Chapter 8: Scheming and Plotting

For the next several days, Jiang Ning remained secluded in his residence, never stepping outside.

“Level ten of the Enlightenment Realm truly possesses many wonders,” he mused, continuing to comprehend the distinctions of this layer—a realm renowned as the ultimate completion of the Enlightenment Realm, said to enable one to battle across levels, with spiritual energy and cultivation foundations far more solid than others.

“I achieved this realm thanks to the Immortal Spirit Physique,” he reflected, sensing the extraordinary qualities that set him apart from those at the peak of level nine. The ability to wield spiritual perception alone was enough to delight him.

“With spiritual perception, I can anticipate and avoid danger,” he thought, preferring to act with discretion. Yet he dared not use it constantly; this was the Idle Cloud Sect, where elders or even the sect leader might sweep their senses across the grounds to monitor activity—he feared discovery.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ning realized that upon reaching completion in this realm, an aura formed within him: a constant stream, his spiritual energy circulating with thunderous resonance, drawing him closer to the Dao. This was a profound sensation, and he could not help but marvel.

“Yet I haven’t found the barrier to break through to the Body Refining Realm. Perhaps it requires much more spiritual energy,” he guessed, for stepping into the tenth layer was incomparable to the ordinary pinnacle of the Enlightenment Realm.

In cultivation, the stages are Gathering Spirit, Enlightenment, Body Refining Nine Layers, Divine Repository Nine Heavens, and Spirit Condensation Five Heavens.

Jiang Ning’s inherited memories of the Immortal Spirit Physique were sealed. He estimated that upon reaching the Body Refining Realm, he might break some of those seals and obtain the inheritance.

“Inherited memory must contain the method to conceal the Immortal Spirit Physique. It’s a shame my cultivation was insufficient and I became human directly, so now the seal prevents me from using it.” Such a supreme constitution surely came with an extraordinary inheritance, and methods to hide it.

This inherited memory was accumulated over generations of sentient spirit herbs spanning a hundred thousand years—vast and overwhelming. If he possessed it all, he could roam the world unhindered, and even if his constitution were exposed and he was hunted, there would be ways to escape.

“This world is too dangerous; I must hurry…”

Over these days, Er Huang bounced restlessly, eager to go out, but Jiang Ning stopped him every time.

“We must act with caution,” Jiang Ning worried the dog would create trouble again if let loose.

Er Huang was aggrieved, his little head drooping as he lay on the ground, signaling to Jiang Ning that he wouldn’t make trouble.

Er Huang was indeed unlike ordinary dogs; his inherited secret technique allowed him to traverse the void within a certain distance, an astonishing ability. The old man guarding the sect’s medicinal garden, whose cultivation far exceeded Er Huang’s, couldn’t stop him—he could almost ignore all attempts to block him, limited only by distance.

He was slippery as could be. Jiang Ning was astonished for quite some time; he had never heard of a common yellow dog possessing inherited secret arts. Moreover, Er Huang was clever and alert, never provoking the more ostentatious disciples—such as the famous, dashing Senior Brother Zhao Feng or Wang Shuo, who always had issues with Jiang Ning.

What Er Huang stole was usually just ordinary Clear Spirit Liquid from inner disciples, some even from the medicinal garden itself. Jiang Ning felt it was improper to take from fellow disciples and returned those items on his own initiative. As for the liquid and spiritual fruit pilfered from the garden, the old man in charge never pursued the matter, so man and dog enjoyed them together with satisfaction.

“Tenth layer of the Enlightenment Realm…” Jiang Ning opened his eyes. After entering this realm, he spent these days comprehending and cultivating, stabilizing himself completely.

“I wonder why Li Zhenyu shared that information with me—and the Dao imprint remains within me. This is a hidden danger…”

He had noticed it over the past few days. The Dao imprint, as Li Zhenyu had said, was a curse rather than a blessing. It seemed to exert an invisible force, interfering with Jiang Ning’s integration with the Dao—an ominous sign. The imprint belonged to Master Yang, and might influence his progress toward the Divine Demon Nine Heavens in the future.

During Jiang Ning’s period of meditation, Li Zhenyu visited him once, inviting him to experience his ostentatious supreme Dao together—in essence, just to share a meal and watch him show off.

Jiang Ning found him insufferable and ignored him, maintaining a wary attitude toward Li Zhenyu’s mysterious abilities.

“He claims he has no cultivation, yet can borrow the power of heaven and earth and fly, with no one noticing anything unusual. Could he truly comprehend a supreme Dao? Or perhaps he cultivates a different path…”

Whatever the truth, Jiang Ning found it strange.

On the tenth day, Li Qiaochan paid a visit, giving Jiang Ning a headache.

“Junior Brother Jiang Ning, your aura seems different. Have you made a breakthrough?” Li Qiaochan, cradling Er Huang in her arms and letting him squirm and nuzzle, smiled as she spoke.

“Not at all,” Jiang Ning replied quickly, his heart skipping a beat.

“Er Huang, you shameless little dog…” he cursed inwardly, for Er Huang’s antics had made the inner disciples even less fond of him.

They believed the dog reflected its owner. In truth, at times like these, Jiang Ning wished he could become Er Huang himself…

“I think Junior Brother Jiang Ning is simply too mysterious…” Li Qiaochan smiled radiantly, as if the world brightened; her bearing was both dignified and alluring, two qualities blending seamlessly within her. Her skin was like jade, her hair as black as ink, making it impossible to look away.

Jiang Ning felt his breath catch.

“In terms of mystery, I’m nothing compared to Senior Brother Li Zhenyu,” he replied with a forced laugh.

He finally managed to send Li Qiaochan away.

Er Huang, seizing the opportunity, slipped out, using his secret technique to traverse the void—Jiang Ning couldn’t even catch him.

“Damn…” Jiang Ning was speechless. Normally obedient, Er Huang lost all control when he saw a beautiful woman, undoubtedly following Li Qiaochan.

“Ten days have passed; as Master Yang said, he has never sought me out nor summoned me…”

Jiang Ning felt that something was off everywhere—perhaps he was being too suspicious.

…

Meanwhile, as Jiang Ning continued to ponder,

“Ten days have passed—Senior Sister Li Qiaochan really did lure that dog out…”

On the Fifth Peak of Idle Cloud Sect, Wang Shuo and several others were waiting.

“This formation should trap the dog…”

The famed, dashing Zhao Feng was also present. The group was setting up a scheme.

“That dog is extremely cunning and slippery, but this formation is large enough that it shouldn’t be able to escape…”

“Jiang Ning never intervenes, but this time, I’ll make him embarrass himself!” Wang Shuo’s expression grew sinister.

“Becoming a direct disciple? It’s just an empty title. If you expose your weak strength, your status will naturally change. Hiding away in your residence? Then I’ll force you to show yourself!”

All of them wore expectant smiles.