Chapter 149: Toying with the Perfected Qi Refiners, Rejecting Cen Xianzi (Part 2)

Chapter 149: Toying with the Perfected Qi Refiners, Rejecting Cen Xianzi (Part 2)

What gave Gongsun Lang some peace of mind was that, with the buffer of the defensive shield, the remaining talisman arts didn't injure him too severely when they struck his body.

This undoubtedly delighted him, and he prepared to gather his spiritual energy once more to launch an attack with the hammer.

However, in the next moment, a fiery fist appeared before his eyes.

Then, it stopped about a foot away from his face.

The scorching heat from the flames and the palpable surge of spiritual energy caused his expression to change slightly.

"A High-Grade Artifact!"

Gongsun Lang could clearly sense the fluctuations of Chu Ning's high-grade artifact.

He also knew that if Chu Ning hadn't stopped, he, without any defenses, would have surely fallen on the stage.

"Wow!"

Upon hearing Gongsun Lang's admission of defeat, the entire dojo erupted in excitement.

"Is this for real? Chu Ning, who's only at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, actually defeated a Perfected Qi Refiner like Gongsun Lang!"

"Where on earth did that Jiang Island Master from Fei Hong Island find such a capable helper?"

"What an upset! A huge upset!"

...

Down in the spectator area, the crowd buzzed with excitement.

On the main platform, the numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged astonished glances.

The elderly cultivator who had spoken first before exclaimed in amazement, "I never expected that in the end, it would still be Chu Ning who emerged victorious! We old fogies misjudged him, but Cen Xianzi, your insight is truly impressive."

The middle-aged man in blue shook his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"He just took advantage of the situation by using so many fairly high-grade talismans to deplete Gongsun Lang's spiritual energy."

Cen Xianzi smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Du, while it was a bit of a trick, it was also very clever. Moreover, it is said that this Fellow Daoist Chu is a talisman master, so it's likely that the lower-grade talismans among those he used were drawn by him. That also showcases his own abilities."

As she spoke, Cen Xianzi glanced at Chu Ning, who had now retracted his spiritual energy.

"Just now, Fellow Daoist Chu still had a high-grade artifact up his sleeve. If he hadn't held back, Gongsun Lang would have been seriously injured, if not killed."

Hearing Cen Xianzi's words, the blue-robed middle-aged man laughed heartily.

"Cen Xianzi is right. It looks like the younger generation is indeed remarkable."

Cen Wenquan, who had been listening to their conversation, smiled and said, "I should probably announce the result now."

As soon as he spoke, the crowd fell silent.

Cen Wenquan's voice soon rang out across the entire dojo through the restrictive spell.

"The winner of this match is Fei Hong Island.

Bei Lin Island's Island Master Gongsun, do you have anyone else you wish to send to challenge us?"

Gongsun Lang hesitated for a moment on the stage, glancing at the distant and calm-looking Chu Ning, before ultimately shaking his head.

"I won't send anyone else. Bei Lin Island concedes this round of challenges."

Hearing this, Cen Wenquan promptly announced, "Fei Hong Island wins this round of challenges. Bei Lin Island will be responsible for Fei Hong Island's offerings for the next three years."

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd naturally burst into another round of excited chatter.

Amidst the buzz, Chu Ning and Gongsun Lang on the stage both cupped their hands and flew back to their respective islands' high platforms.

As soon as Gongsun Lang returned to Bei Lin Island's high platform, two Qi Refinement Ninth Layer cultivators hurried forward to greet him.

The taller man among them asked anxiously, "Island Master, why did you concede? That guy clearly used a lot of talismans and artifacts, even a mid-grade defensive talisman of intermediate quality.

If we had continued the challenge, we would have had a good chance of winning."

"Yeah, Island Master, and we also saw his trump card. If we had another round, we could have taken him down."

The other cultivator immediately chimed in.

Gongsun Lang shook his head, his brow furrowed, "The reason I conceded is not only because he spared my life, but more importantly, I felt that he wasn't using his full strength. I'm worried that he might have more tricks up his sleeve.

If we didn't concede under these circumstances and he used his full power, I'm afraid he would have dealt with you harshly."

