The other elders looked at each other. It was evident that apart from the great ancestor, even the great elder had no idea about this.
Ni Jingtong glanced at the people present and said, “It’s an extremely important matter, so I gave a secret order that Yunhong and Yinghong mustn’t reveal it to anyone other than Xuehai.”
It was then that the rest of the elders came to a sudden realization, and they exchanged resentful looks with each other.
Nonetheless, nobody would have questioned Ni Yunhong and his younger sister if they knew that the matter was related to their ancestor’s legacy. This was because the Ni family had spent an uncountable time and effort for the legacy, but their efforts had been in vain. It had become the clan members’ obsession and inner obstruction, and they were willing to acquire the legacy at all costs.
Ni Jingtong ordered, “Yunhong, tell us what exactly it is.”
Although Ni Yunhong had sent the great ancestor a letter, he had only talked about it briefly to keep it a secret. That said, it was enough to shake Ni Jingtong.
“Yes, Second Great-grandfather. Seniors, I accepted an invitation to the Immense Forest Military Camp because I wanted to accumulate experience. I initially planned to take a look around to see if I’ll gain anything, but…” Ni Yunhong answered with a deep voice, then his eyes lit up as he continued, “I found a genius Military Fire Blacksmith at the camp. He’s a few years younger than me, but has accomplished great achievements in smithing art. Feeling delighted upon seeing his skills, I suggested that we have a challenge.”
“Hehe, since he’s younger than you, he’s definitely not comparable with you in terms of smithing art even if he’s talented.” Ni Wangyang nodded with a smile. “You must’ve been victorious, haven’t you?”
The other elders nodded as well because they were well aware of Ni Yunhong’s ability in smithing art, especially his grasp in the secret Suit Skill that made him become like a tiger with wings. Hence, it was exceptionally difficult to find someone who could defeat him.
Ni Xueshu commented, “Since Yunhong values that person’s smithing art so much, that person must have great potential. We could try recruiting him into our clan as he’ll be an advantageous addition.”
From the beginning till the end, nobody thought that Ni Yunhong was defeated.
However, Ni Yunhong’s face twitched as he stated, “Seniors, I was defeated.”
“What?” Ni Wangyang was in disbelief. “You were defeated?”
“Yes.”
“Is that person really younger than you?”
Ni Yunhong had a bitter smile on his face when he answered, “That person is younger than Yinghong by a year, and from acquiring the Military Fire to controlling it, he has only spent… Half a year!”
Everyone fell dead silent at that moment, and could notice by looking at each other that they were all surprised.
Though nobody in their clan could control the Military Fire, they were familiar with it. In actual fact, it was not bewildering that a person could control the Military Fire in half a year’s time, but it was definitely not easy for Ni Yunhong to say that he was defeated.
Ni Wangyang asked seriously, “My good nephew, how were you defeated?”
The other people were also curious about how the young fellow defeated Ni Yunhong, who possessed the Suit Skill.
Ni Yunhong exhaled deeply and answered, “He mastered the Layering Art, and I suspect he’s able to perform more than just single-layering.”
“Impossible. How can a blacksmith that young grasp the ability?” Ni Xueshu remarked with a deep voice, “Besides, multilayering is much more difficult than single-layering, it’s impossible that someone his age can execute
it.”
Everyone else nodded as well. If the young blacksmith was able to perform single-layering, he could be considered as an exceptionally talented person, but multilayering was truly not something that could be performed by being talented. Without sufficient experience, it was simply out of reach.
Ni Yunhong had already expected everyone’s reaction, thus he said, “It’s definitely impossible under normal circumstances, but what if he’s a blacksmith who has comprehended the integration of Heaven and man?”
“The integration of Heaven and man?”
“Did you say the integration of Heaven and
man?”
“Are you sure that it’s really the integration of Heaven and man?”
Questioning voices filled the room almost at the same time. At this moment, the powerful Yang Grade masters could not care less about being reserved as they became unusually agitated.
This was because they knew very well that if they wanted to obtain their ancestor’s legacy, they needed a cultivator who had apprehended the integration of Heaven and man, and was also below Yang Grade.
It was worth noting they had attempted countless methods, but their efforts were to no avail.
Ni Jingtong opened his eyes too. While he seemed to be composed, he was deep down so agitated that it was the complete opposite of how he looked on the outside.
“Seniors, you can verify it yourself. If what we said isn’t true, we’re willing to be punished according to the clan’s law,” Ni Yinghong suddenly spoke, and her loud voice echoed in the room.
“Haha, I trust you, I trust you!” Ni Xueming laughed. “Of course I trust what you say. Oh right, where’s that person now?”
Ni Yinghong said, “Seniors, that person’s name is Ou Yangming, and he has an aging senior whose time is almost up. Ou Yangming and his senior have been sticking with each other for a long time, and he’s willing to do anything for his senior.”
