Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

Many people know that Martial Saint Tianjian is somewhat cold and even indifferent.

Today is the first time seeing him in person.

Some Martial Saints initially felt somewhat dissatisfied, but upon seeing him today, his demeanor confirmed the rumors were indeed true.

Ning Qi's gaze was calm as he simply nodded towards the three Thunderstorm Martial Saints, which made them overjoyed and slightly taken aback, standing taller amidst the gazes of those around them.

Ning Qi secretly chuckled in his heart.

Blade Demon and Qin Yun, among others, felt somewhat restrained, knowing there were too many here stronger than them.

Ning Qi led the three to land on Heavenly Peak Mountain.

A hunchbacked figure greeted them:

"Ning, at last, you've come!"

The laughter caused everyone's hearts to tremble, looking at Ning Qi with different eyes, for this was no ordinary figure but an ancient Profound Turtle, having survived for tens of thousands of years. His strength stood at the pinnacle of the Martial Realm, and with such an attitude now, it almost confirmed that Ning Qi's strength was sufficient to stand on equal footing with them all.

Ning Qi also responded with a smile:

"Got delayed a bit."

But what astonished the crowd further came afterward.

Leaning on a walking stick, Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint also emerged, cheerfully speaking:

"It seems Taoist Friend Tianjian has improved again after a few days."

Then an imposing elder appeared, followed by several Martial Saints, among whom was a familiar face to Ning Qi: Town North King Li Xuanyang. Ning Qi was moved, already understanding the identity of this person, Great Yan Martial Saint.

Great Yan Martial Saint assessed Ning Qi, then nodded saying:

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

This statement held immense significance.

All Martial Saints were taken aback.

The attitudes of these three big figures had already elevated Ning Qi's status, clearly considering him a rival of the same caliber.

Among the crowd.

Barbarian Emperor and Buddha Baoshu's pupils contracted suddenly, feeling somewhat uneasy, knowing that Ning Qi was the one who acted on True Profound Mountain that day. Now with Ning Qi this strong, even the Barbarian Emperor, with Five Elements Perfection, felt anxious.

Taoist Baishan grinned widely.

"Tsk tsk, Ning is truly a peerless prodigy. Not seen for just a while, yet now capable of rivaling these few elders; I never thought my Bai Shan could hug such a big advantage accidentally!"

He was overjoyed, knowing with Ning Qi's protection, as long as he didn't provoke those few elders, he could walk unhindered.

As for his previous claims of protecting Ning Qi, he tossed them aside without a thought.

What a joke, does Ning Qi need his protection now?

A chorus of awe filled the Martial Saints.

Ning Qi's arrival caused quite a stir.

Ning Qi merely smiled in response to a few of them.

His demeanor was calm yet strong.

He also surveyed the Martial Saints present, among whom the strength of Ancient Saints was way beyond, with at least a dozen Fifth Realm Martial Saints, while the Third and Fourth Realms had dozens, and New Saints mostly at First Realm cultivation.

However, when his gaze fell on Town North King, he was somewhat surprised.

Town North King turned out to be a Second Realm Martial Saint.

He discreetly glanced at Great Yan Martial Saint beside Town North King, then withdrew his gaze, though he kept a mental note, as Town North King was his junior's father, and if possible, he'd pay more attention to prevent any mishap.

"Ning, you're impressive!" A voice accompanied by a wink interrupted Ning Qi's thoughts.

Taoist Baishan had snuck over unnoticed.

Ning Qi shook his head, amused.

He clearly noticed the faces of Barbarian Emperor and Buddha Baoshu turning sour, particularly Buddha Baoshu, whose face darkened like a pot's bottom.

Ning Qi intended to lead several people to their seats.

At that moment.

A startling wave arrived from the distant sky.

Dark clouds rolled, malevolent energy roared, and sounds like countless souls' wails echoed, simply watching this scene made several Martial Saints uneasy, some viscerally displaying detestation, though quickly concealing it.

Ning Qi showed a curious expression but didn't try probing it, lest it attract hostility.

