Chapter 271: Madness
Ningyu City.
After the true disciples entered the Profound True Secret Realm, all the Great Powers of the Sects remained at the northern plaza of Ningyu City.
Some sat and some stood. They usually spent a lot of time in closed-door cultivation, and it was rare for them to go out, so they took it as a chance to relax.
Moreover, they could witness many exciting events here to entertain their cultivation life.
For example, how many people died in such-and-such a sect, and how the Great Powers of that sect changed their expressions drastically.
In the beginning, seven people from the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect died. Although the other Upper Sects dared not speak, the Great Powers of the top-tier Upper Sects did not hold back.
For example, Wang Zhanqiu of the Northern Profound Upper Sect and Luo He of the Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
And Fang Yu, a Great Power from the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, was almost so angry he started fighting.
However, Ningyu City is managed by all the Upper Sects of the North and South Regions, who jointly formulated city rules, absolutely forbidding anyone from taking action, including their Great Powers.
Otherwise, other sects could unite and accuse them!
So Fang Yu was constantly indignant, and kept glancing at Wang Zhanqiu and Luo He with suspicious eyes.
Until Ning Qi killed Chu Xiaotian within the Profound True Secret Realm…
Wang Zhanqiu took out his Soul Lamp and saw that the most important Life Fire within had extinguished. Terrifying energy fluctuations immediately surged around him.
He was so agitated because Chu Xiaotian was the most outstanding disciple of their Northern Profound Upper Sect, and had been cultivated as the next Sect Leader, representing the future hope of their Northern Profound Upper Sect!
And now Chu Xiaotian had actually died. Wang Zhanqiu couldn’t believe it at first!
He blinked his eyes multiple times, and even after other Great Powers from the sect confirmed it one by one, he finally confirmed that Chu Xiaotian’s Life Fire had truly extinguished.
But how could this be possible?
The Body Integration Realm Giant from the sect, Zhou Shouzi, had said that with Chu Xiaotian’s Nascent Soul attainments, he would be invincible in the Nascent Soul Realm!
Yet now, the other disciples were fine, but Chu Xiaotian became the first Heavenly Pride to perish!
Wang Zhanqiu could not suppress his anger.
“Damn it, what were those other seven guys doing? Did they just watch Xiaotian die!”
Fang Yu, a Great Power from the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, twitched his ear and guessed everything. His expression finally looked much better; he had finally waited for an opportunity for retaliation.
Didn’t Wang Zhanqiu mock the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect? Fine, he would now return the favor tenfold!
Thus, Fang Yu said sarcastically:
“Wang Zhanqiu, your Northern Profound Upper Sect’s Heavenly Pride is too weak. The other disciples are still alive, but he died?”
Wang Zhanqiu, already furious, heard this and immediately condensed mana around his body into a giant palm, striking towards Fang Yu.
But Fang Yu easily blocked his attack and said at the same time:
“Try to attack again. Don’t forget what you said to me before!”
Upon hearing this, Wang Zhanqiu’s entire face instantly turned purple.
This Ningyu City was not the Northern Profound Upper Sect; everything was under restraint.
But he was still indignant and actually struck the plaza with a palm!
The plaza trembled instantly. Even though there were formations protecting the city, a deep pit appeared on the plaza under Chu Xiaotian’s attack!
After Wang Zhanqiu finished his palm strike, his eyes blazing with infinite rage, he scanned the crowd and said:
“I did not attack anyone, so you can’t try to trouble me!”
However, at this moment, Luo He of the Heavenly Star Upper Sect spoke up:
“Wang Zhanqiu, what you’re saying is not right. Ningyu City belongs to all of us, and your destruction is going against everyone!”
Wang Zhanqiu’s gaze flickered towards Luo He, his eyes seeming to solidify.
However, Luo He was not intimidated. His gaze met Wang Zhanqiu’s, and within his eyes, a galaxy seemed to be rotating!
The appearance of anomalies in one’s eyes was the most basic ability of a Void Dao Realm Great Expert.
Beside them, Fang Yu snorted lightly.
