Zhenwu Mountain.
Daoist Longshan stepped through the air, arriving swiftly after receiving Ning Qi's secret message, landing directly outside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
"Little Nine, did you find a lead?" Daoist Longshan asked hurriedly.
Ning Qi slowly recounted everything that had happened that night.
He had preserved the seductive woman's corpse. Though, as expected, no useful items were found on her, Ning Qi still used Extreme Cold Qi to keep it intact—just in case it might come in handy someday.
At this moment.
As Ning Qi narrated, Daoist Longshan's expression grew increasingly serious.
"Southern Frontier tribes? Blood King Gu?"
Ning Qi nodded and asked,
"Master, how much do you know about the Southern Frontier?"
This was also why he had called Daoist Longshan back. Books and records only covered so much—they were never the full picture.
Ning Qi only knew that the Southern Frontier lay to the south of the Great Yan Dynasty. Dynasties across history had tried to conquer and annex it, all of which had failed. To the common people of Great Yan, the region carried a veil of mystique. But the more powerful cultivators knew—behind the mystery lay immense strength. Otherwise, it would have been swallowed by Great Yan long ago.
Daoist Longshan's eyes showed a trace of wariness.
"The Southern Frontier has the Ten-Thousand Mountains. The land within is vast and uncharted. Besides the countless exotic beasts, what we know are the Southern Frontier tribes. These tribes are scattered across the mountains and don't get along well with each other. There's constant infighting. From what little I've heard, they aren't unified like our Great Yan, but operate more like a tribal alliance."
"These tribes rarely interact with the outside world. Each has its own mysterious techniques. Gu mastery is one such skill. I heard during my travels that these tribes cultivate strange Gu insects and merge them with their martial arts, granting all kinds of supernatural abilities. For example, a Strength Gu can greatly enhance physical power when fused."
"I've never heard of this Blood King Gu before. But judging by its sinister creation process, it must have significant uses—perhaps even to cultivate Heaven-Man Realm experts… or something greater!"
Ning Qi's spirit stirred.
It made sense.
A Core Formation Realm expert had been discarded without hesitation. Surely they wouldn't go to such lengths just to raise some Qi Origin Realm fighters. That would be a terrible return on investment.
"This matter must involve major powers. It's almost certain that Heaven-Man Realm experts are involved. The only uncertainty is whether this is the act of a single tribe from the Southern Frontier—or multiple tribes working together."
The nature of that difference was immense.
If it were the latter, even the Zhenwu Sect wouldn't be able to shake them.
"I lean toward a few tribes acting independently. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so cautious," Ning Qi said.
The fall of Xue Mei Manor had happened nine years ago. The Divine Sword Sect was only just destroyed recently. If too much had been stirred up in that time, it would've been noticed.
By that logic, whoever was behind this clearly feared Great Yan's might.
Daoist Longshan nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Perhaps one or two Heaven-Man Realm experts are backing them—but no more."
"This needs to be thoroughly investigated. Whether it's for you, Little Nine, or for Brother Divine Sword and Little Ten—or for those innocent lives—we must get to the bottom of it. Now that we have a lead, it'll be much easier. Next, we should follow the trail of human trafficking, focusing around that Human Blood Pool Brother Divine Sword mentioned…" ʀåN𝐎𝐁Ε𝒮
He began making plans.
Ning Qi offered constant suggestions from the side.
"We should also pay attention to people whose styles clearly differ from traditional Great Yan martial artists. That'll help us narrow the scope quickly."
Master and disciple soon finalized a course of action—and both found it reasonable.
"They might lay low for a while. But as long as they don't give up on raising that so-called Blood King Gu, they'll eventually slip up."
Ning Qi nodded.
"Exactly. Judging by that woman's special Gu insect, they assumed she'd die instantly upon encountering a Heaven-Man Realm expert. But they don't know we've already uncovered so much. That's our advantage. Now, we're in the shadows, and they're exposed!"
Daoist Longshan made a decisive call.
"Little Nine, as usual—you'll guard Zhenwu Mountain. I'll go investigate."
Naturally, this time he wouldn't act openly. He would seek out old contacts and probe in secret.
To Daoist Longshan, Ning Qi was the stronger of the two. It made more sense for him to guard the mountain. For instance, had it been him facing that female intruder the other night, he could've captured her—but likely wouldn't have gotten nearly as much information.
Of course, he also wanted Ning Qi to have more time to cultivate.
His own cultivation had slowed. Half a year or even a year wouldn't make much difference to him. But for Ning Qi, the gains would be massive. He hadn't forgotten—Ning Qi was still only nine years old.
Ning Qi didn't object.
"Master, take this Qingxuan Treasure Armor."
He handed the Qingxuan Treasure Armor to Daoist Longshan. Now that they knew Heaven-Man Realm experts were involved, he had to consider his master's safety. Besides, he already had the Qingxuan Bodyguard Technique, which gave him better defense than the armor.
Daoist Longshan looked surprised. Just by sensing it briefly, he knew the armor was extraordinary. He even felt a hint of familiarity in its aura.
