He sighed a little, the secrets of this world are truly numerous, but unfortunately, he is not yet strong enough to delve deeper.

Adjusting his state of mind, Ning Qi cut off distractions and began cultivation.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Strengthening oneself is still more important.

For now, he just needs to wait for news from Luo Wentian. Once there's a trace of the Blood King Gu, he will descend the mountain immediately.

Time passed slowly.

Ning Qi didn't have to wait long.

On this day.

Luo Wentian stepped into the Seeking Tao Institute.

"Jiu, I've collected the information. Indeed, there are several suspected locations where the Southern Border Alliance is cultivating the Blood King Gu, but they are very secretive, with only sparse clues, and it could also be a trap deliberately set by the Southern Border. The Imperial Court suffered losses from this aspect before."

"Perhaps... it's better not to descend the mountain."

He seemed to want to say more but stopped.

On one hand, he hopes Ning Qi can preemptively eradicate the threat of the Martial Saints from the Southern Border and Demon Sect while they are still in the cradle. On the other hand, he doesn't want Ning Qi to fall into a perilous situation. Whether from the perspective of a senior brother caring for his junior or considering Ning Qi as the future of the True Martial Sect, he doesn't wish such danger upon him.

So he's been conflicted these past few days.

But there's no alternative; avoiding the problem won't solve it. In the end, he decided to leave the choice to Ning Qi.

Ning Qi took the dossier, smiled reassuringly, and said:

"Senior brother, don't worry. I've made progress recently. I believe even if a Martial Saint truly comes, I'll have no problem escaping alive."

Upon hearing this.

Luo Wentian felt a little relieved. He knew his ninth junior brother never spoke rashly and might even be understating, but he still seriously advised:

"Jiu, promise your senior brother, this time when you descend the mountain, if there's an opportunity, do your utmost to eliminate the threat. But if there's none, prioritize your survival. The Demon Sect and Southern Border are deeply rooted. While there may not be a Martial Saint born yet, they could have reserves at that level. Be cautious and never underestimate them."

Ning Qi nodded solemnly and smiled:

"Rest assured, senior brother, I'm intent on achieving longevity and won't rashly throw my life away."

The Demon Sect's ability to entangle with the Great Yan Imperial Court for so many years is no small feat, and the Southern Border's ability to secure a foothold in the treacherous Hundred Thousand Mountains surely means they have their reliance; neither are simple.

Hearing Ning Qi's half-joking words, Luo Wentian couldn't help but smile knowingly.

He was well aware of how, when Ning Qi was just six months old, he declared his intent for longevity to their master—something Taoist Longshan privately praised several times to the other disciples.

Martial arts should have ambition.

As for how elusive that ambition might be, it's not a problem; it's simply about taking steady steps forward.

All these years.

Ning Qi has been reclusive within the Seeking Tao Institute, practicing what he preaches about his ambition. Others might not say it aloud, but they all greatly admire Ning Qi in their hearts, far exceeding them in this regard.

Luo Wentian remembered something and added:

"There's one more thing. Recently, the Taoist Baishan from the True Profound Sect has entered the Celestial Human Realm and is planning to hold a Celestial Being Grand Ceremony in six months. He specially wrote an invitation for our master to attend, and he also mentioned you, hoping you could come as well."

The relationship between the True Profound Sect and the True Martial Sect has been quite good recently. When Taoist Longshan held his Celestial Being Grand Ceremony, True Man Baihe personally attended, and the True Profound Sect contributed significantly during the major Taoist sect rankings. They even put pressure on the Formless Sect when they sent spies.

With a new Celestial Being rising in the True Profound Sect, it would be both reasonable and courteous for us to go and offer congratulations.

Ning Qi thought of the unconventional Taoist Baishan, his eyes showing some surprise:

"That old Taoist really stepped into the Celestial Human Realm?"

The last time they met was years ago when Taoist Baishan kept coaxing Ning Qi to go with him to Tao State, intending to raid other Taoist sects.

Ning Qi had vaguely sensed that this Taoist Baishan was extraordinary, though he was prone to boast that once he stepped into the Celestial Human Realm, he would advance rapidly and even reach Martial Saint.

