The Zhenwu Sect's year-end competition concluded successfully.
The performances of the young disciples greatly satisfied Luo Wentian and others. With these rewards, these disciples would undoubtedly grow stronger in the coming year. Through years of diligent cultivation, they would soon be capable of truly supporting the Zhenwu Sect.
For Luo Wentian and his two fellow disciples who had taken on apprentices, this marked an excellent beginning.
He Yan and Sun Chuanhai, among others, began contemplating following suit. Having reached the Qi Origin Realm with rapidly progressing cultivation, they were now qualified to take disciples. They resolved to observe carefully in the future to find suitable successors.
After the competition, the fellow disciples gathered—a rare occasion.
Daoist Longshan also emerged from seclusion.
Master and disciples rejoiced together, discussing the year's changes. Learning of his new grand-disciples, Daoist Longshan was overjoyed and presented them with gifts.
The festive atmosphere of the new year was lively.
Yet amidst this reunion, they couldn't help sighing:
"I wonder how Little Five (Fifth Senior Brother) is doing now?"
...
Leizhou.
Deep within Yanshan Mountains.
An unnamed valley lay blanketed in heavy snow, icicles dangling from branches. A few lively small animals darted about, adding vitality to the winter scene.
Several small wooden cabins stood there like pine nuts scattered across the snowy ground.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua had secluded themselves here.
They had discovered this place during a past training expedition—beautiful scenery, rarely visited by humans, with only occasional exotic beasts that posed no threat to them. After leaving Zhenwu Mountain and handling some matters, they quietly relocated here.
Though isolated, their mutual affection provided comfort. Their days passed pleasantly—studying martial arts, admiring the scenery—even without contact with others.
"In the new year, I hope we can stay together forever!" Lin Ruhua gazed into Jiang Baishan's eyes as she made her wish.
The warmth of the stovefire, hot wine, and roasted meat illuminated them both.
Jiang Baishan's eyes also shone with happiness.
"We will definitely stay together forever!"
Yet even as he spoke, his thoughts drifted to Zhenwu Mountain. In previous years, he would have been celebrating with his master and fellow disciples. This year was an unusual exception.
He showed no outward sign, but Lin Ruhua knew him too well—a slight change in his expression revealed his thoughts.
After a pause, she said softly:
"Baishan, when you were in seclusion recently, I went out."
Jiang Baishan grew alarmed:
"Ruhua! You know the Demonic Sect is searching for us. If they discovered our whereabouts—"
Lin Ruhua gently shook her head:
"Don't worry, I was careful. I have good news."
A smile bloomed on her face, her eyes reflecting astonishment.
"Some days ago, the Blade Demon went to Zhenwu Mountain to challenge the Heavenly Sword Elder. Surprisingly, he was defeated by the Heavenly Sword Elder! This was the Blade Demon ranked third on the Heaven-Man List. Who would have thought the Heavenly Sword Elder was so powerful?"
Seeing Jiang Baishan stunned, she recounted the Blade Demon's recent challenge spree in detail, thrilling Jiang Baishan.
Lin Ruhua smiled:
"With the Heavenly Sword Elder guarding Zhenwu Mountain, the Demonic Sect may not be able to threaten the sect. Can you rest easier now?"
Deeply moved, Jiang Baishan embraced her, kissing her forehead:
"Thank you, Ruhua."
Their shadows merged in the firelight as they held each other.
Suddenly.
Lin Ruhua's shy whisper broke the silence:
"Baishan... there's one more thing."
Jiang Baishan froze at her next words:
"I... I think I'm pregnant."
Jiang Baishan stood motionless, then his pupils dilated wildly with joy. Soon, his ecstatic laughter echoed through the valley.
Their secluded life now held new hope and wonder with this impending new life.
...
Ning Qi remained unaware that his Fifth Senior Brother was about to become a father.
After the new year reunion, he returned to the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Every member of Zhenwu Sect was now occupied—the elders each handling their responsibilities.
Internally, they focused fully on development; externally, threats from the Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance loomed. Disciples could only leave the mountain for training after meeting Luo Wentian's standards to avoid unnecessary danger.
Unable to contribute much to mundane affairs, Ning Qi dedicated himself to strength—preparing to be the final safeguard.
After the new year, he periodically resonated with the White Ape's bloodline.
Though the vision always shattered when the silver giant ape turned its gaze, preventing him from seeing further, Ning Qi gained much. After several attempts, he gradually grasped fragments of the All-Seeing Golden Eyes' principles.
Continued study would inevitably allow him to adapt this innate ability into a learnable secret technique—and that day wouldn't be far off.
One day.
Zhuang Chen excitedly entered the courtyard:
"Ninth Senior Brother! I've mastered the resonance technique you taught me!"
Zhuang Chen possessed extraordinary talent in sword dao—especially after his Innate Sword Bones were reforged. However, he lagged behind the White Ape in learning other techniques, taking over ten days longer to master this one despite receiving it just two days later.
Ning Qi smiled expectantly.
Since witnessing the vision within the White Ape's bloodline, he'd wondered if Zhuang Chen's Innate Sword Bones held similar secrets. Now, Zhuang Chen had finally succeeded.
"Come here, Little Ten." He beckoned. The White Ape immediately showed sympathetic amusement, having experienced both the benefits and discomfort of the process. Watching Zhuang Chen about to undergo the same, it grinned widely.
Mistaking this for playfulness, Zhuang Chen grinned back, sticking out his tongue.
