Zhenxuan Dojo.
As the Barbarian Emperor and Baoshu Buddha departed, the once chaotic scene gradually calmed down, but the shocked gazes did not ease at all, all fixed on Daoist Baishan.
Now that the melee had ceased, the previously tense atmosphere dissipated.
Only then did they begin to realize what had truly happened.
They had originally thought they were attending just a Heaven-Man Ascension Ceremony for a newly promoted Heaven-Man of the Zhenxuan Sect today, but who would have expected that this so-called new Heaven-Man was actually the legendary founder of the Zhenxuan Sect, True Immortal of Zhenxuan!
"We pay our respects to the True Immortal!" The resounding voices echoed throughout Zhenxuan Mountain as everyone bowed respectfully.
This was the living True Immortal.
If they could receive even a shred of guidance, it would be an incredible windfall—an unparalleled opportunity that could never be sought out by chance.
Everyone's eyes burned with fervent desire.
Daoist Baishan only smiled and waved his hand.
Now that they had revealed themselves, there was no longer any need to hide. After all, in a few days, the old fellows would all emerge one after another.
"Thank you all for attending this old Daoist's Heaven-Man Ascension Ceremony. I apologize if any of you were startled." He spoke without any airs, and everyone felt honored to the point of being overwhelmed, hardly daring to respond.
The disciples of the Zhenxuan Sect were wildly enthusiastic.
To have the legendary founder appear before their eyes—this faith crystallized into a dream so vivid that many older Daoists were moved to tears. None could have imagined that the unassuming Daoist Baishan was actually the True Immortal.
Ning Qi did not know when he had returned.
He exchanged a glance with Daoist Longshan, who nodded with a gentle smile. Relief washed over him immediately, and at the same time, he marveled silently. The unspoken understanding between master and disciple was all conveyed through that glance. Meanwhile, the other True Martial disciples remained completely oblivious, with only Zhuang Chen and Li Ling harboring some guesses.
Daoist Baishan glanced at Ning Qi and then raised his voice:
"Today, this old Daoist will explain the Way of the Heaven-Man to you all."
They had already reached the lecture segment earlier, but it had been interrupted by the Great Awakening Temple crowd. Now without interference, it naturally continued.
One cannot receive a gift without fulfilling the duty.
The crowd immediately erupted with excitement.
The True Immortal personally lecturing far exceeded their expectations. Daoist Longshan sat upright with grave respect, and even Ning Qi felt a stirring of anticipation.
On the Dao Platform,
Daoist Baishan sat casually as the vast voice of the Way began:
"The Heaven-Man cultivates the Three Blossoms of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Though the Three Blossoms represent Heaven, Earth, and Man, their root ultimately cannot escape a single human character..."
At this moment, Daoist Baishan's expression was serene as he slowly expounded on the Way of the Heaven-Man. The True Immortal's aura naturally radiated from him. Occasionally, marvels of mountains and rivers appeared in the sky, and white cranes circled gracefully. The voice of the Way resounded immensely, and the guests listened as if entranced, feeling as if enlightenment had been poured directly into their minds.
Ning Qi could tell that Daoist Baishan was revealing everything without reservation.
Whether out of compensation for the disturbance earlier or for some other reason, his explanation of the Heaven-Man Way was exceptionally thorough, truly laying bare all secrets.
Not only that, but he also employed profound mystical forces to enhance his lecture, aiding the listeners.
This was the comprehension of a Martial Sage Realm expert on the Heaven-Man Way, naturally possessing some unique aspects from a lofty perspective. Even Ning Qi felt he gained something from it, let alone the others. Some were moved to tears, deeply touched as if hearing the Way at dawn and ready to die contentedly by dusk.
No one knew how much time had passed.
Only then did Daoist Baishan slowly stop his lecture.
One guest after another was still savoring the teachings, each having gained much. Some even broke through on the spot, overcome with gratitude and tears.
"We bow in thanks to the True Immortal for imparting the Way!"
Everyone was deeply moved and immensely grateful.
This was no mere formality but a genuine outpouring of heartfelt thanks.
What Daoist Baishan had shared today completely unfolded the Way of the Heaven-Man before all present—something that had never occurred at past Heaven-Man Ascension Ceremonies. The greatest beneficiaries were those already at the Heaven-Man Realm. The teachings today dispelled much of their confusion. In the future, as long as they took steady steps forward, they would surely reach heights once thought impossible.
As for the others at the Qi Origin Realm or younger disciples, they also gained significantly. Although the Heaven-Man Realm was still far from them, today's gradual and in-depth explanation gave them a clear goal to pursue.
