Chapter 131: Three Hundred Seedlings, Extorting A Hefty Sum
Time passed.
Luo Wentian and many elders were all paying attention to this batch of excellent seedlings. Besides Gou Dan, some others also performed quite well.
For example, the previous Lu Mang and Ouyang Yuxuan—their temperaments also suited the intentions of the True Martial Sect congregation.
A majestic voice finally rang out again:
“Wake up!”
The remaining children on the Heart Questioning Platform all jolted awake from their previous heart-questioning state.
This way, they would not be harmed. After all, their minds were still relatively weak. If they were forcibly awakened like the previous Gang Yuan Realm masters, one mistake could turn them into idiots.
At this moment.
The group of children all widened their eyes.
After personally experiencing that magical state, they realized it was far more powerful than when they had watched from outside before.
After going through this heart-questioning, they even felt their inner hearts had become somewhat unobstructed.
Of course.
Some were happy, some were worried.
After waking up, those heartfelt answers immediately came to mind. The children present were not fools. From the previous Gang Yuan Realm protectors’ assessment, they could already know the general situation. Whether they could pass the Heart Questioning Platform assessment was already clear in their hearts.
Gou Dan was dazed and somewhat nervous. Although he felt he had a clear conscience in the heart-questioning, he couldn’t guarantee the result until it came out.
At the same time.
He quietly counted and found that some children had disappeared.
This shocked him. Although he came from a poor background, he was not stupid. He immediately realized what was happening. Spies had appeared in the previous Gang Yuan Realm protectors’ assessment, so it was naturally normal for spies to lurk in this disciple assessment.
The children who noticed this all became tense, fearing they would be implicated and unable to pass the assessment.
Fortunately, Ye Qinghe’s voice gave them a shot of reassurance.
Ye Qinghe was the only female elder, and her beauty and grace easily made the children feel fondness.
She looked at the little ones on the Heart Questioning Platform and smiled gently:
“Next, I will announce the list of those who have successfully passed the assessment.”
“Lu Mang!”
“Ouyang Yuxuan!”
…
“Li Cheng!”
…
“Gou Dan!”
Names were called one by one.
The children whose names were called all excitedly clenched their fists, unable to hold back their inner cheers.
When the last Gou Dan was called, the tension Gou Dan had been holding finally eased. He nearly burst into tears of joy. Since his name hadn’t been called until the end, he even thought he had been eliminated.
Ye Qinghe smiled inwardly. She had also seen that her Senior Disciple Brother was somewhat fond of this youth called Gou Dan, so she deliberately put him at the end to test the little guy’s patience.
The result was quite satisfactory to her.
This Heart Questioning Platform had eliminated another small half. After all, children generally did not have so many thoughts, and most could be corrected. Moreover, the Ascension Stairs earlier had already served as a form of selection to some extent.
Thus, around three hundred disciples remained.
Looking at these three hundred people, everyone showed smiles. These were extremely top-tier seedlings, selected from the excellent. Their future achievements would absolutely not be low. With the True Martial Sect’s many secret techniques and resources for cultivation, they all had hope of reaching the Gang Yuan Realm. The difference lay only in their future efforts.
Ye Qinghe raised her voice:
“Those whose names were called above, from now on, you are True Martial Sect Outer Disciples. Soon, your Senior Brothers will lead you to familiarize yourselves with the sect’s situation.”
“Disciples accept the order!”
The many new True Martial Disciples all respectfully saluted.
While those eliminated looked as if they were bereaved, nearly crying, especially a few who had performed well on the Ascension Stairs. They found it hard to believe and were somewhat unwilling, but they did not dare to question.
Ye Qinghe’s expression turned slightly cold as she said:
“Those who failed, go down the mountain. You may also receive a modest gift prepared by our True Martial Sect.”
She shook her head inwardly.
These children were those whose ‘roots’ were crooked, either innately so or influenced by their environment. In short, they were not good people. It was not impossible for them to have a great epiphany in the future and metamorphose, but the True Martial Sect would not bet on that probability.
Straightening a crooked seedling was extremely difficult. It was better to select a straight one from the beginning and cultivate it, saving effort and worry.
After all, the True Martial Sect was not a saintly teaching that educated the world.
“Thank you, Elder Ye!”
The voices of the eliminated were somewhat dejected.
