Chapter 257: Urgency
Profound True Secret Realm!
The disciples’ attention was almost instantly drawn to these four words, their gazes fiery with both anticipation and helplessness.
This involved the origins of the Northern Xuan Region.
In the Mountain Sea Realm, there were hundreds of Spiritual Realms, and the Northern Xuan Region was considered one of the smaller ones, but in reality, the current Northern Xuan Region was only a part of it. Originally, it had formed the Xuanzhen Domain together with the neighboring Southern True Domain.
At its peak, the Xuanzhen Domain could be considered a large-scale Spiritual Realm, with an Immortal Sect presiding over it.
But hundreds of thousands of years ago.
A earth-shattering great war had once occurred in the Xuanzhen Domain, where two Immortal Sects fought with all their might, including several Dao Integration Realm Old Ancestors clashing fiercely, which tore the Xuanzhen Domain into two halves. The slightly smaller part became the Northern Xuan Region, while the slightly larger part became the Southern True Domain.
From then on, the Xuanzhen Domain completely became history.
The Northern Xuan Region and Southern True Domain inherited the foundation of the Xuanzhen Domain, and accordingly, the strength of the Southern True Domain was much stronger than that of the Northern Xuan Region. In the Northern Xuan Region, only the Northern Profound Upper Sect had a Body Integration Realm Giant, but the Southern True Domain had fully three Upper Sects with Body Integration Realm presences.
But this was secondary.
Most importantly, the battlefield of that year’s clash between the two Immortal Sects, their subordinate Upper Sects, and numerous sects had evolved into a Secret Realm, located at the border between the two domains.
This was the origin of the Profound True Secret Realm.
Within the Secret Realm, there were numerous inheritances and ruins left by experts, including those from Great Powers, Magnates, and even Dao Integration Realm Old Ancestors. The Limitless Sword Canon had also been obtained from there, and besides the many inheritances, there were also plenty of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
Therefore, every time the Profound True Secret Realm opened, it was a major event for both the Northern Xuan Region and Southern True Domain.
But the Southern True Domain’s foundation was undoubtedly stronger, which meant that every time the Profound True Secret Realm opened, the Northern Xuan Region couldn’t gain much benefit.
But this time was different.
The congregation’s gazes involuntarily turned to Ning Qi, with traces of anticipation emerging.
Ye Chen was already outstanding among the First True Disciples of past generations, and Ning Qi, who had easily suppressed Ye Chen, had already surpassed the scope of what an Upper Sect disciple should possess, enough to rank at the forefront even in an Immortal Sect!
“The Profound True Secret Realm only allows entry below Nascent Soul Realm. This time, perhaps our Boundless Sword Sect will have a great harvest!”
This thought rose in the minds of the numerous Great Powers and disciples.
Apart from Ye Chen, even Jiang Qingxue was exhilarated. With Ning Qi as the Leader, this time would absolutely be different.
The True Disciples had already begun anticipating the re-ranking of the True Disciple sequence a year from now, especially those who could touch the ranks of the Top Ten True Disciples. Each one was fully motivated—this was a great opportunity. Even if they only obtained something left by a Great Power, their Immortal Path ahead would be much smoother.
“We shall strictly follow the Sect Leader’s decree!”
One by one, the True Disciples bowed in response.
Ning Qi’s gaze held some curiosity. He didn’t know much about the Profound True Secret Realm and wasn’t particularly interested in those inheritances—after all, he had the complete True Martial Inheritance in hand. But if he could seize this opportunity to gather more Spiritual Treasures, his Main Body might even glimpse the Rule Realm!
He felt some anticipation in his heart.
Jiang Baichuan waved casually, then vanished.
One by one, the Great Powers departed, and today’s events were thoroughly settled. Ye Chen had lifted a rock only to smash his own foot, losing both his wife and his troops.
Ning Qi’s grateful voice reached Zi Yang Grand Elder’s ears:
“This time, many thanks to Zi Yang Grand Elder!”
Zi Yang turned back, laughing and waving his hand. He patted Ning Qi’s shoulder warmly and said:
“Young Ning, work hard. Old Man is optimistic about you!”
The numerous True Disciples were all envious.
Zi Yang Grand Elder’s strength ranked in the top five within the sect—this was a solid backer.
Amid the congregation’s reverent gazes, Ning Qi boarded the Three-Colored Treasure Boat with Lu Ziyue, Qin Minghao, and others. As they departed, Jiang Qingxue’s gentle voice came:
“Senior Brother Ning, later, Junior Sister will personally bring gifts to apologize. Please do not take previous matters to heart, Senior Brother.”
The Second True Disciple taking the initiative to yield softly undoubtedly elevated Ning Qi’s prestige even further.
Ning Qi merely smiled faintly.
Killing the chicken to warn the monkey.
If Ye Chen hadn’t stirred trouble, he would only have chosen one between Ye Chen and Jiang Qingxue. Now, instead, he had let Jiang Qingxue escape a calamity.
That’s how shooting the bird that sticks out its head works.
