Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 919 - 392: Beyond the World_2

"Hero, are you not a lifeform from the Sea of Realms?"

Ning Qi lightly tapped the black mule's head and inquired, "In what way do I appear to be a creature from the Sea of Realms?"

The black mule's eyes seemed to gleam with an unusual light.

"Could it be that the hero originates from the inner world?"

Ning Qi did not refute this, responding, "What? You are only realizing this now."

A loud bray of pure joy erupted from the black mule.

"Great hero, if I fulfill your request, will you escort me back to the inner world?"

Hearing that Ning Qi hailed from the inner world caused the mule's demeanor towards him to shift dramatically.

"Set aside what I just said. If you satisfy me, I can grant you an opportunity."

The black mule immediately adopted a more subdued and deferential air.

"My maternal ancestor, two generations removed, originated from the inner world but was somehow banished to the outer realms. She passed down a directive through the generations to me: should you encounter someone capable of returning you to the inner world, do so willingly, even if it means becoming their slave or servant."

Ning Qi questioned, "Does that explain your origins?"

"I believe so. Great hero, please listen. My maternal ancestor, two generations removed, was a Spirit Beast nurtured by a cultivator clan and was exceptionally well-treated by her keepers. That family amassed a vast collection of books, and her young master would often read tales aloud by her side, which she absorbed and later recounted to my generation."

Ning Qi listened intently, a sense of wonder stirring within him.

What a remarkable character, this mule possessed a rich history.

However, this creature claimed its distant ancestor was a Spirit Beast raised by cultivators, yet in the nascent stages of the True Martial Realm, cultivators did not even exist. Therefore, its ancestors could not possibly have originated from the True Martial Realm!

Ning Qi immediately gestured to the True Martial Realm beneath their feet and inquired, "Your distant ancestor could not have been from this world, could she?"

The black mule shook its head decisively.

"She was not. It was only after her banishment from the inner world that she inadvertently migrated here."

Ning Qi nodded subtly, and the pieces began to fall into place.

But if not from the True Martial Realm, then from where could it possibly originate?

Ning Qi pointed towards two distinct directions within the Sea of Realms, asking, "In the directions I am indicating, there lie two additional Spirit Realms. Could your distant ancestor have hailed from one of those worlds?"

The peculiar mule shook its head once more.

"According to my distant ancestor, we do not seem to be from those two worlds either."

Ning Qi paused for a moment, but internally, a tempest of excitement surged.

This mule's ancestors were not from any of the surrounding worlds, implying its origins traced back to an even more remote realm?

Ning Qi felt as though he had stumbled upon an unimaginable treasure!

Maintaining a composed expression, he continued, "Very well, I understand your background. Now, recount everything you know."

The black mule began to trot in the direction Ning Qi had previously indicated, explaining:

"Throughout the years, I have exhaustively surveyed the surrounding territories, naturally building upon the foundation laid by my ancestors' explorations."

It curled its thick lips, indicated three directions with its hoof, and the mule let out a laugh:

"To the south lies a fearsome floral python, which claims that territory. To the north resides a terrifying mantis, and to the east dwells a malevolent Vermilion Bird. As for the west, that is my domain."

Ning Qi's brow furrowed slightly.

He could comprehend the implications of the floral python and the mantis, but what was the nature of this malevolent Vermilion Bird?

Seemingly sensing Ning Qi's perplexity, the black mule elaborated:

"The Fierce Beasts inhabiting the Sea of Realms are susceptible to corruption by its potent energy. Particularly those creatures possessing arrogance, they often venture deep into the Sea of Realms, and if they are not cautious, they become eroded. This corruption affects both their physical form and their very disposition. We refer to such Fierce Beasts as malevolent creatures."

Ning Qi seemed to grasp the concept.

In essence, the Vermilion Bird had likely succumbed to the Sea of Realms' corruption, abandoning its true nature to become a malevolent entity.

Ning Qi abruptly inquired, "Precisely how malevolent are we speaking of? Have you ever witnessed those warped abominations within the Sea of Realms? Are they comparable in their malevolence?"

Upon hearing this, the black mule's entire coat of fur stood on end.

"G-great hero, have you... have you encountered those warped abominations?"

Its voice trembled, its gaze fixed upon Ning Qi with palpable fear.

Ning Qi casually remarked, "What if I have encountered them, or what if I haven't?"