Most accepted reality, but some inwardly thought that in thirty years the river flows east, in thirty years it flows west, and they would make the True Martial Sect regret it in the future.
Luo Wentian roughly knew of these thoughts but did not care.
The True Martial Sect’s growth speed would far exceed the world’s imagination.
Just thinking of the many martial arts secret techniques, pill formulas Ning Qi had given him, and the wondrous items he occasionally produced, he was amazed.
He watched the three hundred excellent seedlings being led away.
He could not help but smile.
This was the True Martial Sect’s future, far more excellent than the previous disciples received.
This mountain-opening disciple recruitment could be considered a successful conclusion. Although there were some small twists, they were basically within controllable range. It could be foreseen that once the events on the mountain gradually spread, the True Martial Sect’s prestige would rise another level.
From now on, unless there were special circumstances, the True Martial Sect would not recruit disciples so grandly in the short term.
…
As the eliminated children and Gang Yuan Realm experts went down the mountain.
Everything that happened on True Martial Mountain also spread at an astonishing speed.
First True Martial City, then Qingzhou, then spreading to the surrounding several states.
Many people were amazed.
The foundation shown by the True Martial Sect this time was indeed extraordinary.
Ascension Stairs, Mechanical Man, Heart Questioning Platform—each one taken out could serve as a sect’s foundation, yet the True Martial Sect had consecutively revealed three.
What left everyone dumbfounded was that so many spies from various forces had emerged during this True Martial Sect disciple recruitment.
Demonic Sect!
Southern Border!
Sword Asking Pavilion!
Formless Sect!
…
Each of these forces carried weight, especially the Demonic Sect and Southern Border, which carried mysterious auras. Unexpectedly, they all planned to insert informants into the True Martial Sect, stirring up all kinds of speculation in the world.
However, the performance of the True Martial Sect’s others this time also greatly boosted their prestige.
Originally, the True Martial Sect was famous throughout the world, mostly upheld by Heavenly Sword True Person and Dragon Mountain Daoist. The martial world’s common evaluation was that the True Martial Sect had top-tier combat power but lacked mid-level strength.
But this time, Luo Wentian and White Ape’s actions broke everyone’s cognition.
“That Luo Sect Leader is not simple. It seems the True Martial Sect has a secret technique that can greatly elevate the sect leader’s strength in a short time! This is perhaps a peerless secret technique from the True Martial Inheritance!”
“And that White Ape, said to be quite young, can already punch Jade Liquid Realm and kick Core Elixir Realm. Incredibly ferocious. In the future, it might reach a level comparable to Baichuan Lake Jiao Lord or Cloud Dream Mountain’s Demon Ox King.”
“The True Martial Sect’s foundation is extraordinary!”
Admiration was everywhere.
If the strength was weak, like when Dragon Mountain Daoist had not yet stepped into the Heavenly Human Realm, many had once come at night for the True Martial Inheritance due to coveting it. But now that strength was powerful, others would only praise the True Martial Sect’s deep foundation, with no trace of greed.
This was the difference.
Power attracts admiration, weakness invites greed.
However, it was not all admiration and awe. Some harbored malice, thinking the True Martial Sect had drawn spies from so many forces because it was too prominent, and it probably wouldn’t last long.
Especially the Demonic Sect, a colossal entity that could confront the Great Yan Dynasty, and even the enigmatic Southern Border, which in recent years had slowly entered some people’s sight.
These people felt this matter might have follow-ups.
The forces that inserted spies being so openly exposed would certainly not let it rest.
And on True Martial Mountain.
The disciples were also extremely excited.
They were still savoring that day’s great battle.
Xiong Shi and Ye Qinghe et al.’s strength was within expectations. The key was Luo Wentian’s performance, far exceeding everyone’s imagination. Even Xiong Shi, Jiang Baishan, and others were stunned. Suddenly, the Senior Disciple Brother had such formidable combat power?
They could not help but ask Luo Wentian.
But Luo Wentian just pointed toward Mingwu Pavilion and smiled without speaking.
The congregation exchanged glances, with some hesitation in their hearts. It was not disbelief in their master, but if their master had such means, he would have used them long ago. Instead, another figure emerged in their minds.
Ning Qi!
Right, Ning Qi.
Now, Ning Qi’s actions no longer left no clues like before. As his strength grew stronger and his confidence fuller, he began to slowly show some traces in front of the many Senior Brothers. Not for showing off, but naturally.
