Chapter 263: Crowding
“Young Ning, where are the Ye Family Elder and Ye Chen? Why aren’t they with you? And what about the other two Great Powers who were chasing you?”
Elder Ziyang voiced his doubt.
When he was surrounded, he had already guessed that the Ye Family intended harm to Ning Qi, but now Ning Qi was unharmed instead, which was strange.
The others also stared fixedly at Ning Qi and the other, astonished and extremely curious in their hearts.
Ning Qi said indifferently:
“Just now, Elder Ye Qingtian told us to scatter and flee. He took Ye Chen and fled in one direction, while those two pursuing Great Powers mainly chased after them.”
“But unfortunately, the place they fled to had a mysterious expert in closed-door cultivation right there. In an instant, he wiped out those two Great Powers, and Ye Qingtian and Ye Chen also died in the aftermath of the battle. Afterward, the mysterious expert left this place.”
Qin Minghao also added a few words, always keeping consistent with what Ning Qi said, just like when the sect inquired about the destruction of the Twelve Sects back then.
Hearing such a bizarre event, everyone showed astonishment on their faces.
But Ning Qi didn’t explain much more. The congregation had many guesses in their hearts about the mysterious expert he mentioned.
This place was, after all, the Three Gates Wasteland Realm that Elder Ziyang had mentioned, which was already extremely dangerous, and the possibility of encountering a mysterious expert did exist.
Moreover, the congregation had also scanned the battle area that Ning Qi pointed to with their Nascent Soul power.
There were indeed traces of battle there, and they were very clear.
The congregation could infer from them that those few Great Powers had basically no power to resist and were easily wiped out.
However, the incident was just too suspicious, so the congregation inevitably had some doubts.
For a moment, they didn’t know whether to lament the Ye Family duo’s extremely bad luck or sigh at the luck of Ning Qi and the other.
Jiang Family Great Power Jiang Ruhai withdrew his Nascent Soul power and said:
“The Boundless Sword Sect has suddenly lost a Grand Elder and a True Disciple, but it’s too late to return to the sect now to report everything. Let’s continue onward.”
Elder Ziyang nodded and said, “How about this: you and I use the Shadow Recording Spirit Crystal to record the situation at the scene. Then when we return, we’ll have something to say. Also, send a message to the sect and have them send people to investigate.”
Thus, the two Elders jointly used the Shadow Recording Spirit Crystal to quickly record the battlefield situation and simultaneously sent messages to the sect with the coordinates.
Afterward, Jiang Ruhai took out a Treasure Boat. The congregation boarded the ship and set off again.
……
Along the way, this time the two Elders were much more cautious than before, successively releasing their Nascent Soul power to guard the Treasure Boat.
Wang Ye quietly sent telepathic communication to Ning Qi and the other to inquire, with genuine concern from his heart. He had almost worried himself to death.
If Ning Qi and Qin Minghao had met with misfortune, he would definitely be very upset.
He had even thought that if the Ye Family duo returned, one day he would definitely avenge Ning Qi and Qin Minghao.
After all, in these ten years, his gains on Five Elements Peak far exceeded those from staying on Ye Chen’s Wind Thunder Peak for so many years. He even regarded Five Elements Peak as his own home.
Afterward, Ning Qi silently tallied the gains from this battle.
Wiping out three Great Powers at once, although they all used Low-grade Spirit Treasures, they were all intact.
And the Wind Dragon Scale Armor that Ye Chen used when reopening the True Disciple rankings was among them. This was an Incomplete Mid-grade Spirit Treasure. Although the Rule Imprints contained within were not as good as a normal Mid-grade Spirit Treasure, they were still fully two or three times that of an ordinary Low-grade Spirit Treasure!
Ning Qi’s mouth couldn’t help but curve into a smile.
In addition, Ning Qi had harvested quite a few pills, a total of twenty Void Dao Purple Gold Pills, and several Void Dao Realm Cultivation Methods, which were exactly the ones they had used before.
There were also some miscellaneous items, including some intelligence on the Northern Profound Upper Sect.
……
Half a month later.
The Boundless Sword Sect’s Treasure Boat landed in Ningyu City.
Ningyu City was built depending on the Profound True Secret Realm. The city was vast, with many people, and it was already very lively on ordinary days.
