Chapter 126: Chapter 111: Seedling Breaking Through the Soil
For Ning Qi.
The greatest need is not to maximize power but to minimize side effects, ensuring it doesn’t affect his future and foundation.
This Virtual Sword Pill Dissolution Technique is just perfect now.
"This Virtual Sword Pill Dissolution Technique can be used as a small ace up the sleeve, reusable, but each use requires healing before spending a little time to condense a new Sword Pill."
Ning Qi’s positioning is very clear.
But this is not the only result of this enlightenment.
His perception moved upwards, landing on the Fake Pill beating continuously in his heart.
During the process of condensing the Sword Pill earlier, he also cleared the last obstacle and created the Fake Pill Dissolution Technique.
Just a little surge of Gang Qi, the Fake Pill shatters, capable of unleashing even more terrifying power.
This is much stronger than the Virtual Sword Pill. Ning Qi estimates it can amplify his current combat power by about threefold, but the side effects will also be much greater, possibly causing severe injuries. Although it won’t destroy the foundation, recuperating for half a year is inevitable.
This is the ultimate ace.
Ning Qi wouldn’t use it unless absolutely necessary since he can’t afford to waste half a year on recovery.
"The Fake Pill Dissolution Technique and the Fake Pill Co-Heaven Technique can be recorded together as a series of Secret Techniques."
Ning Qi thought, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
With these two Dissolution Techniques, his sense of security increased a bit more.
Now.
Just wait to trace the Blood Rain Tower’s whereabouts, then he can completely resolve the events of the past once and for all.
...
The spring breeze blew softly, and flowers bloomed on True Martial Mountain.
Zhuang Chen has gradually integrated into the True Martial Sect, and the outer and inner sect disciples all know there is an additional Tenth Senior Brother. Ye Qinghe was even more delighted because she gained a drinking companion. She found that Zhuang Chen was also quite interested in wine, so she took him to share the fine wines collected over the years, and even brewed Peach Blossom Brew together.
For a time.
The combination of Ye Qinghe, Zhuang Chen, and Yuan Tiancheng—two people and an ape—became quite the unruly presence in the True Martial Sect, often causing chaos and commotion.
Only Luo Wentian and Ning Qi could suppress these three.
However, seeing Zhuang Chen integrating so quickly, everyone was inwardly very pleased.
People should remember their grudges but shouldn’t live in hatred. A pure heart clearly distinguishes grievances, and sometimes when thoughts are pure, one won’t be affected.
In the blink of an eye.
Three months have passed since the Divine Sword Sect was exterminated.
Outside the Seeking Tao Institute, peach blossoms were in full bloom.
Taoist Longshan occasionally sent back messages.
Since last month, there have been some traces of the Southern Border forces emerging, but it’s just a small movement, still probing. Taoist Longshan was very patient and didn’t alert the enemy. Only when enough influential individuals appear would he close the net.
Ning Qi was somewhat anticipating, as that would be the time for him to descend the mountain.
But now, he still has to wait.
After digesting the Cyan Blade Sword Saint’s inheritance, Ning Qi returned to his usual cultivation and scripture reading.
The Taoist Scripture sent by the True Profound Sect was being absorbed at a very fast rate, with less than half unread now.
And cultivation also went very smoothly.
Advancing with a firm stride.
Ning Qi’s Jade Liquid Sea became increasingly vast and deep; it’s hard to imagine what kind of terror such a vast Jade Liquid Sea would form if condensed into a Primordial Core.
Besides, there was another matter he was looking forward to.
The Enlightenment Tea Tree.
In recent days, Ning Qi could feel the Enlightenment Tea Tree seed becoming more and more active. The flesh of the Demon Sect Celestial Being realm expert caused it to undergo an extraordinary change. Combined with Ning Qi’s cultivation method, it genuinely seemed to come to life, on the verge of breaking through the soil.
At this moment.
Nine pairs of eyes were fixed intently on that soil.
Little chubby Zhuang Chen and the White Ape were even lying on the ground, their eyes level with the ground. However, the White Ape’s actions were obviously more nimble, while Zhuang Chen’s belly pressed against the soil, looking somewhat comical.
Yesterday Ning Qi casually mentioned that the Enlightenment Tea Tree seed might be sprouting, and this morning, all the fellow disciples came, claiming they wanted to witness the sprouting of the Enlightenment Tea Tree seed, leading to the current scene.
They had been watching for a whole two-hour, and by the look of things, they would continue watching.
Ning Qi couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle, shifting his gaze back to the Taoist Scripture in his hands.
Although the seed’s spirit had reached its peak of activity, who knew when it would break through the soil? He didn’t want to waste this time.
But moments later.
Ning Qi’s eyes revealed an expression of surprise. He put down the Taoist Scripture in his hands and looked at that soil.
Joyful exclamations were already coming through:
"It’s out! It’s out!"
"The Enlightenment Tea Tree really sprouted! Jiu, come and see!"
In the sight of the eyes.
