Chapter 303: Merging With The Dao And Acknowledging A Master
A month had passed since the Mountain Sea Realm Will had appeared.
Ning Qi occasionally showed up, discussing the Dao with the Integration Giants and Void Dao Great Experts from the various sects in the Xuanzhen Domain.
Though it was discussing the Dao, everyone knew that Ning Qi was always the one preaching the Dao.
The various sects grew increasingly respectful toward Ning Qi; regardless of whether it was their sect leader or elder, they all subtly paid him the disciple’s rite, even though Ning Qi did not acknowledge them as such.
This day.
Outside the Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters, in a hidden location.
Fu Chen’s figure quietly appeared here. He looked around the Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters for a moment, then took out a communication jade slip and contacted a guy he had never contacted before.
Not long after, a figure flew out from within the Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters.
Niu Man scanned the surroundings but found nothing.
“Brother Niu, I’m here!”
Only when a telepathic communication entered his ear did Niu Man spot the target.
Niu Man landed in front of Fu Chen and looked at him in surprise.
“Brother Fu, why did you suddenly contact me?”
The two had been among the five great heavenly prides back then, so they naturally had each other’s contact information.
However, after Fu Chen left the Profound True Secret Realm that year, he had cut off this contact.
“I’m here to ask Brother Niu for a favor.”
Fu Chen smiled faintly, but noticing the cultivation fluctuations emanating from Niu Man, the faint smile on his face instantly froze.
It was because he discovered that this stupid ox had already stepped into the Perfection of Void Dao Realm, one realm higher than his own cultivation!
Niu Man’s bell-like ox eyes turned, also observing Fu Chen, then he suddenly laughed:
“Brother Fu, it’s been many years since we last met, how come your cultivation is still lagging behind?”
Reality can shatter all self-righteous pride; the truth is the sharpest sword!
These words instantly pierced Fu Chen’s chest like a sharp sword, making him, who still harbored a trace of pride toward others, suddenly feel humble.
Fu Chen had originally thought he was just unable to catch up to Ning Qi, but with a Dao Integration Realm teacher guiding him, his cultivation should definitely be higher than others of the same generation back then.
Who knew that upon meeting, it was not as he had imagined!
But why was this so?
His teacher Wei Wu Ya’s original cultivation was Dao Integration Realm, and he had always stayed by Fu Chen’s side, fulfilling every request and teaching him hand in hand!
Meanwhile, in the Ox Demon Upper Sect where Niu Man was, the highest cultivation inside was merely Integration Realm.
Even if they constantly helped Niu Man improve his cultivation, Niu Man’s cultivation could not possibly progress faster than his Fu Chen’s.
After all, back then Fu Chen had felt that among the five great heavenly prides, his talent was the strongest, while Niu Man’s talent even ranked below that of Ren Zong and Chu Xiaotian.
Thus, Fu Chen finally could not hold back and asked, “Brother Niu, after decades without seeing each other, why has your cultivation improved so quickly?”
Niu Man’s eyes seemed to see through Fu Chen’s thoughts. He first asked, “You tell me first, why did you come here?”
Fu Chen stared at him, knowing that Niu Man had been close to Ning Qi back then, so he said, “The Spirit Realm War is about to begin. I’m here to join the Domain Lord.”
Niu Man immediately understood.
“Don’t forget what you took from the Profound True Secret Realm back then. Now you show up so boldly, with cultivators from all sects here—your guts are really big!”
Fu Chen looked toward the Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters nearby, where the momentum was terrifying, with various brilliant lights constantly flashing, probably sparring.
Before, Wei Wu Ya had quietly informed him that there were dozens of Integration Realm cultivator auras here, which immediately startled Fu Chen.
So he contacted Niu Man, planning to have Niu Man take him to see Ning Qi.
Fu Chen said, “Don’t worry about that. I’m here prepared to offer the Dao Integration Profound Technique I took back then to the Domain Lord. I hope Brother Niu can take me to see him.”
