Chapter 171: Simulating The Yu King’s Pearl
The gentle breeze was formless, the exotic fragrance of the Enlightenment Tea Tree lingering around his body.
Ning Qi focused his mind and calmed his breathing, the slight anxiety in his heart gradually subsiding.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind as he began to carefully ponder the connections behind this information.
“Perhaps… the situation isn’t as bad as I imagined.”
“I have to admit that the miserable state of the giant ape I saw deep in the Tian Sheng bloodline had a great impact on me, but thinking carefully, is it the same now? The time when that scene occurred is unknown, but it must have been an extremely distant age from now. After such a long time, would the Heaven and Earth Power still be as terrifying as before?”
Ning Qi felt it was very likely not.
“Even if the Heaven and Earth Power still has anomalies, the severity might have lessened.”
“The clear proof is that Martial Saints still exist today! After all, the Martial Saint path is precisely refining Heaven and Earth Power into the body.”
His eyes gradually brightened as he slowly found a direction.
“First is the Great Yan Martial Saint! Since he has survived for so long, he might have found a way to cope, which means the change in Heaven and Earth Power is absolutely solvable.”
“Second is the Demonic Sect and Southern Border’s Martial Saint Secret Techniques. According to the Demonic Sect Grand Elder, the Demonic Sect previously used the Saint Pill Method to produce a Martial Saint, but it was destroyed by the Great Yan Martial Saint. Doesn’t this indicate that the terror hidden within Heaven and Earth Power isn’t as intense as I imagined?”
“Finally, there’s the King Yu Bead. Inside the King Yu Bead is condensed Martial Saint Power, or rather, refined Heaven and Earth Power, yet no other terrifying events occurred. In other words, this change in Heaven and Earth Power only affects living beings?”
Ning Qi pondered.
These were the three entry points he could find.
But the difficulties varied.
The Great Yan Martial Saint’s attitude was unclear, and he was very likely the one who erased the Martial Saint Method. Rashly approaching him could invite great disaster.
As for the Demonic Sect, only the Sect Master remained, barely clinging to life and whereabouts unknown. The only faint hope might be the Blood Emperor Gu method from Southern Border.
“The most accessible is still the King Yu Bead. Studying the Martial Saint Power within the King Yu Bead thoroughly might clarify some reasons. As for Southern Border… I wonder if I can get some information from Lan Yiyi?”
But thinking of this, Ning Qi felt a bit ashamed.
No matter what, Lan Yiyi came to save Qin Yun. If she was unwilling to reveal anything about Southern Border, Ning Qi would absolutely not force her and would think of other ways later.
“Let’s focus entirely on studying the King Yu Bead first.”
Ning Qi took a deep breath and decided on his subsequent cultivation direction.
His current cultivation had reached Heavenly Human Perfection.
There was no further progress in realm.
The only thing he could do was to enhance his combat power as much as possible, whether by studying Secret Techniques, refining Martial Intent, or other methods. These were all directions for his next efforts. Of course, the most important was still to find the issue with Heaven and Earth Power. No matter how strong within the same realm, it ultimately couldn’t compare to the benefits of realm advancement—this was a gap in the essence of life.
After pondering for a moment.
The White Ape slowly awoke.
It did not know what had happened, only feeling that its bloodline seemed to have suddenly developed greatly, with strands of power continuously surging forth. As long as it spent some time digesting these gains, it was confident it could even confront a Heavenly Human Realm Martial Artist. At that time, its Martial Way realm would also correspondingly advance.
The White Ape was overjoyed.
“Thank you, Teacher!” It respectfully bowed.
Ning Qi just smiled and waved his hand. After a pause, he recalled the desolate end of the Silver Giant Ape and couldn’t help but instruct:
“Tian Sheng, if your bloodline undergoes any changes in the future, tell me immediately, especially any involving Heaven and Earth Power. You must not be negligent!”
Seeing Ning Qi so solemn, Yuan Tiansheng felt somewhat panicked and quickly nodded in agreement.