Now that he truly entered the Celestial Human Realm, perhaps Ning Qi could see if it's true.

"Let's talk after I return from descending the mountain. If conditions allow, maybe I could make a trip." Ning Qi pondered and said, indeed having some interest in the various Taoist sects in Tao State.

Luo Wentian also nodded.

After all, it's not like the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony is happening immediately, and they could decide later.

He gave some more advice about matters related to descending the mountain, then left in large strides.

The next day.

After arranging all the matters with Yuan Tiancheng, Ning Qi announced his retreat from the world, then quietly descended the mountain.

...

The heavy snow had begun to slow, but for ordinary people, it still posed a great threat as extreme weather.

Traveling from True Martial City, Ning Qi clearly saw the worsening state of the cities along the way. The commoners at the bottom struggled to survive, with frozen corpses occasionally lying on the roadside or in the wilderness, causing Ning Qi to sigh. He would occasionally help some people as much as he could, but it was like a drop in the ocean.

Over two thousand years of Great Yan Dynasty rule, even the most enlightened Royal Family would develop decadence after such a long lineage, and some long-standing issues were becoming increasingly severe.

Adding to this, the combined assault from the Southern Border and the Demon Sect.

In reality, the foundation of the Great Yan Dynasty has begun to show signs of instability.

The resentment in the hearts of many commoners is gradually accumulating to a tipping point, waiting for the right moment to erupt.

Of course.

In this world where martial artists reign supreme, the ordinary people at the bottom can't accomplish anything significant. Ultimately, it requires some martial sects pushing from behind to make a difference.

Ning Qi traveled onwards.

Settled in Black Stone City in Shi State.

The first piece of information provided by Luo Wentian pointed to this location, more accurately, in the Black Stone Mountain Range outside of Black Stone City. Some intelligence suggested that powerful martial artists' corpses were transported here and then disappeared.

The Black Stone Mountain Range possibly harbors a blood pool for nurturing the Blood King Gu.

Ning Qi sat in the inn, savoring the delicacies, which had a unique appeal.

Since he rarely descends the mountain, he wouldn't be too hard on himself. Even though this trip carries important business, it must proceed step by step, without haste.

Observing the myriad facets of the world is also a form of cultivation, especially for someone like Ning Qi, who has spent years cultivating on the mountain.

The Wind Sensing Chapter has already been running silently, and though he was in the inn, Ning Qi had already locked onto a few suspicious figures from the intelligence. He was looking for a chance to enter the Black Stone Mountain Range quietly, avoiding alarming the enemy.

"Bang!"

A dull thud made Ning Qi raise his eyebrows.

It turned out that two people in the inn had started a fight.

One was a swordsman, the other a blademan.

The swordsman, face flushed and eyes aflame with anger, spat:

"How dare you belittle True Man Tianjian? Blade Demon was defeated not long ago, and yet you, a mere clown, dare to question?"

Seeing many eyes cast their way, the blademan looked somewhat unnatural and coldly snorted:

"I revere True Man Tianjian, but what I said was only that True Man Tianjian might not be a match for the Wind-listening Old Man—is that belittlement? Hmph! No matter how strong True Man Tianjian is, what does it have to do with a trash like you who hasn't even mastered swordsmanship?"

The two continued their exchange of insults and soon came to blows.

Ning Qi couldn't help but chuckle quietly.

One of them turned out to be a fan of his, and a particularly devoted one at that, willing to risk their life. He had heard many discussions about True Man Tianjian along his journey, but this was the first encounter he had seen firsthand.

When he saw the swordsman gradually gaining the upper hand, even as his life was still at risk, Ning Qi was quietly pleased. As a gesture of fate, he subtly pointed a finger, infusing a delicate trace of Sword Intent onto the swordsman's blade, thinking that it might help the man advance in his Sword Dao easily in the future.

The swordsman didn't inflict any real harm, but instead reiterated many feats of True Man Tianjian, drawing cheers from the onlookers.

Ning Qi enjoyed the strange feeling this elicited in him.

Seeing that he had spent enough time there and gathered all the information he needed, he left the inn and headed towards the Black Stone Mountain Range.

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