasn’t worried.
Instead, he somewhat anticipated King Zhenbei’s reply. A few days ago, Dragon Mountain Daoist had already sent the letter.
…
Ning Qi was comprehending the Heavenly Thunder Saber.
King Zhenbei’s reply hadn’t arrived yet, but instead, the Thunderclap Secret Record sent by Thunderous Blade Venerable arrived first.
Thunderous Blade Venerable lived up to being a former Heavenly Human Ranking expert. The Thunderclap Secret Record had merits, yielding Ning Qi no small gains. He secretly compared and felt this Heavenly Human secret record was stronger than the previous Dragon Tiger Eagle Secret Record.
Ning Qi comprehended it together with the Heavenly Thunder Saber.
After these days of effort, he had many insights, with particularly obvious progress on the Way of Thunder. Now, if his Gang Qi turned to thunder attribute, it was extremely fierce and ferocious, but he was still one opportunity short of fully peering into the secret of the Heavenly Thunder Saber summoning Heavenly Thunder.
He still hadn’t waited for a sufficiently intense thunderstorm day.
Ning Qi planned to try above the High Heavens.
Late at night.
When no one noticed, Ning Qi restrained his aura and left the True Martial Sect far away, then soared into the sky.
Ordinary Heavenly Human Realm experts flew at no great height.
But now.
Ning Qi tried to break upward.
At first it was fine, but the higher he went, the greater the pressure. Gang Qi was consuming at an extreme speed, as if suppressed by some kind of will.
Ning Qi’s heart chilled.
This world had the rumor of a round heaven and square earth.
He had originally thought perhaps the people of this world hadn’t seen the truth.
After all, in his previous life from Blue Star, he knew the concepts of planets and universe.
But now it seemed.
Perhaps he had been superficial. This world had martial artists powerful beyond reason, and some cognitions might be correct.
He gathered his mind, focused upward. The surroundings became emptier, with only fierce gales.
After an unknown time.
The Heavenly Thunder Saber on his back suddenly stirred, erupting with dense purple intent.
He focused and looked, his heart jumping.
Only to see above the High Heavens, a blinding thunderbolt like a Thunder Dragon descending, charging toward him. Its aura was extremely terrifying, no less than Thunderous Blade Venerable’s saber.
Azure light emerged on Ning Qi’s body surface, the Azure Profound Body Protection Technique instinctively operating, blocking this thunderbolt.
Borrowing this thunder light, Ning Qi looked into the distance, somewhat appalled.
Looking further up, terrifying thunderbolts churned within, like a realm of death, allowing no living being to pass.
“The rumors are true. Above the High Heavens is indeed the Thunder Forbidden Zone!”
Before Ning Qi could react, an even more terrifying thunderbolt rushed over, purple with black tinges, several times stronger than the previous one. Ning Qi was horrified, fully operating the Azure Profound Body Protection Technique to barely block it.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Ning Qi erupted at full speed, diving downward.
The thunder above the High Heavens had no pattern at all. If he stayed longer, and the Heavenly Thunder Saber drew even more terrifying thunder, he might be done for.
“This is absolutely not a realm I can step into now!”
Only after no longer sensing thunder fluctuations did Ning Qi relax, the invisible sense of crisis completely dissipating.
A wry smile appeared on his face.
Perhaps because he’d had smooth sailing all along, plus easily suppressing Thunderous Blade Venerable this time, he’d become a bit arrogant. Now he was thoroughly awake, realizing he still needed to grow. Some places weren’t for him to step into yet.
Ning Qi gazed deeply at the High Heavens.
His intuition told him there were great secrets there, but that Thunder Forbidden Zone was too terrifying. He suspected even Martial Saints might not be able to breach it.
Taking a deep breath, without hesitation, Ning Qi continued diving downward.
No matter the secrets, they weren’t for him now. Better to stay far away honestly.
Returning the same way.
Ning Qi landed on a mountain peak.
He felt some regret.
This trip above the High Heavens hadn’t fully comprehended the mysteries of the Heavenly Thunder Saber. He could only wait for a thunderstorm day.
He was thinking of returning to True Martial Mountain.
But he had a premonition.
Ning Qi looked up to the sky and saw clouds gathering in the night sky, fluctuations brewing. Moments later, thunder rumbled loudly, shaking heaven and earth, followed by pouring rain.
He felt it strange.
“Could it be caused by my earlier probe into the High Heavens?”
But he felt it unlikely.
In a way, this was another case of “the willows darken and flowers brighten again.”
A twist in the road, Ning Qi cast aside stray thoughts.
He sat cross-legged in the void atop the mountain peak, with the Heavenly Thunder Saber on his legs. He closed his eyes and began serious comprehension. This opportunity was rare and must be grasped.
Boom!
A blinding thunderbolt tore through the night sky, striking the mountain peak, instantly shattering boulders, the mountain body trembling.
