Chapter 125: Little Nine Is The Heavenly Sword True Person? True Martial Sect’s Major Move
True Martial Training Ground.
All disciples gathered together, excitedly watching the two people at the forefront—Dragon Mountain Daoist and Luo Wentian.
Today was an extremely important day for True Martial Sect.
It signified inheritance and development.
Dragon Mountain Daoist wore a pure white Daoist robe that fluttered ethereally, his eyes filled with boundless emotion. He suddenly turned back, as if seeing the path he had taken when he came. True Martial Sect had developed over several decades and had already become a top-tier great sect famous throughout the world.
However, they still needed to continue striving.
The True Martial Inheritance recorded the former glory of True Martial Sect, where even Martial Saints had appeared, reaching the pinnacle of splendor in this heaven and earth.
His gaze turned to his eldest disciple, gradually becoming solemn:
“Today, I formally hand True Martial Sect over to you. You must always remember your mission and lead True Martial Sect forward. Can you do it?”
Luo Wentian’s body trembled.
He was very excited, but also under great pressure.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had mentioned handing over the position of Sect Leader to him long ago. He had always worried that he couldn’t do it well, but now, he had finally made up his mind to give it his all, to accomplish it and fulfill his master’s wish.
He had figured it out—his previous worries weren’t that important.
With White Mist Realm cultivation, serving as the leader of a sect was barely adequate, and he would continue to progress. Breaking through to Jade Liquid Core Elixir in the future was just a matter of time. After cultivating the Sleep Dream Skill, the cultivation progress of many True Disciples had been frighteningly fast. They had realized how terrifying the cultivation method Ning Qi gave them was—it was enough to let them break conventional cultivation records.
Moreover, with Dragon Mountain Daoist and Heavenly Sword True Person suppressing the foundation, he didn’t need to worry about the rest.
After all, Dragon Mountain Daoist had now broken through to Heavenly Human Realm and needed more time for cultivation. He was merely retreating behind the scenes, not stepping away entirely. If something truly required Dragon Mountain Daoist’s intervention, he wouldn’t stand idly by.
Luo Wentian only needed to focus on handling the sect’s development affairs.
He was very skilled at these things—in fact, it could be said that over the past nearly ten years, although Luo Wentian didn’t have the title of Sect Leader, he had already been acting as one in practice.
This was also the reason Dragon Mountain Daoist chose Luo Wentian to succeed him.
For True Martial Sect to continue developing, this was necessary.
Luo Wentian took a deep breath, suppressing the many thoughts in his heart, then solemnly shouted:
“This disciple will exhaust his lifelong energy and not fail Master’s entrustment!”
Tears seemed to glint in Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes. He placed the Sect Leader’s Daoist crown on Luo Wentian’s head, draped the Sect Leader’s Daoist robe over him, and then raised his voice:
“From today onward, Luo Wentian is the second-generation Sect Leader of our True Martial Sect! You all must unite under the Sect Leader’s leadership and work together to revitalize True Martial!”
The disciples were also filled with excitement, bowing in unison and shouting loudly:
“We pay respects to the Sect Leader!”
“United in heart and effort, revitalize True Martial!”
Snowflakes fluttered in the sky, but they could not extinguish the enthusiasm of the True Martial disciples.
If not counting the previous history, True Martial Sect was actually still a very young sect. The disciples would consider their own interests, but there wouldn’t be too many conflicts. The vast majority were willing to devote their heart and blood to the sect, even sacrificing themselves.
Ning Qi watched this scene, feeling emotional in his heart.
He had been on the mountain for ten years and witnessed the first change of Sect Leader in his sect. Such events might happen many more times in the future, but this one was the most important to him because it involved his master and senior brother.
He was the True Martial Protector of the Way, safeguarding True Martial’s safety, while his senior brother succeeded as Sect Leader, leading the sect’s development. This was good.
Each True Disciple felt genuine joy from the heart. No one thought Luo Wentian was unworthy of the position—apart from him, no one in True Martial Sect was more qualified to be Sect Leader.
In the distance.
Some notable figures from Qingzhou had been invited to observe the ceremony, including the swordsmen who had been comprehending at the True Martial Sword Stele. They witnessed True Martial Sect’s astonishing cohesion and were all amazed in their hearts. A top-tier great sect with a thousand-year inheritance was about to be born before their eyes.
