The Desolate Era

by S.H.A aifu

Fate had never been kind to Ji Ning. Wracked by illnesses and infirm his entire life on Earth, Ning knew early on that he would die as a teenager. What he didn’t know was that there really was such a thing as life after death, and that the universe was a far larger place than he thought. A lucky twist of fate (one of the few in Ning’s life) meant that Ning was reborn into a world o

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Read The Desolate Era - Chapter 32 – Daoist Snowplume online free - Novel Full

Chapter 32 – Daoist Snowplume

"They aren't even leaving the words behind?" Xu Fang, of the Swallow Mountain branch of Snowdragon Mountain, and the other three Zifu Disciples were so furious that they gritted their teeth. When they looked at the characters on the leather parchment, they had sensed the sword-intent surge towards them, and had been so frightened that their legs had turned soft. They understood that they were at too low of a level, and that they were unable to comprehend the level of insight the sword-intent within the characters indicated.

However, if the high-level members of Snowdragon Mountain were to see the parchment, they should be capable of deducing Ji Ning's level of strength. Clearly, Ji Ning was extremely cautious and didn't plan on giving them that chance.

"The young master's letter has been delivered. I won't tarry!" The envoy of the Ji clan turned, openly and unabashedly walking away. As for Xu Fang and the other members of Snowdragon Moutain, they could only watch as the envoy walked away.

"What should we do?"

"Ji Ning of Serpentwing Lake has made his threat. What should we do?"

They looked at each other, their gazes filled with fear and unease. Upon seeing the characters on the scroll, they immediately knew…that Ji Ning's power had reached a level that was vastly beyond their's. He was most likely capable of annihilating them with one blow. This massive gap in power which they faced made them feel tremendous pressure.

"No matter what…this person isn't someone the likes of us can deal with. Ji Ning of Serpentwing Lake…he is someone who is able to effortlessly kill Wanxiang Adepts. We have to report this to the main sect."

"Right. We must report this to the main sect."

"Third Brother, we are simply too far from the main Snowdragon Mountain sect. In ten short days…we won't even be able to make it back to the sect. There's no way to report this at all."

Xu Fang and the other three exchanged glances, their eyes filled with helplessness and bitterness. Right. Ji Ning had only given them ten days, but they were only Zifu Disciples; they wouldn't be able to make it back to Snowdragon Mountain in just ten days. They wouldn't be able to alert the main sect of the letter and the threat which Ji Ning had made.

"There's no other options. I'll have to use the talisman," Xu Fang said, shaking his head. "Although there's no way to let the main sect know of the details, at least we'll be able to let them know that something happened."

"Right. Break the talisman."

"That's our only choice."

All four men were in accord.

The leader of the Swallow Mountain branch was Adept Xu Ke, but because Adept Xu Ke was terrified of Ji Ning, he had hidden himself within the main sect. Before leaving, he had left three talismans, then gave these instructions: "These three talismans are different in size. When you break then, I'll be able to sense it. If you break the smallest talisman…that means that the Ji clan's attack is imminent! If you break the middle one, that means Ji Ning's attack is imminent! And if you break the largest one, that means that the local branch has already been shattered. Remember – only when a true emergency occurs are you to break these talismans."

These three talismans represented three different danger levels.

An attack from the Ji clan?

This meant that the situation wasn't that bad; after all, in terms of their relative power bases, the local branch of Snowdragon Mountain truly wasn't afraid of the Ji clan. But if Ji Ning were to attack…then things really would turn grim. There was no way the Swallow Mountain branch could possibly resist the monster-like 'Ji Ning of Serpentwing Lake'.

Xu Fang waved his hand, and three talismans of different sizes appeared within it.

"Ji Ning is going to personally attack…there is nothing we can do."

"We have to hope that the main sect will send experts to come negotiate with Ji Ning."

In their hearts, they didn't believe that the main sect would truly choose to engage in a battle with Ji Ning. After all, he was a disciple of the Black-White College, and he had an Immortal behind him! Compared with the Black-White College, Snowdragon Mountain was unfathomably weaker. Although it was on good terms with the Northmont clan of Stillwater Commandery, the Black-White College was actually located inside Stillwater City, and its relationship with the Northmont clan was incomparably close.

It could be said that the Northmont clan viewed the Black-White College as its hands and arms, while Snowdragon Mountain was nothing more than a lackey.

"Crack." Xu Fang shattered the second, pitch-black talisman.

The distant Snowdragon Mountain. This was a place of unending winter, of eternal snow. Peaks of various heights towered here, with Immortal cultivators living with them. Within one such peak, the master was Adept Xu Zhen.

Adept Xu Zhen had pale, beardless face. He appeared quite handsome. He sat in the lotus position on his jade bed. The white-robed Adept Xu Zhen's eyes were closed in relaxation, and he appeared quite rested. Next to him, there were two young apprentices waiting on his instructions and his needs.

"Eh?" Adept Xu Zhen's face suddenly changed slightly. With a wave of his hand, he produced a black talisman. This talisman had already shattered.

This talisman had originally come in a pair. If one was shattered, the other would crumble as well.

"This talisman is…" Adept Xu Zhen thought back to what he had said, and then his face changed. "This is the second talisman. It represents that Ji Ning is going to act against the Swallow Mountain branch!"

"Ji Ning…he has quietly slumbered for nine years. Is he finally going to attack?" Adept Xu Zhen was rather panicked.

When the Xu clan had volunteered to be stationed within the Swallow Mountain region, they had done so for two reasons. First, they had been angered by the fact that Adept Xu Li had died there. Secondly, they wanted to expand the territory of their own clan. But how could they have imagined that soon after they had taken over, news would come…that Ji Ning had joined the Black-White College?! This caused the Xu clan to be filled with boundless regret. This assignment had become a hot potato that they couldn't discard, because…the prestige of Snowdragon Mountain meant that the Xu clan was absolutely not permitted to retreat or fold up.

But as time passed, Ji Ning's fame only grew greater and greater! Adept Xu Ke had been so terrified that he had hidden himself back within the main sect, leaving behind only those four Zifu Disciples. Even if the four of them died, it wouldn't represent too much of a loss for the Xu clan.

"Ji Ning has finally revealed himself. What should we do next? My Xu clan has multiple Wanxiang Adepts, but I'm afraid that even if we join forces, we won't be able to overcome Ji Ning. He's a monster that was capable of killing even Adept Poisondove!" Adept Xu Ke frantically pondered what to do next. "I have no other options…I'll have to go visit Master."

Snowdragon Mountain had a total of three Primal Daoists; they were Daoist Snowplume,Daoist Coldsun, and Daoist Blackdragon. They each took up one of the three highest mountain peaks in the region. The master of Adept Xu Ke, in turn, was Daoist Snowplume.

For a school of elites like the Black-White College, the Primal Daoists of the second generation disciples, when interacting with the Wanxiang Adepts and Zifu Disciples of the third generation disciples, would be fairly courteous. They wouldn't act arrogantly or show off! However, in schools with many disciples, where dragons swam alongside minnows, the more powerful one was, the more high-and-mighty one would behave. In the case of Snowdragon Mountain, to be one of only three Primal Daoists meant that one really would put on a show of grandeur.

"Senior apprentice-brother Xu Ke requests an audience."

"Senior apprentice-brother Xu Ke requests an audience."

First, the junior disciples guarding the gates to the mountain would make the announcement. Next, one of the 99 male Zifu Disciples or 99 female Zifu Disciples would go to report this to one of the Wanxiang Adepts servants, who would then personally inform Daoist Snowplume.

"Master, junior apprentice-brother Xu Ke requests an audience," a gray-robed man said, standing respectfully outside a private room.

"Granted." A calm voice came out from the private room.

This response was once more passed out in multiple layers, and in the end, Adept Xu Ke was finally allowed to come to the private room. Generally speaking, Daoist Snowplume would only permit disciples which the school valued greatly to remain by his side. For the likes of Adept Xu Ke, who had no chance at all of breaking through to become Primal Daoists, they had all been sent out long ago. They would only be permitted to make an occasional visit if they had something important to discuss.

"Your disciple greets you, Master." Adept Xu Ke respectfully knelt outside the private room. The outside area was covered in piles of snow. The white-robed Adept Xu Ke, kneeling there within the pristine white snow, actually made for quite a beautiful sight.

Creaaak.

The door swung open.

A handsome Daoist, dressed in a feathered robe, walked out. He had a head full of long, unbound black hair, and a hint of amusement could be seen in his long, slender eyes.

He was one of the three titans of Snowdragon Mountain; Daoist Snowplume!

Daoist Snowplume's disciples all shared one commonality; they had to be handsome. He himself was an extremely handsome man, and the same was true for his disciples. The kneeling Xu Ke, the gray-robed man by the door…all of them were exceptionally attractive in their looks.

"What is it?" Daoist Snowplume said calmly.

"Respected master," Adept Xu Ke said, still kneeling, "Years ago, our Swallow Mountain branch, because of the Ji clan, was nearly annihilated. At that time, I went along with some of my fellow disciples and took up station there, helping to steady and firm up that branch. However, by now, Ji Ning's level of power has reached unearthly levels. Relying on his prestige, the Ji clan has shown us no consideration at all. This very day, I received word that Ji Ning is about to attack our Swallow Mountain branch in person! I truly am unable to do anything about him, so I have come to request an audience with you, Master. I beseech you, Master, tell me what I should do with regards to this Ji Ning."

"Ji Ning?" Daoist Snowplume frowned slightly. "He is going to personally attack? How did you receive this news? We are quite far from Swallow Mountain; I imagine that by now, our branch has already been destroyed."

"It shouldn't be," Adept Xu Ke said respectfully. "When I left Swallow Mountain, I left behind three talismans to my clansmen. The destruction of different talismans represented different types of news! The talisman they destroyed…represented that Ji Ning would be attacking personally! As soon as they destroyed it, I became aware of this news, and so I immediately came to visit you, Master."

Daoist Snowplume nodded. "I have heard of the affairs between Ji Ning and the Swallow Mountain branch. Ji Ning is perhaps too arrogant; our Snowdragon Mountain has always been accommodating and unwilling to create true enmity between our two sides, and we even chose to pretend as though the death of Adept XuLi didn't happen. After all, in truth, that year, it was our Snowdragon Mountain which suffered a loss, not their Ji clan."

"But he views this as being insufficient; he even wants to expel our entire Swallow Mountain branch?" A hint of anger had appeared in Daoist Snowplume's eyes.

How could anyone capable of becoming a Primal Daoist be a pushover?

"Hmph! No matter what, he is merely a Wanxiang Adept; he's not yet qualified to try and force Snowdragon Mountain into avoiding him!" Daoist Snowplume said coldly, "Let's go. Accompany me to Swallow Mountain."

Adept Xu Ke and the gray-robed man were both greatly shocked. The master was going to go in person? They had originally assumed that an envoy would be sent to negotiate.

"He is a mere Wanxiang Adept," Adept Snowplume said coldly. Snowplume was a cultivator who had trained for more than a thousand years, and was now at the peak of the Primal stage! Although some truly monstrous Wanxiang Adepts were capable of giving Primal Daoists a good fight, there were differences between early, middle, late, and peak-stage Primal Daoists.

How could he possibly fear Ji Ning?

"The Black-White College has a large number of Wanxiang Adepts; the most monstrous of them are the truly genius disciples such as Holyfire. Every few centuries, they will produce another 'genius', but in the end, the Black-White College still only has a few Immortals." Daoist Snowplume mused to himself that becoming an Immortal was no easy feat! "Even if Ji Ning is a monster, it will still be hard for him to become an Immortal! And even if he does become an Immortal…he will still be under the control of the Marquis of Stillwater. What can he do to us!"

"Come, let's go take a look at this Ji Ning and see how much of a 'genius' he is and how much of a 'monster' he is, for him to show such disregard for our Snowdragon Mountain," Daoist Snowplume said calmly.

"Yes." Adept Xu Ke and the other all immediately bowed in acknowledgment.

Shortly afterwards, a large warship, under their control, began to soar through the skies, departing from Snowdragon Mountain.

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Chapter 33 – A Primal Daoist and Ji Ning

Within the Swallow Mountain region.

The ancient Immortal vessel, emanating a powerful, crushing aura, was surging towards Serpentwing Lake.

"Our repsects to you, Patriarch."

Xu Fang and the other Zifu Disciples knelt down, extremely nervous. They didn't even dare to raise their heads to look at him. To the four Zifu Disciples…the Primal Daoist level was unfathomably distant from them. In addition, they hadn't imagined that after shattering that talisman, one of the three Patriarchs of Snowdragon Mountain, Daoist Snowplume, would be the one to come.

"Describe the situation to me in detail." The feather-robed Daoist Snowplume sat there. He gave them a sideways glance, then closed his eyes and calmly gave them their orders.

"Yes." The leader, Xu Fang, cleared his throat, then said nervously, "Just yesterday, an envoy from the Ji clan came to our Snowdragon City and tossed a scroll written by Ji Ning for us to read. When we saw the scroll…we were immediately frightened by the terrifying sword-intent contained within those characters, to the point of our legs going soft and our hearts quivering."

"You were so frightened that your hearts quivered and legs went soft?" Daoist Snowplume suddenly opened his eyes wide as he stared at the kneeling Xu Fang.

"Right. Patriarch, you can ask the other three," Xu Fang said hurriedly. The other three kneeling Zifu Disciples all hurriedly nodded as well. "It is true. We were so frightened that our hearts shook and our legs went weak. The characters on that scroll did truly contain a terrifying sword-intent. We've never seen such a terrifying sword-intent before…those characters completely chilled our hearts."

"We wouldn't dare to live. This sort of sword-intent…we've never even heard of it before."

"This was the letter written personally by Ji Ning of Serpentwing Lake."

All of them hurriedly responded in unison. This caused Daoist Snowplume to frown and bark, "Give me that letter and let me look at it."

Xu Fang immediately said, "That scroll was covered by a restrictive spell. When we opened it and read it, it automatically self-destructed and was set aflame."

Daoist Snowplume's face instantly turned rather unsightly. This caused Xu Fang and the other three to be utterly terrified at the thought that they might have angered their Patriarch.

"What did his letter say?" Daoist Snowplume barked.

"His letter just had a simple line of words. It said this: Xu clan, of the Swallow Mountain branch of Snowdragon Mountain. I give you ten days to get the f*ck out of Swallow Mountain. If after ten days you have yet to move, then don't blame me for showing no mercy with my sword。"

Xu Fang was a cultivator; naturally, his memory was extremely good, and he had completely memorized the words which Ji Ning had written.

Daoist Snowplume, upon hearing this, immediately started to laugh. "He's quite arrogant. He truly does hold our Snowdragon Mountain with no regard at all."

"The rest of you can leave." Daoist Snowplume waved his arm. Instantly, Xu Fang and the other three quickly departed from the cabin, leaving behind only Daoist Snowplume and his two disciples.

"Master." Adept Xu Ke and the gray-robed man both looked towards their master, waiting for his response.

"For the sword-intent within that scroll to terrify Zifu Disciples to the point of their legs going soft…no one within Snowdragon Mountain has been able to produce sword-intent on this level," Daoist Snowplume said, nodding gently. "I've heard that this Ji Ning specializes in using the sword. Now, it seems, this truly is the case. However, no matter how talented he is, he is merely a Wanxiang Adept, and the only magic treasures he can use are top-grade Earth-ranked magic treasures."

Daoist Snowplume felt absolute confidence. Most of the so-called 'Primal Daoists' who were defeated by Wanxiang Adepts were mere early-stage or middle-stage Primal Daoists. He, however, was a peak-stage Primal Daoist!

He had trained for more than a thousand years. As one of the three Patriarchs of his clan, all the magic treasures he used were high quality Heaven-ranked magic treasures. Everything else aside, his foundation of elemental energy and his magic treasures completely surpassed Ji Ning's. That was without accounting for the 'primal fire' his body could produce, or the 'skywater' he was cultivating, which was even more formidable than dire-ice…

"Let's go take a look at this so-called genius of the Dao of the Sword," Daoist Snowplume said with a calm laugh. "I truly am curious…what makes him think he can abuse our Snowdragon Mountain so? Does he truly think that his reputation as a disciple of the Black-White College is enough to allow him to act in such a lawless manner?"

Brightheart Island. Serpentwing Lake. Within a study.

Ji Ning was currently doing what he did almost every day…writing calligraphy! Next to his side, Autumn Leaf continued to grind ink for him. Ning, brush in hand, wrote one character after another. To him, writing was a form of enjoyment, a way to temper his heart and improve his understanding of the Dao of the Sword.

Rumble…

A surging, crushing wave of divine will instantly swept across nearly the entirety of Serpentwing Lake, including the entire Brightheart Island.

Boom. Ning's own divine will, however, was like an unmoving boulder, and when the crushing wave of divine will struck against it, the wave.

"Which fellow Daoist is this?" Ning instantly sent through divine will.

"Divine sense? It seems the outside world has underestimated you, Ji Ning. At such a young age, you already possess divine sense…I imagine you are a reincarnated Immortal." The other surge of divine sense, having realized that it held no advantage at all in terms of the soul, began to chat with Ning. As for Ning, his own divine sense swept out as well.

[Soulshaker Art]!

A raging wave of divine will smashed outwards, crashing towards the soul of Daoist Snowplume, who was in the air above Serpentwing Lake!

BOOM.

Although Daoist Snowplume had trained for more than a thousand years, ten years ago, Ning had already reached the Primal Daoist level in terms of the soul. During the past ten-plus years, he had never slackened off vigilantly training with the [Nuwa Painting]. His soul-improvement had been tremendous, and his divine sense was now capable of stretching to nearly a thousand kilometers. This made it so that even the vast majority of Primal Doaists were unable to compete with him.

Daoist Snowplume, at least, was somewhat weaker in terms of the soul. His divine sense was only capable of stretching to six hundred kilometers!

"Autumn Leaf, tidy things up here. I'll go and take a look," Ning said. Autumn Leaf nodded and replied, "Yes, young master."

There was an ancient, enormous Immortal warship hanging in the air above Serpentwing Lake. The Immortal cultivators aboard this ship included a feather-robed Primal Daoist; it was Daoist Snowplume. At this moment, Daoist Snowplume's face changed slightly; clearly, he was feeling some discomfort from Ning's [Soulshaker Art] attack. However, since the difference in soul strength between the two wasn't that great, the collision wasn't able to affect him much.

"What a formidable Ji Ning!" Daoist Snowplume, having suffered a slight loss in secret, murmured softly to himself, "No wonder he is such a monster…so he truly is a reincarnated Immortal! But so what if he is? It'll be even harder to withstand the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations," Daoist Snowplume smirked.

Every three centuries, a tribulation would descend. Generally speaking, a mental trial would accompany the tribulation, and the more one knew, the more terrifying the mental trial would be. Reincarnated Immortals would have mental trials that were far more powerful than the trials ordinary cultivators would face. Thus, Immortals who chose to reincarnated would initially advance at a breakneck pace, but the further they went, the harder they would find it.

In turn, there were few to no reincarnated Immortals who would successfully pass the Heavenly Tribulation to become Celestial Immortals. Their chance was actually far lower than the chance which most Immortal cultivators faced.

"A reincarnated Immortal?" Adept Xu Zhen and the gray-robed man looked at each other, secretly shocked.

"This Ji clan truly did blunder into tremendous luck; a reincarnated Immortal was actually born into their clan," Adept Xu Ke mused to himself. "That junior apprentice-brother of mine, Xu Li…poor bastard…he died to a reincarnated Immortal…"

Daoist Snowplume said calmly, "Don't be frightened by that. So what if he is a reincarnated Immortal? Many reincarnated Immortals fall and perish on their Immortal path, even before becoming Immortals again. This is all too common."

This was the truth.

The likes of the Sloppy Daoist and Holyfire all had foundations for becoming Immortals! However, the path of Immortal cultivation was a path which went against the will of the heavens…and so the heavens would send invisible trials and tribulations, causing the vast majority of these geniuses to fall and perish. It was equally possible for reincarnated Immortals to perish at the Wanxiang Adept or Primal Daoist levels.

"Are you Daoist Snowplume of Snowdragon Mountain? A distant voice rang out, a voice which shook the world. Daoist Snowplume walked straight to the helm of the ship, staring into the distance.

Off in the distance, there was a fur-clad youth. He looked like an ordinary youth from a barbarian tribe, and behind him, there was an azure-robed maiden and a large, snowy white dog. They all stood there in midair, staring towards the ship.

"Master, these people from Snowdragon Mountain come with bad intentions," the nearby Little Qing sent mentally.

"Of course they do. However, I didn't expect that my intentions to drive out their Swallow Mountain branch caused a Primal Daoist to come in person." Ning stared towards the distant warship.

Daoist Snowplume, standing at the helm of the Immortal warship, truly did have the elegant aura of an Immortal. He laughed loudly, "I am indeed. I heard that the Black-White College has produced a disciple, Ji Ning, whose talent is astonishing and whose power is formidable. Upon my first time meeting you…I can tell that your reputation is well-deserved."

"You praise me too much," Ning replied. "Might I ask why you have come to my Serpentwing Lake, Daoist Snowplume?"

Daoist Snowplume, aboard his warship, spoke frankly. "I have come because of some matters between you and the local branch of our Snowdragon Mountain. Your Ji clan is expanding its territory here in Snowdragon Mountain…our local branch won't hinder you in the slightest, but I heard that you sent word ordering the branch to move away within ten days?"

"That did indeed happen," Ning said, nodding.

"Don't you feel that you are being a bit too arrogant?" Daoist Snowplume looked towards Ning.

Ning shook his head. "Based on what I know, your Snowdragon Mountain, in establishing your headquarters, have taken over a territory of a hundred thousand kilometers. You have also set up numerous branches throughout Stillwater Commandery, and are constantly infiltrating into new areas and continuing to expand your branches. Can it be that your own Snowdragon Mountain is permitted to frantically expand, while my Ji clan is to be so limited that we cannot even take over the Swallow Mountain region?"

Those who were powerful would naturally expand.

"How can your Ji clan be compared in the same breath to my Snowdragon Mountain!" Daoist Snowplume said with a frown.

"In the past, when our Ji clan was weak, your Swallow Mountain branch dared to constantly invade and push forward, becoming the most powerful force within Swallow Mountain despite not being local to this place. You even dared to try and forcibly take our elemental ore mine!" Ning stared at Daoist Snowplume. "Now that our Ji clan is powerful, can it be that we can't even expel a single branch of yours? Can it be that only you are allowed to abuse others, while our Ji clan isn't even allowed to expand?"

A look of anger was on Daoist Snowplume's face. "You truly are determined to exile our Swallow Mountain branch?"

"Right." Ning nodded.

"You are holding Snowdragon Mountain in no regard at all!" Daoist Snowplume said with anger.

"Think whatever you wish. The expelling of the Swallow Mountain branch is something I have set my mind on doing," Ning said, staring at Daoist Snowplume.

Their gazes intersected.

Daoist Snowplume instantly understood that this Ji Ning was not going to lower his head.

"Do you think that your reputation as a disciple of the Black-White College will scare me off?" Daoist Snowplume's face sank, and his voice began to echo in the skies. "I urge you to know when to cut your losses. Otherwise…today, I will personally teach you a lesson and let you know…that the words you say need to be matched with an equal amount of strength."

Ning stared at the distant Daoist Snowplume. He cracked his lips into a smile, and his voice also echoed in the skies. "The words you say need to be matched with an equal amount of strength…well-spoken! I was actually hoping for you to provide me with some pointers, Daoist Snowplume, and see what formidable techniques you have!"

Daoist Snowplume was instantly enraged. "You don't know your limits," he howled angrily, his voice echoing out like a thunderclap from an enraged God of Thunder. Instantly, the world around them began to change colors. "I shall grant you your wish."

"Come!" Ning's response was cold and calm.

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Chapter 34 –Ji Ning Battles a Primal Daoist

Daoist Snowplume soared onto a cloud, then stood there in midair, staring towards the opposite Ji Ning.

"Little Qing, Uncle White, the two of you, stay farther away," Ning instructed. This was a competition between himself and Daoist Snowplume; there was no need for Uncle White or Little Qing to interfere.

"Ning, son, be careful," the Whitewater Hound instructed.

"Master, beat the crap out of that old Daoist!" Little Qing clenched her fists, full of anticipation. Although she didn't know exactly how strong Ning was, she knew he was unfathomably stronger than he had been when they had met in the wild marshes of the Gaol Mountains.

Daoist Snowplume and Ji Ning both stood there in the air, staring at each other.

"They are actually going to fight?!"

Adept Xu Ke and the gray-robed man both watched with eyes filled with amazement.

"Senior apprentice-brother Lu, how can this Ji Ning be so bold as to dare to fight against Master?" Adept Xu Ke had never, even in his wildest dreams, imagined that Ji Ning would be this arrogant, not even giving Daoist Snowplume any face. "Master is a peak Primal Daoist, and has the full strength and support of our Snowdragon Mountain sect behind him; even amongst Primal Daoists, he would be considered formidable."

"Madman. A true madman." The gray-robed man shook his head, also in disbelief. "Can it be that this Ji Ning thinks that he can defeat Master? Master isn't like some of those newly ascended Primal Daoists; he became a Primal Daoist centuries ago! His foundation is unfathomably deep and stable, and he has gained tremendous fame!"

The two of them, both Wanxiang Adepts, were stunned. And as for the Zifu Disciples on the ship? Their amazement went without saying!

The large group of Zifu Disciples of Snowdragon Mountain were completely shocked and dazed. Ji Ning actually dared to challenged their unfathomably exalted Patriarch, Daoist Snowplume? He was absolutely suicidal!

"I shall grant you your wish!"

"Come!"

Daoist Snowplume and Ji Ning's words, one after the other, thundered in the skies, filling the air above the entire Brightheart Island. Quite a few denizens of the island had already stood up to stare.

"Ji Ning is going to fight a Primal Daoist?" Ji Ninefire's face instantly changed.

"How can Ji Ning act so rashly? That's a Primal Daoist! And a peak Primal Daoist, at that…even if he wanted to fight one, he should choose an early or mid-stage Primal Daoist to test himself against first. How can he immediately challenge a peak Primal Daoist like Daoist Snowplume?" Ji Truekeep was panicking as well.

In fact, he even began to feel regret. He began to regret asking for Ning's advice as to how they should deal with the local branch of Snowdragon Mountain. He had no idea that Ning would be so 'unyielding', and be willing to go head on against the enemy, even when they sent a Primal Daoist!

"Daoist Snowplume…he's a peak Primal Daoist!" Granny Shadow was beginning to worry as well.

The Ji clan had always been on poor terms with Snowdragon Mountain, which was why Ning had acquired a set of detailed intelligence reports on Snowdragon Mountain. After reading it, he had stored it within the Ji clan's archives. Naturally, Truekeep, Granny Shadow, and the others had all read through it and had gained an extremely clear understanding of Snowdragon Mountain.

And this was exactly why they were so worried right now.

"Young master…" Autumn Leaf chewed on her lips, holding her breath as she stared at the two figures in midair.

Everyone on both sides felt that Ning was playing with fire…but Ning himself knew his own level of power clearly. The reason why he dared to write such a letter…was because he truly felt no fear towards Snowdragon Mountain's Primal Daoists!

There were differences in power amongst Primal Daoists as well.

The Primal Daoists of the Black-White College, for example, were absolute elites amongst elites, who were even capable of giving Immortals a fight! Some of the weaker, early-stage Primal Daoists, in turn, were far, far weaker…even nine years ago, Ning was confident in being able to escape with his life from them. It was precisely figures like Daoist Snowplume who were the most suitable for Ning to test himself against.

"Even if you are a reincarnated Immortal, I imagine that at your current level of power, you haven't completely awakened all of your former memories," Daoist Snowplume said, shaking his head and laughing. "I'll let you know…what the difference is between Primal Daoists and Wanxiang Adepts!"

A fan suddenly appeared within Daoist Snowplume's hand. He gave it a casual wave.

Whoosh!

This fanning motion instantly caused flames to appear out of nowhere. A brilliant golden flame wildly rippled forth, exploding into a sea of flames that swirled towards Ning.

"Primal Fire?" Ning instantly recognized it for what it was. Primal Fire was something which every Primal Daoist possessed. During his adventure in the wild marshes of the Gaol Mountains, the Dragonwhale, upon becoming a Primal Daoist, had relied on this technique to burn Adept Redbud to death. However, at that time, the Dragonwhale had only been an early-stage Primal, and so the power of his Primal Fire wasn't strong enough. It was far weaker than Daoist Snowplume's Primal Fire.

"Condense." Ning let out a soft chant. Instantly, a lotus flower colored red and green suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The green came from the leaves of the lotus flower, while the red came from the petals. The enormous green leaves swirled around the red petals in the center, which were clustered much more tightly together. They swiveled together naturally, with Ning at the very center, completely protected by this lotus flower.

This was his protective technique, the Waterflame Lotus.

Rumble…

The flames formed from Primal Fire seemed to cover the heavens. They surged towards Ning, but the lotus simply continued to swivel in the middle of that sea of flame. Clearly, the flames were completely unable to penetrate past them.

"What?!" Daoist Snowplume, fan in hand, revealed a look of shock on his face. "This Ji Ning is able to easily deflect my Primal Fire, and without using a sword technique, but some sort of protective technique?"

Previously, upon learning that Ji Ning's calligraphy had terrified the Zifu Disciples so badly that their hearts had trembled and their legs had gone soft, he had guessed that Ji Ning must be at an extremely high level of expertise with the sword. He had thought that Ji Ning would execute his swordplay, using it to strike against all techniques and shatter the sea of Primal Fire. Daoist Snowplume was only intending to use this 'sea of Primal Fire' to test Ning's capabilities, but he hadn't expected that Ning would be able to block it with just a single lotus.

"A lotus flower? This Ji Ning has an exceedingly deep level of comprehension of both fire and water," Daoist Snowplume mused secretly to himself.

Indeed, his words were correct.

