Chapter 49 - Turbulence in the Martial World
They were still anxious about how to handle the situation in a month,fearing any unforeseen events.
They could only use the Talisman of Heaven’s Insight to see that the Dragon-Slaying Saber was made of material rich in spiritual energy,surpassing even the previous Spirit Gathering Stones and the naturally formed sword embryos.This prompted them to bring the Dragon-Slaying Saber back.
This way,after destroying the Dragon-Slaying Saber,they could justly keep the materials at Wudang.
In this manner,they could prevent further bloodshed in the martial world and provide their junior brother with a valuable treasure.
However,they didn’t know that the Dragon-Slaying Saber was even more useful to Ning Changge than they had imagined.
At this moment,Ning Changge’s eyes were filled with joy.
With the Talisman of Heaven’s Insight activated,the material of the Dragon-Slaying Saber was laid bare.Through its exterior,he could see that it was filled with two types of spiritual light—rich gold and wood element spiritual energy,comparable to the Chixiao Sword.
If he extracted them,he could undoubtedly forge two spiritual swords,each no less than the Chixiao Sword!
A gold-element spiritual sword and a wood-element spiritual sword!
This was why Ning Changge lamented that it was a waste of a treasure.
The person who forged this blade had merely used the original spiritual ore as a hard material to create a sword,akin to using fine jade to prop up a table leg.
For Ning Changge,the value of two spiritual swords was far beyond this.
He aspired to the Dao of the Five Elements.
Using the Five Elements to evolve a perfect Dao foundation,he would eventually reach the Foundation Establishment stage.
He had already grasped the Five Elements Escape Technique.
If he could forge five spiritual swords to complement the Five Elements Sword Qi,it would be a sure thing.He already had a fire-element spiritual sword,the Chixiao Sword;the Dragon-Slaying Saber would solve the gold and wood elements,leaving only earth and water elements needed,saving him much effort.
Hence,Ning Changge was very pleased.
In contrast,he was indifferent to the concerns that Song Yuanqiao and the others had.
Song Yuanqiao and the others were anxious,“Junior Brother,what do you think we should do?In a month,heroes from across the realm will gather at Wudang.If anything goes wrong and disturbs Master’s seclusion,we will be the sinners!”
“Should we send the saber away or announce to the world that we will destroy it after Master comes out of seclusion?”
Ning Changge couldn’t help but laugh.
Just now,he had been engrossed in examining the Dragon-Slaying Saber and had overlooked his senior brothers’anxiety.
He waved his hand to reassure them,“Why the need for such measures?”
“Since we’ve already announced to the martial world that we will invite them to Wudang in a month,we cannot go back on our word;it would only invite more idle talk,and there’s no need for that.”
“Master’s seclusion won’t be affected.I’ll handle everything.”
Ning Changge’s voice was filled with strong confidence,which immediately eased Song Yuanqiao’s anxiety.He sighed,“Junior Brother,we’ve caused you trouble.”
Ning Changge laughed and said,“What are you talking about,Senior Brother?The Dragon-Slaying Saber is of great help to me.A little trouble is nothing.With me here,there’s no need to worry.”
During this time on Mount Wudang,he hadn’t been idle.
Not only had his cultivation reached the tenth level of Qi Refining,but he was also getting closer to the Great Perfection stage of Qi Refining.His spiritual energy was incredibly dense,and even his physical body had improved significantly.
The Heavenly Phenomenon Body Refining Technique and the Heavenly Phenomenon Spirit Refining Technique complemented each other,rapidly advancing both his spiritual awareness and physical body,greatly enhancing his combat power.
As of now,he could easily take on three Zhang Sanfengs at once.
So,whether Zhang Sanfeng was in seclusion or not made little difference to him.
Compared to the benefits brought by the Dragon-Slaying Saber,this minor trouble was negligible.
“Senior Brothers,don’t worry.However,it indeed requires careful preparation.Senior Brother,during this month,you must train the disciples well to avoid losing face when others come.”
“Deal with the small fry yourselves.If you can’t handle them,leave it to me.”
Ning Changge’s calm attitude finally eased Song Yuanqiao and the others.
Smiles returned to their faces,“Naturally.This is a great opportunity for Wudang to make a name for itself.If we destroy the Dragon-Slaying Saber in front of all the heroes,our Wudang disciples will be revered in the martial world.”
This was a certainty.
Ending the strife and stopping the killing would save countless lives invisibly.
With this weight off their minds,the Seven Heroes of Wudang began to boast to Ning Changge about their exploits at Shaolin,especially Mo Shenggu,who recounted their victory with great enthusiasm.When he described how the Pure Yang True Fire shattered the Golden Bodies of the three monks,his saliva was flying everywhere.
Ning Changge couldn’t help but smile at the corners of his mouth.
Indeed,Wudang was livelier with his senior brothers around.
A figure in a gray robe entered,serving them spiritual tea.
