Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Path Guardian After obtaining the True Martial Legacy for so many years, he had tried numerous times, but no matter how hard he scratched his head, it was of no avail. He thought perhaps after advancing to the Celestial Being, there might be a glimmer of hope, but most likely it would come to nothing. Perhaps only a Martial Saint could accomplish it. But he didn’t expect. After a month of seclusion, the True Martial Stake would appear before him in this manner. When he first saw Ning Qi practicing this Stance Skill, Taoist Longshan’s initial reaction was that a peerless expert from the remnants of the True Martial Sect had come, which sparked his earlier questions. But now he knew, it was something his little apprentice had created. He looked at the manual in his hand. Gradually becoming immersed in it. "So this is how it is!" "Wonderful!" "A stroke of genius!" He sat on the stone stool beside him, intermittently slapping his leg. It’s quick to solve problems with the answers. Being a top expert in the Primordial Core Realm, and extremely familiar with the True Martial Nine Stances, having tried to deduce them multiple times with several vague directions, now seeing this Stance Skill manual, he naturally could see its brilliance. Such ingenious thoughts left him in awe. Finally. Taoist Longshan let out a long sigh, closed the manual, and looked at Ning Qi with a slightly complex gaze. Initially, he felt that if Ning Qi followed his planned path, there was a significant chance to achieve Martial Saint status. But now he thought. Ning Qi becoming a Martial Saint is already a certainty, and even surpassing Martial Saint in the future would not be surprising. Such comprehension is truly defying the heavens! He could no longer estimate Ning Qi’s limits. At this moment. Taoist Longshan recalled the day Ning Qi asked about longevity. A phrase suddenly came to mind. "How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan?" He couldn’t help but smile wryly. "As Master said, should this Stance Skill be named True Martial Stance?" Ning Qi’s curious inquiry brought Taoist Longshan back to his senses. He smiled and patted the stone stool beside him, only continuing after Ning Qi sat down: "Jiu, do you remember what Master told you about the three levels of Stance Skills in the world?" "I remember, Master." "But now I tell you, besides these three levels of Stance Skills, there is actually an extremely rare type known to no one, called Unparalleled Stance Skill!" "Looking around the world, forces possessing Unparalleled Stance Skills are very few, at least Master knows for certain only two places have it. The Great Yan Royal Family has one, the Demon Sect has one, as for the others, Dajue Temple, Inquiring Sword Pavilion, etc., at most can only be considered half-step unparalleled." Hearing Taoist Longshan begin discussing the secrets of the world, Ning Qi’s eyes lit up. "And our True Martial Sect at its peak also had an Unparalleled Stance Skill." Seeing Ning Qi’s bright eyes, a smile appeared on Taoist Longshan’s face: "That’s right, it’s the True Martial Stance!" "The True Martial Nine Stances I taught you are actually derived from the True Martial Stance. It is the general outline, and also unparalleled. Those who practice it can establish an unparalleled foundation and have a greater chance to aspire to the Martial Saint. Unfortunately, when Master obtained the True Martial Legacy back then, there were only the True Martial Nine Stances and no general outline, which has always been a regret." "But unexpectedly, you figured it out." "Perhaps, this is destiny." Taoist Longshan laughed as he stroked Ning Qi’s head. "Master, you mean the True Dragon Stance I created is the True Martial Stance?" "That’s correct. The True Martial Legacy mentioned that the True Martial Stance can obtain the True Dragon’s Divine Intent. Even if the Stance Skill you created isn’t entirely identical to the True Martial Stance, it definitely isn’t far off. But since this Stance Skill is created by you, it will be called the True Dragon Stance from now on." "Speaking of which, Master feels that the name True Dragon Stance is even more apt, just like the Bian Stance can obtain Bian’s Divine Intent, and since it gains the True Dragon’s Divine Intent, naturally it should be called the True Dragon Stance." Taoist Longshan greatly respected Ning Qi. He was all smiles, in high spirits. Ning Qi was also smiling. He had resolved the doubts in his heart, knowing that above the True Martial Nine Stances there indeed exists a more powerful Stance Skill, but regrettably, his Master did not have it to corroborate with. Hearing Taoist Longshan’s words, Ning Qi shook his head and said: "Since it’s historically called True Martial Stance, then it will be the True Martial Stance in the future. Master, keep it well, and pass it on to suitable junior disciples in the future." As for those senior brothers and sisters, they have already stepped into the Inner Essence Realm, unable to retrain from the beginning. Ning Qi did not care what this Stance Skill was called; it was a minor matter. Taoist Longshan looked at Ning Qi and laughed heartily. Name indeed was a minor matter, but from it, he saw Ning Qi’s intentions. He did not accept the manual, only saying: "This True Martial Stance will be left for your disciples and descendants to practice." Ning Qi asked in surprise: "Why?" Taoist Longshan’s gaze was distant: "Do you remember Master once saying the True Martial Nine Sons could contend with Martial Saints?" "I remember, Master." "In fact, in the past True Martial Sect, besides the True Martial Nine Sons, there was an even more powerful hidden presence, the True Martial Path Guardian! Path Guardian, Path Guardian, does not mean to protect any one person, but to guard the True Martial Legacy!" "The Path Guardian practiced the True Martial Stance, and while the Unparalleled Stance Skill is strong, its requirements are high. Each generation had only one Path Guardian, who was almost always a Martial Saint!" Ning Qi was somewhat surprised. "So at the peak of the True Martial Sect, wouldn’t there be two Martial Saint combat powers?" "Exactly!" "Such a powerful True Martial Sect, how did it perish into the long river of history?" Ning Qi was a bit puzzled, as he now understood that achieving Martial Saint status wasn’t easy. In the view of ancient history, some eras had only one Martial Saint dominating the world. Even in prosperous eras of the Martial Path, it might not exceed the number of both hands. Logically speaking, with such a foundation, the True Martial Sect should have been able to endure continuously, right? Taoist Longshan slightly shook his head: "Perhaps it was internal strife, or perhaps some unexpected event. The truth is known to no one. In the legacy Master obtained back then, it wasn’t mentioned." Ning Qi suppressed his inner speculations and heard Taoist Longshan’s expression gradually becoming solemn: "Ning Qi, are you willing to be this generation’s Path Guardian of the True Martial Sect?" There was some expectation in Taoist Longshan’s eyes. Previously, without the True Martial Stance, he naturally never considered the matter of a Path Guardian, but now, is there anyone more suited than Ning Qi? As long as Ning Qi grows, the True Martial Sect will be safe for a generation. At this moment, Ning Qi immediately understood why Taoist Longshan said the True Martial Stance could only be practiced by future disciples and descendants. It was because he already had this idea. Ning Qi did not hesitate. He stood up, his expression solemn. "I am willing!" One must be grateful. Taoist Longshan saved his life, protected him, and taught him tirelessly, while the senior brothers and sisters showered him with love. Even if he wasn’t a Path Guardian, he would never watch the True Martial Sect face any trouble. This was not a conflicting matter, and now it just gave him a more legitimate identity. Taoist Longshan laughed heartily. "Good! Very good!" "Jiu, keep this manual with you. If you find a suitable candidate for a Path Guardian in the future, then pass it on to him. As for others, there’s no need to inform them." "Yes, Master, I will remember." Master and disciple exchanged smiles.