Chapter 32: Dream Glutton, Divine Sword Descends The Mountain
Ning Qi’s eyes lit up slightly.
“Divine Sword Sect’s secret technique?”
The little fatty nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice.
“That’s right.”
“Ning Qi, let me tell you, I have three hobbies.”
“Which three?”
“I like practicing sword the most, second I like eating, third I like sleeping. Eating and sleeping are because of this secret technique I cultivate.”
Zhuang Chen’s expression was full of pride.
Ning Qi was completely interested now.
During the banquet, he had seen the little fatty devouring food voraciously, but he only thought it was innate. But now it seemed it wasn’t like that.
“This secret technique is called Dreaming Gluttony.”
“Gluttony means devouring heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of all things, transforming it into one’s own use in sleep and dreams…”
Zhuang Chen’s childish voice began to rise.
He spoke slowly sentence by sentence, making the astonishment in Ning Qi’s eyes grow stronger and stronger.
This Dreaming Gluttony secret technique was not simple!
After listening to Zhuang Chen’s explanation, the ingenious ideas and subtleties inevitably made Ning Qi feel fresh. This was a secret technique independent of stance techniques and stacked strength techniques and other cultivation methods, but it could assist and enhance the former.
Thereby making cultivation faster.
By devouring large amounts of food or other more precious treasures, absorbing their essence, and digesting it in the special state during sleep.
It had to be said that the creator of this technique was talented.
“Ning Qi, this Dreaming Gluttony is absolutely powerful. Let me tell you, the reason I can reach the muscle training realm so quickly now is partly because of this secret technique.”
“My master said that if this secret technique reaches a profound realm, it can even devour iron blocks, crystal stones, and such treasures, causing changes in the body and inner strength. It’s very powerful, but unfortunately I can only eat food for now.”
“Don’t think I’m stupid, okay? I’m the only one in Divine Sword Sect who has learned this secret technique. Even my master hasn’t learned it!”
The little fatty proudly puffed out his chest, then seemed a bit guilty.
“But Ning Qi, don’t worry. You’re so smart, you definitely can learn it.”
Seeing Ning Qi not speaking, the little fatty panicked:
“Ning Qi, I’ve already told you the secret technique. You won’t not teach me sword technique, right?”
He didn’t mean to trick Ning Qi on purpose; he simply forgot the difficulty of Dreaming Gluttony. Only while speaking did he remember. He was afraid Ning Qi wouldn’t learn it and thus not teach him sword technique.
Ning Qi came back to his senses and smiled. This little fatty had some scheming, but not much.
For ordinary people, learning this secret technique would be very difficult, and it might even require a specific physique.
But for Ning Qi.
Simple.
He could completely take its essence and perfect it into a secret technique suitable for himself.
For him, the important things were ideas and inspiration.
However, having a ready path could also save him a lot of time.
He didn’t expect Zhuang Chen to bring him such a surprise.
Various inspirations were already emerging in his mind.
However, Ning Qi naturally wouldn’t bully him or take advantage for free.
“Don’t worry. I said I’d teach you, so I will.”
Zhuang Chen nodded repeatedly, his face showing joy.
“Then let me tell you a few more times, in case you forget.”
“No need. I’ve already memorized it all.”
Zhuang Chen scratched his head:
“Ning Qi, you’re so smart. It took me a long time to memorize this secret technique back then, but you got it so quickly.”
But he didn’t think much of it.
He felt that even if Ning Qi was fast, he wouldn’t learn this secret technique right now.
Ning Qi smiled faintly without further explanation.
“Stand properly. Now practice a sword form for me to see.”
Since he had received someone’s secret technique, he had to teach them properly. Ning Qi wouldn’t be perfunctory.
His expression was calm, but it carried a natural dignity.
Zhuang Chen, who had been giggling, was suddenly shaken. A trace of fear instinctively appeared on his face. He only felt as if he saw his master’s shadow on Ning Qi.