And as the Profound True Secret Realm was about to open, the number of people in the city reached a peak.
The ten Upper Sects of the Northern Xuan Region, and the Southern True Domain even had more than twenty Upper Sects, all sending people to come.
In addition, there were some Rogue Cultivators or minor sect Nascent Soul Realm cultivators coming here to seek opportunities, but most of them were probably cannon fodder-like existences. This was the battlefield of the Upper Sect True Disciple Heavenly Prides, as for the others.
The numerous sects of the two domains all had layouts in Ningyu City on ordinary days, leaving behind sect stations.
At this moment, a middle-aged cultivator at the Boundless Sword Sect’s station received the message and came to greet the congregation.
“Zi Yang Grand Elder, Jiang Ruhai Grand Elder!”
That person was named Jiang Xi, a disciple of the Jiang Family.
The two Elders nodded.
“Two Elders, weren’t there three Elders leading the team this time? Why are there only nine True Disciples?”
Jiang Ruhai smiled and said, “Jiang Xi, we’ll talk about these after returning to the station. First, take our sect’s True Disciples to tour Ningyu City, how about it?”
Jiang Xi immediately understood, “Alright, fellow True Disciples, please follow me.”
Elder Ziyang said to the crowd of True Disciples, “You all go with him. Rest assured, this city has city rules jointly formulated by the sects of the North and South Regions. Absolutely no one dares to cause trouble in this city.”
The congregation nodded.
The news of the Boundless Sword Sect’s arrival instantly spread by the disciples of other sects guarding here.
The rumored Immortal Seed Ning Qi had already appeared, sparking quite a bit of discussion among people.
Even stranger was that the Boundless Sword Sect only had nine True Disciples arrive, and without that most famous First True Disciple Ye Chen from before Ning Qi became famous, it even more aroused the congregation’s astonishment.
No matter how the people of other sects reacted, Jiang Xi was leading the nine True Disciples to tour Ningyu City.
He first brought the congregation to the market in the south of the city, strolling while saying:
“Ningyu Market gathers Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Cultivation Methods, pills, Magic Treasures, and Spiritual Treasures from the North and South Regions. Everyone can take a look here before entering the Profound True Secret Realm.”
Jiang Qingxue, as the proud son of this generation’s Jiang Family, proactively asked, “Is there Mid-grade Spirit Treasure trading here?”
Jiang Xi shook his head and smiled, “Qingxue, treasures like Mid-grade Spirit Treasures are hard to encounter even once in the market.”
Hearing this, Ning Qi shook his head. Then there was no need to stroll the market.
Several True Disciples in the team made transactions at the market.
Suddenly, Jiang Xi pointed at a certain back figure and low-voice telepathically communicated, “Did you see that Ox Demon?”
The congregation looked intently.
They saw a black-skinned Ox Demon fully a zhang tall, wearing only a beast skin skirt all over his body, exceptionally burly.
His muscles were like cast black iron, emanating a wild aura all over his body. He was exchanging items at a pill stall.
Jiang Qingxue’s gaze sharpened, and she said, “He is Niu Man of the Southern True Domain Ox Demon Upper Sect?”
Jiang Xi nodded, “Yes, this demon’s physical body is incomparably strong. Rumors say there is Immortal Beast blood in his body, and he has even escaped with his life from a Great Power’s hands.”
Just at this moment, Niu Man finished exchanging pills, turned around, and also spotted them.
His pair of ox eyes were as big as copper bells. They swept over the Boundless Sword Sect congregation and finally stopped on Ning Qi, lighting up.
Niu Man proactively walked over, ignoring the others, and asked Ning Qi:
“You are that Immortal Seed Ning Qi. Do you have time? How about sparring with this old ox right now?”
White gas of pure essence puffed from his nostrils. Just standing in front of the congregation, they could hear his strong heart thumping vigorously inside him, and they even felt a wave of scorching hot air blasting towards them.
Wang Ye stepped forward, blocking in front of Ning Qi, his eyes burning like flames. Encountering a Body Refiner like Niu Man, he was really eager for a fight.
“Hmm, a cultivator who practices Body Refining, not bad, but unfortunately, you are not this old ox’s opponent.”
