Ye Qinghe looked at Ning Qi and was momentarily dumbfounded.
She saw that Ning Qi, at some unknown time, had already closed his eyes, his hands hanging loosely, in an extraordinarily relaxed posture, yet there seemed to be some peculiar rhythm within, as the sunset cast a sacred aura on the young boy's silhouette.
"Could it be that little junior brother is experiencing enlightenment?"
Ye Qinghe was taken aback, but then overjoyed.
She had heard her Master, Taoist Longshan, speak of this miraculous state, where if one could achieve enlightenment, it was as if divinely aided, effortlessly resolving perplexing doubts from the past. It is a supreme opportunity, and some people cannot enter the enlightenment realm even once in their lifetime.
"Little junior brother can actually experience enlightenment at just four years old, such impressive perception!"
Ye Qinghe felt a bit envious, and also somewhat in awe.
Both could see this miraculous scene, yet there was not a trace of sensation within herself; this is the difference.
To ordinary people, she was undoubtedly a genius, but compared to Ning Qi, they were not even on the same level.
But thinking about how Ning Qi had attained Bone Refining in a year's time, she felt relieved; what was there to compare with such a prodigy.
She began to earnestly act as Ning Qi's guardian, to prevent disturbance to his opportunity.
On the stone platform.
Two people and an ape.
Ning Qi and the White Ape both had their eyes closed, while Ye Qinghe focused all her attention on sensing the surroundings to prevent exotic beasts from approaching.
At this moment.
In Ning Qi's mind, strands of spiritual light rushed in.
The various thoughts pondered over the past year surged forth all at once.
The Stance Skills read in the Scripture Pavilion, and the observed natural scenes, all emerged.
Indeed, he had reached enlightenment.
But it wasn't entirely due to the natural phenomena before him; it was merely a catalyst. His accumulation was already sufficient, and today, with Ye Qinghe's company, he affirmed his inner thoughts, which would have succeeded in time anyway.
Now, it has merely advanced.
"Body Tempering Stance Skill, in essence, is 'Quenching the Body with Qi,' the Bian Stance gathers Bian Qi while the True Martial Stance gathers True Dragon Qi. The divine might of Bian and the majestic dignity of the True Dragon are considered strong among myriad phenomena; mimicking these creatures to gather 'Qi' is naturally more potent, thus offering superb tempering effects."
"However, the secrets of the human body are endless; even True Dragon Qi isn't entirely beneficial. In some areas, it might have the best effect, but in others, it might be inferior to others."
"The best approach is to adapt with the situation, using different 'phenomena' to temper different areas, ensuring each tempering site achieves maximum effect."
"Thus… mastering the myriad phenomena to temper the human body!"
Various thoughts continuously emerged in Ning Qi's mind, like a string gradually connecting the previously scattered spiritual lights together.
He began to move.
In Ye Qinghe's astonished gaze.
Ning Qi remained with his eyes closed.
But his hands already had assumed a stance.
The fists and feet were not swift, but powerful.
"Is Jiu practicing a Stance Skill?"
Ye Qinghe was taken aback.
With her eyesight, she could only discern that this was probably a Stance Skill related to Body Tempering.
"But isn't Jiu practicing the Bian Stance?"
She knew.
Her little junior brother was gifted beyond measure and might have already perfected the Bian Stance. After all, his talent was overwhelmingly impressive when he learned the Chiwen Stance alongside her.
But now, she could not understand this Stance Skill.
It was clearly not the Bian Stance.
There was no Divine Intent of Bian, not even the basic forms, no manifestation of phenomena, but there was a mysterious rhythm.
Her eyes narrowed, observing even more seriously.
As she watched.
Ye Qinghe's pupils gradually widened.
In her eyes, Ning Qi's figure slowly disappeared.
She seemingly saw a river, a mountain, a cloud, a gust of wind, as well as tigers roaring and dragons roaring, wolves attacking and eagles screeching.
Mountains, water, clouds, fog, dragons, tigers, eagles, wolves…
Ye Qinghe couldn't comprehend but was profoundly shocked.
She fervently rubbed her eyes, only to find all those scenes vanished; Ning Qi was still there executing his punches, his moves seemingly mundane, but Ye Qinghe knew this was likely an extraordinary Stance Skill.
Perhaps it could rival the Bian Stance.
As to surpassing it?
She dared not think; after all, the True Martial Nine Stances were true martial techniques created by generations of the True Martial Sect. For her little junior brother to create a Stance Skill comparable at the age of four was already an extraordinary feat.
"This guy, Jiu, is defying the heavens!"
Before she knew it.
The White Ape had awakened.
Ye Qinghe heard movement and looked over to see the White Ape, after digesting that red fruit, looking even whiter, as if glowing with vitality. Its limbs, brows, and eyes were all covered in white hair, and it even seemed mystical, like an enlightened old ape to those unaware due to its smart and sly eyes.
The White Ape was about to roll over excitedly.
Ye Qinghe quickly signaled silence.
It then noticed Ning Qi practicing punches with closed eyes in the distance, wisely pausing its actions to avoid affecting Ning Qi, having been deeply impressed by Ning Qi smashing the Iron-Armed Ape earlier.
Curiosity arose within its eyes, observing Ning Qi's movements just as carefully as Ye Qinghe.
The White Ape's agile eyes gradually widened.
In its sight, Ning Qi gradually vanished, replaced by a Golden Monkey clad in a Taoist Robe. There was a special rhythm in the Golden Monkey's punches and kicks, as if questioning the heavens, which struck the White Ape like lightning, compelling it to mimic.
But no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't learn.
Even though the punches seemed simplistic, it felt incredibly inharmonious and uncomfortable when it tried.
Ye Qinghe watched the fumbling White Ape and softly reminded:
"Little monkey, this is a Stance Skill only for the Human Race, don't force yourself or you'll get hurt."
The White Ape froze, a look of utter disappointment on its face.
Yet shortly after.
It couldn't help but gaze at Ning Qi's back, a profound admiration and longing in its eyes.
It always felt this was unlike anything it had seen before.
Ye Qinghe marveled silently in her heart.
Both for the spirituality of the White Ape and the mystique of Ning Qi's Stance Skill, which even enticed the White Ape to learn.
Finally.
Under the gaze of both human and ape, Ning Qi gradually ceased his movements.
He opened his eyes, realizing he was a mere fist's distance from the edge of the stone platform, yet felt no panic. Despite having his eyes closed, he could 'see the divine,' sensing his surroundings, ensuring he wouldn't fall off the cliff.
Having reviewed 132 Stance Skills, understanding the essence of Stance Skills, observing myriad phenomena and the four seasons, using the True Martial Stance as a foundation, and melding myriad phenomena, he had finally reached enlightenment.
Ning Qi's lips curved into a smile.
Myriad Phenomena Origin Stance.
Was the fruit of this enlightenment.
The intention of Myriad Phenomena Origin carries his aspirations. While now, he merely glimpses the phenomena and may only grasp the surface, when his cultivation becomes profound, reaching further heights, perhaps he will touch the origin.
Undoubtedly.
This is a Supreme-level Stance Skill, and in Ning Qi's conception, it surpasses an Unparalleled-level Stance Skill.
From now on.
Body tempering will be a smooth path.
Ning Qi couldn't help but burst into laughter.