He roughly guessed the identity of the approaching presence.

An old Profound Turtle's voice transmitted:

"Hall Master, this is the Black Blood Demon Monarch I mentioned before, a person acting strangely, and sometimes wipes out millions of civilians on impulse. In the Ancient Era, he was a despised figure but was favored by the world's will, becoming a mainstay against the Mountain and Sea Realm invasion, thus forgiven for past actions."

Ning Qi nodded slowly, instantly losing favor for the figure.

The powerful bullying the weak was not his way.

"The Demon Monarch arrives late!"

Someone humorously flattered, and both Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint and Great Yan Martial Saint also expressed but the old Profound Turtle ignored.

The black cloud swiftly reached them.

A devilish laugh arose:

"I'm accustomed to this; hope none mind."

The black cloud dissipated.

An extremely handsome yet lazy middle-aged man appeared, surrounded not merely by one but several black-clad Martial Saints.

Ning Qi's gaze suddenly sharpened, spotting a familiar face among them.

Wang Quan!

This was the old ancestor of Wang Clan of Qing State, once holding old grudges with True Martial Sect, who, after offending the Demon Sect together, was exterminated, with rumors claiming Wang Quan's corpse disappeared but his head was seen escaping without clarity.

Ning Qi originally planned, when strong enough, to investigate this old grievance but then discarded it after the incident.

Unexpectedly, seeing him today here.

"So Wang Quan indeed didn't die back then, and there's some connection with Black Blood Demon Monarch?" wondered Ning Qi, recalling word of Wang Clan possessing a secret Dharma Method, with Wang Clan's old ancestor relying on it to reach the Celestial Human Realm, now thinking survival might be linked to it.

Wang Quan glimpsed at Taoist Longshan, pupils constricting before hastily bowing.

Yet beside him, another person coldly watched Ning Qi's group, despite trying to mask it, hatred was evident in his eyes.

"Who could this be?"

Ning Qi barely raised this question when Taoist Baishan's transmission arrived:

"That one is likely the Demon Sect's leader; the newly rising Great Yu Dynasty was his creation. Surprising the backing is Black Blood Demon Monarch; seems like former Great Yu Martial Saints have entirely fallen. Ning, be cautious, this Black Blood Demon Monarch is known to be protective."

Ning Qi suddenly realized.

Back then he invaded the Demon Sect's lair, nearly eradicating the sect, afterward the remnants vanished, with veiled aid from another force. Now things made sense.

He momentarily found no words.

His enemies indeed gathered.

The Black Blood Demon Monarch seemed to listen, then gave Ning Qi a sideways glance without speaking, though Ning Qi felt a touch of malice, knowing the figure likely harbored ill intents.

Yet Ning Qi was unfazed.

Steady as a rock.

Absolute strength gave him absolute confidence, planning perhaps to settle old scores swiftly with this opportunity.

The Martial Saints held varying thoughts.

Another powerful presence emerged in the sky, an exceptionally beautiful woman veiled in blue, holding a White Jade Purification Bottle, her countenance soft beyond measure. Her appearance visibly changed many Martial Saints' gazes, subtly laced with admiration.

Even the typically stern Great Yan Martial Saint, warmly greeted:

"Long time no see, Divine Nuns, your grace surpasses the past, regretting we are candles in the wind, far from the Divine Nuns."

South Sea Divine Nuns replied with a smile:

"Fellow Taoists I trust have been well, though Brother Li's words embarrass me, merely a reflection of your firmer pursuit of the Dao, with me caring more for these useless external matters."

The crowd offered consequential praise.

Black Blood Demon Monarch curled his lips but made no comment.

Ning Qi found it intriguing, noting South Sea Divine Nuns' considerable charm, assuming half the crowd possibly held crushes on her.

With South Sea Divine Nuns' arrival, the atmosphere became more vibrant.

After a moment.

The crowd took their seats in the grand hall.

Heaven-Slaying Martial Saint stood, solemnly stating:

"As everyone has arrived, let this Martial Saint Assembly formally commence!"