Chapter 175: What A Little Monster
Ning Qi observed carefully, his eyes growing increasingly astonished. Unknowingly, his gaze took on strands of golden light. When he looked again at the strange mountains amid the clouds, it seemed as if there were immortal cranes soaring, poised for ascension.
He had previously viewed the spectacle of True Martial Mountain with his Illusion Breaking Golden Eye, like Divine Sword Descending, but it fell somewhat short compared to the present momentum of immortal cranes ascending.
“This True Profound Mountain… its spectacle is extraordinary!” he praised softly.
The closer he got, the more he could see its extraordinary qualities.
Mountains and waters nurture people; this is no empty rumor. Some spiritually gathering places offer immense benefits even from simply staying there year-round.
Li Ling nodded in agreement:
“This True Profound Mountain scenery is indeed beautiful. There are extremely few places in Great Yan that can compare.”
The group was all somewhat amazed.
This was also the point of coming out to gain knowledge; otherwise, staying cooped up in True Martial Mountain, one would never know the vastness of heaven and earth.
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed and stroked his beard:
“This involves a certain rumor.”
The congregation all turned their gazes over. Zhuang Chen hurriedly said:
“Master, what rumor?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist surveyed the congregation and gently criticized:
“Since we’ve already decided to come to True Profound Sect, how could we not learn about True Profound Sect’s many details in advance? You all should reflect on yourselves.”
The congregation all felt ashamed.
Only Ning Qi wore a smile.
“Little Nine, you tell them.”
Ning Qi said:
“You all know that True Profound Sect was founded by True Profound True Monarch. There are many Daoist sects in the world, but if we trace their inheritances, none surpass True Profound Sect. It seems only ranked fifth among the world’s Daoist sects, but in terms of inheritance longevity, even the number one Daoist sect, Yin Yang Sect, falls far short.”
“However, rumor has it that when this True Profound True Monarch established the sect on True Profound Mountain, there were quite a few twists.”
The congregation’s curiosity was all aroused.
The carriage wheels rolled with a certain rhythm.
A burst of laughter came from afar:
“I didn’t expect Little Fellow Daoist Ning Qi to know our True Profound Sect’s history so well.”
The congregation looked toward the voice.
They saw a group of white-robed Daoists with flowing cloud golden patterns on their sleeves approaching. Leading them was none other than White River True Person.
Dragon Mountain Daoist hurriedly performed a Daoist salute:
“Greetings, White River True Person. Greetings, fellow Daoists.”
White River True Person hurriedly returned the courtesy:
“Dragon Mountain True Person has come from afar; this poor Daoist is deeply grateful. Senior Brother is bathing and changing clothes, burning incense and concentrating his mind. Please forgive us.”
The congregation all smiled; the atmosphere was harmonious.
In recent years, the relationship between True Martial Sect and True Profound Sect had been very amicable, with frequent interactions between disciples.
White River True Person subtly glanced at Ning Qi. He recalled what White Mountain Daoist had said some time ago and was still somewhat shocked. This youth had already been at White Mist Realm three years ago; now, who knew what realm he had reached? Could it be Jade Liquid Realm or even Core Elixir Realm?
But what made him secretly click his tongue was that no matter how he probed, he couldn’t see through even a bit of Ning Qi’s reality.
Meeting Ning Qi’s mild gaze, he smiled back, his heart even more amazed.
This youth is indeed no mortal!
Walking side by side with Dragon Mountain Daoist, White River True Person continued the topic Ning Qi had left unfinished:
“When Ancestor True Monarch established True Profound Sect back then, there were indeed twists. To be precise, this True Profound Mountain was snatched by Ancestor True Monarch.”
A playful smile appeared on his face.
“Back then, when True Monarch discovered this True Profound Mountain, he wasn’t the only one. There was a companion, a Buddha. The two were originally friends, but they fell into conflict passing by True Profound Mountain.”
“At that time, True Profound Mountain nurtured a strange tree that bore one fruit every hundred years. By rights, the two could share it, but that Buddha naturally claimed it had affinity with him and hoped True Monarch would yield it to him.”
“True Monarch was originally carefree by nature, but upon hearing the Buddha say that, he refused to yield. The two argued endlessly and finally came to blows.”
“Of course, this Buddha was no match for True Monarch, who drove him away. True Monarch grew angrier the more he thought about it, lest the Buddha sneak back. Thus, he named this mountain True Profound Mountain and established True Profound Sect here!”
The congregation smiled knowingly.
This True Profound True Monarch was also quite the character.
I can give it to you, but you can’t demand it, or I’d rather feed it to the dogs than give it to you.
Ning Qi chuckled lightly, also somewhat astonished. He only knew that True Profound Mountain had been snatched from someone else’s hands; he hadn’t known the other opponent was a Buddha. A Buddha was a Martial Saint Realm expert in the Buddhist Sect, equally powerful.
However, in today’s Great Yan, Daoist sects flourished, while Buddhist sects had waned somewhat.
In the long river of history.
