Chapter 36: Junior Brother Ji Ning Takes the Challenge

The winter wind was very crisp. Standing on the boat as it flew through the air, Ji Ning's mind was still replaying scenes of his master, the Daoist Caixian, performing his sword technique.

"My master's sword technique has truly reached an inconceivable realm," Ji Ning mused to himself.

Known as the 'Second Beixing Immortal' and considered the most promising disciple of the Black-White College to become a Celestial Immortal, the Daoist Caixian's sword technique naturally far surpassed the realm Ji Ning could currently touch.

"Hm? Someone's there?" As the boat flew over Northdark Peak, Ji Ning spotted two people standing outside the gate of Northdark Peak.

It was Mu Zishuo in a white robe and Senior Apprentice Sister Donglin in a white gauze dress.

"Whoosh."

Ji Ning dove down.

"Master." The mortals standing at the gate immediately bowed.

"Junior Brother Shuo, Senior Sister Lin, what are you doing here?" Ji Ning landed and asked with a smile.

Donglin finally let out a long breath: "Junior Brother Beiming, do you not know what's happening today?"

Ji Ning certainly knew: "Senior Sister Lin is referring to the challenge at the Discourse Hall?"

"Of course," Donglin nodded. "Many fellow disciples have gone today, and even some senior brothers and sisters who weren't at the college came back after hearing the news. I came specially to invite you, Junior Brother Beiming, to the Discourse Hall."

Ji Ning nodded.

"Let's go quickly; I'm afraid many fellow disciples are getting impatient," Donglin said.

"Alright." Ji Ning looked at Mu Zishuo beside him. "Junior Brother Shuo, why didn't you go to the Discourse Hall? Why come to me instead?"

"Do you even need to ask?" Mu Zishuo glared. "The only new disciples in the entire Black-White College are you and me; we're on the same side. Now all the senior brothers and sisters are in the Discourse Hall. Would I go there alone and be gawked at?"

Ji Ning smiled: "Let's go."

At this point, there was no retreat. Backing down would only invite contempt; it was better to face the challenge openly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three of them mounted their dharma treasures and shot into the air, turning into three streaks of light flying toward the Discourse Hall.

…

The Discourse Hall was unusually crowded with fellow disciples, each one a true prodigy.

"Why hasn't Junior Brother Ji Ning arrived yet?"

"Could little Junior Brother Ji Ning be scared?"

The senior brothers and sisters chatted in small groups as they waited. But it was already noon. Those who had come early had been waiting for nearly two hours and were naturally getting anxious.

Suddenly—

Three figures flew from afar and landed at the entrance of the Discourse Hall, instantly drawing the attention of many disciples.

"He's here."

"Junior Brother Ji Ning is here."

"It's Junior Brother Ji Ning and Junior Brother Mu Zishuo. Beside them is Junior Sister Donglin." Since Ji Ning and the others had appeared publicly at the induction ceremony, most present recognized them at a glance.

Senior Apprentice Brother Huosheng, sitting at a distance, watched from afar and said softly, "The one in animal skins is Ji Ning?"

"Yes, he is Ji Ning," Beishan Xuantang beside him quickly replied.

"From his eyes, one can tell his resolve is firm," Senior Brother Huosheng said softly.

"If Junior Brother Ji Ning knew you praised him, he would probably be overjoyed," Beishan Xuantang said.

…

After entering the Discourse Hall, Ji Ning went directly to a side hall, selected the Thousand Sword puppet he had used before, and then returned to the main hall with the puppet.

Standing in the hall, Ji Ning swept his gaze across the distance.

He saw familiar faces like Senior Sister Jiuyou, and some unfamiliar figures surrounded by other senior brothers and sisters—clearly high-status figures within the sect. There was the red-robed bald youth, the black-clad girl, the slovenly fat youth, and the tall, burly, fair-skinned youth adorned with many treasures and sparkling all over...

"Those surrounded by others are probably the top among the third-generation disciples. They might have comprehended a complete 'Dao' or be reincarnated immortals," Ji Ning thought.

Whoosh!

Ji Ning leaped, turning into a streak of light that landed on a towering stone pillar a hundred zhang away. He looked around and announced loudly, "Fellow senior brothers and sisters."

The Discourse Hall quickly fell silent.

"Yesterday, I was fortunate to defeat two senior brothers," Ji Ning said loudly. "So today I am here again. Any senior brother or sister who wishes to debate the Dao with me may step forward. As for the stakes... as a new disciple, I cannot afford much, so I will set the minimum: one hundred black-and-white pellets and ten jin of primal liquid. I will wait here; anyone willing to debate the Dao may come up."

As his words fell, the entire Discourse Hall was quiet for a moment.

The slovenly fat youth, surrounded by some fellow disciples, beamed with joy and looked at Ji Ning standing on the stone pillar: "This Junior Brother Ji Ning is truly straightforward. I like him."

This slovenly fat youth...

He was none other than the公认 number one among the third-generation disciples of the Black-White College, known to the outside world as 'Slovenly Daoist,' with the Dao name 'Sanpang.' Although not a reincarnated immortal, this Sanpang Daoist had suppressed the other three reincarnated immortals to become the top third-generation disciple. This showed his strength.

