Chapter 312: Old Acquaintances From The Xuan Nü Sect
Si Kong Lan wanted to borrow a knife to kill someone, and the first one he wanted to attach to was Yaoguang Immortal Sect.
So, when encountering Yaoguang Immortal Sect’s army, he proactively approached in a low posture.
After seeing that the leader was Qi Ke Qing, the smile on Si Kong Lan’s face grew even more.
Qi Ke Qing’s reputation, Si Kong Lan had long heard of. This person was a legend within Yaoguang Immortal Sect!
Her background was humble, reportedly from an nameless small village.
Her childhood was extremely poor. At sixteen, her hometown was invaded by enemy troops who burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of atrocities.
To protect her hometown, Qi Ke Qing stepped forward and actually killed ten enemy soldiers in a row.
Then she led the village’s mortals to kill the scattered enemy soldiers, forcing them to retreat from the village.
Later, Qi Ke Qing’s village was attacked by a large army and ultimately could not escape destruction.
But Qi Ke Qing escaped. She somehow obtained half a cultivation technique and relied on it to cultivate all the way, with her cultivation growing stronger day by day.
Then, Qi Ke Qing began heading alone to the enemy country that destroyed her village to kill.
She slaughtered countless enemy troops, but in the end, she attracted the cultivators from the enemy army.
Qi Ke Qing was no match and was captured by them.
The other side wanted to force Qi Ke Qing into slavery, but she refused to submit even at the cost of her life and was imprisoned by them.
Qi Ke Qing was unwilling to be manipulated by the other side. Amidst the haze, a flash of spiritual insight illuminated her, and she actually reversed the cultivation method.
Her head of beautiful hair turned completely white that day, and her cultivation exploded in power, exterminating the other side.
The legend of a female demon began to spread in that country, shocking everyone from top to bottom.
Later, Qi Ke Qing directly killed her way to the enemy country’s capital, exterminating all the imperial family and relatives, killing all the generals and ministers, completely destroying the enemy country.
The emperor of her own country wanted to borrow her prestige to occupy the enemy country she had taken down.
But Qi Ke Qing refused, leaving only one sentence: “From now on, the mortal world has no wars!”
The mortal emperors did not understand her meaning but did not dare to defy her decree.
A century later, Qi Ke Qing had become a true disciple of Yaoguang Immortal Sect.
She began promoting her ideas, but even within Yaoguang Immortal Sect, many people opposed her.
After all, many cultivators were supported by mortal dynasties, with great interests involved.
But Qi Ke Qing never gave up, advancing triumphantly, and over countless years, she eliminated all obstacles in her path one by one.
After that, in Fuyao Region, there were no more mortal dynasties. All mortals enjoyed peace, and no cultivator could interfere in the mortal world!
Thanks to Qi Ke Qing’s reputation, countless mortal prodigies flowed into Yaoguang Immortal Sect thereafter, ensuring it never lacked talent and always held the position of boss in Fuyao Region.
Later, Qi Ke Qing became an elder of Yaoguang Immortal Sect.
Those prodigies without sects or influence mostly became her disciples.
Si Kong Lan recalled Qi Ke Qing’s legendary deeds in his mind. For a female cultivator whose talent and temperament were no weaker than male cultivators, Si Kong Lan felt he could grasp her pulse.
So Si Kong Lan said to Qi Ke Qing: “Fuyao Region enjoys peace in the mortal world thanks to Senior Sister Qi’s appearance. Although I am from Qingxuan Immortal Sect, I greatly admire Senior Sister Qi.”
Qi Ke Qing looked up at him and said indifferently: “Get to the point!”
Si Kong Lan’s face showed a slight awkwardness as he said: “My family old ancestor once instructed me that after entering the war domain, I must find Senior Sister Qi and follow only her lead.”
As soon as these words came out, many from Qingxuan Immortal Sect behind him looked puzzled.
Had the old ancestor said such words? They had no idea.
They couldn’t help but wonder suspiciously what Si Kong Lan was up to.
However, due to his strength and his origin from the same sect clan as the old ancestor, they had no objections.
Qingxuan Immortal Sect was not as open-minded as Yaoguang Immortal Sect. All decisions centered on the old ancestor and his family; others could only agree and not raise dissent!
Ahead, in Yaoguang Immortal Sect’s army, many also cast surprised glances at Si Kong Lan.
