Chapter 5: Heavenly Cang Palace, North Sea

Stepping out from another dimensional space, Ji Ning was already outside that chaotic star.

The five World-level cultivators of the Pure Wind Hall who were besieging someone on that chaotic star immediately noticed this outsider. One of them, a rather tall World-level cultivator, shouted, "The Pure Wind Hall is capturing a thief. Fellow Daoist, retreat at once."

"Hmph."

Ji Ning snorted coldly, instantly transforming into a streak of sword-light, accelerating to four times the speed of light, charging over at maximum speed.

When Ji Ning's flying speed surged, the World-level cultivators on the chaotic star were stunned. Four times the speed of light? Ordinary World-level cultivators couldn't even reach twice the speed of light unless they were skilled in some secret arts. First-step Daolords could generally reach twice the speed of light, second-step Daolords three times, third-step Daolords four times, and fourth-step Daolords five times.

These were merely common cases. If one was skilled in escape techniques or possessed treasures adept at fleeing, it would be different. But escape techniques and treasures were extremely rare.

"A World-level cultivator moving this fast? He must be skilled in some escape technique." The five World-level cultivators of Pure Wind Hall immediately judged.

"I am Quyan Immortal of Pure Wind Hall. Stop, fellow Daoist, and state your name!" The rather tall World-level cultivator shouted again, his voice transmitted through chaotic法力, echoing throughout the chaotic star's surroundings.

"I am Beiming of Heavenly Cang Palace!" Ji Ning's cold, murderous voice also echoed across the chaotic star's sky.

Ji Ning's voice struck the hearts of the five World-level cultivators of Pure Wind Hall like a hammer, causing them all to change color.

From Heavenly Cang Palace?

Not good!

"Brother Beiming?" The green-robed man, who was barely holding out under siege, called out loudly, "Be careful, brother Beiming. These five are not easy to deal with." He had heard of Beiming; Tianyi Daolord's manifested body had stayed at Heavenly Cang Palace and spoken of this matter, saying that they had gained another brother named Beiming, who was still just a Ancestral God.

"This Brother Beiming, according to Brother Tianyi, is merely an Ancestral God, but he doesn't seem like it," the green-robed man thought to himself.

...

"Stop him."

"Since he's from Heavenly Cang Palace, capture him too and throw him into the Black Wind Prison."

"Move."

The five World-level cultivators of Pure Wind Hall, knowing the newcomer was from Heavenly Cang Palace, immediately began to act. Two of them continued besieging the green-robed man, while the other three started attacking Ji Ning.

"Hmph."

Transformed into a streak of sword-light, Ji Ning didn't even draw the black divine sword on his back. He merely cast a cold glance.

Boom~~~

Heaven and earth shattered!

Suddenly, a vast and terrifying sword-intent appeared above the chaotic star. The sword-intent condensed into sword-light, and countless beams of sword-light descended. The five World-level cultivators all looked up in terror. Before this boundless sword-intent, they were like ants!

"How can it be this strong?"

"Impossible."

"This sword-intent..." The five World-level cultivators were utterly stunned. The sheer power of this sword-intent could annihilate them as easily as ants. In panic, each of them produced a white jade talisman and crushed it to call for help. They had no thought of resistance, only of seeking rescue.

"Whoosh~~~" Countless beams of sword-light surged like waves, sweeping over the five World-level cultivators. The sword-intent, soft as silk, swiftly coiled around them. Then Ji Ning produced a gourd, and from its mouth erupted a tremendous suction force. With a swoosh, the five World-level cultivators were all swept up and collected inside.

With a thought from Ji Ning, the sword-intent in the sky dissipated.

To Ji Ning, those five World-level cultivators were mere ants; the gap in strength was too great. Ji Ning wasn't reckless; he captured them first. Whether to kill them or not would be decided later.

"Brother Beiming?" The green-robed man stared blankly at Ji Ning.

He was also dazed.

Brother Tianyi, didn't you say Brother Beiming was only an Ancestral God? Now he's a World-level cultivator, and so strong that without even attacking, just his sword-intent captured five World-level cultivators, including two at the peak of the World level.

"I am Dongmu." The green-robed man, seeing Ji Ning approach, suppressed his various doubts and said, "Thank you, Brother Beiming, for saving my life."

