The Disciples of Divine Sword Sect were all full of vigor and high spirits, looking at True Martial Sect with ill will, as if something of theirs had been taken and they were determined to get it back.
In response, the True Martial Sect Disciples also refused to back down.
Led by the nine True Disciples, all the Disciples' gazes were sharp.
The atmosphere instantly became stagnant.
Dragon Mountain Daoist sighed helplessly.
He sighed, "I naturally haven't forgotten the Ten-Year Pact."
"Then, as Divine Sword Senior Brother said, is it still the old rule?"
Divine Sword Old Man's originally mighty Aura suddenly paused, his expression a little unnatural.
He had already felt it ten years ago when he fought Dragon Mountain Daoist; the other party had subtly held back. Now, knowing that Dragon Mountain Daoist had already stepped halfway into the Heavenly Human Realm, fighting again would surely be a losing battle.
The thought of being humiliated in front of so many Disciples again made his teeth ache.
However, the words had already been spoken.
He naturally wouldn't lose Face in public.
He lightly coughed twice and snorted, "Dragon Mountain Ox-Nose, is this how you treat guests?"
Dragon Mountain Daoist was stunned, then burst into laughter, "Divine Sword Senior Brother bringing the esteemed Disciples of Divine Sword Sect over, my True Martial Sect has already prepared a welcoming feast!"
"Wen Tian, take the esteemed Disciples of Divine Sword Sect over."
"Divine Sword Senior Brother, please!"
With that, Dragon Mountain Daoist and Divine Sword Old Man walked towards Mingwu Pavilion, clearly having matters to discuss.
Seeing this, the Disciples of both sects were quite bewildered, exchanging glances.
They had felt like a fight was about to break out, with swords drawn and bows strung, but how did it suddenly turn into a meal?
Only a few of them saw it more clearly; they knew that these two elders only appeared to be at odds, but in their hearts, they probably still regarded each other as good friends. It was mainly about not losing Face.
Ning Qi couldn't help but smile slightly.
Luo Wentian also shook his head.
He knew more about the situation.
"Everyone, please," he said with a smile to Divine Sword Sect's Senior Brother Dong He, who also smiled helplessly.
Qin Yun followed behind Luo Wentian, the sharpness in his eyes gradually fading, though he still remained somewhat aloof.
Ning Qi, meanwhile, walked at the back with Little White Ape.
Just then, a sneaky voice rang out, "Is this your pet?"
Ning Qi turned his head to see Little Fatty, Zhuang Chen, looking at Little White Ape with fervent eyes. He sniffled, seemingly very envious of Ning Qi having such a mystical pet. In fact, many Divine Sword Sect Disciples' gazes lingered on Little White Ape.
Upon hearing this, before Ning Qi could say anything, Little White Ape was already furious.
He now considered himself a human, so when he heard Little Fatty say that, he immediately bared his teeth, startling Little Fatty. If Ning Qi hadn't been there, he would have surely played a trick on Little Fatty.
Ning Qi said seriously, "He is not my pet. He is a third-generation Disciple of True Martial Sect, named Yuan Tiansheng."
Little Fatty was stunned, then saw Little White Ape snort coldly. He let out an 'ah' and reacted, "Sorry, sorry."
He couldn't help but add, "Yuan Tiansheng, you're so smart, you can actually understand what I'm saying."
But Little White Ape crossed his arms, snorted coldly, and ignored him.
Little Fatty wiped his snot sullenly, then looked at Ning Qi, "My name is Zhuang Chen."
Ning Qi nodded and smiled, "Ning Qi."
He could sense that the vitality within Zhuang Chen was not weak, indicating that he had clearly stepped into the Martial Dao. Given his age, he was clearly one of those peerless Geniuses.
The Disciples of both sects took their seats.
With Luo Wentian and others accompanying them, Ning Qi naturally didn't need to do anything; he only needed to mind himself.
However, he gained a tag-along.
Perhaps realizing there was a True Disciple in True Martial Sect who was about his age, Zhuang Chen directly sat next to Ning Qi.
