Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 711 - 307: Half-Enemy Realm (Part 2)

Members of the White Crane Immortal Sect have successfully converted the Node Pearl into the Heavenly Star, drawing in the Will of the Vast Realm.

Naturally, the Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm has also guided them on ways to recapture lands seized by Vast Realm cultivators.

In these various cases, the direst one happens when the foes have ignited both the Heavenly Star and Earth Star, letting the Spirit Realm Will fully dominate the region.

That region gets labeled as the "Enemy Realm" by the Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm.

It has even warned that seizing the Enemy Realm poses immense challenges!

A somewhat less severe case involves the enemies merely capturing the Node Pearl without letting the Spirit Realm Will fully root itself.

The Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm calls this a "Half Enemy Realm", which matches the predicament Ning Qi and his group now confront.

The Sword Ancestor next to Ning Qi noticed him staring at the Heavenly Star too, so he asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Ning Qi replied, "Since they've called forth the Will of the Vast Realm, even if not completely, it has boosted their cultivation levels by thirty percent anyway."

"If we charge straight into the heart of it right now, under the gaze of the Vast Realm Will, I won't be able to keep you concealed, and we'd surely get exposed along the way."

"Plus, stepping into that zone would weaken our power by thirty percent because of the Vast Realm Will, putting us at a huge disadvantage."

This revelation stunned the group.

The Sword Ancestor, Niu Dingtian, and the rest all knitted their brows in worry.

If tackling this Half Enemy Realm proves so tough already, just how formidable would storming a full Enemy Realm be?

Niu Dingtian declared, "They don't outnumber us; victory will come to us in the end. But delaying further might let this Half Enemy Realm turn into a complete Enemy Realm, which would complicate things more. Our demon race boasts superior defenses, so allow us to charge ahead!"

His words sparked a touch of respect among the others.

Offering to lead the assault in such an unfavorable fight showed real courage.

Yet Ning Qi shook his head and scanned the faces of those in the Profound Truth Realm before speaking again:

"Sure, we might prevail, but countless lives would surely be lost in the clash. As Alliance Hierarch, I know casualties are inevitable in massive conflicts, but... I aim to preserve as many as I can!"

These words stirred a profound surge of feeling in their hearts.

This held especially true for the Primordial Spirit Realm folks, whose power makes them the most vulnerable in the Realm of War and thus prime targets for falling first.

Within the Primordial Spirit Realm cultivators, strength varies across levels.

Infinite Sword Sect's True Inheritors stand as the mightiest, then come those from larger sects, with plenty of minor sects and rogue cultivators trailing behind.

Should the Alliance Hierarch disregard their safety and order an all-out push, it was clear to all who'd suffer the heaviest toll.

So Ning Qi's statement reassured the lower-powered cultivators that they'd picked a worthy guide.

These seasoned experts, who've outlived mortals by ages, grasp well the perils of backing the wrong figure.

Under a merciless commander, they'd serve as disposable shields without a second thought, and might even feel obliged to thank him!

Ning Qi added: "Give me some time to ponder and devise a superior strategy."

And so the group held their positions in silence.

Though a few still burned for combat, echoing Niu Dingtian's urge to storm forward and halt the White Crane Immortal Sect's altar work, with the Alliance Hierarch's command in place, pausing carried no risk.

Should no smarter plan emerge by the end, they could always fall back on the initial idea.

In the midst of the cultivators, Fu Chen remained seated, now leading a squad of several Void Path experts and a hundred Primordial Spirit Realm members as an army captain.

After seeing that display, Fu Chen's admiration for Ning Qi grew even stronger.

Right then, Fu Chen counted his blessings, grateful for following his teacher Wei Wuya's counsel to join Ning Qi's side.

Had he stubbornly clung to the Fuyao Realm and sided with the Cyan Profound Immortal Sect instead, his situation wouldn't be nearly this secure.

As a lifelong loose cultivator, Fu Chen understood that sects viewed independents as barely human!

Tales he'd heard repeatedly featured rogue cultivators exploited and betrayed by sect disciples, fueling his aversion to joining one.

Despite his aptitude, numerous Southern True Domain sects had once courted him, yet he turned every offer down.

Absent the Spirit Realm War's outbreak, he'd have shunned sects forever!

These days, though, Fu Chen feels honored to belong to the Infinite Sword Sect and trail Ning Qi.

In front, Ning Qi narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on Su Haoran and his companions.

The bulk of White Crane Immortal Sect cultivators clustered near the altar, concentrating fiercely to finish its setup without delay.

The rest encircled the perimeter, staying alert to any threats, dreading a sudden strike.

Ning Qi cast another look at the Heavenly Star.

An otherworldly shimmer emanated from the Heavenly Star, its light expanding steadily, signaling the intensifying presence of the Vast Realm Will.

With the ground altar finished, the Heavenly Star would connect to the Earth Star, enabling the Vast Realm Will's total arrival and reshaping this spot into an Enemy Realm hostile to Mountain and Sea forces!

At last, a scheme crystallized in Ning Qi's thoughts.

He faced the assembly and announced, "Erect a massive formation right here, and hold for my command to strike!"

The announcement jolted them all.

The Sword Ancestor inquired, "You heading out solo?"

Worry flickered across his features.

Though Profound Truth Realm cultivators now honored Ning Qi as both Alliance Hierarch and Domain Master, binding most sects into unity.

Deep down, the Sword Ancestor still saw Ning Qi as the Infinite Sword Sect's head!

That's why his concern for Ning Qi's well-being outshone anyone else's.

Ning Qi grinned and replied, "What's wrong, old Sword? Don't you believe in me?"

The Sword Ancestor let out a resigned sigh.

Was trust even the issue here?