Chapter 126: Alternate Holy Son, Advancing To Core Formation
True Martial Sect was thriving day by day.
Almost every day brought a change, from inside to outside.
And as news of True Martial Sect soon widely opening its gates to recruit disciples spread throughout the Great Yan World, more and more people set off early, heading towards True Martial Sect. Many who lived nearby had already gathered in True Martial City.
True Martial City was now very lively.
No way around it.
At present, True Martial Sect’s foundation was indeed extremely deep.
One sect with two Heavenly Human Realm experts. Dragon Mountain Daoist was already impressive enough, after all, he was a peerless prodigy who stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm before the age of a hundred. Ascending the Heavenly Human Ranking was just a matter of time for him. The other was the unfathomably deep Heavenly Sword True Person, who had just shone brightly in the great battle against Thunderous Blade Venerable.
Just the True Martial Sword Stele alone was enough to attract a large number of swordsmen wanting to join True Martial Sect.
Not to mention.
In recent years, as True Martial disciples had risen to prominence in the martial world, many people already knew that True Martial Sect had a deep foundation, with all sorts of secret techniques.
Someone excavated ancient history.
They already knew that the True Martial inheritance had long existed, only revitalized in Dragon Mountain Daoist’s hands. This made the hype around True Martial Sect opening its gates to recruit disciples even higher.
For all this.
The congregation of True Martial Sect naturally welcomed it.
Luo Wentian was also busy to the point of dizziness.
But before opening the gates to recruit disciples, he still had one thing to do: head to Dao State.
Now that he had just succeeded as sect leader, he had enough weight. It was the perfect time to lead a team to Dao State to connect with various top-tier Daoist sects, especially True Profound Sect. With their successive investments and overtures before, now that True Martial Sect was gradually standing firm, it naturally needed to reciprocate. Only with give and take could long-term ties be maintained.
This would also lay a solid foundation for the later Daoist sect rankings.
At least while Heavenly Sword True Person was still around, True Martial Sect stepping into the sequence of top-tier Daoist sects worldwide presented no major issues.
Luo Wentian led a group of excellent disciples, with Dragon Mountain Daoist accompanying, to show importance and weight.
“Little Nine, while we’re away this time, keep an eye on things in the sect.” Dragon Mountain Daoist sent telepathic communication.
Of course, the overt matters naturally didn’t need Ning Qi’s attention.
The former Second Disciple Xiong Shi had now become the Punishment Elder. With Sect Leader Luo Wentian absent, he was the highest authority, and his experience was plenty rich to handle most problems.
Ning Qi naturally nodded to reassure them.
He watched Luo Wentian and Dragon Mountain Daoist depart.
Ning Qi became ‘idle’ once more.
After telling Luo Wentian that he was Heavenly Sword True Person, it hadn’t caused any extra impact on his life. He still spent each day in the Seeker’s Courtyard reading scriptures, enlightening, and cultivating. Although a new Scripture Depository had been built, it didn’t affect Ning Qi’s reading. Sometimes he went late at night; other times, he had White Ape fetch the scriptures.
Now with Dragon Mountain Daoist gone to Dao State with Luo Wentian, Ning Qi had one new task.
Occasionally guiding Zhuang Chen and Li Ling.
This was no big deal for Ning Qi. Herding one sheep is herding, herding two is the same. Besides, both were extremely intelligent; a little pointers sufficed. After telling Luo Wentian the truth, Ning Qi also slowly began showcasing more wonders in front of the many senior brothers.
This was a gradual process.
Besides that.
Ning Qi just cultivated steadily.
The ninth Blood Jade Pill had been taken half a month ago.
He estimated that in about another month, he could naturally progress into the Core Elixir Realm. At that time, his strength would see a massive leap.
Looking inward at himself.
The Jade Liquid Sea at his dantian had solidified to an inconceivable degree. Even a casual ‘wave’ surging up carried surging power. The Virtual Sword Core above the Jade Liquid Sea hung high like a great sun. After Ning Qi optimized it, it also gained some ability to temper Gang Qi.
Such vast Gang Qi was unimaginable for ordinary people.
Compared to ordinary Jade Liquid Realm cultivators, it was the gap between firefly light and bright moon.
The supreme foundation Ning Qi laid in his early years was starting to show its effects. The further along, the more exaggerated his strength became.
It was hard to imagine how powerful Ning Qi would be upon stepping into the Core Elixir Realm. He felt he might be invincible in the Heavenly Human Realm.
And besides anticipating the breakthrough in cultivation, he was equally expectant of another matter.
