Mingwu Pavilion.
Many senior disciples had come upon hearing the news, each wearing expressions full of joy and anticipation.
Since Lan Yiyi descended the mountain, several months had passed, but Qin Yun still had not awakened. It was impossible for them not to be anxious, yet Ning Qi had examined him carefully and knew there was no problem, so he quietly waited all this time.
Now, finally, he had awakened.
When Ning Qi arrived, Luo Wentian, Xiong Shi, and others were waiting outside the door.
"How is Eighth Senior Brother now?" Ning Qi asked in a low voice.
Luo Wentian also responded quietly:
"He just woke up. Right now, only Master is inside."
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
His thoughts drifted back to when they first ascended the mountain; they were somewhat chaotic. He understood that facing the current situation was not easy for Qin Yun either.
Seeing Jiang Baishan pacing anxiously beside him, Ning Qi simply put an arm around his shoulder.
Inside the pavilion.
An elderly man with white hair knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
"Master... your disciple is unfilial. Please punish me!"
Daoist Longshan looked at Qin Yun before him, somewhat dazed. He faintly recalled the young man's handsome and vigorous appearance, who used to smile brightly at him. Now, that young man had merged with this white-haired old man before his eyes. His eyes held both pain and anger.
"What wrong have you done?" He clasped his hands behind his back and slowly closed his eyes.
Qin Yun's body trembled slightly:
"Your disciple was ignorant and led astray in youth, causing great calamity. To see my honored master today is already a blessing of three lifetimes. I only hope that master is well. After this, your disciple will descend the mountain and leave..."
As he spoke, he kowtowed repeatedly.
Daoist Longshan angrily said:
"You still want to leave the mountain? Has the True Martial Sect become so repulsive to you?!"
He glared at Qin Yun, his fingers trembling slightly.
Qin Yun raised his head, his face full of fear, shaking it repeatedly:
"Your disciple has absolutely no such intention! Since descending the mountain, not a day has passed without longing to return to Zhenwu Mountain. It's just... your disciple has no face to face the master, no face to face the senior brothers..."
His face was bitter.
Though he had been asleep during this time, he had vague awareness of the outside world, sometimes strong, sometimes weak. He knew the care his senior brothers had shown him, but the more he felt it, the more uneasy and guilty he became. Perhaps for this reason, he only fully awakened now.
Daoist Longshan's expression softened slightly and he snorted coldly:
"I already know what you did in the Demonic Sect. Considering you risked your life to save Fifth Senior Brother, I still think of you as family. You are punished to guard the Sutra Pavilion for three years as discipline!"
Seeing Qin Yun's aged face, his heart softened, and he said softly:
"Little Eight, come home."
Qin Yun stood stiffly, then burst into loud sobs. He clung to Daoist Longshan's pant leg, tears gushing out. The emotions he had suppressed for so many years finally erupted uncontrollably:
"I was wrong! Master, I know I was wrong!"
After surviving the Blood Demon Pool ordeal, he had seen through everything. Regret gnawed at his soul constantly. He had wanted countless times to return and beg the master's forgiveness but dared not. Even when passing by Zhenwu Mountain, he only dared to look from afar.
Now, he finally had another chance.
His crying grew louder, faintly audible even outside Mingwu Pavilion. Everyone's hearts ached, and they silently turned their backs.
Daoist Longshan saw Qin Yun's state and felt a pang of sorrow, tears welling in his eyes.
He crouched down and gently patted Qin Yun's back, speaking softly:
"It's good you recognize your mistake. From now on... don't do this again."
Qin Yun shook his head repeatedly.
"I won't... never again!"
His heart surged. Only after losing something does one realize its true value.
Daoist Longshan was deeply comforted.
After a long while, Qin Yun's emotions gradually settled. Daoist Longshan asked:
"Little Eight, how do you feel now?"
He meant Qin Yun's physical condition.
Qin Yun's eyes flickered slightly, then said:
"Master, rest assured, everything is fine. Thanks to Miss Yiyi's Shared-Life Gu, your disciple truly does not know how to repay her kindness."
He spoke with a complicated expression.
Daoist Longshan was stunned:
"You... you already know?"
He had promised Lan Yiyi not to tell anyone and had prepared an excuse, but before he could speak, Qin Yun already knew everything.
Qin Yun nodded:
"After falling into a deep sleep, I would sometimes awaken vaguely. Though unclear, I roughly knew Miss Yiyi used the Shared-Life Gu."
He touched his chest.
He could not sense the exact location of the Gu, only vaguely remembered it was there.
Daoist Longshan sighed lightly.
"Very well, since you already know, it doesn't count as breaking your promise to Miss Lan. How you repay her kindness in the future is for you to consider." He glanced at Qin Yun's face with some pity, saying, "Little Eight, now that your lifespan has recovered, can your appearance also return?"
