True Man Yangli hastily apologized.

Everyone felt a jolt in their hearts.

But Taoist Baishan had already risen and floated away amidst the many reverent gazes.

Only True Man Baiye and the other two continued with the subsequent proceedings.

Some formalities were naturally required.

But from the still-shaken expressions of the crowd, one could foresee that once today's events spread, it would cause a massive upheaval, likely an earthquake throughout the Great Yan. With the return of the Ancient Sages, many forces might be reshuffled.

Some currently powerful Martial Path sects might not have such enduring legacies, while some small declining factions might see the revival of an Ancient Sage.

Yet what unsettled everyone more was, what did the return of the Ancient Sages truly signify?

Ning Qi had no interest in staying any longer. After exchanging a glance with Taoist Longshan, he also quietly left.

...

Top floor of the Scripture Pavilion in True Profound Sect.

Ning Qi stepped in slowly.

The Taoist Baishan, who was flipping through ancient books in front of a jade bookshelf, turned around, his Taoist robe fluttering like an immortal. His demeanor was entirely different from when Ning Qi had seen him before, yet the next moment, that True Monarch aura vanished without a trace, and he grinned, revealing large yellow teeth, followed by clicking sounds:

"Goodness, Ning, you're hiding quite deeply!"

He circled Ning Qi, constantly sizing him up, his eyes revealing a lewd intent.

The slight unfamiliarity Ning Qi felt in his heart immediately vanished. He casually batted away Taoist Baishan's right hand and rolled his eyes:

"Likewise, you never told me you were the famous True Profound True Monarch."

Taoist Baishan chuckled:

"Isn't that being low-key? I'm not a boastful person. Besides, I did remind you that if you follow me, there'll be plenty of good food and drink. It's your fault for not catching on."

Ning Qi glanced at him and casually picked up an ancient book from the shelf.

Originally, he was a bit puzzled as to where these ancient books came from, but now he understood. Nine times out of ten, they were collected by the person before him, or he had even written them himself.

Ning Qi opened the ancient book and said:

"This says that the Power of Heaven and Earth is called Spiritual Qi. What does it mean?"

Taoist Baishan looked at him like a bumpkin:

"In ancient times, that's how everyone referred to it. But later, the heritage broke off, and the term 'Spiritual Qi' was gradually hidden. People later named it the Power of Heaven and Earth out of reverence. Of course, that's not the only reason. Strictly speaking, there are still some differences between the Power of Heaven and Earth and Spiritual Qi."

"You don't know this? You aren't seriously just eleven years old, are you?"

He stared intently at Ning Qi, as if trying to discern something.

The main reason was that Ning Qi's previous performance was astonishing; he could even suppress Buddha Baoshu. Although Taoist Baishan always despised Buddha Baoshu's conduct, he still acknowledged his strength. Ancient Sages who survived to this day were not people anyone could rival easily.

Logically, except for a few special individuals, no one in this era could stand against these old monsters.

Ning Qi was definitely an exception.

Ning Qi raised an eyebrow:

"Otherwise? How old do you think I am? Twelve?"

Taoist Baishan gnashed his teeth, feeling a bit suffocated. He finally sighed:

"Darn it... truly a freak!"

He showed a look of regret in his eyes.

"If only you were born a millennium earlier, perhaps..."

Ning Qi understood the implication, he just asked:

"Why did the heritage break off?"

Taoist Baishan sighed:

"It was obliterated together."

Ning Qi was surprised:

"It wasn't the doing of the Great Yan Martial Saints?"

Taoist Baishan laughed:

"Of course not. Although that person is quite powerful, he alone couldn't have made all the Martial Saint Techniques disappear from recorded history."

This resolved a doubt in Ning Qi's heart. Previously, both Wu Jianghe and the Grand Elder of the Demon Sect thought that the Great Yan Martial Saint wanted to stand alone, so he erased all Martial Saint Techniques. It now seemed that wasn't the case.

Ning Qi gazed directly at Taoist Baishan:

"Why is that?"

Taoist Baishan's eyes grew deep:

"It cannot be said."

"Is it related to changes in the power of Heaven and Earth?"

"It cannot be said."