Jin Ling,having initially mastered the Heavenly Phenomenon Body Refining Technique,could now manipulate spiritual energy.Usually,he helped Ning Changge with tasks like watering the spiritual tea tree,refining pills,and tempering materials.
Especially the spiritual tea he brewed,which was exceptional.
Mo Shenggu reached out to take the tea,ready to continue his bragging,but his peripheral vision caught sight of a long-haired face standing beside him.Startled,his hand shook,and he jumped up!
A strange cry escaped him,“Eek!Where did this little monkey come from?!”
Only then did everyone notice Jin Ling,their eyes turning mechanically towards him.
Jin Ling looked a bit aggrieved.
Ning Changge tapped his monkey head and smiled at the others,“Senior Brothers,don’t be alarmed.I was just about to introduce him.This is Jin Ling,my new disciple.He is quite intelligent and understands people well.Jin Ling,greet your senior uncles.”
Jin Ling quickly set down what he was holding and respectfully bowed to Song Yuanqiao and the others,his demeanor humble.
His actions and behavior were no different from a human.
After mingling with the Wudang disciples for some time,Jin Ling had learned a lot.
Song Yuanqiao and the others were amazed,especially Mo Shenggu,who circled around Jin Ling several times.
He laughed heartily,threw an arm around Jin Ling,and said cheerfully,“Little Jin Ling,it was your uncle’s ignorance earlier.I’ll find you some big peaches to make up for it.If anyone dares to bully you at Wudang,just tell your uncle!”
Everyone showed kind smiles.
Though they were surprised,nothing seemed strange in front of their junior brother anymore.
An intelligent little monkey was rather fascinating!
Jin Ling was touched and kept bowing to them.Though he couldn’t speak,he had a sharp sense of good and evil.
After some discussion,everyone left.
Ning Changge shook his head with a smile and then instructed Jin Ling,“Work hard in your cultivation over the next month.You’ll need to assist your senior uncles and brothers afterward.”
Jin Ling nodded repeatedly and left.
Ning Changge watched Jin Ling’s departing figure,nodding in approval.
He had been very pleased with Jin Ling’s performance.With his firm resolve to seek the Dao,he had practiced the Heavenly Phenomenon Body Refining Technique diligently every day,earning Ning Changge’s satisfaction.
Now with a body of steel and the ability to manipulate spiritual energy,Jin Ling could be considered the third strongest in Wudang.
Ning Changge shook his head,gazing at the horizon,and slowly put away the Dragon-Slaying Saber.
In a month,chaos would surely arise.Though he was unafraid,it was best to make thorough preparations to ensure everything went smoothly.
He closed his eyes and began to meditate quietly.
…
At the same time,news of the Dragon-Slaying Conference at Shaolin Temple spread rapidly through the martial world.
The Seven Heroes of Wudang had shown great power,and the three monks Du’e,Du’jie,and Du’nan had perished.
In a month,Wudang had invited heroes from all over to gather at Tianzhu Peak to witness the destruction of the Dragon-Slaying Saber.
For a time,the conflicts and killings sparked by the Dragon-Slaying Saber began to subside,with everyone’s focus shifting to Wudang.With the cautionary tale of the Shaolin Dragon-Slaying Conference,everyone looked forward to seeing if Wudang could successfully destroy the saber and restore peace to the martial world of Ming.
The martial world was in upheaval,and all major forces turned their attention to Wudang.
At Yihua Palace,two peerless beauties sat facing each other.The one in the chief seat wore a white dress,her appearance was stunning but her expression was frosty,like ice.
The one in the lower seat wore a yellow dress,also exceptionally beautiful,but with a more lively expression,less cold and more animated.
They were the Chief and Second Masters of Yihua Palace,Yaoyue and Lianxing.
These two were among the most extraordinary women in Ming.Lianxing’s cultivation was impressive,but Yaoyue’s was not inferior to the three Shaolin monks,a peerless genius.
She even had some hope of ascending to the level of an earthly immortal in the future.
Lianxing,with a charming smile,asked,“Sister,those bald monks at Shaolin suffered a huge loss this time.Three Heaven-Man masters passed away.I fear Shaolin will decline significantly!Who would have thought Wudang had such hidden power?It’s truly astonishing!”
“Wudang has invited the heroes of the world to witness the destruction of the Dragon-Slaying Saber.Shall we go?”
Yaoyue,expressionless,pondered for a moment and said,“We shall go!”
“A mere Dragon-Slaying Saber is not worth mentioning.Only fools believe in treasures and unparalleled martial arts.I only believe there are no strongest martial arts,only the strongest people!”
“However,I am somewhat interested in that Pure Yang True Fire.”
Her eyes revealed a rare curiosity.
True fire refining the Golden Body—Wudang’s eighth disciple forced three Heaven-Man monks to their demise without even showing his face.Having not witnessed it herself,she was eager to see if the Pure Yang True Fire lived up to its reputation!