Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 839 - 354: Second Phase (Part 2)

"You have been trailing behind me for several days now. With the Harmonization event finally upon us, what are your individual thoughts?"

Qi Keqing and Zhu Yanchuan traded a brief look.

Visible hesitation crossed their features. They had long anticipated this moment, yet its arrival felt premature.

Qi Keqing stepped forward and said, "Since Domain Master Ning mentioned that a battlefield would be established for the Harmonization, I have resolved to lead our forces under your command. I am curious—are you willing to accept us?"

She stood adorned in gleaming silver battle armor, her gray hair pulled back into a simple, short ponytail, radiating a commander’s heroic spirit.

Qi Keqing’s voice remained firm, her gaze locked onto Ning Qi, clearly anxious that he might refuse her request.

Ning Qi laughed softly. "Are you planning to betray your own Harmonization?"

Qi Keqing wore a resigned expression.

"If they truly value our well-being, they will certainly support my choice."

Despite being a female cultivator, she possessed a strong will and the capability to handle significant matters.

After making her stance clear, Qi Keqing turned toward the army stationed behind her.

"That was merely my personal decision. Any of you who desire to cross the borders and return to your Sect to serve the Harmonization are free to depart."

To her surprise, the entire army of the Fuyao Realm shook their heads in unison.

"We wish to continue following Senior Sister Qi and remain under the guidance of Domain Master Ning."

Ning Qi nodded, saying, "In that case, you are all welcome to stay."

He then shifted his attention toward Zhu Yanchuan and his group.

After a brief consultation, the group looked somewhat embarrassed as they addressed Ning Qi.

"Domain Master Ning, we are deeply grateful for your assistance, which we can hardly hope to repay in full. However, as disciples of the Langya Domain Sect, we must return now that the Harmonization has descended. We hope for your understanding."

"That is perfectly fine," Ning Qi joked. "It saves your two Sect ancestors from coming to bother me for their people later. That would truly be a headache!"

The lighthearted reaction from Ning Qi visibly put both Qi Keqing and Zhu Yanchuan at ease.

Shortly after, Ning Qi gave clear instructions regarding everyone's next steps.

...

Southeast War Realm.

The Harmonization forces hailing from both the Fuyao and Langya Realms had touched down within this territory.

They traversed the space gate almost instantaneously, arriving alongside the Harmonizations from the Southwest Realm.

To their surprise, upon stepping into the realm, they did not encounter a single disciple from their respective Sects.

Si Kongxuan of the Cyan Profound Immortal Sect maintained a stoic expression, though his eyes betrayed a venomous intensity.

Not one of his disciples had survived.

As the sole Harmonization of the Cyan Profound Immortal Sect—a Sect only recently elevated to Immortal status—Si Kongxuan felt profoundly isolated upon entering the War Realm.

Lacking any subordinates to provide intelligence, his temper was understandably volatile.

"Could it be that Ning Qi has eliminated all my disciples?"

His suspicion turned immediately to Ning Qi rather than the cultivators of the Vast Realm, though it remained unclear if this was a shared sentiment or merely his own villainous neurosis.

Nearby stood the Harmonization forces of the Jade Light Immortal Sect, the most prestigious group from the Fuyao Realm.

Si Kongxuan recognized their leader, Fang Daoming, having crossed paths with him back in the Integration Realm era.

However, their conflicting moral natures made them natural rivals.

As for the Harmonizations of the Langya Realm, they were complete strangers to him.

Fang Daoming seemed to spot an acquaintance across the field, calling out softly, "Brother Teng Hai, is it possible that your Langya Realm cultivators are also nowhere to be found?"

Wang Tenghai’s face darkened as he scanned the horizon. Upon hearing Fang Daoming, he turned to face him.

"Brother Fang, are the members of your Jade Light Immortal Sect absent as well?"

Their mutual discovery sent a ripple of tension among all the assembled Harmonizations.

"Could all the cultivators from our two Realms have perished at the hands of those from the Vast Realm?"

Fang Daoming dismissed the notion. "That is impossible. Qi Keqing led the forces from my Jade Light Immortal Sect. She is remarkably meticulous and possesses the tactical mind of a veteran general. It is inconceivable that she would fail to guard her people."

Wang Tenghai narrowed his eyes. "I have heard of Qi Keqing. She is the one who initiated the reforms to stop the fighting in the Fuyao Realm, is she not?"

