Chapter 186: True Martial Hall Emerges
Mingwu Pavilion.
Many Senior Brothers all heard the news and came, each face filled with joy and anticipation.
Since Lan Yiyi went down the mountain, several months had passed, but Qin Yun had not woken up. To say they were not anxious would be impossible, but Ning Qi had carefully examined him and knew there was no problem, so they had been silently waiting.
Now, he had finally woken up.
When Ning Qi arrived, Luo Wentian, Xiong Shi, and the others were all waiting outside the door.
“How is Eighth Senior Brother now?” Ning Qi asked in a low voice.
Luo Wentian also responded in a low voice:
“He just woke up, and now only Master is inside.”
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the time when he went up the mountain years ago, somewhat chaotic. He knew that facing the current situation was not easy for Qin Yun either.
Seeing Jiang Baishan pacing anxiously nearby, he just put his arm around the other’s shoulder.
Inside the pavilion.
The white-haired elder knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
“Master… This disciple is unfilial, please punish me!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked at Qin Yun before him, somewhat dazed. Vaguely, that handsome and upright youth was still grinning at him, but in the blink of an eye, he had merged with the white-haired elder before him. There was pain and regret in his eyes, as well as anger.
“What wrong have you committed?” He clasped his hands behind his back and slowly closed his eyes.
Qin Yun’s body trembled slightly:
“This disciple was young and ignorant, strayed into the wrong path, and caused great disaster. Being able to see Master today is already a fortune of three lifetimes. This disciple only hopes that Master is well, and after this, this disciple will go down the mountain and leave…”
As he spoke, he kowtowed.
Dragon Mountain Daoist angrily said:
“You still want to go down the mountain? Does True Martial Sect disgust you that much?!”
He glared at Qin Yun, his fingers trembling slightly.
Qin Yun raised his head, his face full of fear, shaking his head repeatedly:
“This disciple absolutely has no such intention! Since going down the mountain, this disciple has thought of returning to True Martial Mountain every day, but… this disciple has no face to face Master, no face to face the various Senior Brothers…”
There was bitterness on his face.
Although he had been in a deep sleep during this time, he had vague perceptions of the outside world, sometimes strong and sometimes weak. He also knew of the Senior Brothers’ care for him, but the more this was so, the more uneasy and guilty he felt. Perhaps because of this, he had only fully woken up now.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s expression softened slightly, and he snorted coldly:
“For Master, I know all about what you did in the Demonic Sect. Considering that you risked your life to save your Fifth Senior Brother, you still remember home. You are punished to guard the Scripture Depository for three years as chastisement!”
Seeing Qin Yun’s aged face, his heart softened, and he said in a low voice:
“Little Eight, come home.”
Qin Yun stood stiffly in place, then burst into loud sobs. He hugged Dragon Mountain Daoist’s trouser leg, tears flowing like a spring, the emotions suppressed for many years finally unable to be held back and gushing out:
“I was wrong! Master, I know I was wrong!”
After experiencing life and death in the Blood Demon Pool, he had seen through everything. Regret gnawed at his heart every moment. He had countless times wanted to return and beg forgiveness from Dragon Mountain Daoist, but he didn’t dare. Even passing by True Martial Mountain, he only dared to gaze from afar.
And now, he finally had a chance to start over.
He cried louder and louder, even faintly audible outside Mingwu Pavilion. Everyone’s hearts ached, and they silently turned away.
Seeing Qin Yun like this, Dragon Mountain Daoist’s eyes stung with sourness, tears welling up.
He squatted down, slowly patting Qin Yun’s back, and said in a low voice:
“Knowing your mistake is good. From now on… never do it again.”
Qin Yun shook his head repeatedly.
“It won’t happen again… never again!”
His heart surged. One only knows what is most precious after losing it.
Dragon Mountain Daoist felt greatly comforted.
A long time passed.
