"Fifth Senior Brother, keep watch over him."
After giving this instruction, Ning Qi gently waved his hand. In an instant, strands of heavenly energy swirled through the air, reducing the freshly erected grave to floating dust. Qin Yun's corpse was revealed before everyone's eyes.
The gruesome state of the body made all three observers shudder involuntarily.
Qin Yun's flesh was utterly ruined - not a single patch of unbroken skin remained. Jagged white bones protruded grotesquely from multiple wounds, presenting a sight both horrifying and pitiful. Most heartbreaking of all was his once-handsome face, now withered into the wrinkled visage of an ancient elder, his hair transformed into dry, lifeless white strands.
"Ahhh!!!" Jiang Baishan roared skyward, overwhelmed by grief.
Tears streamed down his face as self-recrimination consumed him. Unable to contain his rage, he stomped viciously on Ghostmask's chest. With all his power sealed, Ghostmask coughed blood from the impact, his ribs cracking audibly.
Though chilled by Jiang Baishan's animalistic fury, Ghostmask also burned with humiliation. This man he'd once considered beneath notice now trampled his dignity beneath foot.
Fortunately, Jiang Baishan's outburst was merely emotional venting. He retained enough rationality to understand Ning Qi must have reasons for keeping Ghostmask alive.
Ning Qi himself seethed with sorrowful anger. His icy gaze swept over Ghostmask, yet hope still flickered within him.
"Fifth Senior Brother, guard me while I work."
Settling cross-legged with Qin Yun's body cradled before him, Ning Qi summoned the full might of his Myriad Forms Qi Force. Waves of vitality-infused energy poured into Qin Yun's corpse.
Visible transformations occurred immediately.
Shredded flesh regenerated, knitting together seamlessly. Shattered bones realigned and fused. Even the deathly pallor of Qin Yun's skin gained subtle luminescence. The three observers gaped at this miraculous display - such healing arts could revive the dead and regrow bones from nothing!
Ning Qi's Myriad Forms Qi Force possessed transformative properties. His daily scripture studies served to broaden his comprehension across multiple disciplines, though until now he'd primarily demonstrated its combative aspects.
Jiang Baishan's breathing grew rapid with hope. He struggled to contain his excitement, fearing to disrupt Ning Qi's concentration.
Minutes later, Qin Yun's corpse no longer resembled its former wretched state.
Apart from tattered black robes, the body appeared perfectly intact. Yet while physical wounds had healed, the aged face remained unchanged, and no breath stirred within. The restored corpse was precisely that - a flawless but lifeless vessel.
Ning Qi slowly opened his eyes.
"Xiao Jiu?" Jiang Baishan asked urgently. "Is there... any hope for Xiao Ba?"
Ghostmask, smarting from his humiliation, sneered through bloodied lips:
"His life force is extinguished! Not even gods could revive him now! Abandon this foolishness!"
Jiang Baishan's eyes burned crimson. After a steadying breath, he stated with deadly calm:
"If Xiao Ba doesn't return, I'll flay you strip by strip."
Ghostmask's mockery died instantly.
Ning Qi glanced at the captive and murmured:
"Who says extinguished life cannot be relit?"
Three pairs of eyes locked onto him - Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua with dawning hope, Ghostmask with utter disbelief.
Ning Qi ignored them. The physical restoration was merely preparation - ensuring his senior brother's dignity while assessing the situation.
As Ghostmask claimed, Qin Yun's life force had indeed dissipated. For ordinary people, this meant irrevocable death. But for Ning Qi, possibilities remained.
He gave silent thanks for arriving when he did. Any later would have rendered even his skills useless.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Qi's expression grew solemn. Now came the true challenge.
Heavenly energies gathered in wisps around him as his Qi Force transformed into emerald radiance. As cosmic power and personal energy resonated, Ning Qi's hands moved in mesmerizing seals too swift for ordinary eyes to follow.
Under three astonished gazes, Ning Qi's circling palms birthed a verdant seedling between them. Instantly, sublime fragrance filled the air as vibrant life energy pulsed outward. Where stray wisps touched nearby deadwood, ancient trees miraculously sprouted fresh buds.
Ghostmask's jaw slackened in shock.
