Chapter 38: Chapter 34 Half-step Celestial Being Taoist Longshan had a significant gain this time. Sharing the secrets of the Celestial Human with Divine Sword Old Man is not merely helping him, it’s a win-win situation. Although Divine Sword Old Man’s talent does not exceed Taoist Longshan’s, he is, after all, a strong Sword Dao practitioner in the Primordial Core Realm. Sometimes, his inspirations have greatly enlightened Taoist Longshan. This time in seclusion. He processed his insights from this period. Taoist Longshan now exudes an ethereal aura. Simply by standing there, he emanates a unique pressure, as if one with the heavens and earth. He can now truly be called a Half-step Celestial Being, quite different in essence from his prior Primordial Core Perfection. Luo Wentian, standing nearby, showed respect and admiration in his eyes; he was the disciple who had been with Taoist Longshan the longest, even before Taoist Longshan rebuilt the True Martial Sect. He can perceive the changes in his master. The faint oppression emanating from him made his heart uneasy. "Master, are you..." Luo Wentian cautiously asked. Taoist Longshan smiled: "It will be soon, maybe in a year, perhaps three; for sure, I shall reach the Celestial Human Realm!" It seems like a lengthy period, yet he is already confident. Surveying the world, few have the courage to speak such words before reaching the Celestial Human Realm. Even if he takes three years to break through, given Taoist Longshan’s age, he is still far from reaching a hundred. His talent is enough to stand proud in Great Yan. Luo Wentian was overjoyed: "Congratulations, Master! It seems that I have to start preparing for the Celestial Being Grand Ceremony ahead of time!" Traditionally, when the Great Yan dynasty has a new Celestial Being, they hold a grand ceremony—an excellent opportunity to boost the prestige of the True Martial Sect, potentially allowing it to rise out of Qing State and gain renown in Great Yan. Looking at the Great Yan dynasty. Celestial Human Realm practitioners are unmatched strong individuals, garnering the respect of countless people. Taoist Longshan collected himself and waved slightly: "Have any significant events happened within the sect recently?" Luo Wentian thought for a moment and said: "Everything seems normal within the sect, except that the eighth junior brother went down the mountain to train and hasn’t returned for a while." Taoist Longshan frowned slightly: "Never mind, it seems Ba hasn’t resolved his obsession yet. He probably won’t return by year-end. Let him be. When he figures things out, he’ll naturally come back." Luo Wentian remained silent for a moment and then said: "By the way, over a month ago, Jiu came to seek you once. I’m not sure if there is anything important." Taoist Longshan paused. His little disciple, Ning Qi, was the one he felt most proud of and had to worry about the least. Except for the initial teachings when Ning Qi first started on the Martial Path, there was generally little to fret about. Usually, Ning Qi wouldn’t actively seek him out; Taoist Longshan simply needed to provide the necessary resources. Suddenly. Taoist Longshan recalled something. His eyes flickered in shock. "Impossible? Jiu is only five years old... Even though he reached the Refining Spirit Realm before, breaking through the flesh without blemishes and the bottleneck for birthing Inner Strength isn’t so easily accomplished..." At this thought. Taoist Longshan couldn’t sit still. He wished to go to the Seeking Tao Institute to see if his speculation was correct. But as he was about to get up. He glanced outside the pavilion, his eyes moved slightly, and he sat back down. "Wentian, you may leave now." Luo Wentian was somewhat bewildered, as he hadn’t been there long, he thought there would be more matters to report. However, he always respected his master. After saluting, he left quickly. But just as he stepped outside, he saw Ning Qi; he smiled and said: "Jiu, you’re just in time; Master has emerged from seclusion. We were just talking about you." Ning Qi smiled and nodded. Looking at Ning Qi’s back, Luo Wentian slowly realized. "Has Master sensed Jiu is coming, thus asking me to leave?" This thought arose in his heart, yet he bore no particular sentiments or dissatisfaction, just curiosity about what his master intended to discuss with Jiu alone. Soon after, he chuckled and shook his head; this wasn’t a matter of his concern. "If Master breaks through to the Celestial Human Realm in the next two years, the ceremony must be held. Disciples under him should improve their strength to avoid weakening Master’s prestige." "Perhaps, at this year’s end, we can hold a sect martial arts competition, allowing the second and third senior siblings to guide the Outer and Inner Sect disciples?" Various thoughts appeared in his mind as he gradually walked away. Within Bright Martial Pavilion. After Ning Qi respectfully saluted, Taoist Longshan’s gaze was already fixed on him, sensing intently, suppressing his inner excitement, he asked: "Jiu, did you break through?" Ning Qi was slightly startled, then nodded. "I broke into the Inner Essence Realm a few days ago; I wanted to inform you back then, but you were in seclusion." Receiving Ning Qi’s affirmative response. Taoist Longshan stood dumbfounded. Speculation is one matter, but reality before one’s eyes is entirely different. The impact is distinctly different. "Under the Taoist Ancestor, Jiu is just five years old..." Three years of martial arts training, five years old and breaking into the Inner Essence Realm. What a peerless genius! Originally, based on Taoist Longshan’s forecast, Ning Qi might delve into the Inner Essence Realm after turning six, and even in that case, he already found it extremely uncanny. Never did he expect Ning Qi to be even more astonishing; only a year earlier, yet the qualitative difference in innate talent is beyond logical sense. At this moment. Taoist Longshan regretted not preventing Ning Qi from making a move when the Divine Sword Sect came up the mountain. Losing face, a little would be fine. Fortunately, Ning Qi’s Body Tempering stage exhibition was not high, likely only Divine Sword Old Man discerned some of the subtleties, yet Taoist Longshan trusted Divine Sword Old Man’s character. "Jiu, from now on, remember not to display your cultivation in front of outsiders; even if you do, avoid revealing your age, at least not until you become a Celestial Being." Taoist Longshan advised sternly. One cannot be too cautious. Unlike Qin Yun or Zhuang Chen, whose talents pose less risk unless there is profound enmity, nobody would intentionally target them. However, someone like Ning Qi is too astonishing. If someone finds out, even without grudges, they might want to snuff the threat prematurely. Only upon reaching the Celestial Human Realm would he have the power to safeguard himself. Yet within another year or two, Taoist Longshan estimated he too would ascend to Celestial Human, thus ensuring Ning Qi’s safety on True Martial Mountain without worries. This caution towards Ning Qi serves as a dual safeguard, preventing any issues from arising. Ning Qi nodded sincerely. He could feel his master’s affection and concern. "Master, you mentioned earlier that after I broke into Inner Essence Realm, there is something important to tell me. What might it be?" Ning Qi asked. Already having some guesses internally. Indeed. Taoist Longshan’s expression stiffened, he sighed deeply, seemingly hesitant, and finally, slowly said: "Regarding your origins."