For three consecutive days.
Princess Yunluo lingered near the Sutra Pavilion.
She saw the Wudang disciples and the remarkable golden monkey Jinling but not the young true immortal she sought.
Her eyes held regret.
Realizing her purpose might go unfulfilled.
Not all things go as planned, even for the Ming Emperorâs sister, unable to force a land-dwelling immortalâs appearance.
It wasnât an unseemly desire for Ning Changge but curiosity driving her.
Lady Yunluo remained, driven by curiosity.
Zhu Wushi approached with a wry smile:
âYunluo, His Majesty knows you slipped away and sent me to bring you back.â
Princess Yunluo wrinkled her nose, her charming face showing playful annoyance:
âBrother is so boring, always stuck in the royal city!â
Zhu Wushi could only smile wryly. Princess Yunluoâs pampering allowed such audacity, unlike his own caution.
âLetâs go before it inconveniences you, Uncle.â
Princess Yunluo understood sensitivity, pouting as she followed Zhu Wushi, the imperial entourage readying to descend the mountain.
Suddenly.
A powerful surge emanated from the Sutra Pavilion.
Zhu Wushi instinctively turned.
Their ranks of powerful warriors stirred awake.
To his utmost, he felt an overwhelmingly sharp aura rising, poised to pierce the heavens, seeming to slice him asunder, sending a shiver through his core.
âWhat sword intent is this? Such killing intent!â
Zhu Wushi gasped, shielding Yunluo.
He had encountered countless master swordsmen, but this terrifying sword intent was unparalleled, as if a mountain of corpses and sea of blood were contained within.
Princess Yunluoâs eyes sparkled.
She dashed towards the Sutra Pavilion, seeing the faint image of a giant white tiger within the fluctuating aura, rushing forward.
âYunluo!â
Zhu Wushi was alarmed, fearing for Princess Yunluoâs safety amidst the overpowering aura. Fortunately, the aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, almost making him doubt his perception.
But he knew.
It wasnât an illusion, only one possibility.
The young true immortal had gained new insights.
A true prodigy!
His brief stay at Wudang had revealed the otherâs swift, astounding progression. Such talent engendered envy.
â¦
Princess Yunluo hurried forward, her heart aflutter upon seeing the white tiger vanish, calling out:
âCould Yunluo be fortunate enough to see the young true immortal in person?â
Despite her curiosity, she maintained decorum.
The Sutra Pavilion was silent, Yunluoâs anticipation turning to dejection until a faint voice spoke:
âImmersed in Dao, not seeing visitors.â
Princess Yunluo bit her lip, bowing with slight sorrow:
âApologies for disturbing the young true immortalâs seclusion.â
Truthfully.
Her small desire was simply to satiate curiosity, having grown in the royal city and hearing Ning Changgeâs name, she had ventured out for the first time, tasting freedomâs breath, yearning for a carefree life.
Rejection by Ning Changge felt like a significant setback.
Turning away dispirited.
A stream of light suddenly shot from the Sutra Pavilion, hovering before her.
Her eyes widened with disbelief, a small sword gleaming mysteriously hovered before her. Trembling, she reached for it, hearing Ning Changgeâs calm voice:
âFate favors you today with this meeting. I gift you a sword for personal protection.â
Princess Yunluoâs delight was boundless, her small wish fulfilled, she immediately felt elated, her playful demeanor returning, bowing respectfully towards the pavilion:
âThank you for the sword, young true immortal!â
The Sutra Pavilion remained silent.
Princess Yunluoâs dejection turned to joy, she carefully stowed the sword, eyes gleaming, clutching her fists in delight:
âYoung true immortal, I wonât take your gift for free. Just wait, Iâll bring my brotherâs Daoist texts for you!â
Zhu Wushi, hearing her muttered delight, couldnât help but smile wryly.
But at the sight of the gifted small sword, envy rose within. Any gift from the young true immortal was bound to be extraordinary!
He paid his respects to the pavilion, descending the mountain with Princess Yunluo.
Inside the pavilion.
Hearing Yunluoâs joyous voice, Ning Changge couldnât help but smile.
Not oblivious to Yunluoâs frequent visits, he gifted the sword not on a whim.
Firstly, despite Yunluoâs noble, somewhat spoiled background, her pure and kind nature showed in her interactions with Wudang disciples and Jinling, meriting a protective gift.
Forming goodwill.
Secondly, Ning Changge wished to study the imperial Dao of the Nine Provinces, embedding weak spiritual senses in the sword, usually dormant, to observe the rulerâs path.
A significant reason.
Ancient lore states, the Nine Provincesâ rulers are formidable.
The True Dragon Emperorâs path can seamlessly lead to the land-dwelling immortal realm, perhaps inspiring Ning Changge himself.
Thus, a move in subtle chess.
Success was irrelevant.
No loss incurred.
Regarding Yunluoâs playful intent to bring all of the Emperorâs texts, Ning Changge merely smiled.
His spiritual sense noted Zhu Wushi and others descending the mountain, so he refocused, grasping the golden sword qi he had just devised!
The terrifying killing intent earlier stemmed from it.
[Golden Sharp Sword, the spirit of gold. Your understanding of golden spirit energy offers a new comprehension of the sword path and the way of gold, uniting them. Sword Dao is the path of killing, creating the immortal technique of Gengjin White Tiger Sword Qi!]
âGold embodies sharpness, embodying killing. My Gengjin White Tiger Sword Qi surpasses the Qinglong Sword Qi and Vermilion Bird Sword Qi in lethality!â
Ning Changgeâs eyes glowed with satisfaction.
Thus.
Three of the Five Elemental Divine Sword Qi achieved.
Only water and earth remained to complete the cycle.
âCombining Five Elemental Swords with Five Elemental Divine Sword Qi, perfecting the foundation path, ensuring no obstacles in cultivation!â
Ning Changge exhaled deeply.
Having perused Daoist texts, his foundation deepened, capable of creating a perfect foundational method, striving to establish a Five Element foundation.
âSenior Brothers must now seek water and earth spiritual items.â
âBut no rush, I have time before reaching the twelfth perfection stage.â
Ning Changge observed his inner state.
His spiritual power surged, partially liquefied, exemplifying the wondrous method, foreshadowing foundational realm power, a reason for his formidable strength.
âItâs time to refine this sacred relic.â
Ning Changgeâs distant gaze shifted as he summoned the bronze relic left by the Buddha he smote with thunder.
Gleaming, it floated before him.
A spiritual item by extraordinary methods rather than nature, likely formed from the Buddhaâs extensive resonance with cosmic forces, leaving traces combining with his essence.
âPity the relic holds limited spiritual power. Yet, refined into an elixir with spiritual herbs, it aids advancing to the eleventh stage!â
Without hesitation.
Ning Changge summoned the Spirit Gathering Furnace.