If it was truly as he said, why hadn’t Qingxuan Immortal Sect directly come to join Yaoguang Immortal Sect when entering the war domain?
Qi Ke Qing’s gaze was cold, completely enveloping Si Kong Lan.
Si Kong Lan was also a peak venerable, but for some reason, under Qi Ke Qing’s gaze, he always felt completely inferior to this woman.
He could only attribute it to the techniques cultivated by Yaoguang Immortal Sect being stronger.
Qi Ke Qing carefully sized up Si Kong Lan.
Si Kong Lan had fair skin and a handsome appearance. When speaking, his face was full of smiles, and he indeed had a good looks.
His appearance drew frequent admiring glances from many female cultivators in the field and jealousy from many male cultivators.
But Qi Ke Qing was not among them, saying indifferently: “Is this true?”
Si Kong Lan immediately cupped his hands and said:
“Of course! Not only our Qingxuan Immortal Sect’s army, but even the armies from other spirit domains, I believe should be led by a fair person like Senior Sister Qi, so that we can capture more nodes for Mountain Sea Realm in the war domain.”
This statement indeed made Qi Ke Qing’s expression slightly better.
Qi Ke Qing had spent her life going against the tide, doing things ordinary cultivators dared not.
Having come to this war domain, she did have the idea of leading all Mountain Sea Realm sects’ armies in the domain.
She also firmly believed she could lead the army to capture more nodes for Mountain Sea Realm.
The army behind her accounted for seventy percent of Fuyao Region’s cultivators.
The other thirty percent had joined Qingxuan Immortal Sect, almost all newly promoted sects.
While those seventy percent were established sects that highly recognized Yaoguang Immortal Sect.
Seeing that Qi Ke Qing seemed swayed by Si Kong Lan, many did not dare say anything openly but secretly communicated telepathically.
Among the army, one contingent was particularly special, filled entirely with female cultivators, each as beautiful as a hundred flowers.
The cultivators in the adjacent formations, seeing this group of all-female cultivators and knowing they were from Xuan Nü Sect, would occasionally glance over stealthily.
But though those female cultivators had peerless beauty, their expressions were icy, treating the surrounding male cultivators like venomous snakes and fierce beasts.
Those male cultivators, finding no interest, withdrew their gazes, though some who fancied ice beauty types still couldn’t bear to look away.
They were especially jealous of one person in Xuan Nü Sect—a green-robed cultivator, the only male cultivator among Xuan Nü Sect’s hundred flowers!
It was said he was the child of Xuan Nü Sect’s previous saintess who had been abandoned outside, adopted back by Xuan Nü Sect. Although the previous saintess had tarnished Xuan Nü Sect’s reputation, due to this child’s astonishing talent, they still kept him.
The green-robed cultivator faced those hostile gazes with eyes as cold as a billion-year ice abyss, returning them one by one.
Seeing that terrifying pair of eyes, many felt chills all over and withdrew their gazes.
But there were still a few who showed no fear.
In response, the green-robed cultivator drew his sword and bared its edge, his aura like the endless stillness of a deep sea, finally forcing those few to withdraw.
“Master, well done!”
Beside the green-robed cultivator was a striking figure who telepathically said this at the moment.
She was Xuan Nü Sect’s saintess, who loved drinking and was often punished with closed-door cultivation by Xuan Nü Sect’s sect leader but never reformed.
It was Ye Qinghe, who had reincarnated from True Martial Realm.
And that green-robed cultivator was Dragon Mountain Daoist.
“Qinghe, next time something like this happens, you as the saintess should step forward. I really don’t want to do it anymore!”
Ye Qinghe replied telepathically.
“Hee hee, no way. Who made you Xuan Nü Sect’s protector of the way now, Master? You should be happy. Haven’t you seen how those people wish they could swap places with you?”
“Stop talking nonsense!”
The master-disciple pair had reincarnated to Fuyao Region and joined Xuan Nü Sect one after another.
But Ye Qinghe became Dragon Mountain Daoist’s senior sister, and Dragon Mountain Daoist became the junior brother.
Their original master-disciple status from True Martial Realm changing to senior sister-junior brother naturally made Dragon Mountain Daoist feel extremely stifled, to the point that his temperament had become cold and icy over these years.