"He still had more in reserve?"

"He had another trick?"

Hearing Gongsun Lang's words, the people on the Bei Lin Island's high platform were taken aback.

What they didn't know was that at that moment, Cen Xianzi on the main platform had also revealed a hint of surprise in her eyes.

"He still has another trick up his sleeve? He's not as simple as he seems."

Despite the distance and the presence of a soundproof restrictive spell, Cen Xianzi, among all the cultivators on the main platform, was the only one who seemed to have overheard the conversation on the Bei Lin Island's high platform.

The next moment, she opened her red lips and whispered something.

...

Back on the Fei Hong Island's high platform, Chu Ning was once again greeted enthusiastically by the three members of the Jiang family.

They were both surprised and delighted that Chu Ning's abilities had secured them a second-tier spirit vein.

However, after exchanging glances, Jiang Hongguang and his wife couldn't help but reveal a hint of worry in their eyes.

Chu Ning noticed their concern but didn't show any reaction.

On the other hand, Jiang Lan looked at Chu Ning with a completely different expression.

She eagerly asked Chu Ning numerous questions.

"Brother Chu, did you draw all those talismans yourself?"

"What grade is the talisman you used at the end? Even a Perfected Qi Refiner couldn't break through it?"

"Why is your Fireball Technique so powerful? I haven't seen anyone else with such a strong Fireball Technique."

...

Chu Ning was bombarded with so many questions that he felt his head spinning.

Fortunately, Jiang Hongguang quickly reprimanded Jiang Lan, and she finally stopped.

Chu Ning then calmly sat on the high platform, watching the ongoing matches below and quietly waiting for the end of the trials.

During the rest of the competition, there were a few impressive duels that captured the audience's attention.

Chu Ning and his companions enjoyed the spectacle.

"Hai Lan Island successfully challenges Zi Jing Island. The Thousand Islands Trial officially concludes!"

Finally, as Cen Wenquan's voice echoed, the three-day competition came to an end.

The crowd quickly dispersed and left.

Jiang Hongguang then turned to Chu Ning and said, "Fellow Daoist Chu, let's go together."

Chu Ning thought about the spiritual stones he had deposited in the inn earlier and considered the approaching dusk.

So, he shook his head and said, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, please go ahead. I still have some matters to attend to. I'll head to the island tomorrow."

Chu Ning glanced at their departing figures and then descended from the high platform on his own, intending to head back to the inn.

"Fellow Daoist Chu!"

Just then, a maid-like figure suddenly approached Chu Ning.

Perceiving that she was at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, Chu Ning immediately waved his hand, saying, "Don't call me 'senior.' Just call me 'fellow daoist.'"

The maid smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Chu, my mistress would like to invite you for a chat. I wonder if it's convenient for you."

"Who is your mistress?" Chu Ning asked, a puzzled look on his face.

The maid smiled again and replied, "Miss Cen, known as the 'Cen Xianzi' in the Thousand Lakes and Islands. You must have heard of her, right?"

"Cen Xianzi is looking for me?"

Chu Ning was a little surprised to hear this.

Then, he frowned slightly and asked, "May I ask what Miss Cen wants to see me for?"

The maid shook her head. "She didn't tell me."

Chu Ning frowned again and said, "Please tell your mistress that I have other matters to attend to and it's not convenient for me at the moment."

After saying that, Chu Ning turned and left without hesitation.

Joking aside, this so-called 'first fairy of the Thousand Lakes and Islands' sounded like a lot of trouble.

He had already gone against his initial intention by standing out so much during this Thousand Islands Trial.

If he also got entangled with this 'fairy' and attracted unnecessary attention, he was sure to be mired in endless trouble.

When the maid saw that Chu Ning had refused her without any hesitation and turned to leave, she was taken aback.

"How dare this man refuse Miss Cen's invitation?"

In the moment of her surprise, Chu Ning's figure had already disappeared from sight.

The maid stomped her foot lightly and then turned to leave as well.

Back at the Cen family's shop, the so-called 'Cen Xianzi' heard the maid's report.

Although her expression was hidden behind a veil, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Are you saying that Chu Ning refused without any hesitation?"

