Chapter 216: Obtaining The Immortal Treasure, The World Is Me
“The third trial has also been passed.”
Ning Qi felt this thought arise in his heart, but he was not overly excited.
This Nine Life Reincarnations.
The latter eight lives were experienced from a bystander’s perspective, but the first life immersed him fully for a full twenty-five years, living through a segment of ‘illusory’ life.
At this moment, he had completely set aside the True Martial Hall’s assessment.
He was contemplating another issue.
“Why was I immersed in the first life, only awakening at the brink of death, while the latter eight lives were completely clear-headed? If that strand of light granting me Heaven-Defying Comprehension was always present, there absolutely wouldn’t be such a difference; likely there wouldn’t be a trace of self-doubt from start to finish.” Ning Qi was utterly certain of this point; he had great confidence in his own comprehension.
“This instead seems like, during the first life, that strand of light dimmed on its own, letting me experience and struggle out by myself? That’s why I was immersed for twenty-five years.”
Ning Qi had pondered more than once the origin of his Heaven-Defying Comprehension.
But evidently.
He couldn’t figure it out.
This was perhaps not a realm he could touch at present.
And now.
He seemed to have vaguely grasped a connection.
Reincarnation!
“This strand of light seems to greatly enjoy having me reincarnate. Previously, when awakening, it was only after reincarnating a hundred times that Heaven-Defying Comprehension fully awakened! And now, the True Martial Hall’s reincarnation is not a simple Illusionary Realm; to be precise, it’s almost no different from true reincarnation.”
After learning of the existence of the Spirit Realm and Immortal Realm.
Ning Qi felt that the source awakening his Heaven-Defying Comprehension might originate from the Immortal Realm!
He took a deep breath, finally ceasing to dwell on this issue.
Overthinking was pointless.
With his current strength insufficient, rather than troubling himself needlessly, it was better to focus energy on how to elevate his strength; when strength was sufficient, everything would naturally resolve itself.
At this moment.
Beams of light lit up from all directions, and the boundless darkness slowly receded.
Ning Qi then discovered he was in a tea room burning with wisps of clear fragrance.
An elder with a beard reaching the ground sat smiling across the chessboard.
“Young man, congratulations on successfully passing the True Martial Hall’s assessment. Might I know your name?”
“Ning Qi has seen Senior.” Ning Qi’s expression was respectful. Though the elder hadn’t said it, he could sense that this elder was likely the blurry figure from the first trial, and moreover bore some similarity in demeanor to the True Martial Ancestor in that earlier Spirit Realm War scene.
He sat opposite.
Seeming to know Ning Qi’s thoughts, the elder chuckled:
“Let me introduce myself. I am the remnant will left by the True Martial Immortal Sect’s Protector of the Way, the True Martial Ancestor, and also the Artifact Spirit of the True Martial Hall.”
Ning Qi was instantly enlightened.
“You needn’t worry about my existence. After meeting you, I will completely dissipate, after which you will fully master the True Martial Hall and become its master. The reason I appeared is merely to see what sort of heroic bearing the Heavenly Pride is who could pass so perfectly.”
He was evidently very satisfied with Ning Qi.
The evaluations for the first and third trials were both beyond Top Grade, the second slightly lesser but still Top Grade.
Even at the True Martial Immortal Sect’s peak, producing such a peerless Heavenly Pride was exceedingly rare; unexpectedly, now with the inheritance nearly severed, they had unearthed such a peerless Immortal Seedling. He was delighted at heart.
Ning Qi was slightly startled. The Artifact Spirit would dissipate?
“This is the uniqueness of Immortal Treasures; their Artifact Spirits are reborn from a strand of the master’s Spiritual Sense, ensuring complete control over the Immortal Treasure. With your performance, you naturally deserve full mastery of the True Martial Hall.”
“Are you willing to accept the True Martial Inheritance?” The elder said solemnly, gazing into Ning Qi’s eyes. “The inheritance contains all Supernatural Techniques from Houtian Realm to Dao Integration Realm. Unfortunately, nearly all treasures were used to repair the True Martial Hall’s damage. Aside from that is the True Martial Hall itself. Though damaged now, at its peak it was an Immortal Treasure, obtained by the Main Body from an Immortal Mansion ruin in the Sea of Realms. Even among Immortal Treasures, it counts as a powerful existence. If one day you can fully repair it, it can regain its glory.”
Ning Qi now understood.
The most precious aspects of the True Martial Inheritance were two things.
One was the methods, from Houtian Realm to Dao Integration Realm, all-encompassing; the other was the True Martial Hall itself—a damaged Immortal Treasure was still an Immortal Treasure, with myriad wondrous uses.
Ning Qi exhaled lightly and asked:
“May I ask Senior, are there any conditions?”
The elder sighed leisurely:
“If in the future you have the chance, find a Spirit Realm to reestablish the True Martial Immortal Sect, that will suffice. As for the rest, let it follow its course.”
