Chapter 228: Evolving The Ten Thousand Paths
All Black Demon Sect disciples had fiery passion in their eyes.
Expedition to a small world—this was quite a good opportunity, with little danger but decent returns.
The strongest in a small world was merely at the Mana Realm. Even in this somewhat famous World Number Jiazi 1673, the upper limit might be raised a bit more at best, but what use was that against this vast number of experts?
If luck was good and merit was established during the conquest of the world, it might even be possible to get a share of the Mountain Sea Realm Will baptism. At that time, soaring to the heavens was not impossible—after all, there were plenty of such examples in the past.
Therefore.
One by one, the Black Demon Sect disciples were filled with anticipation, and their gazes toward others were also full of competition.
Black Demon Sect had one hundred thousand inner disciples and five thousand true disciples, meaning only a little over half could go on this expedition to the small world. According to Black Demon Sect rules, naturally the stronger ones would go—the opportunities had to be seized by oneself.
Only a very few well-informed disciples knew that this World Number Jiazi 1673 was not simple.
They were excited but also vigilant in their hearts, planning to prepare well in this one month: cultivate a few more life-saving supernatural powers, buy a few handy magic treasures, to avoid capsizing in a gutter.
Black Demon True Lord saw the disciples’ morale like a rainbow and couldn’t help but reveal a trace of joy on his face.
Immediately after.
His faint smile gradually faded. He looked at Black Flame True Lord and said with a half-smile:
“I heard that Junior Brother Black Flame’s layout in World Number Jiazi 1673 failed?”
Black Flame True Lord was greatly shocked in his heart and hurriedly said in fear:
“Sect Leader Senior Brother, please see clearly. Junior Brother did not act recklessly; it was merely to prepare for our sect’s expedition.”
Black Demon True Lord waved his hand with a smile:
“Junior Brother need not be nervous. As your senior brother, I naturally believe you.”
However, there was some coldness in his smiling eyes.
The several Nascent Soul Realm True Monarchs around all lowered their heads in silence. Who didn’t know that Black Demon True Lord most tabooed anyone stirring up trouble behind his back? Previously, a Nascent Soul Realm elder had been directly obliterated of his nascent soul by him with Yuan Magnetic Demonic Light, perishing body and dao.
Cold sweat instantly dripped down Black Flame True Lord’s back.
He gritted his teeth and said solemnly:
“Sect Leader Senior Brother, for this expedition to World Number Jiazi 1673, Junior Brother is willing to have his nascent soul leave the body to lead the army in conquest!”
He seemed to have made a great determination.
The several Nascent Soul Realm True Monarchs were all stunned. The gains from a small world were not worth them taking such a risk. Nascent soul leaving the body—if something went wrong, it meant complete fall, with no chance of retrying.
No Nascent Soul Realm True Monarch would easily let their nascent soul leave the body.
They only thought Black Flame True Lord was yielding to the sect leader’s might.
Black Demon True Lord was taken aback, then laughed:
“Why must Junior Brother go so far?”
Black Flame True Lord, however, gave a solemn salute:
“Senior Brother need not persuade further. Junior Brother’s mind is set. This time, we must fully take World Number Jiazi 1673 and from then on thoroughly lay the foundation for our Black Demon Sect to become an upper sect!”
Everyone’s hearts surged with emotion.
Upper sect—only when the sect’s strongest stepped into the Void Dao Realm could it qualify as an upper sect. Sects of this level were outstanding even across the Northern Xuan Region of the Mountain Sea Realm, and even had hope of leaving the Northern Xuan Region to participate in that even grander Spirit Realm War!
At the thought of the Spirit Realm War, everyone’s breathing stagnated.
That was an unimaginable world war, vast beyond comprehension. The danger level was far beyond conquering small worlds, but the gains far exceeded them too. Too many great powers and magnates had risen in the Spirit Realm War.
However, the current Black Demon Sect was still not quite qualified to participate in such a war.
Black Demon True Lord suppressed the anticipation and fervor in his heart. He gazed deeply at Black Flame True Lord and nodded:
“Since Junior Brother’s mind is set, Senior Brother will not persuade further. For Junior Brother to willingly take this risk to expand territory for our Black Demon Sect, Senior Brother will not be stingy. If we take World Number Jiazi 1673 this time, Junior Brother shall take first merit!”
“Afterward, Senior Brother will definitely share a portion of the Mountain Sea Realm Will baptism with you.”
A suppressed joy seemed to appear at the corner of Black Flame True Lord’s mouth as he thanked:
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
But in his heart, it was calm as a still pond. Only he himself knew the reason for his nascent soul leaving the body. But to the outside world, it seemed Black Flame True Lord was taking a risky move just to get more Mountain Sea Realm Will rewards.
