In the main hall of Wushi Sect’s main peak.
Hundreds of water mirrors were layered in a huge circle, reflecting the leaders of various sects and families – the 120 members of the Chongzheng Alliance.
Chu Linyuan sat in the main seat of the hall, with several chief elders of the Wushi Sect behind him.
Chu Linyuan cleared his throat and spoke in the noisy environment “I’ve gathered all members of the Chongzheng Alliance today regarding the matter of the Linglong Bone.”
As soon as the words “Linglong Bone” were spoken, the originally noisy hall instantly fell silent.
“Previously, the Linglong Bone was stolen from the Chongzheng Alliance’s Qian Manor by Ning Buwei. The 120 sects and families of the alliance sent people to hunt him down, but all 513 people perished, and both Ning Buwei and the Linglong Bone disappeared without a trace,” Chu Linyuan said. “In these past few months, first there was the vine demon incident in Linjiang City, then the reappearance of the Rejuvenation Array, and traces of Ning family formations were found at both the thirteenth peak of Yunzhong Sect and our Wushi Sect’s Yuanye Peak. Later, Ning Buwei even appeared directly at the Dao Discussion conference, confirming that he is still alive.”
Although all sects and families had heard this news, hearing it from Chu Linyuan’s mouth carried different weight.
“Sect Leader Chu, everyone,” said Sect Leader Qing Mian of Hehuan Sect, “It has been nearly two years since the battle at Xingluo Cliff. If the Linglong Bone was truly in Ning Buwei’s possession, he would have likely ascended by now. But from what I know, at the Dao Discussion Mountain battle, Ning Buwei’s performance was mediocre. If not for Venerable Jinghe of Wushi Sect turning the tide, they might have been completely wiped out. In my opinion, the Linglong Bone must not be with Ning Buwei.”
“Sect Leader Qing’s words are incorrect,” Xie Zhiang, the head of the Xie family, retorted. “The demon Ning is cunning and uses devious methods. What if he deliberately hid the Linglong Bone? Many people at the Dao Discussion heard it themselves – that Ning Fan openly admitted he was following orders from Ning family head Ning Buwei!”
“How interesting, Elder Xie,” someone from the Wei family snorted. “I was present at the Dao Discussion that day. The Wang family and Ning Fan conspired to use the Seven Killings Formation. If Ning Buwei hadn’t appeared in time to buy us time, even with Dean Hao Zheng and Venerable Jinghe present, we might not have lasted long. Moreover, Ning Buwei personally denied it and fought with Ning Fan – isn’t that more convincing than mere words?”
“You—” Xie Zhiang said displeased, “Wei Xuesong, you dare speak for that demon?”
“I’m not speaking for anyone, I’m just stating the objective facts I witnessed,” Wei Xuesong said. “If not for Venerable Jinghe and Ning Buwei, how many of the tens of thousands at the Dao Discussion would have survived?”
The acting master of Canghai Tower, Sang Tian, added. “Fellow Cultivator Wei speaks truth. If not for Ning Buwei and Venerable Jinghe’s intervention that day, we would have likely perished under those gu, our blood spilling everywhere. Ning Fan was undoubtedly the culprit of the Dao Discussion, and from my observation, there seems to be a deep grudge between Ning Buwei and this Ning Fan…”
Qingdan Sect Leader Jimo Yuan said, “Several of my martial nephews were also once saved by Ning Buwei, and I heard that when Wang family members were kidnapping innocent women in Leyuan City, it was also Ning Buwei who stepped in to help.”
Hanyan Sect Leader Han Shuang said coldly, “Ning Buwei never acts without benefit. Even if he helped, he must have had ulterior motives. What are you all being so grateful for? Moreover, in these past 500 years, haven’t there been enough bloodshed caused by Ning Buwei? The Yan family was killed until only women and children remained, the Tianxin Sect was completely massacred, Xuanwu Tower’s tens of thousands of years worth of books were burned to ashes, Kuizhou’s Kan Prefecture spiritual veins nearly went extinct… Which of these incidents had nothing to do with him, Ning Buwei!? Even if we don’t talk about the distant past, have you all forgotten about those over 500 cultivators who died tragically at Xingluo Cliff!?”