Undoubtedly, this condition was simple.
The True Martial Immortal Sect merely hoped to renew its incense; as for revenge, they hadn’t even considered it.
That made sense.
Even the True Martial Realm at its peak was extinguished by the Mountain Sea Realm; let alone a True Martial Immortal Sect rebuilt who-knew-how-long later.
But Ning Qi furrowed his brows:
“Senior, to tell the truth, rebuilding the True Martial Immortal Sect isn’t difficult. The True Martial Sect from which this junior hails is the remnant legacy of the True Martial Immortal Sect. But finding a Spirit Realm is probably somewhat difficult.”
Thereupon.
Ning Qi slowly recounted the current crisis of the Martial World.
The elder was instantly stunned.
To conserve True Martial Hall energy, he had been in slumber, only knowing that back then the True Martial Hall’s energy was exhausted and it fell into a Small World, unaware that the outside world had reached such a state—by a twist of fate, encountering another Mountain Sea Realm invasion.
“Such is time and fate.” He sighed softly.
“Very well, perhaps this is the True Martial Immortal Sect’s destiny. Back then, the Ancestor chose not to devour World Origin to promote the True Martial Realm, but to explore another path; perhaps this outcome was destined from the start.”
The elder seemed somewhat dispirited.
“Being able to rebuild the True Martial Inheritance is already quite good.”
But Ning Qi was unwilling to give up just like this:
“Does Senior have no other methods?”
The elder shook his head:
“If the True Martial Hall were intact, there would naturally be ways—taking you to shuttle to other Spirit Realms. But now with the True Martial Hall damaged and your strength insufficient, the usable functions are far fewer. The only useful one might be to shield your Martial World, buying some breathing room.”
“But this method… cannot be used lightly.”
Ning Qi asked:
“Why?”
“The True Martial Hall is an Immortal Treasure. If exposed, it will inevitably draw countless covetous gazes. At that time, the enemies your Martial World faces will far exceed the current ones.”
Ning Qi was slightly taken aback.
“Aren’t the current enemies the Mountain Sea Realm?”
The True Martial Hall Artifact Spirit shook his head with a wry smile:
“How could that be? Your mere Small World isn’t worth the true Great Powers of the Mountain Sea Realm expending effort. Their targets are all similarly Spirit Realms. If I haven’t misjudged, devouring the Martial World is merely a mission for some sect of the Mountain Sea Realm. After they devour the Martial World, the Mountain Sea Realm Will will naturally reward them—that’s one reason for their fanaticism.”
“There are vast numbers of such sects; the strongest among them is perhaps merely a Nascent Soul True Monarch at most, a Void Dao Great Expert.”
“But if the True Martial Hall is exposed, even Dao Integration Realm Old Ancestors would swarm in.”
Ning Qi instantly grasped the key point.
The True Martial Hall couldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary. In other words, currently, in the eyes of the Mountain Sea Realm sects, the Martial World was merely a somewhat special Small World. But if the True Martial Hall matter were revealed, it would likely enter the sight of the Mountain Sea Realm’s true big shots.
Such realms were far beyond what Ning Qi could compare to now.
“I understand.” Ning Qi’s mood grew slightly heavy. He had originally thought this Immortal Treasure True Martial Hall might be of great use, but now it seemed it could only serve as a relief in desperate situations.
The Artifact Spirit elder pondered:
“It’s not entirely impossible. You mentioned earlier that your Martial World’s World Will has awakened, correct? Perhaps try the method the Ancestor once explored within the inheritance: Body Merging with the World, The World is Me.”
Ning Qi’s eyes sharpened.
Pride and regret appeared in the Artifact Spirit’s eyes:
“Back then, the Ancestor was kind-hearted and disdained harming countless lives to devour worlds and elevate the True Martial Realm’s limit. That old senior was a peerless genius, secluded in Closed-door Cultivation for several hundred thousand years, finally exploring this path—yet unexpectedly, just as success was near, the Mountain Sea Realm invaded.”
“Though this method isn’t fully perfected, it’s no problem for fusing with a Small World.”
“After fusion, you and the world become one, with the world as foundation—you’ll know how terrifying same-realm combat power can be. And even better, The World is Me, I am the World; thus, even if your strength surpasses the world’s limit, you won’t be rejected.”
The Artifact Spirit elder’s eyes grew brighter as he spoke, unable to refrain from slapping his thigh in admiration.
“With this, you’ll have the strength to resist the Mountain Sea Realm invasion. In the future, if you accumulate enough energy to activate the True Martial Hall’s shuttle function, there will be hope!”
“Though the method founded by the Ancestor has extremely high requirements, with your comprehension, it should be no problem.”
He laughed heartily, feeling a turn for the better.
Ning Qi listened, his eyes also brightening.
