Emerging from Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's dojo, Chen Mingyue felt as though she were dreaming.
How could the Sword King have been defeated?
Didn't Grandfather say that Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's sword was probably invincible in this world?
And yet, this was the outcome?
An invincible sword lost to a move called "Splitting the Mountain"?
Chen Mingyue's head was buzzing; the events of today were simply too incredible.
"Ning Beichen, you... you really defeated the Sword King?"
Chen Mingyue, recovering her senses, asked him with disbelief.
"Liu Sheng Yuanzhong is not as formidable as you imagine. Most martial artists in this world cannot escape the decline that comes with old age and depleted qi and blood, and Liu Sheng Yuanzhong is no exception."
"You can think of it this way: Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's strength lies in his reputation, not his current power."
Ning Beichen explained to her.
In truth, Ning Beichen wasn't entirely deceiving Chen Mingyue. Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's body was indeed deficient in qi and blood, his strength had declined, and he was not as powerful as people assumed.
However, this was relative to Ning Beichen, a Grandmaster.
One must remember that Ning Beichen was not merely a Grandmaster; his age was also a factor that was often overlooked.
Becoming a Grandmaster in this world was difficult, let alone a Great Grandmaster.
And for most martial artists in this world, even if they managed to become a Grandmaster in their lifetime, they would be in their seventies or eighties. At that age, their bodies would have long been depleted of qi and blood, their physiological functions reduced. Even with the cultivation of a Grandmaster, their actual power would not be as formidable as outsiders perceived.
The reason outsiders thought Grandmasters were formidable was merely due to their accumulated experience and aura.
As long as these aging Grandmasters did not break through to the state of unity between man and heaven, their lifespans, whether Grandmasters or Great Grandmasters, were no different from ordinary people. They would inevitably face the same fate of cremation.
However, these were things Chen Mingyue found difficult to comprehend at the moment, so Ning Beichen did not delve into further explanations regarding these matters with her.
"So that's how it is."
Chen Mingyue looked somewhat enlightened but still confused. Soon, however, she thought: if what Ning Beichen said was true, then perhaps her grandfather wasn't as powerful as she imagined?
"It's quite normal. In recent years, how many times have you seen your grandfather fight anyone?"
"At their age, every move they make expends a significant amount of qi and blood, which cannot be replenished simply by taking tonics. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, they rarely engage in combat."
Ning Beichen told her.
Hearing it now, it made sense.
After Ning Beichen's explanation, Chen Mingyue finally understood.
No wonder Grandfather rarely fought, even when enemies attacked their home. He wouldn't make a move unless the family's survival was at stake.
Before, she had only thought it was because Grandfather didn't want to bully the younger generation. Now, it seemed that wasn't the case.
"Alright, knowing these things is of no use to you. When you reach the Grandmaster realm yourself, you will have a profound understanding of it."
Ning Beichen said to her.
"Grandmaster?"
Hearing the word "Grandmaster" made Chen Mingyue feel disheartened. It was truly a case of comparing oneself to others leading to despair. She and Ning Beichen were roughly the same age, both considered young, yet why was Ning Beichen's cultivation so high?
"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to step into the Grandmaster realm in this lifetime."
Chen Mingyue murmured.
"Miss Chen, do not belittle yourself. Among the younger generation I have met, your cultivation is considered quite strong. Reaching the Grandmaster realm is only a matter of time."
Ning Beichen told her.
"Then I will accept your kind words."
Chen Mingyue gave a wry smile.
Which martial artist in this world did not aspire to become a Grandmaster? Yet, how many actually achieved it?
"By the way, Miss Chen, your grandfather has helped me immensely this time, even having you accompany me to Sakura Island to retrieve the Nine Palaces Strategy. It's unlikely he only wanted you to witness the Sword King's prowess. Does your grandfather have another matter he needs my assistance with?"
Ning Beichen asked her.
"As expected, nothing can be hidden from Mr. Ning."
Chen Mingyue lowered her head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
The former prideful prodigy had long since shed her arrogance in Ning Beichen's presence.
"Tell me, what is it? You have helped me so much. As long as it's within my capabilities, please don't hesitate to ask."
Ning Beichen said with utmost sincerity.
Without the Chen family, he had no idea when he would have found the last volume of the Nine Palaces Strategy. Therefore, Ning Beichen was truly grateful to Chen Mingyue and the Chen family.
"Mr. Ning, have you ever heard of the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill?"
Chen Mingyue asked Ning Beichen in a low voice.
"Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill!"
Ning Beichen was surprised for a moment, then replied.
"I've heard of it, but I've never seen it. It is said that the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill can help a martial artist break through to the Grandmaster realm, but it has long since disappeared from this world."
Chen Mingyue nodded and continued to tell Ning Beichen.
"My grandfather and the others found the ruins of an ancient sect, and within it, they discovered the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill. However, it is very dangerous, filled with numerous traps and unknown elements."
"Moreover, martial artists from Sakura Country are lurking in the shadows, coveting it. Therefore, taking the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill out is almost impossible. My grandfather plans for me to enter with them. If the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill is found inside, I am to take it directly to advance to the Grandmaster realm."
"Of course, my grandfather will not mistreat you. If only one Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill is found, my grandfather is willing to compensate you with other items. If two or more are found, then one of them will be your reward."
Chen Mingyue told Ning Beichen.
"With your grandfather's strength, surely he is not afraid of these Sakura Country individuals causing trouble? And with your grandfather escorting you, my presence might be redundant?"
Ning Beichen had no objections to the distribution plan. He simply found it unreasonable that if such a place existed, why would they share half of it with him?
"Mr. Ning, do you recall what my grandfather mentioned about the Grandmaster Alliance?"
Chen Mingyue, clearly having a plan, countered Ning Beichen's question.
"I heard your grandfather mention it once, but I am not familiar with the Grandmaster Alliance."
Ning Beichen replied.
"This ancient sect's ruins were discovered by the Grandmaster Alliance, and my grandfather is a member of the Grandmaster Alliance."
Chen Mingyue explained.
"Since the Grandmaster Alliance discovered it, why didn't they claim it for themselves?"
Ning Beichen found it rather strange.
"It's like this: my grandfather and the others have already explored it once and brought out some items. However, it is incredibly vast, and they did not explore it thoroughly. Furthermore, everyone desires good things. Within the Grandmaster Alliance, no one is willing to concede to another, especially regarding the Breakthrough Grandmaster Pill; everyone wants it, and no one is willing to yield."
"Later, the Grandmaster Alliance quarreled for a long time. Additionally, this place is in Sakura Country, and somehow the martial artists of Sakura Country became aware of it, which further complicated the situation."
"They have fought, they have argued, and several Grandmasters have even died. Afterward, through collective deliberation, they devised a temporary compromise: none of them would enter this time, leaving the opportunity for the younger generation."
Chen Mingyue quietly explained to Ning Beichen in detail.