For example, they knew the Ascension Stairs and other foundations came from Ning Qi’s hand.
Having one more Luo Wentian seemed quite reasonable?
But they could not help thinking, if Ning Qi could forge such an existence as Luo Wentian, who could crush ordinary Core Elixir Realm, how powerful would he himself be?
Once this thought arose, they felt it too exaggerated and simply stopped thinking about it.
The other True Martial Disciples were also curious about this low-key mysterious Ninth Martial Uncle.
Not because of Luo Wentian.
But because of White Ape.
Six years of bitter cultivation with no one asking, one day showing might known throughout the world.
Even the White Ape Daoist boy under him was so strong, undoubtedly adding more mystery to Ning Qi. Especially in recent years, Dragon Mountain Daoist, Luo Wentian, and others had been blurring Ning Qi’s age. Now, many disciples actually did not know how old Ning Qi was.
They only knew this Ninth Martial Uncle liked reading scriptures, cultivated alone, and basically only appeared for major events. He was the most mysterious among the previous True Disciples.
Some True Martial Disciples discussed that the Ninth Martial Uncle might be a hidden great master.
But some old disciples just smiled lightly. They roughly knew Ning Qi’s age range and felt he wouldn’t be that strong, but they wouldn’t expose it, treating it as a target of admiration for the newcomers.
True Martial Mountain became increasingly lively.
With three hundred excellent seedlings joining, it was full of vitality.
For these new Outer Disciples.
Luo Wentian had naturally prepared corresponding cultivation plans long ago. At the beginning, there would be certain resource differences based on performance in the entry assessment. Afterward, adjustments to martial arts and resources would be based on the annual Year End Grand Competition.
These matters were already proceeding orderly under the arrangements of Transmission Elder Sun Chuanhai. Sun Chuanhai was introverted and fair, thus appointed as Transmission Elder.
…
Inside Mingwu Pavilion.
Condensing Mind Incense smoke rose gracefully. Luo Wentian, Dragon Mountain Daoist, and Ning Qi sat separately.
“Master, Little Nine, Second Junior Brother has already interrogated all the spies from the entry assessment.” A trace of anger in Luo Wentian’s eyes. “The few who went on the Heart Questioning Platform had results matching the heart-questioning, and among the eliminated, there were also some from the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance.”
“They confessed some things, but nothing major. The only noteworthy news is that the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance have already formed an alliance!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ning Qi’s eyes both sharpened.
These two forces alone were colossal dominators, and now they had allied.
Ning Qi slowly said:
“It seems they indeed suspect the destruction of the Qingzhou stronghold back then. Unexpectedly, not only did they not turn hostile, but they formed an alliance.”
He was confident there were no traces linking to the True Martial Sect in what he had done.
He did not expect things to take such a turn.
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded thoughtfully:
“However, they should only have suspicions, and even their suspicion of us may not be great. Otherwise, they wouldn’t just send such spies to probe.”
With the power and domineering nature of the two forces, if they really knew about Ning Qi’s diversion of disaster, they certainly would not let it rest.
Ning Qi took a sip of tea and said:
“Perhaps it’s because we’ve been successively linked to matters with the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance. I’m not afraid of their small moves, but of them suddenly acting outside the norms. In short, be extra careful during this time and don’t give them any handles.”
His eyes were deep, the Core Elixir in his body spinning, powerful power surging within.
Give him a bit more time to promote to Heavenly Human Realm, and if these people dared to act presumptuously, he would show them why the flowers are so red.
Even now, he was not afraid.
If the Demonic Sect and Southern Border did something they shouldn’t, Ning Qi certainly would not let it rest.
He thought.
If he could find the headquarters of the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance, that would be good.
But this was not easy. The Southern Border Alliance was in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, not to mention. The Demonic Sect had entangled with Great Yan for a millennium and still occasionally stirred, surely with multiple lairs like a cunning rabbit.
Luo Wentian said:
“Little Nine is right. During this time, I will try to reduce the disciples’ outings and increase vigilance.”
He was still extremely wary of the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance. Compared to the former two, the current True Martial Sect was still somewhat immature.
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
Dragon Mountain Daoist asked:
“What about besides the Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance?”
