Physical Body Perfection

True Martial Timeless.

Winter ended, spring came, and autumn abounded once more.

In the blink of an eye, nearly another year had passed. Ning Qi had been born in winter and was about to turn five.

Ning Qi had grown another bit taller. He was now even slightly taller than the White Ape, looking no different from a child of seven or eight.

Over the past year, the True Martial Sect had changed greatly.

Dragon Mountain Daoist frequently entered seclusion in search of an opportunity to break through to the Heavenly Human realm. He entrusted all matters great and small within the sect to his eldest disciple, Luo Wentian, with several other disciples assisting him. The True Martial Sect gradually opened its gates to accept disciples, and by now, its Sect's disciples numbered over a thousand.

There were even quite a few Third Generation Disciples.

Ning Qi's seniority rose another level.

He began to be called Ninth Uncle-Master.

However.

Ning Qi was far too mysterious and low-profile. Many disciples had little idea who this enigmatic Ninth Uncle-Master was.

Instead, they were extremely familiar with the White Ape under this Ninth Uncle-Master's tutelage.

As Ning Qi's disciple, the White Ape naturally counted as a Third Generation Disciple of the True Martial Sect as well.

From being cautious at first to finally revealing his true nature—mischievous and lively—the White Ape needed only one month.

He was lively by nature and could not endure solitude as Ning Qi could. From time to time, he would go out to play, and thus became well acquainted with the many disciples of the True Martial Sect. The disciples had likewise grown fully accustomed to this special Third Generation Disciple, and were especially fond of the mischievous White Ape.

Ning Qi let him do as he pleased.

He would not force everyone to be like him.

To him, pursuing Enlightenment and cultivating were the finest pleasures, but that was not necessarily so for others.

However.

The White Ape was not one to neglect self-improvement. It was simply his nature.

In truth.

The White Ape worked harder than the vast majority of people.

More than half a year ago.

Drawing upon human Stake Skills, Ning Qi had taken the Ape Aspect from the Myriad Forms Origin Stake and created a cultivation art for the White Ape.

Having created the Myriad Forms Origin Stake, Ning Qi's foundation in the Martial Dao had risen by a great margin.

Without expending much effort, he created the Ape King Stake, suited to the White Ape's cultivation.

From then on.

The White Ape formally embarked upon the path of cultivation.

Cultivating the Ape King Stake with the body of a White Ape, he was naturally blessed by heaven. He was innately able to comprehend the Ape King Divine Intent, and coupled with his own intelligence, his cultivation progressed at an astonishing pace. Though he could not compare to Ning Qi, he was even faster than the Peerless Geniuses among humans.

Ning Qi was surprised and observed him carefully.

He discovered that perhaps beasts possessed bodies naturally stronger than humans, making Body Tempering more convenient.

Perhaps the mysterious Red Fruit also played a part.

But regardless of which it was.

Ning Qi gave the White Ape an ultimatum: without his permission, he must never casually reveal that he had entered the Martial Dao. Otherwise, he would certainly be expelled from the Sect's.

Ning Qi feared that if word of the White Ape's uniqueness spread, powerful Exotic Beasts would come upon hearing the news.

The White Ape naturally agreed obediently.

Thus, up to now, aside from Ning Qi, no one in the True Martial Sect knew that the White Ape had also begun cultivating the Martial Dao and had already reached no low realm.

Yet the changes in the True Martial Sect and the White Ape were secondary.

The one who had changed the most.

Was Ning Qi himself.

Within the Seeking Dao Institute.

Ning Qi practiced his Stake Skill.

His fists and feet moved slowly and gently, carrying a peculiar charm.

But this was not cultivation. It was merely instinctive practice born from nearly two years of habit.

Looking back on his cultivation over the past year, Ning Qi felt a faint sigh rise within him.

Ever since creating the Myriad Forms Origin Stake.

In merely two months.

He had reached Organ Refinement Perfection.

From then on, his Viscera were strong within, endlessly vital. On a battlefield, he could fight against a thousand men until their strength was spent.

Another three months.

Marrow Refinement Perfection.