That was the Enlightenment Tea Tree.
The Blood Jade Pill liquid was used up, with extremely significant effects. Now the Enlightenment Tea Tree reached his waist, taking initial shape. Shallow tender buds had begun sprouting on the branches and leaves. Ning Qi estimated that before this year’s True Martial Peach Gathering, he should be able to harvest a little Enlightenment Tea Leaves.
The effects of Enlightenment Tea Leaves might not be useful for Ning Qi himself, but for others, they were absolute supreme treasures.
For Ning Qi, what he enjoyed was the process of planting and harvesting. Watching the Enlightenment Tea Tree grow day by day had accumulated quite a bit of foundation for him, giving deeper insights into the Way of Life. These insights couldn’t be obtained from reading scriptures.
…
True Martial Sect was growing stronger day by day.
At the same time.
In the Demonic Sect Forbidden Ground, Blood Demon Pool, there was also considerable turmoil.
Figures with powerful auras guarded outside the Blood Demon Pool forbidden ground, waiting for something. The leading silver-haired elder had deep eyes filled with traces of anticipation.
Moments later.
The silver-haired elder’s body trembled slightly as he stared ahead:
“He’s out!”
The congregation all looked over.
A white-haired figure stepped out from the forbidden ground. The pressure just after breaking through to the Heavenly Human Realm wasn’t yet skillfully restrained, and everyone could clearly sense the shock of heaven and earth power.
This white-haired figure appeared youthful, yet gave everyone a sense of twilight decay.
After stepping out of the Blood Demon Pool, Qin Yun suddenly felt as if a lifetime had passed. He looked at the crowd of Demonic Sect experts, his gaze finally landing on the leading silver-haired elder, and respectfully said:
“Greetings to the Demonic Sect Grand Elder and various elders!”
The Demonic Sect Grand Elder’s gaze seemed penetrating as he sized up Qin Yun, finally revealing a smile of appreciation:
“Though you borrowed the power of the Sad White Hair Secret Technique, it still shows boldness. To directly enter the Heavenly Human Realm in the Blood Demon Pool proves your compatibility with it. Qin Yun, you may become the Holy Son of our Sacred Sect!”
As the Grand Elder’s words fell, the others’ gazes all shook, and someone hesitantly advised:
“Grand Elder, the Holy Son position requires careful thought.”
The root cause was still Qin Yun’s breakthrough method.
They weren’t fools; they could all sense the vitality power in Qin Yun—probably not even half of an ordinary Heavenly Human Realm.
Qin Yun was only around thirty now.
If he had normally cultivated to step into the Heavenly Human Realm at this age, absolutely no one would oppose him as Holy Son. Even the entire Demonic Sect would let him have his way, for such aptitude surpassed all Martial Saints in history, destined to become the strongest being and create history.
But unfortunately.
Qin Yun hadn’t normally cultivated.
In the Blood Demon Pool, he used the Sad White Hair Secret Technique, burning almost all his lifespan for such rapid realm breakthrough. He nearly died several times, causing quite a stir in the Blood Demon Pool, which drew this much attention.
To be precise.
Qin Yun now was already ‘over four hundred years old.’
Under such circumstances, naturally many were unconvinced.
But Qin Yun’s expression remained calm.
Back then, to buy True Martial Sect three years, he had voluntarily entered the Blood Demon Pool. Going all in, he sought life in death within it—either break through to Heavenly Human Realm for greater say, or simply perish inside. He hadn’t expected real success, thanks to that Inner Demon Secret Technique he obtained years ago.
Now, after experiencing life and death, he instead saw through many things.
“I wonder how Master and the others are now after so long…”
This thought arose in Qin Yun’s mind, then he bowed to the Grand Elder:
“I thank the Grand Elder for the favor. Qin Yun tricked his way into the Heavenly Human Realm and still needs time to consolidate. With insufficient qualifications, please consider the Holy Son position carefully.”
The Grand Elder gave Qin Yun a deep look, finally saying:
“Since that’s the case, Qin Yun is one of the three candidate Holy Sons. Earn merits for our Sacred Sect later and formally ascend to Holy Son. Any objections?”
He eyed the crowd like an eagle, with extreme sense of oppression, an uncompromising air.
The congregation all chorally assented.
Candidate Holy Son was within everyone’s acceptable bottom line.
Seeing the crowd like this, the Grand Elder felt disappointed inside.
Over centuries or millennia, many in the Demonic Sect had forgotten the original belief, starting to form cliques for private gain.
