“So this is what it means to be a monstrous genius… He can enter a state of enlightenment at any moment, drawing insights from everything around him.”
While everyone had witnessed Sword Emperor Jiu’s resurrection, their understanding was superficial at best.
Only Ning Changge had pierced through to the essence, elevating his comprehension to new heights.
For the first time, they began to understand why Ning Changge’s strength was so terrifying at such a young age. If he could enter enlightenment so effortlessly and find meaning in everything he saw, how could he not progress rapidly?
Their eyes filled with admiration and respect.
But Ning Changge was entirely immersed in his own world.
His goals had always been clear: first, to master the Five Elements and establish a foundation, and then to use the Five Elements as a basis to explore other Daos.
Now, the Dao of Life and Death lay before him.
Years ago, Sword Emperor Jiu’s lingering vitality had been a result of Ning Changge’s Azure Dragon Sword Qi, which had preserved a sliver of life. It was from this that Ning Changge began his exploration.
“The Five Elements are interconnected, capable of infinite transformations. Wood governs vitality, giving rise to life; metal governs destruction, giving rise to death. But life is not exclusive to wood, nor is death exclusive to metal. In truth, all Five Elements contain aspects of life and death…”
Ning Changge’s eyes grew brighter.
The insights within him erupted like a flood, crystallizing into understanding.
Ning Changge’s glowing eyes gradually returned to normal, a deep sense of joy filling him.
The Dao of Life and Death was now within his grasp!
Raising his hand, he channeled his mana, which now shimmered with black and white hues. The interplay of these colors with the fivecolored light was mesmerizing, a testament to their profound nature.
Within his dantian, the Five Elements Spirit Tree pulsed with light. Some of its leaves began to transform, and a section of its branches turned black and white.
These changes reflected Ning Changge’s newfound understanding of the Dao of Life and Death.
This was his foundation—his core.
Previously, he had only touched upon the Five Elements Dao. Now, he had begun to delve into the Dao of Life and Death.
In practical terms, Ning Changge could now imbue his mana with the mysteries of life and death. What had once been purely Five Elements mana was now infused with the power to manipulate life and death.
Moreover, at the crown of the Spirit Tree, a faint blackandwhite light began to form, mirroring the fivecolored light nearby.
This signified the birth of another divine ability.
Though it was not yet as developed as the fivecolored light, its potential was undeniable.
For the first time, Ning Changge realized that the divine ability forming from the fivecolored light was directly tied to his mastery of the Five Elements Dao.
This revelation filled him with anticipation.
Beyond his insights into life and death, Ning Changge had also created a new minor divine ability: Life and Death Dragon Qi.
This ability was no less potent than his Samadhi True Fire.
A versatile energy, it could transform endlessly—offensively, defensively, or even as an enhancement to spiritual artifacts. If Ning Changge wished, he could even use it to create a temporary avatar imbued with his power.
Additionally, if someone were on the brink of death, with their vitality lingering for no more than three days, Ning Changge could use this ability to bring them back to life.
In short, its applications were boundless.
Ning Changge couldn’t help but smile.
The rewards from this experience were immense.
His patience in helping Sword Emperor Jiu and waiting for this moment had paid off handsomely.
As Ning Changge opened his eyes, the crowd realized he had completed his enlightenment. Though curious about what he had gained, they refrained from asking, knowing only that he had grown even stronger.
Ning Changge paid no mind to their astonished gazes.
Looking skyward, he saw that Sword Emperor Jiu had completed his resonance with the heavens and earth. Phenomena radiated from Tianzhu Peak, spreading across the Ming Dynasty. Sword Emperor Jiu’s voice echoed through the heavens:
“Today, I, Sword Emperor Jiu, ascend to the Land Immortal realm!”
The scene was reminiscent of Zhang Sanfeng’s own ascension. It was clear that Sword Emperor Jiu’s potential was exceptional.
Even as a newly ascended Land Immortal, his strength surpassed that of most others.
Ning Changge understood why.
The Sword Emperor Jiu of the past would not have reached this level. But now, having been reborn and tempered by the energies of life and death, he had undergone a profound transformation.
The crowd gazed at the figure in the sky with envy.
After all, the Land Immortal realm was the ultimate aspiration of every martial artist in the Nine Provinces.
But despite his newfound power, Sword Emperor Jiu descended humbly, bowing deeply before Ning Changge. His gratitude was evident in his every word:
“Sword Emperor Jiu thanks the Little Immortal for saving my life and guiding my path. This debt, I shall never forget!”
His sincerity was unmistakable. This text is hosted at n0velfire.net
Ning Changge accepted the bow without hesitation.
If not for Ning Changge’s intervention, Sword Emperor Jiu would have perished long ago. His revival and ascension were the results of Ning Changge’s efforts and insights.