Though older than Ning Qi by a few years, Zhuang Chen was shorter and rounder—his plump face and body no longer side effects of the modified Dream Gluttony technique, but simply due to his gluttony.
"Ninth Senior Brother, how should I cooperate this time?" Zhuang Chen asked eagerly.
Ning Qi smiled:
"Same as before, but you must maintain the resonance technique continuously unless you faint. If successful, I'll teach you a technique surpassing the Innate Sword Body."
Zhuang Chen's eyes lit up, oblivious to the White Ape's snickering.
Thumping his chest dramatically, he declared:
"Ready when you are, Senior Brother!"
Ning Qi chuckled, then solemnly instructed:
"Close your eyes, regulate breathing, activate the technique!"
Zhuang Chen focused, resonating with his Innate Sword Bones. A low growl escaped him as sword chimes rang from his body—like a divine sword unsheathing—remarkably similar to when the White Ape involuntarily manifested its Ape King True Form.
Ning Qi observed curiously.
Then he gathered vast heaven-earth energy effortlessly—his sword dao having reached extraordinary heights.
The surroundings seemed filled with countless resonating divine swords.
Zhuang Chen's face contorted painfully. The White Ape gloated, remembering its own ordeal—what seemed simple became agonizing when internal and external resonance combined. Zhuang Chen groaned, feeling as if countless ants gnawed at his flesh—the torment surpassing even his sword bones' reforging.
Yet Ning Qi remained unworried—Zhuang Chen's mental fortitude had greatly improved.
Concentrating, Ning Qi guided gentle Qi Force toward Zhuang Chen's sword bones.
Hum!
A strange vibration later, Ning Qi's spirit stirred—finding himself in a void space.
Countless sword intents floated here—more powerful than any Ning Qi had encountered, including his own. Unfortunately, they remained indistinct, veiled by layers of spacetime, their profundity just beyond comprehension.
Ning Qi could only sense their might, not specifics—a profound regret. Absorbing these intents could elevate his sword dao beyond imagination.
Simultaneously, realization dawned:
"Could these be the sword intents of past Innate Sword Bone possessors?"
As this thought emerged, the void space shifted.
Sword intents rose and fell, revealing similar scenes—infants crying in their mothers' wombs as incomprehensible cosmic forces entered them.
"So this is how Innate Sword Bones form? I assumed they derived from an ancient sword ancestor like Heavenly Beasts' bloodlines. But this is natural creation by heaven and earth!"
"By this logic, innate blade bones, spear bones, etc. likely exist—just undiscovered."
Ning Qi's mind rippled with implications.
He speculated these forces represented sword dao's fundamental aspects—knowledge currently beyond him.
Continuing to observe, he shuddered.
Some blurred images showed newborns absorbing heaven-earth energy!
"Manipulating heaven-earth energy at birth? True 'Heaven-Man'! So humans also have heaven-blessed beings—Innate Sword Bone possessors being one type. Perhaps all special human constitutions share this origin."
Ning Qi's eyes widened.
He'd uncovered an astonishing truth.
Yet confusion arose:
"Then why doesn't Little Ten exhibit this? If born with such ability, he'd be far stronger."
Thoughts racing, possibilities cascaded until a terrifying hypothesis emerged:
"Could some celestial change have stripped later Innate Sword Bones of this energy-absorption capability, leaving only sword dao enhancement?"
This seemed most plausible.
Remembering the dreadful premonitions he and the Blade Demon shared, Ning Qi exhaled heavily.
The truth drew nearer.
The disappearance of Heavenly Beasts, changes to Innate Sword Bones, and the cosmic terror—these must be connected.
"What cataclysm occurred?"
The void space quieted again, yet unlike with the White Ape, Ning Qi wasn't forcibly ejected—perhaps due to differing origins. This proved beneficial as peculiar undulations spread through the stillness.
Focusing, Ning Qi gradually discovered joyous insights.
These vibrations contained the Innate Sword Bones' innate ability.
"Innate Divine Sword Qi! The Innate Sword Bones' formidable power—equivalent to the natural All-Seeing Golden Eyes. But adapting this into a learnable technique requires effort."
Confident in his ability to achieve this—having a ready template—Ning Qi began comprehending. Transforming innate talents into learnable techniques was difficult for most, but not for him.
Mid-comprehension, the void space trembled—ending the resonance.
Not from Ning Qi's exhaustion, but Zhuang Chen's collapse into unconsciousness.
Chuckling, Ning Qi confirmed Zhuang Chen's safety. Like the White Ape, each resonance would enhance Zhuang Chen's control over his Innate Sword Bones.
Moreover, once Ning Qi developed the Innate Divine Sword Qi technique, Zhuang Chen might prematurely awaken his bone's innate ability—a greater boon than the White Ape received, since the ape already possessed the All-Seeing Golden Eyes.
After having the White Ape tend to Zhuang Chen, Ning Qi contemplated the two innate abilities.
He resolved:
Once both were adapted into techniques, he would descend the mountain to pursue enemies.
The Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance's deep reserves made their capabilities uncertain—they might possess means surpassing the Heaven-Man Realm. Strengthening himself was essential to avoid fatal miscalculations.
Time flowed steadily.
Another half-month passed.
Ning Qi's progress was encouraging—especially with the Innate Divine Sword Qi, which he mastered first thanks to his resilient spirit.
Today, with the successful creation of the All-Seeing Golden Eyes technique,
Ning Qi had finally achieved his goal.