Chapter 221: Heavenly Sword Martial Saint, A Peerless Prodigy
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint’s words fell.
The entire grand hall fell into complete silence, with one bright gaze after another landing on Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint, or rather, on those several Half-step Divine Ability Realm big shots. In a certain sense, these five could almost decide the future direction of the Martial World.
The Ancient Saints had long known the vast majority of the truth; they were merely awaiting what would come next.
But the New Saints were somewhat uneasy.
There were many things they still did not know.
Only some scattered pieces of information.
And now, they finally had the opportunity to touch upon the truth of the world.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint scanned the congregation, then slowly spoke:
“What you knew before is correct. Outside our Martial World, there is a great enemy called the Mountain Sea Realm!”
“…”
He spoke word by word, narrating steadily.
From the appearance of the Life Poison, to the Mountain Sea Realm’s invasion, and then to the World Will’s revival, as well as the All Saints’ plan spanning ten thousand generations.
These bombshell pieces of news came one after another, directly stunning the New Saints into dizziness. After learning that the enemy outside the world was so powerful, they could not help but feel despair, and an unprecedented sense of urgency rose from the depths of their hearts.
Even Blade Demon and the others felt their minds shaken; they involuntarily looked toward Ning Qi.
Upon seeing Ning Qi’s expression as calm as ever, their minds inexplicably steadied as well.
Ning Qi was also listening.
What Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint said was largely consistent with what Old Black Tortoise had said, but it included many heroic and tear-jerking stories from the Ancient Era, which moved him somewhat. Besides that, he was also observing the expressions of those around him, trying to spot some flaws, but unfortunately, aside from the New Saints’ dumbfounded stares, he found nothing else.
The hall was silent, filled only with the New Saints’ successive heavy breaths.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint gave everyone some time to calm their emotions and digest this information before continuing:
“I know you all feel great pressure now, but this is a battle for survival. We have no way out! If we do not fight, there is only death! At that time, billions of people of the Martial World will be destroyed along with it—there will be no other outcome!”
His voice was cold, making everyone realize the severity of the situation and the necessity of going all out in battle.
“However, we are not without opportunity. The Mountain Sea Realm is indeed powerful, but we have our own advantages.”
“World Will!”
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint stood up, his voice carrying a trace of fervor.
“In the Ancient Era, the World Will revived and helped us repel the Mountain Sea Realm’s invaders. Now, after ten thousand years, at the cost of concealing spiritual energy, we have brought the World Will back to its peak, or even beyond its former state!”
“All of us can receive the World Will’s blessing to advance further, and with the addition of World Power thereafter, we may not be unable to repel the enemy once more.”
His passionate speech made all the Martial Saints’ blood boil, as if they had returned to the glorious days of the Ancient Era.
Ning Qi’s mind stirred.
He knew.
This Martial Saint Assembly was definitely not just about gathering the Martial Saints so simply. If it were only to tell everyone the truth of the world, there was no need for such trouble.
Sure enough.
As Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint spoke to this point, the Ancient Saints all instinctively straightened their postures, including Black Blood Demon Lord, who had been languid until now.
Great Yan Martial Saint, who had not spoken until now, finally opened his mouth:
“What Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint says is correct. We summoned you here today not only to inform you of the truth of the world, but also to gather everyone’s power to awaken the World Will above the High Heavens. According to our calculations, five days from now is when the power of the Thunder Forbidden Zone above the High Heavens will be at its weakest.”
“The Mountain Sea Realm’s invasion is imminent, and the World Will has already recovered. If we awaken it ahead of time and obtain the blessing, we can elevate our strength.”
The congregation all nodded.
A laughing voice broke the atmosphere, as Black Blood Demon Lord drawled lazily:
“Why talk about useless things? We’re not here to play house. Just directly say how the power of the World Will’s blessing will be allocated after awakening it.”
Exactly.
The power of the World Will’s blessing naturally has limits; otherwise, with infinite blessings, there would be no need to worry about the Mountain Sea Realm’s invasion.
At these words.
All Saints’ gazes flickered.
Though they now faced a common great enemy, who did not want a larger share of the blessing power? That would increase their chances of survival in the upcoming great battle. Even in the face of great righteousness, everyone had their own selfish motives; truly selfless saints were exceedingly rare.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint’s hollow gaze glanced toward Black Blood Demon Lord before he said indifferently:
“Since ancient times, rewards have been allocated according to contribution. However, considering the special circumstances now, to maximize benefits, we shall allocate according to cultivation. This way, we can produce a few more experts in the Martial World. What do you all think?”
