Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 1000 - 431: Realm Tree Lifeforms

The expansive grounds of the True Martial Immortal Sect could easily house a million cultivators.

It wasn't solely populated by humans; demon beasts and even a dozen formidable beasts from the Sea of Realms quietly occupied the fringes.

Yet, as a figure slowly descended from the heavens, all rose to their feet in a show of respect.

"Junior Brother Ning!" "Senior Brother Ning!"

"Sect Leader Ning!" "Realm Master Ning!"

"Master!"

A cacophony of titles, echoing like thunder across the entirety of the square.

Ning Qi extended his hands, a gentle gesture that instantly brought silence to the gathering.

He landed in the center, and the crowd immediately converged around him, with those closest to him stepping to the very front.

Ning Qi surveyed the assembled individuals.

From his mentors and fellow disciples of the True Martial Realm days to the companions he had gained in the Mountain and Sea Realm, his gaze swept over them all.

A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke, "It has been quite some time since we have all been together like this. Now that the Three Realms have undergone their transformation and we have returned to the True Martial Realm, I have taken the initiative to welcome all of you into the True Martial Immortal Sect. Do you consent to this?"

Upon hearing his words, it was clear they were directed particularly at the cultivators hailing from the Mountain and Sea Realm.

The Sword Ancestor and Qi Keqing exchanged a knowing glance.

The Sword Ancestor, with a mock scowl, puffed his cheeks and narrowed his eyes, playfully exclaiming, "I never imagined my Infinite Sword Sect would meet such a fate. Ning, how do you intend to compensate me?"

Qi Keqing chuckled softly beside him, adding, "Daoist Jian, has he not already compensated you with a Realm Lord? Are you still displeased?"

Her remark sent ripples of laughter through the crowd.

The Sword Ancestor then turned to the assembled masses, inquiring, "Are you all willing?"

A resounding chorus of "Willing!" erupted from the cultivators of the Mountain and Sea Realm.

Witnessing this, Ning Qi had a sudden realization: the Sword Ancestor possessed an uncanny ability to rally people to his cause.

It seemed the Sword Ancestor was far from being a mere stubborn old man; despite being a sword cultivator, his Sword Heart was pure, and he had a profound understanding of human nature.

Furthermore, Qi Keqing’s cooperation was flawless.

By transforming a potentially sensitive moment into a public jest, they had instantly fostered goodwill and dismantled numerous potential barriers.

This, Ning Qi knew, would greatly facilitate their future interactions.

With this thought, Ning Qi declared, "Although you originate from two distinct realms, we also have cultivators from the Vast Realm who reside beyond the True Martial Immortal Sect. Every member of the True Martial Immortal Sect must discard all prejudices stemming from differing origins and guide the entire True Martial Spirit Realm with the principle of equality for all beings."

Daoist Longshan cleared his throat and responded, "Even without your explicit instruction, Ning, we all grasp the necessity. Rest assured, we understand. Moreover, even if we harbored any desire for prejudice, we would not dare. Their overall cultivation far surpasses our own."

This was an undeniable truth; though the cultivators from both realms had endured the Spirit Realm War, those remaining were undoubtedly the elite.

Despite the True Martial Spirit Realm merging with the Mountain and Sea and Vast Realms, the cultivation level of its inhabitants had not yet ascended at such a rapid pace.

Their sole advantage over the cultivators of the other two realms lay in their innate talent and foundational strength.

Naturally, with sufficient time, they were certain to reach parity swiftly.

This realization brought forth another wave of laughter, filling the air with an almost palpable sense of joy.

Ning Qi then proceeded to communicate with everyone present.

He effectively dispelled the lingering doubts within the hearts of the Mountain and Sea Realm cultivators and simultaneously eased the anxieties of all others.

A collective feeling settled upon them: Ning Qi remained the same person they knew, his elevation to Realm Master following the unification of the Three Realms having had no effect on his character.

He had not grown aloof or detached, even in the face of his mission to rescue the Saint Ancestor and Sea Ancestor, nor in his impending battle against the Mountain Ancestor.

Having successfully reassured everyone, Ning Qi prepared to depart, intending to fulfill his duties of rescuing the Saint Ancestor and Sea Ancestor and confronting the Mountain Ancestor.

"The True Martial Spirit Realm is still undergoing rapid development. All of you may seize this period of immense transformation to cultivate in peace. I will refrain from making an appearance for the time being."

Upon hearing his words, everyone looked at him, their expressions filled with a sense of reluctance.

"Kid, is there nothing else we can do? If we simply allow you to face this danger alone while the people of our three realms cultivate in peace, that feels..."

The Sword Ancestor glanced around at the assembled group, leaving his sentence unfinished. However, everyone present understood his unspoken sentiment.

Ning Qi intended to bear the burden entirely himself, yet he urged them to focus on their cultivation. How could they possibly feel at ease with such an arrangement?

Furthermore, the current circumstances no longer necessitated the fierce defense of their individual worlds as seen during the Spirit Realm War; they were now united as people of a single realm.

The elimination of status distinctions meant that everyone yearned to participate in this climactic battle.

"Senior Brother Ning, we don't want to stand by idly!"

"Sect Leader, even though our individual strength is minor, we also wish to join the fray!"

Shouts echoed, rising and falling like a tidal wave washing over the entire plaza.

Unseen by most, the Saint Ancestor's avatar, along with the two Mountain and Sea Spirits, had stealthily infiltrated the True Martial Immortal Sect.

They were accompanied by Zhao Yujun, the Sect Leader of the Moon Sea Immortal Sect from the Mountain and Sea Realm, and Jiang Yingchu, the Sect Leader of the Vast Immortal Sect from the Vast Realm.

Ning Qi's gaze shifted towards them as they materialized at the rear of the throng.

The Saint Ancestor's avatar appeared to convey something to the two spirits, and remarkably, they streamed all audio and visuals from this location to the entirety of the True Martial Spirit Realm, ensuring every inhabitant could witness the unfolding events.

Their actions, naturally, drew the observation of everyone present.

Slowly, a hush fell over the crowd, followed by smiles as they pressed towards the front.

Ning Qi narrowed his eyes, inquiring, "What is this?"

"If you intend to fight, don't forget about us," the Saint Ancestor's avatar chimed in with a grin.

"Indeed, we have just journeyed through all the Spirit Domains under our jurisdiction, and they have dispatched two representatives here," the Mountain and Sea Spirit added.

Zhao Yujun and Jiang Yingchu advanced in unison, facing the assembled masses and Ning Qi. They declared:

"We two stand as representatives for all cultivators across the Mountain and Sea and Vast Realms, imploring the Realm Venerable to grant us permission to join this battle. We, too, desire to safeguard the peace and security we have diligently established."

Every individual within the True Martial Immortal Sect's plaza directed their gaze toward them, their countenances alight with profound emotion.