Chapter 240: Changes In The True Martial Realm, Eight Great Immortal Sects
Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, twenty years passed.
True Martial Realm, south of Central Continent.
Three streaks of escaping light flew across the sky above a great river blocking the way. Three rogue cultivators at the peak of Houtian Realm headed toward True Profound Mountain. This realm was not much different from the Core Elixir Realm back then. Relying on the limits of human potential and some profound spells, they could briefly fly through the air. Long-distance travel was difficult, but it was excellent for crossing some geographical barriers and natural dangers.
The three chatted easily, with a certain expectation.
“This time, True Profound Sect is taking advantage of True Person Bai Shan stepping into Purple Mansion Realm to transform into an Immortal Sect. For us, this is an opportunity we cannot miss. If we can join True Profound Sect, our brothers’ Immortal Paths will be promising!” A middle-aged young cultivator clenched his fist.
The True Martial Realm today was already vastly different from the past.
Only great cultivators of Purple Mansion Realm were qualified to be called True Persons, and only True Persons were qualified to establish Immortal Sects.
Another slightly older cultivator nodded in agreement:
“Second Brother is right. Although resources in True Martial Realm are now abundant, if we want to step into higher realms of the Immortal Path, we still need to join an Immortal Sect. That way, Immortal Way Profound Techniques and many spells can be found, without having to painstakingly search in those Immortal Path markets.”
“Twenty years ago, the World Lord showed mercy to all beings and passed down the Nourishing Essence Immortal Technique, which is an excellent method for Foundation Establishment. But for people like us who are not prodigies in talent, advancing further with it is extremely difficult. We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity. Among us three brothers, Little Brother has the best talent. Even if the two of us cannot join, Little Brother should have no problem.”
The youngest cultivator shook his head firmly:
“If True Profound Sect does not accept my two brothers, then I will not join either!”
The two elder brothers lightly scolded him not to be arrogant.
The young cultivator immediately said indignantly:
“Big Brother, Second Brother, True Person Bai Shan is naturally a heaven-piercing great figure. Little Brother would never dare to be disrespectful. But in these twenty years, True Martial Realm has more than just True Profound Sect as an Immortal Sect. If I remember correctly, there are now eight True Persons who have established Immortal Sects.”
“In the year after the World Lord passed down the Immortal Path, True Person Black Tortoise, True Person Flame Martial, and True Person Heavenly Mountain simultaneously established Immortal Sects: Myriad Monster Sect, Li Clan Immortal Family, and Heavenly Mountain Sect. These are the three Immortal Sects with the deepest foundations.”
“Myriad Monster Sect only accepts demons; it’s hard for the Human Race to enter. Li Clan Immortal Family relies on the most prosperous Great Yan Dynasty. Although the main lineage consists of Li Clan disciples, outsiders who perform outstandingly can also receive cultivation. Heavenly Mountain Sect is even better. True Person Heavenly Mountain is the youngest with extremely high potential, and may even have hopes of glimpsing Nascent Soul True Monarch Realm in the future. Joining it would mean having a tremendous backer later!”
“Not to mention that in the twenty years after, four more True Persons—Qinglian, Leihe, Wuxiang, and Pingyang—stepped into Purple Mansion Realm and established four more Immortal Sects. These seven great Immortal Sects should have deeper foundations than the newly established True Profound Sect.”
The young cultivator refuted with reason and evidence.
Second Brother wanted to scold him.
Big Brother shook his head with a wry smile. He glared at his little brother unamusedly and said:
“Ignorant little brother, the seven great Immortal Sects you mentioned are naturally strong, but we have already missed the time when they widely opened their mountain gates to accept disciples. Tell me, why would these Immortal Sects accept you?”
“True Profound Sect is newly established and is eagerly seeking talents. We still have some hope. If we go to other Immortal Sects, even you, little brother, may not be guaranteed entry.”
“Moreover… who told you True Profound Sect has the shallowest foundation?”
Seeing Big Brother’s mysterious expression, the young cultivator’s eyes lit up. He hurriedly asked:
“Could it be Big Brother knows some secret?”
Even Second Brother looked over.
Big Brother glanced around and hurriedly lowered his voice:
“It’s said… True Person Bai Shan has an extremely good private relationship with the World Lord. There are rumors that before the World Lord awakened and ascended the peak, he received considerable favor from True Person Bai Shan. Among the eight True Persons, probably only True Person Black Tortoise has a relationship with the World Lord that can compare.”
“With this connection, do you still think True Profound Sect’s foundation is shallow?”
“With this relationship, if we can join True Profound Sect, that would be the greatest opportunity!”
Seeing his two younger brothers dumbfounded, Big Brother’s vanity was greatly satisfied. This was something he had occasionally heard from a senior who participated in the World War and had never revealed before.
He was also amazed in his heart.
