Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

Taoist Longshan nodded silently.

The True Martial Sect has developed extremely rapidly in recent times. Plus, with the renowned reputation of True Man Tianjian, many disciples of the True Martial Sect have inevitably developed arrogant and impetuous attitudes, with some even believing that the rest of the world is no better, and that the True Martial Sect might already be worthy of being called the best under heaven.

But one must understand, no matter how formidable True Man Tianjian is, it is only he who is formidable, and though the True Martial Sect has infinite potential, it is still in the stage of accumulating strength.

This encounter with the True Profound Sect's foundation is enough to prompt many disciples to reflect and bring their experiences back to the True Martial Mountain, which is a good thing.

This is the true meaning of training and experience.

However, Ning Qi's focus was clearly not here. Upon entering the True Profound Mountain, he attentively sensed the grand scope of its atmosphere, his heart growing heavier as he vaguely perceived that the Immortal Crane seemed to truly come alive!

"True Profound Sect has an unparalleled master!" Ning Qi was certain.

Such a scene is the result of human effort merging with the heavens, unknowingly altering fortunes, becoming more apparent as time goes by.

At least a Blade Demon level expert, and perhaps not just that.

However, Ning Qi had no desire to probe further.

Everyone has their own secrets; there's no need to pursue everything.

Soon.

They arrived at the guesthouse, rich in splendor and grandeur.

True Man Baihe had just exchanged a few words of pleasantry with Taoist Longshan when a disciple came up to report.

True Man Baihe apologized:

"Taoist Friend Longshan, the ceremony starts the day after tomorrow. Please feel free to roam around these two days, and if you wish to explore, just let Qing Ling know, he'll guide you around."

The young Taoist nearby quickly offered a salute.

Taoist Longshan understood very well, having organized a Celestial Being Grand Ceremony himself, and knew the degree of labor involved. At that time, the True Martial Sect was not well-known, and there weren't many Celestial Human Realm attendees. Considering the current bustle of the True Profound Sect, it's likely there are ten to twenty Celestial Human Realm attendees, and True Man Baihe's hasty departure apparently meant another Celestial Human expert had arrived.

He sighed, only feeling as if his own Celestial Being Grand Ceremony was still as recent as yesterday.

Disciples of the True Martial Sect set down their baggage, whispering amongst themselves, expressing their anticipation for the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony in two days.

After a period of tidying up, they went together, touring around under the guidance of True Profound disciples.

Only Ning Qi and Taoist Longshan stayed in the guesthouse.

...

Ning Qi held the Taoist Scripture in his hands, his thoughts wandering.

The different environment gave him a different state of mind. Throughout the journey, it appeared as if he was engrossed in the Taoist Scripture, but in fact, he was more aware of his surroundings than others, with substantial gains, feeling his thoughts had expanded greatly.

"To read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles is indeed the way it should be."

He continued to ponder over the power of the Martial Saint, though he did not bring out the Yu King Pearl to study it in detail, since this was someone else's domain, remaining low-key was more appropriate.

The time passed unnoticed.

Ning Qi's spirit slightly shook as he awakened from the state of enlightenment.

He raised an eyebrow, then returned to calmness.

Soon after.

A purple-robed old Taoist with somewhat cunning eyes sneaked in furtively, grinning as he silently crept behind Ning Qi and gently tapped him:

"Little boy, you still love reading the Taoist Scripture so much."

Ning Qi pretended to be startled, instinctively swinging the scripture backward, making the smiling old Taoist get a solid hit.

"Ouch, you little brat, you have no respect for elders!" He grimaced, pointing at Ning Qi, caught between cursing him and not, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Ning Qi smiled warmly:

"Oh, it's you, old Taoist. I thought a little thief had broken into the True Profound Sect, my apologies, my apologies."

Taoist Baishan was so angry that his teeth itched.

He felt Ning Qi did it on purpose, but had no proof.

"You little rascal!" He pointed a finger at Ning Qi, ultimately smiling.

Taoist Baishan reached for a snow pear from the table, munching merrily.

Ning Qi laughed:

"True Man Baihe said you were bathing, changing clothes, and burning incense to calm your mind, how come you ended up here?"

