Chapter 85

The six young men from the Ji Clan Ancestral Manor disembarked, and four people came from the island, led by a plain-dressed beautiful woman, with a young man in green beside her, and two red-armored guards following behind. There were a hundred red-armored guards on the island, specially arranged by Ji Jiuhuo.

"I assume you are Manager Qiuye," said Ji Mo, the leader of the six young men, as he flipped his hand to reveal a piece of animal skin with some writing on it. "We have been ordered by the head of our Ancestral Manor to come and pay respects to Young Master Ji Ning."

"Hmm?" Qiuye took the animal skin and glanced at it.

Qiuye managed all the big and small matters on Mingxin Island and was appointed by Ji Ning as the chief manager.

Qiuye carefully examined the animal skin and then looked up with a smile. "We have already received the news that six outstanding young men from the Ancestral Manor are coming. Please follow me."

"We have come to pay respects to Young Master Ji Ning. When will he see us?"

The six young men followed Qiuye and asked at the same time.

Qiuye said, "Don't worry, you will definitely see the young master today."

Soon, they led the six young men to a quiet place, a residence specifically for receiving guests. Qiuye instructed two maidservants, "These six are distinguished guests from the Ancestral Manor. Take good care of them."

"Yes," the two maidservants replied.

"Everyone," Qiuye smiled at the six, "Once my young master has time, I will immediately inform you. You have had a tiring journey, so please rest for now."

After saying that, Qiuye left with Qing Shi and others.

"What a busy noble!" Ji Tongzhan, the tall one, glared angrily. "This secluded island, what could Young Master Ji Ning possibly have to worry about? This female manager even says 'my young master has time,' it's really... really treating us six with disdain."

"The Ancestral Manor had already sent a message to inform us of our arrival. Young Master Ji Ning didn't come to greet us, and he didn't even give us a time to see him. We are just left to wait here foolishly."

These young men were all prodigies.

Although they believed that Ji Ning was stronger than them, they were all of the same age, and being treated so indifferently... they felt somewhat aggrieved.

"Endure it!" Ji Mo, sitting there, softly shouted. "We are here to pay respects, so we should wait obediently for Young Master Ji Ning to summon us."

"We just feel aggrieved."

"Right, everyone says how powerful Young Master Ji Ning is, but none of us have seen him. He is only sixteen years old, how strong can he be?" These young men talked to each other, and even Ji Mo, who was sitting there, had the arrogance of a prodigy in his bones. Hearing is one thing, seeing is another!

Without seeing Ji Ning's abilities firsthand, a flame of resentment burned in Ji Mo's chest.

...

The sun was about to set, and the western sky was filled with the glow of the sunset. Under the red light, the surface of the Winged Snake Lake was beautiful like a painting. In the distance of this beautiful lake, a small boat was swaying and drifting towards the shore.

"It's the young master's boat."

"It's the young master."

A maidservant had already noticed and reported to Manager Qiuye. Qiuye and Qing Shi quickly appeared on the beach, looking at the small boat from afar.

Inside the small boat.

Ji Ning was lying comfortably with his eyes closed. The lake was calm and still, like a painting. Suddenly, he faintly sensed the presence of many people in the distance, and his eyelids twitched as he opened his eyes.

"We're here." Ji Ning stood up and stretched.

He was still wearing a fur coat, but it was transformed from a magical armor. After all, the fur coat his mother had sewn for him was limited, and if he wore it all the time, it would wear out. Ji Ning was reluctant to let it happen, so he cherished it. However, he felt that transforming the magical armor into the appearance of a fur coat was the most comfortable.

"Swish." The small boat suddenly accelerated, breaking through the waves and speeding towards the distant island.

Ji Ning stood on the small boat, smiling as he looked at Qiuye and Qing Shi who were welcoming him.

As the boat approached the beach, it vanished into thin air, and Ji Ning walked directly onto the sand.

"Young master." Qiuye smiled and greeted him.

"Brother Ji Ning." Qing Shi ran over excitedly, "Six young men from the Ancestral Manor came today. They all look as if their eyes are on the top of their heads, so proud."

Ji Ning thought for a moment, "Oh? Are they the most outstanding of the young generation from the Ancestral Manor?"

"Yes," Qiuye nodded, "They arrived at noon."

"Have them go to the sword practice ground," Ji Ning smiled. "Since the Ancestral Manor sent them here, it's also to have me discipline them."

"Alright, I'll go and invite them," Qiuye said.

...

Sword Practice Ground.

It was a spacious area about a hundred zhang in front of Ji Ning's residence, where he usually practiced his sword skills.

"I've already drunk five jars of water, and it's almost dark, finally seeing us."

"They all talk about how amazing Ji Ning is, but we don't know what he's really like."

The six young men whispered to each other, all showing some excitement. They were all curious about the legendary Young Master Ji Ning. Qiuye led the way and soon arrived at the sword practice ground. "The young master is over there, go ahead."

