Within the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi slowly practiced the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Pillar.
Although his physical body had already reached a flawless state, cultivation did not end there. The body still needed to be stimulated by spirit and will, continuously producing Inner Strength.
At this moment, the Inner Strength within Ning Qi's body was no longer scattered wisps. It had gathered into a dense, rotating mass. Once it fully condensed, it would form an Inner Yuan Fruit, nourishing his body and extending his lifespan once again.
That would mark his true entry into the Inner Yuan Realm.
For Ning Qi, this breakthrough was already in sight—perhaps twenty days away.
As his cultivation deepened, his understanding of Inner Strength grew increasingly profound.
"Inner Strength is formless," Ning Qi reflected. "A virtual substance."
"The wisps I sensed before, and the condensed mass now—these are merely feedback produced by the physical body. Inner Strength does not truly 'exist' in a tangible sense."
He casually threw a punch.
The motion caused his muscles and bones to subtly compress, squeezing out fresh strands of Inner Strength.
"In the Inner Yuan Realm, cultivation is about solidifying the virtual."
"When Inner Strength reaches an advanced stage, it enters a semi-solid state. At that point, it can be attached to fists, palms, and weapons, dramatically amplifying power."
His thoughts flowed smoothly.
"How does one solidify the virtual?"
The answer emerged naturally.
"Through multiplication of strength."
"Each multiplication is a process where Inner Strength merges back into the physical body, strengthening it. The strengthened body then produces even more condensed Inner Strength."
"Nine such cycles… and Inner Strength transforms into Gang Yuan."
Ning Qi's eyes shone.
"All Multiplied Strength Arts follow this logic."
"First—merge Inner Strength with the body. Second—compress new Inner Strength from the enhanced body."
"The difference lies in how thoroughly the body is pushed."
"The Ice Silkworm Strength's nine cocoon-breakings are precisely nine moments where the body is forced beyond its limits. That's why it surpasses even the four superior arts of the True Martial Sect."
Then Ning Qi frowned slightly.
"But this still isn't the true limit."
At some point, he had stopped practicing his stance entirely.
He stood motionless in the courtyard, eyes closed, as inspiration surged like a flood.
"To truly reach the limit each time… the body must die, then be reborn."
"Only through death can its potential be fully extracted."
"But true death is too dangerous."
"If the life force is severed even slightly… that would be real death."
Ning Qi's thoughts accelerated.
"Then… replace death with feigned death."
"Nine deaths, nine rebirths."
"In dreams."
Boom.
A faint thunderclap echoed within his consciousness.
Unknowingly, drizzle began to fall from the sky.
White Ape noticed at once. He quietly retrieved an oil-paper umbrella and carefully stood beside Ning Qi, holding it above his head. Every movement was cautious, afraid of disturbing him.
In White Ape's eyes was nothing but reverence.
Although Ning Qi had never formally accepted him as a disciple, in White Ape's heart, Ning Qi had long since become his Master.
One man. One ape.
Standing silently in the rain.
Until night fell and the drizzle ceased.
Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes, joy shining within them.
"Heavenly Born," he said gently, "you should rest."
White Ape bowed deeply and withdrew.
Ning Qi looked up at the clearing sky and smiled faintly.
After studying seventy-six Multiplied Strength Arts, using the Ten Thousand Manifestations Source Pillar as a foundation, drawing from the Ice Silkworm Strength's rebirth concept, and refining the essence of Dream Gluttony—
He had succeeded.
Great Dream Nine Deaths Art.
"In the dream, the body dies."
"Upon waking, it is reborn."
"Each multiplication reaches the absolute limit."
"This is the Great Dream Nine Deaths."
"Breakthroughs are replaced by deep slumber. Danger is eliminated."
"As for excess energy…" Ning Qi chuckled softly. "It will be used to refine the body. I won't turn into a walking meat mountain like Little Fatty."
He stretched, satisfied.
Once he fully stepped into the Inner Yuan Realm, the second and third multiplications of strength could begin.
Across the world, reaching Inner Yuan within twenty years was already heaven-defying.
Ning Qi felt he could do far better.
"Still… the latter half of this art is incomplete."
"At great completion of Inner Yuan, Inner Strength becomes semi-solid and can carry attributes."
"Ice Silkworm Strength condenses icy Inner Strength. That is already touching the threshold of Gang Yuan."
"There's no rush."
"Reaching that stage will take at least a year."
Ning Qi set the matter aside.
Autumn faded. Cold winds swept Zhenwu Mountain.
The ripples caused by the Divine Sword Sect's visit gradually subsided. The battle where Ning Qi suppressed Zhuang Chen had drawn great attention, allowing many disciples to truly recognize the Ninth True Disciple's terrifying talent.
Some attempted to approach Ning Qi under the excuse of borrowing books.
But Ning Qi remained distant and quiet.
Soon, the Scripture Pavilion returned to peace.
Ye Qinghe and Jiang Baishan visited occasionally. Ye Qinghe teased White Ape, then shared news.
Qin Yun had been sent down the mountain by Dragon Mountain Daoist for training.
Ning Qi sighed softly.
Qin Yun hadn't visited in a long time.
He could only feel helpless.
That day, the courtyard was quiet.
Ning Qi sat cross-legged on his bed.
Within his body, change erupted.
Inner Strength surged, condensing completely.
"Gather."
The final trace of vitality was extracted.
The Inner Yuan Fruit formed.
Ning Qi's spirit soared.
Inner Strength flowed freely from his dantian into his limbs. Power surged—enough to shatter mountains.
Though newly advanced, he could already rival Inner Yuan experts of the sixth or seventh multiplication.
More importantly—
His lifespan increased once again.
Two hundred years.
At five years old, Ning Qi had nearly two centuries ahead of him.
He exhaled softly.
"So this is the Inner Yuan Realm."
Cultivation truly was intoxicating.
After stabilizing himself, Ning Qi tested the Great Dream Nine Deaths Art.
The sensation came instantly.
"This connection-building phase normally takes years…"
"But with this art—two or three months will suffice."
Satisfied, Ning Qi rose and headed for the Mingwu Pavilion.
But it was closed.
From behind, Luo Wentian's voice sounded.
"Xiao Jiu, Master entered seclusion yesterday."
Ning Qi smiled. "I'll wait, then."
They chatted briefly before parting.
Luo Wentian watched Ning Qi leave, doubt flickering in his eyes.
Finally, he laughed it off.
"He's only five… how could that be?"
And so, cultivation continued.
As the year's end approached, Ning Qi stood at the threshold of his first dream-death.
Just then—
White Ape brought news.
Dragon Mountain Daoist had emerged from seclusion.