This Niu Man spoke in a muffled, gruff voice, straightforward, giving people a sense of sincerity.
Ning Qi calmly said: “Brother Niu Man, why be in such a hurry? How about we fight again in the Profound True Secret Realm?”
Hearing this, Niu Man swept a glance at the market.
Although he was a Demonic Beast, he was not a reckless fool. If he fought Ning Qi now, there would probably be quite a few people watching the show in secret.
“Alright, this old ox loves to befriend peers. How about we go drink a few cups first? This old ox will treat.”
“Since Brother Niu is so hospitable, I will naturally accompany you.”
Ning Qi looked at the Boundless Sword Sect congregation and said, “You all continue strolling. I’ll exchange a few words with this Brother Niu.”
Seeing this, everyone nodded, faintly showing excitement.
They had just gotten off the Treasure Boat and come to the market, and their own sect’s First True Disciple was invited by a disciple of a Southern True Domain Upper Sect. It could be said they felt proud by association.
Niu Man looked at Wang Ye again and said, “You come along too. I quite like Body Refiner cultivators.”
Wang Ye naturally agreed.
Thus, Ning Qi and the other two went together to Miaoxiang Pavilion, the largest restaurant in Ningyu City, accompanied by Niu Man.
Miaoxiang Pavilion was located in the north of Ningyu City, right next to the formation entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm. The entire pavilion resembled a four-sided tower standing tall.
By a window on one side of the top floor of Miaoxiang Pavilion.
Niu Man ordered a large table of meat dishes, full of meat, not a bit of vegetables.
Seeing Ning Qi and Wang Ye staring at him in surprise, Niu Man smiled and said, “Eating meat gives strength. Although this old ox is of the ox clan, Brother Wang Ye should understand me.”
Wang Ye said, “This is probably a common thought among us Body Refiner cultivators.”
The few toasted and drank, and later Niu Man found it not satisfying enough and directly lifted the wine jar, gulping down several mouthfuls fiercely.
Suddenly, Niu Man looked towards a certain direction downstairs, where a figure caught his attention.
Ning Qi and Wang Ye also looked over.
They saw a figure in green clothes carefully examining not far from the formation where the Profound True Secret Realm in the north of the city was opening.
If not for someone guarding the formation, this person would probably rush to the formation entrance.
“Brother Niu, do you know this person? Could you introduce him?” Ning Qi asked.
Niu Man said, “This person is a cultivator from a minor sect in our Southern True Domain, named Wu Dao. His talent in formations is unmatched in the Southern True Domain.”
“A cultivator proficient in the Dao of formations is indeed rare. Brother Niu Man values this person so much; does he have any remarkable deeds?”
Niu Man raised his head, his eyes gleaming.
“Wu Dao once trapped three Void Dao Realm cultivators for the time it takes to burn one incense stick!”
Wang Ye said in astonishment, “This person is indeed extraordinary.”
“Yeah, we Body Cultivators fear encountering this kind of guy the most. So if you meet Wu Dao in the Profound True Secret Realm, don’t provoke him if possible. Otherwise, if he sets up a formation to trap you, it’s just entering in vain!”
“Brother Niu, could you tell us about the others from your Southern True Domain?”
Niu Man hugged a Fierce Beast leg and tore into it, and in the blink of an eye, it went into his belly.
He burped and said:
“Our Southern True Domain has more than twenty Upper Sects. Among the people coming to the Profound True Secret Realm this time, besides that Wu Dao, there are two others worth noting.”
“The first is naturally Ren Zong, the First True Disciple of Heavenly Star Upper Sect. He has a congenital Star Spiritual Body and can absorb the power of thousands of stars into his body. Whether cultivating or fighting, he is unparalleled. Even this old ox doesn’t dare say he can steadily win against him.”
Ning Qi took a bite of vegetable.
Wang Ye also gnawed on a Fierce Beast hoof with one hand. He asked, “I’ve heard much of Ren Zong’s reputation even in the Northern Xuan Region. I wonder who is the other person Brother Niu mentioned?”
Niu Man smiled and said:
“This person is named Fu Chen, a weirdo, no sect, no school, just a Rogue Cultivator, but his cultivation is extremely pure.”