…

"Did you hear? Little Slovenly also likes this Ji Ning." In a corner of the Discourse Hall, a similarly slovenly short old man chuckled. Beside him, the black-robed, black-haired Daoist Caixian said helplessly, "Senior Brother Wufeng, why must you come to the Discourse Hall? Couldn't we just cast a water-scrying spell at our residence to watch everything happening here? The College Master and others are surely watching from their residences with water-scrying spells."

The short old man glanced at Caixian: "Watching here lets me hear the chatter of these third-generation disciples—much more interesting! This little Slovenly is worthy of being my proud disciple; even his thoughts match mine. Don't worry, we're sneaking a peek here; those third-generation disciples won't discover us."

"Sigh." Caixian shook his head helplessly.

The old one was an old madman.

The young one was even more so, even giving himself the Dao name 'Sanpang'! And both were slovenly. Caixian was a serious person and naturally disapproved. But there was no helping it—the old madman was the longest-lived loose immortal of the Black-White College, and the young madman was the most outstanding among the current disciples!

"I hope I live to see little Slovenly become an Earth Immortal. If I could see him become a Celestial Immortal, I would die without regret," the short old man suddenly said, his tone becoming deep.

"Senior Brother?" Caixian was startled.

The short old man stared at the slovenly fat youth surrounded by other disciples: "Just watch; little Slovenly will definitely surpass me."

Caixian turned his gaze to Ji Ning on the stone pillar in the distance—his only disciple.

"Someone's stepping down," the short old man said, his eyes lighting up. "It's that one called Qinghe."

…

With so many third-generation disciples gathered in the Discourse Hall, the first to step forward was Senior Brother 'Qinghe,' recognized as the strongest among the third-generation disciples at the Zifu stage.

Whoosh!

A figure in green turned into a blur and flew directly to a stone pillar in the distance, standing there. The puppet he controlled leaped into the combat area below.

"Junior Brother Ji Ning," the green-clad figure said from afar, "I am Qinghe. I entered the college a few years before you, so let me debate the Dao with you."

"Alright," Ji Ning nodded.

"Rise!" The white-haired old man let out a loud shout.

Rumble~~~ The sealing formation enveloped the entire combat area. Ji Ning calmly sat down cross-legged, and Senior Brother Qinghe also sat cross-legged.

"Be careful, Junior Brother. The secret art I am about to use is a technique for controlling flying needles that I discovered at the death site of a senior during my travels. It is not recorded in the college's archives," Qinghe said from afar.

"Senior Brother, feel free to use it," Ji Ning replied loudly.

The land ruled by the Grand Xia Dynasty was vast beyond measure. Over endless ages, there were countless relics of gods and demons, great cultivators, and even more remains of previous cultivators—too numerous to count. But these relics were also highly dangerous. Without sufficient means, one generally dared not venture into them recklessly.

"Watch closely." Qinghe appeared magnanimous. Then his gaze sharpened.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

From the puppet below him, countless flying needles shot out. The dense mass of emerald-green needles spun in midair, interweaving to form a huge emerald scorpion. The eyes of this giant emerald scorpion gleamed with ferocity.

Ji Ning was startled: "Not to be trifled with." He had planned to use the Two Forms Azurefire Sword, but immediately decided to use his current strongest sword technique, the 'New Three Talents Lotus Sword.'

He did not know...

Qinghe, as the strongest among the Zifu disciples, had a comprehension of the Dao comparable to ordinary Wanxiang disciples. He had also reached the 'Dao Domain' level. In terms of realm, he was certainly not inferior to Ji Ning, and he had spent years mastering the 'Emerald Scorpion Divine Needle' technique. With such strength, if Ji Ning did not go all out, he would likely lose.

"Whoosh!"

Three flying swords lit up.

One turned into water light, one into fire light, and one into cyan light. The three swords formed a three-talents pattern and transformed into a huge lotus in flight, its sword light incredibly sharp.

…

"He's won." The short old man in the corner of the Discourse Hall sighed. "This sword technique is derived from the 'Three Talents Lotus Sword,' leaning more toward the element of water. But its power is truly impressive. For Ji Ning, a new disciple, to have mastered such a powerful sword technique is no less than ordinary Wanxiang disciples. A sword immortal is known for being skilled in slaughter and combat. With a sword immortal's heart and such sword technique, though their realms are equal, he is sure to win."

As the short old man spoke, the lotus-formed sword light below clashed with the giant emerald scorpion several times in midair.

Each clash scattered some flying needles.

By the sixth clash, the giant emerald scorpion completely disintegrated into countless flying needles.

"Chi!" The protective layer of the divine needle puppet was also cut by a sliver of sword light.

The entire Discourse Hall fell silent.

Lost?

Qinghe, the strongest among the Zifu disciples, had lost? If even he lost, would a Wanxiang senior brother have to step forward? For a newly entered disciple, to have a Wanxiang senior brother fight?

"Ji Ning wins!" The white-haired old man's voice echoed through the Discourse Hall.

…