Chubby Kid

The Divine Sword Sect disciples stood one after another with their chests out and heads high, their gazes toward the True Martial Sect unfriendly, quite as if something of theirs had been stolen and they had sworn to snatch it back.

As for that.

The True Martial Sect disciples refused to yield an inch.

With the Nine Direct Disciples at their head, the eyes of the gathered disciples were all cold and sharp.

The atmosphere instantly turned somewhat stagnant.

Dragon Mountain Daoist was helpless.

He sighed and said, "Naturally, I would not dare forget the Ten-Year Pact."

"Then, as Divine Sword Brother says, shall we follow the old rules?"

Divine Sword Elder's originally fierce and imposing aura immediately stalled, his expression turning somewhat unnatural.

Ten years ago, when he and Dragon Mountain Daoist had fought, he had already sensed that the other man had faintly held back. This time, knowing Dragon Mountain Daoist already had half a foot in the Heaven-Human Realm, if they fought again, wouldn't it be a certain defeat?

The moment he thought of being thrashed in front of so many disciples again, his teeth ached.

But the words had already left his mouth.

Naturally, he could not slap his own face in public.

He coughed lightly twice and snorted:

"Dragon Mountain old bull's nose, is this how you treat guests?"

Dragon Mountain Daoist froze, then burst into loud laughter:

"Divine Sword Brother has brought all the fine talents of the Divine Sword Sect here. My True Martial Sect has long since prepared a welcoming feast to wash the dust from your journey!"

"Wentian, lead the Divine Sword Sect's fine talents over."

"Divine Sword Brother, please!"

As he spoke.

Dragon Mountain Daoist and Divine Sword Elder headed toward Bright Martial Pavilion. The two of them clearly had matters to discuss.

Seeing this.

The disciples of the two sects were rather baffled, looking at one another.

It had plainly felt as if they were about to start fighting, with swords drawn and bows bent, so how had it suddenly turned into eating a meal?

Only a few among them saw things a little more clearly. They knew these two elders merely looked as if they did not get along; deep down, they probably still regarded each other as friends. Mainly, neither could put aside his face.

Ning Qi could not help smiling faintly.

Luo Wentian also shook his head.

He knew a little more clearly about what lay behind all this.

"Everyone, please."

He smiled toward Dong He, Eldest Senior Brother of the Divine Sword Sect, and Dong He also smiled helplessly.

Qin Yun followed behind Luo Wentian, the sharpness in his eyes gradually fading, though he still seemed somewhat cold.

Ning Qi, meanwhile, walked at the back with White Ape.

Just then, a thievish little voice sounded: "Is this your pet?"

Ning Qi turned to look. A fair and tender chubby kid was staring at White Ape with burning eyes. He sniffled, seeming very envious that Ning Qi had such a wondrous pet. In fact, quite a few Divine Sword Sect disciples had their gazes lingering on White Ape.

Hearing this.

Before Ning Qi could say anything, White Ape was already furious.

He now already regarded himself as a person. Hearing the chubby kid say that, he immediately bared his teeth and snarled, startling the chubby kid. If Ning Qi had not been beside him, he would have toyed with this chubby kid no matter what.

Ning Qi said solemnly, "He is not my pet. He is a Third Generation Disciple of the True Martial Sect, named Yuan Tiansheng."

The chubby kid froze. Then he saw White Ape give a cold snort, and with an "Ah," he reacted: "Sorry, sorry."

Then he could not help saying, "Yuan Tiansheng, you're so smart. You can actually understand what I'm saying."

But White Ape folded his arms across his chest and snorted coldly, ignoring him.

The chubby kid wiped his snot awkwardly and looked at Ning Qi:

"My name is Zhuang Chen."

Ning Qi nodded and smiled:

"Ning Qi."

He could sense that the vitality inside Zhuang Chen's body was not weak; clearly, he had already stepped onto the path of martial arts. Judging by his age, he was clearly also one of those Peerless Genius types.

The disciples of the two sects took their seats.

With Luo Wentian and the others there to keep them company, there was naturally no need for Ning Qi to do anything. He only needed to take care of himself.

However.

They had gained a burden.

Perhaps because he had discovered that among the True Disciples of the True Martial Sect there was someone around his own age, Zhuang Chen sat down directly beside Ning Qi.