“He rose all the way, challenging the First True Disciples of all sects in our Southern True Domain except the three Upper Sects with Body Integration Realm Magnates in charge. Those True Disciples all lost completely to him!”
“This person truly has great spirit!” Wang Ye listened with some hot blood surging.
Ning Qi also thought this youth was extraordinary.
Niu Man continued, “Rumors say Fu Chen obtained the complete inheritance of a Body Integration Realm Magnate, plus his deeds, so I also listed him as someone worth paying attention to.”
Niu Man changed the subject and looked at Ning Qi and Wang Ye.
“Of course, your Northern Xuan Region also has two people worth my attention. The first is Brother Ning, and the second is Chu Xiaotian.”
Wang Ye suddenly asked curiously, “Brother Niu, why did you only invite Senior Brother Ning?”
Niu Man smiled and said:
“Those guys, Wu Dao is obsessed with formations and ignorant of worldly affairs. Fu Chen is carefree but hardly ever seen.”
“As for Ren Zong, he has the demeanor of a sect’s Senior Disciple Brother, always watching over his Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters without leaving them for a moment. And that Chu Xiaotian, this person is arrogant and conceited, not putting anyone in his eyes at all. So the only one I could invite is Brother Ning.”
The two found it interesting to hear him comment on everyone.
……
In Ningyu City, Northern Profound Upper Sect station.
In a courtyard, several people sat under a pavilion, sipping tea and chatting idly.
Sitting in the main seat was this time’s leader of the Northern Profound Upper Sect, Wang Zhanqiu.
First True Disciple Chu Xiaotian sat below him.
There were also four others, their expressions full of doubt.
“Zhanqiu, Wang Fang and Li Dao did indeed meet with misfortune. Otherwise, we four wouldn’t have rushed back in panic.”
Wang Zhanqiu’s face was ugly, only because the Wang Fang they mentioned was his younger brother.
This time he came as leader, and the Ye Family had contacted them, originally intending to take this opportunity to eliminate the Immortal Seed Ning Qi of the Boundless Sword Sect.
Unexpectedly, Ning Qi didn’t die, but his younger brother lost his life!
“Afterward, I will definitely settle this score with their Ye Family!”
One of the Great Powers frowned tightly and said, “Don’t you think it’s too strange?”
Another Great Power asked, “What’s strange about it?”
“At first, I suspected it was a deliberate setup by the Ye Family to weaken our Northern Profound Upper Sect’s strength, but the Ye Family wouldn’t go so far as to use the deaths of their own Elder and most talented disciple as bait.”
Another Great Power spoke up.
“Yeah, too strange. The Ye Family duo perished, yet that Ning Qi is completely unharmed. It really makes one think.”
“Do you think there might actually be someone behind him who has been following and protecting him?”
“Even if someone was following, it would at most be those people from the Boundless Sword Sect. But which of those people aren’t we familiar with? It’s impossible for it to be them.”
“Could it really be that there is some terrifying danger in that Three Gates Wasteland area?”
At this time, Chu Xiaotian took a sip of immortal tea and said confidently:
“Fellow Elders, no need for such suspicion. That so-called bullshit Immortal Seed Ning Qi isn’t that demonic. I will bury all of the Boundless Sword Sect’s True Disciples this generation in the Profound True Secret Realm. Then I’ll see how their Boundless Sword Sect challenges our Northern Profound Upper Sect!”
Everyone’s gazes fell on Chu Xiaotian’s face. Thinking of his deeds, they also smiled.
Yes, with Chu Xiaotian here, the sect’s arranged mission to snipe the Boundless Sword Sect this time could not possibly fail!
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was three days later.
Waves emanated from the Profound True Secret Realm, emitting seven-colored light, illuminating the entire Ningyu City as if it were an immortal city.
The Profound True Secret Realm was about to open, and powerful figures immediately soared into the sky one after another!
Ningyu City North Plaza, adjacent to the Profound True Secret Realm.
At this moment, the leaders and Elders of each sect brought their sect’s True Disciples and all landed on the plaza.
The entrance to the Profound True Secret Realm had not yet fully formed. Only when it took the shape of a flower bud could the gathered Elders join forces to open it.
Thus, acquaintances immediately began “greeting” each other.
