Chapter 279: Grand Ceremony
Ning Qi promised the Sword Ancestor that he would fulfill the responsibilities of Sect Master to deal with the Spirit Realm War.
Actually, after he stepped into the Void Dao Realm, he also gradually sensed the anxiety of the Mountain Sea Realm Will.
I’m afraid the Integration Realm Old Ancestors above will sense it more deeply, and other regions’ Immortal Sects will also know more information.
This World Will is truly interesting; it wants to devour and evolve itself, yet it transmits anxiety to the powerful beings within the realm as preparation before conscription.
However, what will be, will be.
Ning Qi waited for that day to arrive.
Afterward, Ning Qi took out some of his gains from the Profound True Secret Realm and gave them to the Sword Ancestor.
For example, the Heaven and Earth Unity Pill used by Integration Realm cultivators, and cultivation methods for Integration Realm Sword Cultivators, and so on.
Seeing Ning Qi’s abundant gains, even the Sword Ancestor was stunned.
When he ventured into the Profound True Secret Realm back then, he didn’t have such substantial gains; the best item he brought back to the Sect was the Limitless Sword Canon.
However, this was not the end. Ning Qi then took out several All Daos Integrate Me Pills used by Dao Integration Realm Old Ancestors, and even a damaged High-grade Spirit Sword imbued only with Sword Dao rules.
“I am giving these to the Sword Ancestor. I don’t know if they will help with your injuries.”
Jian Jingjue, who had always been proud, had always bestowed various resources upon his juniors. He never expected that he would now be showered with so many priceless items by a junior.
“Kid, did you empty out the Profound True Secret Realm?”
He stared at the items placed before him, emitting various halos and Dao principles, and could hardly believe it.
“I heard from Ziyang before that the Profound True Secret Realm, which has existed for hundreds of thousands of years, has reached its end, but their gains within were not much. It turns out you are the biggest winner. Quickly tell me about the real situation inside.”
During this trip to the Profound True Secret Realm, there was a struggle among the True Disciples. Zi Yang and Jiang Ruhai did not inquire about the True Disciples’ gains.
Because Ning Qi could protect everyone, ensuring that no True Disciple of their Boundless Sword Sect perished was already the greatest gain.
As for the subsequent lifting of restrictions in the Profound True Secret Realm, Zi Yang and Jiang Ruhai were almost killed by people from the Heavenly Star Upper Sect, but were saved by Ning Qi.
They left the Profound True Secret Realm in a hurry, so they naturally knew even less about Ning Qi’s gains within.
Coupled with Ning Qi directly entering the Late Void Dao Realm, this was definitely more admirable than leading everyone back alive.
Even if Ning Qi had used up all his gains from the Profound True Secret Realm, it wouldn’t matter.
Moreover, Ning Qi was now personally designated as the Sect Master by the Sword Ancestor, making it even more difficult for them to bring it up.
Therefore, they only told others what they knew.
Now that the Sword Ancestor inquired, Ning Qi recounted his experiences in the Profound True Secret Realm one by one.
Of course, he concealed his communication with the True Martial Realm.
Upon hearing that Ning Qi single-handedly transformed into the Purple-robed Bandit Marquis, plundered the Great Powers of various Sects in the North and South Regions, and finally annihilated a Great Power of the Northern Profound Upper Sect, framing the Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
Jian Jingjue couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Good, good, good! You kid have a lot of my old style, but speaking of which, aren’t you afraid they will eventually find out the truth?”
Ning Qi also smiled and said:
“By the time they find out, I will have entered the Integration Realm. What is there to fear?”
“Moreover, that rogue cultivator Fu Chen took away the most important Dao Integration Profound Technique. I believe those Sect Old Ancestors will definitely focus their attention on him.”
“After all, what they want most is to break through to the Dao Integration Realm. Everything else is far less important than this.”
Jian Jingjue nodded and looked at Ning Qi with satisfaction.
