Chapter 36: Born from Death
The white ape scratched his ears and cheeks, instinctively wanting to check, but ultimately suppressed the urge. He began Cultivating the Ape King Stance to distract himself, yet still kept a fraction of his attention on Ning Qi.
Inside the room.
Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes, a hint of Vicissitudes and bewilderment flashing within them before quickly returning to their lively state.
"Great Dream Nine Deaths Art, each time the Physical Body dies, it is essentially experiencing a cycle of life and death."
"It's not just a transformation of the Physical Body, but also holds certain benefits I hadn't even anticipated before."
Ning Qi felt a sense of awe.
He estimated the time and knew that seven days had passed. During these seven days, he had entered an extremely mysterious state.
Unknowing, unfeeling, without sensation or light.
Yet, there was no fear or loneliness. Time seemed to lose its meaning there, appearing extremely slow yet actually incredibly fast. He felt as if he had just entered the state of Physical Body death when he had already awakened again.
He smiled slightly, and the withered skin on his Face stretched, immediately letting Ning Qi know the state of his current Physical Body.
But he didn't panic.
Ning Qi's thoughts stirred.
The 'Light of Vitality' hidden deep within his Physical Body immediately began to pulsate anew.
Invisibly, a buzzing sound of flames rekindling seemed to be heard. Waves of incredibly rich vitality surged forth from all his limbs and bones. Not only that, but his Inner Strength also merged with the vitality and drilled deep into his Physical Body.
"Buzz!"
The withered Physical Body began to fill out at a speed almost visible to the naked eye, and immediately took on a crystalline luster like jade.
Vigorous vitality, powerful aura.
The white ape, who was Cultivating the Ape King Stance in the courtyard, couldn't help but look over in shock, his Face filled with reverence and joy.
But immediately.
This vitality gradually receded.
Ning Qi rose from the bed, a joyful smile on his Face. He slightly clenched his fist, able to feel his Physical Body growing stronger once more.
Not only that.
The original Inner Strength, after being absorbed into the Physical Body, now re-emerged from the new Physical Body, with both its quality and quantity significantly improved.
"Born from death, the Physical Body's potential is excavated to its extreme, increasing by a full fold!"
"This is something other layered strength techniques can only dream of."
"Not only that, my Inner Strength is also much stronger. Currently, I am only at the Second Layer Realm, but I am already beginning to have a hint of 'substance.' Following this trend, perhaps I won't even need Inner Yuan Major Achievement to start imbuing my Inner Strength with attributes?"
The Heaven-Defying nature of the Great Dream Nine Deaths Art was gradually beginning to reveal itself.
Ning Qi's Foundation was somewhat exaggerated.
For others, layering strength was a slow, grinding process. Even after establishing a connection, Inner Strength would transform little by little. But Ning Qi, by utilizing the Physical Body's desolation and Rebirth, could transform all his Inner Strength in an instant, saving a tremendous amount of time.
He Cultivated quickly, and the Physical Body and Inner Strength he condensed were also stronger.
The only drawback might be its difficulty.
Even if this Great Dream Nine Deaths Art were placed before others, they wouldn't understand it.
However, for Ning Qi, having experienced this Physical Body Rebirth, the subsequent steps would be much simpler.
Next.
It was simply a matter of continued accumulation, constantly being born from death, with only a little more effort needed when Breakthrough the three major Bottlenecks of Minor Achievement, Major Achievement, and Perfection.
Ning Qi pushed open the door and walked out.
The white ape came over, his Face beaming with joy. He was now slowly abandoning his original ape-like habits of walking, jumping, and rolling, becoming more and more like a human.
Ning Qi smiled slightly:
"Normal Cultivation. There might be a few more times in the future. No need to worry."
The white ape nodded repeatedly.
He then respectfully began to practice his stance nearby. Ning Qi watched calmly, nodding inwardly.
The white ape's Body Tempering progress was very fast, second only to his.
