"Master, it's too brutal! A hundred martial arts, a meteor descends from the heavens! How can one evade or dodge?"

Bai Qi clicked his tongue while riding the Big Flood Dragon. Even from a distance, he could see the tumultuous waves of the Nu Yun River rising like towering walls, pressing down in all directions. Even sturdy multi-story boats would be smashed upon impact.

The earth-shattering roar reverberated across a hundred-mile radius, creating a terrifying commotion. If not for the river's width, the rush of water from the "Extraterrestrial Meteorite" alone could have submerged the fields along the banks, resulting in a natural disaster.

"Even those who have achieved the Third Training Great Perfection with the Water and Fire Immortal Robe couldn't survive."

Bai Qi mused deeply, realizing that Ninghai Zen truly knew how to prevent future troubles.

Directly smashing down a small mountain, it's as if there's no escape either to heaven or on earth.

"So a Fourth Training Grandmaster can soar to the sky and escape into the earth."

His eyes showed a trace of admiration. So-called immortals could journey from the North Sea to Cangwu by evening.

Such freedom, who wouldn't long for it!

About half an hour later, as the overwhelming aftershocks slowly subsided, torches lit up in the surrounding villages. Many peasants and fishermen who witnessed the fiery descent knelt and murmured:

"The Celestial Lord is angry! Surely punishing the evil spirits!"

Perhaps in a few days, they would hold a grand ceremony, praying for the Celestial Lord to calm his anger and bless the riverside with favorable weather.

"It's time to salvage the true skill."

Bai Qi fondly stroked the Big Flood Dragon's neck, urging it to dive underwater.

Once the Evil-Breaking Spirit Eye was activated, it illuminated the dark and turbulent muddy currents, causing countless halos to flicker intermittently.

After sensing for a moment, he directly headed for the brightest dazzling golden glow. After a brief search, he found the iron box.

It's indeed forged from Thousand-Year Profound Iron and Pure Gold. Even Chen Zhao and Tao Rong couldn't leave behind a single residue, yet the box remained utterly intact, so its quality was indeed robust.

"Master, the True Skill Root Diagram and the secret formula for Combat Wine are all here."

Bai Qi surfaced, running his hand through his hair to push back the water, letting the Qi and Blood Power traverse his entire body, producing steaming white smoke.

On his forehead, the water patterns became more distinct after being soaked by the river, glowing with a shimmering blue light.

"Just hold onto it; it will be passed down to you sooner or later."

Ninghai Zen walked on the waves, his green robe billowing in the night breeze:

"In the end, it will make things difficult for Master. His adopted son isn't even registered at Tongwen Hall, yet he seeks to inherit true skills... Human greed knows no bounds."

Bai Qi held the iron box in both hands, pondering:

"If Chen Zhao had exercised some restraint and didn't covet the True Skill Root Diagram or listened to advice and stayed well in Black River County, waiting until enlightenment was complete to return it intact, perhaps this calamity wouldn't have occurred."

What kind of person was his master, Ninghai Zen?

Not even a grain of sand can remain in his eyes!

Playing those little tricks and schemes only ends up backfiring.

"Master, is the place ahead Yihai Prefecture?"

Bai Qi rode the Big Flood Dragon, crashing through the mighty torrents and winds.

He gazed out far ahead, vaguely seeing a majestic city standing against the sky.

"Yes. The largest city outside Celestial Water Prefecture, with open waterways and thriving commerce, controlled by the Pai Bang, the Daoist School, and various trades, rich and prosperous."

Ninghai Zen's gaze was deep, and his tone was calm. His fame began the day he crossed Yihai County City's gates.

"Master, I heard Uncle Dao say you once swore never to set foot in the County City again."

Bai Qi inquired quietly, as he needed to make a trip to Yihai Prefecture. His most reliable support was Ninghai Zen.

If his master was indeed bound by such an oath, then entering the city would require extra caution.

"This is the sole promise I made to my master, and I must fulfill it."

Ninghai Zen nodded:

"Of course, after I made the promise, I beat Master severely and expelled him from Tongwen Hall."

What's masterly kindness, filial piety...

Bai Qi's eye twitched, unable to fathom what kind of style his grandmaster possessed to cultivate a character like Ninghai Zen.

"The sudden catastrophe is just Chen Zhao's bad luck. I hope Master and Mistress can find peace in the change."

Ninghai Zen didn't want to say more, leaping up and breaking through the atmosphere, intending to retrace his steps back to Black River County.

"Master!"

Bai Qi shouted:

"You're heading the wrong way! Tongwen Hall is on the other side!"

Stopped in his tracks by the pull of the Earth Core Magnetism, Ninghai Zen turned towards the direction his disciple pointed and shot forward explosively, even faster than before.