Luo Wentian continued:
“Besides these two forces, the other spies came from Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion respectively, and one from a first-rate force Luoshan Sect in Qingzhou. But just yesterday, the Luoshan Sect Leader disbanded Luoshan Sect and hanged himself.”
His expression was calm.
Sending spies to infiltrate other sects could be major or minor. That Luoshan Sect perhaps wanted to gamble big, to see if it could insert into the interior and later steal the True Martial Sect’s Heavenly Human supreme arts.
But in any case, the True Martial Sect’s fury was not something a first-rate force could bear.
The Luoshan Sect Leader’s suicide was the best choice.
Luo Wentian did not plan to pursue further.
The key now was the remaining two forces.
“How to deal with Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion?” His face showed inquiry.
These two forces were not weak, and he could not decide arbitrarily.
Formless Sect was in Dao State, previously the ninth top-tier Daoist Sect, but now squeezed out of the top-tier Daoist Sect sequence by the True Martial Sect’s sudden rise. It was normal for them to harbor resentment and think of infiltrating the True Martial Sect for future opportunities.
But in any case, that was no reason.
Sword Asking Pavilion was in Chuzhou.
Ning Qi had some impression of Sword Asking Pavilion. When he mentioned True Martial Stance to Dragon Mountain Daoist back then, Dragon Mountain Daoist had said that among the world’s forces, Great Yan and Demonic Sect both had peerless stance techniques, while Great Awakening Temple and Sword Asking Pavilion had half-step peerless stance techniques.
At that time.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had looked up to Sword Asking Pavilion.
Because Sword Asking Pavilion’s strength was indeed powerful, much stronger than Formless Sect. It could even be said they were not on the same level. Sword Asking Pavilion had several Heavenly Human swordsmen, not to mention its strongest Grand Elder, Heart-Seeking Sword Gu Changhe, ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Human Ranking, a true peerless expert.
Ning Qi roughly knew the reason Sword Asking Pavilion sent spies to infiltrate the True Martial Sect this time.
Nothing more than for the True Martial Sword Stele.
Previously, Heavenly Sword True Person established the True Martial Sword Stele, making True Martial Mountain another Sword Dao Holy Land. This naturally made Sword Asking Pavilion covetous. If they could obtain the aid of the True Martial Sword Stele, they could produce endless top-tier swordsmen.
In fact, more than one force had secretly mocked the True Martial Sect’s stupidity in sharing the True Martial Sword Stele with the world. If others had such a supreme treasure, they would hate to hide it, let alone showcase it.
Hearing Luo Wentian’s inquiry, Dragon Mountain Daoist also frowned slightly.
One was the former ninth Daoist Sect in the world, the other the world-renowned Sword Dao Holy Land, arguably the first.
Neither was weak.
But doing nothing would not do.
Wouldn’t everyone follow suit in the future? The True Martial Sect would be annoyed to death just screening these spies.
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Ning Qi.
Ning Qi’s eyes showed no fluctuation, calmly saying:
“Naturally, we can’t just let it go like this.”
With these words.
Luo Wentian and Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes lit up, and they smiled.
This was confidence!
If Ning Qi said to let it go, they would endure for now.
But Ning Qi saying this meant he was unafraid.
Unable to deal with Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance for the time being, surely they could deal with you two?
If sensible, good. If not, this was an opportunity to establish might.
Dragon Mountain Daoist pondered slightly:
“Wentian, write two letters in the name of True Martial Sect Sect Leader, condemning them for sending spies. First stand on the moral high ground. To brush this over, they must bleed heavily.”
Luo Wentian’s eyes also lit up, nodding repeatedly:
“Right, exactly. Formless Sect is the former ninth Daoist Sect with many Daoist Scriptures. This time, if we don’t extort a bunch, how can they compensate our True Martial Sect’s losses?”
“And Sword Asking Pavilion, with three hundred seedlings just entered, how can they not contribute some treasure swords and sword manuals?”
He got excited, already calculating how to make the two forces bleed.
Naturally impossible to destroy them just based on this, but they could not be let off easily. They must be made to bleed profusely to achieve the effect!
However.
He frowned again and said:
“If we take a hard stance with Formless Sect, there should be no problem. They will fear Little Nine. But Sword Asking Pavilion has the Heavenly Human Ranking fourteenth Heart-Seeking Sword Gu Changhe. They may not agree so easily.”