“After hearing about your experiences, I am truly at ease entrusting the Boundless Sword Sect to you.”
Ning Qi’s gaze fell back on the items he had produced.
“Sword Ancestor, please try these items and see if they are useful?”
Jian Jingjue picked them up one by one, examining them carefully, and finally picked up the incomplete High-grade Spirit Sword.
His slender and fair hand brushed over it, and the sword instantly activated, emitting waves of sword hum.
He then put it down and said:
“You have this intention, and I accept it. However, my Great Dao Injury cannot be removed even by the All Daos Integrate Me Pills of the Dao Integration Realm.”
“As for this Spirit Sword, you keep it. You also have Sword Dao rules and need it more than I do.”
Jian Jingjue was detached from material possessions and said with a carefree smile:
“It’s not that I’m boasting, you’ve sparred with me and know that spirit swords have become less and less useful to me. The Dao I walk does not rely on external things!”
Seeing the Sword Ancestor’s transcendence, Ning Qi did not take the items back.
“Sword Ancestor, please accept them. It’s good to take them out and ponder them in your spare time. As for the spirit sword, you don’t need to worry. I have more, but this sword is particularly suitable for you. I can’t find anything else useful to you, Sword Ancestor.”
Hearing this, the Sword Ancestor no longer refused. He was a bold person by nature.
“Alright, then I will enjoy the blessings of a junior.”
He accepted all the items and a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes as he looked at Ning Qi.
Those who aspire to climb the endless Immortal Path have the most resolute minds. They are detached from material possessions and emotions and can endure a lifetime of solitude.
The Sword Ancestor had no descendants and couldn’t help but regard Ning Qi as his own descendant.
Afterward, he had Ning Qi comprehend the jade slip he had previously given him on the spot, personally guiding him through its profound mysteries, which again caused him to be astonished.
Jian Jingjue lamented inwardly: “This child is excellent in all aspects. I consider myself unmatched in talent in the North and South Regions, yet I am repeatedly defeated in front of him. Prodigies in the world seize the cleverness of heaven and earth, but he alone can monopolize seventy percent!”
During this period, Ning Qi recalled the other divine artifact he obtained in the Profound True Secret Realm, the Golden Key, and took it out for the Sword Ancestor to examine.
To his surprise, when the Sword Ancestor took this item, a look of excitement appeared on his eternally calm face.
“I do not know the origin of this item, but it seems to have a suppressing effect on the evil qi within me. I believe it must hide a great secret.”
He fumbled with the key for a while before handing it back to Ning Qi.
“I cannot decipher its secret, but I always feel it is related to the Spirit Realm. Your fortune is abundant, so you should keep it. One day, you will be able to unravel everything, and perhaps my Great Dao Injury can truly be healed by you!”
One day later, Ning Qi departed.
The Sword Ancestor was exceptionally talented. Ning Qi was determined to relieve his ailment.
His talent was unlike anything Ning Qi had ever seen.
If he could fully recover, Ning Qi believed he would gain a powerful helper.
Although many people from the True Martial Realm had been reincarnated into the Shan He Realm, their progress in strength was still too slow compared to him.
As for the Dao that the Sword Ancestor walked, Ning Qi deduced the result using his comprehension.
If the Sword Ancestor could recover, he might be able to directly enter the Dao Integration Realm within a day, and it was even possible he could kill Dao Integration Realm cultivators.
And this was not the end; the Sword Ancestor also had the potential to reach the subsequent Immortal Path realms.
This was the terrifying power of “One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws” and “One Dao Commands Myriad Daos.”
Even Ning Qi was influenced by the Sword Ancestor and decided to shift his subsequent cultivation direction to this Dao.
He couldn’t help it; he was too covetous of the Power of Rules in the Sea of Realms!
If he were to collect Rule Jade and cultivate Rule Origin bit by bit on his own, it would be too slow.
If he learned the Sword Ancestor’s Dao, he could directly sever the myriad Daos in the Sea of Realms and integrate them into the True Martial Realm.