Ning had indeed reached an extremely high level of mastery in both the Dao of Rainwater and the Dao of the Inferno. During the past nine years, he had been supported by the underwater estate! His rate of improvement was incomparably astonishing; his past nine years was comparable to ninety years for an ordinary genius! In these two Daos, Ning already felt in a vague way that he had reached a bottleneck. With but a single further step, he would be able to completely comprehend the Daos of Rainwater and the Inferno!

With the added help he had from Ninelotus in discussing the Dao and the secrets of the lotus, Ning had further perfected this Waterflame technique. During the past nine years, Ning's dire-ice and earthfire had both reached the fourth grade as well.

With dire-ice and earth-fire assisting the Divine Solar Tattoo and Divine Lunar Tattoo on his body in activating the natural fire and water of the world, and with his comprehension of the Dao of Rainwater and the Dao of the Inferno, and with his additional prowess in the mysteries of the lotus…the current Waterflame Lotus had been formed, which was now a supremely skillful protective technique.

The petals and the leaves swiveled about each other in layers, possessing incomparable defensive power.

The two had exchanged their first blows. One had unleashed a sea of Primal Fire, while the other had created a lotus within the sea.

This caused the spectators on both sides to feel incomparably nervous.

"He's fine. Ji Ning is fine."

"Ji Ning is within the lotus." The Ji clan's side let out sighs of relief.

"What technique did this Ji Ning use? The Primal Fire which Master has been cultivating for centuries isn't able to do anything to him?" Snowdragon Mountain began to grow nervous.

In midair.

"It seems you truly do have a bit of talent," Daoist Snowplume barked coldly. As his words came out, the sea of fire that had filled the skies vanished. "But I want to see how long you can hold on for."

One drop of water after another began to appear in the skies. These 'raindrops', however, were the size of a fist, and there were 108 of them which hovered around Daoist Snowplume's body.

"Skywater?" Ning revealed a look of curiosity and excitement on his face. Earthfire, upon improving to the next level, would transform into skyfire; dire-ice upon improving to the next level, would become skywater. Even amongst Primal Daoists, only a few would have access to skyfire and skywater.

"Go." Daoist Snowplume waved his fan yet again. Instantly, the 108 fist-sized raindrops shot out like meteors, slashing through the skies and smashing towards Ji Ning.

BOOM!

When the first raindrop smashed directly against Ning's protective lotus, it broke straight through the outermost layer of leaves, but was blocked by the red petals within.

"What tremendous power." Ning could feel the terrifying collisive force of those raindrops. His current Waterflame Lotus was capable of completely dominating the vast majority of Wanxiang Adepts, and had even been capable of blocking Primal Fire, but it had been badly damaged by a single drop of skywater…most likely, that drop of skywater would have been enough to smash an ordinary peak Wanxiang Adept to death.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…many raindrops of skywater came smashing downward. Ning no longer dared to allow his Waterflame Lotus to take it all head on.

"Spin." Ning held a Darknorth sword in each hand. Sword-light flashed, and those oncoming drops of skywater, carrying a savage aura that filled the heavens…instantly began to swirl around the sword-light Ning had generated. They had actually been captured and taken control of by Ning's sword-light.

The sword-light was like water, guiding the drops of skywater in their movements…

"Eh?" The distant Daoist Snowplume was startled. "A seemingly simple sword attack, and yet, it contained so many mysteries…Ji Ning's sword techniques has already surpassed those of any members of Snowdragon Mountain."

"It seems I'll be forced to rely on raw power to crush him."

Daoist Snowplume didn't dare to hesitate. With but a thought, he instantly caused the drops of skywater that were wildly spinning around the Darknorth swords to instantly detonate. Boom, boom, boom. The temperature instantly began to fall, and even the air itself began to freeze. Frost appeared on Ning's face, covering it with a layer of white.

"Very cold." Even Ning's Fiendgod-like body felt the cold. "It really is on a higher level than dire-ice; the cold of this skywater…once it is unleashed, it quite astonishing!"

A large amount of frost had condensed in the surrounding area, and a faint mist was beginning to arise. Suddenly, from within the midst, two snowy Flood Dragons appeared.

"Kill!"

The distant Daoist Snowplume had finally unleashed a killing blow, the powerful magic treasure which he used to shock the world…the Binary Diffraction Swords!

The Binary Diffraction Swords were actually two swords; one yin, and one yang. The swords would transform into a pair of Flood Dragons with astonishing power. These were rare magic items, even amongst Heaven-ranked magic items. When used separately, each would be considered high-grade Heaven-ranked magic treasures. When used together…their power would merge, reaching even more shocking levels.

"Master has executed his Binary Diffraction Swords."

"That's the Binary Diffraction Swords. This Ji Ning is so incredibly powerful…he's actually forced Master to use his Binary Diffraction Swords. Even if he loses, he has much to feel proud about." The two distant spectators, Adept Xu Ke and his senior apprentice-brother, both felt stunned. For their master to have been forced to use the Binary Diffraction Swords…it meant that the other options which their master had would not be enough against Ji Ning.

Suddenly, a loud laugh.

"So these are the Binary Diffraction Swords?" With the loud laughter, Ji Ning, who had been standing in midair unmoving the entire time, suddenly manifested a pair of black wings behind his back. At the same time, his body suddenly grew in size as he transformed into a thirty-meter tall giant. A heroic, terrifying Fiendgod's aura instantly spread out, causing all of the spectators to feel their hearts freeze.

"A divine ability!"

"The 'Heavenly Transformation' divine ability!" Adept Xu Ke and the others, including the Whitewater Hound, Little Qing, and Ninefire, were all speechless.

They all knew of the 'Heavenly Transformation' divine ability, but generally speaking, one would only transform to ten meters or so in height, while powerful users might increase to fifteen meters in height. Ning, however, had actually transformed to thirty meters. His Heavenly Transformation…had made him an enormous giant with astonishing power.

BOOM!

The thirty-meter tall Ning had wings on his back, and the Waterflame Lotus around him. With a single 'step', he transformed into a gust of wind as the swords in his hands slashed out through the air, leaving behind an eye-catching, dazzling sword-light. With an explosive sound, the Binary Diffraction Swords attack, which had sought to defeat Ning, were knocked flying back.

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Chapter 35 –Moving Out of Swallow Mountain

"Eh?" The distant Daoist Snowplume's face completely changed. Ning's power was even greater than he had expected…but as one of the three Patriarchs of the sect, how could he just give up so easily?

Bang! Bang!

The sword-light of the Binary Diffraction Swords, which had been knocked flying back, suddenly increased tremendously in brilliance. One sword completely transformed into a Flood Dragon whose entire body glowed with blue light, while the other transformed into a Flood Dragon whose entire body glowed with golden light. These two Flood Dragons of sword-light were each three hundred meters long, and the scales on their body were clearly visible. The eyes of the double dragons were filled with a killing intent, as though they were alive!

The two Flood Dragons of sword-light, their power having explosively increased, let out earth-shaking draconic roars as they charged straight towards Ning.

Ji Ning, despite being thirty meters tall, felt pressure from this attack. The Darknorth swords in his hands once more sliced out, as though preparing to chop apart the heavens themselves as they once more left that dazzling scar of sword-light in the skies.

BANG!

BANG!

Ning's entire body trembled. He felt as though he had been struck by two giant mountains; he couldn't help but be knocked back several steps by the collision.

"What a fellow." Ning wasn't shocked; rather, he was delighted! The black wings on his back began to tremble as he used the Windwing Evasion…and for a moment, he seemed to be a ghost as he once more charged forward.

"Yin-Yang, Divide and Transform!"

The distant Daoist Snowplume's face was extremely solemn as well. He now viewed Ning as a true, worthy opponent.

The azure Flood Dragon and the golden Flood Dragon of sword-light, high in the air, once more let out a series of earthshaking dragon roars as they wildly enveloped Ning with their attacks. As for Ning, the Darknorth swords in his hands, he clashed against them repeatedly…and with each collision, the surrounding air blasted apart and distorted. Even the water of Serpentwing Lake below them began to distort, with troughs of many dozens of meters and massive waves of many hundreds of meters.

Even at a distance of ten kilometers, Ninefire, Truekeep, Granny Shadow, Autumn Leaf, and the others who were on Brightheart Island all felt a savage wind sweep towards them.

"What tremendous power."

"Ji Ning is actually this powerful."

Ninefire and the others were all speechless and stupefied.

The distant, thirty meter tall Ji Ning was like an exalted god of the heavens, battling against those two massive Flood Dragons!

"He's actually able to battle a peak-stage Primal Daoist to a standstill?"

"That's one of the three Patriarchs of Snowdragon Mountain!"

"Too strong."

"It's only been ten-plus years since the battle at Oxhorn Mountain, but Ji Ning has advanced to such a level. If Yichuan were still alive, he would definitely be incomparably delighted." Ninefire and the others were both stunned and excited; after all, the incomparably dazzling figure before them was the ultimate expert of their Ji clan.

The Ji clan's side was excited and animated.

Snowdragon Mountain's side, however, was shocked and enraged.

Ning, who was battling in midair against the two Flood Dragons of sword-light, suddenly began to move in a different way; the extremely forceful and dynamic swordplay suddenly became incomparably reserved and stately.

Bang!

Bang!

The sword-light in the air seemed to have transformed into the light of the moon; it was incomparably soft. It also seemed like the caress of a lover…silently, soundless, the two Flood Dragons of sword-light began to crumble.

"What?!" Daoist Snowplume was shocked. This sword technique, 'Yin-Yang, Divide and Transform', was an extremely powerful one. And yet, even this technique was unable to resist Ning? Holding nothing back, he immediately unleashed the most powerful technique available to him: "Binary Commingling!"

Those two Flood Dragons of sword-light, on the verge of collapse, actually began to twist into each other, connecting into each other as though they were two living creatures bound into one body.

The commingling Flood Dragons of sword-light supported each other, reinforcing each other's deficiencies and completely blocking Ning's sword technique.

"In terms of profoundness of sword techniques, he is absolutely inferior to me." Ning knew this quite well. "However, the foundations of Daoist Snowplume are simply too strong…and those two Heaven-ranked swords are also exceptionally powerful."

The Darknorth swords were Bloodforged weapons; the more one used them to kill, the more death-energy and baleful energy they would absorb and the more powerful they would become. However, during the past nine years, Ning hadn't killed many people…and so these Darknorth swords continued to be the equivalent of top-grade Earth-ranked magic treasures. Compared to the Binary Diffraction Swords, they were unfathomably weaker.

Ning's superiority in sword techniques had cancelled out his inferiority in weaponry.

"I have to unleash the advantages of my Fiendgod body." Ning's primary goal in this battle was to test his own ability; however, since the opponent's pair of Binary Diffraction Swords had already unleashed a power which surpassed his most powerful sword techniques, he could no longer just use sword techniques to compete.

Swish!

Swish!

Instantly, the surrounding wind began to howl as Ning himself merged into a gust of wind, moving with ghostly speed as he charged directly towards Daoist Snowplume.

Nine years. Not only had he improved tremendously in using the Heavenly Transformation technique, his Windwing Evasion technique had also improved an astonishing amount. And now, he was unleashing his full power!

Daoist Snowplume was tremendously shocked, and hurriedly controlled the Binary Diffraction Swords to try and block Ning.

Clang! Clang!

Ning's swordplay became even softer, only defending and not attacking. In the blink of an eye, he managed to charge towards Daoist Snowplume's side.

"Not good." Daoist Snowplume was shocked; how could he dare fight against Ning in close combat? If Ning was struck by a sword, by relying on his Fiendgod body, he could almost instantly heal; if he, Daoist Snowplume, was struck by a sword, he would only be heavily wounded if he was lucky. If he wasn't that lucky, he would truly perish!

Whoosh!

Daoist Snowplume immediately utilized his own evasive technique. A snowy white light flashed, and Daoist Snowplume immediately retreated back onto his warship.

"Master." Adept Xu Ke and the gray-robed man stared, astonished, at Daoist Snowplume, who had suddenly appeared in the midst. The two distant streaks of sword-light flew over as well; it was the Binary Diffraction Swords.

Daoist Snowplume's face was incomparably unsightly to behold. He spoke out, "What a formidable Ji Ning. Sword Immortals live up to their reputation. Admirable, admirable!"

His voice was deep and it shook the heavens.

"Let's go."

After Daoist Snowplume finished his words, that gigantic warship instantly soared away, quickly disappearing into the horizons.

Ning stood there in midair, watching Daoist Snowplume and the others depart. "Daoist Snowplume is quite a decisive fellow. He hadn't even lost, but upon seeing that the current state of affairs was set in stone, he immediately retreated."

Ning had engaged in this battle, primarily to test his strength. Over the past nine years, his [Crimsonbright Diagram of the Nine Heavens] had already reached the eleventh stage, and he had a body that was comparable to a peak Fiendgod Body Refiner. The main issue was that after advancing through one of the major stages, training in the [Crimsonbright Diagram of the Nine Heavens] would become considerably harder; thus, in the past, every two or three years, Ning would advance by a stage. But from the tenth stage to the eleventh stage, Ning had spent six years!

Clearly, the amount of time he had spent was much more.

Still, at least his Fiendgod body was all but perfect, superior to the likes of Bloodshadow. In addition, he also had the divine ability, [Starseizing Hand]; upon using it, his power was no less than that of a peak Primal Daoist's! And this was with his [Starseizing Hand] being only at the first cycle; if he were to train to the second cycle of the [Starseizing Hand, then the power would be even greater.

The training method of the [Starseizing Hand] was known as the [Six Cycles of the Starseizer].

At the Zifu level, one could train in the first cycle.

At the Wanxiang level, one could train in the second cycle.

And so on and so forth.

However, training in the [Starseizing Hand] required a large amount of precious essences of the Five Elements. A large amount of external support was required. When Ning had trained in the first cycle in the underwater estate, he had used the Five Elements essence left behind by Daoist Threelives. Now, however, to train in the second cycle, Ning would have to go seek out the precious essences by himself. During the past nine years, although Ning had collected quite a few treasures, he was still far from having enough.

"A divine body and divine abilities…with these two, I'm comparable to a peak Primal Daoist Ki Refiner," Ning sighed to himself. "My swordplay has reached the fifth stance of the [Three-Foot Sword, and is at a level even higher than his! But I'm at a disadvantage in terms of weapons…my Darknorth swords cannot compare to his Binary Diffraction Swords."

The Binary Diffraction Swords even possessed some rudimentary sentience. Those two transformed Flood Dragons held a degree of sentience in their eyes…but it only made sense. After all, these were high-grade Heaven-ranked treasures. Upon reaching the higher 'Immortal-ranked' treasures, then a treasure spirit would emerge, such as the black bull of the underwater estate, which was the spirit of the Immortal-ranked magic treasure which Immortal Juhua had left behind.

"Master."

"Ji Ning."

"Young master…"

A distant group of people, riding on a leaf-type magic treasure, were flying towards them. Ninefire and the others were all in a state of delight and excitement.

Good heavens. That had been a peak Primal Daoist! He had actually been forced to retreat by Ji Ning. They could tell…that when fighting against Daoist Snowplume, Ning hadn't been at the slightest disadvantage.

"My Ji clan is about to truly rise to prominence, to true prominence!" Ninefire roared with laughter. "Haha, I, Ji Ninefire, even at the moment of my death, will be satisfied. How many years…how many years! My Ji clan has finally produced such a figure! Ji Ning, I trust that soon, your name will be known throughout Stillwater Commandery!"

"Your name will be known throughout Stillwater Commandery. All of the major powers will known of you and will spread your fame." Truekeep was excited as well.

The Ji clan was merely a minor power, located in Swallow Mountain. And yet, it had produced someone like Ji Ning. Someone capable of forcing a Primal Daoist like Daoist Snowplume to voluntarily retreat…this battle could be described as the battle which truly established Ji Ning's reputation. His fame would be spread throughout the region; after all, he hadn't battled a mere middle-stage Primal Daoist, or an ordinary, unaffiliated practitioner. Daoist Snowplume was a truly formidable figure!

"It wasn't bad. I didn't achieve victory, after all," Ning said. "That Daoist Snowplume is truly formidable as well; if I were to truly battle him, it's hard to say who would win."

This was the truth.

It was true that Daoist Snowplume hadn't really gone all out. Upon realizing that even his supreme technique, the 'Binary Commingling' was unable to do anything to Ning, he had immediately retreated. If this had been a true life-or-death battle, however, Daoist Snowplume wouldn't have been so stingy in his usage of the skywater in his body; he would have wildly filled the skies with it as he attacked Ning, while also controlling flying swords to attack. Ning, in turn, wouldn't have tried to avoid injuries and would have wildly fought back.

As a Fiendgod practitioner, for Ning, injuries were a minor thing. Thus, in a true life-or-death battle, Ning would've had a higher chance of victory! But that was just hypothetical; after all, no one knew what sort of treasures Daoist Snowplume carried with him.

"Master, don't be so humble. You beat him into running away! You are a Fiendgod Body Refiner…I refuse to believe that he would dare fight with you to the death. When two combatants who are on par with each other fight, and when one is a Fiendgod Refiner while the other is a Ki Refiner, it will generally be the Ki Refiner who dies." Little Qing was incomparably excited.

Aboard the distant warship, soaring through the skies.

Daoist Snowplume could still feel his heart trembling. When a Fiendgod practitioner whose power was on par with his had charged straight towards him…that was like death sweeping directly for him. He had been so terrified, he had immediately used an evasive technique.

The nearby Adept Xu Ke and the gray-robed man didn't even dare to make a sound.

"Disciple," Daoist Snowplume said, looking at Adept Xu Ke, "Go and have your Xu clan immediately evacuate from Swallow Mountain. Ideally, avoid any and all trouble with the Ji clan in the future. Although Snowdragon Mountain doesn't fear them, they don't need to fear Snowdragon Mountain either."

"Yes," Adept Xu Ke immediately said.

"Soon, the news of this battle will be spread throughout the entire Stillwater Commandery." Daoist Snowplume shook his head. "I truly didn't expect…that I, Snowplume, would end up becoming a stepping stone for another's rise to fame."

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Chapter 36 –Famous Throughout Stillwater

Daoist Snowplume, as someone capable of reaching the Primal Daoist level, was no fool. He knew very well…that given Ji Ning's monstrous rate of improvement, this was someone that he absolutely could not be enemies with. Ning had only been alive for thirty short years, but he was already comparable to Daoist Snowplume, who had trained for a thousand years!

"All of you, listen clearly." Daoist Snowplume swept the crowd with his gaze. "You are absolutely not permitted to antagonize Ji Ning! If you do, even my Snowdragon Mountain will find it difficult to protect you!"

All of them assented. Nobody who had witnessed the earlier battle had the courage to go antagonize Ji Ning.

News of this battle spread with astonishing speed. Daoist Snowplume didn't issue an order of silence to his subordinates, because he knew that even if Snowdragon Mountain didn't spread the news, the Ji clan would. Given the situation, it was best for them to pretend to ignore it all and allow the news to spread.

"Given this Ji Ning's rate of improvement, I imagine that very soon, he will become even more illustrious and famous. For me to be the stepping-stone to fame for someone like him…it's not that embarrassing…" This was how Daoist Snowplume tried to console himself.

The news quickly spread to the center of the entire Stillwater Commandery; Stillwater City. Amongst Ning's friends, the first to receive word was, naturally, Northmont Baiwei.

"Hahaha, good, good, good!" Baiwei excitedly slapped his desk, causing the fruit platters and wine bottles atop it to rattle, then tumble to the floor. The nearby musicians were badly startled by this sudden act.

"Piao An." Baiwei looked at the messenger servant, who was kneeling before him. He immediately beamed and said, "You have rendered a great merit by delivering this report. I shall award you ten taels of liquefied elemental essence." He immediately tossed a jade bottle over.

The servant before him, who had just reached the Zifu Disciple level, accepted it with great excitement. This was an intelligence report that came from the spy network of Northmont Blacktiger's estate; he was nothing more than a messenger boy. And yet, just like that, he had acquired ten taels of liquefied elemental essence; clearly, young master Baiwei was exceedingly delighted.

"My brother, Ji Ning, truly is formidable. Formidable. Formidable!" Baiwei excitedly stalked back and forth within his hall. "How long has it been? Just ten years since he entered the Black-White College? He's only a peak Wanxiang Adept, and yet he's already capable of forcing Daoist Snowplume into a retreat and to relocate his local Snowdragon Mountain branch. Clearly, Daoist Snowplume has lowered his head!"

"Amongst the third generation disciples of the Black-White College, I imagine that only the likes of the Sloppy Daoist and Holyfire are capable of matching my brother Ji Ning."

"But the Sloppy Daoist and Holyfire have all trained for at least two centuries, while Ji Ning has only trained for thirty years." Baiwei was delighted for his friend…and he felt all the more convinced that he had truly hit the jackpot when he had decided to become friends with Ji Ning.

The excited Baiwei suddenly saw, out of the corner of his eye, the pole-axed, stupefied group of musicians. Only now did he remember that he was actually listening to a private concert.

"Out, out, all of you." Baiwei waved his hand. The musicians, including his maidservant, all bowed and departed.

Baiwei's eyes were filled with anticipation. "I hope that Brother Ji Ning isn't going to trip and fall on his Immortal path…given his rate of improvement, which is vastly superior to that of the Sloppy Daoist and Holyfire, and even vastly superior to most reincarnated Immortals…as long as he doesn't die, when he becomes an Immortal, he will definitely become a top-tier Immortal. By then…I'll truly have a powerful supporter by my side."

The news also quickly made its way to the Black-White College. Daoist Flowcloud, also known as Chen Jin, had just returned from a relaxing trip to the Carefree Caverns. He was feeling quite rested and relaxed, and had just flown back into and landed within his own mountain estate.

"Senior apprentice-brother, senior apprentice-brother."

"Senior apprentice-brother Flowcloud."

Two of his ten retainers, both female, immediately came to greet him.

"What is it?" Chen Jin gave these two retainers a glance.

"Senior apprentice-brother Flowcloud, you wanted us to keep track of any information regarding senior apprentice-brother Darknorth, right?" One of the female retainers, the slightly skinnier one, hurriedly said, "We just heard…that senior apprentice-brother Darknorth, Ji Ning, engaged in a battle with one of the three Patriarchs of Snowdragon Mountain, Daoist Snowplume, at Serpentwing Lake. Ji Ning's power filled the heavens, and in the end, he forced Daoist Snowplume to retreat and even voluntarily relocate the local Snowdragon Mountain branch.

"What?!" Chen Jin's good mood instantly and completely evaporated. His face was ashen. "Did you perhaps mishear things? Ji Ning was actually able to force Daoist Snowplume into retreating? He has this level of power?"

"We didn't mishear. This news just made its way to the Black-White College, and it has been spread throughout the College."

"Right. Everyone is talking about it right now."

Both of the female retainers answered together.

Chen Jin's face was utterly pale. Ning had become the shadow over his heart long ago; for Ning to become even more dazzling naturally caused him to feel even more enraged. He barked angrily, "Describe the information you heard in detail."

"Senior apprentice-brother Flowcloud, this event originated from a dispute between the Ji clan of Swallow Mountain and the local branch of Snowdragon Mountain…" The skinnier female retainer began to speak.

"Little Sloppy, Ji Ning, by the look of things, seems to have improved quite a bit. He's already reached the same level as Holyfire and the others, and might even be comparable with you." Within a spacious, lavish hall, a short old man who was dressed in beggar's clothes was seated on the ground. In front of him were a number of bowls, filled with various types of meat and other food. He stretched out a grubby, greasy hand and snatched a chunk of meat from a bowl while using his other hand to pour wine into his mouth from a gourd.

In front of him was a fat and similarly sloppy-looking youth. He, too, was using one hand to grab at the food and eating with abandon, while using his other hand to drink from a gourd of wine.

"So what if he is comparable to me?" The fat youth didn't seem to be concerned at all, continuing to eat and drink.

"Little Sloppy, that means that your reputation as being the number one figure amongst the third generation disciples of the Black-White College might be taken away," the short elder hurriedly warned.

The fat youth shook his head. "When I first joined the Black-White College, I was completely unremarkable. Back then, there were countless senior fellow disciples who were stronger than me. But in the end, I surpassed them all…and that's when I became the 'number one figure' amongst the third generation disciples. But has that reputation ever done anything for me in terms of helping me improve in power?"

"Nope, not at all!" The fat youth seemed completely unconcerned. "In the Black-White College, I can rank at the very top, but if we look at the entire Grand Xia Dynasty and the major world they have unified…given how there are thousands on thousands of reincarnated Immortals at the Wanxiang level, I imagine that there are far more people that are more powerful than me!"

"That's why it doesn't matter at all what my ranking is within the Black-White College. I only have one opponent; myself. As long as I continue to surpass myself and improve…that'll be enough." The fat youth shook his head. "This is also the reason why I won't go to the imperial capital of the Grand Xia Dynasty."

"Oh, right. This time, the imperial capital of the Grand Xia has attracted interest from the most powerful geniuses of virtually every commandery city in this boundless world. In fact, even some of the supreme talents who live in the seas beyond are heading towards the capital! This is an event that will only occur every three centuries! Only those who are below the Primal Daoist level are allowed to attend. This is a chance that only comes in three hundred years! Once you defeat the various reincarnated Immortals and geniuses of the other parts of the world, then you'll truly soar to the heavens!" The short elder said hurriedly.

"I'm afraid of death." The fat youth shook his head.

"You sloppy bastard!" The short elder was so angry, he began to curse. "How can you be so lazy in pursuing your Immortal path?"

"I'm in no rush. I'm going to train slowly. If there's good wine, I'll drink it; if there's tasty meat, I'll eat it. I'll live a wonderfully happy life. Whatever level I'll end up training to, that'll be the level I'll train to. I'm not going to go risk my life." The fat youth shook his head.

The short elder was completely helpless.

Still..he felt great admiration for this fat youth. In fact, he even began to wonder…if perhaps, in terms of Dao-heart alone, this fat youth might be stronger than all of the Primal Daoists and Immortals of the entire Black-White College! Still…there was no way one could tell from the surface if another had a powerful Dao-heart or not. To this very day, he was the only one who believed that this fat youth had the strongest Dao-heart of anyone in the entire Black-White College.

"Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning truly is formidable. We haven't seen him in ten years, but he's grown so powerful." Mu Northson, who had completely absorbed himself into the art of constructs during recent years, was exceptionally excited upon hearing this news. "It's been so many years since I've seen him…it's time for me to pay a visit."

Given how powerful Ning had shown himself to be during this battle, there truly were quite a few who wanted to go pay a visit to him now.

Northson just made some casual inquiries, and soon, a large group of people gathered.

"Let's go."

"Let's go to Serpentwing Lake."

"It's been years since we've seen junior apprentice-brother Darknorth. He has grown so powerful." More than ten people had decided to go visit Ning, most of whom were on extremely good terms with him. There were even two reincarnated Immortals amongst them.

Once one's power reached a certain level, one would naturally be acknowledged by others. Soon, this group of ten-plus fellow disciples left the Black-White College and headed towards Serpentwing Lake.

The black-robed Immortal Diancai, seated on his jade bed, opened his eyes, revealing a smile within them.

"So many young fellows have gone to visit Ji Ning. It seems my apprentice's strength has been acknowledged by his fellow disciples. In fact, come to think of it…if he was able to force Daoist Snowplume to retreat, then my apprentice's [Three-Foot Sword] must have reached an extremely deep level of expertise. Is he at the fourth stance, or the fifth stance? Ugh, this kid…he didn't visit me a single time in ten years," Immortal Diancai mused to himself. Because only six stances of the [Three-Foot Sword] were made public within the Black-White College, even Immortal Diancai himself had only learned those first six stances.

But naturally, Immortal Diancai's most powerful sword technique wasn't the [Three-Foot Sword]; it was the one he had established for himself.

This battle had truly brought fame to Ji Ning. His name was spread throughout the entire Stillwater Commandery. His friends, his seniors, his elders, and even other large clans and sects began to pay close attention to him. From this day onward, Ji Ning had become one of the notable, well-known figures of the Stillwater Commandery region.

In the distant Highwater Commandery. The Dongyan Mountains. Within a quiet, secluded cave.

A snowy white-robed Ninelotus was seated in the lotus position atop a boulder. She had been trapped within this Myriad Lotuses Cave for nearly nine years now. Almost every day, she came to try and break through the formation, but the formation set down by the Forefather of the Dongyan clan was a reflection of one's Dao-heart; to break the formation, one had to thoroughly comprehend one's own Dao-heart and to thoroughly understand one's self!

Ninelotus had never been successful.

"Mistress, mistress." A voice rang out from outside.

Ninelotus opened her eyes. "What is it?" Although she couldn't leave, her servants could still bring her news from the outside world through the most simplest of methods; by standing outside the cave and shouting towards her.

"Mistress, we just received word that the Ji clan of Swallow Mountain has forced the local branch of Snowdragon Mountain to leave. This caused one of the three Patriarchs of Snowdragon Mountain, Daoist Snowplume, to be angered and personally make a trip to Serpentwing Lake. However, that Ji Ning wasn't willing to lower his head at all, and so he and Daoist Snowplume got into a battle," the servant said.

Ninelotus was instantly furious, frantic, and concerned. "That idiot! How could he be so forceful about it? That's a peak Primal Daoist!"

"Daost Snowplume used his supreme techniques with the Binary Diffraction Swords to battle against Ji Ning, but Ji Ning used his divine ability to transform into a thirty meter tall giant. He unleashed an incomparably astonishing sword technique…and was actually able to force Daoist Snowplume to voluntarily retreat, and even lower his head and have the Swallow Mountain branch leave," the servant said.

"What?!" Ninelotus was astonished.

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Chapter 37 – Leaving the Myriad Lotuses Cave

Ninelotus was truly surprised. Although she felt great admiration for Ji Ning, the young, handsome, fragile-looking Ning made her think of her own younger brothers. Ninelotus felt an almost maternally protective instinct towards Ning, and the fact that he loved to lie in his boat and drift above the waters of Serpentwing Lake further stirred the soft feelings inside her.

She knew that Ning was extremely talented, but she hadn't expected him to be this talented. His level of monstrousness had already surpassed what even she had imagined.

