Ning Qi reclined in the wooden tub, warm medicinal water enveloping his body as his thoughts gradually expanded.
"My current priority is simple—gain strength as quickly as possible."
"To cultivate the Martial Dao efficiently, there are two paths. First, Stance cultivation. Second, medicinal baths."
"Stance cultivation has already reached its limit for now."
The Bixi, Qiuniu, and Baxia Stances had all reached Divine Intent Perfection. Further progress was impossible without higher-level techniques. Moreover, their effects were not fundamentally different from the remaining Stances.
"If I want further gains through Stances, I'll need even stronger ones."
"But medicinal baths…"
"There's still room for improvement."
Ning Qi's eyes lit up.
Perhaps the formula itself could be optimized.
For him, this was hardly difficult.
As the existing recipe surfaced in his mind, the dosage, medicinal properties, and interactions of each herb unfolded clearly.
"Honeysuckle isn't essential… Purple Luo Root can be reduced… Blood-Patterned Flower could replace Strong Blood Grass…"
In an instant, inspiration surged like a flood.
Medicinal formulas differed from martial arts, however. They required verification through practice.
As he pondered, the medicinal power seeped into his skin, gradually dissipating. When the last traces faded and most of his fatigue vanished, Ning Qi leapt from the tub and rushed into the room.
With years spent studying medical classics—and having compiled Ning's Medical Compendium—this task was effortless.
He worked straight through the night.
By dawn, the improved formula was complete.
Without hesitation, Ning Qi poured the refined Body-Tempering powder into the tub, filled it with water, and stepped inside.
Instantly, a refreshing sensation surged through his body.
The residual soreness, swelling, and redness on his skin faded at a visible pace.
"The effect is at least twice as strong."
"With this, I can cultivate longer without worrying about bodily strain."
A satisfied smile curved his lips.
One must sharpen one's tools before doing good work.
There was no urgency—this formula could be refined further in the future.
Three days passed in a blink.
"Third Senior Sister, I'm heading out."
Ning Qi waved cheerfully before striding away.
Behind him stood Ye Qinghe, eyes hollow, expression drained.
She looked utterly defeated.
At first, she had refused to believe that Ning Qi could begin martial cultivation at the age of three. Then came excitement. When she learned he wanted to study the Chilong Stance from her, she had confidently declared she would definitely teach him a proper lesson.
The result was her current state.
She had been crushed.
"Is this really a human?" she muttered. "We're both human… so why is the gap this absurd?"
She recalled her earlier lectures about how brutal martial cultivation would be.
Thinking back now—
"I was the foolish one."
After rubbing her face repeatedly, she finally smiled faintly while watching Ning Qi's retreating figure.
No matter what—
This was a good thing.
The little child Master had brought back was growing at an astonishing speed.
Ning Qi walked away smiling.
Without looking back, he already knew what Ye Qinghe was thinking.
This scene had replayed itself many times over the past few days.
"In three days, I advanced to the Ox-Skin Realm."
"And I learned five more Stances—Chaofeng, Pulao, Suanni, Fuxi, and Chilong."
"Of the True Martial Nine Stances, only Yazi remains."
Impatience stirred within him.
The more Stances he mastered, the more clearly he sensed the deep connections binding them together. With only one remaining, he was confident he could use them as a foundation to create something far greater.
"But I can't rush it."
"Eighth Senior Brother is in seclusion for a breakthrough."
He would have to wait.
Seven more days passed.
Ning Qi's cultivation advanced once again.
Stone-Skin Realm.
Body Tempering had reached Minor Achievement.
At this level, his skin was as hard as stone, resistant to ordinary strikes, and his physical strength had surged dramatically.
In just ten days, Ning Qi had completed what others required years to achieve.
This was the result of Divine Intent Perfection across multiple Stances—and the improved Body-Tempering formula, which he had further refined over the past few days. He was too lazy to rename it and continued calling it Improved Body-Tempering Powder.
Ning Qi planned to present it to his Master once Dragon Mountain Daoist emerged from seclusion.
Many techniques he created demanded extreme comprehension, but this formula had no such barrier. If spread within the sect, it could rapidly strengthen disciples and reinforce their foundations.
That day, Ning Qi was considering visiting Qin Yun when—
A familiar figure appeared.
Qin Yun, twenty years old, carried the aura of a refined Daoist. Among the disciples, he shared the closest relationship with Ning Qi, though his obsession with martial arts kept him in constant cultivation.
"Eighth Senior Brother, you've broken through?"
Ning Qi greeted him with a smile.
Qin Yun nodded, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"When they told me you could cultivate at three, I didn't believe it," he admitted. "I didn't expect it to be true."
Ning Qi chuckled.
"Eighth Senior Brother, I'd like to learn the Yazi Stance."
Qin Yun frowned slightly.
"Ambition without restraint leads nowhere. How well have you learned the Bixi Stance?"
Ning Qi answered with action.
As the Bixi Stance unfolded, divine might filled the courtyard.
Qin Yun's heart churned violently.
How long had it taken him to even form nascent Divine Intent?
Half a year? A full year?
Yet before him stood Ning Qi.
Silence followed.
"Eighth Senior Brother," Ning Qi asked gently, "can you teach me the Yazi Stance now? I only wish to broaden my understanding."
Qin Yun forced a smile.
"…Alright. I'll teach you."
Suppressing his emotions, he demonstrated the Yazi Stance while explaining its essentials.
"Ningqi, do you understand?"
Ning Qi nodded enthusiastically.
With eight Stances as a foundation, learning came effortlessly.
Moments later, Qin Yun stared at Ning Qi's already-fluent Yazi Stance and fell silent once more.
"…Practice on your own," he said finally. "I have matters to attend to."
Turning away, he left with complicated emotions.
Ning Qi didn't dwell on it and resumed cultivation freely.
Before long—
Yazi Divine Intent reached Perfection.
His eyes gleamed brilliantly.
The True Martial Nine Stances were finally complete.