Chapter 321: Lone Traveler
Qi Ke Qing politely declined the fifty micro rule fragments given by Ning Qi, exchanged for a Soul Seeking Node Disc from Ning Qi, and then happily led the Fuyao Domain Army away.
After they left, the Xuanzhen Domain congregation still arrayed in the void, all staring at Ning Qi with burning eyes, waiting for his command.
Ning Qi looked at the congregation, pondering slightly for a moment.
Suddenly handing the compass in his hand to the Sword Ancestor.
The Sword Ancestor took it casually, but not understanding the intent, said: “Kid, what are you giving it to me for?”
Ning Qi suddenly smiled and said: “How about leaving the Xuanzhen Domain Army to you to command next?”
“Ah?” The Sword Ancestor was slightly stunned.
Ning Qi said: “Right now, I have advanced to Body Integration Perfection and still hold Domain Lord Power. If I continue to follow the army, it won’t be beneficial for me or for all of you…”
He didn’t finish, but the Sword Ancestor instantly understood.
The Sword Ancestor thought of that Chi Xiazi earlier, who also traveled alone.
Ning Qi and Chi Xiazi, as Domain Lords, one person could match an entire domain’s army.
If they always stayed with their subordinates, the enemies they encountered would have almost no challenge.
It couldn’t always be the Domain Lord acting while the subordinates watched, or the army acting while the Domain Lord watched from the side, right?
Before, Ning Qi’s strength wasn’t there yet, so following the army allowed mutual complementation, but now the two sides were absolutely not the best combination.
Thinking of this, the Sword Ancestor looked at Ning Qi and said: “I understand, just as you said.”
Ning Qi nodded, then said loudly to the army:
“I’m preparing to leave the army. From now on, follow the Sword Ancestor’s orders and use the Soul Seeking Node Disc I left behind to go capture various nodes.”
The congregation was startled upon hearing this, silent for a long time.
The Boundless Sword Sect congregation was fine; they had followed Sect Leader Senior Brother for a long time and knew Ning Qi must have considered everything, so they all said:
“We obey Sect Leader Senior Brother’s orders!”
While the people from other sects in Xuanzhen Domain had varying expressions, suddenly like they had lost their backbone.
After all, they formed the Xuan Zhen Alliance because of Alliance Leader Ning Qi.
In their hearts, Ning Qi’s weight far exceeded the entire Boundless Sword Sect.
Sword Ancestor Jian Jingjue had outstanding talent, even surpassing Fuyao Domain’s Qi Ke Qing, so everyone in the Xuanzhen Domain Army could naturally accept him commanding.
But with Ning Qi as the benchmark ahead, compared to him, the Sword Ancestor was naturally far inferior.
After all, Ning Qi leading everyone through several battles in a row had played a key role in every battle.
In the previous battles, whether it was Ning Qi’s Concealment Grand Array or solving the most thorny enemies, it laid an extremely heavy foundation for victory.
They didn’t dare imagine what would happen to the Xuanzhen Domain Army after Ning Qi left!
Seeing the congregation silent for a long time, Ning Qi said: “What’s wrong, are my Xuanzhen Domain Cultivators soft eggs who only rely on the Alliance Leader?”
The congregation was spurred by the words, their faces flushing red.
Before the congregation could respond.
Ning Qi said again: “Formation Masters, step forward. I will fully impart the Concealment Grand Array to you, and also grant you a base for an auxiliary grand array that I have refined. How much you can achieve next depends on you!”
All Formation Masters in the Xuanzhen Domain Army flew out, looking at the Alliance Leader with excitement and some tension in their eyes.
Along the way, they had been studying the Alliance Leader’s Concealment Grand Array, but naturally couldn’t fully comprehend it.
But with the Alliance Leader’s impartation and complementary array base, they were quite eager to try.
Even if they couldn’t reach the Alliance Leader’s level, they would still be stronger than the Fuyao Domain Army’s concealment methods.
Heavenly Star Upper Sect Sect Leader Xia Xing said: “The Alliance Leader led us through so many dangers ahead. If we still pin everything on the Alliance Leader, we would be too useless, so we are willing to give it a try!”
Behind him, all Formation Masters said together: “We must exhaust all efforts to ensure the army’s formations operate!”
Ning Qi nodded, then swept his gaze to the others.
“After the tempering of the previous battles, I believe you can take on great responsibilities in the War Domain. If I keep following you, it might ensure your safety but hinder your growth. We cultivators, stepping onto the path of cultivation, must walk the road ourselves in the end.”
The congregation then responded together: “We understand!”
Ning Qi smiled faintly and said: “Don’t worry, I’m not completely detaching from the army. That Chi Xiazi can support Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect at any time—did you forget my Teleportation Gate?”
The congregation was stunned, then their faces lit up with joy.
Right, how could they forget the Alliance Leader’s terrifying ability.
