Chapter 77: Chapter 71: Limit of Strength
However, the enemy is not a wooden figure and will not wait in place for Ning Qi to strike.
In fact, as an assassin organization, the actions of the Blood Rain Tower are much more secretive than ordinary forces, and the difficulty of revenge lies not in eliminating the Blood Rain Tower, but in finding its base.
Therefore, Ning Qi had this thought but did not act rashly. If he accidentally alerted the enemy, allowing them to hide, it would be even more troublesome to find them later.
"Master, don’t worry. I remember this matter, but I won’t be mentally disturbed by it. Revenge is a goal, but it is not my entire life."
Ning Qi said seriously.
Taoist Longshan felt relieved. What he feared most was Ning Qi harboring grievances, but after a candid conversation with Ning Qi today, he realized he had underestimated his disciple’s mindset; such calmness and resilience made him feel somewhat inadequate.
"The Blood Rain Tower is elusive. After the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony, I will start handling this matter. It won’t take long, I should have results, and by then, I will assist you."
Taoist Longshan spoke with confidence.
After all, the Blood Rain Tower is just a first-class force. Even with some means, it cannot withstand Taoist Longshan, who is already in the Celestial Human Realm, and many would be willing to do him a favor.
Ning Qi nodded and said:
"Master, by then, leave ’Feng’ among the ’Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning’ to me. I want to take revenge personally."
Taoist Longshan was stunned.
The four gold assassins, Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning, are all Gang Essence Realm experts, especially ’Feng,’ who has a record of assassinating a Primordial Core Realm opponent. That battle made the Blood Rain Tower famous, causing many first-class forces in Qing State to fear them.
At this moment, hearing Ning Qi say this, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.
"Qi’Er, you..."
Ning Qi smiled gently and said:
"Master, I have confidence."
Taoist Longshan gazed at Ning Qi, his heart stirred. If these words came from someone else, he would never believe it. An eight-year-old child saying he has confidence in defeating a Primordial Core Realm expert?
This is simply a fantasy.
Previously, Ning Qi being able to kill the Flying Heaven Eagle was already extraordinary, but the gap between the White Mist Realm and the Primordial Core Realm isn’t insignificant. Taoist Longshan himself took several decades to traverse from the White Mist Realm to the Primordial Core Realm.
But he knew, Ning Qi never exaggerated.
"Really?"
"Really."
Ning Qi and Taoist Longshan stared at each other, his expression was calm yet full of confidence.
A moment later.
Taoist Longshan took a deep breath and decided to personally test him.
No matter how much he believed in Ning Qi, he could not be careless. Wanting to personally take revenge is good, but he must have enough strength to do so.
Ning Qi’s eyes gradually filled with excitement. He was really curious about the strength of a Celestial Human Realm expert but never had the opportunity.
"If you can’t hold on, let me know at any time."
"Alright."
Master and disciple stood facing each other, ten yards apart.
As the words fell.
Taoist Longshan’s expression became solemn, and his Taoist robe slightly rippled. The Power of Heaven and Earth gradually gathered and then pressed down on Ning Qi like a huge mountain.
Ning Qi’s body trembled and immediately felt an invisible oppressive force.
Unlike the unconscious Power of Heaven and Earth fluctuation when Taoist Longshan broke through before, the current Power of Heaven and Earth was targeted suppression. Ning Qi suddenly felt like he was trapped in a swamp.
He slightly raised his hand and felt it took several times more effort than usual.
His body trembled, bones shook, and spine crackled.
The Gang Qi within his body could no longer resist, automatically circulating to withstand that omnipresent and increasingly strong oppression.
"No wonder Gang Essence Realm is powerless against Celestial Human Realm. They are simply not on the same level of power," Ning Qi thought to himself.
The mere suppression between heaven and earth was already so terrifying, let alone real combat. No wonder Ning Qi previously heard that the Primordial Core Realm Purple River Sword Venerate didn’t withstand even a few moves before being instantly defeated by his master.
Just imagine, two adults wrestling, one tied up by ropes; wouldn’t he be at the mercy of others?
Let ordinary Gang Essence Realm and Celestial Human Realm experts wrestle; it would be too much.
But Ning Qi was clearly not an ordinary Gang Essence Realm.
The vast Gang Qi within him suddenly surged, forcibly pushing away the oppressive Power of Heaven and Earth. Taoist Longshan’s eyes widened, and then he immediately increased the pressure, enveloping Ning Qi like an invisible cage.
Ning Qi’s Gang Qi transformed, like clouds and mist—elusive, and like water and marsh—ever-changing.
Taoist Longshan’s eyes opened wider.
"What is this Gang Qi?"
As he applied the Power of Heaven and Earth, it felt like he was suppressing an eel—only a third of his force remained, either repelled, shifted, or absorbed. That mysterious Gang Qi was incredible, far from the existing Cultivation Techniques of the True Martial Sect.
Taoist Longshan marveled inwardly, realizing Ning Qi had already embarked on his own path.
Unknowingly, his Taoist robe billowed more violently.
He intended to test the limits of Ning Qi’s Gang Qi.
The Power of Heaven and Earth grew increasingly surging. The cliff winds were fierce, and although he didn’t make a move himself, Taoist Longshan no longer held back on the Power of Heaven and Earth.
Ning Qi was gradually struggling; resisting this incredible oppression required a tremendous amount of Gang Qi every moment. Even with his abundant Gang Qi, he found it difficult to withstand such consumption.
He roughly understood his own limits.
"Celestial Human Realm experts are indeed extraordinary. Although my current Gang Qi is vast, its quality is slightly lacking. Being able to hold on for a while is already quite impressive."
"Unless using the Ape King’s true form or the Unity of Heaven and Man Secret Techniques, forcibly tearing through this Power of Heaven and Earth’s suppression, or perhaps stepping into the Jade Liquid Realm, transforming the quality of Gang Qi entirely."
"In other words, if I go all out, I might barely contend with a newly entered Celestial Human Realm expert like Master. Whether I can win is uncertain, but I certainly won’t die. It shouldn’t be difficult for me to leave."
Ning Qi smiled inwardly, gaining a clearer understanding of his strength.
In that case, even without Taoist Longshan’s assistance, he could easily wipe out the Blood Rain Tower.
As thoughts whirled in his mind, Ning Qi spoke:
"Master, I can’t hold on any longer."
There was no need to reveal his trump cards when not confronting life and death.
Taoist Longshan slowly withdrew the Power of Heaven and Earth. He too was relieved internally. Ning Qi’s performance was too extraordinary; if he didn’t show weakness further, he might have to intervene personally.
Taoist Longshan marveled immensely inside.
Ning Qi was only eight years old!
With such performance now, even compared to before reaching the Celestial Human Realm, he couldn’t have done better. At that time, he was over eighty years old!
In comparison, he felt like he’d lived to a dog’s age.
Ning Qi smiled and asked:
"Master, how was it?"
Facing that expectant gaze, Taoist Longshan coughed lightly, trying to keep his complexion calm:
"Not bad."
He turned around, standing with his hands behind his back.
Such performance was far more than "not bad"; it was monstrous—capable of contending with a Primordial Core Realm with ease.
"Afterward, the gold assassin ’Feng’ from the Blood Rain Tower will be yours to deal with."
Taoist Longshan’s tone was calm, but the curve of his lips betrayed all of his current feelings.