For Ning Qi,
His greatest need wasn't for sheer power, but minimal side effects—nothing that would affect his future or foundation.
This Virtual Sword Core Shattering Technique was just right.
"This Virtual Sword Core Shattering Technique can be used as a minor trump card, reusable. I just need to recover from injuries each time and spend some time condensing a new Sword Core."
Ning Qi had a very clear sense of purpose.
But that wasn't the full result of his insights this time.
He shifted his senses to the false core that throbbed continuously near his heart.
During the process of condensing the Sword Core, he had also cleared the final barrier and created the False Core Shattering Technique.
With a surge of Qi, the false core could be shattered, unleashing even more terrifying power.
This was far stronger than the virtual Sword Core. Ning Qi estimated it could triple his current combat strength.
However, the side effects would also be much greater—he'd suffer severe injuries.
Though it wouldn't harm his foundation, he would need at least half a year to recover.
This was his ultimate trump card.
He wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary, as half a year of downtime was a cost he couldn't afford.
"The False Core Shattering Technique and the Heaven-Merging False Core Technique can actually be recorded as a series of secret arts."
Ning Qi thought with a faint smile on his lips.
With these two shattering techniques, his sense of security grew even stronger.
Now,
He just had to wait for clues on Blood Rain Pavilion. Then he could wrap everything up in one net, bringing closure to what happened all those years ago. 𝐫ÂꞐọBĚṦ
…
Spring winds brushed the face, and flowers bloomed across Zhenwu Mountain.
Zhuang Chen had gradually integrated into the Zhenwu Sect.
Disciples of both the inner and outer sects were now aware they had a Tenth Senior Brother.
Ye Qinghe was especially pleased, as she'd gained a new drinking companion.
She discovered Zhuang Chen also had a fondness for wine, so she brought him along to share some of the fine brews she'd collected over the years—and even taught him to brew Peach Blossom Wine.
For a time,
Ye Qinghe, Zhuang Chen, and Yuan Tiansheng—the human and ape trio—became an ungovernable force in the sect, frequently turning the place upside down.
Only Luo Wentian and Ning Qi could keep those three in check.
Still, everyone was genuinely glad to see Zhuang Chen fitting in so well.
People must remember hatred, but shouldn't live consumed by it.
A childlike heart that clearly distinguishes kindness from grievance is often the purest and least susceptible to corruption.
In a flash,
Three months had passed since Divine Sword Sect was annihilated.
Outside the Seeking Dao Courtyard, peach blossoms were in full bloom.
Daoist Longshan occasionally sent updates.
Since last month, signs of movement from the Southern Frontier forces had begun to surface.
But it was just a few subtle probes.
Daoist Longshan remained patient, not alarming the enemy. He would only close the net when a target of sufficient weight appeared.
Ning Qi was looking forward to it—that would be the moment he descended the mountain.
For now, he had to wait.
After digesting the Qingfeng Sword Saint's inheritance, Ning Qi resumed his usual routine of cultivation and scripture reading.
The Daoist scriptures sent by Zhenxuan Sect were being absorbed at an astonishing pace.
Less than half remained unread.
His cultivation was also proceeding smoothly.
He advanced with steady determination.
Ning Qi's Jade Liquid Sea grew ever deeper and more vast.
It was hard to imagine—if this ocean of energy condensed into a Core, what terrifying power that Core would hold.
Besides that, he was eagerly awaiting one more thing.
The Enlightenment Tea Tree.
Over the past few days, Ning Qi could feel the seed growing more and more active.
The flesh of that Heaven-Man Realm expert from the Demonic Sect had caused an unusual change in it.
Combined with Ning Qi's nurturing methods, it had truly come alive—seemingly ready to break through the soil.
At this moment,
Nine pairs of eyes stared intently at a patch of soil.
Chubby Zhuang Chen and White Ape were even lying flat on the ground, their eyes level with the surface.
White Ape's pose was nimble and agile, while Zhuang Chen's belly pressed against the dirt—a bit comical.
Yesterday, Ning Qi had casually mentioned that the seed of the Enlightenment Tea Tree might sprout soon.
As a result, all his fellow disciples had shown up this morning, determined to witness the moment for themselves.
And so this scene came to be.
They had been watching for an hour now, and it looked like they'd be there for some time more.
Ning Qi shook his head, chuckling, and turned his gaze back to the Daoist scripture in his hands.
Even though the seed's spiritual activity had reached a peak, no one knew when exactly it would break through.
He wasn't about to waste time.
But moments later,
A flicker of surprise lit up Ning Qi's eyes.
He put down the scripture and looked toward the soil.
Cries of delight rang out:
"It's coming out! It's sprouting!"