Daoists and Buddhists had always been at odds. Sometimes Daoist sects prospered, sometimes Buddhist sects shone, and sometimes both flourished together, often leading to Daoist-Buddhist conflicts in such eras.
White River True Person continued:
“After True Monarch established True Profound Sect here, that strange tree became our True Profound Sect’s sect-guarding treasure. Unfortunately… time passes, and later generations proved incompetent, losing that strange tree in some era.”
He felt some regret.
Dragon Mountain Daoist comforted:
“True Profound Sect’s inheritance is so ancient; some setbacks along the way are normal. The important thing is that the inheritance endures, which honors the ancestor.”
He thought of True Martial Inheritance.
In past eras, True Martial Inheritance must have been extremely glorious too, but it had likewise been lost. His current rebuilding of True Martial Sect could only be called continuation, but strictly speaking, it had no connection to the previous True Martial Sect.
White River True Person smiled and waved his hand.
He began earnestly introducing the various sights of True Profound Mountain to the congregation.
They proceeded along the way.
Numerous Daoist palaces rose and fell, with restrained charm and splendor within.
The disciples’ hearts were filled with amazement. Everything they saw and heard demonstrated True Profound Sect’s foundation. Only then did the disciples realize that no martial arts sect in the world could be underestimated. With this thought, the slight restlessness in their mindsets gradually calmed, and shame welled up in their hearts.
Dragon Mountain Daoist nodded inwardly.
During this time, True Martial Sect had developed extremely rapidly, and with Heavenly Sword True Person’s resounding prestige, many True Martial Sect disciples had inevitably grown arrogant and impetuous. Some even thought others in the world were nothing special and that True Martial Sect might already be the world’s number one.
But one must know that no matter how formidable Heavenly Sword True Person was, it was only he himself. True Martial Sect, despite its boundless potential, was still in the accumulation phase.
Witnessing True Profound Sect’s foundation this time would suffice to make the disciples reflect inwardly. Bringing back what they saw and heard to True Martial Mountain would also be a good thing.
This was the meaning of experience.
But Ning Qi’s focus was clearly not on this. After entering True Profound Mountain, he had been carefully sensing its spectacle and momentum, his heart growing increasingly solemn. He vaguely sensed that the immortal crane momentum was truly coming alive as if it were!
“True Profound Sect has a peerless expert!” Ning Qi was certain.
Such a spectacle was forged by human effort merging with heaven, unknowingly altering fortunes. Over time, it would become increasingly evident.
At least a Blade Demon level expert, or even more.
However, Ning Qi had no desire to inquire.
Everyone has their own secrets; no need to chase every one.
Soon.
They arrived at the guest quarters. The pavilions and palaces were also extraordinary.
White River True Person had just exchanged a few pleasantries with Dragon Mountain Daoist when a disciple came to report again.
White River True Person said apologetically:
“Fellow Daoist Dragon Mountain, the Heavenly Human Ceremony begins the day after tomorrow. Please feel free to do as you wish these two days. If you want to wander around, just tell Qing Ling; he will guide you.”
The young Daoist beside him hurriedly performed a Daoist salute.
Dragon Mountain Daoist understood well. He had hosted a Heavenly Human Ceremony before and knew the labors involved. Back then, True Martial Sect was not renowned, with few Heavenly Human Realm attendees. Given True Profound Sect’s current bustle, there were probably a dozen or twenty Heavenly Human Realm experts. White River True Person’s hasty departure clearly meant another Heavenly Human Realm expert had arrived.
He sighed inwardly, feeling as if his own Heavenly Human Ceremony had been just yesterday.
True Martial Sect’s numerous disciples set down their luggage and conversed in low voices, all looking forward to the Heavenly Human Ceremony two days hence.
After settling in, they went out together, touring under the lead of True Profound disciples.
Only Ning Qi and Dragon Mountain Daoist remained in the guest quarters.
…
Ning Qi held a Daoist scripture in hand, his thoughts wandering.
The different environment gave him a fresh state of mind. Along this journey of travel, he seemed focused solely on the Daoist scripture, but in reality, he was far more aware of the surroundings than the others. His gains were quite substantial, and he felt his ideas had opened up greatly.
“Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles; indeed, it should be so.”
He continued pondering Martial Saint power, though he didn’t take out King Yu Bead for close study. After all, this was someone else’s territory; better to stay low-key.
He didn’t know how much time passed.
Ning Qi’s spirit stirred slightly, awakening from his enlightenment state.
His brows twitched, then he regained calm.
Not long after.
A somewhat sly-eyed purple-robed old Daoist sneaked in furtively. He grinned, silently slipping behind Ning Qi, then lightly patted him:
“Little kid, you still like reading Daoist scriptures so much.”
Ning Qi pretended to be startled, instinctively swinging the Daoist scripture backward, solidly smacking the grinning old Daoist.
“Ouch! You brat, don’t you know to respect elders and love the young!” He grimaced, pointing at Ning Qi, unsure whether to scold or not, feeling extremely awkward.
