Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 997 - 429: Ning Qi’s Harvest (Part 2)

"Indeed, in the Realm Lord's eyes, emperors, generals, merchants, laborers, and even non-human entities like beasts and insects are all perceived with absolute impartiality."

The cultivator from beyond the realm let out another sigh.

"Oh, you truly cannot fathom your own good fortune. You have no inkling of the world's harsh realities outside. We were nearly sacrificed by our own Ancestor moments ago. That Ancestor, in his quest for ultimate strength, showed no hesitation in offering us all up!"

"What? Such an Ancestor exists? Can such a person even claim the title of Ancestor?"

"We have no alternative but to address him as Ancestor. He differs greatly from your Realm Lord. Refuse to acknowledge him as Ancestor, and you forfeit your life!"

Upon hearing this, the young cultivator instinctively placed a hand on his chest, a sense of pity washing over him for these cultivators from the outside. They were truly fortunate to thrive under the benevolent gaze of the Realm Lord.

"Senior, such a chance encounter signifies a destined meeting. Might I propose we exchange some insights?"

"Certainly, I too hold a keen interest in the True Martial Spirit Realm."

Similar exchanges were unfolding across the True Martial Spirit Realm as cultivators from the Three Realms readily began sharing their wisdom.

Returning our focus to the Inner World.

The ambient Qi from the Three Realms flowed unceasingly, all converging upon Ning Qi within the Inner World.

Both in the heavens of the True Martial Realm and within the Inner World, a myriad of auspicious colors bloomed amidst endless sunlight.

Boundless spiritual energy and the very essence of Spiritual Energy Rules actively surged towards Ning Qi.

Ning Qi perceived himself as the nucleus of a world, functioning akin to a sophisticated filtration system, purifying the aggregated Qi of the Three Realms.

At this pivotal moment, bathed in an inexhaustible torrent of power, Ning Qi relinquished all attachment to his physical form.

Gradually, his corporeal body seemed to vanish instantaneously from the perception of the Saint Ancestor's avatar and the others, disintegrating into countless luminous particles that completely assimilated into the True Martial Spirit Realm.

"Is this what it means to merge with the world?"

The Saint Ancestor's avatar stared in utter astonishment, his expression a mask of disbelief.

"The Spirit Realm possesses an inherent consciousness. How is it possible for Ning to merge his mortal form with the entirety of the Spirit Realm? This is truly peculiar."

His gaze turned towards the Mountain and Sea Realm Will and the Vast Realm Will. "You two embody the very will of the Spirit Realm; have you ever witnessed such an unprecedented occurrence?"

Both bowed their heads in negation.

"Teacher, we originated from the Spirit Realm itself; we have never encountered an instance where one sought to usurp the realm's will."

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will added, "My experience has been limited to those who attempt to seize our power, like the Mountain Ancestor, but none have succeeded in replacing us outright."

Their words prompted nods of understanding from the assembled entities.

It became evident that the Mountain and Sea Realm Will harbored a profound understanding coupled with a lingering pain regarding this matter, as he elaborated further:

"Consider the immensity of a realm, teeming with countless sentient beings, each possessing a spark of spirituality. To bear the weight of so many lives and not be met with rejection – how could such a feat be possible?"

"For them to acknowledge your existence as paramount, one must either achieve their willing acquiescence or compel them into submission through sheer force. Both paths present monumental challenges, and that is merely one facet of the difficulty."

A shared sentiment of agreement resonated among them regarding these points.

"Ning appears to be treading the former path, enabling the inhabitants to willingly accept him as their sovereign. Short of an imminent world-ending catastrophe, achieving this is nearly insurmountable. The Mountain Ancestor, conversely, pursued the latter approach."

The Saint Ancestor remarked with a suggestive undertone.

A faint smile touched the lips of the Mountain and Sea Realm Will.

"Perhaps this is the karmic consequence of one's actions. The Mountain Ancestor, in his relentless pursuit of supremacy, suppressed my true essence and commanded his disciples to ravage the minor worlds connected to me. Consequently, the True Martial Realm found itself on the precipice of world destruction, paving the way for Ning's emergence."

"And what of the second aspect?" inquired the Vast Realm Will.

"The second aspect pertains to transcending all beings and the entirety of the world. All creatures possess consciousness, and as the embodiment of the world's will, we, who are born of the Spirit Realm, can naturally withstand their collective thoughts without succumbing to influence. However..."

"Should an entity aspire to supplant us, they are fundamentally different from us and must withstand the immense impact generated by the power of all beings. This is not a trivial matter; even the most potent cultivator, if subjected to the entirety of a realm's collective consciousness, even for a fleeting instant, would find their divine sense utterly shattered!"

