Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 880 - 374: Contempt

While Ning Qi mulled things over, Zhao Yujun abruptly sent him a private voice transmission: "The Sea Ancestor also instructed me to inform you that you bear some resemblances to her, particularly in your skill at harnessing the power of the Sea of Realms!"

Ning Qi’s face subtly shifted.

"???"

Ning Qi cast a profound glance at Zhao Yujun.

The Moon Sea Immortal Sect Leader was now chatting with Leng Qingao.

Evidently, this last voice transmission came straight from the Sea Ancestor’s specific orders.

The Sea Ancestor noted that Ning Qi shared traits with her in certain aspects, above all in wielding the power of the Sea of Realms.

Ning Qi pondered this statement with great care.

From Zhao Yujun’s words, it was plain that the Sea Ancestor herself wielded the power of the Sea of Realms.

Yet why did the Sea Ancestor go out of her way to pass this on to him? Could it really be mere boredom from spectating the fight, using him for entertainment?

Ning Qi delved into the profound intent behind the Sea Ancestor’s message.

Maybe in the Mountain and Sea Realm, she alone possessed the ability to tap into the Sea of Realms’ power—a feat beyond even the Mountain Ancestor.

Now, with Ning Qi drawing on that same power, the Sea Ancestor, who could wield it too, had taken notice, prompting her remark.

Still, what precise message did the Sea Ancestor aim to deliver?

Ning Qi reflected on all the communications the Sea Ancestor had routed to him via different means since his arrival in the war domain.

The initial one came when the Sea Ancestor learned of the Mountain Ancestor’s wish to accept him as a disciple; she promptly had the Mountain and Sea Realm Will extend an identical offer to him.

Complete with a warning: if she couldn’t claim it, nobody else would!

The next occasion arose when Ning Qi rose to fame in the war domain, quelling several war zones by himself.

Recognizing his worth, the Sea Ancestor confronted the Mountain Ancestor head-on and seized the Profound Truth Realm for her forces.

The latest came after Ning Qi survived the tribulations, leading the Sea Ancestor to grasp she’d still misjudged his true potential, hence dispatching Zhao Yujun with this word.

Reviewing these messages, Ning Qi sensed the Sea Ancestor’s intense fascination with him.

This sharpened his insights into the motives driving her communications.

Ning Qi believed the Sea Ancestor’s point went beyond merely admitting she too could harness the Sea of Realms’ power; it implied she alone qualified as his true mentor.

Naturally, it carried undertones of intimidation from the Sea Ancestor directed at him.

True to form, the Sea Ancestor blended incentives with deterrents, clearly signaling she’d uncovered his hidden trick.

Having pieced it together, Ning Qi chose to let the matter drop.

Whatever notions the Sea Ancestor harbored, once he claimed ultimate victory, time would reveal who mastered whom!

Suddenly, distant cries rang out, startling the entire group.

One voice bellowed first, "Who goes there?"

Right away, another roared, "Gong Tiandao, why aren’t you with your own troops but sneaking over to our camp?"

"Don’t assume we won’t act against you simply because you lead the Zhou Mountain Immortal Sect!"

With those shouts, clashes of battle seemed to break out.

Through a veil of bloody haze, a fierce wind rushed forth.

Zhao Yujun spoke up abruptly, her voice calm and firm.

"Allow Gong Tiandao through."

"Yes!"

The cultivators complied at once, ceasing their tussle with the intruder in their midst.

Moments later, a robust, commanding middle-aged figure soared through the air and touched down close to Zhao Yujun.

This was Gong Tiandao, head of the Zhou Mountain Immortal Sect. His mere stance radiated mountain-like weight, suggesting he shouldered immense responsibilities.

Gong Tiandao clasped his fists toward Zhao Yujun first and declared, "Gong arrives to greet Sect Leader Zhao and confer on forthcoming strategies."

Zhao Yujun scoffed back, "I figure you’re feigning talk of strategies while actually here to lure away talent, aren’t you?"

She then glanced at Ning Qi.

Gong Tiandao’s eyes tracked hers to Ning Qi.

"So this must be Taoist Friend Ning?"

Gong Tiandao scrutinized Ning Qi intently, his gaze glimmering as though piercing every secret about him.

"Gong greets Taoist Friend Ning."

For the first time facing the leaders of the Mountain and Sea Realm’s top sects, Ning Qi held a poised, balanced bearing, cupping his fists to Gong Tiandao.

"Ning greets Daoist Gong."

The gleam in Gong Tiandao’s eyes slowly dimmed, his brows twitching faintly.

He wielded a hidden art for appraising others, capable of unveiling portions of even Zhao Yujun’s core, his peer.

Yet against Ning Qi, Gong Tiandao was shocked to discover the technique utterly failed.

Was this the dread power from withstanding the Thirty-six Layers of Thunder Tribulation?

Truth be told, Gong Tiandao and Zhao Yujun had both covertly tested Ning Qi’s state.

After all, excluding the two ancestors, they ranked as the Mountain and Sea Realm’s mightiest and most prominent cultivators.

Ning Qi’s emergence was certain to impact their positions.

Nevertheless, directives from the ancestors had shaped their stances on Ning Qi.

Ever since Ning Qi stepped into the Central Domain, the cultivators’ biases on both sides stood revealed.

Following short pleasantries, Zhao Yujun teased, "Sect Leader Gong, should you try your standard pitch to enlist Taoist Friend Ning, you’d best abandon it now."

A trace of awkwardness crossed Gong Tiandao’s features.

His scouts had relayed every detail post their Ning Qi encounter, so Gong Tiandao knew prospects looked grim.

Even with Ning Qi once aligned to the Mountain Ancestor, could old arguments sway him now?

Hardly!

The Mountain Ancestor, his liege, had decreed simply: "Make certain to retrieve Ning Qi!"

Thus, Gong Tiandao came himself to meet Ning Qi.

But face-to-face, he realized persuasion was impossible.

Gong Tiandao felt a touch of exasperation toward the Mountain Ancestor.