Taoist Baishan puckered his mouth:

"All those tedious rules are nonsense, I heard you came, so I slipped out immediately. How come I haven't seen Little White Ape? Are you afraid I might snatch Little White Ape, so you didn't bring him along?"

Ning Qi just glanced at him, focusing on the Taoist Scripture in his hands.

But deep inside, he was slightly startled.

Because... the Taoist Baishan before him seemed rather peculiar.

He couldn't see through him.

By right, with his current strength, a mere newcomer to the Celestial Human Realm shouldn't possibly elude his Dharma Eye, but Taoist Baishan's aura was somewhat strange, like a Celestial Human Realm, yet not quite.

"This old Taoist indeed has some quirks." He recalled the old Taoist's playful words, something about entering the Celestial Human Realm and aiming directly for the Martial Saint, becoming invincible in due time, yet he didn't wish to delve further, respecting others' secrets.

But Ning Qi didn't know.

The old Taoist opposite him was equally puzzled.

Because, he also couldn't see through Ning Qi.

"This little boy is quite mysterious! Three years ago, I could still see he was in the White Mist Realm; how has he become so unfathomable after three years? Truly mysterious!" he marveled secretly.

After all, he was no longer the same as before; not only had he awakened his innate wisdom, but even his power level had begun to awaken, yet he still couldn't discern Ning Qi's true nature.

It genuinely surprised him.

However, being naturally open-minded, after secretly admiring, he didn't mind much—what he valued most in Ning Qi was not his cultivation, but that natural and unrestrained demeanor. Only Ning Qi dared to treat him in such a cavalier manner, bringing him great joy.

Seeing Ning Qi ignoring him, fully engrossed in the Taoist Scripture.

Taoist Baishan sighed and smiled:

"Little boy, now that the old Taoist has entered the Celestial Human Realm, do you regret misjudging me?"

He was somewhat smug.

But Ning Qi only responded with a nonchalant "oh."

Taoist Baishan immediately became anxious.

"This is the Celestial Human Realm! One in a billion Celestial Human Realm! If you speak nicely to the old Taoist, I'll cover you in the world, allowing you to roam unrestrained!"

Ning Qi turned two pages of the Taoist Scripture, slowly saying:

"Your breakthrough to the Celestial Human Realm doesn't benefit me; thus, it doesn't matter to me whether you break through or not."

Taoist Baishan was taken aback.

That... makes sense?

He quickly shook his head, saying:

"No, how can it be unrelated to you? Remember the promise we made before: once I reach the Celestial Human Realm, we will raid all the Taoist sects in the world and split the spoils! After the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony, we'll get on it!"

This time, Ning Qi closed the Taoist Scripture.

He smiled lightly:

"No empty promises for me."

Taoist Baishan was anxious again:

"Who's making empty promises? I am seriously discussing a great cause with you! A great cause, do you understand? Don't you believe in my strength? I assure you, although I've just entered the Celestial Human Realm, most Celestial Human Realms can't beat me."

He said with some pride.

But Ning Qi merely looked at him calmly, a picture of someone watching a show.

Taoist Baishan was scratching his head and ears anxiously.

"Why won't you believe me?"

Ning Qi started to open the Taoist Scripture again.

Taoist Baishan swiftly closed it:

"Tell me, what will it take for you to believe me?"

Ning Qi said indifferently:

"Since you're planning to raid all the Taoist sects in the world, and the True Profound Sect is among them, what do you say?"

Taoist Baishan was dumbfounded.

What an unusual perspective.

But then he laughed.

"Sounds reasonable, let's go to the Scripture Repository of the True Profound Sect now!"

"You really mean it?"

This time Ning Qi was caught off guard, having initially just been teasing the old Taoist, but was he actually serious?

Taoist Baishan felt somewhat vindicated:

"We'll go right now! You think I'd bluff you?"

With that, he grabbed Ning Qi's sleeve and sneaked out furtively.

A moment later.

The two slipped into the Scripture Repository. Taoist Baishan waved his hand, and a few lingering Path Guardians slumbered away.

Looking at the boundless scriptures inside, Ning Qi's eyes brightened.

Goodness, the True Profound Sect's resources are truly abundant!