"Indeed, that is her!"

Wang Tenghai nodded. "Similarly, my subordinate Zhu Yanchuan is quite wise in his dealings. He would never allow his people to be wiped out so easily."

"Where on earth did they go? Shall we search the realm and regroup after the burn time of half an incense stick?"

"Agreed!"

Driven by concern, the newly arrived Harmonization powers spent their first moments of deployment searching for their disciples rather than formulating battle plans—a rare sight indeed in the War Realm.

Hoping to avoid notice, Si Kongxuan also joined the search.

Unlike the other leaders, however, he felt no true attachment to his subordinates.

Finding no trace of his Sect disciples did not sadden him. Instead, his mind was entirely occupied by thoughts of Ning Qi.

"Ning Qi, where are you hiding? Lord Zhanxuan nearly ended my life last time, all because of you. I must track you down and tear you apart to settle our old debts. Let us see if Lord Zhanxuan can intervene once more!"

Lost in his own cruel daydreams, Si Kongxuan gave an insidious chuckle.

Half an incense stick later.

The Harmonizations gathered once again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, have anyone found any leads?"

The group shook their heads in silent unison.

Growing visibly worried, Fang Daoming produced a token etched with the Mountain Ancestor’s seal.

As he channeled his spiritual power, the energy of the Mountain and Sea Realm hummed in resonance, manifesting a phantom before the crowd.

Everyone bowed quickly, exclaiming, "Realm Venerable!"

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will looked upon them, his divine gaze chillingly detached.

"I have tasks for you, but first..."

The phantom peered at Fang Daoming. "Fang Daoming, you have burned a precious chance to commune with my true presence. Tell me your purpose."

Fang Daoming asked, "Realm Venerable, upon arriving here, we found no trace of our disciples. I beg to know if they are still alive?"

The phantom swept his gaze across the assembly.

His indifferent expression softened, carrying a flicker of emotion. "They are safe and well."

"Might I ask where they are currently?"

The phantom offered a cryptic smile. "You shall see them shortly. For now, attend to my decree."

The group exchanged puzzled glances, unsure why the Mountain and Sea Realm Will was speaking in riddles.

Yet, comforted by his words, they presumed their disciples were indeed among the living, which was all that mattered for now.

According to his orders, they were to remain stationed here, awaiting the arrival of their disciples.

As they waited, the lack of activity began to chafe at their nerves.

Suddenly, a portal shimmered into existence near the western boundary wall.

Drawing their attention, a white-clad figure emerged, leading a vast caravan of cultivators.

Wang Tenghai of the Langya Domain was stunned by the sight.

Those were definitely his Langya Domain cultivators. But who was the individual in white standing at the head of the group?

Moments later, Ning Qi arrived with Zhu Yanchuan and the Langya Domain army.

Recognizing Wang Tenghai, Zhu Yanchuan bowed respectfully.

"Master!"

Wang Tenghai spoke sternly, "Where have you been, and why are you wandering about so recklessy? I cautioned you that surviving in the War Realm was the priority! What if something had happened? Can you even comprehend the responsibility—"

He stopped mid-sentence as he peered past Zhu Yanchuan.

"Wait, is this really the full strength of the Langya Domain army?"

Zhu Yanchuan prepared to explain that the miracle was largely due to Ning Qi.

Meanwhile, Fang Daoming fixed his eyes on Qi Keqing, who stood beside Ning Qi. "Qi Keqing, why are you the only one among your guard?"

Qi Keqing replied, "Elder Fang, do not worry; our soldiers are perfectly fine, with almost no losses."

"Then where are they?" Fang Daoming pressed, his anxiety rising.

Qi Keqing looked toward Ning Qi before answering, "Elder Fang, for the sake of their future, I have left them behind in the Southwest Realm. I have come personally to bring you the news!"

"Excuse me?" Fang Daoming was utterly dumbstruck.

Ning Qi, remaining off to the side, ignored their chaos and idly surveyed the Southeast War Realm.

This had been the first war theater his own domain had entered, though after seizing two realms, he had shifted his focus to the Southern Domain.

It came as no surprise that the Southeast Realm had fallen under the sovereignty of the Mountain and Sea Realm.

Just then, Ning Qi noticed a figure cloaked in cyan speeding toward him.

"Are you Ning Qi?"