In the entire Divine Sword Sect, only when Divine Sword Elder taught martial arts would he feel a bit fearful.
“Yes!”
The little fatty responded respectfully, then took a deep breath and slowly drew the wooden sword from behind his back.
His eyes suddenly became sharp.
With a light shout, Zhuang Chen’s chubby body became agile, swinging his sword to strike. A set of profound sword technique came effortlessly.
Zhuang Chen held nothing back and went all out.
In Seeker’s Courtyard, sword lights danced, sweeping up fallen leaves. Occasionally, a sword light flashed, precisely splitting something in two, demonstrating his powerful sword dao control.
At this level, many veteran swordsmen who had trained bitterly for ten or twenty years might not reach it.
Zhuang Chen’s sword was sometimes like floating fallen leaves, sometimes like a mountain pressing down, light and heavy as he wished. Later, only sword sounds were heard without seeing the person—not that the person really disappeared, but that exquisite sword was enough to make people ignore the existence of the person.
“The realm of unity of man and sword is becoming more proficient. In just a few short days, Zhuang Chen has progressed again. What profound mystery does this innate sword bone hold?”
Curiosity flashed in Ning Qi’s eyes. He even somewhat wanted to ‘dissect’ the little fatty. If he could observe the mysteries of the innate sword bone up close, perhaps he could comprehend something extraordinary.
Of course, just thinking about it.
He wasn’t that kind of person.
Unknowingly, Zhuang Chen had stopped. Seeing Ning Qi’s gaze, he felt a chill all over and timidly said:
“Ning Qi, was there any problem with my sword technique just now?”
Ning Qi came back to his senses and smiled:
“It’s passable.”
With his eyesight, it was naturally not hard to see that the little fatty was walking the path of domineering.
Domineering sword intent was also a very powerful type of sword intent.
He roughly understood why the little fatty particularly wanted to learn his sword technique—it was because the sword intents Ning Qi mastered were far more than one kind. That casual sword that day was actually a composite of several sword intents.
Ning Qi observed the myriad manifestations of heaven and earth, and the gains were far more than just creating the Myriad Manifestations Origin Stance. This was an accumulation sufficient for a lifetime, available for use at any time.
But that day Ning Qi had used it very covertly. He was confident even Divine Sword Elder and his own master couldn’t see it.
Unexpectedly, this little fatty instinctively sensed a trace of peculiarity.
He already knew how to teach the little fatty.
Exhaling lightly, Ning Qi said solemnly:
“Watch my sword carefully.”
Zhuang Chen widened his eyes.
Ning Qi waved his hand casually, and the wooden sword in Zhuang Chen’s hand flew uncontrollably into Ning Qi’s hand.
Then.
Ning Qi moved.
Left hand behind his back, right hand lightly swung the sword.
The little fatty’s eyes widened even more.
In his eyes.
Ning Qi had suddenly disappeared.
That ordinary sword swung over, and he seemed to see an ancient mountain suppressing down, or an ancient divine elephant roaring at the sky, and faintly a big sun slowly rising.
He stood stunned like a wooden chicken, frozen in place.
Until Ning Qi’s voice sounded:
“What did you see?”
Zhuang Chen jolted awake and looked at Ning Qi with eyes full of adoration.
“I saw an ancient mountain, a divine elephant, and a golden brilliant big sun.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help swallowing saliva with a gulp.
Ning Qi nodded faintly:
“Comprehension is decent.”
“Keep watching.”
Ning Qi swung the sword again.
Zhuang Chen watched without blinking.
Then Ning Qi asked again.
Zhuang Chen answered truthfully.
They repeated this.
Until the eager intent in Zhuang Chen’s eyes grew stronger, Ning Qi finally said:
“Try it yourself.”
Zhuang Chen swung the sword.
Compared to before, it already had some differences.
Ning Qi nodded inwardly.