"The Black-White College has three reincarnated Immortals at the Wanxiang Level. Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei has spent the least amout of time training, while the other two reincarnated Immortals have trained for more than ninety years. Ji Ning has only trained for thirty, but he's already comparable to the two of them, and perhaps even stronger." Ninelotus suddenly began to feel a bit of panic in her heart.

It was as though her Ji Ning had surpassed the limits of what she could comprehend and control.

"What's going on with me?"

"Why am I panicking? Why am I so uneasy?"

Ninelotus immediately realized that her emotions were off. "For Ji Ning to be powerful is a good thing. Why am I so nervous and restless?"

She asked herself this question, over and over. She questioned herself repeatedly.

During the past nine years of her 'imprisonment' within the Myriad Lotuses Cave, she had continuously attempted to challenge the Dao-heart illumination formation which the Forefather of the Dongyan clan had left behind. Actually, she was already quite close to 'comprehending her own heart'. Upon feeling uncontrollable nervousness and restlessness when learning that Ji Ning had forced a peak Primal Daoist to lower his head…she finally broke through the final barrier.

"This…is me?" Ninelotus suddenly calmed down. Her eyes no longer appeared lost; the only thing left was the calmness of the vast, endless sea. "So this is who I am."

"I'm used to being in control."

"I like to control everything."

"I want to be in control of everything I am surrounded by. I am going to command the Dongyan clan and lead it to greater heights, to spread my name throughout the entire Grand Xia Dynasty." Ninelotus murmured softly to herself. Ever since she was young, she had been ambitious, but she had never truly understood her own nature as clearly as she did now. In the past, she merely acted in accordance with her subconscious.

She had gone to be a disciple of the Black-White College because she wanted to prove herself, and prove to herself, that even without the assistance of the Forefather of the Dongyan clan, she was still capable of entering the likes of the Black-White College, where only supreme geniuses were admitted.

The reason why she had never been moved by Chen Jin was because there was no way she could control the 'Chen clan' which stood behind him. And thus, she subconsciously rejected his advances.

The reason she was moved by Ji Ning…was precisely because Ji Ning's clan, the Ji clan, was very weak; thus, she was completely capable of controlling and guiding it. Ning himself was extremely talented, but his talent was still within the realm of what she, as the next leader of the Dongyan clan, was capable of controlling. So long as Ning did not become a Celestial Immortal, he would not be out of her sphere of control.

Most importantly of all…Ning's parentage and history had truly moved her inner heart. She wanted to protect him.

"He's even more powerful than I had predicted." Understanding her own nature, Ninelotus now calmed down. "However, even if he truly does become a Celestial Immortal in the future…that'll be something that happens many, many years from now. After so many years together, the affection between the two of us will become incomparably deep and stable."

In her heart, Ninelotus didn't truly believe in 'love at first sight'.

She believed more in…love built up over time.

"The Forefather said that becoming Dao-Companions means being willing to die for each other," Ninelotus murmured to herself. "Perhaps I'm not yet able to do that for him, but in a thousand years, I believe that I will truly, whole-heartedly, be willing to die for him. He'll be willing to die for me too."

Ninelotus no longer hesitated; she immediately walked towards the grand formation. The grand formation of the Dao-heart had impeded Ninelotus for nearly nine years…but this time, it no longer did.

Ninelotus walked out of the Myriad Lotuses Cave.

"Mistress." The female servant outside, upon seeing Ninelotus walk out, immediately knelt down in surprise and delight. "Congratulations and felicitations, mistress."

Ninelotus smiled slightly.

That very day.

Ninelotus left the Highwater Commandery and the Dongyan Mountains, heading towards Swallow Mountain of Stillwater Commandery.

The sun was brilliant this day. The Forefather of the Dongyan clan, still leisurely fishing within the gorge, revealed a look of surprise on his face. He murmured softly to himself, "Ruyin, although she physically appears very similar to you, and on the surface has a temperament similar to yours…her true nature is completely opposite to yours. Ninelotus' heart is far stronger and harder than yours. She truly was born to lead. It seems that when I chose her to be the next leader of the Dongyan clan…it was a choice that will lead the Dongyan clan to great glory."

Serpentwing Lake. Brightheart Island.

Northmont Baiwei and Ji Ning were seated facing each other, toasting each other and laughing and chatting loudly and happily.

"Right! There's one thing that you never found out about," Baiwei suddenly said.

"What is it?" Ning laughed.

"The one who killed Yu Dong and Adept Mooncrescent was you, right?" Baiwei first set up a restrictive spell around them, blocking out all sound, then continued to speak softly. Ning didn't hesitate; he immediately nodded. He had originally asked Baiwei to help acquire the intelligence reports regarding Yu Dong, Shui Yi, and Dong Seven. It wasn't strange that Baiwei would be able to guess that he had done the deed.

"Adept Mooncrescent had an extraordinary background," Baiwei said softly.

"What background?" Ning was startled, although he had guessed at this long ago, which was why he had been so cautious.

"Adept Mooncrescent was a retired Immortal cultivator of one of the secret Immortal armies our Northmont clan controls, the 'Shadow Army'," Baiwei said seriously. "You should know that after having experienced life-and-death battles with each other repeatedly, soldiers develop extremely deep ties with each other. Incredibly few manage to survive all the way into retirement. If any retirees are killed, then their old brothers will definitely stand up for them…and in fact the entire Shadow Army will support them, because they have to be able to guarantee that the retirees will have safe, comfortable lives in their final years."

Ning was shocked. So this was the situation? It really had been a secret Immortal army of the Northmont clan of Stillwater?

"Given the Northmont clan's intelligence network, they should have already found me out." Ning frowned.

"If they did, you wouldn't have been able to spend the past ten years in security and peace." Baiwei shook his head. Ning's battle with Chen Jin had been after spending a year back at Serpentwing Lake, and then he had spent nearly nine more years…indeed, he had been back for nearly ten years.

Baiwei said softly, "The Shadow Army's investigation traced the clues all the way to my estate, the Northmont Blacktiger estate. However, in the end, the Shadow Army is in service to our Northmont clan of Stillwater. They wouldn't dare do anything to the Northmont Blacktiger estate, and so in the end, our estate stonewalled them. The Shadow Army was forced to just give up; they weren't able to continue the investigation."

Ning now understood. So it had been all thanks to the help from the estate of Northmont Blacktiger.

However, what Ning didn't realize was that the loyalty of an army to its patron was an incredibly important thing. The Northmont clan had to take care of the feelings of their Immortal armies; thus, things couldn't have been handled as simply as Baiwei had just implied. In truth, Baiwei himself had taken on the blame for this matter, informing the Shadow Army that it was he, Northmont Baiwei, an important young master of the Northmont clan, who had unknowingly killed one of their old retirees. There was no way the Shadow Army could act against such an important young master of the Northmont clan, and thus they had been forced to give up.

Ning, in both his past life and his present life, didn't understand politics very well. Naturally, he wouldn't understand that Baiwei had made sacrifices on his behalf.

"Thank you, Brother Baiwei. Please thank Uncle as well," Ning said hurriedly.

"A minor matter, a minor matter." Laughing, Baiwei waved his hand in dismissal, then lowered his voice again. "Brother Ji Ning, I heard some stories about you and your senior apprentice-sister Ninelotus."

"You even know about this?!" Ning was surprised.

Baiwei nodded. "One time, when I was drinking at the Carefree Caverns, I invited Holyfire over. At that time, Chen Jin was present as well. I mentioned you to them, thinking that since you were fellow disciples, by mentioning your name, it would help all of us be better friends. Who would've thought that Chen Jin's face would immediately turn ugly and that he would he quickly leave? Afterwards, I asked Holyfire about this matter, and thus learned about the details of the situation."

Ning now understood. Shaking his head, Ning laughed, "To be honest, it's a bit funny. Ninelotus had never felt anything for Chen Jin, but Chen Jin himself, in a hotheaded fit, insisted on dealing with me…but unfortunately, I ended up dealing with him."

Baiwei shook his head. "I can tell that he feels deep hatred for you. Given how narrow-minded he is…it'll be hard for him to accomplish any great deeds. Chen Jin is of the impressive Chen clan of Highwater…who would've thought that he'd be so narrow-minded? I imagine that the Chen clan must not have provided him with very good tutelage; most likely, he hasn't been selected to be the next leader of their clan.

Major clans viewed the training and tutelage of their future leaders as something of paramount importance. They had to whole-heartedly strive to provide the proper upraising for a suitable leader. Clearly, Chen Jin wasn't such a person.

"Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning."

Suddenly, a voice rang out which instantly echoed across the entire Serpentwing Lake.

"Huh?!" Ning instantly rose to his feet, his face covered with delight.

"You look so happy, who is it?" Baiwei was surprised.

"That's my junior apprentice-brother, Northson," Ning said in delight.

Ji Ning and Northmont Baiwei immediately flew into the air to welcome him. A dragon-headed warship was flying towards them, with an entire group of Immortal cultivators aboard it.

"So many people?" Ning was surprised as well.

All of these people were at the Wanxiang level. Even Bloodshadow and Yu Wei had come. In the Black-White College, they were all considered elites. In total, fifteen people had come.

"Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning." Northson was the first to fly over to Ning, and he excitedly pounded his fist against Ning's chest. "Incredible! Even an old fellow at the peak Primal Daoist stage was sent scurrying away by you. In the past, when we met with that Dragonwhale King, we found it so difficult to deal with him!"

"Actually, there wasn't a conclusive end to the fight," Ning said hurriedly.

The white-robed, white-haired Bloodshadow spoke out. "Junior apprentice-brother, no need to be modest; you are a Fiendgod Refiner, while Daoist Snowplume is a Ki Refiner; in a situation where both sides are equally matched, Ki Refiners generally won't dare to fight all out against Fiendgod Refiners. He retreated was because he did indeed fear you, feared dying at your hands."

Ning, seeing this, no longer tried to equivocate.

"Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning." A beautiful, black-robed maiden looked at Ning.

"Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei." Ning hurriedly acknowledged her.

During his first Dao Debate, in the end, it had been Yu Wei who defeated Ning. During the past nine years, when Ning had gone to the Raindragon Guard branch to accept missions, he heard some news about Yu Wei; during the past nine years, she had become a brilliant star as well, and had even defeated a middle-stage Primal Daoist. Her reputation was outstanding and no less than his.

"If we were to compete again, even I might not be able to defeat you, junior apprentice-brother," the black-robed maiden said with a laugh.

"Senior apprentice-sister, you are being too modest," Ning said hurriedly.

"Let me make the introductions. You probably don't recognize these people yet." The black-robed maiden pointed to a nearby gray-robed man with deep eyes. "This is senior apprentice-brother Vastriver. He is often adventuring in the outside world. We just so happened to run into him in the Black-White College, and so he accompanied us to come visit you, junior apprentice-brother."

Ning was startled. Vastriver? The Black-White College only had three reincarnated Immortals at the Wanxiang level. Yu Wei was one, while Adept Vastriver was another. He had also trained for a very long period of time, and only rarely appeared for brief periods of time. This truly was the first time Ning had met him.

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Chapter 38 – The Tricentennial Conclave of Immortal Destiny

The gray-robed man couldn't be said to be handsome, but he truly did have an extraordinary aura. Actually, as a reincarnated Immortal, and one who had long ago mastered a complete Dao Path, he should have awakened quite a few memories of his former life. Thus, his aura would be affected, naturally making him seem different from the crowd.

"Junior apprentice-brother Darknorth," Daoist Vastriver said, smiling towards Ning, "I heard of your reputation long ago, but because I've always been adventuring, we haven't had the chance to meet. This time, upon my return, I heard that you defeated Daoist Snowplume…you truly are impressive, quite impressive. Amongst the third generation disciples of our Black-White College, only junior apprentice-sister Yu Wei is a match for you in training speed."

"I can't compare to junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning," Yu Wei said hurriedly.

"You are being modest. Junior apprentice-sister, three years ago, you completely mastered the Dao of the Freeze; compared to the two of you, myself and Vileslayer are truly ashamed," Adept Vastwave said.

"Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei, you were able to comprehend a complete Dao Path so quickly! Only junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning is a match for you," the nearby Bloodshadow said with a laugh as well.

Ning was quite surprised. By the sound of it…quite a few people knew that Yu Wei had mastered a complete Dao Path. Vastriver and Bloodshadow, at least, knew about it.

Formidable! Yu Wei wasn't actually that old; she was only roughly ten or so years older than Ning himself! And yet, she had already completely comprehended an entire Dao Path, and the Dao of the Freeze, at that! It must be understood that when Yu Wei had defeated Ning during their initial Dao Debate, she had used techniques pertaining to fire.

"Senior apprentice-sister, aren't you the 'Rainbowflame Fairy'? Are you actually more talented in ice?" Ning was surprised.

"She's skilled in both ice and fire," Adept Vastriver sighed. "Although we are all reincarnated Immortals, there are still differences between us. Some reincarnated Immortals were ordinary Earth Immortals or Loose Immortals, while others were Loose Immortals who had trained for hundreds of thousands of years…in her past life, junior apprentice-sister Yu Wei must have been an incredible Loose Immortal."

Yu Wei said, resigned, "We've come to congratulate junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning; why do you all keep talking about me? Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, we've come to your place…are you going to just have us keep chatting here in midair? Aren't you even going to offer us a glass of wine?"

"Yes, of course," Ning immediately led the way.

The awe-inspiring group of Black-White College disciples chatted and laughed amongst themselves as they arrived at Brightheart Island. Autumn Leaf had already arranged for the servants to prepare in advance; how could they dare to be negligent in taking care of so many disciples of the Black-White College?

The entire group stayed here for time; some stayed for just two or three days, then returned on their own. Northson, Yu Wei, Vastriver, and Baiwei continued to spend some more time at the island.

On this day, the sky was completely cloudless, for as far as the eye could see.

Ning's group was aboard a large ship on Serpentwing Lake. They were seated, drinking Immortal wine, and eating spirit-fruit.

"Junior apprentice-sister Yu Wei," Adept Vastriver, seated opposite from her, spoke out, "There are three more years before the Conclave of Immortal Destiny. What do you plan to do during these three years?"

"Whatever I feel like." The black-robed maiden, Yu Wei, sat there while viewing her surroundings. "I'll stroll about and do what I please. When enough time has passed, I'll go directly to the imperial capital of the Grand Xia."

"Then let me congratulate you in advance, Rainbowflame Fairy, for spreading your name throughout the world," Baiwei said with a laugh.

Northson stared. "Wait, wait. What are you all talking about? What Conclave of Immortal Destiny? What's this about the imperial capital? And spreading one's name throughout the world? Hey, senior apprentice-brother…do you know what they are talking about?"

Puzzled, Ning shook his head as well. "What are you all talking about? Why haven't I heard of this before?"

Baiwei said, "This Conclave of Immortal Destiny is an event which the founding emperor of the Grand Xia Dynasty established. All Immortal cultivators beneath the rank of Primal Daoist are permitted to participate. This is a tournament of the truly supreme geniuses of the world. Our Grand Xia Dynasty has unified this major world, which holds 3600 commanderies and many oceanic territories…I can't even imagine how many monstrous geniuses and reincarnated Immortals will be attending this event."

"A tournament of geniuses?" Ning was astonished.

"Right. Although it is called the 'Conclave of Immortal Destiny', it should really be called the 'Tournament of Geniuses'," Baiwei said with a sigh. "This is because one must be below the Primal Daoist level…thus, almost all the participants are peak Wanxiang Adepts. The peak Wanxiang Adepts who participate are geniuses who come from the various commandery cities and oceanic territories…I can't help but shudder, just thinking about it. Generally speaking, those who dare participate are, at the very least, comparable to Primal Daoists!"

The look on Ning's face grew solemn as well. He now understood. If all the geniuses of this entire major world were to gather in one place…it must be understood that the Black-White College of Stillwater Commandery, alone, already had the likes of the Sloppy Daoist, Holyfire, Vastriver, and Yu Wei. Stillwater Commandery had other schools and sects and clans as well, some of whom had brought up their own heaven-defying geniuses.

Every commandery would have tens of such geniuses.

The Grand Xia Dynasty controlled 3600 commanderies, and oceanic territories as well!

In other words…the entire Grand Xia Dynasty most likely had more than a hundred thousand individuals on the level of Holyfire and Vastriver!

"If you don't have some true ability, going and participating is suicide," Baiwei said. "The reason you never learned about it is because you weren't strong enough, and so the Black-White College never notified you. After all, your defeat of Daoist Snowplume is a recent event."

Ning nodded.

"Can it be that you want to go?" Baiwei looked at Ning.

"I'm not in a rush to," Ning said.

"I, too, feel that you don't need to go. After all, you've only trained for thirty years. That's too short a period of time," Baiwei said. "You might as well just stop at the Wanxiang level and train for another three centuries and wait for the next Conclave of Immortal Destiny. If you go then…you will definitely shock the world. I know quite a few supreme talents who insisted on waiting for three centuries, and in the process mastered multiple complete Dao Paths!"

Ning was secretly speechless. Multiple Dao Paths?

"Given how high a level of comprehension they have, why not become Primal Daoists or Earth Immortals? Why insist on forcing themselves to remain at the Wanxiang level?" Ning asked.

The nearby Northson also said hurriedly, "Right. Why suppress themselves for so long? Is the Conclave of Immortal Destiny truly so enticing?"

"You don't understand," the nearby Adept Vastriver spoke out. Baiwei and Yu Wei looked towards Ning and Northson as well. Vastriver continued, "This Conclave of Immortal Destiny …those who rank in the top three will acquire an Immortal-ranked magic treasure."

"Immortal-ranked?!" Northson cried out in shock.

"A single Immortal-ranked magic treasure shouldn't be enticing enough," Ning said with a frown. Anyone capable of comprehending multiple Dao Paths in three centuries would definitely be a truly monstrous genius; someone like this, upon becoming an Earth Immortal, shouldn't find it too hard to acquire an Immortal-ranked magic treasure.

"That's just the nominal prize," the black-robed Yu Wei said. "Participating in the Conclave of Immortal Destiny is a chance to skyrocket to the heavens in prominence. It's a chance to allow the entire Grand Xia Dynasty to pay attention to you. If you rank in the top ten…just for the sake of becoming friends with you, some of the major clans might give you five thousand kilograms of liquefied elemental essence, or even more. That might not be too much from a single clan, but if multiple clans were to do the same…your hands would go limp from receiving liquefied elemental essence."

"But all that is secondary."

"The most important part of this event lies in the words, 'Immortal Destiny'." The black-robed maiden looked at Ning. "If you rank in the top ten of this event, then you'll be able to apprentice yourself to some truly major powers. Generally speaking, if you do so, you'll have a much higher chance of becoming a Celestial Immortal."

"Major power?" Ning hurriedly asked, "Major powers of where?"

Adept Vastriver said in a low voice, "Perhaps some of the truly supreme powers of this major world who have been in seclusion…or perhaps powerful figures from outside this major world. No matter what, they will definitely be more powerful than Celestial Immortals! I'll tell the two of you one more thing…more than 80% of Celestial Immortals we know of first came to prominence during the Conclave of Immortal Destiny, where they were accepted by major powers as disciples."

"This is a chance, a chance to show your prowess and let the major figures of the Three Realms to see how talented you are." Adept Vastriver looked at Ji Ning and Northson. "Understand, now? Understand why so many geniuses are willing to stay at the Wanxiang level for three centuries? It's all for the sake of being able to show their prowess and blaze brilliantly during the Conclave."

Yu Wei sighed as well, "Reincarnated Immortals like us are nothing. Earth Immortals? Loose Immortals? We are nothing at all. Only becoming Celestial Immortals will one become truly carefree and unrestrained! But how hard is it to become a Celestial Immortal? The entire Black-White College, in all its history, has only produced a single one. But this Conclave of Immortal Destiny…this is a moment of true destiny. Naturally, one has to grasp it."

Ning and Northson completely understood.

Becoming a Celestial Immortal was too hard!

If a major power of the Three Realms was willing to give some guidance, it would be much easier. For example, if Daoist Threelives were to personally teach and train Ning, his own Immortal path would naturally be much more quickly traversed.

The Conclave of Immortal Destiny…this was a chance for one to attract attention from major figures of the Three Realms.

"Beyond Celestial Immortals in power?" Northson couldn't help but ask, "All I know is that Celestial Immortals have surpassed the restrictions of the Three Realms and are able to roam about, carefree. What is above a Celestial Immortal?"

Yu Wei and Vastriver exchanged a glance.

Yu Wei said slowly, "True Immortals! True Immortals of Pure Yang!"

"True Immortals?" Northson murmured these two words to himself.

"One of the prerequisites for becoming a Celestial Immortal is the comprehension of an entire Dao Path," Yu Wei said. "Mastering an entire Grand Dao Path, however, is the prerequisite for becoming a True Immortal."

Northson nodded gently. Ning did the same.

The two of them both knew what Grand Daos were. Ning's Dao of the Sword was a Grand Dao…and Northson's Dao of Constructs was also a Grand Dao! However, it was even more difficult and rare to completely master and control the Grand Dao of Constructs than it was to completely master the Grand Dao of the Sword. Some Immortals were said to be 'skilled' in constructing constructs, but to clain true, complete mastery over the Grand Dao of Constructs? Not even the legends mentioned such a figure.

"And that's just a prerequisite. To surpass the Celestial Immortal level…how incredible must that be? Any such person would be considered a formidable figure of the Three Realms. Generally speaking, those who are chosen during the Conclave of Immortal Destiny will 'only' become honorary disciples…but even being a mere gate-guard for such a major power is more exalted than being a prince of the Grand Xia Dynasty, to say nothing of an honorary disciple," Adept Vastriver said.

Ning and Northson both nodded in agreement.

Those figures could be considered major powers of the Three Realms.

Ning suddenly thought of the master of the underwater estate – Daoist Threelives. He was a Primordial Fiendgod, who had been born from the primordial chaos with the complete mastery of a Grand Dao. Afterwards, he had mastered many other Grand Daos, and then developed the [Starseizing Hand, ranked as one of the top ten divine abilities out of the innumerable divine abilities that had been created after Pangu had established the universe.

"Master said that only after I become an Empyrean God can I be considered his disciple. I wonder how strong Master is, compared to a True Immortal," Ning mused to himself.

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Chapter 39 – Meeting

"Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei…" After realizing how brutal this Immortal Conclave could be, Ning couldn't help but look towards Yu Wei. "You've only trained for ten more years than me, and in this Conclave of Immortal Destiny, there are monsters who have trained for more than three centuries. Isn't it going to be very dangerous for you? If you truly are going to go, why don't you wait for three more centuries?"

The black-robed maiden, Yu Wei, gently shook her head. "Three centuries is too long."

"I tried to dissuade her as well," Adept Vastriver said with a sigh.

"It's true. It really is too dangerous. The most elite participants of the Conclave of Immortal Destiny, although still only at the peak Wanxiang level, have insight into the Dao that is definitely at the level of Immortals, and perhaps even higher than ordinary Immortals. Some are geniuses like our junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, except they have insisted on staying at this level for three centuries, for the sake of this battle." Similarly worried, Baiwei continued, "Rainbowflame Fairy, although you are a reincarnated Immortal, you've spent too little time in training. Unless you've completely awakened your former memories…"

If that was to happen, then one would immediately gain all of the insights one had from one's previous life. In that case, she might have a shot!

"The Conclave of Immortal Destiny…most of the people there will have mastered a complete Dao Path." Yu Wei shook her head. "Very, very few will have mastered even two Dao Paths, and if one has mastered three, I imagine that one would be able to rank in the top ten. In comprehending the Dao, one might quickly gain insights into the Daos that one is suited for, but for the others…comprehending them will only become slower and slower."

Ning nodded.

Aside from the Grand Dao of the Sword, Ning had aptitude for the Dao of the Inferno, the Dao of Rainwater, and the Dao of the Gale. If he had an additional century, he had a chance of completely mastering these three Dao Paths, but if he had to go and comprehend a fourth or fifth…even if he had three hundred more years, he might not be able to do it. This is because he didn't even have the most rudimentary of insights into other Daos.

"Although I've only mastered a single Dao Path," Yu Wei said with a laugh, "I am still gaining some fragmented memories from my previous life, which have taught me some secret arts. I'm considerably stronger than those people who have just recently mastered a Dao Path."

"To try and hit the top ten? I have no chance." Yu Wei shook her head. "But, I should be able to keep myself alive."

Ning, Baiwei, and the others exchanged glances. Since Yu Wei had made her stance clear, they found it difficult to continue to try and dissuade her. In addition, reincarnated Immortals were quite special to begin with; perhaps they might suddenly gain all of their former memories.

"In my past life, I failed my tribulation; in this life, I naturally must be courageous and valiant in moving forward." Yu Wei's eyes were shining. "This Conclave of Immortal Destiny will be a chance to fight against many truly top-tier geniuses. This is a chance to test and temper myself, a chance that truly comes once in a lifetime."

Ning was suddenly swayed as well.

Right.

To be able to fight against so many geniuses…and all of whom were below the Primal Daoist level. After breaking through to the Primal Daoist level, one would no longer have a chance.

"Should I go or not?" Ning began to ponder. "Yu Wei spoke of three Dao Paths allowing one to enter the top ten. Each additional Dao Path gained represents a major increase in power…I'm still quite far away from comprehending three Dao Paths."

"I have three more years. I'll wait and see. Let's see how much more powerful I become in these next three years," Ning mused to himself.

In this moment, Ning made up his mind that in the next three years, he would whole-heartedly devote himself to increasing his power as much as possible.

"Senior apprentice-sister Yuwei, senior apprentice-brother Vastriver." Ning looked towards his two senior fellow disciples. Yu Wei and Vastriver looked towards Ning.

"I wonder if the two of you would be willing to stay at my Serpentwing Lake for an extended period of time. As your junior apprentice-brother, I'd love the chance to ask the two of you for some pointers," Ning said. "During the past few years, only Daoist Snowplume has been a true match for me; the other few times, when I went chasing after those criminals, I've never really enjoyed a good fight."

"Hahaha!" Daoist Vastriver laughed as well. "It is indeed hard to find a good match. Junior apprentice-brother, you walk the path of the Sword Immortal; I hear that they are very skilled at battle. I want to compete with you as well, junior apprentice-brother."

Yu Wei nodded and laughed as well. "I have nowhere to go before attending the Conclave of Immortal Destiny. Before I go out and fight against the countless geniuses of the entire Grand Xia Dynasty, I might as well stay here and spar with you…perhaps this will allow my power to increase once again. However, junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, you need to prepare fine wine and delicacies; senior apprentice-brother Vastriver and I are quite picky."

"Leave that part to me," Baiwei said with a laugh. "I'll definitely make sure you three are satisfied."

These three were amongst the most elite of Wanxiang Adepts. Yu Wei and Vastriver were reincarnated Immortals, while Ji Ning was actually viewed by many as a reincarnated Immortal as well; otherwise, how could his soul be so strong? Many believed that in the past, he must have been an extremely, extremely powerful Immortal. Precisely because of how powerful he must have been in the past, it was now very hard to reawaken his memories.

The more powerful one was in a past life, the harder it would be to reawaken one's memories. For people like Immortal Juhua or Immortal Northwalker, who were Loose Immortals but comparable to Celestial Immortals in power, if they were to reincarnate, even after becoming Earth Immortals, they still might not be able to reawaken their memories.

"Are the three of you ignoring me?!?" Northson stared. Ning, Yu Wei, and Vastriver all looked towards Northson.

Northson said angrily, "Perhaps I'm not a match for you three in controlling magic treasures, but my truly supreme, trump card constructs, were built by myself and Master together. Although it uses up an enormous amount of liquefied elemental essence, it is definitely comparable to a Primal Daoist. In addition, the construct is a magic treasure, and so its body is even more indestructible than a Fiendgod's!"

"We'll count you amongst our sparring ranks," Yu Wei said with a laugh.

"The Dao of Constructs…some powerful constructs truly are mighty," Adept Vastriver nodded. "Unfortunately, the Conclave of Immortal Destiny forbids those who train in the Dao of Constructs from participating."

"Why aren't practitioners of the Dao of Constructs permitted to attend?" Northson said angrily, "That's completely unfair!"

Ning laughed. "I know the reason. It's because I've never heard of a major power who has completely mastered the Grand Dao of Constructs. Since there are no major powers who have mastered this Dao, how can they possibly guide you into becoming a Celestial Immortal?"

Northson was speechless. Right. The point of the Conclave of Immortal Destiny was to allow some major powers to discover monstrously talented geniuses and take them as disciples. If there were no major powers who specialized in the Dao of Constructs, they naturally wouldn't choose cultivators of this Dao.

The Dao of Constructs involved the pursuit of unleashing the physical power of material items…to reach the utmost limit of the natural world! However, the world was filled with countless materials and objects; to simply review all of them would take an unfathomably long period of time. To truly master and comprehend the Grand Dao of Constructs? Not even in legends had anyone ever done this! Every single practitioner of the Dao of Constructs understood this…and at the same time, they all believed that this Grand Dao was limitless, and so they too would become even more powerful.

Yu Wei, Vastriver, and Northson settled down at Serpentwing Lake, while Baiwei returned. Ning would often compete against these three or engage in discourses on the Dao with them. This caused all of them to improve, sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot.

One day, a large boat was floating on Serpentwing Lake. Ning and the other three were chatting on it.

"Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei, what is it?" Ning noticed that Yu Wei's eyes were filled with unshed tears. He couldn't help but ask her what was wrong. Previously, when they were chatting, he had discussed how his parents had already passed away…and somehow, this had caused Yu Wei to appear utterly heartbroken.

Vastriver said softly, "Much like you, junior apprentice-sister Yu Wei's parents are also deceased. They died when she was young."

"They died young?" Ning was stunned.

Tears were in Yu Wei's eyes…and then they began to fall. Her gaze was long and distant. She said tonelessly, "In the past, when I was young and before I had started to train, and before I gained any of my former memories…my tribe suffered an attack. The tribesmen began to flee…and during the flight, my parents died in order to protect me. I suffered a severe shock from this, and my innately powerful soul burst forth with power, killing all of my enemies."

