Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 740 - 314: Alliance? (Part 4)

Previously on Cultivating with Top Enlightenment...

Qi Keqing rallied her Fuyao Realm forces to prioritize locating the next node after tense negotiations with Ning Qi fell through, while Sikong Lan seethed with resentment and plotted to split off, seeking ways to undermine Ning Qi amid growing fears of his rapid rise. Ning Qi received messages from old allies Taoist Longshan and Ye Qinghe within the Fuyao army, exchanging warm replies that hinted at their intent to join him soon, rekindling past bonds. The Profound Truth Realm army successfully claimed a medium-sized node, earning substantial rewards from the Mountain and Sea Realm Will, before Ning Qi refined the Soul-Searching Plate and led them toward a large node 10,000 miles northeast, prompting an excited surge in their pace as the Fuyao forces halted upon spotting them.

Within the group, quite a few continued to think that Ning Qi felt remorse for turning down Qi Keqing's offer and had returned to hash out a new deal.

However, Ning Qi drew near to them shortly after, completely disregarding their presence.

Next, they observed Ning Qi boldly directing the Profound Truth Realm forces toward a particular route, staying close by their location!

A bunch harbored resentment, yet even more picked up on a subtle implication lurking beneath.

"Senior Sister Qi, it looks like Ning Qi possesses a compass capable of pinpointing the nodes' positions," one person remarked.

A voice among the Ning Qi detractors shot back, "What if Ning Qi is simply faking it, on purpose to throw us off track?"

At the same time, another voice raised doubts: "In this battlefield where three energies swirl in utter disorder, every spot varies wildly; does a compass really exist that could pull this off?"

Sikong Lan remained silent, though he committed the detail to memory.

Should Ning Qi's compass truly reveal the nodes, might he exploit that knowledge to lay an ambush, crafting a scheme aimed straight at Ning Qi?

Qi Keqing observed the steady pace of the leading Profound Truth Realm forces and creased her brow faintly.

"To uncover the facts, why not trail after them?"

At those words, numerous heads nodded right away, even as a few reckoned shadowing Ning Qi amounted to pointless effort.

Qi Keqing declared, "We need to confirm if his compass truly spots the nodes; a bit of lost time is a small price if it's real. Should that hold, we'll purchase one from Ning Qi at any cost!"

On this occasion, opposition vanished, with all agreeing to Qi Keqing's stance.

So, they hung back from the Profound Truth Realm forces up front, resolved to uncover the reality.

Sikong Lan had planned to split from Qi Keqing's team at first, but now he held off, opting to collect some intel beforehand.

Such moves inevitably caught the notice of Ning Qi and his companions.

The Sword Ancestor inquired, "Kid, what's their game in tailing us?"

Having gotten word from Taoist Longshan, Ning Qi grasped Qi Keqing's intentions and responded, "Qi Keqing spots the compass I'm holding and aims to unravel certain matters."

Comprehension dawned instantly on the Sword Ancestor and the Profound Truth Realm cultivators.

The Sword Ancestor grinned, "In that case, let them serve as our rear guard. Should we run into Vast Realm cultivators en route, their power could prove useful. Once they crave your compass, hawk it to them for a steep fee. Bet they'll snap it up."

The rest burst into hearty laughter.

Ning Qi felt no bother from Qi Keqing's pursuit; in truth, a direct question from her would prompt him to clarify willingly.

Yet with the other side holding back on queries, their trust in him must fall short, demanding personal verification.

Ning Qi steered the forces onward, picking up speed once more.

For cultivators, traversing ten thousand miles holds little challenge; despite the war zone's suppression on their might, mere minutes suffice to span that distance.

Minutes passed.

Qi Keqing, at the helm of the Fuyao Realm forces, abruptly saw Ning Qi's group come to a halt.

During the journey, she tasked the Jade Light Immortal Sect's top array experts with scrutinizing the setup of Ning Qi's Profound Truth Realm forces.

No scrutiny required, but the examination yielded a shocking revelation from the specialist.

"Senior Sister Qi, the Profound Truth Realm cultivators maintain a tightly knit formation. I can only glimpse the basics of their massive array. It weaves in numerous formations I've learned, yet fused together, it baffles me completely."

Qi Keqing recoiled in surprise.

"Their formation is that impressive?"

The expert fixed an intense gaze on the Profound Truth Realm forces, eyes sparkling, and replied:

"Impressive barely covers it! Whoever designed it boasts genius-level skill reaching the heavens. They've factored in every ally's synergy, all war zone conditions, and total enemy encounters."

"I'd wager that even our Jade Light Immortal Sect's array-savvy Harmonization Ancestors, joined by every Fuyao Realm array master, couldn't unleash over three-fifths of that array's might!"

After such lavish praise for the Profound Truth Realm forces' array, many turned to their own team's array specialists for input.

Yet in the end, the responses aligned perfectly.

Astonishment gripped everyone anew, impossible to shake off.

They peered ahead, only to discover Ning Qi's forces had vanished utterly from the void, evaporating before their very sight!

Witnessing this, unease rippled through the group, at last affirming the array experts' words as undeniable truth!