Volume 2 Chapter 26: Ting Shiguang - Martial God

**Chapter 26: Ting Shiguang** An overwhelming aura, too powerful for Ting Minghe and his companions to resist, swept over them. In just an instant, all three dispelled their doubts, unsteady on their feet and stumbling back three steps. A practitioner with inner strength above level six can utilize internal techniques to emit their own aura. However, this aura is ultimately limited by their inner strength; even a peak level-ten expert's aura cannot transcend this limit. In contrast, innate realm experts are different. They possess not just inner strength but can transform and communicate with the external world’s earthly energy through true qi. The mighty aura emitted through true qi is absolutely something a postnatal expert cannot contend with. It’s akin to using wood to burn a fire; no matter how much wood you pile up, the maximum heat it can generate won't surpass that released by burning coal. Thus, when they sensed that powerful aura, regret immediately filled their hearts. They had once felt this sensation from an elder and dared not question him from that day onwards. Now, they were sensing such a formidable power for the second time. He Yiming quickly withdrew his aura, as he intended to meet the innate experts of Fire Crow Nation rather than draw formidable enemies to the Xie Family. Once Ting Minghe and his companions stood firm again, their eyes held a reverence for He Yiming, fully revealing their new mindset. He Yiming sat down with satisfaction, looked at the scholarly Ting Minghe, and asked directly, "Did you come at the behest of Master Ting Shiguang?" Ting Minghe immediately stepped forward slightly, hands naturally hanging down, and bowed slightly, "Yes, Master Ting Shiguang, my grand ancestor, is cultivating in the Flaming Crow Tower within the royal palace. It has been a full thirty years since he last stepped outside, which is why he sent me to extend an invitation to Master He, to request your esteemed presence for a meeting." A faint smile finally appeared on He Yiming's face. He stood up and said, "Good, I've been wanting to meet other innate experts. Given Master Ting Shiguang's invitation, let's head there now." Turning to Xie Mingjin, he said, "Brother Xie, I must take my leave temporarily." Xie Mingjin naturally did not dare to interrupt and quickly nodded with a smile. The rest exchanged glances, surprised that He Yiming would leave so abruptly after asking just a single question, without even a word of courtesy to the heads of the Mu and Luo families. Ting Minghe gave a wry smile and could only acknowledge with a nod, leading the way first. The others accompanied them to the main gate, watched them leave, and then finally stopped. Mu Yuan sighed deeply, "In the eyes of innate realm experts, only the existence of fellow experts truly matters." Luo Xin's gaze remained fixed on the street corner, as if still chasing the figures of He Yiming and his companion long gone. After a moment, she remarked, "Innate realm... I wonder if we will ever have the chance in this life to break through to the innate." The gathering at the Xie residence's entrance fell silent, each with eyes reflecting an unusual glint. Though they contemplated the possibility, none could provide a definite answer even after a long pause. --- "Master He, the palace lies just ahead," Ting Minghe said respectfully. Inside, however, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He Yiming had insisted on leaving immediately, granting him no time to summon any guards or attendants, forcing him to lead the way on foot. As one of the princely members of the Fire Crow Nation's royal family, and the only level-ten inner strength expert among the princes, he had not had such an experience in a decade. Yet, he dared not harbor any resentment. Among the level-ten inner strength experts present earlier, he was the only one who had witnessed his ancestor Ting Shiguang in action. He knew that although he was considered a master among postnatal practitioners, he was nothing in the presence of these innate experts. Being able to lead the way for such an expert was no disgrace to his status. He Yiming paused and gazed towards the Fire Crow Nation's royal palace. As the residence of the nation's king, it was naturally the most opulent and extravagant place, with the tightest security. However, what caught He Yiming's eyes first was a tall tower. The tower was the highest structure in the entire palace, significantly taller than all other buildings. Instantly, he understood that this must be the Flaming Crow Tower, where the elderly innate expert of Fire Crow Nation resided. The guards at the palace entrance clearly recognized Ting Minghe. Seeing his attitude towards He Yiming, they were all taken aback. With a wave of Ting Minghe's hand, the guards dared not intercept them, though one immediately ran inside with great speed. With Ting Minghe leading, the two swiftly arrived in front of the towering edifice. Waiting there with a smile was a man. Ting Minghe approached and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have returned." Then, turning around, he introduced, "Master He, this is His Majesty, King Ting Minglie of Fire Crow Nation." Ting Minglie slightly raised his hand, "Brother Wang, in the presence of innate masters, there's no need to introduce my kingly title." Surprised, He Yiming looked