Chapter 31: The Way Of Inner Essence, Exchanging Secret Arts
The chubby Zhuang Chen’s enthusiasm for Sword Dao was beyond doubt. After seeing Ning Qi’s sword strike, he even had the thought of taking him as a master.
Divine Sword Elder nearly blacked out and fainted on the spot.
If it were any other disciple committing such outrageous insolence, he would have already started cleaning house.
But for this precious darling Zhuang Chen, he could only seethe with liver pains, unwilling to lay a hand on him.
The chubby one was silly and goofy when not in combat mode, so such behavior was not hard to understand.
Ning Qi was torn between laughter and tears. He hadn’t expected that giving the chubby one a lesson would nearly turn into him gaining a disciple. But obviously, he couldn’t accept this disciple—doing so would make Divine Sword Elder turn against him.
Fortunately, Dong He had sharp eyes. Seeing his master’s face as black as the bottom of a pot, he dashed over in a flash and carried Zhuang Chen away.
The chubby one could only gaze longingly at Ning Qi.
The Divine Sword Sect congregation all breathed a sigh of relief.
Dragon Mountain Daoist lightly coughed:
“Divine Sword Brother, shall we call it a day?”
Divine Sword Elder was regretting it immensely now. He shouldn’t have compared in this final match; he had lost both his wife and his troops.
He had nearly lost his silly disciple to someone else.
He glanced at the Dragon Owl Sword before him, his heart aching faintly.
But words spoken were like spilled water; naturally, he wouldn’t go back on them. With a wave of his hand, the Dragon Owl Sword landed beside Dragon Mountain Daoist.
“Hmph, today you Ox Nose of Dragon Mountain win by a slight edge! In ten years, we’ll compete again!”
He planned to go back and properly train the chubby one. He absolutely couldn’t be so lax anymore. The other had already comprehended Sword Intent, while his own with Innate Sword Bone was still struggling with human-sword unity—how could that make sense?
Divine Sword Elder thought that if he trained diligently for ten years, in ten years he might not lose to Ning Qi.
Innate Sword Bone was also the posture of a Sword Saint; it was just that the chubby one had no rival before and thus slacked off.
He saw clearly that Ning Qi’s Body Tempering progress was at most on par with his own silly disciple, or even inferior.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled wryly:
“Divine Sword Brother, why go to such lengths.”
But in the end, he still took the Dragon Owl Sword. Back then, even Divine Sword Mountain had been given away, let alone the Dragon Owl Sword.
Divine Sword Elder stood up:
“Today’s sparring has at least taught my unworthy disciples the reason of there being humans beyond humans and heavens beyond heavens. But don’t get complacent, Ox Nose. In ten years, who will the deer fall to remains unknown!”
His face dark, he took a deep breath and waved solemnly, preparing to lead his disciples away.
He felt his last shred of face had been completely lost by Zhuang Chen.
Dragon Mountain Daoist called out to retain him:
“Divine Sword Brother, stay!”
Divine Sword Elder was just about to speak when he heard Dragon Mountain Daoist’s telepathic communication:
“Divine Sword Brother, we haven’t seen each other in ten years. Why be in such a hurry? Lately, I’ve occasionally grasped Secrets of the Heavenly Human and gained some insights. Why not stay and discuss them together? It would also let our disciples exchange with each other. Actually, you and I both know that what happened back then was just a moment of anger…”
His words were earnest, his expression sincere.
Divine Sword Elder froze in place, looking at Dragon Mountain Daoist with complex emotions.
Willing to share insights on promoting to Heavenly Human with him—he didn’t know what attitude to take for a moment.
“Dragon Mountain, you…”
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed heartily:
“That we discuss together naturally holds more hope. It’s a mutually beneficial matter.”
A sense of heartfelt conviction suddenly rose in Divine Sword Elder’s heart. He opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing.
Dragon Mountain Daoist pointed, and the Dragon Owl Sword fell before Ning Qi. He nodded approvingly at his young disciple, then instructed Luo Wentian:
“Wentian, properly accommodate the Divine Sword Sect members. Over the next few days, exchange with each other but do not harm the harmony.”
Divine Sword Elder also spoke gravely:
“Dong He, do not act rashly on True Martial Mountain.”
The disciples of both sects respectfully responded:
“We obey the orders of the two senior elders!”
And then.
Dragon Mountain Daoist and Divine Sword Elder departed.
Ning Qi was slightly surprised but could roughly guess some things. He shook his head; that was still not a realm he could pry into.
No one had expected the ten-year agreement to end in this way. Ning Qi had originally thought he might see a clash between two top-tier Gang Yuan Realm masters today, but it turned into a spar between disciples.
Still, he didn’t lose out.
Drawing the Dragon Owl Sword, nearly as tall as himself, Ning Qi inwardly praised it as a fine sword.
