Chapter 290: Swift Arrival
On the Central Plaza, the congregation was silent.
Niu Man and the other demons had the most fluctuating emotions, each breathing heavily, seemingly completely unable to believe it would be such a result.
Their Ox Demon Upper Sect’s Old Ancestor had actually lost!
But how long had it been?
They had only known Ning Qi for a few decades, and back then, the congregation’s strength had been evenly matched.
Now, Niu Man had just broken through to Void Dao Realm, but Ning Qi could press their own Old Ancestor to the ground and beat him?
If not for the reference of the cultivation progress of predecessors who had experienced the Profound True Secret Realm in past generations, in the face of Ning Qi’s terrifying progress speed, Niu Man even felt like he was standing still.
And his Old Ancestor Niu Ding Tian was even more sour about it.
After all, Niu Ding Tian’s status had been predetermined from the start, beginning from looking down on Ning Qi.
Even last time he came, wanting to befriend Ning Qi, Niu Ding Tian still considered himself Ning Qi’s senior.
Though he saw that Ning Qi was no ordinary person, to truly reach his level would still require a considerable amount of time.
However…
He had only gone into seclusion, and a few decades was just the blink of an eye for him. When he came to Boundless Sword Sect again, Ning Qi pressed him down and beat him.
If not for experiencing it personally, Niu Ding Tian would say this was no different from myths and legends!
Fortunately, cultivators cultivate the Heavenly Dao and observe the greater momentum.
So, recognizing reality was also extremely fast.
Niu Ding Tian shrugged his shoulders and smiled bitterly:
“Young Ning Brother, your cultivation promotion speed and your body of Supernatural Techniques have truly shocked this old ox to death!”
Having sparred with Ning Qi for so long, he naturally knew Ning Qi had held back.
Ning Qi had always been restricting his own supernatural powers, only using that Qiu Niu Divine Form to fight him.
And the Qiu Niu Divine Form was Niu Ding Tian’s ace supernatural power, but for Ning Qi, it was not.
Based on the previous messages received, Niu Ding Tian understood that Ning Qi’s strongest was not this Qiu Niu Divine Form, but a supernatural power called Five Elements Divine Chain.
That Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s Ye Wuxin had been directly blasted into form and spirit extinction by Ning Qi’s one Five Elements Divine Chain, thereby making other sects in the Northern Xuan Region respectfully call Ning Qi the Five Elements Sword Venerable.
So, thinking of this, Niu Ding Tian was utterly convinced by Ning Qi from inside out.
In the Ox Demon Upper Sect, he was also a Venerable, called Qiu Niu Venerable.
Integration Perfection cultivators were all called Venerables by the cultivators below them, because upon reaching this realm, they would immediately touch the Dao Integration Realm.
If they wanted to break through, they all had to undergo the baptism of World Tribulation Lightning, and only by enduring it would they have the qualification to step into Dao Integration Realm.
Of course, there were actually different divisions among these Venerables, related to the extent of the rules each grasped, the number and differences of the rules grasped, and the number of supernatural powers born from integrating into the flesh.
Like Niu Ding Tian before, he could only count as an Ordinary Venerable in Integration Realm.
Because before, he had only barely mastered the Divine Beast Qiu Niu Form, possessing the might of Qiu Niu.
Later, he obtained the Qiu Niu Divine Form from Ning Qi, and cultivating it to now made his Qiu Niu supernatural power possess Divine Intent, barely counting as a Top Venerable.
As for the Peak Venerable among the strongest in Integration Perfection, Niu Ding Tian still didn’t qualify.
He at least had to practice the Qiu Niu supernatural power to Ning Qi’s level, with myriad changes, containing Divine Sound in attacks, to become a Peak Venerable in Integration Perfection.
Mentioning this, Niu Ding Tian smiled bitterly again.
He, this Qiu Niu Venerable revered by the upper and lower levels of Ox Demon Upper Sect, upon meeting Ning Qi, instead made Ning Qi seem more like a Venerable.
