"Elder Qi?"

Before Jiang Chen could react, Tangg Ning and Du Haoyu at his side had already gasped, exclaiming in astonishment.

Jiang Chen was stunned, looking at the two in confusion. "Senior Brothers, who is this Elder Qi? Is he an Inner Sect Elder?"

"No!"

Tangg Ning shook his head, a strange expression on his face. "Elder Qi is an Outer Sect Elder!"

"An Outer Sect Elder?" Jiang Chen frowned, a little confused.

As far as he knew, the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect were like a dynasty’s provincial territories and its Imperial Capital.

Inner Sect Elders universally held higher status and greater power than Outer Sect Elders, in every respect.

To give a very basic example...

Outer Sect Elders lived on the mountainside of Martial Saint Mountain, while Inner Sect Elders resided on the summit.

Jiang Chen had thought that by breaking through to the twenty-seventh floor of the Earth Martial Hall, he had alarmed an Inner Sect Elder who wanted to summon him. He never expected it to be an Outer Sect Elder.

Seeing the expression on Jiang Chen’s face, the two could guess what he was thinking. They gave a wry smile and said, "Junior Brother Jiang Chen, you must not underestimate Elder Qi just because he’s an Outer Sect Elder. Let’s put it this way: even the First Elder of the Inner Sect has to address him as ’Senior’ when they meet!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Chen raised a sharp brow, his curiosity about this Elder Qi piqued.

’An Outer Sect Elder whom even the First Elder of the Inner Sect addresses as Senior?’

Tangg Ning was about to say more, but Lin Feifei waved her hand and said coolly, "That’s enough, Tangg Ning, Du Haoyu. These junior brothers still need you two to assign their residences and explain the Sect’s rules."

"Yes, Senior Sister Lin!"

"Senior Sister, we’ll take our leave then!"

Du Haoyu and Tangg Ning nodded respectfully and withdrew. They gathered Nalan Qiantian and the others to lead them to their new residences.

Nalan Qiantian craned his neck and shouted to Jiang Chen, "Boss, remember to come find me when you get back!"

"Alright!"

Jiang Chen nodded. Only after the group had departed did he turn his gaze to Lin Feifei.

On Lin Feifei’s face, usually as cold as frost, a rare, gentle smile appeared. She said, "You’ll naturally find out about Elder Qi in the future. For now, I can only tell you that attracting Elder Qi’s attention is a tremendous opportunity and a great honor for you. Remember to be on your best behavior when you see him. If you can become his disciple—even just a Named Disciple—you will benefit immensely!"

"I understand!"

Jiang Chen was lost in thought.

Under Lin Feifei’s guidance, Jiang Chen headed not up, but toward the foot of the mountain.

’So this Elder Qi doesn’t live on Martial Saint Mountain, but at the foot of its rear slope.’

Traveling through the air at their speed, it took them only half an incense stick’s time to reach the mountain’s foot. Ahead of them lay a quiet little valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a clear stream murmuring through it.

In the valley...

The air was filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers. All sorts of colorful birds, butterflies, and bees flitted around clusters of vibrant, blooming flowers.

In the very center of the valley, nestled among the flowers, a low-thatched hut stood quietly, enclosed by a fence.

Inside the fence were several strange chickens with colorful feathers, plump bodies, and heads held high. They puffed out their chests with an arrogant air. These strange chickens showed no fear of strangers. Their small eyes flicked over Jiang Chen and Lin Feifei before they waddled off, swaying left and right, to peck at insects as if no one else existed.

From time to time, they let out a few crisp "CLUCK CLUCK" sounds.

"Elder Qi, this disciple has brought Jiang Chen!" Lin Feifei called out respectfully, standing outside the fence.

"CREAK~"

The two half-closed wooden doors of the hut were gently pushed open, and an old man walked out. He wore a gray Daoist robe, his hair and beard were grayish-white, and his gaze was clouded.

His eyes seemed like a stretch of primordial chaos—at once clouded, yet also deep and bright.

Elder Qi, a kind smile on his face, nodded at Lin Feifei. "Little lass, thank you for your trouble."

"It is this disciple’s honor to be of service to Elder Qi!" Lin Feifei said respectfully.

"Heh heh, I’m just an old coot with one foot in the grave. What’s there to be honored about?"

Elder Qi smiled faintly and waved his hand. "Little lass, you may go back now. This old man has some things to discuss with this little fellow alone." He paused, then continued, "Oh, right. On your way back, remember to take a pot of water from this stream for your master. She was asking me for some last time!"

"This disciple thanks the Elder on my master’s behalf!" A trace of joy appeared in Lin Feifei’s eyes as she spoke with reverence.

"Go on, then!"

Elder Qi waved his hand.

Lin Feifei took out a jade pot, carefully filled it with the clear stream water, bowed respectfully to Elder Qi one more time, and only then turned to leave the valley.

