Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

Chapter 514: Chapter 257 Apology

Ning Qi’s mind turned over many thoughts; Zi Yang’s words once again enlightened him. Although the plan for the Chu Kingdom’s Immortal Cultivation Realm went smoothly, successfully taking the True Martial World’s coordinates, it’s not truly safe yet.

"To settle this once and for all, I must replace the Mountain and Sea Realm!"

"However, the Spirit Realm War might not be without opportunity for me; a prolonged war between two Spirit Realms could have many localized battlefields, perhaps offering me a chance for gain. When two tigers fight, one is bound to get hurt—who knows, the True Martial World might seize this chance to swiftly rise!"

Ning Qi’s eyes slightly flickered, and then he gratefully smiled at Zi Yang:

"Thank you, Supreme Elder, for the guidance. I will certainly give my all in this Profound Truth Secret Realm, striving to achieve the Void Path Realm soon!"

Zi Yang stroked his beard and laughed heartily:

"The young can be taught, go ahead. Although the Sword Sect’s True Disciple ranking poses little difficulty for you, continue to cultivate diligently; strong opponents await you in the future."

Ning Qi respectfully acknowledged this and then departed.

...

The entire Infinite Sword Sect was already in turmoil.

What happened on Wind Thunder Peak spread quickly.

Ning Qi stormed Wind Thunder Peak, effortlessly suppressing the first True Disciple, Ye Chen, with a wave of his hand, even facing Great Powers head-on for the sake of his followers.

Sword Sect’s Great Powers all showed up, eventually even the Sect Leader was alerted.

Countless disciples were dumbfounded.

Following this was the admiration for Ning Qi.

In just a short time, Ning Qi had already come so far; although the True Disciple ranking wasn’t redefined, in everyone’s eyes, Ning Qi was undoubtedly the first True Disciple!

Moreover, the disciples were not only astonished by Ning Qi’s terrifying strength but were also enthusiastic about Ning Qi’s protection of his junior brothers and sisters.

Whether it was facing Great Powers for them or directly sharing the world’s baptism with many followers, few True Disciples could do that; especially witnessing Qin Minghao quickly joining the ranks of the Top Ten True Inheritance, this enthusiasm became even more intense.

For a time.

Ning Qi’s prestige surged, and many True Disciples came to pledge allegiance, wanting to follow Ning Qi.

Five Elements Peak.

Every day True Disciples arrived.

Ning Qi sat in the Five Elements Palace, smiling at everything.

When he first established the Five Elements Peak, if True Disciples were willing to follow him, he naturally accepted them; but now, with established prestige and growing wings, he wouldn’t indiscriminately collect.

Qin Minghao managed the front peak, screening everyone one by one.

Only True Disciples with strong power and good qualities were qualified to follow Ning Qi.

Despite this, those coming to pledge allegiance were still endless.

However.

Among the disciples ranked in the Top Ten True Inheritance, none came.

This was expected.

The Top Ten True Disciples are seeds of future Great Powers and have inner pride; even if they felt inferior to Ning Qi or Ye Chen, they wouldn’t easily pledge allegiance. Previously, the tenth True Disciple, He Tian, followed Jiang Qingxue because she had benefited him; the ninth, Wang Ye, followed Ye Chen due to lack in Profound Skill.

In the Five Elements Palace.

Ning Qi and Jiang Qingxue were sipping tea.

Jiang Qingxue appeared a bit reserved, completely shedding the cold demeanor she had in front of other disciples:

"Senior Brother Ning, this tea is exquisite; it can truly induce enlightenment; Qingxue hasn’t tasted such wonderful Spirit Tea for a long time!"

Her speech carried some flattery but wasn’t entirely unwarranted; the tea’s wondrous effects intrigued her, with eyes shining brightly, deep down she acknowledged Ning Qi’s profound background—despite appearing to rise quickly, he likely had deep luck and many precious items.

Ning Qi chuckled lightly, noncommittally.

Jiang Qingxue rose from her seat, bowing gracefully:

"Qingxue is here today to apologize to Senior Brother Ning; regarding Jiang Xuan’s matter, it was Qingxue’s fault; I ask Senior Brother Ning to forgive me."

As she finished speaking.

A ball of yellow light flickered in her palm, which then coalesced into a small earthen yellow flag adorned with patterns of mountains and rivers. With a hint of reluctance in her eyes, she said:

"This lower-grade Spiritual Treasure is called Thick Earth Array Trapping Banner, capable of both offense and entrapment, containing the Ten Thousand Rivers Earth Subsidence Array; even Primordial Spirit Realm cultivators would find it hard to escape easily. Please, Senior Brother Ning, accept it."

Ning Qi’s eyes flashed with a touch of intrigue.

This was undoubtedly a fine treasure; even among lower-grade spiritual treasures, it was top-tier. Jiang Qingxue presenting it showed her sincerity, perhaps with some of Jiang Baichuan’s influence.

Jiang Qingxue waved her hand again, revealing a bottle glowing with white jade light pills, continuing:

"This is the Purifying Heart Pill, which can fend off heart demons and purify the mind. Please, Senior Brother Ning, accept it. After entering the Profound Truth Secret Realm, I hope Senior Brother Ning will look after me, for Qingxue wishes to follow Senior Brother Ning unquestioningly!"

She bowed deeply, displaying great sincerity.

Ning Qi stared at her for a few breaths, then took both items without hesitation, saying calmly:

"Alright, we’re all Sword Sect disciples, no repeat offense next time."

In truth, placing disciples internally was not an unsightly act; among past Infinite Sword Sect True Disciples, this was common, as the Sect Leader usually emerged from among the top-ranked True Disciples.

Both Jiang Qingxue and Ye Chen knew of insiders within each other; it was an unspoken fact.

They simply didn’t expect Ning Qi to be so extraordinary.

Impossible to understand with conventional wisdom.

Jiang Qingxue relaxed:

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ning!"

She was a smart woman; she knew that as long as Ning Qi was around, she would inevitably exist under Ning Qi’s shadow. Rather than be adversaries, it’s better to turn foes into friends; this way, perhaps in the Profound Truth Secret Realm, she could find protection.