I'm already a Great Luo Golden Immortal, how come you're only Martial Saints?

Ning Chen finished practicing the Yi Jin Jing and felt that his physical strength, constitution, and internal energy had increased significantly.

Unbeknownst to him, his talent had already surpassed that of ordinary people, and in the world of martial arts, he was at least at the level of a true disciple.

A pale blue light screen suddenly popped up in front of Ning Chen's eyes.

A new chat group invitation popped up.

[A mutual help group for Journey to the West: Divine Realm invites you to join. Initiator: Tang Hao. Do you accept?]

Ning Chen felt a slight stirring in his heart and chose to accept.

Including him, there are only seven people in the group, and all of them have their avatars lit up. They are the only active members of the group besides him.

[Tang Hao]: "Ning, I've finally added you. Hope I didn't disturb your rest?"

[Wu Dajin]: "Brother Ning Chen, let's get straight to the point. We feel something's off about Teacher Luo's group."

[Zhao Zhenyuan]: "That's right. Although Teacher Luo gave us the Yi Jin Jing and warned us of the dangers, he always urged us to explore the extraordinary clues, especially the news about the immortal mountains and blessed lands and the true cultivators who have attained enlightenment. He himself never revealed the extraordinary information that the authorities already knew, and only told us to risk our lives to explore it."

[Sun Rongrong]: "Indeed, I just don't believe it. The authorities have received not a single piece of information in all these years."

[Qian Quan]: "Moreover, the group he created, which he called mutual help, I always felt that in the end, all the valuable information would flow to him. If we died, it was just bad luck; if we found treasure, he would be the first to know."

[Sun Rongrong]: "He seems particularly interested in the legends of gods and demons in the Journey to the West world. He asked me several times if I had heard of any rumors about the Heavenly Court, the Underworld, the Dragon Palace, or the overseas immortal mountains. What use is it for us newbies to know these things? It feels like he's preparing us grandmasters for entering the divine realm of Journey to the West in the future."

[Zhou Tao]: "Brother Ning Chen, although you don't talk much, I feel you're quite reliable. A few of us chatted privately and felt that we still need to stick together, but only with trustworthy people. We should report to that big group, but we should share truly useful information among ourselves, how about that?"

Ning Chen looked at the messages popping up in the group chat, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

It seems that none of those who have survived to this day in the perilous world of Journey to the West are simple-minded naives.

Luo Zhantian's intentions may not have been entirely malicious, but his exploitation was undeniable. These travelers felt threatened and chose to secretly unite to protect themselves.

[Ning Chen]: "I understand what you brothers are thinking. Teacher Luo has his position, and we have our way of surviving. Sharing information and giving each other advice is indeed more reliable. I agree."

Ning Chen's response eased the tension in the group chat.

[Tang Hao]: "Great! Then this little group is our own territory! I'll go first. To show my sincerity, this is the lightness skill 'Ladder Cloud Leap' that my dad got for me before I entered the Divine Realm! Although it's just a mortal martial art, its leaping and tumbling techniques are quite unique. It might be useful for escaping in a critical moment."

After saying that, Tang Hao shared the detailed information on the "Ladder to the Clouds" mantra, body movement diagrams, and energy application techniques in the group.

[Zhao Zhenyuan]: "Brother Hao is a true friend! I can't keep anything to myself. When I was working at the escort agency, the head镖师 (chief镖师) saw how diligent I was and taught me a few moves of the 'Ape Strike Technique.' He said it was passed down to him by an old Taoist priest in the mountains. It imitates the fighting techniques of apes, and its power is fierce. It's the best way to toughen up your muscles and strength, so I'm sharing it with you!"

Immediately afterwards, a training manual for "Ape Strike Technique" also appeared in the chat group.

[Wu Dajin]: "I... I'm just a pancake seller. I haven't learned any martial arts, but I've been going from street to street these days and have heard some rumors. I'll organize them and post them later. Let's see if they're useful."

Qian Quan, Sun Rongrong, Zhou Tao, and others also said they would pay attention to and share any information that might be useful.

Whether it was martial arts manuals, local customs and taboos, or hearsay about gods and monsters, the chat groups were suddenly filled with them.

Ning Chen looked at the shared information and felt quite satisfied.

Without any hesitation, he memorized all the contents of "Ladder to the Clouds" and "Ape Strike Technique".

With his current comprehension level of 438, these two mortal martial arts, though each has its own exquisite techniques, no longer hold much mystery for him.

He only glanced at it once, but he already understood its core principles, techniques for exerting force, and key points for circulating qi, as if he had studied it diligently for months.

[Ning Chen]: "Thank you all for your generosity, brothers. These are very useful to me. I am currently safe and will keep an eye on my surroundings. If there is any news worth sharing, I will definitely share it with everyone."

He had considered sharing the Tai Xuan Jing with the group members.

But this Tai Xuan Jing is a celestial scripture bestowed by Patriarch Bodhi.

Without looking at the bamboo slips, Ning Chen couldn't recall a single word.

