Chapter 296: Starlight Fusion Art
Heavenly Star Upper Sect Sect Leader Xia Tianhe had just left Qingxuan Immortal Sect.
He had not flown far, and the shadow of Qingxuan Immortal Sect was not yet visible, when he was surprised to see Si Kong Qing’s figure appear from the end of the horizon and hurry back.
Xia Tianhe was extremely puzzled. Wasn’t Si Kong Qing going to Boundless Sword Sect? Why did he suddenly turn back?
Not long after, the two met midway.
Xia Tianhe saw Si Kong Qing up close and was immediately startled.
Before leaving, Si Kong Qing had been full of confidence, but now his hair was a mess of white, his face pale, and his nose and face bruised and swollen.
His robe was tattered, and his aura unstable, as if he could barely maintain Dao Integration Realm cultivation.
“Senior Si Kong, what happened to you…”
Xia Tianhe quickly stopped and bowed to ask.
Although he did not know what had happened, he could guess that Si Kong Qing must have encountered someone and battled them, and from his expression, he had definitely lost!
Xia Tianhe could not help but feel worried. Si Kong Qing was like this—would he still go to Boundless Sword Sect to subdue Ning Qi?
Si Kong Qing’s face was ugly as he glared at Xia Tianhe, as if he had endless frustration he wanted to vent.
Their Qingxuan Immortal Sect had been invited twice by sects from Southern True Domain. The first time, four Venerables died, and this time, even he had nearly perished.
If not for feeling that his own strength had been destabilized by that old Daoist just now, Si Kong Qing would even want to kill Xia Tianhe directly!
But after thinking about it, he temporarily held back.
After all, in his current state, it was better not to stir up more trouble.
Xia Tianhe saw his unusual expression, and a flash of killing intent seemed to quickly pass over him in his eyes, making his heart skip a beat.
He could only lower his head, not daring to speak carelessly.
Si Kong Qing was about to return to the sect, but his figure that had just flown out returned to Xia Tianhe’s side.
Xia Tianhe was immediately startled into breaking out in a cold sweat!
“Senior Si Kong, you…”
Si Kong Qing directly interrupted him. “Do you know this person?”
That old Daoist earlier—he had racked his brains but still did not know who he was. The timing of his appearance was too coincidental.
How did he appear right after Heavenly Star Upper Sect requested aid?
Si Kong Qing used mana to manifest the appearance of Ning Qi after his transformation, projecting it in front of Xia Tianhe.
Xia Tianhe glanced at it and saw that the old Daoist had an immortal demeanor. He vaguely felt like he had seen him somewhere before.
When Ning Qi first transformed into Zhan Xuan Shang Jun and annihilated Northern Profound Upper Sect, all sects in Northern Xuan Region had been plunged into fear, so secret techniques were used to recreate his appearance.
Thus, Zhan Xuan Shang Jun’s appearance was well-known throughout Northern Xuan Region.
News from Northern Xuan Region had naturally reached the sects of Southern True Domain, and they were extremely concerned about the annihilation of Northern Profound Upper Sect.
The sects of Southern True Domain were also aware of Zhan Xuan Shang Jun’s appearance.
However, Xia Tianhe did not recognize him at first glance until he noticed the gourd at the old man’s waist, engraved with the words “Zhan Xuan,” which finally jogged his memory.
Si Kong Qing noticed the subtle change in Xia Tianhe’s expression and immediately said, “You know this person?”
Xia Tianhe immediately replied, “Senior Si Kong, I only know he is called Zhan Xuan Shang Jun. Decades ago, he came to Northern Xuan Region and destroyed Northern Profound Upper Sect, making his name known in both domains.”
Si Kong Qing was stunned. “Zhan Xuan Shang Jun, Northern Profound Upper Sect?”
Recalling the previous battle with Zhan Xuan, the opponent had been trying to kill him relentlessly. If not for the intervention of Spirit Realm Will, he would not have made it back alive.