He did not appreciate Luo He’s intervention because Luo He had also mocked him.
If it had been before, Fang Yu would have wanted to fight him. But now, with the Northern Profound Upper Sect’s Heavenly Pride perishing, his mood had somewhat balanced out.
On the other side, Ma Long, a Great Power of the Ox Demon Upper Sect, who had been sitting with his eyes closed in the plaza, actually opened his eyes.
Clearly, with the two top-tier Upper Sects suffering such heavy losses, his face, which bore a deep scar, could not help but show a trace of worry.
This opening of the Profound True Secret Realm seemed exceptionally unusual. He hoped that the true disciples of their Ox Demon Upper Sect would be alright.
As for the other sects, they were also filled with anxiety.
Although they enjoyed watching the confrontations between the top-tier Upper Sects, the safety of their own sect’s true disciples was now the most important thing.
Thus, the Great Powers waited in the plaza, fearing that some terrible news might come from within.
As expected, shortly after Chu Xiaotian’s death, the Great Powers in the plaza kept taking out their respective sect’s Soul Lamps to check.
Each time, it represented the death of a true disciple from their sect.
The Great Powers could no longer maintain their composure, and anxiety filled everyone’s faces.
True Person Ziyang and Jiang Ruhai, the Great Power of the Jiang Family, nervously took out the true disciple Soul Lamp of the Boundless Sword Sect to glance at it.
Fortunately, everyone was alive!
After some more time passed.
Wang Zhanqiu suddenly took out his Soul Lamp again. He saw that the remaining seven Life Fires had all extinguished simultaneously.
His face instantly turned pale, and he let out a world-shattering roar.
“Who is targeting my Northern Profound Upper Sect?”
Everyone was drawn to him, and saw that in the Soul Lamp he held, not a single Life Fire remained.
The crowd couldn’t help but feel schadenfreude, but they were even more worried about their own sect’s true disciples.
Seeing that all the true disciples of the Northern Profound Upper Sect had perished, even Luo He and Fang Yu dared not provoke Wang Zhanqiu at this time.
As a top-tier Upper Sect, the death of all their true disciples was a humiliation that would ignite a rage they themselves would not want to bear.
However, both of them quietly glanced at their own sect’s Soul Lamps.
Fortunately, the remaining three disciples of the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect were temporarily safe, and as for the Heavenly Star Upper Sect, all ten of them were still alive.
Luo He instantly felt a sense of relief. Indeed, their Heavenly Star Upper Sect was the strongest.
Ma Long of the Ox Demon Upper Sect glanced at his sect’s Soul Lamp and found that four Life Fires had been extinguished. He couldn’t help but exhale two streams of white air from his nose.
But in the end, it turned into a sigh, because compared to the Northern Profound Upper Sect and the Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, they were considered fortunate.
The two from the Boundless Sword Sect also looked at their Soul Lamps again.
The Life Fires in the Soul Lamps were still burning!
The two felt that the Boundless Sword Sect was too lucky!
As time passed, it wasn’t long afterward.
Luo He was finally attracted by the tremor of the Soul Lamp in his hand. Upon looking at it, he almost crushed the entire Soul Lamp.
The other Great Powers immediately looked at him, finally seeing that someone from the Heavenly Star Upper Sect had perished.
Wang Zhanqiu and Fang Yu paid close attention, instantly guessing that it must be related to the Heavenly Pride Ren Zong.
Indeed, seeing the Soul Lamp in Luo He’s hand, only one Life Fire had extinguished. And with Luo He being so agitated, it was certain that Ren Zong had also died.
Ren Zong’s status was the same as Chu Xiaotian’s in the Northern Profound Upper Sect; both were candidates for the Sect Leader.
With the Heavenly Pride of two top-tier Upper Sects perishing, Wang Zhanqiu and Luo He, for a time, felt a similar sentiment.
“What exactly happened inside?”
“The Heavenly Pride of our sect cannot die so easily. They are all protected by an Incomplete Mid-grade Spirit Treasure, which can save them and allow them to escape even if a Void Dao Realm expert attacks.”
“Alas, we cannot enter the Profound True Secret Realm to investigate.”
