Chapter 4: Inquiring About Longevity

Although Ning Qi was not an impatient person, the thought of having to wait a full seven and a half years before he could touch the path of martial arts still felt like too long.

After all.

He possessed max-level comprehension; once he stepped onto the path of martial arts, he would inevitably advance by leaps and bounds.

Ning Qi had not forgotten the destruction of his family half a year ago.

He did not want to be like Huang Shang, waiting until the day his divine skills were perfected, only to find that all his enemies were already dead.

These past few days.

He had already begun to ponder how to accelerate the maturation of his own "root bones." The rich innate qi within his body seemed to have a decent effect, but he had yet to unearth its maximum potential. Everyone in the Zhenwu Sect knew Ning Qi was a prodigy and were terrified that he might touch upon martial arts too early and go astray; therefore, they would not let Ning Qi look at any martial arts manuals.

What little Ning Qi knew had been pieced together from miscellaneous studies, and there might be errors.

"I might as well go ask Master."

Ning Qi made up his mind.

He was afraid of misunderstanding, and he wanted to know what the essence of these so-called root bones truly was. Only then could he create a secret technique to accelerate their maturation and put the innate qi he had intercepted to use.

He began to walk, his little arms and legs swinging back and forth, looking very cute. Coupled with his delicate, doll-like appearance, he was even more endearing.

Along the way.

When the outer and inner sect disciples of the Zhenwu Sect saw Ning Qi, they all bowed respectfully and addressed him as Ninth Junior Brother.

This was the rule; personal disciples held the highest rank.

Ning Qi put his hands behind his back and nodded with an air of maturity

"Greetings, Junior Brothers and Sisters."

The disciples all chuckled inwardly, while at the same time feeling a sense of astonishment. This Ninth Junior Brother was truly no ordinary person; at only half a year old, his mind was already so mature, and his gait was steady and unique.

It was just that the way his little arms and legs swung was too amusing.

As Ning Qi walked.

A pair of strong arms scooped him up.

"Little Jiu, you're running around everywhere again!"

Hearing the laughter, Ning Qi didn't need to turn around to know who it was—it was his Fifth Senior Brother, Jiang Baishan. Ning Qi struggled to get down

"Fifth Senior Brother, put me down, I can walk myself!"

The fair-skinned, handsome young man laughed heartily, his eyes filled with doting affection.

"Slow down, slow down, don't fall. I'll put you down."

"Fifth Senior Brother, are you going to see Master?"

"That's right. I've stayed on the mountain for so long, I need to go down and gain some experience, lest people look down on our Zhenwu Sect."

There was anticipation in Jiang Baishan's eyes.

Before Qin Yun joined the sect, he had the highest talent, and now his strength was approaching that of the First Senior Brother, Luo Wentian.

"Fifth Senior Brother, you're so amazing. What realm are you at now?"

"Your Fifth Senior Brother is definitely amazing. At only twenty-five, I am already... pfft, little Ning Qi, you're trying to fish for information from me, I won't tell you! You little imp, you'll know naturally when you're older."

"If you won't tell me, I'll go ask Master myself!"

This scene had occurred many times. His senior brothers and sisters wouldn't even tell him about martial arts realms. Ning Qi curled his lips and ran into the Mingwu Pavilion, swinging his arms.

Jiang Baishan couldn't help but laugh.

He shook his head and followed closely behind.

Inside the pavilion.

Daoist Longshan was sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, and it took a while before he gradually opened them.

"Disciple pays respects to Master!"

Ning Qi and Jiang Baishan bowed respectfully.

Daoist Longshan looked at his two disciples with a smile, especially at Ning Qi. The affection in his eyes was undisguised; this disciple was truly lovable and learned everything quickly. He was already looking forward to the day Ning Qi stepped onto the path of martial arts.

Perhaps the future of the Zhenwu Sect lay with this disciple.

"Master, this disciple wishes to go down the mountain to gain experience and spread the prestige of our Zhenwu Sect," Jiang Baishan stated his purpose.