“Zhan Xuan, Zhan Xuan…”
Si Kong Qing ignored Xia Tianhe and directly turned back quickly to Qingxuan Immortal Sect.
Their Qingxuan Immortal Sect also had a “Xuan” character. Could that madman want to annihilate their Qingxuan Immortal Sect too?
Xia Tianhe looked up toward Qingxuan Immortal Sect. He understood in his heart that Si Kong Qing must have encountered that Zhan Xuan Shang Jun.
For the continuation of Heavenly Star Upper Sect, he was entangled whether to go in again.
But unexpectedly, a great formation rose over Qingxuan Immortal Sect, shrouded in hazy blue light and clouds.
Xia Tianhe exclaimed in shock, “It’s over!”
He had come this time to persuade Si Kong Qing to eliminate Ning Qi, but now Si Kong Qing had directly sealed Qingxuan Immortal Sect.
Did that not put their Heavenly Star Upper Sect in danger?
But now, he had no other options and could only hurry back to Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
…
Although Ox Demon Upper Sect and Boundless Sword Sect had both chosen to activate their sect protecting grand formations and seal the mountains until the Spirit Realm War began.
The two sects still sent people outside to gather intelligence.
Especially intelligence on Qingxuan Immortal Sect, since both sects had chosen to temporarily seal the mountains because of the Dao Integration Realm’s Si Kong Qing.
Not long after, intelligence personnel from both sects received the news that Si Kong Qing had left the mountain and flown toward Northern Xuan Region, startling them.
But the follow-up message left the intelligence personnel from both sects stunned in place.
“Si Kong Qing encountered Zhan Xuan Shang Jun. Zhan Xuan Shang Jun battled him and scared him back to Qingxuan Immortal Sect, where he sealed the sect and did not emerge!”
At this point, the great powers in charge of intelligence collection in both sects immediately flew toward the Sect Leader Hall.
Boundless Sword Sect.
Ning Qi had already returned to the sect through the teleportation gate.
So when the great power in charge of intelligence arrived, he happened to be in the Sect Leader Hall.
Seeing the other’s excited expression, Ning Qi smiled faintly and then summoned the sect’s great powers for discussion.
Upon hearing this news, everyone was full of joy and relief.
Who would have thought that Zhan Xuan Shang Jun had unintentionally helped their Boundless Sword Sect twice.
Even if some felt it was too coincidental, they did not dwell on it.
They merely offered many items in front of the statue of Zhan Xuan Shang Jun that had been erected in the sect last time.
Since emerging from closed-door cultivation, Lu Ziyue had heard from Ning Qi about Si Kong Qing coming to the door, and her heart had been on edge.
She worried for the future of Boundless Sword Sect and even more for Ning Qi.
Now she finally breathed a sigh of relief, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ning Qi, blinking quickly.
Ning Qi noticed her expression and smiled back at her.
The great powers sat within the hall. Knowing Ning Qi had called them here, it was naturally not just to relay this news.
The news ensured their safety along with Ox Demon Upper Sect, and after safety was secured, it was naturally time for unfinished business.
Sure enough, not long after, Ning Qi received a message from Niu Ding Tian of Ox Demon Upper Sect.
“Young Ning Brother, that Si Kong Qing doesn’t dare come. Should we continue to annihilate Heavenly Star Upper Sect? If yes, please reply, and I will immediately muster troops to set out.”
Ning Qi sent back a message.
“Yes, we will teleport directly into your Ox Demon Upper Sect.”
Inside Ox Demon Upper Sect, Niu Ding Tian, Hu Xiao Tian, and Kong Cai Chen, the three Integration Realm Old Ancestors, were together at the moment.
They all stared tensely at the sound transmission jade slip.
Seeing Ning Qi’s reply, the three great demons were all shocked.
As expected, with the teleportation gate Ning Qi had helped them establish last time, Ning Qi could reverse-teleport people over!
But the three demons had already discussed it and vowed to follow Ning Qi, so there were no more barriers in their hearts.
The three demons were even more grateful for hitching a ride with Ning Qi.