Ma Long glanced at the Soul Lamp in his hand again and found that the Life Fires of the six people, including Niu Man, were still flickering. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, but his heart was still in his throat, neither here nor there.
Compared to Ren Zong and Chu Xiaotian, even Ma Long had to admit that Niu Man was slightly inferior to the other two.
And now that both of them had died one after another, Ma Long was extremely worried.
And in the entire plaza, only True Person Ziyang of the Boundless Sword Sect and Jiang Ruhai, the Great Power of the Jiang Family, were looking at the Soul Lamp in their hands.
They looked at each other, their expressions filled with shock.
This was the third time they had looked at the Soul Lamp. The nine true disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect who had entered the Profound True Secret Realm were, up to this point, all still alive!
It wasn’t that they wished their sect’s true disciples would also suffer misfortune, but they simply couldn’t believe it.
Even the top-tier Upper Sects had lost everyone; why was their Boundless Sword Sect so lucky?
The two exchanged glances, feeling that it probably had something to do with Ning Qi.
They both simultaneously recalled the attack they had encountered before coming to Ningyu City.
At that time, six Great Powers had attacked. Two of them chased Ning Qi and Qin Minghao, who were being led away by Ye Qingtian, but in the end, only they returned alive.
If they could survive then, it seemed there wouldn’t be any problem with Ning Qi leading everyone out alive now.
Suddenly, True Person Ziyang flicked his fingers at the Soul Lamp. In the Soul Lamp they held, eight Life Fires were instantly extinguished.
Jiang Ruhai was stunned.
However, he instantly felt the gazes of Wang Zhanqiu, Luo He, and Fang Yu, who were in the center of the plaza, scanning the crowd.
Jiang Ruhai instantly understood. As expected, the older the ginger, the spicier it is; True Person Ziyang was indeed very experienced.
Other sects had lost many people, but they were just an ordinary Upper Sect; how could they not lose anyone?
At least they could freely control the Life Fires in the Soul Lamp.
However, the two were also excellent actors. Instantly, like the other Great Powers around them, they showed expressions of grief on their faces.
Wang Zhanqiu’s gaze subtly fell upon the two. Seeing their expressions and the Soul Lamp in their hands, he frowned slightly.
It was detestable that their Boundless Sword Sect still had two people alive. That Ning Qi should have died too, right?
Although they put on a good show, True Person Ziyang’s face actually revealed genuine worry.
If Ning Qi and the others emerged from the Profound True Secret Realm when it opened, what would they do? Under everyone’s watchful eyes, they wouldn’t be able to conceal it!
It was likely that all the sects would think their Boundless Sword Sect had something suspicious going on.
True Person Ziyang understood human nature and planned ahead, but he really had no solution.
Even if the Sect Leader were to arrive now, it would be of no use. After all, they were facing all the Great Powers of the North and South Regions, and their Boundless Sword Sect was too weak.
Suddenly, someone exclaimed.
“Quick, look at the entrance to the Profound True Secret Realm!”
All the Great Powers immediately looked over. They saw that the entrance to the Profound True Secret Realm was emitting a brilliant golden light, dyeing the entire plaza gold.
Everyone’s face showed expressions of doubt and uncertainty.
“What is this golden light? Why is it emanating from the Profound True Secret Realm?”
“According to sect records, there have been instances of golden light leaking out in history, but at most, it would only illuminate the entrance to the Profound True Secret Realm into gold. Now the light illuminates the entire plaza; it is unprecedented, never seen before!”
“Every time golden light emanates, it signifies the appearance of a Body Integration Realm Golden Great Tomb within the Profound True Secret Realm. This time, it’s likely…”
The person didn’t finish, but everyone understood what they were going to say.
For a moment, the eyes of all the Great Powers present flashed with light.
Suddenly, another person said, “Why do I feel the restrictions of the Profound True Secret Realm are weakening?”
“Weakening? Are you sure?”
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately swept their Nascent Souls towards the entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm.
Indeed, under their perception, the restrictions on the Profound True Secret Realm were indeed loosening, and they were continuously weakening at a perceptible rate.