Qin Yun’s emotions gradually calmed, and Dragon Mountain Daoist asked:
“Little Eight, how do you feel now?”
He was referring to Qin Yun’s physical condition.
Qin Yun’s gaze paused slightly, then he said:
“Master, rest assured, everything is fine. Thanks to Miss Yiyi’s Life-Sharing Gu, this disciple truly doesn’t know how to repay her kindness.”
As he spoke, his expression was somewhat complex.
Dragon Mountain Daoist was stunned:
“You… you already know?”
He had originally promised Lan Yiyi not to tell, and had already thought of an excuse, but unexpectedly, before he could say it, Qin Yun already knew everything.
Qin Yun nodded:
“After I fell into a deep sleep, for some reason I would sometimes wake up. Although it was somewhat blurry, I roughly knew that Miss Yiyi had used the Life-Sharing Gu.”
As he spoke, he touched the position over his heart.
He couldn’t sense the position of the Sub-Gu of the Life-Sharing Gu, only knowing it was there from a vague memory.
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed lightly.
“Fine then. Since you know yourself, it doesn’t count as breaking the promise to Miss Lan. How to repay the kindness in the future, you can consider it yourself.” As he spoke, he looked at Qin Yun’s face again, and said with some pain, “Little Eight, now that your lifespan has recovered, can’t this appearance be restored?”
Qin Yun just smiled:
“The appearance doesn’t matter. Being able to return to True Martial Mountain is already heaven’s grace to me. I dare not ask for more.”
He wanted to keep his current appearance as a reminder to himself.
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed:
“Fine then. In the future, with advanced cultivation, it can certainly be restored. Otherwise, at such a young age, looking older than me, who knows who is Master and who is disciple.”
As he spoke, both laughed.
“Go see your Senior Disciple Brother and the others?”
Qin Yun’s gaze trembled, somewhat expectant yet nervous. Finally, he took a deep breath and said:
“Okay!”
The door of Mingwu Pavilion slowly opened.
The crowd outside immediately looked over in unison.
Dragon Mountain Daoist stepped out first, followed by the hunched Qin Yun. Everyone was first startled, and only after seeing Dragon Mountain Daoist’s expression did they gradually relax. Qin Yun looked at the many familiar yet strange figures before him, tears instantly blurring his vision. His mouth moved, wanting to call out the names of the various Senior Brothers, but it was like a fishbone in his throat.
A figure flashed over, pinching Qin Yun’s ear and lifting him up:
“You stinky Little Eight, your wings have hardened, huh? Running off for several years without a word, do you think your Third Senior Sister doesn’t exist?”
Ye Qinghe huffed angrily, her eyes somewhat red, but her hand was merciless, using no small strength, pinching Qin Yun until he grimaced:
“Ouch, lighter, I was wrong, I was wrong, Senior Sister! I won’t dare again!”
The sourness in everyone’s hearts instantly dissipated, and all laughed.
Song Cheng laughed loudly beside them:
“Third Senior Sister, use more force! Otherwise, this stinky kid won’t learn!”
Qin Yun hurriedly begged for mercy. Ye Qinghe pinched for a good while before stopping. She put her hands on her hips aggressively:
“Next time you do this, I’ll pinch your ear off!”
As she spoke, she sized up Qin Yun for a moment, and disdainfully said:
“Wait for Senior Sister to find some beauty-enhancing rare fruits for you when I go back. So young and already looking so old, if we go out together later, people who don’t know will think you’re my ancestor!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Qin Yun also gave a bitter smile.
But his heart felt warm, sensing the care from his Senior Sister. The slight worry he had originally dissipated a lot.
The scene gradually quieted down.
Qin Yun took a deep breath, cupped his fists and bowed to the crowd of Senior Brothers:
“Everything is Little Eight’s fault. Punish or beat me, I’m willing to accept it!”
Luo Wentian smiled lightly and patted his shoulder:
“Coming back is good.”
