Chapter 328: Chapter 324: Return to Cyan Cloud Country
A surging Qi Force swept out in all directions as streaks of sharp Sword Qi shot toward the heavens.
DRIP. DROP.
Fresh blood dripped to the ground.
Ning Jiang’s body was covered in wounds, his white robes stained red with blood. This was the first time he had suffered such grievous injuries since entering the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm.
His duplicate was in the same state, its body covered in wounds.
’If I don’t surpass myself, the outcome will be mutual destruction.’
Ning Jiang murmured to himself. He had already exchanged hundreds of blows with his duplicate. Everything he knew, it knew as well. Its combat techniques were in no way inferior to his own.
"Heaven-Devouring Sparrow."
Black light erupted from Ning Jiang’s body, transforming him into a giant black sparrow. The Heaven-Devouring Sparrow spread its wings, like celestial blades sundering heaven and earth, and slashed forward.
"BANG."
With a thunderous bang, the duplicate also manifested a Heaven-Devouring Sparrow, moving like a flash of lightning to counter Ning Jiang’s attack.
Five hundred moves, six hundred, seven hundred...
They fought fiercely, unleashing only the most Top Level Martial Techniques. Blood continuously spilled from Ning Jiang’s body, yet his expression grew increasingly calm.
BOOM!
During another clash, Ning Jiang’s Fist Technique suddenly changed, faintly taking on a strange new quality.
It was clearly a simple punch, as direct and straightforward as a child’s playful swat, with no variation to speak of.
Yet when it slammed into the duplicate, the duplicate staggered back, its body on the verge of cracking apart.
’It seems this duplicate doesn’t share my comprehension of the Heaven and Earth Dao.’
Ning Jiang murmured to himself. He had infused that last Fist Technique with some of his insights into Dao Power. Of course, his current Cultivation was too low to truly channel Dao Power, but even a ten-thousandth of it possessed a completely different level of might.
And this duplicate, despite possessing the same strength and techniques as him, did not share his memories and thus naturally lacked his comprehension of the Dao.
"This should be over now."
Ning Jiang strode forward. Every blow he landed sent the duplicate reeling backward, unable to resist.
"Die."
After a full one thousand moves, Ning Jiang was like a raging dragon. He blasted his fist forward, leaving a long trail of light in the void like the tail of a falling comet.
This one punch would decide victory and defeat, life and death.
"BANG."
With a tremendous bang, the duplicate could no longer bear the force, its entire body cracking apart completely.
RUMBLE...
As the duplicate was annihilated, the Thunderbolt in the sky gradually receded. The surrounding darkness ebbed like a receding tide, slowly dissipating bit by bit.
「At the same time.」
A pure and majestic Power surged in from all directions, pouring into Ning Jiang’s body. His aura began to climb steadily.
"BOOM!"
Ten breaths later, his aura broke through, stepping from the Divinity Transformation Realm into the Divine Travel Realm.
The leap from the Divinity Transformation Realm to the Divine Travel Realm was a massive advancement. Upon reaching this Realm, one’s Primordial Spirit could leave the body and travel a thousand li. This was unlike the Divinity Transformation Realm, where even if the Primordial Spirit could leave the body, it could only venture about ten li from it.
"Congratulations, Sect Leader."
Yue Wenfu and the other two hurried over to offer their congratulations. "Sect Leader, now that you have entered the Divine Travel Realm, I fear that with your current strength, not even an Immortal Realm powerhouse could do anything to you."
He wasn’t merely flattering Ning Jiang. After all, while still in the Divinity Transformation Realm, Ning Jiang had been able to kill experts of the God-Seizing Realm.
Now that he had reached the Divine Travel Realm and his strength had grown even further, it wasn’t surprising that he would be qualified to challenge the Immortal Realm.
"The Immortal Realm? I’ll have a chance to fight one in the future." Ning Jiang slowly let out a breath, his gaze turning toward the horizon. "It’s time to go back and check on Cyan Cloud Country."
