Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

As for after the spiritual awakening, if Ning Qi wants to maintain his usual top-tier combat power, he must increase his foundation significantly during this period, striving to soar to great heights once the awakening occurs. He is currently working hard towards this goal.

Everyone at True Martial Mountain is secretly encouraging themselves.

At this moment, however, countless eyes across the land are focused on Liang State.

The Barbarian Emperor is leading the Barbarian Race's army to trample Liang State and has issued harsh words.

Yet, the Martial Saint of Great Yan has not shown up.

Everyone wonders, if not for the slight possibility of the Great Yan Martial Saint appearing, Liang State might have already fallen. Even so, the patience of the Barbarian Emperor is dwindling day by day, and it may not be long before the Great Yan's territory is torn apart.

Countless people are observing.

This is a signal.

If the Great Yan dynasty truly exposes its weakness, it will likely be beset by predators. Many have realized a great era is approaching and are unwilling to be mere stepping stones for others. They wish to accomplish something grand in the upcoming era.

...

Yan State.

The Imperial Capital, Taian.

An atmosphere of anxiety has already spread to this place of music and dance, and even the affluent citizens are aware of the setbacks on the Northern Border.

Urgent secret messages are delivered continuously.

The noble ministers are drenched in sweat.

The reigning Emperor is furious yet helpless.

Some hope for the Flame Martial Grand General to personally lead troops against the Northern Barbarians, but no consensus has been reached. Many believe that even the Flame Martial Grand General cannot withstand the revived Barbarian Emperor; the only hope lies with the Great Yan Martial Saint.

Deep within the Imperial Palace.

Martial Saint Ancestral Hall.

Rows of figures kneel on the ground, and outsiders would surely be shocked.

This is because not one of these people isn't at the pinnacle of Great Yan—The Great Yan Emperor, Flame Martial Grand General, and the oldest elders of the Royal Family are all kneeling.

"Ancestor, Great Yan is in peril!"

"Please, Ancestor, save our Great Yan!"

The mournful cries echo in the ancestral hall, moving all to tears. The pressure from the Barbarian Emperor has left everyone helpless. Although Great Yan's foundation is solid, no one can resist the Barbarian Emperor. The army suffers great losses daily, and at this rate, it's only a matter of time before it crumbles under the Northern Barbarian's iron feet.

They have sent people to True Profound Mountain for aid, only to be informed that the True Profound True Monarch has gone on a journey and is unable to help.

If the Great Yan Martial Saint does not appear soon,

the fall of Great Yan is imminent!

"Ancestor, if you can hear the call of your unfilial descendants, please come out and save Great Yan!" The Great Yan Emperor called out, prostrate on the ground.

Everyone instinctively called out.

But an ancient voice left everyone in a daze:

"Li Yanwu, come in."

After a moment of stupor, everyone erupted in excitement and joy.

"The Ancestor has responded!"

This voice came from the Great Yan Martial Saint.

Then, the tightly shut door deep within the ancestral hall opened with a roar, as dark as the maw of an unknown giant beast that devours all.

All eyes turned to the Flame Martial Grand General.

The Flame Martial Grand General took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and then walked towards the opening. When his figure disappeared into the dark, the doors closed, the heavy sound of branches causing a tremor in everyone's heart, their eyes flickering slightly.

After Li Yanwu ventured into the darkness, light gradually appeared before him.

His emotions were complex as he walked forward.

Soon,

the scene before him became clear.

There was no mysterious profundity as imagined, only a simple stone bed with an elderly man sitting cross-legged on it, on the verge of death. The elder slightly raised his head, his voice filled with the vicissitudes of life and stagnation:

"You're here."

Looking at the elder whose face bore a slight resemblance to his own, Li Yanwu shivered, quickly bowing his head:

"Li Yanwu, pays respects to Ancestor."

The elder nodded slowly, his eyes shining in the darkness like bright lamps, as if all the surrounding light emanated from these pupils.

He asked, "Are you ready?"

Li Yanwu's body trembled; his lips quivered, a thousand thoughts passed through his mind, but he finally nodded firmly:

"Li Yanwu is willing to give everything for Great Yan!"

The elder's gaze dimmed slightly:

"You are a good child, as was your father."

"I once promised your father that having used his body, I would not need yours. But now something has gone wrong with my body, and I have no choice but to break my promise."

Li Yanwu suddenly looked up, carefully scrutinizing that familiar face. This face had appeared countless times in his dreams, yet it had always been out of reach.

He took a deep breath:

"Ancestor, I understand. You need my body, so come and take it."

The elder sighed softly, extending a withered right hand to stroke Li Yanwu's head:

"If there is anything you wish to do, tell me."

Li Yanwu's eyes gleamed:

"Ancestor, I only wish that you will let Great Yan endure forever!"

The elder smiled:

"Alright."

Li Yanwu slowly drew closer, pausing slightly, and spoke softly:

"Ancestor, I have one small request."

"Speak."

"May I... hug my father?" His voice carried a barely noticeable tremor.

The elder sighed softly, refraining from speaking, and gently extended his arms.

Li Yanwu closed his eyes and hugged tightly.

He seemed to recall everything from his childhood, his father taking him to ride horses in the yard, accompanying him in martial arts training... Then those images shattered, and a hand silently reached out, as Li Yanwu's consciousness slowly descended into darkness, leaving only a faint murmur:

"Father... I, I'm here to be with you..."

In the darkness, sounds of squirming and ripping echoed.

Unknown how much time passed.

Before everything finally ceased.

Outside the Martial Saint Ancestral Hall, the eminent figures were all restless, vaguely aware of why Li Yanwu was called inside, but unsure if it was successful.

Eventually.

The heavy sound of branches was heard once more.

Instinctively, gazes turned to see a familiar figure stepping out.

Li Yanwu.

But everyone felt a jolt in spirit, for they knew that although the person looked like Li Yanwu, he was not Li Yanwu.

"Greetings, Ancestor!" Eyes lowered, no one dared to look directly.

The gaze overlooking the realm surveyed the surroundings, and a powerful voice resonated oppressively:

"From now on, this seat shall be the Great Yan Martial Saint, Li Yanwu!"