The scene fell silent.
Only the sound of waves brushing past echoed, gradually, even the sound of the waves began to fade away.
Daoist Longshan looked around; some lowered their heads, some forced smiles, and others met his gaze calmly. He looked at the two men before him and finally said lightly:
"Thank you both for your kindness, but there has always been the saying that the initial momentum fades after the first effort. How about I lead my disciples out of the island first, and then we have a proper conversation?"
As his words fell,
the faces of the black-robed swordsman and the white-browed elder darkened bit by bit.
"Brother Chen, it seems our reputation isn't grand enough." The black-robed swordsman laughed bitterly.
The white-browed elder nodded in agreement with a sigh.
But anyone with clear eyes could see the mockery in their eyes.
Ning Qi's expression was calm.
With his current strength, the two men before him were no different than ants. But since his master was leading the team, respect was naturally due. Ning Qi was just studying the faintly visible mist ahead with some surprise. He sensed a strange power, like a Qimen formation but seemingly even more formidable.
"You two misunderstand." Daoist Longshan smiled again but did not say more. He waved his hand and led the disciples forward, preparing to enter the misty area.
However, invisibly, two presences locked onto the group.
Interest stirs desire.
Even if the Heavenly Sword True Immortal's reputation was great, his absence meant others would be tempted, especially as more rumors pointed to a Martial Sage inheritance inside the True Martial Hall. That only made people's eyes gleam with envy, willing to take risks.
"True Immortal, it seems you won't even give us a shred of face?"
The two Heaven-Man List experts, who had been fighting fiercely before, instantly reached consensus. Though smiling, their eyes carried a chill.
The atmosphere plunged to freezing point.
Everyone held their breath, wanting to see how the True Martial Sect would respond—would they rely on the Heavenly Sword True Immortal's reputation to repel the enemy, have other means, or simply retreat under the pressure of these two Heaven-Man List experts? If the latter happened, the True Martial Sect's prestige would undoubtedly suffer a major blow.
The True Martial Sect group halted.
Ning Qi's expression was indifferent, but the next moment, he smiled.
A calm voice sounded:
"What are you guys?"
Everyone was stunned looking at the impassive Daoist Longshan, unable to believe such words came from his mouth. But the True Martial Sect disciples' eyes all brightened simultaneously, especially Ye Qinghe and the others.
They would not forget how, when Daoist Longshan broke through the Heaven-Man Realm in seclusion, invaders attacked True Martial Mountain, and after his success, how he stirred up storms in Qingzhou.
Now, Daoist Longshan had long been inactive, overshadowed by the Heavenly Sword True Immortal's prominence, and many had forgotten his nature.
The black-robed swordsman and white-browed elder stared blankly at Daoist Longshan.
They could hardly believe what they had heard, not knowing how someone who had only stepped into the Heaven-Man Realm for a few years had the courage to challenge two Heaven-Man List experts.
But soon,
they understood.
The dense power of Heaven and Earth converged, like an overturning ocean, surging wildly.
The anger in their eyes hadn't even risen before it turned completely to astonishment, then shock.
Daoist Longshan wasted no words.
The secret technique "Bridge of Heaven" activated, doubling his control over the power of Heaven and Earth. He was no longer the man he once was. Having taken the Heaven-Penetrating Pill for over half a year, the medicinal power had been mostly refined. His strength had soared; if forced to compare, he was at least among the top twenty on the Heaven-Man List, as he also mastered many secret techniques taught by Ning Qi.
Boom!
A rumble of Heaven and Earth's power echoed faintly, and columns of water surged, pushing back the onlookers.
The two Heaven-Man List experts, terrified, exerted their full strength.
The black-robed swordsman's hundred-zhang blade energy burst forth like a sea dragon, cutting through the water pillars. The white-browed elder wildly swung his fist, the fist energy possessing a profound guiding force that formed a whirlpool in the surrounding seawater. The fluctuations of Heaven and Earth's power pressed down, and under the pressure, their coordination was surprisingly tacit.
But it was useless.
Daoist Longshan's face was calm. Seeing him draw circles with both hands, invisible power of Heaven and Earth immediately split into two forces, pulling and responding to each other, then transformed into two massive ocean wave palms that slammed down.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone,
the blade energy shattered, the fist waves dissipated.