Otherwise, once the north and south regions reunified into Xuanzhen Domain, within this one domain, only their two sects would have Integration Realm existences, and all other sects would have to submit.
Niu Ding Tian immediately summoned the great demons and true disciples in the sect. The demons gathered not far from Ox Demon Upper Sect’s teleportation gate, waiting for people from Boundless Sword Sect to arrive.
Ning Qi informed the Boundless Sword Sect crowd of the movements on the Ox Demon Upper Sect side.
Just as he finished speaking, Vice Sect Master Cang Wanhe smiled and said, “Sect Leader, this time, please don’t leave this old man behind.”
Ning Qi glanced at him and nodded slightly.
Cang Wanhe’s old face immediately broke into a wide grin, like a child.
The other great powers also immediately voiced their eagerness to set out with Ning Qi to Southern True Domain.
Ning Qi still selected Qin Minghao and others, True Person Ziyang, Cang Wanhe, Lu Ziyue, added two great powers who had never gone out with him before, and selected thirty true disciples as the expedition team.
This time, he left Jiang Ruhai to guard Boundless Sword Sect.
Jiang Ruhai respectfully accepted the order. He was not unhappy at all; instead, he was smiling.
Previously, it had always been Cang Wanhe guarding the sect, showing Ning Qi’s complete trust in him.
Now that it was his turn, it naturally showed Ning Qi trusted him too.
Former Sect Leader Jiang Baichuan had gone out with Ning Qi once last time. Being left behind this time, he did not dare show any dissatisfaction.
He could only blame himself for not supporting Ning Qi at the first opportunity and instead opposing him.
Fortunately, Ning Qi had taken him last time, so the page was fully turned.
At the same time, Ning Qi was creating an orientation in the sect: those who supported him more would be valued more by him.
Just like the original top ten true disciples including Qin Minghao—Ning Qi had never left them behind and even left two spots for other great powers, which was fair.
Lu Ziyue secretly admired Ning Qi. She had not expected him to manage the sect’s people so obediently.
She also sighed inwardly. Since hugging Ning Qi back to the sect decades ago, she had never gone out on a mission with him. Now she finally had the chance.
Immediately after, Ning Qi led the crowd to the teleportation array in the sect.
Ning Qi threw many spirit stones into it, fully activating the teleportation grand formation.
Spiritual energy misty like fog rose above it, faintly showing the scene inside Ox Demon Upper Sect at the destination.
Ning Qi led everyone to step into the array together.
Suddenly, everyone’s vision brightened, and they completely disappeared.
Many sect members watching the ceremony near the teleportation array were once again shocked by the teleportation array set up by the Sect Leader.
After all, Ning Qi and the others had used it once when returning last time. This was the first time activating it to go to another sect, and everyone felt it was incredibly amazing.
Ox Demon Upper Sect.
The demons had been staring at the teleportation array Ning Qi had set up.
Suddenly, the grand formation expanded abruptly, and a mirror-like barrier appeared above the formation.
The demons could see through this barrier who was crossing the void via the array.
When they saw Ning Qi and the others’ figures appear on the barrier, all the demons held their breath.
Such a powerful formation allowed Ning Qi to bring people across the two domains extremely quickly—it was truly terrifying.
The next moment, Ning Qi in his snow-white robes, along with the crowd behind him, fully stepped out from that mirror.
Several powerful auras descended upon Ox Demon Upper Sect, and all the demons rose to welcome them.
Earlier, Niu Ding Tian, Niu Man, and others had told the Ox Demon Upper Sect demons Ning Qi’s story. Now, as the demons looked at Ning Qi, it was as if they were seeing a legend.
Niu Ding Tian laughed, “Young Ning Brother, I only now understand how convenient your teleportation array is. You messaged us just twenty breaths ago, and you’ve already arrived at Ox Demon Upper Sect.”
Ning Qi replied, “Brother Niu, no need for idle talk. Time is pressing—let’s set off for Heavenly Star Upper Sect.”