Mentioning the Dao Integration Profound Technique from back then, Niu Man felt that although Fu Chen’s current strength was lacking, he still had some value—at least that Dao Integration Profound Technique would be of some use to Ning Qi—so he agreed.
“Alright, I’ll take you to see the Domain Lord right now. Oh, right, you asked earlier why my cultivation improved so fast—of course it’s because the Domain Lord imparted dharma to me!”
Fu Chen said in shock, “You mean the Domain Lord imparts dharma to cultivators from your other sect?”
Niu Man said disdainfully, “The Domain Lord’s mind is broad. Since he unified the Xuanzhen Domain, cultivators from all sects, even rogue cultivators, have all benefited from him—you wouldn’t understand!”
Fu Chen was momentarily stunned.
Next, Niu Man led Fu Chen into the Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters.
Only upon entering did Fu Chen truly witness the grand scene inside.
Cultivators from the various sects had naturally integrated together, without distinction, either exchanging insights or sparring. This scene almost made Fu Chen’s eyes pop out.
Was this still the North and South Regions where the sects had been wary of each other back then?
Perhaps because Niu Man’s reputation was great, many people knew of his friendship with Ning Qi, so immediately many noticed Niu Man and Fu Chen behind him.
Plus, Fu Chen’s reputation was not small either; after all, he had been one of the five great heavenly prides back then, so naturally many recognized Fu Chen.
“Fu Chen?”
“Good, you’ve finally shown up—hand over the Dao Integration Profound Technique!”
Fu Chen was immediately surrounded by many cultivators, including even some Integration Giants, but in the end Niu Man got him out of it.
“Fellow cultivators, don’t block the way—can’t you see I’m leading Fu Chen? He’s prepared to respectfully offer his Dao Integration Profound Technique to the Alliance Leader. Are you all going to rob it?”
Niu Man’s words immediately startled the congregation.
“Brother Niu, you should have said so earlier!”
“Exactly, so he’s here to join the Alliance Leader. Since he’s willing to hand it over to the Alliance Leader, we won’t stop him.”
“Little Niu, you’re going to claim merit again this time.”
These words came from an Integration Giant. He glanced at Fu Chen again and made way.
Fu Chen clearly saw that the trace of greed in his eyes quickly faded.
He had intended to rob the Dao Integration Profound Technique on Fu Chen, but upon hearing it was to be offered to Ning Qi, he immediately dismissed the idea of robbing it.
Fu Chen took it in, and his heart became even clearer about how terrifying Ning Qi’s aura was now.
Niu Man asked the congregation if the Alliance Leader was around, and upon learning he was just at the Wuji Fighting Arena, continued leading Fu Chen there.
On the way, passing that massive hexagram teleportation array, Fu Chen asked like a country bumpkin:
“Brother Niu, what is this?”
Niu Man smiled proudly. “This is the teleportation great formation established by the Alliance Leader, directly connecting to the various sects in the Xuanzhen Domain. The cultivators from the various sects participating in the Spirit Realm War only took half a day to arrive at the Wuji Fighting Arena, all thanks to this teleportation array!”
Hearing this, Fu Chen was horrified in his heart. He hadn’t expected Ning Qi to have mastered such a formation.
Even Wei Wu Ya, hidden on him, was shocked. The immortal sect he had been in back then didn’t have a teleportation array either!
At that moment, several people approached from the front.
They greeted Niu Man, and Niu Man smiled back.
Finally, their gazes fell on Fu Chen.
“So it’s you!”
The speaker was Wu Qingxiao, one of the top ten true disciples back then. Beside him were Jiang Qingxue, Wang Ye, and Qin Minghao.
Now, upon seeing each other, they were all stunned.
Back then, they had battled Fu Chen in the Profound True Secret Realm.