Both Heaven-Man Realm experts spat blood and flew back, crushed beneath the giant palms into the seabed.
Daoist Longshan stood with his hands behind his back.
Not long after, two battered figures burst from the seabed, blood trickling from their mouths, their eyes gloomy and fearful.
The scene gradually fell silent.
At this moment, Daoist Longshan had become the center of attention, his prestige skyrocketing. Everyone had only one thought:
"How could Daoist Longshan possess such terrifying strength?"
Originally, Daoist Longshan was treated respectfully by the two Heaven-Man List experts because of the Heavenly Sword True Immortal, but now he truly relied on his own strength.
Everyone from the True Martial Sect was excited.
Ning Qi chuckled softly.
From his master's display, it was clear he had been working hard lately. Perhaps knowing the entire sect's pressure was on Ning Qi and feeling powerless, he had turned it into a stronger driving force to grow quickly.
Daoist Longshan glanced coldly at the two Heaven-Man List experts without a word.
Then he waved his hand, leading the True Martial Sect disciples to dash toward the mist.
This time,
no one dared to stop them.
Countless gazes were complicated, some jealous, some admiring.
"The True Martial Sect already has one Heavenly Sword True Immortal, and now a Daoist Longshan True Immortal has appeared. If they gain the True Martial Hall inheritance, this place will surely become a sacred ground of martial arts!"
The two Heaven-Man List experts could only watch helplessly, regret in their eyes.
Not only had they failed to stop the True Martial Sect, but they had also offended them—truly a loss both in person and troops.
If time could rewind, they would never have acted this way.
...
"Master, you're awesome!"
Ye Qinghe didn't hold back her praise, and so did all the disciples.
Daoist Longshan, who had been standing with hands behind his back and a relaxed expression, suddenly lost his composure and glared irritably at Ye Qinghe, but she just smiled sweetly and turned away.
Daoist Longshan shook his head with a wry smile, then looked toward the white mist ahead with some solemnity.
"Xiao Jiu, what do you think?"
A faint golden light flickered in Ning Qi's eyes before he spoke after a moment:
"It's similar to a Qimen formation, but enhanced with spiritual energy, much more flexible. Ordinary people entering it would lose their way. Although it's not dangerous, it would damage the divine intent. Even if we go together, we'd probably be separated."
Everyone nodded.
This was already public knowledge. Previously, a sect tried to measure this place using a human wave tactic but discovered that hundreds entering together would unknowingly become separated individuals.
He Yan hurriedly asked:
"Is there a way to break it?"
"Either the realm must be high enough."
"Like the Canghai Sword Sect?"
"Exactly."
"Are there other methods?"
Seeing the expectant gazes, Ning Qi studied carefully and thought for a moment before saying:
"Or certain special conditions must be met."
"Try our True Martial Sect's exclusive martial arts."
Besides the Zhenwu Nine Stances, the True Martial Sect had other martial arts obtained from the True Martial Underground Palace back then. Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. If Ning Qi was right, then the True Martial Hall had opened a shortcut exclusively for them.
Ye Qinghe and the others laughed excitedly, eager to try.
Daoist Longshan smiled and said:
"Then let's try together. If anyone loses their way and is sent out, gather at Jade Snake Island. If you reach the Mist Island, don't act recklessly. Wait until everyone arrives before seeking the True Martial Hall."
"Understood!"
After a round of responses, everyone activated their body techniques and rushed forward.
Walking on waves was no difficulty for them.
Ning Qi was last.
He smiled faintly, eyes full of anticipation. Once all the disciples disappeared, he also dashed inside.
The world before him was pure white.
Ning Qi paused in midair, eyes wide with surprise.
He could feel his perception completely blocked; all directions seemed confused. A strange power attached to the white mist produced all sorts of mystical effects. Trying to use True Martial martial arts, the white mist immediately reacted, forming a faint path that shifted within.
His hunting instinct awakened, Ning Qi activated the All-Seeing Golden Eyes. The white mist gradually faded, and several thousand zhang ahead, a small island appeared faintly. Looking around, he saw figures walking slowly within, including True Martial Sect disciples and others trying as well.
Using True Martial martial arts to enter the mist was the method for others to get inside. With Ning Qi's strength, entering on his own was no problem.
Ning Qi's heart settled, and then he sat cross-legged in midair.
He began to carefully sense the mysteries of the white mist's power.
