Chapter 15: The Protector

It had been many years since he obtained the Zhenwu inheritance. During that time, he had tried various methods, but no matter how much he racked his brains, it had been to no avail. He had thought that perhaps there might be a glimmer of hope after he ascended to the Heaven-Man realm, but in all likelihood, it would end in failure; perhaps only a Martial Saint could achieve it.

But he never expected it.

After a month of secluded cultivation, this Zhenwu Stance would appear before his eyes in such a manner.

When he had previously seen Ning Qi practicing this technique, Daoist Longshan's first reaction was that a peerless expert from the remnants of the Zhenwu Sect had arrived, which was why he had questioned him earlier.

Only now did he realize that this was actually something his young disciple had created himself.

He looked at the manual in his hands.

He gradually became immersed in it.

"So that's how it is!"

"Brilliant!"

"A stroke of divine inspiration!"

Sitting on a nearby stone stool, he slapped his thigh from time to time.

He was quick at solving problems once he had the answer.

He was, after all, a top-tier expert of the Yuan Dan Realm, and he was incredibly familiar with the Nine Zhenwu Stances. He had even attempted to deduce them many times in the past, having grasped a few vague directions. Now, seeing the manual for this technique, he could immediately perceive its sheer brilliance.

Such ingenious thoughts left him in awe.

Finally.

Daoist Longshan let out a long sigh and closed the manual. He looked at Ning Qi with a slightly complex expression.

Originally, he felt that if Ning Qi followed his planned path, there was a very high probability he would become a Martial Saint in the future.

But now, he felt that Ning Qi becoming a Martial Saint was a foregone conclusion; it wouldn't even be strange if he eventually stepped beyond the realm of a Martial Saint.

Such comprehension was simply too heaven-defying!

He could no longer speculate on Ning Qi's upper limit.

At this moment.

Daoist Longshan remembered the day Ning Qi asked about longevity.

A phrase suddenly surged into his mind.

*How can a sparrow know the ambitions of a swan?*

He couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"As Master said, should this stance be named the Zhenwu Stance?"

Ning Qi's curious inquiry pulled Daoist Longshan back to reality.

He smiled and patted the stone stool beside him. Only after Ning Qi sat down did he continue

"Xiao Jiu, do you still remember me telling you that the world's stance techniques are divided into three grades: Upper, Middle, and Lower?"

"Your disciple remembers."

"But I shall tell you now: besides these three grades, there is actually a very rare type of stance technique unknown to the world, called the Peerless Stance!"

"Looking across the world, the number of factions possessing a Peerless Stance is countable. At least, from what I know, there are only two certain places: the Great Yan Imperial Family has one, and the Demonic Sect has one. As for the rest, sects like the Great Awakening Temple or the Sword Inquiry Pavilion can, at most, be considered half-step Peerless."

Hearing Daoist Longshan begin to speak of the world's secrets, Ning Qi's eyes instantly lit up.

"And during the peak of our Zhenwu Sect, there was also a Peerless Stance."

Seeing Ning Qi's bright eyes, a smile appeared on Daoist Longshan's face

"That's right, it is the Zhenwu Stance!"

"The Nine Zhenwu Stances I passed down to you are actually derived from the Zhenwu Stance. This is the fundamental principle, and it is Peerless. Those who practice it can forge a peerless foundation and have a greater hope of reaching the rank of Martial Saint. Unfortunately, when I obtained the Zhenwu inheritance back then, I only received the Nine Zhenwu Stances and not the fundamental principle, which has always been my regret."

"But I never expected that you would be the one to comprehend it."

"Perhaps, this is the will of Heaven."

Daoist Longshan smiled and stroked Ning Qi's head.

"Master, do you mean that the True Dragon Stance I created is the Zhenwu Stance?"

"Exactly. There was a description in the Zhenwu inheritance stating that the Zhenwu Stance can obtain the Divine Intent of the True Dragon. Even if the stance you created is not perfectly identical to the Zhenwu Stance, it is certainly not far off. However, since this technique was created by you, it shall be called the True Dragon Stance from now on."