Wu Qingxiao’s chest bone had been shattered by Fu Chen and took a long time to heal; later, it was Ning Qi who helped heal his injury.
And Jiang Qingxue and the other two, even joining hands, were no match for Fu Chen.
If Ning Qi hadn’t arrived and scared Fu Chen away, the three might have lost to Fu Chen’s blade.
They had especially deep memories of Fu Chen; after all, besides Senior Brother Ning, he was the first guy they had encountered who was so difficult to deal with back then.
But now, they discovered Fu Chen’s cultivation was only Late Void Dao Realm, and they were stunned again.
The genius of the past had ultimately been left behind by them, and the one who caused all this was their sect leader senior brother Ning Qi, so they thanked Ning Qi once more from the bottom of their hearts.
Fu Chen naturally also sensed the cultivation of Wu Qingxiao and the other three.
Wu Qingxiao was also at the Perfection of Void Dao Realm, while Jiang Qingxue and the other two faintly showed signs of breaking through to Integration Realm, already at Half-step Body Integration Realm!
Seeing this, Fu Chen suffered blow after blow.
He hadn’t expected that the few people he had been suppressing back then had cultivation levels that all surpassed his own, and even surpassed Niu Man’s.
Was this the Wuji Sword Sect under Ning Qi’s command? Was this the state of the Xuanzhen Domain after Ning Qi became Domain Lord?
Wei Wu Ya inside his body seemed to sigh in Fu Chen’s consciousness.
It was unclear whether it was pity for Fu Chen or sigh at the current prosperity of the Xuanzhen Domain.
Finally, he telepathically communicated to Fu Chen: “Little Chen, you’ve seen the gap now, haven’t you? Even with me personally teaching you by word and deed, you still can’t catch up to that Domain Lord Ning Qi. You must seize this last chance!”
Fu Chen was silent for a moment before replying, “Teacher, I understand.”
…
Ning Qi appeared again at the Wuji Fighting Arena he had personally built.
Seeing him arrive, all those practicing immediately stopped and bowed to him.
Ning Qi just nodded faintly, and the congregation resumed practicing, even more diligently than before.
Under Ning Qi’s influence, the cultivators from the various sects now almost had no distinction of you or me; they had broken through sect biases, and their coordination became increasingly proficient.
Everyone was filled with confidence for the upcoming Spirit Realm War.
Because they felt that the cultivators from other great domains definitely could not achieve the unity and seamless coordination they had, completely twisted into one rope.
Ning Qi sat in the main seat. Not long after, Niu Man suddenly led a person to stand before him.
“Alliance Leader, look who I brought.” Niu Man respectfully cupped his fists, slightly restrained.
Niu Man’s cultivation had now also reached the Perfection of Void Dao Realm.
However, in front of Ning Qi now, he could no longer be as casual as in the past.
After all, even Niu Ding Tian had to address Ning Qi as Alliance Leader, let alone him.
“Brother Niu, I’ve told you long ago, our friendship doesn’t require such restraint.”
Niu Man quickly shook his head. “Alliance Leader, I’m very grateful that you remember our old ties, but you are now the esteemed Alliance Leader and Domain Lord—how can little Niu diminish your aura.”
This guy was as shrewd as ever.
Ning Qi might not care about those details, but Niu Man had self-awareness.
If he still called Ning Qi “Brother Ning” as in the past, not to mention Niu Ding Tian not letting him off, the others could probably kill him with their glares alone!
Seeing Niu Man like this, Ning Qi let him be and finally looked toward the person Niu Man had brought.
The person before him had a body like a stone fortress, draped in a blue cloak, with disheveled hair casually scattered, more Cang Sang than in the past—it was Fu Chen.
On his back was still a glaring blood-colored great saber, exuding heavy killing intent.
Seeing Ning Qi again, Fu Chen couldn’t help but bow. “Fu Chen pays respects to the Xuanzhen Domain Lord!”