"This white mist should be a combination of spiritual energy and Qimen formation, used to confuse directions."
"It seems there's more—if it continues shifting, it can trap enemies."
Ning Qi was amazed.
"Ordinary Heaven-Man Realm experts probably wouldn't distinguish east, south, west, or north. Even if someone was right beside them, they wouldn't sense it. This formation is truly formidable!"
"Unexpectedly, combining Qimen formation with spiritual energy creates such wondrous power. This is a new direction."
Ning Qi felt as if a door to a new world was opening before him.
He continuously pondered the mysteries contained in the white mist, streams of spiritual light cascading through his mind. A brand-new path gradually unfolded. Only now did he realize that the Qimen formation he had mastered before hadn't come close to revealing all its subtleties.
With the injection of spiritual energy, decay could be transformed into brilliance.
After about an hour,
Ning Qi slowly stood.
He exhaled deeply, eyes filled with satisfaction. Although he hadn't set foot on the island yet, the insights gained from studying the white mist alone made the trip worthwhile. He grew even more eager for the upcoming True Martial Hall.
Ning Qi folded his hands behind his back, the young Daoist walking on the waves with effortless grace.
He didn't even activate his All-Seeing Golden Eyes, yet the white mist parted neatly to both sides as if making way for him.
Soon,
the island appeared before him.
Ning Qi stepped in slowly. The True Martial Sect group had been waiting by the island's edge for some time. Not one was missing, and seeing Ning Qi arrive, everyone relaxed visibly.
"Xiao Jiu, did something unexpected happen?" Daoist Longshan asked. He thought Ning Qi should have arrived earlier.
Ning Qi smiled and shook his head:
"My hunting instinct was triggered, so I pondered the white mist and delayed a little."
Seeing Ning Qi's faintly joyful expression, Daoist Longshan and Ye Qinghe understood that he had gained much and couldn't help but marvel silently.
"Let's go."
Daoist Longshan led the way, and the mist ahead gradually receded.
Everyone instinctively looked up, stunned into immobility.
In the distance, immortal palaces appeared faintly among the clouds and mist. White cranes flew, spirit beasts called out, and countless strange flowers and herbs spread all the way beneath their feet.
"This… is this really on Mist Island? Why had the outside world never detected any sign?"
"I thought those rumors were exaggerated, but now it seems they were too conservative. Such a scene might only exist in the realm where Martial Sages ascend."
The disciples marveled.
Especially when they saw the towering True Martial Hall in the center, whose peak vanished into the clouds.
The three characters for "True Martial Hall" were filled with profound charm, inspiring many insights at just a glance.
Daoist Longshan's eyes shimmered with tears, a pilgrim's excitement swelling within him.
"So… this is the True Martial Underground Palace I saw back then! I was in the mountains and never saw its true form. Now finally seeing it, it feels like a blessing in three lifetimes!"
Everyone's emotions surged.
Ning Qi's gaze landed on the three characters of True Martial Hall. Golden light flowed in his eyes as he tried to glimpse the secrets within, but he quickly retracted his secret techniques, sensing a strange power obstructing his observation. He even felt that if he continued, he might suffer a backlash.
He only stared at the three characters, relying on his comprehension to understand the profundity within. Spiritual light rose continuously.
Simply three characters, yet he seemed to see a towering immortal mountain shrouded in clouds, magnificent and ethereal—an unimaginable power at his current level.
"Is this our source of inheritance?" The disciples' hearts filled with pride.
They continued forward, entering the immortal palaces.
Only then did they realize the immortal cranes and spirit beasts from before seemed to be illusions, already vanished. Only the palaces, still full of immortal aura, stood quietly. But Ning Qi felt it might not be so.
The palaces, unlike mortal ones, were all tightly closed, and the group cautiously explored.
"Come look!" Ye Qinghe's voice attracted everyone's attention.
She stood before the towering True Martial Hall at the center, her expression excited.
Everyone rushed over, their gazes falling on a stone tablet before the True Martial Hall.
A line of words jumped out clearly:
"Enter the True Martial Hall. Those who pass the test may obtain the True Martial inheritance."
All eyes turned to Daoist Longshan.
He did not hesitate.
Suppressing his excitement, he took a deep breath and said:
"The opportunity is right before you. You must seize it!"
With that, he took the lead and headed toward the True Martial Hall.