Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 813 - 343: Mountain and Sea Secrets (Part 2)

The Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm issued a cold snort, visibly displaying its irritation.

The Sea of Emotions it mentioned was in fact the title held by the Sea Ancestor.

The Mountain Ancestor chuckled and remarked: "Realm Venerable, you're overstating our influence far too much. Do you truly believe that without taking your power, you could still reach the Supreme Immortal Realm? I find that hard to accept!"

The Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm faltered briefly, then it steadied its feelings.

"Relying on me alone to safeguard Ning Qi is out of the question. You know well that my abilities are confined to the node influence zones during the spiritual realm war, and only when our cultivators control those nodes."

"Yet, should you and the Sea of Emotions loosen your grip on me, I could definitely guarantee his protection."

The Mountain Ancestor responded: "Realm Venerable, don't jest. Our delicate equilibrium has held steady all this time and is tough to disrupt. Even supposing it were feasible, even if I consented, would the Sea of Emotions go along? If you manage to persuade her, then I'll back it without hesitation."

"Haoshan, you..."

The emotional projection of the Mountain and Sea Realm Will was subdued momentarily but soon flared up once more.

As the will emerging from the Mountain and Sea Realm, it had begun as the realm's esteemed authority, yet upon the awakening of spiritual awareness, it was detected by the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor, who together siphoned its strength for their benefit.

Consequently, its role as Realm Venerable amounted to little beyond a mere title!

That's why, when it previously manifested before the Domain Masters serving under the Mountain Ancestor in the Celestial Fire Realm, they showed surface-level deference but inwardly dismissed it.

At present, the vast Mountain and Sea Realm is collectively ruled by the Mountain Ancestor, Sea Ancestor, and itself throughout this expansive Spirit Realm.

Moreover, the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor have fully confined its core essence, permitting only this shadow will to wander freely, leaving it powerless in the matter.

Were it not for the utility of this shadow's power to them both, the Will of the Mountain and Sea Realm suspects they would outright bar its external wanderings, rendering it perhaps the most wretched realm will amid the Sea of Realms.

Regarding the launch of the spiritual realm war, beyond its aim to achieve ascension, didn't it also harbor hopes of bargaining with other spiritual realms to escape this predicament—a bold and hazardous gamble.

Luckily, ever since that point, tensions have simmered between the Mountain Ancestor and Sea Ancestor, their once-close alliance frayed, opening a window of chance for it.

The Mountain Ancestor declared: "That Ning Qi serves as a vital warrior essential for our rise, and he must be shielded thoroughly. Given the constraints on your influence, I'll handle the arrangements myself."

With those words, he pivoted his head, glancing toward the attendant at his back.

"Call those few forward."

"Understood!"

In that instant, the servant finally mustered the courage to stand tall.

He called out: "Summoning the Domain Masters of the Celestial Fire Realm, Earth Gold Realm, and Vine Wood Realm to appear."

His proclamation boomed widely, creating infinite reverberations that cascaded down from Heaven-Reaching Peak.

Beneath Heaven-Reaching Peak.

A pristine jade-white Heavenly Ladder spiraled directly to the base.

It led to a plaza known as Immortal Peak.

Two cultivators radiating unstable auras stood watch over this path to immortality, barring any approach.

Right then, Fan City, Jin Guanghua, and Mu Qingtian—the three Domain Masters—waited respectfully in the square for the Mountain Ancestor's call.

Absent the Mountain Ancestor's order, they wouldn't dare climb the ladder.

Otherwise, those two sentinels would ensure they never made it up unscathed.

As the summons echoed from Heaven-Reaching Peak, delight instantly brightened the faces of the trio.

One guard announced: "Please proceed, esteemed sirs!"

With that, Fan City and his companions cautiously began ascending the ladder.

According to legends, this white jade Heavenly Ladder itself counts as a mighty Spiritual Treasure brimming with immense might.

Further tales suggest it's the transformed dragon vein of the realm's mountains, reshaped by the Mountain Ancestor through profound sorcery into this Heavenly Ladder.

Once the three started up the Heavenly Ladder, while Fan City had experience, Jin Guanghua and Mu Qingtian were climbing it for the very first time.

Fan City had ascended previously, though he could scarcely recall how many years ago; the memory felt ancient.

The trio hurried along the steps.

Fan City led, with the other two trailing.

The higher they went, the more it seemed like an infinite path, stretching on without cease.

Astonishment gripped the three.

Fan City in particular grew profoundly grave.