over, and these words from the king earned him some favor. Yet, after the events just now, he merely gave a polite nod to Ting Minglie. Ting Minglie stepped back, personally opening the tower's door, "Master He, my grand ancestor awaits inside." He Yiming's heart surged, not out of fear but excitement. He was about to meet his first innate expert, a moment he anticipated eagerly. After He Yiming entered the tower, Ting Minglie slowly closed the door. As he turned around, the gentle and elegant smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by a look of shrewdness and solemnity. "Relay my orders: No one is to remain within a hundred meters of the tower, nor shall anyone enter. Should anyone dare disturb the masters' conversation, they shall be executed without mercy." "Yes, Your Majesty." A loud voice responded, and subsequently, everyone began to move in compliance. Ting Minglie and Ting Minghe swiftly retreated beyond a hundred meters from the tower. The king of Fire Crow Nation coldly remarked, "Such a young man, is he truly an innate master?" "Absolutely," Ting Minghe replied decisively, "His aura mirrors that terrifying quality of the ancestor." Ting Minglie's eyes sparkled with interest, "Rumor has it he isn't from our nation?" "Indeed. He is friends with Xie's Xie Mingjin, hence his visit as a guest, unexpectedly advancing to the innate realm here." Ting Minghe delivered a shocking revelation. "Xie Mingjin?" Ting Minglie mused, as if searching his mind for the name and its associations. Moments later, a particularly strange expression arose on his face: "Brother Wang, if I recall correctly, isn't this Xie Mingjin merely seventeen?" "Your Majesty remembers right; the boy is indeed seventeen." "Then..." Ting Minglie's expression grew even more peculiar, "This Master He, being friends with Xie Mingjin, how old could he truly be?" Ting Minghe, too, smiled wryly, shaking his head, "He didn't say, nor did I dare ask. Judging by his appearance and demeanor, he surely isn't very old." Initially intending to mention that Master He might be under twenty, he couldn't bring himself to utter it and opted for a more ambiguous response instead. Ting Minglie turned back, gazing upon the towering structure of the Flaming Crow Tower. After a long pause, he said, "Such a young innate master...I wonder if the ancestor will manage to persuade him. If he could serve as a national protector for Fire Crow Nation, we would enjoy at least a century of peace." --- Inside the tower, He Yiming glanced around, then slowly ascended the stairs. Although it seemed unoccupied, he sensed a powerful presence on the fifth floor that made even him slightly tense. Though not having met in person, they each sensed the other's existence through the nature of their true qi, feeling the other's formidable power. The destructive capabilities of innate realm experts are beyond the comprehension of ordinary individuals. Ascending the stairs, he finally reached the fifth floor. The fifth floor was empty, save for five meditation cushions on the floor. On one of the cushions sat an elderly man, with hair and beard all white. Though his appearance showed significant age, suggesting seventy or eighty years, his eyes burst with an unexpected youthful vitality. It seemed as if he was not an elderly man before He Yiming, but a robust man in his thirties or forties. Yet at the moment they met eyes, He Yiming was quite startled, but Ting Shiguang felt an intense shock, shaking the calm he had maintained for decades profoundly. Ting Minglie and the others were unable to discern He Yiming's true age. However, in Ting Shiguang's heart, he was certain that this innate expert, brimming with curiosity, excitement, and a hint of thrill, was undoubtedly a youth under twenty. A profound sense of bitterness arose within him. So young, yet he had already overcome the most critical barrier to become a genuine innate expert. Compared to Ting Minglie and the others, Ting Shiguang understood the significance of this more profoundly. The prepared words he had earlier vanished entirely at this revelation. For he knew now that this young man before him could not be bound by the confines of Fire Crow Nation. The two of them exchanged glances for a moment before He Yiming finally bowed deeply and said, "Junior He Yiming pays respect to the senior." Ting Shiguang rose from his cushion, returned the bow, and said, "There is no need for formalities, Brother He. Please, be seated." He Yiming sat cross-legged on the cushion opposite him, feeling puzzled by the austere living conditions of an innate expert. How could someone so powerful dwell in such spartan surroundings? With a calm and serene smile, Ting Shiguang said, "Brother He, having just stepped into the innate realm, you might not be familiar with some of its etiquettes." He Yiming immediately shook his head, "Indeed, I'm not. Please enlighten me, senior." Ting Shiguang placed his hands on his legs, a gesture that unexpectedly exuded a profound sense of harmony. He Yiming faintly felt that in terms of communicating with the world's energy, he lagged considerably behind this man. "The world is vast, with countless practitioners. Those who can step into the innate realm are truly extraordinary, exceptional among men," Ting Shiguang's voice, though light, carried a strong pride that resonated throughout the tower: "Such exceptional people can