Although Ning Qi was not an impatient person, the thought that he would have to wait another seven and a half years before he could touch upon the Martial Path still felt too long.
After all.
He possessed full-level comprehension, and once he set foot on the Martial Path, he would surely progress rapidly.
Ning Qi had not forgotten the clan's annihilation half a year ago.
He didn't want to be like Huang Shang, who, after achieving Great Success in his Divine Skill, found all his enemies already dead.
During these days.
He had begun to ponder how to accelerate the formation of his Root Bone. The dense Innate Qi within him seemed to have a good effect, but he had yet to fully exploit it. Everyone in the True Martial Sect knew that Ning Qi was a prodigy. They feared he might be led astray if he came into contact with the Martial Path too early, so they wouldn't let him read any martial arts texts.
What Ning Qi knew was pieced together from miscellaneous studies, likely with some errors.
"Perhaps I should ask Master."
Ning Qi made up his mind.
He was afraid of misunderstanding and wanted to know the true essence of the so-called Root Bone so that he could create a Secret Technique to accelerate its formation and utilize the Innate Qi he had kept within him.
He moved with small limbs swinging, looking quite adorable. Coupled with his cherubic features, he was all the more endearing.
Along the way.
True Martial Sect's Outer and Inner Sect disciples all greeted him with respect, calling him Ninth Senior Brother.
This was the rule; True Disciples were held in high regard.
Ning Qi clasped his hands behind his back, nodding with an air of maturity:
"Greetings, Junior Brothers and Sisters."
The disciples all secretly chuckled, yet felt a bit astonished. This Ninth Senior Brother was indeed extraordinary—only six months old, yet already so wise, walking with such steady steps, truly unique.
Though the way he swung his little arms and legs was quite amusing.
Ning Qi walked on.
Suddenly, a pair of strong arms lifted him up.
"Jiu, running around everywhere again!"
Hearing the laughter, Ning Qi didn't need to turn around to know who it was—it was his Fifth Senior Brother, Jiang Baishan. Ning Qi struggled to get down:
"Fifth Senior Brother, put me down, I can walk by myself!"
The handsome young man laughed heartily, full of doting affection in his eyes.
"Take it easy, take it easy, don't fall, I'll put you down."
"Fifth Senior Brother, are you going to see Master?"
"Indeed, I've been on the mountain for so long, I need to go down for some training, lest people look down on our True Martial Sect."
Jiang Baishan's eyes showed anticipation.
Before Qin Yun joined, he was the most gifted, and now his skills nearly matched Senior Brother Luo Wentian's.
"Fifth Senior Brother, you're amazing, what realm are you at now?"
"Of course, your Fifth Senior Brother is amazing. Only twenty-five and… pfft, Little Ning Qi, trying to pry it out of me; I won't tell you! You little rascal, you'll naturally find out when you're older."
"If you won't tell me, I'll just ask Master!"
This scene played out quite often—Senior Brothers and Sisters never told him about their martial realms, to Ning Qi's mild annoyance. He shrugged it off, swinging his arms and running into the Bright Martial Pavilion.
Jiang Baishan couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
He shook his head and followed closely after.
Inside the pavilion.
Taoist Longshan was meditating with his eyes closed, only gradually opening them after a while.
"Disciple greets Master!"
Ning Qi and Jiang Baishan saluted respectfully.
Taoist Longshan looked at his two disciples with a cheerful smile, especially at Ning Qi, the affection in his eyes unmistakable. This disciple was truly lovable, picking up everything quickly; he was eagerly awaiting the day Ning Qi would embark on the Martial Path.
Perhaps the future of True Martial Sect lay with this disciple.
"Master, I wish to go down the mountain to practice and uphold our True Martial prestige," Jiang Baishan stated his purpose.
Taoist Longshan looked pleased:
"Going down the mountain to practice is commendable, upholding prestige is secondary; gaining knowledge is primary. You must ensure your own safety, as the Demon Path seems to be resurfacing in recent years; be mindful not to get entangled."