Afterward, Ning Qi returned to the Five Elements Peak.
He summoned the True Disciples of the peak to discuss future matters.
Now, he was about to take over as Sect Master, and his focus would be on the Sect from now on.
Since he was taking on the role of Sect Master, he had to bear the responsibilities of a Sect Master.
Soon, all the disciples of the peak arrived.
To Ning Qi’s surprise, the other eight True Disciples who had adventured with him in the Profound True Secret Realm had also moved into the Five Elements Peak, with only the formal merging of their original peaks remaining.
These required Sect approval.
Since Ning Qi was already the Sect Master, the Elders did not interfere, deciding to let the Sect Master handle this matter himself.
“Greetings, Sect Master!”
All the True Disciples of the peak bowed.
“What, you only see the Sect Master and not Senior Brother?”
The crowd was stunned for a moment, and then their expressions instantly relaxed.
They were most afraid that Ning Qi would become distant from them after becoming Sect Master.
Qin Minghao laughed, “Then we greet Sect Master Senior Brother!”
“Greetings, Sect Master Senior Brother!”
Ning Qi sighed and had no choice but to let them address him this way.
Ning Qi’s gaze fell upon Qin Minghao, and he said, “Junior Brother Minghao, from now on, you will be in charge of the Five Elements Peak. Are you willing?”
Qin Minghao was stunned, and not only him, but all the True Disciples present were also taken aback.
They had all come for Ning Qi, which was why they joined the Five Elements Peak.
Did Senior Brother Ning intend to abandon the Five Elements Peak?
Ning Qi’s Dao Heart was clear, and he naturally saw their inner thoughts, smilingly saying:
“You are all happy about me becoming Sect Master. Now I want to be a good Sect Master, why aren’t you willing?”
The crowd looked at each other, unsure how to respond for a moment.
Ning Qi then reassured them:
“From now on, even as Sect Master, I will continue to find time to personally guide you all, so you don’t need to worry.”
Qin Minghao glanced at the crowd before replying:
“Since Sect Master Senior Brother says so, then Minghao will manage the Five Elements Peak on behalf of Senior Brother.”
The eight True Disciples were somewhat bewildered at this moment.
During the Profound True Secret Realm, they had decided that everyone would follow Ning Qi and merge their subordinate peaks into the Five Elements Peak, but Senior Brother Ning had become the Sect Master.
Ning Qi naturally had not forgotten them either.
“Qingxue, Minguang, Qingxiao, and the other six of you, since you are willing to follow me, I naturally accept. However, things have changed too quickly. You should continue to be the Peak Masters and help me manage the True Disciples below, how about it?”
Jiang Qingxue and the others quickly replied, “Yes!”
“When I preach the Dao, you will all come together.”
The eight people’s faces immediately lit up with joy. Ning Qi’s arrangements were naturally satisfactory to all.
“Currently, there are only eight True Disciples left in our Boundless Sword Sect. Therefore, I have decided to recruit two more individuals to complete the Top Ten True Disciples.”
Ye Chen had died, and Ning Qi became Sect Master. Naturally, there were eight True Disciples left, two short.
“Wang Ye, you are acquainted with He Tian. Go and summon him.”
“Okay.”
Ning Qi’s gaze fell back upon the True Disciples of the Five Elements Peak.
He picked out one of them and said, “Sun Xing, you will fill the remaining spot.”
The person named Sun Xing was someone who had reincarnated from the True Martial Realm and had been taken into the Five Elements Peak by Ning Qi for a long time.
“Yes!”
He Tian was led to the Five Elements Peak by Wang Ye, still somewhat bewildered.
He never expected that Ning Qi would summon him and allow him to return to the True Disciple sequence. The ups and downs were too rapid.
Fortunately, He Tian was skilled in social interactions and proactively said:
“Sect Master Senior Brother, from now on, I will definitely follow you and, along with the other Senior Brothers and Sisters, help you govern the True Disciples below.”