Ning Qi suddenly thought of something.
Perhaps the Beast Emperor in the Hundred Thousand Mountains was also a direction for exploration.
“The Beast Emperor is an existence on the same level as a Martial Saint, and it’s even very likely that the Beast Emperor is a Heavenly Beast descendant that awakened its Heavenly Beast Bloodline and developed it to a certain realm. Perhaps in the future, there would be a chance to visit the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”
He cast aside distracting thoughts and turned to look outside the courtyard.
Two figures approached together from afar.
It was Zhuang Chen and Li Ling.
Ever since Ning Qi’s identity was revealed, the two would come every half month to seek guidance on Sword Dao, and Ning Qi did not favor one over the other, teaching them one by one.
Although Li Ling’s Sword Dao talent was not as powerful as Zhuang Chen’s Innate Sword Bone, his pure sincerity was equally admirable. Ning Qi taught him the Innate Sword Body Secret Technique, using it precisely to study whether an ‘Innate Sword Bone’ special physique could be forged postnatally.
“Ninth Senior Brother!” The two saluted and greeted, their eyes full of adoration.
Ning Qi smiled and nodded.
The two were much better now. When they first learned of his identity, they were extremely restrained each time they came for Sword Dao guidance, no longer their former playful selves. After all, Heavenly Sword True Person’s prestige was too overwhelming, affecting even them.
But now, gradually familiarizing themselves, they found that Ning Qi was still the same carefree Ninth Senior Brother, so they slowly returned to normal. However, their adoration and respect grew even thicker.
Unknowingly, Ning Qi had become their goal.
“Come over and sit cross-legged.”
He planned to examine Zhuang Chen’s Innate Sword Bone again to see if anything new would appear after his own Heavenly Human Perfection.
The two respectfully agreed.
…
An hour later.
Zhuang Chen and Li Ling left excitedly, also taking the White Ape with them. The two humans and one ape now stuck together whenever they had time, their bond very strong. Strictly speaking, Zhuang Chen and Li Ling were the White Ape’s Martial Uncles.
Ning Qi shook his head helplessly.
Just now, he had taught the two some Sword Dao and also tried to resonate with Zhuang Chen’s Innate Sword Bone using Divine Intent, but he did not see more scenes. Compared to before, it was just clearer.
“It seems the Innate Sword Bone still differs somewhat from the Heavenly Beast’s Bloodline Inheritance,” Ning Qi thought to himself.
But this was within expectations.
The Seeker’s Courtyard returned to calm.
A Treasure Bead emitting a faint blood-colored glow floated before Ning Qi.
The King Yu Bead, the Martial Saint Secret Treasure obtained from the Demonic Sect Grand Elder. Ever since it fell into Ning Qi’s hands, he had been studying it, but the gains were not great—only that he could control this Secret Treasure more flexibly.
But to him, the greatest value of the Secret Treasure was the Martial Saint Power within it.
“Before figuring out an alternative method to condense Martial Saint Power, this Martial Saint Power inside is diminishing with each use. I must use it sparingly.”
The Martial Saint Power now in the King Yu Bead had been condensed using the bloodlines of many Great Yu descendants back then. Now, Ning Qi could not find Great Yu descendants, so he had not previously studied it freely.
But now, he had stepped into Heavenly Human Perfection, Three Flowers Gathering at the Apex, and could maximize efficiency.
With a thought, Divine Intent guided it.
A blood-colored streak immediately rushed out from the King Yu Bead, coiling around Ning Qi like a flood dragon, alive as if sentient. The power contained within was astonishing, but it was clearly visible that even without doing anything, this blood-colored streak was dissipating at a slow speed, with strands of power returning to Heaven and Earth.
Ning Qi dared not waste time. With Three Flowers Gathering at the Apex, his state at peak, he carefully observed and earnestly comprehended the mysteries within.
…
Time passed.
Strands of insights surfaced in his heart, rays of Spiritual Insight emerging.