Jiang Baishan's mind reeled with sudden recognition - this seedling perfectly mirrored their Enlightenment Tea Tree's first sprouting years ago!
He remembered that day clearly: all disciples had pressed close to witness the miracle, some even prostrating themselves. Only Ning Qi had stood apart, smiling with private realization. Now Jiang Baishan understood - that epiphany had been no ordinary insight!
Indeed, this Qi-constructed sprout embodied Ning Qi's complete comprehension of life's essence.
Witnessing the tea tree's birth had granted him the seed of understanding. Daily observation of its growth deepened this knowledge, supplemented by studying countless life miracles. Now these lessons bore fruit as a genuine Seed of Life.
Ning Qi's gaze hardened with determination.
Even if he had to storm the underworld itself, he would reclaim Qin Yun's life!
A gentle press sent the Seed sinking into Qin Yun's chest.
Instantly, blinding radiance erupted from the corpse as overwhelming life energy exploded outward in rippling waves.
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua gasped as mere proximity erased their fatigue and healed old injuries. Ghostmask's chest wound from the Heavenly Sword partially mended under the green glow, though his sealed power remained. Jiang Baishan, revitalized, rewarded him with two more kicks.
Vegetation ravaged by earlier battles underwent explosive growth, transforming the area into a thriving paradise within moments. Such divine spectacle seemed plucked from immortal legends.
The observers wondered in awe - if mere energy overflow produced such miracles, what transformation must Qin Yun himself be undergoing?
Currently, Qin Yun's body floated midair, engulfed in swirling life force.
Ning Qi searched desperately for the faintest spark of lingering vitality within the corpse. The Seed served as bait to lure it forth. Mental exhaustion crept upon him - this effort rivalled his exploration of White Ape's bloodline.
Yet persistence bore fruit.
Ning Qi's eyebrows lifted in triumph.
"Found it!"
He guided the Seed toward that nearly imperceptible flicker, merging them completely.
To Ghostmask's utter disbelief, Qin Yun's log-like stillness broke with a sudden twitch. Life energy visibly resurged as healthy color returned to the withered cheeks.
"Im... impossible!" Ghostmask stammered as if seeing ghosts. "Even Martial Sages couldn't revive extinguished lives! What manner of monster is this Heavenly Sword Elder?"
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua trembled with joyous anticipation as Qin Yun's vitality strengthened visibly.
Then disaster struck.
Ning Qi's expression changed abruptly. His pupils contracted in alarm as his Qi Force shifted to extreme cold. With a wave, frost spread across Qin Yun's body, flash-freezing him into an icy statue radiating bitter chill.
Life and frost now coexisted in paradoxical harmony.
The abrupt reversal shocked Jiang Baishan. "Xiao Jiu! Didn't Xiao Ba just recover?" he demanded anxiously.
Before Ning Qi could respond, Ghostmask pieced together the truth and laughed wildly:
"Now I understand! Qin Yun burned every last drop of his lifespan to stop me! Your miraculous revival means nothing - without remaining lifespan, he'll just wither away again! No one understands the Secret Art of Grieving White Hair better than me!"
"Your efforts are wasted!"
His taunting laughter held desperate bravado - knowing his fate was sealed, this petty revenge was all he had left.
Jiang Baishan glared murderously but waited for Ning Qi's rebuttal.
After rare hesitation, Ning Qi admitted quietly:
"He's correct. Eighth Senior Brother's lifespan is exhausted. Awakening him now would consume those final moments irrevocably."
Jiang Baishan paled, but Lin Ruhua's eyes lit up:
"Ninth Junior Brother! Could life-extending treasures help?"
Hope flickered in Jiang Baishan too - while incredibly rare, such treasures existed.
Ghostmask opened his mouth to protest, but Ning Qi backhanded him across the clearing without looking. "Too noisy," he muttered before shaking his head. "Unfortunately, life-extending items require some existing lifespan to work. You'll notice ancient experts always use them while they still have decades remaining."
Silence fell heavily.
"So... there's truly no way?" Jiang Baishan rasped, staring heartbroken at the frozen Qin Yun - outwardly perfect but for that aged face.