“Wang Zhanqiu, I heard your Northern Profound Upper Sect’s position is in jeopardy.”
“Luo He, don’t talk nonsense. Our Northern Profound Upper Sect is forever the number one sect in the Northern Xuan Region, unchanging for ten thousand generations!”
That Luo He was from the Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
His ten True Disciple subordinates stood in orderly positions, faintly forming a formation.
Among them, one was surrounded like the moon among stars, wearing a purple robe, with a perfectly round heavenly court and square earthly pavilion, quite divine and handsome.
Ning Qi recognized at a glance that he was Ren Zong, whom Niu Man had mentioned.
Looking at the expressions of the other True Disciples gazing at him—besides respect, there was much liveliness—it seemed this Ren Zong was indeed a considerate Senior Disciple Brother.
Ning Qi’s gaze glanced towards Niu Man. His team was mostly Demonic Beasts.
Although named Ox Demon Upper Sect, the disciples included oxen, sheep, tigers, monkeys, all sorts, each with strong physiques, emanating blood energy all over their bodies, warm and steamy like little suns.
Before Ning Qi could look elsewhere, a proud gaze swept substantively towards their team.
He saw Chu Xiaotian holding his head high, a cold smile hanging at the corner of his mouth, then looking away, as if disdainful.
Wang Ye and the others immediately glared angrily.
Ning Qi had an extraordinary demeanor and ignored this guy.
He had already seen Ren Zong, Chu Xiaotian, Niu Man, and Wu Dao. He couldn’t help but look towards the teams of other Rogue Cultivators.
The Rogue Cultivator teams numbered over five hundred in total.
But among these five hundred plus, one person’s temperament stood out especially.
He saw his physique was like a stone fortress, outstanding and unique, draped in a blue cloak, with disheveled hair casually scattered.
Unlike other cultivators, he carried a gleaming blood-colored great saber on his back—it must be Fu Chen.
There were also quite a few people from other teams scanning their Boundless Sword Sect.
Seeing that the Boundless Sword Sect really only had nine people, many sects secretly wondered, then revealed playful expressions.
For their Upper Sect people, if they couldn’t even gather ten people, it would be too embarrassing.
As for that rumored Immortal Seed Ning Qi among the nine, most people couldn’t see anything extraordinary about him and thought he must be all talk.
After waiting about half an incense stick of time, the Profound True Secret Realm entrance faintly took on the form of a flower bud.
The Elders immediately put aside their “greetings.” All the Elders joined forces to cast mana, landing it on that flower bud-like secret realm entrance.
Instantly, the faintly glowing entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm completed its full bloom.
Dense seven-colored light sprayed out, instantly sweeping towards everyone standing on the plaza.
Except for the Elders whose cultivation had reached the Void Dao Realm, all the Nascent Soul Realm True Disciples were immediately sucked in.
A sensation of falling into an abyss-like weightlessness enveloped the congregation.
Ning Qi was enveloped by the seven-colored light. When he saw the light of day again, he had already landed on a hill.
The hill was lush with vegetation, connecting plains and streams. This place was like a Secluded Paradise.
A gentle breeze blew past, fluttering Ning Qi’s white clothes. He soared into the air, overlooking the four directions.
On the green hills, the grass was verdant, wildflowers bloomed profusely. Even just the wild grass and flowers stored quite a bit of Spiritual Energy between their leaves.
Among them were even Spiritual Medicines mixed in. Ning Qi plucked one, and it was of advanced age, full of medicinal power.
As expected of the Profound True Secret Realm that opened once every three thousand years. The inside was already abundant in Spiritual Energy, plus infinite rules, naturally making all things in this world exceptionally spiritual.
Ning Qi squinted into the distance. All around, distant mountains blocked his Dharma Eye, and for a moment, he couldn’t see exhaustively.
Above the sky, there was no sun, only a curtain of distorted firmament, with various rules twisted into stars, illuminating below. Thus, it was impossible to discern directions.
He was the only one here. The people entering the Profound True Secret Realm numbered less than a thousand, surely scattered everywhere.
Fortunately, the Boundless Sword Sect disciples all had mutually sensing marks on their bodies. They had already agreed to gather towards Ning Qi.