The World Lord—what a supreme and majestic existence.
Pacifying the realm’s chaos, removing Life Poison, passing down the Immortal Path, establishing realm rules… one achievement after another, all supreme merits. In today’s True Martial Realm, who does not revere the World Lord? Even the most arrogant and domineering cultivator, upon hearing the World Lord’s name, must lower their head and bow, not daring to act rashly.
If anyone could have even the slightest connection to the World Lord, it would be supreme honor.
Like True Person Bai Shan—almost unparalleled.
The little brother, who had been somewhat indignant, now had unprecedented longing in his eyes and a strong desire to join True Profound Sect.
Full of reverence, he sighed softly:
“It’s said that twenty years ago, the World Lord established the first Immortal Sect in True Martial Realm atop the Nine Heavens—True Martial Immortal Sect!”
Earlier, he listed all the Immortal Sects in the world but did not include True Martial Immortal Sect, not because he forgot, but because True Martial Immortal Sect was an existence of transcendent status.
Twenty years ago, the World Lord established the rule that cultivators must not slaughter mortals, but some still violated it.
In severe cases, Thunder Punishment struck them.
In lighter cases, True Martial Immortal Sect disciples acted on behalf of heaven to punish.
The disciples within were all profoundly cultivated and powerful in methods, with even Purple Mansion Realm True Persons appearing among them.
Therefore, True Martial Realm had long separated True Martial Immortal Sect from the others, not including it in the rankings of the remaining Immortal Sects. In a sense, this was the embodiment of the World Lord’s will in the human world, high above the clouds.
True Martial Immortal Sect was indeed like that, never interfering in worldly affairs. If its disciples appeared, they enforced the law impartially, without selfish desires.
“It’s a pity… True Martial Immortal Sect accepts disciples without fixed patterns. When opportunity comes, even beggars or beasts can enter.” The three all sighed.
If the Eight Great Immortal Sects still offered a chance to touch.
Then True Martial Immortal Sect was a completely illusory and ethereal existence.
Big Brother patted their shoulders and laughed:
“No need to worry. Better seize the opportunity at hand.”
The three hands clasped together, full of enthusiasm and hope for the future.
This scene was merely a small microcosm of True Martial Realm.
Since Ning Qi passed down the Immortal Path twenty years ago, the entire True Martial Realm had undergone earth-shaking metamorphosis.
Population exploded, cultivators exploded. The five half-step Purple Mansion Realm experts from back then had all stepped into Purple Mansion Realm, with True Person Bai Shan being the last. Now, Heavenly Human Realm and Martial Saint and such realms had become history. The number of Mana Realm, equivalent to Martial Saint, was surging, multiplied dozens of times.
True Martial Realm had expanded several times, with vast areas waiting to be developed. Resources were abundant, conflicts few. People divided True Martial Realm into Nine Provinces, with Central Continent being one. Now, atop the Nine Provinces, dynasties abounded, the Eight Great Immortal Sects stood, and the foundation of the Immortal Path was initially established.
It could be foreseen.
As time passed, more and more powerful cultivators would appear, and True Martial Realm would become increasingly prosperous.
Perhaps one day, when existing resources were fully developed, intense internal strife would come, but that was still far off, and True Martial Realm was continuously expanding.
…
True Profound Mountain.
Today was True Person Bai Shan’s True Person Ceremony, also the day True Profound Sect became an Immortal Sect. Double celebrations brought tens of thousands of cultivators from afar, wanting to join the Immortal Sect on this occasion. Many powerful cultivators gathered to offer gifts and observe the ceremony, even several friendly True Persons arrived.
In addition, only a very few knew that True Martial Immortal Sect’s True Person Dragon Mountain had also come.
True Person Bai Shan laughed heartily as he greeted and saw off guests.
But he was somewhat absent-minded.
A few who knew the inside story shook their heads in their hearts:
“It’s said that twenty years ago, after the World Lord passed down the Immortal Path, he began Closed-door Cultivation. It seems he still hasn’t emerged.”
Soon, the ceremony ended.
True Person Bai Shan returned alone to his quiet chamber, muttering:
“This Ning kid, he didn’t even come to my True Person Ceremony. When I see him next, I must wring some good stuff out of him!”
His expression was fierce. As he turned, he froze. On the Dao cushion above, a white-robed figure was looking at him unamusedly, with a half-smile:
“You sloppy old Daoist, so this is how you badmouth me behind my back?”
Ning Qi now looked a few years older, in his youth, but still as handsome and otherworldly as ever, with transcendent demeanor. Even though White Mountain Old Daoist had stepped into Purple Mansion Realm, he still felt like seeing the bright moon in the sky. He immediately smiled fawningly:
“So the World Lord has graced us with his presence. This old Daoist failed to welcome you from afar. My respects, my respects.”