Ning could imagine the scene of a stimulated and shocked child, seeing her parents be killed, and then exploding forth with spiritual power. Given how powerful the divine will of a reincarnated Immortal was…even Zifu Disciples would be easily slaughtered.

"But it was too late." Yu Wei shook her head. "My parents were gone, never to return. Although we had only known each other for three years, I'll never forget them."

Three years?

So Yu Wei had only been three years old.

A long vessel was streaking through the air, moving from the distant Highwater Commandery to Stillwater Commandery's Swallow Mountain.

Because Ninelotus wasn't a member of the Raindragon Guard, she was unable to use teleportation arrays. Thus, she had to fly in a straight line.

"Finally, I'm here!" The long vessel came to a halt. A snowy-robed Ninelotus flew out. With a wave of her hand, she collected the vessel, then stared towards the distance. She immediately saw the boat on the surface of Serpentwing Lake, as well as Ji Ning, Mu Northson, Rainbowflame Fairy Yu Wei, and Adept Vastriver, all of whom were drinking and chatting.

"Senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei and senior apprentice-brother Vastriver?" Ninelotus was surprised.

Ning and the other three, on the boat below, could sense the ripples in the air. They all raised their heads to look up.

Upon seeing Ninelotus in midair, Ning revealed a look of surprise and delight. He immediately rose to his feet.

Yu Wei and the others rose up as well. Yu Wei and Ninelotus were extremely close to each other, and she immediately called out in a high voice, "Little Sister Ninelotus."

Swoosh!

Ninelotus descended from the skies, landing on the ship. First, she exchanged a glance with Ning. A hint of emotion could be seen in both their eyes. And then, Ninelotus turned to look at Yu Wei. She said happily, "Senior apprentice-sister, I didn't expect to see you here as well. It's been so long since we've met. Oh, and senior apprentice-brother Vastriver and junior apprentice-brother Northson."

"It's been a long time since I've seen you as well. It's been ten years, right?" Yu Wei felt very happy. "Why did you disappear for ten years?"

"I don't even want to talk about it." Ninelotus shook her head helplessly. "I was held by the tribe in the Myriad Lotuses Cave and wasn't able to leave, up until a few days ago, when I managed to break through the formation around it. I flew all the way from Highwater Commandery to Stillwater Commandery. It took me forever."

"Given your status, why would the clan hold you in the Myriad Lotuses Cavern?" Yu Wei was surprised. It could be said that she was Ninelotus' closest friend in the Black-White College; although Luo Qing was someone who had grown up with Ninelotus, Yu Wei and Ninelotus truly shared the same temperament and opinions. Thus, Yu Wei knew a few things about Ninelotus' background.

Ninelotus gave Ning a resigned glance. "It's all because of him."

"Him?" Yu Wei felt as though Ninelotus' glance was a bit…strange. It didn't seem like a glance between fellow disciples; rather, it seemed like a glance between Dao-Companions, whose emotions and feelings were linked together.

Ning walked over, taking Ninelotus by the hand. He didn't know what to say. After hesitating for a while, he only said three words: "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine…it was just a bit stuffy there. Still, now that I'm out, in the future, the Dongyan clan won't interfere in our matters again." Ninelotus looked at Ning, her eyes filled with delight.

"Won't interfere?" Ning couldn't help but reveal a look of delight as well. The Dongyan clan's interference had always been a source of worry for Ning. Now, everything was fine, and his worries dissipated like smoke in the wind.

"The two of them…?"

Yu Wei looked at Ning and Ninelotus. She couldn't help but feel stunned.

"I had no idea…that the two of them became Dao-Companions!" Adept Vastriver began to roar with laughter.

"Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, you actually formed Dao-Companions without telling me?!" Northson roared as well.

As for Yu Wei, she just stood there quietly, keeping that calm, faint smile on her face.

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Chapter 1 – Youngflame Clan

Just shortly after Ninelotus reached Serpentwing Lake, in the distant Crimson Dragon Mountains of Stillwater Commandery, a large group of people were gathered around the tall, large teleportation array.

All of them had powerful auras. Clearly, none of them were ordinary.

Northmont Fox was standing behind a tall, skinny man. He sent to him, "Father , who did you pull me over here to meet? You didn't even permit me to ask about this while we were in Stillwater City; you insisted on bringing me to the Raindragon Guard branch before telling me."

The tall, skinny man was dressed in a black uniform. He wore a crown on his forehead, and his eyes were sunken and deep. However, his pupils seemed to carry a cold light that would bring fear to many.

This man was Northmont Fox's father…Northmont Yin!

The two most likely candidates to become the next Marquis of Stillwater were Northmont Blacktiger and Northmont Yin. They had completely different temperaments. Northmont Blacktiger was like an enormous, primordial beast who was born with a dominating aura; anyone who looked at him would feel terror. In acting, he was incomparably dominating as well, and so he had many followers.

As for Northmont Yin, he was a truly ambitious and ruthless figure who was particularly skilled at biding his time. Nobody could see through Yin's thoughts; he was a mystery to all.

"If I told you in Stillwater City, given your temperament, you might have leaked this information, which would be disastrous." Yin shook his head. "This matter is extremely important, and very few know of it. Look at Immortal Eastrock of the local Raindragon Guard branch; he's waiting, just like us. Although he's brought a group of subordinates, I imagine that only he himself knows exactly who it is that we are waiting for."

Fox instantly felt an itchy feeling in his heart. Someone capable of making even Immortal Eastrock and Yin come in person to wait for him, and to act so secretively as for Yin to not even tell Fox, his own son, who it was?

"Who is it?" Fox was extremely anxious to know.

"This person is Youngflame Nong, of the Youngflame lineage," Yin sent mentally.

Fox's face instantly changed. He revealed a look of shock and amazement as he yelped back mentally, "Young master Youngflame Nong? One of the Four Dukelings of the imperial capital? Why has he come to Stillwater Commandery? This, this…how can this be?"

"Now do you understand why I didn't tell you?" Northmont Yin cast his son a glance.

Northmont Fox hurriedly nodded. He understood. Of course he understood.

Although the Northmont clan of Stillwater held a marquisdom and was incomparably ancient and large, if they were compared to the rest of the Grand Xia Dynasty…there were still powers that were even mightier than the Northmont clan. For example, the almighty imperial clan of the Grand Xia Dynasty, the Xiamang clan, or some of the most powerful clans that had helped the Xiamang clan unify the world.

The Youngflame clan was one of the faithful ministers that served the imperial clan of the Grand Xia Dynasty!

Supposedly, during the Fiendgod era, the Youngflame clan was a clan that was as old and as powerful as the Xiamang clan. In fact, their history stretched to the most ancient of eras of this major world.

In the end, the Youngflame clan had submitted to the Xiamang lineage! They had followed the Xiamang clan in conquering the world, and had been one of the most powerful clans under the Xiamang clan's control. As for the the Northmont clan and the other clans, they had all slowly begun to join the Xiamang clan later on, and in terms of power, they were vastly inferior to the Youngflame clan.

And nowadays…

The Youngflame clan's leader had the revered title of the 'Godplume Duke', and the clan itself held three marquisdoms! The three commanderies it ruled over were all extremely vast ones, far larger than Stillwater Commandery. After all, the 3600 commanderies of the Grand Xia Dynasty were all different in size; Stillwater Commandery could only be described as an ordinary one. Some extremely large commanderies were comparable in size to dozens of Stillwater Commanderies.

As for this Youngflame Nong who was about to arrive, he was one of the leaders of the younger generation of Youngflame nobles. Unless something went amiss, the next clan leader of the Youngflame clan, the 'Godplume Duke', would be this Youngflame Nong!

But of course, the Youngflame clan's next leader had not been 100% set in stone; the selectees would still be tested and tried. Generally, however, the trials would be easily passed. It could be said that Youngflame Nong's status in the Youngflame clan was comparable to Ji Ning's status, when he had been a child, in the West Prefecture City of the Ji clan!

Internally, it had all but been decided that he would be the next Godplume Duke.

He would be a powerful figure, capable of influencing the entire Grand Xia Dynasty. The arrival of someone like him…it now made perfect sense as to why Northmont Yin and Immortal Eastrock had come in person and been so secretive about it, not letting anyone else know what was happening.

"Coming."

"He's coming."

Their eyes all lit up. The teleportation array once more began to glow, and then a group of people appeared within it.

The leader was dressed in azure robes. He seemed quite plainly dressed, but upon a close examination…one would discover that the threads of this azure robe were actually the draconic whiskers of the 'divine dragons of the East Sea'. The man's face had a calm smile on it, but the welcomers could all sense the natural, noble aura emanating from him!

It was a true, noble aura which only someone like him, who an ancient clan like the Youngflame clan had trained to be their next leader, would possess!

Youngflame Nong's status was such that even in the imperial capital of the Grand Xia Dynasty, he was called one of the 'Four Dukelings'. Even imperial scions of the Xiamang clan had to have enough status within their clan to be able to treat with them on an equal footing. There were some members of the clan who borrowed the Xiamang clan's prestige but had no real status within it; these people weren't even qualified to become friends with Youngflame Nong.

"Young master Youngflame," Northmont Yin laughed and saluted with clasped hands.

"Young master Youngflame." Immortal Eastrock also clasped his hands.

Youngflame Nong looked at the two of them, then nodded. "Northmont Yin, Eastrock. I saw the two of you last time at the imperial capital. So much time has passed, as though in the blink of an eye. I have to trouble the two of you on this trip of mine to Stillwater City; I truly am guilty for doing so."

"It is our honor to be able to assist you, young master Youngflame," Immortal Eastrock and Northmont Yin both spoke out together.

The two of them couldn't help but glance at the person slightly behind Youngflame Nong. There was a tall, skinny, narrow-eyed, middle-aged man standing there, his skin pitch-black. The aura this man was emanating caused even Northmont Yin and Immortal Eastrock to feel secretly astonished.

"Fiendgod."

"A Fiendgod."

Both of them quickly came to this realization.

However, for an ancient clan like the Youngflame clan, raising Fiendgods wasn't too difficult. After all, these ancient clans had been flourishing since shortly after the major world was created. They had long ago captured countless Fiendgods. Although Fiendgods were arrogant, in the face of certain death, many would still be willing to submit.

"Young master Youngflame." Immortal Eastrock pointed at the group of people behind him. "I've already given them their instructions. They are absolutely reliable. There are two peak Wanxiang Adepts and a hundred Zifu Disciples. Young master Youngflame, if there is anything you need, just give them their instructions. Oh, and both of the Wanxiang Adepts are two-clawed Raindragon Guards."

"Two-clawed Raindragon Guards?" Youngflame Nong nodded after hearing this. Someone capable of becoming a two-clawed Raindragon Guard had to at least be comparable to Primal Daoists; they could be considered useful. As for the hundred Zifu Disciples? They'd be nothing more than cannon fodder.

"Bu You pays his respects to you, young master Youngflame," a messy-haired youth said respectfully.

"Xue Hongyi pays his respects to you, young master Youngflame," a red-robed youth saluted respectfully.

Youngflame Nong nodded lightly. "I'll have to trouble the two of you this time."

"It is our honor to be able to toil in your service, young master Youngflame," Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You both responded with modesty.

Northmont Yin, on the other side, spoke out as well. "I've also arranged for ten Wanxiang Adepts and a hundred Zifu Disciples. They are all Deathsworn and completely loyal. Perhaps the ten Wanxiang Adepts are not comparable to Xue Hongyi and Bu You, but if they join forces…generally speaking, even Primal Daoists would have to give them a wide berth."

"Deathsworn?" Youngflame Nong's eyes instantly lit up and he revealed a smile. Generally speaking, it was extremely hard to make an Immortal cultivator become a suicide soldier, a Deathsworn; generally speaking, one would first train a normal person into becoming a Deathsworn, and then teach them cultivation! However, given the mindset of a Deathsworn, it would be very hard for them to advance very far on the path of Immortal cultivation…and thus, for Northmont Yin to be able to deliver ten Wanxiang-level Deathsworn was a major gift.

After all, although Immortal Eastrock had arranged for Xue Hongyi and Bu You to assist, they were clearly there to assist him, not to be suicide soldiers.

"This is my son, Northmont Fox. He's never met you, young master Youngflame, but he's long heard of your great fame. This time, he repeatedly begged me to let him come and let him see you in person, young master Youngflame," Northmont Yin said with a smile.

"My respects to you, young master Youngflame." Northmont Fox was incomparably excited and he quickly spoke his respects.

Youngflame Nong nodded gently. "Northmont Fox. Mm. I'll remember your name."

A simple phrase, but it caused Fox to feel incomparably excited.

"This trip of mine to Stillwater Commandery is part of a small test the clan has arranged for me." Youngflame Nong looked towards Immortal Eastrock and Northmont Yin. "Thus, it isn't appropriate for me to cause too much of a stir here. With these helpers you two have given me, my chances of success are now increased. I can't be too slack in addressing this trial; thus, I won't stay here any longer. There's no need for the rest of you to send me off."

"Then we will wait to congratulate you on your triumphant return, young master Youngflame, and then celebrate with you." Northmont Yin and Immortal Eastrock both watched as Youngflame Nong's group departed.

Only Northmont Yin, Northmont Fox, and Immortal Eastrock were left by this teleportation array.

Of course, those old servants who were in charge of maintaining the teleport array were present as well. However, when they were chatting, Immortal Eastrock had naturally used elemental energy to block out all sound, and so the old servants had no idea who had arrived.

"Father, we gifted him with Deathsworn…he's just going to leave like that?" Fox gave his father a glance.

Yin glanced back at his son. "Consider yourself lucky that he accepted them. He is currently in the middle of his trials and just so happens to need helpers, and so he'll accept them. In the future, when he becomes the next Godplume Duke, he'll become a person capable of easily impacting the entire Grand Xia Dynasty. By then, he'd view our gift with contempt. Gifting him with a group of Deathsworn now is worth more than sending a hundred groups or a thousand groups in the future!

Fox seemed to understand.

"Let's go back," Yin instructed.

An enormous, completely dark-red warship. It seemed ancient and plain, and it soared through the skies.

Within the warship, there were a total of six hundred Zifu Disciples and ten-plus Wanxiang Adepts. Youngflame Nong and the skinny, black-skinned man next to him both stood at the railing of the warship, staring at the vast world before them.

"Xue Hongyi, Bu You," Youngflame Nong asked, "Who are some of the formidable figures in Stillwater Commandery? Aside from Primal Daoists and Immortals."

"Aside from Immortals and Primal Daoists…" Xue Hongyi said, "In our Stillwater Commandery, the most powerful of the Wanxiang Adepts would definitely include the most powerful geniuses that are gathered at the Black-White College. Of course the Skysplitter Sword Sect, the Bluewood tribe, and the Dragonhunter clan also have their own elites. I am afraid that being able to convince these true core members of these forces to risk their lives would be quite hard."

Youngflame Nong nodded lightly.

Xue Hongyi was one of the most talented younger members of Snowdragon Mountain. However, because Snowdragon Mountain, in the grand scheme of things, was a small sect, Xue Hongyi was willing to serve as a servant in front of noble carriage.

Those even more talented geniuses, however, wouldn't necessarily be able to do so.

"Oh?" The nearby Adept Bu You's eyes lit up. "It seems we've reached Swallow Mountain. There is a peerless genius in Swallow Mountain, one of the truly top-tier Wanxiang members of the Black-White College. He is Adept Darknorth, Ji Ning."

Hearing Ji Ning's name, Xue Hongyi frowned.

"Ji Ning?" Youngflame Nong revealed a look of curiosity as well.

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Chapter 2 – Power Makes Major Powers!

"I've never heard of him. Bu You, you tell me; what is so special about this person?" Youngflame Nong asked with curiosity.

Xue Hongyi stood to one side. Although he wasn't happy, he could only hide his resentment in his heart.

"This person is a genius of the art of the sword. When he first entered the Black-White College, he defeated several of his senior fellow disciples in Dao Debates. In the end, it was a reincarnated Immortal, the Rainbowflame Fairy Yu Wei who defeated him. And now, he has only grown even more formidable! Not too long ago, he even defeated one of the three Primal Daoists of Snowdragon Mountain, Daoist Snowplume!" Adept Bu You said.

"Snowdragon Mountain?" Youngflame Nong looked at the nearby Xue Hongyi. "Hongyi, you are of Snowdragon Mountain, yes? Did this happen?"

Xue Hongyi felt extremely stifled, but in the end, he said in a low voice, "It did."

"What level is Daoist Snowplume at?" Youngflame Nong asked. He lived in the imperial capital of the Grand Xia Dynasty; how could he possibly know about the Primal Daoists of a small sect in Stillwater, such as Snowdragon Mountain?

Xue Hongyi said in a low voice, "Peak Primal."

"Hahaha…this Ji Ning is worth paying a visit to." Youngflame Nong laughed and nodded. This trip was an important trial the clan had assigned him, and in fact, they wouldn't even provide him with much support. The only person he brought out from the clan was the old servant, Xiangliu Fang, who had protected him since he was a child. As for any other subordinates, he had to have others 'volunteer' them to him.

This trial was actually quite a difficult one.

The old servant had to stay next to him and protect him, and so he still needed formidable subordinates. To invite a Primal Daoist or an Immortal? Youngflame Nong didn't feel safe doing so, because some powerful Primal Daoists and Immortals, given their combat ability, could instantly kill him! He absolutely would not permit this sort of a threat to exist.

Thus, he would only ask Wanxiang Adepts. No matter how powerful a Wanxiang Adept was…their power was within the realm of what he could handle.

However, some extremely powerful Primal Daoists were outside of that realm.

It is impossible to tell how powerful a person is just by looking at them. Even if a Primal Daoist might be little-known, no one could know how many secret arts he might be actually hiding. It was best to invite Wanxiang Adepts! It was safer, and within his realm of control. However, the more powerful a Wanxiang Adept, the harder it would be to invite them to come.

"Young master Youngflame, this Ji Ning has trained for less than thirty years. I imagine he might be quite hard to invite," Xue Hongyi said hurriedly. "In addition, he's also very arrogant. He didn't even show my Snowdragon Mountain any face at all. If we just go and ask him, he might be discourteous…"

"Hahaha, he wouldn't give your Snowdragon Mountain face, so you think he won't give me face?" Youngflame Nong gave him a glance. "Hongyi, I can tell that there are some grudges between your clan and him. However, since you've come to assist me, then you don't need to think about those things for now."

Xue Hongyi had no choice but to lower his head and say, "Understood."

"Come, let's take a look at this Ji Ning." Youngflame Nong smiled, filled with anticipation.

Serpentwing Lake. Brightheart Island. Within a study.

Ning was currently writing calligraphy, one character at a time. Autumn Leaf was by his side, accompanying him and grinding hink for him. Ninelotus stood to one side, watching.

"Whew."

Ning put down his brush, revealing a hint of a smile. Writing calligraphy truly was a form of enjoyment for him, especially when he incorporated his insights into the sword into them. This sort of feeling was truly pleasurable.

"Autumn Leaf, take it and burn it," Ning said.

"Yes, young master." Autumn Leaf immediately began to roll up the scroll.

"Autumn Leaf," Ninelotus said, "Take it and burn it in a nearby room. I have some things to discuss with Ji Ning."

Autumn Leaf nodded, then obediently left. In the room, only Ji Ning and Ninelotus were left.

"What secrets do you wish to discuss, that you need to avoid Autumn Leaf?" Ning hung the brush in its holder, then glanced at Ninelotus.

Ninelotus looked at Ning. "Ji Ning, don't you feel as though…you are a bit too friendly and intimate with Autumn Leaf?"

Ning was stunned.

"As I see it, there's not much of a difference between the way you treat Autumn Leaf and the way you treat me." Ninelotus looked at Ji Ning. "I'm your Dao-Companion. She's just your maid."

"Hahaha…" Ning began to laugh. "You are over-thinking things."

"I'm not," Ninelotus said quickly. "I'm not as jealous and small-minded as you are thinking. However, in the future, it is guaranteed that you will become more and more powerful, and your status will become higher and higher. More and more people will follow you as well. With so many subordinates…how are you going to properly manage them? With rules, that's how. How can you go without rules? There must be a clear distinction between those with high status and those with low status. Autumn Leaf is a maid? Then she's a maid! If you don't distinguish between those of high and low status, then everything will be a mess!"

Everything she had learned within the Dongyan clan caused Ninelotus to believe that one had to clearly distinguish between exalted and humble statuses.

Servants were servants!

Even if you doted on a particular servant, a servant still had to act the part of a servant!

"What are you trying to say?" Ning began to frown.

"I just want to tell you that in the future, as you grow increasingly powerful, the Ji clan will also slowly grow powerful. A major clan needs to look like and operate like a major clan. As the supreme power behind this major power…you need to be even more careful in distinguishing between the statuses of those by your side!" Ninelotus said. "And you? Enough about Autumn Leaf for now; you even converse with those ordinary servants? You chit-chat with them? Those are just ordinary mortal servants. Why pay them any attention at all?"

Ning suddenly snapped, "Enough!"

Ninelotus was stunned.

"Everyone has their own way of handling their affairs. As for Autumn Leaf, although she is a maid, in my heart, she's my older sister!" Ning looked at Ninelotus.

Ninelotus gritted her teeth.

The two had lived in different environments, and Ning, in his previous life, had come from Earth. Naturally, there would be major differences in the ways they viewed and handled things.

"In the future, people are going to laugh at you if you act this way!" Ninelotus said with a frown.

"Laugh at me? Who will laugh at me?" Ning looked at Ninelotus. "In fact, why should I even care about if others laugh at me? I'm me. When my fame truly reaches the point of shaking the entire Grand Xia Dynasty, others will most likely revere every single word I say and thing I do. Ninelotus, can it be that you still haven't seen through these things? A True Immortal, even one of low and despicable moral character…in the end, the various tribes will all lower their heads to lap at his feet. If, however, he was nothing but an ordinary mortal, even if his every word and action was keeping in accord with the rules of your so-called 'major clans', in the end, he'll be nothing more than a joke."

"Expand your horizons to include the entire Three Realms!"

"Personal power is the most important fundament! Only when you have power, will you become a major power!" Ning stared at Ninelotus.

Ninelotus could sense the powerful determination and the wild ambition in Ning's eyes. She lowered her head.

"Alright. I won't speak of this anymore. In the future, you'll understand." Ninelotus turned her head, moving to walk outside. But right at this moment…

A powerful ripple spread out from far away.

"Eh?" Ning and Ninelotus both turned their heads, staring towards the distant skies. They could both sense the ripple. Although they had just had an argument, they still flew together towards the skies.

In midair. Ning, Ninelotus, Northson, Yu Wei, and Adept Vastriver had all flown here.

"Who is it?" Ning saw the ancient, plain-looking warship hanging in the skies far away. Atop the warship, a flag was fluttering with two characters on it – 'Young' 'Flame'.

"Youngflame Nong!" Ninelotus was shocked.

"The Youngflame clan?" Adept Vastriver was similarly shocked.

As for Ning, Northson, and Yu Wei, they hadn't even heard of this clan before. Clearly, they were befuddled.

Adept Vastriver hurriedly sent to them, "Be careful, fellow disciples. This Youngflame clan ranks amongst the top ten powerful clans in the entire Grand Xia Dynasty. Many of their clansmen are officials serving the Grand Xia Dynasty, and they are extremely influential in this major world. Within their clan, there are three Marquisates, and these three marquisdoms vastly outstrip Stillwater Commandery in size.

Ninelotus hurriedly sent as well, "The Youngflame clan's territory, in terms of size, is nearly a hundred times that of Stillwater Commandery! Their roots are incredibly deep; supposedly, shortly after this major world was created, the Youngflame clan had already begun to grow and prosper. In the incomparably distant Fiendgod Era, the Youngflame clan was an incomparably mighty force.

Ning, Northson, and Yu Wei were stunned upon hearing this.

"That's too badass…" Northson blinked.

"Three marquisdoms in a single tribe?" Ning had reviewed a map of the entire Grand Xia Dynasty; amongst them, there were indeed three marquisdoms that were marked with 'Youngflame clan'. These three marquisdoms were spread out in different areas, but each of them were vast; they were all extremely large marquisdoms.

"Why has the warship of such a powerful clan appeared at my Serpentwing Lake?" Ning was completely puzzled.

At this moment, a long corridor suddenly opened up from within that ancient, plain warship. An azure-robed man emerged, followed by a swarthy, tall, slender-eyed middle-aged man. Behind them was Xue Hongyi, Bu You, and a group of Wanxiang Adepts and Zifu Disciples.

"Xue Hongyi?" Ning immediately recognized him. Xue Hongyi gave Ning a glance as well.

"Everyone, be careful," Ninelotus hurriedly sent. "This azure-robed youth…he's one of the Four Dukelings of the imperial capital of the Grand Xia Dynasty, 'Youngflame Nong'. Youngflame Nong's status is extraordinary; unless something unexpected happens, he'll be the next leader of the Youngflame clan, the next Godplume Duke."

Ning, Northson, Adept Vastriver, and Yu Wei were all secretly tongue-tied. The next leader of the Youngflame clan? He was this incredible?

"Dongyan Yun greets you, young master Youngflame," Ninelotus said with a smile.

"You know me?" Youngflame Nong said, surprised, "Dongyan Yun? Can it be that you are 'Ninelotus' of the Dongyan clan?"

"Precisely so." Ninelotus nodded.

Youngflame Nong smiled and nodded. He had been carefully reared since young, and was quite familiar with some of the most important figures of the supreme powers of this the Grand Xia Dynasty's world. Ninelotus was the next leader of the Dongyan clan ; naturally, he was familiar with her. Although he had learned of her long ago, after reflecting slightly, he remembered everything about her.

"Ninelotus, you are far more beautiful than the painting I saw. In the painting, you were far more youthful," Youngflame Nong said with a laugh.

Ninelotus laughed, then said, "Let me make the introductions for you, young master Youngflame. This is my Dao-Companion, Ji Ning."

"Dao-Companion?" Youngflame Nong was startled, and then he nodded. "A perfect pairing, to be sure."

"This is my senior apprentice-sister, the Rainbowflame Fairy, Yu Wei. She is also a reincarnated Immortal." Ninelotus next pointed to the black-robed Yu Wei.

Youngflame Nong's eyes immediately lit up. Ninelotus could be said to be an extremely beautiful and graceful woman, but the Rainbowflame Fairy, Yu Wei, was even superior to her. She caused even the eyes of Youngflame Nong, who usually stayed in the imperial capital, to light up.

"This is my senior apprentice-brother, Adept Vastriver, also a reincarnated Immortal. And this is my junior apprentice-brother, Mu Northson," Ninelotus said.

As soon as Ninelotus finished her words…

"Greetings to you, young master Youngflame," Ning, Northson, Yu Wei, and Adept Vastriver said in unison.

Youngflame Nong nodded as well. He could tell that this group was an extraordinary one. Next to him, Adept Bu You secretly sent him a mental message. "Congratulations, young master Youngflame. The Rainbowflame Fairy and Adept Vastriver are amongst the most supreme geniuses of the Black-White College; they are easily comparable to Ji Ning."

Youngflame Nong looked towards their group, then said with a smile, "Come to think of it, I actually do have something to ask you to help out with."

Ning's group exchanged glances.

"Young master Youngflame, please speak," Ning said.

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Chapter 3 – Witchriver Immortal Estate!

Youngflame Nong said, "This is a small test my clan has given me. They've charged me with investigating an ancient Immortal estate. As for whether or not I'm able to acquire the aid of others, the clan won't care! I won't lie to you; this Immortal estate belonged to a Celestial Immortal. Although he died countless years ago, his estate is filled with many dangers, and the Diremonsters who were trapped within have constantly propagated. I imagine that there are quite a few monsters living there now…and there are some unknown dangers as well. Thus, I need some helpers. If you are willing to help me, then I will remember this favor."

These words caused the faces of Ji Ning, Mu Northson, Ninelotus, Yu Wei, and Adept Vastriver to change.

The estate of a Celestial Immortal?

Although the vast world was covered with countless Immortal estates, those generally belonged to Loose Immortals or Earth Immortals. Estates of Loose Immortals or Earth Immortals might be quite alluring to ordinary Zifu Disciples, but they were much less intriguing to the likes of Ning's group; after all, Ning's group had constant access to many living Loose Immortals and Earth Immortals. For example, Ning's master was Immortal Diancai!

But a Celestial Immortal's estate? That was completely different!

"Everyone, what do you think?" Adept Vastriver sent.

Ninelotus sent, "Youngflame Nong is one of the Four Dukelings of the imperial capital; given his status, if he says he will remember this favor, he definitely will. For the sake of this favor along…I feel that we can help him. Once he becomes the next Godplume Duke, if he is willing to help us out even slightly, we will benefit tremendously."

"Let's not rush into it. I feel that the servant next to him is extremely dangerous," Ning sent. His subconscious had begun to warn of him a tremendous threat long ago, and the threat came from that servant. "If he has such a formidable helper already, why does he need our help? Let's not rush into it and ask a bit more."

"Mm, makes sense," Adept Vastriver concurred.

"I'll follow you, senior apprentice-brother," Northson said simply.

"Let's wait and see first," Yu Wei agreed.

Although Ninelotus was more inclined towards accepting, clearly, Ning's influence was a bit stronger within this group. The main reason was because, when a group of geniuses were together, they would value ability the most. The most powerful of their group was Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and Vastriver.

Youngflame Nong could tell from the looks on the faces of Ning and the rest that they hadn't yet been convinced. He thus continued, "This Celestial Immortal was known as Immortal Witchriver! He was an aquatic Diremonster who gained insight into the Dao and became a Celestial Immortal. In the past, his fame was widespread. Afterwards, he fought with other Immortals of the Three Realms and perished. The key to his Immortal estate was acquired by my Youngflame clan. However, my clan was in no rush to investigate. That's why I'm certain that after Immortal Witchriver died, nobody has entered."

"In addition, this Immortal estate is the lair of a Celestial Immortal; it definitely has many precious items inside, such as spirit-herbs, precious magic treasures, spirit-pills, unique refining materials, and more. There might even be Immortal-ranked magic treasures within!"

