Chapter 31: The Way of Inner Essence, Secret Art of Exchange (Two-in-One)

Little Fatty Zhuang Chen's passion for the way of the sword was beyond doubt; after witnessing Ning Qi's single strike, he even harbored the thought of becoming his disciple.

The Old Man of the Divine Sword nearly blacked out on the spot.

Had any other disciple committed such an act of high treason, he might have already begun purging his sect.

But for his precious treasure, Zhuang Chen, he could only feel a throbbing pain in his liver from sheer anger, yet he couldn't bring himself to strike him.

When the little fatty wasn't in a combat state, he was quite foolish, so such behavior wasn't hard to understand.

Ning Qi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He hadn't expected that by giving the little fatty a lesson, he would nearly end up with a disciple. However, this disciple clearly could not be accepted; if he did, the Old Man of the Divine Sword would surely fly into a rage against him.

Fortunately, Dong He was perceptive. Seeing his master's expression as dark as the bottom of a pot, he darted forward and scooped Zhuang Chen away.

The little fatty could only watch Ning Qi with yearning eyes.

The members of the Divine Sword Sect all breathed a sigh of relief.

Daoist Longshan coughed lightly

"Brother Divine Sword, shall we call it a day?"

The Old Man of the Divine Sword was now filled with regret. Had he known, he wouldn't have competed in this final match; he had lost both the battle and the prize.

He had almost lost his foolish disciple to another man.

He glanced at the Dragon Soaring Sword before him, feeling a dull ache in his heart.

But words once spoken are like spilled water; he naturally would not go back on his word. With a wave of his hand, the Dragon Soaring Sword landed beside Daoist Longshan.

"Hmph, I'll concede that you, that old nose of Longshan, are a step ahead today! We shall compete again in ten years!"

He intended to go back and properly discipline the little fatty. He could not allow such negligence; others had already attained enlightenment of sword intent, yet for someone with a Congenital Sword Bone to still be struggling with the unity of man and sword was simply unacceptable.

The Old Man of the Divine Sword felt that if he applied himself to training for ten years, he might not be unable to fight Ning Qi then.

A Congenital Sword Bone possessed the potential of a Sword Saint; it was just that the little fatty had become complacent due to a lack of opponents.

He saw it clearly: Ning Qi's body tempering progress was, at most, equal to his foolish disciple's, perhaps even inferior.

Daoist Longshan gave a bitter smile

"Brother Divine Sword, why must you do this?"

But in the end, he stowed away the Dragon Soaring Sword. Back then, the Divine Sword Mountain was given away without hesitation, let alone the Dragon Soaring Sword.

The Old Man of the Divine Sword stood up

"Today's sparring has served to teach my incompetent disciples the truth that there is always someone better than the next. But don't get cocky, old nose! In ten years, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious!"

With a dark face, he took a deep breath and waved his hand heavily, preparing to lead his disciples away.

He felt that the last shred of his dignity had been completely lost because of Zhuang Chen.

Daoist Longshan called out to stay his steps

"Brother Divine Sword, wait!"

Just as the Old Man of the Divine Sword was about to speak, he heard Daoist Longshan's voice enter his mind via sound transmission

"Brother Divine Sword, we haven't met in ten years; why such a hurried departure? Recently, I have occasionally touched upon the secrets of the Heavenly Realm and gained some insights. Why not stay and discuss them together? It would also be a good opportunity for our disciples to exchange knowledge. In truth, we both know that the matters of the past were merely a moment of impulse..."

His words were earnest, and his expression sincere.

The Old Man of the Divine Sword froze in place, looking at Daoist Longshan with a complex expression.

To be willing to share insights on ascending to the Heavenly Realm—he didn't know what attitude to adopt for a moment.

"Longshan, you..."

Daoist Longshan laughed loudly

"Discussing it together will naturally offer more hope. It is a mutually beneficial matter."

A sense of genuine respect suddenly rose in the Old Man of the Divine Sword's heart. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

With a flick of his finger, the Dragon Soaring Sword landed in front of Ning Qi. Daoist Longshan nodded approvingly at his young disciple, then turned to instruct Luo Wentian

"Wentian, settle the members of the Divine Sword Sect properly. Over the next few days, let your disciples exchange ideas; do not let harmony be broken."

The Old Man of the Divine Sword also spoke in a heavy voice

"Dong He, do not act out of turn on Mount Zhenwu."

The disciples of both sects responded respectfully

"We obey the commands of our two masters!"

Afterward.

Daoist Longshan and the Old Man of the Divine Sword departed.

Ning Qi was slightly surprised, but he could roughly guess what was happening. He shook his head; that was a realm he could not yet peer into.

No one had expected the ten-year pact to end in this manner. Ning Qi had originally thought he might witness a battle between two top-tier Gangyuan Realm experts today, but instead, it had devolved into a sparring session between disciples.

However, he had not lost out.

Drawing the Dragon Soaring Sword, which was nearly as tall as himself, Ning Qi inwardly praised it as a fine blade.