"The Enlightenment Tea Tree is really sprouting! Little Nine, come look!"
In their line of sight,
A sprout emerged from the soil—not fast, but steady and tenacious.
It stirred something inexplicable in the heart, and Ning Qi felt a faint resonance—perceiving a rhythm of life within the seedling.
Everyone stared in amazement.
The seedling, nourished by spiritual energy, grew rapidly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the size of two palms.
Its main stem was reddish-brown, and faint bumps hinted at budding branches.
Everyone was ecstatic, marveling at this miracle of life.
Zhuang Chen giggled foolishly:
"Maybe in two years, we'll get to drink Enlightenment Tea!"
Everyone smiled warmly.
They all turned to look at Ning Qi—
Only to find him entranced, as if enlightened.
They immediately fell silent, inwardly amazed at how freakishly high Ning Qi's comprehension was.
They had all witnessed the sprouting of the Enlightenment Tea Tree, yet only Ning Qi grasped a deeper essence.
Moments later,
Ning Qi came back to himself.
He had indeed gained some insight.
He hadn't created a new technique or art from it, but he did consolidate the life Dao rhythm he'd perceived in the sprouting moment.
This was solid foundation, something that might become useful in the future.
This had always been his method: read scriptures for years, build up his foundation, and when the time came to create, he could craft techniques with ease.
This time, the impact was particularly strong.
He would later attempt to apply this life Dao rhythm.
Ning Qi had a hunch—frequent observation of the Enlightenment Tea Tree would bring considerable benefits.
But for now, the tree still needed to grow.
He smiled and said:
"Let's aim to have it grow a few leaves within two years. Then, at the next Zhenwu Peach Gathering, we can all have a taste."
Ning Qi was confident.
The hardest part—getting it to sprout—was done.
The rest would follow naturally.
He was curious whether Enlightenment Tea really had the legendary effects, and if the tree could further enhance his cultivation.
Everyone cheered.
Especially Zhuang Chen, who was practically drooling.
He'd already heard from Ye Qinghe about the exclusive Zhenwu Peach Gathering held among the True Disciples.
He had been looking forward to tasting the Zhenwu Peach, and now the Enlightenment Tea added to his excitement.
…
Another month passed.
Peach blossoms began to fall, and peaches started to form.
Many True Disciples were already looking forward to the Peach Gathering.
Every year, unless pressing matters arose, they would descend the mountain for extended training after the gathering.
But before the Peach Gathering arrived—
Daoist Longshan brought news.
The Southern Frontier faction had finally made a significant move!
To prevent information from leaking, Daoist Longshan personally returned to Zhenwu Mountain.
"It's 'Thunder'—one of the four from Blood Rain Pavilion's 'Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning'!"
Daoist Longshan's very first words made Ning Qi jolt with alertness.
This was the closest they had come to the culprits.
Years of investigation had pointed to 'Lord Feng'—who led the massacre at Xue Mei Manor—as being 'Wind' from the quartet.
Now that they had found 'Thunder', 'Wind' couldn't be far.
A cold glint flashed briefly in Ning Qi's eyes before his expression calmed.
"Where is he?"
Daoist Longshan gestured for patience, then explained slowly:
"Recently, the nameless force behind the Divine Sword Sect massacre has gone quiet. But the intel you obtained from that woman during the night raid was accurate—Blood Rain Pavilion and that nameless faction are working together."
"Soon after, Blood Rain Pavilion activity picked up again."
"At first, only Bronze and Silver ranked assassins moved. But this time, it's a Gold-ranked killer."
"I received word that in seven days, two major factions in Canghe Prefecture City will clash. The Iron Fist Gang has hired 'Thunder' to assassinate the Black Wind Bandits' leader. If successful, they'll likely take all the corpses."
"These days, they've been very careful—often using such operations to collect martial artists' bodies. If we didn't already know the trick, no ordinary person would notice anything!"
Daoist Longshan gave a cold snort.
He had endured long enough and was ready to wipe them all out.
Because they had seven days, he made the special trip back to Zhenwu Mountain.
Ning Qi listened and understood.
Following the trail of 'Thunder' would inevitably lead them to Blood Rain Pavilion—and the bigger secrets behind it.
As long as the thread didn't snap, they could keep pulling.
But if it broke, the enemy would be alerted.
So this operation was critical.
Still, Ning Qi was confident.
His current strength and methods were beyond anyone's imagination.
"Little Nine, are you ready?" Daoist Longshan asked.
Ning Qi smiled calmly and nodded:
"Of course."
Lately, he had focused on refining various secret arts for tracking, stealth, and eye techniques.
His blade was long since sharpened.