Such a top-tier famous sword not only cut iron like mud and severed gold and jade, but also amplified Inner Strength and Gang Yuan. He was about to promote to Inner Yuan Realm; even if he couldn’t use it, he could reforge a suitable one later, or at worst study the wonders of such a weapon.
Ning Qi tossed the Dragon Owl Sword to the White Ape to hold and left straight away. He had no interest in what followed.
Gazes turned toward Ning Qi and the White Ape following closely behind, filled with astonishment.
They knew this was a true peerless prodigy.
But what they didn’t know was that what Ning Qi had showcased was not even one percent of his true freakish talent.
…
In the Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi lay on the rattan chair, perusing classics.
He sensed his flesh body undergoing metamorphosis, that silent nurturing sensation immersing him. Strands of powerful strength were being born, gathering toward his dantian.
“This is… Inner Strength?”
Ning Qi’s eyes shone brightly.
The magical power circulating in his body—even the tiniest thread—carried a sense of its formidable nature. It could easily make his flesh body erupt with far more terrifying power than before, though this amount could probably only empower a single finger.
This was the essence of flesh body power.
“The process of Inner Strength birth lasts two months. This is the ‘fruit’ ripened by the flesh body. Only when the fruit fully matures does it count as breaking through to Inner Yuan Realm. Right now, I’m at best half-step Inner Yuan?”
He chuckled wryly.
In martial artists’ terms, those in this transitional phase could also be considered Inner Yuan Realm, just that the Inner Strength hadn’t fully formed, so destructive power was inferior, and most critically, without the full formation of Inner Strength to nourish the flesh body, lifespan hadn’t changed.
Generally, those in the transitional phase rarely traveled outside.
“But for me, even a thread is enough to grasp the essence of Inner Strength!”
“So-called Inner Strength is not actually a tangible thing. It is the magical power sparked by one’s own ‘spirit’ from the flesh body, but quite illusory. In a sense, it’s like a power conjured by psychological suggestion. Thus, Inner Strength can only empower oneself and not leave the body. In fact, from Inner Yuan Realm to Gang Yuan Realm is precisely the process of condensing the illusory into the real!”
Flashes of insight rose in Ning Qi’s mind.
The Inner Strength martial arts he had perused in the Scripture Depository flashed by. Previously pure theory, but now with his own Inner Strength born, touching the real, it was naturally vastly different.
“Inner Yuan Realm is divided into Nine Stacks Realm, namely nine stacks forming Gang.”
“Each Stacked Strength makes Inner Strength one portion more solid.”
“The flesh body’s initial birth of Inner Strength is actually the first stack, this is entry to Inner Yuan.”
“After three stacks, minor accomplishment.”
“Six stacks, major accomplishment!”
“Nine stacks, perfection!”
“After that, one can condense the illusory into real and attempt breakthrough to Gang Yuan Realm!”
Sensing the magical power in his body, Ning Qi had completely fathomed the path ahead. From Inner Yuan Realm to Gang Yuan Realm, there were no more secrets.
He stood, slowly practicing Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance.
The newly born threads of Inner Strength immediately became more active.
“Inner Strength originates from the flesh body and aligns with Stance Technique.”
“The method to cultivate Inner Strength is called Stacked Strength Technique.”
“For example, the Ice Silkworm Strength obtained earlier is a superior Stacked Strength Technique. And in my True Martial Sect, there are four superior Stacked Strength Techniques, three of which correspond exactly to True Martial Nine Stances, namely Heaven Shaking Strength, Earth Shaking Strength, and Sea Covering Strength.”
“If what I previously cultivated was Bi An Stance, then now I should cultivate Earth Shaking Strength. Thus step by step forging connections, nine into three, three into one, to have a chance of recreating the grand spectacle of the nine Heavenly Humans battling the Martial Saint.”
“And above Heaven Shaking Strength, Earth Shaking Strength, and Sea Covering Strength is True Martial Strength. Master there also has no inheritance.”
“But for me, this is not difficult.”
Ning Qi exhaled long, already having inspiration.
He had pondered deeply for a long time; these days in the Scripture Depository were not wasted. He had already begun stockpiling. Now with Inner Strength born and essence comprehended, everything proceeded logically.
In an instant.
The subtleties of the three Stacked Strength Techniques of Heaven Shaking Strength constantly surfaced in his mind.
Their commonalities were constantly unraveled like a silkworm cocoon, their essences fused together.
He didn’t know how much time passed.
A new Stacked Strength Technique quietly took shape.
It was the True Martial Strength that Ning Qi had reverse-engineered.
Previously, creating True Martial Stance from True Martial Nine Stances took Ning Qi ten days.
But now, creating True Martial Strength from Heaven Shaking Strength, Earth Shaking Strength, and Sea Covering Strength took him only two hours.
Because the paths were similar, saving him massive time.
Moreover, he had already begun theoretical stockpiling earlier.
This True Martial Strength might not be identical to the original, but the difference wouldn’t be great.
Yet Ning Qi was still not satisfied.
