Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 5 Innate Bone Nourishing Skill

In his past life, Ning Qi endured creeping paralysis that caused his demise in utter sorrow.

Reborn into this world, he encountered deadly peril right from birth and discovered he'd already weathered a hundred cycles of torment, igniting an unyielding obsession with survival.

He despised the very notion of death.

He yearned to exist eternally, to attain true immortality.

As Ning Qi concluded his words, Taoist Longshan paused in mild astonishment, while Jiang Baishan appeared even more taken aback.

Taoist Longshan creased his brow faintly, at first planning to chide Ning Qi for such grand aspirations, yet upon noticing the fierce longing in the young boy's gaze, he held his tongue, holding back the criticism that nearly escaped.

Jiang Baishan remarked:

"Jiu, how could there exist a path to immortality in this realm..."

Yet before he could complete his thought, Taoist Longshan silenced him with a gesture of his hand.

His face grew profoundly grave as he fixed his eyes steadily on Ning Qi.

Ning Qi stood firm without flinching; this remained his unyielding purpose, unaltered.

Moments stretched on.

Taoist Longshan regarded Ning Qi and gradually spoke:

"The Martial Path commences with stages of refining skin, refining flesh, refining tendons, refining bones, refining organs, refining marrow, refining blood, and refining spirit. These form the Body Tempering Eight Realms. Upon reaching flawless completion in them, one's qi and blood remain vital, warding off all illnesses. At this level, lifespan hits the human peak of two Jiazi."

Ning Qi's gaze sparkled, yet he showed no reaction.

Two Jiazi proves far too brief.

"Mastering Body Tempering fully and comprehending Inner Strength ushers one into the Inner Essence Realm. Powered by Inner Essence, actions wield immense might, extending life to two centuries!"

Ning Qi stayed composed, unmoved.

Two hundred years falls short.

Taoist Longshan shifted his sight, focusing on the endless verdant peaks beyond the Bright Martial Pavilion.

"Inner Strength at its ninth layer forms Gang, marking the Gang Essence Realm. Gang Essence erupts with unmatched might, boosting lifespan to four hundred years!"

"Gang Essence evolves through the stages of White Mist, Jade Liquid, and Primordial Core. Divine Intent swells, harmonizing with the cosmos, arriving at the Celestial Being Unity stage, where cleaving rivers and peaks becomes effortless. This is the Celestial Human Realm, granting eight hundred years of life!"

By now.

A subtle, barely audible longing tinged Taoist Longshan's speech.

He stood mere inches from the Celestial Human Realm, but that tiny gap loomed like an insurmountable sky. Beneath the vast heavens, all seemed mere insects; yet thanks to his exceptional gifts, he'd cross it in just a few years, or otherwise he wouldn't have claimed the True Martial legacy years ago.

Eight hundred years!

Ancient tales speak of Peng Zu, the elder who endured eight centuries. With such vast time, one could observe scores of mortal generations rise and fall. To ordinary folk, such beings rival gods in every way.

Ning Qi deepened his grasp of this realm's marvels.

A flicker of hope stirred in him, though he gradually shook his head.

Eight hundred years stretches far, yet against eternity, it slips away like a momentary doze.

"Master, does any stage surpass the Celestial Human Realm in longevity?"

Jiang Baishan held his breath, absorbed in the exchange between teacher and student. He sensed his ninth junior brother truly stood apart; the Celestial Human Realm represented the ultimate power across the lands, driving endless pursuits, but he craved more?

The shock in his stare grew sharper.

Maybe this isn't mere childish fancy. Great feats stem from bold dreams. He'd never pondered such a query himself; viewing it now, he even felt a budding admiration for his young peer.

Taoist Longshan replied indirectly:

"What do you make of these verdant hills?"

Ning Qi traced his line of sight, beholding the grand mountain ranges that dwarfed any observer, prompting an innate whisper:

"Sprung from the earth, enduring unchanged across millennia."

Taoist Longshan advised earnestly:

"Unchanged for thousands of years doesn't imply they're immutable. Even peaks fade in time, so how could mortals endure forever? Immortality lies beyond reach."

"A life's true value rests not in its length, but in its deeds."

Ambitious goals pleased him, yet he fretted over his pupil chasing illusions and straying from the true way.

Ning Qi paused quietly, catching the caution in Taoist Longshan's tone.