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
Having made arrangements for the people of the Five Elements Peak and the eight True Disciples, and having reconvened the Top Ten True Disciples, Ning Qi had resolved some miscellaneous matters before taking office as Sect Master.
He showed favor to these people; in the future, whenever he had time, he would set aside a day to personally guide their cultivation.
At the same time, Ning Qi announced that they should make their own arrangements. Each of the Top Ten True Disciples’ peaks would assign one disciple per day to preach the Dao to the True Disciples below.
And the True Disciples below would also help the Outer Disciples further down cultivate.
Seeing Ning Qi’s arrangements, everyone was deeply moved.
Senior Brother Ning had already begun to change the entire Sect before even holding the Sect Master inauguration ceremony.
In the past, they, as True Disciples, all acted independently, viewing others as potential rivals, with little interaction.
However, Ning Qi had changed this trend. With such changes, the entire Boundless Sword Sect was bound to enter a period of rapid development as far as the eye could see.
Once this decree was issued, the disciples under them rejoiced and congratulated Ning Qi.
After dealing with the disciples’ affairs, Ning Qi strolled through the Sect, taking a walk around.
He inspected all the peaks, from the outer disciples to the inner disciples, then visited various halls within the Sect, and met with the Elders.
The Elders had long been waiting for him anxiously.
They had heard from the True Disciples and Zi Yang and Jiang Ruhai that Ning Qi could divide Rule Jade without any damage. They all possessed some and relied on it for advancement.
Therefore, Ning Qi took some time to have them present their Rule Jade, and then he returned the necessary rules to them.
Of course, Ning Qi also profited considerably from this.
Even so, all the Elders were overjoyed. With single-colored Rule Jade, their strength would also advance significantly.
As for the Jiang Family, the largest family within the Sect, their disciples, seeing how quickly Ning Qi had won over everyone in the Sect, immediately set aside their past arrogance and resolved to integrate into the Boundless Sword Sect under Ning Qi’s governance.
Especially Jiang Ruhai and Jiang Qingxue, who summoned the Jiang family members and gave earnest advice. The Jiang family members dared not disobey.
Ning Qi was likely the most revered Sect Master in the history of the Boundless Sword Sect, having won the hearts of everyone even before officially taking office.
…
Afterward, Ning Qi returned to the Sect Master’s residence.
The Sect Master’s residence was located among the central peaks, the place with the most abundant Spiritual Energy in the Boundless Sword Sect, arguably the core of the Boundless Sword Sect.
Ning Qi was not overly concerned with these matters. With the month-long deadline approaching, time was running out, so he settled his mind and entered a period of brief secluded cultivation.
Silently digesting what he had gained during this time, Ning Qi examined himself.
Currently, for the reincarnated body to step into the Integration Realm was not a matter of a single day.
This had nothing to do with comprehension; it required a long accumulation of time, theoretically perhaps a hundred years or more.
Of course, to avoid appearing too astonishing, he also had to slow down his pace.
If he encountered places like the Profound True Secret Realm, he could naturally accelerate his progress.
But for now, there was nothing. The only thing he could likely anticipate was the Spirit Realm War mentioned by the Sword Ancestor.
Ning Qi primarily focused his Heart Power on studying the Sword Ancestor’s “One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws” and “Great Dao Commands Myriad Daos.”
At the same time, he created several Rule Divine Abilities using fragmented insights gained along the way, combined with the Power of Rules he possessed.
…
This day, the Sect Leader succession ceremony drew ever nearer.
All disciples of the Boundless Sword Sect who were out adventuring rushed back, and those in closed-door cultivation within the sect were also awakened.
Vice Sect Master Cang Wanhe returned from the Three Gates Wasteland Realm.
Hearing that the Sword Ancestor had come out of closed-door cultivation and Ning Qi had succeeded as Sect Leader, Cang Wanhe’s head spun, and he almost fell from the cloud.