A Nascent Soul Realm elder secretly laughed in his heart:
“This Black Flame is truly stupid. He doesn’t even understand the principle of caution making one safe for ten thousand years. Even if he gets more rewards, so what? It won’t let him step into the Void Dao Realm. Why bother?”
They thought it very foolish.
But on their faces, they showed an expression of being moved by Black Flame True Lord’s loyalty.
A soft voice rang out:
“Sect Leader Senior Brother, Junior Sister also wishes to have her nascent soul leave the body to expedition to World Number Jiazi 1673 together with Junior Brother Black Flame. This way, there will absolutely be no mishaps!”
Purple Cloud True Lord’s charming eyes were full of respect.
But in her heart, she thought:
“Black Flame this guy absolutely wouldn’t be so stupid. He has always been ambitious. This time, personally sending his nascent soul into the small world is definitely not due to pressure from the sect leader. The only possibility is… he discovered something! Although his layout in World Number Jiazi 1673 failed, he might have obtained other information, which is why he’s willing to risk danger to go!”
She naturally would not miss such an opportunity.
The crowd of Nascent Soul Realm elders were all stunned looking at the two, not knowing what medicine was in their gourds.
Black Flame True Lord was furious in his heart.
He and Purple Cloud True Lord had known each other for ten thousand years and understood each other too well. Now with her one statement, he immediately knew she had guessed something, but on his face he remained composed and said:
“It’s merely a small world. I alone am sufficient. Junior Sister Purple Cloud can just wait in the sect for good news from Senior Brother.”
Purple Cloud True Lord smiled lightly:
“Senior Brother, those words are too distant. Little Sister also wants to contribute to the sect~~”
Black Demon True Lord gazed at the two, his eyes somewhat profound, not knowing what he was thinking. Moments later, he smiled:
“Very well. It’s rare for two Junior Brother and Junior Sister to want to share my burdens. Like this then: for this expedition, Junior Brother Black Flame as Grand Commander, Junior Sister Purple Cloud as Second Commander, lead the army together to conquer! As for the others, guard the sect to prevent some blind people from coming to make trouble!”
The Mountain Sea Realm was not all peaceful; competition within the world was also fierce, so Black Demon Sect could not send all its forces to conquer the small world.
If not careful, home could be stolen, and it would be over.
“Yes, Sect Leader Senior Brother!” Everyone responded in unison.
Black Demon True Lord’s majestic voice resounded through the heavens:
“One month from now, disciples who obtain expedition slots gather at Black Demon Cliff!”
The entire Black Demon Sect completely boiled over.
Conquering a small world—this was a major event rare in centuries, and they had encountered it.
Everyone rubbed their fists and palms, vowing to seize the opportunity and go all out!
…
At the same time.
Martial World.
All Saints all looked expectantly at Ning Qi. Great Yan Martial Saint couldn’t help but ask:
“May I ask Heavenly Sword Martial Saint, is there any other method to try?”
One by one, gazes were filled with hope.
Ning Qi said indifferently:
“With my body merging with the world, from then on I become the Lord of the Martial Realm, and can then maximally unleash the Martial World’s power. This way, we can resist the Mountain Sea Realm invasion.”
As the words fell.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Lord of the Martial Realm?
This idea was simply inconceivable. They had never thought of it before. Perhaps someone had, but upon sensing the Martial World Will’s vast and majestic power, an irresistible feeling arose in the heart, so how could there be thoughts of taking its place.
They stared blankly at Ning Qi, hearts pounding harder and harder.
But surprisingly, no one refuted.
If before hope was lost, someone proposed becoming Lord of the Martial Realm, lording over everyone, many Martial Saints would probably feel uncomfortable.
But now.
After experiencing Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint and others’ rebellion, the Martial World was almost at the end of the road. With Ning Qi proposing it now, the resistance in everyone’s hearts was almost gone, because this was doing everything possible to save the Martial World.
Not to mention, Ning Qi had just saved them.
This was one of the reasons Ning Qi proposed it publicly. Rather than quietly merging his body with the Martial World, better to openly inform, lest time be spent later integrating Martial World power.
Everyone now had only one question in their hearts.
Can it succeed?
Even White Mountain Old Daoist, who always believed in Ning Qi, couldn’t help but ask:
“Ning Qi, how confident are you?”
Ning Qi’s mouth curved slightly:
“Ninety-eight percent.”
Everyone boiled over.
Especially Dragon Mountain Daoist, who knew Ning Qi, couldn’t help but have his mouth lift. He knew that Ning Qi’s “ninety-eight percent” actually meant one hundred percent. It was just that this disciple of his had always disliked speaking fully.
All Saints grew excited. Mad Thunder Martial Saint laughed loudly:
“Since so, why doesn’t Heavenly Sword Martial Saint give it a try? We can protect the dharma for you!”