Everyone came forward, some patting shoulders, some rubbing heads, some thumping his chest. Jiang Baishan’s eyes reddened slightly, and finally he gave him a fierce hug.
Zhuang Chen and Li Ling just watched. After all, Qin Yun had already gone down the mountain before they joined the sect, but they were also extremely happy. This was great news for True Martial Mountain.
Finally.
All eyes turned to Ning Qi.
Qin Yun didn’t know when he had become somewhat nervous.
Ning Qi’s mouth curved slightly, revealing a light smile:
“Eighth Senior Brother, welcome home!”
Qin Yun’s eyes instantly teared up.
He hurriedly wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but couldn’t stop them. In these years down the mountain, every time he thought of True Martial Mountain, his greatest regret was feeling he had let down Dragon Mountain Daoist, and next was feeling he had let down Ning Qi, for not fulfilling his responsibility as a Senior Brother.
As a Senior Brother, he should have protected his Junior Brother, yet he had given rise to jealousy. How wrong that was.
Everyone felt emotional in their hearts.
A single thought can sometimes lead life in different directions.
Qin Yun said in a low voice:
“Little Nine, I have some words I want to say to you.”
Ning Qi nodded.
The two walked side by side, heading toward the Scripture Depository.
Everyone looked at each other. Seeing the disciples looking toward him, Dragon Mountain Daoist just waved his hand and said:
“No harm, let the two Senior Brothers talk by themselves.”
Watching the backs of Ning Qi and the other, he also sighed in his heart.
Some things still needed to be resolved by the two themselves, otherwise it would always be a knot.
Ning Qi and Qin Yun walked side by side.
They had walked this path countless times before, only back then Ning Qi was sitting on Qin Yun’s shoulder. Now, Ning Qi had grown into a handsome young Daoist, while Qin Yun was aged and decrepit.
“Unknowingly, Little Nine, you’ve grown so big. I remember when I went down the mountain, you were only six years old.” Qin Yun’s voice was somewhat low.
Ning Qi sighed:
“Yes, time passes so quickly. It’s been five years already.”
Five years was not short. For Heavenly Human Realm, sometimes a single Closed-door Cultivation was more than five years. But for Ning Qi, it was very long. Back then he was only Inner Yuan Realm, now he could rival a Martial Saint. The gap was unbelievably large.
Unknowingly, they had arrived near the Scripture Depository.
But the current Scripture Depository had been expanded twice and was no longer as it was.
Qin Yun raised his head, his gaze complex:
“Little Nine, the one who stopped me that night five years ago was you, right.”
He was referring to five years ago, when his Inner Demon arose, and he planned to sneak into Seeker’s Courtyard at night, only to encounter resistance here and be suppressed by Ning Qi’s slap, waking him up.
He had always thought that person was True Martial Sect’s unknown foundation, but later with Heavenly Sword True Person’s sudden appearance and Ning Qi’s move this time, he finally connected the dots.
Ning Qi did not deny it and nodded slowly. He felt somewhat apologetic:
“That night at first I didn’t recognize you, and accidentally injured you. Eighth Senior Brother, forgive me.”
Qin Yun just smiled bitterly and shook his head:
“In the end, it’s my fault. Little Nine, if I hadn’t given rise to evil thoughts, the later events wouldn’t have happened.”
He solemnly apologized, bowing.
Ning Qi sighed lightly and helped him up:
“Eighth Senior Brother, everything is in the past. Dwelling on it has no meaning. If we dig deep, I also have issues. Better to look forward together. From now on, let’s work together to bring True Martial Sect to greater heights!”
Qin Yun nodded forcefully.
Unknowingly, the two had arrived outside Seeker’s Courtyard. Back then, Qin Yun had been repelled before even stepping into the courtyard. Over these years, Seeker’s Courtyard was no longer as in his memory.
True Martial Peach Trees encircled it, peach blossoms slightly blooming, like falling into a dream. The current True Martial Peach Trees were no longer ordinary, still gorgeous even in autumn.
