Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 1004 - 433: Sun and Moon Radiance Strike

Ning Qi, now a wisp of gray mist within the Sea of Realms, drifted towards the shadow of Buzhou Mountain. His initial plan was to infiltrate under the guise of Sea of Realms energy. However, he soon discovered that the mountain's walls were impervious to this energy.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ning Qi's mind. This shadow of Buzhou Mountain wasn't like a typical world. Worlds usually require an external barrier to keep the Sea of Realms energy at bay, preventing it from corrupting everything within. Yet, Buzhou Mountain's interior housed only the Mountain Ancestor, Saint Ancestor, and Sea Ancestor. Why then would the Mountain Ancestor erect such a barrier?

Recalling his prior experiences in the Sea of Realms, Ning Qi found a measure of understanding. Perhaps the Mountain Ancestor harbored an intense aversion to the Sea of Realms energy, unwilling to be tainted by it.

As he touched the mountain's surface, Ning Qi mused to himself, "Fortunately, I merged with the Seed of Jianmu from the Enlightenment Realm Tree. It grants me capabilities similar to the original Seed of Jianmu, allowing me to pass through world walls effortlessly. This shadow of Buzhou Mountain functions no differently."

A delicate branch extended from the gray mist, piercing the mountain's formidable wall with ease. Ning Qi then observed the Mountain Ancestor, who remained perched atop Buzhou Mountain. Ever since the shadow manifested, the Mountain Ancestor had seemingly remained steadfastly in place, never venturing away. It was speculated that he was bound to maintain the shadow's existence.

Ning Qi sensed that the Mountain Ancestor appeared oblivious to his subtle infiltration using the branch from the Enlightenment Realm Tree. He meticulously concealed his aura and energy, silently slipping into the shadow of Buzhou Mountain.

Inside, the shadow of Buzhou Mountain presented itself as a self-contained realm, shrouded in a darkness so profound that one could not see their own hand. Upon Ning Qi's arrival, a cacophony of terrifying sounds assailed his ears.

Opening his eyes, his innate Eye of Truth granted him clear vision of the scene unfolding within. The most prominent figure was a towering, robust form suspended in mid-air, engrossed in casting spells and unleashing potent Divine Techniques. It was the Mountain Ancestor, his face etched with scars from his previous encounter with Ning Qi.

Ning Qi's attention was captivated by the Mountain Ancestor's spellcasting. He chanted incomprehensible syllables in a disjoined rhythm. More strikingly, the Mountain Ancestor periodically took a simple, small knife and deliberately stabbed his own palm.

As fresh blood dripped onto the ground like spilled pearls, it fragmented into bloody blossoms before vanishing without a trace. A closer inspection revealed that the Mountain Ancestor deliberately shed ten drops of blood with each instance. Below him, a ghastly army materialized from the very fabric of space.

This spectral host comprised zombies, skeletal warriors, and a menagerie of monstrous beasts, rodents, and insects. They moved with unending vigor, seemingly incapable of true death, relentlessly advancing towards the central point. In this core area, a radiant golden barrier pulsed, forming an enormous defensive sphere. The army, like a swarm of ants, surged against it, piling atop one another in a human-like pyramid, nearly obscuring the entire shield.

From the celestial expanse above, countless dark tendrils descended, aiming to pierce the protective shield. Ning Qi observed this spectacle, gauging the formidable strength of this spectral horde. They possessed a power comparable to the cultivators from two realms during the past Spirit Realm war – a truly terrifying realization, especially given their incessant nature and apparent immunity to death.

A chilling suspicion began to form in Ning Qi's mind: could the inheritance within the shadow of Buzhou Mountain be inherently sinister? Was this truly the legendary Buzhou Mountain? The descending tendrils gave him pause, making him wonder if they were lingering remnants of the Seed of Jianmu from ages past. However, uncertain of its true nature, he could not be sure, as this was merely a shadow.

Suddenly, Ning Qi's gaze fixed upon a particular section of the advancing troops, a sight that sparked a sense of unnerving familiarity. "Hmm?" he murmured, quietly drawing closer to investigate.

Upon a more precise examination, a shiver traced its way down Ning Qi's spine. For among the ranks below, he recognized individuals – remarkably, the Sect Leader Gong Tiandao of the Zhou Mountain Immortal Sect and his accompanying disciples. But the Mountain Ancestor had clearly sacrificed them earlier, hadn't he? How could they possibly still be present?

Ning Qi's attention lingered on them. He observed that, at this moment, they moved as if mere zombies, relentlessly attacking the Saint Ancestor and Sea Ancestor at the center.

Their appearances had changed to that of zombies, yet a flicker of intelligence remained within them. Thus, in combat, they wielded the techniques and Divine Techniques they had mastered during their lives, each strike carrying immense power.

Ning Qi's heart grew heavy.

The Mountain Ancestor truly showed no regard for others, not even deeming them as human.

For how many years had Gong Tiandao and these individuals followed the Mountain Ancestor?

In life, they were tools to bolster the Mountain Ancestor's might, and once his utility waned, he callously discarded them.

Now, even in death, the Mountain Ancestor could summon them as zombies to assault his foes.

The Mountain Ancestor had exploited these people to their absolute limit!

Alive as his thralls, and even in death, they found no release, continuing their enslavement to aid the Mountain Ancestor in battling his enemies.

Ning Qi could only offer a silent gratitude that the Mountain Ancestor had not fully consumed the Mountain and Sea Realm and the Vast Realm; otherwise, would not the denizens of both realms face the same dismal fate?

Should both realms be devoured, Ning Qi doubted the safety of his True Martial Spirit Realm!

A sudden chill entered Ning Qi's eyes, a profound killing intent flashing within them.

Just as he was poised to strike at the Mountain Ancestor, a radiant beam of light burst forth from the central area, recasting the entirety of Buzhou Mountain's interior in its glow.

Both Ning Qi and the Mountain Ancestor turned their gazes toward the heart of the illumination.