As Xuan Nü Sect’s only male cultivator, the other female cultivators initially distrusted him, but this action instead made everyone look at him higher.
Thus, Dragon Mountain Daoist was appointed by Xuan Nü Sect’s sect leader as Xuan Nü Sect’s protector of the way.
The last time Ning Qi contacted him, he finally erupted, leaving a meaningful sentence.
“Little Nine, just you wait for your master…”
Which made Ning Qi laugh for a good while.
As Xuan Nü Sect’s saintess, Ye Qinghe outwardly called Dragon Mountain Daoist junior brother when interacting with him, and he called her senior sister, but in telepathic communication, Ye Qinghe still respectfully called him Master.
Otherwise, Dragon Mountain Daoist would bring out his master’s dignity just like in True Martial Realm.
Xuan Nü Sect was the most special sect in Fuyao Region.
Any events in Fuyao Region naturally could not escape their notice.
Qingxuan Immortal Sect had once wanted to cross domains to eliminate Boundless Sword Sect, which was Ning Qi’s current sect. How could Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ye Qinghe not care?
So, as soon as Si Kong Lan approached Qi Ke Qing, the two couldn’t help but communicate.
Ye Qinghe telepathically said: “Master, what do you think Si Kong Lan’s intentions are in wanting to join Yaoguang Immortal Sect’s army?”
Dragon Mountain Daoist replied: “I don’t know his intentions, but I’m afraid that Qi Ke Qing might really be swayed by him!”
Ye Qinghe said again: “It shouldn’t be, right? Besides Junior Brother Ning and you, Senior Sister Qi is the third person I adore. She’s done so many great things; how could she be fooled by Si Kong Lan?”
“You have a point.”
Ye Qinghe quietly added: “Master, Senior Sister Qi thinks very highly of our Xuan Nü Sect. I heard that whenever our Xuan Nü Sect faced crises multiple times, Senior Sister Qi helped from behind the scenes.”
Dragon Mountain Daoist was stunned. “How come I didn’t know about this?”
“Hee hee, this is a secret known only to the saintess and sect leader. As protector of the way and a male, you definitely can’t know about it yet!”
“Then why tell me? Qinghe, although we are from True Martial Realm, no matter where we go, we must keep our word!”
Ye Qinghe felt helpless, thinking her master was deliberately lecturing her.
Their current cultivation had just stepped into Integration Realm.
As Ning Qi’s closest people, they naturally received more care from Ning Qi, so their cultivation was far ahead among the True Martial Realm reincarnators.
The two looked ahead.
Facing Si Kong Lan’s verbal offensive, Qi Ke Qing seemed somewhat swayed.
But next, Qi Ke Qing suddenly said to Si Kong Lan: “If you want to join my army, you must fully obey my commands. Can you do that?”
Upon hearing this, those behind her who thought she had been swayed all felt relieved.
Si Kong Lan’s eyes turned.
Qi Ke Qing wanted to seize his authority, but as long as he continued leading his subordinates, it was fine.
So Si Kong Lan agreed: “Of course!”
Qi Ke Qing’s somewhat heroic face suddenly smiled—not with feminine softness, but with a touch of cold ruthlessness.
“Good then. You all disband your formation and join my army. I think the captains under me will be willing to accept you.”
Si Kong Lan’s expression changed slightly. “Senior Sister Qi, this isn’t appropriate, is it?”
He wanted to join Yaoguang Immortal Sect’s army to borrow a knife to kill, not to lose leadership over his subordinates.
If everyone was scattered, how could he lead them?
“This is my rule. Join if you will, or get out of the way if not!” Qi Ke Qing said domineeringly.
Si Kong Lan’s expression changed several times again.
He looked back at his army; they were also looking at him.
Si Kong Lan’s mind raced, telepathically asking the leaders of each sect.
“After disbanding, if I have need, will you continue to follow my orders?”
“Brother Si Kong, rest assured. We are all newly promoted sects, snatching food from those old sects’ mouths. We must stick together!”
With this reassurance, Si Kong Lan had a plan.
If they talked about grand righteousness or such, Si Kong Lan would never believe it.
But mentioning interests, especially the common interest of snatching food from old sects’ mouths, Si Kong Lan believed them.
After all, these were newly promoted sects unwilling to be restricted by old sects, with ideas of independence, so they joined Qingxuan Immortal Sect and formed a faction.