The old Daoist leaned sideways on the opposite Dao cushion, in extremely good spirits.
Ning Qi shook his head with a smile:
“Spare me the formalities.”
He felt somewhat emotional.
After twenty years of Closed-door Cultivation, he had emerged this time originally to see True Person Dragon Mountain, but learned that White Mountain Old Daoist had stepped into Purple Mansion Realm. With a thought, he came to congratulate. After all, looking across the world, few people could catch Ning Qi’s attention. Besides those close ones in True Martial Immortal Sect, White Mountain Old Daoist was one.
“I prepared a small gift for you. Cultivate well, so you don’t die before me in the future.” Ning Qi laughed.
White Mountain Old Daoist rolled his eyes.
Purple Mansion Realm True Persons had lifespans of ten thousand years, already extremely long, but who could outlive Ning Qi, this World Lord?
He casually set the gift aside. No need to look; it was surely extremely precious. But what he cared most about was not that, but that Ning Qi’s attitude had never changed, which put him in a great mood.
The lord of a realm—how exalted.
Fortunately, everything remained as before.
The two laughed heartily, chatting about the changes in True Martial Realm over these twenty years. Mostly White Mountain Old Daoist spoke, Ning Qi listened, occasionally teasing. Just like back then.
Ning Qi was in a good mood too.
He sought the path of Longevity and Immortality, but did not want to cultivate a lofty isolation in the future.
Following his heart, chatting leisurely with close friends in spare time was also a joy.
“This old Daoist strives to one day step into Nascent Soul Realm, living two more ten thousand years. As for higher, probably not.” True Person Bai Shan knew his own abilities. Even Nascent Soul Realm would require giving his all and seizing opportunities.
Ning Qi just smiled:
“That may not be the case.”
These twenty years of Closed-door Cultivation were not without gains.
He not only successfully perfected the Second Realm, Rule Realm, but also thoroughly sorted out the most crucial link in his future path.
He intended to gather the Power of All Beings to break open his path forward.
Long ago, before contacting the Immortal Path, Ning Qi had already tried it. True Martial Sword Stele and Myriad Dao Tower were experiments, with quite good results, but both were just superficial attempts.
Now, Ning Qi wanted to truly pioneer a path, combining the Power of All Beings with the World Lord Dao.
This way, he could leverage his comprehension advantage and let all beings’ achievements feedback into the world.
True Person Bai Shan’s eyes lit up:
“You kid are going to come up with something astonishing again?”
Ning Qi laughed heartily. His figure vanished from the spot, leaving only his voice echoing:
“You’ll know when the time comes.”
True Person Bai Shan itched with anticipation, dying to know immediately. He angrily glared in the direction Ning Qi disappeared, saying fiercely:
“You Ning kid, so you’re here teasing my appetite!”
He jumped in frustration. That unsettled feeling was truly uncomfortable.
After a while.
He couldn’t help but smile, gradually rising expectation in his heart.
When Ning Qi acted, there were never small moves. This time, after twenty years of Closed-door Cultivation before appearing, it had been a long time. Surely another great achievement.
“From what Ning kid said, it seems it will benefit all beings in True Martial Realm. Does that mean I might also ascend to realms I originally couldn’t?”
His eyes brightened.
Who would willingly give up glimpsing the ultimate realm of the Immortal Path? He just had self-knowledge.
Excited, he rubbed his hands and paced back and forth.
…
True Martial Immortal Sect.
Three hundred sixty-five Immortal Mountains drew in the stars of the entire week, floating in the void, almost forming their own world. Spiritual Energy inside was abundant, over ten times that of the outside. Ordinary-talented cultivators practicing here would outperform geniuses bitterly cultivating outside.
This was the Immortal Path: talent mattered, but resources mattered more.
Thus, Immortality Path Values Competition had become consensus in the Spirit Realm.
In twenty years, many True Martial Immortal Sect disciples grew rapidly. Mana Realm was already extremely common, and some Purple Mansion Realm even appeared, more numerous than imagined outside. But reaching Purple Mansion Realm in just twenty years was extremely difficult. The reason was True Martial Hall.
Before Closed-door Cultivation, Ning Qi granted access to True Martial Hall Inner Hall to many close ones. Meritorious True Martial Disciples could also enter to cultivate.
Thus, stepping into Purple Mansion Realm in twenty years was possible.
Because in reality, they hadn’t cultivated twenty years, but fully two hundred years.
With two hundred years, many powerful profound techniques, inexhaustible resources, and various secret realm evolutions of supernatural powers left by Ning Qi, it would be strange not to achieve something. Thus, True Martial Immortal Sect gained its transcendent status.
Today.
Was True Martial Immortal Sect’s grandest event.
True Martial Peach Gathering.