"Brother Dongmu, I was on my way to Heavenly Cang Palace and happened to pass by and saw this." Ji Ning also smiled. "So, Dongmu, have you heard of me?"

"Yes, I have."

The green-robed man nodded repeatedly. "Brother Tianyi told us about you long ago, saying that when you were an Ancestral God, you were nearly as strong as a World-level cultivator, and that you would soon break through to the World level. But now, Brother Beiming, not only are you a World-level cultivator, but you're also so powerful that I'm dumbfounded."

Ji Ning smiled. Yes, when he was with Tianyi Daolord, he was still an Ancestral God.

"Has Brother Tianyi come out of the Yibo Realm?" Ji Ning pressed.

"No." Dongmu shook his head with a sigh. "Brother Tianyi is still trapped in the Yibo Realm. His manifested body is stationed at Heavenly Cang Palace and told us about your matter. Alas, the Yibo Realm is a cave dwelling built by an Eternal Emperor, and Emperor Yibo is no ordinary emperor."

Ji Ning nodded.

The Yibo Realm was also one of the dangerous places in the Endless Territories. Many fourth-step Daolords had died inside, yet Daolords continued to enter in an endless stream. This was because Emperor Yibo had left behind considerable opportunities. Emperor Yibo was no ordinary emperor; he was extremely skilled in the art of deduction, recognized as the number one in deduction throughout the Endless Territories.

Later, Emperor Yibo drifted away, and his cave dwelling became masterless. Generations of Daolords entered it. Daolord Damos, who was so skilled in deduction that he even established his sect in the 'Yibo Eternal Realm,' was believed by many powerful figures to have inherited Emperor Yibo's legacy.

"Swoosh." "Swoosh."

Two figures flew over from afar: Danbao and Su Youji.

Although they were Daolords, whether in tearing through void or simply flying, they were slower than Ji Ning.

"Two Daolords?" Dongmu was startled.

"Master, are the Pure Wind Hall people gone?" Danbao called out.

"Master, you're too fast." Su Youji also laughed.

Ji Ning nodded and looked at Dongmu. "Dongmu, let's leave quickly. This place is very close to Pure Wind Hall's territory; staying here is very dangerous."

Dongmu, still stunned that two Daolords called Ji Ning master, nodded repeatedly upon hearing Ji Ning's words. "Right, right, right. Let's go quickly."

"Let's go."

Ji Ning produced a flying boat, and the four of them boarded it, swiftly tearing through the void and departing.

...

On the flying boat.

Dongmu looked at Danbao and Su Youji, then at Ji Ning.

"Daolords?" Dongmu looked at Ji Ning. "Brother Beiming, are these two Daolords your followers?"

"What's so special about that? Our master can become a Daolord anytime. Even if he doesn't, he's far stronger than us," Danbao said.

"You haven't seen our master's true strength yet," Su Youji added.

Dongmu muttered to himself.

He really hadn't seen it; Ji Ning had only displayed his sword-intent and captured the enemies, which could hardly be considered a real attack.

"Brother Dongmu," Ji Ning asked, "how did you end up opposing Pure Wind Hall, and right next to their territory?"

Pure Wind Hall was located in a territory adjacent to where the battle had just taken place, very close.

Heavenly Cang Palace, on the other hand, was a full eleven territories away, requiring half a year of travel.

Half a year might seem short—cultivators have long lifespans—but it could also be long. In life-and-death battles, one might die countless times in half a year.

The two major sects were twelve territories apart, each ruling its own territories, and they had old grudges, being mortal enemies.

"Speaking of this, it involves one of my disciples." Dongmu shook his head. "Over twenty thousand years ago, I drifted to this place and encountered a young fellow. Seeing his exceptional talent and pure nature, I took him as my disciple. I watched him grow, occasionally guiding him secretly. Who would have thought that because he picked a rare treasure, he attracted the pursuit of Pure Wind Hall? Of course, I stepped in to save him! Pure Wind Hall is very close, so soon World-level cultivators arrived one after another, and I ended up besieged by five World-level cultivators. If not for you, Brother Beiming, I would probably have..."

Ji Ning nodded lightly. "When I captured the five World-level cultivators of Pure Wind Hall, they all crushed jade talismans. They were probably calling for help."