By now, Yu Wei and Adept Vastriver's eyes were shining. Ning and Northson couldn't help but feel stirred as well. An Immortal-ranked magic treasure? Right…the vast majority of Loose Immortals and Earth Immortals didn't have Immortal-ranked magic treasures, but Celestial Immortals definitely would, and not just one! It was very possible that they might leave one behind in their homes.

"My goal is to achieve mastery of this Immortal estate; as for the treasures within, so long as you can acquire them, they will be yours. I definitely won't fight with you for them. Even if I truly want them, I'll give you a satisfactory offer for them and won't force you." Youngflame Nong looked towards Ning's group. "This is my promise, and the promise of the Youngflame clan."

Ning's group exchanged glances with each other while secretly sending mental messages.

"We can go take a look," Adept Vastriver sent. "Entering a Celestial Immortal's estate is a rare opportunity to begin with. It is just as young master Youngflame said…without the key to the estate, there's no way to enter at all. It's a rare opportunity for us to enter alongside him."

"He's the young master of the Youngflame clan…the Youngflame clan's promises are worth trusting," Yu Wei sent.

"I'll follow you, senior apprentice-brother." Northson's words were the same as before.

"Ji Ning?" Ninelotus looked towards Ji Ning.

Ning was intrigued as well now.

Youngflame Nong look at them, then added, "Based on what I know, although Immortal Witchriver was a Diremonster, he was a Diremonster Sword Immortal, and had an extremely high level of insight into the Dao of the Sword. I imagine that his sword technique must be recorded down within his home."

Ning's eyes lit up.

"It seems as though junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning has been moved," Adept Vastriver sent with a laugh. "Everyone, let's decide…should we go?"

"We can make the trip," Yu Wei said. "Although it will be dangerous…if the Youngflame clan is willing to allow their young master to go, the danger level shouldn't be too ridiculous."

"Go," Ninelotus sent.

Northson looked at Ning.

"Let's go take a look," Ning nodded.

"Fine, I'll go as well." Northson revealed a smile.

Adept Vastriver was the oldest of the group, and so he was the one to speak out. "Young master Youngflame, the five of us are willing to accompany you to the Witchriver Immortal Estate."

"Haha, excellent!" Youngflame Nong's eyes were shining. He clapped his hands, then said happily, "With the help of the five of you, I will definitely succeed!"

"Everyone, if there are any preparations you need to make, make them quickly," Youngflame Nong said hurriedly. "We need to head to the Witchriver Immortal Estate as soon as possible."

"We're all free," Adept Vastriver said with a laugh. "I'm afraid that junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning might need to make some minor arrangements, however."

"Senior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, you go make your arrangements. We'll wait for you here," Northson laughed as well.

They were guests; naturally, they could leave at any time. Ning, however, had to make some arrangements for his clan.

"Everyone, please wait a few moments." Ning immediately transformed into a streak of light, flying towards Brightheart Island.

Brightheart Island. Autum Leaf, Little Qing, and the Whitewater Hound had been waiting here the entire time.

"What's going on? Who is that person?" Little Qing asked.

Ning looked towards Autumn Leaf. "Autumn Leaf, the person who came on that warship is a young master of an ancient, powerful clan known as the Youngflame clan. He's asked us to help him carry out some matters…I need to temporarily leave for a period of time. I'll hand everything on Brightheart Island over to you to handle. As for the Ji clan, help me send word that I'll return soon."

"Alright." Autumn Leaf nodded obediently. Whatever Ning wanted to do, Autumn Leaf would quietly support.

"Let's go, Little Qing, Uncle White," Ning laughed.

"We're off!" Little Qing instantly transformed into a streak of mist, then reformed and wrapped herself around Ning's arm as a little snake. As for the Whitewater Hound, he just quietly padded along besides Ning.

In going out and adventuring, one would naturally bring one's spirit-beasts along.

"I want to see how incredible this Celestial Immortal's estate is." Ning felt a bit eager. Suddenly, he had a thought; "It's best to be cautious. I should bring that treasure along and carry it on me. Supposedly, there are some places where magic treasures cannot be taken out of storage-type magic treasures." A black armband appeared around, then wrapped itself around Ning's arm. His magic clothing, in the appearance of furs, quickly covered it, making it disappear.

This black armband was one of the two major unique items which Ning had acquired from the underwater estate.

Ning still felt quite confident of his chances in this trip to the Celestial Immortal's estate. He had overcome the fourth level of the Wargod Hall and had reached the Wanxiang level as a Fiendgod Refiner…the two treasure selection chances he had gained, Ning had used to choose protective items, not Earth-ranked magic treasures!

This was what the giant yellow bear had said: "It's best to be careful. In the past, Rampart died at the Wanxiang Adept level. The Wanxiang level…it's neither high nor low; you aren't a weakling, but you also aren't a true power yet either. It's the level with the highest chance of death. Although this protective item can only be used once, its power is extraordinary. You can view it as a second life for yourself."

The third time Ning had chosen a treasure, the giant yellow bear had said something similar: "This unique protective is the most suited for you; in the past, Daoist Threelives felt a sudden moment of interest and personally fashioned it."

Aside from the Nethercold Swords which Ning had chosen the first time, Ning had used his other chances to choose protective treasures!

It must be understood that the set of Nethercold Swords, in and of itself, was already an extremely valuable treasure. It vastly surpassed the protective treasure which Immortal Diancai had previously given Ning; that protective treasure, for the current Ning, was a bit lacking. The two protective treasures which Ning chose this time, however…were no lower in value than the Nethercold Swords. Given that they were assessed by the underwater estate as top-grade, they were naturally extraordinary.

"With these two protective treasures, I should have enough resources to deal with any sudden, unexpected dangers," Ning mused to himself. "Time to go."

Ning had a little azure serpent around his arm, and a Whitewater Hound by his side. He immediately flew into the air.

"Ji Ning, you also have spirit-beasts?" Youngflame Nong, who was waiting for him on the warship, immediately laughed upon seeing the little azure snake on Ning's arm. "I have one as well. Come on out, Crimsonfire."

Instantly, a crimson-headed serpent reared its head, emerging from the skin on Nong's arm. This crimson serpent had a single horn on its head, and its eyes were gold.

"A Redscale Salamander?" Ning and the others were all secretly shocked. Godbeasts had the blood of Fiendgods, but there were differences amongst Godbeasts; normal Godbeasts were capable of transforming at the Zifu level, such as the Whitewater Hound and the Azure Skysnake! However, according to legend, some truly powerful Godbeasts would only be able to transform into human form after becoming Celestial Immortals. Those Godbeasts were truly fearsome.

Redscale Salamanders were extremely famous; they had to at least reach the Primal level before being able to transform! They were far more exalted than Azure Skysnakes and Whitewater Hounds.

"Hisssss." The Redscale Salamander gave the Azure Skysnake and the Whitewater Hound a glance, then buried its head once more into Nong's skin.

"Hahaha, Crimsonfire still isn't able to take human form, so he's quite depressed." Youngflame Nong sat at the highest, principal seat of the warship, with Ning and the others seated below him. "Come, come, come. Let's drink together. After we enter the Witchriver Immortal Estate, we won't be as relaxed as we are now."

"A toast to you, young master Youngflame."

Adept Vastriver, Ning, Northson, Yu Wei, and Ninelotus all raised their cups. As for Xue Hongyi and Bu You, who were seated at the very bottom, they also raised their cups.

"Hahaha…" Youngflame Nong's laughter rang out. Clearly, he was in an exceedingly good mood. And why wouldn't he be? Although Xue Hongyi and Bu You were both two-clawed Raindragon Guards, compared to Ji Ning, the most brilliant genius of the Black-White College, and compared to the two reincarnated Immortals, Yu Wei and Adept Vastriver, Bu You and Hongyi were on a lower level.

His casual detour to Swallow Mountain's Serpentwing Lake had resulted in five more helpers, each of whom were extraordinary! Even the slightly weaker Mu Northson was a genius of the Dao of Constructs. Those who walked the Dao of Constructs were innately skilled at fighting those who were of a higher level. In turn, Ninelotus was the next leader of the Dongyan clan; how could she not be in possession of some powerful protective items?

They drank and made merry with each other. After just two days, they arrived at the place where the Witchriver Immortal Estate was hidden.

"The Witchriver Immortal Estate is in the distant Skyrove Mountains." Youngflame Nong, standing at the front of the ship, pointed towards a distant, towering mountain range. He seemed quite resplendent and valiant.

Ning and the others followed his gaze, filled with anticipation as well.

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Chapter 4 – Seize It!

The Skyrove Mountains were vast and endless, covering an expanse of more than a hundred thousand kilometers.

"The Witchriver Immortal Estate is hidden within these mountains. Even if one was to rely on divine sense to search for it, it would take weeks." Youngflame Nong had a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "However, I have the key to the estate; so long as we draw close to it, I'll be able to sense it. Everyone, make your preparations; after we enter the Immortal estate, things will truly grow dangerous."

The nearby Immortal cultivators all nodded.

"We are finally going to go in." Mu Northson's eyes were shining.

"Right. The abode of a Celestial Immortal." Ning felt quite eager as well.

"Ji Ning." The nearby Ninelotus stealthily sent him a message.

Ning turned to look at Ninelotus, revealing a smile. He sent back, "Senior apprentice-sister, what's this about? Why are you sending me a mental message?"

"After entering the Immortal estate, you need to reveal your prowess, and also actively move to be more friendly to young master Youngflame. To be able to meet him is a rare opportunity; if you let it slip, it'll be hard to gain it again in the future," Ninelotus instructed. "You wasted both of the past two days. After entering the Immortal estate, you can't continue to be so remiss."

Ning frowned. "Senior apprentice-sister!"

"Don't be angry," Ninelotus said. "I know your temper; you don't like to flatter others, but I'm not asking you to do that. I'm just asking you to be a bit more friendly…Ji Ning, you should know that you are far more powerful than Xue Hongyi, but during the past two days on the warship, Xue Hongyi often engaged young master Youngflame in conversation, and he has a much closer relationship to him than you do, as of right now. You always just stand there, not saying a thing…this is really…"

"Senior apprentice-sister, I…" Ning wanted to explain.

"Let me finish." Ninelotus looked at Ji Ning. "Relationship-building…the reason why it is called relationship-building is because you need to build up a relationship between the two of you, which is accomplished through interacting with each other. That's the only way you can build up a relationship with him. Don't think that just because you helped him out that you'll have much of a relationship; that's just a favor, nothing more."

"When a favor is used up, it's gone. But a relationship is long-lasting!"

"You are arrogant and aloof by nature; you don't like to flatter others. But young master Youngflame is even more arrogant than you! As a result, the two of you barely interact with each other. Let me ask you this; if you were young master Youngflame…how much of a relationship would you feel that you have with a person who won't even talk to you? Even if this person helped you, I imagine that you wouldn't care too much about him."

Ning was stunned. Ninelotus' words did indeed have merit to them.

"Human relationships can be divided into several categories; strangers, familiar faces, friends, close friends, and lifelong friends," Ninelotus said. "You've only said one or two things to each other; to be honest, you and young master Youngflame can't even be considered 'familiar faces'; you continue to be strangers to each other. As for Xue Hongyi, he often chats with young master Youngflame. Afterwards, he is going to risk his life for him. Perhaps they might end up becoming friends."

"After you enter the Immortal estate, perhaps you might end up rendering more merits.."

"But in young master Youngflame's heart, he'll feel closer to Xue Hongyi, not you. Right now, because young master Youngflame needs your help for this trial, he's fairly courteous to you. But after he completes it, and especially after he becomes the next Godplume Duke…I imagine that he wouldn't even be bothered to cast you a single glance. If you ask him to help out, if it's a small matter, he might nod and return the favor, but if what you ask is too troublesome, he might not even receive you. Even an Immortal might find it hard to meet with the new Godplume Duke." Ninelotus looked at Ning.

"Senior apprentice-sister, I admit that your words have merit," Ning sent back. "Favors, once repaid, are gone. Relationships are indeed long-lasting."

"However…you are you, and I am me."

"I don't like to go and intentionally try to befriend someone. Let everything happen naturally," Ning sent. "If I can become friends with young master Youngflame, that will naturally be a good thing. But if we cannot be friends, that's fine as well."

"A fortuitous encounter! That's what this is, and you have to seize it!" Ninelotus sent urgently, "How many major figures will you run into in your life? If you miss this chance, it'll be gone."

"In taking the Immortal path, one will have to rely on one's self." Ning shook his head.

"But if someone helps you out at a critical moment, you'll be able to move farther on your Immortal path," Ninelotus sent.

"Senior apprentice-sister, if I were to intentionally go and befriend or ingratiate myself to someone, it will only impact my Dao-heart…in the end, it would be a loss," Ning said.

"You…" Ninelotus was furious.

"Everyone has their own Dao. Senior apprentice-sister, there's no need for you to try and force things," Ning said. "Senior apprentice-sister…I've never tried to force you to do anything. I hope you won't try to force me to do anything either. This is the second time now!"

Ninelotus was stunned. Right. Not too long ago, the two of you had squabbled at Brightheart Island over the matter of differentiation of statuses. That was the very first squabble the two had ever had.

"I'm just trying to help you accomplish greater things in the future." Ninelotus' eyes were turning slightly red.

"Alright, alright." Ning took Ninelotus by the hand, smiling towards her.

The nearby Yu Wei, noticing that Ji Ning and Ninelotus were holding hands, frowned very slightly. And then, she turned her head, staring towards the distant, vast mountains outside the ship.

"How is Ji Ning so lucky?" Xue Hongyi glanced from the corner of his eyes at the hand-holding Ji Ning and Ninelotus, then cursed to himself, "This trip of young master Youngflame to the Immortal estate clearly didn't have anything to do with Ji Ning, but now he's been invited to participate as well. In addition, he actually ended up becoming Dao-Companions with Dongyan Yun."

Xue Hongyi, at first, had no idea about Ninelotus' background. However, over the course of the past two days on the ship together, Youngflame Nong had chatted with Ninelotus, and from their conversations, Xue Hongyi had learned…that Ninelotus was actually the next leader of the Dongyan clan. Instantly, Xue Hongyi felt incomparably jealous!

"That brat from the Ji clan ended up reaching such a level…" Xue Hongyi couldn't help but feel envy in his heart.

When news had spread of Ning defeating Daoist Snowplume, Xue Hongyi could scarcely believe it. He couldn't believe that the little punk who he could've obliterated with ease a few years ago had become even more powerful than him.

And now, Ji Ning had also gotten to know Youngflame Nong, and had become Dao-Companions with Ninelotus…

"I really hope this Ji Ning will die in the Witchriver Immortal Estate!" Xue Hongyi mused secretly to himself.

The ship flew through the air above the Skyrove Mountains for the amount of time needed to boil a kettle of tea. Suddenly, the azure-robed Youngflame Nong's eyes lit up as he stared downwards. "The Immortal estate is directly below us. Everyone, follow me inside."

"We've found the Immortal estate?"

"Right below us?"

The experts, previously still chatting casually, all focused their attention below.

BOOM!

The warship shot downwards, quickly gliding past the mountain peaks and flying into an extremely deep gorge.

"Halt."

The ancient warship came to a halt in the air before one of the cliff walls.

"Wait for me to unlock the Immortal estate first." Youngflame Nong produced a golden talisman in his hand. He pointed it towards the distant cliff, then used his elemental ki to activate the talisman. Rumble…the golden talisman instantly emitted a hazy golden pillar of light which illuminated the stone wall. The surface of the stone wall immediately began to twist and change, soon revealing an enormous, rippling, watery surface.

"Go in." Youngflame Nong revealed a look of delight.

Swoosh!

The warship flew directly in, passing through the watery, rippling surface, then disappearing within it. Immediately afterwards, the rippling surface disappeared as well. The stone wall remained a stone wall, with nothing special about it at all.

Ning's group, aboard the warship, flew through the watery surface, then saw the scene in front of them rapidly change.

"This is…?" Ji Ning and the others aboard the warship saw the area around them be filled with a connected range of mountains. The mountain peaks were dreary and cold, as though nothing could thrive on them. As for the ground, it was a lifeless desert.

The Skyrove Mountains was a living, thriving mountain range. But upon entering this Immortal estate…what they saw was this desolate desert and the mountains above it.

Boom!

Rumble!

Boom!

Rumble!

From far away, a series of loud, earthshaking sounds rang out. The sounds rang out from a distant mountain peak, the most towering of the mountains present. The top of the mountain was completely covered by white patches. These white objects were Diremonsters, dressed in snowy white armor, which were clustered together, forming the various white patches.

These snowy white armored Diremonsters all had enormous fish-like tails and human bodies; their faces were covered with scales.

"Eh?"

"There?"

The countless Diremonsters all turned their heads in unison towards Ji Ning's group, because the ripple caused by the warship passing through the watery surface had been detected by them.

"Humans!"

"They are humans!"

The thousand-plus merfolk, who were in the midst of training, all called out in shock. How many years had it been? Ever since their ancestors had been trapped within here, unable to escape, they had bred countless generations of descendants. The entirety of this Immortal estate world was filled with monsters; there wasn't even a single human present. In fact, the late Immortal Witchriver himself was born a monster!

"Eh?" The leader of the training Diremonsters, an alluring-looking female merfolk with a naked upper body, was stunned…but then, her shrill voice bellowed out, "Humans! Humans have entered the Immortal estate! They definitely have the key to the estate…quick, quick, seize it from them, seize the key of the estate!"

"Seize it!"

"Seize it!"

"Follow me and kill them!" The female merfolk immediately manifested a set of golden armor over her.

As she charged towards the sky, the thousand snowy-white armored merfolk Diremonsters all followed from behind. The runes on the Dao-armors they were wearing all began to glow as well.

Rumble…these thousand Diremonsters suddenly formed into an enormously massive, sky-filling wave. This vast, endless wave rolled forward, smashing towards Youngflame Nong and his group, aboard the distant warship.

"Once we seize the key to the estate, we'll be able to escape. Take it!" The female merfolk bellowed mentally, causing the other merfolk Diremonsters behind her to bellow with fury as well.

The mountain peak was only a few dozen kilometers away from Ning's group. Precisely because of how close it was, these merfolk Diremonsters were able to immediately ascertain that they were humans! This was the very first time this unfathomably ancient Immortal estate had humans appear within it..

A few dozen kilometers…it only took a few breaths to traverse this!

Aboard the warship, Youngflame Nong, Ji Ning, Xue Hongyi, and the others were all stunned.

"Dao-soldiers!"

"Monstrous Dao-soldiers!" They were all shocked. They had all seen, from far away, that there were quite a few Wanxiang Diremonsters amongst the crowd of beasts, and that female merfolk leader was very possibly a Primal Diremonster! Even the weakest monster in the group was at the Zifu level. And with all of them also being Dao-soldiers…

"These Dao-armors must have been left behind by Immortal Witchriver for building up an army of Dao-soldiers." Ning and the others all realized that they were in for quite a bit of trouble now.

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Chapter 5 – Unblockable

This Immortal estate was the home of Immortal Witchriver; naturally, he had set up layers of defenses. Although he himself had perished, some of the defenses he had left behind remained usable; for example, his Dao-soldiers!

Immortal Witchriver had used up countless treasures in order to cultivate a powerful army of Dao-soldiers. In their most powerful prime, they were capable of easily killing a Loose Immortal or Earth Immortal! However, the Immortal estate had suffered through countless years of decay. Those oldest monstrous Dao-soldiers had died long ago, leaving behind a large amount of Dao-soldier armors.

Prior to this, Ji Ning and the others had guessed that as Immortal Witchriver was a monster Immortal, it was only logical to expect that he had stationed some of his race within his Immortal estate. This Immortal estate world…although it wasn't as infinitely vast as the Grand Xia Empire, it still spanned tens of thousands of kilometers, and was comparable in size to Earth. Thus, the monsters had continuously propagated.

The monsters had left behind their training methods to their descendants, while the Immortal estate itself had incomparably dense, nourishing levels of elemental energy. It was only normal for more Diremonsters to be created.

An host of Diremonsters…and a host of monstrous Dao-soldiers…these were two completely different concepts! With precious Dao-armors equipped, their power would explode tenfold or even a hundredfold!

Clans like the Ji clan also had Dao-armor suitable for mortals to use.

Dao-armor usable by Xiantian lifeforms and Zifu Disciples, however, were much more rare. Generally speaking, schools on the level of Snowdragon Mountain would have them.

As for Dao-armor which Wanxiang Adepts and Primal Daoists could use? Even sects like the Skysplitter Sword Sect would have to use all their ability and spend enormous amounts of precious resources to procure such Dao-armors.

And so, right now…Ji Ning's group was in serious trouble!

"Rumble…." A thousand monstrous Dao-soldiers swept forward, having transformed into a vast wave.

"Block them!"

Youngflame Nong, aboard the warship, let out a furious roar. Faced with a thousand monstrous Dao-soldiers, even he had an ugly look on his face now. A watery, rippling layer of black light appeared on the surface of the warship, completely protecting it.

BOOM!!!!

The edges of that vast, surging wave slashed against the warship like blades, causing the entire warship to be flipped over and sent flying backwards, smashing viciously against a nearby mountain peak. The entire mountain rang out from the sound of the collision, while the warship itself plunged deep into it. The black, watery curtain of protective light had completely dispersed.

"Uncle Fang, what should we do?" Youngflame Nong sent mentally.

"Young master, the combined, full-strength attack from those thousand Dao-soldiers was comparable to a Loose Immortal's might." The black, middle-aged man next to Youngflame Nong sent mentally, "That merwoman leader…she is definitely a Primal Diremonsters. My priority is definitely going to be staying close to you and protecting you. After all, I'm only skilled at close combat; if I were to charge out, then I would no longer be able to protect you. Let the others go face them. I'll wait for a good opportunity; once I seize it and kill that leading Primal merwoman…then the other Dao-soldiers will be much less of a threat."

"Kill!"

"Everyone, it's up to you." Youngflame Nong sent a mental message to Ning, Xue Hongyi, Adept Vastriver, and the others.

Ning's group were all secretly cursing; clearly, this Youngflame Nong wouldn't willingly risk himself. He was having them face the danger.

"Kill!" Xue Hongyi was the first to attack. With a sweep of his hand, he transformed into a streak of snowy white large, charging towards the thousand invading Dao-soldiers.

"Sword formation!" More than seven hundred flying swords appeared around Ji Ning. His peak Wanxiang-level elemental ki, using the ninth level of the [Lesser Thousand Swords Formation, formed a sword of light before him. This sword of light immediately executed the fifth stance of the [Three-Foot Sword] – Moonlight Hiding the Sword. Instantly, a seemingly soft, gentle beam of moonlight seemed to caress the wave of monstrous Dao-soldiers.

"Seal!" Yu Wei pointed into the distance. Whoosh! An enormous ice phoenix appeared in midair. This giant phoenix, completely formed from frozen ice, spread its wings and flew forward, carrying a heart-shaking, majestic aura.

"Vastwave Breaker!" Adept Vastriver let out a loud cry, but maintained his elegant and graceful poise. An enormous black sword appeared in midair, covered with runes. This giant black sword slashed through the skies, chopping towards the Dao-soldiers.

Ning's group, including the Zifu Disciples and the Wanxiang-level Deathsworn, all released powerful techniques. Ning and the others on his level were all capable of giving that female Primal Diremonster a good fight! However, she was linked to the thousand Dao-soldiers, and thus was now able to unleash astonishing levels of power, vastly surpassing any single person in Ning's group.

Rumble….

With an enormous rumbling sound, their sword-light and magic techniques either crumbled, vanished, or were knocked flying back.

The Zifu Disciples all formed into formations, preparing to resist together.

"We have to move fast. Fast, fast, fast! We need to take that key as soon as possible; if we are too slow, then the key will be taken by those old bastards," the leading merwoman Diremonster sent mentally. "Children, annihilate these humans."

"Kill."

"Kill."

The thousand-plus Dao-soldiers, when joining forces, were capable of unleashing power which no one in Ning's group was capable of resisting.

That enormous wave once more smashed directly towards them. Ning's group was quickly forced to retreat, but the weaker Zifu Disciples began to perish. Although they had formed formations…their formations, in the face of the formation of monstrous Dao-soldiers, simply wasn't able to hold on at all.

Crunch.

Some of the human Zifu Disciples spat up mouthfuls of blood. Some of their bodies crumbled. One after another, they died.

Fortunately, Ning and the others were working to block as well. Otherwise, most likely, in a single breath's worth of time, all of the Zifu Disciples would have perished.

"Too vicious," Northson sent mentally. "Senior apprentice-brother, that Youngflame Nong definitely has many treasures on him, but he's not even willing to use a single one of them. He just watched as those Zifu Disciples perished."

"We just entered the Immortal estate moments ago. It's only natural that he wouldn't be willing to use his treasures right away," Ning responded.

Ji Ning, Yu Wei, Ninelotus, and the others all had their own life-saving techniques. But nobody would choose to use them this early. After all…they had only just entered the Immortal estate.

Youngflame Nong stood there watching, with the swarthy, black-skinned man standing by his side, protecting him. The black-skinned, middle-aged man just watched quietly. His facial expressions didn't change at all when their Zifu Disciples started to die; his gaze was firmly focused on the distant, ferocious wave of elemental power, formed by the monstrous Dao-soldiers. The way in which the elemental ki circulated through their formation was extremely subtle and profound.

Right at this moment…

The black-skinned man, still by Youngflame Nong, suddenly revealed a cold light in his eyes. A pair of sharp awls appeared in his right and left hands. He took a sudden step forward, and his left arm began to elongate. In fact, one long serpent after another began to appear and coil around his arm. His left arm struck out with massive, savage power, sending the awl flying towards the front!

Whoosh!

The long black awl instantly pierced through the skies, leaving behind a brilliant, eye-catching scar in the sky as it pierced directly towards the giant wave formed from monstrous Dao-soldiers.

BOOM!!!

An explosive sound. The massive, ferocious wave actually was blown apart! The giant wave vanished, revealing that more than ten of the Diremonster Dao-soldiers had been completely blasted into chunks of meat. The other monstrous Dao-soldiers were all completely stunned, and they all stared at the black, middle-aged man who had thrown out the long awl.

"What?! He actually discovered the core of our Dao-soldier formation, then shattered it and destroyed the formation?" The merwoman Diremonster was shocked. If the attack hadn't struck the core, it would've passed through the massive wave, not cause it to completely collapse.

The merwoman Diremonster turned her head, staring at the black, middle-aged man who had thrown out the awl. But…

Whoosh!

The long awl in the middle-aged man's right hand suddenly flashed out as well; his right arm also became covered with long, coiling serpents, and it became incomparably strong and muscular, emanating a terrifying, heart-shaking aura. Once more, that dazzling, eye-catchingly brilliant scar in the skies appeared…as the awl pierced directly through the body of the merwoman Diremonster, who had wanted to dodge, but was completely unable to!

"This, this…" A look of shock and despair appeared on her face. "How can he be so powerful? I was completely unable to dodge. He, he…he's a human Immortal?" And then, her consciousness faded away. She fell down from the skies, her body pierced through. She was dead!

"The Queen is dead!"

"The Queen died! Quick, flee, flee!"

"Quick, flee!"

Seeing that their leader had been so easily killed, the other merfolk Diremonsters no longer had any appetite for battle. All of them began to flee.

"Swish!"

"Whoosh!"

"Bang!"

Ji Ning, Yu Wei, Adept Vastriver, and the others naturally wouldn't show mercy at a time like this. It be must understood that these monsters were all wearing Dao-armor, most of which was meant for Zifu Disciples, and some of which were even usable by Wanxiang Adepts. A single set of Dao-armor usable by Wanxiang Diremonsters was far more valuable than an ordinary Earth-ranked magic treasure.

"Two sets. Three sets." Northson didn't hold back at all, killing one after another and seizing as many as he could.

Moments later.

The remaining monstrous Dao-soldiers had all fled far away, leaving behind a pile of corpses and a heap of Dao-armors in the hands of Ning's group.

"We killed more than two hundred monsters, while more than a hundred of our Zifu Disciples died." Youngflame Nong didn't reveal a look of happiness on his face at all. Although he knew all along that there would be some danger in this trial, he hadn't expected that his team would've suffered such a thwack as soon as they entered.

"Young master Youngflame." The black-skinned, middle-aged man retrieved his awls, then said in a low voice, "Let's hurry and leave. Perhaps even more powerful Diremonsters will come over soon."

"Right." Youngflame Nong nodded. "Let's go." He looked towards Ning and the others.

Right at this moment…

A deep, powerful surge of divine sense instantly encapsulated this region.

"Humans, now that you have entered the Immortal estate…are you still dreaming of leaving alive?" A deep, sonorous voice rang out.

"What a powerful divine sense." As soon as Ning's own divine sense collided against this person's, he could sense how powerful it was. Although he viewed his divine sense as his strongest attribute, he could tell that this person vastly surpassed him.

"Senior apprentice-brother, look." Northson stared, wide-eyed, towards the distance.

"This…is big trouble." Adept Vastriver was staring towards the distance as well.

Ning turned to looked as well.

There, in the distant skies, an enormous, massive wave of water was soaring this way, like a titanic flood that covered the heavens themselves. The size of this massive wave was more than ten times greater than the previous one…and the aura emanating from this massive wave was vastly more powerful than the wave created by the merfolk.

"More than ten thousand monstrous Dao-soldiers!" The black-skinned, awl-wielding man by Youngflame Nong's side growled out in a low voice.

The hearts of everyone in Ning's group sank. More than thousand? This was comparable to the entire Snowdragon Mountain sect. The worst thing was, each and every one of these ten thousand Diremonsters were Dao-soldiers! There was no way a school like Snowdragon Mountain could possibly acquire so many Dao-armors, especially the ones which even Primal Diremonsters could use. This level of power…it was enough to cause even an Immortal to feel fear.

"Young master, I won't be able to block them," the black-skinned man sent.

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Chapter 6 – Fiendgod, Hydraga

"Young master Youngflame, there's no way we can deal with so many monstrous Dao-soldiers," Adept Vastriver sent hurriedly.

Ning, staring at the titanic, sky-filling wave that had been formed by countless monstrous Dao-soldiers, felt powerless as well. He sent, "Young master Youngflame, what now?"

