Chapter 112: Chapter 98 Harvest
Ning Qi’s gaze was somewhat peculiar.
All the Celestial Being Strong Persons from the Demon Sect who attacked were killed by the Town North King, with only Elder Wang escaping, which the Demon Sect does not know.
From the Demon Sect’s perspective, it appears that the powerful individuals sent to annihilate the True Martial Mountain have not returned.
The Town North King cannot escape from taking the blame for this.
Claiming that he didn’t kill Elder Wang?
Who would believe that?
Among all present, only he has the strength to easily slay Elder Wang.
Moreover, the fist technique Ning Qi used in the battle earlier vaguely carried some semblance to the Town North King; regardless of whether the Demon Sect can locate here, even if they do, they would likely first suspect that the Town North King pursued them covertly.
Even the Imperial Court may not think it was anyone else.
This was also why Ning Qi pursued decisively, as it allowed him to sever one of the Demon Sect’s tentacles and weaken their strength while there was a ready scapegoat; why not?
As for whether putting the blame on the Town North King is somewhat unethical, Ning Qi thought that the guy was also secretly watching from the sidelines before, and thus felt at ease.
No one is much better than another.
With this thought, Ning Qi’s body gradually returned to its normal size, and the experiment with the Ape King’s true form proved quite effective this time, especially the synergy between the Ape King’s true form and the fake pill which was beyond expectations; the power unleashed was also extremely strong, approaching the might of the Heavenly Sword Technique, but offering greater endurance compared to the Heavenly Sword Technique, which is more suitable for Ning Qi to use without revealing himself.
"If this fake pill was refined from an inner core of an ape-type Beast King, it might be even more formidable."
"However, the battle this time also consumed about thirty percent of the fake pill’s energy, so I need to be a bit frugal in the future."
Ning Qi felt slightly heartache.
After all, there was only this one fake pill.
But considering he first tangled with Elder Wang using the Heavenly Sword Technique for a while, then chased for so long, and finally suppressed with the Ape King’s true form, consuming only thirty percent energy is decent.
Ning Qi estimated that the Demon Sect lost five Celestial Human Realm individuals this time, so they have to quiet down for a while.
After all, Celestial Human Realm strong persons aren’t like Chinese cabbages; even a strong Demon Sect would find it difficult to bear the loss of so many Celestial Beings in a short period.
The remaining seventy percent energy is sufficient.
He turned his gaze towards the corpse of Elder Wang before him, his eyes slightly brightened.
"Thankfully, there’s still some compensation."
He squatted down.
Ning Qi meticulously searched, pulling out a pouch with a somewhat special material, unaffected by such intense combat.
Upon opening it.
It was filled with various jars; Ning Qi poured them out one by one to sniff and discern their properties, understanding roughly seventy to eighty percent of them.
They were basically healing or blood-replenishing pills or poison pills; none enhanced cultivation.
As for martial arts secret manuals, likewise, there was none.
Ning Qi wasn’t surprised; it’s normal, who would carry secret manuals and treasure pills while going out to kill unless they have no fixed abode, otherwise, if killed, wouldn’t enemies reap the benefits, sending their head and wealth across miles.
Finally.
Ning Qi turned his gaze to the cyan light shining on the treasure armor.
This was the main harvest.
A single piece of treasure armor was surprisingly sturdy, capable of withstanding the Town North King’s impressive punch while enduring so many savage blows from Ning Qi—a fact proven by Elder Wang’s flesh and blood, despite Ning Qi restraining himself for fear of damaging his treasure armor.
"This treasure armor, truly remarkable."
Ning Qi cleansed it with Gang Qi, and the Cyan Light Treasure Armor appeared new, adorned with short spikes that were usually soft but became stiff upon forceful contact, explaining why Ning Qi previously found it somewhat prickly; ordinarily, a hand slapped onto it might get pierced directly.
But this was secondary; the primary feature was its strong defense.
Touching it felt like waves; if struck heavily, it could instantly disperse force, avoiding self-harm.
Ning Qi, who had studied Weapon Forging Techniques, knew that in this world, crafting weapons and armor was not particularly mystical; most of the power came from materials, with Weapon Refining Masters merely serving to fuse and shape, though some Divine Soldiers are said to be different.
But up to now, Ning Qi hadn’t encountered any.
"However, the material of this treasure armor is somewhat unusual; perhaps with more observation, there may be different gains," Ning Qi thought to himself.
Clearly, now was not the time for research.
He donned the treasure armor.
Ning Qi glanced again at the corpse of Elder Wang, observing its unique vitality and liveliness, his eyes brightened, and he lifted it with Gang Qi as well.
The flesh body of a Celestial Being Strong Person held vitality stronger than many treasure materials.
It shouldn’t be wasted.
He soared into the sky, returning to True Martial Mountain; though the Town North King was present, he shouldn’t stay away for too long.
...
True Martial Mountain.
With all the Demon Sect forces put to death, the previously tense atmosphere gradually relaxed, as everyone looked at the invincible middle-aged man with respect and said:
"We have met the Town North King!"
Everyone’s hearts were filled with awe.
The scene of slaughtering Celestial Beings like chickens shocked everyone.
Eunuch Ye and the butcher both pleaded for forgiveness:
"We were inadequate in protecting the Crown Prince and Princess, and ask the Town North King for punishment."
The Town North King merely waved his hand dismissively.
"You have already done your best."
He had been following behind, witnessing the entire process, knowing the two had done their utmost, and thus would not blame them baselessly; anyway, with him protecting them, nothing severe would happen, and the Demon Sect wouldn’t dispatch unparalleled Celestial Beings from its top ten ranks for a True Martial Sect person.