In truth, what he valued wasn’t Qin Yun’s cultivation level, but his compatibility with the Blood Demon Pool.
With Qin Yun’s performance in the Blood Demon Pool, if he reached Heavenly Human Perfection in the future, there might be hope to forcibly step into the Martial Saint Realm via the Blood Demon Pool. For such a person not to directly become Holy Son would be the problem.
The Grand Elder coldly snorted and flicked his sleeve as he left.
The others just lowered their heads in respectful send-off.
Moments later, someone came forward with a respectful smile:
“Qin Holy Son Candidate, please follow me.”
Qin Yun silently nodded and left.
After over a year in the Blood Demon Pool, he now very much wanted to know what had happened in the outside world during this time, especially with True Martial Sect. Although Ghost Face Deputy Sect Master had said three years before destroying True Martial, who knew if he might change his mind midway.
By reason, after entering the Blood Demon Pool, one must comprehend the Demonic Sect’s true meaning to protect it, thus identifying with the Demonic Sect. But Qin Yun wondered if it was because of that Inner Demon Secret Technique from early years that he wasn’t influenced by the Demonic Sect’s true meaning.
The others naturally didn’t know this.
Looking at Qin Yun’s back, their expressions varied.
Some were already preparing to bet early. Qin Yun’s foundation was shallow, but with Grand Elder support, he might succeed. Others had gloomy faces; Qin Yun’s sudden rise turned the original two candidate Holy Sons into three, adding a competitor.
…
Qin Yun sat in the study.
Bundles of scrolls were placed on the table. Now as one of the three candidate Holy Sons, his status was much higher than before as a Protector. A single order, and they were naturally delivered.
He flipped through the major events in the world over the past year.
Noting down those possibly related to him.
Then, he turned his gaze to the last bundle of scrolls: intelligence on True Martial Sect.
His heart trembled as he gently opened it.
Pieces of information flooded his eyes.
Moments later.
Qin Yun felt a mix of emotions.
“Master… took two more disciples?”
He looked at what the intelligence showed.
Tenth True Disciple, Zhuang Chen, disciple of Divine Sword Elder, former sect leader of Divine Sword Sect.
Eleventh True Disciple, Li Ling, youngest son of King Zhenbei.
For a moment.
He didn’t know what mood he was in, ultimately turning into a silent self-mockery:
“Little Nine… has become a senior brother too.”
He recalled when Ning Qi had just been brought up the mountain by Dragon Mountain Daoist. Back then, he was newly a senior brother, with heartfelt excitement. But later, it slowly changed.
He didn’t resent others; this was all his own fault.
He took a deep breath.
Qin Yun flipped through other intelligence.
“Heavenly Human Ranking updated, Heavenly Sword True Person at thirty-six.”
“Thunderous Blade Venerable challenged but was crushed by Heavenly Sword True Person. Then True Martial Sword Stele was erected. Heavenly Sword True Person suspected to have Top Ten Heavenly Human Ranking strength?”
“Senior Disciple Brother succeeded as sect leader?”
…
After reading through the intelligence, Qin Yun’s eyelids twitched.
Finally, he exhaled a turbid breath, his original worries dissipating much.
Hearing True Martial Sect news again after over a year was far better than he imagined.
Heavenly Sword True Person was unexpectedly powerful. At least this way, the Demonic Sect wouldn’t act against True Martial Sect so casually anymore. Not to mention True Martial Sect now vaguely had King Zhenbei behind it.
But he felt a slight loss in his heart.
Seeing True Martial Sect grow step by step, yet he wasn’t part of it.
His brows lifted, expression instantly turning cold.
The sound of a door pushing open rang out as Ghost Face strode in.
Qin Yun rose respectfully:
“Greetings to Ghost Face Deputy Sect Master!”
Ghost Face waved his hand, his laughter somewhat low:
“You’re now a candidate Holy Son. No need to be as before when seeing me.”
Qin Yun’s heart was calm, but his face turned serious:
“Rites cannot be abandoned. Without Deputy Sect Master’s nurturing, Qin Yun wouldn’t have this opportunity. Even if not yet Holy Son, or even if become Holy Son, I will forever remember Deputy Sect Master’s kindness.”
Ghost Face smiled, eyes showing slight satisfaction. He glanced casually at the scrolls on the table and asked offhandedly:
“Looking at True Martial Sect intelligence?”
Qin Yun’s heart tightened, naturally saying:
“Indeed. During the over year in Blood Demon Pool, Qin Yun never forgot Deputy Sect Master’s prior instructions.”