"Young master Youngflame."

"Young master Youngflame."

All of them looked towards Youngflame Nong. Even the black-skinned man, Xiangliu Fang, looked towards his young master.

"Uncle Fang, don't worry about me. Go all out and massacre them." Youngflame Nong ground his teeth. Waving his hand, he produced a marvelous golden globe of light which flew into the air, quickly growing in size until it reached a diameter of thirty meters.

"All of you, get in," Youngflame Nong ordered. At the same time, he produced a white sack in his other hand, which opened up. "Don't resist."

Whooooooosh.

The surrounding Zifu Disciples were all sucked into the sack, and then the sack itself was carried by Youngflame Nong as he stepped into the golden globe of light.

Ji Ning, Mu Northson, Ninelotus, Yu Wei, Adept Vastriver, Xue Hongyi, Adept Bu You, and the other Wanxiang adepts all flew into the golden globe of light as well.

"Uncle Fang, I'll leave this in your hands. Let's reunite later," Youngflame Nong said.

"Alright. It's been quite a while since I've truly gone all out in a fight." A hint of excitement had appeared in Xiangliu Fang's eyes. Even he found it quite taxing to help protect Youngflame Nong from so many combined Dao-soldier attacks, as he had to block them all. Now that he no longer needed to do so, he was suddenly much more free to utilize his speed and agility, fighting to his heart's content.

"Let's go." With but a thought, Youngflame Nong instantly caused the golden globe of light to begin flying at high speed. With a swoosh, it quickly flew towards the distance.

Ning and the others within the golden globe of light, curious, reached out to touch the light. Previously, they had been able to easily pass through it, but now, they realized that this golden globe of light felt extremely tough and resilient.

"This is my 'Goldspirit Halo'," Youngflame Nong said confidently. "Once I've activated the divine light within it, we are no longer able to exit it, but outside attacks are similarly unable to reach us…forget about these Dao-soldiers, even if three or five Loose Immortals came and attacked, they wouldn't be able to do anything to us until after the energy of the divine light is used up."

Ning secretly sighed in amazement. Unless something unexpected occurred, Youngflame Nong would be the next Godplume Duke…and he really lived up to that reputation. A casual treasure he pulled out was already comparable to the two life-saving items which Ning had acquired from the underwater estate.

Of the two life-saving items Ning had acquired in the underwater estate, one was offensive while the other was defensive. The defensive one, he had acquired from the Treasure Pavilion when he had reached the Wanxiang level as a Fiendgod. The offensive one, he had acquired after passing the fourth level of the Wargod Hall. This offensive treasure had been personally forged by Daoist Threelives in a moment of amusement, and its power was extraordinary.

"Five Skypillars!"

"Look! Five Skypillars!"

The Goldspirit Halo had just flown a few hundred kilometers away, high into the skies. As the saying went, when standing at a high vantage point, one would be able to see to a greater distance. This Immortal estate was tens of thousands of kilometers in size. Now that they were in the skies, they could immediately see that at the ends of the world in each direction, there was a pillar of golden light, soaring through the clouds and into the heavens. There were five in total, and each was unfathomably tall.

These five golden Skypillars of light seemed to be holding up the entire Immortal estate world.

"Five directions…the Five Elements," Ning murmured to himself. "It seems this Immortal estate is divided up into five branching halls, each of which help to stabilize this world."

"Skypillars." Adept Vastriver and the others all revealed looks of delight.

"Hahaha…" Youngflame Nong began to laugh loudly. "So this Witchriver Immortal Estate is divided up into five halls. Those five distant Skypillars represent the locations of the five halls. Let's immediately go over there. I have the key to the estate, and we can enter the halls. Those monstrous Dao-soldiers, however, cannot. Let's go!"

Swoosh!

The golden globe of light quickly flew towards one of the closest Skypillars.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The thundering roars of battle seemed to shake the world. That vast, heaven-covering wave came crashing towards them, but in front of that Goldspirit Halo, a single, seemingly ordinary figure stood there protectively. It was that servant…Xiangliu Fang.

"Young master, the rest of you can head over. I'll be there soon," Xiangliu Fang said.

Within the Goldspirit Halo, Ji Ning and the others were naturally staring towards the distant figure of Xiangliu Fang, as well as that heaven-covering wave.

And then…

Xiangliu Fang's body suddenly increased explosively in size. An unearthly, savage aura blasted out from him, and his figure quickly transformed into an incomparably massive, terrifying, and towering shape that was more than three thousand meters tall. His lower body was that of an enormous serpent, while his upper body appeared to be human. From his head, however, eight additional, massive serpentine heads emerged as well.

Nine heads, and the body of a serpent. An ancient, primal, savage aura emanated from him, filling the skies.

"Fiendgod!" Ning held his breath.

"A Fiendgod."

"Good heavens…a Fiendgod."

All of them were completely overwhelmed. They could all tell that this was definitely a Fiendgod! Someone with a strange appearance like this, with nine heads and the body of a serpent, clearly was not a human…and yet, he didn't have the slightest hint of a monstrous aura either. What he emanated was the aura of a primordial Fiendgod, which caused all of their hearts to quiver. Given his massive body and ancient aura…he could only be a Fiendgod.

The likes of Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You had never before seen a true Fiendgod.

"What an enormous body…is that a divine ability, or is his body naturally that large?" Adept Bu You couldn't help but ask.

"Fiendgods are born with massive bodies," Youngflame Nong said confidently. "Uncle Fang belongs to the primordial Fiendgod race known as the Xiangliu, the Hydraga. Hydraga, even amongst Fiendgods, are extremely powerful. Even without using any divine abilities, they have Fiendgod bodies that are three thousand meters long. Although Uncle Fang is only at the Primal level, as a true Fiendgod, and a Hydraga at that, even many Loose Immortals are no match for him."

Ning and the others were all completely stunned. Although previously, Ning had seen an ancient Fiendgod attack during in the wild marshes of the Gaol Mountains, and that ancient, awakened Fiendgod was clearly even more powerful than Xiangliu Fang…that ancient Fiendgod had simply crushed the Dragonwhale King's with his fingers. Ning hadn't had a chance to watch him truly fight.

But this time…he finally had a chance to see a true Fiendgod fight.

Fiendgod Body Refining…the goal was for humans to approach Fiendgods in terms of body strength! However, compared to a true Fiendgod, there was still a huge difference; for example, one's body wouldn't be as large as a Fiendgod's, and one's innate talents wouldn't be as strong as a Fiendgod's…

"A Fiendgod?" The monstrous Dao-soldiers that were attacking were all badly startled as well. They had been living in this Immortal estate the entire time; they had heard of Fiendgods, but this was their first time actually seeing one.

The enormous, nine-headed, serpent-bodied Fiendgod towered there in the skies, two enormous black awls appearing within his hands.

"KILL!" Xiangliu Fang bellowed loudly.

BOOM!

Xiangliu Fang's enormous serpentine tail swept out, and the air itself seemed to explode. Xiangliu Fang threw himself directly towards the giant group of monstrous Dao-soldiers.

"Just a single Fiendgod, and one that hasn't even reached the Void level. No need to fear him." That massive, sonorous voice echoed out once more, ringing in the ears of each of the monstrous Dao-soldiers. "Crush this Fiendgod to death."

"Haaaaaargh!"

"Haaaaaargh!"

"Haaaaaargh!"

Xiangliu Fnag's eight serpentine heads simultaneously unleashed savage roars. Suddenly, the temperature in the surrounding area dropped precipitously, to the point where ice and frost began to form. Instantly, a world of frost and snow manifested. In addition, his roars also struck out against their souls. However, since the monstrous Dao-soldiers were joined together as one, their souls were joined together as well.

"Kill!" The massive tidal wave crushed forward.

BOOM! BOOM!

The three-thousand meter Fiendgod moved straight forward to receive the attack, and the long awls in his hands stabbed out viciously towards the massive wave, causing the air to expode and seeming to carry enough power to shatter the skies and rend the earth.

Xiang Liufang's massive serpentine tail oscillated repeatedly, causing him to be incomparably agile and crafty, allowing him to time and time again avoid the sharp 'tip' of the massive wave, and then give the massive wave a vicious counter-stab!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

There, in the skies, the Fiendgod and the massive wave collided against each other repeatedly. A true Fiendgod absolutely had the power to fight those at a higher level of power. A Primal Fiendgod…this was something that was generally comparable to a powerful Loose Immortal or Earth Immortal. As for a Void-level Fiendgod? They were all comparable to Celestial Immortals! By comparison, Void-level human Earth Immortals, even those who trained as Fiendgods, however, were vastly inferior to Celestial Immortals. From this, one could tell how unique Fiendgods were.

However, there were simply far too many of the monstrous Dao-soldiers. Even Loose Immortals and Earth Immortals would have to stay away from them. Thus, the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, was still the weaker party in this engagement. However, given his massive, Fiendgod body, he wasn't afraid of suffering wounds. He was also incomparably nimble, and was thus able to unleash one terrifying attack after another in response.

"Uncle Fang can both advance or retreat in this battle, and he's extremely nimble. He's also able to keep fighting for a very long time…although these monstrous Dao-soldiers are capable of unleashing a shocking amount of power, there is a limit to their elemental ki; they won't be able to hold on for too long," Youngflame Nong said confidently.

"Formidable." Adept Vastriver couldn't help but sigh in amazement. "A true Fiendgod…they truly are formidable. Fiendgod Body Refiners…no matter how hard they strive to approach Fiendgods in power, a gulf still remains."

"Right." Ning nodded as well.

"The Youngflame clan truly is one of the top ten ancient clans of the Grand Xia Empire. A single young master's personal servant…is actually an ancient, Primal-level Fiendgod." Ning secretly sighed in amazement as well.

"How long will it be before my Dongyan clan is this powerful as well?" Ninelotus murmured silently to herself. Although the Dongyan clan also had Fiendgods, they wouldn't go so far as to let one of their Primal-level Fiendgods serve as personal bodyguards.

Yu Wei just watched all of this quietly. As she looked at the Hydraga, some images from her past life began to flit through her mind.

"Hydraga…" Yu Wei let out a soft sigh.

As Ning's group was fleeing towards the Skypillar while watching the battle, suddenly…

"Old Poison-Dragon, hahaha…this Fiendgod is clearly only at the Primal level, but you still aren't able to do anything to him? You, a Loose Immortal? Hahaha, it seems as though in the end, it will still be left to our Witchriver clan." Accompanied by a laugh that seemed to cause the world to tremble, off in the distance, an enormous, ugly, hunchbacked giant suddenly appeared. The hunchbacked giant was tens of thousands of meters tall, and wielded a massive metal pitchfork. This giant appeared rather blurry and indistinct; clearly, it was formed from a large number of monstrous Dao-soldiers.

"Yaksha Dao-soldiers? Immortal Witchriver actually had Yaksha Dao-soldiers under his command?" Youngflame Nong was shocked. "The Witchriver clan…can these be the descendants of Immortal Witchriver?"

Immortal Witchriver was originally a monster himself. Naturally, he treated his own clansmen with more favor. Although countless years had passed, the clansmen of Immortal Witchriver remained the most powerful monstrous force within this Immortal estate world.

"Uncle Fang, quick, retreat." Youngflame Nong didn't dare to hesitate, staring with panic towards the distant Skypillar.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The Goldspirit Halo continued to move closer and closer towards it.

"I can sense it." Youngflame Nong revealed a look of delight as he stared towards the massive yet blurry illusion of a Skypillar, then loudly shouted, "OPEN!"

Instantly, an enormous entrance appeared into the illusory Skypillar. The entrance was open, and upon seeing it, Ning and the others all revealed looks of delight, knowing that this was one of the true, important locations of the Witchriver Immortal Estate.

Swoosh.

The Goldspirit Halo flew directly inside, and then the illusory entrance once more vanished.

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Chapter 7 – The Vault of Treasures

This was an enormous palace, but it was completely quiet and soundless. The stillness here had remained unbroken for countless, countless years.

Once Youngflame Nong, Ji Ning, Mu Northson, Xue Hongyi, and the others flew into the palace from within the Goldspirit Halo, all of them let out sighs of relief. They had finally managed to escape and make it inside.

"We finally made it in. That Immortal estate world is simply too terrifying. One group of monstrous Dao-soldiers after another…one feels terrified just looking at them." Although Ning was no coward, he had felt completely powerless earlier, because the difference in power was simply too great. He would have been completely unable to fight back.

"Senior apprentice-brother." Northson looked at Ning.

"Hm?" Ning looked back towards him.

"Do you think…we shouldn't have come here?" Northson muttered, "Earlier, the very first group of merfolk Dao-soldiers we fought against numbered over a thousand. They were able to effortlessly crush us. And then, afterwards, an even more powerful army of more than ten thousand Dao-soldiers appeared…and then the so-called Yaksha Dao-soldier appeared, formed from the monsters of the Witchriver clan. Even that Fiendgod Hydraga was unable to stop them. I feel as though…we are completely useless here."

Northson was muttering, not sending a mental message. Thus, everyone around him could hear his words. All of them were silent.

It was true. Just now, they had relied on Youngflame Nong's servant, the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, to do everything. It was the Fiendgod who had killed the leader of the merfolk Dao-soldiers, and it was also the Fiendgod who had gone to block the ten-thousand plus Dao-soldier wave. Ning and the others had only been able to watch.

"Everyone," Youngflame Nong laughed, "Don't feel dispirited. There was no way that we could've predicted in advance that this Immortal estate woud actually give birth to so many powerful monsters, all of whom possessed Dao-armors. No matter what, however, in the end, we've managed to make it inside one of the palaces of the Witchriver Immortal Estate."

"Only one who has the key to the estate can make it inside; thus, after Immortal Witchriver died, despite the passage of countless years, no other living creatures have ever made it inside this palace. This is an extremely safe place. But of course…some of the safeguards Immortal Witchriver had originally set up might still be functioning. Thus, let's not rush about rashly. Wait for me to welcome Uncle Fang inside, and then we'll slowly search through this palace." Youngflame Nong's words caused everyone to grow calm once more.

No matter what, given that Immortal Witchriver had died more than a hundred million years ago, there were definitely no living creatures within this palace. Thus, it was certainly safer in here than it was outside.

"Whew." Northson immediately plopped down, seating himself cross-legged, then staring around and calling out, "Senior apprentice-brother, senior apprentice-sister, let's all sit down and take a break."

Ning laughed, then sat down in the lotus position as well.

"That scared me to death." Little Qing reared her serpentine head, blinking repeatedly. The Whitewater Hound also lay down on the ground.

Yu Wei, Adept Vastriver, Xue Hongyi, Adept Bu You, and the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn all either sat down or remained standing.

With but a thought from Youngflame Nong…whoosh. In the air in front of them, a fist-sized tunnel appeared. Through the void-tunnel, one could see the outside world, where many monstrous Dao-soldiers were currently fighting against a towering Hydraga Fiendgod!

"Uncle Fang!" Youngflame Nong was somewhat worried as well as he watched.

"Master, if that Fiendgod dies outside, we are in big trouble," Little Qing sent mentally to Ji Ning. "We'd be trapped inside this palace, unable to leave."

"Don't jinx us! Hydraga Fiendgods aren't so easily killed. What's more…how could the exalted heir to the position of Godplume Duke of the Youngflame clan just be trapped here?" Ning was still quite calm. Even if the heavens were to collapse upon them, they had a 'big fellow' ready to prop it back up. This was a trial which the ancient, vast Youngflame clan had prepared for Youngflame Nong. Perhaps Youngflame Nong might fail the test, but it wasn't too likely that he would simply be trapped here forever.

Ning's group remained there, within the palace. They knew that this palace was extremely large, and that there were many places within it, but they didn't dare to barge about wildly. Who knew which safeguards and protective measures left behind by Immortal Witchriver were still active? If they were unlucky and ran into a particularly powerful defensive mechanism…a large number of them might die.

Better to wait. Wait to reunite with the Hydraga Fiendgod.

As Ning's group quietly waited. Deep within a corridor, in a hidden passageway within the heart of this vast palace.

This passageway was filled with countless, towering statues. At a glance, one would see eighteen grayish-black status, each of which were in the shape of a legendary Godbeast, the Qiongqi Manticore. They coiled there within the corridor. Countless years had passed in stillness, but as Ning's group had entered the quiet, silent, ancient palace…

Something seemed to have been activated. The eighteen Qiongqi Manticore statues all began to glow with golden light, a light which constantly flooded into the statues and made them slowly appear more and more real.

"Snap." The eyes of one of the Qiongqi Manticores suddenly opened. A pair of jade-green, glowing eyes.

"Snap." "Snap." "Snap." "Snap." "Snap." "Snap."

One Qiongqi Manticore after another opened their eyes. Their eyes were filled with nothing but coldness. They all rose to their feet, and even began to spread their wings. They had a body as thick as an ox's, but were covered with bristling spikes. They also had a pair of giant wings, but the head of a tiger.

These were the most loyal, devoted guards of this palace…the eighteen Qiongqi golems.

Golems were not living creatures, and thus they were truly ageless. Immortal Witchriver's servants and subordinates had all died of old age, but these golems remained here, standing guard despite the passage of ages, continuing to obey Immortal Witchriver's order for them to guard this palace.

"Outsiders have entered the Vault of Treasures," one of the Qiongqi golems rumbled.

"Not Master."

"Not Master's heir either. These outsiders forced their way in through using the key to the estate."

Some particularly powerful golems possessed sentience and intelligence. For example, when Ning had faced the initial trials of the underwater estate, he had encountered that black-furred golem at the third challenge. That golem had actually been filled with an actual spirit, and thus it was even more intelligence.

"Neither Master, nor Master's heirs…all invaders must die." one of the Qiongqi Manticore golems said.

"Must die."

"Must die."

The eighteen Qiongqi golems spoke out in unison.

To truly master the Witchriver Immortal Estate, there were two methods. The first was to possess the key to the estate and then have Immortal Witchriver bestow a transmission incantation. Naturally, in that situation, all of the formations, restrictive spells, and golems would be obedient. The second method was to possess the key to the estate, then find and bind the five cores within the five palaces. After completely binding all five palace cores, then the entire Immortal estate would be bound; this, too, would be complete control.

Youngflame Nong's trial was to completely control this Immortal estate! But of course, right now, Youngflame Nong was not yet the master of it…which was why the Immortal estate was beginning its counterattacks!

The outermost part of the palace.

Through his void-tunnel, Youngflame Nong was viewing the massive battle going on in the outside part of the Immortal estate. The Hydraga Fiendgod was roaring with rage as blood splattered everywhere; he fought while retreating.

"Faster, faster, faster." Youngflame Nong was extremely worried. Ning, Northson, Yu Wei, and the others were all standing behind him, watching the battle through the void-tunnel as well.

"Given the strength which the Hydraga Fiendgod has demonstrated, I imagine it will be quite hard for him to make it back here. That Yaksha Dao-soldier formation is simply too powerful," Yu Wei sent.

"Right. He's being attacked by two parties right now; one is the massive wave formed from more than ten thousand Dao-soldiers, while the other is the even more powerful Yaksha Dao-soldier formation. Both are more powerful than him…" Adept Vastriver was frowning as he watched as well.

Ninelotus sent mentally, "Given that this Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, was assigned to protect Youngflame Nong, he is definitely carrying some treasures. He's only using those two long awls to battle right now; he hasn't used any other treasures at all. I imagine that he isn't in any real danger yet."

Their group continued to watch the battle through the void-tunnel, while the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn continued to maintain a vigilant watch.

"What's that?" Ning's face suddenly changed dramatically, as the space in the surrounding area began to change.

Previously, they were in a hall, but suddenly, their group became trapped in a misty, blurry illusory world. It became extremely hard for them to tell north from south, east from west…they couldn't even tell up from down.

"Not good." Youngflame Nong's face changed as well, and the void-tunnel that had been in front of him disappeared as well.

"A restrictive formation!" Adept Vastriver hurriedly sent mentally, "This palace has a restrictive spell formation which was left behind by Immortal Witchriver. Just now, the restrictive spell formation became activated, and the spell formation covered that hall that we were in just now. Although we are still within the hall, we've already become trapped by the formation!"

"The surrounding space has been locked and distorted. Even though I have the key to the Immortal estate, I'm not able to open a tunnel to the outside world either," Youngflame Nong sent frantically. "Rainbowflame Fairy, Adept Vastriver, Ji Ning…if I'm unable to open a corridor to the outside world, there's no way for Uncle Fang to come in. It's up to us now."

Ning and the others felt their hearts sink. Right. If they were unable to open a corridor to the outside world, then there would be no way for the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, to enter. They had lost their strongest ally.

"Eh?" Ning had a sudden thought. He immediately released his divine sense…but he sensed nothing but a blur. The power of the surrounding restrictive spell had already completely smothered Ning's divine sense. He couldn't even sense Mu Northson and the others who were right next to him.

"I have one more bit of news to tell you all. In this formation…divine sense is of no use," Ning sent mentally.

"What?" Adept Vastriver and the others were shocked. They gave it a try as well, and as they did, their faces changed. "Even divine sense is unable to see through this formation…then this means that this is definitely no ordinary formation."

Ning's group began to unconsciously move closer to each other. As for the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn, they immediately joined together into a formation.

"Is there anyone here skilled in breaking formations? Hurry up and break it," Youngflame Nong sent.

"Uncle White?" Ning sent to the nearby Whitewater Hound. In recent years, he had spent almost all of his energy on the Dao of formations, and he was definitely superior to Ning in this regard.

"This is a very terrifying formation." The Whitewater Hound shook his head, continuing to analye it. But right at this moment…

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Out of nowhere, a throng of icy arrows suddenly shot out, each containing awe-inspiring power as they sprang towards Ning's group, trapped within the formation.

They were too close, and they were too fast.

"BOOM." A Waterflame Lotus appeared around Ning, but upon being struck by three attacking arrows, it instantly began to shatter and collapse.

"Careful." Ning's face completely changed. These arrows were simply far too powerful; just three arrows contained power great enough to shatter his lotus…

Ning now had a premonition. With their group of Wanxiang Adepts being trapped within this terrifying restrictive formation, most likely, a number of them would truly perish.

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Chapter 8 – Casualties

"A single ice shard is capable of killing an ordinary peak Wanxiang Adept." Adept Vastriver immediately sent urgently, "Everyone, quick, assemble into formation!"

"Assemble into formation; a five-elements pentagonal formation," Ji Ning sent.

"Right."

"This is too terrifying," Mu Northson said loudly.

Rumble…Ning, Northson, Yu Wei, Ninelotus, and Adept Vastriver were of the same school; naturally, they instinctively elected to use a five-elements pentagonal formation of the Black-White College. Combination formations did not need to be purchased with black-white pellets; on the contrary, the disciples of the school were required to learn them.

Their five figures began to move, and instantly, their bodies began to glow with light. Metallic light, red light, watery blue light, yellow light, and azure light.

"Whoosh." Once their formation was joined, Ning calmed down slightly. "The power of these ice shards is too astonishing; when I fought against Daoist Snowplume, he sent out those drops of skywater against me…but although they were capable of damaging my Waterflame Lotus, they weren't able to break through it. Those three ice shards, however, were able to break my Waterflame Lotus. This means every single shard contained power comparable to a drop of skywater."

Daoist Snowplume had only used, in total, 108 drops of skywater…in contrast, these ice shards came in a tightly clustered, endlessly streaming series of attacks.

Most likely, even a Primal Daoist would be killed by this cluster attack!

"Ji Ning, the five of you, stand in front of me," Youngflame Nong barked mentally. "The other ten of you, stay behind me. Xue Hongyi, Adept Bu You, stay to my sides."

Ning's group of five was the strongest; after all, three of them were somewhat stronger than ordinary Primal Daoists. After joining forces…they would be the most powerful force present. Naturally, they would have to block in front of Youngflame Nong and help screen him from the ambushing arrows.

As for the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn, although they were somewhat weak, there was still ten of them; when in formation, they were also quite powerful, and thus they could help Youngflame Nongn block ice shards from behind.

The remaining gaps would naturally be filled and covered by Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You. The two of them both joined together into the most common of formations, the 'Liangyi Duality Formation'. This formation was one which virtually all Immortal cultivators were capable of, but in turn, it wasn't very effective; there was a limit to how much it could raise one's power. Still, it was still able to increase one's power slightly, and so the two would naturally execute it.

"This is going to be trouble," Xue Hongyi cursed secretly.

"This is going to be very dangerous." Adept Bu You grew frantic as well; the two of them were weaker than Ji Ning to begin with. Ning was now in a five-man formation, while they were only in a two-man formation!

It must be understood that these ice shards were capable of easily killing Primal Daoists.

Swish.

Boom.

Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You were in an extremely dangerous situation.

"Young master Youngflame, we're almost unable to hold on," Xue Hongyi sent frantically.

"I'm unable to hold on for much longer as well," Adept Bu You was similarly frantic.

"How useless," Youngflame Nong cursed mentally. He was frantic too. "In the end, it's still those five from the Black-White College who are formidable."

"Hold for as long as you can…the longer you can hold, the better our chances," Youngflame Nong sent mentally.

Adept Vastriver sent hurriedly back, "Young master Youngflame, this formation must have been left behind by Immortal Witchriver. If Immortal Witchriver was present and personally controlling it, this formation would perhaps be even more powerful, capable of causing even Loose Immortals or Earth Immortals to perish. Now that he's gone, the power of it has been lessened a bit, but we won't be able to resist it for too long. There is a limit to how much elemental ki we have, but the formation utilizes the elemental energy of the natural world…it can persist indefinitely! It can exhaust us to death. The most important thing for us to do right now is to have a formations expert locate a flaw in this formation and break it."

When trapped within a formation, if a true formations expert was present, he could guide the party through and out from the formation.

If a somewhat weaker formations expert was presence, he could work hard to find some flaws and weaknesses in the formation, then use their most powerful attacks against their weak points. In a situation like that, the chances of victory would naturally be greater.

But if one was too weak in terms of formations…then one would remain trapped within the formation, subject to being trampled upon and incapable of doing anything but using brute force to try and resist. This was the worst case scenario.

"Young master Youngflame, you must have brought a formations expert with you in your investigation of this Immortal estate," Northson sent.

Youngflame Nong gritted his teeth. A formations expert? Of course he had brought one! But his formations expert was in the outside world of the Immortal estate! It was the Fiendgod – Xiangliu Fang.

Fiendgods were born from the natural world. The Fiendgod Xiangliu Fang had been born during the Fiendgod Era, and he had survived from then until now; from this, one could imagine how long a life he had lived. However, Fiendgods were different from other races; Fiendgods were truly the favored children of the heavens, the beloved scions of the universe. They were born with the innate ability to train and with innate divine abilities. In fact, some Primordial Fiendgods were even born with mastery over a Dao Path, or even an entire Grand Dao Path.

Thus, Fiendgods did not need to suffer the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations! Their lives were infinite and unlimited! However…

Their training speed, in turn, was incomparably slow. In fact, upon reaching a certain level, they would be unable to improve any further! For example, this Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, had reached the Primal level countless hundreds of millions of years ago, but he remained at the Primal level. Most likely, his potential had been exhausted, and in the future, he would forever remain a Primal.

However, their extremely long lives led them to begin to analyze and train in other areas, such as the Dao of Constructs or formations, which required a tremendous amount of time to research. Thus, although he was a bit weaker in terms of his comprehensive abilities, due to his extremely long life, Xiangliu Fang was a true formations master!

Per their original plan, Xiangliu Fang was to stay right next to Youngflame Nong and protect him. They shouldn't have been separated at all! But earlier…when faced with attacks from so many monstrous Dao-soldiers, someone had to go delay them. Thus, Xiangliu Fang had been separated from the group.

"Uncle Fang!" Youngflame Nong was both frantic and filled with regret. "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have left Uncle Fang leave me. After we overcome this tribulation and once he returns, I won't let him leave me again. Absolutely not!"

"Uncle Fang is skilled in formations," Youngflame Nong sent back hurriedly, "But he's completely unable to come inside. Everyone…are any of you skilled in formations?"

"What kind of a sick joke is this?!" Northson was both angry and frantic.

"The Fiendgod is skilled in formations?" Ning and the others were all speechless. The one who was skilled in formations was trapped outside, unable to enter the palace. As for the rest of them, who amongst them was skilled in formations? Although they were all true geniuses, they had all spent all of their energy on their own Daos; even Ji Ning, who was talented in terms of formations, he still primarily spent his time and energy on the Dao of the Sword. He would only occasionally flip through formation scrolls to relieve boredom.

"Adept Vastriver, Rainbowflame Fairy, the two of you are both reincarnated Immortals. In your past lives, I imagine that you must have researched formations before. Can you remember anything about them?" Youngflame Nong sent.

"We are only at the Wanxiang level; we occasionally gain just a few fragments of our memories. The Dao of Formations is an extremely vast and broad one; only after completely awakening our former memories will we be able to master our previous insights regarding formations," Adept Vastriver sent back helplessly.

Youngflame Nong, Ji Ning, and the others were chatting mentally at an extremely high speed. However, these arrows of ice that were being created and shot out by the formation were also moving at extremely high speed. The two weakest spots in the protective array, Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You, were even beginning to suffer wounds.

"Young master Youngflame, we aren't able to hold," Xue Hongyi said, left arm stained red with blood.

"Can't hold." Adept Bu You sent hurriedly as well.

"Hurry up and come in." Youngflame Nong had no choice but to give this order. "Ji Ning, Adept Vastriver…the five of you, you'll have to cover the locations which Xue Hongyi and Bu You were previously covering."

Ning's group had no choice but to grind their teeth and expand the scope of their formation to cover a wider range. But in doing so, the number of ice shard attacks they suffered increased as well!

"Whew."

"We were almost finished."

Upon entering the center, Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You couldn't help but let out sighs of relief. They hurriedly swallowed spirit-pills, replenishing their power and healing.

"What should I do? What should I do?" Youngflame Nong began to ponder frantically. Although he had quite a few protective treasures on him, there was no way for him to break through this ancient, giant formation which a Celestial Immortal had set down. But of course, he could give up on this trial and use a 'greater teleportation' to immediately leave.

