Incredible Insight: Cultivating Immortality at Eight, Astonishing Zhang Sanfeng

Chapter 11 – Eternal Verdant Art

Ning Changge was supremely confident. His foundation was more than sufficient. At this moment, countless insights surged through his mind, all the teachings and martial arts he had studied over the past five years, his observations of the natural world, everything flashed before him at an astonishing speed. Sun, moon, stars, purple aura, moonlight, clouds, green pines, one classic scripture after another …

Finally, these foundations bloomed and bore fruit within him. It was as if something in Ning Changge’s mind had exploded.

[You’ve contemplated three thousand classic scriptures, three hundred internal martial arts, combined them with your innate inner energy, and your essence of longevity. You’ve created the Eternal Verdant Art of Immortality (Qi Refining Chapter)!]

The Eternal Verdant Art! As soon as this Immortal Art was accomplished, Ning Changge felt that it was extraordinary. All the scattered abilities, like the North Sea Ingestion Technique, Taiji Spirit Severing Technique, Starforge Refining Technique, , and more, were all integrated and perfected within this Immortal Art.

In an instant, streams of spiritual energy were swallowed, surging into Ning Changge’s body. His innate internal energy continuously circulated and transformed into spiritual power. A powerful sensation enveloped Ning Changge’s body, and he felt that the essence of his life was changing.

The reason he only cultivated to the peak of the Innate realm was not because he couldn’t reach a higher level but because he intentionally kept it that way. Studying both martial and immortal paths allowed him to understand the difference between the two, starting from the Innate realm.

In the martial path’s Innate realm, there was still a trace of Innate Qi that accompanied a person’s birth. But in the later stages, the Innate Qi merged even more closely with the body, transforming into True Qi. Later, it was converted into Gang Qi, and ultimately, into Gang Yuan, in exchange for great combat power.

However, Ning Changge found that this process was detrimental to him. After True Qi was formed, it couldn’t be easily converted into spiritual power. When the time came, he will have to cultivate it all over again, which was undoubtedly a waste of time. So, he decided to stop at the peak of the Innate realm, which he believed to be the optimal solution.

Boom!

The spiritual power inside him continued to condense, as if mountains were being moved. Streams of spiritual power rushed into Ning Changge’s dantian. The Eternal Verdant Art continually absorbed spiritual energy, forming a vortex.

Ning Changge soared to the rooftop of the scripture chamber, facing the sky. A terrifying hundred-foot vortex, visible only to him, formed above him, swallowing the spiritual energy from Wudang Mountain.

In his plan, the path of immortality could be divided into realms such as Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and more. With his success today, he could cultivate to the fourth level of Qi Refining in one go. This was a qualitative change from nothing to something, and the amount of spiritual energy he absorbed was extravagant.

On Wudang Mountain, various anomalies occurred. Beasts in the rear mountain roared, and myriad creatures rushed around as if they wanted to bathe in this vast amount of spiritual energy. Even a strand of spiritual energy would greatly benefit these creatures. Wild animals had sharp instincts and sometimes detected benefits more keenly than humans.

In the sky, the spiritual energy stirred, and although it couldn’t be seen by people, the formation of the vortex caused external manifestations. The clouds and mist were pulled, forming a towering column of clouds that flowed back into Ning Changge’s head. Threads of multi-coloured sunlight were refracted and enveloped Ning Changge, making him seem like a god descending to the mortal world.

More and more Wudang disciples noticed these anomalies. Their eyes were filled with astonishment. Slowly, some disciples discovered the source and ran towards the direction of the scripture chamber. Those who were already in the chamber also noticed that something was amiss and rushed outside.

Then, one by one, they were dumbfounded.

“Is that … Junior Martial Uncle?”

“Could Junior Martial Uncle be ascending to the heavens?”

“Gasp! The joyous cries of the myriad beasts, the seven-colored divine light, the towering cloud column … Is Junior Martial Uncle going to become an immortal?”

