Night fell.
The moon was bright and the stars sparse, a cold wind rustled, and heavy snow drifted down slowly.
Disciples continuously patrolled around Zhenwu Mountain, preventing anyone from descending the mountain under the cover of night.
The True Martial Sect had never before allowed so many outsiders to stay overnight, especially with quite a few Gang Yuan Realm experts among them.
Although all Yuandan Realm experts had departed, there were still many White Mist Realm and Jade Liquid Realm practitioners, which kept Luo Wentian and the others on high alert.
They worried someone might cause trouble in the True Martial Sect during the night.
Fortunately.
For now, these people were cooperative, each staying within their guest quarters without moving around freely.
Ning Qi sat upright in the Scripture Pavilion, his entire being merging with Heaven and Earth, silently operating the Heaven-Human Unity Secret Technique.
His perception, amplified by the immense Protective Aura, had reached its Peak.
With so many Disciples patrolling, if there was any disturbance, he could sense it immediately and rush over.
He pondered the events of the day.
Old Ancestor Wang, risking offense to everyone, still revealed the Martial Saint Token, clearly not acting out of madness or irrationality.
“There’s only one possibility: the Great Yan Dynasty promised him a benefit substantial enough to sway him.”
“Either it’s a longevity treasure that would allow Old Ancestor Wang to live longer, or it’s something that could allow the Wang Family to produce another Heavenly Human.”
Ning Qi leaned towards the latter.
Previously, when his Master challenged the Wang Family, Old Ancestor Wang endured it, but now he didn't hesitate to offend so many people, which clearly indicated a promising future for the Wang Family.
If the Wang Family produced a new Heavenly Human expert in the future, their Family could flourish for several more centuries, and with the Dynasty's backing, they could even gradually relocate to Yan Province.
Their future development path would then differ from that of ordinary Martial Dao Sects, so offending these Sect experts wouldn't be a major issue.
The only thing Ning Qi didn't understand was how the Wang Family had established a connection with the Great Yan Dynasty.
If they had this connection early on, they should have used it long ago, not waited until now.
Unable to figure it out, Ning Qi stopped thinking about it.
He simply silently kept Old Ancestor Wang in mind.
“If anything happens to Master, I will definitely not let you off in the future.”
Ning Qi slowly exhaled, dispelling numerous distracting thoughts.
Considering so much now was useless; he could only wait.
The only thing he could do was ensure the True Martial Sect remained undisturbed.
Then, diligently Cultivate.
He began to operate the Heaven and Earth Great Grinding Tempering Qi Method, which he had just created during the day.
In an instant.
The not-so-dense Heaven and Earth Power continuously condensed around Ning Qi, forming a perpetually rotating large grinding mill that enveloped him.
A faint rumbling sound could be heard.
Then.
The vast, lake-like Protective Aura within Ning Qi's body began to circulate.
White Mist flowed into the large grinding mill, and the rumbling sound, audible only to Ning Qi, immediately grew more intense.
Rumble!
As the large grinding mill turned, the re-surging White Mist Protective Aura became a touch purer than before.
Ning Qi's heart gradually calmed.
The effect of this Heaven and Earth Great Grinding Tempering Qi Method seemed even better than he had initially anticipated, which finally brought him a sense of relief.
...
The next day.
The guests woke up and had gradually accepted the reality.
The die was cast.
Now, they could only hope that everything would conclude smoothly.
They realized that perhaps this was originally part of the demon-extermination plan; even if Old Ancestor Wang hadn't stepped forward, other Dynasty experts would have arrived with the Martial Saint Token.
However, the crowd did not feel any sympathy for Old Ancestor Wang or the Wang Family because of this.
Since he chose to be the first bird, he had to have the awareness of being the first bird.
Especially those forces whose Yuandan Realm members were taken away, their anger had not subsided.
After a night, the more they thought about it, the angrier they became.
Thus.
This scene unfolded.
“Wang Qingshan, I’ve long heard of your unparalleled iron fists.
Today, Wang Bue of the Undying Blade Sect wishes to seek your guidance.”
A blade Master from the Undying Blade Sect coldly issued a challenge.
Originally, everyone staying on Zhenwu Mountain these few days was for Martial Dao exchange, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to challenge him, right?
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
The Gang Yuan Realm expert of the Wang Family's face turned ashen, like a pig's liver.
Refusing was not an option, and not refusing was also not an option.
Finally, he grit his teeth and accepted the challenge.
After a fierce exchange.
The Wang Family's expert was slightly defeated by a few moves.
