Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 620 - 283: Ten Years

"Brother Ning, it has been barely a month since our paths last crossed, yet you have truly left this old Niu in awe!"

Niu Man and several other figures strolled through the grounds of the Infinite Sword Sect alongside Sword Ancestor Ning Qi, with Niu Man still grappling with a whirlwind of emotions.

Their initial encounter had taken place in Ningyu City, located within the Profound Truth Secret Realm.

At that time, the human and the demon had shared wine and conversation, lightheartedly debating the merits of the geniuses from the North and South.

Fast forward to the present, and every one of those prodigies has met their end, save for the rogue cultivator Fu Chen and the two of them.

Ning Qi has not only ascended to the late phase of the Void Path Realm but has also assumed the mantle of sect leader, a transformation that left Niu Man profoundly moved.

Even though Ning Qi’s prowess in the Profound Truth Secret Realm was already enough to stun his peers, his current state was like comparing the high clouds to the lowly mud.

"Brother Niu is far too kind; I am the one who must express my gratitude to you for bringing Elder Niu Dingtian of the Niu Mo Upper Sect to support our Infinite Sword Sect."

Ning Qi replied with humility, cupping his hands respectfully toward the massive, three-zhang-tall elder standing beside him.

The elder possessed a simple, honest face, yet he radiated a heavy, immovable aura reminiscent of a mountain.

Niu Man gave a hearty laugh and said, "We made a pact in the secret realm; I could never go back on my word."

The Sword Ancestor acted as a host to the elder of the Niu Mo Upper Sect.

The group continued their discussion as they walked.

Niu Dingtian’s eyes occasionally shifted between Ning Qi and Sword Shocking. As a powerhouse in the Integration Realm, he had only agreed to appear personally due to the persistent urging of Niu Man and the others.

Under normal circumstances, dispatching a great demon at the Void Path Realm Perfection from his sect would have been more than sufficient.

Nevertheless, he had chosen to come in person.

The first reason was the detailed accounts Niu Man and the others provided regarding their time in the Profound Truth Secret Realm, where they had showered Ning Qi with relentless praise.

Niu Dingtian had never heard his juniors speak so highly of anyone, as Niu Man typically looked down upon other talents of his generation.

The second reason was a personal request from Sword Shocking himself.

Sword Shocking was a legendary prodigy from ten thousand years ago, and even as an Integration Realm giant, Niu Dingtian was well aware of his extraordinary potential.

He had even engaged in a friendly bout with Sword Shocking at the Niu Mo Upper Sect.

Following that exchange, Niu Dingtian concluded that Sword Shocking possessed the potential to reach the Harmonization stage. Knowing such a genius, he understood the value of offering a helping hand during a crisis.

Before departing from the Niu Mo Upper Sect, Niu Dingtian had also pressed Sword Shocking for his opinion on Ning Qi.

Sword Shocking had answered simply: This young man is far superior to me!

This admission piqued Niu Dingtian’s curiosity further, prompting him to visit the Infinite Sword Sect personally, even at the risk of clashing with the Beixuan Upper Sect.

They had not expected that while they were en route, the Beixuan Upper Sect would be utterly annihilated by a mysterious entity.

Niu Dingtian’s focus remained on Ning Qi as he suddenly proposed:

"According to Sword, Sect Leader Ning’s natural talent surpasses his own; would you be open to a brief spar with me?"

"Sword?"

Ning Qi blinked in surprise, then glanced at the Sword Ancestor, who wore a look of slight embarrassment.

It was unavoidable, as Sword Shocking was still only at the Void Path Realm Perfection; in the presence of an Integration Realm giant, he naturally adopted the posture of a junior.

"If Elder Niu is willing to provide guidance to this junior, I would be honored to accept," Ning Qi replied.

Ning Qi gestured for the group to follow him to the central square. "After you!"

Observing Ning Qi’s relaxed demeanor and his calm composure while facing an Integration Realm giant, Niu Dingtian felt a surge of silent admiration.

Soon, the human and the demon stood facing one another in the center of the square.

The onlookers moved to the perimeter to watch the exchange.

Niu Dingtian compressed his massive frame down to a human-like size and said, "Sect Leader Ning, I invite you to take the first strike."

"Very well, since Elder Niu insists, I shall begin."

Ning Qi’s blade manifested in his grip, and a piercing Sword Intent surged from his body.

"One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques!"

Ning Qi immediately utilized the very technique that had slain a powerful figure of the Beixuan Upper Sect!

He lunged forward, executing a single thrust toward Niu Dingtian. There were no flashy movements, only a simple, incredibly concentrated strike.

A void black hole, as wide as a barrel, tore open at the sword's point, surging directly toward Niu Dingtian’s chest.

The spectators, particularly Niu Man and his fellow beasts, were terrified by the strike; they knew that had they been the targets, they would have been erased instantly without a chance to flee.

Even the Sword Ancestor stroked his beard with a nod, seeing that Ning Qi had truly grasped the core of his teachings.

While other elders were still struggling to understand the basics, Ning Qi had already achieved effortless mastery!

Facing the incoming sword aura, Niu Dingtian, the Integration Realm giant, let out a thunderous roar.

The space before him fractured in kind, creating a black hole that roared forth to swallow Ning Qi’s attack.

To the observers, it was a testament to the power of an Integration Realm master.

However, internally, Niu Dingtian was stunned; despite being at the Perfection of the Integration Realm, he had been forced to use twenty percent of his power in that single roar.

Ning Qi’s sword moved like a blur, thrusting several more times. Numerous void black holes began to encircle Niu Dingtian, closing in from all sides.

"Sect Leader Ning, your sword arts are indeed remarkable, but I shall demonstrate a technique that serves as a perfect mirror to yours!"

Niu Dingtian stood calmly amidst the swirling void black holes.

As he spoke, a ferocious Qiu Niu Divine Form materialized around his body, constructed entirely from Rule Divine Chains.

In the Integration Realm, one weaves rules into their very flesh, allowing divine techniques to manifest naturally.

This Qiu Niu Divine Form was clearly Niu Dingtian’s signature technique.

The Qiu Niu appeared as an extension of Niu Dingtian, mimicking the movements of his physical body.

The air vibrated with the low bellows of oxen as the Qiu Niu charged into the black holes Ning Qi had created.

Those dark voids seemed capable of devouring everything, supposedly able to erase the Spiritual Qi and rules within the atmosphere.

Yet, against the overwhelming Qiu Niu Divine Form, they were like shallow puddles unable to contain a flood.

This was the essence of the Integration Realm; one no longer draws rules from the environment but projects them from within their own being.

Niu Dingtian shattered the voids and appeared before Ning Qi. However, he stopped short of attacking, saying instead:

"Your technique is 'One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques,' but mine is 'One Force Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques!'"