Ning Qi had already stepped out the moment Gong Tiandaoâs array patterns appeared.
Array patterns also emerged beneath his feet.
The flickering light disrupted the array patterns used by Gong Tiandao.
In the end, only Gong Tiandao and the cultivators under his command, along with the Sea Ancestorâs nearby followers, vanished from everyoneâs sight.
When everyone regained their senses, they found themselves inside the Divine Mountain Illusion, situated beneath the Mountain Ancestorâs feet.
The abrupt change in the scene startled all those present.
Sword Ancestor, Qi Keqing, and the others felt a lingering fear, uncertain of what fate awaited them if transported by Gong Tiandaoâs array patterns.
Similarly, the cultivators under Sea Ancestorâs command, including Zhao Yujun from the Moon Sea Immortal Sect, showed signs of fear.
It wasnât Gong Tiandao they feared, but rather the possibility of being transported into the Mountain Spirit Illusion, falling into the Mountain Ancestorâs hands.
No one knew what fate awaited them under Mountain Ancestorâs grasp, but it surely wasnât good.
Zhao Yujun and the others cast grateful glances towards Ning Qi.
If not for Ning Qi, who had high proficiency in arrays, perhaps all of them would have been transported away by Gong Tiandao.
Because of Ning Qi, only about a tenth of them ended up being transported.
"Taoist Friend Ning, thank you!"
Despite the anxious look on Zhao Yujunâs beautiful face, she still smiled warmly at Ning Qi.
Ning Qi shook his head slightly.
"No need for thanks between us, especially since I didnât save all of you."
Zhao Yujun said, "Donât say that, Taoist Friend Ning. I believe Sea Ancestor would be grateful to you as well. Without you, Sea Ancestor might face even greater trouble!"
These words were quite accurate, but Ning Qi didnât respond to them. Instead, he said, "Letâs retreat a bit more with our men, and then continue to observe."
With that, he and Zhao Yujun led their cultivators, retreating further towards the Vast Realm.
Everyone, at this point, felt that the war had developed beyond their comprehension.
Previously, it was manageable as they only fought against cultivators from the opposing worlds.
But now, with the arrival of the three Ancestors, things became eerily strange.
First, it was Sea Ancestor versus Mountain Ancestor against Saint Ancestor; now, itâs Sea Ancestor and Saint Ancestor fighting alongside Mountain Ancestor.
How will this Spirit Realm war conclude?
Such questions emerged in their minds, along with doubts about their safety.
Itâs frustrating to survive till the late period of the war only to risk dying right before its conclusion!
Everyone continued to gaze at the far-off Mountain Spirit Illusion.
Saint Ancestor and Sea Ancestor were stunned to see Gong Tiandao transport many cultivators into Mountain Ancestorâs Mountain Spirit Illusion using teleportation arrays.
The two of them were also taken aback.
This Mountain Spirit Illusion could only be discerned with the enhancement of Immortal Dao Aura doubling oneâs sight.
What is Mountain Ancestor planning by summoning so many cultivators inside?
Saint Ancestor felt immensely relieved, for he had previously sent many cultivators from the Vast Realm back home.
Unlike the Mountain and Sea Realmâs side, where the two Ancestors hadnât allowed the cultivators to return, and Mountain Ancestor even blocked the path back to the Mountain and Sea Realm with the vast Mountain Spirit Illusion.
"Haoshan, release my people!"
Sea Ancestorâs long hair stood erect, radiating intense malice, with gray Sea of Realms energy swirling around her terrifying expression.
However, this terror was insignificant to the Mountain Ancestor immersed in the vast Mountain Spirit Illusion.
Perhaps, Mountain Ancestor doesnât care about Sea Ancestor, or even Saint Ancestor.
The only thing that annoys him is that Gong Tiandao didnât transport all the Mountain and Sea Realm cultivators nearby for his upcoming magic, causing it minor inconvenience.
Blame that somewhat gifted kid!
Mountain Ancestor cast a glance at Ning Qi in the distance.
His divine gaze was sharp, as if containing phenomena of the cosmosâ creation and destruction.
With just a glance, Ning Qi felt an unsettling sensation akin to being watched by a predator.
He hadnât felt this for a long time.
Even against Sea Ancestor and Saint Ancestor he didnât feel this. Nor did the previous Mountain Ancestor elicit this oppressive feeling, but the current Mountain Ancestor did.
Luckily, Mountain Ancestorâs focus wasnât entirely on Ning Qi; Ning Qi was merely a slightly talented cultivator.
Undergoing the Thirty-six Layers of Celestial Tribulation or surpassing all history across two realms, such feats will soon be forgotten.
Mountain Ancestor suspended within the Mountain Spirit Illusion, ascended high with a perpetually superior demeanor surveying Sea Ancestor and Saint Ancestor.
"Sea of Emotions, why are you still so naive?"
His lips curled into a subtle smile as he continued, "If you had dared to use the power of the Sea of Realms earlier, fighting me to the death, today wouldnât have come to this."
"Do you know why you always lose to me?"
Sea Ancestor coldly asked, "Why?"
Mountain Ancestor seemed disdainful, shaking his head, "Despite appearing to match me as Sea Ancestor, you lack the mindset of a true powerhouse, the demeanor of the first!"
"Youâre constantly restrained by your own limits, living in emotions, always lingering over past events. With so many bindings, how can you become the first?"
Sea Ancestorâs remarkably beautiful face, even her water-blue eyebrows, stood upright.
She said, "I donât know what you obtained from the legacy, I just know you werenât like this before. Is becoming the first truly that important? Important enough to abandon everything, even committing such inhumane acts as killing your master?"