Chapter 52: Ten Zhang of Internal Strength

The Gangyuan Realm is divided into three stages: White Mist, Jade Liquid, and Yuan Dan. The gap between each stage is immense.

The Yuan Dan Realm represents the pinnacle of strength below the Celestial Realm; practitioners can even use their powerful Gangqi to briefly soar through the air.

Even Ning Qi did not believe he could fight a Yuan Dan Realm expert across so many stages; he was not that arrogant.

Luo Wentian’s expression was solemn

"There are no such coincidences in this world. This matter is absolutely linked to the Purple River Sword Sect!"

"Ever since Master went into seclusion, various rumors have circulated in the martial world. Some say Master is critically injured and near death, while others claim our Zhenwu Sect possesses an unparalleled inheritance. The night raid on Zhenwu Mountain by the Three Fiends of Tieling was likely influenced by these rumors."

Everyone was shocked.

If others believed these rumors, the Zhenwu Sect would appear as a piece of fat to those seeking risky gains. Perhaps the incident with the Three Fiends of Tieling was merely a probe.

"What should we do now?"

"The best course of action is to defend Zhenwu Mountain and not allow any small-time crooks to disturb Master's quiet cultivation. Once Master emerges from seclusion, everything will inevitably be resolved!"

Luo Wentian’s eyes were resolute.

"Issue a recall order! Recall all disciples currently out on training!"

"From this day forward, Zhenwu Mountain is closed. No disciple may enter or leave at will. We shall wait in silence for Master's emergence!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

"Yes!"

Their eyes held a sense of endurance.

For everyone in the Zhenwu Sect knew that Daoist Longshan was not actually critically injured, but was instead in a deathbed seclusion to break through the bottleneck to the Celestial Realm. Once Daoist Longshan emerged, the Zhenwu Sect would possess a Celestial Realm expert, and any crisis would be easily resolved.

Ning Qi remained calm.

He was not needed for the overt patrols. If another Gangyuan Realm expert truly attempted an invasion, he would step in then.

However, he felt that the setback suffered by the Three Fiends of Tieling should serve as a deterrent, and those coveting the Zhenwu Sect's inheritance might not continue their actions.

The Zhenwu Sect entered a state of total martial law.

Teams of disciples patrolled back and forth daily, with an intensity at least ten times greater than before.

Disciples stationed outside were also summoned back.

The foundation of the Zhenwu Sect began to show its strength.

With a thousand disciples gathered on Zhenwu Mountain and a White Mist Realm expert like Jiang Baishan present on the surface, ordinary people did not dare to take risks easily.

During this period, some thieves attempted to sneak up the mountain, but they were all detected by the vigilant Zhenwu Sect disciples and besieged to death.

However, aside from the previous Three Fiends of Tieling, only one White Mist Realm expert had attempted to approach in disguise, only to be repelled by Jiang Baishan and the disciples.

What they did not know was that the White Mist Realm expert had been quietly killed by Ning Qi.

But luck was not on his side this time; he did not obtain a precious manual like the True Intent of the Tyrant Tiger. He only found the expert's personal weapon and a few medicinal pills. After identifying them, Ning Qi stashed them in a corner.

Time passed slowly.

In the blink of an eye, several months had gone by.

After the Zhenwu Sect implemented strict martial law and moved past the initial chaos and probing, others realized the sect was not to be trifled with. Especially as Jiang Baishan's reputation grew, fewer and fewer people dared to approach.

Furthermore, Luo Wentian was actively spreading signals to the outside world that Daoist Longshan was about to ascend to the Celestial Realm, which further intimidated a group of Gangyuan Realm experts.

Many people gradually came to believe this. It could be said that the Zhenwu Sect disciples had fought for this reputation with every strike of their blades.

During this time, Ning Qi's interventions were few and far between.

He had only secretly intercepted Gangyuan Realm experts twice.

Since he was not needed for overt duties, his cultivation was not heavily affected; he simply needed to remain more vigilant than usual.

In the past month, no thieves had dared to climb the mountain.

The turmoil had almost entirely subsided.

Ning Qi gradually felt at ease.

Inside the Daoist Academy.

Ning Qi felt the internal energy that had once again established a connection with his physical body. His eyes flickered slightly. Half a month ago, he was already capable of performing his seventh "fake death," but he was still concerned about the instability of the Zhenwu Sect's situation.

It wasn't until another half month had passed and he was certain there was no danger that Ning Qi made his decision.

"Tiansheng, if anything happens within the sect, come and wake me immediately," Ning Qi instructed.

One could not forcibly wake someone from a fake death state, otherwise, all previous progress would be lost. However, compared to wasting several months, the status of his senior brothers and sisters in Ning Qi's heart was clearly higher.

"Yes, Teacher."

A respectful, low voice sounded.

The speaker was actually the White Ape!

At some point, a hint of gold had begun to appear at the edges of his eyes, looking extremely divine. A while ago, he had finally reached the perfection of the Organ Refining stage and learned abdominal speech, allowing him to communicate with Ning Qi through language.

Ning Qi nodded slowly.

Then, he closed his door.

He was well-practiced in his seventh fake death.

Listening to the breathing gradually fading behind the door, a look of determination flashed in the White Ape's eyes. He naturally knew about the recent events in the Zhenwu Sect, and he felt a sense of powerlessness. Feeling that he could not help much, he felt somewhat frustrated, which strengthened his resolve to cultivate harder and strive to become a powerhouse of the Zhenwu Sect as soon as possible.

The White Ape practiced the Ape King Stance.

This stance training had become somewhat different from the original version Ning Qi had created; the White Ape was attempting to adjust it based on his own characteristics to achieve a more perfect fit.

His cultivation speed was also incredibly fast.

During Ning Qi's seclusion, no one came to disturb him.

During this period, the true disciples were all very busy, so few people visited Ning Qi.

Half a month later.

Ning Qi woke up slowly.

Feeling his physical body having improved once again and his internal energy becoming incredibly solid, a look of expected surprise appeared in his eyes.

"Eight-Fold Realm!"

"My internal energy can now extend ten feet!"

This was extremely astonishing.

One must know that an ordinary martial artist at the perfection of the nine-fold Neiyuan Realm could only extend their internal energy by about a foot; Ning Qi's was ten times that!

Furthermore, Ning Qi was only at the Eight-Fold Realm and had not yet reached the perfection of the nine-fold stage.

It was hard to imagine how powerful he would be once he reached the perfection of the Neiyuan Realm.

"With even greater strength, encountering that Flying Eagle again will be much simpler. Even if ten feet of internal energy cannot leave the body, it is enough to kill him instantly if he is caught off guard."

Ning Qi was very satisfied.

Moreover, he had a premonition that after the eighth fold, his internal energy was sufficiently solid that he might have an unexpected harvest this time.

"Tiansheng, did anything happen during my half-month of seclusion?"

The White Ape stood respectfully.

"Reporting to Teacher, all is peaceful within the sect."

"That is good."

Ning Qi nodded slowly, and then a smile curled at the corner of his mouth

"Teacher has made another breakthrough this time. Perhaps I can investigate the situation within your body. Shall we try?"

The White Ape was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but shudder.

Immediately after, he closed his eyes, facing the prospect as if facing death.

"Teacher, proceed!"