Such a top-tier famous sword did not just cut through iron like mud or cleave gold and jade; it could also amplify internal strength and Gangyuan. He was about to ascend to the Neiyuan Realm; even if he couldn't use it now, he could find an opportunity to forge a suitable one later. At the very least, it could be used to study the mysteries of such a weapon.

Ning Qi tossed the Dragon Soaring Sword to the white ape and walked away directly; he had no interest in what happened next.

Gaze after gaze fell upon Ning Qi and the following white ape, filled with wonder.

They knew that this was a true peerless genius.

What they did not know was that what Ning Qi had displayed was not even one percent of his true monstrous talent.

...

Inside the Dao Seeking Academy.

Ning Qi lay on a rattan chair, reading ancient texts.

He felt his physical body undergoing a transformation. That sensation of subtle, silent nourishment intoxicated him. Wisps of powerful energy were being born, converging toward his dantian.

"Is this... internal strength?"

Ning Qi's eyes were incredibly bright.

The miraculous power circulated within his body; even though it was only a tiny, microscopic thread, he could feel its sheer potency. It could easily allow the physical body to erupt with power far more terrifying than before, though this small amount could likely only augment a single finger.

This was the essence of physical strength.

"The process of internal strength being born will last for two months. This is the 'fruit' produced by the physical body. Only when the fruit is fully ripe can one be considered to have broken through to the Neiyuan Realm. Currently, I am, at most, a half-step Neiyuan?"

He chuckled to himself.

In actual martial arts terminology, a warrior in this transitional stage could also be considered to be in the Neiyuan Realm, except that the internal strength had not finished forming, so its destructive power was inferior. Most importantly, without the process of fully formed internal strength feeding back into the body, there would be no change in lifespan.

Generally speaking, people in this transitional stage rarely traveled outside.

"But for me, even a single thread is enough to let me know the essence of internal strength!"

"So-called internal strength is not actually a physical substance; it is a miraculous power born from the body through the activation of one's own 'spirit.' However, it is somewhat illusory, acting to some extent like a power manifested through psychological suggestion. Because of this, internal strength can only augment the self and cannot leave the body. In fact, the transition from the Neiyuan Realm to the Gangyuan Realm is precisely the process of turning the illusory into the real!"

Sparks of inspiration flashed through Ning Qi's mind.

The internal strength martial arts he had read in the Library of Scriptures flashed by. Previously, they were pure theory, but now that he had birthed internal strength himself, touching the reality made them entirely different.

"The Neiyuan Realm is divided into the Nine Layers, meaning nine layers to form Gang."

"With each layer of strength, the internal strength becomes more solid."

"The initial process of the body birthing internal strength is actually the first layer, which is the entry into the Neiyuan Realm."

"After three layers, one reaches minor success."

"Six layers, great success!"

"Nine layers, perfection!"

"After that, one can turn the illusory into the real and attempt to break through to the Gangyuan Realm!"

Sensing the miraculous power within him, Ning Qi had already completely mapped out the path ahead. From the Neiyuan Realm to the Gangyuan Realm, there were no longer any secrets.

He stood up and slowly began the Myriad Manifestation Source Stance.

The tiny thread of internal strength that had just been born immediately became more active.

"Internal strength originates from the physical body, making it a direct descendant of the stance training."

"The method for cultivating internal strength is called the Layering Strength Technique."

"For example, the Ice Silkworm Strength I obtained earlier is a high-grade Layering Strength Technique. In my Zhenwu Sect, there are four high-grade Layering Strength Techniques, three of which correspond exactly to the Nine Zhenwu Stances: the Heaven-Shaking Strength, the Earth-Trembling Strength, and the Sea-Overturning Strength."

"If what I practiced before was the Bi'an Stance, then at this moment, I should practice the Earth-Trembling Strength. By establishing connections step by step—nine merging into three, three merging into one—there will be a chance to recreate the glory of the nine Great Celestials fighting the Martial Saint."

"And above the Heaven-Shaking, Earth-Trembling, and Sea-Overturning strengths lies the Zhenwu Strength, for which my master also has no inheritance."

"However, for me, this is not difficult."

Ning Qi took a long breath; inspiration had struck.

He had been thinking deeply for a long time; his days in the Library of Scriptures had not been wasted, as he had already begun accumulating knowledge. Now that internal strength had been born and he had understood its essence, everything became a matter of course.

In an instant.

The intricacies of the three Layering Strength Techniques of the Heaven-Shaking Strength continuously emerged in his mind.

Their commonalities were peeled away like layers of an onion, and their essences were fused together.

After an unknown amount of time.

A new Layering Strength Technique quietly took shape.

It was the Zhenwu Strength that Ning Qi had reverse-engineered.

Previously, when he had created the Zhenwu Stance from the Nine Zhenwu Stances, it had taken him ten days.

But now, creating the Zhenwu Strength from the Heaven-Shaking, Earth-Trembling, and Sea-Overturning strengths took him only two hours.

Because the paths were similar, it saved him a vast amount of time.

Furthermore, he had already begun his theoretical preparations.

This Zhenwu Strength might not be identical to the original version, but the difference would not be large.