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into silence.
The new sect leader of Wanghai Sect, Pei Yutian, spoke up. “Why have you all started debating about Ning Buwei’s character? Didn’t Sect Leader Chu just say that we need to discuss how to retrieve the Linglong Bone?”
After speaking, his eyes met with Chu Linyuan’s. Chu Linyuan nodded slightly and said, “You all must know that the current seventeen states were divided according to the Eight Trigrams Formation by ancestors Sang Panfeng and Cui Sheng thirty thousand years ago. The spiritual vein layout of the eight prefectures and sixteen states all has its fixed numbers, generating endless spiritual power for the seventeen states to consume. However, since a thousand years ago, the spiritual power in the seventeen states has been weakening. After Venerable Zhuozhi ascended seven hundred years ago, no one else in the seventeen states has ascended. Five hundred years ago, the spiritual veins in Xun Prefecture were completely exhausted, which accelerated the rate of spiritual power depletion… I once calculated with Female Celestial Sang Yun that if this continues, within a hundred years, the spiritual power in all seventeen states might be depleted, making it impossible for cultivators to advance and ascend.”
Upon hearing this, everyone burst into an uproar.
“The current predicament can only be solved by the Linglong Bone.”
——
“…When Ning Xingyuan took the Linglong Bone from the Floating Sky Realm 500 years ago, he didn’t mention what he planned to do with it,” Chu Jun recalled. “At that time, he had a small disciple with him, who should be the Dulu you mentioned.”
“I saw that gaudy gate of the Floating Sky Realm when I searched Dulu’s soul,” Ning Buwei said, stroking his chin. “He encountered Ning Xingyuan by chance during his training at that time.”
“Sang Yun’s annotations were ‘scattered in four directions’ and ‘trace to the source.’ Since we need to trace to the source, I’ll have to go to the Floating Sky Realm sooner or later,” Ning Buwei poked Ning Xiu’s round little belly.
“Your Suzaku knife is still missing two fragments, and the person behind Ning Fan might make more moves,” Chu Jun said. “Sang Yun’s annotations point directly to the Floating Sky Realm, and coincidentally, the Floating Sky Realm appeared in Zhenzhou where your master perished. Based on what you said earlier, this person clearly came prepared. Going there again might be falling into their trap.”
Ning Buwei stared at him with a half-smile and said, “You went through all that trouble to fake your death earlier, wasn’t it to make the person behind this think their plan succeeded? I’m deeply moved by the Venerable’s sincere help, but why are you now trying to take on everything yourself?”
After a moment of silence, Chu Jun said, “Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
Ning Buwei raised an eyebrow. “Thanks to you, even those who’ve fought me now take detours to avoid me. My body has recovered exceptionally well.”
Since meeting Chu Jun, he hadn’t had a proper fight.
Chu Jun asked. “You’re determined to go?”
“This person acts in such a petty and vicious way. I won’t be satisfied until I drag them out personally,” Ning Buwei said with a cold smile. “I want to see what other tricks they can pull.”
Whether dead or alive, anyone connected to him would have to die before his eyes. This wishy-washy, skulking behavior really irritated him.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Chu Jun asked. “What do you plan to do?”
Ning Buwei said, “Ning Fan will contact them sooner or later. That’s when we’ll catch them.”
Although Ning Buwei had a notorious reputation, he still carried the pride of a noble family’s young master. He used all his cleverness for formations, talismans, and fighting, always dealing with matters straightforwardly, disdaining schemes.
Thinking of those formations of his that easily backfired, Chu Jun pondered. “When dealing with such despicable people, it’s better to strike first.”
Ning Buwei knew this surnamed Chu was full of devious ideas. He would despise this if placed in others, but with Chu Jun… A glint of interest flashed in his eyes, “How do we strike first?”