Hearing this, a strange look appeared in the eyes of Yue Wenfu and the other two.
"I’ve heard of Cyan Cloud Country," Yue Wenfu said. "It’s a small, remote, and underdeveloped country in Qing Province. Since you are returning to preside over Cyan Cloud, we would like to accompany you, Sect Leader, and see your homeland."
"Very well. In half a month," Ning Jiang said. "I still need some time to consolidate my Cultivation."
Generally, when a Martial Artist breaks through to the Divine Travel Realm, they need at least half a year to consolidate their new Realm.
However, since Ning Jiang cultivated the Heaven-Devouring Demon Skill, his foundation was exceptionally solid. Half a month would be more than enough.
Furthermore, the tribulation and the battle with his duplicate had left him with considerable injuries that needed to heal. He certainly didn’t want to go see Ning Yu’an while still covered in blood.
...
For the next half a month, Ning Jiang remained at the Myriad Swords Sect, consolidating his Cultivation and recovering from his injuries.
During this time, the name of the Myriad Swords Sect became famous throughout the Six Eastern Provinces.
Of the Eight Top Grade Sects, the Evil Spirit Sect had been destroyed, and the Myriad Swords Sect had taken its place. This was a new paradigm, a new shift in power.
The establishment of the Myriad Swords Sect had little impact on the other provinces, but for the various powers in Qing Province, it had become a behemoth looming over them all.
This behemoth was far more terrifying than the Star Sword Sect of the past.
To the relief of the various factions, however, the Myriad Swords Sect did not act tyrannically after its founding. This alone helped it win the goodwill of many powers.
Gradually, half a month passed.
On this day, several figures departed from the Myriad Swords Sect, heading toward a small country within Qing Province.
...
「Cyan Cloud Country.」
This was a remote little country in Qing Province. Many years ago, after its last few Spirit Veins disappeared, the country fell into an irreversible decline.
For decades, Cyan Cloud Country hadn’t produced even a single Spirit Realm Powerhouse. The few small Sects that once existed had also left because of the disappearing Spirit Veins.
Barren and backward.
This was how outside Martial Artists viewed Cyan Cloud Country.
Outsiders rarely entered Cyan Cloud Country. People strive for greater heights, so who would willingly wade into a swamp?
「At this moment.」
In a teahouse in Cyan Cloud Country, a group of Martial Artists was abuzz with discussion.
"I can’t believe our Cyan Cloud Country has changed so drastically in just two short years."
"I know. Who could have guessed that Spiritual Qi would suddenly burst forth from underground? Over the last two years, many masters from the Innate List have broken through to the Spirit Realm."
"Sword King Chu Bai, Sword King Duan Wuya, and Vajra King Meng Bubai have all successively entered the Spirit Realm. On top of that, some of the Nine Great Young Masters have also risen up and broken through."
"Heh, if Ning Jiang were to come back now, he’d be in for a shock, wouldn’t he? He left Cyan Cloud Country as its number one expert. I wonder what heights he’s reached on the outside?"
"With Ning Jiang’s talent, if he returned, he should still be able to secure the number one spot, right?"
At the mention of Ning Jiang, all the Martial Artists in the teahouse fell into a nostalgic silence.
Two years ago, Ning Jiang had appeared out of nowhere in Cyan Cloud Country, rising like a comet. At a terrifying speed, he had claimed the title of the country’s number one expert.
A man as fine as jade, a young master without peer.
Who in all of Cyan Cloud Country didn’t know of Young Master Wushuang, Ning Jiang?
What heights had that invincible, Demon God-like youth reached out in the wider world?
"Oh, right, didn’t news come a while back that some big shot from Qing Province was planning to visit Cyan Cloud Country? I wonder who it is."
"I heard it has something to do with a Sect from Qing Province called the Myriad Swords Sect."