He had once clashed with Ning Qi but was ultimately convinced by Ning Qi’s powerful strength. This time, seeing Ning Qi turn the tide and slay three supreme experts, he admired and respected him even more from the bottom of his heart. In his view, having one more Lord of the Martial Realm made no difference—as long as it could change the Martial World’s destiny, what did it matter.
This was the view of the vast majority of Martial Saints now.
Perhaps a few felt sour, but the trend of the times could not be changed.
Great Yan Martial Saint took a deep breath and said:
“Please Heavenly Sword Martial Saint save the Martial World again!”
He bowed deeply.
All Saints bowed together and shouted:
“Please Heavenly Sword Martial Saint save the Martial World again!”
Ning Qi gazed at the crowd before him, a bit of emotion in his heart. A sense of responsibility surged up. In a sense, he and the All Saints before him were now a community of shared destiny—one prospered, all prospered; one damaged, all damaged.
“Rest assured. Not only will the Martial World not perish, it will become even more prosperous!”
An inexplicable heroic spirit surged in his heart. Then he turned to face the World Will separated by the thunder sky curtain.
“Everyone, wait a moment.”
As the words fell.
Ning Qi tore open the thunder sky curtain and faced the Martial World Will alone.
Everyone looked at that transcendent back, all gazes stunned. This scene was enough to engrave in their minds for life.
Ning Qi naturally did not need them to protect the dharma.
The thunder sky curtain closed again. The crowd could only watch that figure slowly and firmly step toward the Martial World Will.
The Martial World Will, which had been roaring for a long time, finally couldn’t hold back and unleashed its anger. Instinct made it fearful, fearful of the youth before it.
In an instant.
Countless anomalies manifested.
Heavenly fire descended, turning into blooming red lotuses enveloping Ning Qi. Also, spirit water turned into a sea, with surging waves containing terrifying power, wanting to tear Ning Qi apart. There were also fearsome gales, formless and intangible, merely carrying trajectories tearing the void as they rushed…
The Martial World Will could mobilize Martial World power, with myriad Heaven and Earth Origin at its fingertips, and their power all surpassing Martial Saint Realm limit.
All Saints were horrified, sweating in their hearts.
But Ning Qi remained calm.
He smiled.
For a long time, he had always fought enemies with Sword Dao, but the world did not know he was also proficient in Myriad Daos, with none he was not skilled in.
Ning Qi had hands behind his back, facing the myriad anomalies alone.
He waved casually, and boundless flames rose. That spirit fire was pure, burning the void. The heavenly fire red lotuses fell into this boundless fire sea and were gradually refined. Great Yan Martial Saint was full of shock in his eyes. He himself was a supreme expert proficient in the Way of Fire, but now seeing Ning Qi wield it casually, he actually felt inferior.
“This, this… Isn’t Heavenly Sword Martial Saint’s greatest strength Sword Dao? To think the Way of Fire has reached such a realm too!”
But even more astonishing was yet to come.
The Spirit Sea surged, but before Ning Qi also condensed a heaven-spanning water dragon. The true dragon swallowed the sea, suppressing bloom after bloom of waves.
Then gentle spring winds blew, and that incomparably fierce gale melted like spring snow, formless.
…
All Saints were all stunned.
Everything before their eyes was too astonishing.
No matter what power the Martial World Will used, Ning Qi countered with the same power, and even stronger. The Martial Saints shockingly discovered that it included many paths they were proficient in, far surpassing them.
Heavenly fire, spirit water, gale, thunder, sword light, saber light… all kinds of powers were included.
It was simply unbelievable.
“Solemnly grasping Myriad Daos, with each dao reaching perfection—this is truly achievable by human power?” Great Yan Martial Saint sighed sincerely. Looking at that youth, it was like looking at a deity.
The other Martial Saints were the same.
Even Old Black Tortoise, who had always had great confidence in Ning Qi, was the same now. He only now realized he had greatly underestimated Ning Qi. From the scant True Martial Inheritance he obtained, he knew that even the successive Dao Children of True Martial Immortal Sect could not reach this level.
Ning Qi strolled leisurely, testing his various powers.
This was what he had gained from long-term perception of Heaven and Earth, and also digested after obtaining the True Martial Inheritance.
He manifested Myriad Daos not to show off before the crowd.
But to increase compatibility with the Martial World Will in this way. This was also the first step of the Realm Lord Realm he had deduced.
At this moment.
It was clearly visible.
After Ning Qi manifested Myriad Daos, the Martial World Will seemed to glitch. Relying merely on its instinct, it seemed unable to understand why the living being before it could do exactly the same as itself, even stronger.
Especially, the aura of dao emanating from this living being was somewhat similar to its own.
Myriad Daos made way for Ning Qi.
Proceeding forward, Ning Qi arrived before the Martial World Will. Looking at that mass of inexplicable existence before him, fervor gradually rose in his eyes.
Finally, he had reached this step.