Luo He of the Heavenly Star Upper Sect said:
“Could it be that the main tomb of the Profound True Secret Realm has opened?”
Fang Yu replied, “It’s possible. No wonder the killing intent within the Profound True Secret Realm this time is so terrifying, with so many true disciples from all sects perishing.”
Wang Zhanqiu remained silent, his eyes like knives, staring intently at the entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm, thinking about something unknown.
“The main tomb has appeared, and the restrictions of the Profound True Secret Realm are weakening. Looking at the speed, we will probably enter it soon,” someone pointed out.
As soon as these words fell, all the Great Powers were shaken.
If this were the case, even if their sect’s true disciples perished, as long as they could obtain a large amount of resources from within, they would have an explanation when they returned to the sect.
Moreover, everyone knew in their hearts that with the appearance of the main tomb, there would likely be a Dao Integration Profound Technique within.
A Dao Integration Profound Technique was definitely the thing they wanted most.
Especially for a few top-tier Upper Sects, by obtaining a Dao Integration Profound Technique, their Body Integration Realm Giants might leap forward to become Dao Realm Old Ancestors.
At that time, unifying the North and South Regions and restoring the glory of the Xuanzhen Domain would also be highly possible.
Thus, all the Great Powers were rubbing their hands in anticipation, and even the anger over their sect’s true disciples perishing seemed to be forgotten one by one.
True Person Ziyang looked at the increasingly loosening entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm and said to himself:
“Young Ning, you must take the others and flee as far as possible. Be sure not to be discovered by the Great Powers. The rise of our Boundless Sword Sect rests on you.”
The restrictions on the entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm ahead did not weaken step by step, but at a certain moment, they suddenly disappeared completely.
Sensing this, all the Great Powers present went mad!
Instantly, several figures who could no longer hold back shot towards the entrance.
However, no one stopped them; everyone was observing to see if they could truly enter.
After seeing that they had indeed flown in, the remaining Great Powers could no longer hold back and rushed in one after another.
The Profound True Secret Realm had existed for a long history since its division from the Profound True World into the North and South Regions, but its treasures were impossible to completely exhaust.
After all, only those in the Nascent Soul Realm could enter. No matter what, the lowest level within was a Bronze Tomb, representing the existence of a Void Dao Realm.
As for the higher Silver and Golden Great Tombs, could they expect Nascent Soul Realm cultivators to take all the treasures within?
It would be good enough if they could break through the restrictions within and take some.
But now, the Great Powers present had encountered the greatest opportunity of their lives, as they could also enter.
So perhaps they could excavate all the treasures from these great tombs in one go, so how could they not be excited?
At this moment, even the anger over the death of their Heavenly Pride could not incite them to thoroughly investigate the matter. Taking treasures was the priority!
After all the Great Powers entered the Profound True Secret Realm, the first thing that greeted their eyes was the collapsed Golden Heavenly Tomb in the distance.
Everyone sighed with regret.
“That should be the core main tomb of the Profound True Secret Realm. It’s a pity it has collapsed.”
“No wonder so many people died before; it was due to the collapse of the main tomb.”
“Should we go there to take a look?”
“Are you kidding? It’s collapsed, so what’s there to see? Besides, time is tight!”
As the Golden Main Tomb collapsed, within the Profound True Secret Realm, streaks of light continuously shot into the sky.
Bronze light numbered in the hundreds of thousands, silver light over a hundred, and golden light over thirty!
All Great Powers knew what that meant.
At that moment, figures exuded terrifying mana fluctuations, even showcasing the power of rules, as they desperately flew towards the golden light in all directions.
Along the way, quite a few Great Powers even started fighting each other, replaying the scene where the True Disciple of the Nascent Soul Realm saw the Golden Heavenly Tomb appear.
155 True Person Ziyang and Jiang Ruhai stood together, unlike other great powers who flew towards the great tombs in various locations.
The restrictions of this Profound True Secret Realm disappeared, and they did not separate after entering.
