The True Martial Mountain lies at the border of Qing State and Yun State, piercing the sky like a sharp sword.
After Taoist Longshan chose this place to rebuild the True Martial Sect, he thoroughly cleared the mountains. Although some wild beasts remained, they posed no great threat and could serve as a means of training for the disciples.
But today, Ning Qi planned to go to the outer mountain ranges of the True Martial Mountain, where it was more dangerous.
In this world, there are powerful beasts known as Exotic Beasts, among which the strong ones can even rival Celestial Beings, able to move mountains and summon rain, earning the title of Beast King.
Although the area outside the True Martial Mountain isn't as exaggerated, it's still safer to have a skilled person accompany you.
The two of them leapt through the forest.
Ye Qinghe's eyes showed a curious expression.
She felt her junior disciple's body technique was swift and graceful, keeping up with her completely without losing composure. Although she hadn't exerted her full strength, it was still astonishing.
"Jiu, Master must be giving you special lessons again!" Ye Qinghe pouted.
Ning Qi smiled slightly:
"I created this myself. If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Ye Qinghe chuckled, thinking Ning Qi was joking.
The two stopped at a cliff's edge.
The cliff was so high that the bottom was unseen; clouds and mists steamed around, interwoven with sunshine, showing a rainbow of colors.
Ning Qi's eyes lit up, and amid Ye Qinghe's surprised gaze, he slowly sat cross-legged, becoming engrossed in watching the shifting clouds.
"The clouds are formless, shapeless, gathering with the wind, dispersing with the wind..."
Ye Qinghe watched beside him, feeling puzzled. She imitated Ning Qi's cloud-gazing but only felt it was ordinary mist, pretty but nothing more.
She wanted to ask but feared disturbing Ning Qi.
After a long time.
Ning Qi's body trembled, and he slowly stood up, his eyes seeming to shine with spiritual light.
Ye Qinghe quickly asked:
"Jiu, what were you doing just now?"
"Watching the clouds."
"The clouds at the edge of the True Martial Mountain are much prettier, yet you came here to watch."
"Some are similar, some are different."
"They all look like clouds to me. What's different?"
"Your perception isn't sharp enough."
Ye Qinghe was instantly annoyed.
Sometimes what her junior disciple said was really infuriating, but she couldn't refute him.
Watching Ning Qi walk away, she hurriedly caught up.
But soon, she saw Ning Qi sitting down before a peculiar stone again.
The stone stood several people's height, seemingly shaped like a human.
"What's he doing now?" she thought to herself, smiling wryly.
Moments later, Ning Qi stood up again, his mind shining even brighter.
This time, Ye Qinghe didn't ask. Her junior disciple had always been unique.
She just chatted about other things with Ning Qi.
Subsequently.
Ning Qi would occasionally stop to observe.
Whether it was clouds among the cliffs, strange stones, exposed roots and stems, mountain winds, or even a leaf or a piece of mud...
To Ye Qinghe, these things seemed ordinary, yet Ning Qi would stop, even sit cross-legged and become engrossed.
She could only hold her forehead and smile wryly.
It's incomprehensible, truly incomprehensible.
She knew Ning Qi surely wasn't doing something meaningless.
And Ning Qi indeed gained a lot.
Having been in confinement for so long, returning to nature was refreshing.
The things here weren't much different from those on the True Martial Mountain, but the key was the mindset. The change of environment gave Ning Qi a different feeling.
He felt this excursion was the right choice.
The supreme stance skill was almost formed in his mind.
"Jiu, should we go find something more interesting to see?"
Ye Qinghe gently asked after Ning Qi cleared his mind.
Though she felt Ning Qi was comprehending something, she worried he might become a bit odd staying alone for too long.
Ning Qi returned to his senses, seeing Ye Qinghe bored to death:
"Sure!"
A moment later.
They pushed through the foliage, peeking with mischievous eyes to see two black snakes entwined wildly, not fighting but engaged in something more intense.
Ye Qinghe was at a loss.
"Jiu, you find this interesting?"
"Of course, it's the origin of life,"
Ning Qi replied earnestly, watching intently, engrossed once more.
Ye Qinghe was helpless.
But it's more interesting than staring at rocks. She occasionally muttered, as if controlling the two snakes from afar.
Soon after, Ning Qi was content, and they quietly left.
Thereafter.
Ning Qi seemed to have a determination with beasts.
Ye Qinghe led him through the forest.
Constantly observing various fierce beasts and even Exotic Beasts closely.
The roar of a tiger in the forest.
A hawk hunting a rabbit.
Ants moving nests.
Wolves hunting as a pack.
...
Such scenes left Ning Qi fascinated.
Of course, such close observations occasionally led to trouble.
For instance, they once encountered a Blood-horned Wolf Exotic Beast, capable of battling an Inner Essence Realm Martial Artist. If Ning Qi had encountered it alone, he would have had to retreat temporarily.
They also encountered a few weaker Exotic Beasts.
Fortunately, Ye Qinghe was there.
Effortlessly subduing them.
Ye Qinghe felt exhausted, but seeing the smile on Ning Qi's face, she let go of her complaints and gave Ning Qi's cheek a rub, stopping just short of a peck. She used to kiss him when he was a baby, but since Ning Qi gained some ability to act, he firmly refused.
Ye Qinghe felt a twinge of emotion.
Her junior disciple was growing up so fast.
Unknowingly.
The sky was already filled with the setting sun.
Ning Qi looked up, full of spirit.
In contrast, Ye Qinghe looked thoroughly drained.
It was so boring!
If it weren't for sipping wine to sustain herself, she'd probably have collapsed by now.
Ning Qi chuckled:
"Senior Sister, let's head back."
Today's goals had been achieved, with great gains.
He was confident that within three days, the supreme stance skill would be perfected.
He just needed to sort it out after returning home.
"It seems there'll be more opportunities to travel and witness the world and the bustling life."
Ye Qinghe's eyes lit up, she jumped up, grabbing Ning Qi to leave.
Ning Qi couldn't help but smile, playfully promising Ye Qinghe:
"Rest assured, Senior Sister, when your junior brother becomes invincible, I'll find the finest wine in the world for you!"
Ye Qinghe laughed with satisfaction:
"I'll hold you to that, then!"
Then.
She paused, her lips curling, her eyes sparkling.
"I'm not thinking about being the world's best for now; why not get me some Monkey Wine first?"
Ning Qi also perceived the commotion ahead.
That unique howling clearly revealed the presence of Long-armed Apes.
The Long-armed Apes with their agile arms brewed Monkey Wine with a distinctive flavor. Just thinking about it, a sparkle appeared at the corner of Ye Qinghe's mouth.
The two stopped.
They both were taken aback.
Instead of the expected Long-armed Apes emerging from the forest, a snow-white ape appeared—only a head taller than Ning Qi, with long arms. Upon seeing Ning Qi and Ye Qinghe, its eyes betrayed a human-like panic.
Ning Qi's eyes showed curiosity.
Then.
A few black-furred Long-armed Apes rushed out of the forest, glaring fiercely at the white ape. Upon seeing Ning Qi and Ye Qinghe, they showed no restraint, baring their teeth, looking ferocious.
Ye Qinghe crossed her arms and shifted her gaze from the white ape to Ning Qi lazily:
"Jiu, Senior Sister is tired. Why don't you teach these little monkeys a lesson?"