Amid waves of admiring gazes, the Three-Colored Treasure Boat soared away through the air, leaving Ye Chen with an ugly expression standing in place.
…
Aboard the Three-Colored Treasure Boat.
Ning Qi finally had time to be alone with Lu Ziyue.
Lu Ziyue felt somewhat uneasy and softly called out:
“Ning… Senior Brother Ning.”
Ning Qi smiled:
“No need to be like this between us. If you’re not used to it, I’ll still call you Junior Sister Lu.”
He didn’t fully acknowledge the rules of the Mountain Sea Realm. Back in the True Martial Sect, his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters had all been excellent, and he had never had the idea of being arrogant just because his strength surpassed his Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters.
But Lu Ziyue’s mindset was deeply ingrained. She waved her hands repeatedly and said solemnly:
“Propriety cannot be abandoned. This would damage your prestige, Senior Brother!”
She knew how boundless Ning Qi’s future was and didn’t want him to have any blemish in even the slightest matter. She sighed endlessly in her heart—she was the only one who had seen how Ning Qi rose from an infant, at a speed that left her somewhat dazed.
Ning Qi smiled helplessly and didn’t press further.
“What are your plans going forward, Ziyue?”
Lu Ziyue said softly:
“If Senior Brother Ning doesn’t mind, I am willing to join Five Elements Peak.”
Ning Qi laughed:
“That is naturally welcome.”
Having formed this life’s good karma with Lu Ziyue, he naturally wanted to look after her more. Her willingness to join Five Elements Peak made it even more convenient.
The two talked for a moment more.
Lu Ziyue increasingly felt the passage of time, a slight melancholy in her heart.
Ning Qi then called Qin Minghao over:
“Junior Brother Qin, take Junior Sister Lu to familiarize herself with Five Elements Peak later, select a cave abode for her. I’ll be right back.”
Qin Minghao respectfully agreed.
He was still somewhat excited. Today, he had shown off greatly in front of the numerous disciples of Boundless Sword Sect—something he wouldn’t have dared dream of ten years ago. And all of this came from Ning Qi, especially after witnessing today how Ning Qi concealed the heavens and calculated numerous Great Powers into his palm with such composure. His reverence had only deepened.
Ning Qi stepped into the air and departed.
…
Moments later.
Ziyang Peak.
Ning Qi sat facing Zi Yang Grand Elder.
“Today’s matter, many thanks to Grand Elder for your assistance!” Ning Qi thanked him solemnly once more.
Zi Yang chuckled and waved:
“Old Man simply couldn’t stand that Old Ghost Ye bullying the weak. You did well today.”
His gaze toward Ning Qi was very approving.
He had already investigated—Ning Qi was brought back by Lu Ziyue, an orphan with a clean background, verified multiple times, not some old monster seizing a body and reincarnating. Who wouldn’t be satisfied with such a disciple?
“As long as you are devoted to the Sword Sect, Old Man will surely protect you fully and let you grow safely!” Zi Yang said solemnly.
There was expectation in his eyes.
If one day he could see Ning Qi grow up and lead Boundless Sword Sect to rise, he would die without regrets.
Ning Qi also nodded solemnly.
He had reincarnated to the Mountain Sea Realm to scheme for it, but not to exterminate all life. For Boundless Sword Sect, the place of his rise, as long as there were no major accidents, he would naturally preserve it.
Ning Qi reached out and wiped, and a jade slip glowing with five-colored light immediately appeared in his hand:
“This is the Five Elements Tribulation Transformation True Canon I obtained in the Small World. Please pass it to the sect, Grand Elder.”
Zi Yang’s old face froze, then his gaze toward Ning Qi became even more approving.
This naturally involved some internal matters.
Having Zi Yang deliver it to the sect would give him merit, and even if he examined the True Canon in the meantime, no one could say anything.
This was Ning Qi returning a favor. Zi Yang had chosen to strongly support him, so he naturally couldn’t do nothing in return.
Zi Yang took the jade slip, smiling and pointing at Ning Qi:
“You lad!”
He didn’t say much more, but the distance between them had clearly shortened. If before it was just appreciating Ning Qi’s talent and aptitude as a sect senior promoting a junior, now it was an elder drawing close to a junior.
Zi Yang pondered for a moment and said:
“How much do you know about the Profound True Secret Realm?”
Ning Qi’s eyes lit up:
“I only know it resulted from a world-shocking great war hundreds of thousands of years ago. I know nothing else. Please enlighten me, Grand Elder.”
Zi Yang organized his thoughts and said:
“Many years ago, I also went to the Profound True Secret Realm once. The specific intelligence inside will surely be told to you by the Sect Leader a year from now. I’ll give you a general overview first.”
“That war back then was too brutal, thoroughly disrupting the Heaven and Earth Rules in that area, ultimately forming the special Profound True Secret Realm. Anyone who has condensed a Rule Imprint cannot enter, but Spiritual Treasures can be used inside—this point you must especially note.”
“Within the Profound True Secret Realm, the land is vast, with chaotic Power of Rules and extremely fierce Spiritual Energy. It can be roughly divided into three areas: Great Power-level battlefield, Magnate-level battlefield, and Old Ancestor-level battlefield.”