He had also considered revealing the information about the Fangcun Mountain Xieyue Sanxing Cave to these classmates.

However, the students all settled in Jambudvipa (Southern Continent) due to Luo Guangtou's erroneous guidance.

The Southern Continent of Jambudvipa is at least hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Western Continent of Niuhe, where he is located. Countless demons and monsters lurk along the way, ready to devour anyone who comes along.

Once he reveals the existence of Fangcun Mountain, these students will surely try every means to travel across the ocean to Fangcun Mountain to seek the Great Dao.

Without the deep blessings and good fortune of a monkey, it would probably die a violent death before it had traveled more than a few hundred miles.

If Ning Chen were to tell them about the existence of Fangcun Mountain, he wouldn't be helping them; he would be taking their lives.

He made up his mind that after mastering his skills, he would go to Jambudvipa (the southern continent) to help a few people.

After reaching a consensus, the small group fell silent for a while.

In the days that followed, Ning Chen's life became even more fulfilling, to the point that he could be called a "king of rolls"!

During the day, besides completing the basic chores of sweeping, carrying water and chopping wood for the disciples of Fangcun Mountain, he used all his free time to cultivate.

First, he found a secluded mountain forest to practice his ape-fighting techniques.

This Ape Strike Technique truly lives up to its reputation as a martial art from the Journey to the West world. After only a few days of practice, Ning Chen's movements became as swift as lightning, and with a single, gentle strike, he could snap a towering tree in half.

Ning Chen discovered that the Ape Strike Technique shared by Zhao Zhenyuan was only an incomplete version, and he had only learned one or two tenths of it. The complete Ape Strike Technique was probably a celestial scripture.

During this time, he did not forget to practice the Cloud Ladder Leap, leaping and darting among the rocks and trees, stepping on his right foot with his left to spiral upwards!

Practicing these two martial arts can also slightly improve one's physical constitution and physique.

Ning Chen quickly mastered the trick of using leverage to raise his energy and exchange force in mid-air. His movements became increasingly agile, like a large ape leaping and bounding among the trees.

Seeing this, the monkey also clamored to learn, so Ning Chen had no choice but to teach the monkey both martial arts.

What a monkey! He's truly extraordinary. In just a few days, he's mastered both martial arts to perfection.

He can leap a hundred meters high from flat ground without any leverage!

The monkey shouted repeatedly.

"Excellent, excellent, Brother Ning! These two skills are countless times better than the Yi Jin Jing!"

Ning Chen could only smile wryly upon hearing this. In terms of quality, the Yi Jin Jing was definitely higher, but for this freak, these external martial arts were actually more effective.

A man and a monkey raced up the mountain, causing all the mountain's mythical beasts to scatter and flee!

Ning Chen and Monkey climbed to the top of Fangcun Mountain one after the other, and looked out at the endless sea. They felt invigorated and thought that the world was vast and the two brothers could go wherever they wanted!

In the evening, after dinner, Ning Chen and Sun Wukong studied the Tai Xuan Shang Qing Jing together.

He preached the scriptures, and the monkeys listened and asked questions. The profound mystery of the Tai Xuan Scripture was beyond words. Every time Ning Chen read it, he would have new insights.

The principles of tranquility and non-action, and the cultivation of spirit and nature found in the scriptures can deepen his understanding of the great path of cultivation.

His physical constitution, physique, and comprehension were also slowly and imperceptibly growing.

Even during his sleep time, Ning Chen would sit cross-legged in meditation, repeatedly circulating the Yi Jin Jing to cultivate his internal energy.

Internal energy circulates throughout the body, cleansing away subtle impurities and enhancing internal strength, physical attributes, and constitution.

Although the daily growth wasn't much, he was working almost non-stop, engaging in intense, relentless training.

With such intense and comprehensive training, Ning Chen's transformation was clearly visible.

His breathing became increasingly steady and long, his eyes became clearer and brighter, and his every move exuded a sense of agility and composure.

Although he was only wearing an ordinary gray robe, typical of unregistered disciples, Ning Chen already exuded an air of otherworldly refinement.

His desperate practice naturally did not escape the discerning eye of Patriarch Bodhi.

When Bodhi Patriarch occasionally swept his divine sense across the mountains, he would always see that boy, who was not a formal disciple and had entered the mountain gate with the monkey, either practicing his fist and foot techniques or meditating and cultivating his qi. He was particularly focused and engaged when discussing the Dao with the monkey.

Ning Chen's dedication to the Dao and his diligence in cultivation far surpassed that of many formal disciples.

Patriarch Bodhi stroked his long beard and nodded slightly, saying, "This child is teachable!"

Time flies, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. Finally, the day has come for Patriarch Bodhi to open the altar and preach the Dharma again.

The melodious sound of bells and chimes filled the air, and the disciples hurried to the lecture hall.

As usual, Ning Chen walked to the last row, to his corner seat.

He had just stood still, not yet seated on the prayer mat.

On the high platform, the Bodhi Patriarch, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and calmly looked at Ning Chen.

"Ning Chen......."