The congregation slowly nodded.
Most of the Ancient Saints had no objections; after all, in a certain sense, cultivation was equivalent to contribution—the higher the cultivation, the greater the past contributions. Only a few with high contributions but low cultivation looked somewhat displeased, but they were helpless.
This world was ultimately governed by the law of the jungle.
This was an eternal truth.
As for the New Saints, they had even less objection.
Whether by contribution or cultivation, they would not rank anyway; getting a share of blessing power to elevate their cultivation was already quite good.
Black Blood Demon Lord laughed loudly:
“Exactly as it should be!”
With that.
A supremely powerful aura erupted, making the congregation’s hearts palpitate. This was about to publicly showcase his power to convince everyone.
Then.
All Saints followed suit.
One after another, they erupted with their auras.
Fifth Realm, Fourth Realm—plenty of each. At this moment, no one held back in the slightest, for this concerned the upcoming allocation of blessings. Hiding now would only be thankless effort.
In this ocean of power.
The New Saints all trembled.
They were generally at First Realm cultivation, with only a very few who had stepped into Second Realm through special means. Anything higher was nonexistent. Now, with All Saints fully erupting their auras, they were like huskies mixed in among wolves.
Ning Qi’s brows raised; after thinking, he still revealed his Fifth Realm Martial Saint cultivation.
He had little interest in the so-called World Will blessing; after all, he would fuse with the World Will later. Becoming the World Lord afterward, this bit of cultivation elevation would mean nothing. He had come to this Martial Saint Assembly only to provide protection for the World Will, to avoid any accidents.
“He has actually stepped into the Fifth Realm?” White Mountain Old Daoist’s heart jumped, finding it somewhat inconceivable.
On the day of spiritual energy revival, breaking through four realms in a day via opportunity was one thing—that was a special circumstance. But now, breaking through yet another realm in such a short time, matching his own level—it was simply outrageous!
“This guy is a real prodigy!”
White Mountain Old Daoist smiled bitterly in his heart.
Because he knew Ning Qi’s Fifth Realm was probably not the same as his own Fifth Realm; likely, he could be suppressed and killed with a wave of the hand. A terrifying thought involuntarily arose in his mind: could it be that even Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint and the others were not Ning Qi’s opponents?
All Saints were sizing each other up.
Upon perceiving that Ning Qi was actually at the Fifth Realm, some who did not understand the situation were stunned. After all, the world had always rumored that Ning Qi was on par with Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint, so they naturally thought he was also a Half-step Divine Ability Realm-level expert.
But now it seemed perhaps Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint had held back back then?
Black Blood Demon Lord stared at Ning Qi, then grinned, his smile carrying an inexplicable meaning.
All Saints’ auras finished erupting.
Great Yan Martial Saint spoke:
“Everyone bear witness together. After awakening the World Will, we shall receive energy baptism in order of current cultivation: Half-step Divine Ability Realm at the core land, Five Elements Perfection at the secondary core land, Fifth Realm Martial Saints next.”
His words were reasonable, and the congregation slowly nodded.
But then Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint suddenly said:
“I think there is one point that is not right.”
The congregation was slightly stunned.
He continued:
“Heavenly Sword Martial Saint’s cultivation cannot be measured by ordinary standards. I once exchanged a move with him, and he has combat power at the Half-step Divine Ability Realm level. If he receives the blessing at the core land and advances further, it will be more beneficial to the Martial World.”
In an instant.
One gaze after another fell on Ning Qi.
This was the first time Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint had publicly acknowledged Ning Qi’s strength; the significance was completely different.
Those Fifth Realm Martial Saints and several Five Elements Perfection Martial Saints felt somewhat indignant. After all, they had just agreed to allocate blessings by cultivation, and now a backdoor was being opened for him—it did not seem fair. But immediately, they suppressed their indignation; on this matter, they had no say.
In fact, it was indeed so.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint’s words were not directed at them, but at the other four Half-step Divine Ability Realm supreme experts.
As long as they agreed, even if everyone else opposed, it would be useless.
Old Black Tortoise had not spoken until now.
He had originally planned to speak up for Ning Qi, but now that Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint had proposed it first, he naturally would not refuse. He chuckled:
“Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint speaks reasonably. Heavenly Sword Martial Saint has unparalleled talent and matchless combat power. If he had been born a bit earlier, I’m afraid even we old fellows would not be his opponents. If he can use the World Will’s blessing to step into the Divine Ability Realm in one go, he will surely play a huge role in repelling the Mountain Sea Realm’s invasion!”