Qin Yun only smiled:
"Appearance is not important. To return to Zhenwu Mountain is already a blessing from Heaven. I dare not ask for more."
He wanted to keep his current look as a reminder to himself.
Daoist Longshan sighed:
"Very well. When your cultivation advances, it will surely restore. Otherwise, at such a young age, looking older than me, who would be the master and who the disciple?"
Both laughed.
"Shall we go see your senior brothers?"
Qin Yun's eyes trembled, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He finally took a deep breath and said:
"All right!"
The Mingwu Pavilion doors slowly opened.
Outside, everyone immediately turned to look.
Daoist Longshan led the way, followed by Qin Yun with a stooped figure. Everyone was shocked at first, but upon seeing Daoist Longshan's expression, they gradually relaxed. Qin Yun looked at the many familiar yet strange faces before him. Tears blurred his vision instantly. His mouth stammered, wanting to call out the names of his senior brothers, but the words stuck in his throat.
A figure suddenly dashed forward, grabbing Qin Yun's ear and lifting him:
"You little stinky Eighth Brother, think you're all grown up now, huh? Silent for years just running away, as if your Third Senior Sister doesn't exist!"
Ye Qinghe was huffing angrily, her eyes slightly red, but her grip was merciless. Qin Yun grimaced in pain:
"Ouch, be gentle! I was wrong, Sister! I won't dare again!"
Everyone's sorrow instantly vanished, and they all laughed.
Song Cheng laughed loudly beside them:
"Third Senior Sister, use a little more strength! Otherwise this stinky kid won't learn!"
Qin Yun quickly begged for mercy. Ye Qinghe squeezed for a while before stopping, hands on hips, looking fierce:
"Next time you do this, I'll have to pinch your ears off!"
She then looked Qin Yun over with disdain:
"Wait for Sister to find some miraculous beauty fruit for you. So young, yet so old-looking. If we walked out together, no one would know you're my junior brother!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Qin Yun smiled bitterly.
But inside, his heart was warm, feeling his senior sister's care. His lingering worries dissipated greatly.
The scene gradually quieted down.
Qin Yun took a deep breath and cupped his fists toward his senior brothers:
"All this is Little Eight's fault. Punish me however you like, I am willing to bear it!"
Luo Wentian chuckled and patted his shoulder:
"Good to have you back."
Everyone stepped forward, patting his shoulder, rubbing his head, or thumping his chest. Jiang Baishan's eyes reddened, and he finally gave Qin Yun a fierce hug.
Zhuang Chen and Li Ling just watched quietly. After all, Qin Yun had descended the mountain before they joined. But they were very happy; this was a great joy for Zhenwu Mountain.
Finally, all eyes turned to Ning Qi.
Qin Yun did not know when he began to feel nervous.
Ning Qi smiled lightly:
"Eighth Senior Brother, welcome home!"
Tears welled up in Qin Yun's eyes instantly.
He hurriedly wiped them with his sleeve but couldn't stop crying. Over the years down the mountain, whenever he thought of Zhenwu Mountain, his greatest regret was feeling he had let down Daoist Longshan, followed by feeling he had failed Ning Qi, failing his responsibility as a senior brother.
As a senior brother, he should have protected his juniors, yet jealousy had taken root inside him—how unforgivable.
Everyone felt deeply moved.
A single moment's difference sometimes leads to a completely different life path.
Qin Yun said softly:
"Xiao Jiu, I have something I want to say to you."
Ning Qi nodded.
The two walked side by side toward the Sutra Pavilion.
Everyone exchanged glances. When the disciples looked at them, Daoist Longshan waved his hand:
"It's fine. Let the two senior brothers talk it out themselves."
Watching their backs, he sighed.
Some matters needed to be resolved between the two; otherwise, the knot would remain forever.
Ning Qi and Qin Yun walked side by side.
This stretch of road, they had unknowingly walked countless times before. Back then, Ning Qi sat on Qin Yun's shoulders, but now Ning Qi had grown into a handsome young Daoist, while Qin Yun had grown old and frail.
"Unknowingly, Xiao Jiu, you've grown so much. I remember when I descended the mountain, you were only six years old." Qin Yun's voice was low.
Ning Qi sighed:
"That's right, time flies. Five years have passed."
Five years. Short yet long. For the Heaven-Man Realm, sometimes a single retreat lasts longer than five years, but for Ning Qi, it was a very long time. Back then, he was only in the Inner Origin Realm; now he was comparable to a Martial Sage. The gap was incredible.
Unconsciously, they reached near the Sutra Pavilion.
However, the pavilion had been expanded twice and no longer resembled its former appearance.
Qin Yun looked up, his expression complicated:
"Xiao Jiu, you were the one who stopped me that night, weren't you?"
He was referring to five years ago, when his inner demon had risen. He was about to sneak into the Seeking Dao Courtyard at night but was ambushed there. Ning Qi had subdued him with a slap, waking him up.