“This power is so wondrous. Heaven and Earth Power is originally a pool of stagnant water, only moved and controlled by human effort. But after refinement, it actually gains a marvelous vitality. The power of Martial Saint Power is inseparable from this.”
“But how to obtain this vitality? The power of the King Yu Bead itself is key. It can condense Heaven and Earth Power into Martial Saint Power through a special circulation method. If I can understand the principle, perhaps even the Martial Saint Method will be within reach.”
“Perhaps… I can try integrating this blood-colored streak into myself?”
But as soon as this thought arose, Ning Qi’s intuition surged with a heart-pounding alarm, as if something extremely bad would happen.
He quickly dismissed the idea.
He now knew his Divine Intent and intuition far surpassed others, allowing him to sense the great terror hidden in Heaven and Earth Power upon stepping into the Heavenly Human Realm. This was absolutely not a whim, but a warning and reminder.
“It seems this blood-colored streak condensed by the King Yu Bead also has issues. It might be usable for killing enemies, but refining it into the body would still be unavoidable problematic.”
Ning Qi’s thoughts turned, quickly shifting the deduction direction.
“First, quickly explore a new method to condense Martial Saint Power, to avoid becoming rootless duckweed.”
“Second, explore more applications. The Demonic Sect Grand Elder’s method is too crude, with low upper limit.”
“Finally, see if the Heaven and Earth Power issue can be reverse-engineered safely.”
With a goal.
Ning Qi’s deductions became even clearer.
However, this was no ordinary object after all.
It consumed Heart Power immensely.
Time passed.
The sun set in the west.
Fatigue appeared in Ning Qi’s brows and eyes. Looking at the blood-colored streak that had shrunk by a circle, he quickly withdrew it back into the King Yu Bead. Vaguely, the blood color of the King Yu Bead faded somewhat. He felt a pang of distress, but there was no way around it—this was necessary consumption.
“Continue deductions tomorrow. At today’s consumption rate, the Martial Saint Power in the King Yu Bead can support my comprehension for at most two months. Within two months, I must comprehend a new method to condense Martial Saint Power!”
Ning Qi felt a slight pressure, but more so eager anticipation.
He wanted to see the limit of his comprehension.
…
Time slowly passed.
The peach blossoms in the Seeker’s Courtyard became even more brilliant, nourished by the flesh and blood essence of dozens of Heavenly Human Realm experts. This year, both the Enlightenment Tea Tree and True Martial Peach Tree were metamorphosing at an astonishing speed, changing almost daily. This made Luo Wentian and the others even more expectant for this year’s True Martial Peach Gathering.
However.
They had an even greater wish.
That was hoping Qin Yun could wake up before the True Martial Peach Gathering, allowing the Senior Brothers to truly reunite.
Every day.
Senior Brothers would go to Mingwu Pavilion to check on Qin Yun and Lan Yiyi’s conditions.
Four months had passed since Lan Yiyi came to True Martial Mountain. What the congregation could see was that the sub-Gu of the Life-Sharing Gu was nearly formed, but the two still showed no signs of waking. If not for Lan Yiyi having previously said it would take at least three months or up to half a year, the congregation would likely have grown anxious.
This day.
Ning Qi was still comprehending the King Yu Bead in the Seeker’s Courtyard. He had already made progress; with more attempts next, he could deduce a method substituting bloodline as the catalyst. At that time, he wouldn’t be so constrained, no longer needing to ‘ration’ his comprehension of the King Yu Bead.
He was preparing to enter the comprehension state.
The running figure of the White Ape appeared from afar.
It was slightly panting: “Teacher, Senior Disciple Brother asks you to go to Mingwu Pavilion!”
Ning Qi opened his eyes.
Joy surged in his heart.
“Did Eighth Senior Brother wake up?”
The White Ape scratched its head:
“It seems not Eighth Senior Brother, but that Miss Yiyi.”