This innate sword bone was indeed extraordinary. His comprehension in sword dao far surpassed ordinary people. Such learning speed, Ning Qi had only seen when the White Ape learned the Ape King Stance. Others compared to this one person and one ape were all inferior.
Ning Qi had Zhuang Chen practice sword, occasionally correcting him, until he was covered in sweat and his face pale, then let him stop.
Contacting sword intent also required a strong body and ‘spirit’ to support it.
Zhuang Chen was still not satisfied, his face full of excitement:
“Ning Qi, I felt it! I felt it!”
“You’re really too amazing!”
He felt that following Ning Qi’s guidance was like having divine help. Any casual word could save him many detours.
He even thought in his heart that even his master Divine Sword Elder wasn’t as good at teaching as Ning Qi.
Zhuang Chen’s eyes were full of adoration.
But Ning Qi just smiled faintly:
“For the next few days, come over at noon for half a shichen to practice sword. Don’t come at other times.”
If it was before.
The little fatty might pester relentlessly.
But now, he already had an indescribable reverence for Ning Qi.
Though reluctant in his heart, he still respectfully said:
“Yes!”
The next few days.
Every noon, the little fatty arrived as promised and practiced sword in Seeker’s Courtyard.
Ning Qi occasionally gave pointers, but had already created a sword tailored for him. As long as the little fatty didn’t slack off and practiced step by step, preemptively comprehending domineering sword intent would happen naturally.
This domineering sword intent even had some other subtleties.
While the little fatty practiced sword, the White Ape watched from the side. After a few days, with the little fatty acting humbly, the White Ape’s anger finally dissipated. This one person and one ape could be said to have become friends through fighting, and their relationship was unexpectedly not bad now.
However, when the little fatty was around, the White Ape didn’t practice stance technique. This was Ning Qi’s rule: no showcasing stance technique when outsiders were present.
As for Ning Qi himself, besides occasionally pointing out Zhuang Chen, he was comprehending the newly obtained Dreaming Gluttony secret technique.
This secret technique was indeed extraordinary, but Ning Qi also discovered its drawbacks.
That was, if one kept cultivating this secret technique, the body would become increasingly fat. Later on, it might even become a mountain of flesh, which Ning Qi could not tolerate.
“In the end, this Dreaming Gluttony secret technique cannot completely digest the energy taken into the body, and needs to convert it into fat to store.”
Ning Qi planned to take its essence, perfect it, and incorporate it into the stacked strength technique he envisioned.
He already had an idea.
Thus.
Seven days passed in a flash.
Ning Qi’s inner strength grew day by day. At the same time, he was re-comprehending those stacked strength techniques, especially Ice Silkworm Strength. He felt its intent was quite good, and might not be inferior to Dreaming Gluttony, worth borrowing from.
This day.
The little fatty walked to the outside of Seeker’s Courtyard but didn’t come in.
His face was somewhat lost:
“Ning Qi, Yuan Tiansheng, I’m leaving.”
Today was the day Divine Sword Sect was leaving. Having exchanged here for so many days, it was indeed time to go.
The White Ape leaped out, its eyes also showing some reluctance.
Although at first it really disliked the little fatty’s disrespect, after getting familiar, it found the little fatty was still a good person.
“Are you reluctant to part with me?”
Zhuang Chen’s eyes lit up as he looked at Yuan Tiansheng.
The White Ape proudly pursed its mouth and turned its head away.
Zhuang Chen chuckled, looking at the figure in the courtyard, reverence rising in his eyes.
“Ning Qi, I’ll miss you all.”
Ning Qi smiled.
“Go back and cultivate well.”
Zhuang Chen nodded repeatedly:
“I will definitely work hard and strive to surpass you in ten years!”
Saying that.
The little fatty ran off.
Ning Qi looked at his back and shook his head with a smile. Surpassing himself? Not likely.
His state of mind rippled slightly, but quickly recovered calm.