He had originally thought the person was an unknown force within the True Martial Sect, but after the Heavenly Sword True Immortal appeared and Ning Qi acted again, he finally connected the dots.
Ning Qi did not deny it and nodded slowly, showing some apology:
"That night, I didn't recognize you at first and accidentally injured you. Eighth Senior Brother, please forgive me."
Qin Yun smiled bitterly and shook his head:
"In the end, it was my fault. Xiao Jiu, if I hadn't had those evil thoughts, none of what happened afterward would have occurred."
He apologized solemnly and bowed.
Ning Qi sighed and helped him up:
"Eighth Senior Brother, it's all in the past. Dwelling on it is meaningless. If we look deeply, I have my faults too. Let's look forward together and work hard to raise the True Martial Sect to new heights!"
Qin Yun nodded vigorously.
Before they knew it, they arrived outside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Years ago, Qin Yun had never stepped outside the courtyard before being repelled. Now the courtyard was no longer what he remembered.
Rows of Zhenwu Peach Trees surrounded the place, peach blossoms half-bloomed like a dream. These peach trees were no ordinary variety. Even in autumn, they remained splendid.
But what was more eye-catching was the flourishing Enlightenment Tea Tree extending from within the courtyard. It was tall and lush like a towering giant. When the breeze blew, a strange fragrance wafted, and surprise flashed in Qin Yun's eyes.
Ning Qi smiled and invited:
"Let's go inside and take a look."
They walked in slowly. For some reason, Qin Yun felt increasingly peaceful. Before, he had been unwilling to enter here, feeling it unfair, but now, his heart was clear and calm.
He suddenly said:
"Xiao Jiu, may I see your true strength?"
He already knew Ning Qi was the Heavenly Sword True Immortal but had never witnessed it.
Ning Qi turned to look, seeing the eager look in Qin Yun's eyes, and slowly nodded:
"All right."
Qin Yun's eyes immediately brightened.
In the next moment, his aura suddenly changed. The power of Heaven and Earth surged and gathered around him. Having faced death's tribulation and now revived through the Shared-Life Gu, his cultivation not only did not decline but had advanced. He was stronger than when he fought Ghostmask.
Black energy steamed upward. Ning Qi's eyes showed some approval. This was Qin Yun's own path—commendable.
However, in front of the current Ning Qi, it was not enough.
He stood with hands behind his back, motionless. A stream of pale white spiritual energy shot up into the sky, transforming into a true dragon.
The true dragon descended with no roar, no unnecessary movement, only a gaze full of majesty.
In an instant, the power of Heaven and Earth around Qin Yun shattered explosively!
The gap was so great it was like comparing a firefly to the bright moon.
Qin Yun was stunned, the strands of power around him falling as if unnoticed.
After a long moment, he smiled bitterly:
"Didn't expect you, Xiao Jiu, to be this strong! What kind of power is this? It's simply incredible!"
His eyes were full of admiration, no other emotions. The difference was just too vast. He was like an ant before Ning Qi.
Ning Qi smiled:
"Spiritual energy, or rather, Martial Sage power."
Qin Yun was shocked immediately.
Ning Qi briefly explained the happenings at Zhenxuan Mountain. Qin Yun was full of longing:
"I didn't expect so many great events to occur while I was asleep—Ancient Saints returning, spiritual opportunity awakening. I must strive to catch up and make a name for myself in this great era!"
His excitement grew:
"Xiao Jiu, you're stronger than me now, but not necessarily in the future!"
Ning Qi laughed heartily:
"All right, I'll wait and see!"
The senior brothers exchanged a glance, all barriers dissolving into nothingness.
Qin Yun wondered if he had seen Ning Qi's true cultivation back then, would he have still developed those evil thoughts?
The answer was unknown, but he felt probably yes. Then he shook his head, not thinking further. As Ning Qi said, dwelling on the past was pointless. Perhaps these experiences were not all bad for the future.
Ning Qi took out a Heaven-Penetrating Pill and solemnly handed it to Qin Yun.
In the future, with the spiritual opportunity awakening, if there could be one more Perfect Heaven-Man, the True Martial Sect's foundation would deepen further.
Qin Yun was silent for a long time, tightly clutching the pill, his gaze growing resolute.
...
After awakening, Qin Yun moved into the Sutra Pavilion. The other True Martial Sect disciples were curious about the sudden addition of an old man guarding the pavilion but were all respectful.
Ning Qi continued experimenting with spiritual energy alongside Blade Demon, each time making significant progress.
However, one thing troubled Ning Qi.
The poisonous substances hidden within the spiritual energy seemed somewhat elusive and uncontrollable. He vaguely felt that without breaking through this barrier, devising a method to filter out the toxins would be very difficult.
Days passed by.
Ning Qi's speculation proved true.
While he was deep in thought seeking a solution, another major piece of news spread throughout the world.
The True Martial Hall had emerged!