157 True Person Ziyang secretly telepathically communicated:
“Quickly sense where Ning Qi and the others are. We must get them to leave first!”
Jiang Ruhai nodded.
“Alright, once we discover their location, we will head over immediately. Either one of us takes them back first while the other stays to explore for treasure, or we both just go back.”
Not long after, the two sensed where Ning Qi and the others were and immediately rushed over.
…
Before the Golden Heavenly Tomb collapsed, fortunately Ning Qi understood the formations within the Golden Treasure Hall.
He activated the formation, instantly teleporting the people of the Boundless Sword Sect and Niu Man and the six demons away together.
The location they teleported to was remote, but they also saw several Great Powers fighting not far away, their brains almost beaten out.
The Great Powers didn’t even consider looking at them when they appeared.
In front of infinite treasures, how could mere Nascent Soul Realm cultivators divide their attention?
Niu Man and the other demons looked towards Ning Qi, the gratitude in their beast eyes as substantial as if it were tangible.
The harvest from this Profound True Secret Realm trip for their Ox Demon Upper Sect was simply terrifyingly abundant.
Although it was significantly less than what Ning Qi obtained, Niu Man and the other demons understood the principle of being content.
What’s more, the price they offered for Ren Zong and Wu Dao to deal with Ning Qi before was nothing more than an intact Mid-grade Spirit Treasure and some Spiritual Blood.
And now, Ning Qi directly gave them three Mid-grade Spirit Treasures!
This number, if taken out, would be enough to buy out some minor sects that only have Void Dao Realm experts holding them down.
The true disciples behind Ning Qi, seeing this scene, couldn’t help but puff out their chests.
Following Senior Brother Ning, that’s how you gain prestige.
They looked up at Ning Qi’s retreating back. The eight true disciples, with the exception of Qin Minghao and Wang Ye, the remaining six true disciples had all made a decision in their hearts.
177 After returning to the Boundless Sword Sect, no matter what, I must merge into Senior Brother Ning’s Five Elements Peak!
In this life, they will only follow Senior Brother Ning!
“Brother Ning, I am extremely grateful for this trip, but for now, I advise you and your companions to leave as soon as possible.”
Niu Man scanned the members of the Boundless Sword Sect.
The others immediately understood his gaze; he was worried about them, as only they had survived.
Jiang Qingxue also proactively said: “Senior Brother Ning, Brother Niu’s words are not without reason. We are too conspicuous, and it is a disaster rather than a blessing at the moment.”
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
“Alright, since that’s the case, Brother Niu, we’ll go our separate ways here. We’ll meet again if there’s a chance in the future.”
Niu Man patted Ning Qi’s shoulder and suddenly handed over an item, which turned out to be an exquisitely decorated ox horn, only the size of a palm.
“Brother Ning, please accept this item. It can allow us to contact each other remotely, and even if you encounter someone from my Ox Demon Upper Sect while outside, as long as they aren’t a Great Power, you can command them to some extent.”
“Also, if that Northern Profound Upper Sect troubles you, please let us know. We have sworn a demon god’s oath, and we will definitely help you resist the Northern Profound Upper Sect. Brother Ning wouldn’t want us to perish under the demon god’s oath, would he!”
Ning Qi smiled and put away the ox horn.
“Then I won’t disappoint everyone’s warm hospitality. Also, Brother Niu, I hope you won’t reveal our situation.”
Niu Man said solemnly, “That is natural. Ren Zong, Wu Dao, and the others all died within the collapsed Golden Heavenly Tomb.”
He glanced at the five demons beside him, and the five demons instantly understood his meaning.
And so, the six demons made another demon god oath.
“I, Niu Man, will absolutely not leak information about the life or death of Ning Qi and the disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect within the Profound True Secret Realm, nor about any deeds performed.”
“I, White Tiger, …”
“……”
These few demons indeed don’t have many schemes, act with integrity, and are likable.
“Brother Ning, I will visit everyone at the Boundless Sword Sect again when I have the chance,” Niu Man said, cupping his fists.
198 Ning Qi replied, “I will also go to your Ox Demon Upper Sect when I have the chance.”
Immediately, the two teams departed in different directions.