Yet, Ning Qi was still not satisfied.

"The foundation I have laid now is the supreme stance, the Myriad Manifestation Source Stance. Naturally, I cannot practice the Zhenwu Strength. As my master said before, the Zhenwu Stance matches the Zhenwu Strength; therefore, I must create a Layering Strength Technique that matches the Myriad Manifestation Source Stance."

To some extent, this was the drawback of creating one's own methods—the path ahead had to be walked alone.

Asking Ning Qi to lower his standards to practice the Zhenwu Strength would make him feel uncomfortable; it would be a waste of the supreme foundation he had built.

Moreover, it would slow down his growth rate.

"A Neiyuan Realm warrior lives for two hundred years. To master the Nine Layers in twenty years is considered a heaven-sent talent, but for me, twenty years is too long!"

"It will take another two months for the internal strength to fully form. This time is more than enough for me to create a supreme Layering Strength Technique that matches the Myriad Manifestation Source Stance. In fact, it might not even take that long."

Ning Qi's eyes held a look of confidence.

With the experience of creating the Myriad Manifestation Source Stance, the reference of the Zhenwu Strength and various other Layering Strength Techniques, and his current comprehension being even greater than before, he was absolutely certain.

Taking a long breath.

Ning Qi's gaze shifted slightly, and he said

"Tiansheng, a guest has arrived."

The white ape, who was practicing the Ape King Stance nearby, immediately stopped. He went inside to brew tea, but when he stepped back out with the teapot, he could no longer remain calm.

In the distance.

A sneaky little fatty was creeping closer, looking around furtively.

The white ape set down the teapot and rushed forward in a rage. Having just begun his martial training, as long as he didn't use martial techniques, others would simply assume he had powerful bloodline.

The white ape was extremely fast, startling Zhuang Chen.

"Yuan Tiansheng, you... you spotted me!"

But the white ape only grinned coldly and delivered a kick aimed straight for Zhuang Chen's buttocks. He still remembered the little fatty calling him a pet two days ago; now that the little fatty was sneaking around again, old and new grudges would be settled together.

Zhuang Chen dodged in panic.

But he couldn't dodge.

He took the kick squarely.

Zhuang Chen began to fight back, but he was shocked to find that he actually could not suppress the white ape. The man and the ape fought fiercely, appearing almost evenly matched.

"Yuan Tiansheng, you are so strong!" he exclaimed in surprise.

Watching from a distance, Ning Qi nodded slightly.

The white ape was indeed extraordinary. How long had he been practicing martial arts? To be able to fight Zhuang Chen to a standstill—and the white ape hadn't even used martial techniques. Of course, Zhuang Chen hadn't drawn his sword either.

With a *thud*.

Zhuang Chen's buttocks were kicked again.

He said indignantly, "Yuan Tiansheng, if you do that again, I won't hold back!"

Seeing Zhuang Chen about to draw his sword, Ning Qi finally spoke

"Tiansheng, let him come over."

The white ape immediately stopped respectfully.

He made a face at Zhuang Chen and then slipped into the courtyard.

Zhuang Chen also chuckled. He looked at Ning Qi, his eyes lighting up, and rushed over quickly.

"Little Master Ning Qi, I finally found you!"

The members of the Divine Sword Sect were still lingering at the Zhenwu Sect, but Ning Qi had stayed away to enjoy the peace and quiet. He hadn't expected Zhuang Chen to actually find this place.

Lying on the rattan chair, Ning Qi said indifferently

"Don't call me Master. Be careful, or Senior Divine Sword might expel you from your sect."

Zhuang Chen shook his head hurriedly

"He won't. My master said before that if I see someone who wants to become a disciple, I can let them."

"Little Master Ning Qi, please accept my bow."

"I don't take disciples. Kowing a hundred times won't help."

"Then, will you teach me that sword technique from that day?"

"With your talent, attaining enlightenment of sword intent is only a matter of time. You don't need me to teach you."

"No, it's different!"

"Your sword is different from every sword I have ever seen."

Seeing the certainty in the little fatty's eyes, Ning Qi was slightly surprised.

The sword he used was derived from the Myriad Manifestation Fist; that strike was not merely about containing sword intent. Perhaps even the Old Man of the Divine Sword and the others hadn't seen it, yet this little fatty had actually perceived it?

This Congenital Sword Bone was indeed extraordinary.

"How is it different?" Ning Qi grew interested.

"It's cool! Unbelievably cool!"

Zhuang Chen's face was full of excitement.

"Even Master's sword isn't as cool as yours!"

He only felt instinctively that Ning Qi's sword was powerful, but he couldn't say exactly why.

Ning Qi's mouth twitched.

"You have some taste, but not much."

However, having someone appreciate his sword technique so much still put him in a good mood.

Ning Qi looked at the little fatty with a smile

"I don't take disciples, nor do I teach people casually."

As if struck by sudden inspiration, the little fatty's intelligence suddenly spiked. He leaned in mysteriously and said

"Ning Qi, I'll tell you a peerless secret technique. In exchange, can you teach me that sword technique from that day?"