Chapter 298: Unity
Two years had passed since Ning Qi subdued the Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
Over these two years, the North and South Regions had no further conflicts, with all sects revering the Boundless Sword Sect and calling Ning Qi the Domain Lord Ning of Xuanzhen Domain.
This change made many ordinary Upper Sects and even smaller sects extremely grateful.
After all, two years ago, to seize more resources before the Spirit Realm War, sects often attacked each other.
Many ordinary Upper Sects and minor sects lived in fear, afraid that powerful sects would target them.
Thus, Ning Qi’s appearance swept away or subdued the strongest sects in the North and South Regions, sparing them from the flames of war.
Domain Lord Ning of Xuanzhen Domain’s reputation grew ever louder, with the congregation revering him like a god.
Now, two years later, the Spirit Realm War had still not begun, and the North and South Regions had not truly merged, fully restoring the name of Xuanzhen Domain.
This day.
Luo Tian Upper Sect’s Sect Leader Luo Feiyu led his sect’s Great Powers and several True Disciples toward the Boundless Sword Sect.
This Luo Feiyu was the father of Zhuang Chen’s reincarnated body, and he was named Feiyu from the allusion “How can I know the joy of fish?”
Zhuang Chen’s name in this life was Luo Feiwo, and he was also in the group.
Before long, they encountered people from the Beidou Upper Sect, whose group was almost identically configured.
Luo Feiyu took the initiative to greet them: “Sect Leader He, you’re also heading to the Boundless Sword Sect, right? Why don’t we travel together?”
He Mingxing said: “So it’s Sect Leader Luo. Pleased to meet you.”
The people from both sects immediately set off together, chatting as they went, with the topic naturally revolving around the Boundless Sword Sect and Ning Qi.
“Sect Leader He, our two sects are quite far apart. You’re clearly further north, yet you’ve overtaken us, which shows your loyalty to the Domain Lord.”
He Mingxing smiled and said: “It’s always better to arrive early. With Domain Lord Ning unifying the North and South, we cultivators of the Northern Xuan Region share in the glory.”
Luo Feiyu nodded in agreement.
He glanced at the people from Beidou Upper Sect and noticed there were also prodigies among them, though not quite matching his son Luo Feiwo, but close.
Luo Feiyu couldn’t help but sigh: “Sect Leader He, have you noticed that since Domain Lord Ning emerged, prodigies have been emerging from our sects?”
He Mingxing’s gaze swept over the people from Luo Tian Upper Sect, pondered briefly, and said: “Sect Leader Luo, you observe keenly. I wonder if this means a great era is coming.”
The Great Powers and True Disciples beside them, hearing this, felt a surge of longing.
In the history of the Spirit Realm, there had been multiple great eras.
Each appearance marked a brilliant chapter in history, inspiring yearning.
In every great era, prodigies emerged in droves, and all cultivators rode this wave, often having greater opportunities than in ordinary times.
Zhuang Chen, or rather Luo Feiwo, at this moment exchanged a glance with a young Great Power from Beidou Upper Sect, both corners of their mouths curving into a smile.
They were reincarnated beings from the True Martial Realm, sharing a wondrous mutual sense that instantly let them know the other was one of their own.
“This great era is indeed a great era, but these prodigies weren’t born for it—they were entirely manufactured by the World Lord!”
This thought flashed through both their minds simultaneously, and they smiled darkly.
Looking at the other ignorant people, they grew even more expectant for the day when True Martial Realm cultivators gathered, wondering what power it would unleash?
Then, at the World Lord’s call, they could instantly overturn all sects in the Mountain Sea Realm—it was thrilling just to imagine!
“Domain Lord Ning is probably a key figure leading this era. I hope he can step out of Xuanzhen Domain and compete with other domains in the Mountain Sea Realm,” He Mingxing said.
For the first time, Luo Feiyu felt He Mingxing had a talent for flattery, but he said nothing.
After all, with Ning Qi’s talent, they old folks could only look up to him.
He thought for a moment and asked: “Sect Leader He, do you know what purpose Domain Lord Ning has in summoning us this time?”