Among the five supreme experts, two had already agreed.
The congregation’s gazes all shook.
But immediately, a sarcastic voice rang out:
“Tsk, changing orders from morning to evening is not a good thing. We just said blessings would be received according to cultivation, and now changing it for one person—there is no such rule. I oppose.”
The congregation looked over.
They saw Black Blood Demon Lord leisurely holding his arms, posture relaxed, while Wang Quan and Demonic Sect Leader behind him flashed a hint of glee in their eyes, showing even greater respect toward Black Blood Demon Lord.
“Divine Nun, what do you think?” Black Blood Demon Lord asked with a grinning smile.
South Sea Divine Nun’s gaze shifted slightly. She first looked at Ning Qi apologetically, then said seriously:
“The World Will’s power is not infinite. We previously deduced that the core land’s blessing can allow our five to step into the Divine Ability Realm. If one more person is added, who knows if it will cause issues.”
“Heavenly Sword Fellow Daoist has world-shaking talent. If he receives the blessing at the secondary core land, he can very likely step into Half-step Divine Ability Realm, and at that time, should have strength approaching the Divine Ability Realm. This way, it benefits both sides.”
These words were also an indirect opposition.
The congregation’s expressions became peculiar.
Among the five supreme experts, two in favor, two opposed.
Only the last one remained.
Great Yan Martial Saint.
Great Yan Martial Saint looked at the others, then at Ning Qi, and finally said indifferently:
“You all decide.”
He had actually abstained.
At this, Dragon Mountain Daoist, Blade Demon, and the others, who had been full of anticipation, were immediately extremely disappointed. They hoped Ning Qi could obtain greater benefits, which would be good for both the Martial World and Ning Qi.
But Ning Qi remained calm throughout, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
He was merely sighing inwardly that infighting seemed to be human nature. Even at such a critical moment, they could not truly unite as one.
However.
He truly did not care about this blessing power.
But now the scene was somewhat awkward: among the five supreme experts, two in favor, two opposed, one abstaining—unable to decide either way.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint’s hollow gaze swept toward South Sea Divine Nun and Black Blood Demon Lord, containing some pressure.
The former smiled apologetically, but the White Jade Bottle in her hand continued to glow faintly, clearly unaffected.
The latter snorted coldly:
“Heaven-Slaying, spare me that. Since it’s a deadlock now, why not drop it to avoid wasting time? The Mountain Sea Realm’s invasion is imminent; not a moment can be wasted.”
“Moreover, you say this person has strength equal to ours? Who knows if there is some hidden agenda?”
Black qi steamed from his body, his gaze wild and arrogant.
In the Ancient Era, he had always acted without scruples, and now even more so. Anyway, with the Mountain Sea Realm as a great enemy, others dared not say anything.
Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint’s gaze sharpened, his hollow eyes nearly bursting with divine light.
These words were tantamount to questioning his impartiality as Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint, undoubtedly challenging his authority.
This was subtly mocking some transaction between him and Ning Qi.
But before he could speak.
A faint voice rang out first:
“Are you saying you think I do not have Half-step Divine Ability Realm strength?”
Within the grand hall.
The young Daoist stood up for the first time, his white Daoist robe fluttering slightly, exuding a transcendent demeanor. The Martial Saints’ hearts shook fiercely, especially Mad Thunder Martial Saint and the others, who seemed to recall Ning Qi’s invincible posture that day.
Ning Qi was somewhat annoyed now.
Indeed, he did not care about this so-called World Will blessing, but he could forgo it—others could not rob it.
This Black Blood Demon Lord had been pushing his luck; if he did not speak up now, others might think he was afraid.
Moreover.
He felt the current situation was somewhat strange; perhaps entering the fray personally could draw out some clues. He had not forgotten the other purpose of his visit.
Ning Qi’s gaze locked over, like divine swords piercing through the void. The Martial Saints all felt a supremely powerful Sword Intent rising.
Black Blood Demon Lord was first stunned, then burst into wild laughter:
“You want to fight me?”
Ning Qi said nothing, hands behind his back as he stepped out, standing in the void above Heavenly Peak Mountain. His gaze pierced the void, landing on Black Blood Demon Lord, his indifferent voice resounding over Heavenly Peak Mountain:
“Come up yourself.”