Ning Qi grinned:
“Oh, it’s you, old Daoist. I thought a little thief had snuck into True Profound Sect. Forgive me, forgive me.”
White Mountain Daoist itched with anger.
He always felt Ning Qi did it on purpose but had no proof.
“You brat!” He pointed at Ning Qi, then finally laughed.
White Mountain Daoist reached for a snow pear from the table and crunched away at it.
Ning Qi laughed:
“White River True Person said you were bathing and changing, burning incense and meditating quietly. How’d you run over here?”
White Mountain Daoist pursed his lips:
“Those tedious rules are nonsense. This old Daoist heard you were here and slipped out right away. Where’s Little White Ape? You little kid, afraid I’d snatch Little White Ape, huh? Not even bringing him for such fun!”
Ning Qi merely slanted him a glance, focusing on the Daoist scripture in hand.
But deep down, he exclaimed in surprise.
Because… the White Mountain Daoist before him was somewhat strange.
He couldn’t see through him.
By rights, with his current strength, a mere newly advanced Heavenly Human Realm should be no escape from his pháp nhãn. Yet White Mountain Daoist’s aura was odd—like Heavenly Human Realm, yet not quite.
“This old Daoist does have something peculiar.” He recalled the old Daoist’s joking words back then: once entering Heavenly Human, straight to Martial Saint, invincible under heaven within reach. But he had no desire to probe further; it was someone else’s secret.
But what Ning Qi didn’t know was.
The old Daoist opposite was equally astonished inwardly.
Because he also couldn’t see through Ning Qi.
“This little kid is demonic! Three years ago, I could still tell he was White Mist Realm cultivation. How is he so profound and immeasurable after three years? Demonic, truly demonic!” He secretly clicked his tongue.
After all, he was no longer the same as before—not only had he awakened past life wisdom, even his power level had begun awakening. Yet he still couldn’t fathom Ning Qi’s depths.
It truly amazed him.
However, being open-minded by nature, he praised inwardly and thought nothing of it. What he valued most in Ning Qi wasn’t cultivation, but that natural Daoist demeanor. Only Ning Qi dared give him the cold shoulder, acting freely as desired, which delighted him.
Seeing Ning Qi ignore him, wholly absorbed in the Daoist scripture.
White Mountain Old Daoist grinned:
“Little kid, now that this old Daoist has stepped into Heavenly Human Realm, do you regret overlooking me?”
He was somewhat smug.
But Ning Qi merely gave a faint “oh.”
White Mountain Old Daoist immediately grew anxious.
“This is Heavenly Human Realm! One in a billion Heavenly Human Realm! If you say a few nice words to this old Daoist, I’ll cover you in the future, guaranteeing you can rampage unchecked through the world!”
Ning Qi turned two pages of the Daoist scripture and said slowly:
“Your breakthrough to Heavenly Human Realm brings me no benefit. So what does it matter to me whether you step into Heavenly Human Realm or not?”
White Mountain Old Daoist was stunned.
It seemed… to make sense?
He immediately shook his head:
“No, how is it unrelated to you? Forgot our pact back then? Once this old Daoist steps into Heavenly Human Realm, I’ll take you to ransack the world’s Daoist sects, then we’ll split the spoils! Right after the Heavenly Human Ceremony ends, we go!”
Ning Qi closed the Daoist scripture this time.
He smiled faintly:
“Empty promises, not interested.”
White Mountain Old Daoist grew anxious again:
“Who’s painting you empty promises? I’m seriously discussing a grand undertaking with you! Grand undertaking, get it? What, you don’t believe this old Daoist’s strength? Let me tell you, don’t look at me just stepping into Heavenly Human Realm—most Heavenly Human Realms under heaven can’t beat me.”
He spoke with some pride.
But Ning Qi merely looked at him calmly, as if watching a performance.
White Mountain Old Daoist scratched his ears and cheeks in anxiety.
“Aren’t you, why won’t you believe me?”
Ning Qi moved to open the Daoist scripture again.
White Mountain Old Daoist slammed it shut first:
“You say, what will make you believe me?”
Ning Qi said faintly:
“Since you’re taking me to ransack the world’s Daoist sects, True Profound Sect is one of them too, right?”
White Mountain Old Daoist was stunned.
What an ingenious angle.
But immediately, he laughed.
“Makes sense. Come on, I’ll take you to True Profound Sect’s Scripture Repository right now!”
“Really going?”
This time Ning Qi was stunned. He had only been teasing the old Daoist, but it was for real?
White Mountain Old Daoist raised his brows triumphantly:
“Right now! Would I trick you?”
With that, he grabbed Ning Qi’s sleeve and sneaked toward the outside.
Moments later.
The two slipped into the Scripture Repository. White Mountain Old Daoist waved his hand, and several hidden guard Daoists fainted.
Looking at the vast sea of scriptures inside, Ning Qi’s eyes lit up.
Good grief, True Profound Sect’s foundation is truly deep!