With such cohesion, it would be hard not to rise.
Some people began to have ideas.
They had heard some news that after Luo Wentian succeeded as Sect Leader, there would be major actions, and True Martial Sect might expand.
If they could join True Martial Sect now, it would absolutely be a great opportunity.
…
Mingwu Pavilion.
Only Luo Wentian, Dragon Mountain Daoist, and Ning Qi were there.
Luo Wentian was somewhat puzzled in his heart. Originally, he had wanted to discuss his recent plans with Dragon Mountain Daoist today. Having just succeeded as Sect Leader, he had grand ambitions and wanted to accomplish something great under the current spotlight. He hadn’t expected Dragon Mountain Daoist to call Ning Qi over.
It wasn’t that he felt his status had changed after becoming Sect Leader, making him view things differently, but rather that none of the other junior brothers had been called—only Ning Qi, which surprised him.
But Dragon Mountain Daoist’s first words stunned him.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled:
“Little Nine is the True Martial Protector of the Way.”
“Protector of the Way?” Luo Wentian’s eyes were full of question marks.
Dragon Mountain Daoist began to explain.
“The Protector of the Way is the person who safeguards the True Martial Daoist Lineage. He is the only one who can cultivate our True Martial Sect’s peerless stance technique, True Martial Stance. Only successive Sect Leaders are qualified to know the identity of the Protector of the Way. You must remember, no matter who the Sect Leader is in the future, the Protector of the Way is above all. In critical moments, he has the authority to dismiss the Sect Leader. The identity of the Protector of the Way must not be revealed lightly.”
He said it half-jokingly, half-seriously.
He naturally knew Luo Wentian’s character, but if someone else took over in the future, they might not always stay true to their original intent. If someone had improper thoughts, the Protector of the Way would serve a purpose, able to turn the tide and set things right in critical moments.
Calling Luo Wentian and Ning Qi today was also to lay all cards on the table. Since Luo Wentian had become the True Martial Sect Leader, he was qualified to know all this. This was also the result of discussions between Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Luo Wentian’s heart surged with gigantic waves, then he said solemnly:
“This disciple understands!”
The way he looked at Ning Qi was filled with astonishment.
At that moment, many things he hadn’t understood before suddenly made sense. The previous favoritism toward Ning Qi wasn’t just affection—it was to let the Protector of the Way grow quickly.
Peerless stance technique, True Martial Stance!
He immediately understood why Dragon Mountain Daoist had let Li Ling cultivate Bi An Stance—Ning Qi was already beyond the scope of True Martial Nine Sons.
He also understood why his master hadn’t let everyone pay too much attention to Ning Qi’s cultivation realm before.
“Little Nine, you really hid it deep.” He smiled helplessly, but was more excited.
He thought that with Little Nine’s talent, he would absolutely become a pillar supporting the heavens in the future. With such an existence safeguarding the True Martial Daoist Lineage, it would be even more stable. As for the Protector of the Way’s authority being above the Sect Leader’s, he didn’t care at all. Like Dragon Mountain Daoist, he only hoped True Martial Sect could prosper endlessly.
Luo Wentian continued:
“Little Nine, whatever you need in the future, just tell your senior brother. We will mobilize the entire sect’s power to make you become True Martial Sect’s pillar supporting the heavens as soon as possible!”
He felt that his master revealing Ning Qi’s identity today must be to let him open convenient doors for Ning Qi afterward, supplying all resources fully.
He didn’t hesitate and immediately expressed his stance.
He felt this was only right.
But as soon as the words fell.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi laughed, especially Dragon Mountain Daoist, who looked at Luo Wentian like he was looking at a silly big boy.
Luo Wentian was instantly stunned.
He was somewhat at a loss, hesitating:
“Master, did I say something wrong?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed loudly:
“Little Nine… he has long been our True Martial Sect’s pillar supporting the heavens!”
His laughter was filled with endless emotion and relief, as well as a certain sense of release.
All along, he had been the only one who knew Ning Qi’s identity. Now, finally, there was one more person to share the burden with him, and he felt an indescribable joy.
Luo Wentian was completely dumbfounded.
A thousand thoughts and myriad ideas surged up, but he rejected them one by one.
Dragon Mountain Daoist didn’t continue teasing, smiling:
“Perhaps you are more familiar with his other identity.”