While most shun daring visions, he held flawless insight; eternal life wasn't some empty dream.

Ning Qi bowed deeply in respect, declaring with gravity:

"Guide me, Master!"

Taoist Longshan lifted Ning Qi to his feet and let out a soft sigh:

"Silly boy."

Displaying such wisdom so early defies normal judgment.

His tone resonated like a far-off murmur:

"Beyond the Celestial Human lies the Martial Saint. A Martial Saint commands the world unchallenged. Regarding lifespan, legends claim thousands of years, though none have witnessed it. Whispers suggest they shatter worldly bounds to ascend other planes."

"What exceeds the Martial Saint, I cannot say. Maybe the Martial Path's supreme heights unlock endless life. All remains shrouded; only Martial Saints grasp the truth."

"If longevity calls you, conquering the Martial Path's zenith might reveal new vistas."

Taoist Longshan chose to steer him; it could prove beneficial.

He offered a warm smile to the Ning Qi positioned ahead.

Ning Qi's eyes gleamed with light.

A world-conquering Martial Saint, enduring millennia?

Though it strayed from his ideals, it held promise; upon reaching Martial Saint status later, he'd gain ample moments to seek immortality's authentic path.

Progress demands steady steps.

Rapid triumph proves unattainable.

"First, aim modestly: become a Martial Saint!"

Ning Qi pledged this resolve within.

Should the Martial Path fail to yield eternity then, he'd pivot courses.

By that juncture, fortified vitality would sharpen his grasp, and from an elevated vantage rich in wisdom, forging a fresh route would outstrip his current aimless hunt for longevity's secret.

After absorbing Taoist Longshan's extended discourse, Ning Qi found his aim sharpened, voicing thanks anew:

"Thank you, Master, for clearing my doubts."

Noting Ning Qi's vibrant Essence, Qi, and Spirit, Jiang Baishan worried about future disappointments and urged gently:

"Jiu, what if immortality truly eludes this world?"

Ning Qi curved his lips in a subtle smile.

He offered a formal bow to Taoist Longshan and Jiang Baishan before departing with lively strides.

His words lingered in the pavilion alone.

"If no immortality path exists, I'll carve one open."

Within the Bright Martial Pavilion.

Coils of Spirit Concentration Incense rose gently amid the hushed air.

Taoist Longshan and his disciple shared a look, each spotting the wonder mirrored in the other's expression.

This boy defies the ordinary.

...

Following that dialogue with Taoist Longshan, various True Disciples of the True Martial Sect noticed with surprise that their insightful ninth junior brother ceased hounding them on Martial Path matters, opting instead to mull over ideas independently.

"Jiu, I've brought the items you requested; be sure to use them regularly."

Luo Wentian hailed Ning Qi from his courtyard, then departed with a rueful shake of his head.

Ning Qi displayed remarkable self-reliance; save for chores his tiny frame couldn't manage alone, he handled all else personally.

Upon realizing Ning Qi's Root Bone was hastening its development, Taoist Longshan began providing medicinal aids, chiefly basic fortifying botanicals.

Ning Qi grasped this chance to gather additional herbs.

Their intent? Undoubtedly, to advance his schemes.

Currently, inside the chamber.

Ning Qi finished the herbal gruel he'd concocted, then assumed a cross-legged pose on his bed like a miniature sage, shutting his eyes firmly.

Inside his frame.

Innate Qi flowed along a deliberate route, fading a touch per revolution, as though seeping into every fiber and joint. Soon, Ning Qi sensed a fierce itch surging from profound depths, far fiercer than prior instances!

Rather than alarm, delight filled Ning Qi.

"It worked!"

He'd pierced the core of Root Bone, harnessing Innate Qi as base, bolstered by his self-authored Ning’s Medical Book, ultimately mastering the Bone Nourishing Technique fully.

"Let this art be called the Innate Bone Nourishing Skill!"

This marked Ning Qi's progress through these days.

Post-discussion with Taoist Longshan, he grasped that Root Bone embodied something elusive and delved into prompting Innate Qi deliberately to hasten its evolution, outpacing the prior passive speedup.

And at last, triumph arrived!

"Through the Innate Bone Nourishing Skill, I can deliberately fortify the Root Bone, multiplying its advancement rate several-fold!"

Brimming with eagerness, Ning Qi's gaze radiated brilliance.