Without his and the Great Yan Emperor’s approval, Eunuch Ye could never have brought Li Ling and Li Qingyue out.
His objective was to let the two experience some ordeals to achieve growth.
Even without this Demon Sect attack, there would be other ’attacks.’
At this moment.
Li Ling and Li Qingyue had already recovered from their earlier fright, but Li Qingyue’s face was still pale, lacking her previous vivacity. Li Ling was slightly better, occasionally looking towards the depths of the True Martial Sect, where it had been silent since the Celestial Sword vanished.
Taoist Longshan came over, sincerely expressing his gratitude:
"If it weren’t for the Town North King’s help, I’m afraid the True Martial Sect would have faced disaster today. Please accept my old offering of thanks."
In the current situation, though it was a mess, there were essentially no casualties, which was already a very good outcome.
Five Celestial Beings from the Demon Sect attacked.
Just the thought of it still made him shudder.
The Town North King nodded and said:
"True Man, you are too polite. It was merely a fortunate coincidence. However, even if I hadn’t come, with True Man Tianjian present, the True Martial Sect might not necessarily have suffered."
He commented lightly.
Earlier, he had observed for a moment in secret. When True Man Tianjian made his move, it was completely undetectable, even by him. Without showing himself, he was already matching that demon in battle, and if he went all out, he might not have lost.
True Man Tianjian is stronger than the legends say.
He is likely not inferior to Divine Feather, and when he makes a move, it doesn’t seem like his lifespan is nearing its end.
Originally, he wanted to see more clearly, but the Celestial Being from the Demon Sect, unaware of death, tried to capture Li Ling and Li Qingyue, forcing him to reveal himself.
Everyone was astonished, not expecting the Town North King to hold Trueman Tianjian in such high regard.
However, it was also evident to everyone earlier.
If before today Trueman Tianjian was only suspected to have the strength worthy of the Celestial Being List, it was now a sure thing. When the list is next updated, Trueman Tianjian should be on it.
The Town North King looked at the two kids to his left and right, showing a rare smile:
"Will you come back with me?"
Li Qingyue quickly nodded:
"Imperial Uncle, I will go back with you."
She was genuinely frightened and realized that the world outside wasn’t her playground. She no longer had that faint sense of superiority and didn’t want to stay on True Martial Mountain for another moment. Whatever Celestial Sword was long forgotten in her mind.
The Town North King nodded in satisfaction and looked at Li Ling, who had a hesitant expression, but after glancing once more at the depths of the True Martial Sect, he still said:
"Father, I want to learn swordsmanship from True Man Tianjian."
Taoist Longshan’s heart skipped a beat; this must not come to pass.
Fortunately, the Town North King already sternly rebuked:
"Nonsense!"
Although it’s likely that the Demon Sect would be quiet for a while after suffering this blow, who knows if they would madly attempt a second attack? The chances are extremely slim, but he wouldn’t gamble his youngest son’s life on it. He didn’t have the time to stay on True Martial Mountain indefinitely; this time was merely by chance.
But this reprimand instead stirred a rebellious heart in Li Ling.
His eyes turned red, tears welling up, but he didn’t speak; he just looked at the Town North King.
Seeing his youngest son’s expression, the Town North King’s heart softened. He squatted down with some headache to comfort Li Ling:
"Ling’er, it’s not that father won’t let you learn, it’s just that it’s dangerous outside now. How about this: When we get back, father will teach you the Fist Technique, okay? Father’s technique is much superior to True Man Tianjian’s!"
"No, your Fist Technique is ugly, not cool at all. True Man Tianjian’s sword is cool; I want to learn from him." Li Ling pouted.
Taoist Longshan and the others all awkwardly stared at their own noses and lips.
The Town North King almost choked.
To think the Fist Technique of the Town North King, desired by countless people under heaven, was despised by his own son. If someone else had said this, he would have punched them, but seeing Li Ling like that, he could only force a smile and say:
"If father’s Fist Technique is ugly, then don’t learn it."
"Then dad promises you, when we get back, I’ll find an even cooler Sword Dao master to teach you, okay?"
He seized the opportunity and continued:
"Think about it, if the Demon Sect knows you are here, they’d definitely come to capture you again to threaten your dad, and it would cause a lot of trouble for the True Martial Sect. How about after dad takes you away for now, I’ll bring you back when there’s a chance in the future?"
Li Ling hesitated for a moment.
He didn’t want to bring trouble to others.
"Then... okay."
He took another look at the depths of the True Martial Sect and finally didn’t insist further.
The Town North King breathed a sigh of relief, ready to leave, for fear of Ling changing his mind again.
But then Li Ling let go of his hand, ran to Taoist Longshan, and bowed deeply:
"True Man, if it’s safe in the future, Li Ling will come to visit again!"
Taoist Longshan was taken aback, then smiled and said:
"His highness is welcome anytime."
He had a good impression of Li Ling, who seemed kind-hearted, though a bit spoiled by the Town North King’s overindulgence in his sumptuous lifestyle.
The Town North King chuckled.
After giving a few instructions to the butcher and Eunuch Ye, he took Li Ling and Li Qingyue away across the sky.
Taoist Longshan couldn’t help but sigh.
"It’s said that the Town North Princess died giving birth to a son, leaving him motherless, hence why the Town North King pampers his youngest son so exceedingly, granting whatever he wishes. As it appears, it’s indeed true."
A top-ranked unparalleled expert on the Celestial Being List, bowing and scraping to a child, is something unique in the world.
After sighing, Taoist Longshan looked at the chaos around him and let out another sigh.
Hopefully, after this incident, the Demon Sect will quiet down.
Being caught up in such storms is truly beyond one’s control.
Yet he always felt.
The world is likely to be restless, and days of peace and stability are probably limited.