Luo Wentian’s breathing quickened, a certain guess arising, his eyes subconsciously widening.
“Heavenly Sword True Person!”
As Dragon Mountain Daoist said this, he was completely dumbfounded, his whole person petrified. His mind roared like five thunderclaps, dizzy and confused.
“Little Nine is… Heavenly Sword Senior? This, how is this possible?!”
Luo Wentian could hardly believe it.
If someone else had said this, he would have refuted it as nonsense on the spot, but this was his most revered master speaking, and Ning Qi was smiling beside him.
He tried hard to digest this astonishing news.
This was absolutely the biggest bombshell news after he took office as Sect Leader; everything else had to take a backseat.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi just smiled and watched, waiting for Luo Wentian to digest and accept this fact.
After a long while.
Luo Wentian finally came back to his senses.
He shook his head with a wry smile:
“Little Nine, you really scared the soul out of your senior brother!”
To be honest.
The congregation had privately discussed Ning Qi’s cultivation before, but all thought that after seven years of cultivation, Ning Qi might have reached Inner Yuan Major Accomplishment at most, or Inner Yuan Perfection. That was already an extremely exaggerated guess.
Ye Qinghe had mentioned that Ning Qi might already be at White Mist Realm, but everyone felt that was a bit exaggerated.
Seven years to Gang Yuan Realm—even ancient and modern Martial Saints didn’t have such cultivation speed.
But today.
After hearing with his own ears that Dragon Mountain Daoist said Ning Qi’s other identity was Heavenly Sword True Person, Luo Wentian’s worldview shook. This was truly too astonishing.
In seven years, he had reached a height that others’ peerless prodigies might not achieve in centuries.
Just thinking about this terrifying time contrast made him feel suffocated.
At this moment, many previous doubts in his heart were resolved.
Ning Qi said apologetically:
“Senior Brother, it wasn’t intentional to hide it from you…”
Before he finished.
Luo Wentian interrupted, his eyes full of sincerity:
“Little Nine, I understand. This choice was right—even I think you and Master shouldn’t have told me today!”
His expression was grave.
After the shock, he couldn’t help worrying. Such terrifying talent that frightened people—if known by those enemies, they would probably be unable to eat or sleep in peace, scheming every way to eliminate Ning Qi. This would be extremely detrimental to both Ning Qi personally and True Martial Sect’s future.
Dragon Mountain Daoist waved his hand:
“No harm. As long as you and I keep it strictly confidential, that’s all. Now that you’ve succeeded as Sect Leader, these things naturally need to be told to you, lest in the future when for master is away, you and Little Nine can’t coordinate on some matters.”
Ning Qi also nodded with a smile:
“That’s right, Senior Brother need not worry.”
This was the result of his discussions with Dragon Mountain Daoist. Some things were destined not to be hidden forever. Luo Wentian’s character was beyond doubt. Most importantly, Ning Qi’s current strength was gradually becoming powerful. Except for a very few people he feared, the rest posed no threat to him.
Luo Wentian let out a long breath, still digesting this astonishing news, but the excitement in his heart was beginning to rise.
Having such a prodigious junior brother was exhilarating just to think about!
True Martial Protector of the Way, Heavenly Sword True Person!
When these two identities fully overlapped with Ning Qi’s, he knew exactly what it meant.
A smile spread across his lips.
Recently, although True Martial Sect was in the limelight and famous throughout the world, there were also some sour remarks, mostly focused on Heavenly Sword True Person’s lifespan. In the previous battle with Thunderous Blade Venerable, many had sensed that Heavenly Sword True Person was decrepit and might not live for decades.
If Heavenly Sword True Person passed away, True Martial Sect would only have Dragon Mountain Daoist left, and its prestige would plummet.
But now he knew—Heavenly Sword True Person was his own junior brother.
To hell with waning lifespan—his junior brother was still a rising sun!
Luo Wentian’s confidence grew even stronger.
“Master, Little Nine, I want to expand True Martial Sect and make some reforms to it.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi exchanged a smile.
“You are the Sect Leader—whatever ideas you have, just do them. Your ninth junior brother and I will support you.”
Ning Qi then said:
“Senior Brother, in my idle time, I created many martial arts secret techniques, all placed in the Scripture Depository. You can use them to strengthen our True Martial disciples’ strength. If there are any difficulties, tell me anytime.”
