Chapter 161: Seed Of Life
“Fifth Senior Brother, you all watch him.”
After giving these instructions, Ning Qi gently waved his hand. In an instant, strands of heaven and earth power danced about, turning the newly erected grave into floating dust particles. Then, Qin Yun’s corpse appeared before the congregation.
The moment they saw the corpse’s miserable state, the three of them shuddered deep in their hearts.
At this moment, Qin Yun had no intact flesh and blood left on his body. It was ragged everywhere, with chunks of pale white bones protruding, appearing both fierce and desolate. Most heartbreaking of all was that his once handsome face had wrinkled into the appearance of a decrepit old man, with a head of dry white hair, utterly heart-wrenching.
“Ah!!!” Jiang Baishan roared toward the sky, grief overwhelming his heart.
Tears streamed down his face as he felt immense self-blame. He couldn’t help but stomp his foot on Ghost Mask’s chest. Ghost Mask, with all his power sealed, immediately screamed and coughed up blood, his chest bones fracturing.
Looking at Jiang Baishan’s beast-like ferocity as if he would devour anyone, Ghost Mask felt a chill in his heart, but also humiliation. Before, Jiang Baishan was nothing more than an ant in his eyes, yet now he was being trampled on his dignity by such an ant.
Fortunately, Jiang Baishan was just venting his inner anger. He hadn’t completely lost his reason and knew that Ning Qi keeping Ghost Mask alive must have its reason.
Ning Qi’s heart was also filled with anger and sadness. He gave Ghost Mask an icy glance but hadn’t given up hope yet.
“Fifth Senior Brother, you all protect me.”
With that, he was already holding Qin Yun’s corpse and sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Myriad Manifestations Gang Qi was fully activated, and streams of gang qi power brimming with vitality surged into Qin Yun’s body.
At a speed visible to the naked eye.
Chunks of flesh regrew granulation tissue, restoring smoothness. Broken bones were reconnected one by one. Qin Yun’s originally ashen face actually began to shimmer with faint luster. This miraculous scene made the other three’s pupils dilate. Such a path of healing was like bringing the dead back to life and mending flesh and bone—divine beyond measure!
Ning Qi cultivated Myriad Manifestations Gang Qi, which could transform into various properties. Every day, he read scriptures and achieved enlightenment, actually borrowing their mysteries to tread more paths. But what he had always shown was only the gang qi’s destructive side.
Jiang Baishan’s breathing quickened. He saw hope and tried hard to suppress his excitement, lest he disturb Ning Qi.
Moments later.
Qin Yun’s corpse was no longer in its previous wretched state.
Except for the somewhat tattered black robe on his body, it was almost no different from an ordinary person. The injuries were fully healed, but the aged appearance on his face hadn’t changed at all. Moreover, there was no fluctuation in aura. It looked healed, but in reality, it was just a perfectly intact corpse.
Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes.
Jiang Baishan asked hopefully:
“Little Nine, how is it? Does Little Eight… does he still have hope?”
Ghost Mask, having been harshly tormented by Jiang Baishan, was filled with humiliation. Hearing this, he couldn’t help but sneer:
“With vitality severed, even an immortal god couldn’t save him! Just give up!”
Jiang Baishan’s eyes turned bloodshot. He took a deep breath and said calmly:
“If Little Eight can’t be saved, I’ll carve you up piece by piece.”
Ghost Mask froze instantly.
Ning Qi glanced at Ghost Mask and said lightly:
“Who says severed vitality can’t be saved?”
The three all turned to look at him in unison. Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua were delighted, while Ghost Mask was utterly disbelieving.
Ning Qi ignored them. What he had done earlier was just preliminary preparation—first restoring Qin Yun’s corpse to wholeness to avoid it being too wretched, and also to assess the situation and get a clear picture in his mind.
Just as Ghost Mask had said.
Qin Yun’s vitality was completely severed. For ordinary people, this was total death. But for Ning Qi, it wasn’t yet.
He was glad he hadn’t arrived even later, or it really would have been beyond saving.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Qi’s gaze gradually grew solemn. What came next was the key.