“Alright then, bear with it for now. Make sure to stabilize the morale below.”
“Brother Si Kong, we understand.”
Only then did Si Kong Qing turn back, a spring-breeze smile on his face again, saying to Qi Ke Qing:
“I’ve discussed with them. We are all willing to join Senior Sister Qi’s army, but one thing: can Senior Sister Qi allow us the right to withdraw at any time? And the right to make suggestions?”
Qi Ke Qing deeply gazed at him and the army behind him.
Qingxuan Immortal Sect, as Fuyao Region’s second immortal sect, plus the sects behind it, had considerable numbers—thirty percent of Fuyao Region’s forces.
If she could take these thirty percent, it was undoubtedly tempting enough for Qi Ke Qing.
So, after a long while, Qi Ke Qing said: “Fine!”
Qi Ke Qing was confident that once these people joined her ranks, she could retain most of them!
As for the suggestions Si Kong Lan mentioned? If they fit her needs, she could accept; if not, heh…
Immediately after, the Qingxuan Immortal Sect army led by Si Kong Lan was disbanded and integrated into Qi Ke Qing’s Yaoguang Immortal Sect army.
Qi Ke Qing left a spot beside her for Si Kong Lan, showing him respect.
After returning to position, Si Kong Lan asked: “I wonder how many nodes Senior Sister Qi has captured?”
Qi Ke Qing said: “Fortunately captured one large node!”
Upon hearing this, Si Kong Lan’s eyes nearly turned red with jealousy.
He had just asked casually, not expecting her to show off directly.
Si Kong Lan said: “Senior Sister Qi’s luck is truly good. Joining your team seems very correct.”
Qi Ke Qing asked: “What about you?”
“We captured a small node, and later found a medium node, but Haoran Realm cultivators got there first and started capturing it. They had more numbers than us, so I came to find Senior Sister Qi.”
Qi Ke Qing frowned. “Such an important matter, why not say it earlier? We delayed so long before!”
Si Kong Lan thought to himself: “Say it earlier? Before figuring out your temperament, if you got the benefit, wouldn’t I become Qingxuan Immortal Sect’s sinner?”
But outwardly he said: “Don’t worry, Senior Sister Qi. I’ll take you there now. That node has extremely many Sea of Realms fierce beasts; Haoran Realm cultivators can’t take it down in a short time.”
“Lead the way ahead!”
Si Kong Lan flew out from the army, heading straight in one direction.
The army behind immediately turned together, following him.
As Si Kong Lan flew ahead, he quietly telepathically messaged Qi Ke Qing: “Senior Sister Qi, this node was discovered by us. If we capture it, can we get an extra ten percent of the reward?”
Qi Ke Qing narrowed her eyes slightly.
She replied with one word: “Fine!”
She was always magnanimous, never as calculating as Si Kong Lan, haggling over every ounce.
…
Just as Qi Ke Qing headed toward the node discovered by Si Kong Lan.
Ning Qi was also leading his army toward that node.
Though Si Kong Lan had discovered that node first, unable to take it, he had spent time seeking help elsewhere.
So now, the closest to that node was actually the Xuanzhen Domain army led by Ning Qi.
With the guidance of the Soul Seeking Node Disc, Ning Qi and the others activated the concealment array again, quietly arriving at reinforcements outside that node.
At first glance, seeing Haoran Realm cultivators still battling Sea of Realms fierce beasts, they were immediately delighted.
Sword Ancestor said: “Luck, luck! Another medium node, and not yet occupied by Haoran Realm cultivators. When should we strike?”
Having the experience of capturing nodes twice before, the various Xuanzhen Domain sects were all convinced of Ning Qi’s command and planning.
They all perked up their ears, waiting for Ning Qi’s decision.
Ning Qi did not rush, saying: “Watch first.”
His spiritual sense quietly extended, carefully probing the situation inside.
The auras of those Sea of Realms fierce beasts were easiest to detect; they had no intention of hiding, revealing their cultivation as it was.
Upon probing, Ning Qi was shocked to find that among those fierce beasts swarming like hornets, the highest cultivation was actually late Integration Realm.
This was clearly a bee swarm. Among them, there were ten Integration Realm bee demons, over a hundred Void Dao Realm, and thousands at Nascent Soul Realm.
