Chapter 43: Chapter 39: Challenge Invitation The return of Qin Yun to the True Martial Sect caused quite a stir. After all, he had been away for more than half a year and did not even return during the year-end. The disciples missed him dearly. The true disciples on the mountain all gathered around Qin Yun. "Good for you, Ba, staying so silently down the mountain for so long. You must have been dazzled by the worldly pleasures." Qin Yun looked at the familiar faces and felt as if a lifetime had passed. He was about to speak. Ye Qinghe smiled and said: "If you drink this jug of wine, we’ll forgive you." Looking at the wine Ye Qinghe handed over, Qin Yun felt his scalp tingle. He had been a victim of Ye Qinghe’s wine-brewing experiments before. He braced himself to drink it, but surprisingly, it was quite good. "Third senior sister, your wine-brewing skills have greatly improved!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 Qin Yun did not hold back his praise. Ye Qinghe’s smile widened, but after seeing the others’ sly smiles, Qin Yun roughly understood what was going on. His gaze fell on the White Ape and then on Ning Qi. His instinctive perception wanted to gauge Ning Qi’s depths, but he couldn’t see through. "Jiu." He smiled brightly, just like in the past. But Ning Qi felt that Qin Yun seemed to be suppressing something. Subsequently, Qin Yun went to see Taoist Longshan, and unexpectedly, perhaps due to being down the mountain for too long, Taoist Longshan ordered Qin Yun to be confined for closed cultivation. Even Luo Wentian’s subtle persuasion was met with scolding. The true disciples were all astonished, as this was a rare occurrence. They could only hope the master would calm down soon. Ning Qi sighed a bit. The human heart is hard to fathom. He vaguely felt that the master’s actions might be related to the eighth senior brother’s state. But he couldn’t manage these matters and didn’t have the capability for now. Ning Qi could only train quietly. Hoping Qin Yun would recover soon. Time flowed by gently. Before he knew it, the year-end was approaching again. Ning Qi underwent two more fake deaths, completing two rounds of stacking strength. Two months ago, he successfully advanced to the Fivefold Realm, officially surpassing the seventh senior brother Song City in cultivation. "With one more round of stacking strength, I can advance to the Great Success of the Inner Essence Realm. Ordinary martial artists in the Great Success of Inner Essence Realm can start transferring strength to add characteristics to their inner strength, but I could do this even at Small Success." "Now my inner strength is increasingly solidifying. If I reach the Great Success Realm, I might be able to extend my inner strength outside my body just like others in the Perfection Realm." This made Ning Qi somewhat expectant. Inner Essence Ninefold Perfection allows the extension of inner strength nearly ten feet outside the body, significantly increasing power. He estimated that he wouldn’t be much different, perhaps exceeding even that. "However... should I be able to contend with experts in the White Mist Realm now?" Ning Qi wasn’t entirely sure, but he had this hope. The Gang Qi in the Gang Essence Realm was too strong, but he felt he had the strength to fight. He hadn’t forgotten the target of the Blood Rain Tower. When the day came that he could easily defeat his master, he might avenge it then. "But the transferring strength technique of the Great Dream Nine Deaths Strength is still just a prototype and needs more time." Ning Qi wasn’t in a hurry about this. His requirements for transferring strength were high because it involved future cultivation in the Gang Essence Realm. He hoped his inner strength attributes could encompass all things. This was difficult. But with the Myriad Phenomena Origin Stance as a precursor, it wasn’t impossible, just requiring time to summarize and deduce. If not for Ning Qi’s extraordinary comprehension, it would almost be impossible. Ning Qi felt confident that he could succeed next year. "Let’s go, Tiansheng." Noticing the diligent White Ape beside him, Ning Qi smiled and called out. The White Ape was now at Bone Refining Perfection and breaking through the bottleneck of Refining Organ. Maybe in six years, it could complete Body Tempering. This speed was fast, faster even than the chubby Zhuang Chen, not to mention Qin Yun. Moreover, the White Ape’s strength exceeded others of the same level. Because its physical foundation was quite solid, though not as strong as Ning Qi’s, he believed even those practicing the True Martial Stance were no better. Ning Qi noticed that as the White Ape’s cultivation level increased, subtle changes seemed to occur within its body, possibly activating its bloodline. This aroused Ning Qi’s curiosity further. He thought. Once his inner strength could extend outside his body, he might attempt some exploration. With thoughts churning in his mind, Ning Qi and the White Ape arrived at the Martial Arts Arena. The year-end competition last year yielded quite satisfactory results. With Luo Wentian’s encouragement, this excellent tradition was set to continue. Upon Ning Qi’s arrival, he realized. Qin Yun was there too. He had been confined by Taoist Longshan for half a year, but was allowed out for the year-end, and was chatting with the other true disciples. Everyone advised him that if anything upset the master, he should lower his head and not be stubborn. Qin Yun just smiled and agreed. Upon seeing Ning Qi. Qin Yun naturally glanced over, sensing. "Jiu." He noticed Ning Qi’s aura had significantly enhanced compared to six months ago, but the specific realm wasn’t clear unless Ning Qi acted. Ning Qi sat over as well. The group engaged in conversation. The competition among the Outer Sect disciples began anew. Compared to the previous year, the Outer Sect disciples’ overall strength had again improved, with a few standouts emerging, pleasing everyone. Then it was the Inner Sect disciples. After awarding the top twenty disciples, the true disciples sparred and clarified doubts for others. But this time, Qin Yun was included. Luo Wentian fought Jiang Baishan again, and this time Luo Wentian’s defeat was even more decisive. Jiang Baishan thoroughly established his position as the second strongest in the True Martial Sect. The current Jiang Baishan had the prospect of breaking through to Gang Essence Realm by the age of forty, becoming the second Gang Essence expert of the True Martial Sect. At forty, in this world where martial artists have long lifespans, one is still considered the young generation, with great momentum. But watching their battle, Ning Qi felt calm, more convinced that combining first and fifth senior brothers would likely still not be his match. However, after Luo Wentian’s defeat, Qin Yun unexpectedly challenged Jiang Baishan. As expected, Qin Yun lost. But what shocked everyone was. Qin Yun showcased the realm of Inner Essence Sixfold! It should be known. Qin Yun was just in his twenties, already at Great Success of Inner Essence. At this rate, he might break through to Gang Essence Realm before thirty-five, or even sooner. Everyone in the True Martial Sect was elated. Praising Qin Yun loudly. This was a sign of True Martial’s prosperity. Only Taoist Longshan looked on with slight worry in his eyes. Ning Qi also found it surprising; Qin Yun’s cultivation speed seemed overly fast, perhaps due to an adventure during his time down the mountain? After Jiang Baishan stepped down. Qin Yun stood at the center of the Martial Arts Arena, without stepping down, looking at Ning Qi, he issued an invitation: "Little junior brother, why not give it a try? Your senior can offer you some guidance." In his eyes was an inexplicable look, even the other disciples vaguely sensed something was off. A year ago, Jiang Baishan extended the same invitation, which Ning Qi could easily decline with a smile. But a year later, with Qin Yun’s renewed invitation. It made Ning Qi somewhat hesitant. Qin Yun was different from Jiang Baishan; he felt Qin Yun’s changes over the recent years might relate slightly to himself.