The maid nodded. "Yes, I asked him if he knew what it was about, and he said no. Then he just walked away, and I didn't even get a chance to say another word."

The maid pouted and complained, "This man is so rude. Miss, you invited him, and he didn't even give you any face."

Upon hearing this, Cen Xianzi chuckled lightly.

"You know, I'm not that special. Why should he come just because I invited him? Anyway, tell the people in the shop that if he does come, let me know."

After saying this, Cen Xianzi looked away, no longer speaking.

The maid replied with a "yes" and then left the room.

At this moment, the 'Cen Xianzi,' who was regarded as a celestial being by countless male cultivators in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, finally raised her head.

"This man is quite interesting, indeed."

Although she had just told the maid that she wasn't that special, she was well aware of her status in the hearts of the male cultivators in the Thousand Lakes and Islands.

Now, someone had actually refused her invitation without hesitation, and on top of that, Chu Ning had displayed all sorts of tricks during the Thousand Islands Trial. All of this piqued her curiosity.

Of course, Chu Ning had no idea about any of this. After returning to the stone chamber in the inn, he stayed inside and didn't go out.

He knew that during the past few days of the trial, he had attracted quite a bit of attention.

Fortunately, there were many participants in the trial, and his strength wasn't too high, so his victories could be attributed to some clever strategies.

Chu Ning believed that although he might be the center of attention for a while, it probably wouldn't last long.

With this in mind, he naturally didn't plan to show his face at the Loose Cultivator Market.

The next morning, Chu Ning checked out of the stone chamber early and retrieved his spiritual stones. He then headed straight for the Fei Hong Island teleportation formation while most people were still asleep.

At the same time, on the other side of the Fei Hong Island teleportation formation, Jiang Hongguang and his wife, Yu Yuanxiu, were waiting.

"Husband, what if Fellow Daoist Chu still acts arrogantly, relying on his superior strength..." Yu Yuanxiu said, but before she could finish, Jiang Hongguang interrupted her with a wave of his hand.

At this moment, the island master, Jiang Hongguang, said seriously, "Wife, we can talk like this in private, but please don't say such things in front of others.

Without Fellow Daoist Chu, Fei Hong Island would definitely not be preserved.

I'm lowering my stance to show him that from now on, he's the one in charge of this island."

As Jiang Hongguang spoke, he glanced at the direction of the teleportation formation and continued, "I don't think Fellow Daoist Chu is an unreasonable person. He won't make things difficult for us just because of his superior strength.

As for the second-tier spirit vein..."

Jiang Hongguang paused for a moment before continuing, "There's enough space to open two cave abodes nearby. If Fellow Daoist Chu insists on having a large cave abode, we can just stay in our current one, and it won't affect us."

Yu Yuanxiu nodded slightly upon hearing Jiang Hongguang's words.

"I understand. I'll talk to Jiang Lan in advance and make her understand the situation."

Jiang Hongguang nodded in response, his eyes fixed on the teleportation formation without speaking.

Undoubtedly, the means displayed by Chu Ning during the past three days of the competition had made this island master extremely wary.

Those at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement were no match for him, so he, at the eighth layer, was even more at the other's mercy.

After much thought, he finally decided to adopt a low profile and not provoke Chu Ning.

Just then, Jiang Hongguang and Yu Yuanxiu saw a flash of white light from the teleportation formation.

"Fellow Daoists Jiang, where are you two off to?" he asked.

"We were waiting here specifically for you, Fellow Daoist Chu," Jiang Hongguang quickly replied, shaking his head.

Hearing this, Chu Ning was taken aback for a moment.

But he soon understood what was going on and hastily cupped his hands towards them, saying, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, you're too kind. I've been here before and know where your cave abode is. I can find my way there myself."

"Of course, of course!"

Although Jiang Hongguang sensed that Chu Ning's tone remained humble and steady, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. However, he remained very polite in his speech.

"If not for you, Fellow Daoist Chu, we would be busy packing and moving right now."

Chu Ning smiled and shook his head, not continuing the conversation.