The black mule's entire body convulsed as if struck by electricity, its fur resembling plasma-scorched hair.

"If you have encountered them, then I cannot possibly carry you any further. If you have not, then I can still bear your weight."

"Is it truly that dire?"

Ning Qi observed that the mule appeared to be entirely sincere, sensing an underlying secret of great significance.

Only the fearsome beasts residing in the Sea of Realms would truly comprehend this, while those from within the world, or newcomers like himself, remained in ignorance.

The black mule stated, "Should you encounter those twisted abominations, they'll leave a brand upon your person. Even if they fail to inflict harm, once you venture deeper into the Sea of Realms, you will inevitably draw the attention of more formidable twisted monsters."

Ning Qi recollected his prior skirmishes with these twisted entities. They were conjured by the Saint Ancestor's avatar, and it appeared they hadn't left any mark on him.

Perhaps the Saint Ancestor's avatar had addressed this residue during their summoning, or maybe he had utterly annihilated them, leaving no trace behind.

Ning Qi inquired, "If one slays them, is there any remnant left?"

Upon hearing Ning Qi's question, the black mule's plasma-scorched fur seemed to sag and wilt, as if overcome by despair.

Furthermore, Ning Qi perceived a tremor running through the black mule.

"Are you frightened?"

The black mule attempted to conceal its reaction, replying, "I am not! I was merely recalling some unpleasant memories."

"Share them with me, so I too may experience such dread."

Witnessing Ning Qi's expression, the black mule appeared to lose some of its previous apprehension.

"I have heard—merely heard, mind you—that if these twisted monsters cannot harm their foe, they bestow a mark, ensuring stronger monsters seek retribution later. If you happen to kill them, they leave behind a curse."

"What sort of curse is it?"

"While I've never personally witnessed it, my mother recounted tales that those afflicted by this curse become targets the moment they enter the Sea of Realms, eventually becoming subsumed by the twisted monsters themselves."

As it spoke, the mule observed Ning Qi's reaction closely.

After hearing the explanation, Ning Qi's demeanor remained utterly composed, as if the revelation held no weight.

The black mule let out a perceptible sigh of relief.

It appeared this heroic figure had not, in fact, slain any twisted monsters.

However, in the very next moment, Ning Qi questioned with utmost seriousness, "You speak of killing—how many killings are significant? What if one were to kill over a hundred, then what?"

The black mule's recently settled heart lurched violently, leaping back into its throat.

"Good heavens, esteemed hero, you'd best continue on your own path; please do not take this little mule along!"

It bounded away once more, soaring miles into the air in a movement akin to a roller coaster experiencing lunar gravity.

Ning Qi gently patted it, and a calming energy emanated from his fingertips, pacifying the panicked mule until it grew still.

"I am merely jesting; why do you exhibit such distress?"

The black mule felt utterly depleted, thinking this was hardly a matter for amusement!

This place was not within the mundane world, but the Boundless Sea of Realms, where even jokes carried grave consequences.

Nevertheless, it continued to observe Ning Qi while simultaneously noting the shifting environment.

Having carried Ning Qi for a considerable duration, it deduced that Ning Qi must be a prominent figure from the legends it had heard, the sort inclined to boast.

Were there not always tales of mighty experts bragging about their exploits?

In essence, Ning Qi was undeniably powerful, terrifyingly so, and even a formidable beast like itself, having reached the Harmonization stage, was rendered helpless before him.

But then again, Ning Qi certainly possessed a penchant for boasting.

The black mule surveyed the changing seascape, noting the absence of the disturbances its mother had described.

Its mother had mentioned that those who slaughtered twisted monsters would be cursed, causing the waters around them to churn violently upon entering the Sea of Realms.

Moreover, this phenomenon intensified the deeper one ventured into the dark, abyssal regions of the Sea of Realms.

The black mule had formed a fundamental impression of Ning Qi.

It concluded that Ning Qi must originate from within the world, and that this was his inaugural journey into the Sea of Realms.

Absent such assumptions, his lack of basic knowledge would be inexplicable.

Following the direction indicated by Ning Qi, the black mule proceeded towards a stratum of dark water within the Sea of Realms, soon to traverse the veil of gray mist.

Yet, up to this point, there had been no sign whatsoever of the dark waters beginning to boil.

This observation served as definitive proof that Ning Qi had been indulging in mere boasting.