Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 677 - 297: Unity (Part 2)

Once, the various sects boasted proudly about the geniuses rising within their ranks, yet as they set foot in Infinite Sword Sect, it hit them—they'd been peering at the sky from the depths of a narrow well all along.

They could merely sigh in awe, recognizing that Ning Qi was truly no average figure; prior to his rise as Sect Leader of Infinite Sword Sect, the sect's power hadn't differed much from its peers.

However, once Ning Qi took the helm as Sect Leader, Infinite Sword Sect rocketed to astonishing peaks overnight, transforming rapidly each day and leaving rival sects in sheer wonder.

Central Peak Plaza.

Sect leaders, each accompanied by their followers, gathered here one after another.

With eyes fixed on the lofty form positioned at the head seat, all present lowered their heads in deep respect.

This individual, not even a century old, had shattered the ancient feud spanning tens of thousands of years across the Northern and Southern Domains.

"We pay our respects to the Domain Master!"

"Please rise, everyone."

Ning Qi's voice boomed forth like a mighty bell, vibrating through thoughts and spirits alike, filling the crowd with shock and hidden caution.

With all sects assembled, they settled into positions along the plaza's edges, silently waiting for Ning Qi's directives.

All at once, figures from Celestial Star Upper Sect rose from their spots.

The present Sect Leader Xia Xing himself guided a person to the plaza's heart, then bowed toward Ning Qi:

"Domain Master, two years back, our previous Sect Leader Xia Tianhe ventured into Fuyao Realm and never came back, thus dodging the disaster. Now, he returns to settle the unresolved affairs from then."

The assembly turned their eyes to Xia Xing, well aware of the turmoil that struck Celestial Star Upper Sect—news of it had spread far and wide by now.

Following Ning Qi's purge of three Integration Realm powerhouses from Celestial Star Upper Sect, Xia Xing, tied by blood to the sect leader, was quick to submit first, pulling the whole Celestial Star Upper Sect into loyalty.

From that point, every soul in Celestial Star Upper Sect bowed to Ning Qi as their lord, turning the sect into a loyal underling of Infinite Sword Sect.

At first, Xia Tianhe's flight from doom appeared a stroke of luck, but his homecoming revealed a sect where he no longer fit, a complete outsider.

He stood alone in rejecting Ning Qi as master, only to get seized right away by his own kin, with not a voice in the sect raising a defense for him, held until this very release today.

Xia Tianhe cast a swift look upward at Ning Qi.

"Uncle, hurry and swear the Heavenly Path Oath—I don't wish to hold you captive any longer!"

A wry grin twisted Xia Tianhe's face; surrounded by the full gathering of Northern and Southern Domains' sects, his open vow to a new lord would etch eternal mockery into history, even beyond the grave.

Yet he found no way out, compelled to yield.

For not just him, but all onlookers had seen the dramatic shifts in Celestial Star Upper Sect across these two years.

Celestial Star Upper Sect arrived with five representatives; though they couldn't rival Infinite Sword Sect's prodigies, they outshone peers from other sects in their level.

The reason for this surge, after the fall of Integration Realm forebears, was obvious to all—it stemmed straight from Ning Qi's benevolence.

Xia Tianhe gulped deeply; as Xia Xing lifted the bindings, Xia Tianhe thrust a finger skyward and proclaimed loudly:

"I, Xia Tianhe, swear to take Ning Qi as my master!"

A thread of Primordial Spirit Power flickered above his head, shaping into a binding seal mid-air before darting to Ning Qi's forehead.

Ning Qi received it with steady calm, replying softly:

"Very well, I grant your plea. Now go aid Xia Xing properly; under his lead, Celestial Star Upper Sect is bound for a bright path ahead."

A chill of dread gripped every sect; fresh off entering Infinite Sword Sect with zero prior whispers, they'd already beheld a bold, fearsome spectacle.

Aside from Niu Mo Upper Sect, Xia Tianhe, ex-leader of Celestial Star Upper Sect, wielded might well beyond typical Upper Sect heads.

Even someone of his caliber bent the knee to Ning Qi—who among the rest would risk defiance?

Ning Qi cleared his throat and announced: "Fine, I've called you here—any guesses on the purpose?"

Varied notions stirred in the hearts of the crowd.

Some saw it as Ning Qi flexing his dominance, others as a stern warning, while a few linked it to the brewing Spirit Realm battles...

Though minds raced in diverse directions, no one voiced guesses outright, chorusing instead, "Domain Master, we lack insight—please guide us."

Ning Qi's eyes roamed over the gathered throng, declaring:

"If you're not keen on speculating, I'll state it plainly."

"We await your wise words, Domain Master!"

Ning Qi gave a slight dip of his head and continued:

"I've assembled you to address the upcoming Spirit Realm warfare."

"With our two domains now forged in unity, standing firm together promises glory in the Spirit Realm warfare. No other domain can match our potential."

"Will you join?"

Luo Feiyu of Luotian Upper Sect showed clear surprise on his face.

During their journey here, they'd pondered Ning Qi's aims; at first, they figured lesser sects' weakness meant exclusion from his plans.

Indeed, relying on his own sect's might alone would do, as tagging along the frail would only hinder—yet Ning Qi flipped that logic on its head.

As hesitation rippled through the sects, Niu Dingtian strode forth boldly, declaring, "Niu Mo Upper Sect stands ready to follow Infinite Sword Sect's lead in the Spirit Realm warfare!"

Shock rippled instantly through the group, their faces still settling when Celestial Star Upper Sect's leader advanced and echoed the pledge.

These two ranked as elite Upper Sects; with their commitment sealed, lesser ones had no choice but to align.

No matter their inner feelings, as Ning Qi's stare swept by, each voiced agreement.

Ning Qi declared: "Excellent, under these circumstances, I'll dub our coalition the Profound Truth Alliance; as of this day, the Profound Truth Alliance stands founded! I shall act as Alliance Hierarch—do you all approve?"

"We approve!"

A subtle smile crossed Ning Qi's lips, while Infinite Sword Sect's disciples erupted in cheers.