Qin Yun's defection, coupled with Dragon Mountain Daoist's seclusion for life-and-death cultivation, inevitably impacted the True Martial Sect.
Although the situation had stabilized somewhat during this period, morale remained subdued.
Now, however, Jiang Baishan's breakthrough to the Gang Yuan Realm was like a shot of invigorating medicine.
With a Gang Yuan Realm expert standing guard, the sect finally possessed true deterrence. At the very least, petty thieves and probing forces would think twice.
The True Martial Sect was founded atop Zhenwu Mountain, but its disciples did not survive on spiritual veins alone.
In truth, the sect's wealth came from two primary sources.
First were wealthy families who sent their descendants to the sect for martial training, paying substantial annual fees. In return, the True Martial Sect guaranteed their safety. With the sect's reputation, most forces were unwilling to offend it lightly.
In these increasingly turbulent times, this source of income had been rising steadily.
Second were the sect's external industries.
Disciples less suited for cultivation were sent down the mountain to manage escort agencies, inns, money houses, and similar ventures. Over time, these businesses accumulated into considerable assets. When disciples went down the mountain for experience, they also resolved issues encountered by these enterprises.
Everything else was secondary.
But regardless of the source, martial strength was the foundation.
If word spread that the True Martial Sect was weakening, the wolves would come.
During this period, a true disciple's betrayal followed by the only Gang Yuan Realm expert entering seclusion naturally invited countless tests and speculations. Outsiders did not know Dragon Mountain Daoist was attempting a Heavenly Human breakthrough—only that he was absent.
Rumors of his battle with a demonic expert further fueled uncertainty.
Fortunately, his seclusion had not lasted long, and Luo Wentian and the others had managed to hold the line.
Now, with Jiang Baishan stepping into the Gang Yuan Realm, all probing eyes retreated.
On the training ground, Jiang Baishan was surrounded by disciples, their excitement unmistakable.
"Congratulations, Fifth Senior Brother, on reaching the Gang Yuan Realm!"
Ning Qi had already heard the cheers from afar.
Luo Wentian had deliberately gathered the disciples, using the breakthrough to restore prestige and confidence. He stood nearby, smiling calmly.
As the eldest, he had watched nearly all the true disciples grow up.
"Congratulations, Fifth Brother."
Ning Qi stepped forward and offered his congratulations, his gaze carrying a hint of curiosity.
The Gang Yuan Realm experts he had encountered before—Dragon Mountain Daoist and the Divine Sword Old Man—were peak figures. He had never observed a freshly advanced Gang Yuan Realm cultivator.
This was a rare opportunity.
Jiang Baishan was in high spirits.
He had thought he needed another year or two to consolidate, but the pressure from Qin Yun's incident had forced out his hidden potential, allowing him to break through in one decisive leap.
"Little Ninth," Jiang Baishan laughed, "do you want to see what Gang Qi looks like?"
Ning Qi nodded with a smile.
Fourth Disciple He Yan laughed beside them.
"Little Fifth, you've been mysterious all day. We talked for ages and you wouldn't show anything—but Little Ninth arrives and you can't wait to show off."
Laughter erupted.
"Fourth Brother, just say whether you want to see it or not!"
"Of course we do!"
The disciples quickly spread out.
Ning Qi's gaze fixed on Jiang Baishan.
Jiang Baishan exhaled softly, his expression turning solemn.
In the Inner Yuan Realm, he had cultivated Shaking Heaven Strength. Upon entering the Gang Yuan Realm, he inherited Shaking Heaven True Gang. Though newly converted, his presence already carried natural authority.
An invisible pressure filled the air.
He lightly swung the sword in his hand.
Sword qi streaked forth like shooting stars, tearing through the air and striking a massive boulder thirty feet away.
There was no thunderous explosion.
Only silent, dazzling cuts.
Moments later, gasps rang out.
The massive rock had become a pile of perfectly cut gravel—each fragment nearly identical, their surfaces smooth as mirrors.
"This is Gang Qi…"
"It can kill from thirty feet away…"
"No wonder a Nine-Fold Inner Strength cultivator can only flee when facing a Gang Yuan Realm expert."
Luo Wentian sighed softly.
Awe filled every gaze.
Many were witnessing the power of Gang Qi up close for the first time.
Even Ye Qinghe, usually indifferent to martial prowess, felt a faint stirring of ambition.
Jiang Baishan laughed heartily and began demonstrating a full sword set.
Empowered by Gang Qi, the originally ordinary techniques transformed into something terrifying.
Exclamations rang out without pause.
Dazzling. Overwhelming.
Ning Qi watched quietly.
He, too, was impressed.
"Gang Qi can leave the body and strike thirty feet away—and that may not even be its limit."
"It truly is powerful."
Yet as he compared it to himself, his assessment shifted.
He had underestimated the Gang Yuan Realm's range—but perhaps overestimated its absolute dominance.
"If I allow distance, Gang Qi is troublesome."
"But if I close in…"
"With my physical body and Inner Strength combined, even Gang Qi body protection might not hold."
After careful comparison, Ning Qi arrived at a calm conclusion.
"If I go all out… Fifth Brother should not be my opponent."
His lips curved slightly.
However, caution remained.
Against a Gang Yuan Realm enemy, evasion and explosive approach would be the optimal path. Allowing distance to be maintained would only invite danger.
The news spread quickly.
The True Martial Sect's stability was restored.
A Gang Yuan Realm expert could live four hundred years and was already considered a famous powerhouse within Great Yan. Ordinary factions no longer dared to cast covetous glances.
Ning Qi then began his fifth false death in peace.
Half a month later, he awakened.
His physical body transformed once more—its strength now six times that of Body Tempering Completion, an absurd leap.
More importantly—
Inner Yuan Realm, Sixth Fold. Great Accomplishment.
Ning Qi raised his hand.
Solid Inner Strength surged forth, condensing and extending over ten feet before reaching its limit—like a sword growing from his palm.
With a thought, its nature shifted freely.
Burning heat.Extreme frost.Vibrations like a divine beast's roar.Rotational force like an ancient eagle's descent.
Ning Qi smiled faintly.
"The Inner Strength of ordinary Nine-Fold cultivators cannot compare to mine."
"With this ten-foot extension, I can say with certainty—Fifth Brother would lose."
His gaze then shifted to Heavenly Born, a strange light appearing in his eyes.
"Now that Inner Strength can leave the body…"
"Perhaps I can finally explore the bloodline hidden within you."