Ghost Face stared at Qin Yun for a moment, then suddenly laughed:
“The Sacred Sect now has a new decision, which will change our attitude towards True Martial Sect.”
Qin Yun hadn’t spoken yet.
Ghost Face continued on his own:
“You’re now one of the three candidate Holy Sons, but whether that ‘candidate’ can be dropped is worlds apart. You have two main rivals now. One is Ye Kuang from Xiang Tianxing’s line, the other Wei Lei from the Second Elder’s line.”
“Though you have the Grand Elder’s favor, your foundation is shallow. To compete for the top, you need sufficient performance.”
“First, True Martial Sect. If you can persuade True Martial Sect to join our Sacred Sect’s great cause, that would be great merit. The Sacred Sect values Heavenly Sword True Person and True Martial Sword Stele highly.”
Saying this.
Ghost Face patted Qin Yun’s shoulder, but Qin Yun just flickered his gaze before nodding slightly, saying ‘I’ll try my best.’
But he knew in his heart this was absolutely impossible.
He understood his master; impossible to submit to the Demonic Sect.
Ghost Face continued:
“Second, win over neutral figures from Lin Xueshuang’s line. You should know her daughter Lin Ruhua. If you can win her heart, getting Lin Xueshuang’s support won’t be hard. I’ve mentioned this to Lin Xueshuang several times; she tacitly approved. The rest is up to your ability.”
Qin Yun was slightly stunned, then nodded:
“I’ll try.”
Ghost Face went on:
“Additionally, perform more in daily affairs. With shallow foundation, you must work extra hard.”
“Thanks to Deputy Sect Master for the guidance!” Qin Yun thanked.
If possible, he naturally wanted to become Demonic Sect Holy Son too, to gain more resources, even possibly becoming legendary Martial Saint through it.
Now, besides hoping True Martial Sect was all well, his biggest goal was to keep getting stronger. He had always been competitive; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gambled all his lifespan in the Blood Demon Pool.
“Right, there’s one matter recently. Best if you come with me to handle it.” Ghost Face’s eyes gradually turned cold. “Previously, Southern Border Alliance attacked us without reason. Now knowing our Sacred Sect’s foundation, after our fierce counterattack, they finally sent word to sit down and talk.”
He briefly explained the causes and effects, then said:
“This matter is fishy. Us and Southern Border Alliance fighting to the death—looking back, it seems like falling into someone else’s scheme. Best to clarify the root cause in this negotiation. Though Southern Border Alliance was foolish, we can’t just let others benefit for free.”
Qin Yun slowly nodded:
“Southern Border Saintess? Good chance to see for myself.”
…
Ning Qi didn’t yet know that his impersonation of Elder Wang to wipe out Southern Border Alliance’s stronghold in Qingzhou had incited blood feud between the two sides for so long, and now they were to sit down for talks.
He now had more important things to do.
Half a month ago.
He had already taken the tenth Blood Jade Pill.
Now.
Finally reaching the limit.
Rumble!
Vague rumbling sounds came from Ning Qi’s body. If not for Silent Art concealing it, even a casual leak of aura would stun the crowd.
Ning Qi looked inward at himself.
The Jade Liquid Sea seemed boundless, filling the dantian, incredibly deep, bottomless. Any casual surge carried vast power.
Ning Qi felt.
His current self absolutely had the strength at the tail end of Top Ten Heavenly Human Ranking.
In the process of quantitative change, his strength had also risen much.
And now, it was time for qualitative change.
In the Seeker’s Courtyard, only Ning Qi alone.
He sat cross-legged, the tender buds from the Enlightenment Tea Tree emitting faint exotic fragrance, making Ning Qi’s state of mind even more serene.
“Turn.”
With a thought, everything progressed naturally.
In the dantian.
The originally high-hanging ‘great sun’ shattered and fell, Gang Qi power returning to the great sea.
Then, the entire Jade Liquid Sea began rotating, an immensely huge vortex appearing at its center. All Gang Qi and jade liquid were set spinning.
Rumble!
Even more intense vibrations came from Ning Qi’s body.
He sat cross-legged, eyes tightly closed, face calm, but inside his body astonishing changes were occurring. The originally deep and solid jade liquid visibly grew even more ‘viscous’ at a speed visible to the eye, gradually turning from clear ‘liquid’ into a ‘paste’-like existence.
Ning Qi’s physical potential was stimulated, vigorous vitality fusing in, birthing mysterious power.
Unknowingly when.
At the center of the Jade Liquid Sea, a pill-like thing appeared.