Luo Wentian couldn’t help sighing:
“So those were all created by you, little junior brother. When you gave us the Sleep Dream Skill before, we already had some guesses, but Master always said they were obtained in his early years, so we didn’t think much. But now that I think about it, there are too many loopholes—how come new secret techniques appear every once in a while?”
He laughed.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi also laughed. Previously, hiding their identities made things less smooth. Now that everything was out in the open, it was much better.
Ning Qi said:
“There are many more than before. For Body Tempering Realm stance techniques, I’ve added some superior stance techniques. I’ve also optimized True Martial Nine Stances, making them close to peerless stance techniques, but the cultivation difficulty remains the same. Additionally, there are some Stacked Strength Techniques, Gang Strength Techniques, killing martial arts, and secret techniques, etc. Senior Brother, you can look them over and use them.”
Luo Wentian’s mood surged.
“Good! With your support, little junior brother, if your senior brother still can’t achieve something, I’d be too unworthy of your efforts!”
He rubbed his fists and palms, eager to get started.
The next day.
Luo Wentian gathered many disciples and announced a series of reforms.
First.
He appointed the previous True Disciples as elders and reserve elders. Among the current ten True Disciples, except for the three youngest, the rest had already stepped into White Mist Realm.
Those who advanced to White Mist Realm could become elders, while the three young ones were reserve elders.
Based on everyone’s different personalities, he sequentially established various divisions like punishment, transmission of skills, medicine garden, external affairs, and more, assigning them responsibilities. For example, Xiong Shi, with his iron face and impartiality, was put in charge of the punishment division. Although True Martial Sect was united now with few sordid matters, they needed to prepare for the future. After expansion, some bad apples were inevitable.
In addition, after becoming elders, they could take disciples, but it wasn’t mandatory.
Second.
Inner and outer disciples were also reclassified based on age and cultivation.
Those whose potential was exhausted would be allowed to leave the disciple ranks, taking on more sect-internal affairs to assist in development, serving as managers of various divisions or heads of industries down the mountain.
But their upward path wouldn’t be blocked—they could still exchange for various martial arts secret techniques and resources based on contributions to the sect.
While the young or those with excellent potential would focus on cultivation, some external mission tasks would also be issued for them to gain experience while contributing to the sect.
This could form a virtuous cycle.
At the same time.
Luo Wentian further refined the rules for outer disciples advancing to inner disciples—not just based on cultivation, but also combining character and contributions to the sect.
As for True Disciples.
This was different from before. Previously, True Disciples were all Dragon Mountain Daoist’s personal disciples—anyone he took was a True Disciple. But Luo Wentian felt this somewhat dampened the disciples’ enthusiasm to some extent.
Therefore.
He reformed it.
The number of True Disciples was no longer limited. They could be promoted from inner disciples based on cultivation and contributions, or exceptionally talented young ones could be specially permitted as True Disciples, but all very strictly— not easy at all.
Especially True Martial Nine Stances and subsequent inheritances—Luo Wentian also planned to pass them only to nine people.
They had to be the most outstanding nine among the True Disciples.
…
One reform after another was announced, and everyone was amazed. Ambitious disciples’ eyes lit up with excitement.
This was indeed a big move.
Moreover, it had to be admitted that after this sorting, True Martial Sect’s vitality was even more vigorous, and the sect’s framework was becoming clearer, able to burst with even stronger vitality.
Ning Qi listened.
He sighed in his heart, feeling that his senior brother was born to be Sect Leader material.
All these matters were arranged in perfect order.
Luo Wentian looked around at everyone and said:
“In the days to come as True Martial Sect prospers, the sect structure will be gradually adjusted. If you have good suggestions, you can all propose them.”
“There are two last things.”
“First, I have had people prepare records of everyone’s contributions to the sect in recent years. Based on these, you can all enter the Scripture Depository once to exchange for martial arts supreme techniques!”
“Second, three months from now, True Martial Sect will widely open its mountain gate to recruit disciples!”
Everyone boiled over.
“We thank the Sect Leader!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked pleased.
Now, True Martial Sect was slowly taking on the appearance of a top-tier great sect. He hadn’t entrusted it to the wrong person.
The big news of True Martial Sect quickly spread throughout Qingzhou, then diffused to other places at an extremely fast speed.
Many people who heard about True Martial Sect opening its mountain gate were excited, and some ambitious youths set off overnight, coming from thousands of miles away.