Ning Qi was silent. He exhaled softly and said:

"Is there anything you can tell me?"

Taoist Baishan sighed:

"There are some things I am not unwilling to tell you, but forcing it would not benefit either you or me. The day you step into the Martial Saint Realm, you'll naturally understand. But for now, it's not easy for you to reach the Martial Saint Realm, since there are neither Martial Saint Techniques nor abundant Spirit. You must still wait some time."

The two stood side by side, looking out of the window into the distance.

"So, you guys aren't in the Martial Saint Realm either?" Ning Qi asked, but his tone was very certain.

He had sensed the previous battle very clearly. Except for that blind elder, the other three relied on their Martial Saint Secret Treasures just like him. The only difference was that these three were once powerful Martial Saints, so even wielding the Martial Saint power condensed from their secret treasures, they could unleash great strength effortlessly.

Taoist Baishan nodded:

"That's right, for now, Spirit has not awakened, and there is no difference between you and me. At most, we are only at Celestial Being Perfection. The previous power depended on my Lifebound Secret Treasure, the True Profound Seal."

He said.

With a turn of his palm, a small seal hovered above, its mysterious aura revealed without doubt.

Ning Qi also took out the Yu King Pearl.

Taoist Baishan suddenly laughed and said:

"You indeed also obtained a Martial Saint Secret Treasure and even figured out how to use it. Quite something, though I did not expect that the Martial Saint Secret Treasure you obtained would be the Yu King Pearl."

Ning Qi was surprised:

"You recognize this secret treasure? I got it from the Demon Sect."

Taoist Baishan displayed a look of recollection:

"Naturally. Speaking of which, I once encountered the owner of the Yu King Pearl myself, probably in my previous life before last. When I awoke last time, the Great Yu had already been replaced by the Great Yan, and that person disappeared. Not sure if they chose some other hidden method."

Seeing Ning Qi's somewhat solemn expression, Taoist Baishan laughed:

"Rest assured, if that person truly also awakens and returns, I'll mediate between you two, it's no big issue. But I think it's likely they're facing some issues and may not be able to return."

Ning Qi nodded slightly.

He really wasn't sure if the owner of the Yu King Pearl would trouble him, but he wouldn't pin all his hopes on others. He merely took notice of it and raised his vigilance in secret.

Taoist Baishan shook his head with a wry smile, knowing that Ning Qi hadn't fully taken his words to heart.

Ning Qi asked again:

"Earlier you mentioned what Spirit is?"

Taoist Baishan thought for a moment and said:

"Do you remember I said earlier that there are still some differences between the Power of Heaven and Earth and Spiritual Qi?"

"The difference lies in the Spirit."

"In our time, for certain reasons, all Martial Saint experts decided to extract the Spirit from within the Spiritual Qi. After which, it gradually evolved into the current Power of Heaven and Earth. Without Spirit, the Power of Heaven and Earth still has immense power, but it lacks much spirituality."

"Do you know why the True Profound Seal and your Yu King Pearl can condense Spiritual Power? Oh, that's right, Spiritual Power is what you commonly refer to as Martial Saint power."

He smiled.

Ning Qi wasn't foolish and immediately realized:

"You're saying there is Spirit within these two secret treasures?"

"A quick learner. Without Spirit, it's basically impossible to condense Spiritual Power and reach the Martial Saint Realm."

Ning Qi's heart skipped a beat as he heard this explanation for the first time, but he quickly frowned and said:

"But I know there are those who can reach the Martial Saint Realm with external aids like the Blood Emperor Gu from the Southern Border and the Holy Pill of the Demon Sect. Are these filled with abundant Spirit?"

Taoist Baishan waved his hand:

"Relying on external objects results in merely a Fake Saint. In the current power of Heaven and Earth environment, one is a sieve, forever consuming Spiritual Power once they act, perhaps even causing a decline in their realm. Unless one day Spirit awakens anew, with corresponding Dharma Methods, they might gradually firm their footing and become a true Martial Saint."

"Otherwise, such Fake Saints can only bully the little guys of the Celestial Human Realm and have to kneel before old monsters like us. Of course, you're an exception."

He couldn't help but express awe on his face again.

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