Chapter 10 – Today is the Day

Ning Changge was eight years old now. This also meant that he had been residing in the scripture chamber for a full five years. In these five years, Wudang has undergone tremendous changes. From top to bottom, it has experienced astonishing transformations.

If originally Wudang was respected by the martial world mainly due to Zhang Sanfeng’s reputation, then now, the second and third-generation disciples of Wudang have also begun to shine and gain recognition in the martial world.

Thanks to the various miraculous martial arts and techniques that Ning Changge occasionally created, especially the several improved versions of the Yin-Yang Infinite Technique, the cultivations of Song Yuanqiao and others have advanced by leaps and bounds.

When Ning Changge was five years old, Song Yuanqiao was the first among the second-generation disciples to break through to the Master realm, becoming the number one Master among Wudang’s second-generation disciples.

On that day, the Seven Heroes of Wudang shed tears of joy and gathered with Ning Changge. Song Yuanqiao, overwhelmed by the pressure he had carried all these years as Wudang’s senior disciple, finally found relief.

For many years, being Zhang Sanfeng’s top disciple came with immense pressure. Having such a powerful master was akin to having a huge mountain on one’s back. When Song Yuanqiao traveled the martial world, others would gauge him by Zhang Sanfeng’s standards.

However, in terms of martial arts, the original Song Yuanqiao did not meet these expectations. Despite being a great master, Zhang Sanfeng, he didn’t have a single disciple at the same level as him. But now, Song Yuanqiao could proudly announce himself as Wudang’s top disciple, which was all thanks to Ning Changge.

Song Yuanqiao grabbed Ning Changge’s hand and expressed his gratitude sincerely. Ning Changge merely smiled. He remembered how Song Yuanqiao had taken care of him when he was just a baby.

Following Song Yuanqiao, it didn’t take even a year for Zhang Cuishan to break through to the Master realm, becoming the second Master among the Seven Heroes of Wudang.

Now, after several years, Zhang Cuishan’s cultivation had reached the same level as Song Yuanqiao’s, both being in the late Master stage.

The other disciples had also progressed rapidly in their martial arts. Apart from the three younger disciples who were still in the Innate realm, Second Senior Brother Yu Lianzhou and Third Senior Brother Yu Daiyan had also successfully advanced to the Master realm, albeit in the early stage.

With these developments, the Seven Heroes of Wudang consisted of four Masters and three Innate realm martial artists, further enhancing Wudang’s reputation in the martial world. People praised Zhang Sanfeng’s excellent teachings.

This praise made them even happier than the recognition Song Yuanqiao and the others received.

As for the third-generation disciples, there were some rising stars among them. Some had already advanced to the Innate realm. Although they did not yet have the qualifications to practice the Yin-Yang Infinite Technique, Ning Changge had created a preliminary technique for them called the Lesser Infinite Technique.

Song Yuanqiao’s son, Song Qingshu, had started his martial arts training two years ago. This little guy greatly admired Ning Changge and would occasionally visit the scripture chamber to play with his Junior Martial Uncle. He was well-behaved and often accompanied Ning Changge while reading scriptures. Ning Changge was pleased with his development.

With constant reminders, Song Qingshu was now kind-hearted and modest, which made Ning Changge very satisfied.

Nowadays, Wudang was flourishing, and many third-generation disciples knew that much of their success was due to the legendary Junior Martial Uncle, Ning Changge. His fame wasn’t widespread outside the mountain, but inside Wudang, he was revered by all.

Everyone knew that this mysterious Junior Martial Uncle spent most of his time in the scripture chamber, meditating on the Dao. Many disciples were never fortunate enough to see his face.

Outside the scripture chamber, several third-generation disciples approached, discussing recent events in the martial world. One of them spoke with admiration, “During the recent Sword Trial at the Divine Sword Villa, Senior Brother Zhang Cuishan displayed an incredible performance. His Infinite Azure Dragon Sword Qi left everyone stunned, even catching the attention of the Villa’s Third Young Master!”

