As Taoist Longshan slowly explained, Ning Qi's mind was instantly flooded with countless flashes of insight, achieving enlightenment as if one thought brought a hundred understandings. Not only that, some insights he had pondered himself previously also fused together at this moment.
It is only after engaging with the Martial Path that one understands what this truly is; the difficulty pales in comparison to creating from scratch.
But this is only the case for Ning Qi.
For instance, at this moment, Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi both have expressions of awe and reverence in their eyes.
They primarily cultivate one stance, dabbling in the others, but none as proficiently as their main stance. Only top experts like Taoist Longshan, who approach the Celestial Being level, could strike the essence of other stance skills with such clarity.
"Master may not be far from reaching the Celestial Being Realm."
Both disciples felt admiration in their hearts.
Taoist Longshan slowly halted his steps and unusually asked seriously:
"Ning Qi, did you understand it?"
Ning Qi nodded respectfully:
"Disciple understood."
Taoist Longshan remained expressionless, standing to the side.
"You try."
Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi exchanged looks, seeing the amused smile in each other's eyes, thinking back to when they first encountered the stance skill, they were just as confident, feeling they completely understood.
But the stance skill specializes in curbing a genius's arrogance.
Even a lower grade stance skill requires coordination with the Breathing Technique. Each move and form has its subtleties. Merely imitating the movements isn't effective at all, let alone for superior stance skills like the True Martial Nine Stances, which even require gradually comprehending the Divine Intent of the stance.
Back then, which one of us didn't have our arrogance honed by the Master in this way, even the most talented Qin Yun only performed slightly better.
They knew it was their Master's way of polishing their junior apprentice's temperament, to make him realize that martial training is not easy.
"Even though Junior Apprentice is always clever, before a superior stance skill, he will also need to bow."
It's going to be a good show.
Ning Qi naturally wasn't aware of this intention from Taoist Longshan.
He was recalling every move of Taoist Longshan in his mind, gaining a deeper understanding.
"Please guide me, Master."
Following Ning Qi's words, he spread his legs, and the momentum changed.
Before Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi could react, Taoist Longshan's eyes were already shaken, showing some uncertainty.
"Is this... initiating stance?!"
He had deliberately not mentioned this crucial point just now, yet Ning Qi understood it instinctively?
Without waiting for further thought.
Ning Qi had already started moving.
He exhaled and focused, his demeanor solemn, beginning with the first move 'Bian Mountain Sitting,' although slightly awkward, there were no mistakes at all, from the outside to the inside.
Bian is akin to a tiger, but mightier and fiercer.
At this moment, Ning Qi was like a young Bian, dominating the scene.
After the Martial Arts Arena, the sound of the wind from his punches and kicks slightly rose, and white mist started to steam from Ning Qi's body, due to sweat evaporation, his skin turned red like a shrimp, the raised skin membrane throbbed, evidently beginning to refine.
This is the first stage, Refining Skin.
Earlier, Taoist Longshan had not begun explaining how to use the stance skill to temper the body, yet Ning Qi understood instinctively.
He knew the first stage is Refining Skin, thus he mobilized the 'qi' brought by the stance skill between the skin membranes, which was simple for him, because both the Innate Fetal Breathing Skill and Innate Bone Nourishing Skill had experience in utilizing 'qi'.
Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi widened their eyes, faces full of disbelief.
The two initially crossed their arms, ready to watch their junior apprentice's 'great show.'
But unexpectedly.
This truly is a great show!
The two were dumbfounded.
Shortly after, able to perform the stance skill correctly, subsequently starting the Refining Skin, what kind of prodigy is this!
Thinking back to their own starting days... better not to mention.
Comparing themselves to Ning Qi, they felt they were no geniuses at all.
Had it not been for the understanding of their Master's personality, they might have imagined whether their Master had given the junior apprentice some preferential treatment.
Both sneaked a glance at Taoist Longshan.
Observing Taoist Longshan still expressionless, but Luo Wentian knew the Master's heart might not be calm, seeing the beard tremble slightly.
In fact.
Taoist Longshan's heart was indeed not calm.
He himself was a genius, and his disciples were equally geniuses; having lived for over eighty years, what kind of genius hadn't he seen?
But such an exaggerated Ning Qi was the first.
Simply watching his demonstrations of the stance skill was enough to grasp the key points completely, even using the intentionally omitted aspects, now beginning to spontaneously refine the skin.
What else could this be but prodigious?
Taoist Longshan suddenly had a thought, if his young disciple had obtained the True Martial heritage, he might have already been a Celestial Being in less than eighty years, and perhaps even reached the Martial Saint Realm!
A fierce excitement flooded his mind.
Unexpectedly, the chance encounter of collecting this young disciple brought such astonishment.
The three were all shocked.
Yet, Ning Qi was completely absorbed in his own world.
With each practice of the Bian Stance, gleaning insights, countless flashes of light burst in his mind, making it irresistible, for his personal practice far exceeded mere observation.
"So this is the Martial Path world, tempering the skin membrane?"
He could sense the change within his body.
Also, he marveled at the wisdom of predecessors; generations of effort ultimately summarized such a Martial Path Dharma Method, elevating physical strength to an inconceivable realm. If it were up to him, he might spend years creating such a Martial Path.
Standing on the shoulders of past giants, there's no need to waste time here.
Understanding is not enough; the body must follow through with practice.
Luckily, the Innate Bone Nourishing Skill gave him an exceptionally solid foundation.
At first still somewhat awkward.
The second run was impressively skilled.
The third was flowing seamlessly.
After a few more, he even began to touch on the Divine Intent of the Bian.
The trio, including Taoist Longshan, were completely silent, subconsciously slowing their breathing, as if frozen.
Ning Qi felt reinvigorated, yet respectfully stopped.
He feared his display might frighten his Master and the senior brothers; feeling he could easily grasp the Divine Intent of Bian with a few more rounds, but better to train privately, confident as he was.
"Master."
Ning Qi stopped, respectfully awaiting guidance.
Taoist Longshan's body trembled, slowly squeezing out a smile:
"Well done, considered stronger than your rather useless senior brothers and sisters."
Luo Wentian and Xiong Shi staggered, covering their faces in shame.
This praise was truly unworthy.
Taoist Longshan intended to point out a few faults, but upon reflection, couldn't find a single flaw, feeling mildly resentful; such a prodigy also presents challenges.
He could only address Ning Qi's knowledge gaps.
"Hmm... afterwards, diligently practice the stance skill, begin body tempering. By the way, body tempering should be matched with medicinal baths to quicken body transformation, practiced daily with persistence, but not too aggressively, to avoid depleting the essence."
"Disciple will remember."
Ning Qi respectfully bowed.
Taoist Longshan slowly nodded, already anticipating his young disciple completing body tempering sooner.
Possibly within five years!
By then, Ning Qi would only be eight years old.
An eight-year-old at the Inner Essence Realm, just the thought made Taoist Longshan feel dreamy, as ordinary people barely commence body tempering at eight.
True Martial Sect, its revival seemed hopeful!