Some Gang Yuan Realm experts, knowing they could join True Martial Sect midway, were also tempted. Although the standards for midway joining were stricter, the competition fiercer, and they could hardly access the core, it was still better than being sectless.
After Luo Wentian’s series of measures.
True Martial Sect burst forth with even fiercer vitality.
True Martial Mountain changed every day.
The last time there was such a big commotion was Dragon Mountain Daoist’s Heavenly Human Ceremony—this time was even greater. Many pavilions began to be replanned, divided into various functional areas. For example, a new Scripture Depository was built to store ordinary Daoist Scriptures and some less precious martial arts.
The original Scripture Depository near the Seeker’s Courtyard stored even more precious supreme techniques and secret techniques, as well as Daoist Scriptures for Ning Qi to read, etc.
After knowing Ning Qi was Heavenly Sword True Person, he was very reassured about this Scripture Depository.
True Martial Sect was thriving day by day.
Ning Qi was also joyful in his heart.
Emotionally, personally witnessing his sect grow stronger day by day gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
In other aspects, with True Martial Sect growing stronger and more experts, it could naturally better collect various resources for him. A sect was a massive organization—it was never one-sidedly teaching disciples and having them give everything. Once disciples grew, they also needed to contribute to the sect.
Strange fruits and flowers, rare rare books, exclusive secret techniques, Daoist classics… all such things didn’t come out of thin air.
They were obtained by disciples, then contributed to the sect in exchange for desired martial arts and more suitable resources.
So Ning Qi felt that Luo Wentian’s refinement of the contribution system was extremely beneficial.
Of course.
In reality, this wasn’t the achievement of Luo Wentian alone. As early as the previous two True Martial Peach Gatherings, the senior brothers had already begun discussing the details, with many suggestions coming from Ning Qi.
Now it was just implemented through Luo Wentian’s hands. As the new Sect Leader making bold changes, it naturally elevated his prestige further.
If there was one weakness for Luo Wentian now.
It was that his cultivation wasn’t that high.
He had broken through to White Mist Realm only two years ago. At his original cultivation speed, stepping into Jade Liquid Realm would take over a dozen or even twenty years. Even with the secret techniques and pills created by Ning Qi now, it was impossible to break through to Jade Liquid in two years—after all, even Ning Qi himself took a year from White Mist Realm to Jade Liquid Realm.
But Ning Qi had a solution.
He gave Luo Wentian some trump cards, like a technique he created called Gang Attachment Technique. In critical moments, it could let Luo Wentian erupt with astonishing combat power, fooling others into believing it was real. Just one chance to show it would be enough to make no one question the Sect Leader’s strength again.
Just wait a few more years for further breakthroughs in cultivation to Jade Liquid Realm or Core Elixir Realm, and there would be no need to rely on external forces.
This was unavoidable.
Even though Ning Qi had created many secret techniques and supreme arts to accelerate cultivation, it was impossible for them to achieve it overnight—breaking through several realms in just one or two years to reach Heavenly Human Realm violated cultivation norms. After all, even he himself needed to accumulate step by step in Gang Yuan Realm.
In fact, thanks to the many secret techniques Ning Qi created, Luo Wentian and the others’ cultivation speed had already broken conventions. For instance, seventh disciple Song Cheng and sixth disciple Sun Chuanhai had actually stepped into White Mist Realm in their early thirties—this was even faster than Dragon Mountain Daoist before.
If not for them knowing to downplay it and blur their ages, it would have drawn much astonishment.
“To break through faster, normal cultivation can’t be quicker than this. Either a great opportunity, swallowing heavenly materials and earthly treasures, or damaging the Origin and burning lifespan to accelerate—but that would be more loss than gain.”
Ning Qi shook his head.
Neither he nor his senior brothers needed that at all.
Burning lifespan to accelerate cultivation would be putting the cart before the horse for him.
He cultivated to pursue longevity and carefree freedom. Now that everything was fine, he just needed to proceed steadily.
“Once I step into Heavenly Human Realm or Martial Saint Realm in the future, I’ll reorganize the Martial Way again, which should raise the limit of cultivation speed further.”
For now.
Ning Qi still needed to put more energy into himself.
He closed his eyes.
And swallowed the ninth Blood Jade Pill.
The breakthrough to Core Elixir Realm was getting closer.