Strands of heaven and earth power gathered. Unbeknownst to him, the gang qi in his body had turned emerald green. The heaven and earth power and gang qi began to resonate. Ning Qi’s palms blurred with afterimages, his profound mudras dazzling the onlookers.
Amid the three’s astonished gazes.
Ning Qi’s palms drew a circle, and an emerald green ‘seedling’ unexpectedly appeared in his palms. In an instant, boundless fragrance surged, vibrant vitality emanating from it. Strands of its aura fell on nearby dead wood, causing it to sprout tender buds like an old tree in spring.
Ghost Mask was dumbfounded.
Jiang Baishan’s mind also flashed with a thunderclap. He finally realized where this ‘seedling’ felt familiar from.
Wasn’t this exactly the appearance of the Enlightenment Tea Tree when it first broke through the soil all those years ago!
In that instant, he remembered. Back then, when the Enlightenment Tea Tree broke through the soil, many senior brothers watched excitedly, even lying on the ground. Only Ning Qi smiled with enlightenment. But only today did he know that Ning Qi’s enlightenment was extraordinary!
Just as he thought.
This gang qi-transformed seedling embodied all of Ning Qi’s comprehension on the Way of Life.
Back then, watching the Enlightenment Tea Tree break through the soil gave him insight, an opportunity on the Way of Life. Afterward, he observed the Enlightenment Tea Tree’s robust growth every day, comprehending deeper. Not only that, Ning Qi also observed various miracles of life, ultimately achieving modest success.
This seedling was a Seed of Life.
Determination shone in Ning Qi’s eyes.
Even if there truly was King Yama and the underworld, he would snatch Qin Yun’s life back!
He reached out and gently pressed down.
The Seed of Life sank into Qin Yun’s body.
In that instant.
Qin Yun’s flesh body erupted in radiant light, an immensely dense vitality power bursting forth and spreading toward the surroundings.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua both perked up. Just the spillover had revitalized their own vitality, erasing all prior fatigue and exhaustion.
Ghost Mask was swept by the emerald green light, and the wound in his chest from Heavenly Sword’s piercing healed over halfway. But he was horrified to find that the suppressive power in his body still rendered him powerless like a cripple. Jiang Baishan, feeling refreshed, kicked him twice more.
The surrounding flowers, grasses, and ancient trees affected by the previous battle also grew wildly as if gone mad. In the blink of an eye, they were restored to their original state and continued surging, spreading widely, turning into a vibrant capital brimming with vitality.
This scene was like a miracle.
Jiang Baishan and the others couldn’t help but think that just the leaking aftershocks were this miraculous—what must Qin Yun at the center be like?
At this moment.
Qin Yun’s body hovered high in the air.
Dense vitality power was erupting.
Ning Qi continuously searched for the faint, almost imperceptible trace of vitality hidden in Qin Yun’s body. This Seed of Life was ‘bait’.
His divine intent fully erupted, and he actually felt fatigued—no less draining than exploring the White Ape bloodline.
Fortunately.
Heaven rewards the diligent.
Ning Qi’s brows lifted, revealing joy.
“Found it!”
He followed that faint trace of vitality. The Seed of Life fully erupted, then merged with it.
Under Ghost Mask’s incredulous gaze.
Qin Yun, who had been lifeless like a log, suddenly twitched. The breath of life surged back, and at a visible speed, a flush appeared on Qin Yun’s face.
“This… how is this possible?” Ghost Mask looked like he had seen a ghost.
To revive someone with severed vitality—even a Martial Saint couldn’t do it. What exactly was this Heavenly Sword True Person’s background?
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua, meanwhile, were full of joy.
Watching Qin Yun’s vitality aura grow denser, their bodies trembled with excitement.
But suddenly.
Ning Qi’s expression changed.
A trace of anxiety appeared in his pupils. Then, the gang qi in his body instantly turned to extreme chill. With a wave of his hand, frost covered Qin Yun’s body. In the blink of an eye, it became an ice sculpture, emanating biting cold.
Vitality and extreme cold wondrously intertwined.