The six, including Ji Mo, looked carefully.

They saw a young man in a fur coat standing in the distance. His back wasn't particularly tall, still the height and build Ji Ning had when he broke through to the innate stage. However, for some reason... just by standing there, he seemed to blend with everything around him, as if everything became a painting.

The young man in the fur coat suddenly turned around, breaking out of the state of being part of the painting, as if he had just become a real person. In fact, Ji Ning was at that moment merging his spirit with the world, contemplating the 'Dao'! Since living by the Winged Snake Lake, especially lying on the small boat and drifting on the lake, his spirit had become incredibly peaceful, and he had become perfectly in harmony with the natural environment.

At the same time, Ji Ning's sword skills had made great progress. As his realm improved, he could now merge his spirit with the world and contemplate the 'Dao' at any time. Although he couldn't fully immerse himself like by the pool, this contemplation was already astonishing, bringing his sword skills to an extremely high level.

"Come over," Ji Ning said.

The six, including Ji Mo, observed Young Master Ji Ning. His face was youthful and handsome, but his aura was naturally profound, a result of the tempering of his spirit.

"Meeting Young Master Ji Ning," the six, including Ji Mo, approached respectfully.

"I heard that the most outstanding of the young generation from the Ancestral Manor is named Ji Mo. Who among you is it?" Ji Ning asked directly, knowing that to discipline them, he should target the strongest one for the best effect.

"It's me," Ji Mo said, his eyes sharp.

Ji Ning nodded, "What do you practice?"

"The 'Myriad Sword Melody'!" Ji Mo's eyes were confident, "I have just achieved mastery, hoping for Young Master Ji Ning's guidance."

"Mastery?" Ji Ning nodded, "The 'Myriad Sword Melody' is a clan's ultimate technique, extremely profound. Take out your sword... use your strongest sword technique to attack me, let me see how your 'Myriad Sword Melody' is."

"Alright," Ji Mo flipped his hand, and a cold, long sword appeared, with faint runes on it, clearly a magical sword. Ji Mo warned, "Young Master Ji Ning, be careful."

Swish!

Instantly, the sword became countless illusions, each a hazy sword shadow, directly enveloping Ji Ning.

Ji Ning just stood there watching. When the dense hazy sword shadows enveloped him, he extended his finger and lightly tapped: "Break!" Immediately, all the sword shadows dissipated, revealing the true form of the long sword. The sword's blade, tapped by Ji Ning's finger, was thrown away due to inertia, despite its high speed.

"This, this..." Ji Mo's eyes widened in shock, and the other five were also stunned. To simply use a finger to deflect a sword containing the power of the world? And they didn't even feel Ji Ning's finger move particularly fast.

"How is this possible? My sword?" Ji Mo couldn't believe it, "Your strength isn't great, how could you instantly guide my strength to make my sword fly away?"

"I ask you," Ji Ning said, "What are the techniques of the 'Myriad Sword Melody'?"

Ji Mo replied, "The 'Myriad Sword Melody' has three techniques: 'Myriad Shadows from One Sword,' 'Myriad Swords Converge,' and 'Myriad Sword Melody.' Among them, 'Myriad Sword Melody' is the strongest killing move, which I just used."

Ji Ning said, "Myriad Sword Melody... the key is not the myriad swords, but the 'melody'!" Over the years, Ji Jiuhuo had specially arranged for some sword and saber techniques of the Ji Clan to be sent to him. Ji Ning had reviewed them all, and at his level, he could even create such techniques. He only needed to understand their essence.

"Melody?" Ji Mo was surprised.

"Watch carefully," Ji Ning's finger condensed, forming a sword beam, which he swung through the air.

Instantly, countless sword shadows appeared, densely enveloping everywhere, similar to the 'Myriad Sword Melody' Ji Mo had used. However, these countless sword shadows were like musical notes, each slightly different, forming a harmonious melody.

Exciting!

Joyful!

The six, including Ji Mo, were stunned. They felt a sense of joy from the countless sword shadows, as if the shadows had come to life.

"Watch again," Ji Ning swung the sword beam again, transforming it into countless hazy sword shadows. These shadows interacted with each other, each like a soldier, yet united... countless notes forming a song, this time filled with boundless killing intent, making them feel a chill.

Each sword shadow was like a soldier, roaring and charging, overwhelming and filled with killing intent.

The six, including Ji Mo, turned pale and involuntarily stepped back.

"Did you see?" Ji Ning's finger's sword beam disappeared, "This is the 'melody,' the soul of the entire sword technique! Whether it's joy or killing intent, with the soul, your myriad swords can become one, forming a truly awe-inspiring sword melody!"

The other five were amazed.

But Ji Mo, who had a deep understanding of the 'Myriad Sword Melody,' was completely convinced. He knelt down in front of Ji Ning, "Please take me as your disciple!"