Sensing that Chu Ning didn't want to dwell on the topic, Jiang Hongguang quickly asked, "Fellow Daoist Chu, would you like to visit our cave abode first, or should we head straight to the hidden spirit vein?"

Chu Ning replied without hesitation, "Let's go straight to the second-tier spirit vein. To be honest, Fellow Daoist, I brought some spirit plants with me, but I haven't found a suitable place to plant them yet. If I don't plant them soon, I'm afraid they won't survive."

Chu Ning was telling the truth. If he hadn't dug up those spirit plants with a good amount of surrounding soil, and if he hadn't stored them using special methods, they wouldn't have lasted this long.

During the journey, he had occasionally taken out the more delicate spirit plants to nurture them with his Green Wood Eternal Spring Art.

Now, more than half of the spirit plants in his storage bag were probably beyond saving.

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Jiang Hongguang and his wife once again took the lead and guided him forward.

As they flew along, the three of them chatted casually.

After a while, Chu Ning suddenly stopped, a wry smile on his face as he looked at Jiang Hongguang. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, what's the meaning of this? Fei Hong Island is yours to begin with. I was invited to help, yet in the end, you want me to be the island master?"

At this point, Chu Ning shook his head.

Understanding their concerns, he sincerely said to the couple, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, I'm used to being a free spirit and solitary cultivation. I have no interest in being an island master. Whatever this island was like before will remain the same. I just need a place to set up my cave abode. As for the second-tier spirit vein..."

As he spoke, Chu Ning paused, and the gazes of Jiang Hongguang and his wife landed on him.

Although they had agreed that if Chu Ning wanted to take the second-tier spirit vein for himself, they would accept it, they still held a glimmer of hope that things might turn out differently.

Seeing their concerned looks, Chu Ning smiled and said, "I was going to wait until things were certain before telling you, but it's fine to check it out now. I suspect that there might be more than one hidden spirit vein on this island."

"What?" Jiang Hongguang exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Chu Ning's words.

Chu Ning reached into his spirit beast bag and released Ling Xiaobai.

The little guy jumped onto Chu Ning's shoulder.

Then, Chu Ning continued, "The spirit beast I'm raising is more sensitive to spiritual energy. It detected a place on the island with dense spiritual energy. Whether or not it's a hidden spirit vein remains to be investigated."

As he spoke, Chu Ning turned to the couple and asked, "Shall we go take a look now?"

"Oh, yes, yes," Jiang Hongguang replied, snapping out of his daze. "We'll do as you say, Fellow Daoist Chu."

Chu Ning didn't say more but immediately gestured to Ling Xiaobai, who understood and began to direct them.

The three of them continued flying forward.

First, they arrived at the barren mountain where Chu Ning had previously come with Jiang Hongguang. Then, following Ling Xiaobai's guidance, they flew towards the southwest of the island, almost reaching the edge of the island.

It was at this point that Ling Xiaobai signaled for them to stop.

"Yan Peak? Fellow Daoist Chu, do you mean this place?" Jiang Hongguang asked, looking at the peak with a perplexed expression. It didn't seem particularly rich in spiritual energy.

"Is this Yan Peak?" Chu Ning turned and glanced down at the medium-sized peak in front of him.

"We won't know until we dig it up and take a look," he said.

Chu Ning roughly estimated the location and then slapped his other spirit beast bag, releasing Tie Yanshi.

Instantly, an iron rock beast the size of a small calf appeared.

Over the past few months, Tie Yanshi had mostly stayed in the spirit beast bag, but Chu Ning fed him daily.

Especially during the month they spent in the Thousand Lakes and Islands, Chu Ning often released him in the stone chamber to feed him.

Tie Yanshi grew much faster than Ling Xiaobai. After a few months, he was already the size of a small calf.

Seeing this, Jiang Hongguang and his wife exchanged glances, amazed by Chu Ning's endless surprises.

"Go on, dig a tunnel!"

Chu Ning gently patted Tie Yanshi, who immediately began tunneling into the hillside.

With Chu Ning's magic techniques to help clear the soil, it didn't take long to dig a passage directly into the mountain's belly.

Chu Ning led the way, and the three of them entered the tunnel.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end