“Now that my foundational Stance Technique is the supreme Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance, naturally I cannot cultivate True Martial Strength anymore. As Master said before, True Martial Stance matches True Martial Strength, so naturally I must create my own Stacked Strength Technique matching Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance.”
In a sense, this was also a drawback of creating one’s own methods; the path ahead must be forged personally.
For Ning Qi to lower his standards to practice True Martial Strength would feel suffocating, wasting the supreme foundation he had built.
Moreover, it would slow his growth speed.
“Inner Yuan Realm martial artists have a lifespan of two hundred years. Cultivating to Nine Stacks Realm in twenty years counts as heaven-defying talent, but for me, twenty years is too long!”
“Right now, until Inner Strength fully forms, there are still two months. This time is plenty for me to create a supreme Stacked Strength Technique matching Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance. Even, it might not take that long.”
Confidence shone in Ning Qi’s eyes.
With the experience of creating Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance, plus True Martial Strength and numerous Stacked Strength Techniques as reference, and his comprehension now surpassing before, he had full confidence.
Exhaling long.
Ning Qi’s gaze shifted as he said:
“Tian Sheng, guests have arrived.”
The White Ape, who had been practicing Ape King Stance nearby, immediately stopped. He went inside to brew tea, but when he came out with the teapot, he lost his composure.
Only to see in the distance.
A sneaky chubby little fellow was looking around furtively as he crept over.
The White Ape set down the teapot and charged over furiously. Now with initial success in martial cultivation, as long as he didn’t use martial arts, others would only see him as having powerful bloodline.
The White Ape was extremely fast; Zhuang Chen jumped in fright.
“Yuan Tiansheng, you, you spotted me!”
But the White Ape just grinned coldly and kicked out, straight at Zhuang Chen’s butt. He still remembered the chubby one calling him a pet a couple days ago, and now he came sneaking again—new and old grudges settled together.
Zhuang Chen dodged in panic.
But couldn’t avoid it.
He took a solid kick.
Zhuang Chen began to counterattack, but to his shock, he found he couldn’t suppress the White Ape. Man and ape fought fiercely, surprisingly evenly matched.
“Yuan Tiansheng, you’re so strong.” He exclaimed in shock.
Ning Qi watched from afar, nodding slightly.
The White Ape was indeed extraordinary. How long had he been practicing martial arts, yet he could fight evenly with Zhuang Chen. And the White Ape hadn’t used any martial arts, of course, nor had Zhuang Chen drawn his sword.
Bang.
Zhuang Chen’s butt took another kick.
He said shamefully and annoyedly: “Yuan Tiansheng, if you keep this up, I won’t hold back.”
Seeing Zhuang Chen about to draw his sword, Ning Qi finally spoke:
“Tian Sheng, let him come over.”
The White Ape immediately stopped respectfully.
He made a face at Zhuang Chen and slipped into the courtyard.
Zhuang Chen also grinned. Looking at Ning Qi, his eyes lit up as he dashed over quickly.
“Ning Qi Little Master, I finally found you!”
The Divine Sword Sect congregation was still staying at True Martial Sect, but Ning Qi had been avoiding them for peace and hadn’t appeared. He hadn’t expected Zhuang Chen to find his way here.
Ning Qi lay on the rattan chair and said indifferently:
“Don’t call me master, careful or Divine Sword Senior expels you from the sect.”
Zhuang Chen shook his head hurriedly:
“No way, my master said before that if I see anyone I want to take as master, I can.”
“Ning Qi Little Master above, please accept this disciple’s bow.”
“I don’t accept disciples; a hundred head-knocks won’t work.”
“Then teach me that sword technique from that day, okay?”
“With your talent, comprehending Sword Intent is only a matter of time; no need for me to teach.”
“No, it’s different!”
“Your sword is different from everyone else’s I’ve seen.”
Seeing the conviction in the chubby one’s eyes, a hint of surprise flickered in Ning Qi’s.
The sword he used derived from Myriad Manifestations Fist; that strike wasn’t just containing Sword Intent so simply. Probably even Divine Sword Elder and the others hadn’t seen through it, yet this chubby one before him had?
This Innate Sword Bone was truly extraordinary.
“What’s different?” Ning Qi grew interested.
“Super cool! Invincibly cool!”
Excitement filled Zhuang Chen’s face.
“Even Master’s sword isn’t as cool as yours!”
He just instinctively felt Ning Qi’s sword was amazing, but couldn’t say specifically where.
Ning Qi’s mouth twitched.
“Some insight, but not much.”
Still, having someone admire his sword technique so much put him in a good mood.
Ning Qi looked at the chubby one with a smile:
“I don’t accept disciples, nor teach casually.”
The chubby one suddenly had a flash of inspiration, his wits sharpening. He leaned in mysteriously and said:
“Ning Qi, I’ll tell you a peerless secret technique. In exchange, you teach me that day’s sword technique, okay?”