Jiang Chen was completely baffled.

Elder Qi chuckled. "What’s the matter? Find it strange that she’s so happy over a simple pot of stream water?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Chen scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

Elder Qi didn’t mind. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the stream.

After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Chen followed him.

The two stood by the stream. Elder Qi’s hoarse voice, tinged with the weight of ages, asked, "Look closely at the stream. What do you see?"

"Hmm?"

Jiang Chen paused. ’Isn’t this just ordinary stream water?’

He had already sensed it earlier and found nothing special about the stream. There wasn’t even a hint of Spiritual Qi fluctuation, so it couldn’t possibly be a Spiritual Spring!

Puzzled, Jiang Chen furrowed his brows, his gaze falling upon the murmuring water.

Water!

’This really is just the most ordinary water!’

’No Spiritual Qi fluctuations, no life within the stream—it’s merely clearer and purer than ordinary water, and that’s it.’

’No, that can’t be right. It can’t possibly be this simple!’

’Elder Qi and Lin Feifei wouldn’t put on this act for me over some ordinary stream for no reason. For the water to make Lin Feifei so overjoyed and cherish it so, it must have something unusual about it.’

"Sense it with your heart!" Elder Qi’s voice seemed to carry a magical quality.

"HUUUH..."

Jiang Chen slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, adjusted his mindset, and once again observed the stream with intense focus.

The water flowed, ripples spreading circle after circle, wave after wave.

The stream murmured along. When it encountered rocks, it naturally changed its course, flowing around them.

In some places the ground was higher, but the force of the current was strong enough to push upstream, forcing its way over.

In Jiang Chen’s eyes, the clear stream before him suddenly underwent an earth-shattering transformation. It was no longer a small stream, but a living person, a person practicing the Martial Dao.

Water, when gentle, yields. It lets the strong be strong, and simply flows with the current.

Water, when hard, can drip through stone. It flows upstream, unstoppable in its sharpness!

"Do you see it now?" Elder Qi asked with a smile.

Jiang Chen nodded, the confusion and shock in his eyes intensifying. He stared intently at Elder Qi and asked, "Elder, why is it that this small stream can affect me so deeply?"

"Mortals cultivate the Martial Dao, seeking a path that defies heaven, searching for the road to long life, pursuing all forms of great power. But what they don’t know is that all things in this world change, the sun and moon cycle through reincarnation, Qiankun is inverted—everything has its own rules of operation. All things have life and death, withering and flourishing, Light and Darkness..."

Elder Qi explained slowly, his voice carrying an endless, captivating magical power. "The true pinnacle of the martial path is to comprehend all things. True Martial Dao encompasses Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, Light, Darkness, life, death, Reincarnation, and so on. In truth, everything falls within the scope of all creation. The essence of the Martial Dao is all around us. The so-called True Martial Dao is, in fact, the comprehension of all things, the comprehension of nature itself, thereby gaining the ability to wield the power of all things in nature!"

Before his voice had even faded,

Elder Qi pointed a finger. A dot of blue light bloomed at his fingertip, coalescing into a single drop of water.

Immediately after...

More and more of the world’s Water Spiritual Qi gathered, causing the droplet to grow larger and larger, until it finally formed a ball of water.

"Go!"

With a soft word from Elder Qi, the ball of water flew out and merged into the stream.

"Th-this... This is the True Meaning of Water? This entire stream... it’s formed from the True Meaning of Water?" Jiang Chen’s eyes widened as he stared at Elder Qi in utter shock.

Even though he had grasped the Tier Two Division True Intent and the Tier One Fire True Intent, Jiang Chen could only borrow the *form* of these True Martial Dao.

He had not yet touched their essence!

Until today...

He finally understood what True Martial Dao truly meant!

Control!

Not borrowing!

Creation!

Not plundering!

Instead of borrowing the power of the wind to increase his sword’s speed and killing power, it would be better to create the wind himself—a wind perfectly suited for him.

Instead of borrowing the ferocity of fire to incinerate all things, it would be better to create fire—the fiercest, strongest fire!

Jiang Chen felt that a mysterious gateway had just opened on his path of the Martial Dao, a gateway he had never before encountered.

Elder Qi smiled, gratified. "Starting today, you will stay in this valley and comprehend this True Meaning of Water. If you can grasp the True Meaning of Water before the Outer Disciple Grand Competition, you may become my Named Disciple. If you can grasp the Tier Two True Meaning of Water, then you can become my Direct Disciple. Little fellow, don’t disappoint me!"

His voice faded into the distance as he returned to the thatched hut.

By the stream...

Jiang Chen stared intently at the murmuring stream, his fists clenched and a sharp glint in his eyes. "Comprehending the Tier Two True Meaning of Water in a month? That shouldn’t be too difficult!"