Ning Qi withdrew the Qiu Niu Divine Shadow and descended from the air, his white clothes unstained by dust.
He casually waved his hand, and the places on the plaza previously destroyed by the battle were instantly repaired by the Earth Rule.
“Brother Niu, let’s go back inside the grand hall to talk.”
Niu Ding Tian nodded.
Afterward, the congregation dispersed. The Boundless Sword Sect’s Great Powers who watched this battle all gained some more insights into Integration Realm.
Niu Man and the other demons were also invited into the grand hall.
When they looked at Ning Qi again, there was much more reverence in their eyes.
The white-clothed man before them was already stronger than their Ox Demon Upper Sect’s strongest Old Ancestor!
The Sword Ancestor also hurried over at this moment to meet the few demons.
Seeing that the Sword Ancestor also emanated Integration Realm aura from his body, Niu Ding Tian was stunned on the spot again.
Good grief, no wonder Ning Qi was not afraid of Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s three Integration cultivators at all. It turned out Boundless Sword Sect also had two Integration Realm experts.
Two Integration Realm experts, both excelling in offensive daos. Niu Ding Tian was extremely envious. Why weren’t such people from their Ox Demon Upper Sect?
“Congratulations to Sword Brother on stepping into Integration.”
Niu Ding Tian cupped his hands and said.
Sword Jingjue’s face bloomed with a smile. Strength improved was just refreshing.
Last time this old ox came, he called him little Sword repeatedly, but called Ning Qi Ning Brother, which had made him depressed for a long time.
Now he finally got the old ox to change his address!
“Thanks, Brother Niu. Since Brother Niu personally came to Boundless Sword Sect, I think it’s definitely not just to specifically fight Young Ning, right?”
Sword Jingjue proactively asked. He cultivated Sword Dao, with a straightforward heart, directly asking the reason for Niu Ding Tian’s visit.
Niu Ding Tian glanced at the two, pondered for a moment, then said:
“This old ox came for two things: first, to apologize for not helping to block Feathered Ascension Upper Sect; second, to ask if Boundless Sword Sect needs any other help.”
He paused, then said bitterly: “But now both brothers have advanced to Integration. This old ox can’t help much anymore.”
The Sword Ancestor replied: “Brother Niu, don’t say that. With our two sects stationed in the north and south regions, we still need to exchange information.”
Now that the Spirit Realm War was about to start, one more friend meant one more boost, so even the somewhat proud Sword Ancestor had the intention to win over Ox Demon Upper Sect.
Hearing this, Niu Ding Tian glanced at the two again, then suddenly said:
“Ning Brother, Sword Brother, since you say so, I had a thought on the way here. What do you two think?”
Ning Qi said: “Please speak directly.”
Niu Ding Tian nodded and said:
“Though we have great reputations in both north and south regions, if the Spirit Realm War starts, we will only be the most ordinary cultivators among them.”
“So right now, you and I can only seize the time before the Spirit Realm War to control more resources, make fuller preparations, and accumulate foundation.”
“Now, both our sects are regarded as enemies by that Feathered Ascension Upper Sect. Since that’s the case, why not our two sects…”
This old ox slashed a hoof across his ox neck.
Ning Qi and the Sword Ancestor exchanged a glance, then suddenly smiled at each other.
Niu Ding Tian had come at the right time. They had actually discussed finding trouble with Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.
Whether it was Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s previous intervention in Northern Xuan Region affairs, secretly instigating other sects to occupy industries under Boundless Sword Sect, or later sending Integration Realm experts to try to slay them, both sides had formed an irresolvable deadly feud.
After Feathered Ascension Upper Sect had one Integration Realm and eleven Great Powers slain by Ning Qi and others, their sect’s strength instantly shrank by about a third.
They had no movements temporarily, not meaning they gave up; they were definitely plotting something bad.
So when Niu Ding Tian mentioned wanting to join forces with them to eradicate Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, how could Ning Qi and the Sword Ancestor disagree?
How could they let go of this cooperation delivered to their door?