Seeing his master's puzzled expression, Ning Qi didn't hide the truth.
"It came from the Demonic Sect expert who attacked us last time."
Daoist Longshan was shocked.
He finally remembered where that familiar aura came from.
Back when the Great Yan diplomatic group visited, five Heaven-Man Realm experts from the Demonic Sect launched a night attack. Four died. Only the one rivaling the Heaven-Man Ranking experts escaped with severe wounds, injured by the North-Stabilizing King. Daoist Longshan had tried to finish him off—but the armor-wearing Elder Wang hadn't felt a thing from his attacks.
"But didn't that guy escape?" Questions popped up in Daoist Longshan's mind.
Seeing his disciple smiling without a word, he suddenly understood.
"No wonder you showed up so late that night, Little Nine—you went to hunt him down."
A Heaven-Man Ranking-level expert slain by Ning Qi. It felt unreal. The world still thought the man had escaped. No one would guess his little disciple had quietly finished the job. That blame was probably now placed on the North-Stabilizing King. Daoist Longshan didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Amazed, he didn't refuse the armor and accepted it without fuss.
It was his disciple's token of filial respect.
Ning Qi smiled.
"Master, if you get any leads, notify me immediately. I know a few tracking techniques—don't alarm the enemy."
Daoist Longshan nodded solemnly.
He had full faith in his little disciple's abilities.
Daoist Longshan also went to see Zhuang Chen. Upon learning that his injuries had healed and his Sword Bone was recovering, he was overjoyed and offered a few words of encouragement.
"Your master's death is still being investigated. I will get justice. Focus on your recovery. I don't have much time to teach you right now, so if you have questions, consult your Ninth Senior Brother."
He didn't hide anything from Zhuang Chen. He also told him the force behind the destruction of the Divine Sword Sect might be connected to the Southern Frontier.
Affection deepened with time. Daoist Longshan had interacted with Zhuang Chen and knew he had a sincere heart. With sincerity in exchange, Zhuang Chen would one day fully embrace the Zhenwu Sect.
Zhuang Chen was moved.
Warmth spread in his heart.
Though the Divine Sword Sect and his master were gone, he now had a new master who cared for him—and a group of senior brothers and sisters who looked after him.
In the past few days, Luo Wentian and others had come to visit often. Their heartfelt concern warmed his devastated heart.
"Thank you, Master!" Zhuang Chen said sincerely.
He was never one to overthink. If someone treated him well, he would remember it forever and repay it tenfold.
Daoist Longshan smiled and waved it off.
"No need for such formality between master and disciple."
As he was about to leave—
Zhuang Chen suddenly remembered something and quickly said,
"Master, before my master passed, he told me to give you the Sword Saint Legacy he once received."
He had passed out after burying the Divine Sword Elder and only now had the chance to see Daoist Longshan. From what he heard just now, his master was about to leave the mountain again.
Daoist Longshan paused. If Zhuang Chen hadn't mentioned it, he would've forgotten all about it.
He didn't turn around. He just smiled and said,
"Tell your Ninth Senior Brother instead."
Zhuang Chen stared blankly at Daoist Longshan's departing figure, his heart becoming even more at ease. A trace of admiration appeared in his eyes.
…
The next day.
Daoist Longshan quietly left the mountain. This time, there was no fanfare, no staged commotion. Other than a few True Disciples, the rest of the Zhenwu Sect didn't even know he was gone.
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi continued assisting Zhuang Chen with the Reverse Circulation Innate Sword Body Secret Art.
After several days of grinding, Zhuang Chen had gradually become accustomed to the intense pain. Though he still looked pitiful, he could now endure it for longer stretches. This was a special kind of tempering for him. At this moment, his gaze was sharp like a sword yet to be unsheathed—completely different from before.
Only when Zhuang Chen collapsed in spasms did Ning Qi stop.
A trace of approval flashed in Ning Qi's eyes.
"Little Ten, with the power of your newly reborn Sword Bone, you should be able to run the Innate Sword Body Secret Art on your own now. If you stick with it for a month, your Sword Bone will fully recover—stronger than ever."
Ning Qi wasn't worried about the rest. The hardest part was over. With the technique now reversed, the process would only get easier—it just required patience.
Zhuang Chen's eyes were full of gratitude.
But he said nothing, only engraved it in his heart. During this time spent with his master and senior brothers and sisters, he had learned something—there was no need for formality. Remember it in your heart and repay it in the future.
Zhuang Chen began meditating.
A short while later.
He looked at Ning Qi and said,
"Ninth Senior Brother, I've recovered. I can tell you the Sword Saint Legacy my master once taught me now!"
He showed no hesitation. Ning Qi had been selfless toward him, and he wouldn't hold back. This was probably the only way he could help right now.
Ning Qi nodded and smiled.
"Alright."
His eyes held a trace of anticipation.
Though the Divine Sword Elder's Sword Saint Legacy was incomplete, it might still offer some inspiration.