With the little fatty’s talent, if nothing unexpected, at least Heavenly Human Realm, with long lifespan. There would be plenty of chances to meet later, no rush for this moment.
His gaze turned back to the parchment in his hand.
“Ice Silkworm Strength, nine times breaking cocoon and rebirth, that is nine times stacked strength. Each qualitative change is extremely thorough, but breaking cocoon and rebirth is easier said than done. Each time requires enduring trials. Perhaps it can be changed to another way…”
Spiritual insights continuously emerged in Ning Qi’s mind.
And at this time outside True Martial Mountain.
Divine Sword Elder and Dragon Mountain Daoist were also bidding farewell.
“This time, I owe you one.” Divine Sword Elder rarely said.
Though said to be jointly comprehending the secrets of the Heavenly Human, in reality it was mainly Dragon Mountain Daoist sharing, with Divine Sword Elder occasionally offering different insights. With these, though Divine Sword Elder wouldn’t say he immediately had confidence to break into Heavenly Human Realm, at least he had more hope and saw the path ahead.
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed:
“It’s rare to hear such words from you, Divine Sword Brother.”
Divine Sword Elder annoyedly turned his head away and snorted coldly:
“Dragon Mountain Ox Nose, don’t think that because old man owes you one I’ll let you off. Don’t slack in the next ten-year agreement, or watch out for my disciples sweeping yours!”
Dragon Mountain Daoist just smiled.
Divine Sword Elder laughed loudly after speaking:
“Let’s go. See you in ten years!”
Divine Sword Sect congregation performed sword salute, then activated sword steps and sped away.
On the road.
The little fatty was absent-minded, repeatedly wanting to speak but stopping.
Divine Sword Elder saw his youngest disciple like this and felt a tightness in his heart. He pulled Zhuang Chen to the front, and only when the disciples behind were out of sight did he ask kindly:
“Chen’er, is there something you want to tell your master?”
Zhuang Chen cautiously said:
“If I tell you, Master, can you not spank my butt?”
Divine Sword Elder’s heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath and smiled:
“Speak.”
“I… I taught Dreaming Gluttony to Ning Qi.”
The little fatty mustered his courage.
Divine Sword Elder stood stunned in place.
He knew his little disciple had been playing with that True Martial Sect prodigy these past few days, but he never expected his silly disciple to pass on this peerless secret technique. However, he didn’t get angry, instead feeling complex emotions.
“Dragon Mountain shared the secrets of the Heavenly Human with me, Chen’er passed Dreaming Gluttony to Ning Qi. Could this be fate?”
He felt the affairs of the world were somewhat marvelous.
Seeing his master silent for a long time, Zhuang Chen thought he was angry and quickly said:
“Master, don’t be angry. Ning Qi didn’t take my secret technique for nothing. He taught me a sword technique.”
Divine Sword Elder’s spirit shook.
Moments later.
He watched Zhuang Chen swing the sword and immediately stood like a statue, gigantic waves surging in his heart.
“In just a few short days, Chen’er has already glimpsed sword intent?!”
At this moment.
He understood that True Martial Sect’s ninth true disciple was probably far more prodigious than he imagined.
“Dragon Mountain, you’ve taken an extraordinary disciple!”
He sighed inwardly, somewhat envious, yet happy for his old friend.
Then he solemnly stroked over Zhuang Chen’s head and said seriously:
“Chen’er, from now on, you can’t tell others this sword technique was taught by Ning Qi. If others ask, say it was me who taught it. Understand?”
Zhuang Chen had never seen his master so serious.
But he still respectfully responded:
“Yes! I understand, Master!”
Divine Sword Elder smiled with relief. No matter how prodigious others’ disciples were, his own silly disciple was the best.
…
Time passed leisurely.
A month had passed since Divine Sword Sect left, and True Martial Sect had returned to calm.
And Ning Qi’s creation of his own stacked strength technique had also reached a critical moment.