Originally, Divine Sword Sect's Senior Brother Dong He wanted to stop him, but Luo Wentian smiled and dissuaded him, saying there was no problem with our Junior Brother taking Zhuang Chen.
This made Dong He look at Ning Qi with surprise.
However, this somewhat troubled Ning Qi.
Little Fatty Zhuang Chen was actually a chatterbox.
"Ning Qi, have you started practicing martial arts yet?"
"I've practiced for a while."
"Ning Qi, can you use sword techniques?"
"A little."
"Ning Qi, how did you and Yuan Tiansheng meet?"
"Ning Qi, I'll tell you a secret, I'm very strong."
"Ning Qi..."
At the beginning, Ning Qi would perfunctorily answer a few sentences.
But after seeing Little Fatty talk more and more, Ning Qi wisely shut his mouth.
He let his mind wander, and after listening to the conversations of the Disciples from both sects for a moment, he immersed himself in his own world, comprehending the Dao and studying techniques, which he could do anywhere.
"Ning Qi, Ning Qi..."
Zhuang Chen looked at Ning Qi, whose eyes were unfocused and who wasn't answering his questions, and a feeling of pity rose in his heart:
"Ning Qi doesn't seem very smart. I ask him several questions, and he only answers one."
Zhuang Chen looked at Little White Ape again, trying to strike up a conversation.
But Little White Ape just made a Face and ignored him; Little White Ape was very vengeful too.
Zhuang Chen pouted slightly, then focused all his attention on the food in front of him.
Eating was his second greatest hobby.
The welcoming feast was uneventful.
Although the Disciples of both sects were young and impetuous, and some didn't see eye to eye, they all knew etiquette and restrained themselves.
It wasn't until near the end that Divine Sword Old Man and Dragon Mountain Daoist reappeared.
Ning Qi awoke from his meditative state.
The two took their seats at the head of the table.
Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled, "Divine Sword Senior Brother and I just discussed something. From now on, the Ten-Year Pact between our two sects needs to change."
Everyone stared intently.
Divine Sword Old Man lightly coughed and said indifferently, "Both of us are now old and inconvenienced by fighting. As the saying goes, 'when the Master has work, the Disciple does it.' Henceforth, the Ten-Year Pact will be decided by the sparring of you Disciples. This time will serve as an adaptation and experience, and the next time will be the official start."
"At that time, whoever wins will have the right to use Zhenwu Mountain for ten years."
All the Disciples' hearts tightened.
Fighting spirit rose in their eyes.
Originally, they were just observers and witnesses of this Ten-Year Pact, but from now on, they would have to participate in it.
Ning Qi felt a little strange in his heart.
It was probably because this Divine Sword Old Man knew he couldn't defeat his Master, so he deliberately proposed a change of method.
However, looking at Dragon Mountain Daoist's smiling appearance, it seemed he didn't mind.
Changing the form of their wager was probably also intended to put some pressure on their Disciples. With pressure comes motivation, and with the Ten-Year Pact hanging over their heads, they could progress faster.
Ning Qi secretly smiled.
This method was clearly effective; even Little White Ape and Little Fatty next to him became excited.
Some younger Disciples even flushed red.
For the Divine Sword Sect Disciples, this was an excellent opportunity to fulfill Divine Sword Old Man's long-cherished wish, while for the True Martial Sect Disciples, it was to defend the honor of their sect.
Ning Qi always felt that his Master and Divine Sword Old Man's smiles carried a hint of mischievousness.
He also didn't know what the two of them had actually discussed in Mingwu Pavilion.
Seeing that the atmosphere had already been stirred up, Dragon Mountain Daoist stood up and said, "Although this time is only for you to adapt and gain experience, you cannot be careless. You must go all out. Divine Sword Senior Brother and I have prepared some rewards, which will be given to those who perform exceptionally well."
The Disciples instantly became even more excited.
But Ning Qi felt nothing.
He could freely read the entire Scripture Pavilion of True Martial Sect, so he didn't expect Divine Sword Old Man to bring out any world-shaking Secret Manuals.