His future strength would definitely not be weak, and it might even surpass the other True Martial Nine Sons.
Thinking of that scene, Ning Qi couldn't help but smile.
"If Third Senior Sister ever finds out that the little monkey she brought back has surpassed her in strength, I wonder what her expression will be. It must be very amusing."
...
In the blink of an eye.
The New Year arrived.
The entire True Martial Sect was bustling with excitement.
"It's a pity Little Eight isn't here; our True Martial Nine Sons are missing one."
Seventh Disciple Song Cheng sighed deeply. He had only joined the sect a few years before Qin Yun. The two were similar in age and had a good relationship.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Then Ye Qinghe smiled and said:
"Don't worry, Junior Brother Eight has always been intelligent. He's probably gained a lot from this mountain excursion. We also need to work hard, otherwise, if Junior Brother Eight catches up to us in the future, it would be a bit embarrassing."
Luo Wentian waved his hand and said:
"I actually hope all of you surpass me. You should all look up to Fifth Senior Brother, especially you, Qinghe. You're wasting your great talent and even taking Little Nine out to drink with you."
Everyone immediately laughed.
Ning Qi also curved his lips into a smile.
Although he spent most of his time Cultivating alone, his Senior Brother and Senior Sister continued to dote on him, always granting his requests.
He really liked the atmosphere on Zhenwu Mountain.
A moment later.
Luo Wentian bowed to Dragon Mountain Daoist on the high platform, then loudly proclaimed:
"I announce that this year's New Year Grand Competition officially begins!"
"It will be divided into the Inner Sect Grand Competition and the Outer Sect Grand Competition, with rewards for the top twenty in each!"
The Disciples, who had long been prepared, were eager to try.
The Grand Competition proceeded in full swing.
First, the Outer Sect Disciple competition.
Then, the Inner Sect Disciple competition.
The True Disciples watched from the side. Ning Qi occasionally chatted with his Senior Brother, Senior Sister, and others, sometimes focusing his attention on the matches. However, in his opinion, these Disciples' battles were like children playing house. Only occasionally would a few individuals catch his eye.
Currently, Ning Qi, though only at the Second Layer Realm, had no opponent among the Inner Sect Disciples.
Even among the True Disciples, he estimated that a few would not be his opponents.
As for grand masters like Luo Wentian and Jiang Baishan, who were at the Ninth Layer of the Inner Yuan Realm, Ning Qi couldn't be entirely sure. He would have to fight them to know, but there was clearly no need for that.
The Grand Competition ended.
Luo Wentian presented awards to the top-ranked Disciples, and then several True Disciples also shared their martial Dao experience, aiming to improve the strength of the Outer Sect and Inner Sect Disciples in preparation for the upcoming Heavenly Human Grand Ceremony.
"Little Nine, do you want to go up and try? Senior Brother will spar with you?"
Fifth Disciple Jiang Baishan grinned as he put his arm around Ning Qi's shoulder.
The other True Disciples nearby all showed curiosity.
They still didn't know what Realm Ning Qi's Body Tempering had reached.
But they weren't blind; they always felt that the aura emanating from Ning Qi was extraordinary.
Ye Qinghe's eyes showed a mischievous smile.
Be careful not to blind your dog eyes.
But Ning Qi refused seriously:
"No fighting. I don't have a masochistic tendency. Wait another twenty years, then I'll ask Senior Brother for guidance."
Everyone laughed, though also with some regret.
Jiang Baishan smiled wryly:
"You, Little Nine, are so vengeful, planning to beat me up twenty years from now."
However, he didn't take it to heart.
Luo Wentian proactively said:
"Fifth Senior Brother, let's fight!"
"Good!"
Both of them had surging Battle Intent.
After watching for so long, they were itching for a fight. They had also thought of letting the True Disciples show off a bit, to set an example for the other Disciples and serve as encouragement.
Now was the perfect opportunity.