Chapter 114
It was time to refine it further. This had been part of his cultivation, studying the Evil Emperor’s limbs and Jin Ling’s physique to develop this physical technique.
Jin Ling had been using it in real battles, allowing Ning Changge to observe and adjust it gradually. Now, it was nearly perfected.
Jin Ling didn’t hesitate, manifesting his three-zhang form, enveloped in golden light, growing to six zhang. This was the effect of the technique, not his true size, resembling a ‘mecha.’ If Jin Ling’s body could reach six zhang, he would be a formidable Land Immortal. Ning Changge estimated that a four-zhang true form would be the threshold for the Land Immortal realm.
Ning Changge’s eyes glowed with spiritual light, observing the fluctuations within the golden light. Time passed unnoticed.
—
System Prompt
[You observe the Evil Emperor’s limbs and the spiritual monkey’s physique, comprehending the fusion of spiritual power and the physical body. You create the Daoist technique, Golden Armor Manifestation!]
—
Ning Changge opened his eyes, filled with joy. The Golden Armor Manifestation was now perfected, the golden light stable and without disorder.
“The Golden Armor Manifestation not only enlarges the body with endless mysteries but also forms a defensive golden armor of spiritual power, making it a top-tier technique for both defense and offense.”
He smiled, having created this technique by emulating the legendary ‘Heaven and Earth Transformation,’ laying the foundation for true physical divine abilities. “One day, I will create the true Heaven and Earth Transformation, allowing size manipulation at will, a supreme divine ability!”
Ning Changge was confident in his perseverance. Jin Ling, having received the Golden Armor Manifestation, bowed and left. Ning Changge continued reading the Daoist scriptures, absorbing spiritual energy, refining it into spiritual power. His dantian was nearly filled with liquid spiritual power, approaching the peak of Qi Refinement.
—
The Beggar Sect disciples stayed on Tianzhu Peak for nearly half a month. The old leader’s burial in the Heaven-Man Tomb, after the initial sorrow, led Qiao Feng and the others to gradually recover.
Their visit to Wudang was also for exchange, a significant purpose.
Soon, Qiao Feng and the others were repeatedly shocked, witnessing the depth of Wudang’s heritage. The Beggar Sect was a renowned sect in the Great Song, with Hong Qigong among the Five Greats, and Qiao Feng’s strength surpassing his peers.
However, compared to Wudang, they felt inferior. They had thought Wudang, despite its recent rise as a Daoist holy land, wouldn’t be much stronger than the Beggar Sect. They were proven wrong.
In duels, none of the Beggar Sect’s young disciples could defeat Wudang’s third-generation disciples. Most of Wudang’s third-generation disciples were innate experts, with many grandmasters among them. The duels were one-sided.
Qiao Feng and Hong Qigong, trying to save face, joined forces but only managed a draw against the Wudang Seven Heroes’ Beidou Seven Stars Formation. The hard power was evident. The soft power was also impressive. In Wudang, they felt more comfortable, their minds clearer, likely due to Wudang’s transformation into a spiritual land.
The Heaven-Man Tomb’s mystery and grandeur were well-known. Seeing it from afar, they felt awe. The evolving aura within the tomb was suffocating, and the paths within were clear. Watching Wudang disciples enter with tokens to comprehend the paths, they felt complex emotions.
Hong Qigong sighed, “One day, Wudang will be filled with grandmasters and great grandmasters. It’s unimaginable.”
Qiao Feng and Hong Qigong exchanged silent looks, seeing a faint star river flowing into the back mountain. Song Yuanqiao mentioned it was Ning Changge’s spiritual herb garden but didn’t elaborate.
They speculated it was as grand as the Heaven-Man Tomb.
They felt like country bumpkins in a grand estate, deeply impressed by Wudang’s heritage.
A few days later, the Beggar Sect group left Wudang, escorted by Song Yuanqiao and others, still in awe. “It’s a pity we didn’t meet the legendary Little Immortal. All these incredible changes in Wudang are his doing,” Qiao Feng sighed, regretting not meeting Ning Changge.
Hong Qigong shook his head, “The Little Immortal’s dedication to the Dao is unwavering, hence his achievements. His spiritual monkey is so powerful; I can’t imagine how formidable he must be. I thought the stories of him severing the Evil Emperor on Emei Mountain were exaggerated, but now I see I was wrong. This visit to Wudang has opened my eyes. Never underestimate anyone.”
He spoke with reverence for Ning Changge. The Beggar Sect disciples nodded, realizing their own shortcomings. Qiao Feng looked towards the Sutra Pavilion, “If I reach the Land Immortal realm, I must duel the Little Immortal!”
Hong Qigong patted his shoulder in encouragement but knew Qiao Feng might never achieve it. Qiao Feng was a peerless talent, but Ning Changge was destined to stand atop the Nine Provinces.
—
The departure of the Beggar Sect disciples caused little stir. Such exchanges were common for Wudang, with many sects visiting and leaving in awe, spreading Wudang’s fame.
Reputation in the martial world was built not just through battles but also through such exchanges, gaining genuine respect rather than forced submission.
Time flowed differently on Wudang Mountain. Cultivation days were both slow and fast.
Ning Changge was unhurried, spending his days meditating, refining qi, reading scriptures, playing chess with Jin Ling or Song Yuanqiao, and sometimes flying alone to observe the clouds and sun, finding unique joy.
The batch of Spirit Transforming Pills made from Zhu fruit was nearly exhausted. They should have been used up by the eleventh level of Qi Refinement, but the Spirit Ascending Pills filled a significant gap, and the Seven Stars Gathering Spirit Formation enriched Wudang’s spiritual energy, extending their use.
This deepened Ning Changge’s cultivation.
His dantian was nearly filled with liquid spiritual power. According to his calculations, ordinary cultivators’ spiritual power only liquefied at the Foundation Establishment stage.
However, the Eternal Evergreen Technique allowed him to liquefy his spiritual power early, granting various divine abilities, one reason for his formidable combat strength. Without it, even strong Qi Refinement cultivators wouldn’t be as powerful.
One day, feeling a sudden inspiration, Ning Changge took a Spirit Transforming Pill. Boom! His spiritual power formed a vortex, quickly absorbing the pill’s energy. Seizing this moment, he activated the Eternal Evergreen Technique, turning the last bit of spiritual power into liquid.
Drip! The clear sound, filled with Daoist charm, marked the final drop of spiritual liquid into his spiritual lake. Mystical changes began in his dantian. The spiritual lake rotated, forming a vast vortex of azure color, embodying not just life but also the Five Elements’ spiritual light.
The wood element evolved into the Five Elements, solidifying the vortex into a nascent form of the Five Elements. This would later become his Dao foundation, nurturing a golden core and evolving into a nascent soul.
Ning Changge opened his eyes, filled with joy. He had achieved the peak of Qi Refinement! Now, he needed to accumulate his foundation and achieve the Dao foundation, stepping into the Foundation Establishment stage. His path to Dao cultivation would reach a new level!