The Wudang disciples watched with excitement and pride.
Land Immortals flocking to Wudang filled them with pride—they knew it was all thanks to their Little Martial Uncle.
Ning Changge merely smiled faintly.
He had his own plans.
After concluding the lecture, he excused himself and returned to the Scripture Pavilion.
This lecture served two purposes: first, he sensed that his Nine Apertures Golden Core Method was nearing completion and needed a final catalyst; second, the Daoist Realms had contributed significantly during the Dao-Buddhist battle, so he agreed to their request for a lecture.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't spend every day discussing the Dao with these Land Immortals.
At his current level…
Few Land Immortals in the Nine Provinces could offer him new insights.
He preferred immersing himself in scriptures and nature—learning from heaven and earth, nature itself, and ultimately seeking within himself—building a solid foundation before making breakthroughs.
Time passed quietly.
Wudang enjoyed a rare period of tranquility.
Since Zhang Sanfeng's centenary celebration and the Dao-Buddhist battle, Ning Changge's prestige had reached its peak. Everyone in the Nine Provinces knew that his strength stood at its pinnacle—and Wudang's foundation was now widely recognized.
As a result, fewer challengers came forward.
The Heaven-Man Tomb saw fewer burials of experts than before.
But this was likely temporary.
As Wudang's reputation grew, so too would interest in the Heaven-Man Tomb. Many would seek burial there for eternal remembrance.
However, there was one difference:
Older challengers wisely avoided Ning Changge—even avoiding the Spirit Monkey—and instead challenged the Divine Condor or Wudang's Seven Heroes.
Ning Changge didn't mind as long as it didn't interfere with his pursuit of the Dao.
Allowing the Divine Condor more practice was beneficial—after all, it had entered the path later than Gold Spirit and lagged slightly behind in strength.
Ning Changge didn't concern himself with trivial matters.
He quietly remained in the Scripture Pavilion—reading scriptures, contemplating the Dao, sipping tea. Occasionally, he would take Huang Rong on sword flights through nature—observing mountains and rivers—and learning to spend time together naturally.
He preferred letting things develop naturally over time.
Speaking of Huang Rong…
Her talent for alchemy was undeniable.
Though she hadn't yet embarked on the Immortal Dao, using tools gifted by Ning Changge for alchemy had already surpassed Gold Spirit's abilities.
Moreover…
Ning Changge noticed changes in Huang Rong similar to those in Ji Xiaofu.
Ji Xiaofu spent long periods in the Spirit Herb Garden—her spiritual constitution gradually aligning with herbs—making her exceptionally effective at cultivating them. Her growth exceeded Ning Changge's expectations—earning her the title Herb Spirit Body!
Similarly…
Huang Rong exhibited similar tendencies.
During alchemy…
She absorbed pill energy into her body—her constitution becoming increasingly unique—her success rate and speed improving rapidly. If she pursued this path diligently upon entering the Immortal Dao—she might achieve great heights one day!
Like an Herb Spirit Body—she could be called a Pill Spirit Body!
These were merely Ning Changge's speculations.
He suspected these traits were unique aspects of spiritual constitutions—rare even in the Nine Provinces.
This made him curious about Huang Shang's spiritual constitution focus—but there was no rush—time would reveal all.
Ning Changge relished his current life—peaceful and leisurely—pursuing immortality with companions—reading scriptures together—a truly enjoyable existence!
A single Bodhi Pill had allowed Ning Changge to advance from early-stage to mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Now, he possessed five such pills.
He estimated that…
Two Bodhi Pills would be sufficient to reach late-stage Foundation Establishment.
After all, Ning Changge had diligently refined his spiritual energy and consumed Star Essence Liquid over the past year.
The remaining three pills could be used to achieve the perfected state of Foundation Establishment.
Of course, the exact outcome would only be known after the breakthrough. This was merely an estimate.
Ning Changge's face reflected his joy.
He adjusted his state, calming his mind, and the surrounding Samadhi True Fire gradually dissipated. The Five Elements Spirit Sword also stilled, transforming with the Mountains-Rivers Spirit Gathering Furnace into fine threads that Ning Changge absorbed into his dantian.
After a few moments…
Ning Changge, feeling at the peak of his condition, swallowed a Bodhi Pill whole.
BOOM!
The pill dissolved instantly, unleashing a surge of potent medicinal energy.
Within Ning Changge's dantian…
A massive vortex of mana spun ceaselessly. The Five Elements Spirit Sword and the Mountains-Rivers Spirit Gathering Furnace floated within it, while the Five Elements Spirit Tree swayed at the center. Now, with the rapid activation of the Eternal Evergreen Art, an immense pulling force manifested, drawing in the dissolved Bodhi Pill's essence.
RUMBLE!!
The dantian resonated with continuous rumbling sounds, and the mana vortex visibly expanded, growing deeper.
Outwardly, it swelled layer by layer.
At its epicenter, the Five Elements Spirit Tree erupted in a brilliant five-colored radiance.
Streams of newly formed mana flowed into the central spirit tree, causing it to visibly grow at an accelerated rate. From a mere four zhang tall, it swiftly reached five zhang, striving towards six! tln : (1 zhang = 3.33 meters)
As the spirit tree grew, it emitted even purer mana.
The entire process was remarkably harmonious.
In his mind, his spirit grew more solid, nearing a tangible form.
Under the spirit's scrutiny, Ning Changge felt as though he had a god's-eye view, fully aware of the breakthrough's progress.
Without hesitation…
He consumed the second Bodhi Pill.
RUMBLE!!
The mana vortex within his body expanded even more rapidly.