Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 954 - 409:

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm took a profound breath, attempting to rein in its turbulent emotions.

"You should sit down too and hear me out. Moreover, it's highly likely you cannot leave this realm at present."

To ascertain the truth, Ning Qi reluctantly agreed, settling down.

The two figures then sat in a cross-legged posture upon the ground.

Ning Qi still clutched the remnant leaf, and astonishingly, it appeared to be drawing in vital energy from this environment, gradually mending its fractured veins and restoring the damaged surface.

If these conditions persisted, the remnant leaf would likely regain its full vitality, much like the nascent green growth of the tree before him.

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm also took note, casting a glance at the remnant leaf held by Ning Qi.

However, its eyelid visibly twitched, an unnatural expression crossing its features.

It seemed as though the transformations occurring on the leaf were siphoning its own life force.

Observing this, Ning Qi promptly put the leaf away, and only then did the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm's expression relax somewhat.

Nevertheless, the moment he concealed the leaf, Ning Qi sensed a faint, unwilling consciousness emanating from within it.

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm then spoke, stating, "Many years ago, after returning from that smaller world, Haoshan acquired the legacy of Buzhou Mountain and brought back a seed."

"At that time, had they not yet fractured their relationship?"

Having recalled Sect Leader Zhao Yujun of the Moon Sea Immortal Sect mentioning the history of the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor, Ning Qi posed his question.

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm offered a negative shake of its head.

"They had only just lost their mentor then. The Sea of Emotions remained comatose for an extended period and was unaware that Haoshan had slain her father. Consequently, their bond remained intact for the time being."

At this juncture, a sound akin to a chuckle escaped it.

"Their true schism occurred as a direct result of obtaining that very seed."

Ning Qi instinctively inquired, "Realm Venerable, are you suggesting that the seed originates from this diminutive tree?"

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm gave an affirmative nod.

"Precisely. It was because of this seed that I was imprisoned by both of them, leading to their eventual separation."

Ning Qi remained silent, listening attentively and awaiting further explanation.

"Back then, following Haoshan's acquisition of Buzhou Mountain's inheritance, his cultivation advanced at an astonishing pace. He also became aware of my existence as the sentient will of the Mountain and Sea Realm."

"Therefore, once the Sea of Emotions regained consciousness, he deliberately concealed the truth of her father's demise, continued to manipulate her, and then sought me out."

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm's eyes seemed to glimmer with the weight of past recollections.

"Initially, they showed me profound reverence, claiming the seed was a gift, a treasure they wished to offer."

"The fault lies with me, for at that moment, I detected an aura emanating from a higher plane of existence within the seed. This fostered a sense of avarice and intense curiosity, compelling me to accept their offering."

"However, scarcely had I accepted it, when Haoshan employed an arcane technique, beyond my comprehension, to activate the seed. It instantly unleashed a force that even I could not temporarily evade, paralyzing my will as if it were being parasitically latched onto. Subsequently, it took root and began to sprout, initiating its growth..."

A shiver coursed down Ning Qi's spine.

It was nearly inconceivable that a mere seed possessed the power to immobilize the will of an entire Spirit Realm, establish a parasitic bond, and harness its essence as sustenance for its own germination and growth.

Had such a seed fallen into the True Martial Realm in that era, and had he, as its embodiment of will, encountered it and been subjected to such parasitism, surely he would have been utterly defenseless?

This small tree presented a grave danger!

Its threat was particularly significant to the conscious wills of realms; indeed, perhaps even the worlds themselves were imperiled by it.

Such was Ning Qi's grim assessment.

Perceiving the look on Ning Qi's face, the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm instantly grasped his thoughts.

"Your assessment is accurate. This tree subsists entirely by draining the world's power. Even with my status as the Spirit Realm's Venerable will, I found myself utterly powerless against it!"

Continuing his account, it stated:

"After incapacitating me with the seed, the two of them combined their strength to seize my power, exponentially accelerating their cultivation and ascending to become the paramount powers within the Mountain and Sea Realm. Thus, they became known as the Mountain Ancestor and the Sea Ancestor."

Ning Qi inquired with evident curiosity, "Then, how did they eventually fall out?"

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm let out a cough, followed by a sudden, wry smile.