Feeling his Master's concern, Jiang Baishan was touched.
"Master's teachings, this disciple will remember."
Taoist Longshan nodded slowly, then kindly turned to Ning Qi with a smile:
"Jiu, what brings you to me today? Has your Third Senior Sister been teasing you again, and you've come to tattle?"
Jiang Baishan also laughed.
Ye Qinghe loved to tease Ning Qi the most.
But Ning Qi shook his head, his little face scrunched up, and he leaned in mysteriously:
"Disciple discovered something odd, feeling a tingling and itching sensation deep within every night. Master, could there be a monster on our True Martial Mountain?"
Taoist Longshan chuckled and scolded:
"Nonsense."
Yet, listening to Ning Qi's words, he became contemplative. He placed his hand on Ning Qi's shoulder, and Ning Qi could sense a mysterious power flowing within. Taoist Longshan's face displayed a hint of surprise.
"This is… the Root Bone accelerating in formation, how could it be so early?"
Ning Qi's face lit up with joy:
"Master, do you mean I can start training in martial arts like Eighth Senior Brother?"
Jiang Baishan also looked at Taoist Longshan in surprise, but Taoist Longshan merely laughed and tapped Ning Qi's head:
"You little trickster, trying to cleverly find out from me."
With his little disciple's intelligence, how could he not notice such changes? Mentioning monsters was just a ploy to coax him into revealing this matter.
Ning Qi chuckled and asked the question he'd been wanting to know:
"Master, what exactly is the Root Bone?"
Taoist Longshan pondered slightly, then said:
"Very well, I'll explain it to you today, lest you remain anxious and restless. Since your Root Bone is already accelerating its formation, you must continue with both medicinal and dietary support."
Ning Qi sat up properly.
"The so-called Root Bone is not the muscles or bones; it is not a tangible thing. It is the human body's foundation, a treasure within. As a child is born, the seed is planted, requiring time to nurture; it grows immersed in the Power of Heaven and Earth, fostered by mysterious forces, and will continue to grow."
"Countless predecessors have studied and concluded that the Root Bone in most children forms at the age of eight. A few with abundant Innate Qi might form earlier, like your Eighth Senior Brother, who embarked on the Martial Path at seven."
"As for you, it might be even sooner."
Taoist Longshan stroked his beard with a smile, recalling when he found Ning Qi half a year ago in a hidden compartment amidst the fiery blaze. That Innate Qi was indeed dense, yet he hadn't expected it to accelerate growth by only half a year of age.
Generally speaking, those who start training early tend to achieve remarkable feats, with a greater possibility of reaching profound martial stages, though it's not guaranteed.
He naturally didn't know that Ning Qi had already begun consciously mobilizing his own Innate Qi into his body.
Ning Qi had an epiphany.
He had always thought that Root Bone referred to the muscles and bones of the body, needing to develop to a certain extent to bear the Martial Path.
Now it seemed this was just the surface.
The concept of Root Bone was so profound, it involved the body's foundation and the Power of Heaven and Earth.
He'd been somewhat lucky before, making some accidental right steps from the superficial to the core.
Fortunately, he corrected his direction in time; that's the benefit of having a master. Even with full-level comprehension, timely guidance can help avoid detours in the early stages of life.
"Disciple thanks Master for clarifying!" Ning Qi said respectfully.
He felt joyous, his confusion resolved; he had found a direction. Given time, creating a Secret Technique to accelerate the formation of Root Bone wouldn't be difficult.
Six years old?
He still thought it too long.
Taoist Longshan laughed:
"Since we've talked about Root Bone today, whatever other questions you have, ask them all, lest your tricky little mind dwell on them every day."
Ning Qi's eyes lit up, and he asked something he had always wanted to know:
"May I ask, Master, can the Martial Path lead to immortality?"
The desire in his eyes was brilliantly radiant.