Chu Jun smiled slightly and held out his palm.
Ning Buwei was dazzled by that smile and directly placed his hand on top.
Chu Jun: “…I need to borrow two talisman papers.”
Ning Buwei was stunned for a moment, then quickly withdrew his hand, and in embarrassed anger, irritably slapped two talisman papers into his hand.
Chu Jun held the papers and chuckled.
Ning Buwei clicked his tongue and narrowed his eyes dangerously.
With the smile still in his eyes, Chu Jun methodically folded the finished talismans, waved his long sleeve, and two identical shells of himself appeared in the room. He then held out his hand to Ning Buwei again.
“Need more paper?” Ning Buwei raised an eyebrow.
“Hand,” Chu Jun said with a straight face.
Ning Buwei deliberately ran his tongue along his back teeth, then slowly placed his hand on top, brushing past Chu Jun’s fingertips and mischievously using a thousand-jin force to pin his hand firmly underneath.
Chu Jun’s hands were fair and slender, pleasant to touch. Ning Buwei’s skin was darker than his, looking particularly domineering as it pressed down.
Just as Ning Buwei was about to feel smug about his mischief, he felt a sharp pain in his fingertip. Chu Jun quickly took two drops of blood from his fingertip and mercilessly withdrew the hand that had been pinned down.
The great demon was instantly displeased, “If you wanted blood, you could have just said so. Why insist on my hand?”
As Chu Jun merged the blood into the two talismans, he replied unhurriedly. “Alright.”
Seeing the way he was drawing the talismans, Ning Buwei asked, “Body double talismans?”
“Yes.” Chu Jun nodded, sprinkled the completed talismans on his two shells, and their appearances gradually changed until they looked exactly like Ning Buwei.
“Since the enemy lurks in shadows while we’re in the open, let’s confuse their vision,” Chu Jun said.
Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
They would release the cicada first, while they hid and played the role of the oriole.
—
Jiang Yizheng and Feng Zizhang exclaimed in admiration at the exquisite flying ship before them. Though Cui Yuanbai didn’t show it on his face, he had already circled it twice.
“Father, did you buy this?” Jiang Yizheng asked in amazement.
“Yes.” Ning Buwei nodded and said, “Go prepare your things, we’ll depart tomorrow.”
“Father, where are we going next?” Feng Zizhang asked eagerly.
“To Zhenzhou.” Ning Buwei handed them several talismans, “The journey will be dangerous. Use these talismans to change your appearance and aura. Remember the incantation.”
“Yes!” Feng Zizhang and the others nodded obediently.
After giving a few more instructions, Ning Buwei carried Ning Xiu back to their room.
Jiang Yizheng frowned and nudged Feng Zizhang, “Don’t you think something’s odd about Father?”
Feng Zizhang asked puzzled, “No, isn’t that just our father?”
“Huanhuan, what do you think?” Jiang Yizheng asked Cui Yuanbai.
Cui Yuanbai tilted his head with a conflicted look, sniffed hard, and said, “It’s Dad.”
Though there was a very faint scent of Mother.
Jiang Yizheng scratched her head, wailing internally – why did she feel like that was just Venerable Jinghe speaking!?
The next day.
Before departure, Jiang Yizheng asked puzzled, “Father, isn’t the Venerable coming with us?”
“He has other matters to attend to.” Ning Buwei, carrying Ning Xiu, had completely changed his appearance to look like an ordinary young master.
Jiang Yizheng stared at him suspiciously.
That indifferent tone, that cold gaze…
“Why are you dawdling? Hurry up and get on,” Ning Buwei raised an eyebrow at her.
Jiang Yizheng suddenly snapped back to reality, immediately throwing her earlier suspicions to the back of her mind.
That disdainful and arrogant tone – this was definitely her father.
A spiritual ship carved from jade slowly rose into the air, gradually leaving Banyuan Town and flying south.