A young seedling broke through the soil, its growth not fast, but steadfast and resilient, evoking an inexplicable emotion in those who saw it. Ning Qi felt a subtle touch in his heart, perceiving a certain taste of life on the Enlightenment Tea Tree seedling.
The crowd gazed in awe.
Under the nourishment of spirit, the seedling grew at an astonishing rate. In a blink of an eye, it was already the size of two palms, its entire trunk appearing reddish-brown, with several small branches faintly visible as bulges.
Everyone was excited, marveling at the miracle of life they had witnessed.
Zhuang Chen chuckled foolishly:
"In two years, we might be able to taste the Enlightenment Tea!"
Everyone chuckled.
They all looked at Ning Qi and saw him in a trance, seemingly having gained insight. The crowd quieted down, secretly amazed by Ning Qi’s extraordinary perceptiveness.
Everyone watched the Enlightenment Tea Tree seedling break through the soil together. Others merely found it intriguing without any deep insight, but Ning Qi saw a different essence.
A moment later.
Ning Qi came back to his senses.
Indeed, he had gained enlightenment, but hadn’t developed any Secret Technique or Ultimate Skill from it. He simply consolidated the life rhythm he sensed in the process of the seedling breaking through the soil. This served as solid grounding, which might be useful for something in the future.
He had spent many years reading scriptures in this way, accumulating foundation, so when creating techniques he could draw upon it effortlessly.
This time the inspiration was particularly strong, and he would attempt to utilize this life rhythm in the future.
Ning Qi had a premonition that frequently observing the Enlightenment Tea Tree could be notably beneficial.
But for now, the tea tree needed to grow.
He smiled and said:
"Let’s strive to have it grow a few tea leaves within two years, so that during the True Martial Peach Assembly we can all taste it together."
Ning Qi was confident.
The hardest part is starting, and the most difficult step has been completed; the remaining cultivation is just a matter of course.
He was curious whether the effect of the Enlightenment Tea was as legendary as rumored, and he wanted to see if the Enlightenment Tea Tree could provide additional enhancement to himself.
The crowd all cheered.
Especially Zhuang Chen, whose mouth was almost watering; he had long heard Ye Qinghe speak of the True Martial Peach Assembly shared only among the True Inheritors, and he was tremendously looking forward to the True Martial Peach Fruit. Now, with the addition of the Enlightenment Tea, his anticipation grew even more.
...
Another month passed.
Peach blossoms gradually wilted, and peach fruit began to form.
Numerous True Inheritors already started anticipating the True Martial Peach Assembly, and unless urgent matters arose, they would often descend the mountain for an extended period of training after the assembly each year.
But before the True Martial Peach Assembly arrived.
Taoist Longshan brought news.
The Southern Border forces finally showed significant activity!
To prevent leaks, Taoist Longshan personally returned to True Martial Mountain.
"It’s the ’Lei’ among the ’Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning’ quartet from the Blood Rain Tower!"
Taoist Longshan’s first sentence made Ning Qi’s spirit tremble.
This was the closest they had come to the killer. After years of investigating, they believed that the ’Lord Wind’ who massacred Snow Plum Manor was more than ninety percent likely to be ’Wind’ of the ’Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning’ quartet. Now, having found ’Lei’, ’Wind’ wouldn’t be far behind.
A fleeting cold flash appeared in Ning Qi’s eyes, then he calmly asked:
"Where is he?"
Taoist Longshan gestured for Ning Qi to remain calm, then slowly began:
"During this time of investigation, the nameless force that massacred Divine Sword Sect has instead fallen silent. But Jiu’s intelligence from that night raid was correct; the Blood Rain Tower and the nameless force are indeed acting together. Soon after, movements from the Blood Rain Tower began to become active."
"Initially, only some bronze and silver rank assassins were being dispatched, but this time, a gold rank assassin is involved."
"I have learned that in seven days, the two major forces in Canghe Prefecture City will clash, and the Iron Fist Gang has paid dearly to invite ’Lei’ to assassinate the head of Black Wind Thieves. If successful, they plan to take away all bodies of Black Wind Thieves."
"During these days, they have been extremely cautious, mostly using similar methods to collect Martial Artist bodies. If we hadn’t known about the trick, ordinary people wouldn’t notice!"
Taoist Longshan coldly snorted.
During this time, he had been biding his time, long prepared to catch these people in one fell swoop.
It was precisely because there were seven days that he made a special trip back to True Martial Mountain.
Ning Qi listened and understood.
Following the trail of ’Lei’, they would certainly be able to uncover the Blood Rain Tower and even the forces behind it, as long as this lead didn’t break, which would alert the adversary. Therefore, this operation was very crucial.
However, Ning Qi had confidence.
The strength and methods he possessed now were far beyond what others could imagine.
"Jiu, are you prepared?" Taoist Longshan asked.
Ning Qi smiled calmly and nodded:
"Naturally."
During this period, he had dedicated substantial efforts to various Secret Techniques like tracking, Concealing Breath, and Pupil Technique.
The blade was long sharpened.