Ning Qi led the way, with everyone following behind. For the sake of safety, Ning Qi even formed a formation to shield their aura and simultaneously render them invisible.
With his current World Lord cultivation, even a Void Dao Realm expert might not be able to break through it.
…
Thus, True Person Ziyang and the other, who had just sensed Ning Qi and the others’ location, instantly lost their perception, and the two were greatly startled.
“No good, the perception between us and them has disappeared!”
True Person Ziyang’s eyes clearly showed a panicked look, but he still managed to remain calm.
Immediately took out the Soul Lamp, and discovered that the two Soul Lamps that had not been extinguished by them before were still shining.
The two breathed a sigh of relief.
“The person is fine, I’m afraid they’ve entered some special areas.”
Jiang Ruhai looked towards True Person Ziyang, “Then should we still look for them?”
True Person Ziyang hesitated for a moment, then suddenly shook his head.
211 “Forget it, that Young Ning has always been very opinionated. I believe he has realized the current crisis.”
Jiang Ruhai said, “But if we can’t find them, won’t they be in even greater danger?”
True Person Ziyang shook his head.
“He saw other Great Powers enter, so he should know we’ve also entered the Profound True Secret Realm. However, he didn’t immediately rush towards us, and we’ve lost perception of each other. This means he might have encountered a new situation, or he might have other ideas.”
Jiang Ruhai suddenly smiled, “You really trust him.”
True Person Ziyang also showed a smile and said:
217 “With him still able to protect the true disciples of our Boundless Sword Sect, with not a single person perishing, shouldn’t we trust him?”
“That’s right!”
“Forget it. Since that kid isn’t contacting us now, let’s go join the fray and see if we can seize a few great tombs.”
…
Ning Qi indeed perceived the arrival of True Person Ziyang and the other person.
However, at the moment, it was indeed a better choice for them not to meet the two.
Originally, the great powers were attracted by the great tomb within the Profound True Secret Realm, and no one paid attention to these Nascent Soul Realm shrimp like them, but if they were truly together with the Void Dao Realm elders, they would inevitably be indirectly noticed.
Therefore, Ning Qi prepared to first lead everyone out of the Profound True Secret Realm.
As for the various colored lights rising from different places in the Profound True Secret Realm, they had already collected enough treasures on this trip. Competing for a great tomb with Void Dao Realm experts, if their main body’s strength were enough to receive it, they naturally wouldn’t be afraid, but it wasn’t safe enough. It would be better to let these great powers scavenge for them first, and they would take the opportunity to break through to the Rule Realm.
Thus, not long after, the nine people found another exit that led to the outside world, and walked out one by one.
Whoosh!
This space travel lacked the feeling of falling into an abyss that accompanied the first entry, which must be due to the disappearance of the Profound True Secret Realm’s restriction.
Ning Qi in front, eight people behind.
Not long after, several people finally found a Spirit Mountain.
“All junior brothers and sisters, we have all gained a lot from this journey. Since there is nothing left for us in the Profound True Secret Realm, why don’t we digest our gains from this trip here?”
The congregation naturally had the same idea.
Along this road, they not only learned much from Ning Qi but also received much from Ning Qi.
The congregation naturally had no objections, either entering closed-door cultivation for self-study or sparring with each other to verify their understanding.
Ning Qi also dug a cave on the mountain, sealed the entrance, and began his closed-door cultivation.
This trip has been so fruitful, obtaining so many Rule Jades, and even getting the Water Fire Dao Sword that contains the Water and Fire Rule Origins, it’s time for the Main Body to enter the Rule Realm.
Moreover, after stepping inside, he could completely contact True Person Ziyang and the other person, having them send the junior brothers and junior sisters back to the Boundless Sword Sect first.
As for himself, hehe, once he entered the Rule Realm, he could easily crush even those in the Body Integration Realm.
At that time, he returned to the Profound True Secret Realm alone, and could continue to reap his harvest.
First, settle the score with the Great Powers of the Northern Profound Upper Sect. Since they have come out, they shouldn’t expect to return to the sect!