The former True Martial Peach Gathering was a private gathering of Ning Qi and his senior brothers to reminisce on sect fellowship. But after Ning Qi’s Closed-door Cultivation, it hadn’t been held for many years. Later, at Luo Wentian’s proposal, it was made into True Martial Immortal Sect’s triennial grand event to motivate junior disciples.
It also became a fine tale.
Now, besides the main peak True Martial Peak, Purple Mansion Realm True Persons had established branches on other peaks, competing to produce heavenly prides.
In these twenty years, many disciples were accepted, mostly those recruited by sect disciples traveling the world, but always remembering the rules set by Ning Qi.
That was temperament first, talent second.
Every disciple upon entry had to undergo Heart Questioning Platform and Ascension Stairs tests. Those with evil thoughts in their hearts could not enter.
Now, Heart Questioning Platform and Ascension Stairs had thoroughly metamorphosed, far superior in effect. Even Nascent Soul Realm entering would feel some effect; new disciples naturally had nowhere to hide.
Luo Wentian, in peace, thought of danger, worrying True Martial Immortal Sect’s transcendent status would breed arrogance in disciples. Thus, he made Heart Questioning Platform and Ascension Stairs annual mandatory assessments for sect disciples. If a disciple’s temperament changed, they were advised and corrected. Those unamendable after repeated teachings had their cultivation abolished and were expelled from the sect.
Today’s True Martial Immortal Sect was extremely lively.
Originally, many disciples under True Person Dragon Mountain had all achieved Purple Mansion Realm True Person positions, managing various peaks.
Disciples under them also produced many heavenly pride generations.
True Martial Peach Gathering had many rewards, including chances to enter True Martial Hall Inner Hall for cultivation. Whether to enter the sect high-level’s sight or for precious cultivation resources, many disciples went all out.
In front of Bright Heart Palace on True Martial Peak, disciples displayed various skills, drawing waves of exclamations.
Many sect elders sat on the high platform, smiling as they commented.
A chubby youth gnawed on a chicken leg, drank fine wine, and nodded approvingly:
“Not bad, not bad, much stronger than those useless guys from my Divine Sword Peak.”
This speaker was Zhuang Chen, now the renowned True Person Divine Sword. Due to his love of food, he was plump, thus called ‘Fat True Person’ by many senior brothers. Zhuang Chen didn’t mind, thinking it suited him better. If not for commemorating First Master, he’d prefer Fat True Person.
He sighed again:
“But it always feels like something’s missing. Back when Ninth Senior Brother was around, True Martial Peach Gathering was truly enjoyable. Sigh, who knows when Ninth Senior Brother will emerge. Now that Ninth Senior Brother is World Lord, I’m afraid there won’t be time for True Martial Peach Gathering in the future.”
His words were full of regret.
Ye Qinghe giggled:
“Little fatty, wings grown hard? Badmouthing your Ninth Senior Brother like this, not afraid he’ll settle accounts?”
Zhuang Chen shrank his neck:
“Heh heh, heh heh, just casual talk. Ninth Senior Brother is magnanimous, won’t stoop to my level.”
All senior brothers smiled. They knew Zhuang Chen revered Ning Qi most. These words were just jokes. Everyone missed Ning Qi greatly. After all, before becoming World Lord, Ning Qi was just a teenager. This time, Closed-door Cultivation for twenty years.
“Ninth Senior Brother’s Seeker’s Courtyard hasn’t been visited in ages. Wonder how the Enlightenment Tea Tree is now. Really craving it!”
Zhuang Chen bobbed his head, speaking animatedly, but saw surrounding senior brothers not responding as usual. Their gazes were somewhat strange—excited, thrilled, gloating, all complex emotions showing.
He subconsciously turned his head to see a familiar figure standing behind, smiling warmly at him.
Who else but Ning Qi.
“Mom! Ninth Senior Brother!” Zhuang Chen was stunned, then shouted excitedly. He lunged for a bear hug but felt an invisible force stopping him. Ning Qi half-smiled:
“Little fatty, what did you just say? That your Ninth Senior Brother became World Lord and is high above, right?”
Zhuang Chen rubbed his hands, chuckling awkwardly, scratching his head.
All senior brothers gathered around, excited:
“Ninth Senior Brother!”
“Little Nine!”
Ning Qi nodded with a smile:
“Just in time for today’s opportunity. Let’s restart True Martial Peach Gathering.”
These years, True Martial Peach Gathering had continued in a different form, but its meaning to Ning Qi was completely different.
On the high platform, the crowd dispersed, elders continuing to host the Peach Gathering.
As for Ning Qi’s presence, no one knew.
With Ning Qi’s current realm, if he didn’t want it, others could never detect him.
In Seeker’s Courtyard.
Stepping here again after twenty years, everyone exclaimed in amazement, especially looking at that towering, lush Enlightenment Tea Tree.
Things remained, but people had changed.