Daoist Longshan's expression was gratified

"Going down the mountain to gain experience is a good thing. Spreading prestige is secondary; broadening your horizons is the main goal. You must pay attention to your own safety. In recent years, there have been signs of the demonic path resurging; remember not to get involved with them."

Feeling his master's concern, Jiang Baishan was moved.

"I will keep Master's teachings in mind."

Daoist Longshan nodded slowly, then turned to Ning Qi with a gentle smile

"Little Jiu, what brings you to see me today? Did your Third Senior Sister tease you again, and you've come to complain?"

Jiang Baishan also laughed.

Ye Qinghe was the one who loved teasing Ning Qi the most.

Unexpectedly, Ning Qi shook his head. His little face scrunched up, and he leaned in mysteriously, saying

"Disciple discovered something strange. Every night, I feel a tingling and itching sensation deep inside my body. Master, there aren't any monsters on our Zhenwu Mountain, are there?"

Daoist Longshan laughed and scolded

"Nonsense."

However, after hearing Ning Qi's words, he became thoughtful. He reached out and placed his hand on Ning Qi's shoulder. Ning Qi could feel a magical power surging within his body, and then a look of astonishment appeared on Daoist Longshan's face.

"This is... the root bones are accelerating their maturation. How could it be so early?"

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Ning Qi's face

"Master, do you mean that I will be able to practice martial arts early, just like Eighth Senior Brother?"

Jiang Baishan also looked at Daoist Longshan with surprise, but Daoist Longshan smiled and tapped Ning Qi on the head

"You little rascal, trying to test your master with tricks."

With his little disciple's intelligence, how could he not have noticed this change? Talking about monsters was just a way to make him reveal the truth.

Ning Qi chuckled and asked the question he had been wanting to know

"Master, what exactly are root bones?"

Daoist Longshan pondered for a moment, then said

"Very well, I will tell you today so that you don't have doubts and feel anxious. Since your root bones have already begun to accelerate their maturation, you must pay attention to medicinal and dietary supplements in the future."

Ning Qi sat up straight.

"The so-called root bones are not meridians, nor are they bones. They are not tangible objects, but the foundation of the human body—the treasure of the human body. When a child is born, the seed is planted, and it needs time to be watered. As long as it grows between heaven and earth and is nourished by mysterious forces, it can continue to grow."

"Countless ancestors have explored this and concluded that the vast majority of children have their root bones mature at the age of eight. A small number of people with rich innate potential can mature earlier, such as your Eighth Senior Brother, who stepped onto the path of martial arts at seven."

"As for you, perhaps you will be even faster."

Daoist Longshan stroked his beard and smiled. He remembered seeing Ning Qi in the hidden compartment amidst the sea of fire half a year ago; that innate qi was indeed rich enough, but he hadn't expected it to start accelerating at only half a year old.

Generally speaking, those who practice martial arts early can achieve extraordinary results and have a greater possibility of reaching the profound realms of martial arts, though it is not absolute.

Naturally, he did not know that this was because Ning Qi had already begun to consciously mobilize his own innate qi to merge with his body.

Ning Qi suddenly understood.

He had originally thought that root bones referred to the human tendons and bones, which needed to grow to a certain extent to carry martial arts.

Now it seemed that was only the surface.

The theory of root bones was actually so profound, involving the foundation of the human body and the power of heaven and earth.

He had stumbled upon it a bit by accident before, just happening to go from the surface to the interior.

Fortunately, he had clarified the direction in time. This was the benefit of having a master; even if Ning Qi had max-level comprehension, appropriate guidance during his weak early stages could save him from many detours.

"Disciple thanks Master for clearing up my confusion!" Ning Qi said respectfully.

He was joyful in his heart; his confusion was resolved, and he had found his direction. It wouldn't be difficult to create a secret technique to accelerate root bone maturation if he was given a little time.

Six years old?

He still felt that was too long.

Daoist Longshan smiled

"Since we've already talked about root bones today, if you have any other questions, ask them all at once, so you don't keep thinking about them all day, you little imp."

Ning Qi's eyes lit up, and he asked a question he had been dying to know

"May I ask Master, can one achieve immortality through martial arts?"

The longing in his eyes was incredibly brilliant.