Peacock King Kong Cai Chen glanced at Hu Xiao Tian.
Hu Xiao Tian immediately understood and privately transmitted, “Brother Kong, you go this time. I’ll guard the sect, so you can personally witness Sect Leader Ning’s divine might.”
Kong Cai Chen nodded.
Thus, the people from both sects flew out of Ox Demon Upper Sect together, heading majestically toward Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
The three Integration Realm Old Ancestors sat in the Sect Leader Hall. Although Xia Tianhe had not yet returned, he had already sent back the news.
With Dao Integration Realm’s Si Kong Qing sealed in and not emerging, Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s fate was predictable.
The congregation discussed the future of Heavenly Star Upper Sect, but no matter how they discussed, they could not think of a good way to cope with the coming crisis.
Their Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s strength was comparable to the annihilated Feathered Ascension Upper Sect.
Feathered Ascension Upper Sect had been annihilated—what could they use to resist the alliance of Ox Demon Upper Sect and Boundless Sword Sect?
Could the combined power of three Integration Realm Old Ancestors resist it, or could the sect protecting grand formation?
Feathered Ascension Upper Sect had already shown them!
Not to mention three Integration Realm—seven had been slain by Ning Qi, and the sect protecting grand formation broke under one sword from Ning Qi.
The only slight comfort was that Boundless Sword Sect had returned to Northern Xuan Region after the last battle.
If it was just Ox Demon Upper Sect in Southern True Domain, their strength was similar, and they could not do much to them temporarily.
So, even if Boundless Sword Sect’s Five Elements Sword Venerable Ning Qi brought people, it would take at least more than two days.
They still had more than two days to prepare!
“Star Venerable Old Ancestor, what should we do now?”
In the hall, a great power asked one of the three Integration Realm Old Ancestors above—the strongest Integration Realm Perfection Old Ancestor, Star Venerable Tang Mankong.
Tang Mankong glanced at the other two Integration Realm beside him: Late Integration Realm Tang Yinghuo and Mid Integration Realm Tang Niulang.
The three were brothers who had taken over Heavenly Star Upper Sect from their fallen father fifty thousand years ago.
His two younger brothers were also looking at him now, waiting for Tang Mankong to decide.
Tang Mankong frowned slightly.
They three had emerged from ten thousand years of closed-door cultivation without breakthrough signs in cultivation, yet the sect faced annihilation—it really gave him a headache.
“Big Brother, that Ning Qi won’t tolerate us Integration Realm. We can only choose to fight!” The hot-tempered Tang Yinghuo said with a glare.
Hearing this, Tang Mankong and Tang Niulang’s expressions tightened.
Tang Niulang said with a bitter face, “Fighting only makes sense if we can win. I think we should pack up all sect resources while we have two days left and flee to other spiritual domains. We can’t stay in the north and south regions anymore.”
The three brothers communicated via telepathic transmission without letting the people below hear.
At this point, whatever they said would be hard to change, so they might as well discuss first.
Tang Yinghuo said again, “Third Brother, how can such a large sect escape? Do we have to take all sect members and flee Southern True Domain together? That’s impossible!”
Tang Mankong also said, “Yes, Third Brother, this is impossible. Don’t forget the Spirit Realm War is about to begin. With so many people from our sect, no matter which spiritual domain we go to, the sects there won’t accommodate us!”
Tang Niulang’s face grew even more bitter. After thinking, he said:
“Second Brother, if you say Ning Qi won’t let us go, then why don’t we three just flee, and let the sect members fend for themselves? That way both sides benefit.”
Tang Yinghuo stared at him and angrily transmitted, “Third Brother, what are you saying? The foundation left by Father—do we three have to abandon it?”
Tang Niulang said, “Big Brother, Second Brother, this is the only way now. If we abandon it, we have a slim chance of survival. If we stubbornly fight that Ning Qi, we’ll die too.”
Tang Mankong sighed and said, “Let me think some more.”
