True Martial has no age.
Winter passed, spring came, and then autumn was in full swing.
In the blink of an eye, nearly another year had passed. Ning Qi was born in winter, and he was about to turn five.
Ning Qi had grown another section taller and was now slightly taller than the White Ape. He looked no different from a child of seven or eight.
In this past year, the True Martial Sect had undergone significant changes.
Dragon Mountain Daoist frequently went into seclusion to seek an opportunity to Breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm. All matters, big and small, within the sect were entrusted to his eldest Disciple, Luo Wentian, with several other Disciples assisting. The True Martial Sect gradually opened its doors to recruit Disciples, and as of today, there are over a thousand Disciples.
There were even many third-generation Disciples.
Ning Qi's seniority had once again risen by one level.
He began to be called Ninth Uncle-Master.
However.
Ning Qi was too mysterious and low-key, so many Disciples didn't have much of a concept of this mysterious Ninth Uncle-Master.
Instead, they were very familiar with the White Ape, who was this Ninth Uncle-Master's Disciple.
As Ning Qi's Disciple, the White Ape was naturally also considered a third-generation Disciple of the True Martial Sect.
From being cautious at first to finally revealing his true nature, playful and agile, the White Ape only took one month.
He was, after all, a lively character, unlike Ning Qi, who could endure loneliness. He would go out to play from time to time, and because of this, he became very familiar with many Disciples of the True Martial Sect. The True Martial Sect's Disciples also completely got used to such a special third-generation Disciple as the White Ape, and they were very fond of the mischievous White Ape.
Ning Qi also let him be.
He wouldn't force everyone to be like him.
For him, comprehending the Dao and Cultivating was a top enjoyment, but for others, it might not be.
However.
The White Ape was not without ambition; it was just his nature.
In fact.
The White Ape worked harder than most people.
More than half a year ago.
Ning Qi, drawing inspiration from human Stance Cultivation, extracted the Ape image from the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake and created a Cultivation method for the White Ape.
Having the experience of creating the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake, Ning Qi's Foundation in the Martial Dao had undoubtedly increased significantly.
It didn't take much effort to create the Ape King Stance, suitable for the White Ape's Cultivation.
Since then.
The White Ape officially embarked on the path of Cultivation.
Cultivating the Ape King Stance with the body of a White Ape was naturally an innate advantage. He was naturally able to comprehend the Ape King Divine Intent, and coupled with his own intelligence, his Cultivation progressed incredibly fast. Although he couldn't compare to Ning Qi, he was even faster than the peerless Genius among humans.
Ning Qi was surprised and observed carefully.
He found that perhaps the physical bodies of beasts were inherently stronger than humans, making Body Tempering more convenient.
Perhaps the mysterious red fruit also played a role.
But no matter which one.
Ning Qi gave the White Ape an ultimatum: if he did not have his permission, he must never reveal that he had stepped onto the Martial Dao, otherwise, he would definitely be expelled from the sect.
Ning Qi was worried that if the White Ape's uniqueness spread, powerful Vicious Beasts would come upon hearing the news.
The White Ape naturally obediently agreed.
Therefore, up to now, no one in the True Martial Sect, except Ning Qi, knew that the White Ape had also begun to Cultivate the Martial Dao, and had even reached a considerable Realm.
But the changes in the True Martial Sect and the White Ape were secondary.
The biggest change, however, was Ning Qi himself.
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi was practicing Stance Cultivation.
His punches and kicks were light and slow, possessing a special rhythm.
But this was not Cultivation; it was merely an instinctive practice over the past two years.
Recalling his Cultivation journey over the past year, Ning Qi sighed slightly.
Since he created the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake.
In just two months.
He had already reached the Perfection of Organ Refining.
Since then, his internal organs were strong and vibrant, capable of fighting against thousands of people on the battlefield until exhaustion.
Another three months.
Marrow Refining Perfection.
His marrow fluid was like mercury, his Qi and strength sublimated, moving like a startled rabbit.
Another three months.