To truly eradicate Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, they needed helpers in Southern True Domain who knew them inside out, after all, it was cross-domain combat for them.
Now that Niu Ding Tian mentioned it, it was like being sleepy and having a pillow come.
Ning Qi smiled: “Brother Niu, have you thought it through? If you really want to eradicate Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, once you act, their main energy will be on your Ox Demon Upper Sect.”
“After all, your Ox Demon Upper Sect is in the same Southern True Domain.”
Niu Ding Tian’s pair of copper bell-sized ox eyes flashed with divine light, and he responded:
“Two brothers, there’s one thing you may know?”
The Sword Ancestor asked curiously: “What is it?”
“Sword Brother may know a bit, but Ning Brother is too young and may not be clear.”
Ning Qi and Sword Jingjue didn’t know what medicine Niu Ding Tian was selling in his gourd.
Niu Ding Tian chuckled.
“It’s related to that Profound True Secret Realm. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the appearance of Profound True Secret Realm isolated the original Xuanzhen Domain into Southern True Domain and Northern Xuan Region. Now that Profound True Secret Realm has disappeared, what do you think will happen?”
Ning Qi and Sword Jingjue suddenly realized. They really hadn’t thought of this point.
Ning Qi was too young and didn’t know these things. Even the Sword Ancestor hadn’t paid attention.
“You mean, because Profound True Secret Realm has disappeared, the two regions have a trend of reuniting?” Ning Qi asked.
Niu Ding Tian nodded heavily.
“This is also why I mentioned the two sects joining forces to eradicate Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.”
One could only hear him continue:
“Back then, the birth of Profound True Secret Realm was because of the great war in Xuanzhen Domain, where all cultivators were drawn into the battle. From Dao Integration Old Ancestors to ordinary cultivators, they drew too much Power of Rules from heaven and earth, forming that sealed Profound True Secret Realm.”
“Now that Profound True Secret Realm has collapsed, those chaotic Power of Rules will slowly be re-accepted and sorted by the greater heaven and earth, integrating into it.”
“At that time, the north and south regions will reunite, Xuanzhen Domain will reappear, and spiritual energy concentration will surge. So…”
The Sword Ancestor picked up his words, smiling:
“So before the north and south regions unite, first take down Feathered Ascension Upper Sect!”
“Yes.”
“How many Integration Realm does your Ox Demon Upper Sect have now?”
Niu Ding Tian said mysteriously: “This intelligence concerns our sect’s life and death. I hope the two won’t spread it after hearing.”
Ning Qi and Sword Jingjue nodded at the same time.
“Rest assured, we who hold Boundless Sword Sect, how could we not know the importance of such intelligence to the sect? Young Ning also had me hidden in the back, letting the world think our Boundless Sword Sect only has one Integration Realm.”
At this point, how could Niu Ding Tian continue to conceal.
Just as the Sword Ancestor said, originally he was hidden by Ning Qi, but now meeting Niu Ding Tian meant exposing the cards.
Since Boundless Sword Sect was so open, why should Ox Demon Upper Sect continue to hide.
Niu Ding Tian said: “Our Ox Demon Upper Sect has a total of four Integration Realm existences. Besides me, there is one Integration Mid-stage, one Late Integration, and one Perfection Top Venerable.”
Hearing this, Ning Qi and the other couldn’t help but say Ox Demon Upper Sect had hidden deeply enough.
Northern Profound Upper Sect had only one Integration Realm, while Feathered Ascension Upper Sect surprisingly had three.
They previously thought that Heavenly Star Upper Sect and Ox Demon Upper Sect, which were as famous as Feathered Ascension Upper Sect in Southern True Domain, should also have three Integration Realm, but unexpectedly Ox Demon Upper Sect had birthed another Integration Realm over these years.
If Niu Ding Tian hadn’t said it, no one would know.
Niu Ding Tian continued:
“If the two brothers agree, we will send three Integration Realm, you two also act, and after exterminating Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, split their territory and industries equally, how about it?”