This sudden change made Jiang Baishan and the others’ expressions shift. Seeing Ning Qi’s solemn face as he stood, Jiang Baishan hurriedly asked:
“Little Nine, hasn’t Little Eight’s vitality been restored?”
Before Ning Qi could answer, Ghost Mask beside them figured it out and burst into laughter:
“I know! To block me, Qin Yun completely burned all his lifespan. Even if you, Heavenly Sword True Person, have heaven-defying means to reignite his vitality, so what? He has no lifespan left now. Even if saved, he’ll immediately age and die! No one understands the Sad White Hair Secret Technique better than I do!”
“You’ve ultimately fetched water with a bamboo basket—in vain!”
He laughed wildly without restraint, knowing he wouldn’t meet a good end. Now, he could only use his tongue to disgust the enemy as much as possible.
Jiang Baishan glared at him viciously.
But he also anticipated Ning Qi’s rebuttal.
Ning Qi was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, then said calmly:
“You’re right. Eighth Senior Brother’s lifespan is indeed nearly exhausted. If we wake him now, the last bit of lifespan will be consumed, and then there’s really no saving him.”
Jiang Baishan’s face paled. Lin Ruhua’s eyes beside him lit up as she asked:
“Ninth Junior Brother, what if we use a longevity item? Would that work!”
Jiang Baishan’s eyes also brightened.
Longevity items were rare treasures in the world, extremely scarce, but at least it was a hope.
Just as Ghost Mask opened his mouth, Ning Qi casually waved his hand, slapping him flying through the air. Finding him truly noisy, he slowly shook his head:
“Probably not. Any longevity item requires a certain foundation of lifespan to begin with. Look at the old monsters of the world—none use them when lifespan is nearly gone. At least they have ten or twenty years left.”
The two fell silent.
“Then… is there really no way?”
Jiang Baishan’s voice was hoarse. He unwillingly looked at Qin Yun. At this moment, the ice-sealed Qin Yun’s body was abundant with vitality. Except for the old man’s face, the rest was no different from an ordinary person. His heart ached immensely.
Ning Qi sighed softly:
“For now, we can only temporarily ice-seal Eighth Senior Brother and think of a way later.”
His voice grew firm:
“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way.”
Being powerless now didn’t mean it would be the same in the future.
He would continue to grow. With his comprehension, he would surely create a lifespan secret technique in the future. If Heavenly Human Realm wouldn’t do, then Martial Saint Realm. If Martial Saint Realm failed, then beyond Martial Saint!
Jiang Baishan and the others were infected by the determination in Ning Qi’s eyes.
They nodded in unison.
Ning Qi had the qualification to say this.
After all, he was only eleven years old now and had already achieved such unprecedented feats. Whether it was that terrifyingly extreme strength or the immortal god-like means he showed in treating Qin Yun earlier, all left people in awe.
If it were usual times, the two would have been stunned dizzy, unable to believe their eyes. It was just suppressed earlier by worry for Qin Yun.
“Let’s all return to the mountain together first. No matter what, we must inform Master.” Ning Qi said softly.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua exchanged a glance and nodded.
After this calamity, they had no more entanglements. Since that was the case, there was no need for them to live in seclusion alone.
“Little Nine, what to do with him?” Jiang Baishan hated Ghost Mask to the bone.
Ghost Mask’s body trembled imperceptibly.
Ning Qi’s gaze was indifferent:
“I came down the mountain this time originally to find trouble with the Southern Border. I didn’t expect you to come to me instead. Perfect then—starting with your Demonic Sect.”
Ghost Mask’s pupils contracted sharply.
Only now did he realize what a terrifying enemy their Demonic Sect had provoked. The overwhelming, invincible power from earlier still filled him with fear. It didn’t seem like Heavenly Human Realm power at all.
He wanted to say something, but Ning Qi waved his hand, and the four ascended into the air and departed.
…
True Martial Mountain.
Mingwu Pavilion.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Luo Wentian sat facing each other, discussing Ning Qi’s recent mountain descent. A month had passed with no results, and they were already planning to persuade Ning Qi to return, lest he waste time in vain.