The person from the Undying Blade Sect didn't mock him, merely snorted coldly, but this silent gesture made Wang Qingshan even more uncomfortable.
Before he could speak, someone else spoke lightly:
“I also wish to challenge a Wang Family Disciple.”
The Wang Family Disciples looked up, seeing the figures with crossed arms around them, and their faces turned pale.
The Wang Family had incurred public wrath.
Although no one dared to kill them, taking out their frustrations in different ways was acceptable.
Luo Wentian watched from a distance, not stopping them, only intervening when things were about to get truly heated.
They weren't only targeting Wang Family Disciples; they also fought amongst themselves, it was just that the frequency of challenging Wang Family Disciples was slightly higher.
If Martial Dao exchange didn't involve actual combat, wouldn't it just be a show?
...
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi listened to Zhuang Chen vividly describe the miserable state of the Wang Family Disciples, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Zhuang Chen chuckled:
“Ning Qi, you didn’t go see it, so you don’t know the scene.
Tsk tsk, the Wang Family Disciples were all bruised and swollen.
Later, they didn’t dare to accept challenges at all and became cowards.
It almost made me die laughing!”
He laughed heartily, gloating.
If it weren't for his Senior Brother Dong He holding him back, he would have gone up to challenge a Wang Family Disciple of the same realm to vent his anger for his Master.
“If I went up there, I’d definitely beat that guy into a pig’s head.”
Ning Qi merely shook his head slightly.
This was the limit of what everyone could do.
As it was now, Old Ancestor Wang wouldn't be able to pursue the matter in the future, but if a Wang Family Disciple died, then things would be different.
Just like Dragon Mountain Daoist before, when someone attacked Zhenwu Mountain with the intention of seizing the True Martial Legacy, he had a justifiable reason.
Otherwise, if he were to kill people without cause using force, the Great Yan Dynasty would not stand idly by.
Order was still maintained, and rules still needed to be followed.
“Now that you’ve rested well today, let’s continue.” Ning Qi said calmly.
Originally, he had planned to find an excuse to keep Zhuang Chen for a few more days after the Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony to comprehend the mysteries of the Congenital Sword Bone within his body, but he hadn't expected such a change to occur, so he didn't need to find a reason anymore.
Zhuang Chen's face crumpled:
“Ning Qi, how many more times?”
“At most, no more than three times.”
Ning Qi was confident in himself.
“Come on!” Zhuang Chen faced it as if going to his death.
Ning Qi didn't hold back, placing his palm on Zhuang Chen's shoulder, and immense Protective Aura surged in.
In an instant.
The sound of Zhuang Chen gasping in pain echoed through the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
...
Two days passed in a blink of an eye.
Within Zhenwu City, suspicions gradually arose.
Logically speaking, after a Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony usually concludes, many experts would disperse, spreading what they witnessed at the ceremony.
Many people were currently waiting in Zhenwu City precisely to get this firsthand news.
But now.
Although two days had passed since Dragon Mountain Daoist's Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony, not a single person had descended the mountain.
Some dared to venture to the edge of Zhenwu Mountain to look, but the news they received was that many experts were staying on Zhenwu Mountain for Martial Dao exchange and would not descend for the time being.
“But even for Martial Dao exchange, it shouldn’t be that everyone stays up there, right?”
“And... it doesn’t seem to say how long the exchange will last.”
“Zhenwu Mountain is currently in a state of closure; even the Disciples who used to deliver messages aren’t coming down anymore!”
This situation was abnormal.
For a time, various speculations continuously arose.
Martial Artists were all curious about what had happened, but some cautious ones chose to flee far away, sensing something amiss.
Inside a private room in a restaurant.
The white-haired youth couldn't help but look in the direction of Zhenwu Mountain, muttering to himself:
“Could it be... something unexpected happened on Zhenwu Mountain?”
His heart inexplicably tightened.
He had originally planned to leave, but at this moment, he chose to stay for a few more days.
At this time, on Zhenwu Mountain.
Luo Wentian and the others were also aware of the speculations and heated discussions below the mountain.
People were occasionally seen looking from a distance.
They knew that this news couldn't be kept secret for too long, but delaying it for even one day was beneficial, as it would significantly shorten the demon Sect's reaction time.
“Two days have passed, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”
Everyone remaining on Zhenwu Mountain quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
At the speed of Yuandan Realm and Heavenly Human Realm experts, if they went all out, they should be arriving soon, or perhaps even already engaged in a major battle.
...
Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi slowly released Zhuang Chen's shoulder.