Niu Ding Tian proposed such favorable conditions, stunning Ning Qi and the other.
Just as Ning Qi said before, as soon as Ox Demon Upper Sect acted, being in the same Southern True Domain as Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, a great war would instantly erupt between the two sects, thoroughly tying down Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.
If they couldn’t exterminate Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, then Ox Demon Upper Sect would be in trouble afterward.
Yet Niu Ding Tian said they were willing to send three Integration Realm to join the battle, letting Ning Qi and Sword Ancestor just go, and afterward split everything of Feathered Ascension Upper Sect equally.
Such favorable conditions were equivalent to Niu Ding Tian still investing in the two, optimistic about their future.
“Young Ning, you are now the Sect Leader. You make the decision.”
The Sword Ancestor directly handed the decision to Ning Qi.
Ning Qi already had a resolution in his heart.
Not to mention Feathered Ascension Upper Sect only had two Integration Realm left, even if three, as long as Ox Demon Upper Sect was willing to send equal Integration Realm, this deal was all profit no loss.
Moreover, Ning Qi’s Main Body already had Dao Integration Realm combat power, giving him absolute confidence.
However, if he could avoid borrowing the Main Body’s power, better not to. With Spirit Realm War imminent, he must be cautious.
Thus, Ning Qi looked at Niu Ding Tian and said:
“Since Brother Niu thinks so highly of us, if I don’t agree, wouldn’t I seem too ignorant of favors.”
Hearing this, Niu Ding Tian secretly relaxed his suspended heart.
Though he knew Ning Qi couldn’t refuse, he was still a bit nervous.
No way around it. Boundless Sword Sect before them had the momentum of rising. Whether Ning Qi or Sword Jingjue, Niu Ding Tian dared to say both would absolutely step into Dao Integration Realm in the future.
He missed investing when the two were still weak, so he could only increase the stakes now, befriend the two, befriend Boundless Sword Sect.
Right now Niu Ding Tian could still help the two somewhat. If he waited longer, Niu Ding Tian had no confidence.
So, he offered such favorable conditions to quickly board their ride.
The Sword Ancestor suddenly said:
“With our five Integration Realm acting, exterminating that Feathered Ascension Upper Sect should be no problem. But such a big commotion, Heavenly Star Upper Sect in the same Southern True Domain definitely won’t sit idly by. At that time, they will surely act too?”
Niu Ding Tian responded:
“As long as we plan well, we can seize the initiative. At that time, we lure those two Integration Realm of Feathered Ascension Upper Sect out of their Sect Protecting Grand Formation and instant kill them. Even if Heavenly Star Upper Sect people come, it’s too late.”
As he spoke, he looked at Ning Qi.
“Combining our previous fight, and Ning Brother’s previous battle with Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s Ye Wuxin, Ning Brother has the strength to instant kill Integration Realm. As long as Ning Brother doesn’t hold back then, it’s steady.”
“Moreover, if that Heavenly Star Upper Sect really intervenes, it’s our opportunity. Simply eradicate them together.”
Niu Ding Tian’s pair of ox eyes shone brightly.
“If we exterminate Feathered Ascension and Heavenly Star, then you and I can split Xuanzhen Domain equally. We ally with Heavenly Dao oath, how about it?”
He looked at Ning Qi and the other with full expectation. Mentioning this plan and vision, even his Dao Heart cultivated for tens of thousands of years couldn’t help but fluctuate.
On Ning Qi’s side, upon hearing this, excitement flashed in the Sword Ancestor’s sword eyes.
Xuanzhen Domain reappearing, splitting Xuanzhen Domain—what a great feat that would be!
One must know that previously, the Sword Ancestor’s aspiration was just to lead Boundless Sword Sect to become one of the hegemons of Northern Xuan Region, able to rival Northern Profound Upper Sect.
Unexpectedly, Niu Ding Tian brought a plan that could let Boundless Sword Sect far exceed what he previously thought.
He couldn’t help but look at Ning Qi.
But Ning Qi’s expression remained extremely calm.
