Zhuang Chen's obsession with the Way of the Sword was beyond question.
After witnessing Ning Qi's single strike, the little fatty had even blurted out words about becoming his disciple.
Divine Sword Old Man nearly passed out on the spot.
If this were any other disciple, he would have already drawn his sword to clean house.But this was Zhuang Chen.
His final disciple.His congenital sword bone.His treasure.
Divine Sword Old Man felt his liver ache with anger, yet he could not bring himself to strike.
Outside of combat, the boy was genuinely foolish. Acting on impulse was almost expected.
Ning Qi, meanwhile, was equally stunned. He had only meant to suppress Zhuang Chen and end the match cleanly. He had not expected to nearly steal someone else's disciple.
Fortunately, Dong He reacted quickly.
Seeing his master's face turn darker than iron, he flashed forward and dragged Zhuang Chen away by the collar.
"Senior Brother Ning Qi—!"
The little fatty struggled, stretching out his arms with a look of desperate reluctance.
Only when he was pulled far away did the Divine Sword Sect finally breathe again.
Dragon Mountain Daoist coughed lightly.
"Divine Sword Senior Brother… shall we end things here?"
Divine Sword Old Man's heart was filled with regret.
Not only had he lost face.He had lost the sword.And nearly lost his disciple.
He glanced at the Long Xiao Sword embedded in the ground, pain flashing across his eyes.
But a promise was a promise.
With a wave of his sleeve, the sword flew out and landed beside Dragon Mountain Daoist.
"Hmph. Today, you have the upper hand, Dragon Mountain."
"We will settle this again in ten years."
He stood abruptly, clearly unwilling to stay another moment.
"I will take my leave."
Dragon Mountain Daoist raised a hand.
"Senior Brother, wait."
A voice transmission followed, sent directly into Divine Sword Old Man's ears.
"We have not met in ten years. I have recently gained some understanding regarding the Heavenly Human realm. Why not stay a few days and discuss it together?"
"What happened back then… was only momentary anger."
Divine Sword Old Man froze.
Sharing insights into the Heavenly Human realm was no small matter.
He looked at Dragon Mountain Daoist, expression complicated.
After a long silence, he let out a breath.
"…You old Daoist."
Dragon Mountain Daoist laughed.
"A mutual exchange benefits us both."
At last, Divine Sword Old Man nodded.
"Dong He. Behave properly on Zhenwu Mountain."
Luo Wentian clasped his hands.
"We will host our guests well."
With that, the elders departed together.
The ten-year pact had ended—not with bloodshed, but with quiet understanding.
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi lay on a rattan chair, ancient texts resting on his chest.
A subtle transformation was taking place within him.
Threads of unfamiliar power were being born, slowly gathering toward his dantian.
"So this is Inner Strength…"
His eyes shone.
This power was not material, yet it was real. A single trace could amplify the body tremendously, though for now, it could only enhance a small part.
This was the essence of Inner Yuan.
"The physical body bears fruit… two months for it to fully form."
"At most, I am half-step Inner Yuan."
For others, this stage was merely transitional.
For Ning Qi, it was already enough.
Inner Strength was born of intent and body together—illusory, yet capable of real destruction.
From illusion… to solidity.
That was the path from Inner Yuan to Gang Yuan.
He rose and practiced the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Pillar.
The newly born Inner Strength responded immediately.
"Multiplied Strength Skills…"
"True Martial Strength…"
"Still insufficient."
He paused.
"Since my foundation is the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Pillar, I must create a matching Multiplied Strength Skill."
Lowering his standard would only slow him down.
With calm confidence, he began to deduce.
Two hours later—
A new Multiplied Strength Skill had taken shape.
But Ning Qi was still unsatisfied.
"I can do better."
He exhaled slowly.
Then spoke calmly.
"Heavenly Born. We have a guest."
Yuan Tiansheng stopped cultivating.
Moments later—
A sneaky little figure crept toward the courtyard.
Zhuang Chen.
Yuan Tiansheng charged without hesitation and kicked him squarely.
The two immediately started wrestling.
Zhuang Chen was shocked.
"You're strong!"
They fought evenly, neither using martial arts nor sword.
Only when Ning Qi spoke did they stop.
"Heavenly Born. Let him through."
Zhuang Chen rushed over, eyes shining.
"Little Master Ning Qi!"
"Don't call me that."
"Then teach me that sword."
"With your talent, you will comprehend it yourself."
"No."
"It's different."
"Your sword… is cooler."
Ning Qi stared.
"…You noticed?"
Zhuang Chen nodded vigorously.
Then leaned in, whispering:
"I'll give you a peerless secret technique."
"In exchange."
"Teach me that sword."