Originally, the Divine Sword Sect's Eldest Senior Brother, Dong He, wanted to stop him, but Luo Wentian smilingly dissuaded him, saying that their Junior Brother would have no problem looking after Zhuang Chen.

That made Dong He look at Ning Qi in surprise.

However.

This was rather hard on Ning Qi.

The chubby kid Zhuang Chen was actually a chatterbox.

"Ning Qi, have you started practicing martial arts yet?"

"I've trained for a while."

"Ning Qi, do you know sword techniques?"

"A little."

"Ning Qi, how did you and Yuan Tiansheng meet?"

"Ning Qi, I'll tell you secretly—I'm very strong."

"Ning Qi..."

At first.

Ning Qi still gave a couple of perfunctory replies.

But after seeing that this chubby kid was talking more and more, Ning Qi tactfully shut his mouth.

His mind wandered beyond the heavens. After listening for a moment to the conversation between the two sects' disciples, he immersed himself in his own world. Enlightenment and studying methods could be done anywhere.

"Ning Qi, Ning Qi..."

Looking at Ning Qi, whose eyes had no focus and who did not answer his questions, Zhuang Chen felt pity rise in his heart:

Ning Qi doesn't seem too bright. I ask him several questions, and he only answers one.

Zhuang Chen looked toward White Ape again, trying to strike up a conversation.

But White Ape only made a face and then ignored him. White Ape held grudges fiercely too.

Zhuang Chen pursed his lips slightly, then put all his attention on the food before him.

Eating was his second-greatest hobby.

The Welcome Banquet passed without any waves.

Although the disciples of the two sects were young and hot-blooded, and some found each other displeasing to the eye, they all knew etiquette and restrained themselves.

It was not until the banquet was nearing its end that the figures of Divine Sword Elder and Dragon Mountain Daoist appeared once more.

Ning Qi awoke from his state of wandering thought.

The two took their seats at the head.

Dragon Mountain Daoist smiled and said:

"Just now, Divine Sword Brother and I discussed matters a little. From now on, the Ten-Year Pact between the two sects needs to be changed."

Everyone stared without blinking.

Divine Sword Elder gave a light cough and said faintly, "The two of us are advanced in years now and it is inconvenient for us to fight. As the saying goes, when the master has business, the disciples shoulder the labor. From now on, the Ten-Year Pact will be decided by sparring between you disciples. This time will count as adaptation and tempering; next time, it will officially begin."

"When the time comes, whoever wins will have the right to use True Martial Mountain for ten years."

The disciples' hearts all tightened.

Fighting spirit rose in their eyes.

Originally, they had only been spectators and witnesses to this Ten-Year Pact, but from now on, they would have to take part in it.

Ning Qi, however, felt something rather odd in his heart.

Could it be that this Divine Sword Elder knew he could not beat his own master, so he had deliberately proposed changing the method?

But judging from Dragon Mountain Daoist's smiling, easygoing appearance, it seemed he did not mind either.

Changing the form of their wager was probably also because they wanted to put a little pressure on the disciples under their sects. Only with pressure was there motivation; with the Ten-Year Pact hanging high over their heads, they would improve faster.

Ning Qi laughed inwardly.

This method was clearly effective. Even White Ape and the chubby kid beside him had become excited.

Some of the younger disciples' faces flushed red.

For the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, this was an excellent chance to fulfill Divine Sword Elder's long-cherished wish. For the disciples of the True Martial Sect, it was to defend the honor of their master's sect.

Ning Qi kept feeling that his master's and Divine Sword Elder's smiles carried a bit of wicked amusement.

He had no idea what exactly the two of them had said in the Bright Martial Pavilion.

Seeing that the atmosphere had already been stirred up.

Dragon Mountain Daoist rose and said:

"Although this time is only for you all to adapt and temper yourselves, you still cannot be casual or careless. You must go all out. Divine Sword Brother and I have prepared some rewards, and those who perform outstandingly may obtain them."

The disciples immediately grew even more excited.

But Ning Qi felt nothing much.

He could freely read the entire Scripture Pavilion of the True Martial Sect, and he did not imagine Divine Sword Elder would take out any heaven-shaking, earth-startling secret manuals.