Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 854 - 362: Advancing Toward Harmonization

When the Fan City cultivator, one of the top fifty in power rankings, observed Ning Qi rallying the Vast Realm's Harmonization experts into motion, a persistent unease seized him that proved hard to shake.

A man of his stature would never allow a foe the breathing room to build strength.

Unlike certain naive individuals convinced that a bolstered enemy might lack the boldness to seek them out.

Fan City had long adhered to the principle that to neutralize a threat, one must eradicate it utterly at the earliest moment, denying the adversary any chance to regroup.

Consequently, he joined forces with Jin Guanghua and Mu Qingtian, commanding their subordinates—including the Three Domains' Harmonization cultivators—to shadow the Vast Realm's Harmonization experts in the hunt for Ning Qi.

Cold Qingao, rescued earlier by Ning Qi, gazed at his receding form, her rose-like pink eyes shimmering with ripples.

She too dashed after Ning Qi without delay.

Regardless of Sea Ancestor's directives or Ning Qi's prior aid, Cold Qingao found it impossible to stand by idly.

Ning Qi executed multiple teleports, roughly twenty to thirty in succession, before casting a look backward.

Trailing him were figures swarming like locusts, every one a formidable Harmonization cultivator from two realms.

At the forefront flew those in the peak and late Harmonization stages, including the gray-clothed sword cultivator soaring atop his blade.

Farther back, Ning Qi also caught sight of the Fan City trio.

Yet he felt no shock that those three managed to keep pace.

"Come on, all of you, then I’ll deal with you together,"

Ning Qi kept up his "flight" southward toward the outer ring.

The Vast Realm's Harmonization cultivators noted Ning Qi's eel-like elusiveness, hard to corner, yet steadfastly bound for the south, so they weren't naive.

Under the gray-clothed sword cultivator's lead, the pursuit halted, with no further advance.

A voice transmitted privately: "Mi Hui, absent orders from Sect Leader Jiang of the Vast Immortal Sect, we must not press on."

The gray-clothed sword cultivator Mi Hui offered no words, merely a faint nod.

His left hand turned, revealing a Communication Jade Scroll, as if anticipating a response from it.

Upon detecting Ning Qi, he had dispatched word to key Vast Realm figures inside the warfare realm.

Though Sect Leader Jiang Yingchu of the Vast Immortal Sect and top powerhouses had ventured to the Central Domain, Ning Qi remained a figure the Saint Ancestor had flagged for vigilance.

Thus, even with the Sect Leader afar in the Central Domain, cross-realm contact persisted.

Ning Qi halted in the void, ten kilometers ahead of them.

Noticing their reluctance to resume the chase, a glint flashed in Ning Qi's eyes as he grasped their caution.

Still, he felt confident that upon receiving confirmation, they would resume the pursuit.

Ning Qi's gaze scanned the Mountain and Sea Realm's Harmonization cultivators following the Vast Realm's group.

He spotted Cold Qingao, the Shark Ancestor next to mermaid Lang Yingying, and numerous familiar Harmonization faces.

Excluding Fan City's trio and their followers, most Harmonization cultivators regarded him with astonishment and goodwill.

For Ning Qi, merely at Integration Realm, to draw such a horde of Vast Realm Harmonization experts in pursuit struck them as phenomenal.

Such a feat lay beyond their own capabilities!

They remained ignorant of why Vast Realm cultivators valued Ning Qi so, or that he fulfilled a directive from the Mountain and Sea Realm Will.

Ning Qi narrowed his eyes.

Was the Mountain and Sea Realm Will still holding back the Mountain and Sea Realm's Harmonization cultivators from slipping toward the Central Domain while he diverted enemy focus?

Cultivator forces moved with lightning reactions unlike mortal troops, where triumph or loss often turned on a fleeting decision!

Must he truly lure the foes entirely before they act?

Ahead.

The Jade Scroll clutched by gray-clothed sword cultivator Mi Hui trembled.

He swiftly scanned the inscribed message, which stated:

"Must capture Ning Qi, but as soon as you reach one-third of the Southern Domain distance, immediately withdraw, abandon this mission!"

This directive came straight from Vast Immortal Sect's Sect Leader Jiang Yingchu.

Mi Hui wasn't alone; leading Vast Realm Harmonization figures all received it too.

They shared knowing looks before resuming the chase after Ning Qi.

Ning Qi perceived this and instantly understood.

His pull on the Vast Realm proved powerfully magnetic.

Ning Qi resolved to draw them deeper south, testing the bounds of their pursuit.

As the chase pressed on, every Mountain and Sea Realm Harmonization cultivator heard the Mountain and Sea Realm Will's voice echo in their minds.

"While Ning Qi attracts the enemy, stealthily head to the Central Domain boundary wall. I’ll escort you in; capturing the Central Domain is the most important task now!"

Hearing the Realm Venerable's command, clarity dawned on all.

This entire scheme stemmed from the Realm Venerable and the backing ancestors.

Mountain and Sea Realm's Harmonization cultivators moved discreetly in line with the Realm Venerable's intent.

Yet a few defied it.

Cold Qingao activated her Communication Jade Scroll to reach the Mountain and Sea Realm Will.

"Realm Venerable, can Ning Qi alone draw enough enemy fire? Sea Ancestor prizes him highly; I must lend aid."

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will, aware Cold Qingao ranked as a prized Sea Ancestor disciple, responded openly.

"Qingao, knowing Ning Qi fits our strategy, you must realize we've prepared a safeguard for him."

Brightness lit Cold Qingao's eyes at these words.

Perhaps worry had clouded her insight.

Lips pressed tight, Cold Qingao addressed the Mountain and Sea Realm Will once more: "Realm Venerable, with that assured, Qingao can proceed at ease."

She shot another glance at Ning Qi, then added, "However, per Sea Ancestor’s command, I must confirm Ning Qi’s true safety before departing."