Chapter 16: The Sutra Pavilion

“Master, there is one more thing for you.”

Daoist Longshan looked over curiously, only to see Ning Qi hand him a medicinal prescription.

An improved version of the Body Tempering Powder.

“In my spare time, I felt there was still room to improve the efficacy of the original Body Tempering Powder, so I made a few modifications. The effect has more than doubled compared to before.”

Daoist Longshan froze, then erupted in great joy.

He did not doubt Ning Qi's words.

With the Zhenwu Stance already established, Daoist Longshan accepted this very quickly.

The Zhenwu Stance was already an incredible surprise, but this improved Body Tempering Powder could visibly benefit the Zhenwu Sect, allowing its disciples to grow even more rapidly. This was a peerless treasure capable of strengthening the sect's foundation!

Daoist Longshan looked at Ning Qi with eyes full of gratification.

At this moment, he sincerely felt that bringing Ning Qi to Mount Zhenwu all those years ago might have been the wisest decision of his life.

With a disciple like this, what more could one ask for?

“Xiao Jiu, if you have any needs, just tell your Master. Since you are now the Protector of Zhenwu, from now on, you may freely use any resources belonging to the Zhenwu Sect,” Daoist Longshan said solemnly.

The Protector of Zhenwu operated from the shadows and was the absolute trump card of the Zhenwu Sect; naturally, the treatment was excellent.

Not to mention Ning Qi's contributions to the sect.

By now, Daoist Longshan had completely abandoned his previous thoughts. When he first emerged from seclusion, he had thought he should plan a path toward becoming a Martial Saint for Ning Qi to avoid wasting his talent, but after seeing Ning Qi's monstrous genius, he had changed his mind.

For a genius like this, the best way to teach was to provide ample resources and let him grow freely.

There was no need to interfere in other matters.

Otherwise, if he led the boy astray, Daoist Longshan would never forgive himself.

Ning Qi felt a slight surge of excitement in his heart; he hadn't expected such benefits after becoming the Protector.

What did he long for most?

It was undoubtedly the Library of the Zhenwu Sect.

It contained not only various martial arts manuals but also numerous Taoist classics, Feng Shui texts, medical treatises, and more.

In the past, even though Daoist Longshan doted on him, he could only view a portion of it. After all, without rules, there can be no order. Even though many true disciples received better treatment, it still required contribution; one could not simply take at will, otherwise, over time, the sect would inevitably decline or even face destruction.

“Master, may I live in the Library in the future?” Ning Qi asked expectantly.

Borrowing books every time took too much effort; he might as well just move in.

Although the True Dragon Stance could already be called a peerless stance technique, Ning Qi was still not satisfied. If he used the many martial arts in the Library as a foundation, perhaps he could create an even more powerful stance technique.

If he could turn the entire Library into his own foundation, Ning Qi's path to growth would surely be even smoother.

While maxed-out comprehension was powerful, one still needed to continuously build up their own depth.

Daoist Longshan was slightly stunned, not expecting Ning Qi to propose such a condition.

After thinking for a moment, he said

“Living in the Library might be somewhat inconvenient; you won't be able to fully stretch your limbs during normal martial practice. How about this: I will have someone build a new residence for you near the Library. It is quiet and undisturbed. If you want to read, you can go directly to the Library, and if you want to practice martial arts, you can do so at your own residence.”

Ning Qi was overjoyed; this was naturally even better.

“Thank you, Master!”

“However, the Library's collection is vast. You must not let yourself get lost in it; you must maintain your sense of proportion.”

A smile appeared at the corner of Daoist Longshan's mouth.

“Are there no other requests?”

“Not for now.”

“Then we shall speak of it if you think of something later.”

He motioned for Ning Qi to sit down.

“Since you are here today, I might as well talk to you about the stages of the Martial Dao. It is a bit of experience I have gathered over the years.”

“The eight stages of Body Tempering: the outer four stages consist of skin, flesh, tendons, and bones; the inner four stages consist of organs, marrow, blood, and spirit. When the inner and outer are harmonized, one reaches perfection...”

“In the outer four stages, bone tempering is of utmost importance; it is the bridge connecting the inner and outer...”

“In the inner four stages, spirit tempering is the most dangerous and requires the most patience...”

Daoist Longshan spoke eloquently.

He only discussed experience and mentioned nothing else; how much of it Ning Qi could actually use depended entirely on himself.

Ning Qi listened, enthralled.

This was an unreserved transmission. For him, this kind of martial experience was exactly what he needed most, as it could prevent him from taking unnecessary detours.

At this moment, flashes of inspiration were popping up in Ning Qi's mind, and he suddenly felt that there were several imperfections in the Zhenwu Stance he had previously created.

As the setting sun slanted across the sky, a master and disciple sat facing each other, discussing the Dao.

It was like a living painting.

...

Time passed leisurely.

Ning Qi had already reached the Great Success stage of Flesh Tempering. A single swing of his arm possessed eight hundred catties of strength. For a three-year-old child, this was truly exaggerated, but considering it was the Flesh Tempering stage—a realm specifically for increasing physical strength—and combined with the peerless foundation laid by his Zhenwu Stance, it was quite normal.

And today.

Ning Qi was packing his things.

The residence near the Library was finally ready.

His third Senior Sister, Ye Qinghe, as well as his fourth Senior Brother, He Yan, and fifth Senior Brother, Jiang Baishan, had all come to help.

“Tsk tsk tsk, Xiao Jiu, tell the truth: are you Master's illegitimate son?”

While packing, Ye Qinghe couldn't resist pinching Ning Qi's cheek.

Ning Qi rolled his eyes and brushed her hand away.

“Third Senior Sister, if you're so capable, go say that to Master's face.”

He Yan and Jiang Baishan exchanged glances, both giving bitter smiles.

If it were them, they wouldn't dare say such things.

As the only female disciple among the nine great true disciples, Daoist Longshan doted on Ye Qinghe immensely. She could complain in private, but if she actually said it to his face, she would inevitably be punished with copying scriptures and standing in reflection.

She wrinkled her nose, voicing the thoughts of He Yan and Jiang Baishan.

“Hmph, how else could Master allow only you to live near the Library and instruct us not to disturb your martial practice?”

The three of them were all a bit envious.

They felt their Master was being a bit biased, but mostly they just wanted to tease Ning Qi.

Ning Qi's eyes darted around as he smiled.

“Do you really want to know?”

Three pairs of eyes looked at him simultaneously.

“Because I am a peerless genius!”

Ning Qi hoisted his bundle onto his shoulder, leaving the three of them with the departing silhouette of a legendary protagonist.

Ye Qinghe and the others were stunned, feeling a bit annoyed, but then they looked at each other and laughed.

“That cheeky Xiao Jiu.”

Although they were a bit envious, it wasn't enough to make them feel unbalanced. Ning Qi's talent was obvious to all, and many true disciples had already implicitly regarded him as the future of the Zhenwu Sect. Moreover, they had watched Ning Qi grow up day by day, treating him like a younger brother.

Soon.

The four arrived at Ning Qi's new residence.

Ye Qinghe and the others couldn't help but tease him a bit more before offering some parting advice and leaving.

“Xiao Jiu, cultivate well. If anything happens, find us anytime.”

Ning Qi watched them leave, then surveyed his new home with joy in his heart.

The courtyard was spacious and quiet, located behind the Library, so no one would disturb him normally.

He looked toward the distant Library, excitement gradually welling up in his eyes.

To him, that was the foundation of immortality.

(End of Chapter)