Zhuang Chen's gasping sounds of pain continued to echo.
He asked weakly:
“Ning Qi, surely it’ll be good tomorrow, right? You said at most three days…”
Before he finished speaking.
He wisely shut up.
Because he noticed that Ning Qi hadn't spoken after finishing his research today, but instead had closed his eyes.
His demeanor was vastly different from before, clearly indicating he had fallen into a state of contemplation.
“Could it be succeeding?”
Zhuang Chen's eyes couldn't help but gleam with excitement.
The suffering of these past few days finally hadn't been in vain.
He finally had the chance to learn the Sword Dao Secret Technique that Ning Qi had promised him!
For a moment.
Zhuang Chen dared not speak.
Ning Qi was indeed comprehending the Dao.
At this moment.
In his mind, flashes of inspiration continuously arose.
Several days of investigation had given him a thorough understanding of the special fluctuations and patterns within Zhuang Chen's body, at least the parts that didn't involve the essence and only remained on the surface.
“The so-called Congenital Sword Bone is actually a special fluctuation produced by the bones within the body, which can resonate with the meridians, Qi and blood, and even the internal organs.
Or rather, it can resonate with the entire body, thereby achieving the effect of enhancing the Sword Dao.”
“Whether it’s comprehending the sword or practicing the sword, it’s all like this.
Even the power of using the sword is stronger than ordinary people.”
“I have consulted the classics, and generally, those with Congenital Sword Bone will have a leap after reaching the Heavenly Human Realm.
This is actually because the Sword Bone is activated after reaching the Heavenly Human Realm.
So, perhaps one can try to activate it in advance.
Even if it doesn't reach the state of the Heavenly Human Realm, it's still better than the current state.”
...
“How to activate it? How to make ordinary people also possess the same effect as the Congenital Sword Bone? The key lies in that special fluctuation.”
“Fluctuation… I need to simulate those complex fluctuations… find their inherent unified pattern, and integrate them…”
...
Ideas constantly emerged in Ning Qi's mind.
With the experience of creating the Ape King True Body beforehand, this step was not difficult for him.
Ultimately, the two were somewhat similar; one was activating a Heavenly Beast Bloodline, and the other was activating a Congenital Sword Bone, both being innate Physique aptitudes.
Time flowed by.
The night sky gradually became illuminated by both stars and moon.
Zhuang Chen went back to report his safety to his Senior Brothers, then snuck back to the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
He was extremely anxious, but seeing Ning Qi still deep in thought with his eyes closed, he dared not disturb him.
Finally.
Just as Zhuang Chen was about to feel drowsy, Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes.
Success!
“Simulating the special fluctuations of the Congenital Sword Bone, combined with various Sword Dao Secret Techniques, I hope it can reach the same heights in the future.
Let’s call it the Innate Sword Body.”
A smile appeared on Ning Qi's lips.
With the Ape King True Body as a precedent, creating this Innate Sword Body Secret Technique was actually easier.
This Secret Technique was very powerful, not inferior to the Ape King True Body at all, and even surpassed it in some aspects.
“Although it cannot amplify the comprehension of the Sword Dao, it can amplify the lethality of the Sword Dao.
If I am in the Innate Sword Body and Heaven and Earth United as One states and then use the Heavenly Sword Technique, it would be my strongest sword strike right now!”
However, Ning Qi still had some regrets, because this Secret Technique had not fully reached the Peak he had envisioned.
Naming it Innate Sword Body represented his high hopes.
If one day, this Secret Technique could even amplify the comprehension of the Sword Dao, that would be even more Heaven-Defying, perhaps even creating 'Congenital Sword Bones' one after another.
However, Ning Qi estimated that this would involve the essence of the Congenital Sword Bone itself.
“Ning Qi, how is it?”
Zhuang Chen looked on eagerly.
He had been driven crazy by the temptation of the chicken leg dangled before him for the past few days, and now he was finally about to eat it, so he couldn't help but be excited.
Ning Qi did not break his promise:
“Come on, I’ll teach you.”
A moment later.
Looking at the dumbfounded Zhuang Chen, Ning Qi smiled slightly.
For others, it would be almost impossible to comprehend this Secret Technique.
Only Zhuang Chen, who possessed the Congenital Sword Bone and thus already had this special fluctuation within his body, could significantly reduce the difficulty of comprehending the Secret Technique.
Watching Zhuang Chen frown in deep thought, Ning Qi looked up at the night sky, his thoughts drifting far away:
“Two or three days have passed.
I wonder if everything is going smoothly on Master's side?”