How is it that the Sect Leader changed not long after I went out? It’s still Young Ning!
When Ye Chen and Ye Qingtian died, the Boundless Sword Sect received the news, and the Ye family caused a disturbance.
It was Cang Wanhe who came out, calming all matters.
He was an old acquaintance of Ning Qi and the first elder within the Boundless Sword Sect to highly value Ning Qi.
Therefore, he immediately realized that the matter was not simple, and as the Vice Sect Master, he decided to personally investigate the Three Gates Wasteland Realm.
He was afraid the Ye Family would deliberately fabricate some false evidence detrimental to Ning Qi.
But they never imagined the Ye Family would be gone!
Cang Wanhe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. If he had known that Young Ning possessed such capability, why would he have bothered to travel so far to investigate?
He quickly went to meet Ning Qi, and naturally, he was astonished repeatedly.
At the same time, within the Boundless Sword Sect, a Daoist figure emerged from closed-door cultivation.
This person had a graceful figure, was adorned in flowing purple robes, and possessed eyebrows like swords. She was a female sword cultivator with sharp and proud bones, nicknamed Purple Sword True Person, and her name was Lu Ziyue.
Lu Ziyue, as the one who brought Ning Qi back to the Boundless Sword Sect, was envied by many along the way.
However, now, not a single person dares to have such a thought, because Ning Qi has stepped into the Late Stage of the Void Dao Realm and has become the Sect Leader.
Lu Ziyue heard about Ning Qi’s matter, pursed her rosy lips, and her beautiful eyes looked towards the central peaks, a hint of moisture in her gaze.
She had personally witnessed Ning Qi’s entire growth, from the initial surprise, to her resolve not to let Ning Qi catch up, then from Senior Sister to Junior Sister, and finally to looking up to him now.
Lu Ziyue calculated the time.
It’s only been a few decades, yet why does she have the illusion that it’s been a thousand years?
After a long time, she took a deep breath, the mist in her eyes dispersed, revealing the peerless elegance of Purple Sword True Person in her prime.
“What are you thinking about? You, you have held him before! He has today, so you must be overjoyed, isn’t that so?”
After she finished speaking to herself, she turned into a beam of light and flew towards the central peaks.
……
A month’s time passed in the blink of an eye.
All over the Boundless Sword Sect, it was decorated with lanterns and streamers.
Inside, various flowers and fruits were planted, with the fragrance of herbs and fruits filling the surroundings.
The invitations sent out brought the people who were meant to come.
Powerful fluctuations arrived at the Boundless Sword Sect’s mountain gate punctually today. Welcoming True Disciples and Elders received the guests and brought them into the sect.
The sect succession ceremony was also held in the central peaks.
At this moment, in the central peaks, a hundred peaks point to the sky like divine swords, spiritual energy naturally generating from them, with streams of Sword Dao Rules flowing.
Above its sky, numerous stars also manifested in broad daylight, illuminating the void, making this place appear like the center of the universe.
The Northern Xuan Region has a total of ten Upper Sects and several dozen Minor Sects.
Invited to the Boundless Sword Sect’s sect, great powers one after another sat down beside the plaza, their true disciples standing behind them.
Although the two regions are in chaos now, they still gave the Boundless Sword Sect face and came.
In the beginning, when the disciples under their command knew that Ning Qi, who was about to succeed as Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect, was previously a True Disciple, they all widened their eyes in disbelief.
Because according to the rules, after all true disciples of a sect emerge from the Profound True Secret Realm, it generally takes hundreds or thousands of years, and only after becoming a Great Power does a change of Sect Leader occur.
How can this Ning Qi be so capable? He’s too fast, or does their Boundless Sword Sect have no one else?
They swept their gazes around from time to time, and even the Great Powers were filled with doubt.
Among them, those skilled in observing qi, secretly examine all qi.
At a glance, he was instantly shocked!