Niu Ding Tian and the Sword Ancestor couldn’t help but admire him inwardly. Two ten-thousand-year-old lamps couldn’t help but be moved by the vision, yet Ning Qi, whose age was not even a fraction of theirs, was instead the calmest one.
“Yes!”
Ning Qi faintly spat out one word, coloring the vision in the two’s hearts.
Niu Ding Tian was immediately overjoyed.
“No time to lose. This old ox will first return to Ox Demon Upper Sect and seriously plan this matter.”
Ning Qi nodded slightly.
“Once the timing is ripe, Brother Niu notify me immediately.”
“Mm!”
Next, Niu Ding Tian brought Niu Man and the other demons and hurried back swiftly.
As Sect Leader, for such a big matter, Ning Qi naturally needed to inform others in the sect.
But currently, he could only spread the news among the Great Powers.
Thus, he summoned the sect’s Great Powers and told them everything.
The congregation was first stunned upon hearing, and their later reactions were like the Sword Ancestor’s.
If not for the Spirit Realm War, they would already be very satisfied with Boundless Sword Sect’s current development. Now the Sect Leader had planned a new territory for Boundless Sword Sect, really making the congregation’s hearts thump uncontrollably.
Boundless Sword Sect’s progress over these decades was obvious to all. Which other sect didn’t envy?
Now when they went out of the sect and met cultivators from other sects, the other side mostly gave envious looks.
Along with this, the disciples they recruited over these years also became more and more numerous and better.
For the Sect Leader Senior Brother’s decision, Qin Minghao and others who advanced from the Top Ten True Disciples immediately expressed support.
True Person Ziyang, Jiang Ruhai, and other old veterans also immediately responded.
The others also voiced agreement one after another.
Now, no matter what Ning Qi did, they all expressed support. They believed in Ning Qi’s decisions!
…
Time passed, day by day. Who knows how many floating organisms’ entire lives quietly passed like this.
Ning Qi appeared extremely patient.
Those who plot great things must have calm demeanor, waiting for the right time to act.
Ox Demon Upper Sect would definitely find a perfect timing. For such a major matter, he believed Ox Demon Upper Sect wouldn’t drop the ball.
In the blink of an eye, five years passed.
Ning Qi and the Sword Ancestor had been cultivating low-key all along.
The two often sparred.
The more they sparred, the more shocked the Sword Ancestor became.
He truly felt like a ten-thousand-year-old lamp dug out from the grave.
Only those who had truly fought Ning Qi knew how fast Ning Qi’s changes were, how fast his growth was.
Even in a spar, one could sense the astonishing changes on Ning Qi.
Over time, the Sword Ancestor got used to it. Heh, so what if talent is high?
I myself break all laws with one sword!
What, Ning Qi can too?
I control myriad daos with Sword Dao!
What, Ning Qi can too?
I… I damn well still break all laws with one sword!
I’ll stick firmly to this path, not comparing with those flashy guys, it just tires the heart!
Depressed yes, but his mind gradually broadened. The Sword Ancestor deeply knew that to progress, one couldn’t be bound by emotions, controlled by emotions.
So, even if beaten down by Ning Qi, he still often proactively sought spars with Ning Qi.
Thus, the Sword Ancestor’s originally peerlessly sharp Divine Sword, after tempering with Ning Qi, his divine edge instead became much plainer.
But under the plainness brewed even more terrifying power!
Over these five years, Ning Qi naturally hadn’t stood still.
The Power of Rules he grasped increased by another five, now totaling fifty!
Fifty sounds like just two words, but in the north and south regions, who had more rules grasped than him?
Not to mention north and south regions, even in all Spiritual Realms of Mountain Sea Realm, few could surpass Ning Qi.
Besides mastering the Sword Ancestor’s One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws and controlling myriad daos with Sword Dao, Ning Qi was still continuing to expand the Sword Ancestor’s dao.
He wasn’t fixated on Sword Dao, but using one dao to break myriad daos, one dao to control myriad daos.