They surrounded the node bead and had built a honeycomb-like structure, gleaming yellow and radiant.
Occasional attacks from peak venerables among the Haoran Realm cultivators landed on the hive and were immediately absorbed and neutralized.
Clearly, the hive not only had astonishing defense but other functions as well.
Ning Qi carefully sensed the hive; its structure was identical to mortal world hives, composed of numerous hexagonal small rooms.
But Ning Qi sensed formation power from it, which slightly surprised him.
Demonic beasts had always been poor at formations, but this Integration Realm bee swarm was an exception—they were innate formation masters.
Besides that, Ning Qi sensed something else from the hive.
Faintly, a vigorous life force emanated from within the hive, as if a terrifying existence lurked inside.
Ning Qi’s gaze swept over the swarms battling Haoran Realm cultivators around and the waves of demon bee squads occasionally emerging from the hive.
Ning Qi immediately understood: there must be a bee queen inside the hive.
The bee queen was continuously producing demon bees, joining the battle against Haoran Realm cultivators.
Seeing this, Ning Qi couldn’t help but smile.
No wonder Haoran Realm cultivators hadn’t taken this node after so long—they had encountered a formidable swarm.
His spiritual sense probed toward the Haoran Realm cultivators again.
The Haoran Realm cultivators’ army numbers still couldn’t match Xuanzhen Domain army, only about one-third.
As expected, just like the information Ning Qi had obtained from White Crane Immortal Sect earlier.
The Haoran Realm cultivators before him surely also thought that in this war domain, the Mountain Sea Realm enemies they encountered were all from low-tier spirit domains, not worth fearing.
So, they had split their sects to capture various nodes.
His gaze passed over the fiery red, exquisite attire of the Haoran Realm cultivators. Comparing with the information from White Crane Immortal Sect cultivators, Ning Qi immediately identified their origin.
These cultivators were also from Spirit Bird Domain, from Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect.
Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect was stronger than White Crane Immortal Sect, the overlord of Spirit Bird Domain.
Spirit Bird Domain’s domain lord was also from Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect.
Ning Qi silently observed these Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect cultivators; their ranks did not include Spirit Bird Domain’s domain lord.
For such a special existence as a domain lord, Ning Qi could easily sense it—a special intuition between fellow domain lords.
Moreover, as True Martial Realm Master, his sensitivity to domain lords was extremely keen.
Not encountering Spirit Bird Domain’s domain lord was a pity, but continuing the search, they would meet eventually.
Ning Qi focused on the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect cultivators ahead.
With a sweep of spiritual sense, he instantly discerned their strength.
These cultivators were indeed powerful: thirty Integration Realm in total, three peak venerables, five top-tier venerables, ten ordinary venerables, and the rest mostly elites.
Facing Sea of Realms demon bees skilled in group attacks and bolstered by formations, they could actually suppress the swarm.
On the surface, their strength seemed slightly superior to Xuanzhen Domain army.
After all, Xuanzhen Domain army didn’t even have a single Integration Realm venerable.
Seeing the situation clearly, Ning Qi pondered slightly.
Neither side was weak. Who knew how long it would take for one to completely eliminate the other at this rate.
If he intervened, it would also be troublesome. Perhaps check the next node and return after they had suffered more losses?
Ning Qi glanced at the Soul Seeking Node Disc in his hand and urged it to find the next node.
Soon, the Soul Seeking Node Disc gave feedback.
Its pointer wavered, pointing northeast—clearly, that node was extremely far, even the pointer uncertain of its position.
Ning Qi surged power from his body into the Soul Seeking Node Disc. Spiritual energy gathered at the pointer, forming a line of numbers.
“Ten thousand three hundred twenty-four.”
This was a new function Ning Qi had added to the Soul Seeking Node Disc, able to detect the approximate distance to the nearest next node, in li.
The next node was ten thousand three hundred twenty-four li from the current position—indeed quite far.
The Soul Seeking Node Disc’s function was not yet perfect; it couldn’t detect the size of the next node or multiple nodes.
It needed Ning Qi to capture more nodes to gradually improve based on existing data.
Now, Ning Qi had two choices: take this node or head to the one ten thousand li away.
But wouldn’t the node ten thousand li away have others?
So, Ning Qi looked ahead and finally decided to take this node first.