On his prior visit, the sensation hadn't been this daunting.

Evidently, the Mountain Ancestor's prowess had surged to an even more alarming height.

After an unknown span—despite starting together—the three found themselves oddly isolated.

They sat scattered at different spots on the Heavenly Ladder, blocked from further progress, their forms soaked as though pulled from a river.

Sweat poured from the three, streaming along their skin, while what couldn't drip away rose in steamy bursts.

Suddenly from above, a massive hand like swirling smoke and fog extended downward, morphing into three hands that whisked the trio rapidly to the summit.

Soon enough, they arrived at the uppermost part of Heaven-Reaching Peak.

The three positioned themselves below ten steps, appearing deferential as they bowed low.

"We subordinates offer our respects to the Mountain Ancestor!"

"Rise, no need for formalities."

Only then did the three stand upright.

Gazing toward the summit, all they could make out was an immense, limitless silhouette viewed from behind.

Who commands the heights? None but the Mountain Ancestor!

And nearby stood a somewhat stooped form, donning a dragon-shaped mask, clad in dark robes as a servant.

"State your purpose in coming here."

The black-robed servant questioned.

Upon being asked their reason, the three at once adopted mournful looks.

"Mountain Ancestor, we've come regarding the fates of our sons."

The black-robed servant, hearing this, shot a look at the Mountain Ancestor and noted no sign of turning.

Thus, he pressed further: "With the Mountain Ancestor commanding the cosmos and handling countless matters, must even the issues of your sons trouble the Mountain Ancestor?"

His words held a trace of scolding.

The dragon-shaped mask featured eyes that appeared aglow with eerie light, fixing intently on the three.

A bone-deep chill seized them, as though their bodies or souls were invaded by an unseen force, overwhelming them with terror!

The Domain Masters from Earth Gold and Vine Wood Realms—Jin Guanghua and Mu Qingtian—remained silent, too afraid to utter a word.

Only Fan City managed to respond, given his high standing among the top fifty generals under the Mountain Ancestor's banner.

"I dare not presume!"

Cold sweat beaded on Fan City's brow, and he didn't even attempt to wipe it.

Dread clawed at his heart; had the dragon-masked servant's cultivation soared to an invincible realm?

During his earlier audience with the Mountain Ancestor, this servant hadn't projected such overwhelming force!

Fan City felt a pang of regret in that moment; had he foreseen this, he wouldn't have burdened the Mountain Ancestor so.

Yet, deep emotion stirred within; though stern with underlings, he cherished his offspring beyond measure.

Added to that, with his two vowed younger brothers, all three had lost their sole heirs at once, and he couldn't hold back, determined to appeal to the Mountain Ancestor for a resurrection divine artifact.

Besides, he burned with urgency to avenge himself against Ning Qi without delay.

"Allow them to proceed."

Abruptly, the Mountain Ancestor interjected.

"As you command!" The dragon-masked servant acknowledged, then added, "Go on."

The three sensed relief like a pardon from execution, the servant's oppressive aura lifting at once.

Jin Guanghua and Mu Qingtian still held their tongues, leaving it to Fan City to voice their plea.

Fan City wasted no time, declaring promptly: "May the Mountain Ancestor endure forever; this subordinate seeks the Divine Artifact to revive our three fallen sons."

The dragon-masked servant said icily: "Make it all clear!"

"Yes!"

With that, Fan City wove a heartrending story.

He described how the three sons had fearlessly plunged into the spiritual realm war to serve the Mountain and Sea Realm, aiming to clinch an early triumph in the spirit realm war through every possible tactic.

But they crossed paths with someone named Ning Qi, a lowly yet talented figure.

This Ning Qi disregarded rank and privilege, neglecting to warn their sons ahead of the inter-realm clash, which led to their sons being slain by the Vast Realm's three mighty armies, with one seized and two abducted.

All details sourced from the Mountain and Sea Realm Will's reports.

Curiously, the Mountain and Sea Realm Will withheld nothing, revealing the full truth to the three without alteration.

So Fan City clenched his jaw as he detailed how Ning Qi, clearly able to rescue their captured sons, instead smashed them to pieces with a single strike right before the Vast Realm cultivators.

He spoke with raw passion, tears streaming down, while the two beside him sobbed uncontrollably.

"This subordinate implores the Mountain Ancestor to bestow the Divine Artifact for reviving our sons. Furthermore, we hope the Mountain Ancestor will punish the insolent Ning Qi!"