His marrow fluid was like mercury, his strength sublimated, and he moved like a rabbit let loose.

Another three months.

Blood Refinement Perfection.

From then on, the qi and blood within his body became one. His entire body was linked and moved as he wished, smooth and flawless.

The final two months.

That was, Seven Days ago.

Ning Qi had already crossed the final hurdle of Body Tempering: Spirit Refinement.

This realm was the most difficult.

One needed to use the "qi" of a Stake Skill to simply temper the skull and awaken one's own "spirit."

But for Ning Qi, it was instead not difficult.

His Comprehension was extraordinary. Mastering the divine intent of Stake Skills was also beneficial to the realm of Spirit Refinement, and the types of divine intent he had mastered were far beyond what others could compare with. Thus, this took even less time than the previous two realms.

"Now that I have reached Spirit Refinement Perfection, my thoughts flow freely and my mind is clear. Ordinary martial artists who reach this realm will likewise experience a growth in wisdom."

"But for me, it is more than that."

"With 'spirit' coordinating all things, inside and outside joining as one, my Physical Body has now reached the flawless, perfect realm without leakage or defect. I can live for Two 60-Year Cycles. My life force has strengthened, and my Comprehension has increased once again!"

Joy shone in Ning Qi's eyes.

He sought the path of longevity.

Though living for Two 60-Year Cycles was only a slight improvement, it still pleased him. Step by step, he was walking upon the Great Dao.

Moreover.

Max Level Comprehension would improve along with the continual elevation of his life essence, forever remaining at its strongest state.

This was his foundation.

If one day he could elevate his life essence to stand equal with heaven and earth, comprehending ten thousand Daos in a single thought would likely be effortless.

Of course.

It was not merely his lifespan that had improved.

Ning Qi's combat power was likewise exceedingly astounding.

He had forged a Supreme Foundation with the Myriad Forms Origin Stake.

Now that his Physical Body was complete, a single shake of both arms held the force of one hundred thousand jin.

Ning Qi had also done some research into killing arts. Ordinary people could scarcely glimpse his heels; whatever he did at hand would likely be enough to make Geniuses feel ashamed of themselves. In particular, the Myriad Manifestations Fist he later created to complement the Myriad Forms Origin Stake was even more powerful.

Ning Qi almost never fought with others.

But he felt that even among those in the Inner Yuan Realm, some were likely no match for him.

It was difficult to imagine.

That this was merely a child not yet five years old.

He was simply a Human Form Fierce Beast.

"But I cannot underestimate the Inner Yuan Realm either. Inner Strength is an extremely powerful force. Though it cannot leave the body like Gang Yuan, splitting mountains and severing rivers, it can greatly amplify the human body. With nine layers of force, the later layers grow ever more formidable."

Ning Qi was not arrogant or complacent.

Though he had achieved some accomplishments now.

He was still far from being invincible beneath heaven.

"Now that my Physical Body is complete, the next step is to use 'spirit' to awaken the Physical Body, giving birth to Inner Strength and thereby entering the Inner Yuan Realm."

For ordinary people, this hurdle was likewise difficult to cross. Some were even stuck here for their entire lives, unable to break through and extend their lifespan until they grew old and frail, their bodies withering away.

But to Ning Qi.

It was merely a matter of water flowing into its channel.

His foundation was far too profound. Moreover, it was foreseeable that with his Physical Body, the Inner Strength he produced would certainly be powerful enough.

"Two months will be enough."

Ning Qi calculated silently.

A trace of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

By then, he would have just turned five and could enter the Inner Yuan Realm, living to two hundred—a further leap in life.

"During this time, I can think through the path of cultivation in the Inner Yuan Realm and prepare in advance."

"But before that, there is one matter that needs to be resolved."

Ning Qi called to the White Ape beside him.

"Tiansheng, it is time for us to go."

The White Ape wore a gray Daoist Robe and looked almost no different from a human. He stopped cultivating the Ape King Stake and hurriedly followed.

Today.

Was the Ten-Year Pact between the Divine Sword Elder and Dragon Mountain Daoist.