Ning Qi always felt the Sword Ancestor’s path was particularly strange, with extremely high ceiling, seeming like it could go on forever.
Over five years, using Sword Dao to control myriad daos, he still couldn’t match the Sword Ancestor’s quantity.
The Sword Ancestor could almost control various weapon daos with Sword Dao, but Ning Qi could barely control three.
Cultivating this dao was a grind, not something that could be quickly mastered just by comprehension.
But for every dao controlled, in the future, if enemies cultivated daos controlled by Ning Qi or Sword Ancestor, they would definitely be countered by the two!
As this dao deepened, Ning Qi’s Main Body had tested in Sea of Realms. Now he could slash ten cubic meters of rules from Sea of Realms with one sword, letting it integrate into True Martial Realm.
This was something Ning Qi previously couldn’t even imagine.
Since this dao could slay Sea of Realms, it could also slay other worlds, robbing their Origin.
If not for not wanting to expose now, he could even directly slash spaces within Mountain Sea Realm and integrate into True Martial Realm.
Finally, Ning Qi separately evolved this dao into a unique supernatural power called World Slaying!
At the same time, Ning Qi also reforged with Body of Rules all the various martial techniques he practiced in lower realms back then.
For example, Niu Ding Tian’s Qiu Niu Divine Form—Ning Qi successively perfected the other divine forms of True Martial Nine Stances, combining into True Dragon, which could gather or disperse, each becoming a supernatural power.
In these five years, Boundless Sword Sect’s development was naturally also extremely rapid.
Now, no sect in Northern Xuan Region could stop Boundless Sword Sect’s rise anymore, let alone those reincarnators each occupying pivotal positions in the sect.
Thus, Boundless Sword Sect thoroughly became the well-deserved hegemon of Northern Xuan Region, with prestige far surpassing the previous Northern Profound Upper Sect.
Within each sect, there were experts responding.
As long as Ning Qi raised his arm, each sect would proactively act, unlike Northern Profound Upper Sect, which though had aura, had few responders.
…
Southern True Domain.
Over five years, Ox Demon Upper Sect had been secretly promoting the plan formulated by Niu Ding Tian.
Of course, this plan wasn’t formulated by Niu Ding Tian alone; he also exchanged with the other three Integration Realm in Ox Demon Upper Sect, and every interval, he would send messages to Ning Qi.
Over the five years, intentionally or otherwise, Ox Demon Upper Sect kept clashing with Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.
Each clash happened so innocently, giving the feeling that Ox Demon Upper Sect was self-defending, that Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s Great Powers and True Disciples were being aggressive.
Other sects were also indirectly utilized by Ox Demon Upper Sect, such as other ordinary Upper Sects, even Heavenly Star Upper Sect people were dragged in.
During this period, Ox Demon Upper Sect didn’t suffer much loss, but Feathered Ascension Upper Sect lost many important True Disciples, or descendants of certain big shots, all slain by Ox Demon Upper Sect.
The conflict between the two sects became increasingly intense. Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, no matter how enduring, couldn’t endure anymore.
They shifted all attention to Ox Demon Upper Sect, instead ignoring Boundless Sword Sect in Northern Xuan Region.
This day.
Fang Chen Jin, the peerless Heavenly Pride nurtured by Feathered Ascension Upper Sect with the full sect’s power, was slain by Ox Demon Upper Sect’s disciple.
This Fang Chen Jin was Sect Leader Fang Xiandao’s youngest son of Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, publicly recognized by all in Feathered Ascension Upper Sect as the next generation’s leading figure.
His talent was considered by Feathered Ascension Upper Sect to surpass that year’s north-south five great Heavenly Prides, only inferior to Ning Qi.
However, Fang Chen Jin died halfway, shattering Feathered Ascension Upper Sect’s hope once again.
This time, Feathered Ascension Upper Sect was thoroughly enraged and wanted to wage war on Ox Demon Upper Sect with the entire sect!
And at this moment, Ning Qi received the message from Niu Ding Tian.
“The net is set. Come quickly!”