“If you want any gains, you at least need to head to the Magnate-level battlefield. That’s the true arena where Heavenly Prides compete. As for the Old Ancestor-level battlefield, it’s something you may encounter but cannot seek—one because it’s too dangerous, and two because its appearance location is random. So if you encounter it, think thrice.”
He earnestly admonished, imparting various experiences:
“The Profound True Secret Realm produces a very special Rule Jade—this is one of your main targets this time. The other inheritances, Spiritual Treasures, Spiritual Medicines, etc., are all external things, but this Rule Jade is different. It contains Rule Dao Rhyme, which can help you comprehend the Power of Rules and make advancing to Void Dao Realm much easier.”
Ning Qi’s heart stirred.
“Rule Jade? Can it replace Spiritual Treasures? If so, if I collect more, wouldn’t I easily let my Main Body step into Rule Realm?”
Thinking this in his heart, he respectfully replied:
“Disciple will remember Grand Elder’s teachings.”
Zi Yang nodded approvingly and continued:
“Of course, if you have time, you should also bring back more inheritances for the sect to bolster its foundation. With your strength, the Nascent Soul Realm generation of Northern Xuan Region and Southern True Domain basically has no opponents for you.”
“However, there are a few people you should take note of.”
“First, the First True Disciple of Northern Profound Upper Sect, Chu Xiaotian. This person is not simple, possessing some powerful Spirit Body. He reached Nascent Soul Realm limit a hundred years ago and suppressed his cultivation precisely for this Profound True Secret Realm.”
“Second, the First True Disciple of South Zhen Region Niu Mo Upper Sect in Southern True Domain, Niu Man. He is not Human Race, but an Ox Demon by birth. Rumored to have a trace of Immortal Beast blood in his body, his fleshly body is already powerful, and cultivating the Ox Demon Blood Refining True Art of Ox Demon Upper Sect makes his body unimaginably strong. It’s said he can escape with his life even from a Great Power’s hands.”
“Third, also from Southern True Domain, the First True Disciple of Heavenly Star Upper Sect, Ren Zong. This person has a Star Spiritual Body and can draw on the power of myriad stars for his own use, excelling in both cultivation and combat, far beyond ordinary.”
“These three should pose some threat to you. Be cautious. As for the rest, they’re at most Ye Chen’s level, or perhaps a bit stronger than Ye Chen—not a problem for you.”
Ning Qi nodded seriously.
Though he felt he was truly invincible in the Nascent Soul Realm, he wouldn’t underestimate opponents.
He asked again:
“It’s said Southern True Domain has three Upper Sects with Body Integration Realm Giants presiding. How come only Niu Man and Ren Zong stand out?”
Zi Yang chuckled wryly:
“Prodigies aren’t born that easily. You four placed in an Immortal Sect would also be outstanding. In past times, even one appearing was impressive, let alone one who could dominate. This time there are fully four, while Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s generation has no Heavenly Pride as dazzling as you all.”
Ning Qi suddenly understood:
“Many thanks for Grand Elder’s guidance.”
Zi Yang waved casually. Guiding such a prodigious junior gave him a great sense of achievement. He stroked his beard, pondered, glanced at the five-colored jade slip, and said:
“Remember to cherish this opportunity fully. It might shorten the time to advance to Great Power Realm by much. One step slow, every step slow—the difference from here will be like heaven and earth!”
He meant something specific.
Ning Qi’s spirits lifted. He thought of something and subtly pointed at the sky.
Zi Yang sighed deeply:
“Young one can be taught.”
He said lowly:
“Since the Spirit Realm Contending for Immortality Epoch began, our Mountain Sea Realm has been constantly growing. Now we’re ever closer to surpassing the limit. Perhaps one day we’ll take that step.”
“At our cultivation level, contacting the Power of Rules already gives us sense to Heaven and Earth. Perhaps… the next Spirit Realm War is coming soon!”
There was a certain fervor in his voice.
The Spirit Realm War brought great crisis—even Great Powers could be crushed at any moment—but also great opportunities, especially for them, stuck at bottlenecks with no progress.
“For you prodigies, this is the true heaven-reaching opportunity. If Mountain Sea Realm completes that leap, raising the upper limit from then on, perhaps… Immortals could be born! This is the true great era. Missing such an opportunity means spending who knows how much time catching up later!”
“The Immortal Path values competition. If you don’t strive, you’ll waste away waiting for lifespan to end, regretting endlessly.”
As his words fell, he seemed to sink into some regret.
Ning Qi’s heart also surged with gigantic waves.
The next Spirit Realm War was coming?
From Zi Yang’s meaning, it was clearly not far—perhaps a century, perhaps a few centuries. In a moment, a long-absent sense of urgency rose in his heart again.
Because in the Spirit Realm War, with two realms clashing, the endless war would also affect Small Worlds one by one—either used as consumables to recover Spirit Realm Origin, or trodden extinct by experts from other Spirit Realms.
Survival depended entirely on luck.