Zhuang Chen glanced at his cheap father and secretly mocked him inwardly—this old guy was too foolish.
He Mingxing said: “Domain Lord Ning surely isn’t summoning us just to celebrate him. Though young, every step he takes has deep meaning. I guess it’s for the upcoming Spirit Realm War.”
Luo Feiyu replied: “I know that too, but we’re just ordinary Upper Sects. Even in the Spirit Realm War, we can’t play a big role.”
Zhuang Chen inwardly scorned the old guy again.
He had actually guessed Senior Brother Ning’s idea—Senior Brother Ning was using the Spirit Realm War as a rehearsal.
With Ning Qi unifying the North and South, all sects had True Martial Realm seed cultivators.
If they could secretly activate all the seeds in the Spirit Realm War, use them to influence their backing sects, and then unite all sects’ power for battle.
No matter the final outcome, it would provide a feasible plan for future conquest of the Mountain Sea Realm.
As the World Lord of the True Martial Realm, Ning Qi’s goal was naturally not just unifying Xuanzhen Domain—his ultimate aim was surely to take the Mountain Sea Realm!
Thus, the present was a good opportunity.
On a larger scale, Xuanzhen Domain was the Mountain Sea Realm, and all sects within were like the various Spiritual Realms of the Mountain Sea Realm. This battle could serve as a rehearsal for taking the Mountain Sea Realm—entirely feasible!
……
Boundless Sword Sect.
Today, the sect inside and out was decorated with lanterns and festoons, auspicious colors stretching a thousand strands.
From the North and South Regions, all sects’ Sect Leaders and several top-tier Great Powers had all come to the Boundless Sword Sect.
As soon as the congregation entered the Boundless Sword Sect, they immediately noticed the changes within.
Genius cultivators were like a sea inside; at a glance, cultivators of various tiers, most with strength matching their own sects’ top prodigies.
The sects had originally been proud of their own prodigies, but after coming to the Boundless Sword Sect, they realized they had been frogs in a well.
They could only sigh that Ning Qi was no mortal. Before he became Sect Leader of the Boundless Sword Sect, its strength wasn’t much different from the other sects.
But after Ning Qi became Sect Leader, the Boundless Sword Sect soared to the skies, changing daily. Now, all sects could only look up.
Central Peaks Plaza.
All sects’ Sect Leaders led their people one by one to this place.
Gazing at the transcendent figure on the main seat, everyone humbly lowered their heads.
This man, at less than a hundred years old, had ended the North and South Regions’ sectarian pattern of hundreds of thousands of years.
“We pay respects to the Domain Lord!”
“Please rise, everyone.”
Hearing Ning Qi’s voice like a great bell entering body and mind, the congregation felt shaken to the core, secretly shocked.
All sects had arrived and taken seats on the plaza’s outer side, quietly awaiting Ning Qi’s instructions.
Suddenly, people from Heavenly Star Upper Sect stood up from their seats.
Current Sect Leader Xia Xing personally escorted one person to the plaza’s center, bowed to Ning Qi, and said:
“Domain Lord, two years ago, our former Sect Leader Xia Tianhe went to Fuyao Region and did not return, so he escaped the calamity. Today, coming here, it is to complete what was left undone that day.”
The congregation looked toward Xia Xing; the events at Heavenly Star Upper Sect back then were now known to all.
After Ning Qi slew three Integration Realm experts of Heavenly Star Upper Sect, Xia Xing, as the Sect Leader’s nephew, was the first to surrender, directly causing everyone in Heavenly Star Upper Sect to follow suit.
Thereafter, all of Heavenly Star Upper Sect revered Ning Qi as master, now a vassal sect of Boundless Sword Sect.
Initially, Xia Tianhe escaping was good fortune, but upon returning to the sect, he found himself completely at odds with Heavenly Star Upper Sect.
Only he did not revere Ning Qi as master, so he was immediately monitored and detained by his own nephew, with no one in the sect pleading for him until today.
Xia Tianhe quickly raised his eyes and glanced at Ning Qi above.
“Uncle, quickly swear the Heavenly Dao oath. I don’t want to keep detaining you!”