Ning Qi said faintly, “Speak. After the Profound True Secret Realm, you’ve been hiding and not showing up, yet today you appear before me—what is your intent?”
Fu Chen only felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him, making his Late Void Dao Realm cultivation feel as if it had vanished. He was greatly shocked inside, his face instantly turning pale!
Suddenly, Wei Wu Ya hidden on him quietly bore some of the pressure for him, allowing Fu Chen to regain a bit of mobility.
He was like someone fished out of water, drenched in sweat.
Ignoring his fatigue, Fu Chen quickly took out the Dao Integration Profound Technique he had obtained back then, holding the golden jade slip in both hands, and respectfully said to Ning Qi:
“This time, I’m here to join the Domain Lord. I hope the Domain Lord, for the sake of our few meetings in the past, will allow me to join your Wuji Sword Sect.”
“I wish to offer this volume of Dao Integration Profound Technique to the Domain Lord!”
Ning Qi did not take the jade slip but lifted his eyes to Fu Chen and said:
“Do you know why only you took away the Dao Integration Profound Technique back then?”
Fu Chen was stunned. His first reaction was because of his teacher Wei Wu Ya’s help, so he could rob the Dao Integration Profound Technique in that urgent situation.
But Ning Qi’s question was extremely meaningful, as if he had known long ago that there was someone by his side.
Recalling the events back then, his teacher Wei Wu Ya had twice encountered Ning Qi and told him to run quickly.
A terrifying thought bubbled up in Fu Chen’s heart: could it be that back then, he was able to take the Dao Integration Profound Technique not because he truly could, but because Ning Qi deliberately let him take it?
“Your meaning is?”
Wei Wu Ya, hidden on Fu Chen, was also shocked.
Ever since Fu Chen came before Ning Qi, his lingering soul had felt like thorns on his back; Ning Qi seemed to have known of his existence all along.
But back then, Ning Qi was only at Nascent Soul Realm cultivation—how could he perceive him?
Thinking of how Ning Qi had achieved such great accomplishments now, Wei Wu Ya was relieved.
For a prodigy like Ning Qi, anything could happen.
Fortunately, before coming, Wei Wu Ya had prepared for exposure. Now that Ning Qi mentioned it, he was no longer so worried.
“Come out. Since you dare appear before me, why continue hiding?”
Ning Qi’s eyes shone brightly, staring at Fu Chen.
Fu Chen’s throat moved; he knew Ning Qi’s words weren’t directed at him.
Niu Man nearby was full of question marks, not understanding what Ning Qi meant.
Until he saw a blue lingering soul detach from Fu Chen’s body, Niu Man was shocked, his mouth gaping wide.
How could Fu Chen have an old man on him?
If not for the old man’s energy fluctuations not being strong, Niu Man would have attacked.
Niu Man was about to call people to surround him, but looking back, he found the space here seemed completely sealed.
He couldn’t see the cultivators practicing in the Wuji Fighting Arena.
Seeing this, Fu Chen and Wei Wu Ya also reacted, knowing it must be Ning Qi’s method, and they were secretly impressed.
Wei Wu Ya appeared, floating beside Fu Chen, bowing to Ning Qi:
“This old man Wei Wu Ya pays respects to the Xuanzhen Domain Lord!”
Ning Qi nodded slightly. “So you’re Wei Wu Ya?”
Wei Wu Ya was stunned. “The Domain Lord knows this old man?”
Ning Qi said faintly, “Wei Wu Ya, back when Xuanzhen Domain was undivided, the late Dao Integration Realm Grand Elder of Bloodfire Immortal Sect, who perished in that battle—unexpectedly you’re still alive, possessing Fu Chen’s body.”
Seeing Ning Qi point out his origins clearly, Wei Wu Ya smiled bitterly.
Niu Man was even more shocked, nearly jumping up.
This old monster’s lingering soul was actually the Grand Elder of Bloodfire Immortal Sect from hundreds of thousands of years ago, and at late Dao Integration Realm?
