Cultivating with Top Enlightenment

Chapter 81: Chapter 75: Gathering of the Strong

In True Martial City, heavy snow was falling, yet it could not dampen the enthusiasm of the martial artists. Inns were overflowing, and people were warming themselves with wine, engaging in hearty discussions. Special couriers traveled between the mountain top and bottom to ensure the latest news reached them promptly.

This was why people flocked to this place even if they couldn’t ascend the mountain—they could get firsthand information.

Meanwhile, on True Martial Mountain.

The sky was clear.

The mountain top and bottom seemed like two different worlds. Seen from afar in the sky, there was a very distinct dividing line.

Above the True Martial Dojo.

Tables were arranged according to a special pattern. Over the past three days, guests had arrived and were seated under the guidance of True Martial disciples. At the center was a high platform, currently empty.

But when everyone looked at that high platform, their eyes bore a look of reverence. They knew who would sit there shortly, and an anticipation rose in their hearts.

Guests kept arriving. ”Mist Rain Pavilion of Cang State comes to offer congratulations!”

Luo Wentian’s voice rang out, drawing many gazes over.

Luo Wentian made a gesture, and several graceful women in white dresses came from the foot of the mountain. Their elegant steps and ethereal presence radiated an unparalleled charm. Even though they were all veiled in white silk, it was clear these women were beauties of the highest order.

Some young people brought by their elders for knowledge and experience were staring and bashfully lowered their heads.

Ning Qi curiously observed the leading woman. She was also in a white dress but had an embroidered crescent moon.

He wasn’t amazed by the lady’s grace but rather her unconcealed aura, which was at the Primordial Core Realm, comparable to the Divine Sword Old Man.

Ye Qinghe came over with a smile and said: ”That’s the Second Pavilion Master Liu Mingyue of Mist Rain Pavilion. Don’t be fooled by her youthful appearance; she’s almost the same age as our Master. Last time, when our Master pursued the Iron Ridge Three Fierce to Cang State, Mist Rain Pavilion helped us a lot.”

Ning Qi understood and replied with a laugh: ”Pavilion Master Liu is impressive, but she’s not even a tenth of our senior sister.”

Beside them, Zhuang Chen wiped his mouth and nodded repeatedly, making Ye Qinghe feel pleased. She laughed and called them ’two little tricksters,’ before running off to greet more guests.

There were more forces arriving today than in the previous three days, especially those coming from distant places. ”Ascetic Sect of Yun State comes to offer congratulations!” ... ”Nocturnal Blade Sect of Chu State comes to offer congratulations!” ... ”Sea-covering Gang of Cang State comes to offer congratulations!” ... ”Gu Buyi of Three-Eyed Divine Fist comes to offer congratulations!” ... ”Ye Chen of Gale Swift Sword comes to offer congratulations!” ...

Powerful forces and renowned figures kept arriving, among them were many first-rate, and even top-notch, forces. Though the Celestial Being Strong Persons did not come in person, they sent significant representatives to attend.

As for those strong loose cultivators, the weakest were at the Jade Liquid Realm, and many at the Primordial Core Realm.

Every time a notable strong person arrived, it caused an uproar.

Ning Qi noticed that most attendees were from Qing State, Yun State, Cang State, and Chu State. The True Martial Sect was located at the junction between Qing State and Yun State, so the most came from these two states. As for Chu State and Cang State, those were places where Taoist Longshan had traveled extensively in the past, building many connections.

The sun gradually rose in the east.

True Martial Mountain grew ever more bustling.

Ning Qi was in a good mood, not only because today was his master’s Celestial Being Grand Ceremony but also because many guests brought gifts, including many Martial Arts manuscripts. Gifts presented at today’s Celestial Being Grand Ceremony were naturally not ordinary items.

Ning Qi had long read all the scriptures in the Scripture Pavilion over the years, and this fresh wave of additions naturally made him happy.

He stood aside with Zhuang Chen, accompanied by the White Ape, occasionally drawing looks from others.

However, he remained calm and composed.

Suddenly.

He raised an eyebrow and looked towards the sky.

The previously noisy True Martial Dojo fell silent, as an indescribable wave emanated from the distant sky. Every gaze was involuntarily drawn, including those of the Primordial Core experts.

Amidst widespread attention.

A figure stepped through the air—no, to be precise, there were three figures.

A middle-aged man in white, of unremarkable appearance, but flanked by a stunning woman on each side. The two women were strikingly similar and of considerable cultivation—they were a pair of lovely twins.

At the moment, the three were somewhat oblivious to their surroundings. The two stunning women held spirit fruits and fine wine, serving him gently, fingers lightly stroking, and offering kisses now and then, with fragrance wafting around.

Such a scene made many young people extremely envious, yet their elders looked on with reverence.

For someone to carry themselves in such a way, they must be an unmistakable Celestial Human Realm expert.

Some well-informed individuals had already identified the newcomer, a look of realization appearing in their eyes.

At first sight, the three were still a distance away, but with a blink, they were already at the foot of True Martial Mountain.

Taoist Longshan soared into the air, appearing in everyone’s line of sight, and he actively greeted the middle-aged man, laughing heartily: ”Carefree Brother, you’ve come in person, I’m truly grateful!”

His words revealed the visitor’s identity.

Ren Xiaoyao, known as the Carefree Monarch, led a carefree and romantic life, yet possessed a dash of heroism. His experiences had a bit of a legendary flavor; he came from a loose cultivator background, yet had constant fortuitous encounters, eventually reaching the Celestial Human Realm—a role model for countless loose cultivator martial artists.

The Carefree Monarch also laughed heartily: ”Your Celestial Being Grand Ceremony, Junior Brother Longshan, of course, I must attend. I thought I’d be delayed after fetching a jug of fine wine from Moon Viewing Tower in Yun State, but it turns out I’m the first to arrive?”

Everyone was enthralled. The ’first to arrive’ the Carefree Monarch mentioned naturally referred to being the first among Celestial Human Realm experts. In their eyes, only peers in the same realm were worth their attention.

There is a saying that goes, below the Celestial Being, all are insignificant.

Even a Primordial Core realm martial artist could only garner slight attention from a Celestial Human Realm expert, unless they showed potential to reach that realm, in which case they might receive special notice.

One who cannot perceive the Power of Heaven and Earth is ultimately not a true strong person.

Taoist Longshan gestured: ”Carefree Brother, please!”

The two took their seats on the central high platform, chatting and laughing, with their Celestial Human nobility captivating everyone.

Ning Qi observed curiously from afar. The aura of this Carefree Monarch was not concealed; he seemed slightly stronger than Taoist Longshan, but not by much.

Taoist Longshan had told Ning Qi that cultivating in the Celestial Human Realm was far more challenging. Often, one might stagnate for decades, and many exhausted their potential upon barely reaching the Celestial Human Realm, making no further progress. ”It seems the Carefree Monarch’s early fortuitous encounters have limits, or perhaps his innate talent has reached a peak. It may not be long before my master surpasses him.” ”I just wonder if my one strike of the Heavenly Sword Technique could injure him?”

This thought arose unprompted in Ning Qi’s mind. This was the second Celestial Human Realm expert he had seen, besides Taoist Longshan.