Ning Qi just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Luo Wentian inwardly clicked his tongue, his heart settling.
Ning Qi was so calm facing Heavenly Human Ranking fourteenth; what did he have to panic about?
Even his wariness of Demonic Sect and Southern Border Alliance faded much.
That night.
Luo Wentian wrote energetically, two letters. The letters vehemently denounced Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion’s immoral acts, with intent to spy on the True Martial Inheritance. They even vaguely pointed out Heavenly Sword True Person’s some dissatisfaction, pulling the prelude to the max.
Afterward, they hinted at conditions.
To Formless Sect, naturally that True Martial Sect’s foundation was still shallow, lacking Daoist Scripture collections, especially rare books and treasures, the more the better.
To Sword Asking Pavilion, that True Martial Sect had newly received three hundred seedlings, lacking without swords, hard to sustain. Also mentioned Heavenly Sword True Person’s interest in Sword Asking Pavilion’s many peerless sword manuals, hinting they could send two over.
Of course, some spiritual medicines and precious materials were naturally up for tasting.
In short, to appease True Martial fury, bleeding was inevitable.
Afterward.
The letters were sent express overnight to the two sects.
Not only that, Luo Wentian had already spread the news of Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion sending spies into True Martial Sect, building momentum.
After Ning Qi learned the letter contents, he could not help but smile knowingly. His Senior Disciple Brother could be quite black-bellied sometimes.
As for whether Formless Sect and Sword Asking Pavilion would agree, he was not worried.
Not because he thought they would comply willingly, but confidence in his own strength.
They would ultimately agree; it was just the process might have twists.
Ning Qi gazed at the increasingly brilliant peach blossoms outside the courtyard, then looked down at the few tender leaves from the Enlightenment Tea Tree, his heart gradually calming.
Just a minor interlude.
He began operating full-heart Divine Forging. The Heaven and Earth Millstone appeared beside him, with faint rumbling sounds. This was the Heaven and Earth Millstone Divine Forging Method he created imitating the Gang Tempering Method’s Heaven and Earth Millstone, but the foundation was different. The Gang Tempering Method mainly relied on Heaven and Earth Power, while the Divine Forging Method used Heaven and Earth Power as auxiliary, mainly relying on Core Elixir feedback.
Because ‘spirit’ was relatively fragile and could not withstand the violence of Heaven and Earth Power.
Now Ning Qi had achieved initial success. ‘Spirit’ was increasingly powerful, especially evident in the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Technique. His strength was also growing, not stagnant.
Time slowly passed.
Seven days later.
Unexpectedly, Formless Sect far in Dao State replied first.
Formless Sect’s attitude of admitting fault was very good.
The events on True Martial Mountain had naturally reached their ears. Knowing their sent spies were caught on the spot, they could not quibble. They felt bitter inside, originally thinking it seamless, but far underestimating True Martial Sect’s methods.
But matters had come to this; they could only compensate as best they could.
They had already discussed some compensation.
Unexpectedly, Luo Wentian’s ‘greeting’ arrived right after.
Formless Sect members read the letter one by one, nearly cursing aloud, hearts bleeding.
Too black!
They wanted to grit teeth and be tough, but dared not.
Heavenly Sword True Person’s power was still fresh, not to mention they were at fault. Now True Martial Sect ranked ninth among world Daoist Sects. Those top-tier Daoist Sects would only help True Martial Sect, not them. In fact, several top-tier Daoist Sects had already begun pressuring.
This forced Formless Sect to swallow broken teeth. This time they truly lost wife and soldier.
After discussion.
They replied amiably with apology and prepared a compensation list.
One thousand five hundred volumes of Daoist Scriptures, one hundred volumes of rare books, various spiritual medicines and precious materials, exotic beast inner cores, martial arts secret manuals—all sent some, and of high quality.
Luo Wentian grinned to his ears upon seeing it.
Having just recruited three hundred seedlings and sixteen protectors, they needed massive resources. Now supplemented at once.
He called Formless Sect good people.
Even repeatedly sighed that if only a few more forces had sent spies during the entry assessment.
This made Ning Qi shake his head with a smile.
However.
This compensation was not entirely smooth.
For example, Formless Sect far in Dao State had replied with attitude, but Sword Asking Pavilion nearby in Chuzhou had no movement.
