Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 697 - 302: Harmonization and Master Recognition (Part 3)

"Do you know why you alone succeeded in claiming the Harmonization Profound Skill at that time?"

Fu Chen felt stunned. His initial reaction was that assistance from his master Wei Wuya had enabled him to grab the Harmonization Profound Skill amid that desperate crisis.

Yet, Ning Qi's query carried profound implications, suggesting he had long been aware of the shadow trailing Fu Chen.

Thinking back on those moments, Wei Wuya had crossed paths with Ning Qi on two occasions, each time pressing Fu Chen to escape at once.

A chilling realization struck Fu Chen: could it be that he obtained the Harmonization Profound Skill not through his own merit, but because Ning Qi deliberately allowed it?

"What are you implying, sir?"

The concealed Wei Wuya inside Fu Chen was equally shocked.

Ever since Fu Chen arrived ahead of Ning Qi, his lingering soul had remained tense, as though Ning Qi already sensed his presence.

But how was it possible for Ning Qi, limited to Primordial Spirit Realm cultivation then, to detect him?

Still, given Ning Qi's astonishing feats today, Wei Wuya felt a measure of ease.

With a genius like Ning Qi, no feat seemed out of reach.

Luckily, Wei Wuya had braced himself for revelation prior to this encounter, so he stayed calm even as Ning Qi raised the issue.

"Reveal yourself; you've been bold enough to appear in my sight, so why keep skulking in the shadows?"

Ning Qi's gaze gleamed with sharp intensity as he fixed it on Fu Chen.

Fu Chen swallowed hard. He knew Ning Qi's command wasn't aimed at him.

Niu Man, positioned close by, looked baffled, unable to grasp what Ning Qi meant.

Only when a azure remnant spirit emerged from Fu Chen did Niu Man's mouth gape in astonishment.

Why would Fu Chen have an elderly figure attached to him?

Without the faint energy ripples emanating from the elder, Niu Man might have launched an assault right away.

Niu Man thought to summon others for encirclement, but as he glanced around, he noticed the area was completely isolated.

None of the cultivators training in the Wuji Arena were visible to him.

Seeing this, both Fu Chen and Wei Wuya responded with alarm, understanding it was Ning Qi's handiwork, and yielded in their hearts.

Wei Wuya materialized, hovering next to Fu Chen, and offered a deep bow to Ning Qi:

"This worn-out soul is Wei Wuya, offering greetings to the Domain Master of Profound Truth!"

Ning Qi gave a faint nod and remarked, "So you are Wei Wuya?"

Wei Wuya froze momentarily and responded, "Does the Domain Master recognize me?"

Ning Qi stated calmly, "Wei Wuya, prior to the Profound Truth Realm's division, you served as the Supreme Elder of Blood Fire Immortal Sect in the late-stage Unity Realm. You perished in the conflict, yet here you linger, bound to Fu Chen."

As Ning Qi laid bare his background, Wei Wuya managed a wry grin.

Niu Man nearly leaped in surprise from the revelation.

This ancient remnant spirit was truly the Supreme Elder of Blood Fire Immortal Sect from hundreds of thousands of years past, reaching late-stage Unity Realm no less?

Niu Man's gaze darted between Fu Chen and Wei Wuya, and enlightenment dawned.

No surprise a simple loose cultivator like Fu Chen rose to prominence; such a powerhouse backed him.

It all made sense now; the Alliance Hierarch had exposed only this elder, which must have terrified them.

A glint flashed in Niu Man's eyes, though he held his tongue.

By permitting him to witness the elder on Fu Chen, Ning Qi showed immense faith in him.

Thus, he chose to stand silently to the side, observing how Ning Qi would handle the pair.

Wei Wuya declared, "Meeting you today has shown me that real geniuses do walk this world. I must inquire: did you notice me during the Profound Truth Secret Realm?"

Ning Qi shook his head forthrightly and admitted, "At that time, I only detected something attached to Fu Chen; I had no idea it was you."

Wei Wuya inclined his head and exhaled in relief.

"The Profound Truth Realm's revival stirs old recollections in me, so I guided Fu Chen back here, wishing for him to enter the Infinite Sword Sect. Might the Domain Master fulfill this plea?"

Fu Chen clutched the golden jade scroll tightly still.

Tension gripped him inwardly; Ning Qi had neither consented earlier nor claimed the jade scroll, and with his master now pleading, he wondered if approval would come.

Ning Qi questioned, "Are you not concerned I'll seize you for study?"

Wei Wuya extended his faintly translucent hands and replied, "I'm merely a remnant spirit now; surviving this far is bonus enough. Should the Domain Master accept Fu Chen, feel free to do as you please with me after—I won't object."

Fu Chen glanced at Wei Wuya, his eyes growing misty.

Wei Wuya continued, "Yet first, I beseech the Domain Master to enlighten me on one thing, letting me pass without lingering doubts."

Ning Qi inquired, "What would that be?"

Wei Wuya eyed Niu Man and Fu Chen briefly before turning to Ning Qi.

He appeared to hint that the upcoming topic held grave secrets, uncertain if Ning Qi would permit their awareness.

Suddenly, a pulse of spiritual force from Ning Qi's eyes sent Niu Man and Fu Chen into limp repose, drifting into sleep.

"Now, speak."

Wei Wuya let out a heavy sigh before explaining: "Long ago, our bid for the Domain Master of Profound Truth title doomed our whole sect. I seek to learn if ascending to Domain Master bestows unique authority."

"For hundreds of thousands of years, this puzzle has haunted me. Please unveil the reality, then dispose of me freely."

Ning Qi pondered intently before affirming, "You're right. Upon claiming Domain Master, one does gain unique authority from the Mountain and Sea Realm, granting command over a domain's might!"

At those words, Wei Wuya's eyes bulged and remained so for a long while before he whispered:

"We were spot on in our suspicions back then!"

He regarded Ning Qi with a pained smile: "We poured our sect's full might into it and failed to secure the Domain Master of Profound Truth title, yet you've claimed it."

Ning Qi answered coolly, "Just a stroke of fortune."