"*Cough, cough*, hah, their animosity too stemmed from that seed. After it had parasitized me, it unexpectedly emitted a brilliant light, enveloping them as they absorbed my power. The Sea of Emotions, still oblivious to her father's murder at Haoshan's hands within the smaller world, perceived something within that effulgent radiance, which prompted her to abruptly confront Haoshan."

Ning Qi was rendered momentarily speechless.

This twist of fate captivated him; he had never anticipated that the genesis of the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor's conflict would unfold in such a manner.

He cast another glance toward the small tree situated at the center, realizing with dawning clarity that its very appearance marked the inception of immense turmoil and upheaval throughout the Mountain and Sea Realm.

Nevertheless, the true origin stemmed from the inheritance of Buzhou Mountain, which the Mountain Ancestor had acquired.

This small tree's seed was also brought forth from the Buzhou Mountain inheritance by the Mountain Ancestor.

Considering this, Ning Qi's brow furrowed slightly.

"I recall it has been hundreds of thousands of years since the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor had their falling out. Has this tree truly grown so minimally over all these years?"

In response to this query, the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm paused for a moment in contemplation.

"Do you have any idea of the extent of my power that it has absorbed throughout these years?"

Ning Qi locked gazes with it.

With a gentle exhalation, the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm stated, "It has consumed an amount equivalent to possessing two of me as I am now!"

"Had I not been continuously drawing power from the Sea of Realms to replenish myself, and if the Mountain and Sea Realm hadn't dispatched cultivators to scour surrounding small worlds for energy, I would have been utterly depleted long ago!"

Upon hearing this, Ning Qi suddenly grasped the reason behind the Mountain and Sea Realm's penchant for devouring nearby small realms.

It transpired that they were compelled by their dire circumstances!

"Realm Venerable, have you not attempted to expel it?"

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm shook its head once more, its movement swifter than the rattling of a child's toy.

"Do you truly believe I have not tried?"

It gestured again towards its main will, which was pinned to the dome in the space ahead, remarking, "That was the consequence I faced after making my attempt!"

Following the direction of its gaze, Ning Qi also turned his attention to its primary will.

He had merely cast a cursory glance before, but now, Ning Qi fully activated his Golden Pupil of Illusion-breaking.

As if in cooperation with Ning Qi's scrutiny, the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm shifted from its nebulous cloud form into a humanoid figure, an exact replica of its shadow.

The instant the humanoid form manifested, Ning Qi perceived a figure adorned with what appeared to be acupuncture all over its body, as if it had visited a clinic.

The only distinction was that the "acupuncture tools" were not metallic needles but rather, wooden thorns.

The figure's limbs, chest, abdomen, neck, and head were densely impaled with these wooden thorns, rendering it akin to a human porcupine.

"..."

Once Ning Qi had thoroughly examined the condition of its main will, the will of the Mountain and Sea Realm reconverted back into its prior cloud-like state.

This form appeared to endure less of the pricking affliction than the humanoid one.

Withdrawing his gaze, Ning Qi's countenance grew even more grave.

He inquired, "Did this small tree afflict you with these wooden thorns, or was it the handiwork of the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor?"

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm responded, "Both."

"Initially, Haoshan inflicted me with the wooden thorns he had obtained. Every time his cultivation advanced, he would pierce me with additional needles, thereby channeling more of my power to him and bolstering his strength."

"Later on, after the small tree had matured fully, it too embedded numerous needles into me, accounting for approximately one-tenth of the total."

Ning Qi's frown deepened considerably.

It seemed the Mountain Ancestor harbored concealed methods, while this small tree possessed an exceptionally ferocious nature.

"Could the Mountain Ancestor still exert control over this small tree?" Ning Qi posed the question once more.

The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm remained silent for a brief interval.

"I do not possess complete understanding, but were he capable of absolute control, this predicament would not exist."

It gestured towards the small tree, explaining, "On our side, it appears vibrant and verdant, which you might comprehend as being under the Sea of Emotions' dominion. Conversely, the other half is under Haoshan's command!"

"If Haoshan possessed complete authority over this small tree, it would not be in such a state of being simultaneously withered and vibrant."

Ning Qi questioned, "So, you are suggesting that the withered portion is a consequence of the Mountain Ancestor's actions?"

"Precisely, Haoshan harbors an ardent impatience for immortality!"

"Impatience?"

"Over all these years, how could he possibly endure waiting with such sluggish growth from the small tree?" The will of the Mountain and Sea Realm chuckled. "Thus, we instigated the Spirit Realm war!"