Then another equally blinding thunderbolt fell, striking Ning Qi.
But compared to the thunderbolts he experienced above the High Heavens earlier, it was much “milder.”
Azure light appeared on his body surface, easily blocking it, leaving only strands of thunder light flickering on his body.
The Heavenly Thunder Saber on his legs trembled continuously, special power fluctuations spreading out.
Thunderbolts were drawn one after another. Ning Qi didn’t deliberately guide them, just letting them strike him. At this level, he could fully withstand it. It wasn’t masochism, but this allowed more direct sensing of the Heavenly Thunder Saber’s changes.
In Ning Qi’s mind, spiritual insights surged like a waterfall.
Comprehensions from recent days continuously emerged.
“The reason Azure Profound Armored Vest has such strong defense lies in its special material. Similarly, the Heavenly Thunder Saber’s ability to draw thunder comes from its own material. It’s especially obvious in thunderstorm weather, and even more so when urged by thunder power…”
“The Heavenly Thunder Saber’s material changes upon encountering thunder, forming tiny ‘units,’ which can also be seen as ‘Mysterious Gate Array Formations,’ interacting with each other. This is the essence of it drawing thunder…”
“If I can simulate these ‘units’ with Gang Qi, I can achieve the same effect, even go further: draw thunder, amplify thunder, manipulate thunder… This power can be applied in many aspects: martial arts, body forging, formations, artifact refining, pill refining…”
Ning Qi continuously perceived the changes in the Heavenly Thunder Saber and the incoming thunderbolts.
At the same time.
The Jade Liquid Sea shook, strands of Gang Qi flowing and gathering. Ning Qi used his fleshly body as a testing ground to replicate the Heavenly Thunder Saber’s uniqueness.
He had a premonition that this harvest would be great, and the created secret technique could benefit all aspects.
After an unknown time passed.
Boom!
Another thunderbolt struck.
Ning Qi opened his eyes, revealing joy.
He had forcibly suppressed the Heavenly Thunder Saber’s effect with Gang Qi, meaning this Heavenly Thunder had been drawn by his simulated Gang Qi.
Success!
Next was just optimization.
“This method can draw heavenly thunder, so let’s call it the Heavenly Thunder Method.”
The Heavenly Thunder Method could be applied in many places.
Ning Qi was eager to try.
He stood tall in the void, Gang Qi operating, hand gripping the Heavenly Thunder Saber. Gang Qi and the saber both oscillated at special frequencies, drawing vast thunderbolts, far more terrifying than before. This time, Ning Qi consciously controlled them, so the thunder didn’t strike him but was transformed into controllable thunder power in mid-air.
Ning Qi swung the saber.
Thunder Dragon Saber Qi roared out, and under the dual effects of thunder and saber qi, a mountain turned to dust.
Such commotion was alarming even under the night sky thunder.
Ning Qi was very satisfied.
This was just the Heavenly Thunder Method’s application in martial arts.
It was worth his painstaking effort.
Ning Qi put away the Heavenly Thunder Saber, had a premonition, glanced into the distance, raised a brow, and silently fled.
Moments later.
Two figures flew over and landed where Ning Qi had stood on the mountain peak. Looking closely, they were twin sisters carrying long spears on their backs, both round-faced and delicate-looking, appearing very young, but their Heavenly Human Realm cultivation exposed that their real age wasn’t that young.
At this moment.
Shock filled their faces as they looked at the mountain turned to dust, speechless for a long time.
“If I didn’t know Thunderous Blade Venerable couldn’t be here, I’d really think this was his doing,” the elder sister whispered.
The younger sister shook her head:
“No, this nameless expert is much stronger than Thunderous Blade Venerable!”
The elder sister exclaimed:
“But there’s no second peerless expert on the Heavenly Human Ranking skilled in the Way of Thunder and Blade Dao.”
“The world is vast, with countless hidden experts. I didn’t expect us sisters to encounter one. Who knows if our luck is good or bad.”
The younger sister added:
“Good thing that expert has left. Otherwise, if we annoyed him, it would be bad. We shouldn’t have come earlier. It’s all your curiosity, sister. Don’t forget our purpose this trip.”
The elder sister stuck out her tongue:
“I thought it was just thunder falling. Who knew a expert was practicing saber here.”
“Let’s go. Curiosity satisfied. Hurry to True Martial Mountain. The Prince values True Martial Mountain highly and had us sisters specially escort the highest-level secret letter. Wonder what’s in it—it’s pretty thick.”
The younger sister immediately scolded sternly:
“Stop! That idea is very dangerous!”
The elder sister hurriedly said:
“I’m just curious. The Prince has been so kind to us; how could I do anything rash.”
The younger sister’s expression softened a bit and said no more.
The two sped toward True Martial Mountain.