But upon doing so…that meant that he would have failed his trial. Youngflame Nong absolutely would not permit this to happen.

"I have to break this formation, but how? For now, those five disciples of the Black-White College and those ten Wanxiang Deathsworn are able to hold on, but as time goes on, their elemental ki will begin to deplete, at which point, death will be the result." Youngflame Nong was frantic.

Right at this moment…

Within the chaotic void of the formation, an enormous, grayish-black, winged, ox-bodied, spiked, tiger-headed golem appeared. It was a Qiongqi Manticore golem! This Qiongqi Manticore suddenly appeared within the formation, and then, with a flutter of its wings, swooped out in an arc, avoiding the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn and clawing towards young master Youngflame at the center.

"Protect young master Youngflame," Xue Hongyi immediately called out.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

One Qiongqi Manticore golem after another came howling forth. In almost a single instant, eighteen of them appeared in the surrounding area. For the moment, Ji Ning and the others were all being held down by these other Qiongqi Manticore golems, and were completely unable to protect young master Youngflame.

"Break."

A sword struck out like a gleam of moonlight, chopping against the head of one of the Qiongqi golems. The Qiongqi golem was knocked backwards by thirty meters, came to halt, then threw itself forward once more.

Ji Ning was surrounded by seven hundred-plus flying swords. Seeing the situation, his face changed. Right now, the five of them were in a formation, and so his own elemental ki naturally had strengthed significantly…and yet, despite using the ninth level of the [Lesser Thousand Swords Formation, he was still only able to knock the Qiongqi golem back a short distance?

"Careful."

"These Qiongqi golems all have the combat capability of a Primal Daoist, and their bodies are nigh impenetrable, as hard as magic treasures. They are far more difficult to deal with than ordinary Primal Daoists." Northson was a genius of the Dao of Constructs; upon seeing these Qiongqi golems, he immediately knew that they were in serious trouble.

"This place actually has golems that are as powerful as Primal Daoists…every single one of them is incomparably precious, and there are a total of eighteen of them here!" Ning struck out with one flash of sword light after another, only just barely managing to tie down two of the Qiongqi Manticore golems.

Golems with the power of Primal Daoists would generally cause even Loose Immortals headaches. However, for a Celestial Immortal…purchasing eighteen golems on this level was still fairly easily done.

Eighteen Qiongqi golems. Ten of them were able to completely tie down Ji Ning's group of five, as well as the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn. As for the other eight, they charged straight towards Youngflame Nong in the center of the array. These Qiongqi golems were sentient; they knew that Youngflame Nong was the 'bandit chief'."

"Stop them."

"Careful."

By Youngflame Nong's side was Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You. They naturally were caught in the crossfire as well. When these eight Qiongqi golems attacked, both Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You began to panic. This was because every single Qiongqi golem was at least as strong as them. In addition, their 'bodies' were actually magic treasures, and thus were unbreakably tough.

"Riiiiip!" A sharp claw flashed out lightning-fast, slashing past Adept Bu You's body, tearing him apart and sending blood flying everywhere.

"No…" Adept Bu You's eyes were completely round. He had thought that by coming, he would gain young master Youngflame's favor…but in the end, he had lost his life.

The first Wanxiang Adept death in their group had finally occurred.

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Chapter 9 – Heavy Casualties, a Change

Adept Bu You's death provoked Youngflame Nong, Ji Ning, and the others. The most provoked of all, of course, Xue Hongyi, whose strength was essentially on par with Adept Bu You.

"I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have come here!" Xue Hongyi's eyes were completely red. A Dao-seal appeared in his hand, and it instantly transformed into a barrier of light that covered his body. Boom! It managed to forcibly endure a claw strike from a Qiongqi Manticore Golem. The golden light around his body trembled, but Xue Hongyi seized this chance to quickly escape.

He fled far away!

Ten of the eighteen Qiongqi golems were tied down by Ji Ning's group of five and the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn. As for the other eight, they focused on young master Youngflame. Xue Hongyi, going all out, managed to escape from the center of their array, and for a moment, there were no Qiongqi golems after him.

"Damn, damn." Youngflame Nong gave a cold sideways glance to the distant Xue Hongyi. Earlier, Xue Hongyi and Adept Bu You had been at least able to tie down three of the Qiongqi Manticore golems, but now with Adept Bu You slain and Xue Hongyi fled…the eight golems were completely surrounding and focusing on Youngflame Nong himself.

A pitiable look appeared on Xue Hongyi's face, and he frantically sent mentally, "Young master Youngflame, I'm truly unable to stop them. Brother Bu You has already died; even if I were to resist, in just a few breaths, I would lose my life."

Young master Youngflame was extremely angry, but he knew that these people weren't his slaves, nor were they Deathsworn; in the face of certain death, it was normal for them to flee.

"Damn, damn, damn! If I can reunite with Uncle Fang…within this Witchriver Immortal Estate, I'm never going to let him leave my side again, ever!" Youngflame Nong truly felt regret for having allowed Xiangliu Fang to depart. If he had known that this would be the result, he would've simply used two of his treasures to lock down the two groups of monstrous Dao-soldiers.

Treasures capable of blocking more than ten thousand linked Dao-soldiers were naturally extraordinary, and young master Youngflame hadn't been willing to use them up. But now, it was too late for regret.

Young master Youngflame stood there, a crimson red salamander coiling around him. The crimson salamander was emanating a terrifying aura, and it repeatedly slashed its claws against the attacking Qiongqi golems.

Bang! Bang! Bang! One golem after another was sent flying back.

The long tail of the Redscale Salamander slapped out repeatedly as well, but the 'body' of the Qiongqi golems was composed of magic treasures; they were unbreakable. Thus, they didn't fear being struck, and they wildly surrounded and attacked Youngflame Nong. The sharp claws of the Qiongqi golems left enormous, gaping wounds on the body of the Rescale Salamander as well, tearing its scales open and sending blood spraying everywhere.

However, the Redscale Salamander was able to heal its wounds at an astonishing rate, and it continued to go all out in its battle against these Qiongqi golems.

This single Godbeast, the Redscale Salamander, was blocking eight Qiongqi Manticore golems!

"What a formidable Redscale Salamander." Although Ning was fighting, he was also keeping an eye on the overall situation. The power of the Redscale Salamander made him sigh in amazement. "It lives up to its reputation as possessing one of the most exalted Godbeast lineages. In addition, it should also have trained in Fiendgod Body Refining; although it is only at the Wanxiang level, it already has combat prowess comparable to a peak Primal. Even if I were to unleash all my power, I would probably only be on par with it."

Ning was currently utilizing his [Lesser Thousand Swords Formation]. Although he was being supported by the five-elements pentagonal formation, the power of it was still a bit weaker than his close combat prowess.

"Clank."

"Clank."

Ning's group was working extremely hard to block the Qiongqi golems. From the side, those icy shards continued to fill the air and shoot towards them at high speed as well. However, the Qiongqi golems were also accidentally struck by and injured by the ice shards; after all, they were only capable of activating the formation, not controlling it.

Only the master of the Immortal estate and the heir to Immortal estate were able to truly control the formation. Without a controller, the icy shards were unable to differentiate between friend or foe. However, since the Qiongqi golems had treasure-like bodies, they didn't care about the attacks from the icy shards.

"Not good." Ning's face suddenly changed.

"This is trouble." Adept Vastriver was shocked as well.

All of them had been keeping an eye on the overall flow of battle. Those eight Qiongqi golems that previously had been surrounding and attacking young master Youngflame, due to being constantly blocked by the Godbeast, 'Redscale Salamander', actually gave up attacking him and instead immediately threw themselves towards the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn.

Comparatively speaking, the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn were a bit weaker. However, their wills were joined, and after having entered the grand formation, they were capable of tying down three of the Qiongqi Manticore golems.

However, when eight more of the golems suddenly charged towards them, this meant that the number of golems they were facing instantly reached eleven.

If the eleven golems were attacking Ning's group of five, the five of them would've been able to hold on, but they were attacking the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn instead…

"HALT!" Youngflame Nong was enraged. Up till now, he had not personally intervened, but at this moment, an enormous black whip suddenly appeared out of nowhere into his hands. The black whip was covered with a flowing layer of black firelight. He snapped the whip out powerfully, and it lashed through the air, striking towards the Qiongqi golems in the distance.

BOOM!

The long whip struck one of the Qiongqi golems, and immediately knocked it backwards, sending flying all the way out of the formation, causing it to disappear from Ning's field of vision.

BOOM! BOOM! Young master Youngflame lashed his whip out repeatedly, each strike carrying inconceivable power and sending each stricken Qiongqi Manticore golem flying backwards.

"Formidable."

"Terrifying."

"Powerful."

Ning and the others were all shocked. None of them had imagined that this young master Youngflame was so powerful. In fact, at a single glance, Ning was able to tell for certain that the fire covering the whip which young master Youngflame was using was actually 'earthfire'. And, unless he was mistaken, it was earthfire that should have reached the first grade, which was why it was comparable to ordinary skyfire in might!

"His flames are formed from first-grade earthfire. That whip is strange as well. In addition, young master Youngflame's aura suddenly exploded with might; it must be some secret technique." Ning sighed mentally at what he had seen. This ancient, massive Youngflame clan clearly had made multifaceted preparations for the upbringing of their next clan leader. His combat power, at the very least, was amazing. The man was definitely at the same level as Ning himself and Yu Wei, and his treasures were even more powerful!

"No!" A look of utmost anger appeared on Youngflame Nong's face.

Although his whip had sent three Qiongqi golems flying in sequence, Youngflame Nong was, after all, just a single person…and there were eleven golems attacking. Thus, the other eight Qiongqi golems, accompanied by a large number of icy shards, continued to tear into and through the formation of the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn, ripping one of them into tiny pieces.

The death of one caused the strength of the other nine to immediately fall dramatically. And, at this moment, those three Qiongqi Manticore golems that had been sent flying out of the formation now came flying back inside. They were completely undamaged, and they once more threw themselves towards the nine Wanxiang Deathsworn."

"Kill."

"Master, we are leaving now."

BOOM.

BANG.

RIP.

These Wanxiang Adepts did not fear death, but they were still torn apart, one by one, by the Qiongqi golems. Some were torn apart, while others were flattened to death by blows from the Qiongqi golems' wings. In virtually just a single breath's worth of time, the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn had all died.

Young master Youngflame was utterly enraged, but he didn't dare to allow the Redscale Salamander by his side to leave, because he himself was not an Fiendgod Body Refiner. In close combat, he was at a huge disadvantage, and so the Redscale Salamander had to stay next to him to protect him.

"Kill those five."

"Kill them."

The eleven Qiongqi Manticore golems didn't even look at Youngflame Nong; they threw themselves directly towards the five disciples of the Black-White College.

When Ning's group had seen how the Qiongqi golems had surrounded and killed those ten Wanxiang Deathsworn, they knew that things had taken a turn for the worse. However, they were being tied down by these other seven golems…after all, of the five, the three most powerful were Ji Ning, Yu Wei, and Adept Vastriver, with Ninelotus and Mu Northson being comparatively weaker.

"Ji Ning, Rainbowflame Fairy, Adept Vastriver," Young master Youngflame sent frantically, "Be careful of those Qiongqi golems. You have to be able to hold."

"Damn these detestable Qiongqi golems. Damn them! First, they killed my ten Deathsworn, and now they are going to kill Ji Ning's group." Young master Youngflame knew exactly what was going on. Ning's group was helping him tie down quite a few of the Qiongqi golems; if they were to die, then all eighteen golems would encircle and attack him. Although he had many magic treasures, his only choice would be to use the greater teleportation seal and flee. But upon fleeing, he would have failed this trial, and in the future, his chances of becoming the next Godplume Duke would be lessened. He absolutely would not permit this to happen.

"Ji Ning, let me in. Xue Hongyi, get the f*ck over here as well."

Young master Youngflame and his Redscale Salamander, as well as the terrified Xue Hongyi, flew directly into the five-person formation which Ning's group had set up. Ning's group naturally did not prevent them from doing so.

"Attack." Young master Youngflame, a sinister look on his face, gave the order, then immediately began to brandish his long black whip, blazing with black fire. As for the Redscale Salamander, it stretched half of its body outside, sending its claws towards the Qiongqi golems in raking attacks. Xue Hongyi also used all of his magic treasures, wanting to make up for his earlier transgression of fleeing.

"Young master Youngflame," Ning sent suddenly.

"What is it?" Young master Youngflame was in an extremely foul mood right now, but to one of his main sources of support, Ji Ning, he still maintained an air of courtesy.

"The spirit-beast under my control, the Whitewater Hound, is exceedingly well-versed in the Dao of Formations, and he has studied it for a long time. He's already discovered a flaw in the formation, and is confident in being able to break it," Ning sent.

Young master Youngflame had been in an utterly furious mood, but upon hearing Ning's words, he couldn't help but feel a hint of eagerness and disbelief. "Did you just say that the spirit-beast you control, that Whitewater Hound, is able to break this formation? This is a formation which Immortal Witchriver set down. He is actually able to break a formation set down by a Celestial Immortal? Are you sure he can do it?"

It wasn't that he was belittling the Whitewater Hound; rather, he didn't believe the Whitewater Hound could possibly be that gifted in formations.

"Young master Youngflame, although this is a formation left behind by Immortal Witchriver, he himself wasn't necessarily skilled in formations. In addition, although this formation is formidable, there isn't anyone currently controlling it. A formation which no one is controlling…is extremely clumsy and not at all agile," Ning sent hurriedly. "My Whitewater Hound spirit-beast, by using the Fuxi Staff Formation, is absolutely capable of breaking this formation."

"Fuxi Staff Formation? Fine, I'll trust you. I have a set of top-grade Fuxi Staff Formation treasures; use them, and the power of his formation will definitely increase." At a time like this, young master Youngflame wouldn't be stingy at all; he immediately took out a set of top-grade Fuxi Staff Formation artifacts, then tossed them over.

Behind Ning was the Whitewater Hound, who had yet to fight and had spent this entire period of time focusing on analyzing the formation. He sent a surge of elemental ki out from his body, wrapping it around the completely ownerless Fuxi Staff Formation artifacts and easily binding them.

"Uncle White, you truly feel confident?" Ning sent.

"Don't worry, Ning, my son. I've spent a long time analyzing this formation, and am absolutely certain that I'll be able to break it. This formation, despite being incomparably powerful, has no one at the helm. You should know that the more powerful a formation is, the more complicated it is as well. The formation is only able to unleash such power because it is drawing in the natural energy of the world, then transforming it through repeated cycles; as long as we are able 'choke' a single part of the cycle, then the entire formation will become useless."

"If this formation had someone controlling it, then he naturally would be constantly changing things. It would be extremely hard to break the formation. But without a controller, it is hundreds and thousands of times easier to break this formation," the Whitewater Hound said. "And with these unexpected top-grade Fuxi Staff Formation artifacts…well, young master Youngflame really is quite generous."

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Chapter 10 – This is the Vault of Treasures

"That's because you, Uncle White, are capable of breaking the formation," Ji Ning sent mentally. "Uncle White, we have no time to waste. Hurry up and break it. If there's anything you need, just speak out; young master Youngflame will definitely provide it.

"Keep these Qiongqi golems a bit farther away; make it so that within thirty meters, I won't be disturbed in the slightest."

"Alright."

Ji Ning immediately sent mentally, "Young master Youngflame, everyone, we are going to expand the scope of this five elements formation."

"Expand it? The larger we make the formation, the more ice shards will strike us," Adept Vastriver said frantically.

"My Whitewater Hound spirit-beast is able to break this formation, but he needs thirty meters of space to do so," Ning sent.

"Break the formation?"

"Truly?"

All of them were both delighted and shocked. Youngflame Nong urged frantically, "Everyone, hurry up and do your best to hold on for a period of time." After finishing his words, he gave Xue Hongyi a hard look, and Xue Hongyi hurriedly tried to make it appear as though he truly was going all out and risking his life to hold on.

Rumble…

The formation expanded. Youngflame Nong and his Redscale Salamander displayed their might as well; the two of them, man and spirit-beast, were able to simultaneously tie down eight of those Qiongqi Manticore golems, while Xue Hongyi managed to block one as well. As for Ji Ning and the rest of the five, they were able to block the other nine Qiongqi golems. For a period of time, the group was actually able to overpower the golems and deliver blows to them.

However, while they were overpowering the golems, they still had to divert part of their attention and efforts to blocking the icy shards. Each of them were using up astonishing amounts of elemental ki; they were all operating at maximum power, a state which they couldn't maintain for too long.

"Arise."

A large, snowy white hound was in the very center of the entire formation. Around him were ancient, simple-looking wooden staffs that were covered with magic runes. The staffs suddenly flew out in every direction, quickly landing in various areas. As each staff landed down, the space around them seemed to have been 'nailed down'. All sixty four Fuxi Staffs descended on their respective locations.

Every single staff suddenly began to glow with an eye-catching, watery glow. In addition, lines of watery light began to connect between the staffs, forming an incomparably massive seal-formation.

Rumble…

The seal-formation actually began to merge with the giant formation around them.

It was like a drop of black water, falling onto a spotless white cloth, or a iron spike that was thrust into the spokes of a wheel; in short, the grand formation which had previously been incomparably harmonious and perfect was suddenly, instantly, 'stuck'. In turn, the incomparably powerful surges of elemental energy from the natural world ceased to flow, and the attacking ice shards suddenly began to weaken in power. In but a single breath's worth of time, they all vanished into nowhere.

And then, the entire grand formation itself completely vanished.

The ancient hall that they had been in previously once more appeared within Ning's field of vision. They were still within the hall; they had never actually left it.

"The formation is broken?"

Youngflame Nong was stunned for a moment, but then he was wildly overjoyed. When he had been trapped within the formation, he had been consumed with the agony of despair and bitterness. Now that he had been released from it…it was hard for him to express the joy in his heart through words.

"Formidable, formidable." Mu Northson blinked his eyes as he looked at the large, snowy white dog in their midst.

"What a formidable Whitewater Hound." Adept Vastriver looked at the snowy white dog as well.

"Uncle White, you really are formidable," Ninelotus sent mentally as well.

All of them were absolutely overjoyed.

Although Xue Hongyi was surprised and delighted at their escape, in his heart, he still felt extremely displeased. "Even his spirit-beast is as formidable as this in formations…why the hell don't I have such a powerful spirit-beast? Damnable, absolutely damanable…this time, Ji Ning once again became the one to accumulate great merits in front of young master Youngflame."

No longer having to worry about the constant attacks from the overwhelming number of icy arrows, Ning and the others instantly exploded with power. By relying on the five-elements pentagonal formation, Ning, Adept Vastriver, and Yu Wei were each able to lock down four of the Qiongi golems, while Ninelotus, Northson, and Xue Hongyi were each able to lock down one. The Redscale Salamander, by itself, was able to block all of the other golems.

It was now extremely easy. Young master Youngflame didn't even need to personally intervene; all eighteen of the golems were now locked down.

"Uncle Fang, the formation has been broken. You can come in now." Youngflame Nong sent a spiritual message to Xiangliu Fang, who was still outside.

The two had set up a soul-bind long ago. Xiangliu Fang, this Fiendgod, was Youngflame Nong's most loyal servant; otherwise, how could the Youngflame clan be comfortable with sending a Fiendgod to accompany their young master?

Xiangliu Fang had successfully fled to the outside perimeter of this palace long ago, but unfortunately, he wasn't able to enter. Thus, he could only continue to run about and flee outside of it. The entire Immortal estate was only a few tens of thousands of kilometers in size; it truly was too small. Xiangliu Fang had already completely circumnavigated this world once.

"Stop chasing."

"That Fiendgod is too crafty."

"And he won't die."

The two mightiest monstrous powers in the Immortal estate world had both given up their chase. Although their attacks on Xiangliu Fang had caused him repeated injuries, as a Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang's recuperative abilities were simply too astonishing. In addition, he had been using evasive techniques, causing his speed to vastly outstrip the combined Dao-soldier armies. After repeated engagements, the two forces had given up.

"This Fiendgod isn't easy to deal with, but those humans that came in with him are far weaker. This Fiendgod is a protector for one of them; once they come out, we'll kill the humans, then seize the key to the Immortal estate." These monstrous powers were also waiting outside the Vault of Treasures, one of the five palaces of the Immortal estate.

As soon as Ning's group came out, they would surround them and kill them!

This was their one and only chance at seizing the key to the Immortal estate. Leaving this Immortal estate world was something which the various monstrous races here had hoped and dreamed about for countless ages. Their ancestors had all passed down legends of how incomparably vast the outside world was, and how even Immortals could fly for days and nights without reaching the ends of the world.

Days and nights?

The monsters of the Immortal estate world couldn't even imagine such a thing, because in the Immortal estate world, a Loose Immortal could completely circumnavigate the world in as much time as was needed to boil a kettle of tea.

"I truly want to leave."

"I truly want to see that vast, endless world." All the monsters shared this feeling.

At this moment, the distant Xiangliu Fang was still awaiting Youngflame Nong's spirit-message; both of them had extremely powerful souls, and thus they could naturally communicate spiritually at a fairly long distance.

"The young master is trapped within a formation in that palace…what should I do?" Xiangliu Fang was worried as well. "I can't go in. If no one can break the formation and the young master remains trapped in it…in the end, I'm afraid he'll give up and leave, but if he does, that means he will have failed this trial."

Xiangliu Fang was worried, but he had no way of entering.

"Uncle Fang, the formation is broken. You can come in now," Youngflame Nong sent spiritually.

"The formation is broken?" Xiangliu Fang was amazed and delighted. He immediately transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the palace.

Swoosh!

He flew over at high speed.

"That Fiendgod is coming again."

"We can't kill him…why's he coming?"

"Can it be that he wants to enter the palace? Let's follow him and go in together." The monstrous Dao-soldiers reformed into that titanic wave and the Yaksha Dao-soldier. They looked at the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, but didn't attack.

Whoosh. In midair, an enormous palace door suddenly appeared, and then the door swung open. Fiendgod Xiangliu Fang had just reached that location. With a swoosh, he flew through the palace door…and then, the illusory door once more vanished.

Xiangliu Fang and young master Youngflame's coordination was simply perfect. As soon as he had arrived, the door had appeared, and as soon as he entered, the palace door had once more shut, causing the pursuing Dao-soldiers that were right behind him to be unable to enter at all. After all, Fiendgod Xiangliu Fang was faster than them to begin with.

"Wait! I refuse to believe he won't come out! As soon as they come out, we'll first kill those humans, then seize the key to the Immortal estate." The monstrous Dao-soldiers could only choose to wait patiently.

Within the massive palace hall. Ning's group was still fighting back against the wildly attacking Qiongqi golems.

"Swoosh." A figure suddenly charged in. It was a pitch-black, narrow-eyed, middle-aged man…the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang.

"Uncle Fang." Youngflame Nong was delighted. Finally, he had reunited with Uncle Fang. After seeing Uncle Fang, his restless, uneasy heart finally calmed down. With Uncle Fang present, he was safe.

Upon entering, Xiangliu Fang immediately saw those Qiongqi Manticore golems.

"Golems?" Xiangliu Fang, with a single step, arrived next to one of the Qiongqi golems. The golem immediately bellowed, slashing out with his claws and wanting to tear Xiangliu Fang apart. But what welcomed it was Xiangliu Fang's fist!

BOOM!

The fist smashed directly upon the Qiongi golem, like the descent of a meteor, knocking it flying back and, with a titanic smashing out, sending it smashing hard against the walls of the palace. The walls of the Immortal estate were incomparably sturdy, while the Qiongqi golem itself was a magic artifact; neither were damaged. However, the Qiongqi golem first slumped to the ground, before them clambering back to its feet.

"A Primal golem?" Xiangliu Fang frowned, and then he threw out an enormous sack. "Come." Xiangliu Fang waved his large hands, and then his ten fingers transformed into ten giant snakes, filling the air as they seized two of the Qiongqi golems. The two Qiongqi golems struggled viciously, but weren't able to escape from Xiangliu Fang's snake-hands.

"Get in." After having seized the two Qiongqi golems, Xiangliu Fang tossed them directly into the sack.

Xiangliu Fang moved as fast as lightning, his giant hands filled with boundless, awe-inspiring might. Clearly, this was a powerful divine ability he had access to. With power far greater than that of the Qiongqi golems, he snatched them two or three at a time. In the blink of an eye, all eighteen of the golems had been seized and thrown into the sack; they didn't even have a chance to flee.

"So powerful." Ning and the others were stupefied and speechless with amazement.

"Uncle Fang." Youngflame Nong was delighted.

Xiangliu Fang nodded, then gave a sideways glance to the Whitewater Hound, who was still maintaining the formation. He said softly, "Whitewater Hound? There are very few monsters who are skilled in formations. Whitewater Hounds are indeed extremely intelligent and well-suited for analyzing formations."

After speaking, Xiangliu Fang transformed into a streak of light.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! He flew to three places, smashing down viciously with his fist. Although the palace itself was undamaged, some of its decorations, such as its giant chandeliers and drapes, were smashed into tiny bits.

"Alright. I've already blocked the critical chokepoints to the formation." Xiangliu Fang looked towards the Whitewater Hound. "No need for you to constantly maintain the formation."

The Whitewater Hound retrieved the artifacts from his Fuxi Staff Formation, and indeed, the previously active enemy formation didn't respond at all.

"Whew." Ning and the others shared glances, then revealed smiles. With an expert present, things would indeed be much simpler going forward.

"Eh?" Xiangliu Fang frowned slightly as he looked towards a distant place in the palace. He pointed towards it, and instantly, a ray of black divine power flew out from his finger, striking against the distant palace wall. Three giant characters instantly appeared on the wall – VAULT OF TREASURES.

"The Vault of Treasures?" Ning, Northson, and Xue Hongyi were all overjoyed.

The Immortal estate world had a total of five palaces. Ning's group had no idea what the palace they had entered was meant for. Now, upon seeing those three characters, they knew immediately that this must be for storing treasures! Originally, Youngflame Nong had promised that any treasures they were capable of acquiring from within the Immortal estate would be theirs!

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Chapter 11 – The Treasure Vault of a Celestial Immortal

"Don't be impatient." Youngflame Nong could naturally tell what Ji Ning and the others were thinking. Smiling, he said, "The treasures aren't going anywhere. As I said to you, and as I even promised in the name of the Youngflame clan, anything you acquire will belong to you."

Ji Ning and the others all nodded.

"And these." Youngflame Nong pointed towards the ground nearby. On the ground were the magic treasures left behind by Adept Bu You and the ten Wanxiang Deathsworn.

"This time, we were trapped within the Immortal estate's formation; it was thanks to Ji Ning's spirit-beast that we were able to break through it. These magic treasures aren't worth that much; Ji Ning, go ahead and take them." Youngflame Nong looked towards Ning, who didn't hesitate; he immediately collected all of the various magic treasures. After all, these were treasures from eleven Wanxiang Adepts, one of whom was a two-clawed Raindragon Guard. This sort of treasure was quite valuable.

Xue Hongyi looked at Ning, musing secretly to himself, "Damn your luck! I want to see how long it holds!"

Although he felt jealous hatred, he still understood that right now, the Black-White College's five disciples held the advantage in power.

"Let's go." Youngflame Nong now appeared much more relaxed. With Xiangliu Fang by his side, he began to walk leisurely to the front.

Each of the five palaces were extremely large. However, Xiangliu Fang was a true expert of formations; he led them with ease through the various corridors, and they thus naturally made their way towards the heart of the entire palace. Just a short while later, Ning's group arrived at an incomparably wide hall within the palace, filled with a jade bed at the front and prayer mats below.

The jade bed was most likely where Immortal Witchriver used to sit and meditate.

"This is…!?" Youngflame Nong suddenly stared at the jade bed. His Immortal estate key was vibrating strongly, having sensed where the heart of this palace was.

"That jade bed is the core of this palace," Youngflame Nong said.

"Young master, let me take a look." Xiangliu Fang stretched his hands out. His hands instantly expanded, and his ten fingers transformed into ten giant snakes which filled the air and swarmed the region. After sweeping past the region, he nodded and said, "Young master, there are no dangers here."

Only now did Youngflame Nong, with a swoosh, scurry to the top of the jade bed. He sat down in the lotus position, then began to fill the jade bed below him with elemental ki.

This jade bed was the core of this palace, the Vault of Treasures. Every palace had a core, and if one could bind them all, the entire Immortal estate would be bound as well. The test the Youngflame clan had given Youngflame Nong was to have him completely bind this Immortal estate.

"Alright. The rest of you can go," Youngflame Nong said, seated on the jade bed, "And search to your hearts' content for the treasures which Immortal Witchriver left behind here. I won't go."

Xiangliu Fang stood at the jade bed as well, quietly standing guard.

Ning and the others exchanged a glance, secretly celebrating. If the most powerful member of their group, the Fiendgod Xiangliu Fang, was not going to compete with them for treasures, it would be wonderful.

"I've already begun to bind the core of this palace. None of the restrictive spells within this palace will activate, so the only thing you need to worry about are golems lying in wait," Youngflame Nong said with a loud laugh. "However, my guess is that this palace doesn't have any golems left. If there were, they would've attacked us long ago."

"Young master Youngflame, we'll go search for treasures, then." Ning and the others didn't stay here any longer; they immediately departed. They had arrived in hall together, but now, they immediately parted ways.

"Senior apprentice-brother, treasure-hunting is a matter of individual luck," Northson said with extraordinary excitement.

"There might be Immortal-ranked magic treasures," Adept Vastriver said with great eagerness as well.

"It's up to destiny," Ninelotus said.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! They all quickly parted ways. Even the Whitewater Hound and Little Qing parted ways from Ning, moving out on their own.

"I refuse to believe you'll be that damn lucky." Xue Hongyi, at the rear of the procession, had a cold look on his face. He chose a pathway for himself, then began to search.

The Vault of Treasures, one of the five palaces of the estate, was simply too vast.

"And my divine sense can't even penetrate through the walls here?" Ning had no other options; he had to rely on the simplest, most rudimentary of methods to search; push through the doors of each room and search them."

Rumble. A stone door was pushed out. Ning swept the inside of the room with his divine sense while also scanning it with his eyes. "Not this one."