Xia Tianhe smiled bitterly. Now, with all sects of the North and South Regions gathered here, for him, a former Sect Leader, to publicly acknowledge a master—even in death, he’d be mocked.
Unfortunately, he had no choice but to comply.
Because not only him, but everyone present had seen the changes in Heavenly Star Upper Sect over these two years.
Heavenly Star Upper Sect had come with five people; these five couldn’t match Boundless Sword Sect’s disciples, but compared to other sects, they were the strongest at their tiers.
Why such a bizarre event happened after their Integration Realm old ancestors were slain—everyone knew it was surely Ning Qi’s grace.
Xia Tianhe swallowed, and Xia Xing released the restrictions on him. Xia Tianhe immediately pointed to the sky and loudly declared:
“I, Xia Tianhe, am willing to revere Ning Qi as master!”
A strand of his Primordial Spirit Power surged from his head, forming a contract seal in the air that shot toward Ning Qi’s brow.
Ning Qi calmly accepted it and faintly said:
“Good, I accept your request. Go down and properly assist Xia Xing. With him leading Heavenly Star Upper Sect, you will surely rejoice in the future.”
The sects fell deathly silent, not expecting that upon arriving at Boundless Sword Sect, before getting any news, they witnessed a show of killing the chicken to warn the monkeys.
Now, aside from Ox Demon Upper Sect, Xia Tianhe as former Sect Leader of Heavenly Star Upper Sect had strength far surpassing other ordinary Upper Sect Sect Leaders.
Even he revered Ning Qi as master—how could other sects dare act out?
Ning Qi coughed and said: “Alright, I summoned you here—do you know why?”
Different thoughts arose in everyone’s minds.
Some thought Ning Qi was showing off publicly, others that he was killing the chicken to warn the monkeys, still others that it was for the Spirit Realm War…
The congregation had varied thoughts, but none dared speak directly, instead chorusing: “Domain Lord, we do not understand. Please enlighten us, Domain Lord.”
Ning Qi’s gaze swept the field and he said:
“Since you won’t guess, I’ll say it directly.”
“Please instruct us, Domain Lord!”
Ning Qi nodded slightly and then said:
“I summoned you for the matter of the upcoming Spirit Realm War.”
“Now that the two regions are so united, if we band together, we will surely shine in the Spirit Realm War. I believe other domains absolutely can’t match us.”
“Are you willing?”
Luo Tian Upper Sect’s Luo Feiyu showed shock on his face.
On the road here, they had been guessing Ning Qi’s intent. He had thought with their ordinary sects’ weak strength, Ning Qi wouldn’t bring them along.
After all, if it were him, he’d only need his own strong sect; bringing weak ones would just hold him back. Unexpectedly, Ning Qi did the opposite.
As the sects harbored doubts, Niu Ding Tian directly stepped forward and said: “Our Ox Demon Upper Sect is willing to follow Boundless Sword Sect’s orders in the Spirit Realm War!”
The congregation was instantly stunned. Before the shock faded from their faces, Heavenly Star Upper Sect’s current Sect Leader stepped forward again and said the same.
Both were top-tier Upper Sects, and with their response, how could other sects refuse?
Regardless of their true willingness, as Ning Qi’s gaze swept over, they all agreed.
Ning Qi said: “Good. In that case, I name our alliance the Xuan Zhen Alliance. From today, the Xuan Zhen Alliance is formally established! I will serve as Alliance Leader—are you willing?”
“We are willing!”
Ning Qi smiled faintly, and all Boundless Sword Sect disciples were delighted.
Ox Demon Upper Sect and Heavenly Star Upper Sect were the same.
To demonstrate the Alliance Leader’s power, Ning Qi directly took out a set of cultivation methods as a free benefit for the newly established Xuan Zhen Alliance, distributing it to the congregation.
At a glance, everyone changed color.
Looking at Ning Qi again, their eyes showed unspeakable shock.
Who would have thought Ning Qi would directly produce a cultivation method far surpassing their sects’.
No matter what method they had cultivated before, they could switch to this one—it had extremely strong universality!