Blood Refining Perfection.
Since then, the Qi and blood within his body were unified, his Physical Body was smooth and unhindered, perfectly clear.
The last two months.
That is, seven days ago.
Ning Qi had already passed the last difficult hurdle of Body Tempering: Spirit Refining.
This Realm was the most difficult.
It required using the 'Qi' of Stance Cultivation to simply temper the head and stimulate one's 'Spirit'.
But for Ning Qi, it was not difficult.
His Comprehension Ability was extraordinary, and mastering the Divine Intent of Stance Cultivation also helped with the Spirit Refining Realm. And the types of Divine Intent he mastered were far beyond what others could compare to, so it took him less time than the previous two Realms.
“Now, I have achieved Spirit Refining Perfection, my thoughts are clear, and my mind is sharp. Ordinary Martial Artists who reach this Realm will also experience an awakening of wisdom.”
“But for me, it's more than that.”
“With 'Spirit' as the coordinator, combining internal and external, my Physical Body has now reached a perfect state of being without leaks or flaws. I can live for two sexagenary cycles, my life strength has increased, and my Comprehension Ability has once again strengthened!”
Ning Qi's eyes showed joy.
He sought the Dao of Longevity.
Although living for two sexagenary cycles was only a slight improvement, it still made him happy; this was a step-by-step progression, walking on the Great Dao.
Moreover.
His max-level Comprehension Ability would continue to improve as his life essence continuously improved, always remaining in its strongest state.
This was his Foundation.
In the future, if he could elevate his life essence to a Realm on par with heaven and earth, comprehending ten thousand Dao with a single thought would probably be an easy matter.
Of course.
It wasn't just an increase in lifespan.
Ning Qi's combat power was also extremely exaggerated.
He had forged an unparalleled Foundation with the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake.
Now that his Physical Body was in Perfection, a single shake of his arms yielded a hundred thousand jin of strength.
Ning Qi had also done some research on killing techniques. Ordinary people could hardly hope to match him; he could effortlessly use them, probably enough to make Geniuses feel ashamed of themselves, especially the Ten Thousand Manifestations Fist he later created to complement the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Stake, which was even more powerful.
Ning Qi rarely engaged in combat with others.
But he felt that even some Inner Yuan Realm Martial Artists might not be his opponents.
It was hard to imagine.
This was actually a child less than five years old.
He was simply a humanoid Vicious Beast.
“However, one cannot underestimate the Inner Yuan Realm. Inner Strength is a very powerful force. Although it cannot break out of the body like Gang Yuan to split mountains and break rivers, it can greatly enhance the human body. With nine layers of stacked strength, the later stages are even more formidable.”
Ning Qi did not become arrogant or complacent.
Although he had achieved some success now.
But it was still too early to be unrivaled in the world.
“Now that my Physical Body has reached Perfection, the next step is to use 'Spirit' to stimulate the Physical Body, give birth to Inner Strength, and then step into the Inner Yuan Realm.”
For ordinary people, this hurdle was also not easy to cross. Some people even got stuck here their entire lives, unable to Breakthrough and extend their lifespan until they grew old and their essence withered, their Physical Body decayed.
But for Ning Qi.
It was merely a matter of course.
His Foundation was too solid, and it was foreseeable that with his Physical Body, the Inner Strength born would also be powerful enough.
“Two months is enough.”
Ning Qi silently estimated.
There was some anticipation in his eyes.
By then, he would be exactly five years old and could step into the Inner Yuan Realm, living up to two hundred years, another leap in life.
“During this time, I can just think about the Cultivation path of the Inner Yuan Realm and prepare in advance.”
“However, before that, there's one more thing that needs to be resolved.”
Ning Qi called out to the White Ape beside him.
“Tiansheng, we should go.”
The White Ape, wearing a gray Daoist robe, was almost indistinguishable from a human. He stopped his Ape King Stance Cultivation and quickly followed.
Today.
It was the ten-year agreement between the Divine Sword Old Man and Dragon Mountain Daoist.