Ning Qi lay in the wooden barrel, his thoughts gradually drifting.
"What I need most now is to gain powerful strength as quickly as possible."
"To train martial arts quickly, one relies on stance skill, and the other on medicinal bath."
"My stance skills have already reached their peak. The Bian Stance, Qiuniu Stance, and Baxia Stance have all achieved Divine Intent Perfection, and can go no further; compared to the effects of the other six stances, they're about the same. To continue improving in this area requires stronger stance skills."
"But there's still room for improvement in the medicinal bath!"
Ning Qi's eyes lit up.
Perhaps he could improve the medicinal recipe.
This was not difficult for him.
Recalling the recipe, the dosages and properties of the various herbs suddenly appeared in his mind.
"Gold Silver Flower seems unnecessary, the amount of Purple Luo Root could be reduced, Blood Pattern Flower could replace Blood Strengthening Grass..."
In an instant.
Numerous inspirations flashed through Ning Qi's mind.
But the recipe, unlike martial arts, must be tested.
As he thought, he felt the medicine being absorbed by his skin.
He waited until the medicine completely dissipated, feeling half of his fatigue vanish, then leapt out and immediately went inside to start experimenting. Having spent three years studying various medical books and created his own Ning's Medical Book, this task was easy for him.
He worked tirelessly until late at night.
Finally, the recipe was altered.
Ning Qi couldn't wait to pour the improved Body Tempering Powder into the bath barrel, filled it with water, and jumped in.
Instantly, a peculiar sense of refreshment engulfed Ning Qi.
The previously lingering soreness and swelling on his skin disappeared at a visibly fast pace.
"The effect is at least twice as strong as before!"
"With this improved Body Tempering Powder, I can train more without worrying about my body being unable to bear it."
Ning Qi's lips curled into a smile.
To sharpen one's tools, one must first improve their skills.
This is essential.
He could continue to refine it over time.
...
In the blink of an eye.
Three days passed.
"Third sister, I'm leaving now."
Smiling, Ning Qi greeted her and strode away.
Behind him.
Stood the listless and drained Ye Qinghe.
She seemed somewhat despondent.
Initially.
Upon learning that her young apprentice brother could begin martial arts training at age three, she was first incredulous and then excited. When she learned Ning Qi wanted to learn the Chiwen Stance from her, she even shouted that she would train Ning Qi seriously.
The result, naturally, was what it is now.
Dealt a heavy blow.
"Is he really human? Why is the gap so wide despite both being humans?"
Ye Qinghe recalled telling Ning Qi, "You'll know hardship awaits when you train martial arts," and now she thought,
"I was so foolish... The hardship is clearly my own."
She frantically rubbed her face and finally looked at Ning Qi's back with a smile, feeling a tinge of comfort.
After all, it was a good thing.
The little kid the master brought back is growing, and growing unexpectedly fast.
Ning Qi's lips held a smile.
Without turning back, he knew what Ye Qinghe was thinking.
Because this scene had repeated several times in the past few days.
"In just three days, I not only advanced to the Cowhide Realm, but also learned five stance skills from the third sister and others: Chaofeng Stance, Pulao Stance, Suanni Stance, Fuxi Stance, and Chiwen Stance!"
"Of the True Martial Nine Stances, I've grasped eight; only the Vengeance Stance from eighth brother remains unlearned."
Ning Qi was somewhat impatient.
Having mastered eight stance skills, he increasingly sensed the connection between the True Martial Nine Stances. If he could learn the remaining Vengeance Stance, he was confident he could create a stronger stance skill from them.
"But there's no need to rush. Eighth brother is currently in closed retreat to breakthrough; I'll seek him once he emerges."
Ning Qi also considered asking other senior brothers to teach him the Vengeance Stance, but they weren't proficient and feared teaching it wrongly. As for Master Taoist Longshan, he'd directly entered closed retreat.
Thus, he could only wait.
Seven days passed quickly.
Ning Qi's realm advanced again, reaching Stone Skin Realm.
Refining Skin had already achieved Small Success.
At this realm, his skin was tough as stone, ordinary fists and feet could hardly harm him, and his strength increased significantly.
In just ten days, Ning Qi covered ground many needed years to traverse.
This success owed to the Divine Intent Perfection of several stance skills and the improved Body Tempering Ointment, which Ning Qi further optimized over the past few days. But he was too lazy to rename it and continued to call it the improved Body Tempering Ointment.
Ning Qi planned to present this improved Body Tempering Ointment to his master after he emerged.
Unlike many martial arts or Secret Techniques he created that had high comprehension thresholds, this recipe had no thresholds. If spread, it could rapidly enhance the strength of True Martial Sect disciples, deepening their foundation over time.
On this day.
Ning Qi was thinking of visiting Qin Yun's place.
Unexpectedly, Qin Yun's figure appeared in the distance.
At just twenty years old, Qin Yun was quite handsome, looking like a dashing young Taoist from afar. He and Ye Qinghe had the best relationship with Ning Qi and often visited him, but Qin Yun was obsessed with martial arts and extremely talented, bearing the hope of becoming True Martial Sect's future strongest, so he spent most of his time training.
"Eighth brother, did you break through?"
Ning Qi smiled and approached, walking steadily due to his martial arts training. Though only three years old, his physique matched that of a five or six-year-old child and was even stronger.
Qin Yun nodded, then showed shock in his eyes:
"Jiu, I didn't believe when the senior brothers said you could start training martial arts; I can't believe it's true."
Ning Qi grinned.
"Eighth brother, I want to learn the Vengeance Stance from you."
Qin Yun was still processing the shock that his little junior brother could train martial arts at age three, furrowing his brow.
"You can learn it, but know that overloading yourself won't help. How proficient are you with your primary Bian Stance?"
Ning Qi didn't say much.
Facts speak louder than words.
This scene had already occurred multiple times with other senior brothers.
Watching Ning Qi's agile movements in the courtyard, Qin Yun was astounded and felt a hint of undiscovered jealousy.
How long did it take me to reach a basic understanding of Divine Intent with the Vengeance Stance?
Half a year?
Or a year?
Even so, I was praised as an unparalleled talent, but now, compared to little junior brother, what am I?
He unknowingly fell silent.
Ning Qi stopped his stance skill, looked up and asked:
"Eighth brother, can I learn the Vengeance Stance now? I just seek knowledge; don't worry, I won't overreach."
Seeing his cute and clever little junior brother, Qin Yun forced a smile:
"Alright, I'll teach you."
Though instinctively he wanted to refuse, he felt it wasn't right.
He silently cursed himself.
Then he began the Vengeance Stance, explaining its various points.
"Junior brother, have you learned?"
Ning Qi nodded repeatedly.
With the foundation of the previous eight stances, he learned even faster than before!
Moments later.
Watching Ning Qi's proficiently executed Vengeance Stance, Qin Yun fell silent again.
"Junior brother, you practice slowly; I have something to attend to first."
Forcing a smile, he turned to leave, taking a deep breath, his gaze a bit complicated.
Ning Qi responded casually, not concerned, assuming Qin Yun was just shocked by him. Nonetheless, he restrained himself from showing the unusual strength of Stone Skin.
Slightly shaking his head, Ning Qi continued practicing martial arts.
With Qin Yun around, he felt constrained in his training. Soon, the Vengeance Divine Intent Perfection was achieved.
Ning Qi's eyes shone brightly.
The True Martial Nine Stances were finally united!