"Speaking of which, I find the name 'True Dragon Stance' even more fitting. Just as the Bi'an Stance obtains the Divine Intent of the Bi'an, since you have obtained the Divine Intent of the True Dragon, it should naturally be called the True Dragon Stance."

Daoist Longshan showed great respect to Ning Qi.

He was smiling broadly, in a very good mood.

Ning Qi also smiled. He had resolved the doubts in his heart and knew that there indeed existed a more powerful stance technique above the Nine Zhenwu Stances; he only felt a slight regret that his master did not possess it, so they could not use it to cross-reference.

Hearing Daoist Longshan's words, Ning Qi shook his head and said

"Since it was anciently called the Zhenwu Stance, then from now on, it shall be the Zhenwu Stance. Master, please keep it safe. If there are suitable junior brothers or sisters in the future, you may pass it on to them."

As for his senior brothers and sisters, they had all already stepped into the Inner Yuan Realm and could not re-cultivate it.

Ning Qi did not care what the technique was called; that was a trivial matter.

Daoist Longshan looked at Ning Qi and laughed heartily.

The name was indeed a trivial matter, but he saw Ning Qi's intent within it.

He did not take the manual, merely saying

"This Zhenwu Stance can only be passed down to your disciples and descendants."

Ning Qi asked in surprise

"Why?"

Daoist Longshan's gaze turned distant

"Do you remember me saying that the Nine Zhenwu Sons could rival a Martial Saint?"

"Your disciple remembers."

"In reality, in the former Zhenwu Sect, besides the Nine Zhenwu Sons, there was another even more powerful, hidden existence: the Zhenwu Protector! To protect is not to escort a single person, but to protect the Zhenwu inheritance itself!"

"The Protector practices the Zhenwu Stance. Although Peerless Stances are powerful, their requirements are also high. There is only one Protector per generation, and they are almost certainly a Martial Saint!"

Ning Qi was somewhat astonished.

"In that case, during the peak of the Zhenwu Sect, wouldn't there have been the combat power of two Martial Saints?"

"Correct!"

"How did such a powerful Zhenwu Sect vanish into the river of history?"

Ning Qi was puzzled. He now knew that becoming a Martial Saint was not easy. Looking through ancient history, some eras even had only one Martial Saint suppressing the world; even in eras of flourishing martial arts, the number likely did not exceed a handful.

Logically speaking, with such a foundation, the Zhenwu Sect should have been able to continue indefinitely, shouldn't it?

Daoist Longshan shook his head slightly

"Perhaps it was internal strife, or perhaps an accident occurred. The truth is known to no one now; it was not mentioned in the inheritance I received back then."

Ning Qi suppressed his inner speculations, only to hear Daoist Longshan's expression gradually turn solemn

"Ning Qi, are you willing to be the Protector of this generation of the Zhenwu Sect?"

There was a sense of anticipation in Daoist Longshan's eyes.

Originally, without the Zhenwu Stance, he had never thought about the matter of the Protector. But now, was there anyone more suitable than Ning Qi?

As long as Ning Qi grew, the Zhenwu Sect would be secure for a lifetime.

At this moment, Ning Qi suddenly understood why Daoist Longshan said the Zhenwu Stance could only be practiced by future disciples and descendants.

So, he had already had this thought.

Ning Qi did not hesitate.

He stood up, his expression solemn.

"Your disciple is willing!"

One must be grateful. Daoist Longshan had saved his life, protected him, and taught him with great care; his senior brothers and sisters also doted on him immensely. Even if he were not a Protector, he would never sit idly by if anything happened to the Zhenwu Sect.

This was not a conflict of interest to begin with; now, he simply had a more legitimate and honorable identity.

Daoist Longshan laughed loudly.

"Good! Very good!"

"Xiao Jiu, keep this manual to yourself. If you encounter a suitable candidate for Protector in the future, pass it to them. As for everyone else, do not tell them."

"Yes, your disciple will remember."

Master and disciple looked at each other and smiled.