Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 794 - 334: Calm Before the Storm (Part 2)

Streams of light carried the three compasses back into the grasp of the three Sword Ancestors.

With an ancient foundation, sleek and shiny surface, and a clear crystal Spirit Jade lid over the compass.

Ning Qi had crafted the Soul-Searching Plate resembling a pocket watch, making it indistinguishable from a piece of fine artwork.

The three Sword Ancestors examined the fresh compasses they held, carefully channeling spiritual power into them.

Suddenly, alongside showing the location of the closest node, the compass projected a full overview map of Central Domain nodes onto the crystal's face.

Observing this vivid node panorama, extreme excitement lit up the expressions of the three Sword Ancestors.

They had never dreamed that Ning Qi's skills had grown this powerful.

Upon just stepping into the Central Domain, he had already grasped the complete layout of nodes across Central Domain.

Sword Ancestor commended, "Having this full visible map truly gives us a great edge!"

Both Qi Keqing and Zhu Yanchuan nodded firmly in agreement.

The longer they trailed after Ning Qi, the more dependent they became on him.

While watching Ning Qi, their sense of his vital role grew ever stronger.

Setting aside Ning Qi's aid to them, the mere utility of this compass made them unwilling to break away from him!

Should they have to abandon this compass right now, reverting to the blind scouting by cultivators when they first arrived in the war realm, they would lose their minds!

As the proverb states, "Shifting from simplicity to extravagance comes easily, but returning from extravagance to simplicity proves difficult," they were utterly determined to avoid slipping back into that state of confusion!

Thus, Qi Keqing and Zhu Yanchuan reaffirmed their determination, vowing to guide their forces in chasing after Ning Qi regardless of the obstacles!

Even should Unity Realm experts gain entry to the war realm and their sect forebears show up, they would persist in following Ning Qi!

The pair remained silent, yet a spark of deep-seated respect flickered in their gazes toward Ning Qi.

This respect would not diminish over time; instead, it would intensify with each passing moment alongside Ning Qi.

Maybe they had never regarded their own sect ancestors with such fervor!

Examining the map, Sword Ancestor expressed surprise, "Why are the cultivators from Vast Realm’s Three Domains hurrying toward the upper areas?"

Qi Keqing answered, "They've probably become aware of our entry across domains."

Zhu Yanchuan raised his head, as if detecting the circumstances nearby, then commented:

"This location can detect the energy from the Vast Realm too; likely, the Vast Realm Will has perceived all this and warned the Three Domains forces."

Sword Ancestor and the others concurred with nods.

Gazing at Ning Qi, Zhu Yanchuan stated, "Domain Master Ning, I've got a troubling suspicion—would you like to hear it?"

"Go ahead." Ning Qi responded steadily.

Zhu Yanchuan creased his forehead faintly, his eyes scanning each face present before he continued:

"Given that the Vast Realm Will has noticed us, as our foes, they surely won't stand by while we traverse domains and disrupt the balance between Central Domain's two realms. My concern is that they may target you directly, Domain Master Ning!"

Zhu Yanchuan skipped over the Three Domains cultivators' role since he knew their domain-crossing stemmed not from their own power, but from Ning Qi's presence.

Naturally, the Vast Realm Will recognized this as well.

At these words, Sword Ancestor and Qi Keqing's faces shifted subtly, turning more somber.

Zhu Yanchuan's point held merit; if in the Vast Realm's position, they too would refuse to remain passive and would definitely scheme against Ning Qi.

Without realizing it, they turned worried eyes toward Ning Qi.

Yet Ning Qi discerned their concerns and grinned, assuring them:

"No need for concern—even if they aim to strike at me, they'll require time to dispatch forces. Besides, with the Vast Realm's forces in this realm, even if the entire Three Domains army combined, they couldn't touch me. Plus, they'd have to locate me first!"

The poise in Ning Qi's demeanor lightened the grave expressions on the three.

Next, Ning Qi addressed them, "With matters here settled, I've provided all the tools you require; now it's up to the three of you to command your armies and choose your path!"

The trio snapped back to reality, only to find Ning Qi had disappeared right in front of them, leaving no trace, and they shared wry smiles.

It was evident they all hoped for Ning Qi to take command, but he firmly pushed the responsibility onto the three of them.

By adopting this detached style in overseeing the three armies, Ning Qi fulfilled every necessary duty without staying by their side.

Still, the three grasped the good intentions behind Ning Qi's approach; one aim was to curb their over-reliance on him, fostering their rapid development, while the other was his effort to shield them.

Sticking close to Ning Qi would drag any future Vast Realm schemes against him straight into their midst, dooming the armies to heavy losses.

Sword Ancestor knit his sharp brows a touch and told the other two:

"Let's the three of us confer first—the Three Domains army falls under our lead, and we can't leave him to shoulder it all by himself; we ought to bear some burden for him too."

Qi Keqing agreed, "My Fuyao Realm stands ready to battle for Domain Master Ning!"

"Langya Domain echoes that sentiment!"

...

Like a solitary wolf, Ning Qi roamed alone once more through the Central Domain.

He refrained from immediately clashing with the Vast Realm cultivators; the conflict between Mountain and Sea Realm and Vast Realm held no interest for him, even if the world fell apart, so long as it didn't threaten Ning Qi or True Martial Realm's existence.

Ning Qi prioritized capturing those six nodes to bolster True Martial Realm further—this formed the root of his assurance.