Just from the Artifact Spirit’s description, he felt this was a supreme method, and moreover sensed a grand ambition washing over him. The World is Me, I am the World—this True Martial Ancestor was truly a peerless genius. If not for the Immortal Realm’s loss, he would surely have ascended to the Immortal Realm to become a True Immortal.
“Thank you, Artifact Spirit Senior, for your guidance.” Ning Qi thanked respectfully.
Finally, there was a feasible plan—no longer like a headless fly.
The Artifact Spirit waved his hand:
“It’s a pity I won’t see the True Martial Immortal Sect rebuilt in your hands. I only hope your path ahead goes smoothly, breaking through the Mountain Sea Realm’s Blockade soon.”
Ning Qi couldn’t help saying:
“Must Senior do this?”
Sorrow appeared in the Artifact Spirit’s eyes:
“I should have gone long ago—on the day the Ancestor fell. But the True Martial Inheritance couldn’t be severed, so I clung to life these many years; it’s enough.”
He waved smilingly again:
“Moreover, my existence prevents you from fully controlling the True Martial Hall. Rest assured, you will have your own Artifact Spirit.”
With that.
He pointed out a finger, and a beam of profound light shot into Ning Qi’s mind, containing all sorts of information about the True Martial Hall.
Ning Qi fell somewhat silent. Though their time together was brief, he could sense the current Artifact Spirit’s gentle temperament and deep care for juniors.
Points of light gradually arose.
“No need to grieve for me; I am merely following the Ancestor.” The Artifact Spirit elder laughed, then with a bang, he turned into motes of light filling the sky.
Ning Qi murmured softly:
“Farewell, Artifact Spirit Senior.”
For the first time, he felt what inheritance truly meant, and he gained a different feeling toward this True Martial Immortal Sect he had never met.
Strictly speaking.
The True Martial Sect founded by Dragon Mountain Daoist was originally the True Martial Immortal Sect’s ember.
Ning Qi could also be considered a member of the True Martial Immortal Sect.
In the quiet room, clear fragrance wafted. He was silent for a moment, then collected his mood and began examining the information left by the Artifact Spirit.
First.
Was to condense a new Artifact Spirit. Only thus could he fully control the True Martial Hall, freely commanding its every blade of grass and tree, and activating its corresponding functions.
Ning Qi sat cross-legged.
He mobilized his Spiritual Sense, operating the Secret Technique to split off a strand; a slight sting came from his mind, but such a bit didn’t affect him.
Thereafter.
Ning Qi earnestly resonated with everything around him. Light points began arising around the quiet room, coalescing around that strand of his Spiritual Sense as core. Moments later, they formed a humanoid figure.
This was a Young Daoist, his features five or six parts similar to Ning Qi’s, though Ning Qi wore white robes while he wore black.
This was the new Artifact Spirit.
“I have seen Master.” The newborn Artifact Spirit’s eyes were full of attachment and reverence toward Ning Qi; his core was Ning Qi’s strand of Spiritual Sense.
Ning Qi was astonished.
Worthy of an Immortal Treasure; such means were truly profound.
“No need for formality. We fellow Daoists will address each other as such.” Ning Qi smiled. “My name is Ning Qi. If you don’t mind, how about calling you Ning Xuan henceforth?”
He could sense his absolute control over the Artifact Spirit, and also feel that though the Artifact Spirit was based on his Spiritual Sense and absolutely dependent on him, it possessed its own unique consciousness.
The previous Artifact Spirit elder had likely accompanied the True Martial Ancestor for countless years; though not master and servant, they were old friends, thus the Artifact Spirit unhesitatingly followed the True Martial Ancestor in martyrdom upon finding an inheritor.
With such a precedent, he naturally respected the Artifact Spirit’s existence.
It was good for both self and the other.
The Artifact Spirit was clearly very happy:
“I heed Fellow Daoist’s command.”
He was very satisfied with his name.
“Fellow Daoist Ning Xuan, tell me about the current state of the True Martial Hall?” Ning Qi’s expression turned serious.
The two sat properly.
Ning Xuan slowly said:
“The True Martial Hall is an Immortal Mansion-class Immortal Treasure, mainly possessing the following major functions.”
“First, it has the effect of containing a mustard seed in a Sumeru, with vast inner heaven and earth forming its own realm—enough to hold an entire Small World.”
“Second, it has the ability to shuttle the Sea of Realms, treating Realm Walls as nonexistent, and can even survive independently in the Sea of Realms.”
“Third, it can be sacrificed against enemies, size as desired: large as a world bearing down with heaven-shaking aura, small as invisible particles.”
“Fourth, it can block Perception. Combined with shrinking to micro-particle wondrous effect, it can easily evade even Dao Integration Realm Old Ancestor’s Perception, unless the opponent has special Secret Techniques.”
“Fifth, is the inner hall where we now are, which can control Time Flow Rate changes. Of course, the stronger the strength, the weaker the effect.”
……