Niu Man’s eyes swept between Fu Chen and Wei Wu Ya, suddenly understanding.
No wonder Fu Chen, a mere rogue cultivator, could rank among the heavenly prides—with such an existence behind him.
Now everything made sense, but this old guy being seen through by the Alliance Leader must scare him badly.
Niu Man’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent.
Ning Qi leaving him here to see the old guy on Fu Chen showed great trust in him.
So he simply stood quietly to the side, watching how Ning Qi would handle the two.
Wei Wu Ya said, “Seeing you today, I know there truly are prodigies in the world. I want to ask: back in the Profound True Secret Realm, did you discover me then?”
Ning Qi shook his head candidly. “Back then, I only sensed something on Fu Chen; I didn’t know it was you.”
Wei Wu Ya nodded, finally relieved.
“Xuanzhen Domain returning to prosperity stirred this old man’s memories, so I had Fu Chen return, hoping to join the Wuji Sword Sect. May the Domain Lord agree?”
Fu Chen still held the golden jade slip in his hands.
His heart was tense; Ning Qi hadn’t agreed before, nor taken the jade slip. Now with his teacher also requesting, would Ning Qi agree?
Ning Qi said, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll take you for research?”
Wei Wu Ya spread his somewhat illusory hands. “This old man is just a lingering soul; living this many extra years is already a profit. As long as the Domain Lord accepts Fu Chen, I’ll accept whatever you do to me without resistance.”
Fu Chen turned to look at Wei Wu Ya, his eyes misting over.
Wei Wu Ya continued, “But before that, I hope the Domain Lord can tell me one thing, so even if I die, I can die with eyes closed.”
Ning Qi said, “What is it?”
Wei Wu Ya glanced at Niu Man and Fu Chen, then at Ning Qi.
As if hinting that what followed involved great secrets, and whether Ning Qi was willing to let them know.
Ning Qi’s eyes suddenly released a mental fluctuation; Niu Man and Fu Chen’s bodies went soft, falling into a drowsy sleep.
“Speak.”
Wei Wu Ya sighed, then said, “Back then, we fought for the Xuanzhen Domain Lord position, leading to our sect’s destruction. I want to ask the Domain Lord: after becoming Domain Lord, do you gain special power?”
“Over these hundreds of thousands of years, this old man has held a grudge about this. Please tell me the truth, then dispose of me as you will.”
Ning Qi’s mind turned, then said, “You’re right. After becoming Domain Lord, you do gain special power from the Mountain Sea Realm, controlling the power of a domain!”
Hearing this, Wei Wu Ya’s eyes widened, maintaining it for a long time before muttering:
“As expected, our guess was correct!”
He looked at Ning Qi and smiled bitterly. “Unexpectedly, with our entire sect’s power, we couldn’t obtain the Xuanzhen Domain Lord title, yet now you’ve gotten it.”
Ning Qi said faintly, “Just coincidence.”
Wei Wu Ya’s smile was more bitter. “What coincidence? The Domain Lord is modest. Now knowing the truth, I have no regrets. Kill or scrape as you will.”
“But I hope the Domain Lord accepts Fu Chen. His talent doesn’t match the Domain Lord’s, but it’s stronger than others’. Of course, even with my teaching, his cultivation can’t catch up to those taught by the Domain Lord. This old man has Dao Integration knowledge but still feels deeply ashamed.”
Ning Qi gazed at him. “You’re truly willing to let me handle you?”
Wei Wu Ya said, “Indeed!”
“You were once a Dao Integration Realm expert; keeping you by my side is too risky. Are you willing to split a wisp of your Nascent Soul for me to control?”
Wei Wu Ya, with vast knowledge, knew exactly what Ning Qi was concerned about.
But handing over his Nascent Soul power to Ning Qi meant being under Ning Qi’s control henceforth.