Ning Qi sighed softly. "For now, we preserve him like this until I devise a solution." His voice firmed with resolve:
"Don't worry - I will find a way."
Current limitations didn't bind future possibilities. With his comprehension abilities, creating lifespan-extending techniques was inevitable. If the Heaven-Man Realm proved insufficient, he'd reach Martial Sage. Beyond that if necessary!
Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua drew strength from Ning Qi's certainty.
They nodded as one. At merely eleven years old, Ning Qi had already achieved the impossible - both his terrifying combat prowess and today's divine healing defied belief. Under normal circumstances, they'd be dumbfounded by such feats, but concern for Qin Yun had overshadowed everything.
"Let's return to the mountain," Ning Qi suggested gently. "Master should know of this."
After exchanging glances, Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua agreed. This ordeal had resolved their earlier reluctance - there was no reason to remain in seclusion now.
"Xiao Jiu, what of him?" Jiang Baishan glared hatefully at Ghostmask, who shivered imperceptibly.
Ning Qi's gaze turned arctic.
"I originally descended to deal with the Southern Alliance. Since you delivered yourself to me, we'll start cleansing the Demonic Sect."
Ghostmask's pupils contracted violently. Only now did he grasp the nightmare his faction had invited - that overwhelming power defied all Heaven-Man Realm logic.
Before he could speak, Ning Qi waved a hand, and all four vanished skyward.
...
Zhenwu Mountain.
Mingwu Pavilion.
Daoist Longshan and Luo Wentian sat discussing Ning Qi's month-long absence when both suddenly turned toward the entrance.
"Master! Eldest Senior Brother!"
The familiar voice made them smile - speak of the devil.
"Xiao Jiu, come in!" Luo Wentian's welcome died as five figures entered instead of one.
"Unfilial disciple Jiang Baishan greets Master!" The red-eyed man knelt with Lin Ruhua.
Daoist Longshan's joy at seeing his fifth disciple warred with growing dread as he noticed their companions - one clearly a prisoner, the other an ice sculpture.
His gaze locked onto the frozen figure. Heart pounding with terrible premonition, he asked Ning Qi hoarsely:
"Xiao Jiu... who is that?"
Unable to meet his master's eyes, Ning Qi whispered:
"Master... it's Eighth Senior Brother."
Thunderstruck, Daoist Longshan stood paralyzed. The mighty Heaven-Man Realm expert swayed visibly before waving off his disciples' concerned advances.
Turning away to hide his anguish, his voice betrayed unbearable grief:
"Xiao Jiu... what happened?"
"Fifth Senior Brother should explain," Ning Qi said softly, having arrived late to the tragedy.
Kneeling tearfully, Jiang Baishan recounted everything, ending with a broken whisper:
"This is my fault... Xiao Ba sacrificed himself to save me!"
Luo Wentian's fists clenched as murderous intent radiated toward Ghostmask.
Daoist Longshan grew eerily calm.
After long silence, he sighed:
"Xiao Wu, this wasn't your fault. Place Xiao Ba in Mingwu Pavilion - it's been too long since he visited. You all handle the rest."
His weary dismissal sent them retreating respectfully.
Alone, Daoist Longshan tenderly positioned the ice sculpture, tracing Qin Yun's frozen face through the frost.
"Xiao Ba... five years apart, and you've grown older than your master..."
Unnoticed, his eyes reddened.
...
Outside, Luo Wentian asked urgently:
"Xiao Jiu, can Xiao Ba be saved?"
"For now, the ice preserves him," Ning Qi replied. "When I develop lifespan-extending techniques, we'll revive him properly."
Luo Wentian nodded fiercely. "You must succeed, or Master will..." He couldn't finish the thought.
Having known Daoist Longshan longest, he understood the depth of his master's grief. The realization brought fresh tears.
Ning Qi vowed firmly: "I will save Eighth Senior Brother!"
Exhaling heavily, Luo Wentian turned to Ghostmask.
"How should we deal with this Demonic Sect Vice-Leader?"
"To the Heart-Questioning Platform first," Ning Qi said coldly. "Perhaps he knows something useful."
Jiang Baishan growled: "Xiao Jiu... after questioning, give him to me."
Ning Qi paused mid-step, then nodded slightly.