Back then, when the Alliance Leader built the Teleportation Array in Xuanzhen Domain, he could casually open a Teleportation Gate.
At that time, they had thought that if in the War Domain the Alliance Leader opened a Teleportation Gate, wouldn’t they be like heavenly troops, instantly crossing space, striking wherever pointed?
Ning Qi pointed at the Soul Seeking Node Disc in the Sword Ancestor’s hand, giving the congregation the final reassurance, saying:
“I left you the compass for probing nodes; its function far exceeds the one given to Qi Ke Qing. As long as the compass is there, I can locate your position at any time and instantly teleport to your side, so feel free to rest assured.”
“Yes!”
“Very well, then from now on, the Sword Ancestor will command the Xuanzhen Domain Army, leading you to capture all nodes in this War Domain. And as Alliance Leader, I will set out alone to sweep away all the experts in this War Domain who can threaten your survival!”
Upon hearing this, the congregation finally understood Ning Qi’s good intentions.
The Alliance Leader detaching from them was to clear out the experts in this War Domain, essentially solving their strong enemies in advance.
This was equivalent to Ning Qi shouldering the most difficult challenges in the War Domain alone!
The congregation solemnly said: “We obey the Alliance Leader’s orders!”
Ning Qi nodded. “Go ahead. From now on, the rule fragments gained from the nodes you capture are all for you to digest yourselves. The Spirit Realm War has only just begun—don’t think it will end soon!”
The congregation immediately understood that the Alliance Leader was afraid their strength wouldn’t keep up in the future Spirit Realm War, so he intended to temper them.
With no Dao Integration experts now, under Ning Qi’s lead, they indeed had great advantages and were almost invincible, but what about later?
Everyone felt a sense of urgency, preparing to give their all in the upcoming war to temper themselves.
The Sword Ancestor immediately stepped to the front of the army, a spiritual sword lying horizontally in his right hand, then raised it vertically overhead.
“Xuanzhen Domain Army, follow me!”
“Yes!”
The congregation took one last look at Alliance Leader Ning Qi, eyes flickering, vowing to etch his figure deeply in their hearts, before the army advanced toward the next node.
Ning Qi watched the departing congregation, eyes slightly narrowed.
This army, completely established by him in the Mountain Sea Realm, would only grow faster and stronger after experiencing more killing.
Compared to all domains in the entire Mountain Sea Realm, Ning Qi dared to say outright that the treatment he gave everyone was absolutely the best.
The best cultivation methods, sufficient resources, various formations, and so on, all provided…
Now, it was time for them to stand on their own and show their sharpness.
Only by letting them face enemy armies alone would they know how precious everything gained from Ning Qi was!
Only then would they cherish it more and be more loyal.
Ning Qi’s figure gradually faded.
He already understood much about the War Domain situation and should set out alone to explore more places and acquire more power for the True Martial Realm.
After a slight thought, he now had two things to do.
First, deal with the other Domain Lords in the current domain.
According to previous intelligence, this Southeast War Realm was divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Three Domains, and they were in the Lower Region.
In the Lower Region, both Mountain Sea Realm and Haoran Realm should have three Spiritual Realms’ armies entering.
Now, he had taken down the Spirit Bird Domain’s Domain Lord from Haoran Realm, leaving two Domain Lords unsolved.
Of course, Mountain Sea Realm side also had some opponents.
Fuyao Domain’s Qi Ke Qing and others could be considered aligned with Xuanzhen Domain, but that Si Kong old man’s Qingxuan Immortal Sect seemed to still want to cause trouble; if Ning Qi encountered them, he would solve it conveniently.
Additionally, Ning Qi remembered the Langya Domain Army was also in this domain; though Mountain Sea Realm Cultivators, they might have other intentions.
Second, Ning Qi planned to find if there were places in the War Domain unreachable by the will of two realms; he would go there to harvest some space to integrate into True Martial Realm, accelerating its growth.
This goal was Ning Qi’s original purpose in coming to the War Domain.
…
Qi Ke Qing held the Soul Seeking Node Disc given by Ning Qi, her face showing joy.
Everyone highly approved of Qi Ke Qing’s choice; fortunately, she didn’t choose the fifty micro rule fragments from Ning Qi but obtained this compass instead.
With this node detector, they would save a lot of time wasted searching for nodes, incredibly convenient.
They were even more glad to have befriended the Xuanzhen Domain Army.
Domain Lord Ning had said that if they had trouble, they could send a message, and Ning Qi would help once, undoubtedly guaranteeing their safety once.
Behind Qi Ke Qing, Elder Li stepped forward at this time, his old face flushed red, saying:
“Senior Sister Qi, this old man apologizes to you. Fortunately, you didn’t listen to this old man; otherwise, our Fuyao Domain Army would be in peril now!”
Qi Ke Qing was in an extremely good mood and said: “Elder Li, the past is the past. As long as you don’t target Domain Lord Ning and the Xuanzhen Domain Army from now on, it’s fine.”