However, just as the three could not figure out the way forward, the great power in charge of intelligence suddenly said:
“Three Old Ancestors, bad news! Ox Demon Upper Sect is moving—they’re flying toward our Heavenly Star Upper Sect!”
Everyone exclaimed in shock, “What?”
Tang Yinghuo said, “Has Ox Demon Upper Sect grown tired of living? With Ning Qi and Boundless Sword Sect absent, do they think they can battle our Heavenly Star Upper Sect?”
That great power said with a bitter face, “No… it’s not just Ox Demon Upper Sect. Ning Qi and Boundless Sword Sect are with them!”
The crowd was shocked again, a huge question mark rising in their hearts.
What was going on?
Wasn’t Boundless Sword Sect in Northern Xuan Region? How were they together with Ox Demon Upper Sect?
“Did the people outside report the intelligence wrong?”
That great power waved his hand directly, injecting mana into the communication jade slip, projecting a segment of imagery from it.
Thus, the people present immediately saw that the imagery indeed showed Ning Qi and Niu Ding Tian leading.
Familiar figures one by one—all outstanding talents from both sects.
“Impossible. Did Boundless Sword Sect people stay in Ox Demon Upper Sect all this time and not return?”
The crowd racked their brains but could not understand why the two sects had joined forces again so quickly.
They simply did not know that Ning Qi had established a teleportation array between the two sects, so from the beginning, they had misestimated the most important thing.
Their prediction of time was completely wrong.
In an instant, the hall was filled with panic and unease.
No matter how Ning Qi and Boundless Sword Sect had done it, they only understood that with both sects coming to kill, Heavenly Star Upper Sect was doomed.
Tang Niulang’s face turned pale as he said, “It’s over. We can’t even run now!”
Tang Mankong and Tang Yinghuo’s expressions darkened.
Tang Mankong, as the eldest of the three, had stronger pressure tolerance and said:
“Now we can only fight Ning Qi to the death. I want to see if he’s really that powerful!”
He looked at his two younger brothers. “At this point, we have no choice but to fight! We’ve been in closed-door cultivation for ten thousand years—let’s use this ten thousand years of gains to cast Star Fusion Light Technique, merge as one, barely reaching Half-step Dao Integration, and fight that Ning Qi!”
Tang Yinghuo and Tang Niulang exchanged a glance and both nodded.
Time passed.
Ning Qi and Niu Ding Tian arrived outside Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
In the sky above, it seemed as if a hundred stars descended starlight, fusing with Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s formation.
Inside, it was utterly silent, as if Heavenly Star Upper Sect planned to hole up in the formation and not come out.
Ning Qi looked at Sword Ancestor and said, “Sword Ancestor, shall we try again this time?”
Last time at Feathered Ascension Upper Sect, Sword Ancestor had swung his sword to break the formation, failing with one sword, but a few more could have broken it.
So Ning Qi proactively asked to see if Sword Ancestor still had the interest.
Who knew Sword Jingjue would say, “Kid, you do it. This old ancestor will hold the line.”
Ning Qi was speechless.
He was about to act when suddenly three people flew out from Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s grand formation—precisely Tang Mankong and his brothers.
Tang Mankong spoke first, “Ning Qi, Southern True Domain is vast enough for many sects to coexist. Do you really have to exterminate us all?”
Ning Qi said indifferently:
“How can you portray yourselves as so innocent? Last time in Profound True Secret Realm, two elders from my sect, including me, were targeted for elimination by your Heavenly Star Upper Sect people relying on their superior numbers. Now it’s just the wheel of fortune turning, and you come out to lecture on reason?”
Tang Mankong paused.
They had not emerged from seclusion then and did not know about it.
But they knew Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s usual style. Back then, Boundless Sword Sect was just an ordinary upper sect. As a top-tier upper sect, when their people met in Profound True Secret Realm, under the law of the jungle, they naturally would not let Boundless Sword Sect people live.
Behind him, Tang Yinghuo angrily said, “Big Brother, why waste words with him! Since he doesn’t know what’s good for him, let’s show him the secret technique we’ve comprehended over ten thousand years!”