"Therefore, only by securing the willing acceptance of all beings as their lord can one truly embody the world's will. Furthermore, the world will bears the solemn duty of defending against incursions from the Sea of Realms and undertaking the crucial task of repairing the Spirit Realm's damage."

Upon hearing the complete explanation, everyone present grasped the profound magnitude of Ning Qi's achievement in reaching this juncture.

This challenge far surpasses the birth of the Spirit Realm itself.

After all, by walking against the will of heaven with the form of a living being, he shoulders the burdens of the entire world!

Ning Qi's physical form dissolved into luminous particles, scattering completely to meld with the current True Martial Spirit Realm.

He became the wind, the water, the very earth that sustains all, and even the sun in the heavens, radiating light.

In this state, Ning Qi felt his consciousness, and indeed his entire being, expand limitlessly, allowing him to perceive the sensations of every living entity across the world.

Their joys and sorrows, their affections and animosities, their myriad desires.

The thoughts and emotions of all beings surged toward him, yet the dispersed particles of Ning Qi, like an untainted Treasure Pearl, remained inherently pure, unstained by worldly matters.

At this precise moment, he experienced a glimmer of the Great Dao's heavenly heart.

This was not the understanding of a mortal, but the perception of the world itself.

Akin to the universe nurturing its creations, embracing both darkness and light, the unending cycle of existence – birth, being, dissolution, and void – life inevitably begets death.

Ning Qi, by grasping the heavenly heart, achieved a profound transcendence, shedding his self-imposed limitations to reach a state of selfless unity.

From this vantage point, the world appeared entirely transformed.

The world simply is, as it is; notions of good or ill, light or shadow, are merely intrinsic components of its nature.

The world holds no inherent bias; the emergence of such a preference would negate its very essence!

Ning Qi sensed he was on the verge of a profound realization, yet felt he had gained nothing tangible.

It was as if he had become one with the entirety of the True Martial Realm, its inhabitants, and even extending beyond into the Sea of Realms.

Deep within his mind, Ning Qi could clearly sense the presence of Buzhou Mountain nearby.

Within it resided the profound obsession of the Mountain Ancestor, the countless resentments harbored within Buzhou Mountain, and the unyielding determination of the Saint Ancestor and Sea Ancestor – all perceived by Ning Qi.

In his current state, Ning Qi felt the shadow of Buzhou Mountain subtly guiding him towards the deeper reaches of the Sea of Realms.

He followed this inexplicable guidance, sensing the vast expanse of the Sea of Realms.

His Spiritual Sense pierced through the Gray Mist Area, the Black Water Area, and the Chaotic Flow Area, as if viewing the entirety of existence through a grain of sand, or grasping the whole forest from a single leaf.

Within the Sea of Realms, Ning Qi perceived a collection of starry lights illuminating one region, an endless abyss in another, and a resplendent golden divine city…

"Who dares to intrude upon my Undying Divine City?"

Abruptly, a terrifying wave of will erupted, violently snapping Ning Qi out of his profound meditation.

Ning Qi instantly regained his senses, finding himself back within the True Martial Spirit Realm.

His form materialized once more within the Inner World, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Were those visions mere phantoms or actual glimpses of reality?" Ning Qi mused inwardly.

"Ning, what troubles you?"

The Saint Ancestor's avatar inquired.

Ning Qi offered a slight shake of his head, stating, "It's nothing. I just thought I saw your true form being thoroughly thrashed by the Mountain Ancestor."

The Saint Ancestor's avatar remained silent.

The Vast Realm Will also offered no response.

The Mountain and Sea Realm Will nearly erupted in laughter.

Ning Qi then turned his gaze to the Vast Realm Will, remarking:

"Your name is Zhili, is it not? Now that you are integrated with the True Martial Realm, your status as Realm Venerable is concluded. You shall henceforth serve as the spirit of the True Martial Spirit Realm, much like the Mountain and Sea."

The Vast Realm Will bowed its head, replying, "Zhili understands. Merely existing is a profound blessing. I place my fate entirely in Ning Qi's hands."

Ning Qi nodded approvingly and continued, "Excellent. I hereby designate Mountain and Sea as the Mountain and Sea Spirit of the True Martial Realm. And since you have received enlightenment from the Saint Ancestor and possess Zhili's capabilities, I appoint you as the Spirit of Education."

The Vast Realm Will showed a flicker of hesitation, glancing towards the Saint Ancestor's avatar.

The Saint Ancestor's avatar smiled gently, asking, "Why do you not offer your gratitude to the Realm Lord? You have diligently guided the path of righteousness in the Vast Realm, and now the Realm Lord bestows upon you your former role. Should you not be overjoyed?"

"Indeed! Thank you, Realm Lord!"

Zhili bowed profoundly to Ning Qi!