After all, after entering the Profound True Secret Realm, Ning Qi would be the leader. This had been discussed in the sect already.
Ning Qi put away the Spiritual Medicine and carefully sensed the directions of the Boundless Sword Sect disciples.
He headed towards the position closest to everyone, his white clothes flashing through the air as he disappeared from the spot.
As he traveled, more scenery entered Ning Qi’s Dharma Eye.
A gray wolf as big as a wild elephant quietly guarded a corner of the mountain forest. Not far away, several big-eared sheep walking upright bared sharp teeth, chewing on fat crabs crawling out onto the riverbank.
It seemed all living beings here had turned into Fierce Beasts. They had no spiritual intelligence, but waves of power emanated from their bodies.
The weakest were also at Nascent Soul Realm, and the strongest were even extremely close to Void Dao Realm.
Ning Qi didn’t linger on the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures below that occasionally glistened with dew, nor was he hindered by the various mutated Fierce Beasts.
His goal was exceptionally clear: to find Rule Jades.
From the Boundless Sword Sect’s information on the Profound True Secret Realm, he knew these Rule Jades were only produced here, mostly with mixed rules forming different polyhedrons.
From the smallest tetrahedrons to infinite-faced bodies, hard to enumerate.
For Rule Jades to form, every kind of rule within must have reached an astonishing balance.
Their faces varied in number, their volumes large and small. Finding them was like cutting open raw stones.
Ordinary territories could not yield them; they could only come from Great Power tombs or dangerous areas in secret realms.
Of course, Ning Qi was also interested in the many Spiritual Treasures left by experts above Great Powers.
If he could obtain Mid-grade or High-grade Spiritual Treasures, then his Main Body stepping into the Rule Realm would become simple.
One day passed. Ning Qi sensed the positions of the other Boundless Sword Sect disciples again.
He found that a few were obviously closer to him. He planned to wait until gathering with Wang Ye and Qin Minghao before searching for Rule Jades.
Suddenly, in the distance, a burst of radiance shot into the sky, emitting dense bronze light.
Bronze, silver, and gold three-colored lights corresponded to territories of Great Powers, Magnates, and Old Ancestors respectively!
So according to intelligence, this was a Great Power tomb appearing, and from the density of the color, it was at Void Dao Realm Perfection.
Ning Qi immediately became interested. Anyway, there were no sect Junior Brothers or Junior Sisters with him now, nor other matters. Going to take a look could give him one more bit of real understanding of the Profound True Secret Realm.
His speed became faster, white clothes flashing through the air, stirring up layers of air waves.
Not long after, Ning Qi’s figure stopped, his eyes remotely gazing below.
A pyramid-like tomb sat on the ground, as large as a city.
And several cultivators were besieging a Fierce Beast guarding the Great Power tomb in front of the tomb.
Before entering the Profound True Secret Realm on the plaza, based on the positions and clothing of each sect’s disciples, Ning Qi recognized those cultivators as all disciples of the Southern True Domain Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.
Among the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s disciples, although this generation didn’t have dazzling existences like Niu Man of Ox Demon Upper Sect or Ren Zong of Heavenly Star Upper Sect, their overall foundation remained.
The strongest among them was also a top-tier existence in the second echelon of Heavenly Prides, stronger than people like their Boundless Sword Sect’s Ye Chen.
The Fierce Beast they were besieging resembled a rhinoceros in form, with skin the color of gray earth, thick like Scale Armor, two horns of differing lengths, and limbs flickering with earthy yellow qi.
The Fierce Rhino charged straight through the crowd’s siege. Every impact was like an Immortal Mountain rushing head-on. Even though the crowd could dodge, they did so in a sorry state.
Seeing Ning Qi appear, one of the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect disciples low-voiced to the leader:
“Not good, the Immortal Seed of Northern Xuan Region’s Boundless Sword Sect is here!”
Their Senior Disciple Brother Fang Lieqi’s gaze swept over Ning Qi, spat a mouthful of saliva on the ground, his eyes overflowing with some jealousy and resentment.
“The Northern Xuan Region compared to our Southern True Domain is already weaker. Their so-called Immortal Seed, does it even count?”
Fang Lieqi directly shouted lightly at Ning Qi, his voice shaking the four wilds:
“Get lost!”
