Incredible Insight: Cultivating Immortality at Eight, Astonishing Zhang Sanfeng

Chapter 41: Qi Refinement Ninth Level

As the sun set and the moon rose, Ning Changge absorbed the essence of the moonlight to temper his spiritual sense. Practicing the Heavenly Phenomenon Spirit Tempering Technique was a required course for him.

His spiritual sense had grown significantly stronger. Although there were no others to compare to, he felt that his spiritual sense might rival the Foundation Establishment Stage, if there were other cultivators.

Adjusting himself to the optimal state, a glint of light flashed in Ning Changge’s eyes.

“This is the best time to break through!”

He swallowed a Transformation Spirit Pill. His spiritual power had been at the eighth level of Qi Refinement for quite some time. Today, with the help of this pill, he intended to step into the ninth level.

Boom!

As soon as the pill was ingested, an overwhelming surge of spiritual power erupted within him, far stronger than that of an Ascension Spirit Pill. After all, the Transformation Spirit Pill was based on the Ascension Spirit Pill, but much more potent.

Ning Changge remained calm and composed internally. Practicing the Eternal Evergreen Technique daily, he had reached a state of ease where he could effortlessly utilize it. The Evergreen internal strength turned into vortices, vaguely reminiscent of the Beiming Swallowing Technique, but many times more advanced.

The powerful medicinal energy of the pill was swiftly absorbed and refined into spiritual energy, which then flowed into his dantian. His spiritual energy grew visibly, and strands of it began to show signs of transforming into a liquid state.

Having long studied the Foundation Establishment chapter of the Eternal Evergreen Technique, Ning Changge understood the direction of the Foundation Establishment Stage. One key aspect was to transform spiritual energy into liquid, thereby unleashing even greater power.

This was not difficult for him. The spiritual energy cultivated from the Eternal Evergreen Technique was far purer than that of ordinary techniques. Now, it was already showing signs of transforming into liquid. Perhaps, before reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, his spiritual energy would fully liquefy.

With these thoughts passing briefly through his mind, Ning Changge continued refining the pill’s energy.

As the moon reached its zenith, a terrifying spiritual pressure suddenly burst forth from Ning Changge, expanding and then contracting rapidly. He slowly opened his eyes, revealing a look of joy.

Qi Refinement Ninth Level, successfully broken through!

Step by step, Ning Changge felt immense satisfaction on his path to immortality. Perhaps this was the allure of the Dao. He felt his Dao Heart strengthen subtly.

Suddenly, he sensed something and scanned with his spiritual sense. Outside the Scripture Pavilion, a thin figure was kneeling respectfully. Occasionally, it glanced at the Scripture Pavilion with determination and reverence.

This was not one of the third-generation disciples of Wudang. It was the spiritual monkey that had offered a treasure in the forest that day!

Ning Changge’s mouth curved into a smile.

“Well, let’s see how determined this little spiritual monkey is in seeking the Dao.”

The concept of cause and effect was at play. Ning Changge’s natural actions were the cause; the monkey’s determination to seek the Dao and its sincere nightly visits were also causes. To bear fruit in the end, the monkey’s sincerity and determination had to be tested.

The law is not to be lightly passed on. To obtain true teachings, one must endure trials and tribulations.

After observing the figure outside the pavilion for a moment, Ning Changge retracted his spiritual sense and resumed his meditation, paying no further attention. The occasional sound of kowtowing was a testament to the monkey’s determination.

As the second watch passed and dawn approached, Ning Changge slowly opened his eyes. He sensed that the figure outside had staggered away, its aura considerably weakened. Even a strong body like the monkey’s would suffer from prolonged kneeling.

Ning Changge was unmoved.

…

From then on, every night at the midnight hour, after the Wudang disciples had gone to sleep, the spiritual monkey would come to the Scripture Pavilion to kneel and kowtow. Its eyes were steadfast, even as its aura weakened day by day, it never wavered.

Ning Changge’s eyes gradually showed admiration, but he still did not meet the monkey.

Three days passed.