Another disciple chimed in, “Of course we know that! Our Wudang’s reputation is thanks to our senior disciples. Someday, I, Zhao Qing, will also bring glory to our sect!”

A third disciple, with a mysterious tone, added, “But do you know who created the Infinite Azure Dragon Sword?”

“Who was it?” The others looked at the direction of the scripture chamber with reverence, lowering their voices involuntarily.

“It’s our Junior Martial Uncle!”

Gasps of astonishment echoed among the disciples, their eyes wide open.

“Really? But I heard that Junior Martial Uncle is only eight years old …”

“Of course, it’s true! You might not know since you’ve just joined us, but my master personally told me. Not only did he create the Infinite Azure Dragon Sword, but even our school’s signature technique, the Yin-Yang Infinite Technique, and the Small Infinite Technique we’re practicing now, were all conceived by Junior Martial Uncle!”

This disciple seemed to have more inside information and glanced in the direction of the scripture chamber with profound respect.

The crowd was filled with admiration. “Junior Martial Uncle is such a genius! But why isn’t he famous outside the mountain?”

“Who knows? Junior Martial Uncle prefers to stay low-key, only meditating in the scripture chamber. He doesn’t venture down the mountain. We can only wait for the day when he soars to the heavens, and his brilliance will surely cover the entire world!”

The disciples were full of awe. As they neared the scripture chamber, their voices and footsteps unconsciously lowered.

Some couldn’t help but look up to the second floor, but it was empty. They couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss; not being able to see Junior Martial Uncle’s true face was a great pity.

***

On the second floor of the scripture chamber, a handsome young boy in a pale Daoist robe stood with his hands behind his back. Thanks to the continuous nourishment of spiritual energy and his own understanding of foundational cultivation, eight-year-old Ning Changge looked no different from an ordinary teenager of around fifteen.

With his current cultivation, he could naturally hear the discussions below. However, he just smiled, as he had grown indifferent to such talks over the years.

His only focus was on stepping onto the path of immortality. A passionate desire gradually surged in his heart.

“Five years have passed, and I have overcome all the obstacles in the path of immortality, one by one!”

When he was five years old: [Observing the clouds rise and fall, the mist form and disperse, understanding the essence of clouds and mist, you have created the Spirit Qi Transmutation Art!]

From this point onwards, the spiritual energy taken in through the Taiji Spirit Severing Technique finally began to obey, not dispersing wildly within his body, and became easier to control.

When he was six years old: [Studying hundreds of Taoist scriptures, observing the stars on moonlit nights, understanding the rules of celestial bodies, you have created the Celestial Circulation Technique!]

From this point on, spiritual energy could be smoothly circulated within his body. It had reached a point where it could exhibit a certain level of power, similar to innate internal energy. However, it had not yet reached perfection.

When he was seven years old: Drunk with his senior brothers one day, he had a sudden realization: [Years of study suddenly rush into your mind. You enter an epiphany, gathering the spiritual energy within your body. The sun, moon, and stars revolve and internalize within your dantian. You have created the Starforge Refinement Technique!]

At this stage, Ning Changge could actually integrate all he had learned to create a complete cultivation method. It was a complete process from sensing spiritual energy, capturing it, moving it, and refining it into spiritual power.

However, he was not satisfied with this.

This kind of cultivation method was too ordinary. He needed to enhance its lifespan extension effects and the power of his immortal arts. He wanted to create a unique cultivation method of his own and use it to glimpse the path of eternal life.

During this year, Ning Changge stopped practicing martial arts altogether and focused solely on studying Taoist scriptures. He had already read all the texts in the Wudang scripture chamber, which had become a solid foundation of knowledge for him.

Moreover, he had spent many nights sitting on cliffs, watching pine trees grow, and even observed a turtle laying eggs up close in a hundred-foot deep pond. His understanding of the essence of life had become clearer and clearer.

And today …

Countless insights flashed through Ning Changge’s mind, and he could no longer contain his long-standing thoughts.

With a smile on his face and confidence in his heart, he looked towards the sky and said, “Today is the day … I achieve in conceiving the immortal path!”