Elder Li nodded repeatedly like a woodpecker, making the congregation laugh.
Besides the redness on his face, there was also hidden fear.
Domain Lord Ning could instantly kill even Haoran Realm’s Domain Lord; what was a small fry like him?
Elder Li suddenly said: “I wonder how Senior Sister Qi plans to handle Si Kong Lan? Qingxuan Immortal Sect Cultivators broke faith and deserted in the midst of battle with the enemy army—though not turning against us, it’s close!”
Seeing him mention Si Kong Lan and thinking of that person’s shameless actions, the Fuyao Domain Army all itched with hatred, wishing to grind his bones and scatter his ashes.
The joy on Qi Ke Qing’s face receded, cold light surging in her eyes.
“Next time we meet him, we must kill him by any means!”
…
Si Kong Lan led twenty percent of Fuyao Domain’s army, and after detaching from Qi Ke Qing’s team, his face showed complacency.
This sly trick of his was played extremely well, and even he was secretly pleased.
“Haha, Senior Brother Lan, this move of yours will surely make that Qi woman and Ning Qi frantic!”
His junior brother Ma Feng flattered.
Nearby, several leaders from other sects also laughed:
“Senior Brother Lan’s move not only weakened Yaoguang Immortal Sect and its veteran sects’ strength, expanding survival space for our newly promoted sects, but also pitted the neighboring Xuanzhen Domain Army—truly killing two birds with one stone!”
Si Kong Lan slightly stroked his beard, listening to the flattery around him, feeling as if floating on air.
By now, they had fled far away and naturally didn’t know the truth that Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect Cultivators hadn’t harmed either army but were instead annihilated.
One person reminded: “Senior Brother Lan, this brother has a word, not sure if I should say it?”
Si Kong Lan looked at that person, who was dressed as a scholar with bright eyes, shaking a folding fan—the strategist in his team—and immediately said: “Speak!”
That person said: “Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect split into two for battle, with Xuanzhen Domain Army lurking in secret; in the end, it must be one against three. I think even if they could harm Qi Ke Qing and Ning Qi’s army, the final victor won’t be them.”
His analysis was reasonable, and the congregation agreed upon hearing it.
“I wonder what high opinion Mr. Sima has?” Si Kong Lan said.
Sima Fei said: “They will surely settle accounts with us later; we should plan early!”
Si Kong Lan nodded. “I know this too; does Mr. have any golden advice?”
Sima Fei smiled slightly, as if holding the winning strategy.
“You know my knowledge is broad. Earlier, when our army passed a place, I vaguely sensed something wrong there, but didn’t think much at the time. Recalling now, it must be a strange place, likely hiding a node.”
The congregation was stunned upon hearing this.
Si Kong Lan said: “Is Mr. serious?”
Sima Fei snapped shut his folding fan and smiled: “True or not, we’ll know when we go. That Ning Qi can probe node locations, right? After we find this node, we can set up a world-shocking trap here and must slay Ning Qi and the Xuanzhen Domain Army here!”
When mentioning Ning Qi, hatred nearly overflowed from his eyes.
Si Kong Lan knew that Si Kong Old Ancestor had once sent four Venerables to Southern True Domain to kill Ning Qi.
One of them was Sima Fei’s close friend, so he naturally hated Ning Qi too.
Seeing him think the same as himself, Si Kong Lan immediately laughed: “Mr. Sima’s words are exactly my intent. We should indeed prepare for a rainy day.”
Immediately, under Sima Fei’s lead, they went to find that strange territory.
After flying about half a day, Sima Fei led everyone to a place where the sky was dim.
There were no sun, moon, or stars in the War Domain, only light penetrating from the two realms for illumination.
Here, the sky light was dim, as if the light from both realms was distorted and dimmed, truly an extremely eerie place.
The congregation looked at the thick gray mist rising ahead, momentarily releasing spiritual sense to probe inside.
But soon, everyone withdrew their spiritual sense, looking at each other with grave expressions.
“Mr. Sima, what’s really going on here? We are at least Peak Venerables, yet why can’t our spiritual sense probe the situation inside?”
That Sima Fei at some point had taken out the folding fan again, fanning continuously.
A breeze lifted his hair, adding a touch of scholarly elegance.
Suddenly, strange patterns appeared in his pupils, as if able to see through all illusions.
At the same time, he stepped in seven-star steps, treading heavenly gang, his figure illusory, leaving trails of afterimages.
The congregation watched him probe the place, all silent, waiting for his conclusion.
Soon, Sima Fei stopped, returning to the congregation’s side.
Seeing him drenched in sweat, face pale as lime, everyone was truly startled.
“Mr. Sima, are you alright?”
That Sima Fei laughed wildly: “What a place invaded by the Will of Two Realms! This place is extremely unique; we can set up a killing trap here and lure Ning Qi over!”