“Life-prolonging Golden Pills?” Ni Xueshu suddenly uttered.
“That’s right. I saw the opportunity, so I quickly invited Grandfather Xuehai over to save the old man’s life with a Life-prolonging Spiritual Pill, and promised that I’ll acquire more Life-prolonging Golden Pills,” Ni Yinghong responded with a serious face, “Great Elder, that senior won’t be able to hold on for a long time even after consuming Life-prolonging Spiritual Pills. Once he passes away, it’ll be a hundred times more difficult for Ou Yangming to be motivated enough to search for our ancestor’s legacy for us.”
Ni Xueshu looked deeply at her. “Yinghong, have you forgotten that one has to have the cultivation base of at least Yin Grade to walk the Testimony Path!”
“Great Elder, Ou Yangming has just advanced to Yin Grade, so he’s qualified.” Ni Yinghong grinned.
The other elders were struck dumb, and their faces took on an odd expression.
‘A man who’s a year younger than Ni Yinghong has not only grasped multilayering in Layering Art, as well as the integration of Heaven and man, but is also a Yin Grade martial artist. How exactly did that fella cultivate?’
They were so incredibly curious that they were eager to meet Ou Yangming, so as to see how remarkable the man was to be able to have such achievements.
Ni Xueshu nodded hard. “Okay, if that’s the case, let’s vote again.”
“Hmph, is a vote still necessary? Bring us to that man, and if it’s true, we’ll immediately open the Testimony Path.” Ni Jingtong finally could not take it anymore, and he looked at Ni Xueshu unhappily. “If you’re as fussy as a woman, even the best opportunity will be wasted!”
“Yes, I’ll obey you, Great Ancestor.” Ni Xueshu’s face reddened, but he sighed. ‘Great Ancestor, I’m only the great elder. Unlike you, I’ll cause huge trouble if I act arbitrarily.’
*****
Ou Yangming squatted on an empty spot in the room; it was a standard martial-art squat.
Slowly and surely, negative emotions such as anxiousness and worry went away. His head became blank, and he could only feel the abundant essential Qi flowing in his body.
Since haste would not help, Ou Yangming decided to relax and cast away his emotions to cultivate as much as he could.
In actual fact, he was not very obsessed with martial arts cultivation, but became encouraged after his battle against Zhang Yinli.
Even though it seemed like Ou Yangming was no longer threatened by the Zhang family and was not surrounded by danger anymore, he began to yearn for his own strength. This was because he realized that only by being truly mighty could he be less threatened and less restrained by worldly affairs.
Ou Yangming did not want to encounter another person like Zhang Yinfan, hence the most important thing to do was to improve his strength.
All of a sudden, Ou Yangming’s face twitched. He slowly opened his eyes as he looked forward to what would happen.
His consciousness had naturally zoned out when he practiced the martial-art squat, and he actually sensed Ni Yunhong and Ni Yinghong bringing over ten powerhouses to his room.
While Ou Yangming could not understand why many powerhouses had come, he could not help but feel excited since they had come to see him.
The more he was valued, the higher the other people regarded him. Besides, he needed the Ni family members’ approval to walk the Testimony Path or to enter the forbidden area for the spiritual medicine.
Ou Yangming stopped his practice and took a deep breath. He looked radiant and highly spirited.
He had guessed the powerhouses’ visitation purpose, thus he needed to welcome them in his best state and to convince them.
This was because he could not afford to waste any more time.
Among the people who were walking toward the room, Ni Jingtong suddenly halted and exclaimed while looking ahead.
The great ancestor’s movements were constantly being watched by the other people, so Ni Xueshu quickly asked, “Great Ancestor, you’re…”
Ni Jingtong waved his hand and asked, “Yunhong, the Master Ou that you mentioned earlier-is he staying in that room?”
“That’s right,” Ni Yunhong quickly answered.
“Great, that’s great!” Ni Jingtong’s eyes glowed as he laughed.
The other elders looked at each other as they could not figure out what the old man was so joyful about.
Ni Jingtong chuckled and explained, “I sensed a power earlier, and the power is extremely close to Third Brother’s.”
Everyone instantly exclaimed. The third brother that was mentioned by Ni Jingtong was Ni Jingmao, the third great ancestor. Although he was the third great ancestor because he was the youngest among them, he was acknowledged as the number one powerhouse in the Ni family due to his combat power, and was the only one who apprehended the integration of Heaven and man.
If someone from the Ni family could break through the worldly boundary to arrive at the mysterious boundary told in legends, perhaps Ni Jingmao was the only person who could achieve it.
What did it mean to have power similar to Ni Jingmao’s then?
At the moment, the elders were surprised and elated as they became more curious and were more eager to meet the stranger.