Ning Qi’s figure flashed and vanished from the Seeker’s Courtyard. Hands behind his back, like Shrink Ground into Inches, in a few breaths he appeared outside Mingwu Pavilion.
“Senior Disciple Brother, has something happened?” Seeing Luo Wentian, he immediately asked.
Luo Wentian shook his head:
“Miss Yiyi wants to see you.”
With that.
He respectfully left with Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Inside Mingwu Pavilion, only Lan Yiyi and Ning Qi remained.
Ning Qi was slightly stunned, somewhat puzzled. Approaching the Mysterious Ice Jade Bed, he saw Lan Yiyi already awake, standing dazedly by the bed, staring blankly at Qin Yun’s face. At this time, Qin Yun’s complexion was much ruddier; he could sense a wondrous power gestating within him.
“Miss Yiyi.” Ning Qi said softly.
“You’re here?” Lan Yiyi glanced at Ning Qi, then said, “Don’t worry, everything is going smoothly. The sub-Gu of the Life-Sharing Gu has already been implanted into Qin Yun’s body. In another one or two months, once the sub-Gu transfers lifespan, he can wake up.”
Ning Qi relaxed in his heart and then said:
“Thank you, Miss Yiyi. This time, Eighth Senior Brother waking up is entirely thanks to your great assistance. I will remember this kindness.”
Lan Yiyi just smiled and shook her head:
“I did it willingly.”
Ning Qi sighed lightly in his heart and said:
“Did Miss Yiyi call me over for something?”
Lan Yiyi slowly turned around. For the first time, she carefully sized up Ning Qi, unable to avoid a trace of astonishment in her eyes. The young Daoist before her had an extraordinary demeanor, even surpassing many Heavenly Human Realm Experts she had seen. She could roughly sense the young man’s extraordinary nature.
She took a long breath and slowly said:
“Qin Yun… actually told me about you.”
Ning Qi’s body shook, but he did not interrupt.
Lan Yiyi’s gaze drifted slightly as she fell into recollection:
“He told me a bit about the past… He said how happy he was the first time he saw you come up the mountain—he could finally be a Senior Brother… He said he wanted to become the world’s number one, to fulfill his Master’s wish and revitalize True Martial. He had always worked very hard…”
“He said he regretted it greatly, regretted everything back then. He said he hadn’t been a good Senior Brother or a good Disciple…”
“He said he had taken a wrong path, unsure if he could turn back. If there was a chance, he wanted to apologize to you in person.”
Ning Qi listened, his emotions extremely complex.
Over these years, he had often thought of the past. Sometimes he wondered if not hiding his realm from Qin Yun back then would have prevented all this, but it was unknowable. His comprehension was unparalleled, but human nature was uncontrollable.
Ning Qi said softly:
“Thank you.”
Lan Yiyi shook her head:
“I just wanted to tell you what Qin Yun has been thinking these years. He did wrong, but he was also tormented. If possible, I hope you can forgive him.”
Ning Qi gazed at Qin Yun’s aged face, myriad thoughts in his mind. He seemed to see again the handsome youth from eleven years ago, genuinely excited upon just arriving on the mountain.
“Rest assured. Actually, I never blamed Eighth Senior Brother. Perhaps I had issues too. Now with a chance to start over, we will all cherish it well.”
Lan Yiyi smiled; even through the black veil, her sense of relief was palpable.
“In that case, I should go down the mountain.”
Ning Qi said solemnly:
“No matter what, this time with Eighth Senior Brother was thanks to Miss Yiyi. Consider it I owe you a favor. If you need anything in the future, just send a letter.”
Southern Border was Southern Border; Lan Yiyi was Lan Yiyi. He could distinguish clearly.
Lan Yiyi was surprised, then her brows curved:
“Good!”
She did not take Ning Qi’s promise to heart, only feeling her efforts and dedication had been acknowledged.
Ning Qi followed Lan Yiyi out of Mingwu Pavilion.
As their figures disappeared, they did not notice tears faintly tracing down Qin Yun’s aged face.