How astonishing is this Boundless Sword Sect? The entire sect seems to be as one, with the sect’s aura condensed into a unified whole, and its vigorous vitality soaring directly to the sky, as if there’s a sign of great prosperity!
You must know that they have seen many sects in their lives. Let alone anything else, in comparison, even their own sect is not as good.
194 All sects, due to differences in human hearts, human desires, and their cultivation, exhibit different auras, mostly a chaotic mess.
If it is like the Boundless Sword Sect, it must have peerless prodigies emerge, overcome all obstacles of the sect, unify the upper and lower ranks, and be of one heart, only then can it be achieved!
At that moment, someone telepathically communicated this message to everyone.
The crowd communicated secretly; they had felt contempt before coming here.
After hearing this, they all put away their disdain, smiles appearing on their faces, and they cupped their fists to the surrounding Boundless Sword Sect Great Powers and said:
“Congratulations, congratulations!”
“Your Boundless Sword Sect has produced a dragon.”
True Person Ziyang said, “Everyone, no need to be polite. Now that you are at my Boundless Sword Sect, consider yourselves at your own sect.”
Everyone chuckled, and someone said:
“Elder Ziyang, are you speaking the truth? If it’s your own sect, then we’ll have to dig up your Sect Leader?”
True Person Ziyang stroked his beard and replied, “Naturally, but it depends on your abilities.”
The congregation’s exchange did not last long, and the appointed time had arrived.
The myriad peaks’ swords hummed, and countless starlight scattered.
Vice Sect Master Cang Wanhe presided over the Sect Leader succession ceremony, with each ritual proceeding in an orderly fashion.
Finally, everyone saw Ning Qi appear.
Many people saw Ning Qi at the entrance of the Profound True Secret Realm. Seeing him again now, the disciples couldn’t tell much, but all the Great Powers’ pupils contracted in shock.
They sensed the aura on Ning Qi. After a few months, he had actually stepped into the late Void Dao Realm.
How is this possible?
Behind the Great Powers, the many True Disciples saw their respective Great Powers seem to fall into silence, and each of them quickly sent telepathic messages to inquire.
“Master/Elder, what exactly is going on with Ning Qi?”
However, the responses from their master or elder in the next moment instantly silenced them.
“How dare you ask? Both are true disciples, and that one has already stepped into the late stage of the Void Dao Realm!”
Those true disciples had complicated expressions, and when they looked at Ning Qi again, only admiration remained in their eyes.
Even if they were unwilling to admit in their hearts that this was true, their elders would not speak carelessly. Moreover, the people of the Boundless Sword Sect were not fools.
It’s just, why is it like this?
They all returned alive from the Profound True Secret Realm, why is Ning Qi so outstanding?
The current ceremony has reached the time for bestowing the sword.
The Former Sect Leader Jiang Baichuan, with a solemn expression, held the Sect Protecting Sword and walked towards Ning Qi step by step.
This sword was formed from the sword intent condensed by the countless ancient sages of the Boundless Sword Sect. Although it is not a high-grade spiritual treasure, its power is not diminished.
“Present the sword!” Vice Sect Master Cang Wanhe said with propriety.
Jiang Baichuan raised the Sect Protecting Sword high and ascended the cloud steps, finally stopping in front of Ning Qi.
He was below, with Ning Qi above, to show the dignity of the new Sect Leader.
Just as Ning Qi was about to take the Sect Protecting Sword, suddenly, outside the Boundless Sword Sect.
A cold shout pierced through the numerous formations, “Wait a moment, has the Northern Profound Upper Sect been consulted regarding the succession of the new Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect?”
The Great Powers of the other sects all looked over, their expressions unchanged, but their hearts stirred.
“The troublemakers have arrived, let’s see a good show!”
Just then, several Great Powers arrived with immense force. Among them, two individuals, with one hand each, captured the welcomed True Disciple and Elder of the Boundless Sword Sect.
And the three leading them were all at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm, just a little bit inferior to the Sword Ancestor of the Boundless Sword Sect.