Daoist Baishan smiled lightly and raised his brow:
"Remember these teachings, and work hard."
His words seemed to contain both admonition and encouragement. Everyone was even more grateful. Ning Qi raised an eyebrow. At first, he had thought Daoist Baishan was simply compensating the guests for the earlier disturbance during the ceremony, but now it seemed unlikely. Otherwise, there was no need to impart the Way so selflessly.
Now it felt more like he hoped everyone would improve their strength to face some forthcoming event.
His mind stirred with speculation.
Everyone respectfully saluted:
"We will remember the True Immortal's teachings!"
After a brief silence, a daring Heaven-Man Realm expert stood up. He was Yang Li Zhenren of the world's foremost Daoist sect, the Yin-Yang Sect. He took a deep breath and said:
"There is one matter I wish to ask the True Immortal!"
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
Daoist Baishan replied calmly:
"Speak."
Yang Li Zhenren dared not offend and cautiously asked:
"May I ask if the True Immortal has lived for ten thousand years?"
Daoist Baishan slowly shook his head:
"No, a Martial Sage can live at most three thousand years. We ancient sages came to the present world through different means."
Ning Qi's eyes narrowed.
"True Immortal, with the ancient sages emerging one after another, is there a great matter about to happen?" Many gazes brimmed with yearning; they vaguely sensed unease.
Daoist Baishan fell silent, sighing after a long moment:
"The time has not yet come."
Yang Li Zhenren quickly apologized.
Everyone's hearts leapt again.
But Daoist Baishan had already risen and, amidst many reverent gazes, floated away gracefully.
The remaining affairs were taken over by Daoist Baiye and two others.
Some customary words had to be said, of course.
But judging by the unsettled looks in everyone's eyes, it was clear that when today's events spread, great upheavals would follow. The entire Great Yan Dynasty might be shaken to its core. With the ancient sages returning, many powers would probably be reshuffled.
Some currently strong Martial Path sects might not have long-standing traditions. Instead, some fading minor forces could witness ancient sages' revival.
But what troubled everyone most was what the return of the ancient sages truly meant behind the scenes.
Ning Qi no longer wished to stay. After exchanging a glance with Daoist Longshan, he quietly left without a sound.
...
Top floor of the Zhenxuan Sect's Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi stepped in slowly.
Daoist Baishan, who was flipping through ancient texts in front of a white jade bookshelf, turned around. His robe fluttered like a flying immortal, a temperament completely different from the one Ning Qi had seen before. But in the next moment, that True Immortal aura vanished. He grinned broadly, revealing large yellow teeth, then clicked his tongue:
"Ah, Ning boy, you really hide things deeply!"
He circled Ning Qi, inspecting him, a lecherous gleam appearing in his eyes.
Ning Qi's earlier sense of unfamiliarity instantly vanished. Casually brushing away Daoist Baishan's right hand, he rolled his eyes:
"Likewise, you never told me you were the famous True Immortal of Zhenxuan."
Daoist Baishan chuckled:
"Isn't that modesty? This old Daoist isn't one for flaunting. Besides, I did warn you—follow me in the future, and you'll live a life of luxury. If you don't advance, don't blame me."
Ning Qi glanced at him, then casually picked up an ancient book from the shelf.
He had originally wondered where these ancient texts came from, but now it was clear that most likely they belonged to this man, perhaps even written by him.
Ning Qi flipped open the book:
"It says here that the power of Heaven and Earth is called spiritual energy. What does that mean?"
Daoist Baishan looked at him as if he were a bumpkin:
"In ancient times, that was the common term. Later, the inheritance was cut off, and the term spiritual energy gradually disappeared. People now use the name 'power of Heaven and Earth' out of respect. Of course, that's not the whole story—strictly speaking, the power of Heaven and Earth and spiritual energy do have some differences."
"You didn't know that? You boy can't really be only eleven years old, can you?"
He stared directly at Ning Qi, seemingly trying to discern some clue.
Mainly because Ning Qi's earlier performance was astonishing, even surpassing Baoshu Buddha. Though Daoist Baishan disdained Baoshu Buddha's character, he acknowledged his strength. The ancient sages alive today were not people just anyone could contend with.
Logically, aside from a few special individuals, no one in this era could match these old monsters.
Ning Qi was definitely an exception.
Ning Qi raised an eyebrow:
"If not? How old do you think I am? Twelve?"
Daoist Baishan grimaced, feeling some chest tightness, and finally sighed deeply:
"Damn... truly a prodigy!"
Regret flashed in his eyes.
"If you had been born ten thousand years earlier, maybe..."