soar above the heavens or hide deep within the nether, unattainable by ordinary beings." He Yiming nodded slightly, though inwardly he felt bewildered. Curiously, he sensed a supreme disdain for all life in the old man's words, as if he placed no value on ordinary human lives. However, this sentiment failed to resonate with He Yiming, who had too many people weighing on his heart. Ting Shiguang suddenly paused, seemingly sensing something from He Yiming's gaze. After a moment, the old man let out a wry smile, "I am being foolish, discussing such things with you now. In a hundred years or so, you will naturally understand this truth." After a pause, he continued, "Simply put, once we step into the innate realm, our status transcends that of ordinary beings. Among us, age is no issue; only personal strength matters as a measure." He Yiming appeared enlightened, yet inside, he remained unconvinced. He opted not to argue with the elderly man before him. "Brother He, when you meet other innate masters in the future, simply refer to them by name; there’s no need to regard yourself as the junior," Ting Shiguang said seriously. He Yiming hesitated for a moment before finally nodding slightly. If this were the norm among innate experts, he saw no need to challenge it and would simply adhere to it. Though Ting Shiguang was quite old, he was brimming with energy, chatting with He Yiming about various curiosities and tales from the northwestern countries. It was from these conversations that He Yiming learned the old man had traveled the world, visiting almost all the northwestern nations, even the far-off and renowned Grand Shen Country. This extensive knowledge filled He Yiming with admiration and longing. After a round of storytelling, the conversation once again returned to Fire Crow Nation. Ting Shiguang suddenly sighed, "What a pity, what a pity." He Yiming was slightly taken aback, "What is a pity?" "I had originally thought that this time, the one to break through the Limit Barrier in the Xie Family would be Xie Zhien," Ting Shiguang said with a sense of regret. He Yiming's eyes widened abruptly, and his facial muscles twitched slightly. In Ting Shiguang’s words, the elderly Xie Zhien was referred to as a child. When He Yiming imagined Xie Zhien's face, he couldn't help but find the whole notion absurdly amusing. Such an exceedingly 'young' child; surely, there was no other like him. Ting Shiguang gently shook his head, "For Brother He to step into the innate realm is indeed a congratulatory matter, but for our Fire Crow Nation, it would have been a blessing had Xie Zhien achieved the breakthrough." Despite feeling some dissatisfaction, He Yiming understood the reasoning behind the words, knowing they held some truth. Ting Shiguang then shifted the conversation, "Brother He, since you broke through to the innate realm in our Fire Crow Nation, it seems we are fated. I've prepared a gift for you, and I hope you will accept it with a smile." With that, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a nondescript black stone. He Yiming's gaze fell upon the stone, yet he couldn’t fathom what it might be. Ting Shiguang looked at the stone with a hint of reluctance, though that sentiment flickered away quickly as he straightforwardly presented it to He Yiming. "A small token, Brother He, please accept it with a smile." Although He Yiming did not recognize the object, he was no fool. It was undoubtedly exceptionally valuable, or else Ting Shiguang would not have cherished it so greatly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Master Ting, as they say, it’s improper to receive rewards without merit; I dare not accept this gift." Ting Shiguang chuckled softly, "Brother He, I have no ulterior motives, only the desire to make a friend. Is that not permissible?" His hand passed over the stone, "This is a piece of refined steel magnetic ore I acquired during my travels. While not immensely rare, it is one of the few metals capable of bearing innate true qi. If you have a suitable weapon, simply infuse it, and you can wield it without hindrance." He Yiming let out a surprised exclamation, "Master Ting, so ordinary weapons cannot withstand innate true qi?" Ting Shiguang laughed silently, "Such is the power of innate true qi, something ordinary iron cannot endure." A drop of cold sweat trickled down He Yiming's back as he realized how fortunate he was to have left his Guandao at the Xie Residence; he had not used it today in the valley. Otherwise, without the infusion of innate true qi, it might have been destroyed. After some consideration, He Yiming finally took the stone, "Since Master Ting is so kind, I shall not refuse. Should you need my assistance in the future, I will do my utmost." Ting Shiguang nodded contentedly, pleased with He Yiming’s attitude. He then carefully explained the characteristics and usage of the refined steel magnetic ore. To He Yiming's surprise, it was extremely simple to use. All one needed was to melt it into a liquid, then immerse the weapon, allowing it to naturally adhere. Such a miraculous metal was something He Yiming had never heard of before. Looking at the fist-sized metal piece, he felt slightly troubled. Could such a small piece of refined steel magnetic ore truly be enough to transform an entire Guandao? Thinking about the imposing size of his massive Guandao, He Yiming felt thoroughly uncertain.