As this Core Elixir embryonic form emerged, Ning Qi’s spirit shook, feeling a sensation of thorough comfort rising all over his body.
The Jade Liquid Sea rotated even faster.
Viscous Gang Qi drilled into the Core Elixir embryonic form.
The Jade Liquid Sea was disappearing at terrifying speed.
While the Core Elixir embryonic form visibly grew rounder, more perfect. Powerful force was contained within; once erupting, it would shake heaven and earth.
This most crucial step was complete.
Everything proceeded smoothly, without the slightest hindrance—not like others’ difficult realm breakthroughs. Ning Qi’s foundation was too thick.
…
Time slowly passed.
As the last drop of jade liquid surged into the Core Elixir, the entire dantian space was ’empty and spacious.’ Compared to before, it was unbelievably clean.
But Ning Qi felt an unprecedented power.
Core Elixir Realm, achieved!
Looking inward at his dantian, an ordinary Core Elixir was spinning. It looked the same as other Core Elixir Realm martial artists’, but once Ning Qi urged it, the Core Elixir immediately bloomed golden light, terrifying unparalleled power instantly eruptable.
“A Core Elixir that can bloom golden light—never recorded in ancient books.”
Ning Qi was slightly amazed in his heart. Just like his White Mist Great Marsh and Jade Liquid Sea, also unrecorded levels. Clearly, he was now walking unprecedented heights on the martial way, the cliff-like surpassing kind.
He stood, casually clenching his fist, already feeling his own power.
Gang Qi condensed into Core Elixir form had qualitatively changed again.
Ning Qi slowly suppressed a punch outward. Power at the extreme stagnated the surrounding void like it was frozen; wind stopped, swaying peach tree stiffened. Everything seemed paused.
This was King Zhenbei’s secret technique Heaven Suppressing Fist. Ning Qi had easily learned it after observing, and improved it, optimizing the suppression intent to achieve void stagnation-like effects.
Even ordinary Heavenly Human Realm experts couldn’t move an inch under such suppression.
He compared to that day when King Zhenbei strolled leisurely, killing four Demonic Sect Heavenly Humans, one punch heavily injuring Elder Wang.
Ning Qi’s eyes held confident light.
“I can do the same, even more easily. Even Elder Wang wearing Azure Profound Armored Vest couldn’t withstand my punch.”
He smiled.
Mood delighted.
Among Top Ten Heavenly Human Ranking peerless experts, he’d only seen King Zhenbei, so could only compare to him.
Ning Qi felt that if he went all out now, he could easily defeat King Zhenbei.
“Perhaps my combat power already stands at the peak of Heavenly Human Realm. Wonder if Top Three Heavenly Human Ranking existences can match me?” Ning Qi was somewhat eager to try.
Not that he was arrogant.
But this powerful feeling was very real; even he was conservatively estimating.
“Now, probably only Martial Saints could threaten me.”
Unknowingly.
Ning Qi had already stood at the world peak, with only a scant few comparable to him.
And now, he was just over ten years old. Though he looked like a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old youth, it didn’t change that he’d practiced martial arts less than eight years.
His sense of security greatly increased.
“But can’t slack off. I’m not truly invincible yet. At least Great Yan Martial Saint is stronger than me. And Southern Border Alliance’s Blood Emperor Gu—who knows if it can create Martial Saint level existences. And Demonic Sect…”
“And the secrets of Martial Saint Realm, bound to face sooner or later.”
“Still need to keep working hard. Only early promotion to Heavenly Human Realm gives enough confidence.”
Ning Qi planned his next steps.
Heavenly Human Realm wasn’t hard for him. The various secret techniques he’d created before, especially Unity of Heaven and Man, gave him full insight into heaven and earth power. Even the follow-up cultivation method Myriad Phenomena Secret Record he’d already created.
Next.
Was spirit-merging Core Elixir, to resonate with heaven and earth power.
The only hurdle was Ning Qi’s Core Elixir too strong; fusing his ‘spirit’ into it required more time to strengthen the ‘spirit.’
As for resonating heaven and earth power, for Ning Qi it was like returning home, familiar beyond familiarity.
By this calculation.
Ning Qi estimated the time to break through to Heavenly Human Realm might even be shorter than from Jade Liquid Realm to Core Elixir Realm. This was the use of prior foundation accumulation.
“Perhaps before this year’s year end, I can truly step into Heavenly Human Realm!”
Ning Qi was somewhat expectant.
“Wonder if after stepping into Heavenly Human Realm, I can battle the legendary Martial Saint?”