“Little Nine has always had firm temperament. If he says two months, it will definitely be two months.” Dragon Mountain Daoist shook his head and sighed softly. He understood this ninth disciple.
Luo Wentian also smiled bitterly.
Suddenly.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s expression shifted as he looked toward the sky. One breath later, Luo Wentian also sensed it. Another breath later, their gazes fell outside the pavilion.
“Master, Senior Disciple Brother!”
Hearing that familiar voice, both smiled. They had just mentioned Ning Qi, and he returned.
“Little Nine, come in quickly!” As soon as Luo Wentian spoke, he froze in place.
For those entering weren’t just Ning Qi alone.
There were fully five people.
“Unfilial disciple Jiang Baishan pays respects to Master!” Jiang Baishan’s eyes reddened as he pulled Lin Ruhua down to kneel together.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was both shocked and delighted to see his fifth disciple again, but he immediately realized things weren’t simple. His gaze turned to the remaining two: one clearly in a sealed state, the other an ice sculpture.
His gaze instinctively fell on the ice sculpture, his heart trembling as a familiar feeling surged. But he didn’t dare confirm. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Ning Qi with a trace of hope:
“Little Nine, he is?”
Ning Qi couldn’t bear to meet his master’s eyes and lowered his head:
“Master, it’s… Eighth Senior Brother.”
In that instant.
It was like a thunderclap exploding. Dragon Mountain Daoist’s mind went blank. He stood dazed like a statue. This Heavenly Human Realm expert’s body even swayed slightly. The disciples moved to support him, but Dragon Mountain Daoist waved them off.
He turned his back, slowly closing his eyes to hide his heartache from the other disciples. But his trembling voice fully exposed his inner grief:
“Little Nine, what exactly happened?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s voice was as calm as possible, but still carried a tremor.
“Fifth Senior Brother, you tell it.” Ning Qi felt sorrowful. After all, he had arrived later and didn’t know some details.
Jiang Baishan’s eyes reddened. He took a deep breath, prostrating on the ground in grief. He recounted everything that happened in detail, finally roaring lowly in sorrow:
“It’s all my fault! If not to save me, Little Eight wouldn’t have ended up like this!”
He was in immense pain.
Luo Wentian’s fists unconsciously clenched, his gaze toward Ghost Mask filled with killing intent.
Dragon Mountain Daoist, meanwhile, grew calmer and calmer.
After a long while.
He sighed softly:
“Little Five, this matter has nothing to do with you. The fault isn’t yours. Put Little Eight in Mingwu Pavilion. It’s been a long time since I last saw him. As for the rest, you senior brothers handle it.”
He waved his hand, seeming somewhat weary.
The group tactfully withdrew.
Dragon Mountain Daoist gently set down Qin Yun’s ice sculpture. Through the ice, he slowly stroked Qin Yun’s cheek and sighed lowly:
“Little Eight, five years without seeing you, how did you age even more than Master…”
Unknowingly, his eyes gradually reddened.
…
After the group exited Mingwu Pavilion, Luo Wentian finally asked:
“Little Nine, can Little Eight still be saved?”
Ning Qi said softly:
“For now, we can only seal Eighth Senior Brother’s state with ice-sealing. Later, once I create a lifespan secret technique, I can extend his life again.”
Luo Wentian nodded vigorously:
“You must do your utmost, or Master…”
He couldn’t continue before the words ended.
Having spent the most time with Dragon Mountain Daoist, he knew how heartbroken and devastated his master must be seeing Qin Yun now. Thinking of this, his eyes reddened again.
Ning Qi nodded firmly:
“Rest assured, I will definitely save Eighth Senior Brother!”
Luo Wentian exhaled deeply and looked at Ghost Mask.
“What to do with this Demonic Sect Vice Sect Master?”
Ning Qi’s gaze was indifferent:
“I’ll take him to the Heart Questioning Platform to see if I can dig out something.”
Jiang Baishan hated Ghost Mask extremely. He said lowly:
“Little Nine, after questioning, hand him to me.”
Ning Qi paused his steps and nodded gently.