But even more striking was that lush, verdant Enlightenment Tea Tree stretching from inside the courtyard, already towering like a heavenly tree. A breeze brought waves of strange fragrance. Qin Yun’s eyes showed astonishment.
Ning Qi smiled and invited:
“Let’s go in and see.”
The two strolled in slowly. For some reason, his heart grew even more peaceful. Before, he was unwilling to set foot here, feeling unbalanced, but now he had clarified his mind and seen his true nature.
He suddenly said:
“Little Nine, can I see your true strength?”
He already knew Ning Qi was Heavenly Sword True Person, but had never witnessed it.
Ning Qi turned his head and saw a certain longing in Qin Yun’s eyes, so he nodded slowly:
“Okay.”
Qin Yun’s eyes instantly brightened.
The next instant.
His aura suddenly changed, Heaven and Earth Power surging and gathering toward him. Having experienced a death tribulation and reborn through the Life-Sharing Gu, his cultivation had not regressed but advanced, even stronger than when he fought Ghost Mask before.
Black aura steamed up, and Ning Qi’s eyes showed some approval. This was the path Qin Yun had forged himself, commendable.
However.
It was not enough in front of the current Ning Qi.
He stood with hands behind his back, without any movement. Strands of glistening white Spiritual Power shot into the sky, turning into True Dragons.
The True Dragons descended, without roaring, without extra commotion, just gazing with full majesty.
In an instant.
The Heaven and Earth Power around Qin Yun collapsed with a boom!
Such a gap, like firefly to bright moon.
Qin Yun stood stunned like a wooden chicken, strands of Heaven and Earth Power draping around him, as if unaware.
A long time passed.
He finally smiled bitterly:
“I never thought Little Nine you were this strong! What is this power? Simply inconceivable!”
His eyes were full of astonishment, no other emotions. The gap was too great; in front of Ning Qi, he was like an ant.
Ning Qi smiled:
“Spiritual Power, or rather, Martial Saint Power.”
Qin Yun was instantly shocked.
Ning Qi simply explained what happened at True Profound Mountain. Qin Yun was filled with yearning:
“I never thought so many great events happened while I was asleep. Ancient Saint’s return, Spiritual Energy Revival. I must strive to catch up and make my mark in this great era!”
He grew more excited as he spoke:
“Little Nine, you’re stronger than me now, but maybe not in the future!”
Ning Qi laughed:
“Good, I’ll wait and see!”
The Senior Brothers looked at each other, all estrangement dissipating invisibly.
Qin Yun wondered, if Ning Qi had shown far beyond imaginable cultivation back then, would he still have given rise to evil thoughts?
The answer was unknown, but he thought he probably would have. Then he shook his head, no longer dwelling. As Ning Qi said, overthinking the past was useless. Perhaps this experience wasn’t necessarily bad for the future.
Ning Qi took out a Heaven-Connecting Pill and solemnly handed it to Qin Yun.
In the future with Spiritual Energy Revival, having one more Heavenly Human Perfection would make True Martial Sect’s foundation even deeper.
Qin Yun was silent for a long time, just gripping the Heaven-Connecting Pill tightly, his gaze more determined.
…
After Qin Yun woke up, he moved into the Scripture Depository. The other disciples of True Martial Sect were curious how an elder guard suddenly appeared in the Scripture Depository, but all treated him respectfully.
Ning Qi continued experimenting with Spiritual Power with Blade Demon, each time yielding significant gains.
But one thing troubled Ning Qi.
That was the poisonous substance contained in the Spiritual Energy seemed somewhat Nothingness, unable to grasp. He vaguely felt that if he didn’t break through this barrier, deriving the secret technique to filter out the poison would be very difficult.
Time passed day by day.
Ning Qi’s speculation came true.
Just as he was meditating to seek a solution, another bombshell news spread throughout the world.
True Martial Hall had emerged!