"I wonder when I'll be able to soar into the heavens? Fourth Training Great Success, the path is long and arduous! Sister Jiao, let's go!"

Bai Qi was full of envy, and the Big Flood Dragon underneath him let out a low growl, its golden vertical pupils tightly staring at the vast and deep Nu Yun River, then once again breaking through the waves, swiftly heading towards Black River County.

...

...

By the time Bai Qi stepped into Tongwen Hall again, it was already past 9 p.m. Lao Dao was quite curious, chasing to ask what grand setup Ninghai Zen was bustling with.

He learned that a small mountain outside the County City was moved and directly smashed into Nu Yun River, taking out Chen Zhao and Tao Rong all at once.

"This sure saves effort, no need to clean up, after all, not a trace of remains, even the Divine Hunter is powerless."

Lao Dao was sincerely convinced, when it comes to silencing techniques, the young master was indeed a professional in the field.

Then he went to make dinner with peace of mind, and after busying until now, everyone still hadn't eaten.

"Ah Qi."

Ninghai Zen, who was sitting early in the main hall resting, softly called:

"Come here."

He looked at his disciple, at seventeen, already in the prime age for mastering the Five Grand Captures in a proper manner, even possessing Daoist aptitude.

This extraordinary intelligence and talent ranked top among the legacy heirs of Tongwen Hall across generations.

"Master."

Bai Qi obediently stepped forward.

"From now on, call 'Master Father' instead."

Ninghai Zen softly said.

"Master Father!"

Bai Qi smoothly obliged.

Although it was only a one-word difference, the meaning within was profoundly different.

'Master' originally referred specifically to a teacher of kings, collectively known as Grand Tutor, meaning "being a master, holding a position of the highest minister," hence this meaning.

After Daoist collapse, it was widely used, describing a teacher who imparts teachings and resolves doubts.

'Master Father' is more intimate; as the saying goes, "For one day as a master, one is a father for life," it's a relationship almost akin to blood ties.

"Originally, I should have already taken you to the Ancestor Hall to pay respects to the ancestors, recording names and transmitting true skills. It was delayed due to sundry matters."

Ninghai Zen's gaze was gentle, as if recalling the scene of himself being accepted as a legacy disciple back in the day.

For a sect, it needs a pillar that can support its reputation, truly inheriting the mantle and continuing the path forged by predecessors.

"Throughout my life, breaking the rules is rare; you are one instance. The true martial skills of Tongwen Hall, if not encountering a talent, I prefer not to pass on, letting it be buried.

Perhaps it's the destiny given by heaven, letting Old Liang bring you in, catching my eye."

Ninghai Zen slowly rose, just like when Bai Qi first walked into Tongwen Hall to become a disciple, with hands behind his back, standing under the golden black plaque in the main hall, with unparalleled grandeur.

His wrist was tied with the complete Dragon Elephant Jade, letting Bai Qi walk up the steps, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

"The lineage of Tongwen Hall traces back before Daoist collapse; it's untraceable, leaving only three true skills for later disciples to cultivate and understand."

Then, Ninghai Zen's hands moved like a walking spell, accompanied by a tremendous turbulence in the void, Bai Qi felt as though he had fallen into another world, experiencing a moment of intense dizziness.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in an expanse as vast as a palace, supported by a few copper pillars large enough for several people to embrace, with an imposing atmosphere resembling the heavens covering the earth.

Large bright pearls arranged according to the five elements of sun and moon, casting a faint glow, illuminating vivid long scroll paintings.

Some with thick eyebrows and angry eyes, some with white hair and youthful complexion, some wearing monk outfits, some donning Daoist robes... each distinct.

In total, there were eleven people.

Ninghai Zen's palm covered Bai Qi's head, akin to an Immortal touching the crown to grant longevity, he lightly said:

"With the witness of the ancestors, Ninghai Zen of Tongwen Hall, the twelfth-generation Sect Leader, accepts Bai Qi as a legacy disciple, recording in the genealogical register, passing on the true skill.

From now on, abide by the three principles, to prove the Martial Dao, seek its pinnacle, fear no death, hold no thoughts of life or death!"

Bai Qi bowed his head, his expression solemn, as if enlightened, he clasped his hands in salute:

"Disciple Bai Qi, pays respect to the Ancestors!"

Rumble!

It seemed as if the heavens and earth were shaking.

An ancient stone tablet, approximately ten zhang high, slowly revealed a phantom, with corners showing signs of damage, covered in marks from swords and blades.

Carved on it were inscriptions, all names.

"Chen Xing... Master Father's Master."

Bai Qi looked up, finally finding a name he had heard before at a middle position, his gaze gradually moved upward, eventually seeing the three characters "Ninghai Zen" at the fifth position.