Zhang Sanfeng summoned Ning Changge first. Seeing his pupil’s aura subtly stronger, Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes were filled with admiration.

“Changge, it seems your cultivation has improved again.”

Ning Changge smiled lightly.

“Just a bit of luck. What does Master have for me this time?”

Zhang Sanfeng replied slowly.

“Last night, I had a sudden inspiration while gazing at the moon from the mountain. I captured a thread of opportunity for my advancement to Earthly Immortal. If I follow this opportunity deeply, there is great hope.”

Ning Changge felt happy for his master.

“This is great news. Master should seize this chance to go into seclusion and advance to the Earthly Immortal stage. That way, you can support your disciples in the future!”

He laughed and made a playful remark. Zhang Sanfeng appeared a bit guilty.

“Considering the time, your eldest senior brother and the others should reach Shaolin in a few days. Although they have your methods to protect them, I’ve been worried. Originally, I wanted to wait for Song Yuanqiao and the others to return to the mountain before going into seclusion…”

Ning Changge’s expression turned serious.

“Opportunities for enlightenment do not wait. If missed, they will fade, and it will be too late to regret. Master, do not worry. With me in Wudang, nothing will happen. As long as the senior brothers return safely, I will handle everything! You can go into seclusion with peace of mind.”

He understood Zhang Sanfeng’s concerns. He was worried about Song Yuanqiao and also felt it was unfair to place the responsibility on Ning Changge.

“Master feels ashamed.”

Ning Changge chuckled.

“Isn’t it said that when the master has something to do, the disciples should bear the burden? If even such a small matter makes you feel distant, you might as well have left me at the foot of Mount Hua to be eaten by wolves.”

Zhang Sanfeng couldn’t help but smile. He admired his little disciple even more. The trip to Mount Hua was indeed his opportunity; otherwise, how could he have received such an outstanding disciple?

He was deeply attached to Song Yuanqiao and the others. But deep down, he also yearned for a highly talented disciple to inherit his legacy. Ning Changge perfectly met his requirements and even exceeded them!

“In that case, Wudang will be entrusted to you. I will go into seclusion for several months at the shortest, a year at the longest, and I am confident of success!”

Zhang Sanfeng was full of heroic spirit.

Ning Changge smiled.

“Then I wish Master a swift achievement of the Earthly Immortal stage!”

He watched Zhang Sanfeng enter the forbidden area and felt his own determination rise. He didn’t envy the Earthly Immortal stage of martial arts. He aimed to achieve true immortality, eternal and free in the heavens and earth!

…

After Zhang Sanfeng went into seclusion, Wudang became more quiet. Without the public teachings, the third-generation disciples could only cultivate independently. Each one was determined to work hard to make a good impression on their next trip down the mountain with their master or senior uncles.

The atmosphere on Wudang Mountain was fervent.

Ning Changge didn’t have to worry about mundane affairs. He only needed to oversee Wudang, ensuring no uninvited thieves dared come. With the reputation of Master Zhang of Wudang, usually, no one dared to cause trouble.

Ning Changge stayed in the Scripture Pavilion, with little difference except fewer visitors. No, there was one visitor, or rather, a monkey, who remained persistent.

Seven days had passed since the monkey first came to kneel at night. During these seven days, the monkey came punctually. Perhaps it had observed the behavior of the Wudang disciples; it increasingly resembled a human, with all manners in place.

Its determination to seek the Dao was unwavering. Even though the door of the Scripture Pavilion never showed signs of opening, it did not become discouraged, continuing to kowtow and kneel to show its sincerity.

It believed that if it persisted, one day, it would move the immortal.

However, in these seven days, the monkey visibly weakened. With Ning Changge’s spiritual pressure affecting it, daily kneeling and kowtowing would be detrimental even to steel and iron bones. An ordinary human would have been near death long ago.

But the monkey persevered.

During the second watch, the monkey staggered, about to leave. Suddenly, the doors of the Scripture Pavilion opened, and a faint voice came from within.

“You little monkey, come in.”