Everyone was left in amazement, their gazes full of awe, directed towards the figure on the roof of the scripture repository, which looked like an exiled immortal.

Ning Changge, absorbed in his cultivation, was oblivious to all this. This was a rare opportunity, and he intended to convert all his five years of foundation in one go.

***

In the Mingqing Hall, Song Yuanqiao and other second-generation disciples were chatting with the heads and elder-level figures of the Five Mountain Sword Sects. Song Yuanqiao smiled and said, “Thank you, Sect Heads and Honorable Elder Swordsmen, for coming to visit. Unfortunately, our master has been in seclusion attempting to breakthrough to the highest level of martial arts for the past few months and cannot receive guests. Please forgive us for this inconvenience.”

Of course, these were just pleasantries. The Five Mountains Sword Sects had their own reputation in the martial world, but compared to Wudang, they fell short. There were sect heads who were only at the Master level, and their visit was met with great confidence by Song Yuanqiao and the others.

Yue Buqun and the others waved their hands. “It’s we who have rashly troubled you. How could we ask that person to come out of seclusion? We’ve chosen the wrong time to visit. Please convey our apologies to your master for our lack of etiquette.”

“Today’s visit to Wudang has shown us the wisdom of Master Zhang. The magnificence of Wudang is truly astonishing. If our sects had even a third of such grandeur and presence, we would die without regrets!”

The people praised sincerely. After touring Wudang with the Seven Heroes of Wudang, they had witnessed many third-generation disciples, some of whom were even stronger than their own sect’s elders. It was truly embarrassing.

Respect had to be earned. Now that Wudang had such might, it was naturally due to the seven disciples of Wudang significantly enhancing their strength.

Yue Lingshan and Zhang Cuishan exchanged smiles. They thought of their Junior Brother.

Wudang’s current might was mostly thanks to their Junior Brother’s great contributions!

Song Yuanqiao was about to speak when he heard a commotion outside. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. With foreign guests present, he didn’t appreciate such unruly behavior.

After a moment of waiting, the noise outside not only didn’t diminish but intensified. He even heard the roars of beasts and cries of birds. Song Yuanqiao couldn’t help but shout, “What’s all this commotion?”

A disciple rushed in, his face still showing signs of shock. “Master, Junior Martial Uncle is about to become an immortal!”

These words shocked everyone. First, Song Yuanqiao and the others were taken aback, then expressions of incomprehensible joy and anticipation emerged.

“Junior Brother … could he have succeeded?”

The Seven Heroes of Wudang exchanged glances and saw the mood in each other’s eyes.

“Head of the Yue Sect, please excuse us for our abrupt departure. We have urgent matters to attend to!” Song Yuanqiao and the others couldn’t wait, so they hurried in the direction of the scripture chamber.

Yue Buqun, Daoist Tianmen, and the others looked at each other in astonishment. They had no idea what kind of medicine Wudang was selling in this gourd.

“If I heard correctly just now, that disciple said Junior Martial Uncle is going to become an immortal?” Mr. Mo, his face filled with doubt, murmured to himself.

“Isn’t Wudang’s Junior Martial Uncle Mo Shenggu the same as Mo Shenggu of the Silent Valley?”

Yue Buqun shook his head slowly. “You may not know this, but several years ago, Master Zhang accepted an eighth disciple. He stayed on the mountain all this time, so outsiders didn’t know about him. If I’m not mistaken, the disciple that was mentioned is most likely him.”

“But becoming an immortal, a Land Immortal? How is that possible?” Ning Zhong muttered, feeling as though they’d heard an incredible tale. Land Immortal realm were incredibly difficult to achieve, and those who did, each one was a legendary figure at the pinnacle of the martial world. Even Master Zhang of Wudang, hadn’t reached such a level, so how could his disciple? The truth will be revealed when we see it for ourselves.” The group of people carried a great deal of curiosity as they slowly made their way out of the main hall.