Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 823 - 347: Lang Yingying the Mermaid (Part 3)

Lang Yingying, the mermaid king, fixed her gaze upon Ning Qi with eyes brimming with tenderness, as if invisible silk threads were binding them, radiating a wellspring of deep affection.

Strength was the ultimate idol of the merfolk clan!

With a sudden, soft giggle, Lang Yingying teased, “Domain Master Ning, would you consider taking a wife?”

Her voice was melodic, tinged with shy playfulness. Such a bold overture left every cultivator watching in a stunned stupor.

Within the military ranks of the Profound Truth Realm,

Lu Ziyue, draped in purple robes, cast a glance at Lang Yingying while nervously gnawing on her lower lip.

Are these fairies truly this brazen?

She silently reassured herself that she didn't fear a potential bond between Lang Yingying and Ning Qi; perhaps she merely believed that mermaids lacked the refined beauty of human women. . .

Simultaneously, Lu Ziyue stiffened her resolve, affirming that the unique connection she shared with Ning Qi was far too robust for any outsider to sever!

The True Martial Realm cultivators concealed within the army couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.

Figures of renown—such as Zhuang Chen of the Luotian Upper Sect, Taoist Baishan from the Cyan Mist Upper Sect, Ye Qinghe hailing from the Profound Lady Sect of the Fuyao Realm, and Taoist Longshan—exchanged skeptical glances.

Did the mermaid king actually think she could kindle a romance with their Realm Lord? How incredibly naive!

Having shadowed Ning Qi for years, many having watched his arduous ascent, they had never once witnessed him showing any flicker of romantic interest in another soul.

Ning Qi seemed to have dedicated his entire existence solely to the art of Cultivation.

Ascending to immortality appeared to be his solitary mission.

Ye Qinghe peered at Ning Qi’s retreating frame and whispered to the nearby Taoist Longshan:

“Master, do you suppose that if Junior Brother Ning attains the absolute pinnacle of Cultivation, he might finally harbor feelings for the opposite sex?”

Taoist Longshan replied dryly, “Qinghe, are you certain your ruminations aren't stretching a bit too far?”

Ye Qinghe quickly countered, “I merely fret for our dear little junior brother!”

“We shall discuss this when the time is ripe. You will understand then.”

Beyond these familiar faces, Lang Yingying’s declaration ignited a firestorm of attention from the female cultivators of the Profound Truth Realm, the Fuyao Realm, and the Langya Domain.

They bore into her with gazes sharp as blades, viewing her as an interloper who dared to flirt brazenly with the man they all secretly revered.

Waves of jealousy, envy, disdain, and sharp sarcasm rippled through the air.

Yet, Lang Yingying appeared completely oblivious to this cold hostility. Her saintly features remained fixed upon Ning Qi, clearly waiting for his verdict.

Ning Qi flashed a calm smile. “As those of the Cultivation path, our destiny is to tread the road of immortality and master the Supreme Way. How could we squander such precious time on romance? You are a lovely girl, truly, but we are simply not suited for one another!”

A faint wrinkle appeared on Lang Yingying’s delicate nose. Her deep blue eyes, glittering like the bioluminescent depths of the ocean, sparkled as she replied with unyielding confidence,

“Domain Master Ning, then let us begin as simple friends.”

Ning Qi merely shook his head, offering no further rebuttal, and waved his hand in dismissal.

“All troops, heed my orders! Follow my lead across the domain.”

“Understood!”

The combined armies of the Three Domains roared in unison, a spectacle that deeply rattled Ren Boping and the forces loyal to the Sea Ancestor.

Witnessing this displays of absolute obedience, they finally grasped the sheer level of control Ning Qi exerted over his peers and the profound trust his subordinates placed in him.

To speak plainly, they realized their own authority over their domains paled in comparison to Ning Qi’s, and that was even without considering his influence over the other domains.

A newfound, heavy realization dawned on them regarding the true caliber of Ning Qi.

As Ning Qi and his retinue stepped through the interdomain gate, those remaining followed with a newfound caution.

By Lang Yingying’s side, Jiang Yuyue remarked abruptly,

“Yingying, are you genuinely infatuated with that individual?”

Lang Yingying countered, “And what if I am?”

Jiang Yuyue lingered in silence briefly before transmitting telepathically, “I suggest you refrain from drawing closer until you have divined the truth of his origin.”

Without awaiting a reply, he strode away, vanishing into the distance.

Lang Yingying stared at the space where he had stood, her thoughts swirling in mystery.

Suddenly, she beamed with a bright smile. “Origin? I shall simply petition the Sea Ancestor and request that the Realm Venerable investigate it for me!”

Her attitude was entirely earnest and romantic, for the merfolk were a race known to pledge their hearts to a single soul.

Once their choice was made, it was an oath held for a lifetime.

. . .

Within the Central Domain of the Southern War Realm.

Ning Qi and his coalition breached the Boundary Wall and stepped into the open air.

Ren Boping and the others emerged close behind.

Without warning, they caught sight of Ning Qi unveiling an object that resembled a compass.

As he channeled his spiritual power into it, the device emitted a cool blue radiance, manifesting a detailed map in mid-air.

Ren Boping and his companions gazed at the display with wide, astonished eyes.

“Domain Master Ning, what is this device…?”

Ning Qi spared them a glance and queried, “Have the Realm Venerables failed to distribute the Soul-Searching Plates I devised to all of you yet?”

Ren Boping and his trio of counterparts shook their heads in utter bewilderment.

Ning Qi was left speechless.

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm was truly falling behind; had it not yet disseminated these items to the realm lords after all this time?

If these tools weren't widely distributed soon, how could he expect to accelerate the tempo of the interdimensional war?

In truth, Ning Qi was unaware that the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm had already issued these compasses to other regions. It simply assumed that with Ning Qi present in this particular zone, such a distribution was entirely redundant.

Ning Qi promptly retrieved several spirit stones, crafted a few refined compasses on the spot, and handed them over to Ren Boping and the others.

The three leaders held the items gingerly, mesmerized by the intricate craftsmanship.

Upon flooding the devices with their own spiritual energy, their shock grew even more profound.

Heavens above, it was no wonder Ning Qi moved across the Three Domains with such blinding efficiency; possessing such a tool was a complete game-changer!

Unknowingly, the weight of Ning Qi’s importance in their hearts grew heavier, and the seeds of wariness and hostility they once harbored withered away in an instant.