Ning Qi caught the implication and asked simply:
"Why did the inheritance break off?"
Daoist Baishan sighed:
"It was all erased."
Ning Qi was surprised:
"Was it not done by the Great Yan Martial Sages?"
Daoist Baishan laughed:
"Of course not. Though that one was powerful, he alone could not have erased all Martial Sage techniques from history."
This solved a doubt in Ning Qi's heart. Previously, both Wu Jianghe and the Grand Elder of the Demonic Sect had thought the Great Yan Martial Sages wanted sole supremacy and thus erased all Martial Sage techniques. It now seemed not to be the case.
Ning Qi looked directly at Daoist Baishan:
"Why is that?"
Daoist Baishan's gaze deepened:
"Cannot say."
"Is it related to some anomaly in Heaven and Earth?"
"Cannot say."
Ning Qi fell silent, then exhaled softly:
"Is there anything you can tell me?"
Daoist Baishan sighed:
"Some things I do not wish to tell you, but forcibly telling you benefits neither you nor me. One day when you reach the Martial Sage Realm, you will naturally understand. But for you, reaching the Martial Sage Realm now is not easy. Without Martial Sage techniques or abundant spiritual energy, you still need to wait a while."
They spoke side by side, gazing out the window.
"So you're saying none of you are truly Martial Sages now?" Ning Qi asked, his tone firm.
He had clearly sensed the earlier battle. Except for the blind old man, the other three, like him, relied on Martial Sage relics. The only difference was that the three had once been powerful Martial Sages, so they could wield Martial Sage power through their relics with ease, unleashing great force.
Daoist Baishan nodded:
"Exactly. The spiritual energy has not yet recovered. You and I are no different, merely perfect Heaven-Men. My previous power relied on my life-bound relic, the Zhenxuan Seal."
He turned his palm, and a small seal floated above it, exuding profound energy.
Ning Qi also took out the Yu King Bead.
Daoist Baishan suddenly laughed:
"You actually obtained a Martial Sage relic too, and you've even figured out how to use it. Not simple at all. But I never expected the relic you got would be the Yu King Bead."
Ning Qi was surprised:
"You know this relic? I got it from the Demonic Sect."
Daoist Baishan showed a look of reminiscence:
"Of course. Actually, I once met the owner of this Yu King Bead—seems like in the last but one reincarnation. Later, in the last reincarnation, I woke to find the Great Yu had been replaced by the Great Yan, and that one had disappeared. I don't know if he chose some other way to avoid the world."
Seeing Ning Qi's serious expression, Daoist Baishan laughed:
"Don't worry. If that one really awakens and returns, I'll mediate between you all. It won't be a big problem. But I think he most likely ran into trouble and may not be able to come back."
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
He really didn't know if the owner of the Yu King Bead would come to cause trouble, but he would not pin all hopes on others. He just remembered this and quietly raised his guard.
Daoist Baishan shook his head with a wry smile, knowing Ning Qi had not fully absorbed his words.
Ning Qi asked again:
"You just mentioned spiritual energy. What exactly is it?"
Daoist Baishan thought a moment and said:
"Do you remember when I said there were differences between the power of Heaven and Earth and spiritual energy?"
"The difference lies in spiritual essence."
"In our era, due to certain reasons, all Martial Sage experts decided to separate the spiritual essence from the spiritual energy. Over time, this evolved into what is now called the power of Heaven and Earth. Without spiritual essence, although the power of Heaven and Earth still has great might, it lacks much of its spirituality."
"Do you know why the Zhenxuan Seal and your Yu King Bead can condense spiritual power? Oh right, spiritual power is what you commonly call Martial Sage power."
He smiled brightly.
Ning Qi was not foolish and immediately understood:
"You mean these two relics contain spiritual essence?"
"Well taught, child. Without spiritual essence, you cannot condense spiritual power. It's basically impossible to reach the Martial Sage Realm."
Ning Qi's heart jumped, learning this for the first time, but he frowned and said:
"But I know some can reach the Martial Sage Realm by relying on external items, like the Blood Emperor Gu of the Southern Alliance and the Sacred Pills of the Demonic Sect. Could it be that these two contain vast amounts of spiritual essence?"
Daoist Baishan waved his hand:
"Relying on external items only creates false sages. In today's world environment, they are essentially funnels, continuously consuming spiritual power and even risking falling in realm. Unless one day the spiritual essence revives and they have the corresponding methods, only then might they stabilize and become true Martial Sages."
"Otherwise, these false sages can only bully little Heaven-Men. When they meet old fellows like us, they have to kneel. Of course, you, boy, are an exception."
He could not help but reveal astonishment on his face again.