Thus, the congregation, who had been uneasy just a moment ago, now had their unease vanish, feeling Ning Qi was truly a generous leader.
Such a precious method could be cultivated all the way to Integration Realm. With its value, it could fully establish a new sect as foundation.
In an instant, the congregation completely shifted their mindset. They hadn’t seen the downsides of following Ning Qi, but they had reaped all the benefits.
Suddenly, the ground shook, and the sky trembled.
Even inside Boundless Sword Sect, the entire sect shook three times.
“What’s happening?”
Ning Qi flew out of Boundless Sword Sect first, with the others following one by one.
They gazed in all directions, wanting to know what had occurred.
They saw the originally somewhat overcast sky clearing of clouds, revealing patches of colorful clouds.
On the ground, strands of mist rose, making the entire continent seem like an immortal realm.
Sword Ancestor stood beside Ning Qi, his sword eyes sweeping north and south, and said: “The two regions are beginning to merge!”
Everyone was shocked.
Ning Qi closed his eyes, quietly sensing the flow of spiritual energy in the Northern Xuan Region.
Undoubtedly, not only Boundless Sword Sect, but the entire Northern Xuan Region’s spiritual energy was moving southward.
Clearly, with the two regions merging and Xuanzhen Domain reappearing, everywhere in the current North and South Regions benefited greatly.
But Boundless Sword Sect’s location wasn’t the place of greatest change; the endpoint of the spiritual energy flow was the direction of greatest change.
Seeing Ning Qi sensing the spiritual energy flow, Sword Ancestor said again:
“It’s a pity. Under your leadership, our Boundless Sword Sect has reached its historical peak, dominating Xuanzhen Domain, but the original site selection was really too poor.”
In that instant, everyone in Boundless Sword Sect had similar thoughts.
In cultivation, wealth, companions, methods, and land—the location a sect occupies is extremely important.
In places with dense spiritual energy, cultivation is faster and more likely to produce various heavenly materials and earthly treasures.
It can form spirit mines and promote growth of various spiritual medicines; even setting up formations is more efficient and powerful.
Ning Qi directly asked the congregation:
“Quickly send messages to your respective sects and inquire: the direction of spiritual energy flow, and finally confirm the endpoint of the spiritual energy flow.”
Each sect’s Sect Leader promptly agreed.
With such a great change, the personnel left in other sects were naturally like those in Boundless Sword Sect, all flying out to observe the changes in heaven and earth.
Key personnel in all sects, receiving messages from their Sect Leaders, straightened their expressions and immediately sent replies.
Messages came back one after another, and the sect leaders spoke up one by one.
Luo Tian Upper Sect’s Luo Feiyu said: “Reporting to Domain Lord, the direction of spiritual energy flow is south of our sect.”
He Mingxing also said the same.
Niu Ding Tian replied: “Domain Lord, I received a message from the sect—it’s the opposite for us; spiritual energy is flowing north.”
Xia Xing also agreed: “Ours too.”
Before long, all sects from North and South Regions reported the different situations they observed.
Finally, everyone deduced the center of the change.
Coincidentally, it was right at the former site of the Profound True Secret Realm.
But thinking about it, this made sense. Back then, it was the emergence of the Profound True Secret Realm that split the region into North and South.
After the Profound True Secret Realm collapsed, all its rules and spiritual energy returned to heaven and earth, with the deepest transformations naturally there.
Now with Xuanzhen Domain reappearing, everyone was extremely excited.
The only pity was that none of the current sect locations were perfect.
They looked toward Ning Qi; though Boundless Sword Sect’s site was good, after Xuanzhen Domain’s reappearance, it was no longer a true treasure land.
Ning Qi suddenly said loudly:
“Today is an auspicious time, and you are all gathered at my Boundless Sword Sect. How about we jointly accomplish a great matter?”
Sword Ancestor was stunned, not understanding Ning Qi’s intent.
The others were naturally also baffled.
They only heard Ning Qi continue: “I have a method to relocate the entire sect. Are you willing to help my Boundless Sword Sect move to the center of the great change?”