Rumble. Yet another stone door was pushed open, and Ning searched this room as well. "Not this one either."

"Nope."

"Not this one."

Ning quickly searched through multiple rooms.

Rumble! Ning pushed open the door to the sixth room. "Not this one eith-…eh? This is…?!"

Ning's eyes instantly turned bloodshot with excitement. He hurriedly shut the door to the study, then entered.

Surges of ripples emanated from the magic treasures in this room. Ning stared at the magic treasures and sensed the rippling waves of energy coming from them, and felt as though he were in a dream.

"I actually was the one to discover the true Treasure Vault. It seems I really am lucky." Ning swept the room with his gaze. Upon an enormous display case, there were many magic treasures, including ropes, flying swords, gongs, disks, needles, awls, nails, sacks, warhammers, seals, staffs, ribbons, horsetail whisks, fog bottles, jade flasks, colored clothes, powders, armbands…

The amount of treasure here was simply astonishing. They all had different auras of power as well; the ones closest to Ning had ripples of power that were a bit weaker, while the more distant ones were more powerful. Clearly, these magic treasures were divided up by power levels.

"So many magic treasures…how could Immortal Witchriver possibly have a use for all of them?" Ning sighed gently, but suddenly, he thought about the so-called 'Witchriver clan' which he had encountered in the outside areas of the Immortal estate world. "Right. Immortal Witchriver, as a Celestial Immortal, naturally had many, many monstrous attendants. Of course he would want to be able to take good care of them and provide resources for them."

It was much like how Ning had made certain preparations for the Ji clan as well. Immortal Witchriver had made preparations to strengthen his descendants. In addition, as a Celestial Immortal, Immortal Witchriver naturally had far more members in his clan than the Ji clan did. In turn, then, he would need to be extremely strict in handing out magic treasures. He must have created this 'Vault of Treasures', with clansmen who had rendered meritorious deeds or who had extremely good talent being provided gifts. This was only logical.

"Bind them!" Ning's body instantly emanated streaks of elemental ki, like ribbons of light, filling the air with them as he shot them towards the magic treasures. Countless years had passed; even if the treasures did have masters in the distant pass, by now, there wasn't even the slightest bit of vestigial ki within them, and they were extremely easy to bind.

"These are Mortal-ranked. These are Earth-ranked…I'm unable to bind this one! Haha, it has to at least be a Heaven-ranked magic treasure." Ning could no longer remain calm, beginning to laugh wildly.

He had hit the jackpot!

He had truly hit the jackpot today. This was a stroke of tremendously good fortune. He originally had thought that Immortal Witchriver would carry his most important treasures with him, and thus logically the Vault of Treasures wouldn't have too many treasures within, but in reality, within this treasure room, there was a veritable sea of treasures, all of which Immortal Witchriver had prepared for his clansmen.

A few poor Witchriver clansmen had been trapped within the Vault of Treasures after Immortal Witchriver's death, forever unable to leave. They had died within the vault of old age. Fortunately, however, the Witchriver clansmen outside the vault had some other treasures as well. Still, despite that, they were only able to be local hegemons in the outside world of this Immortal estate world.

In as much time as was needed to boil a kettle of tea, Ning completely bound everything he could.

"My heavens." Ning took a deep breath, his heart pounding so loudly, he felt as though he could audibly hear his heartbeats. This was simply too amazing.

"More than 180,000 Mortal-ranked treasures, more than 16,000 Earth-ranked treasures, and more than a hundred treasures which I could not bind." Ning was somewhat stunned. This…this was too amazing. Although he had already been an extremely wealthy Wanxiang Adept, compared to this sea of treasures…there was no comparison at all.

"Even Loose Immortals and Earth Immortals probably don't have this much," Ning sighed in amazement. "Celestial Immortals live up to their reputation. Even a small fraction of their wealth is far beyond what ordinary Loose Immortals or Earth Immortals possess."

"I'm taking this."

"And this."

"My precious, my precious, all of you, come here." Ning was absolutely giddy. He collected up all the Mortal-ranked magic treasures, storing them in his storage magic treasure, then stored all of the Earth-ranked magic treasures into his Zifu region. His Zifu was incomparably vast; even the 16,000-plus Earth-ranked magic treasures only took up a small corner of his Zifu.

Swoosh! Ning, with a flash, instantly arrived next to one of the longest display counters. This display counter was covered with magic treasures that emanated powerful ripples; Ning wasn't able to bind any of them.

"Unless I'm mistaken, these should be Heaven-ranked," Ning said softly. Although he was unable to bind them, which meant they could also be Immortal-ranked treasures, logic argued against it. Although the magic treasures atop this long table emanated ripples that were different in power, the general strength of the ripples were roughly on the same level.

Most likely, some were middle-grade Heaven-ranked magic treasures, while others were high-grade or even top-grade.

"Even Primal Daoists generally only have a few Heaven-ranked magic treasures, but I have more than a hundred. And, given that they were stored away by a Celestial Immortal, I imagine that none of them are weak." Ning could feel his blood pumping.

It must be understood that even the weakest, low-grade Heaven-ranked magic treasures could only be purchased with five hundred kilograms of liquefied elemental essence. Slightly better treasures would cost much more, upwards of five thousand kilograms.

If, theoretically…

If all of these hundred-plus magic treasures were Heaven-ranked, and all of them were slightly better than low-grade, without a single top-grade…they would still be worth nearly five hundred thousand kilograms of liquefied elemental essence! This was a sum that was enough to cause even Earth Immortals or Loose Immortals to feel their hearts tremble.

"A Celestial Immortal could pluck a hair from his head, and it would still be thicker than my legs. And what I have here isn't just one of his 'hairs'…it's more like one of his 'legs'!" Ji Ning was simply too excited. He actually began to ramble and spout nonsense, while mentally calculating the worth of these Heaven-ranked magic treasures. The powerful ripples emanating from them caused Ning to feel incomparably delighted, especially because several of the ripples were extremely strong, which caused Ning to feel even more pleasure.

"Haha, the [Lesser Thousand Swords Formation]? Just 700 Earth-ranked magic treasures…that's nothing!" Ning continued to celebrate. "In training to the Second Cycle of the [Six Cycles of the Starseizer, I'll also need a lot of precious materials, but with this, I can go trade for them at the Heavenly Treasures Mountain."

Previously, he had been extremely tight on money. He felt that he was extremely poor, unable to buy this and unable to buy that. Now, however, he suddenly felt that he was extremely rich. Even ordinary Earth Immortals and Loose Immortals were a bit less wealthy than him! But of course, some of the top-class Loose Immortals and Earth Immortals were still wealthier.

"In you go." After savoring the feeling for a while, Ning began to collect these powerful Heaven-ranked magic treasures as well. As he was unable to bind them for now, he had no choice but to put them within his storage-type magic treasure.

"This trip with Youngflame Nong to this Celestial Immortal's estate was absolutely worth it. Celestial Immortals…Celestial Immortals…they really live up to their reputations." Ning had completely cleaned out all of the treasures within this room. Suddenly, he blinked. "Hey…these display tables that held the magic treasures…the wood seems to be quite extraordinary. Slumberghost Waterwood? A single kilogram of it is equivalent in value to two taels…there has to be a million kilograms worth of Slumberghost Waterwood here. Mm, makes sense…Immortal Witchriver put the magic treasures on the display tables for his descendants to look at. Of course he had to procure some good tables. I'm taking this as well! And this one here!"

Ning collected up all of the tables and cases within this room as well. The entire room was now completely empty. Not a single thing was left.

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Chapter 12 – An Immortal-Ranked Magic Treasure Emerges

Ji Ning, feeling incomparably delighted, walked out of the treasure storeroom. "This was a tremendous stroke of fortune. No wonder so many Immortal cultivators, despite knowing some places are dangerous, insist on going into them. It is because they hope for strokes of fortune like this. With such wealth…my power will increase tremendously, and my ability to stay alive will improve tremendously as well."

As long as he had enough treasures, he would be able to trade for what he needed at the Heavenly Treasures Mountain.

Life-saving items, fleeing items, support items, Ki Refining techniques, divine abilities…as long as he was willing to pay a high enough price, he could acquire them all!

Although Ning currently had those two extremely powerful life-protecting items from the underwater estate, one of which had even been personally created by Daoist Threelives…two wasn't enough. The likes of young master Youngflame definitely carried more than ten life-saving items by his side.

"If I had so many treasures to begin with, my earthfire and dire-ice would've been raised to the first grade long ago." Ning continued to advance through the corridors at high speed, pushing open the doors to one study after another.

Rumble. "Nothing here."

"Nothing here either." Ning continued to search.

Given how enormous the Vault of Treasures was, aside from the items treasure storeroom he had located, there might be other treasures present. Just as Ning was continuing to relaxedly search, suddenly…

BOOM!

The entire region seemed to tremble, causing Ning's skin and hair to begin to shake. Ning couldn't help but turn his head to look at the corridor behind him. Deep from the ends of that corridor, an incomparably powerful ripple was surging forth.

"A magic treasure ripple." Ning, having seen so many magic treasures earlier in the treasure hall, immediately came to this conclusion. "In addition, this ripple is far more powerful than the ripples that were given off by the Heaven-ranked magic treasures in that storeroom!"

Instantly, a thought flashed past Ning's mind. Immortal-ranked magic treasure! "It has to be an Immortal-ranked treasure." Ning instantly swept forward, moving towards the direction of the ripple at high speed.

"This material is excellent. I can use it to create constructs." Northson was searching within the palace as well, and he didn't hold back at all. He immediately collected all of the drapes, tables, and prayer mats he found on his path through. "Just now, I discovered long-decayed corpses with magic treasures that even I am unable to bind. I imagine they must be Heaven-ranked, while the dead were Primal Diremonsters. Heh heh, one more corpse, please, one more corpse!"

When Immortal Witchriver had died, the palace had instantly become sealed off.

Generally speaking, those granted access to this palace were experts of high status. However, trapped within, they had no escape, eventually dying of old age! They left behind their corpses, and all of the treasures next to the corpses were extraordinary.

"One more corpse, please…" Northson's gaze was blazing as he continued to search.

Rumble!

A powerful ripple surged forth. Northson was momentarily stunned, and then he immediately turned to face a sideways, curving corridor, letting out a surprised howl. "It must be an Immortal-ranked magic treasure." And then, he immediately transformed into a streak of light, flying over.

"Why doesn't this Vault of Treasures have anything? I wonder if the others found anything." Adept Vastriver had nothing to show for his efforts, finding nothing on his path.

"Eh?" Adept Vastriver suddenly came to a halt, sensing that powerful ripple.

"Such a powerful ripple…it must be an Immortal-ranked magic treasure." Given that he had fragments of memories from his past life, some naturally involved Immortal-ranked magic treasures. Adept Vastriver's eyes instantly turned red with desire, and he immediately transformed into a streak of light, hurrying forward.

All of them, scattered throughout the palace, advanced at high speed towards the source of the ripples.

The Immortal-ranked magic treasure was within an extremely large and quiet secret room. The room was very large. The insides, however, were quite empty. The red-robed youth, Xue Hongyi, was currently staring, mouth hanging open, at a nearby oil lamp. Above the lamp, there was an azure, blazing flame. The area around the tiny lamp was filled with circles upon circles of flames, all of which emanated powerful ripples, forcibly preventing Xue Hongyi from reaching out to seize it.

"This, this…Immortal-ranked magic treasure?!" Xue Hongyi felt that this really was his lucky today. Just now, when he had entered, he had seen that to the side of the room, there was a seemingly ordinary decorative lamp. Only, a fire was blazing within the oil lamp, causing him to feel intrigued. What he had thought to himself was, "Given that Immortal Witchriver has died countless hundreds of millions of years ago, for this lamp to remain burning means that it must be extraordinary."

He immediately had stretched his hand out to collect it into his storage-type magic treasure, but as he was about to do so, the lamp suddenly exploded with awe-inspiring might. Circles of fire blazed out from within the lamp, emanating a powerful, rippling energy aura that easily deflected him.

"Hahaha, who says Ji Ning is the only lucky one around? I, Xue Hongyi, can be lucky as well. This Immortal-ranked magic artifact is mine." Xue Hongyi was incomparably excited. He produced a horsetail whisk within his hand, then swept out with it. The white threads on the whisk immediately flew out, moving to surround the oil lamp.

The oil lamp remained where it was, but the flames around it began to blaze even greater, forcibly keeping the threads at bay.

"What?" A look of amazement appeared on Xue Hongyi's face. "I can't take it, even when I'm using a magic treasure?"

"A puny Wanxiang wants to be my master?" The flame atop the oil lamp suddenly transformed into the face of a child, which then stared angrily at Xue Hongyi. "You had best know your own limits and quickly depart."

Xue Hongyi, however, only felt all the more delighted. According to the legends, Immortal-ranked magic treasures would give birth to treasure-spirits which could speak in the human tongue.

"It is as the legends say. They really are capable of human speech. An Immortal-ranked treasure!" Xue Hongyi's eyes were shining. The entire Snowdragon Mountain was not in possession of a single Immortal-ranked magic treasure, but now, he had a chance to acquire one! A tremendous bit of luck had befallen him; it would be a sin to to anything besides seize it.

"Magic treasure, you had best obediently follow me." A snowy white ribbon appeared in front of Xue Hongyi, the power of it clearly much greater than the previous treasure. This was one of Xue Hongyi's most favored magic treasures, and it went sweeping in an entangling manner towards the lamp.

The lamp remained where it was. It was, after all, only an Immortal-ranked magic treasure; it wasn't yet able to fly about and move about on its own. However, it was capable of manifesting a bit of its might…and even just a small portion of the might of an Immortal-ranked magic treasure, was not something which an ordinary Wanxiang Adept could handle. The circles of fire around it began to grow even larger, and the ripples it manifested grew even stronger, managing to forcibly block Xue Hongyi's white ribbon.

"You aren't able to collect me. Your power is lacking, lacking by far." The blaze-turned-toddler face sneered, "You had best leave now. If someone who is weak acquires an Immortal-ranked magic treasure, it will only be a disaster, not a blessing."

"Hmph. I can take you and trade you for top-grade Heaven-ranked magic items and many other treasures. Alternately, I can go to the local Raindragon Guard branch and immediately enter secluded meditation, only leaving once I reach the Primal level…by then, my power will greatly expand, and Snowdragon Mountain will hold me in reverence." Xue Hongyi's eyes were filled with madness. "I refuse to believe I can't collect you, an inanimate object!"

Xue Hongyi used magic treasures repeatedly, attempting to capture it.

However, he simply could not.

He didn't dare use his own hand to snatch it; after all, he wasn't a Fiendgod Body Refiner. Upon doing so, he would probably be burnt to ash.

"Swoosh." Ripples of power suddenly came from outside, and the stone door began to be pushed open.

"Someone's coming in." Xue Hongyi could no longer afford to wait. "GET OVER HERE!" Xue Hongyi let out a howl, then executed a forbidden technique. His face turned completely red, and a series of flying needles flew out, exploding with power and transforming into a gigantic hand that grabbed the lamp, smothering and breaking the flames surrounding it.

"GET IN!" He immediately collected the Immortal-ranked magic treasure. Only now did Xue Hongyi turn his body, only to see that two figures had appeared from behind; Ji Ning and Yu Wei.

"Decisive and vicious," Ning said softly. Xue Hongyi just grinned, seeming quite smug. At the critical moment, he had executed a forbidden technique and collected the Immortal-ranked magic treasure. He, too, felt that he had been quite decisive.

"Unfortunately, you were a step too late." Xue Hongyi gave Ning a glance.

"That was an Azuresilk Godfire Lamp!" Yu Wei said softly, "It can be used to nourish skyfire and raise it to the first grade in power! In addition, the azuresilk godfire within it can be activated to attack enemies. It will pose a grave threat to even Loose Immortals, although it isn't very effective against Celestial Immortals…still, it can be considered an excellent Immortal-ranked magic treasure. If it were to be sold to the Heavenly Treasures Mountain, it could fetch a price of 1.5 million kilograms of liquefied elemental essence!"

Ning's heart shook. 1.5 million? And, according to what Yu Wei said, it seemed as though this Azuresilk Godfire Lamp was similar to the Earthfire Heartlamp in effect, capable of nourishing skyfire to the first grade! And it could also be used to fight against enemies…

Swoosh. Swoosh. Swoosh. A series of figures flew out; Ninelotus, Adept Vastriver, Northson, the Whitewater Hound, and Little Qing.

"The Immortal-ranked magic treasure? Where is it?" Northson hurriedly looked around, then stared at Xue Hongyi. "It wasn't acquired by Xue Hongyi, was it?"

"It was him," Yu Wei explained.

In the largest hall within the Vault of Treasures.

Youngflame Nong was seated in the lotus position, continuously working to bind the hall. He, too, could sense the powerful ripples emanating from the Immortal-ranked magic treasure.

"There actually is an Immortal-ranked treasure?" Youngflame Nong said, surprised, "Was Immortal Witchriver so wealthy that he wouldn't keep all of his Immortal-ranked treasures by his side?"

Powerful experts would keep their most powerful artifacts by their side. A Celestial Immortal would generally have multiple Immortal-ranked magic treasures. Youngflame Nong had originally felt certain that the Witchriver Immortal Estate would have no Immortal-ranked magic treasures within, and so he didn't care about the treasures here at all.

"Young master, are you going to take action?" Xiangliu Fang asked.

"No need." Youngflame Nong shook his head. "I have, after all, made a promise in the name of the clan. In addition, they will be needed within this Immortal estate."

Xiangliu Fang nodded.

"Once they are no longer of use…" Youngflame Nong's eyes suddenly flickered with a bit of heat. "I have to say, that Rainbowflame Fairy, Yu Wei…she really is quite fine."

Xiangliu Fang laughed. He knew exactly what his master was thinking about.

"Young master, when the time comes, you just need to give a few subtle hints, and Yu Wei will know how she should act. She's merely a reincarnated Immortal; to Immortal cultivators, the most important thing is their cultivation paths. The pleasures of the flesh are, by comparison, a minor matter. For the sake of being able to proceed to greater heights on her path, she will yield to you, young master." Xiangliu Fang spoke in a soft voice; his young master, in the imperial capital, was quite a lavish, generous spender.

He was the future Godplume Duke! Given his status, the types of pleasures he enjoyed were quite extravagant as well. It was actually quite common for reincarnated female Immortals to submit to being maidservants for him.

"Not the same. This Yu Wei isn't like the others; she's even better than those I had in the imperial capital." Youngflame Nong licked his lower lip. "But as for that Ninelotus, heh heh…her demeanor and aura is quite extraordinary as well. People from large, top-tier clans like her know how to judge a situation. I imagine that it would be a bit easier to convince her to play with me a few times. Yu Wei will probably be harder."

"How about…" Xiangliu Fang's voice grew even softer.

"No need. I still need them." Youngflame Nong shook his head. "Some matters are more important than others."

"Right." Xiangliu Fang nodded.

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Chapter 13 – The Humble Xue Hongyi

Within the private room. Ji Ning, Mu Northson, Yu Wei, Ninelotus, Adept Vastriver, the Whitewater Hound, and Little Qing were all staring towards Xue Hongyi.

The allure of an Immortal-ranked magic artifact was incomparably great. Although Adept Vastriver had been a Loose Immortal in his past life, he had never acquired an Immortal-ranked magic treasure…for the sake of such a treasure, even the annihilation of entire clans and sects was not uncommon.

"Why don't we kill them, then take the Immortal-ranked magic treasure to the Heavenly Treasures Mountain and trade it for liquefied elemental essence? We can split it evenly," Adept Vastriver sent mentally, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"Kill?"

"Should we kill?"

They were all hesitating, but the most determined one was Adept Vastriver.

Ning and Xue Hongyi weren't exactly on good terms; in the past, Xue Hongyi had even intended to try and capture Ning. Fortunately, Northmont Baiwei had stopped him. Ning didn't feel any compunctions against killing Xue Hongyi…but they had entered this Immortal estate together. And, when they had done so, Youngflame Nong had already given them a strongly worded warning.

"What are you planning on doing?" Xue Hongyi shouted, "Previously, when we arrived at this Witchriver Immortal Estate, young master Youngflame said on the warship that we were forbidden from fighting against each other!"

Xue Hongyi was mentally panicking as well. Although Youngflame Nong had issued this warning, the reality was that at this point in time, these five disciples of the Black-White College were definitely more important to Youngflame Nong than Xue Hongyi was. If they really were to kill Xue Hongyi, most likely Youngflame Nong wouldn't be too upset about it.

Ning and the others all exchanged glances.

Previously, Youngflame Nong had said these words: "After we enter the Witchriver Immortal Estate, we have to be of one mind and work together. We cannot fight internally. If anyone causes chaos inside, then don't blame me, Youngflame Nong, for becoming cruel and unfeeling."

"What is there to fear? We five disciples of the Black-White College are more important to Youngflame Nong," Adept Vastriver sent mentally. "After we kill Xue Hongyi, Youngflame Nong definitely wouldn't act against us; that would be like breaking his own arms."

"He won't act against us now, but after he binds this Immortal estate, we won't be of use to him and he'll be able to act against us," Ninelotus sent.

"Act against us? We aren't so easily dealt with. What's more, you, Ninelotus, are the next leader of the Dongyan clan. Youngflame Nong won't dare to act too rashly; after all, he's currently just an ordinary disciple of the Youngflame clan who has a high chance of becoming the next Godplume Duke; he's not the actual Godplume Duke yet. If he dares to act against you…his inheritance might actually be seized and stolen by another," Adept Vastriver said.

"He won't act against senior apprentice-sister Ninelotus, but he would act against us," Yu Wei sent mentally. "If we don't kill Xue Hongyi, then he won't have an excuse to attack us, because he previously gave us a promise. But once we actually kill Xue Hongyi, then we'll have given him an excuse."

Whether or not an excuse was created was of great importance.

In all matters, one needed to occupy the moral high ground. After all, behind Ning and the others were powerful forces such as the Black-White College and the Dongyan clan. If Ning and the others were extremely weak and without much influence, then simply killing them might not matter. But because they did have backgrounds…in all matters , there was a need to occupy the moral high ground before dealing with them!

"We cannot give him an excuse. After all, that Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, is far more powerful than us," Yu Wei said. "As for Xue Hongyi…after we leave, we can find another chance to get rid of him."

"I agree with senior apprentice-sister Yu Wei." Ning expressed his opinion mentally as well.

Adept Vastriver frowned. Of the five of them, himself, Ning, and Yu Wei were the most powerful. With Ning and Yu Wei disagreeing…while Vastriver was capable of defeating Xue Hongyi, he wasn't certain of being able to kill him.

"Hmph." Adept Vastriver turned his head and left. Ning and the others exchanged a glance, then all left as well. The only one left in the room was Xue Hongyi, who finally let out a sigh of relief.

"In the end, I was able to rely on Youngflame Nong to scare them off," Xue Hongyi mused to himself. "After we leave the Witchriver Immortal Estate, I need to immediately stick very close to young master Youngflame, and then find a chance to use a Lesser Teleportation Dao-seal and flee."

He understood that successfully escaping might be difficult. But he had to take the risk; for the sake of this Immortal-ranked magic treasure, he had to!

In fact, he didn't even dare trust the three Primal Daoists of Snowdragon Mountain. In the Immortal path, it was not rare for disciples to kill their masters and ancestors, and it was even more common for masters to kill disciples. For the sake of acquiring an Immortal-ranked magic treasure…anything might happen.

Ning and the others all spread out, once more continuing to search through the palace for treasures. After all, this was the Vault of Treasures of a Celestial Immortal; any random treasure would be worth more than the entire holdings of an ordinary Wanxiang Adept.

They carefully searched for another hour. Each of them had completely searched the entire palace. They all believed that it might be possible that the others might have missed searching a spot.

"I'm finished. Master, I don't have anything, not even a single magic treasure." The distant Little Qing was chatting mentally with Ning.

"Not a single magic treasure? That's so sad!" Ning teased.

"Ask Uncle White and see if he found any treasures," Little Qing sent back through their spirit-link.

"Alright, I'll ask." Ning sent spiritually to the Whitewater Hound, "Uncle White, have you finished your search?"

"I'm finished." The Whitewater Hound's mental voice seemed quite delighted. "My luck wasn't bad. I discovered a corpse, which had a magic robe and some other treasures near it. I don't know if it was left behind by a Loose Immortal or a Primal Diremonsters, but all the treasures are excellent. I'm not able to bind them; they should be Heaven-ranked magic treasures."

Ning was instantly delighted.

This Vault of Treasures actually could be said to be the most important of the five palaces. It had the most treasures, and thus it was normally guarded by monstrous experts that were at least at the Primal or Loose Immortal levels.

Even Loose Immortals generally wouldn't have access to an Immortal-ranked magic treasure, and so it was quite hard to judge from magic treasures alone if they were left behind by a Loose Immortal or a Primal Diremonster. Only after binding the storage items and seeing how many treasures were inside it would one know.

"Master, Master, how did Uncle White do? Did he also find nothing?" Little Qing sent spiritually.

"Uncle White's luck was better than yours; he acquired the treasures from a skeletal corpse."

"A corpse? His luck was actually better than mine? I'm an Azure Skyserpent; it's as easy for me to encounter a stroke of luck as it is to eat rice. I'm surrounded by good fortune…but his luck was better than mine? Master, what about you? Did you find any treasures?"

"I acquired…even more than Uncle White," Ning replied.

"Even more?! How can this be?!"

Within the largest hall in the palace. Youngflame Nong remained seated in the lotus position on the jade bed, continuing to bind it, while Xiangliu Fang stood to one side. Ning and the others had all regrouped here together.

"This is the Vault of Treasures. It should be the place within the Witchriver Immortal Estate which was meant for the storage of treasures, and the place with the most treasures. By the looks of it, you have all gained quite a bit." Youngflame Nong sat above them, smiling. "And just now, I could sense some ripples; it should have been an Immortal-ranked magic treasure emerging. I wonder which of you was so lucky as to acquire the Immortal-ranked treasure."

Ji Ning and the others all turned their heads, looking towards Xue Hongyi in unison. Xue Hongyi was stunned.

"Oh, so it was you, Xue Hongyi?" Youngflame Nong raised an eyebrow. Earlier, when trapped within the formation, Xue Hongyi had hid far away and abandoned Youngflame Nong. This caused Youngflame Nong to feel ill-will towards him.

"Young master Youngflame, I am willing to offer this Immortal-ranked magic treasure to you," Xue Hongyi said hurriedly. Against Ji Ning's group, he was willing to threaten them and struggle against them, but young master Youngflame was simply too powerful. In terms of both background and political power, Youngflame Nong could completely crush him. In terms of personal power, that Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang, could probably annihilate him with one blow.

Ning and the others all looked over with surprise. Offering it to young master Youngflame?

"Treasures should go to the worthy!" Xue Hongyi said hurriedly. "I, Xue Hongyi, acknowledge that I am lacking in worthiness; a treasure like this, to me, is a disaster, not a blessing. It is better for me to offer it to you, young master Youngflame. It is only natural and reasonable that someone as exalted as you, young master Younglame, be the possessor of this treasure."

Youngflame Nong laughed.

He liked those who knew how to flatter, especially when the flatterer was a fairly powerful genius. Ji Ning and the others were from the Black-White College; all of them were proud by nature, and there was no way they could debase themselves to flatter in this way. Xue Hongyi, however, had lowered his head and bent his waist, truly humbling himself.

"I've already promised, in the name of my Youngflame clan, that the treasures you acquire will belong to you. I absolutely will not fight with you for them, or ask you to offer them," Youngflame Nong said.

"This isn't fighting with me, nor is it asking me to offer it up…this is a normal trade," Xue Hongyi said hurriedly. "This Immortal-ranked magic treasure, the Azuresilk Godfire Lamp, isn't very useful to me. I'm willing to trade it to you, young master Youngflame, for some other treasures. You can just give me some random Heaven-ranked magic treasures and it would suffice."

"You are over-thinking things." Youngflame Nong shook his head. "No matter what, I will not accept this Immortal-ranked magic treasure."

Only now did Xue Hongyi let out a mental sigh of relief. He had proactively offered the treasure, but young master Youngflame had declined. Now, he was calm.

"Xue Hongyi is quite the clever fellow," Youngflame Nong mused secretly to himself. "I can't accept it now. If I did, the hearts of Ji Ning and his group would turn cold! They are still very useful to me. After I bind the immortal estate…at that point, I can have Xue Hongyi offer it to me again. If necessary, I can just bestow a few treasures upon him in exchange."

After two full hours later, Youngflame Nong finally completed binding the jade bed.

"Haha, the binding is finally complete." Youngflame Nong walked down from the jade bed, a smile on his face.

"Young master," the nearby Xiangliu Fang said with a frown, "Right now, the two most powerful monstrous forces in the entire Immortal estate world are waiting outside. As soon as we emerge, we will most likely suffer their immediate attack.

"The two most powerful monstrous forces?" Ning and the others were all startled. The titanic wave formed from more than ten thousand Dao-soldiers, and the giant Yaksha Dao-soldier formation formed by the Witchriver clan? Those were capable of completely suppressing even the Fiendgod, Xiangliu Fang; he had been forced to rely on his astonishing recuperative abilities and evasive techniques in order to escape with his life. He hadn't been able to fight back at all.

"I can stay alive, but I am not confident in being able to protect the young master." This was Xiangliu Fang's worry.

"Oh?" Youngflame Nong frowned slightly. "You say they are waiting outside?"

"Right. They've been waiting outside the entire time," Xiangliu Fang growled. "They've been trapped for countless years within this Immortal estate world; every generation has always dreamed of leaving and going to the vast Grand Xia Empire. Thus, they will definitely stop at nothing and be willing to pay any price in order to seize the key to the Immortal estate you hold, young master."

Youngflame Nong nodded. He could understand the powerful desire and urge these two monstrous forces had to leave. It was a desire to see the greater world, a desire that would lead them to use all their might in acting against Youngflame Nong.

"This will be trouble." Youngflame Nong gritted his teeth. Ning and the others all stood there, racking their brains. What to do?

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