He hesitated repeatedly, glanced at the sleeping Fu Chen, then closed his eyes. “As the Domain Lord wishes.”
From Wei Wu Ya’s lingering soul, a strand of Origin Nascent Soul power split off, flying to Ning Qi’s brow.
Ning Qi carefully checked it before accepting the Nascent Soul power.
“I promise to accept him. Now you’re one of us; I’ll also help restore your cultivation.”
Wei Wu Ya bowed. “Then this old man thanks Master!”
“Still call me Domain Lord. Hearing an old guy call me Master feels off.”
Wei Wu Ya’s expression changed repeatedly, finally smiling bitterly. “Yes, Domain Lord!”
…
Half a year later.
The ground shook, clouds gathered in the sky, forming an illusory image with no end in sight—the Mountain Sea Realm Will appeared again.
Cultivators from all spiritual realms in the Mountain Sea Realm simultaneously looked to the sky.
They knew the war had finally begun.
“War Domain is formed; hasten to join the battle!”
In the past half year, nearly all ordinary sects and rogue cultivators from spiritual realms had joined the strongest few sects in their domains, gathering personnel.
This made it convenient for the Mountain Sea Realm Will, without needing to open domain entrances for every sect.
It only needed to open entrances at a few specific places in each spiritual realm.
Larger spiritual realms often had multiple immortal sects with conflicts between them, so they couldn’t go together.
The Mountain Sea Realm Will understood this and didn’t force everyone through the same domain entrance.
Otherwise, these sects might fight among themselves before even reaching the War Domain to battle Haoran Realm cultivators!
Finally, the Mountain Sea Realm Will issued another decree.
“All you sects, no matter any conflicts, must not fight each other within the domain! If I discover it, you will be exiled by me, never to return to the Mountain Sea Realm.”
It gave such severe punishment rules to make the sects target Haoran Realm as much as possible.
Of course, the War Domain was a product of Mountain Sea Realm, Haoran Realm, and Sea of Realms powers mixed; the Mountain Sea Realm Will couldn’t fully control everything inside.
So, the sects might not follow its words.
Fuyao Region.
Qingxuan Immortal Sect’s old ancestor Si Kong Qing looked back toward the Xuanzhen Domain, eyes narrowing.
Unfortunately, the War Domain still couldn’t accommodate Dao Integration Realm experts entering.
Otherwise, he would find Wuji Sword Sect’s Ning Qi inside and avenge the past grudge.
First, four Perfection Venerables died by Ning Qi’s hand; second, that Zhan Xuan Shang Jun must be related to Ning Qi, nearly killing him, so he must avenge it.
Si Kong Qing didn’t believe that Zhan Xuan Shang Jun could protect Ning Qi this time!
After all, in his view, Zhan Xuan Shang Jun was merely a Dao Integration True Monarch from another domain’s immortal sect, protecting Ning Qi because Ning Qi was their pawn in Xuanzhen Domain.
But now, with Mountain Sea Realm Will interfering to maintain stability across domains in Mountain Sea Realm, after War Domain opens, inter-domain movement is banned.
Thus, Zhan Xuan Shang Jun would be restricted, entering from his own spiritual realm.
Their Fuyao Region neighbored Xuanzhen Domain, so Si Kong Qing had high odds of encountering Ning Qi in War Domain, but Zhan Xuan Shang Jun likely wasn’t from nearby spiritual realms.
Of course, Qingxuan Immortal Sect had many Integration Realm and even Half-step Dao Integration Realm cultivators, but Si Kong Qing didn’t order them to target Ning Qi and Wuji Sword Sect inside.
Because Si Kong Qing felt that back then Ning Qi could easily kill his sect’s four venerables; his people definitely weren’t opponents.
Then, cultivators from various domains stepped into the War Domain entrances together.
At Xuanzhen Alliance Headquarters, Ning Qi waved his hand.
The Xuanzhen Domain Army behind him also stepped in together!