“Secret technique?”
On Ning Qi’s side, everyone was curious.
What secret technique did these three have to contend with Ning Qi?
Niu Ding Tian and Kong Cai Chen said together, “Young Ning Brother, let us test them first.”
Ning Qi nodded.
Seeing no room for turning back, Tang Mankong and the other two activated Star Fusion Light Technique together.
In an instant, the hundred beams of starlight originally scattered over Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s grand formation suddenly moved, enveloping the three figures.
From the three bodies, rule divine chains emerged, entwining each other and absorbing the starlight from the heavens.
In the blink of an eye, the three figures vanished, reappearing as a starlight giant.
The giant was ten zhang tall, with Tang Mankong’s face, clearly led by him.
Niu Ding Tian and Kong Cai Chen flew toward the giant. Halfway there, a terrifying fluctuation emanated from the giant.
Starlight burst forth, aura shaking the heavens, spreading to the eight directions. The two demons could hardly approach.
“Half-step Dao Integration Realm?” The two demons exclaimed in shock.
The people from both sects were similarly enveloped by that absolute aura, looking at each other in horror.
Sword Ancestor’s expression changed. He gripped his spiritual sword and said to Ning Qi, “Ning kid, hurry. Their aura isn’t stable yet—we can’t let them continue rising.”
Just as he finished speaking, he swung his sword first.
A ten-thousand-meter translucent sword light slashed through the void, extremely sharp, directly striking the giant’s body.
Though the giant’s aura was terrifying, there was still a trace of incoordination. Caught off guard, it blocked the sword.
The sword light shook the giant and pierced into its body, but only half a meter before stopping.
Sword Ancestor gritted his teeth, infusing endless sword intent. Using One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws sword dao and Break All Laws together, it advanced another half meter.
But for the giant’s massive body, it was at most breaking the surface skin layer.
The starlight on the giant grew denser. From afar, it resembled a lonely universe.
It actually forced back Sword Ancestor’s sword light. Its huge hands clapped together, instantly grinding the sword light to extinction.
Blood trickled from Sword Ancestor’s mouth, his mind shaken.
This sword, fueled by all his spiritual energy, nascent soul, rules, and sword dao, had for the first time encountered such a situation.
Niu Ding Tian and Kong Cai Chen did not hesitate. They understood the current situation— they absolutely could not let the three stabilize their aura.
The two demons transformed into their massive true bodies. Niu Ding Tian manifested Qiu Niu Divine Form and charged fiercely at the starlight giant.
Kong Cai Chen soared in the sky, his tail emitting five-colored light that fused into one. His raised tail like a drawn bow turned into a divine arrow shot out.
The two demons’ attacks arrived almost simultaneously, but the starlight giant stomped one foot, light and shadow following, as if completely twisting space.
With just one foot, it kicked Niu Ding Tian flying.
Niu Ding Tian’s Qiu Niu Divine Form dispersed from the kick, even his massive demon body shrinking as he sprayed blood into the air.
Kong Cai Chen’s five-colored divine arrow was blocked by a star shield condensed in the giant’s hand and reflected back at extreme speed, instantly piercing Kong Cai Chen’s peacock demon body.
He flew backward powerlessly, like a wild chicken shot by a hunter in the wilderness.
Only Ning Qi had yet to act.
Sword Ancestor and the two demons all looked at Ning Qi, their eyes thick with anxiety. Why had Ning Qi not attacked with them?
At this moment, the starlight giant let out a wild laugh, its aura finally stabilizing.
“Haha, Ning Qi, are you scared silly? Unfortunately, if you want to negotiate with us now, it’s too late!”
The starlight giant pointed at Ning Qi. At its fingertip, an extremely brilliant starlight shone dazzlingly.
Everyone present’s vision went white, as if they temporarily lost visual and nascent soul perception.
Sizzle!
Only a terrifying sizzle was heard, like crawling over bones inside the body. That starlight instantly shot toward Ning Qi!
